Republican leaders in Virginia are blasting state Democrats for playing politics and usurping the courts after they blocked 14 of GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin's university board appointments last week, bringing the total to 22 blocked appointments since June.The latest blockade comes just months before the state will elect a new governor and amid a push by the Trump administration to get Virginia universities to dismantle their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Just last month, one of the schools' boards, George Mason University (GMU), voted to both retain and give a raise to their president, who has defended the university's DEI policies against the Trump administration."Last week, eight Democrat Senators continued their partisan campaign to irreparably harm higher education in Virginia by voting to remove highly qualified Virginians who have been productively serving on the Boards of Visitors for UVA, VMI, and George Mason," Youngkin said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "In my view, a single Senate committee does not have the legal authority to perform duties that the Constitution and Code explicitly assign to the full General Assembly I am confident in our position."DEMS DIG IN, TRUMP DEMANDS ALL: NOMINEE FIGHT BOILS OVER IN SENATE AS GOP LOOKS FOR A DEALYoungkin added that "even more concerning" was that the Democrats blocking his appointments apparently provided no explanation for their actions. However, Democrats have signaled that they believe Youngkin's nominees hold views that are too extreme.Fox News Digital reached out to numerous Virginia Democrats, including the Democratic chairman of the committee that voted to block Youngkin's appointments, Aaron Rouse, and Democratic candidate for governor, Abigail Spanberger, but did not hear back.The blockade was initiated and approved by the Democrat-led Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, chaired by Rouse. Youngkin and other Virginia Republicans argue the committee's unilateral move to block the board appointees violated state law requiring the full legislative body to approve the removal of gubernatorial appointees, as opposed to a single committee.A circuit court judge ultimately sided with Democrats, allowing the appointees to be temporarily blocked by the committee. But Republicans subsequently appealed the matter, and it is currently awaiting a ruling by the Virginia Supreme Court. YOUNGKIN UNLEASHES CUTTING-EDGE AI TECHNOLOGY IN EFFORT TO SLASH VIRGINIA'S GOVERNMENT RED TAPE"We have a job to do as this committee, not only to protect our colleges and universities, but make sure that appointees and potential appointees are upholding the values and principles set forth by the Commonwealth," Rouse said during last week's hearing where 14 more Youngkin appointees were blocked. Meanwhile, in a letter sent to Youngkin last week, Democrat leaders in Virginia acknowledged that the rejections were "unprecedented," but declined that they were at all "partisan.""This unprecedented level of rejection reflects not partisan obstruction, but genuine concerns about the qualifications, backgrounds, and intentions of your appointees," the letter stated, according to the Virginia Mercury. "The pattern of inappropriate nominations and acquiescence to outside political influence has created significant uncertainty and instability within our higher education system at a time when these institutions need steady, qualified leadership."Democrats stated that the governor should suspend further appointments until they can confer with him further on the matter.But Republicans fear that Democrats are throwing away talent and setting a precedent that will prevent the best and brightest from wanting to serve the state's higher education institutions. Some of the members that were blocked by Democrats include the former president of Mastercard, who served under both Republican and Democrat governors, and the former president of the Northern Virginia Technology Council, according to state Sen. Glen Sturtevant. Former Virginia attorney general and deputy secretary of Homeland Security under Donald Trump Ken Cuccinelli was also one of the appointees blocked."What is the intent to make such broad strokes, and to remove so many?" asked Virginia state Sen. Tara Durant during last week's roughly 10-minute meeting that resulted in 14 of Youngkin's appointees getting shot down. "This is really kind of unprecedented. We have a long list of people who have a wealth of experience and I think the broader question it begs is what will happen in the future to dissuade those who are willing to serve the Commonwealth in this capacity."Republicans, like state Sen. Bill DeSteph, also pointed out the state Supreme Court was currently adjudicating whether gubernatorial appointments to university boards can be blocked by legislative committees, as opposed to needing approval from the whole General Assembly."Calling this meeting while the Supreme Court of Virginia is actively considering this very matter was inappropriate and irresponsible," DeSteph said.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPDuring the committee vote to block 14 more appointees, the Virginia Republican said that Democrats appeared to either be trying to influence the Supreme Court, or usurp the court's authority. "Before we vote on this, we should allow the Supreme Court the opportunity to rule on this. This is actively in front of them," he said.Democrats' blockade has reportedly led to disruptions for at least one of the universities involved.At GMU, the Board of Visitors lacks enough members required to constitute a quorum to conduct official business, the Washington Post reported.Meanwhile, the school is facing multiple federal civil rights investigations related to alleged racial hiring quotas and the implementation of other DEI initiatives.Additionally, last month, GMU's board voted to both retain and give a 1.5% raise to President Gregory Washington, who has reportedly refused to comply with Trump administration directives pertaining to DEI. The University of Virginia has also faced federal scrutiny under the Trump administration for its implementation of DEI initiatives.Fox News Digital reached out to the UVA, GMU and VMI boards for comment but did not immediately hear back.

Whether youre planning to tailgate in the driveway or are watching from the couch, game day isnt complete without the right NFL apparel. NFL gear isnt just available at the NFL shop anymore. Stores like Kohls, Nike and even Abercrombie & Fitch haveofficially licensed NFL clothing lines. From classic jerseys and comfortable sweatshirts to team-branded shoes, you can find nearly everything with your teams logo on it.When you want stylish NFL apparel, head to Abercrombie & Fitch. The brand now offers hoodies, T-shirts and other NFL apparel that blends fashion and durability.Every NFL fan needs a sweatshirt to show their team pride, andAbercrombies graphic NFL hoodie is a durable, fashionable option. You can choose from tall or regular fits, with sizes up to 3XL. An oversized fit and soft fleece make it comfortable all football season.Abercrombies NFL graphic tee is a retro-style T-shirt with an oversized fit. You can select your favorite team and get a shirt with a bold design on the back and a smaller team logo on the front.TheNFL half-zip sweatshirt from Abercrombie is versatile enough to wear almost anywhere. It offers a vintage style in your team colors. Its professional enough to wear to the office, but also has a comfortable oversized fit thats perfect for game day.TheNFL crew sweater from Abercrombie is a soft, oversized sweater that comes with your teams logo across the top. The sweater only comes in a few different team colors, including: the Patriots, 49ers, Bengals, Cowboys and Chiefs. The sweater comes in a regular or tall fit, with sizes up to 3XL.MLB IS BACK: GET THIS BASEBALL FAN GEAR FOR THE NEW SEASONJCPenney has a line of NFL gear that includes every team. Whether its a hat, jersey or T-shirt with your teams logo, JCPenney carries options for every fan.All NFL team hats come in a classic brown thats the perfect neutral option for everyday wear. Whether youre aNew York Giants fan,Patriots fan orWashington Commanders fan, theres an option for you. Hats are available with any NFL team logo.JCPenney has jerseys for most players in their NFL shop. You can get everyone fromCeeDee Lamb from the Dallas Cowboys toPatrick Mahomes from the Kansas City Chiefs andTyler Warren from the Indianapolis Colts. Shoppers can search by player name or by team to find a new jersey.Whether youre heading to the stadium to watch a game or just watching from the couch, an NFL T-shirt is just one way to show off your team pride. JCPenney has a wide selection of shirts from every NFL team. Options include a black Buffalo Bills T-shirt featuring a bold logo on the front. Another option is thisBaltimore Ravens tee in either black or Ravens purple.Miami Dolphins fans can get this shirt in black, with the Dolphins' logo on the front in sizes up to 5XL.GET EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR THE GOLF COURSE FROM THE FOX NEWS SHOPLeading performance brand Nike, has all things NFL. You can get shoes in your teams colors, performance hoodies and limited-edition jerseys.Rep your team colors everywhere you go with a pair of Nike NFL road running shoes. Every team has their own pair of Nike shoes in their specific team colors. For example, thisSeattle Seahawks pair comes in classic blue and green, while theseArizona Cardinals shoes come in red and white. Thispair of Miami Dolphins Nike shoes come in the bright aqua and orange fans know and love.A Nike half-zip hoodie jacket is essentially a windbreaker. Its made from lightweight, water-repellant fabric that can help you stay dry if youre at a game or just out and about. ThisDenver Broncos half-zip comes in royal blue, while thisChicago Bears hooded jacket comes in black with the Bears' logo on the front.Nike also makes official jerseys from all NFL teams. Get jerseys for players likeWill Anderson Jr. from the Houston Texans orJoe Alt from the Los Angeles Chargers. These jerseys have sweat-wicking technology that keeps you comfortable as you cheer on your team.Fanatics is a well-known NFL gear store, and youll find hundreds of items from each team. Get hoodies, tees and fashionable sweatshirts in different styles, colors and fits.You can get your favorite team in a unique vintage-style crewneck sweatshirt. ThisPhiladelphia Eagles sweatshirt features the classic Eagles' logo on the front with a blend of grey and Eagles green to round out the vintage vibe.The Bills have a similar design, but with royal blue and red mixed in. TheVikings have a slightly different style to their vintage sweatshirt, with a larger logo on the front.You can grab half-zips like thisPanthers hooded sweatshirt, thisPatriots hoodie and thisBroncos option from Fanatics. You can choose from any NFL team. These half-zips are made from water-wicking fabric to keep you comfortable in all sorts of weather conditions.Fanatics is home to all sorts of NFL team T-shirts. From thisclassic black Saints T-shirt to these Texans tees in all the different team colors or thisbright royal blue Rams shirt, theres sure to be an option you cant live without.HOW TO WATCH THE MASTERS, PLUS GOLF GEAR TO HELP YOU CELEBRATEKohls has a whole NFL shop online and in stores. Score T-shirts, sweatpants and long-sleeve shirts branded with your teams logo and colors.Original price: $44.99Relax while still representing your team with these comfortable womens fleece pants. No matter if youre afan of the Green Bay Packers, theBuffalo Bills orPittsburgh Steelers, there are sweatpant options for you at the Kohls NFL shop. Lined with fleece but made with ultra-soft materials, youll never want to take these pants off.Original price: $49.99When colder weather rolls around, you'll need warmer NFL apparel. Kohls has long-sleeve NFL team shirts like thisred womens Chiefs long-sleeve shirt, thisquarter-sleeve Chicago Bears performance shirt and thisbright orange Broncos shirt.For more deals, visitwww.foxnews.com/dealsOriginal price: $54.99Kohls also has sweatshirts in all kinds of team colors and styles, so you can really load up on your NFL apparel. ThisPhiladelphia Eagles sweatshirt is a retro-looking sweatshirt in grey and green.This Cowboys sweatshirt at Kohl's comes in navy blue and has football logos all down the sleeves.

The Dallas Cowboys started the 2025 season 0-1 after falling to the Philadelphia Eagles, and every football fan wanted to hear owner Jerry Jones thoughts about his defense without Micah Parsons for the first time.While Parsons prepares for his new role as a Green Bay Packers edge rusher after the shocking trade by the Cowboys, Dallas gave up 24 points in its loss to the Eagles on Thursday night.Jones spoke to media members after the game at Lincoln Financial Field, and he was asked if he believes the team missed Parsons. Jones wasnt as direct with his answer.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM"Well, any time you have a great player and dont have him out there on the field," Jones replied. "But I was specifically watching some of the guys who could pick up the slack. No. 54 had some really significant impact on their offense."All in all, this group adjusted and made the adjustments. We stepped up in the second half on defense."COWBOYS GREAT TROY AIKMAN QUESTIONS JERRY JONES' PRIORITIES AFTER MICAH PARSONS TRADEJones was referring to Sam Williams, who finished the game with five tackles and made big plays in the second half by chasing down Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who seemed to have his way running in the first half.Hurts ran for two touchdowns in the first half, and the Cowboys found themselves down 21-20 after 2024 Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley scored his first touchdown of the season late in the second quarter. But the Cowboys' defense stymied the Eagles offense in the second half, holding them to just three points.However, Jones watched as quarterback Dak Prescott tried to push the ball downfield to get the Cowboys lead back, but CeeDee Lamb, usually sure-handed, had some drop trouble in the fourth quarter that hurt the team badly in the end.The Cowboys were able to get Hurts on the ground for a sack, though. Marshawn Kneeland made it happen in the second half. Kenny Clark, the All-Pro tackle who was part of the Parsons trade, was also present on that play.Clark finished the game with two solo tackles and three combined in his Cowboys debut.Dallas will aim for its first win of the 2025 season when it hosts the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium in its home opener Sept. 14.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Rosie O'Donnell joined former CNN anchor Jim Acosta on his Substack podcast Friday, addressing whether she plans on returning to the U.S. following her latest spat with President Donald Trump."Is there any way you would come back?" Acosta asked O'Donnell. "Because, I mean, I'm sure people are listening to this right now and saying, Rosie, we want you back here, fighting with us here. I love it that you're happy there in Ireland. It's a beautiful thing. But is there a part of you that says, I want to get back in there?""Right now, my heart is pounding through my chest right now," she replied. "I'm trying to regulate myself."ROSIE O'DONNELL, DONALD TRUMP'S CITIZENSHIP FEUD CAPS DECADES OF TAUNTS AND JABSThe former talk show host said it's not her "responsibility" to return to the U.S. to join the fight against Trump, but she vowed to "stand up" for those who cannot.O'Donnell, who moved to Ireland in March, has been a frequent target of Trump. On Wednesday, he renewed his threat to revoke her citizenship via a Truth Social post, reigniting their long-running feud.ELLEN DEGENERES BACKS ROSIE O'DONNELL AFTER TRUMP THREATENED TO REVOKE HER U.S. CITIZENSHIP"As previously mentioned, we are giving serious thought to taking away Rosie ODonnells Citizenship," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "She is not a Great American and is, in my opinion, incapable of being so!"O'Donnell responded to the threat on her Substack Thursday."He can't do that because it's against the Constitution, and even the Supreme Court has not given him the right to do that... he's not allowed to do that. The only way you're allowed to take away someone's citizenship is if they renounce it themselves, and I will never renounce my American citizenship," she said. "I am a very proud citizen of the United States."CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURETrump first threatened to revoke the former talk show host's citizenship after she left the U.S. for Ireland."Because of the fact that Rosie ODonnell is not in the best interests of our Great Country, I am giving serious consideration to taking away her Citizenship," he said at the time on Truth Social. "She is a Threat to Humanity, and should remain in the wonderful Country of Ireland, if they want her. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"Fox News' Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Ireland Baldwin defended stepmom, Hilaria Baldwin, from critics ahead of her "Dancing with the Stars" debut.While Ireland admitted Hilaria can be "bat s--- crazy," she credited her stepmom for saving Alec Baldwin's life and jokingly revealed she won't be getting an inheritance from her TV star dad."I think if people actually knew her the way I do, they would be quite surprised," Ireland wrote in a lengthy Instagram post. "This post may come out of left field since I dont post about her or any family members much. I expect misinformed comments and plenty of comments about me only playing nice so I can secure my inheritance. Cmon, people. I see the comments. Im not getting an inheritance. I have 7 siblings.""These thoughts have been on my mind since I last visited her on the east coast. Hilaria has had a far more complex and chaotic upbringing than she lets on and I think thats why weve maybe bonded in someways? She didnt always feel safe and seen. Sometimes, she is too loyal to a fault. She is eccentric and totally bat s--- crazy (in a fun way) but she saved my dads life."HILARIA BALDWIN SCORES DANCING WITH THE STARS AFTER BUMPY JOURNEY TO REALITY TV FAMEAccording to Ireland, Hilaria has helped Alec healthwise but also mentally."She turned his health around and has shown him the forgiveness and kindness that he needed," she continued. "She also recognizes and nourishes the parts of my father that are the most compassionate and wonderful. Shes taught him that he doesnt need to suffer inside of his own head and stay stuck in his own past. That its never too late to admit you need help and its never too late to learn to be kind to yourself.""Hilaria is the reason I am able to have the close relationship with my father that I do. She is the reason I get to have siblings/a big family that Ive always wanted. She has always respected me, accepted my flaws, embraced me, and has always shown me kindness. I met her as a teenager and I needed her as an example. I still very much look up to her now. I am so proud of her for doing Dancing With the Stars and I CANNOT wait to cheer her [a--] on. She deserves this! And its not my place to share the ins and outs, but this woman is a gem and deserves all the love."LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSHilaria commented on Ireland's post, writing, "Im crying. I love you with all my heart, @irelandirelandireland.""These words mean so much," she added. "You mean so much to me."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERHilaria's casting on "Dancing with the Stars" has been questioned by the show's fans.She previously competed on her college's ballroom dance team, according to The Cut.The yoga instructor addressed criticism ahead of the show's premiere."Everybody these days has their critics, whether they're in the spotlight or not," she told USA Today. "I've learned in my 40s that if you go through life trying to prove things to people, then you're missing the point, and you're missing being present.""You collect the good and the bad in life along the way," she told the outlet. "We're all looking forward."

Bill Belichick apparently still has sour grapes over his exit from the New England Patriots.Now the head coach of the University of North Carolina, the 73-year-old and the school have reportedly banned Patriots scouts from accessing the UNC football program.The podcast "3 & Out" first reported the news, with ESPN later citing sources.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMUNC did not immediately respond to an email from Fox News Digital.ESPN said football general manager Michael Lombardi and pro liaison Frantzy Jourdain informed the team it was banned last month.Belichick was the head coach of the Patriots for 24 seasons, winning six Super Bowls. However, they missed the playoffs in each of the final three years of his tenure after Tom Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY LANDS ON INJURY REPORT DAYS BEFORE NFL SEASON AFTER MISSING 13 GAMES IN 2024Patriots owner Robert Kraft eventually admitted it was his decision to move on from Belichick, but he said earlier this week that he plans to give Belichick a statue "right next to" Brady's."When that great 20-year era ended, it was always my intention to commission a statue for both Tommy and Bill when their respective careers were over, playing and coaching. When Bills coaching career ends, we look forward to sitting down with him and having a statue made to be right next to Tommy," Kraft told CBS News.Belichick, Brady and Kraft all attended Brady's Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony last year.Belichick and the Patriots parted ways after the 2023 season, which marked the third consecutive year New England missed the playoffs. Jerod Mayo replaced him in 2024, but he was let go for Mike Vrabel after just one season.Belichick, 73, has since joined the University of North Carolina, but his Tar Heels' debut was one to forget. TCU defeated UNC 48-14. It was the most points ever given up by a Belichick-coached team.Follow Fox News Digitalssports coverage on X,and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

FIRST ON FOX: President Donald Trumps D.C. crime crackdown has led to 1,914 arrests since Aug. 7 including dozens Thursday night, among them an illegal immigrant on a terrorist watch list and a person of interest tied to a gun found abandoned on school property, Fox News Digital has learned.Hundreds of National Guard members, as well as the Metropolitan Police Department and personnel from federal agencies, such as the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Capitol Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, have taken to the streets of D.C. to conduct sweeps and root out crime since August as part of Trump's crackdown on rampant crime.Law enforcement officials arrested a total of 73 individuals Thursday evening, including an illegal immigrant from El Salvador who is currently on the terrorist watch list; an illegal immigrant from Colombia and confirmed Florencia 13 gang member with prior arrests for grand theft, carjacking and bringing narcotics/alcohol in detention facility; an individual arrested on a warrant for attempted first degree murder (knife), first degree assault; another arrested on warrant for assault with intent to kill while armed; and an illegal from Bolivia arrested with prior criminal arrests for domestic batter/abuse, felonious assault, abduction by force without justification and driving while intoxicated.TRUMP DECLARES DC A 'CRIME FREE ZONE' AMID HIS FEDERAL CRACKDOWNAnother unnamed individual was arrested Thursday evening for carrying a firearm without a license and violation of the National Firearms Act. That individual was identified as a person of interest in an incident involving an abandoned gun found at a school Sept. 3, Fox News Digital learned. Law enforcement contacted the suspect via phone and the suspect agreed to surrender to officers, according to the White House.Law enforcement notably rescued a child who was reported missing during Thursday's operation. The crime crackdown in D.C. has led to the rescue of six missing children since Aug. 7, Fox Digital learned."Thanks to President Trump, some of the most dangerous criminals who have committed heinous crimes have been removed from the streets of Washington, D.C.," White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers told Fox News Digital Friday. "For far too long, these criminals have been able to commit crime after crime without any accountability but President Trump has restored law and order to our nations capital.""As a result of President Trumps tough-on-crime policies, federal law enforcement operations have removed nearly 2,000 dangerous criminals, lethal drugs, and deadly weapons from the city which is a win for all D.C. residents and visitors," she continued.The White House provided Fox Digital with a handful of photos showing handguns and illegal substances recovered during the arrests this week.DC ARRESTS SURPASS 1,000 AS TRUMP-BACKED CRACKDOWN ENTERS 12TH HOMICIDE-FREE DAYAll in, the crime crackdown has yielded 17 arrests of violent gangbangers, including members of MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, while a total of 198 firearms have been seized. The operation has also led to the clearance of 50 different homeless encampments across the city.Trump federalized the Metropolitan Police Department Aug. 11 in response to a spate of high-profile killings and attacks in the city, following a dangerous crime wave that washed over the country, including D.C., beginning in 2020. Trump federalized the local police department under section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which allows the president to assume emergency control of the capital's police force for 30 days.Army Secretary Dan Driscoll published a memo Wednesday extending the National Guard's presence specifically in D.C. through Nov. 30. The memo stated the extension is "to continue supporting the President's ongoing efforts to restore law and order in the District of Columbia," Fox News previously reported.SCOOP: WHITE HOUSE TOUTS GUNS AND DRUG HAUL REMOVED FROM DC STREETS AS TRUMPS CRIME BLITZ NETS 550 ARRESTSD.C. recorded 13 days of zero homicides in August shortly after Trump federalized the city, with law enforcement racking up a lengthy list of suspected criminals stretching from drug distributors to illegal immigrants to those carrying illegal firearms in the city.Trump has since floated deploying the National Guard to other cities to help curb crime, including Chicago and Baltimore, which has earned strong rebuke from local leaders who have said the crackdown is unnecessary as crime data show violent trends have slowed since the 2020 era and that Trump is promoting authoritarianism."This is exactly the type of overreach that our countrys founders warned against," Democratic Illinois JB Pritzker told the media in August while slamming Trump's suggestions of National Guard deployment."What Trump is doing is unprecedented and unwarranted. It is illegal. It is unconstitutional. It is un-American," he added.

Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett hasnt seen The Handmaids Tale. But she was well-prepared to be interrupted by any number of red-draped protesters, should they storm in to interrupt her confirmation hearing, the same way they did for her colleague, Brett Kavanaugh, several years prior.As she recounted in an interview at the Lincoln Center Thursday night, the preparation had been for naught: Her confirmation took place behind closed doors, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and the social precautions in place at the time. It also made the lengthy confirmation process and her first days as a justice on the nations highest court "awkward," she said, to laughter. "Very awkward."That revelation was just one of many Barrett made during a wide-ranging interview Thursday, just days before the publication of her forthcoming memoir, "Listening to the Law."Like her book, Barrett's appearance proved to be as telling for what she didn't say as for what she did.JUSTICE BARRETT DEFENDS JACKSON JABS AS WARRANTED IN RARE PUBLIC APPEARANCEBarrett, 53, spoke easily about her family, her faith, and the kindness of her newfound colleagues on the Supreme Court, whom she says lent her not only the use of their office supplies and bench memos during her first days on the job, but also temporarily dispatched their own staff to help her answer phones and restock supplies. "There is an indispensable human element to judging," Barrett observes in her memoir, something she says is all the more true when serving on a nine-person bench."Thinking in categories of left and right it's just the wrong way to think about the law," she said Thursday night to the jam-packed audience at Alice Tully Hall.Even so, Barrett artfully dodged some of the more polarizing issues the court has faced in the past eight months.She was demonstrably less candid on questions involving the so-called emergency, or "shadow" docket the vehicle by which President Donald Trump has sought to temporarily stay lower court decisions that would have paused or halted some of his most sweeping executive orders from taking force.The Supreme Court has presided over a record blitz of emergency appeals and orders filed by the administration and other aggrieved parties during Trump's first eight months back in office. Justices on the 6-3 conservative bench have ruled in Trumps favor in the majority of emergency applications, allowing the administration to proceed with its ban on transgender service members in the military, its termination of millions of dollars in Education Department grants and its firing of probationary employees across the federal government, among many other actions.The court has sided with Trump in the majority of these requests, prompting a fresh level of scrutiny and rare public criticism from some of her colleagues on the bench.The Supreme Court "is at its best when it can review cases that have been fully adjudicated" by the lower courts, she offered, before the conversation moved on.BARRETT EVISCERATES JACKSON, SOTOMAYOR TAKES ON A 'COMPLICIT' COURT IN CONTENTIOUS FINAL OPINIONSBarrett also sought to defend the court as a body that operates beyond the politics of a given moment, and (ideally) outside the reach of public opinion. She noted that public perceptions of what a judge ought to do is, at times, at odds with what the Constitution and existing Supreme Court precedent proscribe."I think everyone expects the court to deliver the results it likes," Barrett said Thursday night. There's a "disconnect between what people want in the moment," and what the court should deliver, she said.People "want what they want," and will inevitably be disappointed by the results, she said.Like other justices who have authored memoirs while on the bench, Barrett offered a lofty, and at times idealistic, view of the court.Pressed by journalist Bari Weiss about her majority opinion in Trump v CASA earlier this year, Barrett insisted that her "spicy" remarks towards Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson were nothing more than an attempt to "set the calibration right.""I thought Justice Jackson had made an argument in strong terms that I thought warranted a response," Barrett said.CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS SOUNDS ALARM ON DANGEROUS RHETORIC AIMED AT JUDGES FROM POLITICIANSThursday night's interview was the first of many public appearances Barrett is slated to give in coordination with her book release next week. It offered at times a refreshingly personal glimpse into her nearly five years on the Supreme Court a job she says she wasnt quite sure she wanted, when the offer finally came.Barrett recounted what her husband told her at the time, when she was weighing whether to go through with the confirmation process. Should she choose to move forward, he told her, "We have to burn the boats."The phrase, adopted from Alexander the Great, refers to the notion that one must eliminate all options for backup plans or retreat.It was one she held onto during the confirmation process, when media outlets pilloried her as an out-of-touch and hyper-religious mother of seven, when quips from lawmakers, such as then-Sen. Dianne Feinstein "the dogma lives loudly within you" might have rattled her further."To do the job well, you have to have thick skin," she told the audience Thursday night.She also dismissed fears of a constitutional crisis."I dont think that we are currently in a constitutional crisis," Barrett said. "I think that our country remains committed to the rule of law. I think we have functioning courts."

Carly Pearce's summer was full of good vibes.The 35-year-old country singer shared a series of photos on Instagram highlighting her many adventures over the summer, captioning the post, "see ya, summer ."In one of the photos, Pearce can be seen lounging on an inflatable float in a swimming pool with her hair up in a bun and wearing white heart-shaped sunglasses. A stunning view of the ocean is in the background.Another image showed Pearce poolside in a leopard-print bikini top with black high-waisted bottoms. She accessorized with sunglasses and small gold hoop earrings.KATE HUDSON SHOWS OFF BIKINI BODY IN STEAMY SEND-OFF TO SUMMERIn other snapshots, the "Hummingbird" artist appeared with her boyfriend, Jordan Karcher, performed on stage, and enjoyed outings to a winery and a bowling alley. She also posed with fans and fellow musicians.One of the photos featured a sign which read, "the only things carly chases," along with photos of her two dogs a nod to her song, "things I don't chase."The final video in the carousel of photos showed Pearce jumping into the swimming pool in a number of playful ways with the words, "y'all jumping to conclusions about my personal life" written on the screen.Fans flooded the comments section with love for the singer, with one fan writing "This photo dump is 10/10 ," and another adding "I love your summer pictures! ."LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSPearce recently went viral when she posted a get ready with me video on TikTok, in which she told the story of how she injured her finger to the point of needing stitches, while opening a glass bottle of ranch. She captioned the post, "brb avoiding all ranch!!""So last night I was getting ready to eat dinner after my show, and I went to open a bottle of ranch dressing that was a glass bottle, and when I went to open the bottle of ranch, it snapped off, and a piece of glass cut my thumb," she explained."At first, my fiddle player and my assistant thought it wasn't that big of a deal," she continued, "but all of a sudden I thought that ketchup was running down my hand, and it actually was blood."Not long after sharing how she injured her finger, Pearce shared that she had another freak accident in 2020 right before she was set to attend her very first CMA Awards as a nominee.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERDuring an interview with Bunnie XO on her podcast, "Dumb Blonde," Pearce explained that she had stitches while at the show because she "almost bit through my lip seven days before" the award show, joking, "I looked like I got beat up.""I don't tell anyone," she said. "I do all my interviews at my house. My face looks insane. I had to get like bonding and stitches and the whole thing. And I ended up going to the award show. I took my best girlfriend. She's still my best friend from childhood. And I'm sitting there and like my lip starts bleeding because it's like so messed up. She's like, 'You gotta, like, pat your lip.'"

Orlando Bloom is breaking his silence on his split from Katy Perry.During an appearance on "The Today Show" to promote his new movie "The Cut," Bloom touched on his breakup with the 40-year-old pop star after nearly 10 years together."I'm great, man. I'm so grateful. We have the most beautiful daughter," Bloom told host Craig Melvin. "You know, when you leave everything on the field, like I did in this movie, I feel grateful for all of it. And we're great. We're going to be great. It's nothing but love."The couple began dating in 2016 and were together for about a year before breaking up in 2017. They reunited in 2018, and Bloom proposed on Valentines Day in 2019.ORLANDO BLOOM WAS A 'HORRIBLE PERSON' WHILE HE LOST OVER 50 POUNDS FOR NEW MOVIESoon after getting engaged, Perry announced she was pregnant with their first child, a daughter named Daisy, who they welcomed in August 2020.Rumors of their split began swirling in late June, and speculation grew when Bloom arrived in Venice for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Snches Bezos' wedding without Perry.They officially confirmed their split on July 3 in a joint statement."Due to the abundance of recent interest and conversation surrounding Orlando Bloom and Katy Perrys relationship, representatives have confirmed that Orlando and Katy have been shifting their relationship over the past many months to focus on co-parenting," a representative for the former couple told People. "They will continue to be seen together as a family, as their shared priority is and always will be raising their daughter with love, stability and mutual respect."LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSFollowing their split, Perry was spotted having dinner with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Montreal. The two were reportedly seen sharing a number of dishes and sipping on cocktails.Trudeau was later seen at one of Perry's concerts during her "Lifetime Tour" at Montreals Bell Centre, accompanied by his 16-year-old daughter, Ella-Grace further fueling romance rumors.In addition to Daisy, 5, Bloom also shares his son Flynn, 14, with his ex-wife, model Miranda Kerr. Kerr also commented on the breakup between Bloom and Perry during a Sept. 3 appearance on "The Today Show.""I actually just saw them both on the weekend. We were celebrating Daisys birthday," she said. "Were one big, happy familyKaty is amazing. I love her. And Orlando, obviously."CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERBloom and Kerr were married from 2010 to 2013. During her interview, Kerr emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy co-parenting relationship, saying "If you do have animosity, it only hurts yourself."