Power saver programs are utility-sponsored demand response initiatives that help reduce electricity usage during periods of peak demand. These programs typically target central air conditioners (AC) and heat pumps, since cooling equipment drives spikes in summer energy demand. In exchange for incentives such as bill credits or rebates, participating homeowners allow the utility to temporarily adjust or cycle their HVAC systems on hot days.But its not all that straightforward. I recently received an email from Leah, an HVAC professional based in Rio Rancho, New Mexico."I would like to see an article about the push for Smart Thermostats, and the convergence of the utilities' attempts to control air conditioning usage to conserve energy."He pointed to a growing push for smart thermostats and what he sees as an effort by utilities to take more control over air conditioning use, all under the banner of energy conservation.Lets discuss the power saver programs in detail, including their pros, cons and everything else you need to know.Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, youll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join myCYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTERMost residential power saver programs function by temporarily reducing air conditioner usage at participating homes during peak periods (usually summer afternoons). In most cases, the utility installs a control device on the outdoor AC units compressor. During a peak event, a radio signal from the utility will cycle the compressor off and on at set intervals. Legacy programs like Xcel Energys Savers Switch use this method.Another method utilities use is controlling thermostats. Youre asked to enroll your Wi-Fi smart thermostat in a bring-your-own-thermostat program. During a demand response event, the utility or program operator remotely raises the thermostat setpoint for a few hours. This causes the AC to run less. Most of these programs allow you to override the change via the thermostat or app; however, emergency events may temporarily disable this option.Power saver programs provide several benefits for both participating consumers and the wider community. First, there are bill savings and incentives. Participants receive direct financial rewards, ranging from annual bill credits of up to $40 to up-front enrollment bonuses of $25-$100.These programs also result in collective demand reduction during peak times, helping prevent grid overloads and blackouts. By coordinating energy reductions across thousands of homes, utilities can avoid firing up expensive peaker plants or purchasing high-priced electricity on the open market.Reducing peak demand can also help avoid turning on older, more polluting fossil-fuel generators. That means fewer CO emissions and lower air pollution on the hottest days, when health risks are already high.Despite the benefits, residential power saver programs come with several potential drawbacks and concerns that have been raised by both customers and experts."In New Mexico, where I live and work, our electric utility, PNM, offers a 'Power Saver' program. Customers can opt in to have a box mounted to their condenser, which disrupts the signal between the furnace and the condenser during peak consumption hours, effectively shutting it down," Leah tells me."Its not great for the condenser, and we often get calls from customers who dont fully understand what they signed up for and are confused when their AC stops working. Now, theres a push to gain access to Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats to achieve the same goal. They want to control our ACs."Understandably, many people are uncomfortable with utilities taking over their cooling systems, especially in extreme heat. Take the 2022 incident with Xcel Energy in Colorado. During an energy emergency, 22,000 smart thermostat users were temporarily locked out of adjusting their ACs. Many had never experienced a no-override event before and were understandably frustrated. While rare, these incidents raise valid concerns about control and consent.There are also technical concerns. Frequent short cycling of AC compressors can lead to increased wear and tear. Every startup strains the compressor motor, and repeated on-off cycles within a short period may reduce efficiency or shorten the unit's lifespan, although this depends on the system and the frequency of the events.HOW 432 ROBOTS ARE RELOCATING A 7,500-TON HISTORIC BUILDINGSome people enrolled in thermostat adjustment programs without realizing it. This leads to confusion and frustration when their air conditioning is unexpectedly limited. Often, this happens because smart thermostats come with default opt-in settings or vague incentive language that can be confusing.In Texas in 2021, many residents saw their smart thermostats rise above 78F during an ERCOT conservation alert. They later found out they had unknowingly agreed to let utilities make temperature adjustments.These programs also raise important data privacy concerns. Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats collect and transmit sensitive information, including occupancy patterns, temperature preferences and when a home is likely unoccupied.Cybersecurity is another issue. Like any internet-connected device, smart thermostats can be vulnerable to hacking or malicious remote commands. So far, no major breaches have impacted AC demand programs, but privacy advocates say the risks are real and growing.Whether you're thinking about signing up or are already enrolled, these steps will help you stay in control, protect your comfort and avoid unwanted surprises:Before you join any power saver or thermostat program, read the terms completely. Ensure you understand the extent of the utility's control, whether you can override changes and how frequently adjustments may occur. Always choose manual enrollment during smart home app setup instead of letting it enroll you automatically.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?Use a Wi-Fi thermostat that makes it easy to override changes during demand response events. Many models let you opt out temporarily or permanently through the app or the device itself. Learn how to do this before a peak event occurs, so you're not caught off guard.Find expert-reviewed smart thermostats that put you in control atCyberguy.com/SmartThermostatsTurn on alerts from your utility so you receive notifications about peak demand events by email, text or app. Check your utilitys website for schedules or forecasts and opt out in advance if needed. Staying informed gives you more control over how your system behaves.Use strong passwords for your thermostat and home Wi-Fi. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) if available. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.Get more details about my best expert-reviewed Password Managers of 2025 atCyberguy.com/PasswordsKeep your thermostats software updated to protect it from potential security risks or remote interference.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HEREIf the program doesn't work for you, learn how to remove your thermostat from it. Utilities usually offer opt-out instructions through their website or app. You may also need to adjust settings or factory reset your thermostat.For more ways to save on your power bill or to see if opting out makes sense for your budget, visitCyberguy.com/SaveonPowerKeep an eye on how your AC performs during demand events. If you notice unusual behavior like frequent short cycling or your home becomes uncomfortably warm, it might be time to reconsider your participation.For more ways on how to keep your home cool and comfortable, check outCyberguy.com/KeepCoolPower saver programs can help reduce grid stress and offer small financial incentives, but they come with trade-offs. Customers may experience reduced comfort, equipment wear, and loss of control, sometimes without realizing theyve opted in. There are also valid concerns around data privacy and security. These programs need clearer communication and better safeguards if theyre going to be widely accepted.Is the promise of energy savings worth giving up privacy and control over your home's temperature? Let us know by writing to us atCyberguy.com/ContactSign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, youll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join myCYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTERCopyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

The Supreme Court cleared the way for the Education Department to fire half of its workforce on Monday, a move that advances President Donald Trump's plans to dismantle the department.The high court's decision in McMahon v. State of New York was issued 6-3 along ideological lines.It arose from a lawsuit brought by 20 Democrat-led states, who asked the court to halt the Education Department's plans to lay off half of its employees and eventually shutter altogether.This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.

FIRST ON FOX: The Immigration and Customs Enforcement employee DHS says was doxxed by Rep. Salud Carbajal was taken to the emergency room on Thursday for stitches after a rock was thrown at him, causing his hand to bleed, according to new pictures from the department.The ICE Public Affairs specialist, who DHS said had his business card shown to the mob protesting the raid by the congressman, had a rock thrown at him, which caused injury to his left hand. Images show the bloodied hand before and after the incident.The farm was the subject of a criminal search warrant by federal immigration authorities.ICE OFFICERS ASSAULTED DURING RAID THAT NABBED 70 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AT MEAT PLANT: DHS"The actions by Representative Carbajal are downright un-American. He dares to claim that his actions were simply congressional oversight, but doxxing ICE personnel and inciting a mob of rioters to attack law enforcement is NOT oversightit's abominable," Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement."His actions sent an ICE employee to the emergency room. Its no wonder that ICE agents are facing a 700% increase in assaults when radical members of Congress like Salud Carbajal and Monica McIver are openly encouraging and leading their supporters in assaulting law enforcement," McLaughlin continued.IMMIGRATION OPERATION AT CALIFORNIA CANNABIS FARMS LEADS TO CLASH BETWEEN FEDERAL AGENTS AND PROTESTERSThe incident took place at a massive riot that broke out as ICE conducted operations at a California marijuana farm in Carpinteria, which resulted in 361 arrests of those in the country illegally. DHS said it rescued 14 migrant children who may have been victims of trafficking, forced labor and exploitation. A child labor investigation is ongoing at the federal level.DHS said there were 500 rioters at the incident, as operations in the Golden State have been subject to major protests and riots in recent weeks.CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGEMeanwhile, Carbajal slammed the doxxing allegations in an X post on Sunday."This is a blatant attempt to distort what occurred in Carpinteria. DHS and ICE conducted their raid using a disturbing and disproportionate level of force, both on the farm workers they were targeting and the peaceful protesters who gathered to defend their neighbors," he posted to X.FEDERAL AGENTS CONDUCT IMMIGRATION RAID IN LOS ANGELES DESPITE FIERCE OPPOSITION FROM DEMOCRAT MAYOR"I witnessed agents, in full military gear, fire smoke canisters and other projectiles into a crowd of peaceful civilians. Just before I arrived at the scene, witnesses told me the agents threw a stun grenade into the crowd. Several civilians were injured, including a child," the congressman continued.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"This aggressive behavior in a normally quiet part of the Central Coast sparked alarm across our community, prompting a flood of calls and messages to my office from concerned citizens. I went to the scene to seek answers and represent my constituents. ICEs claims of doxxing and violent mobs are familiar deflection tactics designed to distort public perception and to evade accountability for their aggressive actions in our community," he added.The company that operates the facility, Glass House Farms, said they "never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices and does not and has never employed minors." Two of the companys leaders, Kyle Kazan and Graham Farrar, previously donated to Carbajals congressional campaign, as recently as 2022 in Farrars case, according to Federal Election Commission records.

The Sunshine State ranks as the nation's number one defender of religious liberty out of all 50 states, according to the First Liberty Institute's fourth annual Religious Liberty in the States (RLS) index.For the first time, Florida tops the national rankings, followed by Montana, Illinois, Ohio and Mississippi. Illinois and Mississippi have garnered a spot in the top five every year since the index was first released by the First Liberty Institute's Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy (CRCD)in 2022.The index uses a detailed scoring system measuring legal protections and ranking states based on the percentage of possible safeguards they have adopted.This year, with 2025's rankings, nearly 55 percentage points separates Florida from the last-place state, West Virginia, which has been last on the index for three years in a row.PARENT GROUPS, RELIGIOUS LIBERTY EXPERTS HAIL SCOTUS UPHOLDING PARENTS RIGHTS IN LGBTQ BOOKS CASE"We find that the states are laboratories of religious liberty where different protections for free exercise can be implemented and tested," CRCD Executive Director Jordan Ballor wrote in an introduction for the 2025 index. "One of the major goals of the RLS project is to raise awareness of what different states are doing. There are positive lessons to be learned from this experimentation, as states that have been at the vanguard of protecting religious liberty can serve as exemplars for states that have lagged behind."The index's accompanying report points out that Florida "is an exemplar" for how state lawmakers can improve their protections around religious freedom. According to the report, the Sunshine State has improved nearly 20 percentage points since the first RLS index was released in 2022.Much of this improvement came from legislation passed in 2023 strengthening religious protections that allow healthcare providers to refuse to participate in medical procedures or services, such as abortion or sterilization, based on their religious or moral beliefs. The report also pointed to Florida's passage of legislation in 2022 protecting houses of worship from discriminatory treatment during pandemics and other emergencies."Florida holds several #1 rankings, leading the nation in education, economy, and tourism and now, Florida is #1 in religious liberty," said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. "Were grateful for this recognition from the First Liberty Institute, which has just named Florida the number one state in the nation for protecting religious liberty."PASTOR URGES TRUMP TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AFTER ALLEGED BIDEN CRACKDOWNS"This years findings show clearly that states taking legislative action are pulling ahead," added Kelly Shackelford, president, CEO and chief counsel at First Liberty. "Under the leadership of Gov. DeSantis, Florida passed real laws that protect real people, and now the Sunshine State is the national leader in protecting religious liberty. Its time for more states to follow Gov. DeSantiss example and adopt strong religious liberty laws."While Florida was pointed to in the RLS index as an "exemplar," the report stated that religious freedom was becoming increasingly "tenuous" in the blue state of Illinois. The move downward for the Land of Lincoln was not because the state repealed protections, but mainly because it has not implemented new protections that other states, like Florida, have, the report noted.Per the 2025 RLS report, almost all of Illinois' protections came when the state was more conservative between 1934 and 1998.In an effort to demonstrate the dangers of "complacency," the report also pointed to Colorado when Republicans "routinely" had control of both houses of the state legislature. The environment was friendly toward religious liberty, but lawmakers did not pass much in the way of protections, according to the report. It said the state's complacency contributed to Colorado's "abysmal" 43rd-place finish in the 2024 RLS rankings and 34th finish in the 2025 rankings released Monday. The First Liberty Institute said the results of the 2024 election may give some people the idea that passing laws protecting religious liberty is not as important, but the conservative Christian legal group warned this is "emphatically not the case," noting that data shows passing such laws is just as critical amid a "favorable" political climate.

A military veteran wanted in connection with an attack on an ICE detention facility in Texas remained on the run Monday, as the FBI's manhunt stretched into its 10th day.Benjamin Hanil Song, 32, of Dallas, was named as a suspect on Thursday, almost a week after he allegedly joined a group of 10 to 12 others in an organized attack on officers at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, on July 4. Ten assailants were apprehended at the time, though Song managed to evade capture, authorities said."We believe he is somewhere in the Dallas-Fort Worth area but have expanded our publicity efforts to neighboring states just in case," the FBI Dallas Field Office told Fox News Digital on Monday.The FBI noted that it is still offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to Songs arrest and conviction.The bureau previously said Song should be considered armed and dangerous.FBI SEARCHING FOR SUSPECT WHO ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTED FEDERAL OFFICER DURING ANTI-ICE RIOTS IN LOS ANGELESSong, a former U.S. Marine Corps reservist, is accused of firing two AR-15-style rifles at two correctional officers and one Alvarado police officer, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Fox News Digital last week.SUSPECT IN ANTI-ICE TEXAS SHOOTING GRANTED GREEN CARD UNDER BIDEN ADMINISTRATIONThe Alvarado police officer was shot in the neck by a suspect in the woods, according to the complaint. Another assailant fired dozens of rounds at unarmed correctional officers who had stepped outside the facility.Song faces three counts of attempted murder of a federal officer and three counts of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.Fox News Digitals Bradford Betz contributed to this report.

The remains of 3,500-year-old rice were recently found in Guam making it the earliest known evidence of rice in Remote Oceania.Archaeologists discovered the rice at the Ritidian Site Complex, located at the northernmost point of Guam.Michael T. Carson, an archaeology professor at the University of Guam in Mangilao, recently published his findings on the discovery in the journal Science Advances.STUDENTS COOK ANCIENT RICE DISH BASED ON 2,000-YEAR-OLD MANUSCRIPT WITH SURPRISINGLY HEALTHY RESULTSThe archaeologist told Fox News Digital in an interview that the rice remnants were found in the form of phytoliths."Phytoliths are like fossils of ancient plant parts," Carson said."The original plant materials were filled primarily with silica materials, lasting for thousands of years and preserving the detailed anatomy that can be observed and authenticated through microscope analysis."The phytoliths included multiple instances of the rice husks and leaves, Carson said.WHY RED WINE IS MORE LIKELY TO GIVE YOU A HEADACHEThe rice was exclusively found on ancient pottery made from earthenware."This direct association is extra confident because the phytoliths were 100% absent on other artifacts such as stone and shell tools, as well as 100% absent within the surrounding sedimentary matrix," he said.Experts believe that rice played a role in rituals that were performed in the cave, which also included fine pottery, shell pendants and ornaments."Additionally, the cave included rare rock art and formal burial pits," Carson added.THIS BREAKFAST MISTAKE MAKES PEOPLE REACH FOR SUGARY SNACKS IN THE AFTERNOON"The discarded shell remains here included different kinds of shellfish than otherwise comprised the majority of the daily shellfish diet."No other cave has the same evidence of rice adding to the idea that the cave served a "highly specialized" cultural role, according to Carson.The rice must have been transported by the first settlers of Guam over 3,500 years ago, he noted."These people traveled across 2,300 km of open ocean, setting a world record [for] long-distance ocean migration at the time," he said."Among their accomplishments, they managed to transport and maintain the rice until they planted and produced successful crops in their new remote-distance island home."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTERSo how did ancient people cook this rice?Researcher Hsiao-chun Hung told Australian National University (ANU) they probably prepared the rice far away from the cave."People probably cooked the rice elsewhere, away from the cave, as grain processing and cooking undoubtedly would have left behind other traces," thearchaeologist said.A damp environment like the cave would have been "unsuitable for storing unprocessed rice in pots," she added."The ancient rice remains were found only on the surfaces of the pottery, ruling out ordinary food storage," Hung added.For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyleThe latest discovery isn't the first time ancient food has offered a window into the past, though such finds remain rare.Earlier this year, archaeologists uncovered a well-preserved loaf of ancient bread, dating back 5,000 years.In the American Southwest, University of Utah researchers recently uncovered proof of historical food practices by analyzing bedrock "kitchens."

FOX News Media viewers have answered the call to action across platforms, helping raise $6.5 million to aid Texas communities following the devastating flooding that has left at least 129 people dead and 170 still unaccounted for.FOX Corporation last week made an initial donation to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Countrys Kerr CountyFlood Relief Fund and urged viewers to donate directly to relief effortsby clicking hereor scanning the QR Code below.The Community Foundation is directing the funds to vetted organizations providing rescue, relief and recovery efforts, as well as flood assistance. The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund announced last week that an initial $5 million in emergency grants to nonprofit organizations have been dispersed to support individuals and families, local businesses, first responders and crisis response.TEXAS POUNDED BY SECOND WAVE OF RIVER FLOODING, STALLING CRUCIAL SEARCH EFFORTS FROM DEADLY DISASTERFOX Corporation is continuing to encourage viewers to support the ongoing efforts, and extends the deepest gratitude to viewers, and to all the first responders who tirelessly serve their communities.President Donald Trump visited Texas on Friday and met with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to discuss relief and recovery efforts.Among those killed were attendees at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp in Kerr County located near the Guadalupe River.CAMP MYSTIC DIRECTOR DIES WHILE TRYING TO SAVE KIDS DURING TEXAS FLOODINGDonate today and help people impacted by the Texas floods by going toGo.Fox/TXFloodReliefor by scanning the QR code below.CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPFox News Digitals Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report.

A former supporter of Rep.Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., says she can see through the "fantasy" that NYC mayoral candidate and self-avowed socialist Zohran Mamdani is selling."Charismatic, handsome, and social-media savvy, Mamdani amassed an enormous following of young New Yorkers and spurred more than 50,000 volunteers to get out and canvass for him," Lucy Biggers, a formersenior producer and correspondent for NowThis, a left-wing media company, wrote in a recent op-ed in The Free Press."His promise of free bus rides,free childcare, and government-run grocery stores and his vow to tax the rich reminded me of another young, good-looking, charismatic Democrat who upset a heavily favored party macher nearly a decade ago: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez," Biggers added.SOCIALIST'S NYC MAYORAL WIN SPARKS FIERCE DEBATE OVER FEASIBILITY OF RADICAL POLICY AGENDABiggers, who calls herself a "former climate activist," on her X profile, and is now a social media editor at The Free Press, says she understands Mamdanis appeal because she was drawn to Ocasio-Cortezs similar charm.During her time as a video producer for NowThis, Biggers said she met and interviewed Ocasio-Cortez for an hour, and was completely taken by her drive, passion, and ideas."A few weeks later, the final video was published to our millions of followers,"Biggers wrote. "AOCs charisma and big smile jump off the screen as she describes her establishment Democratic opponent, Joseph Crowley, as a sellout for the real-estate industry and describes herself as part of a larger movement. Every answer was articulate without seeming rehearsed. She was warm and relatable, and her authentic belief in what she was saying shined through."Biggers says that she sees the same type of drive in Mamdani,but that her views have changed since her sit-down with Ocasio-Cortez.NEW YORK DEMOCRAT SAYS MAYORAL CANDIDATE ZOHRAN MAMDANI 'TOO EXTREME TO LEAD'"I am now 35, a mother of two, and a homeowner. Like so many people before me, I have grown up, and my ideas have moderated,"Biggers said."Much of the hyperbole being thrown at Mamdani and his followers goes too far (for example, that Mamdani is a 100 percent Communist Lunatic, as Trump put it), but I no longer think that giving the government more of our money to run free programs for us is the right way to do things," she added. "Just spend time at the DMV and tell me if you want agovernment-run grocery store, as Mamdani is proposing."She pointed out that the hearts of people likeOcasio-Cortez andMamdani "are in the right place," their ideas "are not the solutions that young people are seeking."CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE"They have been mistakenly taught that our capitalist society is the source of all of their problems and that the only way to fix it is with more government spending,"Biggers said. "Whether from lack of life experience or just pure ignorance, they fail to realize that programs offering free everything have to be paid for and nothing is free. The policies they promote will lead to a more centralized government with more power, higher taxes, and a higher cost of living."Representatives for both Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani did not respond to Fox News Digital's immediate request for comment.

More details are being learned about another suspect in the anti-ICE Texas attack that took place on Independence Day, including his alleged involvement in an Antifa protest that resulted in assault charges in 2023, as a manhunt continues in Texas and Oklahoma.The Federal Bureau of Investigation is looking for Benjamin Song, 32, for his alleged role in the Alvarado, Texas, attack targeting ICE agents, which left a local police officer shot in the neck and cars vandalized. The police officer is expected to recover. A $25,000 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest and conviction.There were ten suspects already facing federal charges for the attempted murder of federal officers and for "discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence." Song is now facing the same charges.Song is a former U.S. Marine Corps reservist, and the FBI warns that he should be considered "armed and dangerous."MAN BUSTED WITH ANTI-GOVERNMENT, ANTI-TRUMP DOCUMENTS AFTER TEXAS ICE AMBUSH SUSPECT PHONE CALL, FEDS SAYSong was mentioned as an alleged member of an Antifa group in a 2023 lawsuit after three people protesting a drag queen brunch near Fort Worth, Texas, were assaulted by the members, according to the Post Millennial.According to KERA News, Song was part of the Elm Fork Brown Gun Club that was both counter-protesting and doing security at the event, with the outlet reporting that they wore face coverings.The group made headlines at the time for its Fort Worth counter-protest, including Rolling Stone, as those protesting were part of a Christian nationalist group.His father is Tailim Song, a Dallas-based business attorney, and his mother is Hope Song, the program director of an Arlington, Texas, martial arts studio, according to online records reviewed by Fox News Digital. The father is involved in various local community groups, including the Dallas Asian American Cultural Center.FBI SEEKING MILITARY VET SUSPECTED IN ICE AMBUSH AT TEXAS DETENTION FACILITYA twelfth suspect, Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada, is also facing conspiracy to tamper evidence charges. He is reportedly the husband of one of the alleged attackers. He was granted a green card under the Biden administration and is a prior recipient of DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.Some of the suspects charged in the Independence Day incident met in an online chat group on Signal, and court records show it could have been worse.CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGEA July 7 criminal complaint filed by the U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas alleges that assailants shot 20 to 30 rounds from an AR-15-style rifle before it jammed, causing it to malfunction, on Independence Day.Investigators continued on Tuesday to look into how the suspects were linked, including through a possible Signal group chat.ICE AGENTS TARGETED IN 2 AMBUSH ATTACKS IN RECENT DAYSCourt records revealed extensive planning as well as anti-government literature obtained in an apartment tied to a suspect, including literature entitled "Organising for Attack! Insurrectionary Anarchy."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPAnother suspect allegedly had flyers in his backpack with "Fight ICE terror with class war!" and "Free all political prisoners." Cars in the parking lot were spray-painted with "Ice pig" and "traitor."Fox News Digital reached out to the FBI as well as Song's parents.Fox News' Brooke Taylor and Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.

The Pentagon is reportedly pressuring Indo-Pacific allies Japan and Australia to clarify what roles they would play in the event of a war with China over Taiwan.Elbridge Colby, the Pentagons policy chief, raised the question during recent meetings with Japanese and Australian defense officials, the Financial Times first reported.While the United States has long urged Indo-Pacific allies to increase defense spending as China escalates its military activity around Taiwan, this push for specific wartime commitments is a new development and reportedly caught foreign officials off guard.Australia responded by stressing it would not commit troops in advance of any conflict.TAIWAN ENVOY URGES CONGRESSIONAL ACTION, WARNS OF RISING CHINA THREAT AFTER MEETING LAWMAKERS"The decision to commit Australian troops to a conflict will be made by the government of the day, not in advance," Defense Minister Pat Conroy told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "We wont discuss hypotheticals."Australia and the U.S. are currently leading a major joint exercise in Sydney involving 30,000 troops from 19 countries.Pentagon officials have cited NATOs efforts to boost European defense spending as a model for what Asian allies should consider. At the same time, Colby has advised European allies to prioritize threats closer to home rather than focus on the Indo-Pacific, sources told Fox News Digital."Some among our allies might not welcome frank conversations," Colby posted on X in response to the report."But as the department has made abundantly and consistently clear, we at DOD are focused on implementing the presidents America First, common-sense agenda of restoring deterrence and achieving peace through strength. That includes urging allies to step up their defense spending and other efforts related to our collective defense."COLBYS CHINA-FOCUSED PENTAGON PLAYBOOK SPARKS UKRAINE ARMS FREEZEThe question of allied commitments is further complicated by the U.S. policy of strategic ambiguity, under which Washington does not explicitly state whether it would defend Taiwan if China invades."As Secretary Hegseth said, the Department of Defense is focused on preventing war, with a strong shield of deterrence," Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell wrote on X in defense of Colbys approach. "That requires strength but it is a simple fact that our allies must also do their part. We do not seek war. What we are doing is ensuring the United States and its allies have the military strength to underwrite diplomacy and guarantee peace."Former President Joe Biden had repeatedly said the U.S. would defend Taiwan, only for White House staff to later walk back those comments and insist that U.S. policy has not changed.President Donald Trump has maintained the tradition of ambiguity, refusing to publicly declare how he would respond. However, new audio obtained by CNN revealed that Trump told donors last year he threatened both Russia and China with military force."With Putin I said, If you go into Ukraine, Im going to bomb the [expletive] out of Moscow," Trump said. "Im telling you. I have no choice. And then [Putin] goes, like, I dont believe you. But he believed me 10%.""I said the same thing to [Xi]," Trump added. "I said, If you go into Taiwan, Im going to bomb the [expletive] out of Beijing.' I said, 'I have no choice. Ive got to bomb you."At other times, Trump has criticized the cost of defending Taiwan and argued the island should dedicate 10% of its budget to defense.Wargaming simulations suggest Japan would be the most crucial ally to the U.S. and Taiwan, as South Korea has not authorized American forces to launch combat operations from its territory. Australia does not permit permanent foreign military bases, but the U.S. is expanding its rotational presence at Australian facilities."Japan is always critical, and when I say critical, like we can't win the war without them," Mark Cancian, defense expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies who regularly briefs lawmakers on China wargames, told Fox News Digital."Their forces are important, but our ability to use our bases in Japan is critical," he said, adding that other U.S. bases in the Indo-Pacific like Guam were too far away to serve as a hub.TAIWAN CONDUCTS LIVE-FIRE DRILLS WITH US-MADE TANKS AS PRESIDENT LOOKS ONWhether Japan allows the U.S. to center its wartime operations on its territory would be a critical question certain to come up in preparations for a wartime contingency.The U.S. and Japan have practiced moving forces down the Japanese Ryukyu island chain, the closest of which is only 80 miles off the coast of Taiwan.Colbys push for defined allied roles comes on the heels of his initiation of a review of the AUKUS security pact, which aims to supply Australia with U.S.-built nuclear-powered submarines.The Pentagon recently defended Colby after reports emerged that he had temporarily halted military aid to Ukraine an order quickly reversed by Trump.Under the AUKUS agreement, Australia would purchase several Virginia-class submarines in the early 2030s, while a new class of submarines would be jointly developed by the U.S., U.K., and Australia. Production in Australia is expected to begin in the 2040s. However, the U.S. is already struggling to produce enough submarines for its own Navy.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 1,361 illegal immigrants in the Houston area in June, which included individuals previously convicted of hijacking an airplane, homicide, sexual assault and more, the agency revealed.ICE said in a press release that the illegal immigrants arrested in the Houston area in June are either currently charged with or have been convicted of a criminal offense.Of those arrested, 32 were previously convicted of child sex offenses, nine for homicide-related offenses, and 16 believed to be gang or drug cartel members. One person arrested by ICE was convicted of hijacking an airplane headed to Key West, Florida, from Cuba.Gabriel Martinez, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston acting field office director, said some people tried to derail their mission.ICE ARRESTS 'WORST OF THE WORST' ILLEGAL ALIENS IN LOS ANGELES WHILE PROTESTERS ADVOCATE FOR CRIMINALS: DHS"Despite attempts by some to undermine our mission by spreading false and malicious rumors, the brave men and women of ICE continue to work tirelessly around the clock targeting dangerous criminal aliens to restore integrity to our nations immigration system and bolster public safety in our communities," Martinez said."The number of dangerous criminal aliens that they removed from local communities across Southeast Texas last month is just another example of their selfless and unyielding efforts to return our local communities to places where we can all raise our families without having to worry about child predators, gang members, or other violent criminal aliens preying on our loved ones," he continued.CHILD PREDATORS, GANG MEMBERS, HUMAN TRAFFICKERS DEPORTED IN MAJOR TEXAS CITY ICE ROUNDUPAmong those arrested by ICE are: 56-year-old Adermis Wilson-Gonzalez, convicted in 2003 of hijacking an airplane. 47-year-old Arnulfo Olivares Cervantes, convicted of trafficking cocaine, attempted murder, evading arrest, illegal entry and drug possession. According to ICE, he has entered the U.S. six times illegally. 29-year-old Luis Pablo Vasquez-Estolano, convicted of homicide, aggravated robbery, burglary of a vehicle and drug possession. 40-year-old Jose Meza, convicted of sexual assault of a minor and theft. 51-year-old Javier Escobar Gonzalez, convicted of sexual indecency with a minor, criminal trespass with a deadly weapon, driving while intoxicated and unauthorized use of a firearm.

President Donald Trumps meeting on Monday with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte marks more than a diplomatic courtesy. It signals a sharp, strategic shift in the U.S. posture toward Russias war against Ukraineone that replaces hesitation with resolve, passive support with deterrent action, and vague calls for peace with a clear doctrine: peace through strength.Over the past week, the Trump administration has taken several bold steps. First, after briefly pausing military shipments amid a Pentagon inventory review, the president confirmed that the U.S. will resume sendingPatriot missile systems to Ukraine -- air defense platforms capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. These systems are vital, as they are the only defense Ukraine currently possesses against such threats. More importantly, Trump signaled that the United States is now willing to provide offensive weapons as well, marking a clear escalation in Americas role.That alone would mark a major change. But what elevates todays developments into a true turning point is how Trump is structuring the deal: the United States will sell sophisticated military equipment to NATO allies, who will then transfer it to Ukraine. In his own words: "Were going to send them various pieces of verysophisticated military [equipment], and theyre going to pay us 100 percent. Itll be business for us."TRUMP, RUTTE ANNOUNCE 'REALLY BIG' NATO ARMS PACKAGE AMID NEW 50 DAY DEADLINE TO PUTINNow to be clear, President Joe Biden previously promised to send offensive weapons -- specificallyM1A1 Abrams tanks -- to Ukraine. So, this is not a shift in intent, but rather a shift in strategy. Whats new, and smart, is the mechanism: Trumps NATO-centered transfer system streamlines delivery, shares financial responsibility, and empowers the alliance to take ownership of regional security. Thats a great idea -- and one Biden never executed.But Trumps vision needs more than diplomacy and logistics. It needs production. Biden, despite his pledges, failed to put the Americandefense industry on a wartime footing. The shortfall in munitions, air defenses, and heavy armor is real. If Trumps plan is to succeed, he must ignite a national surge in defense manufacturing capacity. The Pentagon should be working overtime with American industry to retool, retrain, and ramp up output -- not just for Ukraine, but for Taiwan, Israel, and our own readiness.This is a profound shift. Under President Biden, U.S. policy vacillated between urgency and caution -- sending large packages of aid but often stumbling under the weight of bureaucratic delay, congressional deadlock, and concerns over escalation. Under President Trumps new model, NATO becomes the buyer, Ukraine becomes the recipient, and American factories become the arsenal of democracy once again -- but without draining the U.S. treasury.TRUMP SAYS US WILL SEND PATRIOT MISSILES TO UKRAINE, ADDS THAT PUTIN 'TALKS NICE AND THEN HE BOMBS EVERYBODY'This is a smart policy. It respects American taxpayers. It leverages our allies. And it sends a strong, unmistakable message to Moscow: The free world is done waiting.What Triggered the Shift?The trigger appears to be Russian President Vladimir Putins continuedintransigence. Despite diplomatic efforts and public pressure, Putin rejects both ceasefire and peace talks. Instead, Russia has launched the heaviest wave of drone and missile attacks since the war began. These are not tactical operations; they are campaigns of terror targeting civilians, schools, and critical infrastructure.President Trump appears to have had enough. "He talks nice," Trump said of Putin, "and then he bombs everybody in the evening." In another candid moment, the Trump added, "He just wants tokill people."Such direct, unapologetic language is quite different from the diplomatic hedging of years past. And it matters -- because it frames the conflict for what it truly is: a battle between a tyrant who thrives on destruction and free nations that are finally waking up.NATO, Tariffs, and Real DeterrenceIn coordination with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, President Trump and NATO have forged a comprehensive framework:At the same time, Trump issued a clear ultimatum to Russia: If no peace deal is reached in 50 days, the U.S. will impose 100% secondary tariffs on countries that continue buying Russian oil and gas -- including China and India. Congress is backing the plan, with bipartisan support led by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.RUSSIA GIVES RUBIO A 'NEW AND DIFFERENT APPROACH' AS TRUMP PUSHES FOR PEACE WITH UKRAINETrump rightly noted that tariffs are leverage -- economic weapons in the war for peace. Hes deploying them with precision.Immediate Action, Real ConsequencesThis isnt theoretical. Patriot missile systems and other air defenses will begin arriving in Ukraine within days. NATO members are preparing to transfer many Patriot units, with U.S. factories set to backfill those stocks.Trumps envoy is coordinating with Germany and other European powers to ensure speed and transparency in delivery. Ukraine will receive what it needs, while the U.S. maintains readiness at home.Peace Through StrengthLets be clear: This is not an open-ended war strategy. Trump still believes the war can and should end swiftly - preferably through negotiations. But as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys chief of staff, AndriiYermak, put it: "Russia does not want a ceasefire. Peace through strength is President Donald Trumps principle, and we support this approach."That phrase, "peace through strength," isnt new, but its timely. It was President RonaldReagans guiding principle in facing down the Soviet Union. Now, Trump is applying it to a 21st-century version of the same threat.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONWhats new, however, is the delivery mechanism. Trump is achieving deterrence without entangling the U.S. directly in another costly foreign war. His administration is positioning America as the enabler of allied defense, thesupplier of strength, and theeconomic hammer against those who support tyranny.Additionally, Trump is reportedly considering activating$3.85 billion in unused drawdown authority from the Biden era and seizing up to$5 billion in frozen Russian assets to help fund Ukraines defense. If executed effectively, this could finance a robust, sustainable Ukrainian resistancewithout new taxpayer burdens.What Comes Next?Mondays announcement codifies this entire shift:Some critics will accuse Trump of abandoning his promise to end the war in 24 hours. But that criticism misses the point. You dont negotiate from weakness. You negotiate from strength.By arming Ukraine, rallying NATO, and leveraging economic pressure, Trump is giving peace a real chance -- on American terms, not Putins.Final ThoughtFor the first time in months, Kyiv has reason to hope, NATO has reason to believe, and Moscow has reason to fear. Thats what leadership looks like. And thats what the world witnessed Monday at the White House.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ROBERT MAGINNIS