BALTIMORE President Donald Trump is eyeing Baltimore for his next crime crackdown, but while residents agree the city needs change, they remain divided over whether deploying the National Guard is the answer.Fox News Digital spoke with 17 locals in Baltimore on Wednesday about what a National Guard deployment would mean for their community. While many worried it would raise tensions and inspire riots, others said the troops could serve as a crime deterrent.When asked if Trump should step in and send troops to the city, Tasha, a young mother who was pushing her baby in a stroller outside the Department of Social Services, said, "Yes, I do, because right now our city needs it. Baltimore is on fire right now. We need as much help as we can get."Joseph, a Penn-North resident, said the National Guard's presence would deter drug dealers and users from loitering on the streets around his home. There was a homeless woman sleeping on his front stoop while Fox News Digital spoke to him on Wednesday.GOP SENATORS SAY THEY'RE OPEN TO TRUMP DEPLOYING NATIONAL GUARD IN THEIR STATES' BLUE CITIES"I think it would make it a lot better," Joseph said.Daren Muhammed, a local radio host who called Penn-North "ground zero," said "all options should be placed on the table and made available" to clean up the streets he calls home."My feeling is if the federal government's offering help, one's foolish to turn it down," Anthony, a Baltimore resident for 30 years, said.ILLINOIS DEMOCRAT LEADERS BLAST TRUMP PUSH TO SEND NATIONAL GUARD TO CHICAGOEvery Penn-North resident who spoke to Fox News Digital on Wednesday recognized the city has a crime issue.More than two dozen people were hospitalized in a mass drug overdose event in Penn-North in July. Meanwhile, three out of the seven homicides in Baltimore during August were in the nearby Park Heights, according to local reports.Between people selling and using drugs on the corner as one police car was parked just down the street, Tasha said that in Penn-North, "everything is back out here running like it didn't even happen a month ago."Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott celebrated "historic reductions in violent crime" in a statement released on Monday, touting 91 homicides and 218 nonfatal shootings in 2025, which he said are 29.5% and 21% drops."We're good; we don't need or want the National Guard here in Baltimore,"Scott said in response to Trumps potential plans, while promoting a statistic that Baltimore is experiencing its lowest homicide rate in 50 years.Gov. Wes Moore, D-Md., has reiterated the same stats and even invited Trump for a public safety walk through Baltimore.MASS SHOOTING IN BALTIMORE LEAVES 6 PEOPLE WOUNDED, INCLUDING 5-YEAR-OLD: POLICE"As President, I would much prefer that he clean up this crime disaster before I go there for a walk," Trump wrote back on Truth Social, as the president continues to signal his willingness to send troops.Statistics compiled by the nonprofit research institute Just Facts show that Baltimores 2024 murder rate is still 6.8 times the average for all metropolitan areas in the nation and that if the murder rate stays the same as it was in 2024, roughly 1 in every 38 people in the city will have their lives cut short by murder at some point during the course of their lives."I don't think they need to bring the troops in," Sarah, who said she is homeless and an addict, told Fox News Digital. "I think that is going to get an uproar. It's going to start a riot."Sarah said she has witnessed robberies, thefts and shootings but said it would be "absurd" to send the National Guard, adding, "We're not in war zone."Trayvon, a young man from Baltimore who was hanging around outside the CVS Pharmacy in Penn-North on Wednesday, said the National Guard is "not going to change s--t" in a "rebellious city that ain't been shown love in forever.""I think anyone who's lived here through Freddie Gray, through a curfew, through almost having martial law in a certain kind of way, having the ramp closed off and locked off to come in after a certain hour, literally being blocked from it if you were on that side of town, with the Guard there and a couple of other different departments, I think psychologically it's not probably best for people who probably still haven't healed," Baltimore local, Ashley, said in neighboring Bolton Hill.Freddie Gray was a 25-year-old Black man from Baltimore who died in police custody in 2015. The National Guard was deployed to Baltimore after his death sparked protests that devolved into riots, igniting a national debate about racism and police brutality."The day when the people cannot control themselves and cannot police themselves will be the end of everything," another woman from Baltimore said in Bolton Hill. "That's what we are seeing right now. Nobody will save us not the National Guard, not the police."Ronette, a woman who spoke to Fox News Digital while passing by the Department of Social Services in Penn-North, agreed, arguing that Baltimore can take care of itself."We don't need Trump coming in the door," she said.Another Baltimore resident, George, said Trump threatening to deploy troops is merely a "stunt," while a woman wearing a face mask outside her home in Bolton Hill said it would "raise tensions much higher than they already are."Will Hanna, a combat veteran from Baltimore, said the city needs federal help but not from the National Guard."I think there are some resources that we haven't exhausted as a city and as a state," Hanna said. "I think that we still can bring the state troopers here."Trump has floated the idea of sending federal troops to Baltimore, similar to his recent move to send troops to Washington, D.C., to "quickly clean up the crime" if Maryland Gov. Wes Moore says he needs help."Chicago is a hellhole right now, Baltimore is a hellhole right now," Trump said earlier this month. "We have a right to do it because I have an obligation to do it to protect this country, and that includes Baltimore."

FIRST ON FOX: The House Oversight Committee is slamming former Biden spokesman Andrew Bates after he accused Republican lawmakers of having a misguided focus in his opening remarks during the panel's autopen probe.Bates, the latest former White House official to be interviewed by House investigators, affirmed ex-President Joe Biden's leadership while criticizing his successor in an opening statement obtained by Fox News Digital via a source familiar.An Oversight Committee spokesperson said in response, "Andrew Bates was part of the Biden cognitive decline cover-up and hes delusional."RON KLAIN DODGES REPORTERS AFTER MARATHON GRILLING IN BIDEN COVER-UP PROBE"His so-called opening statement leaked in the middle of his transcribed interview and not even read at the time it was leaked peddled the same fantasy hes been trying to sell the American people. The public has rejected Bates spin and witnessed President Bidens decline with their own eyes," the spokesperson said."And just this week, new records revealed that President Biden neither approved nor may have even been consulted on thousands of pardons. This is a historic scandal with massive repercussions."Bates said in the opening statement provided to Fox News Digital, "I was proud to support Joe Biden as President because we believe in the same values. In the White House, it was universally understood that Joe Biden was in charge. That is completely consistent with my personal experience with the President.""Now someone else with a very different character is in charge," the statement said.LONGTIME BIDEN AIDE SAYS HE STOOD TO EARN UP TO $8M HAD PRESIDENT WON RE-ELECTIONBates accused Oversight Committee Republicans of "spending taxpayer dollars investigating Joe Biden an honorable man under whom the economy performed far better than it is today while turning a blind eye to corruption under Donald Trump."He went on to rip President Donald Trump's tariffs, accuse him of "illegally trying to take over the Federal Reserve," and criticize the president's personal investments in cryptocurrency and acceptance of a jet from Qatar to be used for official business, among other items."To my knowledge, none of the above are being investigated. As a taxpayer and private citizen, I feel that is wrong," Bates said, according to the written comments.House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., has been investigating whether Bidens senior aides covered up signs of mental decline in the former president, and whether any executive decisions were signed off on via autopen without the then-leaders full awareness.Theyre looking in particular at the litany of clemency orders that Biden signed in the latter half of his term, though Biden allies have dismissed the probe as politically motivated.

Colorado Democrats approved millions in Medicaid reimbursements for Planned Parenthood during a special legislative session last week, even as the state faces a projected budget shortfall of up to $1.2 billion.Colorado House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese said Democrats went into last weeks special session with the mindset: "Dont let a good crisis go to waste," as lawmakers directed millions to Planned Parenthood while the state faces a $750 million budget gap.During that time, Colorado Democrats pushed Medicaid reimbursements for Planned Parenthood and tax-creditfinanced health insurance subsidies while deferring substantial spending cuts to the governor. The total projected loss in revenue after President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1) is closer to $1.2 billion, but under Colorados Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR), the state is only allowed to spend up to a certain cap."Instead of prioritizing state governments proper role we are now prioritizing other entities outside of state government and making sure they have funding," Pugliese said. "In my district, most people dont want their money going there. But the bigger issue is were not taking care of our own house before we take care of other peoples houses."DEMOCRATS ESCALATE ANTI-TRUMP LAWFARE BY TARGETING CONGRESS IN PLANNED PARENTHOOD FUNDING FIGHTRepublicans argue Democrats used the passage of HR-1 as political cover to rush into a special session, even though the Joint Budget Committee told lawmakers in June to expect a high-figure budget deficit in the next budget cycle.Colorado Democrats, for their part, blame Republicans in Washington, D.C. for the state shortfall. The legislature authorized $4.4 million in state Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood through S.B. 25B2, which requires state Medicaid to step in with reimbursements for reproductive healthcare providers, to cover what HR- 1 cut.When HR-1 took effect in July, it immediately prohibited the use of federal Medicaid funds at Planned Parenthood for one year. The law also introduced stricter Medicaid rules, including more frequent eligibility checks, new work requirements and tighter enrollment standards."Colorado Democrats have responsibly picked up the pieces from Trump and Washington Republicans big, ugly budget, which any one of the GOP members of our congressional delegation could have stopped," Democrat House Speaker Julie McCluskie said in a statement. "Their bill gave corporations massive tax cuts that blew a billion dollar hole in our budget. We took a balanced approach that closed corporate tax loopholes, established a process to cut some spending, and used some of our rainy-day savings to protect funding for health care, roads and education."SENATE PARLIAMENTARIAN OKS BAN ON PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERAL FUNDING IN TRUMP MEGABILLBecause Colorados tax system uses rolling conformity, it automatically adopts changes to the federal tax code, causing an immediate state revenue shortfall.But the budget battle is far from over, Pugliese warned. Lawmakers left roughly $300 million in cuts for Gov. Jared Polis to propose in the coming weeks, setting the stage for another round of negotiations over which programs will bear the brunt of reductions.BLUE STATE GOP LAWMAKERS URGE MAJOR HEALTHCARE CHANGE FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS"And in the last budget cycle, the House Republicans had proposed close to $1 billion worth of spending that could be cut in our budget," Pugliese said. "And of course, none of those amendments made it into the budget."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"I think the overall theme is, we spent money that we didn't have, and now our budget deficit is bigger," she added.

Fox News got exclusive access to the team responsible for locating the tens of thousands of unaccompanied children who crossed the border and disappeared into the system under the Biden administration.Under the Trump administration, 22,638 unaccompanied children have been located so far, and more than 400 sponsors have been arrested. 27 of the minors were found dead, either by murder, suicide or drug overdose, according to the Department of Health and Human Services."It's important that we find these cases where children are being used for labor and sexually trafficked," John Fabbricatore, HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement senior advisor, said.The team was assembled in March to fulfill one of President Donald Trump's campaign promises. He tasked border czar Tom Homan with finding the unaccounted for children, many of whom had been released to unvetted sponsors or non-family members, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation, trafficking and harsh working conditions.FORMER ICE CHIEF TORCHES 'UNCONSCIONABLE' BIDEN-ERA POLICIES AS TRUMP'S DHS FINDS MIGRANT CHILDRENOperating underHHS, the team is made up of volunteers from various agencies, including the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations. They work out of what is known as the "war room," in Washington, D.C., officially called the ORR Interagency Crime Coordination Cell.According to Fabbricatore, many of the minors the team was able to locate were found in deplorable conditions and exploited."We found children who have been raped," he said. "We're talking about debt bondage, where children are being made to work off debt, trafficking debt. We're talking about children that were brought into situations and then treated like sexual slaves. You know, where children are in horrific environments, just environments that they should not be in, where the sponsor is a heroin dealer and that child winds up dying of a heroin overdose."In early 2021, a record number ofchildren started crossing the border faster than HHS could process.Between January 2021 and December 2024, ORR received more than 470,000 referrals of unaccompanied alien children who crossed the border.According to HHS, many of those children were released to sponsors under very lax vetting policies that failed to ensure child safety or prevent multiple instances of child endangerment, including neglect, labor exploitation, trafficking and sexual and physical abuse.The new team is data driven, focusing on analyzing records and addresses to track where these minors ultimately ended up.BIDEN TEAM LEFT THOUSANDS OF MIGRANT KIDS WITH LARGELY UNVETTED SPONSORS, RECORDS REVEAL"There wasn't very good recordkeeping" under the Biden administration, Fabbricatore said. "It's drawing that data back in, being able to identify addresses, where these children went, who these sponsors actually were. In many cases, that data is, is horrible. What the Biden administration was taking in and putting into our computer systems was not the right information. So now we have to draw that all back in and deeply investigate into where some of these children went."According to Fabbricatore, the most concerning lapse in screening was the failure to conduct DNA tests to confirm that children were being released to their actual family members.The Trump administration took steps to improve the vetting process for children who arrive in the U.S. alone, ensuring that sponsors usually parents or guardians are properly screened. These measures include requiring DNA testing, proof of income to demonstrate the ability to care for the child, criminal background checks, fingerprinting and identification verification."So now, under this administration, we are making sure that we know there's a real familial connection through DNA, and we are not releasing these children unless we have the right information," Fabbricatore said. "Children are staying in custody longer, but there's a reason for that, because we want to ensure that these children remain safe.When the Trump administration took office, there was a backlog of over 65,000 unaddressed post-release reports, called Notifications of Concern, according to ORR. These internal reports relate to unaccompanied alien children and include allegations ranging from administrative issues to potential trafficking and criminal exploitation.The administration identified approximately 1,700 cases where children under age 12 were placed with unrelated sponsors without evidence of a home study, according to ORR.Of the backlog, ORR has reviewed about 90%, leaving fewer than 7,000 reports still pending.When children are located, Fabbricatore said, the goal is to reunite them with their parents if they are in another country and there is no credible fear claim."If their parents are in a previous country and there is not a credible fear claim, is it not better for a child to be with their parents or in our foster care system here in the United States?" Fabbricatore said. "I would argue that we shouldn't be putting them in care here in the US when they have families in their country of origin. And if we can prove that they're safer in the country, that they're going back to, that is where they should be with their parents."

Houston Astros center fielder Taylor Trammell had his bat confiscated in the ninth inning of the teams 8-4 loss to the New York Yankees on Thursday at Daikin Park.Trammell, 27, ripped a double off Yankees closer David Bednar in the top of the ninth inning, and manager Aaron Boone asked the umpires to take a look at the bat.Home plate umpire Adrian Johnson gathered the bat and all four umpires converged to discuss. Johnson also communicated with Major League Baseballs replay office in New York before he handed the bat to an official, who took it away.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM"It was just something that we noticed this series and asked the league about," Boone told reporters after the game, via ESPN. "You're not allowed to do anything to your bat. I'm not saying he was. I just ... we noticed, and the league thought it maybe was illegal too.""The discoloration was on the label, like. I don't know if it was just natural or if it was sand ... I don't know. I don't want to accuse Taylor. I'm not saying anything untoward or whatever."Trammell played five games for the Yankees last season, and 106 with the Yankees Triple-A affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.Trammell said he has a lot of "respect" for Boone but doesnt "understand" why his bat was checked.ESPN HOST REVEALS BURNER ACCOUNT TO DEFEND FORMER MLB PLAYER HUSBAND JOSH RUTLEDGE'S DETRACTORS"My time over there, I had a lot of respect for Boonie. He was straight-up with me," Trammell told reporters postgame, via ESPN. "In that situation, I really don't understand it. I don't understand it."The Astros outfielder said he was told the Yankees thought his bat was "shaved down too much.""To be honest, I have no idea how you shave down a bat. I don't know what it is," Trammell said."My biggest problem is, I feel kind of defensive right now, more so (it is)testing my character of, like, I'm going to willingly do that. I'm kind of lost on that thing. I think if anybody knows me, knows that I'm never going to cheat any turns or anything like that. I have no idea. That's baffling to me that it was even checked. They didn't like it. Sorry."The Yankees held on for the win and clinched the series victory, as they won two of three games in the series. The Bronx Bombers (78-62) begin a pivotal series against the Toronto Blue Jays (81-59) on Friday at 7:05 p.m. ET.The Blue Jays lead the Yankees by three games in the American League East.The Astros (77-64) next play the Texas Rangers (72-69) on Friday at 8:05 p.m. ET.Follow Fox News Digitals sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker appeared Thursday on journalist Katie Courics YouTube channel, defending Chicagos crime statistics as President Donald Trump vowed to send the National Guard to the city to curb violence.Pritzker said Chicagos homicide rate has been cut in half over the last four years, crediting a mix of policing initiatives and state investments in community programs."It's not just in police. I have invested significantly in police, but we've also made massive investments in community violence intervention. Those programs are working. We're doing more than any other state in that regard, and it's working on the streets of Chicago," he said.TRUMP ESCALATES FIGHT WITH PRITZKER AS BLOODY CHICAGO WEEKEND SPARKS TROOP WARNINGPritzker argued Trump is unaware of these statistics, saying he "doesnt read anything" and is out of the loop on Chicagos crime situation."He doesn't really understand anything. He just has some idea in his head that Chicago is bad. He's always had that, by the way," he claimed.The governor continued his criticism of Trump, arguing that he lives "rent-free" in the president's head as Trump continues to push for National Guard deployment in the city.TRUMP SLAMS PRITZKER ON CHICAGO CRIME; GOVERNOR'S REPORTED WEIGHT LOSS FUELS 2028 SPECULATION"I also think I live rent-free in the guy's head. So, he's constantly thinking about, you know, How do I attack Chicago and, oh yeah, I hate that Pritzker guy too," he said.On Tuesday, Trump took to Truth Social to call out Pritzker following a violent Labor Day weekend in the city. He asserted that he plans to intervene in Chicago to tackle the city's crime problem."At least 54 people were shot in Chicago over the weekend, 8 people were killed... Pritzker needs help badly, he just doesnt know it yet," Trump said in a Tuesday social media post. "I will solve the crime problem fast, just like I did in DC. Chicago will be safe again, & soon. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"CHICAGO PASTOR BLASTS DEMOCRATS FOR OUTRIGHT LYING ABOUT CRIME, URGES TRUMP TO SEND NATIONAL GUARDTrump issued another Truth Social post Tuesday morning, labeling Chicago the "murder capital."Trump doubled down on his sentiments later in the Oval Office, and said that places like Afghanistan "dont even come close" to the crime in Chicago. Additionally, he said he had decided he would send National Guard troops to Chicago, despite Pritzkers opposition."If the governor of Illinois would call me up, I would love to do it," Trump told reporters on Tuesday. "Now, we're going to do it anyway. We have the right to do it because I have an obligation to protect this country."Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.Fox News' Diana Stacey contributed to this report.

House Republicans on the Appropriations Committee are at odds with the Trump administration and some conservatives over how to avert a government shutdown.Congress is currently marking up fiscal 2026 spending levels, but some in the administration are pressing to bypass the process and instead extend current levels through a year-long continuing resolution (CR).Republicans broadly agree some form of CR will be needed to avoid a partial shutdown when fiscal 2025 ends on Sept. 30, but some appropriators are frustrated with a lack of a top-line budget number from the House, Senate and White House as they continue their work.A Trump administration official told Fox News Digital that appropriators' complaints about a top-line were "nonsense," arguing they are simply unhappy with the funding levels the administration had proposed.FAR-LEFT FIREBRAND SAYS SHE 'NEVER HAD A CONCERN' ABOUT BIDEN'S MENTAL STATE AS HOUSE PROBE HEATS UPMeanwhile, length is also an issue. The White House is in favor of a clean CR stretching into the new year, while one House lawmaker said appropriators would like a stopgap that was "as short as possible." Some conservative lawmakers have even argued for a bill lasting at least the full fiscal year.Committee member Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., called the idea of a long-term measure "very frustrating.""As a member of Appropriations, where you do an enormous amount of work, and it leads to a continuing resolution because thats easierIm deeply concerned that we will roll over and not do our job," Zinke told Fox News Digital.Senior appropriator Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., predicted "a very short-term CR," but he warned a year-long measure "would be devastating for the country.""The concept that Republicans control the House, Senate and the White House, and we would somehow be stuck with the last Biden [budget] for a second year, to me, is preposterous," Diaz-Balart said, adding that the push for a year-long measure "is not coming from appropriators."Other committee Republicans echoed those concerns and issues with what they saw as a lack of direction from top officials on a top-line spending number.The Trump administration official said accusations that House appropriators were not given enough direction from leaders are "completely false," however, and said the White House was engaged in monthly and weekly conversations with lawmakers relevant to the process."The frustrating part is we dont have a top line yet," Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., said.One GOP lawmaker, granted anonymity to speak candidly, said, "Were sort of flying blind right now, trying to get something done and across the finish line without really having a direction on what leadership wants, or frankly, what the president wants."Another House Republican pointed to Russ Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), accusing him of delaying the administrations proposed budget until early May to build support for a year-long CR."Thats what Russ Vought wants. He wants a year-long CR," that lawmaker said. "Theres enough appropriators who wont allow that. That will fail."It's not uncommon for administrations to unveil their budget proposals after the traditional early February deadline, however. The Biden administration similarly let its budgets slip past the Feb. 15 deadline, including fiscal 2022, when its proposal was not released until late May.In 2018, during the Obama administration, no White House budget was proposed at all.House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris, R-Md., told Fox News Digital he supports going even further with a CR that stretches into December 2026."Why put us through the misery next September?" Harris said. "The American people shouldnt be subjected to the question of whether or not Chuck Schumer wants to shut down the government for the election."GOP LAWMAKERS CLASH OVER STRATEGY TO AVERT GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN CRISISHouse Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole, R-Okla., for his part, said he would like to see a CR into November but would work with "any timeframe" from leaders. And while he said there were "a lot of people" who could share blame for the current situation, he was hesitant to single any one party out."The top-line number, that wasn't done this year, the president's budget was late in arriving, and Ithink Democrats are still flustered by President Trump and aren't sure whether they should deal with him or fight him at every step," he said.Cole also said of the White House's proposal, "There's some discussion about going as far as the first quarter. That's not coming from the appropriators, but it is coming out of the White HouseI'm willing to work within any time frame my leadership gives me. I don't want a government shutdown. I want a bipartisan deal."In March, with the White House's support, Congress passed a CR through Sept. 30 that extended fiscal 2024 spending levels, with some increases for defense funding.The White House has since acted to rescind some of those funds, chiefly aimed at foreign aid and public broadcasting.Its soured bipartisan government spending talks with Democrats, who have warned they will not agree to any spending deal without assurances that more funding rescissions would not happen.A White House official told reporters on a recent call, however, that they believed a clean CR for "however length" would put Democrats in a politically tricky situation and pin the blame for a shutdown on them if they reject the measure.Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has privately signaled support for a short-term clean CR, two sources told Fox News Digital. Democrats have indicated openness to that approach.When reached for comment, a spokesperson for Johnson pointed Fox News Digital to recent comments in Punchbowl News that he understood both sides of the argument. "There are reasonable people on both sides who understand this is a basic function and responsibility of the government, so were working towards that," he said.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said Tuesday he had an "opening conversation" with Johnson on funding.With just 11 joint House and Senate working days left before the Sept. 30 deadline, lawmakers are racing to avoid another shutdown showdown.

President Donald Trump, aiming to defeat Democratic Party nominee Zohran Mamdani in New York City's high-profile mayoral election, is urging rival candidates to drop out."I don't think you can win unless you have one on one," Trump told reporters before a White House dinner with leading tech industry executives on Thursday night.Mamdani, the 33-year-old Ugandan-born socialist state lawmaker from the New York City borough of Queens, who has gained notoriety for his history of communist and antisemitic rhetoric, shocked the political world in June as he defeated former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and nine other candidates by double-digits to capture the Democratic Party's mayoral nomination.Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 amid multiple scandals, is running in the general election as an independent candidate. So is Mayor Eric Adams, the embattled incumbent who announced earlier this year that he would bypass the Democratic primary amid plummeting approval ratings.MAMDANI AND CUOMO DEBATE OVER DEBATES IN NYC MAYORAL SHOWDOWNAlso on the ballot is Guardian Angels co-founder Curtis Sliwa, who for a second straight election is the Republican mayoral nominee.But Mamdani is the clear polling frontrunner in a city where Democrats dominate the political landscape. And a victory in November would make him the first Muslim and first millennial mayor of the nation's most populous city.Mamdani surged to a primary victory thanks to an energetic campaign that put a major focus on affordability and New York City's high cost of living. It was fueled by a grassroots army of supporters and backing from top national progressive champions, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.ADAMS, CUOMO TRADE JABS IN INTERVIEWS AS DEMS-TURNED-INDEPENDENTS COURT ANTI-MAMDANI VOTEAnd Mamdani made smart use of social media platforms, including TikTok, as he engaged low-propensity voters. His far-left proposals include eliminating fares to ride New York City's vast bus system, making CUNY (City University of New York) "tuition-free," freezing rents on municipal housing, offering "free childcare" for children up to age 5 and setting up government-run grocery stores.Trump, a native New Yorker who nowadays calls Florida home, once again weighed in on the race, saying, "I would like to see two people drop out and have it be one on one. And I think that's a race that could be won."The president also reiterated his claim that Mamdani is a communist."I'd prefer not to have a communist mayor of New York City. And, you know, that's what he is based on his policy. If you look at his statements in the past," Trump said.WHITE HOUSE SILENT ON REPORT THAT TRUMP ALLIES HAVE WEIGHED LURING ADAMS TO ADMINISTRATION TO UNDERCUT MAMDANITrump did not say which candidates he would like to see drop out. And asked by reporters if he's encouraged any of the mayoral contenders to exit the race, Trump said, "No."Top Trump advisors are trying to persuade Adams and Sliwa to drop out of the race by offering them positions in the president's administration, the New York Times reported this week.And the New York Post reported that Trump wants the candidates to bow out by next week.The New York Times and New York Post have also reported that Adams has told a small group of friends and advisers that he is considering job opportunities that would prompt him to suspend his mayoral re-election campaign.And both newspapers also reported that while in Florida on Tuesday, Adams met with top Trump envoy and advisor Steve Witkoff.But the mayor and his campaign publicly reiterate that he's not exiting the race."Not dropping out," Adams campaign spokesperson Todd Shapiro told Fox News' Henry Naccari.On Friday, Adams doubled down, saying in a statement, "I am still running for re-election."But in what appeared to be an acknowledgment of the reported job offer in the Trump administration, the mayor wrote, "While I will always listen if called to serve our country, no formal offers have been made."Sliwa emphasized in a Fox News Digital interview last month: "I'm not dropping out. I'm a major party candidate. Let the independents play musical chairs and decide who to drop out."He has reiterated in recent days that he's not dropping out and has said that he has no interest in working in the Trump administration.Cuomo, speaking with reporters on Thursday, said he had "no idea" whether the reports on Trump trying to clear the field for him were accurate, and he said he hadn't spoken to Trump or Adams."I know nothing about that speculation," the former governor said.Trump's comments on the mayoral race came hours after Cuomo challenged Mamdani to five different debates across all five New York City buroughs.Cuomo argued that Mamdani had failed "to give a straight answer" to reporters' questions and had changed his mind "on everything" he has said on the campaign trail."When you try to ask [Mamdani] a question, he will simply not answer, and he obfuscates. And, frankly, you guys let him get away with it," Cuomo said. "I won't let him get away with it. And New Yorkers won't let him get away with it."But Mamdani shot back with a proposal of his own: debate Trump."Lets cut out the middle man. Why should I debate Donald Trumps puppet when I could debate Donald Trump himself?" Mamdani's campaign told Fox News Digital in a statement. "If Donald Trump is serious about intervening in the mayoral race, he should come to New York City and debate me directly about why hes cutting SNAP benefits for hungry New Yorkers to give tax breaks to his wealthy donors."Meanwhile, in a sign of its fundraising prowess and grassroots strength, the Mamdani campaign on Friday announced that it had officially reached New York Citys $8 million spending cap, and said it would urge supporters to stop donating.Fox News' Courtney De George contributed to this report.

Over a year ago, National Public Data (NPD) made headlines for one of the largest breaches in history. The people-search site exposed the personal information of 3 billion individuals. After disappearing from the internet, the site has returned under new ownership, sparking fresh concerns about privacy.Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, youll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join myCyberGuy.com newsletter.NPD has relaunched under Perfect Privacy LLC, a company that sounds protective but is not affiliated with the VPN service of the same name. Despite the new name behind the scenes, the business model has not changed. The site still allows anyone to look up personal data about friends, relatives or strangers with just a name.MAJOR DATA BROKER HACK IMPACTS 364,000 INDIVIDUALS DATAAlthough NPD includes disclaimers about the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), nothing prevents users from misusing this data when making decisions about employment, housing or credit.According to NPD, the data comes from public records, property ownership databases, social media and government agencies. The company claims to verify and filter this information to ensure it is accurate and up-to-date. However, users may find that profiles still contain mistakes.A quick test search revealed a mix of outdated and accurate information. The site struggled with hyphenated names but pulled up correct details in other cases.We reached out to NPD for a comment, but did not hear back before our deadline.If you prefer not to have your information available on NPD's site, you can request removal directly:Keep in mind that each profile needs its own request and confirmation email. After you submit, check back in a few days to make sure your data is actually gone.Pro tip: Use an alias or disposable email address for these requests. This makes it easier to track confirmations and keeps your main inbox clear.For recommendations on private and secure email providers that offer alias addresses, visitCyberGuy.com.Removing your information from National Public Data is only the beginning. Dozens of other people-search sites may still display your personal details. Many of these platforms pull from the same public databases, which means your address, phone number or relatives' names can keep reappearing.The return of NPD shows how quickly data can resurface online. A breach may fade from the headlines, but the exposed information rarely disappears. To protect your privacy, you need a broader plan.Start by searching for your name on people-search engines several times a year. Look beyond NPD. Sites like Whitepages, Spokeo and Radaris often host similar data. Regular checks help you spot new profiles before they spread further.STOP DATA BROKERS FROM SELLING YOUR INFORMATION ONLINEA removal service can save time by scanning hundreds of databases at once. These services request opt-outs on your behalf and track new listings. While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They arent cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. Its what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visitingCyberGuy.com.Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web:CyberGuy.com.Protecting your privacy goes beyond deleting profiles. Keep an eye on your bank statements, credit reports and online accounts. Criminals can use exposed data for phishing attempts, fake loan applications or identity theft. Monitoring activity gives you an early warning if something looks suspicious.The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, which could potentially access your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices atCyberGuy.com.4) Set up alerts for your identityMany banks and credit monitoring services let you create alerts for suspicious activity. You can also set up free fraud alerts with the credit bureaus. These warnings tell lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before issuing new credit.Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security Number (SSN), phone number and email address, and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at CyberGuy.com.People-search sites often pull records from government databases. Review your local county's property, court or voter registration records. Some jurisdictions allow you to request redactions or limit what is shown online.Since NPD and similar sites scrape from social media, tighten your privacy settings. Limit what strangers can see on Facebook, LinkedIn and other platforms. The less public information you share, the less these databases can collect.The return of National Public Data is a reminder that your personal information can resurface at any time. Even if you remove yourself from one site, dozens more may still hold your details. That is why protecting your privacy requires more than a quick opt-out. With regular checks, credit freezes and stronger account monitoring, you can reduce your risk and stay one step ahead.Do you think stronger laws should be in place to stop companies from collecting and selling personal data, or is it up to individuals to protect themselves? Let us know by writing to us atCyberGuy.com.Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, youll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join myCyberGuy.com newsletter.Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. appeared before the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday in a hearing that made the Jerry Springer show look like an Oxford Union debate, but amid the pompous posturing from Democrats, an important truth came out.Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., thought he scored major points by asking RFK Jr the gotcha question "how many Americans died of COVID?" When the secretary said that he did not know, a giddy Warner thought he could spike the football.INTO THE ARENA: HOSTILE DEMOCRATS, SKEPTICAL REPUBLICANS TEAR INTO KENNEDY ON THE HILLBut heres the thing: RFK Jr. is right. Nobody actually knows how many people have died of COVID, because we dont really even know what dying of COVID means.Democrats and dim-witted fact-checkers will cry out that we have that data, that both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization say 1.2 million lives were lost to the Chinese virus.However, we know that at the height of the pandemic some motorcycle accidents were listed as COVID deaths if the victim tested positive for it, and we know that thousands and thousands of Americans with myriad medical conditions died with, not of, COVID.We also know that during the pandemic, both the CDC and the WHO were two of the worst and least reliable actors in the entire miserable fiasco. Everybody paying attention admits now that CDC guidance on masking and social distancing might as well have been magical incantations.There was no data to back up these restrictions, and even when the CDC did collect data, they didnt just do a bad job, they intentionally stacked the deck to make COVID look as deadly and terrifying as possible.Meanwhile, the CDC and the medical establishment nationwide spent most of 2020, as COVID restrictions raged, not just refusing to listen to contrary voices like Dr. JayBhattacharya, and Dr. Scott Atlas, but trying to destroy their lives and careers.This led to another very telling moment in the hearing, this time involving Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who made one of the most hilariously comic appeals to authority in recent memory.The socialist senator told Kennedy, "Weve got the entire medical community on one side, The AMA [American Medical Association]representing hundreds of thousands of doctors, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Health Association." Then he asked Kennedy, what organizations does his side have?Im going to be less polite than the secretary was and say, none of them, thank goodness, because these are the same lunatics who lied their way through COVID and affirm 87 genders.Kennedys more politic answer was that he is backed up by and working with the very scientists, likeBhattacharya, who were right about COVID in the first place, while Bernies alphabet soup of medical incompetence was masking babies.Democrats and the medical establishment are now like middle-school bullies who dont have a high school growth spurt and are suddenly as harmless as a flower. President Donald Trump knows this, and it is exactly why he tapped the Kennedy scion to fix public health.In a less cynical time, the coin of the Kennedy realm was public service. John F. Kennedy campaigning in West Virginia in 1960, looking up at the voters on their porch, knowing they were the boss, not him, asking for their trust, not demanding it.So too, RFK Jr. is hellbent on serving the people, not the establishment. That's why so many MAHA moms who know they have been lied to about what they feed their kids held their noses and voted for the orange man.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONThe obvious elephant in the hearing on Thursday was pointed out by Sanders himself: Every single senator on the dais takes big bucks from big pharmaceutical companies, the same companies that fund all the "independent research" thrown at Kennedy.The age of "just shut up and trust the science," is well and truly over. As George W. Bush once put it, "fool me once, shame on me, fool me twicewell, youre not gonna fool me again." Thats where the American people are when it comes to the medical establishment.Kennedy stood his ground in the contentious and cacophonous hearing. He gave as good as he got, and he is absolutely right that nobody knows how many died of COVID, or how many were saved by the vaccine.The very people in the CDC tasked with tracking such data fumbled so badly that neither RFK Jr. nor the American people can rely on their bungled assessments.This chaos of data, as the secretary called it, is exactly why he is cleaning house at HHS, and that is exactly what President Trump and the voters want and expect from him.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM DAVID MARCUS