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At least 40 percent of California teachers plan to quit in the next decade: survey
Nearly half of California teachers plan to retire or quit in the next 10 years, according to a new survey.
In California, the share of teachers who say they plan to retire in the next 10 years is between 40% and 49% with an estimate of 45%, Holly Kurtz, director of the Education Week Research Center, told Fox News Digital. Kurtz added that state teachers are on average older than teachers in many other states, according to the most recent federal data that is available. The average age of a California teacher is 45.5, while the average teacher age in the U.S. is 42.9.
"This means that age likely is a major reason why CA teachers are more likely to say they plan to retire in the next decade than teachers in other states," Kurtz told Fox News Digital.
Nationwide, 36% of teachers say they plan to retire in the next ten years. "There’s a lot of evidence that indicates that teacher morale has been declining nationwide and is at, by some measures, the lowest point in recent memory," Kurtz explained to EdSource.
The report also found that nearly half of all U.S. teachers say they expect at some point to work in a field other than education. A total of 5,802 public school teachers working in K-12 education responded to the survey for EdWeek's 2026 installment of its State of Teaching Report, totaling 9,892 teachers after three years.
The California Department of Education did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
California teachers have slightly better morale on average than their peers in other states, but more are planning to leave the profession in the next decade, according to Education Week’s annual The State of Teaching report," EdSource reported.
Fox News Digital previously reported on school districts grappling with the teacher shortage, detailing that retaining and recruiting teachers is a nationwide issue. The largest teachers union in the country, the National Education Association, said that "the educator shortage crisis is real" on its website providing information about challenges the education industry faces in retaining and recruiting teachers.
The California Teachers Association released a report in January finding that even though a majority of teachers are satisfied with their job, 40% are considering leaving education and 45% cite financial issues in deciding what to do.
SCHOOLS THAT LET STUDENTS LEAVE CLASS TO PROTEST ICE HAVE FAILING ACADEMIC RECORDS
The union’s survey added that 54 percent of educators "know coworkers who left careers in education because of financial strain."
"Educators are actively organizing to increase and defend school funding across the state, ensuring school districts prioritize spending on student learning conditions, and working toward a permanent extension of Prop. 55 and the up to $15 billion dollars it generates for our schools annually," the CTA said in the report.
San Francisco teachers went on strike demanding higher pay in February—the first strike of San Francisco educators since 1979.
ARIZONA SCHOOL DISTRICT TAKES HUGE BLOW TO ENROLLMENT AS PARENTS CHOOSE OTHER OPTIONS
The United Educators of San Francisco eventually reached a tentative agreement with the city’s school district, ending a four-day strike.
Trump reveals top issues GOP should focus on to secure midterms victory: 'I've never been more confident'
President Donald Trump outlined five key items he believes will tip the upcoming midterm elections in the GOP’s favor — if Republicans can muscle them through Congress.
"No transgender mutilation surgery for our children," Trump told an audience at the Republican Members' Issues Conference. "Voter ID, citizenship [verification], mail-in ballots, we don't want men playing in women's sports."
"It's the best of Trump. Those are the best of Trump. This is the number one priority, it should be, for the House," Trump said.
Trump’s exhortations to Republican lawmakers come as the GOP wages an uphill campaign to hang on to a controlling majority in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. He framed his legislative priorities as a way for Republicans to capitalize on popular demands within the GOP base that would increase their chances of preserving a Republican governing trifecta.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS PUSH ELECTION OVERHAUL WITH VOTER ID, MAIL-IN BALLOT CHANGES AHEAD OF MIDTERMS
Currently, Republicans hold just four more seats than Democrats in the House of Representatives.
The GOP holds six more than Democrats in the Senate.
To keep the numbers in their favor, Republicans will need to beat historical trends. In the vast majority of past cases, parties that capture the White House in presidential elections face blowback in the midterms. Notably, the last time a majority party gained seats in both chambers of Congress in the midterms came under the Bush administration in 2002, following devastating attacks on the World Trade Center.
REPUBLICANS, TRUMP RUN INTO SENATE ROADBLOCK ON VOTER ID BILL
Trump said he believes Republicans have a shot at bucking the trend come November if they focus on his list.
"It'll guarantee the midterms," Trump said of his legislative priorities.
Republicans have already taken strikes towards two of them through the SAVE America Act, a piece of legislation that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and cast a ballot. That bill cleared the House last month for a second time in the 119th Congress.
Its future is uncertain in the Senate, where Republicans would need the assistance of seven Democrats to overcome the 60-vote threshold to defeat a filibuster. Democrats, for their part, believe the legislation would disenfranchise voters who cannot readily provide documented proof of citizenship through a passport, REAL ID, or birth certificate.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. has promised a vote on the package despite its long odds.
Several members have introduced bills on transgender issues, although none of them have cleared either chamber.
"I've never been more confident that if we keep these promises and deliver on this popular agenda, the American people will stand with us in overwhelming numbers, just as they did in 2024," Trump said.
Trump says it’s an ‘honor’ to keep Strait of Hormuz open for China and other countries
President Donald Trump said he wants to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, saying it would be an "honor" to do so in an effort to help other nations that rely on the vital Middle East waterway.
Trump was speaking with reporters in Florida on Monday, when he was asked about the global energy choke point, which has been disrupted amid back-and-forth attacks between Iran and Israel and the United States.
IRAN SEIZES OIL TANKERS, THREATENS 'MASSACRE' IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ HOURS BEFORE US TALKS
At about 21 miles wide at its narrowest point, the Strait of Hormuz is between Iran and Oman and carries roughly 20 million barrels a day and about one-fifth of global liquefied natural gas, making it a top-value target when conflict in the region erupts.
"We're really helping China here and other countries because they get a lot of their energy from the Straits," Trump said. "We have a good relationship with China. It's my honor to do it."
US POSITIONS AIRCRAFT CARRIERS, STRIKE PLATFORMS ACROSS MIDDLE EAST AS IRAN TALKS SHIFT TO OMAN
Trump is slated to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this month. While touting the United States' new energy partnership with Venezuela, Trump noted that China gets its oil through the strait.
"I mean, we're doing this for the other parts of the world, including countries like China," he said. "They get a lot of their oil through the straits."
"We have a very good relationship with President XI (Jinping) and China," he added. "I'm going there in a short period of time, and we're protecting the world from what these lunatics are trying to do, and very successfully I might add."
The U.S. will also waive all oil-related sanctions on some countries in an effort to reduce energy prices amid the conflict in the Middle East, Trump said.
Later, Trump reaffirmed his position on the strait in a fiery Truth Social post.
"If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far. Additionally, we will take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation, again — Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them — But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen!," he wrote.
"This is a gift from the United States of America to China, and all of those Nations that heavily use the Hormuz Strait. Hopefully, it is a gesture that will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the 'talking filibuster' and the SAVE Act
Passage of the SAVE Act is of paramount importance to President Trump and many congressional Republicans.
In his State of the Union speech, the president implored lawmakers "to approve the SAVE America Act to stop illegal aliens and other unpermitted persons from voting in our sacred American elections."
The House approved the plan to require proof of citizenship to vote last month, 218-213. But, as is often the case, the hurdle is the Senate. Specifically the Senate filibuster.
So some Republicans are trying to save the SAVE Act.
TRUMP PUSHES CONGRESS TO PASS SAVE ACT DURING STATE OF THE UNION; NO MEDDLING WITH TARIFFS
It’s important to note that President Trump never called for the Senate to alter the filibuster in his State of the Union address. But in a post last week on Truth Social, President Trump declared that "The Republicans MUST DO, with PASSION, and at the expense of everything else, THE SAVE AMERICA ACT."
Again, the president didn’t wade into questions about overcoming a filibuster. But "MUST DO" and "at the expense of everything else" is a pretty clear directive from the Commander in Chief.
That’s why there’s a big push by House Republicans and some GOP senators to alter the filibuster – or handle the filibuster differently in the Senate.
TRUMP VOWS BLOCK ON SIGNING NEW LAWS UNTIL SAVE AMERICA ACT PASSES SENATE
It’s rare for members of one body of Congress to tell the other how to execute their rules and procedures. But the strongest conservative advocates of the SAVE Act are now condemning Senate Republicans if they don’t do something drastic to change the filibuster to pass the SAVE Act.
Some Senate Republicans are ready to push for changes. Or, at the very least, advocate that Senate Republicans insist that Democrats conduct what they’re referring to as a "talking filibuster" and not hold up the legislation from the sidelines. It takes 60 votes to terminate a filibuster. The Senate does that by "invoking cloture." The Senate first used the cloture provision to halt a filibuster on March 8, 1917. Prior to that vote, the only method to end a filibuster was exhaustion – meaning that senators finally just run out of gas and quit debating.
So let’s explore what a filibuster is and isn’t – and dive into what Republicans are talking about when they’re talking about a talking filibuster.
The Senate’s leading feature is unlimited debate. But ironically the "debate" which holds up most bills is not debate. It’s simply a group of 60 lawmakers signaling to their leaders offstage that they’ll stymie things. No one has to go to the floor to do anything. Opponents of a bill will require the majority tee up a cloture vote even if legislation has 60 yeas. Each cloture vote takes parts of three to four days to process. So that inherently slows down the process – and is a de facto filibuster.
But what about talking filibusters? Yes, senators sometimes take the floor and talk for a really long time. Hence, the "unlimited debate" provision in the Senate. Senators can generally speak as long as they want, unless there’s a time agreement, greenlit by all 100 members.
That’s why a "filibuster" is hard to define. You won’t find the word "filibuster" anywhere in the Senate’s rules. And since senators can just talk as long as they want, they might argue that suggesting they are "filibustering" is pejorative. They’re just exercising their Senate rights to speak on the floor.
However, a true filibuster is a delay. For instance, the record-breaking 25 hour and 8 minute speech last year by Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., against the Trump administration was technically not a filibuster. Booker began his oratory on the evening of March 31, ending on the night of April 1. Once Booker concluded, the Senate voted to confirm Matt Whittaker as NATO Ambassador. The Senate was supposed to vote on the Whitaker nomination on April 1 anyway. So all Booker’s speech did was delay that confirmation vote by a few hours. But not much.
FETTERMAN EXPECTS DHS SHUTDOWN AMID PARTISAN FUNDING FEUD, BREAKS WITH DEMOCRATS ON VOTER ID
In 2013, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, held the floor for more than 21 hours, in his quest to defund Obamacare. But despite Cruz’s verbosity (and a recitation of "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Suess), the Senate was already locked in to take a procedural vote around 1 pm the next day. That automatically ended Cruz’s speech. Thus, that truly wasn’t a filibuster either.
So, this brings us to the "talking" filibuster which actually gums up the Senate gearboxes. A talking filibuster is what most Americans think of, thanks to the iconic scenes with Jimmy Stewart in the Frank Capra classic, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington."
Most senators "filibuster" by forcing the Senate to take two cloture votes – spread out by days – to handle even the simplest of matters. That elongates the process by close to a week. But if advocates of a given bill have the votes to break the filibuster via cloture, the gig is up.
But what happens if a senator – or a group of senators – delays things with long speeches? That can only last for so long. And it could potentially truncate the Senate’s need to take ANY cloture vote, needing 60 yeas.
Republicans who advocate for passage of the SAVE Act believe they can get around cloture – and thus the need for 60 votes – by making opponents of the SAVE Act talk. And talk. And talk.
And once they’re done talking, the Senate can vote – up or down – on the SAVE Act. Passage requires a simple majority.
Senate Rule XIX (19) states that "no senator shall speak more than twice upon any one question in debate on the same legislative day."
TRUMP, THUNE CLASH ON VOTER ID ULTIMATUM AS GOP REMAINS DIVIDED ON PATH FORWARD
Easy enough, right? Two speeches per day. You speak twice on Monday, then you have to wait until Tuesday? Democrats would eventually run out of juice with 47 senators who caucus with their party.
But it’s not that simple. Note the part about two speeches per "question."
Well, what’s a "question," in Senate parlance? That could be the bill itself. It could be an amendment. It could be a motion. And just for the record, the Senate usually cycles through a "first degree" amendment and then a "second degree" amendment. So, if you’re scoring at home, that could be six (!) speeches per senator, per day, on any given "question."
Questions?
But wait. There’s more.
Note that Rule XIX refers to a "legislative day." A legislative day is not the same as a calendar day. One basic difference is if the Senate "adjourns" each night versus "recessing." If the Senate "adjourns" its Monday session, then a new legislative day begins on Tuesday. However, the legislative day of "Monday" carries over to Tuesday if the Senate "recesses."
It may be up to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., whether the Senate "adjourns" or "recesses." The creation of a new "legislative day" inhibits the GOP effort.
Moreover, talking filibuster proponents could object to a request by Thune to adjourn. If the Senate votes to stay in session, that forces the legislative day of Monday to bleed over to Tuesday.
SCHUMER ONCE BLOCKED TRUMP'S MOVE TO FILL THE NATION'S OIL RESERVES, NOW HE WANTS THEM OPENED
Pro tip: watch to see if the adjournment vs. recess scenario unfolds. If a talking filibuster supporter tries to prevent the Senate from adjourning, that could signal whether the GOP has a shot at eventually passing the SAVE Act. If that test fails, the SAVE Act is likely dead in the water.
We haven’t even talked about a custom practiced by most Senate Majority Leaders to lock down the contours of a bill when they file cloture to end debate.
It’s a Senate custom to recognize the Senate Majority Leader first on the floor for debate. So Thune and his predecessors often "fill" what’s called the "amendment tree." The amendment tree dictates how many amendments are in play at any one time. Think of the underlying bill as a "trunk." A "branch" is for the first amendment. A "sprig" from that branch is the second amendment. Majority leaders often load up the amendment tree with "filler" amendments, not changing the subject of the bill. He then files cloture to break the filibuster.
That tactic curbs the universe of amendments. That blocks the other side from engineering controversial amendments to alter the bill. But if Thune doesn’t file cloture to end debate, then the Senate must consider amendment after amendment, repeatedly filling the tree and voting on those amendments. This scenario unfolds during a "talking" filibuster. Not when Thune is controlling the process by filing cloture and "filling the tree."
This is why Thune is skeptical of a talking filibuster to pass the SAVE Act.
"This process is more complicated and risky than people are assuming at the moment," said Thune.
In fact, the biggest "benefit" to filing cloture may not even be overcoming a filibuster, but blocking amendments via management of the tree. Republicans are bracing for amendments Democrats may offer.
"If you don't think Democrats have a laundry list of amendments, talking about who won the 2020 election, talking about the Epstein files – if you don't think they have a quiver full of these amendments that they're ready to get Republican votes on the record, then I’ve got a bridge to sell you," said George Washington University political science professor Casey Burgat.
Plus, forcing a talking filibuster for days precludes the Senate from passing a DHS funding bill. That’s to say nothing of confirming Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., as Homeland Security Secretary.
That’s why there’s a reluctance by some Republicans to push the talking filibuster. And it could come at the expense of the SAVE Act – despite the president’s push.
Conan O'Brien knew late-night shows were in trouble after viral 'Hot Ones' appearance
Comedian Conan O'Brien realized that late-night shows were in deep trouble after his viral appearance on the popular online show "Hot Ones."
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the former late-night host weighed in on the cancellation of "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" as well as the brief pulling of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" following comments made after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
O'Brien appeared in 2024 on "Hot Ones", a show on YouTube where celebrities answer questions while eating chicken wings that increasingly get spicier. His appearance on the show has received more than 15 million views.
GAYLE KING WILL REMAIN AT CBS NEWS, SAYS RUMORS OF EXIT WERE ‘INACCURATE AND GREATLY EXAGGERATED’
"That was the moment the scales fell from my eyes," O'Brien told The Hollywood Reporter. "If a guy can do World Series numbers with overhead that looked, to me, to be about $600, and you have every big star lining up to do his show or Chicken Shop Date … that’s when I profoundly understood that late night shows are in trouble."
Colbert, whose program is ending in May, called O'Brien the "patron saint of ex-talk show hosts" and revealed he'd been urging Colbert to quit for years. O'Brien had a near three-decade stint across multiple late-night programs, hosting "Late Night" (1993-2009) and then briefly "The Tonight Show" (2009-2010) on NBC, before moving over to TBS and hosting "Conan" until 2021.
"We were out, a few Emmys ago, and he kept saying, ‘I want you to know there’s a lot of fun to be had when this is over, so don’t feel like you need to stay.’ It almost hurt my feelings, but he was just being kind. He Dutch uncle’d me," Colbert told The Hollywood Reporter.
FCC TO CRACK DOWN ON LIBERAL LATE NIGHT SHOWS, 'THE VIEW' NOT GIVING EQUAL AIRTIME TO GOP GUESTS
Some believe Colbert's criticism of President Donald Trump played a role in his show ending. Trump's FCC (Federal Communications Commission), headed by Brendan Carr, had to approve David Ellison's Skydance Media purchasing CBS parent company Paramount.
O'Brien said, "I’m of the mind that yes, these shows are going away and will become something else."
However, O'Brien added, "But I don’t like when other malign forces intervene, because they’re trying to curry favor. That pisses me off."
In September, Kimmel's late-night show was pulled off the air after his remarks about Kirk's alleged assassin sparked outrage and a veiled threat from the FCC. Disney decided to suspend the show after two major affiliate owners pulled airings of Kimmel from their stations, and Kimmel reportedly had told executives he would not apologize for his comments. His show returned following the brief hiatus.
CBS announced last year that Colbert's show would go off the air this May, citing it as a purely financial decision and denying it had anything to do with the then-looming merger between Paramount and Skydance.
O'Brien, who has stayed active with a podcast and HBO Max show, is hosting the Oscars this Sunday for the second straight year.
Fox News' Brian Flood and Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report
Tua Tagovailoa plans to sign with Falcons after Dolphins release him from roster: report
Tua Tagovailoa won’t have to go far to start his next chapter in the NFL.
The ex-Miami Dolphins quarterback "plans to sign" a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons, joining fellow left-handed thrower Michael Penix Jr. in what’s expected to be a quarterback competition heading into the 2026 season, per ESPN reported.
The Dolphins officially made their decision on Tagovailoa on Monday, though the writing has been on the wall for quite some time. Dolphins new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan announced that the team will release him when free agency begins, cutting ties with the team’s 2020 first-round draft choice as a new regime moves in, including head coach Jeff Hafley.
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Miami quickly found a potential Tagovailoa replacement, too, agreeing to terms with Malik Willis, who Sullivan and Hafley know well as he backed up Jordan Love with the Green Bay Packers in recent seasons.
"As I shared with Tua, I have great respect for the person and player he is," Sullivan said in a statement. "On behalf of the Miami Dolphins, I expressed our gratitude for his many contributions, both on the field and in the community, during his six seasons in Miami."
DOLPHINS APPEAR TO FIND TUA TAGOVAILOA'S REPLACEMENT AS FREE AGENCY OPENS
There was chatter about Tagovailoa potentially joining the Falcons, who also made a quarterback move by letting veteran Kirk Cousins go to pursue his next opportunity around the league.
With a one-year deal (terms were not disclosed), Tagovailoa figures to battle it out in training camp with Penix, whom the Falcons took eighth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Washington. He’s coming off a partially torn ACL suffered in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers.
Before then, Penix, who went 3-6 in his nine starts last season for Atlanta, threw for 1,982 yards with nine touchdown passes and three interceptions, completing 60.1% of his throws.
Meanwhile, Tagovailoa could benefit from a fresh start after struggling in his final year with Miami last season. He went 6-8 as the team’s starter, throwing for 2,660 yards with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, as the Dolphins failed to make the playoffs once again.
This wasn’t what the Dolphins had in mind after the Alabama product did enough to warrant a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension at the start of the 2024 season. Now, Miami is expected to make Tagovailoa a post-June 1 designation, taking on $99 million in dead cap space split over the next two seasons, ESPN reported.
Tagovailoa made just one playoff appearance and one Pro Bowl in his six seasons with the Dolphins, which came in 2023 when Miami went 11-6.
The Falcons are desperate to get back into the playoffs, having done so last in 2017 where they lost in the Divisional Round. Under the leadership of Matt Ryan at quarterback, the Falcons made the Super Bowl in 2016, though it was an infamous ending, having blown a 28-3 lead to the New England Patriots.
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Tarik Skubal leaves Team USA to return to Tigers camp despite mixed feelings after successful start
Tarik Skubal is staying with his original plan after all for the World Baseball Classic, as Team USA manager Mark DeRosa announced the 2025 Cy Young Award winner will be heading back to the Detroit Tigers after his start against Great Britain.
Skubal was always supposed to return to his ballclub after Team USA’s second game of the group stage in Houston, a 9-1 win over Great Britain. However, after throwing his scheduled pitch count in the victory, Skubal seemed to have second thoughts about a one-and-done appearance.
"I didn’t expect these types of emotions to run through my brain or my thoughts to differ," Skubal said to reporters, per ESPN. "I was pretty committed to making a start and getting back to camp.
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"Things have changed, obviously. That’s why I’m going to have some conversations and try to figure out a plan for me. But yeah, I don’t know either way."
Skubal hasn’t been shy about how much he’s enjoyed being on one of the best Team USA rosters ever assembled for the tournament, which includes fellow Cy Young Award winner, Paul Skenes, who will be pitching against Mexico on Monday night. Skubal even noted that he could regroup with Team USA if they make it out of their pool and head to Miami for the elimination games.
TIGERS ACE TARIK SKUBAL WINS RECORD-BREAKING $32M IN ARBITRATION: REPORTS
"When you get into these environments, when you get this team, it’s hard to walk away from that," Skubal added.
But Skubal, who is set to become a free agent after this season with the Tigers, is sticking with the gameplan from the start.
The 29-year-old is expected to get the richest contract of any pitcher in MLB history this upcoming winter, and it could be in the ballpark of $500 million. And perhaps his decision was easier knowing his national teammates understand him heading back to the Tigers’ facility.
"He’s got the two Cy Young awards, but this guy’s about to make half a billion dollars her in the next offseason," Team USA captain Aaron Judge said, per USA TODAY. "So, for him to put it all on the line for his country and come out here and show up for us. …You know, maybe it is just one game, but you know there’s a risk with everything you do, and for him to take that risk and come out here and be with us, the boys love it."
Skubal was awarded an MLB-record $32 million in arbitration, surpassing the previous arbitration record held by New York Mets, and current Dominican Republic star, Juan Soto.
After a fantastic 2024 campaign that ended with some much-deserved hardware, Skubal followed it up with an AL-leading 2.21 ERA over 195⅓ innings in 31 starts. He also struck out 241 batters, 13 more than his league-leading mark the previous year.
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40+ House Republicans rally behind Markwayne Mullin for DHS, call it a ‘critical moment’ for border security
FIRST ON FOX: Nearly 50 House Republicans are writing to President Donald Trump backing Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after Kristi Noem's ouster.
The pragmatist GOP Main Street Caucus is taking a formal stance, endorsing Mullin on Monday, as well as backing a targeted crackdown on illegal immigrant criminals in the U.S.
It's a rare formal statement by the House Republican group, led by both Chairman Mike Flood, R-Neb., and Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., and signed by 47 other GOP lawmakers.
"Senator Mullin has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to border security. His familiarity with the legislative process and his longstanding support for pro-America policies make him well-suited to lead DHS at this critical moment," the letter said. "We are confident he will bring the focus and discipline necessary to further our shared priorities."
FETTERMAN BACKS TRUMP'S DHS PICK MULLIN AS 'NICE UPGRADE' IN BREAK WITH DEMOCRATS
Trump tapped Mullin to lead the department last week while announcing that Noem would no longer serve in his Cabinet. He instead established a new role for her as special envoy at a new Trump-created initiative called Shield of the Americas.
The vast majority of Republican lawmakers immediately hailed Mullin's nomination, particularly as criticism was steadily growing of Noem's handling of DHS.
Among the most volatile chapters in her tenure occurred during Trump's immigration operation in Minneapolis, which inspired bipartisan calls for restraint amid city-wide protests over the federal agent-involved killing of two U.S. citizens.
MULLIN PROMISES TO EARN DEM VOTES AS GOP COLLEAGUES POUNCE ON HIS SEAT
Trump responded to the uproar by upending federal leadership there, replacing Noem-empowered Greg Bovino of Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) with border czar Tom Homan.
The Main Street Caucus letter revealed that more than two dozen lawmakers in the group met with Trump's Homan last week while praising his handling of immigration enforcement across the country.
"As members of the Republican Main Street Caucus, a group of more than 85 House conservatives focused on governing and producing legislative results, we write to express our strong support for the work of Tom Homan and his efforts to strengthen our nation’s immigration enforcement in his role as White House Border Czar," the letter said.
"Last week, approximately two dozen members of our caucus met with Mr. Homan to discuss the current state of immigration enforcement and the steps necessary to strengthen public safety while restoring confidence in federal immigration law."
Among the agreed-upon initiatives, the letter said, was keeping Trump's immigration crackdown focused on people who commit crimes within the U.S.
"First, enforcement efforts should remain focused on the worst criminal offenders. Prioritizing the removal of individuals who pose the greatest threats to public safety ensures that federal resources are used effectively while protecting American families and communities," they wrote.
TEAMSTERS BOSS PRAISES MULLIN DHS NOMINATION DESPITE PAST HEATED HEARINGS
It's a notable point given past criticism of DHS, from both sides of the aisle, about indiscriminate targeting of undocumented people in places like federal courthouses during routine immigration appointments.
They also called for the repeal of policies in sanctuary jurisdictions that "undermine public safety and hinder lawful immigration enforcement" and giving federal authorities "access to local jails before criminal aliens are released."
"Finally, we agreed there should be clear communication from ICE to the American people and to Congress regarding its success in deporting the worst criminal offenders—individuals with records of assault, battery, rape, DUI, and other serious crimes," the letter said.
The lawmakers added that "Homan’s approach reflects those principles, and we believe his leadership will continue to strengthen the federal government’s ability to enforce immigration laws in a targeted and effective manner."
Maher confronts liberal guest, after he blamed the HBO host of humanizing Trump
Bill Maher stood his ground during a podcast released Monday, telling his guest Sam Harris to get a reality check after criticizing his dinner with President Donald Trump.
After years of criticizing him and his policies, Maher made headlines when he accepted Trump's invitation to a private dinner at the White House last year. Maher praised Trump for his friendly reception and hosting that night, and has rebuked his fans and fellow celebrities alike for criticizing him for accepting the invitation.
Harris, a prominent atheist and liberal podcaster, challenged Maher about the dinner, saying he was frustrated by "podcast bros" and those who had done "irresponsible interviews" that helped normalize Trump before he won the 2024 election. Harris had also criticized Maher directly on his own podcast last April, the same month the actual dinner with Trump occurred.
They spoke about their past disagreement over this issue, and Maher asked, "Then what is the argument?"
"So here's the argument," Harris replied. "I think it's a truly a no-win situation you walked into. Now I don't – I - now I completely understand why it seemed like the right thing to do, and I'd be interested to know if it if in retrospect you think it, it seems like the right thing.
"It's only no it's only a no-win with the people who hated me already. The Bluesky crowd who don’t like you either, and that’s okay. We wear that as a badge of honor," Maher said.
Harris compared Maher normalizing Trump to all of the establishment figures who worked with the first Trump administration, arguing that rather than bring political normalcy, they had actually served to normalize Trump’s agenda.
Maher immediately balked, saying he was not a cabinet member, he merely had dinner with Trump. He went on to cite that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani had a friendly meeting with Trump as well and argued that accepting Trump’s role as president is a mere pragmatic acceptance of reality.
TOP DEMS WHO EXCHANGE TRASH-TALK WITH TRUMP PUBLICLY TURN SURPRISINGLY FRIENDLY IN PRIVATE MEETINGS
"I’m not saying you can take the crazy out of the equation," Maher said. "I'm just saying he's there. He's not going anywhere. You can't isolate him. You can't elevate him. You have to deal with the person who is there."
He went on to reject the critique that he was irresponsibly humanizing him.
"He's a human. Can I just be up upfront about that? He is a human with great flaws which we've all recognized. But it is a human you have to deal with, and it's better to deal with. There is no there there to the other side. The other side is just ‘No we go sit at the lunch table, and we don't invite him over.’ It's just silly," Maher said.
Storage facility raided as feds investigate alleged ISIS-inspired NYC bomb throwers
BUCKS COUNTY, Pa. — Federal investigators raided a storage facility as part of the probe into two suburban Pennsylvania teens accused of carrying out an ISIS-inspired terror attack by allegedly throwing improvised explosive devices outside the New York City mayor’s home.
The suspects, 18-year-old Emir Balat of Langhorne and 19-year-old Ibrahim Kayumi of Newtown, traveled from Bucks County to Manhattan on Saturday, where police said they ignited and hurled explosive devices into a protest crowd outside Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s residence.
On Monday evening, a federal source confirmed to Fox News that a search warrant was executed at a self-storage facility called Public Storage in Langhorne. The source said that the search is in connection to the ongoing terror investigation. Helicopter video captured authorities at the large storage facility on Monday.
A series of photographs captures the critical moments of an alleged ISIS-inspired bombing attempt outside the iconic Gracie Mansion.
The first image shows Balat holding what authorities later identified as Device-1 during the protest outside Gracie Mansion and then proceeding to throw it into the crowd of protesters and counterprotesters during the "Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City" rally. According to the complaint, the device was approximately the size of a mason jar and had an attached fuse. Investigators later determined that it contained TATP and had nuts and bolts affixed to the exterior with duct tape.
In a second photo, Balat is shown receiving Device-2 from Ibrahim Kayumi after the first device was allegedly thrown, authorities say. According to the complaint, Balat allegedly ran down the block and grabbed the second device from Kayumi before igniting it. Prosecutors allege he then dropped Device-2 near several NYPD officers.
Another image shows Balat running from the area after Device-2 was dropped near several NYPD officers. According to the complaint, after he allegedly ignited the second device, he dropped it near the officers, ran away, and jumped over a barricade. The photograph captures Balat mid-flight as officers move toward the device, moments before he was tackled and arrested.
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As federal prosecutors unsealed charges Monday, Kayumi’s father said he had no warning.
"If he’s going to be five minutes late, he calls," Khayer Kayumi told The New York Times, describing how the family began searching for his son when he didn’t return home Saturday afternoon. "We didn’t know what was going on."
According to the federal criminal complaint, Kayumi’s mother filed a missing person report just hours before the alleged attack. The report states she last saw him at their Pennsylvania residence at approximately 10:30 a.m. that morning.
A neighbor of Ibrahim Kayumi in Newtown confirmed to Fox News Digital that she lives next door to the family but declined to comment further. She said she did not wish to speak about Kayumi.
Violeta Sadauskiene, a neighbor of terror suspect Emir Balat, said she has known the Balat family for about 15 years, describing the family as "lovely people."
"There was zero suspicious stuff going on at their house," she told Phillyburbs.com. "Everybody was just in shock. Everyone. I could not believe it when I heard it. We thought it must be a mistake."
Sadauskiene told the outlet that Balat's parents were friendly and hardworking.
Balat is currently a 12th-grade student in the Neshaminy School District, a district spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital. The district declined to comment on whether he had any prior disciplinary history. Kayumi graduated in 2024 from Council Rock High School North, school officials confirmed.
In a message to families, Council Rock officials said they have been in communication with law enforcement and that there is no information indicating any threat or connection to the school district. Schools remain open and operating as normal.
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Both districts serve residential Bucks County communities outside Philadelphia — quiet suburbs now linked to a federal terrorism investigation.
There is no publicly reported prior criminal history for either suspect. Authorities have not said whether Kayumi was enrolled in college or employed at the time.
Balat lived with his parents in Langhorne. His parents were born in Turkey and became naturalized U.S. citizens in 2017. Kayumi’s parents immigrated from Afghanistan and became citizens in 2004 and 2009.
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According to the complaint filed in the Southern District of New York, investigators recovered a notebook from a vehicle parked blocks from the mayor’s home listing materials associated with triacetone triperoxide (TATP) production, including hydrogen peroxide, sulfuric acid and acetone, along with aluminum cans and bolts.
License plate reader data placed the vehicle crossing the George Washington Bridge less than an hour before the first device was allegedly thrown, prosecutors said.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed Monday that the devices were not smoke bombs or hoaxes, but real improvised explosive devices capable of causing serious injury or death.
"This is being investigated as an act of ISIS-inspired terrorism," Tisch said.
Police later located a vehicle tied to the suspects and recovered a third suspicious device. That device ultimately tested negative for explosive material.
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According to the federal complaint, Balat allegedly wrote and signed a pledge of allegiance to the Islamic State while at a precinct station after his arrest.
The complaint states he wrote: "All praise is due to Allah lord of all worlds! I pledge my allegiance to the Islamic State," followed by additional statements expressing hostility toward non-believers. Prosecutors also allege he wrote, "We take action."
The complaint further alleges that Balat stated he and Kayumi wanted to carry out an attack "bigger than the Boston Marathon bombing," which he allegedly noted resulted in "only three deaths."
Federal prosecutors charged the suspects with material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and use of a weapon of mass destruction.
Retired FBI supervisory special agent Jason Pack told Fox News Digital that the charging language is significant.
"Material support requires prosecutors to show the defendants knowingly supported a designated terrorist organization," Pack said. "The selection of charges signals how prosecutors are framing the ISIS nexus evidence."
The complaint also alleges Balat made spontaneous statements in a patrol vehicle. Kayumi allegedly made statements captured on bodycam video.
Two federal law enforcement sources confirmed to Fox News that investigators are examining whether the suspects may have become "self-radicalized."
Authorities are reviewing digital evidence, online activity, communications and travel history. Officials have not alleged direct operational contact with ISIS, but are working to determine whether the suspects were inspired by extremist propaganda consumed online.
Pack noted that TATP is frequently associated with attackers who learned bomb-making methods online rather than through formal overseas training.
"When you see TATP in a domestic case, it often points to online radicalization," he said.
Officials say there is no evidence at this time linking the attack to overseas hostilities.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said New York remains in a "heightened threat environment" following the alleged ISIS-inspired attack.
State Police are increasing patrols at sensitive sites statewide, Hochul said, and more than 1,000 National Guard members remain deployed to protect major transit hubs across New York City.
The Pennsylvania arrests come just months after federal authorities disrupted another alleged ISIS-inspired plot involving teenagers and young adults from suburban communities in New Jersey and Michigan.
That case involved suspects accused of sharing ISIS propaganda and allegedly plotting violence while communicating in encrypted group chats.
There is no evidence the two cases are connected. However, both investigations highlight long-standing warnings from federal officials about the threat of young men radicalized online far from traditional conflict zones.
Pack said investigators are running parallel tracks.
"The criminal case builds the prosecution," he said. "The intelligence side examines travel, communications, online activity and whether anyone else was involved."
Mamdani released a statement reacting to the charges against Balat and Kayumi.
"Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi have been charged with committing a heinous act of terrorism and proclaiming their allegiance to ISIS. They should be held fully accountable for their actions," he wrote. "We will continue to keep New Yorkers safe. We will not tolerate terrorism or violence in our city."
Fox News' Bill Melugin, Alexis McAdams, and Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.