A judge on Thursday found that Alina Habba was unlawfully serving in the role of acting U.S. attorney of New Jersey after President Donald Trump sidestepped typical processes to keep her in charge.Judge Matthew Brann said Habba has not been the rightful temporary U.S. attorney for New Jersey since July 1, a ruling that follows two criminal defendants in New Jersey challenging her appointment in court, alleging it was unconstitutional."Faced with the question of whether Ms. Habba is lawfully performing the functions and duties of the office of the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, I conclude that she is not," Brann wrote in a 77-page order.JUDGE TO DECIDE ALINA HABBA'S FATE AS US ATTORNEY IN NEW JERSEYHabba, Trump's former personal defense lawyer, had been serving as interim U.S. attorney, but when her term expired last month, Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi used loopholes in federal vacancy laws to install her as "acting" rather than "interim" U.S. attorney.One of the defendants in the district, Julien Giraud, alleged that the moves violated his constitutional rights because of the string of unconventional actions it took to attempt to keep Habba in the role.TRUMP STANDS BY ALINA HABBA AS DOJ CLASHES WITH JUDGES OVER HER REPLACEMENTBrann, an Obama appointee serving in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, agreed and found Habba could not prosecute Giraud or another defendant who challenged Habba's position.Brann is presiding over the matter after the chief judge of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers New Jersey and Pennsylvania, decided the case presented too much of a conflict for New Jersey's federal judges.The New Jersey judges made the rare decision to decline to extend Habba's term and instead appointed career attorney Desiree Grace to the job. Trump and Bondi fired Grace, withdrew Habba's nomination as permanent U.S. attorney and then reinstated Habba as acting U.S. attorney, which they said kept Habba in charge for at least another 210 days under federal statute.Fox News Digital reached out to a spokeswoman for Habba for comment.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Brooke Hogan, the daughter of WWE legendHulk Hogan, is shedding light on the series of events that allegedly occurred the day of her father's death.In a series of emotional posts, Brooke claimed she had received "legit calls" from medical and law enforcement officials urging her to seek bodycam footage and 911 tapes that could "change the narrative" surrounding her fathers passing."Here's ALL I KNOW. So stop speculating, stop asking. I have also informed my brother of all of this information who is boots on the ground with everything," she wrote on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday.BROOKE HOGAN EXPLAINS DECISION TO SKIPS HULK HOGAN'S FUNERAL SERVICE: 'PEOPLE GRIEVE IN MANY WAYS'"FACT: I've 100% gotten legit calls from professionals from police officials to nurses that were supposedly with my dad on the day of his death telling ME I need to see body cam footage and I need to get a hold of the 911 tapes because they supposedly contain information that could potentially shed enough light to change the narrative we/I/everyones been hearing.""Those same professionals feel so passionately about what they witnessed, they have continued to contact me and push me to find specific answers to this very day," she added. "They are quite literally putting their careers at risk because they feel so compelled to do the right thing. The short of it is it's all up to my dads wife and I have zero control. I can not do anything, my hands are tied, and I have no say in anything regarding my dad even as his daughter. Those are the rules as Ive been told."Brooke said she does "not have any information" on when he is being cremated, but has been told that there will be an autopsy."I do not know who will be performing the autopsy," she wrote on social media. "Any information I receive from an autopsy if one happens whether I believe it or not, I will be keeping private out of respect for my father."Brooke went on to say that she doesn't know if the officials who reached out to her have relayed this information to the medical examiner's office."And if they did, I do not know why it wasn't taken into consideration," she wrote. "All body cam footage and 911 dispatch calls are not available via the freedom of information act. Its all on lockdown. I do not know why.""Do I question his general physician signing off on his death certificate, given his background which is available for anyone to see via a simple Google search? You can answer that one for yourself," she added.LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS"I have to trust that my brother is doing his best to get answers. At the end of the day, answers would be great, but none of it brings my dad back. And my hands are tied. So please stop misquoting, speculating and ASKING me if I know anything. I can not get any information. I know youd think I could being his blood, but I cant.""We are already dealing with enough. I will not be talking about this 'mystery' any more," she concluded.Hulk died on July 24 after suffering a heart attack at his home in Clearwater, Florida. He had a history of atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that causes irregular and rapid heart rate. He was 71.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERBrooke was estranged from her father in the later years of his life. Following his death, she penned a lengthy and emotional tribute to her father in which she also clarified the complexity of their relationship."We never had a big fight,'" she wrote." "My father and I never fought. It was a series of private phone calls no one will ever hear, know, or understand."

Second lady Usha Vance hailed first lady Melania Trump as a "role model" and a "trailblazer" on Thursday when asked about Mrs. Trumpsattention-getting "peace letter" earlier this week to Russian President Vladimir Putin."I have admired her approach to a lot of things, but at the top of the list she really does care about children," Ms. Vance told Fox News Digital.The second lady was traveling to the Cherokee Classical Academy in Canton, Georgia, as she continued her 2025 Summer Reading Challenge program for kids. (See the video at the top of this article.)FIRST LADY MELANIA TRUMP MAKES 'HEARTWARMING' VISIT TO KIDS AT HOSPITAL FOR 'BE BEST' EVENT"She cares about their welfare," said Ms. Vance of Melania Trump. "And I think every time that she uses her voice to tell people how important it is to keep children safe and to make sure that they grow up happy and healthy, its a good thing."She added, "So I see that as a role model."The letter sent by Mrs. Trump told the Russian leader that "it is time" to protect children and future generations around the globe. It was exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital.The letter was hand-delivered before the U.S.-Russia summit with President Donald Trump in Alaska on Friday."I dont have a specific letter or anything I am planning on writing at this time, but shes a trailblazer in that respect," said Ms. Vance about Melania Trump."I really admire that.""Dear President Putin," the first ladys letter began, as Fox News Digital reported earlier."Every child shares the same quiet dreams in their heart, whether born randomly into a nations rustic countryside or a magnificent city-center. They dream of love, possibility, and safety from danger."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER"As parents, it is our duty to nurture the next generations hope," the letter continued."As leaders, the responsibility to sustain our children extends beyond the comfort of a few.""Undeniably, we must strive to paint a dignity-filled world for all so that every soul may wake to peace, and so that the future itself is perfectly guarded," said the letter."A simple yet profound concept, Mr. Putin, as I am sure you agree, is that each generations descendants begin their lives with a purity an innocence which stands above geography, government, and ideology."For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyleThe first lady continued that "in todays world, some children are forced to carry a quiet laughter, untouched by the darkness around them a silent defiance against the forces that can potentially claim their future."She added, "Mr. Putin, you can singlehandedly restore their melodic laughter.""In protecting the innocence of these children, you will do more than serve Russia alone you serve humanity itself.""Such a bold idea transcends all human division, and you, Mr. Putin, are fit to implement this vision with a stroke of the pen today," she wrote. "It is time."The second lady's 2025 Summer Reading Challenge began in June. The initiative has been encouraging America's schoolchildren to read books all summer long, keep track of their progress and reap the benefits of reading.Ms. Vance on Thursday read "Paul Reveres Ride" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to a room of 200 students before taking questions.The second lady visited three different classrooms, watching lessons on writing and math. She greeted dozens of students along the way.Her Summer Reading Challenge ends on Sept. 5.Brooke Singman and Max Bacall, both of Fox News Digital, contributed reporting.

Vice President JD Vance touted the gospel of President Donald Trumps "big beautiful bill" in Peachtree City, Georgia and continued to take shots at those from the state who opposed the measure.Vances visit to Georgia comes as he has visited several key districts around the country and has lauded the "big, beautiful bill" while Republicans seek to preserve their slim House majority and potentially pick up a few seats in the high-stakes 2026 midterm elections.The domestic policy bill included key provisions to permanently establish individual and business tax breaks included in Trump's 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and incorporated new tax deductions to cut duties on tips and overtime pay.VANCE WARNS OF PENALTY FOR DEMS WHO OPPOSED THE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL AHEAD OF 2026 MIDTERMS"If you're working hard every single day right here in the United States, or if you're building a business right here in the United States, you ought to have a tax code that rewards you, instead of punishing you," Vance said Thursday. "And that's what happened when we passed the working families tax cut just a couple of months ago."All Democrats and five Republicans in both the House and the Senate voted against the massive measure including Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia. However, Trump signed it into law July 4. As a result, Vance took aim at Ossoff during his visit."While Jon Ossoff pretends to be a moderate when he comes to Atlanta, he is a far-left liberal in Washington, D.C., and that's the only place that it actually counts if you're a United States senator," Vance said. "So why don't we ask Jon Ossoff, why did you vote to raise taxes? Why did you vote to keep illegal aliens on Medicaid? Why did you vote to bankrupt Medicare?"In July, Vance visited Canton, Ohio, and said that anyone who opposed the "big, beautiful bill" should face consequences ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Among those who voted against the measure in Ohio was Rep. Emilia Sykes, who represents the city."Anybody who voted against it, I think they ought to pay a penalty," Vance said July 28. "Because they voted against all those great things for the people of Akron and the people of Northeastern Ohio."TRUMP SIGNS BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL IN SWEEPING VICTORY FOR SECOND TERM AGENDA, OVERCOMING DEMS AND GOP REBELSVance faces a similar situation in Georgia, where Ossoff has voiced criticism of the measure and is up for reelection in 2026. Critics of Trumps tax and domestic policy measures have pointed to Medicaid and SNAP reforms included in the bill, which reports suggest would remove millions of beneficiaries from the programs.Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Ossoff referred Fox News Digital to the senator's comments at a press conference Thursday, where he cited a local news report claiming that the CEO of a Georgia hospital said it must cut millions from its budget due to Trump's bill.JD VANCE POISED TO CLINCH VICTORY FOR TRUMP'S LANDMARK BILL AS GOP FINALIZES STRATEGY"I think it is embarrassing for the Vice President to be coming to Georgia to sell a policy that is already resulting in harm to hospitals in the state of Georgia, that's projected to throw more than 100,000 people off of health care in the state of Georgia," Ossoff said. "Just this week, Evans Memorial Hospital in Southeast Georgia said that because of the bill that the Vice President is here to defend, they're going to have a $3.5 million financial hole next year. That hospital here in Georgia is now warning that they may have to cut the ICU."A Fox News poll released in July found a majority of voters oppose the "big, beautiful bill." The poll, conducted between July 18 and July 21, found that 58% of all registered voters oppose the measure, while 39% approve of it.No Democrats supported the "big, beautiful bill," along with Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Republican Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania.

An illegal immigrant who is facing three counts of vehicular homicide in Florida was extradited from California to the Sunshine State on Thursday."We're here today because of tragedy. Three lives lost, three Floridians' lives ended early," Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins told reporters. "Were here in California because when this tragic accident happened and three Floridian lives were lost, he fled back to California, where, in 2018, he illegally crossed the border, came here and ended up getting a commercial driver's license, a CDL."ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TRUCKER ACCUSED OF KILLING THREE PEOPLE FAILED ENGLISH, ROAD SIGN TESTS: DOTOn Aug. 12, Harjinder Singh allegedly made an illegal U-turn in an unauthorized area on the Florida Turnpike, colliding with a minivan and killing three people. He was arrested in California, where he fled after the deadly crash.The Department of Transportation (DOT) said that after the crash Singh failed English and road sign tests."During [Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations] interview with the driver, investigators administered an English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment in accordance with FMCSA guidance. The driver failed the assessment, providing correct responses to just 2 of 12 verbal questions and only accurately identifying 1 of 4 highway traffic signs," DOTs statement read.DESANTIS: STATE LINE WON'T PROTECT CRIMINAL ILLEGALS; SENDS 'CHUCK NORRIS' DEPUTY TO NAB FUGITIVE TRUCKERCollins did not hold back in his criticism of California Gov. Gavin Newsoms immigration policies during a news conference in the Golden State."How many more lives have to be lost because of Gavin Newsom's failed policies? How many more lives have to be lost because of fentanyl, because of gangs, because of rampant disregard for American citizens?" he asked.He also questioned how California could have issued the CDL to someone who "didnt have basic English proficiency" and "didnt know the road signs."During the news conference, Collins responded to a charge from Newsom that he was there for media attention, calling it "a bunch of hogwash." He then took the opportunity to blast Newsom, saying that he doesnt understand "the first thing about leadership.""I am out here answering questions in California because I believe in protecting our citizenry that much," Collins said.ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ACCUSED OF KILLING 3 IN FLORIDA HIGHWAY CRASH CROSSED BORDER INTO CALIFORNIA IN 2018: DHSSingh crossed into the U.S. illegally in 2018 through the southern border and was able to obtain a CDL in California. The first Trump administration rejected his request for work authorization in September 2020, according to Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Security assistant secretary for public affairs. McLaughlin has tangled with Newsom in recent days as the two argue over responsibility."Hey, genius: the federal government (TRUMP ADMIN) already confirmed that this guy meets federal and state immigration requirements YOU issued him a work permit (EAD). As usual, the Trump Administration is either lying or clueless," Newsom's office said in a post on X after being criticized by McLaughlin.EXPERT REVEALS HOW ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TRUCKER MAY HAVE GOTTEN COMMERCIAL LICENSE BEFORE FATAL FLORIDA CRASHMcLaughlin fired back saying the claim was "false" and that Singhs work authorization was rejected in September 2020."It was later approved under the Biden Administration [on] June 9, 2021. The state of California issues Commercial Drivers Licenses. There is no national CDL," McLaughlin wrote.A spokesperson for Newsom told Fox News Digital that Singh was reissued a work permit on April 9, and once again blamed Trump.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPCollins vowed that Florida would ensure Singh is "brought to justice," echoing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sentiment."Fleeing to a sanctuary state will not prevent him from facing justice in Florida, and we will make sure of that. He will be held accountable for his criminal actions," DeSantis told Fox News Digital on Wednesday.Fox News Digitals Peter D'Abrosca, Charles Creitz and Louis Casiano contributed to this report.

A good set of tools can get you far in life. Homeowners and DIYers should stock up on everything from a trusty hammer to drills, impact drivers, brad nailers, air compressors and more. Although many tools come with a high price tag, many stores are rolling out their sales on tools in preparation for Labor Day.Amazon, Ace Hardware and Greenworks offer up to 48% off on must-have tools. Now is the perfect time to stuff your toolbox for less.Original price: $19.95Hammers come in handy for every DIY project, whether youre hanging a picture, putting up drywall or building a shelf. There are a lot of quality hammers out there, but this Craftsman hammer from Amazon is both tough and affordable. The molded grip is easy to hold, and the body is lightweight, perfect for any homeowner. Ace Hardware has the same hammer, also on sale.If you're an Amazon Prime member,you can get many of these tools sent to your door ASAP. 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The wrenches arent adjustable, but they come in different sizes, so you can get through any DIY or mechanical project.10 TOOLS YOU CAN FIND ON AMAZON THATLL HELP YOU COMPLETE ALL YOUR DIY PROJECTSOriginal price: $29.99Pliers help with smaller tasks, like dealing with wires, reaching hard-to-reach areas and holding items tight when needed. Grab a four-piece set of pliers from Amazon that includes needle-nose pliers, and three other sizes with different length noses.Original price: $14.99You need hex keys for a surprising number of projects, from putting furniture together to switching out blades on a saw. Amazons 31-piece hex key set has every key you could need for basic DIY work. The included handle makes it easier to use the hex keys, which can be inserted two different ways depending on what youre working on.Acme Tools has extra-long hex keys in their 31-piece DeWalt set. These are particularly helpful when replacing lights or batteries on your vehicle or putting together complex furniture.Original price: $6.99Whether youre hanging shelves, hanging pictures or framing out a new room, a level ensures you get it right every single time. Get a magnetic level from Amazon that wont shift or move as youre working. Its a smaller level, so its best for working with smaller items. Amazon also has 24-inch levels that are better for larger items. The shock-absorbing end caps make this level particularly durable in the event you drop it.Original price: $259Drills and impact drivers are best bought in a set. These sets are often substantially discounted, and any homeowner or DIYer needs both. Drills are best for drilling holes and driving small screws, but an impact driver is a must for driving longer screws and bolts.Greenworks has a drill and driver set thats under $100 and is best for beginner DIYers. This set is more compact than other models, making them a lightweight option, and includes two batteries and a charger. For a more advanced option thatll last for years, go with a DeWalt drill and impact driver set. DeWalt is a powerful brand professionals swear by. The LED lights built into the tools make it easy to see the screws or pilot holes youre drilling.Original price: $12.60You dont always need to break out the power tools for every project. Save on electricity by investing in a good handsaw. A Craftsman handsaw is durable and has a thick, comfort grip handle that ensures you wont slip as youre cutting.Original price: $27.99Stud finders help you locate the studs inside your wall so you can properly hang everything from pictures to shelves to planter boxes. This stud finder from Amazon is a strong choice thats easy to use. Just scan across the wall and the bright LED display will let you know once youve reached a stud. Its battery-operated and affordable, so any homeowner can add it to their toolbox.Original price: $129.99A circular saw will be your best friend when youre cutting lumber, plywood or firewood. Its a serious upgrade from a handsaw and makes much straighter cuts. Theyre beginner and professional-friendly and come at a variety of price points.Ace Hardware has a DeWalt circular saw with a comfort-grip handle and a bevel capacity from zero to 50 degrees. A battery-powered Greenworks circular saw comes with a battery and charger. You can make up to 60 cuts on a single charge. For a budget-friendly circular saw, this Bosch saw from Amazon will get the job done.REVAMP YOUR KITCHEN WITH THESE 5 DIY HACKS FOR UNDER $125Original price: $199If you start to build your own bookcases, picture frames, planters, shelves and more on a regular basis, a brad nailer comes in handy. Brad nailers come in plug-in electric and battery-powered options, while more high-tech versions use air compressors. This brad nailer from Amazon is battery-powered and weighs just over five pounds. You can nail 700 nails per charge and theres a bright LED light that illuminates your projects. You can also get a more affordable brad nailer from Amazon that runs on an air compressor.Original price: $79Youll quickly get sick of sanding by hand when you get further into the DIY world, so invest in an orbital sander. They run off of electricity or are battery-powered, and they can reduce your sanding time significantly. Before painting or staining, an orbital sander can make quick work of rough surfaces.A Bosch sander is an electric version that has a sawdust collection system built in. Greenworks makes a battery-powered sander that offers a 60-minute runtime.Original price: $304.24As their name suggests, multi-tools have multiple purposes. They can cut, sand, scrape, grind and more. Theyre smaller than their larger tool counterparts, so theyre often easier to use for beginners. This DeWalt multi-tool kit comes with everything you need to get started. You get the multi-tool, a battery, charger, sanding discs and a wood-cutting blade. With three speeds, you can control the multi-tool easily. Plus, the LED lights in the tool help you see better while youre working.For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/dealsOriginal price: $219An air compressor not only helps you blow up car, bike and wheelbarrow tires, you can also run brad nailers and other tools using one. A DeWalt air compressor is a professional-grade compressor thats easy to use. The efficient motor runs quietly, and the oil-free pump makes upkeep easy.

Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville used some colorful language on Wednesday in describing how his party should go after Vice President JD Vance for taking a vacation to the "Marthas Vineyard of England."During the latest episode of his "Politics War Room" podcast with co-host Al Hunt, Carville blasted Vance both for stumping for the Big, Beautiful Bill and for planning a vacation to Oxfordshire, England, suggesting they were evidence that Vance does not care about working-class Americans. He then urged the Democratic Party to blast him for these blunders."Use JD Vance and just kick the s--- out of him every chance you get," he said to the Democratic Party.TRUMP SIGNS 'BIG, BEAUTIFUL' BILL IN SWEEPING VICTORY FOR SECOND TERM AGENDA, OVERCOMING DEMS AND GOP REBELSHunt began the Vance-bashing by bringing up his recent stop in Georgia to sell Americans on President Donald Trumps $3.3 trillion "big, beautiful bill" that the president signed into law earlier this summer.Carville encouraged Vance to stump for the legislation, noting the bill's unpopularity, and stated that Democratic lawmakers like Sen. John Ossoff, D-Ga., should welcome the vice presidents criticism for not supporting the bill."So, memo to John Ossoff, let JD Vance frame the debate. Accept his terms of the debate. As we pointed out, the most unpopular piece of legislation in recent times in this century is the big, bad bill. If they give you a gift, take the gift," the strategist stated.STEVE MOORE: TRUMP JUST SCORED THE BIGGEST CONSERVATIVE VICTORY IN THREE DECADESStating what he believes Ossoff should say, he continued, "The vice president came to Georgia, and hes attacking me because I voted against this. Well, guess what? I did. And I would do it again, and again, and again, and again.""When you get a gift, take the g----- gift."He then discussed how Vances vacation to England earlier this month is another soft spot Democratic figures should attack."He went on a vacation. Florida resorts are hurting. Las Vegas tourism is down substantially. National Parks Yellowstones down 15%," he said. "So, okay, hes entitled to a vacation. Ill give him that. Guess where he went? To a place called Oxfordshire in England which is a tony, wealthy place that rich Londoners go to. Call it the Marthas Vineyard of England. And why we didnt blow this up!"CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE"You mean, you cant vacation, and your wife and kids, in your own country?" Carville added in outrage.He urged Democrats to seize on both the vacation and the legislation at every opportunity.Hunt chimed in, "Every Democrat, bring him into your district. You want JD Vance there.""Yeah, you want JD. Yeah, yeah, JD f------ Vance going to Oxfordshire," Carville replied.The vice president's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

New York City socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani was hit with a "fact check" from a local crime expert over a post where the potential future mayor opined on the cause of the New York Police Departments staffing problems."There is so much wrong with@ZohranKMamdanis post here,"Rafael A. Mangual, senior fellow and head of research for policing and public safety at the Manhattan Institute,posted on X in response to Mamdani, who has faced criticism for his past repeated calls to defund the NYPD.Mamdani used the article, which was headlined "Bleeding blue: Why is the NYPD losing an average of 300 cops per month?" as an example of why his policing proposal for a "Department of Community Safety" will "allow police to do the jobs they actually signed up for.""Fact Check: It does NOT say cops are unhappy because the scope of their duties is too large," Mangual said about the article Mamdani cited.TOP HOUSE DEM SIDES WITH MAMDANI CRITICS ON KEY CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING HIS CAMPAIGN: 'LEGITIMATE ISSUE'Mangual went on to explain that the reason NYPD officers are leaving the force has a "hell of a lot more to do with the fact that" there are currently only 33,000 officers compared to the 40,000 the force used to be staffed with."Theres no question that a larger force would be able to handle the NYPDs current set of responsibilities were it adequately staffed," Manguals thread added.Mangual acknowledged that forced overtime is "certainly an issue" but that the solution to that problem is to hire more police officers rather than to "shrink the scope" of what they do, as the Mamdani campaign has suggested."So why not commit to getting 7,000 more of them into the department?" Mangual asked. "Answer: Because Mamdani doesnt want more cops."Mamdanitempered his past support of defunding the police department in July after an NYPD officer was shot and killed in theworst mass shooting in the city in a quarter-century, but has expressed his desire to keep staffing at its current level."Mamdanis proposal should be seen for what it is: A depolicing initiative masquerading as compassionate relief," Mangual said on X. "Lets get real, Mamdani had the idea for an alternative agency long before he abandoned his vitriolic opposition to the NYPD and his support for its abolition."Mangual, in an interview with Fox News Digital earlier this month, warned that the NYPD is "approaching skeleton crew status" down to 33,000 officers compared to 41,000 at the turn of the century.MAMDANI PREACHES FROM PULPIT OF RADICAL PASTOR PUSHING REPARATIONS, ABOLISHING POLICE: 'BROTHER AND FRIEND'"That's a really big change, especially given how many more 911 calls that department is fielding on an annual basis and how much more it has to do in a post-9/11 world where the department kind of took on these additional counter-terrorism and intelligence aspects to it," Mangual said. "So, you run the risk of creating a situation in which a department that is already starved for recruits is going to become even more unattractive to people who are considering work in that department."Social workers and other non-police professionals like "transit ambassadors" should handle certain 911 calls to ease NYPD workloads and improve officer retention, Mamdani has argued on the campaign trail."I've said time and time again that every decision I make with regards to the NYPD will work backwards from an outcome of public safety and that public safety, we know, it is one that also comes from listening to officers themselves," Mamdani said earlier this month.Mamdani has cited "forced overtime" as a leading cause for many New York City police officers' decision to leave their jobs, noting that NYPD officers receive around 200,000 emergency calls pertaining to a mental health crisis every year."The fact that every year we ask them to take on additional responsibilities we are making it more and more difficult for them to respond to the very responsibilities that drew them to the job in the first place," Mamdani argued. "New Yorkers rightfully have concerns around public safety, and I want to empower police officers to respond to serious crime and hire the mental health professionals to respond to mental health calls."In his thread on X, Mangual also took issue with what he says is Mamdani's assertion that gun violence is part of the failure of the "social safety net.""So, theres a massive problem with Mamdanis premise, which is this: GUN VIOLENCE IS NOT A BYPRODUCT OF THE SAFETY NETS FAILURE," Mangual said. "Neither is hate violence, or any other kind of violence, for that matter.""The idea that people hurt others because they lack material resources is one that goes against the weight of a ton of social science evidence to the contrary. Its also incredibly insulting to the vast majority of poor New Yorkers, whove never considered a life of violent crime."Fox News Digital reached out to the Mamdani campaign for comment.Mangual told Fox News Digital that it was "important" to "call out" Mamdani because his public safety platform "relies on some particularly bad assumptions and fundamental misunderstandings about how and why policing is done."The underlying idea that police should spend less time on the small stuff so that they can focus on the big stuff reflects a deep misunderstanding of the reality that the big stuff is often discovered via interactions based on the small stuff'," Mangual explained."Case in point: Mamdani has argued for taking the cops out of the traffic enforcement game. Yet in 2020, 42% of the NYPD's gun arrests began as traffic stops (see also the famous Kansas City Gun Experiment). These are important nuances that the public should understand given the centrality of public safety questions in this election."Fox News Digital's Alec Schemmel contributed to this report

Twenty Judge Advocate General (JAG) attorneys, part of the legal branch of the U.S. military, have been assigned to prosecute civilian cases in Washington, D.C. as the Trump administration continues its crackdown on crime.A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office in the nation's capital confirmed to Fox News Digital that the military lawyers will prosecute misdemeanor crimes."The assignment of 20 JAGs to my office is further proof of President Trumps commitment to fighting and reducing crime in the district," U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said in a statement.HUNDREDS ARRESTED AS TRUMPS WASHINGTON, DC, CRIME CRACKDOWN HITS FULL STRIDEPresident Donald Trump federalized police in D.C. on Aug. 11 as high levels of crime continued to plague the city."I'm deploying the National Guard to help reestablish law, order and public safety in Washington, D.C.," Trump told reporters when making the announcement. "And they're going to be allowed to do their job properly."There have been no homicides in D.C. since Aug. 13, just two days after the announcement, the Metropolitan Police Department confirmed Thursday morning.Approximately 800 National Guard troops have been deployed to the city so far, and federal law enforcement has also swarmed the city to combat crime.Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Thursday morning that since Trump's initiative began, 630 people have been arrested by federal law enforcement. There were 77 arrests on Wednesday, and 24 of the arrestees were illegal immigrants.BLUE CITIES IN TRUMPS CROSSHAIRS AFTER DC POLICE TAKEOVER"Our mission to make DC safe again isnt slowing down," she said.FBI Director Kash Patel touted the recent arrests, too."FBI joined federal partners in 31 more arrests last night," Patel said Thursday morning.Those arrests included six illegal firearm recoveries, seven drug seizures, and charges including theft, assault with a deadly weapon, drug offenses, assault on an officer and unlawful entry."This is a team effort across multiple federal partners theyre working around the clock to get it done and your capital city is safer every day because of it," Patel said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin made his demands clear on what it would take for him to cease military operations in Ukraine when speaking with President Donald Trump in Alaska less than one week ago, reports confirmed Thursday.No NATO admittance, no Western troops in Ukraine and hand over the Donbas region a litany of demands that Moscow has previously stated, but which it formally informed Washington of on Friday, sources familiar with the Kremlins negotiations told Reuters.The report also claimed that Putin would agree to freeze the front lines where it currently stands in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia and relinquish some territory it has captured in the Kharkiv, Sumy,andDnipropetrovsk regions.RUSSIAN CRUISE MISSILES HIT US COMPANY IN MASSIVE UKRAINE STRIKE AMID TRUMPS PEACE PUSHFox News Digital could not independently verify the update to the negotiations, though it is an apparent shift from a 2024 demand by Putin, who said Kyiv would need to hand over all four regions that Moscow illegally annexed in 2022, including Donetsk and Luhansk where the Donbas sits as well as Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia.But Putins apparent change in demand also comes following years of Russias inability to significantly move the front lines.Following the initial invasion in February 2022, Russian forces were able to sweep large sections of territory. But by late summer that year, Ukraine began launching successful counter offenses where it recaptured significant portions of land in Kherson and Kharkiv.But, since 2023, the frontlines have remained largely stagnant, with Russia reportedly occupying less than 20 percent of Ukraine an estimated seven percent of which was previously taken in 2014, when Russia fully occupied Crimea and parts of the Donbas.Russian forces occupy some 88 percent of the Donbas, nearly all the Luhansk region and roughly 75 percent of Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.Russian-controlled territory in Sumy and Kharkiv is estimated to equate to roughly 150 sq. miles combined, and a fraction of this in Dnipropetrovsk.RUSSIA'S LAVROV LOOKS TO DRAW CHINA IN ON UKRAINE'S SECURITY GUARANTEESA senior NATO defense official pointed out that Putins wish list was not unexpected and voiced suspicion that he could add to his list of demands in the future."Whatever helps to stall," the official, who spoke to Fox News Digital on the condition of anonymity, said.Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov raised geopolitical eyebrows this week when he claimed in a televised interview that Moscow has "never talked about the need to seize any territories."Instead, his comments escalated concern that Putins ultimate war aim is the control of Kyiv, rather than physical occupation of all of Ukraine, which Russian forces have been unable to achieve.Lavrov said the Kremlins goal is to "protect" Ukrainians from their own government and argued "there can be no talk of any long-term agreements" with Kyiv "without respect" for Russia's security and the rights of Russian speakers in Ukraine, the Institute for the Study of War reported this week. "These are the reasons that must be urgently eliminated in the context of a settlement," Lavrov added.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPConcern over Ukraines sovereignty and autonomy had been on the rise well before Russias 2022 invasion, particularly after the outbreak of massive protests in Belarus following the alleged 2020 re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko, a major ally of Putin who has essentially extended Belarus as a puppet state to Russia.Unease mounted in 2021 when Putin wrote an essay arguing that Ukraine, as well as Belarus, shouldnt exist independently of Russia. By the end of the year, security experts were sounding the alarm that Putin intended to invade Ukraine.The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's questions.