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Carnival cruise ship death: Family dynamics may explain investigators’ silence, legal expert says
As the federal investigation into 18-year-old Anna Kepner's death nears one month with no updates, a defense attorney says there may be a reason for the silence: investigators are navigating a rare situation in which the victim’s relatives and the potential perpetrator’s relatives live under the same roof.
Criminal defense attorney and Fox News Contributor Donna Rotunno said the lack of information may be a sign of extreme caution.
"It is odd we haven’t heard anything," Rotunno told Fox News Digital. "But I think there’s a reason for it. When you’re dealing with essentially one family, authorities have to be careful about what they put out there. You don’t want to tip off what’s going on when your victim’s family and your perpetrator’s family are in the same house."
At 9 a.m. Friday, Kepner's father and stepmother – Christopher Kepner and Shauntel Hudson – are expected at the Moore Justice Center in Brevard County, Florida, for a custody hearing, along with Hudson's ex-husband, Timothy Hudson.
FATHER OF TEEN WHO DIED ON CARNIVAL CRUISE EVADES SUBPOENA IN RELATED CUSTODY CASE
Rotunno said the dynamic is highly unusual and may be driving the tight-lipped posture of federal authorities. She added that investigators may also be grappling with the specifics of the cause of death, ruled as mechanical asphyxia.
"They may not know if they can prove what happened yet," Rotunno said. "Mechanical asphyxia could be argued as accidental or something that went too far. Investigators may still be sorting out what the evidence supports."
Friday morning’s family-court custody hearing may offer an update on the case. Rotunno said it may seem unusual that the public is learning key details through family court, but legally, the access is straightforward.
"Family courts, just like criminal courts, are open to the public," she said. "So while it feels unusual, the courts are simply accessible. And right now, those filings are the only place we’re seeing developments."
Court records from an ongoing custody battle between Shauntel Hudson and Thomas Hudson have surfaced as key documents in the case. The filings identify Anna’s 16-year-old stepbrother, who shared a cabin with her aboard the Carnival Horizon, as a "suspect" in her death. Federal authorities have not named or charged the teen.
"The sixteen-year-old child is now a suspect in the death of the stepchild during the cruise," the filing states.
Thomas Hudson further alleges that his ex-wife's choices have put the 16-year-old's future "in jeopardy."
Anna's father, Christopher, was subpoenaed ahead of today's hearing. However, according to a process server’s sworn statement filed ahead of a hearing scheduled for Friday in a contentious custody battle, Christopher was unreachable after he was ordered to testify.
Process server Leslie V. Kinsey wrote that Kepner’s SUV sat running in the driveway and the lights inside the Titusville home were on, but no one responded to repeated knocks or the doorbell.
When asked whether Anna’s 16-year-old stepbrother might be called to the stand, Rotunno said it’s extremely unlikely.
"Any lawyer would advise him to remain silent," she said. "If you're the subject of a criminal investigation, you shouldn’t be giving statements anywhere. I think a judge would say ‘no way’ to putting him on the stand."
A judge, she said, would be obligated to warn the teen of his Fifth Amendment rights and may even appoint a public defender to advise him.
University of Utah spends $400K a year on ‘Dignity Index’ scoring political speech
The University of Utah has launched a program called "The Dignity Index" that rates how statements sound during political or social disagreement on an eight-point scale.
Formally announced in October, according to The Daily Utah Chronicle, the Index is expected to cost $400,000 every year for equipment as well as personnel for the program.
According to the University of Utah, the Index is an "eight-point scale that measures how people talk to each other when they disagree—ranging from ONE, which shows total contempt for the other side, to EIGHT, which shows dignity to everyone, no matter what."
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Tami Pyfer, chief external affairs officer and co-creator of the Dignity Index, said on a university page that the program was started "as a pilot to establish the validity of the Dignity Index itself has grown into an initiative with touch points in 25 states."
The partnership between the University of Utah and Project UNITE, a nonprofit which created The Dignity Index, initially began in 2022 when the University of Utah used the Index "to use the Dignity Index to score political speech in Utah’s congressional mid-term elections."
A "youth edition" of The Dignity Index talks about "building skills for dignified disagreement" and also scores speech on an eight-point scale, with a one being, "We have to hurt those people; they deserve it," a four progressing to, "We’re better than those people; they don’t really belong," and an eight being, "Each one of us is precious and irreplaceable, so we should treat each other with dignity, no matter what."
TEXAS TECH RESTRICTS TEACHING OF RACE AND GENDER, FACULTY COULD BE DISCIPLINED FOR VIOLATING RULE
According to Meghan Monroe, senior program associate of K-12 Education at Project UNITE, which created The Dignity Index, the youth edition of the Dignity Index "can be applied to the programs and practices already happening in schools, like those promoting Active Listening and Empathy, which encourage open dialogue where everyone – educators, students, and parents – feels heard, affirming the dignity of each person."
She also said it can be used in "Restorative Practices, which help rebuild relationships and address conflicts with dignity, compassion, and understanding; and Inclusive Resources, which recognize the diverse perspectives and cultural backgrounds students bring to school."
Natalie Gochnour, director of the Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah, said in a statement to Fox News Digital that the university "prioritizes dignity. As stated in our core values, 'We care deeply about our students, patients, society and world, and recognize the inherent dignity of all people.' In addition to dignity, we simultaneously affirm the bedrock value of freedom of expression and the pursuit of truth as fundamental and non-negotiable rights on campus and in the community."
Gochnour added, "Together, these three ideals – the inherent worth of all people, the pursuit of truth, and right to express opinions and ideas — create an environment for speech to flourish and society to prosper."
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"We often pair these ideals together because too often, contempt – the opposite of dignity – suppresses speech and learning. When people experience contempt, they often self-censor, or worse, bite back with even more disdain," Gochnour said. "When people self-censor or fall into a spiral of contempt, communication falters. People eventually stop talking, listening, and learning. Without communication, problems worsen; civil society suffers. There’s a better way and the University of Utah stands ready to lead out. The Dignity Initiative is a privately funded endeavor at the University of Utah to reduce contempt and inspire free speech. In partnership with UNITE, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the U prepares research on dignity scholarship, shares insights on dignity practices, and pioneers a tool known as the Dignity Index to measure how we treat each other when we disagree."
Gochnour also said that participation is "entirely voluntary."
Dem state election board under fire after ICE-arrested superintendent surfaces on voter rolls
EXCLUSIVE: Maryland's voter rolls are coming under House Republican scrutiny after it was discovered that an illegal immigrant serving as a superintendent of a massive school system in Iowa was fraudulently registered to vote in Maryland, Fox News Digital learned.
House Committee on House Administration chair Bryan Steil, R-Wisc., and Vice Chair Laurel Lee, R-Fla., sent a letter to Maryland State Board of Elections Administrator Jared DeMarinis on Thursday demanding answers regarding Ian Andre Roberts' registration to vote in the state despite not holding U.S. citizenship. The House Administration Committee oversees House operations and oversight and also is charged with considering proposals to amend federal election law.
Roberts' voter registration documents have faced intense scrutiny from conservatives, including when a Maryland county board of elections released redacted versions of the files in November that blacked out how Roberts answered the citizenship question.
"The Committee is concerned about the integrity and accuracy of Maryland’s citizenship verification processes, and therefore the state’s voter rolls. To assist the Committee’s oversight of this matter, please provide the following information as soon as possible," the letter read, hitting the election chief with 10 questions related to the state's voter role vetting process and the prevalence of illegal immigrants on voter rolls.
LEGAL THREAT CRACKS OPEN VOTER RECORDS FOR ILLEGAL SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT NABBED BY ICE
The committee is pressing for details, asking: "Is Roberts still a registered voter in Maryland?;" "Has Mr. Roberts ever voted in Maryland? If yes, what election(s) did he participate in?;" "Was Mr. Roberts ever mailed an absentee ballot? If yes, for which election(s)?" and "How does the State Board of Elections fulfill their obligations under 52 U.S.C. §20507 to conduct a general program to remove ineligible voters from the rolls?"
Maryland is a Democratic state, with the party controlling the offices of governor, secretary of state, attorney general and both chambers of the state legislature.
Roberts worked in Baltimore City Schools between August 2001 and June 2010, including serving as a teacher, resident principal and principal at various points across his career in Maryland, local media previously reported.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials arrested Roberts, who originally is from Guyana, in September. Roberts was working as the superintendent of the Des Moines, Iowa, public school system at the time of his arrest, which sparked widespread interest and concern that an illegal immigrant was in such a high-profile position despite his employment authorization card expiring in 2020.
The arrest opened the floodgates to investigations into Roberts' past, including uncovering a lengthy criminal history in the U.S. that stretches back to 1996, when he was charged with criminal possession of narcotics with intent to sell in New York.
Roberts also was discovered to be a registered voter in Maryland. It is illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal or state elections.
Maryland, along with five other states, was additionally hit with a lawsuit earlier in December filed by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division for "failure to produce their statewide voter registration lists upon request," according to the DOJ.
"The Department of Justice's lawsuit against the Maryland Board of Elections is a stark reminder of the deep-seated issues plaguing our voter registration system," Republican state delegate Matt Morgan, who is chair of the Maryland Freedom Caucus, said of Maryland's voter roles to Fox Digital.
"For years, we've heard dismissals that non-citizens voting ‘never happens,’ yet Ian Andra Roberts' story is irrefutable proof to the contrary. These revelations highlight serious flaws that undermine public trust and the integrity of our elections. The Maryland Freedom Caucus supports the DOJ's efforts to protect our democracy by ensuring only citizens vote," he continued.
HEAVILY REDACTED VOTING RECORDS FOR SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT NABBED BY ICE SPARK OUTRAGE
The Roberts saga heightened in November after the American Accountability Foundation filed a public records request to obtain Roberts' voter registration documents. The Prince George, Maryland, Board of Elections returned heavily redacted documents that blacked out Roberts' sex, whether he checked the citizenship box, his date of birth and other information.
Conservative legal group Restoring Integrity and Trust in Elections (RITE) sent the board a warning letter shortly after to provide unredacted versions of the documents or face a potential court battle. The county board complied in December, revealing Roberts fraudulently stated he was an American citizen on the documents.
"When election officials attempt to hide eligibility records, the public loses the ability to verify that the law is being followed," Restoring Integrity and Trust in Elections CEO and President Justin Riemer said in a December press release of the unredacted version of the files. "Once the records were produced, we saw just how weak Maryland’s safeguards really are. This is unfortunately all too common around the country and federal laws do little to help stop noncitizens from registering to vote."
The Maryland State Board of Elections previously said Roberts did not vote in elections.
"Records released by the Maryland State Board of Elections confirm that a noncitizen has successfully registered to vote in Maryland on at least two occasions," Steil and Lee continued in the letter. "The situation prompts ongoing concerns that states are not verifying the citizenship of registrants. Oversight of federal elections is critical to inform potential legislative reforms and safeguard the integrity of federal elections. The Committee is therefore seeking information from the Maryland State Board of Elections."
The letter also took issue with the heavy redactions to Roberts' documents when they were initially released.
"Mr. Roberts repeatedly claimed U.S. citizenship and remained a registered voter in Maryland for years, despite leaving the state over a decade ago," they wrote. "The American Accountability Foundation filed a public records request for Mr. Roberts’s voter registration application. The original release of the documents contained heavy, intentional redactions, including Mr. Roberts’s answer to the citizenship question. The subsequent release of Mr. Roberts’s application still redacts crucial information such as the source of his voter registration application."
The committee leaders argued that the "recurring redactions suggest that Maryland is either concealing an accidental voter registration of an illegal alien or withholding information about its failure to verify citizenship."
The county board of elections told Fox News Digital Wednesday that "the Prince George's County Board of Elections adheres to all legal and statutory requirements under the Federal and State Election Laws, as well as the processes and requirements set forth within the Maryland Code of Regulations (COMAR.)"
"Following a review of the (Maryland public information act) request by legal counsel, and after consultation with the Maryland State Board of Elections, given consideration to the NVRA statutory laws as well as the accompanying reported Federal Cases addressing the subject of Election Board voter information disclosures, it was determined that some of the information in question concerning Mr. Robers could not be redacted. The situation concerning the previously redacted information was immediately rectified," election administrator Wendy Honesty-Bey said in an email to Fox News Digital.
Roberts was taken into the U.S. Marshall's custody and will face prosecution, the Department of Homeland Security said in October.
SEARCH FIRM BEHIND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT SUPERINTENDENT SELECTION RECRUITS TOP SCHOOL LEADERS NATIONWIDE
Roberts' arrest, itself, also was mired in controversy. He attempted to flee law enforcement officers, according to the Department of Homeland Security, and was found to be in possession of $3,000 in cash, a Glock 9 mm pistol and a hunting knife at the time of his arrest.
Roberts was criminally charged Oct. 2 with being an illegal alien in possession of firearms, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
The charges are his latest in a lengthy rap sheet that goes back to 1996.
Roberts first arrived in the U.S. in 1994, according to the Department of Homeland Security, and faced a charge for third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle in Queens, New York, in 1998 that was later dropped, a 2012 conviction for reckless driving in Maryland, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and other weapons charges in 2020, and a 2022 conviction for unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in Pennsylvania.
The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners revoked Roberts' education license following his arrest, and he is no longer permitted to serve as a superintendent in the state. The district is now suing the executive search firm that helped hire Roberts for breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation, general negligence and is also seeking monetary damages, Fox Digital previously reported.
Fox News Digital reached out to Roberts' attorney for any updates on the case.
"We're reviewing all allegations at this point to determine their veracity," Brandon Brown, an attorney for Roberts, told Axios in October.
Fox News Digital's News Quiz: December 5, 2025
Test your news knowledge with this week's Fox News Digital News Quiz, where President Donald Trump announced a pardon for Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, and a British man was arrested for what he posted online.
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Trump conducted the traditional turkey pardoning ceremony at the White House, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene planned her post-retirement life in last week's News Quiz.
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Government lifts Wi-Fi ban in secretive 'quiet zone' amid observatory tourism
A highly restrictive area in Green Bank, West Virginia, has introduced Wi-Fi for the first time ever — with visitors continuing to check out the secretive community.
Dubbed the Quiet Zone, the area is home to the U.S. National Science Foundation Green Bank Observatory (NSF GBO).
The observatory houses the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope. There is a 13,000 square mile radius around the GBO that limits cell towers and antenna heights — and requires coordination for transmissions, even microwave links.
AMERICANS MUST PAY HIGHER FEE FOR A TICKET TO THE WORLD'S MOST VISITED MUSEUM
The observatory, built in 1956, operates 24 hours a day.
In August, the GBO announced that Green Bank Elementary and Middle School, located next to the observatory’s telescope, would be allowed to begin using WiFi.
Residents and businesses may also use 2.4GHz Wi-Fi in the Quiet Zone.
"The radio frequencies that Wi-Fi use[s] to connect with phones, tablets and other devices are the same type of wavelengths emitted by objects in space," a press release notes.
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"When Wi-Fi is on at the same time, these frequencies overlap — and hide — what the scientists are looking for," it adds.
Anthony Remijan, NSF GBO director, said in a press release the organization is trying to balance scientific operations with the modern-day reality of Wi-Fi.
"When these Quiet Zones were created in the late 1950s, by the Federal Communications Commission and the state of West Virginia, officials could not have predicted the technology using radio wavelengths that are almost an essential part of our daily lives," said Remijan.
National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) public information manager Jill Malusky told Fox News Digital that while the area hasn't seen an immediate rise in visitors, the public science center hosts about 50,000 visitors a year.
"Observatory leadership worked with the [school’s] principal and vice principal on this [recent] change. Information was given to the school IT staff from our [National Radio Quiet Zone] staff for the school staff to implement," said Malusky.
Upon arrival at the observatory, visitors must disable all wireless signals on mobile phones and other smart devices.
Guests can learn about how radio astronomy teaches scientists about the universe while exploring interactive exhibits.
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They can also see inside GBO’s historic telescopes.
The observatory's grounds are free and open to the public every day from sunrise to sunset, the venue notes on its website. Guests are "welcome to explore our trails or take a self-guided tour of our site."
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In addition to what's offered on site, "Green Bank staff travel around the country and around the world to take part in educational programs and to talk about the science and technology" of the observatory.
Prince Harry’s 'reckless' Trump swipe exposes ‘terrible judgment’ and widens royal rift: experts
Prince Harry’s latest publicity blitz risks shattering any remaining chance of a royal reconciliation with his ailing father.
The claim was made by several royal experts who spoke to Fox News Digital after the Duke of Sussex joked that President Donald Trump is America’s "king" during a cameo appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." The remarks came nearly three months after Trump visited the U.K. for a state visit where he met with the monarch, who is still undergoing cancer treatment.
"Harry’s jab at President Trump on Colbert wasn’t clever – it was reckless," Kinsey Schofield, host of YouTube’s "Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered," told Fox News Digital. "Honestly, how does he think he can hold on to a royal title while taking public swipes at the head of a foreign government?"
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"It’s also a slap in the face," Schofield insisted. "Buckingham Palace put significant effort into a major state visit for President Trump to support diplomatic relations. And, frankly, it’s a slap to President Trump as well, considering he agreed to ease up on Harry’s immigration situation out of personal respect for King Charles."
Joking about his desire to play the "Gingerbread Prince" in a fictional Hallmark Christmas movie, Harry told Colbert, "Well, you Americans are obsessed with Christmas movies, and you’re clearly obsessed with royalty, so why not?"
"Hold on, I wouldn’t say we’re obsessed with royalty," Colbert replied.
WATCH: PRINCE HARRY'S TRUMP JOKE FALLS FLAT WITH LATE NIGHT AUDIENCE
"Really? I heard you elected a king," Harry responded, as the audience booed.
Harry’s jab echoed anti-Trump sentiment from October’s "No Kings" protest, during which scores of liberals and Trump critics demonstrated nationwide to oppose the president’s second-term agenda.
Organizers of the protest said they were defending democracy from what they saw as Trump’s authoritarian rule.
"Harry did himself no favors," British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital. "And to hear that decidedly left-leaning New York City audience boo him – he went from cheers and a standing ovation at first, to that. A few minutes’ summary, if you ask me, of his entire trajectory."
"His ghastly, self-defeating swipe at both President Trump and his own royal family signaled yet again his terrible judgment," said Fordwich.
"While he still trades on his title, he attacks the monarchy and chronically misreads public mood on both sides of the Atlantic. Instead of healing the wounds he caused, he scratches them open – all while claiming to want to heal."
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Harry followed up by poking fun at Americans for electing "king" Trump after "making such a big deal about my great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather, George III" – a reference to the American Revolution.
"Well, he was kind of a jerk," Colbert shot back.
"OK, let it go," Harry joked.
The prince continued, asking Colbert what else he needed to do to convince Americans to cast him in a Hallmark film.
"I’ll record a self-tape, I’ll fly myself to an audition, settle a baseless lawsuit with the White House – all the things you people on TV do," he said.
WATCH: PRINCE HARRY POKES FUN AT AMERICANS FOR ELECTING KING TRUMP DURING COLBERT APPEARANCE
The line was meant as a dig at Colbert’s parent company, CBS, which settled with Trump earlier this year after the president sued the broadcaster for allegedly editing its interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 election.
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Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment.
In September, Trump opened a two-day visit to the U.K., calling his meeting with the king, 77, "one of the highest honors of my life." During the trip, he made time for a quiet tribute at Queen Elizabeth II’s tomb.
During his visit, Trump was welcomed with the largest guard of honor in living memory – featuring 120 horses and 1,300 troops – as well as carriage rides, an air show and a Windsor Castle state dinner. The 79-year-old also met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss trade, technology and geopolitical issues.
No U.S. president, or any other world leader, has received the honor of a second U.K. state visit. Trump’s first was in 2019, during his previous term.
"The Andrew saga has already left the royal family exposed, and the king is trying to manage those issues while carrying out daily duties and undergoing regular cancer treatment," said Schofield, referring to the disgraced ex-Duke of York.
"For Harry to stir up more controversy connected to the family only accelerates internal discussions about removing his titles," Schofield claimed. "If anything, this moment underscores that there is no path back for Harry. For those insisting he could still be a valuable asset, he just proved what a liability he is."
Schofield noted that before Kate Middleton announced her cancer diagnosis in March 2024, Colbert jokingly linked her absence from public life to rumors of an alleged affair between her husband, Prince William, and Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley. Colbert later expressed remorse for the jokes after Kate’s diagnosis became public, Vanity Fair reported.
"That was one of the hardest years of William’s life, and he’s acknowledged that publicly," Schofield said. "Colbert’s nasty monologue deeply upset both the prince and princess, who were already under immense pressure as they quietly navigated Catherine’s cancer diagnosis while trying to protect their children from fear or confusion."
"While they were living with that burden, Colbert and others used their platforms to push cruel theories, which William was regularly briefed on," she continued. "It caused real pain. Rose was prepared to sue. And for Harry to run onto Colbert’s stage and crack jokes with him tells you everything about where that relationship stands. It’s irrevocably broken."
The outlet reported that Hanbury's lawyers sent a legal notice to CBS, stating the allegations were false.
Harry has been estranged from his family since 2020, when he and his wife, Meghan Markle, stepped back as senior royals. They said the decision was driven by unbearable press intrusion and a lack of palace support.
After moving to California, they aired their grievances in interviews and documentaries. Harry’s 2023 memoir, "Spare," further worsened his relationship with the royal family.
In May, Harry told the BBC: "I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore. I don’t know how much longer my father has."
Harry met his father before Trump’s state visit, sparking hope among royal watchers of a reconciliation between father and son. Sources previously told People magazine that the king wasn’t responding to Harry’s calls or letters.
But not everyone believes Harry’s late-night appearance was catastrophic.
"It was clunky, but not cancerous," Doug Eldridge, founder of Achilles PR, told Fox News Digital.
"Objectively speaking, it was pretty benign – this was about visibility. As I’ve often said, Hollywood isn’t about talent; it’s about temperature. Visibility and popularity provide the match to light that fire in the first place. He might not have done well, but he still knew what he was doing."
But for some, the wounds have already been inflicted.
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"After such a successful state visit, where his father hosted President Trump to bolster U.S.-U.K. ties, Harry is doing precisely what he shouldn’t – inserting himself into partisan politics, contrary to all traditional royal neutrality," said Fordwich. "While we won’t have any public response from the royals at this point, past patterns indicate how this will have been received."
"I guess Harry and Colbert have a lot in common – like the unemployment line," Schofield quipped.
Nancy Mace targets fraud with bill to require photo on SNAP EBT cards
In a bid to cut down on fraud, Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina has introduced a bill to require inclusion of a photo on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) EBT cards.
"Taxpayers have had enough of watching their hard-earned dollars abused by people with no legal right to these benefits," Mace said, according to a press release.
"This isn't complicated, if you're eligible for SNAP, your photo goes on the card and you're the only one who uses it. Not fraudsters, not criminals, not someone borrowing a card they have no right to use. This is basic common sense, fairness, and protecting taxpayers and the American families who truly need food assistance," she added.
REP NANCY MACE SLAPS DOWN EARLY RETIREMENT RUMOR: ‘BIG FAT NO FROM ME’
Congress.gov lists GOP Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Barry Moore of Alabama as original cosponsors of the proposal.
"Each Electronic Benefit Transfer card issued to a household or individual under this chapter shall include on the face of the card a photographic image taken within the previous ten years, or in the case of a minor taken within the previous five years, of the authorized cardholder to whom the card is issued," the measure declares.
TRUMP ADMIN'S NEW SNAP REQUIREMENTS TAKE EFFECT FOR FOOD STAMP RECIPIENTS
"As a condition of authorization to accept or redeem benefits under this chapter, a retail food store or wholesale food concern, before making a sale, shall demand to see, and shall inspect, the photograph located on an Electronic Benefit Transfer card for every customer using an Electronic Benefit Transfer card to ensure the purchaser is entitled to utilize or redeem benefits under this chapter," another portion of the measure reads.
The proposal leaves room for accommodations to enable caregivers to tap benefits on behalf of benefit recipients.
"The Secretary shall establish procedures for reasonable accommodations to allow caregivers of a minor, individual with disabilities, or an elderly individual to access benefits on behalf of a recipient in their care," the measure notes.
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Mace, who has served in the House of Representatives since 2021, is currently running for Palmetto State governor.
REP BRIAN MAST: Congress has the perfect way to honor our nation’s fallen heroes
I remember every military funeral I have been to vividly: each crack of the gun salute, the slow, solemn hum of taps, the crisp folding of the flag and being handed to a family member with the words, "on behalf of a grateful nation." I know there is nothing we, as a nation, can do to repay the debt, but I know there is something we can do to truly show how grateful we are as a nation.
That’s why I have put forth legislation, the Final Honors Act, allowing any U.S. service member killed in action (KIA) to lie in state beneath the dome of the U.S. Capitol. This honor allows Americans to pay final tribute to those who have served our nation. The tradition dates back to 1852, when Henry Clay — the seventh speaker of the house and secretary of State to President John Quincy Adams — first received the recognition. Since then, just 46 individuals have lain in state or honor, including former presidents, civil rights activist Rosa Parks and Capitol police officers killed in the line of duty.
Every member of our armed forces who was killed when they were shot down in a jet or helicopter, received the round of a sniper or the spray of machine gun fire, was hit by an RPG or IED, went down with a ship, or was in some other way killed in action, was killed because they bravely and selflessly raised their right hand and swore an oath to protect and defend our Constitution and our country. They undertook jobs that were always dangerous and proved to be deadly, and they did so willingly, knowing that they might not make it home to their loved ones. But while their love for America and all that she stands for was limitless, reverence for their sacrifice has not been.
That's why I'm working to ensure our service members receive the honor they deserve by giving those KIA the opportunity to lie in state — so every American can pay their final respects to a hero who embodied the very best of our nation. This would allow the families of the fallen to choose whether they wish to honor their fallen service member with their flag draped casket beneath the dome of our Capitol building.
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The offer is entirely theirs to accept, but they would know their country stands with them and men like me will reverently approach the casket, render a slow and purposeful salute, say a prayer, and say goodbye to our fallen sister or brother. I would like the first of these offers to be extended to the family of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, of the West Virginia Army National Guard, who lost her life in our nation’s capital. God willing, she will be the first and final service member to receive this honor. But if another soldier, sailor, airman, Marine or guardian gives their life for our nation, then I believe we must offer the nation’s highest level of respect and admiration by laying each and every one of those warriors in state.
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We, as citizens of the United States, have a responsibility to honor the sacrifice of our warriors. But that is not as intuitive as many would expect. As I presented this idea, I had many people first bring up the inconveniences such ceremonies would cause around the Capitol if we were in a war and suffering many casualties. I pray, literally, for all of our men and women defending us, but if one of them gives their life, then our 535 lawmakers absolutely need their lives disrupted, to pay respect and reflect on the consequences of the decisions they make.
Our nation’s lawmakers should have been doing this for every casualty of World War II and Korea, or the over 58,000 casualties of the Vietnam War, the Rangers, Delta operators, and Black Hawk pilots of Mogadishu, as well as my brothers and sisters in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. We failed them in the past, let us not fail Specialist Beckstrom or any patriot who gives their life hereafter.
To some, that may sound symbolic. To those who have worn the uniform — or lost someone who has —they will recognize the effort of a nation showing real gratitude. It will be a reminder that our freedom comes at an unbelievable cost. With that, Specialist Beckstrom, on behalf of a grateful nation, thank you, and thank God for blessing our nation with you, and may you rest in peace.
Republican populism craters as Trump stumbles, Democrats surge
As a Democrat who’s been on winning and losing presidential campaigns against Donald Trump, it’s clear to me that the Republican Party’s top competitive edge in recent elections was its anti-establishment populist message. I say "message" because actions always matter more than words — especially when the actions contradict the words. That’s happening now. Trump and Vance are breaking their promises to stand up for everyday Americans against corrupt elites.
The prices Trump and Vance ran on vowing to "immediately" lower — groceries, healthcare, electricity bills – have gone up, while economic growth is down. We’re seeing "recession-level" job loss and unprecedented welfare for the rich.
As a result, Trump and Vance are crippling Republicans’ flagship political advantage, creating new divides in their party and the country. Those shifts are big openings for Democrats on voters’ #1 issue, their finances. By the same token, if I were one of the Republicans already navigating the 2028 shadow primary, I’d see growing opportunities to outcompete JD Vance.
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The Constitution blocks Trump from running again. Even if it didn’t, Trump’s diminishing energy levels and judgment make him a lame duck regardless. Case in point, the President of the United States is building himself an assisted-living theme park on the White House grounds while dismissing Americans’ concerns about affordability. This kind of antipopulist record is becoming significant baggage for Vance, making him a target for Republicans as well as Democrats.
For example, it’s hard to imagine anything less populist -- or more un-Christian -- than partying with billionaires while taking food away from working families. Or forcing middle class Americans to pick up the tab for AI datacenters backed by some of the richest companies in history.
In the Biden White House, we saw firsthand how damaging it is for the party in power if a majority of Americans rate the economy negatively. Voters’ economic sentiment sets the political tone.
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In November, the party that controls Washington lost elections all over the country. From New Jersey Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger to New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, Democrats ran disciplined, cost-of-living campaigns. That issue has staying power and can unite Democrats with newly persuadable independents and Republicans. It happened again this week, with Republicans barely hanging onto a deep-red Tennessee congressional district.
Sadly, for those of us who can’t afford to ingratiate ourselves the Trump-Vance administration by purchasing Trump’s meme coin or joining Donald Trump Jr.’s "Executive Branch" club, their agenda is sowing seeds for an even weaker economy.
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First, there’s healthcare. Having already made the biggest Medicaid cuts in history, Washington Republicans want to terminate Democratic health care tax credits for working people, making premiums skyrocket for millions and taking coverage from more.
Second, tens of thousands are losing their jobs to AI – a rapidly accelerating trend. While it’s in America’s interest to lead the world when it comes to AI, the Trump-Vance administration — whose AI czar is himself a corrupt billionaire — is treating millions of Americans’ livelihoods as expendable, failing to equip workers for a successful economic future. By contrast, Democrats like Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Jake Auchincloss are working to ensure we win the AI race while fighting to protect blue and white collar workers.
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Then there’s energy. After raising electricity bills with the most severe clean energy cuts on record, Republican majorities are helping extremely rich people charge working families for their datacenters’ energy consumption. The Trump-Vance record on monopolistic megamergers will also come back to haunt them.
These realities all trap Vance between a rock and a hard place. Trump demands unquestioning loyalty from subordinates like Vance, but other likely candidates have more autonomy. For example, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, has attacked the White House for high prices.
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Greene isn’t alone among Republicans in distancing herself from the administration. When Nick Fuentes, a Holocaust-denying neo-Nazi, said "organized Jewry" was the biggest threat to America, Trump and Vance’s response to Fuentes was pathetically weak. But Texas Senator Ted Cruz, another possible candidate, blasted Fuentes.
There’s also growing bipartisan opposition to the administration’s warmongering toward Venezuela. Americans don’t want servicemembers risking their lives to distract from a billionaire president’s falling approval ratings.
What has been Vance’s biggest asset with fellow Republicans --his closeness with Trump --could become his rivals’ key to undermining him. Democrats are doing it now. Last month, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a popular swing state Democrat, blasted Vance for taking food away from the hungry while cutting taxes for billionaires. Then he signed a new tax credit for working families into law, delivering $193 million in tax relief for 940,000 Pennsylvanians.
Republicans’ "Golden Age" is turning into a second Gilded Age, where tax breaks for the wealthy are funded by higher costs for everyone else.
Across all political boundaries, Americans want leaders who will actually listen to them.
Trump taps new architect to reshape White House as $300M ballroom build accelerates
President Donald Trump on Thursday hired a new architect to lead the next phase of the White House ballroom project.
Trump tapped Shalom Baranes Associates, a Washington, D.C.-based architectural firm to oversee the ballroom design effort.
"As we begin to transition into the next stage of development on the White House Ballroom, the Administration is excited to share that the highly talented Shalom Baranes has joined the team of experts to carry out President Trump’s vision on building what will be the greatest addition to the White House since the Oval Office — the White House Ballroom," White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said in a statement.
Ingle added, "Shalom is an accomplished architect whose work has shaped the architectural identity of our nation’s capital for decades and his experience will be a great asset to the completion of this project."
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Trump initially chose McCrery Architects to design the ballroom. McCrery will remain a valuable consultant on the project, a White House official told Fox News.
Construction started on the ballroom in October, leading to the demolition of the White House’s historic East Wing.
The project is being privately funded at an estimated cost of $300 million, up from a $200 million estimate in July when the project was unveiled.
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Trump provided an update on construction during a cabinet meeting Tuesday, saying, "I wouldn't say my wife is thrilled."
"She hears pile drivers in the background all day, all night," he said.
The president said the overhaul has been needed for 150 years, adding, "I think it's going to be the finest ballroom ever built."
The White House previously said the long-envisioned addition will be designed to host large gatherings and state visits, and will be completed before the end of Trump's term.