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Franklin Graham defends Trump in letter shared on Truth Social after AI ‘Jesus’ image backlash

Rev. Franklin Graham is defending President Donald Trump in a statement shared Thursday on Truth Social after backlash over an image critics said depicted him as Jesus Christ.

The statement was released Thursday by Graham and shared by the president as a signed letter.

"I do not believe President Trump would knowingly depict himself as Jesus Christ — that would certainly be inappropriate," Graham wrote.

He added that Trump believed the image showed "a doctor helping someone," and said the president "immediately removed the post" after concerns were raised.

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"There were no spiritual references — no halo, there were no crosses, no angels," Graham wrote. "It was a flag, soldiers, a nurse, fighter planes, eagles… I think this is a lot to do about nothing."

Graham also referenced a separate image Trump shared on Truth Social that appeared to show Jesus standing beside him with a hand on his shoulder, suggesting it represented guidance rather than self-depiction, and said critics were attempting to "spin this into something that it isn’t."

"And the illustration from someone else he reposted on Truth Social today, I must say that I like the fact that this is a picture of Jesus whispering in his ear or at least His hand on his shoulder, guiding him," Graham said. "We all need that — we all need to be listening to Jesus."

A representative for Graham told Fox News Digital said the reverend had no further comment, and that he'd be appearing on Fox News' "Hannity" Thursday night.

The controversy began Sunday night when Trump posted an AI-generated image on Truth Social showing himself appearing to heal a man while surrounded by patriotic imagery, prompting criticism from both political opponents and some of his own supporters.

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Trump addressed the backlash the following day.

"I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor… only the fake news could come up with that one," Trump said. "It’s supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better."

The post was later deleted.

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The episode comes as Trump has also been engaged in a public dispute with Pope Leo XIV, whom he criticized as "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy," while the pope said he was "unafraid" of the Trump administration.

Despite that defense, criticism earlier in the week came from within Trump’s base.

OutKick contributor Riley Gaines questioned the post, while RedState writer Bonchie called the image "blasphemy" and urged Trump to apologize. Influencer Brilyn Hollyhand added that "faith is not a prop."

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Criticism also came from media figures and political opponents, including Cenk Uygur, who called it "blasphemous," and NBC’s Richard Engel, who questioned whether Trump was joking.

Others defended the post, arguing it was symbolic and misinterpreted.

Graham also praised Trump’s record on religious freedom and expressed hope the president could meet with Pope Leo in the future.

"I would hope that the President and Pope Leo can meet at some point, and that the Pope would have the opportunity to thank President Trump for his efforts to protect religious liberty," Graham said.

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Fox News Digital's Brian Flood and Eric Mack contributed to this report.

Report details rising pressure on underground Catholics as China denies crackdown

The Chinese government is increasing pressure on underground Catholic communities to join the state-controlled church while tightening surveillance and restrictions on an estimated 12 million Catholics, according to a Human Rights Watch report.

The group said in its report that the increased pressure is part of a decade-old campaign to ensure religious groups align with Communist Party ideology.

The Associated Press reported that the Chinese government has rejected the claim, saying Human Rights Watch is "consistently biased against China."

China’s Catholics have long been split between a state-run church and an underground church loyal to the Vatican. In 2018, Pope Francis reached a deal allowing the Chinese government a role in appointing bishops to ease tensions.

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"A decade into Xi Jinping’s Sinicization campaign and nearly eight years since the 2018 Holy See-China agreement, Catholics in China face escalating repression that violates their religious freedoms," Human Rights Watch researcher Yalkun Uluyol said in the report. 

"Pope Leo XIV should urgently review the agreement and press Beijing to end the persecution and intimidation of underground churches, clergy, and worshipers."

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson’s office told The Associated Press that Human Rights Watch "fabricates all manner of lies and rumors and lacks any credibility whatsoever."

The office added that the government "oversees religious affairs in accordance with the law and protects citizens’ freedom of religious belief and normal religious activities."

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Human Rights Watch said its researchers are not allowed into China and that the report is based on interviews with people outside the country who had firsthand knowledge of Catholic life in China, along with experts on Catholicism and religious freedom.

The 2018 agreement stipulates that Beijing proposes candidates for bishop, which the pope can veto, though the full text has never been made public.

In June 2025, Pope Leo XIV, who had just become the pope, appointed a Chinese bishop under the 2018 agreement and said he would continue to honor the deal "in the short term."

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"I’m also in ongoing dialogue with a number of people, Chinese, on both sides of some of the issues that are there," Leo said. "It’s a very difficult situation. In the long term, I don’t pretend to say this is what I will and will not do, but after two months, I’ve already begun having discussions at several levels on that topic."

Since 2018, Human Rights Watch says Chinese authorities have pressured underground Catholics to join the state-run church through detentions, disappearances and house arrests, citing accounts from unnamed individuals who have left China.

The report also said China has tightened ideological control, surveillance and restrictions on religious activity and foreign ties, including requiring state approval for clergy travel, while officially recognizing and closely overseeing five religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism, Protestantism and Islam.

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Xi Jinping said in 2016 he would "Sinicize" the country’s religions, a policy aimed at aligning religious practices with Communist Party ideology.

Human Rights Watch said authorities have taken sweeping steps to curb religious practice, including tearing down churches and crosses, blocking gatherings at unregistered churches and seizing religious materials not approved by the state.

The group said the broader "Sinicization" campaign has also led to intensified crackdowns on Tibetan Buddhists and Muslims.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons submits resignation letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin

Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons submitted his resignation letter to Homeland Secretary Markwayne Mullin Thursday, writing that he will stay on through May 31 to assist the transition process, Fox News has confirmed.

According to a source, Lyons said in his letter he wants to spend more time with his family, including his sons, who are "reaching a pivotal point in their lives," and that it's been a privilege to serve under President Donald Trump.

"Director Lyons has been a great leader of ICE and key player in helping the Trump administration remove murderers, rapists, pedophiles, terrorists and gang members from American communities," Mullin said in a statement. 

"He jumpstarted an agency that had not been allowed to do its job for four years. Thanks to his leadership, American communities are safer."

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Lyons has overseen roughly 584,000 ICE deportations since President Donald Trump was inaugurated for a second term last year.

He has served with ICE for 20 years and was previously in special forces in the U.S. Air Force. 

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"We wish him luck on his next opportunity in the private sector. His last day is May 31, 2026," Mullin concluded.

This is a developing story; check back later for updates.

Bernie Sanders, AOC-backed Democrat wins key House race; GOP fails to expand fragile majority

Republicans fell far short in their bid to flip a vacant U.S. House seat in a blue-leaning district in northern New Jersey.

Democrat Analilia Mejia, who was backed by progressive champions Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of neighboring New York, convincingly defeated GOP candidate Joe Hathaway in Thursday's special election in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, The Associated Press reported. The race was called minutes after the polls closed at 8pm ET.

With her victory, Mejia will fill the final eight months of the term of Gov. Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic representative who stepped down from Congress in November after winning New Jersey's gubernatorial election.

The special election came as the GOP clings to a fragile House majority. Republicans would have relished the opportunity to pick up the seat, but they faced a steep uphill climb to flip the suburban district Sherrill won by 15 points in her 2024 re-election and carried by roughly the same margin in last year's gubernatorial election.

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Mejia, a progressive organizer who served as national political director on the 2020 Sanders presidential campaign, pulled off an upset in the February Democratic primary, narrowly edging out a more moderate rival, former Rep. Tom Malinowski, in a field of 11 candidates. While Mejia was the clear choice of the party's left flank, the rest of the field appeared to divide the moderate and center-left vote.

Her primary victory was another boost for the left against the establishment after democratic socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani sent shock waves across the nation with his Democratic primary victory in June 2025.

Hathaway, a former Randolph Township mayor and current council member who was unopposed for the GOP congressional nomination, aimed to paint Mejia as too far to the left for the district. He told Fox News Digital the choice for voters was "between a common sense, practical independent leader who's gotten things done at the local level in New Jersey and knows the issues, contrasted with someone who's running on pure ideology, far left-wing ideology, Squad-backed ideology."

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Mejia recently appeared at a town hall with Malinowski and, on Sunday, teamed up with Sherrill on the campaign trail as she aimed to unite Democrats, who enjoy a sizable registration advantage in the district.

Hathaway claimed Mejia was trying "to hide a little bit" from "some of her rhetoric, because she knows that those policies are completely out of touch, but it's not fooling voters. It's certainly not fooling us."

Jewish voters make up a key part of the district's electorate, and Hathaway, in the only debate in the special election, claimed Mejia was antisemitic, noting she has said Israel committed genocide in Gaza.

"She blamed Israel for the attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7," Hathaway said. "I think Jewish individuals across this district, Republican or Democrat, are very afraid of this kind of rhetoric."

Hathaway said, "I've spoken to more members of the Jewish community who have told me they've never voted for a Republican in their life, who are going to vote for me in this race. I mean, that shows you where the Jewish community is on the importance of this race and how they are not aligned with Mejia ... and her platform."

Mejia pledged to "protect the rights of Jewish constituents" and said her criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza should not be conflated with antisemitism.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Mejia said, "Joe Hathaway’s inability to distinguish between criticism of a government or government official and bigotry is troubling and disgusting in equal measure."

Mejia last week wrote that she was "honored" after being endorsed by the liberal pro-Israel political group J Street PAC. But her acceptance of the endorsement triggered pushback on the left, with the North Jersey Democratic Socialists of America calling her move a "heel turn."

As he worked to win over independents and Democrats, Hathaway pointed out where he agrees and disagrees with President Donald Trump, who lost the district by eight points in the 2024 presidential election.

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"I’m always going to do what’s right for this district first. And I’ve been clear: If the president’s going to do things that are good for the district, increasing the SALT cap deduction, putting money back in people’s pockets, especially New Jersey, affordability is so tough here. If we’re doing things like border security, reducing fentanyl deaths like we’ve seen in our community, those are good things. I support those policies," Hathaway said.

"But, on the other hand, if the president's going to do things that aren't in the best interest of our district, it's my job to push back, and that's exactly what I've done."

Hathaway pointed to Trump's move last year to terminate billions of federal dollars for the Gateway Project, which is funding a new train tunnel under the Hudson River connecting New Jersey and New York, and the president's plans to cut roughly 1,000 jobs and nearly $1 billion in funding for an Army base located in New Jersey.

"I'm going to call balls and strikes in this race. I'm not going to be a rubber stamp for anybody," Hathaway said.

"I think we have the right math, the right bipartisan coalition to come together to win this thing on April 16."

But Hathaway came up short, given the rough political climate facing Republicans and the traditional headwinds for the party in power.

Mejia repeatedly linked Hathaway to Trump and Republicans in Congress.

"MAGA Republicans are driving up everyday costs with extreme policies my opponent supports. Healthcare and critical programs are being gutted just to fund tax breaks for the ultra-rich. We can’t afford another vote for Trump in Congress," she wrote in a recent social media post.

Dan Cassino, a Fairleigh Dickinson University political science professor and pollster, called Hathaway's hopes of capturing crossover Democrats "a pipe dream."

"Democrats as a whole do not seem interested in finding common ground with Trump," Cassino said on Monday, predicting most voters in the special election would be strong partisans. 

"Democratic turnout is through the roof, and Republican turnout is depressed at this point."

Swalwell was dubbed the 'Snapchat king of Congress' years before sexual misconduct scandal emerged

Disgraced former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., was once dubbed the "Snapchat king of Congress," years before his career was derailed by newly surfaced sexual misconduct allegations.

Swalwell resigned from Congress and suspended his California gubernatorial bid amid the fallout of damning reports alleging sexual harassment and sexual assault. 

In his public statements, Swalwell has fiercely denied the criminal allegations but admittedly suggested he had acted inappropriately outside his marriage in the past.

Among the allegations are accusations he sent unsolicited photos of his genitalia to women he had met in professional settings on Snapchat, the popular social media platform known for allowing messages and images to disappear.

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In 2016, Swalwell was the subject of a glowing report from The Hill by tech journalist Taylor Lorenz about his use of the platform, which at the time was seldom used by politicians.

"Imagine a typical Snapchat user, and you probably don’t think of a 35-year-old straight-laced congressman from California," Lorenz began the report. "But in a few short months, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) has skyrocketed to success on the app, using the platform to connect with constituents and grow his base.

"The result is an entertaining feed of short videos, photos and an unfiltered peek into the daily life of a congressman. He snaps photos of his daily commute, shoots videos from his hometown in northern California, and documents his daily meetings as a representative of California’s 15th district," she wrote.

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In an interview with Lorenz, Swalwell mentioned how "so many of our constituents" were on Snapchat and not just "young people."

"That’s when I realized that a lot of people are really going there, whether it’s for getting news, staying in touch with friends, just cool, fun, interesting things that disappear in 24 hours," Swalwell said at the time. "We just realized that this was another way to communicate directly with constituents."

Swalwell boasted his growing following on the platform, telling Lorenz, "People now come up to me at the grocery store or in our community and say, ‘Hey, I like your Snapchat.’

"I want people back home to know that I haven’t forgotten about the responsibility of sharing what I do here as the person they elected."

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According to the report, Swalwell offered "personal Snapchat lessons" to colleagues on Capitol Hill and even "carried around a stack of homemade Snapchat flyers that he hands out on the House floor."

"It may seem strange for a member of Congress to be so enamored with a social media messaging app, but Swalwell says he is passionate about mobile technology and the opportunities it provides," Lorenz wrote.

Looking back at her report nearly a decade later, Lorenz told Fox News Digital, "I’m horrified and disgusted by the stories coming out about his behavior. The fact that someone in his position of power was allegedly using social media to groom young women is very disturbing. I think we are all probably reading this story about his Snapchat use in a new light."

Swalwell's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Lorenzo Lamas and Heather Locklear set to make their first public outing as a couple at fan event

Heather Locklear and Lorenzo Lamas are taking their relationship public this month.

On Wednesday, Lamas took to X to announce he and Locklear will be at the Chiller Theatre Expo at the Hilton hotel in Parsippany, New Jersey, from April 24–26.

"Looking forward to seeing all of my peeps. She is too," Lamas wrote on the social platform formerly known as Twitter.

The announcement came just a day after a representative for Lamas confirmed to E! News that the pair are seeing each other.

Representatives for Locklear and Lamas did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

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Locklear and Lamas have been a rumored couple since TMZ pushed photos of them celebrating New Year's Eve together in Las Vegas.

In May, Locklear ended her five-year relationship and engagement to Chris Heisser. In 2021, Locklear told People that a marriage to Heisser was "not so important."

"We’re together, and we love each other and support each other. And, really, that’s all that matters," she told the outlet at the time.

Locklear and Lamas have a long history of relationships.

The "Melrose Place" actress was married to Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee from 1986 to 1993, a pairing that drew major media attention during the height of both their careers.

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In 1994, she married Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora, and the couple had a daughter before eventually divorcing in 2007. Over the years, Locklear has also been linked to several other figures, including an engagement to her "Melrose Place" co-star, Jack Wagner.

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Lamas has had a notably eventful relationship history, including five marriages.

He was first married to Victoria Hilbert in the early 1980s, followed by a marriage to publicist Michele Cathy Smith.

He later married actress Kathleen Kinmont in 1989, and after their divorce, he wed Playboy Playmate Shauna Sand in 1996.

The couple had three daughters before separating in the early 2000s. In 2011, Lamas married Shawna Craig, though they eventually divorced as well.

Mike Trout's torrid Angels series vs Yankees ends in historic fashion after he blasts fifth home run

Mike Trout couldn’t stop rounding the bases at Yankee Stadium during the Los Angeles Angels’ four-game series, and he made history doing so.

The future Hall of Famer crushed five home runs, including a blast in the Angels’ 11-4 win Thursday afternoon, and tallied nine RBIs in the series, which Los Angeles split with New York.

The 34-year-old Trout entered the series with only two home runs and seven RBIs on the season, but he’s heading back home this weekend looking like his prime self after what transpired in the Bronx.

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He also heads back with some history as the first visiting player to hit a home run four straight days at Yankee Stadium, according to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs.

Trout’s five homers are also tied for the most in a single series against the Yankees. Only three others — George Bell, Darrell Evans and Jimmie Foxx — have done so in past seasons.

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The latest home run from Trout was a solo blast that traveled 446 feet off Yankees reliever Angel Chivilli in the top of the seventh inning Thursday to make it a 7-4 game. Jo Adell’s grand slam later in the game blew it open for Los Angeles to even the series in the end.

Before that, Trout kicked off the series with two home runs and five RBIs in a wild Monday night contest that ended with the Yankees walking it off. Aaron Judge also belted two home runs in the game, as did Trent Grisham, whose game-tying two-run blast in the ninth inning kept the Yankees’ hopes alive.

But Trout and the Angels got the job done Tuesday night, and the veteran outfielder’s only hit was a solo homer. Then, in Wednesday night’s loss, Trout went 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs.

Yankee Stadium in general has been a pleasant place for Trout, a South New Jersey native, as he’s hitting .346 with 13 homers in his career there. He also homered in five straight games against the Yankees if you include the Angels’ last meeting in 2025. That also took place in Yankee Stadium.

"He’s the greatest, the greatest of all time," Judge said of Trout after Monday’s game. "I know he’s had some tough injuries over the years, but to see himself back in a better spot this year – every time he comes to the Bronx, man, he puts on a show. I hate to see it, but it’s fun competing against a guy like that."

As Judge mentioned, the Angels are just happy Trout is playing injury-free to start the season, and perhaps this Yankees series has him hitting his stride.

The three-time league MVP is heading to Cooperstown one day, but there is always the thought among baseball fans about what could’ve been for his career had injuries not gotten in the way. Trout played 130 games last season for the first time since 2019.

Now 10-10, the Angels are hoping they can get that output from Trout once more in 2026. They’re looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2014.  

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Travelers may be slapped with 'ridiculous' new fees as popular city seeks millions per year

Many popular destinations struggling with overtourism and infrastructure issues are aiming to fix those problems in an often unpopular way by enacting new taxes on tourists.

The city of Galway, on the west side of Ireland, is widely known for its medieval streets, colorful shopfronts and historical landmarks. It is now considering a tourist tax that could generate more than $2.1 million annually in the city, according to The Connacht Tribune newspaper.

The proposal envisions an accommodation charge of $1.10 to $2.20 per visitor, per night, for tourists staying in hotels or short-term lodging.

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Sally-Ann O’Brien, Galway City Council’s new tourism officer, spoke at a meeting this week to address concerns, the Tribune reported.

She said most European countries already charge visitors a small nightly fee, with 21 of the 27 EU member states imposing similar taxes.

O’Brien noted that many international visitors come from Europe and are used to paying a tax, according to the Irish Independent newspaper.

Any tourism levy would require legislation and approval from the Irish government at the national level.

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That's good news for opponents of the proposal. At least three prominent local leaders have voiced their concern.

Councilor Alan Curran recently said an inconsistency in tourism numbers could "severely impact our ability to budget effectively," the newspaper reported.

"We need to protect ourselves from those economic shocks," he added.

When the Galway City Council discussed a motion to explore a tourist tax in 2024, a former mayor and a well-known business executive both expressed dismay.

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A former mayor of Galway, Eddie Hoare, said a tourist tax could "send out the wrong message."

Pat McDonagh, the founder of Supermacs, a popular fast-food chain in Ireland, called the proposal a "ridiculous idea" on Newstalk Breakfast in September 2024.

"We would be the laughingstock of the country if we introduced a tourist tax," he said.

Recent data shows Galway continues to attract many visitors. 

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Fáilte Ireland’s Key Tourism Facts 2024: Galway, published in 2025, reported some 1 million international visitors and 1.4 million domestic tourists, generating more than $1.08 billion.

Travelers took to Reddit to weigh in on the proposed tax.

"The local authority ought to consider what it is they’re actually offering tourists at this point, and if it’s worth what they expect them to be paying anymore," one Reddit user said.

"Have to agree. Galway is completely overpriced for what it offers," another said.

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"There are people online — and, unfortunately, in politics — who view hiking taxes as infinite free money," a third Reddit user said.

Others didn't understand the outrage and upset.

"This is a normal charge in cities around the world and works fantastically," a traveler said.

"I've never even batted an eye at paying it."

Galway attracts scores of tourists for its unique mix of history, culture and atmosphere.

Its location on Ireland’s west coast adds another major draw. Galway has dramatic coastal scenery that consistently ranks among the most photographed and visited in the country.

Tennessee governor signs nuclear family month resolution as critics push back on exclusions

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has signed a resolution declaring June Nuclear Family Month as an alternative to the usual LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

Lee, a Republican, signed House Joint Resolution 182 April 9 after it passed the House in April 2025 and the Senate last month.

The legislation highlights the importance of celebrating the traditional family unit, described as "consisting of one husband, one wife, and any biological, adopted, or fostered children."

"The nuclear family is under attack in our beloved State and nation, and it is our responsibility to uplift, protect, and support values that help Tennessee prosper," the resolution adds.

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A spokesperson for the governor did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have begun to speak out against the resolution, and a representative for GLAAD gave Fox News Digital its opinion on the bill.

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"The strongest families are grounded in love, not legislative definitions. It is disturbing to see lawmakers use their platform to intentionally exclude their own constituents," the organization wrote in a statement.

"Instead of drafting resolutions that aim to divide Tennessee families, Gov. Lee should be focused on building a state where every family is treated fairly, and every child has the opportunity to succeed."

The news of the legislation comes a few days after the pride flag at Stonewall National Monument’s federal flagpole in New York City, a well-known symbol for the LGBTQ+ community, was restored after a two-month legal battle and settlement with the Trump administration.

"This is a victory for the LGBTQ+ community and for our entire city," Mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote in an X post Monday. "It’s a reminder that New Yorkers won’t let our history be rewritten.

"Our administration will keep working to ensure LGBTQ+ New Yorkers can live safely and with dignity in our city."

Fox News Digital's Ashley J. DiMella contributed to this report.

Left-wing host blasts AOC as 'weak,' says she only engages critics who are 100% friendly

Ana Kasparian said in an episode of "The Young Turks" that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) showed "a devastating level of weakness" in past votes related to Israel after a public exchange between the two on social media.

"I’m sick of AOC being incredibly weak on things that she shouldn’t be weak on," Kasparian said. "Especially at a time when overwhelmingly Democratic voters are against what Israel is doing."

Kasparian’s remarks came during a segment in which she walked through a recent interaction with Ocasio-Cortez on X,after responding critically to the congresswoman’s post about a disrupted plot targeting Palestinian activist Nerdeen Kiswani.

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Kasparian said her response to Ocasio-Cortez was intentionally sharp and rooted in frustration over what she described as inconsistency on foreign policy votes.

"You should vote to send Israel more money for weapons," Kasparian said. "Obviously I’m being sarcastic there."

The segment then shifted to Ocasio-Cortez’s past voting record, which Kasparian argued reflects a pattern of backing away from stronger opposition under pressure.

"No one can force you to change your vote," Kasparian said. "You changed your vote because you got a little bit of pressure, and you didn’t like the pressure."

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Kasparian also pointed to a more recent vote in which Ocasio-Cortez opposed an amendment to cut military aid to Israel, arguing that even defensive funding should not be supported.

"She voted against an amendment to cut military aid to Israel," Kasparian said. "I don’t care. Money is fungible."

Kasparian framed her criticism around what she described as a failure to follow through on the progressive expectations that helped elect Ocasio-Cortez.

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"The whole reason why she was elected in the first place was to transform the Democratic Party," Kasparian said. "That is the opposite of what you got elected to do."

She contrasted Ocasio-Cortez’s public messaging with her voting decisions in Congress.

"I love your fiery speeches. They’re great. They don’t do anything though," Kasparian said.

"When push comes to shove, and you have an opportunity to show us that you’re going to do something with your vote, in the very least, you cave."

Kasparian concluded by reiterating that her criticism is rooted in disappointment rather than opposition, while maintaining that Ocasio-Cortez’s voting record speaks for itself.

"That was a big red flag," she said. "A devastating sign of weakness."

Fox News Digital reached out to Ocasio-Cortez for comment but did not immediately hear back.