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Ilhan Omar huddles with her DC-based lawyers during her first day back on Capitol Hill amid federal probes
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., returned to Capitol Hill this week and brought two lawyers with her following a scandal-plagued fall recess.
Fox News spotted the two attorneys exiting her Washington, D.C., office on Tuesday after what appeared to be a roughly two hour meeting with the congresswoman.
Omar hired two high-profile attorneys — Amy Jeffress and Joshua Matz — in the midst of dueling investigations, both of whom are partners at Heckler Fink LLP. After emerging from Omar’s office on Tuesday, Fox News asked about their confidence in Omar’s defense against the federal government.
The attorneys were also asked about the recent news that both the Obama and Biden administration had been the first to investigate Omar after she claimed that the Trump administration was politically targeting her.
They remained silent.
OBAMA ADMIN FIRST LAUNCHED THE INVESTIGATION INTO ILHAN OMAR'S ALLEGED BROTHER MARRIAGE
This is the first sighting of Omar back on the Hill after two federal departments opened investigations into the Somali-born congresswoman looking into both her immigration status and previous financial filings.
In October, agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) raided her Washington, D.C., home as part of what Fox News Digital learned was an investigation into whether she or her father committed fraud when filling out her immigration paperwork.
She spent the final weeks of her campaign asking for money to defend herself in the investigations and accusing Trump of targeting her for political reasons.
About an hour after Omar's lawyers exited her office on Tuesday, the congresswoman departed with her husband Tim Mynett.
She was approached by Fox News about the ongoing investigation, including whether she is concerned it could impact her ability to effectively represent her constituents in Congress.
"I am not," Omar said.
She was then asked if there was any chance she would step down from Congress, despite just winning re-election, to let the investigation "play out."
The congresswoman smiled and waved at the camera, but did not respond as the elevator doors closed with her inside.
Omar also refused to respond to Fox’s question of whether she had spoken to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries about the investigation.
The attorneys seen exiting her office earlier, Jeffress and Matz, have both represented highly-raked Democratic elected officials and have taken on multiple cases against President Donald Trump, his allies and supporters.
Jeffress served as former President Joe Biden’s attorney in his lawsuit against the Justice Department earlier this year. She also served as counsel for then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 riot on Capitol Hill.
She is also married to the U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper of the District of Washington who ruled in May that Trump adding his name to the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center would be illegal.
ILHAN OMAR LASHES OUT AT 'BIGOT' TRUMP AFTER WINNING RE-ELECTION DESPITE INVESTIGATION
Matz served as counsel to House Democrats during both failed impeachment attempts against Trump during his first term in office. He also represented E. Jean Carroll in two civil cases against Trump’s denial of her sexual assault claims against him.
He also represented those opposed to the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, which banned teachers from teaching students about gender identity and sexual orientation.
Omar has not yet formally announced a meeting with any members of Congress about the two ongoing federal probes on her. Her only formal address to the public on the investigations was posting to social media, including a video where she encouraged her supporters to keep sending money in light of the new investigations against her.
Fox News Digital's Peter D'Abrosca contributed to this report.
Kirk Cousins is back in Minnesota, and the Vikings' NFC odds are still too long
The league’s best scoring defense finally has a quarterback. The NFC board still has Minnesota seventh.
The Vikings spent the first half of the season trying to win with whoever was standing closest to the huddle. On Tuesday, they called an old friend.
Minnesota sent a 2027 third-round pick to Las Vegas for Kirk Cousins, bringing the 38-year-old back to the team he left after 2023. Cousins returns to replace his replacement, and the Super Bowl market reacted fast.
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The Vikings opened the season at 50-1 to win Super Bowl LXI. After Monday’s loss to Buffalo, they slid to +3000. Hours after the trade, they’re back to +2200 to +2500 across major sportsbooks.
Halving the opening price looks like a big move. It mostly reflects a team that’s 6-2 and finally fixed its biggest problem.
The Vikings’ record isn’t the story. How they got it is.
Minnesota has the league’s top scoring defense. The offense ranks 27th in points, 31st in yards and 31st in passing. The Vikings have scored 16 or fewer points in five of eight games, including each of the last three.
The quarterback room has been a mess since J.J. McCarthy was shipped to the Giants on Sept. 28. Kyler Murray is out with a hamstring injury. Carson Wentz turned it over three times in Monday’s 23-6 loss to Buffalo and got pulled for Max Brosmer. Minnesota converted 25% of its third downs that night.
A team that wins six of eight with an offense ranking 31st in EPA per play isn’t lucky. It’s a team that’s one competent quarterback away.
Nobody is confusing 38-year-old Kirk with prime Kirk, but he doesn’t need to be.
He threw for 2,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions on a 4-5 Raiders team that had nothing around him. Now he walks back into Kevin O’Connell’s offense, the same system where he threw for 4,547 yards and 29 touchdowns in a 13-4 season in 2022.
There’s no install period. He already knows the playbook, the play caller and the building.
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The Super Bowl number moved. The NFC number still has Minnesota seventh, behind two division rivals and a Seattle team priced right next to Green Bay.
The honest problem is the division. At 6-2, Minnesota is third in the NFC North, and the Bears are priced as the second-best team in the conference. That’s why the division bet doesn’t interest me, but the conference price does.
The Vikings don’t need to win the North to make a run. They’re -250 to make the playoffs, and once they’re in, the best scoring defense in football with a veteran quarterback is a nightmare draw in January.
The Super Bowl price ranges from +2200 to +2500 depending on the book, and that gap is real money on a futures ticket. Line-shop before you bet.
You also get an immediate test. Cousins could debut Sunday at Lambeau, where the Vikings are 3.5-point underdogs against the Packers. A win there and +1000 in the NFC won’t last.
The market is treating Cousins like a stopgap. I’m treating him like the missing piece for the best defense in football.
Give me the Vikings to win the NFC (+1000).
Whoopi Goldberg lectures Democrats over infighting about leadership, warns 'get your stuff together'
"The View" co-host Whoopi Goldberg admonished congressional Democrats on Tuesday over their public debate about whether to support Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., as party leaders.
"This is my two cents," Goldberg said, after the show played several clips of Democrats discussing their leadership opinions. "I don’t want to hear this from you right now. I want to know what all of you are, all of you Democrats, what are your plans for the first 100 days? I don’t care if you’ve been there forever or just got there. What are your plans?"
Goldberg suggested several priorities for Democrats, including lowering gas and grocery prices, restoring funding for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and reuniting separated families.
"We put you in there to clean house, to make sure that the government works the way the people want it to work," Goldberg said. "I don’t want to hear all this infighting because then you become the distraction, and then you become no better than the Republicans were. So just get your stuff together. All of you."
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Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin predicted Jeffries would become the next House speaker and said only the "far left" was questioning his leadership. She also argued that Schumer "should go the way of Nancy Pelosi."
Griffin argued Schumer should declare victory after helping recruit and elect several Democratic candidates, then step aside for a new generation of leaders.
Sunny Hostin, who previously criticized Schumer and called for his removal in November 2025, suggested he should remain in leadership and become Senate Majority Leader.
"I mean, Chuck Schumer led and made sure there wasn’t a government shutdown. He did whip up, he kept the Democratic caucus together," Hostin said during the show on Tuesday. "He got all of these wonderful candidates. Why not let him lead the party because he knows how to do it? My fear is you get someone in that’s new, that doesn’t really know what they’re doing, doesn’t know how to deal with Trump, doesn’t know how to build a consensus."
Several incoming Democratic senators have said they will not support Schumer for party leader, including Sen.-elect Adam Hamilton and Sen.-elect Troy Jackson.
WATCH: JEFFRIES FACES UNCERTAINTY FROM INCOMING DEMOCRATS AS HOUSE SPEAKER VOTE APPROACHES
Other Democrats, including Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., have called for a "conversation" about the party's leadership.
Schumer's and Jeffries' offices did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Democratic strategist Kaivan Shroff told Fox News Digital in a statement, "Whoopi is right about the scale of this. Democrats just got handed a mandate to make people’s lives better, not to turn the first month into an internal dispute about Chuck Schumer. If members think he should go, say why, vote, and move on."
However, Schroff said, "At the same time, ‘stop the infighting’ cannot become code for ‘nobody challenges the old guard.’"
"Of course Schumer deserves credit for some of these wins and the overall strategy," he continued. "Let’s be honest, even many Dem insiders didn’t think the blue wave would be this big and Schumer and Jeffries absolutely deserve credit. At the same time, Democrats just elected a younger, more restless coalition, so the old leadership should expect to be questioned. That’s normal."
Goldberg issued a warning to Democrats last week after the party swept in the midterm elections and will take back control of the House and the Senate in January.
'THE VIEW' CO-HOSTS AGREE DEMOCRATS SHOULD NOT IMPEACH TRUMP IF PARTY WINS BACK CONTROL OF CONGRESS
"A note to the Democrats, we put you in to take care of business. We don’t want to know what your back-biting fighting is, we don’t want to hear it," Goldberg said. "You can kvetch at each other after you take care of the people’s business."
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During Tuesday's episode, Goldberg said she didn't want to know their "business," and didn't want to hear them fighting.
"The Democrats need to get their stuff together and we don’t need to know your business," she said. "Handle your business."
Team USA hero Connor Hellebuyck says that moments beyond online death threats led to his Winnipeg departure
The New Jersey Devils are in Winnipeg to take on the Jets Tuesday night in what will be goaltender Connor Hellebuyck's return to the city.
While he won't start — the team said that despite Hellebuyck's insistence on playing, they went with Jake Allen to avoid a drop in their "expected win probability" — he did face the Winnipeg media.
The Team USA hero spent 11 seasons in Winnipeg and won three Vezina Trophies, a Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP in 2024-25, and led the Jets to a Presidents' Trophy that same season.
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However, his decision to ask for a trade, followed by him skipping camp and sitting out the start of the season meant that he and the Jets did not part on good terms.
Hellebuyck was somewhat mum on his reasons for wanting a trade aside from joining a team he views as a contender, but that changed on Tuesday.
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"I've alluded to this a little bit," Hellebuyck said. "This was a very complex decision, and a very difficult one."
Hellebuyck said there was no single moment that led to him wanting out, and that some off-ice issues played into it.
"There were some moments and some things that happened to my family that for me crossed the line," he said before adding that he needed to do what was best for his family and his career.
He was then asked why the city of Winnipeg was being "pinned" for these things that led to Hellebuyck's decision, when those involved may not have even had a tie to the city.
Hellebuyck strongly rebuffed the idea that he was placing the blame on Winnipeg and its citizens.
"There were a few moments that I don’t want to see happen again," Hellebuyck said. "It is more than just online death threats, and I’m gonna ask you to respect my privacy and my family’s privacy; I won’t go deeper than that.
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"But there’s more that made me and my family uncomfortable. On top of some uncertainty with my career, I felt that a change of scenery was best."
Hellebuyck might have to face questions again as Tuesday's game is the first of two the Devils and Jets will play over the next few weeks.
The 33-year-old from Michigan was a key piece of Team USA's gold medal win at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
The 41 saves on 42 shots in the OT thriller against Canada led to President Donald Trump announcing that the netminder would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.
American girl, 7, killed during Mexican cartel operation; mother blames police helicopter: report
A 7-year-old girl with dual U.S. and Mexican citizenship was shot and killed during a Mexican security operation targeting an alleged cartel member, and her mother accused police officers aboard a helicopter of firing the deadly shot.
Aranza Aidelany Pardo died Oct. 29 in Matamoros, a Mexican border city across from Brownsville, Texas. She was among six people killed during the operation and subsequent roadblocks erected by the Gulf Cartel, according to The Associated Press.
Her mother, Claudia Pardo García, told the AP that gunfire from a Tamaulipas state police helicopter struck her daughter in the head. Pardo was also wounded in the leg.
Mexican authorities are investigating three officers aboard the helicopter who remain on active duty, according to Tamaulipas Public Security Secretary Carlos Arturo Pancardo.
The operation resulted in the arrest of Axel Alfredo Cárdenas Rodríguez, also known as El Titán, the son of an alleged Gulf Cartel leader and nephew of the group's imprisoned founder, Osiel Cárdenas Guillén.
Pardo told the AP that she, her husband and their five children were returning home when they encountered cartel roadblocks and took a rural shortcut.
She said a police helicopter began following their vehicle before circling in front of it. Her husband exited with his hands raised to show officers they were a family, but gunfire erupted.
Aranza was struck in the head, while Pardo was wounded in the leg. She said emergency personnel took more than two hours to arrive.
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Tamaulipas state prosecutor Jesús Govea said investigators interviewed witnesses and were reviewing video and ballistic evidence to determine who fired the deadly shot.
Pardo told the AP that FBI representatives and U.S. consular officials contacted her family after the shooting.
The FBI, State Department and Tamaulipas prosecutor's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment.
Senior US Army soldier arrested in UK on suspicion of spying for Russia
A senior U.S. Army soldier was arrested in England Tuesday on suspicion of espionage offenses related to Russia, according to U.K. police.
The 41-year-old man, whose identity was not released, was detained as part of an investigation into suspected national security threats led by Counter Terrorism Policing, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Officials said the arrest was carried out in coordination with the U.S. military and the FBI.
"This important arrest involves allegations of espionage, which is of the utmost concern to the United States and our allies," FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement.
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The soldier was arrested near Gloucester, and police are currently searching two locations in the wider Gloucestershire area as part of the ongoing joint U.K.-U.S. investigation.
Police said the man was detained under the National Security Act 2023 and remains in custody at a London police station.
The investigation is ongoing and is being led by officers from the Counter Terrorism Policing team in London.
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Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, the senior national coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, described the allegations as "serious."
"We will work together to take robust action against those we suspect of any criminal activity that could undermine our national security," Evans said in a statement.
"The alleged conduct of a senior soldier, entrusted with sensitive information, is a sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent," Brig. Gen. Sean Stinchon, the commanding general of the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, added in a statement.
Patel said the arrest serves as a reminder that the FBI will not tolerate service members who break their oath to the United States or its partners.
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"While this investigation is continuing, I want to send a clear message – this FBI has no tolerance for anyone who breaks their oath to the United States and whose actions endanger our national security and that of our partners," Patel said in a statement.
He added that officials have made at least 167 counterintelligence and espionage arrests under the current FBI leadership over the past 21 months, marking a 53% increase.
"This matter shows that partnerships are essential to protect our countries and I want to express my thanks to UK Counter Terrorism Policing, MI5, UK Defence Counter Intelligence, and the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command for their outstanding work," Patel said.
Amazon announced its Black Friday sale dates — here are the early deals you can shop now
Amazon just announced the official dates for its Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales: Nov. 19-30. You'll find deals on everything from beauty picks and apparel to home decor, tools, tech and more.
Until then, you can shop early deals already available on the site. Get a handheld Dyson vacuum for $70 off, a Lego Star Wars set for less than $100 and faux-fur-lined slippers for more than 30% off.
Sign up for Amazon Prime: While you don't need to be a Prime member to take advantage of Amazon's Black Friday event, signing up gives you access to exclusive deals and, occasionally, faster shipping.
Use Amazon’s Top Deals page: Search the Top Deals page to find current deals, including limited-time Lighting Deals.
Follow us on social media: During Black Friday, we'll share some of the best markdowns on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Sign up for our Deals newsletter: Sign up for the FOX News Deals newsletter and get the very best deals sent straight to your inbox.
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While you wait for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we found the best deals you can shop right now.
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This Lego set makes the perfect gift for any "Star Wars" fan ages 12 or older. Once assembled, they can proudly display the 1,088-piece build on the included stand.
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These popular under-eye patches can help wake up tired eyes. The gentle formula works on all skin types, including sensitive skin. Tip: Pop them in the refrigerator before use for a subtle cooling effect.
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Tackle crumbs in your car and dirt on upholstery with this compact Dyson handheld vacuum, which runs for up to 50 minutes on a full charge. The included crevice tool helps you reach tight spots between seat cushions and other narrow spaces.
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Upgrade your nightly skincare routine with CeraVe's PM moisturizer. The controlled-release formula is lightweight yet hydrating, thanks to three ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.
Don't wait until Black Friday or Cyber Monday to shop for holiday gifts. Check out our gift guide for ideas.
Hegseth labels impeachment push a policy dispute, but do lawmakers' allegations rise to high crimes?
War Secretary Pete Hegseth pushed back against an impeachment effort Tuesday, accusing lawmakers of trying to turn disagreements over President Donald Trump's military policies into impeachable offenses.
Congress is preparing to vote on eight articles alleging the Pentagon chief violated federal law and abused his authority.
"One disgruntled congressman wants to shred it over policy disagreements. That's what it is: policy disagreements, not high crimes, not misdemeanors, not treason, not bribery, not the kinds of offenses the founders intended when they wrote the impeachment clause," Hegseth said at a Pentagon press conference Tuesday morning.
"The proper remedy for a policy disagreement, it's legislation, it's debate, it's the next presidential election," he added.
But the impeachment resolution introduced Monday by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., goes beyond objections to the administration's military strategy. It alleges that Hegseth violated congressional war powers, authorized unlawful military operations and retaliated against a sitting senator for exercising his constitutional rights.
HEGSETH RIPS IMPEACHMENT PUSH FROM OUTGOING REPUBLICAN AS 'FARCE,' 'STUNT'
The clash puts the limits of impeachment at the center of a growing fight over Trump's national security agenda, testing whether lawmakers can make a constitutional case for removing Hegseth or are just using impeachment to challenge military and policy decisions they oppose.
Massie's eight articles center on several of the Trump administration's most controversial national security decisions, with three accusing Hegseth of violating the War Powers Resolution during the war against Iran.
The outgoing Kentucky Republican alleges that Hegseth initiated hostilities without congressional authorization, continued military operations after Congress directed their termination and disregarded statutory deadlines requiring the withdrawal of U.S. forces.
Other articles accuse Hegseth of failing to comply with laws intended to minimize civilian casualties, including in connection with a strike on an Iranian school, and conducting unlawful maritime strikes against suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean.
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The resolution also alleges that Hegseth retaliated against Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., over a video urging service members to refuse unlawful orders, and unlawfully directed military operations in Yemen and the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Massie has rejected the suggestion that the impeachment effort is simply a referendum on Hegseth's job performance or the administration's military policies.
"The question is whether he committed impeachable acts," Massie wrote on X Monday. "And the answer is yes, eight times."
Constitutional law scholar Jonathan Turley largely agreed that the impeachment effort was on shaky ground, arguing that six of Massie's eight articles should be dismissed outright.
"In my view, six of the eight articles should be nonstarters, including the Iranian articles," Turley wrote on X Tuesday.
Turley acknowledged that Congress has a legitimate constitutional interest in asserting its war powers, but argued that Massie was attempting to use impeachment to settle a longstanding dispute over presidential authority. Presidents of both parties, including Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, have claimed broad authority to launch military operations without congressional approval, he noted.
"Massie is not going to 'litigate' the matter through impeachments," Turley wrote, arguing that Trump was exercising authority long claimed by his predecessors.
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Vice President JD Vance, however, argued Tuesday that lawmakers were using impeachment as a substitute for exercising their legislative powers.
"Has Pete Hegseth committed impeachable crimes? The question is absurd and the answer is: obviously not," Vance wrote on X.
"Congress has so many tools for registering its policy disagreements. Rather than use them, they're going to try to impeach Pete Hegseth," he continued.
Vance suggested the effort was driven less by the war with Iran than by opposition to Hegseth's broader changes at the Pentagon, including shifting U.S. forces away from Europe and Ukraine and reorganizing the military's senior leadership.
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"This isn't about Iran, this is about the fact that Pete took on the bureaucracy at the Pentagon," Vance wrote.
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Turley dismissed the article of impeachment concerning Maduro's capture, pointing to court precedent involving the U.S. seizure of former Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega.
But Turley drew a distinction between those disputes over executive authority and two allegations he considered more serious: the maritime strikes against suspected drug traffickers and Hegseth's treatment of Sen. Mark Kelly.
"The 'double tap' allegation would be a war crime, if true," Turley wrote, noting that Trump and Hegseth have denied issuing such orders.
The effort to punish Kelly over a video urging troops to refuse unlawful orders also raised serious questions about a sitting senator's free speech rights and potential undue command influence, Turley argued.
Still, he stopped short of concluding that either allegation met the constitutional threshold for impeachment, saying more evidence was needed.
DEMOCRATS RALLY BEHIND GOP LAWMAKER'S HEGSETH IMPEACHMENT PUSH, SIGNAL MORE TO COME IN JANUARY
"I will be looking for the underlying evidence on those two articles," he wrote, describing both as potentially problematic but difficult to establish as "high crimes and misdemeanors."
The Constitution authorizes impeachment for treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors, a standard that does not require proof of a criminal offense. Congress has historically treated serious abuses of official power as potential grounds for impeachment, though the precise boundaries remain contested.
That distinction complicates the argument that the allegations can be dismissed simply because they involve military policy. Lawmakers can disagree with a defense secretary's decisions without those disagreements constituting impeachable misconduct, but allegations that an official knowingly violated the law or abused the powers of his office present a different constitutional question.
Hegseth, meanwhile, has maintained that the operations cited in the resolution were lawful and directed by the president.
"I stand behind every one of these operations. I was proud to execute them, and I would do it again tomorrow," Hegseth said Tuesday.
President Trump also rallied behind his defense secretary following the press conference, praising his performance and attacking Massie, who lost his Republican primary earlier this year.
"In just under two years, Secretary Hegseth has worked side-by-side with President Trump to restore American power on the world stage, build the strongest military in generations, and instill a warrior ethos at the Pentagon. President Trump and Secretary Hegseth have taken bold, necessary action to deny the Iranian regime the ability to develop a nuclear weapon, bring narco-terrorist Nicolás Maduro to American justice, and defend our homeland from dangerous terrorists and cartels – saving American lives," White House spokesperson Olivia Wales told Fox News Digital.
"This spectacle only proves what we’ve known all along: Thomas Massie and the Democrats are far more interested in playing political games than working to improve the lives of the American people," Wales added.
Trump Cabinet officials rallied behind Hegseth, with Collins, Burgum, Rollins, Mullin and Turner posting messages of support on social media. Rubio and Blanche also defended Hegseth publicly.
Rubio said he carried out Trump’s orders "quite effectively" and Blanche rejected claims that he had done anything illegal or wrong.
The House is expected to vote Tuesday evening on whether to advance Massie's impeachment resolution. Impeachment would require a simple majority in the House, but removing Hegseth from office would require conviction by a two-thirds majority in the Senate.
The vote will test whether lawmakers view the allegations as grounds for impeachment or a dispute better addressed through Congress's legislative and oversight powers.
Florida AG subpoenas DSA over potential illegal funding from Cuba and China
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Tuesday that his office issued an investigative subpoena to the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) to investigate whether the organization accepted contributions from "foreign sources of concern," including entities in Cuba and China.
"Our laws prohibit accepting contributions from foreign sources of concern," Uthmeier said in a video statement. "We will not allow foreign adversaries to influence Florida through the backdoor of non-private fundraising."
The subpoena demands documents related to recent DSA delegations to China and Cuba, where organization members met with Cuban government officials, to determine if the DSA violated Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, according to Uthmeier.
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Uthmeier did not detail specific criminal allegations or name individuals accused of violating state law.
The DSA has repeatedly praised the Cuban regime and routinely advocates for lifting American sanctions and ending the U.S. embargo against Havana.
The organization has sent multiple delegations to Cuba in recent years. During a 2023 trip, DSA members met privately with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and sought to establish formal communication channels with government ministries, according to a State Department report released in July.
The legal action comes shortly after several DSA-backed candidates won races across federal, state, and local levels in last week's elections.
Fox News Digital reached out to the DSA for comment.
Mojtaba Khamenei aide's chilling '40 years' warning surfaces amid US push for Iran deal
Iran's top security official, who reportedly received a letter from Vice President JD Vance about resuming peace talks, warned in a resurfaced interview that wartime negotiations with Tehran could drag on for decades, and during which both sides should "be prepared to fight."
Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), now serves as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and acts as a key aide to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. He also helped shape Tehran's military strategy during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War.
That eight-year conflict ended after Iran's then-supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, accepted a U.N.-brokered cease-fire that he famously likened to drinking from a "poisoned chalice."
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"Ceasefire means an unfinished war," Rezaei had said of the war in a 2006 interview with the Iranian publication Baztab. An English translation of the interview is preserved by George Washington University's National Security Archive.
Asked whether both sides would remain in their positions and begin talks, Rezaei replied: "Yes. Negotiations can take 30 to 40 years and during that time Iran and Iraq should be prepared to fight."
Two decades after suggesting negotiations could drag on for years, Washington has reportedly been seeking talks with Rezaei, a key power player in Iran’s current military leadership.
Vance sent him a letter proposing renewed peace talks between the United States and Iran in October, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Iran said it had received a letter from Vance but had not responded, according to Iranian state media. The semi-official Tasnim News Agency said Iran was awaiting U.S. compliance with its conditions, warning that "any position that contradicts this framework is unacceptable."
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In June, President Donald Trump had posted a warning on Truth Social that Iran had taken too long to come to terms and would "pay the price," while on Monday, he also said that Iran wanted a deal but warned that another U.S. strike could be about five times as large as the previous.
"We could knock it out fast, or we could knock it out over a short, not a long period of time," Trump said during a C-SPAN interview on "Washington Journal Primetime."
"I can tell you that Iran would like to make a deal, and we'll find out whether that'll happen," Trump said of the current timeframe.
Rezaei however, has continued to maintain a defiant stance toward Washington, writing on X on Nov. 9: "The war on Iran has already wrecked the US government," he wrote before adding that "Washington flails like a desperate gambler."
"FOLD YOUR HAND. STOP manufacturing FAKE NEWS about imaginary talks.
"Stop denying the West Asian NEW ORDER. Time to SURRENDER to the seven conditions Iran has repeatedly set out," he said.
Following the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections, Rezaei also claimed Iran had defeated Washington militarily and politically.
He warned of a "devastating response" to another attack and declared it was time for Washington to "SURRENDER."
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Rezaei also rejected reports of ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations or any planned meeting in Qatar, accusing Washington of spreading false claims to ease economic pressure and lower oil prices. He reiterated that Tehran would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its seven conditions were met.
Rezaei has spent more than four decades in Iran's defense establishment. He commanded the IRGC from 1981 to 1997, overseeing operations during the Iran-Iraq War.
In the 2006 Baztab interview, Rezaei also detailed how Iranian leaders distinguished their public rhetoric from military strategy.
Although Khomeini and other Iranian officials called for "fighting till Saddam is toppled" and "until the nuisance is eradicated," Rezaei said Tehran's actual strategy was "fighting up to a victory."
At the time, Iran's battlefield gains, he suggested, were meant to strengthen Tehran's negotiating position rather than achieve total conquest.
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"The world did not pay attention to the slogans," Rezaei said in the interview, adding that foreign governments and intelligence agencies focused on Iranian leaders' actions and diplomatic positions.
Rezaei also said Iran had struggled to turn battlefield gains into diplomatic victories because it lacked international alliances and influence at the United Nations.
Rezaei has since faced U.S. sanctions and international scrutiny. The Trump administration first sanctioned him Jan. 10, 2020, under an executive order targeting senior Iranian officials appointed by the supreme leader.
Rezaei had also been accused of involvement in the July 1994 bombing of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people.
Interpol approved an Argentine request for a Red Notice against Rezaei in 2007 in connection with the bombing.