A Florida man convicted of the 1994 killings of his wife and their two children was put to death on Thursday, marking the ninth execution in the Sunshine State this year and a state record for a single-year total since the death penalty was reinstated in the U.S. nearly 50 years ago.Edward Zakrzewski, 60, was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. at Florida State Prison near Starke after a three-drug injection, which consists of a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the state Department of Corrections."I want to thank the good people of the Sunshine State for killing me in the most cold, calculated, clean, humane, efficient way possible. I have no complaint," Zakrzewski said after the curtain to the death chamber went up shortly after 6 p.m.Zakrzewski was lying on a gurney covered with a white sheet when the drugs were administered. Before the drugs began flowing, he also quoted from a poem as 14 witnesses, as well as reporters and prison staff, looked on.EXECUTION DATE SET FOR FLORIDA MAN CONVICTED OF KIDNAPPING WOMAN, KILLING HEROnce the drugs were administered, Zakrzewski began breathing deeply, surrounded by three prison staffers in dark suits. One of them shook Zakrzewski by his shoulders and shouted his name, but there was no reaction and then he became still.On Thursday morning, Zakrzewski woke at 5:15 a.m. and later in the day had a meal that included fried pork chops, root beer and ice cream, according to state Department of Corrections spokesman Paul Walker, who said Zakrzewski had one visitor and "remained compliant" as his execution time neared.Zakrzewski was sentenced to death for the June 9, 1994, killings of his wife Sylvia, 34, and their children Edward, 7, and Anna, 5. Trial testimony showed he killed his family at their Okaloosa County home after his wife asked for a divorce. He had told others he would kill his family instead of allowing the divorce to happen.He first attacked his wife with a crowbar and strangled her with a rope, court testimony showed. The two children were killed with a machete, and Sylvia was also struck with the blade when Zakrzewski believed she had survived the previous attack, according to court records.Zakrzewski's lawyers filed several unsuccessful appeals over the years, including a final plea for a stay of execution, which the U.S. Supreme Court denied on Wednesday.Before he was put to death, opponents of Zakrzewskis execution pointed to his military service as an Air Force veteran and the fact that a jury narrowly voted 7-5 to recommend his execution. They emphasized that under current state law, he could not have received the death penalty with a split jury vote.After the Supreme Court restored the U.S. death penalty in 1976, Florida's previous record for total executions in a year was eight in 2014, which was exceeded on Thursday. A 10th execution is scheduled in the state on Aug. 19 and an 11th on Aug. 28.ALABAMA INMATE'S EXECUTION STAYED TO DETERMINE IF HE IS COMPETENT ENOUGH TO BE PUT TO DEATHFlorida has also carried out more executions this year than any other state, with Texas and South Carolina tied for second with four each.Across the U.S., 27 men have been put to death so far this year, while nine other people are scheduled for execution in seven states for the rest of the year. Florida was also the last state to execute someone, with Michael Bernard Bell killed on July 15.The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Tourists visiting Cancn and Mexicos Riviera Maya this summer are being greeted not just with ocean breezes and poolside cocktails, but by heavily armed patrols.In response to escalating cartel violence and crimes against travelers, the Mexican government has deployed more than 7,000 troops and security personnel to safeguard the countrys most popular vacation zones. Since 2021, Mexico has turned to deploying troops and local enforcement to patrol the beaches and tourist hot spots.Former Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Senior Special Agent Michael Brown, currently the global director of counter-narcotics technology at Rigaku Analytical Devices, told Fox News Digital that the sight of military rifles may do more to remind travelers of the danger than reassure them of their safety."The fluidity of Mexican organized crime, gang activity, is constantly moving from one side of the country to the next," he said. "Unfortunately, these high-end tourist areas represent an easy opportunity for organized crime to come, steal, assault, and rob."AMERICAN TOURISTS IN POPULAR VACATION SPOT FACE INCREASED RISK OF BEING KILLED, ROBBEDThis summer, the Mexican government has launched an aggressive security campaign across popular tourist destinations in the state of Quintana Roo home to Cancn, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Cozumel.Dubbed "Operation Summer Vacation 2025," the initiative was formally announced on July 18 and involves the deployment of more than 7,000 security personnel, including members of the National Guard, Navy, Army, and state and local police. While Operation Summer Vacation 2025 is the largest coordinated seasonal deployment to date, it follows a multi-year pattern of heightened military involvement in Mexicos most lucrative tourist zones.The goal is to safeguard the expected 2 million tourists throughout the summer and early fall months with a coordinated presence of land, air, and sea patrols."We will not tolerate abuses, illegal fees, or practices that harm individuals. To our tourism service providers, I reiterate: you are the best ambassadors of our state. Your conduct, your ethics, and your commitment will make the difference," Gov. Mara Lezama Espinosa of Quintana Roo said in a news conference, according to Spanish-speaking regional media outlets.Brown views the militarization as a red flag rather than a reassurance."You're sitting on a beach looking at soldiers. I'm worried about something happening. That really works against the concept of a vacation," he said. "If I'm sitting on a beach looking at the armed military, is that really going to make me relax?"AMERICANS TOURISTS WARNED OF INCREASED THREAT IN SUMMER VACATION HOTSPOTConcerns about traveling to Mexico as an American are not overstated as cases of rampant crime against tourists have prompted the U.S. State Department to issue warnings.The agency issued aLevel 2 travel advisory to Quintana Roo, meaning travelers should"exercise increased caution" due to elevated risks connected to property crimes, scams, and occasional violent incidents - even in tourist areas.The U.S. Embassy in Mexico encourages U.S. citizens to remain vigilant atall times, especially inthe downtown zones of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum after dusk, and tostick to well-lit, populated areas to reduce vulnerability. Travel alerts also remind visitors of incidents wherecartel-related violence and rival gang disconnects,though not necessarily targeted at tourists,have injured innocent bystanders."If you're going to go to places which represent a certain level of danger, you have to have a plan in place to mitigate that threat, because once it happens, you're not going to see it happen," Brown said.While military patrols may offer some comfort, Brown stressed that personal vigilance is still the most effective safety tool for American tourists, especially women traveling alone or in small groups.US RENEWS TRAVEL ADVISORY TO POPULAR DESTINATION AMID 'TERRORISM FEARS': 'EXERCISE INCREASED CAUTION'Brown recommends tourists carry personal GPS trackers, ideally concealed in a handbag, bracelet, or necklace, and set designated check-in times with family members back home.He also urges travelers to only use transportation arranged by the hotel when staying at resorts and pre-verify the driver's identification and license plate.When it comes to nightlife, the former DEA special agent suggests never accepting drinks from strangers, only consuming beverages opened in front of you, and never leaving the resort alone, especially at night.For cruise-goers or those venturing into local towns, he advises leaving all jewelry, designer items, and large amounts of cash onboard to avoid being targeted."Have a plan," he said. "Your awareness has to increase significantly the moment you step off that plane."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPFox News Digital has reached out to the U.S. State Department for comment.

King Charles reportedly wept the night before marrying Princess Diana, knowing he was still in love with his ex, Camilla. But he wasnt the only one to shed tears."They both [cried]," royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital, referring to doomed couple Charles and Diana."Diana was reluctant about marrying Charles but was told by her sister it was too late. The tea towels with their joint images were already being sold. Charles was given cufflinks with a Camilla insignia, which he wore on his wedding day so that she could be included, which allegedly made him emotional."KATE MIDDLETON CHANNELS PRINCESS DIANA IN STRIKING BLUE OUTFIT AT TROOPING THE COLOURTurners claims came shortly after People magazine looked back at Charles and Dianas royal wedding July 29, 1981."According to the biographyPrince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life, Charles felt pressured into his marriage to Diana and was still torn about his love for the then-married Camilla," the outlet shared. "He even cried over it the night before his nuptials."British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital the books author, Sally Bedell Smith, told her that Charles did cry the night before marrying Diana."In covering the kings coronation [in 2023], I was live on set with Sally Bedell Smith," she said. "I asked her about him crying the night before his wedding, which she confirmed."While the explosive marriage of Charles and Diana is well documented, Fordwich said the younger royals of today should be grateful that they wont have to ever endure similar heartache."The tumultuous love triangle of Charles, Diana and Camilla is an infamously sad study of the clash between traditional royal duty versus personal fulfillment and happiness at the heart of Britains monarchy," Fordwich explained."Then-Prince Charles reportedly told his friends he felt compelled by his father, Prince Philip, to marry Diana not due to deep love, but rather to comply with royal convention.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER"He had to marry a virginal, suitable bride who would meet public expectations of a future queen," she shared. "Camilla was regarded as completely unsuitable due to her many previous relationships and marital status. Certainly, the Church of England wouldnt permit the heir to the throne to marry a divorcee."His godmother, Patricia Mountbatten, said he realized he was too committed to back out of marrying Diana," Fordwich continued. "Still, she knew he was making a mistake given his love for Camilla, who remained his soulmate despite being married to another man."Charles met Camilla in 1970 through mutual friendLuciaSanta Cruz. According to reports, Charleswas instantly smitten. Despite a blossoming romance, Charles joined the Navy in 1971.While Charleswas serving, Camilla married Andrew Parker Bowles, an ex-boyfriend of the royal's younger sister, Princess Anne, in 1973. According to reports, a devastated Charles tried to stop Camilla from marrying Parker Bowles, but the pair remained friends. As the former lovers stayed close,Charlesbegancourting Lady Diana Spencer in 1980."By the time Charles married Diana, supposedly, Camillas physical relationship with him had ceased," said Fordwich. "However, their emotional bond continued, for which both were derided. The tabloids termed her the other woman."And it was easy for Diana to see that Camilla continued to play an important role in the life of the man she was going to marry.LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS"At first, Diana professed to be very much in love with Charles but expressed to many she felt foolish and jealous once she fully grasped his emotional attachment to Camilla," Fordwich explained."The press, both sides of the family and even her Spencer sisters made it clear to her that she simply couldnt back out of the wedding once her face was on the tea towels. The entire nation and the world were giddy with excitement regarding their imminent wedding."On her wedding day the public speculated her sleepless look was due to wedding nerves. No one was aware of her knowing of Camillas place in Charles heart, which rendered her distraught."Diana later described feeling she was the luckiest girl in the world, but she also knew Charles' true affections lay elsewhere," Fordwich continued. "Her emotional turmoil would damage not only the rest of their marriage but, to this day, it has ramifications in Prince Harrys behavior, given his deep-rooted resentment of Camilla as well as his mistrust of the media."Camilla made the royal weddings guest list, likely due to her husbands role as the Commanding Officer of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, People magazine reported.While several reports claimed Camilla wore white during the ceremony, catching Dianas eye, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams clarified to Fox News Digital that she wore a "pale gray dress with a veiled pillbox hat."WATCH: PRINCESS DIANA TOLD QUEEN ELIZABETH KING CHARLES WAS A NIGHTMARE: AUTHORProblems only worsened during Charles and Dianas honeymoon."From the start, the public preferred the princess, though privately she was angst-ridden and bulimic," said Fitzwilliams."It does seem that fate almost inexorably decreed that, once it had been set in motion, it was impossible to call the wedding off. Diana's discovery of a bracelet Charles had bought for Camilla before the wedding worsened her suspicions that she had a dangerous rival.""The divide between Charles and Diana was exacerbated by the gulf between their respective ages, their completely different interests, as well as their worldviews," added Fordwich."Even on their honeymoon, they reportedly had some rather major personality clashes. Later, there was the lurid scandal of 1989 that exposed Charles and Camillas ongoing affair. It shocked the public and irreparably damaged Charles reputation.""The British public hasnt forgotten," Fordwich added.Charles and Diana separated in 1992. In 1995, Diana gave a bombshell interview to BBCs Panorama during which she declared, "Well, there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded."Their divorce was finalized in 1996.Charles and Camilla rekindled their romance after Diana died in 1997. They married in 2005. The couple were crowned king and queen in 2023.

The mother of a congressional intern killed in a drive-by shooting one month ago harshly criticized the Washington, D.C., Council, saying its residents "are not being protected."According to the Metropolitan Police Department, Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, was shot June 30 at around 10:28 p.m. He died at an hospital July 1. Tarpinian-Jachym was in Washington, D.C., as an intern for Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kan.Police said the shooting, which didn't target Tarpinian-Jachym, also left a 16-year-old male and an adult female injured. As of Friday, no suspects are in custody. The shooting happened in the 1200 block of 7th Street, Northwest, near the Mt Vernon Sq 7th St-Convention Center Metro stop.Several people exited a car and began shooting, killing Tarpinian-Jachym.TRUMP PENS LETTER TO GRIEVING MOTHER OF SLAIN CONGRESSIONAL INTERN: 'HELD IN MY HEARTEric's mother, Tamara Jachym, told Fox News Digital she feels the D.C. Council is treating violent crime like a "joke.""Your constituents are dying. They're getting killed and maimed. This isn't OK. And it's not. I'm speaking for everybody. I'm angry that this is happening," Jachym said. "These people are not being protected."The council needs to work with the federal government and stop this stuff and stop their pettiness. Get the money to hire the cops, to pay them the overtime, to get more people on the force. This isn't a joke anymore. People are getting killed. I don't care what color you are. I don't care if you have money or not."Jachym said Eric was an "old soul" who would often visit elderly people in his area.MOM OF CONGRESSIONAL INTERN MURDERED IN DC WARNS PARENTS IT COULD HAPPEN TO THEIR KIDS"He enjoyed people. He was really, he really liked older people, like, you know, elderly people. He would help them. He would stop by and talk to them. I think because he wanted to learn, like, knowledge-wise. He liked everybody, and it didn't matter where you came from, what your background was, if you were rich or poor or working class, if you had a disability," Jachym said. "He was just a good kid, and he loved life."Former homicide Det. Ted Williams told Fox News Digital arrests are harder to make in investigations such as this one, because police are starting from scratch."Drive-by shootings are always very difficult to resolve. And, yet, there are a lot of individuals who know a great deal and who, and some of these individuals, these witnesses, actually know who the shooter or shooters are. But because of the intimidation factor here in the District of Columbia, you'll find that these individuals will remain silent," Williams said.Estes said in an earlier statement to Fox News Digital Tarpinian-Jachym would be remembered for his "kind heart."I will remember his kind heart and how he always greeted anyone who entered our office with a cheerful smile," Estes said in a statement. "We are grateful to Eric for his service to Kansas 4th District and the country. Please join Susan and me in praying for his family and respecting their privacy during this heartbreaking time."The FBI and Metropolitan Police Department are offering a $40,000 reward for anyone who provides information leading to an arrest and conviction and are encouraging them to contact 202-727-9099.

Only 250 National Guard members will remain in Los Angeles after the Pentagon announced Thursday it would be canceling the deployment of additional troops as anti-ICE protests in the city have quieted down.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered 1,350 National Guard members to leave the city, while a couple hundred will stay to protect federal personnel and property, chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement to The Associated Press.Roughly 4,000 National Guard soldiers and 700 Marines were sent to LA in June to gain control over riots against immigration raids in the city. The federal move was made despite objections from state and local leaders, including Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who filed a lawsuit in an attempt to end the federal deployment.Half of the National Guard troops were withdrawn about two weeks ago and the Marines were ordered to leave a few days later.LOS ANGELES COUNTY PUSHES TO PROHIBIT LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM HIDING THEIR IDENTITIES WHILE ON THE JOBLos Angeles mayor Karen Bass wrote on X Wednesday night that the departure of more troops was "another win for Los Angeles," adding: "We will continue this pressure until ALL troops are out of L.A.""These troops have families and jobs," she wrote in a separate X post on Thursday. "They couldve been responding to actual danger or helping communities prepare for fire threats. Instead, they were forced to guard two office buildings for months."PENTAGON ORDERS 700 MARINES TO WITHDRAW FROM LOS ANGELES AS STABILITY RETURNS FOLLOWING ICE PROTESTSNational Guard troops were mostly in the city protecting two federal buildings the ICE office and detention facility downtown. Some have also been shielding federal agents while they carry out immigration raids.California leaders argued that the federal deployment was unnecessary and escalated tensions in the city as protests continued against the Trump administration's deportations and immigration raids in the area. While protests are still taking place, the majority of them have remained small and scattered.Newsom said in a statement that President Donald Trump's "political theater backfired.""The women and men of our military deserve more than to be used as props in the federal government's propaganda machine," Newsom said.After California sued to stop the federal deployment of the National Guard, Newsom argued in June that the Trump administration violated the law when it deployed the troops. Newsom also asked the judge to block the troops from helping carry out immigration raids.A lower court initially ordered Trump to return control of the National Guard to Newsom, but the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals later temporarily blocked the order.The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Harrison Ford was never going to be a household name, according to a Hollywood executive in the '60s.Ford explained that when he got his debut role in "Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round," he was making $150 per week and was treated accordingly."I was under contract to Columbia Pictures at the time for $150 a week and all the respect that that implies. I was called into the office of the head of the new talent program, and he told me that I had no future in the business, which was OK," Ford told Variety.He explained that the head of talent at Columbia Pictures told him to change his look and his name.TOM CRUISE, HARRISON FORD, CHARLIZE THERON SUFFER BRUTAL INJURIES RISKING THEIR BODIES ON SET"And then he asked me to get my hair cut like Elvis Presley. That I didnt go along with.""He thought that Harrison Ford was too pretentious a name for a young man," the actor said.Ford told the outlet that, later on in his career, he saw the Hollywood executive while he was at dinner one night."I met him later, across a crowded dining room. He sent me a card on which hed written, I missed my guess. I looked around, couldnt remember which one he was, but then he nodded at me and smiled, and I thought, Oh yeah, I know you," he told the outlet.Although he's undeniably one of the most famous leading men in Hollywood history, he said he never expected or necessarily desired the level of fame he's achieved.WATCH: Harrison Ford walks the red carpet at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards"No one ever believes this, but I never wanted to be rich and famous. I just wanted to be an actor," he told People in 2023."I never thought that I would be a leading man. I really was just hoping I could make a living as an actor and not have to supplement my income with some other side hustle."I thought I would be lucky to have a character part on a regular TV show."During his interview with Variety, Ford took a trip down memory lane and recalled the moment he discovered a love for acting. He was in college and was searching for an easy course to get his GPA up and stumbled upon drama."The first line of the paragraph that described the course said, You read and discuss plays, and I thought, 'I can do that. I didnt read all the description typical of me in those days because the last few lines described that the course also required you to be part of the school plays for that academic year. I hadnt ever done anything like that before, so I was shocked by that part of it."But I quickly recognized that I loved telling stories. I liked dressing up and pretending to be somebody else. And the people that I met had a similar bent, people that I might have overlooked. Theyre people that probably hadnt been really seen before, for who they are, for what they were and they were storytellers," Ford told Variety.Ford has made a name for himself in numerous iconic roles, including "Star Wars," "Indiana Jones" and the "Blade Runner" franchises.In 2017, Ford reprized his role as Rick Deckard in "Blade Runner 2049," which starred Ryan Gosling.While on set, Ford accidentally punched Gosling in the face."[We were rehearsing a fight] and we got too close, and I hit him. I apologized right away. What more could I do? Cant take back a punch. Just take it. Hes a very handsome man. Hes still very handsome," he told Variety.LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSFord is never going to retire from acting."No. Thats one of the things I thought was attractive about the job of an actor, was that they need old people, too, to play old peoples parts," he told the outlet.In 2023, Ford admitted that although things have been getting tougher for him as he gets older, he's also glad to be his age."I dont want to be young again. I was young, and now I enjoy being old," he told People at the time."You are certainly physically diminished by age," he explained, "but there are wonderful things about age richness of experience, the full weight of all the time youve been spending getting to being old and theres a certain ease in it for me."Another thing that comes easily to Ford is being a movie star."I am very gratified that I still have the opportunities that I have to work, and I owe that to the audience," he said.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERWith a decades-long acting career to support him, Ford doesn't care about how anyone sees him.In 2023, Ford sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to discuss therapy. He plays a therapist on the Apple TV+ show "Shrinking," and he revealed his thoughts on the subject."My opinion is not of the profession, its of the practitioner. There are all kinds of therapy. Im sure many of them are useful to many people. Im not anti-therapy for anybody except for myself. I know who the f--- I am at this point," he said at the time.

Under the leadership of President Donald Trump, we have a chance to make civil service great again.In many ways, the Founding Fathers were the original civil servants. They were the start-up founders who inspired generations to work on behalf of the American dream long before there was an institutionalized civil service later formalized by the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883 and bolstered by Theodore Roosevelts leadership as commissioner of the U.S. Civil Service Commission (the modern predecessor of todays Office of Personnel Management, which I have the privilege to lead).Across two and a half centuries since our nations founding, public servants have heeded the clarion call of the noblest of missions: from forming our nation after the American Revolution to ultimately cementing our supremacy during the Cold War by literally shooting for the moon via the Apollo program. These bold entreaties inspired the nation's best and brightest to embrace public service.TRUMP DECLARES US WILL WIN GLOBAL AI RACE DURING EXECUTIVE ORDER SIGNING CEREMONY: 'WHATEVER IT TAKES'For over 50 years since the Apollo landing, however, the publics interest in civil service has plummeted back down to earth. Many Founding Fathers such as Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were polymaths who chose to focus their genius on creating the best government the world had ever seen. But if Alexander Hamilton, our first Treasury secretary, were alive today, he likely would be working in Silicon Valley or Wall Street, instead of in the federal government.First, the mission since the days of moonshots, the federal workforce has not been asked to "dream big" or innovate. Instead, they have been tasked with managing small problems, preserving the status quo and protecting against the downside at all costs.Second, incentives power and prestige derive from the size of an agencys headcount and budget. In all cases, more is better.CHINA IS EXPLOITING OUR GOVERNMENT'S TECH WEAKNESS. WE NEED A RAPID REBOOTThird, the lack of a high-performance culture a focus on equity over merit and job stability over accountability.Fourth, treating technology as a second-class citizen instead, the answer to most problems has been more headcount.Fifth, an arms-length relationship with the private sector that fails to create partnership, particularly when it comes to attracting talent in critical areas.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONFirst, Trump has no shortage of moonshots to transform Americas economic future winning inartificial intelligence,unleashing American energy, revolutionizing financial technology withcryptocurrencies,reindustrializingthe heartland,making America healthy again, and the list goes on. Inspiring missions inspire great minds who want to be a part of something truly transformational.AS MUSK EXITS DOGE, A LOOK BACK AT PREVIOUS EFFORTS TO CUT WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE AND HOW THEY FAREDSecond, changing the incentives that ultimately drive civil service behavior. If we give employees permission to take "measured" risks, to think from first principles, to be willing to pilot new ideas with the understanding that we wont score a 100%, to make operational efficiency and stewardship of taxpayer dollars a first-class citizen, we can change behavior. Lets reward creativity, continuous improvement and doing more with less; power should no longer derive from organizational bloat, but rather from financially sound outcomes.Third, we can create a high-performance culture. We must disproportionately reward those who create the most value for the taxpayer and remove employees from the organization who arent able to respond to performance improvement guidance. No more "peanut buttering" of annual evaluations and bonuses to achieve equity goals; we should instead demand excellence.Fourth, make the adoption of technology a key tenet of success. The government should be a leading testing ground for new technologies, rather than the last bastion of mainframe computers. Eliminate the "not invented here" bias that pervades government adoption of technology; we dont need to build bespoke applications when third parties have superior solutions.Lastly, embrace the private sector to partner on talent. We can build out public-private exchanges, secondment opportunities, and higher education pathways to ensure that the government gets access to the best and brightest. Of course, many people may ultimately choose to spend the majority of their careers in the private sector, but they can still contribute to success in the public sector.President Trump is ushering in a Golden Age for America by reforming the government bureaucracy to work for the American people.We will make the civil service great again. The future of our nation depends on it.

Oklahoma will be the first state to require teachers from liberal-leaning states to take a test to show they align with Oklahomas curriculum standards.The states Superintendent, Ryan Walters, told Fox News Digital that next week he plans to release a new certification test for teachers moving into the state from blue states."We offered the largest signing bonuses for teachers in the country. If you're in the top 10 percent of teachers in the country, we give you $50,000 in Oklahoma. So we've seen teachers come from blue states, red states all over to come to Oklahoma. They especially are fleeing the teachers unions, the grip that they've had on them in these blue states," Walters said.Walters added that the state is working with conservative think tank PragerU on developing the test for teachers. The "America First" test will include basic questions about American history, civics, and "common sense."TEACHERS UNION BOSSES SPLIT OVER SUPREME COURT RULING ON PARENTAL RIGHTS TO SHIELD KIDS FROM LGBTQ CONTENTOklahoma is thus far the only state that has worked with PragerU on this kind of project. Walters said that Oklahoma education officials have partnered with PragerU in the past, helping them develop standards for teaching history and putting an emphasis on American exceptionalism."We put the Bible back in our history standards," Walters said.The superintendent mentioned Maine, California, and New York adopting standards and requirements that were antithetical to Oklahoma."One of the things that we wanted to do is, first of all, make sure that they're great teachers, right? And No. 2, make sure we're not getting these woke, indoctrinating social justice warriors in the classroom," Walters said.He name-dropped California Gov. Gavin Newsom as one of the "impetuses" of the change, regarding the state's policy on gender ideology.The California Department of Education requires instruction "about gender, gender expression, gender identity and explore the harm of negative gender stereotypes." Schools must also "teach about all sexual orientations and what being LGBTQ means.""We're going to make sure that this isn't creeping into our schools. When we see Maine take the extraordinary steps to fight President Trump Every county in Oklahoma voted for President Trump," Walters said.Maine has pushed back against President Donald Trump's executive orders requiring that schools teach that there are only two genders and that biological boys are prohibited from participating in female sports.EXCLUSIVE: RED STATE UPDATING EDUCATION STANDARDS TO ADDRESS RISE IN ANTISEMITISM IN SCHOOLS"We have been closely following the implementation of teacher training and testing programs such as the PRISM test imposed on educators in states like California and we fully understand why superintendents of education, like Ryan Walters, feel compelled to protect their students from the extreme left-wing ideologies being promoted in schools through teachers who oftendo not even realize the damage caused," a spokesperson for PragerU told Fox News Digital."It is our honor to help reverse the damage caused by these trends by equipping educators with higher-quality resources and holding them accountable to do what is right for their students. While we do not mandate the use of any of our materials, we strongly encourage the adoption of our wholesome, patriotic content as a constructive alternative," the spokesperson added.Walters colleagues have previously challenged the legal merit of his idea. WhenWalters said the test would not need the board's approval,his colleague Ryan Deatherage asked for legaldocumentation to prove it.Board member Chris Van Denhende asked whether the tests were necessary, citing teaching contracts requiring educators to teach to Oklahoma standards anyway.CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE"He's been a puppet for the teachers union," Walters told Fox News Digital, referring to Van Denhende."I've had to deal with people in our state that are just continuing to parrot the lies of the NEA [National Education Association]. And here's the reality. What do you mean? We're seeing it all over the place. We are seeing indoctrination on kids like never before," he added.Fox News Digital reached out to Newsom and Van Denhende for comment.

Americas immigration crisis is something even more dangerousthe deliberate erosion of the rule of law. Over 560 jurisdictions now operate as sanctuary cities, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Sanctuary city policies dont just ignore federal authoritythey embolden criminals, handcuff law enforcement, and leave innocent Americans to pay the price.These cities believe theyre untouchable, but there is a solution hiding in plain sight. President Trump already showed the nation how to deal with institutions that defy federal law. When Columbia University refused to address antisemitism, the Trump administration froze its federal funding and won. That same strategy can dismantle sanctuary policies city by city.We need a Trump-style course correctionone that applies financial pressure and legal accountability to restore the rule of law.TRUMP DOJ SUES NEW YORK CITY OVER LONG-STANDING SANCTUARY IMMIGRATION POLICIESAnd make no mistake, sanctuary cities dont just resist immigration enforcement, they force taxpayers to subsidize, feed, and house an invasion force that is causing riots and flooding our streets with crime. Socialism flows from the top downthrough blue cities, blue states, and leftist institutions. These cities normalize defiance, celebrate lawlessness, and place politics above public safety.I speak not only as an attorney but as a legal immigrant who deeply believes in the American Dream and in the laws that protect it. Between June 2023 and July 2024, the New York City Department of Correction only enforced 4% of ICE detention requests. This means they allowed thousands of violent criminals to walk free after being flagged for criminal deportation. Two of them later murdered an off-duty Customs and Border Protection officer.Californias Democrats promote and protect the same lawlessness. Since 2022, California declined over 13,000 ICE detainer requests including 72 involving homicide charges. When violent protests erupted in Los Angeles in 2025, requiring the National Guards intervention, it became painfully clear this was coordinated, intentional chaos.Local leaders refusal to enforce immigration laws tells Americans their safety is not a priority. They mask that message in moral rhetoricpretending its about protecting the vulnerable. But who is protecting the law-abiding citizens, victims, and business owners? We must start asking who is protected in these so-called sanctuary cities?America is a nation of laws, not loopholes. However, the growing sanctuary city movement to elevate ideology over enforcement threatens that foundation. If these cities ignore immigration laws today, what stops them from ignoring federal civil rights protections, environmental rules, or national security directives tomorrow? Nothing.Fortunately, President Trump already demonstrated a playbook that works.In 2025, his administration held Columbia University accountable after it accepted millions in taxpayer dollars but failed to address antisemitism, violating Title VI. When Columbia refused to act, the administration froze $400 million in federal funding. The school quickly agreed to pay $221 million, reform its policies and settle. Thats how you deal with elite institutions that believe theyre above the law.We should apply that same strategy to sanctuary cities.First, defund sanctuary cities. In January 2017, President Trump signed an executive order allowing the federal government to withhold DOJ and DHS grants from sanctuary jurisdictions. In 2018, California lost $200 million in federal funds and quickly began cooperating. President Trump should double down on this strategy: withhold DOJ funding, cut FEMA grants, pull HUD money, slash Community Development Block Grantsanything sanctuary cities rely on. Even if courts block defunding broadly, federal agencies can still condition grants on compliance and reallocate funds to law-abiding cities.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONNext, sue sanctuary cities under the Supremacy Clause. Trumps DOJ sued California in 2018 over Senate Bill 54, forcing the state to scale back its sanctuary protections. In July 2025, the administration filed a new Supremacy Clause suit against New York City. Similar lawsuits are underway in Los Angeles, Chicago, and cities across New Jersey and Illinois. These legal actions should go furtherseeking injunctions and even criminal referrals for officials who knowingly obstruct federal enforcement.We deserve leaders who put citizens first, protect the innocent and hold the guilty accountable. And we deserve a country that honors its laws because without them, there is no America.America First cities are rising. Trump should teach sanctuary cities a lesson by defunding and suing them into compliance. Its the fastest way to protect our citizens and teach a lasting lesson.