Trump cuts off military aid to Ukraine—just like Putin wants

Posted on March 4, 2025 by Emily Singer

President Donald Trump on Monday once again came to the aid of murderous Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, cutting off over $1 billion in military aid the United States was set to provide Ukraine to help the country beat back Russia's violent invasion.

Trump halted the aid even though the money had been appropriated by Congress—adding to the trend of him ignoring Congress' power of the purse.

Trump's move unequivocally benefits Putin, whose incursion into Ukraine threatens all of Europe.

Ukrainian servicemen collect damaged ammunition on the road at the front line near Chasiv Yar town, in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, on Jan. 10, 2025.

“I feel betrayed, but this feeling is not really deep for some reason. I was expecting something like that from Trump’s side,” a Ukrainian soldier fighting in Russia’s Kursk region told the Associated Press of Trump’s aid pause.

Trump paused the aid because he is angry at Ukraine for not rolling over and letting Putin take over its land, which is what Trump has been advocating for in his demand for "peace."

His rage at Ukraine took an ugly turn on Friday, when Trump berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. Trump paused the aid because he wants Zelenskyy to apologize for the Oval Office spat, even though it was Trump and Vice President JD Vance who were the instigators.

But abandoning Ukraine and helping Russia could be politically disastrous for Trump, according to a new poll conducted by Civiqs for Daily Kos.

While Trump has blamed Ukraine for starting the war, the poll found an overwhelming 76% of registered voters say Russia is responsible for starting the conflict. Even a majority of Republicans (62%) say Russia is responsible for starting the war.

What's more, a plurality of voters (49%) say that it’s "very important" for the security of the U.S. that Ukraine wins the war, with another 13% saying it's “better” for Ukraine to win. Only 1% of voters think it's important for U.S. security that Russia wins.

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Russia, meanwhile, is cheering Trump’s moves, a sign they feel his decisions are helping them in the conflict. Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov even said that Trump’s decisions “largely coincides with our vision.”

Democrats are slamming Trump for ignoring Congress and siding with Putin over an American ally.

"This is *illegal,*" Democratic Rep. Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania wrote in a post on X of Trump's pause on aid to Ukraine. "Congress appropriated these funds to support our allies in Ukraine who are fighting for their lives[.] Every dollar of aid must be released immediately. Trump’s disrespect for the rule of law is disgraceful and un-American."

Others sought to remind Americans that it's not the first time Trump has paused aid to Ukraine.

In fact, Trump paused military assistance to Ukraine in his first term, after the country refused to follow his orders to launch a politically motivated investigation into then-presidential candidate Joe Biden. That pause is what led to Trump’s first impeachment.

"Some of us remember the last time Trump paused aid to Ukraine ..." Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California, who ran the first impeachment effort against Trump, wrote in a post on X.

However, Republicans are cheering Trump for cutting off aid.

"By cutting military aid to Ukraine, President Trump is driving a knife right through the foreign policy UniParty. We should all be thankful for that," Rep. Brandon Gill, Republican of Texas, wrote in a post on X.

The Republican response is angering Democrats, who are not optimistic that GOP leaders will push Trump to do the right thing and assist Ukraine in its existential battle.

"Let's remember—congressional Republicans held up Ukraine aid for over six months, allowed for Russia to go on the offensive. So even before Donald Trump was president, congressional Republicans were not doing the things necessary to support the most vital fight in defense of democracy in the world today," Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut said in an appearance on MSNBC. "So I'm just gonna be honest with you—I don't have a lot of faith that Republicans are gonna do anything except just offer some mild criticism of Vladimir Putin."

Murphy added, “We’re going to need for them at some point to support additional defensive aid for Ukraine—more weapons, more economic aid—and they weren’t willing to do that before Donald Trump was president, I’m not sure why they’d be willing to do it now, when Donald Trump is literally taking Russia’s side in this conflict.”

Thank you to the Daily Kos community who continues to fight so hard with Daily Kos. Your reader support means everything. We will continue to have you covered and keep you informed, so please donate just $3 to help support the work we do.

‘Delivering accountability’: GOP reps launch judicial task force to expose ‘judicial activism’

Posted on March 3, 2025 by Latest Political News on Fox News

FIRST ON FOX: Republican Reps. Andrew Clyde, of Georgia, and Eli Crane, of Arizona, are launching a judicial task force "to unite members in exposing judicial activism" and target "rogue, activist judges" amid a flurry of legal challenges to the Trump agenda.

"I’m excited to lead this critical effort with my friend and fellow patriot, Congressman Eli Crane. Our Judicial Activism Accountability Task Force aims to unite members in exposing judicial activism, with the ultimate goal of impeaching rogue, activist judges," Clyde said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

Clyde notably announced in February he was drafting impeachment articles against Rhode Island-based District Judge John McConnell, who is overseeing a lawsuit against President Donald Trump. McConnell, at the time, filed a motion ordering the Trump administration to comply with a previous restraining order. The order temporarily blocked the administration’s efforts to pause federal grants and loans.

JONATHAN TURLEY: JUDGE'S SPECIAL COUNSEL RULING MAY BE THE SETBACK TRUMP ADMIN WAS LOOKING FOR

Crane and other representatives have since followed Clyde's lead, announcing impeachment articles against other judges presiding over Trump-related lawsuits.

Clyde said he encourages other members of Congress to join the task force who "are passionate about ending abusive judicial overreach, upholding the separation of powers, and defending the U.S. Constitution," saying they "look forward to delivering accountability for the American people."

Crane, who announced he was drafting impeachment articles against U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer, told Fox News Digital in a statement that, in recent years, "leftists weaponized the judicial branch."

The Arizona Republican said, "If these activist judges want to be politicians, they should resign and run for public office."

JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S MASS DISMISSALS OF PROBATIONARY FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

"The American people delivered President Trump a mandate to disrupt the administrative state," Crane said. "These judges are violating the will of the people, and Congress has constitutional authority to impeach and convict these partisans."

Tennessee Republican Rep. Andy Ogles also announced he was drafting impeachment articles of his own following Clyde and Crane's efforts.

Ogles announced he had introduced impeachment articles against U.S. District Judge Amir Ali late last month. Ali, a D.C.-based Biden appointee, recently ordered the Trump administration to pay around $2 billion in foreign aid funds to contractors with a midnight deadline.

JUDICIAL PUSHBACK ON TRUMP 'HURTING AMERICAN PEOPLE,' SAYS GOP REP LEADING IMPEACHMENT CHARGE

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts paused Ali's order after the Trump administration said it had created "an untenable payment plan at odds with the President’s obligations under Article II to protect the integrity of the federal fisc and make appropriate judgements(sic) about foreign aid – clear forms of irreparable harm."

Clyde and Crane's task force comes as the administration has become the target of more than 90 lawsuits aimed at President Donald Trump's executive orders and directives. The legal challenges cover Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship, the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) efforts to slash unnecessary government spending, and Trump's removal of various federal employees.

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Clyde spoke with Fox News Digital shortly after announcing his impeachment articles against McConnell, saying the real victims of judicial pushback against Trump's policies are the American people.

"You're not just hurting the president," Clyde said. "You're hurting the American people because they're the ones who elected him, and they're the ones who want him to do this – to exercise these specific authorities. And these judges are really denying the American people their rights."

Fox News Digital's Bradford Betz contributed to this report.

‘Delivering accountability’: GOP reps launch judicial task force to expose ‘judicial activism’

Posted on March 3, 2025 by Latest Political News on Fox News

JONATHAN TURLEY: JUDGE'S SPECIAL COUNSEL RULING MAY BE THE SETBACK TRUMP ADMIN WAS LOOKING FOR

Crane and other representatives have since followed Clyde's lead, announcing impeachment articles against other judges presiding over Trump-related lawsuits.

The Arizona Republican said, "If these activist judges want to be politicians, they should resign and run for public office."

JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S MASS DISMISSALS OF PROBATIONARY FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

Tennessee Republican Rep. Andy Ogles also announced he was drafting impeachment articles of his own following Clyde and Crane's efforts.

JUDICIAL PUSHBACK ON TRUMP 'HURTING AMERICAN PEOPLE,' SAYS GOP REP LEADING IMPEACHMENT CHARGE

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Clyde spoke with Fox News Digital shortly after announcing his impeachment articles against McConnell, saying the real victims of judicial pushback against Trump's policies are the American people.

Fox News Digital's Bradford Betz contributed to this report.

‘Delivering accountability’: GOP reps launch judicial task force to expose ‘judicial activism’

Posted on March 3, 2025 by Latest Political News on Fox News

JONATHAN TURLEY: JUDGE'S SPECIAL COUNSEL RULING MAY BE THE SETBACK TRUMP ADMIN WAS LOOKING FOR

Crane and other representatives have since followed Clyde's lead, announcing impeachment articles against other judges presiding over Trump-related lawsuits.

The Arizona Republican said, "If these activist judges want to be politicians, they should resign and run for public office."

JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S MASS DISMISSALS OF PROBATIONARY FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

Tennessee Republican Rep. Andy Ogles also announced he was drafting impeachment articles of his own following Clyde and Crane's efforts.

JUDICIAL PUSHBACK ON TRUMP 'HURTING AMERICAN PEOPLE,' SAYS GOP REP LEADING IMPEACHMENT CHARGE

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Clyde spoke with Fox News Digital shortly after announcing his impeachment articles against McConnell, saying the real victims of judicial pushback against Trump's policies are the American people.

Fox News Digital's Bradford Betz contributed to this report.

Top wildest moments from presidential addresses to entire Congress, from Reagan to Biden

Posted on March 3, 2025 by Latest Political News on Fox News

As President Trump prepares to deliver his first address to joint sessions of Congress since taking office in January, here are several of the wildest moments from joint addresses from presidents in the past.

Dem. Sen. Joe Manchin bucks party to stand and clap for Trump in 2018

West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat who later became an independent, went viral on social media after he stood when President Trump entered the chamber, and stood and applauded some of Trump’s policy proposals when other Democrats remained sitting.

"That’s the way I was raised in West Virginia. We have respect," Manchin said about his actions at Trump’s first State of the Union address. "There is some civility still yet. There should be civility in this place."

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED DURING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S 6TH WEEK IN OFFICE

President Biden blasts GOP lawmakers in 2023 address, prompting jeers from Republicans in the crowd

"Some of my Republican friends want to take the economy hostage — I get it — unless I agree to their economic plans," Biden said to Congress, prompting a shake of the head from then-GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in the background and shouts from the crowd and shots of other Republicans shaking their heads.

"Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans, some Republicans, want Medicare and Social Security to sunset," Biden continued, which caused an even more pronounced shake of the head from McCarthy, who mouthed "no" as Republicans continued to jeer.

"I’m not saying it’s the majority," Biden continued, which resulted in even more boos from the raucous crowd.

"Let me give you — anybody who doubts it, contact my office. I’ll give you a copy — I’ll give you a copy of the proposal," Biden continued to say over increasingly louder shouting from the crowd, which included GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, stood up and gestured her frustration. " That means Congress doesn’t vote — I’m glad to see — no, I tell you, I enjoy conversion."

Biden’s speech continued to devolve from there as Republican outrage interrupted him on multiple occasions.

Reagan surprises the crowd with first-ever acknowledgment of a guest in the audience

Guests in the audience acknowledged in presidential speeches to joint sessions of Congress have become commonplace in recent years, but President Ronald Reagan’s 1982 address was the first time the practice was rolled out.

Reagan’s speech came just weeks after Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into Washington’s 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac River shortly after taking off in an accident that killed 78 people.

Three people survived the crash thanks to civilians on the ground who rushed to their aid, including Congressional Budget Office assistant Lenny Skutnik, who stripped off his shoes and clothes and dove into the frigid waters.

Reagan honored Skutnik in his speech, which made honoring people in the crowd a more common theme in the years to come.

"Just 2 weeks ago, in the midst of a terrible tragedy on the Potomac, we saw again the spirit of American heroism at its finest — the heroism of dedicated rescue workers saving crash victims from icy waters," Reagan said. "And we saw the heroism of one of our young government employees, Lenny Skutnik, who, when he saw a woman lose her grip on the helicopter line, dived into the water and dragged her to safety."

Rep. Boebert heckles Biden over Afghanistan withdrawal during 2022 address

"You put them in, 13 of them," GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert shouted at Biden as he talked about Afghanistan veterans who ended up in caskets due to exposure to toxic burn pits. Boebert was referencing the 13 U.S. service members killed during Biden’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

Boebert was wearing an outfit that said "Drill Baby Drill" in opposition to Biden’s energy policies and her outburst drew some boos from the audience.

At another point, Boebert and Greene started chanting "build the wall" when Biden was talking about immigration.

ZELENSKYY SPEAKS OUT AFTER PUBLIC SPAT WITH TRUMP, VANCE, SAYS DUSTUP 'BAD FOR BOTH SIDES'

Rep. Joe Wilson yells ‘You lie!’ at President Obama

One of the most remembered outbursts from a State of the Union address came in 2009 when South Carolina GOP Congressman Joe Wilson interrupted President Obama’s address, which at the time was far less common than it later became.

"There are also those who claim that our reform effort will insure illegal immigrants," Obama said, talking about his controversial Obamacare plan. "This, too, is false. The reforms I'm proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally."

"You lie!" Wilson shouted from his seat on the Republican side of the chamber, causing widespread yelling from other members in the audience.

Wilson later apologized to Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel.

"This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the president's remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill," Wilson said in a written statement. "While I disagree with the president's statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the president for this lack of civility."

Speaker Pelosi tears up Trump’s 2020 speech

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sparked a social media firestorm and cemented herself in State of the Union infamy in February 2020 when she stood up and tore Trump’s speech into pieces after he had finished.

When Fox News asked Pelosi afterward why she did it, she responded, "Because it was the courteous thing to do considering the alternatives." She added, "I tore it up. I was trying to find one page with truth on it. I couldn't."

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Pelosi’s outburst came on the heels of Trump’s first impeachment trial, which ended in a Senate acquittal the day after the speech.

"Speaker Pelosi just ripped up: One of our last surviving Tuskegee Airmen. The survival of a child born at 21 weeks. The mourning families of Rocky Jones and Kayla Mueller. A service member's reunion with his family. That's her legacy," the White House tweeted after Pelosi tore up the speech, referencing individuals who Trump mentioned during his address.

Fox News Digital’s Adam Shaw, Joseph Wulfsohn and Marisa Schultz contributed to this report.

Trump and Zelenskyy are about to have one seriously awkward meeting

Posted on February 27, 2025 by Morgan Stephens

President Donald Trump is set to meet face-to-face with the man he’s repeatedly trashed online. During his first Cabinet meeting, Trump confirmed that he would meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenkskyy on Friday, during his visit to Washington, D.C. And it’s sure to be uncomfortable to watch after his awkward bilateral with French President Emmanuel Macron earlier this week.

Trump said the session with Zelenskyy aims to solidify a deal that would give the U.S. $500 billion worth of Ukraine’s rare earth mineral rights in return for financial and military support.

Trump has used his first month in office to push false pro-Kremlin narratives about the cause of the war in Ukraine, saying that Russia did not invade and Ukraine “should have never started it.”

While the details of the negotiation remain unclear, Zelenskyy told reporters he’ll review the deal’s draft text. He said the text should include a line guaranteeing “security guarantees for Ukraine” from future Russian attacks—a critical point given Trump’s recent history of wavering on U.S. commitments to Ukraine and cozying up to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Of course, this agreement is about economics. But I asked for there to be at least an understanding that we are seeing things the same way and that all of it is part of future security guarantees,” said Zelenskyy at a news conference on Wednesday, later adding, “My question will be very direct: if the United States will stop support or not? Can we buy weapons? If it’s not aid, can we buy weapons directly from the United States?”

When Trump was asked plainly by reporters earlier on Monday, the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, if he thought Putin was a dictator, Trump couldn’t muster the words.

“I don't use those words lightly,” he said instead.

But Trump has more than just a recent history of parroting Russian talking points.

He’s gone on despicable tirades against Zelenskyy online, calling him a “dictator” on Truth Social and siding with Russia on its desire to rejoin the esteemed G7 forum. In an unprecedented move on Monday, the U.S. voted with Moscow-friendly nations at the United Nations against a resolution to condemn Russia for the war in Ukraine.

During his first term in office, Trump called Ukraine “corrupt.”

The last time Zelenskyy and Trump met in person was in September 2019 at the U.N. Their “improper” quid pro quo phone call in July 2019 led to Trump’s first impeachment. Zelenskyy visited the White House in September during Joe Biden’s administration only a month before the election took place.

“Support for our state and people guarantees of peace and security—this is the key to ensuring that Russia will no longer destroy the lives of other nations,” Zelenskyy said in an address to the Ukrainian people on Wednesday. “I will meet with President Trump. For me and for all of us in the world, it is crucial that America’s assistance is not stopped.”

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Victim’s family ‘confident’ Oklahoma’s Richard Glossip will be convicted after Supreme Court orders new trial

Posted on February 26, 2025 by Latest Political News on Fox News

The family of murdered Oklahoma City motel owner Barry Van Treese told Fox News Digital they are "confident" Richard Glossip will once again be found guilty after the Supreme Court tossed out his conviction and ordered a new trial.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a majority opinion Tuesday that "the prosecution violated its constitutional obligation to correct false testimony" in court proceedings against Glossip, who was convicted and sentenced to death following the 1997 killing. Prosecutors alleged that it was a murder-for-hire scheme.

"The family remains confident that when that new trial is held, the jury will return the same verdict as in the first two trials: guilty of first-degree murder," Derek Van Treese, Barry’s son, said in a statement to Fox News Digital provided by the family’s lawyer, Paul Cassell.

"The burning issue here is of process and procedure. The U.S. Supreme Court has concluded that one small bit of impeachment evidence should have been presented at Glossip’s trial and has remanded for a new trial," he continued. "Two juries have shown that the issue at hand isn't one of guilt or innocence, Glossip is clearly guilty of first-degree murder."

SUPREME COURT TOSSES CONVICTION AND DEATH SENTENCE OF OKLAHOMA INMATE, ORDERS NEW TRIAL

Derek Van Treese added that "For the last 10,276 days, we've been waiting for justice for the murder of Barry Van Treese."

"As difficult as it may be to start fresh on a 28-year-old case, I hope that the Attorney General and the Oklahoma County District Attorney's office can begin to show the perseverance that our family has shown throughout this process," he also said. "We pray that they exhibit the fortitude to take politics out of the equation and process this case as it is, a death penalty case, and not take the easy road of a lesser charge. If they find themselves unable to shoulder the burden, they should recuse themselves and allow someone with the aptitude and skill necessary to prosecute this case so it can finally be laid to rest, once and for all."

SOUTH CAROLINA DEATH ROW INMATE CHOOSES FIRING SQUAD AS EXECUTION METHOD

Don Knight, Glossip's attorney, told the Associated Press that the Supreme Court’s ruling "was a victory for justice and fairness in our judicial system."

"Rich and I opened the decision together on the phone this morning, knowing it would be a life-changing moment," his wife said in a text message to the AP following the Supreme Court’s announcement. "To say that we are overcome with emotion is an understatement. We are deeply grateful. Today is truly an answered prayer."

Glossip, 62, is currently being held at the maximum-security Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, according to the AP.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond was quoted by the news agency as saying that Glossip will remain in custody, and he will now consult with the Oklahoma County district attorney over whether to try Glossip again and if the state should seek the death penalty or lesser charges.

"I do not believe Richard Glossip is innocent," Drummond reportedly added, noting that "I have conferred with several members of the Van Treese family and given them my heartfelt sadness for where they are, where they find themselves."

Fox News’ Bill Mears contributed to this report.

Fox News Politics Newsletter: Soros Static

Posted on February 25, 2025 by Latest Political News on Fox News

Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content.

Here's what's happening…

-Noem reveals major milestone on border crossings amid Trump's crackdown on illegal immigrants

-Deadline for Musk's ultimatum to federal workers hits, but OPM reportedly says it's voluntary

-Meet the far-left groups funding anti-DOGE protests at GOP offices across the country

EXCLUSIVE: House Republicans are getting an update on the Trump administration’s probe of billionaire George Soros’ influence on local radio, a source familiar with planning told Fox News Digital.

The Republican Study Committee (RSC), the 175-strong caucus led by Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, is hosting Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr at its annual closed-door lunch on Wednesday.

The source familiar with the planning said Carr is expected to brief GOP lawmakers on the FCC’s investigation into Soros, including an investment firm he’s linked to purchasing over 200 Audacy radio stations nationwide…Read more

'MAXIMUM MOMENTUM': New bill threatens to cripple 'judicial tyranny' from derailing Trump's agenda at every turn

'WARRIOR ETHOS': Trump Pentagon leadership shakeup aims to change culture from top down, expert says

HERITAGE HEARTLAND: Lawmakers pressure Trump to recognize West Bank as Israeli territory

RIFT AT THE UN: US votes against condemning Russia for Ukraine war as Trump admin chases peace deal

'GREY ZONE' ACTION: Taiwan coast guard detains Chinese-crewed vessel suspected of cutting undersea cable

ON THE TABLE: Putin says Russia is open to economic cooperation with US on rare earth minerals

$17B MORE: 'Trump effect' on display as UK's Starmer boosts defense spending on eve of US visit

HOUSE OF CARDS: Trump tax cut plan heads for House-wide vote despite GOP rebel threats, Medicaid anxiety.

BAD DOGE: Frustration at Elon Musk spills over after closed-door House GOP meeting: 'Fed to the wolves'

RAISING KAINE: Trump warns major Dem against move that could cost voters trillions

'NOT GOING TO GET AWAY WITH IT': Judicial pushback on Trump 'hurting American people,' says GOP rep leading impeachment charge

'GOOD START': NYC migrant shelter closure highlights Trump’s success rooting out illegal crossings

'SOROS-BACKED AGENDA': Liberal judge recruits sanctuary sheriffs who defied ICE in ad touting crime record in pivotal race

SOCIAL INFLUENCES: LGBT Americans reach record number, mostly Democrats and Gen Z: Gallup poll

'WE'RE COMING': Homan issues stark warning for illegals amid clash with sanctuary city officials

'TARGETED': Texas governor announces crackdown on massive illegal immigrant community near major city

MILLIONS IN $AVING$: Department of Veterans Affairs cutting more than 1,400 employees in another round of dismissals

IS CAINE ABLE?: Who is Daniel 'Razin' Caine? Air Force general tapped for top advisor role in Pentagon upheaval

TOSSES CONVICTION: Supreme Court tosses conviction and death sentence of Oklahoma inmate, orders new trial

'ILLEGAL' FUNDING FREEZE: Blue state governor says $2.1B in federal funding restored after suing Trump admin

'NO-BRAINER': NASA should dump D.C. for the Sunshine State, DeSantis and other Florida Republicans suggest

'DISGUSTING': NSA investigates 'secret sex chats' under guise of DEI on internal agency message board

'COMMON SENSE VICTORY': Ohio transgender bathroom law takes effect

Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.

‘Duly owed to us’: Blue state governor says $2.1B in federal funding restored after suing Trump admin

Posted on February 25, 2025 by Latest Political News on Fox News

Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Monday that $2.1 billion in federal funds had been unfrozen and restored to Pennsylvania, as Democratic governors rely on the courts to challenge President Donald Trump's executive actions.

Shapiro sued the Trump administration on Feb. 13, joining the initial 22 states and the District of Columbia with lawsuits challenging Trump's allegedly "illegal" federal funding freeze. Shapiro said legal action was necessary to restore Pennsylvania’s federal funding.

Shapiro, who was in Washington for the National Governors Association (NGA) last week, said he urged senior members of the Trump administration to unfreeze the federal funds.

"When I was at the White House on Friday, I again raised the issue of our frozen federal funding to President Trump's senior team and members of his Cabinet," Shapiro told reporters Monday. "I urged them to follow the law and to honor their agreements with Pennsylvania. As a result of that direct engagement last week, our funding is unfrozen. They are now following the law, and we will continue to press our case."

SHAPIRO LATEST DEMOCRAT SUING 'UNCONSTITUTIONAL' TRUMP ADMIN

Shapiro said his directness earned Pennsylvania access to the funds "duly owed to us."

"I was very direct with them. They were very responsive to me. And as a result, Pennsylvania now has what is duly owed to us," Shapiro added.

The White House Office of Management and Budget directed agencies to halt federal funding on Jan. 27 in compliance with Trump's executive orders. Federal judges had issued a temporary restraining order to block the funding freeze ahead of Shapiro's lawsuit, but only states with litigation against the Trump administration were able to access the unfrozen funds.

JUDICIAL PUSHBACK ON TRUMP 'HURTING AMERICAN PEOPLE,' SAYS GOP REP LEADING IMPEACHMENT CHARGE

"As a result of our lawsuit and our continued pressure and engagement with the Trump administration, in which we demanded that the administration comply with the legal injunctions currently in place, we made clear that we were ready to seek immediate relief from the courts. Every dollar that we identified at the filing of our lawsuit is currently unfrozen and, once again, accessible to all Pennsylvania state agencies," Shapiro said.

The $2.1 billion in federal funding restores what Shapiro described as "critical programs and infrastructure projects that have been jeopardized by this illegal freeze." Those programs include plugging abandoned wells, cleaning waterways, protecting farmers from runoff water, repairing mines and delivering clean water to Pennsylvanians, Shapiro said. He said several projects that were halted have been restored and dozens of federal employees are now back to work.

Shapiro said it is his responsibility as governor to take legal action against the federal government when necessary to deliver for Pennsylvania.

"It is my job to protect Pennsylvania's interests, and I will use every tool at my disposal, from legal action to my direct engagement, to make sure that Pennsylvanians are protected, and that the funds Pennsylvanians rely on every day, the funds that Pennsylvanians pay in federal taxes make their way back to our Commonwealth, and we receive every federal dollar that we are owed," Shapiro said.

The legal dance of Trump’s executive actions is on full display in Shapiro’s litigation as the governor said suing the Trump administration was the only way to unfreeze Pennsylvania’s federal funds. Shapiro’s legal win is the latest in ongoing litigation between the state and federal governments.

During the Governor's Working Session at the White House on Friday, when Shapiro told senior Trump officials to restore his state’s federal funding, Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, was telling Trump, "We’ll see you in court."

Trump told Mills, in a moment NGA Vice Chairman Kevin Stitt, R-Okla., described as "uncomfortable," that Maine would not receive any federal funding if she did not comply with his executive order to prevent transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.

Mills said in a statement that Maine would "not be intimidated by the president’s threats."

"If the president attempts to unilaterally deprive Maine school children of the benefit of federal funding, my administration and the attorney general will take all appropriate and necessary legal action to restore that funding and the academic opportunity it provides," Mills added.

As Trump continues to implement part of his agenda through executive action, Democrats are relying on federal litigation to challenge the Trump administration’s executive authority, that many call a "constitutional crisis."

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Pennsylvania's unfrozen federal funds.

Judicial pushback on Trump ‘hurting American people,’ says GOP rep leading impeachment charge

Posted on February 25, 2025 by Latest Political News on Fox News

Georgia Republican Rep. Andrew Clyde, who earlier this month announced he was drafting articles of impeachment against a Rhode Island judge overseeing one of President Donald Trump's legal challenges, condemned judges who continue to bar Trump's agenda from being implemented.

Clyde is working in conjunction with Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., who is also preparing impeachment articles against U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer. The Georgia Republican said the real victims of judicial pushback against Trump's policies are the American people.

"You're not just hurting the president," Clyde told Fox News Digital. "You're hurting the American people because they're the ones who elected him, and they're the ones who want him to do this – to exercise these specific authorities. And these judges are really denying the American people their rights."

IMPEACHMENT THREAT HITS JUDGE WHO BLOCKED TRUMP FEDERAL FUNDING FREEZE

Clyde threatened to file articles of impeachment against District Judge John McConnell who, at the time, filed a motion ordering the Trump administration to comply with a previous restraining order. The order temporarily blocked the administration’s efforts to pause federal grants and loans.

McConnell has since come under fire from Trump supporters and conservatives who have accused him of being a liberal activist after a 2021 video of him saying courts must "stand and enforce the rule of law, that is, against arbitrary and capricious actions by what could be a tyrant or could be whatnot" resurfaced online.

"You have to take a moment and realize that this, you know, middle-class, White, male, privileged person needs to understand the human being that comes before us that may be a woman, may be Black, may be transgender, may be poor, may be rich, may be – whatever," McConnell said in the video, according to WPRI.

KEY HOUSE DEMOCRAT RIPS MUSK FOR USURPING PRESIDENTIAL POWERS, SAYS SOME HAVE DISCUSSED IMPEACHMENT

Clyde acknowledged that judges have their own opinions and "they're certainly entitled to them, but they're not overt and political in mentioning them," saying "they don't want to be seen as potentially having a conflict of interest."

"And I think that's very, very much the case when it comes to both Judge Engelmayer and Judge McConnell," the lawmaker said.

Since taking office in January, activist and legal groups, along with elected officials, local jurisdictions and individuals, have launched more than 70 lawsuits against the administration. The legal challenges cover Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship, the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) efforts to slash unnecessary government spending, and Trump's removal of various federal employees.

DOJ ISSUES COMPLAINT ABOUT FEDERAL JUDGE’S ‘MISCONDUCT’ WHILE PRESIDING OVER MILITARY TRANS BAN COURT CASE

With regard to the specific suits over DOGE's actions, Clyde told Fox News Digital he expects the president to "prevail on the merits of his case."

"I think the president will certainly prevail on the merits of his case. He has the authority under Article II of the Constitution," Clyde said. "But yet for the entire time of the restraining order, the judge will have prevented this duly elected authority from being exercised by the president. And also, they will have prevented the American people from dealing with waste, fraud and abuse in their government."

Clyde said he hopes other members of Congress join his and Crane's efforts to continue holding judges accountable, saying those barring Trump's agenda from being implemented "need to understand that they're not going to get away with it."

"They can't just stop the president from doing what the Constitution gives him the authority to do, and the people have given him the authority to do," Clyde said.

Fox News Digital's Elizabeth Elkind and Diana Stancy contributed to this report.