The fellas of the @RuthlessPodcast correctly predicted on their Monday, Sept. 1, program that a "Schumer shutdown" is coming this fall. Senate Democrat Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has to pretend to matter to his partys base, so he will force a shutdown. One of two things the Senate GOP must do this month is underscore that the coming government shutdown is a "Schumer shutdown." Ds must be made to own it.But the fellas, for all their gifts, which are many, did not emphasize enough the enormous risk the GOP Senate majority will take if the GOP conference doesnt force a change to the Senate rules. That would clear the enormous backlog of President Donald Trumps nominees to executive branch positions, which have cleared their committee process. Many senators are on record demanding the "Reid precedent" be invoked to change the Senates rules regarding nominees.Senate Majority WhipJohn Barrassooutlined the unprecedented obstruction of routine nominees in a Wall Street Journal column on August 26. "For decades, noncontroversial nominees moved through the Senate in a timely manner," the Wyoming Republican noted. "Democrats destroyed this tradition by treating every Trump nominee as controversial."TOP SENATE REPUBLICAN READY TO 'ROLL OVER' DEMOCRATS WITH RULE CHANGE TO CONFIRM TRUMP NOMINEES"The American people elected President Trump and Republicans with a directive to get the U.S. back on track," Barrasso concluded. "They didnt vote for Democratic delay and obstruction."What Barrasso made clear is that the Senate GOP can blow up the blockade and intends to. In his column, he echoed the hard-nosed positions taken by many Senate Republicans. Good. Delay in making the rule changes imperils the Senate majority next November. This is the time to end this absurd exercise in theater politics.It is time to make every nominee who clears his or her committee of jurisdiction subject to immediate confirmation vote by the Senate. That requires a change in the Senates rules. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid established the precedent for such changes. Frustrated by Republican delay on the confirmation of judges during President Barack Obamas tenure the GOP used the playbook Democrats followed during President George W. Bushs tenure in blocking very qualified nominees Reid first threatened to change the Senate rules via a simple majority vote.SUMMERTIME AND THE LIVING IS UNEASY ON CAPITOL HILLReid went through with his threat to change the Senate confirmation rules. This display of ruthless politics came after then-Majority Leader Senator Bill Frist faltered with his threat to do the same. That waswhen the "Gang of 14" undercut Frist in May 2005, after the Tennessee senator had pledged his conference to the "nuclear option" to move judicial nominees forward. It was the threat that Reid would actually later make and follow through on in November 2013.Reid moved ahead despite then-Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell warning Reid that the GOP would use the Reid precedent down the line. When McConnell became Senate majority leader, he invoked the Reid precedent to expand Reids rule to cover SCOTUS nominees. It was a move of strength from McConnell, as was his no-hearings, no-votes stance following the death of JusticeAntonin Scaliain 2016. The GOP faithful knew that the "Grim Reaper" did not make idle threats. McConnell knew that a threat made must be a promise remembered.Now the Senate GOP has to flex again and follow through with its threat to use the Reid precedent for the rules for nominees, again. Failure to do so and do so quickly will damage the chances of the GOP holding on to its majority in November 2026. The GOPs voters are not "institutionalists," after watching the four years of the Biden presidency break every norm, especially with regard to lawfare following the obstruction of Trump from within the executive branch in his first term. The days of, "Weve always done it this way with nominees" are long gone and Majority Leader John Thune gave Schumer every chance to change his ways. Schumer rejected every offer of compromise.SENATE GOP READY TO GO NUCLEAR AFTER SCHUMER'S 'POLITICAL EXTORTION' OF NOMINEESPresidents deserve their executive branch appointees. The Constitution is presumed to provide a quick way to put nominees to an up-or-down vote in the Senate.The Constitution is clear on this.Article II, section 2 of the United States Constitution provides that the president "shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for."The Senate is supposed to vote on a presidents nominees and, while the Senate committee process should be respected as critical to vetting those nominees, once a nominee has cleared their committee, a vote should follow almost immediately. The Senates arcane rules on nominees, which did not foresee a blockade like Schumers, must thus be changed.DEMS DIG IN, TRUMP DEMANDS ALL: NOMINEE FIGHT BOILS OVER IN SENATE AS GOP LOOKS FOR A DEALEven as the Senate GOP girds its collective loins for the Schumer shutdown media battle, they need the GOP base and indeed even occasional voters to understand that it is behind POTUS, and a litmus test of that support lies with the rules change for nominees, a change imposed via the Reid precedent.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONIt would also be useful to put a vote on the legislative filibuster on the floor at the same time and a new rule on "blue slips," which have been abused for decades to keep some states free of serious trial judges nominated by Trump.The GOP should defend the long-standing "rule of 60" for legislative change, but the Republican senators can use the occasion of a rule change vote to demonstrate Senate Democrats hypocrisy on the issue by putting an end to the filibuster up for a vote too. It is also time to debate killing the "blue slip" for district court nominees, or coastal America may never get another serious federal trial court judge.HOMESICK GOP SENATORS MULL THROWING OUT THE RULES OVER STONEWALLING DEMSThe last two suggestions are not mandatory for the Senate GOP to keep faith with its electorate, though they would drive home the message that this is not your fathers Senate GOP. The rule change on nominees is necessary. It has been promised. It should be voted on this week or next.The president cannot implement his defense, national security and foreign policy plans areas largely reserved to the president without his nominees who have cleared committee in the first place. Be prepared to live with the change under Democratic presidents and majorities. Thats the test, because what goes around, comes around. This rule change via the Reid precedent makes constitutional sense, and it is a practical, political imperative. Get on with it, Senate GOP. If there are naysayers in the conference, they ought to be obliged to record their position with a floor roll call and defend it in their next election.Hugh Hewitt is a Fox News contributor, and host of "The Hugh Hewitt Show," heard weekdays from 3 pm to 6 pm ET on the Salem Radio Network, and simulcast on Salem News Channel. Hugh drives America home on the East Coast and to lunch on the West Coast on over 400 affiliates nationwide, and on all the streaming platforms where SNC can be seen. He is a frequent guest on the Fox News Channels news roundtable hosted by Bret Baier weekdays at 6pm ET. A son of Ohio and a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Michigan Law School, Hewitt has been a Professor of Law at Chapman Universitys Fowler School of Law since 1996 where he teaches Constitutional Law. Hewitt launched his eponymous radio show from Los Angeles in 1990. Hewitt has frequently appeared on every major national news television network, hosted television shows for PBS and MSNBC, written for every major American paper, has authored a dozen books and moderated a score of Republican candidate debates, most recently the November 2023 Republican presidential debate in Miami and four Republican presidential debates in the 2015-16 cycle. Hewitt focuses his radio show and his column on the Constitution, national security, American politics and the Cleveland Browns and Guardians. Hewitt has interviewed tens of thousands of guests from Democrats Hillary Clinton and John Kerry to Republican Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump over his 40 years in broadcast, and this column previews the lead story that will drive his radio/ TV show today.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM HUGH HEWITT

The father of Florida State linebacker Ethan Pritchard offered grisly details about the shooting that left his son wounded following the teams upset win over Alabama.The freshman football player was shot in the back of the head while driving and remains in stable condition at a hospital in Tallahassee, Florida, his father, Earl, told WFTV in Florida on Wednesday.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM"He was actually in the car taking my sister around the corner to her daughter's house to drop her off," Earl Pritchard told the station. "They turned the corner, and as soon as they turned the corner, they heard gunshots."The shooting occurred while Ethan Pritchard was driving his aunt from a family gathering in Havana, Florida, according to ESPN. Officials were reportedly still investigating the incident.Pritchard played high school football at Seminole High School in Sanford, Florida, and was a four-star recruit. He was rated No. 437 in the 247Sports Composite and No. 507 nationally in the On3 Industry Ranking. ESPN ranked Pritchard as the No. 39 linebacker nationally and the No. 64 player out of Florida.ACC FINES FLORIDA STATE $50,000 UNDER NEW POLICY AFTER FANS STORM FIELD FOLLOWING UPSET OVER ALABAMAAs a senior, he helped lead Seminole High School to a 10-2 record and its second consecutive regional final in 2024, recording 39 tackles and seven tackles for loss in nine games.As a junior, Pritchard had 75 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery as Seminole High School went 10-3. He began his high school career as a safety before transitioning to linebacker as a sophomore.Pritchard committed to Florida State in October 2023, choosing the Seminolesover Miami,Florida, and UCF, among others.Fox News Ryan Canfield contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Its finally here. The start of the 2025 NFL season.The Philadelphia Eagles will begin their Super Bowl title defense against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night. On Friday night, the Kansas City Chiefs will take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil.Each of the four teams who are the headliners for the first two days of the season have had some interesting storylines develop over the course of the offseason and training camp. But they are far from the only teams that have dominated the headlines.Read below for a quick recap of all of the offseason storylines for each team.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMAll eyes will be on Kyler Murray to see how he can take the team to the next level. Murray has a top target in Marvin Harrison Jr. and a capable tight end in Trey McBride. The offense is built for the quarterback to take the team to the next level but it will be up to Murray to live up to those expectations. Arizona will only go as far as Murray takes them.Its the year of Michael Penix Jr. at least for now. Penix will get the reins as the teams starting quarterback and it comes with some massive expectations. The NFC South continues to be a wide-open division and the idea of Penix lifting the offense isnt so far-fetched. Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts will be expected to take a giant leap and do their part to get the team back to the postseason.The Ravens were sent packing early in the postseason despite Lamar Jackson having an MVP-worthy season and the team going 12-5. The team re-signed Kyle Van Noy and added Jaire Alexander and DeAndre Hopkins. Special teams might be the biggest concern. The Ravens parted ways with Justin Tucker after the kicker was accused of sexual misconduct. Tucker denied the claims made against him but the team decided to move on from the kicker.It really could be Super Bowl or bust for the Bills this season. The Josh Allen-led squad has won five consecutive AFC East titles and two AFC Championship Game appearances but still no Super Bowls. Buffalo will have to prove this season that the conference no longer runs through Kansas City.The Panthers didnt give up on Bryce Young and it may have given him the confidence boost he needed last year. Young had multi-touchdown games in his final three games, which included two overtime wins. Youngs confidence moving forward and showing the ability that he belongs as one of the 32 NFL starters will be something the entire NFL world will be looking at.The most impactful change the Bears needed to make was to bring in an offensive-minded head coach to help take Caleb Williams to the next level. The team did that when they hired former rival Ben Johnson as the head coach. Adding Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney on the offensive line is going to help as well. Williams progress will be the biggest storyline going into the 2025 season. Chicago made a shrewd move to get him in 2024. They will likely hope to see the payoff this season.The Bengals entered the 2025 season with a handful of questions about how they would address their roster. Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson being their biggest concerns. The Bengals were able to re-sign Higgins and came to an agreement with Hendrickson in the latter stages of training camp. With those two cases solved, it will be up to Joe Burrow to stay healthy and put together a season in which Bengals fans could be proud of. Burrows health will determine how far Cincinnati goes this year.2025 NFL WEEK 1 BUZZ: JETS PREMIER OFFENSIVE LINEMAN SUFFERS MAJOR INJURYThe most interesting thing about the Browns this season could be what occurs on the sidelines rather than what goes on during their games. Head coach Kevin Stefanski will likely have to decide how long they will use Joe Flacco as the starter and who to go with to determine the direction of the franchise between Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Elsewhere, the team re-signed Myles Garrett and he will be the face of the franchise for years to come.The drama never really seemed to end for the Cowboys once 2025 began. The team was at an impasse with Mike McCarthy so they moved on, hiring Brian Schottenheimer as the head coach. Dallas was under pressure to make moves in the offseason again and traded for controversial wide receiver George Pickens. The team had a contractual standoff with Micah Parsons and flipped him to the Green Bay Packers for Kenny Clark and picks. Kenneth Murray, Solomon Thomas, Dante Fowler Jr. and Payton Turner will definitely add depth. But its what the team didnt do, which could be the talk of the entire season.Bo Nixs emergence may have been the biggest surprise in the NFL last season. The Broncos took him really early in the 2024 draft and he performed outstandingly well, leading Denver to their first playoff appearance since their 2015 Super Bowl-winning season. Building off his rookie year in hopes of taking down the Chiefs AFC West reign will be especially key this season. J.K Dobbins, Evan Engram and Trent Sherfield should help a little bit. Fans will also hope Patrick Surtain II puts together another solid season like in 2024. He won the Defensive Player of the Year last year.It very well may be Super Bowl or bust for the Lions in 2024. The franchise has shown in the last two seasons what it is capable of with back-to-back playoff appearances. The team made it to the NFC Championship Game in 2023 and bowed out of the postseason in the divisional round last year. The team should be able to at least make the playoffs as a wildcard team.The Packers made the move of the offseason with their acquisition of Parsons from the Cowboys a week before the start of the regular season. The team had a top 10 defense in 2024 and adding Parsons will be the focal point of the defense if he should be able to stay healthy. The other factor is whether Jordan Love can push his development even further. Another solid year from him could put him into the conversation as one of the top quarterbacks in the league.The Texans have put together some terrific seasons since C.J. Stroud took over as the teams starting quarterback. The 2025 season will be an indication of growth and just how far Stroud has come as a major player in the NFL. The team was busy in the offseason, adding C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Sheldon Rankins, Christian Kirk and Laken Tomlinson in the offseason. DeMeco Ryans will have the honor to try to mesh all of the newcomers together to put a division-championship team on the field. However, the expectations should be a bit bigger than just AFC South winners at this point.The Colts have had the biggest quarterback drama in the offseason. The team signed Daniel Jones, presumably to be the backup for Anthony Richardson, but ended up getting the named the Week 1 starter. Indianapolis also added defensive backs Mekhi Blackmon and Cam Bynum in hopes of trying to lock up some of the top stars that litter the AFC South. Colts fans will hope Jones can revive his career to get the team back to the postseason.The Jaguars getting back to the postseason should be the No. 1 concern for them this season. Its a whole new regime in the organization with Liam Coen leading the players on the field and James Gladstone running the ship as the general manager. The team traded up to get Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and added several different players to the roster via free agency. Trevor Lawrence will have added pressure to get back to elite status as far as quarterbacking is concerned. He only played in 10 games last season due to injury.WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM JAGUARS TWO-WAY STAR TRAVIS HUNTER IN WEEK 1?Resilience and resolve are something the Chiefs have been built upon for quite a long time. Many pundits believe that their reign over the NFL is over after losing to the Eagles in the Super Bowl in February. However, Kansas City has been great at proving the critics wrong time and time again. Getting to a fourth straight Super Bowl is the goal in 2025 but it gets harder from here. Everyone is a year older, including Travis Kelce who didnt exactly have a 2024 to write home about. The team added a handful of players in the offseason that should give them some depth but getting in gear for the first week of 2025 may prove to be difficult. Not having Rashee Rice to start the year hurts as well. There are a lot of fans who have written the Chiefs dynastys obituary. Mahomes isnt about to go quietly into that good night.The 2025 season brought an immense amount of change to the Raiders. Pete Carroll took over for Antonio Pierce as head coach and the team made Geno Smith their quarterback. Those two moves sparked some hope that the team may do better than 4-13. Additionally, the team added Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall pick of the draft. Jeanty is expected to add the firepower lost when Josh Jacobs signed with the Green Bay Packers a few seasons ago.Now would be a good time for Justin Herbert to take that leap into becoming a Super Bowl-contending quarterback. Every NFL fan who has had the opportunity to watch Herbert play football knows of his talent. Its unquestionable. But helping the Chargers get back to at least the AFC Championship has yet to be seen. All it takes is one of two key additions that could prove to be game changers. Though Najee Harris suffered an eye injury in the summer, he could provide some extra help on offense. Keenan Allens return will also boost those hopes as well. Los Angeles added Brandon St-Juste and DaShawn Hand for some added depth on defense too. If the AFC West throne is up for grabs, the Chargers could certainly find themselves sitting on it once the season is over.Could this be the last hurrah for Matthew Stafford? There were questions about his status in training camp before he was ultimately named the Week 1 starter. But his availability wont be the only question for the Rams. The team added Davante Adams in the offseason but him meshing well with Stafford may not come right away. Jared Verse will take over as the defensive leader after an incredible rookie year. But can he maintain that status in 2025? The Rams have a lot to answer for in 2025.The Dolphins underwent some change in the offseason. The team traded veteran cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers and acquired Minkah Fitzpatrick. Tyreek Hill suggested he was going to retire but decided to stick it out and play the 2025 season. A lot more pressure will be on Tua Tagovailoa to not only stay healthy but also lead the team to more than eight wins as the face of the franchise.The Vikings were 15-2 last season with Sam Darnold as the starting quarterback but things have shifted going into the 2025 season. J.J. McCarthy will take the role, essentially as a rookie, after he missed the entire 2024 season. Minnesota made key additions to the team with Ryan Kelly, Jonathan Allen, Jeff Okudah and Adam Thielen. The biggest thing to watch, though, will be how NFL ready McCarthy is and whether the Vikings made the right decision to move on from Darnold and go in with the former Michigan standout.The Patriots offseason got started early when the team decided that one season of Jerod Mayo was enough. The team hired Mike Vrabel as its head coach and the shift started from there. The team added Stefon Diggs, Harold Landry, Carlton Davis and Milton Williams to bolster the team a bit. Drake Maye will be expected to take a big leap from his rookie season in his second year under center for the Patriots.Its an entirely new ball game for the Saints. New Orleans hired Kellen Moore as its head coach fresh off of a Super Bowl win with the Eagles. Derek Carr retired due to injury. And then the team drafted Tyler Shough but will use him as a backup for Spencer Rattler. The team has some aging stars as well. Demario Davis, Cameron Jordan, Brandin Cooks and Alvin Kamara are all back for the 2025 season. But with uncertainty at quarterback, how many more wins can the team expect? It will be up to Moore and company to come up with a gameplan to win games this season.The Giants are in an intriguing position going into the 2025 season. They are loaded with talent on the defensive side of the ball with Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux and rookie Abdul Carter ready to bring the pain. On offense, the team has Russell Wilson to pair with second-year receiver Malik Nabers and Jaxson Dart waiting in the wings. It will be difficult for the Giants to start strong but theres definitely more of a positive energy around the team than there has been in the past.Its a completely new regime for the Jets entering the 2025 season. Aaron Glenn replaced interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich and the team parted ways with Aaron Rodgers. Justin Fields will take the reins from here with a team ready to bust out and surprise the NFL world to start. Garrett Wilson and Quinnen Williams will be expected to put together another solid year should the Jets want to make the playoffs. This year might be their best chance to get back to the postseason than the last two seasons.How do the rich get richer? Lets add a bruising running back and at least three solid defenders to a Super Bowl-winning team. The Eagles did that with the additions of A.J. Dillon, Adoree Jackson, Azeez Ojulari and Joshua Uche to the team. Philadelphia also had some luck on its side in the offseason as owners decided against banning the "tush push." Philly is likely to put together another terrific year but there are an ample number of contenders for their championship.The Steelers, somehow, always seem to be in the postseason conversation. The Steelers have made the playoffs 12 times in the Mike Tomlin era and are poised to do it again thanks to their offseason acquisitions. The team made two major trades to bolster both sides of the ball. First was the deal with the Seattle Seahawks that landed them D.K. Metcalf. Then, the team traded for Ramsey in a deal with the Dolphins. After months of waiting, the team also agreed to a deal with Aaron Rodgers. On top of everything else, the Steelers re-signed T.J. Watt to a massive extension. Pittsburgh has gone all out to get its team back to the Promised Land.Like most veteran squads, the 49ers have boom-or-bust expectations in 2025. San Francisco gave Brock Purdy a very nice contract for his performance and now hell have to prove that hes worthy of being the franchise quarterback and that hes more than a game manager. Christian McCaffreys health will also be a big factor in how well the 49ers do this season. The team traded Deebo Samuel away which will open the door for Brian Robinson Jr. to shine as the starting running back. San Francisco was 6-11 last season but a healthy roster may have them thinking that theyre division winners.Its a new era at quarterback for the Seahawks. Sam Darnold will take the reins as the starter after a terrific bounce back year with the Vikings. Darnold will have to prove that hes the real deal and avoid the allegations that he was a complete draft bust. But Seattle isnt exactly the favorite in the NFC West. The team will not have Tyler Lockett or D.K. Metcalf on the offense, leaving the door open for Jaxon Smith-Njigba to lead the receiving corps. The team also took a flier on Cooper Kupp in hopes he could recreate some kind of semblance of the Offensive Player of the Year season he had in 2021. Seattle is certainly poised for an interesting year.CRACKING THE CODE: THE SECRET FOR QB SAM DARNOLD AND SEAHAWKS' SUCCESSThe Buccaneers won the NFC South with a 10-7 record. It was probably too close for a team that has Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin as the leaders of the offense. The expectations will continue to grow but being without some of their key players will make the goals harder to reach. Godwin suffered a devastating injury last season and may return as soon as October. Tristan Wirfs might be the best offensive lineman in the division but hes starting the year on the PUP list too. Tampa Bay will have a lot of obstacles to overcome.The Titans made the franchise-altering decision to take Cam Ward with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft. Wards timeline was quickly moved up after Will Levis suffered a season-ending injury. Tennessee added Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson as weapons for Ward. The Titans were the NFLs worst team in 2024 things can only go up from here.The Commanders appear poised for a big leap in 2025. Jayden Daniels is back for his sophomore season and has a team with legitimate talent around him. Washington re-signed Terry McLaurin but that was far from the only move they made. They welcomed Deebo Samuel to the team via trade with the San Francisco 49ers and Laremy Tunsil in a trade with the Houston Texans. The team dished out contracts to Von Miller, Jonathan Jones and Javon Kinlaw, George Fant as well. Aside from the Commanders being poised to move to D.C. in about five years, Washington gearing up for a major postseason run is a major storyline to start the 2025 season.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Photos show Philadelphia Eagles performing from the start of the start of the NFL preseason through the regular season for all of 2025-26.

The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are the most iconic sideline performers of their time with a Netflix docuseries taking fans behind the scenes on what it takes to become one.

Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, a Republican, launched a Sunshine State gubernatorial bid on Wednesday, jumping into the race after President Donald Trump backed U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds for the job earlier this year."As a legislator and Speaker of the House, I stood with Ron DeSantis to brand our state the Free State of Florida," Renner said in social media posts. "Im running for Governor so that when the DeSantis era comes to an end, we can defend our victories and solve the challenges that remain."Current Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is serving his second-consecutive term and is consequently not permitted to be elected again in 2026, said that he is not backing Renner, noting, "I think it was an ill-advised decision to enter the race."SCHOOL VACCINE MANDATES MAY GO AWAY IN SOUTHERN STATE, SURGEON GENERAL ANNOUNCESFlorida's state constitution stipulates, "No person who has, or but for resignation would have, served as governor or acting governor for more than six years in two consecutive terms shall be elected governor for the succeeding term."Renner added in his posts, "As a military veteran of two wars, a state prosecutor, and Speaker of the House, Ive fought the tough battles, and I will never back down from the fight for our conservative values. As a father, I am committed to securing Floridas safety and prosperity for the next generation."SEN. RICK SCOTT ENDORSES TRUMP-BACKED FLORIDA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATEDonalds announced a gubernatorial bid earlier this year after Trump strongly backed him for the role, urging him to run."Byron Donalds would be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida and, should he decide to run, will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. RUN, BYRON, RUN!" Trump declared in a Truth Social post.DESANTIS FIRES BACK AFTER DEM DECRIES FLORIDA'S MOVE TO DITCH LGBT RAINBOW COLORS FROM CROSSWALK IN ORLANDOFormer Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who is now serving as a U.S. Senator, has also endorsed Donalds.

The unprecedented strikes by U.S. Marines on a cartel-operated vessel off of Venezuela this week signaled that the Trump administration is taking a hard new approach when it comes to countering the international drug trade.While the U.S. military has long worked to counter cartel and international gang organizations beginning in the late 1980s, the Tuesday strike that killed 11 members of Tren de Aragua which the Trump administration designated as a terrorist organization in February marked a definite shift from previous seize and apprehend operations."The gloves are off," Isaias Medina, former Venezuelan UN diplomat turned Caracas dissident under the Nicholas Maduro regime, told Fox News Digital. "The recent U.S. Marine strike on the alleged Tren de Aragua narcotics vessel operated out of Venezuela under a regime deeply linked to crimes against humanity and narco-terrorism marked a turning point in the fight against international organized crime."MADURO CLAIMS US SEEKS 'REGIME CHANGE THROUGH MILITARY THREAT' AMID CARIBBEAN BUILDUPPresident Donald Trump has made it clear since his first administration that he strongly opposes Maduros regime and even announced a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.Trumps decision to deploy U.S. troops off of the South American nation prompted Maduro on Monday to decry the move as an attempt to seek regime change and said, "Venezuela is confronting the biggest threat that has been seen on our continent in the last 100 years."The White House faced some international pushback and questions regarding what this strike meant for future U.S. policy when it comes to countering cartels and geopolitics in South America.Secretary of State Marco Rubio looked to set the record straight during a Wednesday trip to Mexico where he was also addressing cross-border arms and narcotics smuggling and said, "The President of the United States is going to wage war on narco-terrorist organizations."Rubio argued the previous policy of seize and apprehend "doesnt work.""Because these drug cartels what they do is they know they're going to lose 2% of their cargo they bake it into their economics," he said. "What will stop them is when you blow them up, when you get rid of them."U.S. WARSHIPS TO PATROL INTERNATIONAL WATERS AROUND VENEZUELA AS TRUMP VOWS TO STOP CARTELSMedina argued that Maduros "unwilling or unable" attitude towards international cartel narcotics rings opened the window of opportunity for Trump to act, noting that the Marines followed strict rules of engagement when targeting a terrorist organization which was believed to be moving drugs intended for the U.S."Venezuelas Tren de Aragua, backed by Maduro, operates much like other state-sponsored terror groups, including Irans support for the Houthis, Hamas, and Hezbollah all destabilize regions through illicit trade and violence," Medina said. "Safe harbors in international waters are no longer sanctuaries for traffickers and smugglers."This strike sends a clear warning that those businesses now face decisive and powerful resistance from American forces and their allies," he added.Despite Maduros suspicions that Trumps end game is the ousting of his government, experts remain skeptical.Though the Tuesday operation is an extension of Trumps anti-Maduro policies, Juan Cruz, a former National Security Council senior director for Western Hemisphere affairs, said he does not believe it indicates any major changes are on the horizon like a regime change."I cant imagine this deployment had that specifically as an objective," Cruz told Fox News Digital. "But [Trump] will certainly take that as a win if, for some reason, it had that outcome."

A mother from Chicagos South Side who lost her teenage son to gun violence said crime has worsened in the city since her childhood."The boys pulled up right behind our house. They shot him down in the alley. I mean, I was home. His brother was home, we found my son literally on the ground in the alleys taking his last breath," Marquita Salley told Fox News Digital.Salleys son, Gregory Bernard Wilson III, was shot and killed on March 13, 2023, in the Chatham neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. He was 16.Police opened a homicide investigation into Wilsons killing, according to theChicago Sun-Times.CHICAGO RESIDENTS BEG FOR MORE HELP AS CRIME WREAKS 'HAVOC ON NEIGHBORHOODSSalley, 41, told Fox News Digital that she is going to court on Sept. 18."The person that did this, he is in jail, and we're not looking for him to get out ever," Salley's mother, Gaynelle Simmons, also known as Ms. Gail, added.Wilson was struck in his left arm, chest and chin on the 400 block of East 88th Street, according to Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiners office.Wilson was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police said.Grieving Wilson's death has been a challenge for the family to overcome."When holidays and birthdays and stuff come around, we are together. But the process itself has been rough. Like, he was, a lot of people say they get on TV. 'Oh, my kid was this good kid. My kid didn't do this. My kid did do that.' My kid was a boy. So, of course, he did the boy stuff, as far as fighting and all of that," Salley said."But as far as guns and selling drugs and robbing and stealing and killing, I didn't have that type of child, and I feel like he got robbed unfortunately of his life by somebody else's child who, unfortunately, is into those things," she said.Growing up on Chicagos South Side, Salley said crime has worsened since her youth."It's gotten worse from when I grew up until now. When I grew up, I could walk from King Drive to Stony Island without a care in the world. I'm 41 at this time. So in my teenage years me and my girl cousins, even my boy cousins, all of us together just walking down the street laughing and having a good time," Salley said."Right now, my son could tell me he's walking to the convenience store around the corner. No, you are not. No, you're not. It's that bad. It has changed tremendously," Salley added.Over Labor Day weekend, at least 32 shootings took place in Chicago, leaving eight people dead and dozens more wounded, according to police.Simmons, 61, expressed similar sentiments to Fox News Digital that crime has gotten worse in the city over the years.WHITE HOUSE SLAMS PRITZKER, BLUE CITIES AS CRIME FIGHT ESCALATES: 'DECLINE IS A CHOICE'"I know coming up. I'm 61, so in my years coming up we can go outside, you can be home when the streetlights come on. Your parents wasn't looking for you, you could be gone all day. But when the streetlights came on, no, you'd be at home. Your parents trusted you to make the right decisions back then. You paid them back decisions, you did, you going to get you a little spank-spank when you get home. That's for sure. That's back in the day with me," Simmons said.President Donald Trump and his administration have launched a crusade against Illinois lawmakers whove refused offers to send in National Guard troops to Chicago.While Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) and other state leaders remain adamant that National Guard troops are not welcome in Chicago, the Trump administration has turned up the heat on Pritzker to accept them.Chicago, which struggles with poverty and gang violence, has a crime rate above the national average, according to 2023 FBI data.However, 2023 data shows several Illinois citiesincluding Chicago Heights, Danville, Peoria, Rockford and Harveyrecorded higher violent crime rates than Chicago.Simmons wants the National Guard to have a presence in Chicago because communities in the city have "nothing to lose.""If Mr. Trump wants to bring these troops to Chicago, hey, bring them on. What have we got to lose? You know what I'm saying? I don't want them to get out here and shoot our kids or nothing like that, but be a presence put some fear in them. Let them know that they're here, and they want to protect the city of Chicago," Simmons said.She added, "We got elderly people afraid to ride the red line. You got kids can't go outside and play. You got women don't want to walk at night alone. Even in the daytime. It doesn't matter."Simmons started the Gregory B. Wilson III Foundation to give back in honor of Wilson's memory and have been searching for new sponsors."Since this happened, we all came together, and we wanted to do something to give back to the community because Granny Boo, excuse me, Gregory, but he's known as Granny Boo," Simmons said."We've had back-to-school giveaways, which is a complete success. All we do now is we need sponsors to come out and help us," Simmons said, noting that they are paying out of pocket for many of the materials they give out to kids in need through the foundation."We had over 200 to 300 kids and families. We had the characters out there. DJ games, it's a big event. When his birthday comes, we have a big, big, big celebration. He'll be 21 in two more years."

Three ancient "fairy houses" have been uncovered on the Italian island of Sardinia, according to local officials.The discovery was announced by the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Provinces of Sassari and Nuoro on July 29.Sardinia, an Italian island in the Mediterranean just south of France's Corsica, is famed for its beaches and ancient ruins.LUXURIOUS 1,700-YEAR-OLD ROMAN BATHHOUSE UNEARTHED BY ARCHAEOLOGISTS AFTER SURPRISE DISCOVERYThe fairy houses known as domus de janas in Sardinian date back over 5,000 years to the late Neolithic and Copper Age.The name comes from local folklore, which imagined the chambers as dwellings for magical beings. Despite the fanciful name, though, the structures are actually tombs.Before the most recent excavation, archaeologists had found 17 of these tombs.Officials said that certain geographic features helped archaeologists identify the new structures, which brings the number of known domus de janas to 20.MYSTERIOUS 'DUMPED' BODIES OF WOMAN AND CHILD FOUND BY ARCHAEOLOGISTS IN PICTURESQUE TOWN"The characteristics of the ground between [two tombs] suggested the presence of a new, as yet unexplored tomb," the statement noted."The excavations indeed brought to light three new domus de janas arranged like a fan starting from the Tomb of the Hearth."Pictures show archaeologists crouched down in the rock-cut tombs, carefully unearthing features and artifacts.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTERThe Sassari and Nuoro Superintendency reported that "numerous and significant finds" were uncovered, including pickaxes, a spindle whorl and a small greenstone axe.The archaeologists also came across obsidian fragments and pottery shards. The most complex house dubbed Tomb of the Roman Vases contained a painted wall band, officials said.It also held over 30 Roman-era ceramic pieces, including plates, oil lamps and jugs. The statement described all the artifacts as being "in excellent condition."For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyle"This new discovery enriches knowledge of the domus de janas tombs carved into rock that often reproduce, in relief, details of the houses of the living and symbolic decorations linked to magical-religious rituals," the officials' statement added.Together, the tombs form part of a wider area called the SantAndrea Priu archaeological complex, which was recently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.In another recent Italian discovery, archaeologists found an Etruscan tomb around 30 miles north of Rome an unusual find that hadn't been looted.In Rome, excavators found an ancient apartment building built decades before the birth of Christ.

Chicago Flips Red founder Zoe Leigh blasted city and state leaders Wednesday for rejecting President Trumps offer of federal help as violence continues to grip the Windy City."Yesterday, what you witnessed was the Useless Five," she told "Fox & Friends," referring to Illinois Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, Chicago's Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson and other local officials who defiantly responded to Trump during a Tuesday news conference.Leigh, who is originally from Albany, New York, described herself as a "suburb kid" who never had to deal with gun violence until she moved to Chicago in her mid-20s.CHICAGO PASTOR BLASTS DEMOCRATS FOR OUTRIGHT LYING ABOUT CRIME, URGES TRUMP TO SEND NATIONAL GUARD"My mother's originally from Chicago, and the fact of seeing seniors getting killed, our children getting killed, mothers getting killed, young men getting killed, and we are not getting any help at all it's starting to become normalized and that is not normal," she added.Data from the Chicago Police Department indicates eight were killed and more than 50 were injured in shootings over Labor Day weekend.Pritzker maintained his refusal to ask for National Guard troops to be sent to Chicago during Tuesday's news conference, hours after Trump insisted "we're going in."CHICAGO RESTAURANT OWNER SLAMS CITY LEADERSHIP OVER CRIME: 'WE WANT LAW AND ORDER'"I'm aware that the President of the United States likes to go on television and beg me to call and ask him for troops. I find this extraordinarily strange as Chicago does not want troops on our streets. I refuse to play a reality game show," he said.Meanwhile, Johnson accused Trump of using gun violence victims to expand his own power and insisted that Chicago will continue to have a "violence problem" as long as red states have a "gun problem."The mayor signed an executive order on Saturday prohibiting local police from working with their federal counterparts while vowing to protect the Constitution, the city and its people.The order affirms that Chicago police officers will continue to enforce state and local laws, but will not work with the National Guard or federal agents on patrols, arrests, immigration enforcement or other law enforcement actions.Leigh "disagree[s]" with what she called Chicago's long-standing "progressive Democratic gang" and its refusal to accept federal help, accusing its members of "playing politics."Fox News' Anders Hagstrom and Emma Bussey contributed to this report.