Bipartisan anger is brewing over the drama that unfolded at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), with the top members of the Senates healthcare panel forming a united front in the midst of the turmoil.Senate Healthcare, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Bill Cassidy, R-La., and the panel's ranking member, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., both dove head first into the issues stemming from the firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez, which spurred a string of departures from the agency.RFK JR. WARNS CDC 'IN TROUBLE,' PROMISES FIXES AS DIRECTOR REFUSES TO STEP DOWNMonarez was abruptly fired from her position by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), less than a month after being confirmed by the Senate. Her removal, which her lawyers rejected, appeared to stem from disagreements over vaccines with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, a vaccine skeptic.Cassidy was the deciding vote during Kennedys confirmation hearing earlier this year.Monarez has since refused to leave the post, with her lawyers arguing that she had neither resigned nor been fired, and had not received notification from the president of her removal.CDC DIRECTOR SUSAN MONAREZ REFUSES TO BE FIRED AS OTHER OFFICIALS CALL IT QUITSFollowing news of her ousting, a string of top officials at the CDC announced their resignations, too, including National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Daniel Jernigan, Chief Medical Officer Debra Houry, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Director Demetre Daskalakis, and Director of Public Health Data, Science, Technology Jennifer Layden.In response to their resignations, Cassidy demanded that the federal governments vaccine advisory panel, which was filled with Kennedys handpicked replacements after he recently booted the original panel members, postpone its scheduled meeting in September.His demand is the second time this year that Cassidy called on the panel to halt its meeting, a move that directly bucks Kennedy's and President Donald Trump's Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda.TRUMP'S CDC PICK CONFIRMEDBUT HER PRO-VACCINE STANCE MAY CLASH WITH RFK JR.'S AGENDACassidy argued Thursday that there were "serious allegations made about the meeting agenda, membership, and lack of scientific process being followed for the now announced September [Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices] meeting.""These decisions directly impact childrens health and the meeting should not occur until significant oversight has been conducted," Cassidy said. "If the meeting proceeds, any recommendations made should be rejected as lacking legitimacy given the seriousness of the allegations and the current turmoil in CDC leadership."Daskalakis posted his reason for resigning on X, where he charged that he was "unable to serve in an environment that treats CDC as a tool to generate policies and materials that do not reflect scientific reality and are designed to hurt rather than to improve the publics health."Meanwhile, Sanders demanded a congressional investigation be opened into the Trump administrations decision to fire Monarez."We need leaders at the CDC and HHS who are committed to improving public health and have the courage to stand up for science, not officials who have a history of spreading bogus conspiracy theories and disinformation," Sanders said Thursday.HHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this story.

The father of one of two victims who died in a shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic Church Mass on Wednesday said his family will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, or watch him grow after a "coward" decided to take their 8-year-olds life."Yesterday, a coward decided to take our8-year-old son, Fletcher, away from us. Because of their actions, we will never be allowed to hold him, talk to him, play with him and watch him grow into the wonderful young man he was on the path to becoming," Jesse Merkel said on Thursday of his son. "Fletcher loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking, and any sport that he was allowed to play."While the hole in our hearts and lives will never be filled, I hope that in time our family can find healing. I pray that the other victims family can find some semblance of the same," he added.Fletcher was one of two children who were killed in the Mass shooting, though the other victim, only identified as a 10-year-old student at Annunciation Catholic Church, has not yet been named.MEMORIAL DAY MASS SHOOTING IN PHILADELPHIA LEAVES 2 DEAD, 9 INJUREDIn addition to the two young victims, 18 other people were injured several critically and remain hospitalized.A 13-year-old boy, Endre Gunter, was shot in the stomach and as of Wednesday evening was out of surgery.FOX 9 in Minneapolis reported that the boys mother, Danielle Gunter, released a statement on Wednesday."Our hearts are shattered not only for him, but for everyone who was harmed," the Gunter wrote. "We grieve and we pray: for the others who were shot, for their families, and for those who lost loved ones."Our son shared with us that an MPD officer really helped him. He said the officer rendered aid, hugged him, reassured him, and prayed with him before getting into the ambulance," the mother continued. "Unlike others, we are blessed to hold onto him. We will help him rebuild his life, his trust, and his confidence."FEDERAL JUDGE STRIKES DOWN MINNESOTA LAW BARRING RELIGIOUS COLLEGES FROM STATE PROGRAMA GoFundMe page for the boy said Endre was rushed into surgery after being shot, and he is now recovering at the hospital.Also shot was 12-year-old Sophia Forchas, who was critically injured and underwent surgery, according to a Facebook post on Wednesday from St. Marys Greek Orthodox Church."Currently, Sophia has passed through the difficult and long surgery but remains in a critical situation," the post read. "More will be determined by the loving and caring medical staff in approximately 2 to 3 days."A GoFundMe page setup for Sophia noted that Sophias younger brother was inside the school during the shooting but was not physically injured.The post also said Sophias mother is a pediatric critical care nurse who was at work when she discovered her daughter was among the injured.CHICAGOS BLOODY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND LEAVES 22 SHOT, 2 DEAD: REPORTDuring a news conference Thursday, acting U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, Joe Thompson, said the shooter left hundreds of pages of writings, and after reading them it was clear that the shooter wanted nothing more than "to kill children.""The shooter was obsessed with the idea of killing children," Thompson said. "The shooter saw the attack as a way to target our most vulnerable among us. While they were at their most vulnerable at school and at church. I won't dignify the shooter's words by repeating them. They are horrific and vile. But in short, the shooter wanted to watch children suffer."At around 8:30 a.m., the suspect fired dozens of rounds into the church, shattering stained-glass and pew-side windows as terrified students and parishioners ducked for cover.Authorities have not yet released a motive.During a press conference, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the attack, saying:"These kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school. They were in a church. These are kids that should be learning with their friends. They should be playing in the playground. They should be able to go to school or church in peace without fear."In a national response, President Donald Trump ordered all U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff until August 31, 2025, in memory of the victims."As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on August 27, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff until sunset, August 31, 2025."The White House confirmed flags will be lowered across public buildings, military posts and embassies worldwide.Pope Leo XIV also sent his condolences to Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Minneapolis."At this extremely difficult time, the Holy Father imparts to the Annunciation Catholic School Community, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and the people of the greater twin cities metropolitan area his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of peace, fortitude and consolation in the Lord Jesus," he wrote on Telegram.Police said the shooter was armed with three firearms and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the back of the church.The tragedy comes amid a surge of active-shooter hoaxes and threats targeting U.S. college campuses in recent days, underscoring growing concerns over school and community safety.

In a resurfaced letter to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the head of the Minnesota Catholic Conference expressed that Catholic and other nonpublic schools were in "urgent and critical need" of security improvements, saying, "our schools are under attack."The plea went unheeded, and two years later, the concerns raised by Catholic leaders materialized when a gunman opened fire on students of a Minneapolis Catholic school while they were attending Mass, leaving two dead and 17 injured.The letter was first reported on by the Daily Wire and was sent by Minnesota Catholic Conference Executive Director Jason Adkins and Tim Benz, president of the private school advocacy group MINNDEPENDENT. The letter was sent on April 14, 2023, and is still publicly available on the Minnesota Catholic Conferences website."We are writing on behalf of our respective organizations regarding the urgent and critical need in Minnesota to make sure our schools are secure and safe considering the most recent, and continuing attacks, on our schools in this country and in our state," the leaders wrote.In the letter, the leaders pointed to the mass shooting at Covenant Christian School in Nashville, which had occurred just a week before the letter was sent, saying, "The latest school shooting at a nonpublic Christian school in Tennessee sadly confirms what we already know our schools are under attack."SHOOTING AT MINNEAPOLIS CATHOLIC CHURCH LEAVES 2 CHILDREN DEAD, 17 INJURED"In Minnesota, nonpublic schools, particularly our Jewish and Muslim schools, have experienced increased levels of threats, all of which we must take very seriously," the leaders went on, also writing, "The tragedy from last week at Covenant School must never happen in Minnesota or in our country again."The leaders expressed serious concern that the 72,000 students enrolled in independent, Catholic, Jewish, Christian and Muslim schools in Minnesota could be in danger due to nonpublic schools being excluded from the $50 million Building and Cyber Security Grant Program as well as the states Safe Schools Program, which provides emergency response training, security upgrades, mental health services and other security measures.The leaders said they were especially concerned given "the most recent, and continuing attacks, on our schools in this country and in our state.""We need to ensure thatall of schoolshave the resources to respond to and prevent these attacks from happening to our schools," the leaders wrote."An attack on any school, whether it is a public, nonpublic, charter or another school site, cannot be tolerated or allowed to happen in Minnesota," the leaders went on, adding, "We want to make sure Minnesota is doing everything it can to ensure that all our students are safe and secure. We ask you include $50 million in the final Education Finance bill and allow nonpublic schools to apply for funding."MINNESOTA HOSPITAL STAFFER JOINED SHOOTING VICTIM IN CT SCANNER 'SO SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH IT ALONE'A spokesperson for the Minnesota Catholic Conference confirmed the letters authenticity to Fox News Digital. Though the spokesperson declined to comment further, they confirmed the requests made in the letter were never granted.The spokesperson additionally pointed to additional requests the conference and Minnesota Catholic bishops had made in 2022 to Walz for Catholic and other nonpublic schools to be included in the states school safety programs.In a June 2022 video, St. Paul-Minneapolis Archbishop Bernard Hebda called on Walz to convene a special session of the state legislature to pass a bill granting permanent funding streams to all schools, including nonpublic schools, for security enhancements, violence prevention and mental health programs, according to Fox 9.According to a recent policy document by the Minnesota Department of Education outlining the Building and Cyber Security Grant Program, the program is still only available to cooperative units, school districts or charter schools, excluding nonpublic schools.Additionally, according to a statute outlining the Safe Schools Program available on the Minnesota legislatures website, the funding available to each school corresponds to its tax levy, indicating private schools are not eligible for the funding.Walzs office, however, told Fox News Digital that "private schools do indeed receive state funding" and that "they are also eligible for school safety center resources, including trainings."'IT'S DEMONIC': WOMAN WHO KNEW MINNEAPOLIS SHOOTER AS CHILD SPEAKS OUT AFTER TRAGEDYWalzs spokesperson said "the Governor cares deeply about the safety of students and has signed into law millions in funding for school safety."The spokesperson further said Walz "meets with the Catholic Conference on a regular basis" and that the governors office is "committed to working with anyone who is willing to work with us to stop gun violence and keep our students safe."On Tuesday, a 23-year-old born by the name Robert Westman, who later changed his name to Robin Westman, opened fire at a Mass being held at the Annunciation Catholic Church on Wednesday, which was attended by students from the attached school. The attack left two children dead and 17 injured, 14 of whom were children.FBI Director Kash Patel said the shooter who opened fire in a "barbaric" attack on a Catholic school Mass in Minneapolis left multiple anti-religious references in his manifesto and on his firearms.MINNEAPOLIS SHOOTING VICTIMS WERE 8 AND 10 YEARS OLDPatel provided the update in a post on X, saying, "As we continue to investigate yesterdays barbaric attack from Robert [Robin] Westman, the male subject, our teams have gathered information and evidence demonstrating this was an act of domestic terrorism motivated by a hate-filled ideology.""Subject left multiple anti-Catholic, anti-religious references both in his manifesto and written on his firearms," Patel said. "Subject expressed hatred and violence toward Jewish people, writing Israel must fall, Free Palestine, and using explicit language related to the Holocaust."The Minnesota legislature is currently considering a school safety law, the SHIELD bill, that would increase state funding for school security systems. As the bill currently stands, nonpublic schools would not be eligible for the additional security funding afforded if the bill was passed into law.

The Dallas Cowboys did the unthinkable on Thursday, trading All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.Parsons confirmed the move on X with a statement that alluded to the strained contract negotiations with the Cowboys and team owner and CEO, Jerry Jones."I never wanted this chapter to end, but not everything was in my control. My heart has always been here, and it still is. Through it all, I never made any demands. I never asked for anything more than fairness. I only asked that the person I trust to negotiate my contract be part of the process."CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMParsons requested a trade earlier this month, saying he "no longer" wanted to be in Dallas, largely because of Jones."I no longer want to held to close door negotiations without my agent present. I no longer want shots taken at me for getting injured while laying it on the line for the organization, our fans and my teammates. I no longer want narratives created and spread to the media about me. I had purposely stayed quiet in hopes of getting something done," he said at the time.TRAVIS HUNTER ANNOUNCES HE'S A FATHER JUST DAYS BEFORE SEASON BEGINSJones previously claimed that he offered Parsons the highest contract by a non-QB in NFL history.Parsons was going into the final year of his rookie deal. Hes recorded 256 tackles, 63 tackles for a loss and 52.5 sacks in 63 career games. Hes been one of the best edge rushers in the NFL since he entered the league in 2021.But upon his trade to Green Bay, he reportedly agreed to a four-year deal worth over $188 million, with $136 million guaranteed. It's the most money ever given to a non-quarterback.In exchange for the perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, the Cowboys received two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark.In his letter, Parsons thanks Cowboy fans for their support, saying he lived out a dream despite growing up in Philadelphia Eagle country."From the moment I arrived in Dallas, you embraced me and my family as your own. You made a kid from the east coast feel right at home in Texas. Every time I pulled up to work, every time I stepped onto that field, I felt the weight and pride of representing you. You didnt just give me a jersey, you gave me a place to belong" Parsons wrote."North Texas will continue to be my home in the offseason. I'll still be here, giving back to the community that gave me so much. And no matter where the next chapter takes me, the bond we've built will never break. Thank you, Cowboys Nation, for every cheer, every moment, and every ounce of love you showed me. Wearing the star has been the honor of my life."Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X,and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here's what's happening-Trump pick for UN aviation office has long history donating to Dems, Nikki Haley-CDC official includes pronouns and the phrase 'pregnant people' in resignation letter-FBI director calls Minneapolis school shooting 'barbaric' domestic terrorism with anti-religious motivesNewly declassified documents have stated that former President Barack Obama was present for key meetings with his top intelligence and national security officials that led to critical steps in the opening of the TrumpRussia investigation.Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe have declassified new documents related to the origins of the original TrumpRussia probe at the FBI known inside the bureau as "Crossfire Hurricane."Trump has accused Obama of being the "ringleader" of the Russiagate narrative an allegation vehemently denied by the former president."Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response," Obama spokesman Patrick Rodenbush said in a July statement. "But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one."READ MORE.BLOATED BUREAUCRACY: Noem hits back at FEMA critics, reveals vision for disaster relief agency'CONFIDENT': Blue states deflect blame in Trump probe after illegal immigrant trucker crash kills three in FloridaPOLICY PUSH: Vance rolls into another key swing state as Trump's 'traveling salesman' to promote key proposalBEIJING BACKDOOR: U.S. agencies distance themselves from Chinese-founded PDF softwareARCTIC SHOWDOWN: Challenger primed to face GOP's longtime Senate dissenter as Trump brings new focus to AlaskaPILOT PERIL: Navy accused of neglecting brain injuries among pilots in new House probeCITY IN CHAOS: Chicago restaurant owner slams Democrat leaders for not prosecuting violence, says residents are "tired of the crime"PRIVACY BATTLE: University of Idaho victims' families ask judge to permanently block crime scene imagesDEFYING ICE: Winsome Earle-Sears rebukes Spanberger plan to undo Virginias ICE pact: This is not hardAMERICAN NIGHTMARE: Myrtle Beach girlfriend showed up at hospital after allegedly setting beau up for murder, mom saysGet the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.

Vice President JD Vance put NFL officials on notice over any potential favoritism toward the Kansas City Chiefs after Travis Kelce's engagement to Taylor Swift was announced this week.During an interview with USA Today, Vance sent a message to the league not to "put a thumb on the scale" for the Chiefs this year."As a football fan, as a Cincinnati Bengals fan, I hope the NFL does not put a thumb on the scale just because Travis Kelce is now getting married to maybe the most famous woman in the world," Vance said. "I'm worried they're going to have like a Super Bowl wedding thing this season. Can't do it. The Kansas City Chiefs have to follow the same rules."CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMVance said he typically believes politicians should stick to politics, but he "congratulates" the couple."I think people want politicians to focus on politics, and they want celebrities to focus on whatever it is that made them famous, whether it's singing or dancing or acting," he said. "But, you know, I'm a romantic. When I see two people who are in love getting married, I just wish them the best, and I congratulate them, and I hope they have a very long, healthy and happy life together."NFL referees came under heavy scrutiny last season for questionable calls that favored the Chiefs.In the Chiefs' win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship, there were two calls in particular that drove the conversation regarding the referees.Buffalo Billsquarterback Josh Allens failed fourth-down conversion on a QB sneak became a hotly debated topic because some observers questioned whether the Chiefs actually stopped him short of a first down.Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthys reception while battling with Bills safety Cole Bishop for the ball in the first half also had fans skeptical that the referees made the right call because it looked like Bishop had a good hold on the ball.TAYLOR SWIFT, TRAVIS KELCE'S ENGAGEMENT DRAWS REACTION FROM SPORTS WORLDA week before that, in the AFC Divisional round against the Texans, Houston edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. was called for roughing the passer on a third down in the first quarter. Anderson appeared to push Mahomes in the chest after he threw the ball incomplete to tight end Travis Kelce. Anderson was flagged.The second penalty came during a Mahomes' scramble in the third quarter. He had two blockers on a run and three defenders bearing down on him. He moved to his right and then back to his left when he decided to slide. Texans linebacker Henry TooToo hit Mahomes around the neck as he slid. Despite the bang-bang nature of the play, TooToo was called for unnecessary roughness.The first penalty extended the drive, and it ended with a field goal. The second penalty pushed Kansas City up the field and the drive ended with a touchdown.The NFL referees union even had to put out a statement addressing the backlash for the questionable penalties, and Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke about the issue as well."Thats a ridiculous theory for anyone who might take it seriously," Goodell said at the time. "It reflects a lot of the fans passion, and I think it also is a reminder for us how important officiating is. And I think the men and women that officiate in the NFL are outstanding."The union representing NFL officials later released a statement thanking Goodell and called allegations that officiating crews are biased in favor of the Chiefs or any other team "insulting and preposterous.""Commissioner Goodells comments that it is 'ridiculous' to presume that NFL officials are not doing everything possible to make the right call on every play is spot on," Scott Green, executive director of the NFL Referees Association (NFLRA), said. "Officiating crews do not work the same team more than twice each regular season. It is insulting and preposterous to hear conspiracy theories that somehow 17 officiating crews consisting of 138 officials are colluding to assist one team."Follow Fox News Digitals sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Former Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Jaime Harrison said Wednesday that members of former President Joe Biden's inner circle dismissed his ideas for a Democratic brand study during a podcast interview."Now, some of the people in his universe at the White House did not always make it easy in terms of doing the things that I thought we should have been doing in order to strengthen the party, to rebuild the party's brand, to really engage in the social media aspect," Harrison told Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., during his podcast, "This is Gavin Newsom."Harrison called Biden one of the most "pro-party" presidents the Democratic Party has ever had and credited him for helping to invest in state parties across the country.DEMOCRATS ARE STILL LOST BUT ONE YEAR AFTER BIDEN'S EXIT, THEY'RE STARTING TO FOLLOW A RIVAL'S ROADMAP"I wanted to create a YouTube channel that I call DTV that would have been focused on the Democratic Party and having us tell our own story, highlighting our successes, getting different people that showcase the diversity of the party out there on social media, where people are getting their information from. But I was told, that's not a big priority right now,'" he continued.Harrison explained he wanted to do a brand study for the Democratic Party because he felt it was broken. He said he hoped to get people from nonprofit and corporate spaces to look at the Democratic Party as a political brand."I was told 'No, we're not going to spend time on that.' So, it wasn't from the president. It's some of the people, sometimes in the president's bubble, who think they know better but, in essence, probably should just listen to some of us that are on the ground. But I'll leave that for another day," Harrison claimed. EX-DNC CHAIR COMPLAINS DEMOCRATS EXPECTED HIM TO 'JUST RUBBER-STAMP' PLANS DURING 2024 CAMPAIGNThe former DNC chair decided not to seek re-election this year. Former chair of the Minnesota DemocraticFarmerLabor Party, Ken Martin, was elected as the new DNC chair in February.Harrison argued that the Democratic Party should have stood by Biden in an interview with the Associated Press after former Vice President Kamala Harris' loss to President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. Harris replaced Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket after he exited the race.After the interview was released in January, Harrison objected to the headline that read, "The DNCs outgoing chair says Democrats should have stuck with Joe Biden in 2024."CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE"This headline isn't right. Stuck by and stuck with are two different things," he wrote on X. "Yes, I believed we should have stuck by and defended President Joe Biden when he was our nominee, and at the same time when Joe Biden stepped down I was damn proud to fight for Vice President Harris to be our next POTUS."Biden's office and the DNC did not immediately return a request for comment.

Agents with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and local authorities intervened and disrupted what could have led to a school shooting in Washington D.C., the agency said Thursday.The ATF and the Metro Transit Police were involved in the incident.A minor was arrested Wednesday night on suspicion of threats to kidnap and injure, receiving stolen property, possession of a large-capacity feeding device and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.HUNDREDS ARRESTED AS TRUMPS WASHINGTON, DC, CRIME CRACKDOWN HITS FULL STRIDEAuthorities served a search warrant related to the case and found seven firearms.The unidentified juvenile was arrested following an investigation based on social media posts that contained alleged violent threats towards a school."So this was a juvenile who was a risk to not just himself, but the community here in Washington," Leavitt said. "And he was removed from the community last night because of the law enforcement efforts of this administration."WHO IS ROBIN WESTMAN, SUSPECT IN ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL SHOOTING IN MINNEAPOLIS?Fox News Digital has reached out to the ATF.The arrest came the same day after a gunman killed two children and wounded more than a dozen others during Mass at the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe shooter died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said.

There is no reason for Americans to live in fear as President Donald Trump floats mobilizing National Guard troops to other cities to address crime like he has in Washington, the White House insists.While Illinois leaders, including Gov. JB Pritzker, have made it clear they arent interested in receiving National Guard troops in Chicago, the White House said it would welcome requests from Republican and Democratic leaders for additional law enforcement support to reduce crime in American cities."This is our message to Americans in Democrat-run cities nationwide: decline is a choice," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Thursday. "You don't have to live in constant fear of being robbed, raped or murdered. Your leaders are lying to you and they have been failing you for decades."WHITE HOUSE ACCUSES PRITZKER, ILLINOIS DEMS OF WHINING WHILE CHICAGO CRIME RAGES"Governor Pritzker should spend less time demonizing the police, more time trying to recruit more police, and more time trying to call the president of the United States to get crime in his city under control," Leavitt said. "The president wants to allow law enforcement, whether it's state, local, federal, to do their jobs, to arrest criminals, to put them behind bars, and to remove public safety threats from American communities, he'll continue to do that."Pritzker, a Democrat who hasnt ruled out running for president in 2028, has pushed back against the possibility of National Guard troops arriving in Chicago to address crime, and said Monday that the move would be "unconstitutional" and "un-American.""Donald Trump wants to use the military to occupy a U.S. city, punish its dissidents and score political points," Pritzker said. "If this were happening in any other country, we would have no trouble calling it what it is a dangerous power grab."GOV. PRITZKER SAYS TRUMP TRYING TO 'MANUFACTURE A CRISIS' AS ADMIN PLANS NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYMENT TO CHICAGOMeanwhile, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a Friday statement that crime is down in Chicago, and said the city in the past year has reduced homicides by more than 30%, robberies by 35% and shootings by almost 40%.But the White House has continued to point to local reports that Chicago has had the most murders of any U.S. city for the past 13 years, as of the most recent 2024 data."For 13 consecutive years, Chicago has had the most murders of any U.S. city," Leavitt said Thursday. "This is JB Pritzker's legacy, by the way."CHICAGO MAYOR CALLS TRUMP'S NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYMENT PLAN 'UNCOORDINATED, UNCALLED-FOR AND UNSOUND'"He should put politics aside," Leavitt said. "He should pick up the phone and call this president, who would be more than happy to do right by law-abiding American residents in the city of Chicago. And we hope that he will."Chicago does not have the most murders per capita, and isn't listed in the top five cities for murder per capita in compilations of 2024 FBI data.Trump disclosed plans Aug. 11 to mobilize troops from the D.C. National Guard and to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department to address crime in the nations capital. Since then, Trump has indicated that he might dispatch National Guard troops to other cities in the U.S., including Chicago."We go in, we will solve Chicago within one week, maybe less," Trump told reporters Monday morning. "But within one week well have no crime in Chicago, like no crime in D.C."

NFL offensive lineman Shaq Mason was arrested Wednesday on charges of assault and battery against the mother of his child.Mason, a 31-year-old free agent, broke into the woman's home in Franklin, Tennessee, at 3:11 a.m., choked her and threatened to kill her, police said.Mason is also alleged to have sent a selfie to the woman with a text that said "Im gonna kill you." Police officers also noticed a "fresh laceration" on the woman's bottom lip, TMZ Sports reported.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMFranklin Police said Mason was apprehended later during a traffic stop, and his bond was set at $150,000.He was booked on one count of aggravated assault, one count of aggravated burglary, one count of harassment and one count of driving on a suspended license.Fox News Digital reached out to Mason's rep for comment.BILL BELICHICK, GIRLFRIEND JORDON HUDSON LOOK TO TRADEMARK 'GOLD DIGGER'Mason, a fourth-round pick in 2015, spent his first seven seasons with the New England Patriots, where he won two Super Bowls to close out their dynasty. He spent the 2022 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, reuniting with Tom Brady before spending the last two with the Houston Texans.He started 15 games last year but allowed an NFL-high eight sacks (tied with Alex Cappa). He was released by Houston in March. He's earned over $45 million in guaranteed money throughout his NFL career.Mason played college football at Georgia Tech after attending high school in Tennessee. Franklin is roughly 30 miles from his hometown of Columbia.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X,and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.