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Carville unloads on Maher, tells him to ‘get your head out of Bari Weiss’s a--’ in heated Trump rant
Democratic strategist James Carville criticized President Donald Trump and comedian Bill Maher during a recent episode of the "Politics War Room" podcast, where he responded to Trump's remarks about former FBI Director Robert Mueller and pushed back on Maher's comments about "Trump Derangement Syndrome."
"Do me a favor, Bill. Try to get your head out of Bari Weiss’s a--," Carville said, addressing Maher directly during the segment.
Carville's remarks came after Maher criticized him as acting like a "crazy old man" with "Trump Derangement Syndrome," arguing that Carville represents a small segment of political media disconnected from everyday Americans.
CARVILLE PREDICTS TRUMP WILL LEAVE OFFICE NEXT YEAR OUT OF FRUSTRATION AFTER MIDTERMS
Carville pushed back on that characterization, summarizing Maher's critique before responding.
"The argument is basically myself and people like me are crazy... we're just blind rage, crazy, we can't stand Trump," Carville said.
He followed up by embracing the labels, calling himself and those like-minded crazy.
"I’m going to agree with you. I’m crazy… a lot of people like me, we’re crazy," Carville said.
JAMES CARVILLE TELLS STEPHEN A SMITH DEMOCRATS 'DO NOT KNOW HOW TO TALK TO YOUNG MEN'
Carville described his reaction to the current political climate, claiming he and like-minded people wake up early, in a rage, over the state of the country.
"We wake up at 2 o’clock in the morning, throwing s--- against the wall. I can’t believe this motherf----- is the President of the United States," Carville said.
"Maybe our craziness is evidence of our sanity," he added.
FETTERMAN CONDEMNED BY CARVILLE FOR SUPPORTING IRAN WAR, SAYS HE'S ALWAYS ON WRONG SIDE OF ISSUES
Carville also pointed to Trump's response to Mueller's death, noting Trump reacted by saying he was "glad," and questioned whether that should change how critics view the situation.
"Robert Mueller dies and Trump says, ‘I’m glad,'" Carville said. "Will you be stuck with being insane about this?"
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Carville closed by reiterating his message to critics, saying they can "mock us" and "make fun of us," but his position remains unchanged.
"We’re not going to change… we’re not going to back off, not one iota," Carville noted.
"James Carville is a stone-cold loser who clearly suffers from a severe and debilitating case of Trump Derangement Syndrome that has rotted his peanut-sized brain," White House spokesperson, Davis Ingle, told Fox News Digital.
Department of Education under Trump just took its 'largest' step closer to shutting down
The Department of Education (ED) just took a big step closer to shutting down.
The Trump administration announced on Thursday an interagency agreement between the ED and the Treasury to move student lending operations to the Treasury, which will "assume operational responsibility for collecting on defaulted Federal student loan debt and provide operational support to ED’s efforts to return borrowers to repayment," the ED said in a release.
"I think we've been very clear about this last week that this is a multiphase process," Nicholas Kent, Undersecretary of Education, told Fox News Digital on Monday.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PULL BACK RACE-BASED CRITERIA IN FEDERAL GRANTS
Throughout the 2024 campaign, then-candidate Donald Trump promised to eliminate the Department of Education and signed an executive order directing his administration to start disbanding it.
"The Secretary has been on the record saying that these interagency agreements are proof of concept, that we want to show Congress, that we want to show families, we want to show moms and dads and families that the Department of Education does not need to be here for federal grant aid and federal student loans to continue flowing to borrowers," Kent said.
Andrew Gillen of the Cato Institute told Fox News Digital that this particular shift in responsibilities is significant because previous interagency agreements have been "relatively small."
"Whereas this student loan move–this is the biggest staffing and the biggest budgetary component of the Department of Education. So, if it's sent over to Treasury, this really does indicate that this is moving a substantial portion of the Department of Education elsewhere," Gillen said.
"I think that that's absolutely right," Kent said in agreement with Gillen's analysis. "Characterizing it as the next and largest step toward winding down the Department of Education is absolutely the right way to think about it."
This interagency agreement follows the Trump administration’s effort to shift power from a handful of its offices and programs to other federal agencies as it works to dissolve the federal department completely.
TRUMP ADMIN CUTS RED TAPE AS IOWA JOINS EFFORT TO RETURN EDUCATION TO STATES
"Cutting through layers of red tape in Washington is one essential piece of our final mission," Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a press release. "As we partner with these agencies to improve federal programs, we will continue to gather best practices in each state through our 50-state tour, empower local leaders in K-12 education, restore excellence to higher education, and work with Congress to codify these reforms."
The department added that shifting student loan responsibilities to the Treasury will "mitigate the continuing fallout and cost to taxpayers from the Biden Administration’s mismanagement of the Federal student loan portfolio, and facilitate the return of defaulted borrowers to repayment."
The total of student loans owed is at nearly $1.7 trillion, according to the department. It said less than 40% of borrowers arrange a repayment plan and almost 25% of them are in default.
"This will benefit students by streamlining the aid application and student loan repayment processes and save taxpayers money by reducing losses on student loans," Gillen told Fox News Digital. "Once the move is complete, Education’s biggest budgetary and staffing requirements will be handled elsewhere, which will make it much more feasible to shut down the Department of Education."
The ED has made "historic progress in such a short period of time," according to Kent.
"In over a year, we have reduced the size of the department by over 40%. We have entered into 10 interagency agreements. We have done multiple staff details for other agencies where staff who are in the department are literally physically sitting at other agencies," he said. "We are showing Congress and others that this proof of concept works and that we want to continue to work with Congress to memorialize these changes in legislation and with the ultimate goal of closing down the department and putting ourselves out of a job."
Park Police officer shot in Southeast DC suffers non life-threatening injuries as probe unfolds
A United States Park Police officer was shot in Southeast Washington, D.C., the D.C. Police Union confirmed Monday.
"We can confirm that a member of US Park Police was shot in the 5000 blk of Queens Stroll Place SE," the union posted on X. "We’re all sending prayers for the officer and @1791FOP at this time."
U.S. Park Police also confirmed that the officer was shot, adding the injured officer is suffering from non life-threatening injuries. Park police also said the incident happened at about 7:30 p.m.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Metropolitan Police Department for additional information.
FLORIDA OFFICER SHOT IN FACE DURING SERVICE CALL TIED TO MENTAL HEALTH DISPUTE; SUSPECT KILLED
Authorities shut down multiple blocks in the area, restricting both vehicle and pedestrian access as police responded to the incident, FOX 5 in D.C. reported.
The closures include areas along Benning Road SE as well as nearby residential streets, including the 5000 through 5100 block of Queens Stroll Place SE and the 4600 block of Hillside Road SE.
Officials said no vehicular or pedestrian traffic is allowed in the affected zones and are urging the public to avoid the area and follow police directions. Closures remain subject to change.
The station also reported a heavy law enforcement presence remains as investigators work to determine what led to the shooting.
NEW VIDEO EMERGES OF DC NATIONAL GUARD SHOOTING AS SOLDIER CLINGS TO LIFE
FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X that he is praying for the injured officer.
"Praying for the Park Police officer shot in Washington, D.C. The FBI is actively supporting the investigation alongside our law enforcement partners and will bring those responsible to justice," Patel wrote.
"We will provide updates as we are able - please keep the officer and their family in your prayers," he added.
This is a developing story.
Obama adviser reveals private conversations urging Biden not to run in 2016
A top strategist for former President Barack Obama said he discouraged then-Vice President Joe Biden from running in the 2016 presidential election.
The University of Virginia’s Miller Center on Monday published an interview with Obama strategist David Plouffe, who was tasked with informing Biden that he should not run for president because he "could not win." At the time, Biden was grieving the death of his son Beau Biden and was well behind Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.
"What I would say is: ‘Listen, sir, first of all, I’m concerned about you as a human being. I’m not sure you’re in a state to run. But if this was six, seven months ago, it’s a different conversation. There’s no room. There’s just no room for you,’" Plouffe said.
"Iowa is a tough state for you. New Hampshire is a tough state for you, Bernie’s going to win. And South Carolina, Hillary’s going to clean up there. There’s just no room for you," he continued. "And by the way, Hillary’s not going to implode."
Plouffe told Biden that Sanders wouldn’t implode, either.
"I think he ultimately accepted it, but I think it was more a couple of people around him. They really got him stirred up because part of it was, ‘Well, donors are telling us to run.’ I’m like, ‘Well, I know these donors. Let’s talk about them.’ It was a couple guys in California. I’m like, ‘That’s not a campaign. I get that Hillary is struggling in this campaign vis-a-vis Bernie. That’s true. But there’s no room for you in part because of that. Bernie and Hillary both are guaranteed 80 percent of this electorate,’" Plouffe said, adding that Clinton was better with Black voters than Biden at the time.
FAR-LEFT EX-MSNBC HOST ARGUES KAMALA HARRIS SHOULDN'T RUN IN 2028, CITES BIDEN POLICY 'STAIN'
Plouffe explained that he felt Biden would have struggled against now-President Donald Trump but "didn’t have the trust and character issues that Hillary" had with the electorate. He suggested Biden may have performed better than Clinton in some areas during the general election, but there was simply no path for him to get there.
"It’s like, Poor Joe. And my view is, listen, Biden’s career was over. Obama picked him to be vice president. And Biden was very clear he wasn’t going to run even before Beau [died]. But once Beau happened, of course you’re like, there’s no way it’s to going run," Plouffe said.
"By the time he [Biden] kind of kicked the tires on this, we were just fully developed, two incredibly strong, vote-getting candidates," he continued. "And Biden’s natural lane, White working-class, working union guys were kind of split between Sanders and Clinton, but they both had strong support."
Plouffe then shifted gears and said that many Democratic voters objected to former Vice President Kamala Harris receiving the 2024 nomination without the party holding a primary after Biden was essentially forced out of the race.
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"It really bothered voters more than I thought it would and kind of undercut any kind of authority around the danger Trump posed," he said.
"And by the way, all these Democrats, as they saw it, had covered up Biden. And so, you put that together, which is Kamala kind of being installed in there and then the cover-up on Biden, as voters saw it. I mean, I don’t think the party has fully come to a full reckoning on that," Plouffe added. "I don’t think we should belabor it, but I think every Democrat should obviously say, ‘Of course he shouldn’t have run. We know that now. A good president shouldn’t have run.’ And we should never again have a nominee that isn’t fully vetted by the voters and chosen by the voters."
Mullin confirmed as DHS chief as lawmakers near solution on shutdown standoff
The Senate confirmed Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., as the ninth Homeland Security secretary, capping a sprint to replace embattled outgoing Secretary Kristi Noem.
It also caps off a 13-year career in Congress that began in the House and saw Mullin score a seat in the Senate in 2021 where he became the de facto bridge between both chambers, helping to build trust between the House and Senate during last year's push to pass the "big, beautiful bill." Ahead of the vote he arrived flanked by his family, and was excited to cast his final vote on himself.
Mullin, who was picked by President Donald Trump earlier this month to lead the Department of Homeland Security, was confirmed on a largely party-line vote. Sens. John Fetterman, D-Pa., and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., joined nearly every Republican to clinch his nomination.
Heinrich said he bucked his party because he has seen that Mullin — who co-chairs the Senate Legislative Branch spending committee with him — "is not someone who can simply be bullied into changing his views."
MULLIN'S CONFIRMATION SURVIVES KEY TEST VOTE AS DHS REMAINS SHUT DOWN
"And I look forward to having a secretary who doesn’t take their orders from Stephen Miller," Heinrich said.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., was the only Republican to vote against Mullin, citing their chilly relationship and Mullin’s past comments that his 2017 assault was "justified."
Mullin’s confirmation also saw the close of a whirlwind month in which Noem was reassigned after an explosive pair of hearings on Capitol Hill, as well as the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, who were fatally shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
SCHUMER GAMBIT FAILS AS DHS SHUTDOWN HITS 36 DAYS AND AIRPORT LINES GROW
Still, Noem’s ousting and Mullin’s ascension have done little to shift Senate Democrats from their position. They continue to demand sweeping reforms to ICE and have so far blocked funding to the agency five times, along with several GOP attempts to temporarily extend funding to DHS.
The path to ending the shutdown appeared to become more complicated over the weekend.
Both sides began meeting for the first time during the shutdown, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., characterizing the talks as "productive."
However, Trump threw a wrench into negotiations Sunday night, writing on Truth Social: "I don’t think we should make any deal with the Crazy, Country Destroying, Radical Left Democrats unless, and until, they vote with Republicans to pass ‘THE SAVE AMERICA ACT.’"
GOP SENATOR’S GAMBIT EXPOSES FALSE DEM CLAIMS ABOUT SUPPORTING VOTER ID
"In other words, lump everything together as one, and VOTE!!! Kill the Filibuster, and stay in D.C. for Easter, if necessary," Trump said.
That comes after Thune suggested to the president that Republicans could carve out ICE and Customs and Border Protection funding from a broader DHS package and instead fund those agencies through budget reconciliation.
Canceling recess may be a hard sell in the upper chamber, given that votes this past weekend were plagued by absences. When asked if he would cancel the upcoming two-week break, Thune said, "We'll see."
A cohort of Senate Republicans met with Trump ahead of Mullin's confirmation vote. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., told reporters after that the meeting went "really well."
When asked if Republicans had a solution to end the closure, she said, "We do."
Still, Senate Democrats remain unified in their opposition to the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.
"We're ready to meet with the White House today to keep talking," Schumer said. "In fact, we were going to meet this morning with Tom Homan. But apparently the White House pulled that meeting because of Donald Trump's temper tantrum. They're all scrambling around there in the White House. They don't know what to do."
Megan Moroney stuns in orange bikini during friend's Bahamas bachelorette
Megan Moroney is swapping Nashville for the tropics and making sure her best friend has the ultimate send-off.
The "Tennessee Orange" singer was in the Bahamas over the weekend, where she shared an inside look at a bachelorette getaway for her close friend, social media influencer Natalie King. Known for her soulful anthems about heartbreak and girlhood, Moroney is leaning into the latter as she helps King celebrate her final days as a single woman. The vacation serves as a stylish interlude for the singer, who has been documenting the festivities and her own vacation looks for her Instagram followers.
The country singer appeared relaxed and sun-kissed in the indoor snap, giving her followers a first look at her vacation wardrobe. Moroney showcased a structured, vibrant orange bikini top with subtle gold hardware, paired with matching bottoms.
Keeping the look playful and coastal, the "I'm Not Pretty" singer accessorized with a statement charm necklace, including a visible shell and a hot pink starfish pendant. Her signature hair was styled in natural beach waves, completing the look with simple bracelets and manicured nails.
MILEY CYRUS ADMITS THE 'TERRIBLE HABIT' SHE LEARNED FROM DOLLY PARTON
The celebration moved to the shoreline, where Moroney shared a candid look at her island escape. The CMA winner was seen walking barefoot into the turquoise tide, her back to the camera as she waded through the rolling waves.
But it wouldn’t be a bachelorette weekend without a coordinated moment with the bride-to-be. Moroney later shared a photo alongside King, with both striking a celebratory pose on a scenic observation deck.
Staying true to her country roots, Moroney wore a dark brown cowgirl hat paired with a daring black mesh cover-up. King appeared bridal-ready in a white lace crop top and a ruffled maxi skirt. The duo raised their arms in unison, drinks in hand, as they posed against a backdrop of palm trees and the Caribbean horizon.
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While Moroney is currently soaking up the sun, the "6 Months Later" singer is also celebrating a major career "full circle" moment.
COUNTRY STAR MEGAN MORONEY POSTS CHRISTMAS BIKINI PHOTOS FROM BEACH GETAWAY
In an exclusive interview with People, Moroney revealed she is honoring the 20th anniversary of "Hannah Montana" by releasing a cover of the iconic theme song, "Best of Both Worlds," through Spotify Singles. The country star, 28, admitted to the outlet that she has been using the track to get "hyped" before her own shows for the last two years.
"I started watching and listening to Hannah Montana at a young age. So I think just her confidence… She was bubbly and funny. I think that definitely wore off on me," Moroney told People. "I didn’t grow up and like, want to be a princess. I wanted to grow up and be Hannah Montana."
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The cover comes just ahead of a Disney+ anniversary special featuring Miley Cyrus, 33, which is set to air Tuesday, March 24. For Moroney, the pressure was on to do the 2006 classic justice for the "Disney" die-hards.
COUNTRY STAR MEGAN MORONEY SETS RECORD STRAIGHT ABOUT RUMORED MORGAN WALLEN ROMANCE
"This is like, the Hannah Montana song and I can’t piss off Hannah Montana fans," she noted in a behind-the-scenes clip from the recording session.
The Spotify release follows a massive year for the "Hannah Montana" catalog, which saw nearly 10.7 million hours of streaming globally in 2025 alone. For Moroney, the project is a chance to bridge the gap between her country roots and the pop-culture phenomenon that inspired her early on.
Top House Dem dismisses probe into Jasmine Crockett’s security guard killed in SWAT standoff
A top House Democrat is pushing back on calls for a probe into Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, hiring a wanted fugitive as a security guard before he was fatally shot in a standoff with SWAT officers.
"I don't know if that's the House's place to investigate," Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.
Diamon-Mazairre Robinson, 39, who used the alias "Mike King" while employed by Crockett, was shot and killed by Dallas SWAT officers earlier in March after a standoff in a hospital parking garage. Police were responding to an active warrant for him after allegedly impersonating law enforcement and recovered 11 firearms during the operation, some of which were stolen.
"It depends if she was using campaign money or House resources, but that's something for House Administration [Committee] to deal with if that's the case," Aguilar added.
CROCKETT WARNS OF NATIONWIDE PROTESTS OVER ICE SHOOTING: 'STATE-SANCTIONED EXECUTION'
Crockett’s office paid King at least $6,300 for security services in 2025, according to a Fox News Digital review of Crockett’s members representational allowance (MRA). The congresswoman's House campaign account also doled out $340 to King for security services in March 2025, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
The MRA funding bucket — made up of taxpayer dollars — is effectively an operating budget for each lawmaker to pay staff, cover security expenses, and handle other operational costs.
Fox News Digital reached out to the House Administration Committee for comment.
Crockett has denied any wrongdoing and said her office followed every House protocol while employing Robinson, who she claimed did not raise any suspicions while a member of her security detail.
"There was never any reason to suspect that he wasn’t who he held himself out to be," Crockett said in a statement released by her office.
Rather, Crockett has blamed "shortcomings" in the vetting process that failed to verify Robinson’s identity or catch his lengthy rap sheet, including multiple arrests for theft and violating probation.
"We are fortunate that this is someone who used those loopholes without malice," Crockett said, adding that a preliminary review showed that Robinson had not committed any violent crimes.
Crockett dismissed questions about whether she knew about Robinson’s criminal history before hiring him during a recent interview with Fox News Digital.
"I’m going to refer you to my page," the Texas Democrat said, referring to her social media post. "I made a statement and I said there would be no additional statements. You need someone to read it for you? I can find someone to do that."
House GOP leadership has voiced openness to a probe, but cautioned that lawmakers are still learning details about the incident.
"I need to get the facts on did he have a background check … but there are processes in place," House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., told Fox News Digital. "We'll look at the possible need to tighten that up."
Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chairman of the House Oversight Committee, did not answer definitively when asked by Fox News Digital whether Republicans planned to investigate the incident, saying he was still reviewing the matter.
Aguilar said he did not expect Republicans to launch a formal investigation, citing Crockett’s loss in the Texas Senate primary against state legislator James Talarico, D-Texas.
"Jasmine didn't win, so I assume that they're probably not going to be focused on her as much," Aguilar said, referring to House Republicans.
Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., said the incident is likely to spark conversations among lawmakers about scrutinizing the vetting process lawmakers use for security personnel.
"We need to tighten up the processes around members hiring security," Walkinshaw told Fox News Digital.
Crockett’s office did not respond to a request for comment about how Robinson was vetted before being hired as a member of her security detail.
Joe Rogan rips Gavin Newsom for mocking Nick Shirley over his 'billion dollar' fraud investigations
Podcaster Joe Rogan called out California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday for criticizing independent journalist Nick Shirley for doing the work his government has failed to do.
Shirley, a young YouTuber filming independent investigations, broke into the national spotlight after releasing a viral investigation in Minnesota alleging fraud in state-funded daycare programs. Recently, he has continued his work by alleging similar fraudulent business schemes in California.
Newsom's office, however, was not amused, and responded by mocking Shirley’s daycare fraud investigation by posting what appeared to be a satirical, AI-generated photo of a man carrying several cameras at a daycare and asking a teacher, "Hey, can I see your kids?"
"Did you see what the governor posted, what Newsom’s press office posted?" Rogan asked his guest on Friday’s episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience." "They posted a photo of Nick Shirley, like a fake Nick Shirley, like a meme – like Nick Shirley peeking into windows."
NICK SHIRLEY SAYS DOXXERS ARE HAMPERING HIS INVESTIGATIONS, HAS CONCERNS ABOUT HIS OWN SECURITY
Rogan went on to rhetorically address Newsom, saying, "Like, Hey, he’s doing your job. He’s uncovering fraud and what you’re doing is mocking him?"
Comedian Mark Normand agreed, "Right. You should go, ‘Oh s---, there’s fraud? I’m the governor.’"
Rogan went on to argue, "They should just open up the investigations into all these places immediately if you care, but all they want to do is just obfuscate, cover it up, make it look silly — make it look like he’s something, whatever he is, White supremacist — Nazi, whatever, MAGA, come up with a name."
Shirley himself had also blasted the Newsom press office’s response, arguing, "You do realize I’m trying to help America eliminate fraud and waste right? No need to try and make me look like the bad guy for exposing fraud. People are over it. Start working for the people and not against them."
VANCE REVEALS $19B FRAUD UNCOVERED IN MINNEAPOLIS, HINTS CALIFORNIA IS NEXT TARGET
The online exchange with Newsom's office came shortly after Shirley posted a video on his YouTube page titled, "I Investigated California's Billion Dollar Fraud Crisis."
On X, where the video was shared, Shirley alleged the fraud he discovered in California was larger than in Minnesota.
"We uncovered over $170,000,000 in fraud as these fraudsters live in luxury with no consequences," the post said. "Like it and share it, the fraud must STOP."
Fox News Digital reached out to Newsom’s press office and did not receive an immediate reply.
NJ man crawls through window, attempts to sexually assault girl before being subdued by resident: police
A New Jersey man allegedly broke into a home through a bathroom window and tried to sexually assault a girl as she slept early Saturday before he was subdued by the resident inside.
Jermin Fordyce, 36, is charged with first-degree counts of home invasion, burglary and attempted aggravated sexual assault, as well as second-degree aggravated assault, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office said.
Hackensack police officers responded to a home around 3:40 a.m. for a home invasion burglary. Once at the scene, they found Fordyce, who had been subdued by the residents inside the home after they found him inside one of the bedrooms, police said.
Fordyce entered the home through a bathroom window and entered the bedroom of the girl who was sleeping, officials said. Police described the victim only as a "resident." NJ.com reported the victim was a girl.
Once inside the room, Fordyce took off his pants and climbed on top of the girl as she was sleeping and attempted to sexually assault her, police said.
He allegedly strangled her during the assault, authorities said.
One of the other residents awoke to the sounds of a struggle coming from the girl's room and took down Fordyce.
Fordyce remains in police custody pending a court hearing.
Political traffic signals: waiting for the light to change on the Hill
A phalanx of reporters and photographers trailed House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, out of the Capitol and across the Capitol grounds last Thursday morning.
The Trump administration planned to ask Congress for an additional $200 billion to cover the cost of the war in Iran. Passing such a plan might be dicey. Especially vaulting the 60 vote barricade in the Senate. But House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Arrington were already touting a "reconciliation" bill for this year to approve some of the GOP’s domestic policy priorities ahead of the midterms. Reconciliation is inoculated from a Senate filibuster. And other Republicans may be on board with the extra $200 billion if it’s tucked into a reconciliation package which tackles other subjects.
"I think reconciliation is probably going to be the only vehicle that we put anything in because the Democrats aren't going to support it," said Arrington, briskly traversing a set of congressional steps near the plaza, bound for Independence Avenue. "I don't think they'll support the supplemental for the operating needs for our military while they're in conflict."
"The Senate seems kind of suspect of trying to do this," yours truly followed up as the gaggle of reporters and photographers trekked the Capitol grounds toward the street.
PENTAGON SEEKS AT LEAST $200B FROM CONGRESS FOR IRAN WAR
"The Senate is going to be suspect and slow to be motivated. Which is why the House is the little engine that can. And when the little engine that can, does, then the Senate and other people follow. The House has to lead," replied Arrington. "We led in the first reconciliation bill. It wouldn't have been as big or beautiful if we didn't do our job on the tax cuts. On the spending cuts. On the energy reforms. On the generational welfare reforms."
The scrum edged closer to Independence Avenue in the shadow of the Longworth House Office Building.
"I’ve got to walk across here. I'm late for a meeting. Y'all can follow me," instructed Arrington, to the press, pivoting into the crosswalk just as the traffic light changed to green.
THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO CONGRESS' OPTIONS ON HAMSTRINGING TRUMP'S WAR POWERS IN IRAN
Three journalists followed the Texas Republican into the street. However, your trusty journalist (and Wayne Elementary School Safety Town participant) remained on the corner.
Two cars and a bus accelerated.
"Wait! Careful! Careful! Careful! Careful! Careful! Careful!" I hollered.
Arrington and the others scurried back to the curb.
"See, you lead. They follow. But they may die," observed Arrington.
"Are you going to lead the Senate right into a crosswalk with traffic?" I inquired.
Arrington pivoted – both back to the curb and to policy – as cars and scooters whizzed by.
"I think my counterpart, (Senate Budget Committee Chairman) Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., understands that the only train leaving the station for the bigger vision for our military will be a reconciliation bill," said Arrington.
It’s unclear whether Arrington switching to railroads and locomotives was the best rhetorical shift considering the close call on the street. But Arrington may be right. It will be challenging to pass anything substantial for the rest of this Congress. And perhaps zippering the $200 billion for the war into a reconciliation measure with other policy sweeteners could be the most palatable option to Republicans.
"We have to continue to look at offsetting," said Rep. Tony Wied, R-Wis.
"I think it should be offset," said Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn.
"It is expensive," conceded House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., about the spending request.
REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: GOP PUSHES ELECTION SECURITY BILL DESPITE SLIM ODDS, AS TRUMP PRESSURE LOOMS
But offsets come from cuts. And lawmakers don’t like to slash programs important to their jurisdiction, state or district.
"A lot of the VA stuff, that’s like the third rail in politics. You don't cut that," said Bost.
What could contribute to an offset? Arrington suggested Republicans should turn to the time-tested Washington law firm of "Waste, Fraud and Abuse" to mitigate the cost of the war.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., replied "no" when asked about the supplemental spending request.
"It is skyrocketing prices of everything across the board, and Congress didn't even approve. And so to have the audacity to come to Congress to fund a war that we have not even voted for it – not only is it illegal, it is insulting," said Ocasio-Cortez.
I asked about whether it was dangerous for lawmakers to leave American troops in the lurch when they’re exposed to hostilities abroad.
"They should have thought about that before they entered a conflict without Congress," said Ocasio-Cortez. "They told everybody that it was just a quick in and out strike and now they have found themselves in a disaster. And we cannot enable this kind of reckless and illegal behavior."
Ocasio-Cortez is hinting at the ultimate Congressional authority: power of the purse. Lawmakers are charged with approving 12 spending bills to run the government each year. A supplemental spending package – say for war, terrorism, recovery from natural disasters or economic stimulus – is a "13th" spending bill. It’s plopped on top of the customary 12. Lawmakers could really hamstring the war in Iran if they decide to pull the funding.
The White House scored about $1 trillion from Congress in Fiscal Year 2026 for the military. President Trump’s request for the Pentagon for Fiscal Year 2027 – still unapproved – is $1.5 trillion. That’s a 50 percent increase. That particular ask of Congress came before the $200 billion ask for the war in Iran.
DEMS' POTENTIAL 2028 HOPEFULS COME OUT AGAINST US STRIKES ON IRAN
The president has sent mixed signals as to whether the war is "ending." A reporter asked President Trump if he still needed the $200 billion.
"It's always nice to have. It's a very inflamed world. And the Democrats inflame it," replied the president.
But it’s generally believed that the Pentagon needs the money because it’s burned through so many munitions in Iran.
So this supplemental spending request must navigate the Congressional traffic.
Regular traffic and pedestrian signals switch on a regular basis. But not necessarily political signals. There’s no way right now for lawmakers to greenlight an extra $200 billion for the war. That’s because the "don’t walk" light is flashing.
The question now is how long it takes for the light to change. Or, if it will ever cycle through. Otherwise, Congressional leaders could put the bill on the floor – and get mowed down by a political bus.