The United Nations Human Rights Council sparked outrage on Wednesday when it announced that two of the seven experts elected to its advisory committee were from Iran and China.Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of UN Watch, told Fox News Digital, "The U.N. elected Beijings and Tehrans loyal agents as human rights expertswithout a ballot, without shame. These regimes persecute minorities, jail anyone who speaks freely, and rule through fear and censorship."Neuer added, "The committee that once drafted the U.N.s anti-racism convention has now been captured by those who embody racism, repression, and the silencing of truth. Its an inversion of human rightsand a stain on the United Nations itself."TRUMP MUST MAKE UN FUNDING CONDITIONAL ON REAL REFORMS, EX-DIPLOMAT URGESThe spokespeople for the United Nations Secretary General and the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights did not immediately respond to Fox News' Digital press queries.In February, the Trump administration withdrew the United States from the council. President Donald Trump said at the time, "They're going to end up losing their credibility like other organizations, and then they're going to be nothing."Orde Kittrie, a Foundation for Defense of Democracies senior fellow, told Fox News Digital "The UNHRCs election to its advisory committee of Chinas Ren Yisheng and Irans Afsaneh Nadipour is a disgraceful indication of the extent to which the UNHRC has become a mechanism not for promoting global human rights but rather for distracting the worlds attention from the worlds worst human rights abusers."He added, "Ren Yisheng is a career Chinese diplomat who has distinguished himself as a defender of Chinas egregious human rights violations, including against the people of Xinjiang and Tibet. The respected Freedom House rates China as having among the lowest scores for political rights and civil liberties of any country in the world. One need only read the US State Departments 2024 human rights report on China to realize that naming a Chinese official to a human rights advisory committee is analogous to putting a wolf in charge of a hen house."TRUMP REMOVES US FROM UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL, BANS UNRWA FUNDINGAccording to Kittrie, "The report begins by noting that [g]enocide and crimes against humanity occurred during the year in China against predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang."Lawdan Bazargan, a prominent Iranian-American human rights activist, who was imprisoned in Tehrans infamous Evin penitentiary for political dissent, wrote on XIran'srepresentative is "a long-time representative of the Islamic Republic, to the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. Nadipour is no defender of rights:During the Women, Life, Freedom uprising, she dismissed global support for Iranian women as politically motivated, siding with the regimes crackdown."Bazargan added, "As Irans ambassador in Denmark, her embassy pressured Iranian women to accept cleric-imposed divorce terms, even threatening loss of child custody. She has served a regime that forces hijab, allows child marriage, and imprisons womens rights activists."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe U.S. government under both Democratic and Republican administrations has classified the Islamic Republic of Iran as a leading state-sponsor of terrorism and issued voluminous reports about widespread human rights violations in the nation.Fox News Digital reached out to Iran's U.N. mission and the Chinese embassy in Washington D.C. for comment.

FIRST ON FOX: More than 100 House Republican lawmakers, led by Majority Leader Steve Scalise, are calling on the Supreme Court to block climate lawsuits that they say are waging "war on American energy" and could bankrupt the industry, Fox News Digital learned."Every day, hardworking Americans depend on access to affordable and reliable energy," Scalise said in a comment provided to Fox News Digital Friday. "Despite this, radical environmentalists and local leftist politicians continue to wage war on American energy by going after domestic energy companies in our courtrooms, demanding they meet impossible standards or pay billions in damages. Any regulation of global greenhouse emissions falls squarely within the federal government's jurisdiction."Scalise and 102 Republican lawmakers filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court otherwise known as a "friend of the court" brief calling for the Supreme Court to end lawsuits originating in Colorado that seek compensation from Exxon and Suncor Energy, arguing it's a federal issue, not a state matter.Local jurisdictions in Boulder, Colorado, sued Exxon and Suncor Energy in 2018, claiming the companies had for years downplayed risks surrounding burning oil and gas, seeking damages from the companies under Colorado law.EPA URGED TO AXE FUNDS FOR RADICAL CLIMATE PROJECT ACCUSED OF TRAINING JUDGES, STATE AGS RALLYThe massive energy companies argue that the case focuses on cross-border emissions, making the matter a federal issue and not a state issue. Exxon and Suncor requested the U.S. Supreme Court take the case up after the Colorado Supreme Court ruled in May that it could move forward within state courts.Colorado's highest court determined in its May ruling that federal law did not block Boulder from claiming the energy companies allegedly misled the citizens."This ruling affirms what weve known all along: corporations cannot mislead the public and avoid accountability for the damages they have caused," Boulder, Colorado, Mayor Aaron Brockett said in a statement at the time celebrating the state Supreme Court's decision. "Our community has suffered significantly from the consequences of climate change, and todays decision brings us one step closer to justice and the resources we need to protect our future."The lawmakers wrote that the case is one steeped in national security and stability concerns, arguing it could throttle the American energy industry, "if not bankrupt it altogether." "Respondents, the City and County of Boulder, Colorado, would substitute their own preferred policies for those of the federal government," the amicus brief reads. "They dress their complaint in the language of state law, but they cannot escape that every claim in some way turns on global greenhouse gas emissions. And the sheer magnitude of the damages at issuelikely tens of billions of dollarswould restructure the American energy industry if not bankrupt it altogether, especially when multiplied by the dozens of similar cases around the country."TOP ENERGY GROUP CALLS FOR PROBE INTO SECRETIVE 'NATIONAL LAWFARE CAMPAIGN' TO INFLUENCE JUDGES ON CLIMATE"This has continued long enough. States have no authority to regulate interstate and international emissions that originate beyond their respective borders," it added.Scalise stressed in his statement provided to Fox News Digital that local "extreme political" agendas are risking U.S. national security if local governments are able to bypass federal authority and continue with the suits.CLIMATE LAWFARE CAMPAIGN DEALT BLOW IN SOUTH CAROLINA"Energy security is national security we cannot allow state and local governments to supersede federal authority and put our country at risk for their own extreme political agenda," he said. "Im proud to lead this amicus brief to defend domestic energy production from radical state 'Green New Scam' policies, uphold our balance of powers, and safeguard our energy security, and am grateful to be joined by so many of my colleagues. I urge the Supreme Court to carefully consider our arguments as they deliberate this impactful case."The amicus brief argued the Colorado Supreme Court's ruling allowing the suits to continue "supplants the legislative prerogative of Congress, permitting a balkanized patchwork of state and local regulation over matters of uniquely federal concern.""This case, and others like it, threaten the abundant, reliable energy that underpins every aspect of American life, including the standard of living for ordinary Americans," the more than 100 lawmakers wrote. "Although national energy policy is the subject of vigorous debate, it is a national issue that must be decided at the national levelby officials elected by the people of all Statesnot in a local jury room."

An old social media post came back to haunt New York Attorney GeneralLetitia James on Thursday after a federal grand jury in Virginia charged her with bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution."When powerful people cheat to get better loans, it comes at the expense of hardworking people. Everyday Americans cannot lie to a bank to get a mortgage, and if they did, our government would throw the book at them. There simply cannot be different rules for different people," James wrote in a February 2024 post on X when she was attacking President Donald Trump on social media.The indictment against James centers on her purchase of a home in Norfolk. Prosecutors allege she falsely claimed it as a second residence to secure better loan terms before leasing it to tenants.GRAND JURY INDICTS NY AG LETITIA JAMES ON BANK FRAUD CHARGES IN VIRGINIA FEDERAL COURTU.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Lindsey Halligan said James faces up to 30 years in prison per count, up to a $1 million fine on each count and forfeiture if she's convicted. Halligan said, "No one is above the law," echoing what James wrote about Trump last year.James, a longtime Trump adversary, previously sued the presidents business empire for civil fraud and won a nearly $500 million judgment. In a statement, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., said James has weaponized her office to go after Trump and his allies."Her hypocrisy is profound as she campaigned on the mantra that 'no one is above the law,' yet she now faces allegations of committing the very type of financial misrepresentation she baselessly pursued against President Trump," Stefanik said.TRUMP TO FORCE OUT VIRGINIA PROSECUTOR AMID PRESSURE TO INDICT LETITIA JAMESStefanik helped draw attention to James' old post by recirculating it with emojis pointing at the 2024 message.Many others quickly unearthed last years social media post.NEW YORK AG LETITIA JAMES' INDICTMENT SPARKS SHARP PARTISAN DIVIDEJames office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.As James was being mocked on social media, Democrats rallied to her defense.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Trump was using the Justice Department as his "personal attack dog.""This is what tyranny looks like," Schumer said. "President Trump is targeting Attorney General Tish James for the crime of prosecuting him for fraud and winning. This isnt justice. Its revenge."James, a second-term Democrat, has denied wrongdoing. She previously said she made an error while filling out a form related to the home purchase but fixed it. She noted that she never tried to deceive the lender.James' initial appearance is scheduled for Oct. 24 in Norfolk, Virginia, before Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Miller.Fox News Digitals Louis Casiano contributed to this report.

FIRST ON FOX: An illegal immigrant carrying a New York state commercial drivers license with "NO NAME GIVEN" listed as his name was arrested by ICE in Oklahoma, according to DHS.The agency said that it has been working in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation as well as state and local law enforcement to get illegal truck drivers off American highways following the high-profile accident involving Indian illegal Harjinder Singh.Working with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, ICE arrested another Indian illegal alien named Anmol Anmol. DHS said that Anmol was carrying a New York commercial drivers license on which his first name was listed as "NO NAME GIVEN."A redacted photo of the license obtained by Fox News Digital shows it is a Class A CDL that was issued in April and is valid until May 2028. There is a star at the top right corner of the license, indicating that it is a REAL ID.OKLAHOMA TROOPERS, ICE DETAIN 120 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN THREE-DAY INTERSTATE ENFORCEMENT SWEEPAnmol was arrested by ICE on Sept. 23, 2025, during a routine inspection at a truck scale on I-40. Record checks conducted by ICE revealed that Anmol is an illegal alien from India who entered the country in 2023. DHS said he was released by the Biden administration into the country.Anmol has now been placed in removal proceedings.Commenting on Anmols arrest, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said that "New York is not only failing to check if applicants applying to drive 18-wheelers are U.S. citizens but even failing to obtain the full legal names of individuals they are issuing commercial drivers licenses to.""Allowing illegal aliens to obtain commercial drivers licenses to operate 18-wheelers and transport hazardous materials on Americas roads is reckless and incredibly dangerous to public safety. Thanks to the successful 287g partnership of ICE and Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Anmol Anmol is no longer posing a threat to drivers," added McLaughlin."DHS is working with our state and local partners to get illegal alien truck drivers who often dont know basic traffic laws off our highways."EXPERT REVEALS HOW ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TRUCKER MAY HAVE GOTTEN COMMERCIAL LICENSE BEFORE FATAL FLORIDA CRASHAn official with the New York Department of Motor Vehicles, however, contested the license holders illegal status, telling Fox News Digital that the individual holding the license has lawful status in the U.S. through a federal employment authorization issued in March and "was issued a license consistent with federal guidelines.""This commercial drivers license was issued in accordance with all proper procedures, including verification of the individuals identity through federally issued documentation," the official said, adding that "it is not uncommon for individuals from other countries to have only one name."The official said that "procedures for that are clearly spelled out in the US Citizenship and Immigration Services policy manual," and added that "it is important to note that federal documents also include a no name given notation."In response, McLaughlin told Fox News Digital that "the Biden Administration gave this illegal alien work authorization in 2023" and that "work authorization does not give anyone lawful immigration status."McLaughlin called it "insane that New York is issuing commercial drivers licenses to illegal aliens.""The state of New York needs to stop trying to pass the buck and admit they need to have stricter standards for issuing commercial drivers licenses. They are putting the safety of all American drivers at risk," said McLaughlin.Pressed further by Fox News Digital on Anmol's immigration status, a New York DMV official said, "Any questions about immigration documentation should be directed to the federal government."In a statement to Fox News Digital, Oklahoma Republican Gov. Stitt said that "if New York wants to hand out CDLs to illegal immigrants with No Name Given, thats on them. The moment they cross into Oklahoma, they answer to our laws."The arrest was part of a three-day operation, Sept. 23-25, that targeted threats to public safety along Interstate 40 in Oklahoma. ICE was able to work in conjunction with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol because of the states 287(g) program, which enables state and local law enforcement agencies to directly cooperate with ICE.FLORIDA AG ANNOUNCES PROBE OF SANCTUARY JURISDICTIONS THAT GIVE TRUCKING LICENSES TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTSDuring that period, ICE and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol arrested 120 illegal aliens, 91 of whom were operating a commercial motor vehicle with commercial driver licenses granted by sanctuary states. The office of Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt said that the operation arrested illegals from India, Uzbekistan, China, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Mauritania.Stitts office said that the illegals arrested posed a public safety risk "by operating 80,000-pound commercial vehicles without proper verification."According to DHS, other illegals arrested during the operation included aliens with prior convictions for driving under the influence, money laundering, human smuggling, assault, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, possession of a controlled substance and illegal re-entry into the U.S.Among those arrested was Guatemalan national Kevin Ivan Escobar-Dionicio, who has a criminal history including charges for human smuggling and money laundering. Another Guatemalan illegal arrested during the operation, named Alfredo Sanic Chipix, had past charges for assault.BLUE STATE INVESTIGATES HOW ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TRUCKER GOT LICENSE BEFORE DEADLY FLORIDA CRASHAdrian Betancourt Rodriguez, from Cuba, was also arrested and has been convicted of selling cocaine.Another, Firuz Khamidov, from Russia, was arrested and has charges for forgery.This comes amid national concerns about illegal aliens operating commercial trucks on U.S. highways, following the high-profile case of Harjinder Singh, who is charged with three counts of vehicular homicide in St. Lucie County, Florida, for his involvement in a fatal crash on Aug. 12.According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Singh was carrying a commercial driver's license issued in the state of California.The U.S. Department of Transportation said that Singh had been issued a CDL despite having failed an English language proficiency assessment and having only correctly identified one out of four roadway signs in the same test.CALIFORNIA USING BACK DOOR TO GET FEDERAL FUNDS FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT HEALTHCARE, GOP SAYS; DEMS SAY NONSENSESinghs case sparked national concerns about how widespread a public safety issue illegal aliens driving on American roadways could be.Commenting on Operation Guardian Sweep, Deputy ICE Director Madison Sheahan said that illegal aliens "have no business operating 18-wheelers on Americas highways."Sheahan said that the operation "clearly demonstrates how federal and local law enforcement agencies can work together to make America safe again" and that "our roads are now safer with these illegal aliens no longer behind the wheel."She encouraged more state and local law enforcement agencies to join the 287(g) program "to help remove public safety threats and receive reimbursement funds available to our law enforcement partners."

FIRST ON FOX:U.S.Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) saw more than 20,000 applicants in less than two weeks for "Homeland Defender" roles as the Department of Homeland Security ramps up their hiring campaign.The recruitment campaign at USCIS began Sept. 30, and sources at the agency say a hiring campaign of this scale has never been done before."I am thrilled with the tremendous response we have received from fiercely dedicated, America-first patriots who want to serve asHomeland Defenders," USCIS Director Joseph Edlow told Fox News Digital.ALLEGED CHICAGO GANG LEADER OFFERED BOUNTY TO KILL BORDER PATROL COMMANDER, FEDERAL OFFICIALS SAY"In mere days, more than 20,000 Americans have stepped forward, ready to serve on the frontlines to protect our nations sovereignty and restore integrity to our immigration system after four disastrous years of failedBiden administration immigration policies," Edlow explained to Fox. "These applicants are not just candidatesthey are guardians of our values, prepared to defend our homeland. We look forward to bringing on this group soon."The role of a Homeland Defender is to determine whether legal migrants are eligible for green cards, extended visas, or citizenship. Homeland Defenders were previously titled "Immigration Services Officer," though the position was rebranded under the Trump administration.14,021 applications were submitted to the USCIS Service Center Operations Directorate and 8,627 applications were submitted to the USCIS Field Operations Directorate.The USCIS website touts a potential $50,000 signing bonus, remote work, and no college degree required.Fox News Digital exclusively reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recruiting also saw a massive uptick in applications, hitting 141,000 in early Sept.BLUE STATE IN THE HOT SEAT AFTER ICE BUSTS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WITH 'NO NAME GIVEN' ON LICENSEImmigration officers across various agencies under DHS have faced scrutiny and security threats by protestors and Democrats alike.Secretary Kristi Noem said that ICE agents "are now facing a 1000% increase in assaults against them as they risk their lives to arrest the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens" in August.The Trump Administrations recent deployment of agents to Chicago has been widely criticized by Illinois governorJ.B. Pritzker, and has faced some legal challenges as ICE officers make arrests.NOEM: TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DOUBLING DOWN WITH NEW FEDERAL FACILITIES IN CHICAGO, PORTLANDU.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings, a Biden-appointed judge, tightened ICEs ability to make warrantless arrests in a Chicago federal court on Tuesday.President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to send National Guardsmen to rein in the citys violent crime amid ICE agent deployment, a move which could also face legal hurdles.As of late Sept.,DHS said that 1.6 million illegal immigrants have been voluntarily self-deported, while 400,000 were removed by federal law enforcement."The Trump administration is on pace to shatter historic records and deport nearly 600,000 illegal aliens by the end of President Donald Trumps first year since returning to office," the agency said in a statement.

Less than two weeks after filing for divorce from Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman is opening up about emotional life challenges and how age has given her the tools to get through even the darkest days.In a new interview with Harpers Bazaar published Oct. 9, Kidman, 58, shared her wisdom and how she coped through difficult times while holding tight to what matters most her children and her inner strength."The best part is the experiences that you've accumulated," Kidman said. "You go, Oh, Ive been here before. I actually know how to handle this now. Or, Maybe I havent been in this place, but I've experienced something similar to this, and I do know that I will get through it."NICOLE KIDMAN SEEMINGLY HINTED AT KEITH URBAN SPLIT WEEKS BEFORE DIVORCE FILINGWhile the "Big Little Lies" star didnt mention her split from Urban directly, she continued to reflect on lifes challenges."Theres something to knowing that no matter how painful, or how difficult, or how devastating something is, there is a way through," she added. "Youre going to have to feel it. Youre not going to be able to numb it. You are going to have to feel it, and it's going to feel insurmountable at times. Youre going to feel like youre broken, but if you move gently and slowly and it can take an enormous amount of time it does pass."LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSHer comments come on the heels of her divorce filing from Urban on Sept. 30 after 19 years of marriage. The couple has two daughters together: Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14. Kidman also shares two adult children with ex-husband Tom Cruise Bella, 32, and Connor, 30.Despite the personal turmoil, Kidman said her role as a mother has grounded her."My children [give me the] purpose of being their protector and their guide," she said. "Promising them that I'm here and that, no matter what, theres always a safe place to grow up in."NICOLE KIDMANS DIVORCE FROM KEITH URBAN FOLLOWS HER HOLLYWOOD FRIENDS' HISTORY OF SCANDALS AND HEARTBREAKBefore the news of her separation from Urban broke, Kidman shared a heartfelt reflection about lifes unpredictability.Weeks before the actress officially filed for divorce, Kidman subtly alluded in a Vogue interview to what appeared to be a cryptic preview of the split.When asked about life in her 50s, she reflected, "How many times do you have to be taught that you think you know where your life is going and then it isnt going in that direction?"At the time of her late-August interview, the "Babygirl" star had not publicly confirmed her split.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERBy Oct. 8, when the Vogue piece was published, Kidman had already filed for divorce from Urban.The pair first met in 2005 and married a year later in June 2006. Their last known public appearance together was at a FIFA Club World Cup match in Nashville in June 2025.While fans were stunned, insiders close to them claimed it was "inevitable.""It really hasnt been a secret," a source told People, adding they "have been living separately for a while now."

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responded to a Portland group's advertisement urging members of the public to point lasers at aircraft amid unrest over the Trump administrations illegal immigration crackdown."Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft is a federal crime. This is incredibly dangerous for the aircraft personnel and for the publics safety," DHS wrote in a post on X. "Antifa domestic terrorists WILL NOT overrun our cities. We will bust their networks and bring every one of them to justice."The flyer is still on the front page of Rose City Counter-Info's website. The group defines itself as an "anarchist counter-info platform in so-called Portland, Oregon."Rose City Counter-Info encouraged anyone interested in taking part to "mask up" and "coordinate with friends." Additionally, the group provided instructions on how participants can prevent law enforcement from identifying them. Rose City Counter-Info advised those participating to "be ready to dispose of the laser if you need to wear gloves and clean it with alcohol in case you have to toss it in a hurry. Consider taking precautions to keep DNA off it as well."ANTI-ICE PORTLAND RIOTERS WITH GUILLOTINE CLASH WITH POLICE IN WAR-LIKE SCENESAndy Ngo, a journalist with The Post Millennial who has reported extensively on Antifa's activity in Portland, posted screenshots from Rose City Counter-Info's website on X and said that "Antifa plan to gather at multiple locations across the city and deploy lasers in an attempt to ground all 'spy planes.' This will also serve as a distraction so other militants can take more 'daring actions' elsewhere in the city."On Sept. 30, DHS announced the arrest of four Mexican men living in the U.S. illegally after they pointed a laser at a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) helicopter, endangering the pilot, the crew and the public.In the press release, DHS identified the suspects, who were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as Diogenes Albores-Suchiapa, Andres Brian Lopez-Labra, Benito Zamora-Alvarez and Hector Miranda Mendoza. Officials said the four men attempted to temporarily blind the pilot with "laser strikes" and were taken into custody after federal agents traced the beam to a Portland residence.DHS said Albores-Suchiapa had previous arrests in Oregon for meth possession and trespassing and had been stopped three times by CBP for immigration violations. Lopez-Labra was previously arrested for unlawful entry and more recently by Oregon State Police for DUI. Zamora-Alvarez claimed to have lived in the U.S. illegally since 1994.ICE DIRECTOR REVEALS DANGEROUS NIGHTLY ANTIFA 'BATTLE' AS TRUMP PREPARES FEDERAL DEPLOYMENT TO PORTLANDPortland has been the center of anti-ICE riots for weeks, with some agitators going so far as to bringing out a guillotine.DHS Secretary Kristi Noem visited an ICE facility in Portland on Tuesday and prayed over the officers who were facing the unrest.Despite the chaotic scenes in Portland, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek insists that "there is no insurrection" in her state and said that she is confident that "local law enforcement will meet the moment." Kotek, who recently met with Noem, said that she requested DHS and ICE "obey Oregon laws when they engage in federal operations."Kotek is not alone in her opposition to federal action. The Trump administration has faced pushback from other blue state officials, such as Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, as the president pushes to send federal law enforcement to crack down on crime.Fox News Digital reached out to DHS for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Bill Hagerty is demanding answers from Verizon as to why the company turned over his private cell phone data to the FBI without notifying him, following revelations that former Special Counsel Jack Smith was allegedly tracking his and other Republican lawmakers phone communications surrounding their Jan. 6, 2021, investigation.Fox News Digital first reported Monday that Smith and his "Arctic Frost" team investigating the Jan. 6 riots allegedly monitored the phone calls of Hagerty and fellow GOP Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Dan Sullivan of Alaska, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and GOP Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania.JACK SMITH TRACKED PRIVATE COMMUNICATIONS, CALLS OF NEARLY A DOZEN GOP SENATORS DURING J6 PROBE, FBI SAYSFox News Digital exclusively obtained an FBI document stating the names of the lawmakers and that an FBI special agent on Smiths team "conducted preliminary toll analysis" on the toll records associated with them.An FBI official told Fox News Digital that Smith and his team were able to view which phone numbers the senators called, along with the location each call originated and where it was received.Fox News Digital exclusively obtained a letter Hagerty, R-Tenn., sent to Verizon."This week, I received shocking news: without my consent and without my knowledge, the Federal Bureau of Investigation obtained confidential information concerning my cell phone use," Hagerty wrote. "Despite extensive public reporting of this extraordinary intrusion into my privacyalso amounting to an unprecedented intrusion on the separation of powersI have received no communication or outreach from Verizon Communications Inc., which could have been the only source of this information."Hagerty is demanding Verizon provide him with details of when it disclosed private information about his cellphone use, and why the company did not advise him.GOP SENATOR DEMANDS FBI REVEAL IF SURVEILLANCE WENT BEYOND JACK SMITHS PHONE TRACKINGHagerty is also demanding Verizon answer whether the company received a subpoena, a request or a demand from the federal government seeking the information, along with details of all the information the company provided.Hagerty also wants to know "all efforts that Verizon took to oppose, or limit its responses to, the subpoena, request, or demand" for his private communications.Hagerty is demanding the company respond by the end of the day Friday.Hagerty also wants Verizon to provide all communications, documents, recordings or records received from the federal government in connection with the matter.Verizon did not immediately respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment."Arctic Frost" was opened inside the bureau on April 13, 2022. Smith was appointed as special counsel to take over the probe in November 2022.An FBI official told Fox News Digital that "Arctic Frost" is a "prohibited case," and that the review required officials to go "above and beyond in order to deliver on this promise of transparency." The discovery is part of a broader, ongoing review.Meanwhile, the FBI has terminated employees and disbanded the CR-15 squad. Patel announced the actions were taken in response to the revelation of the "baseless monitoring" of U.S. lawmakers."We are cleaning up a diseased temple three decades in the making identifying the rot, removing those who weaponized law enforcement for political purposes and those who do not meet the standards of this mission while restoring integrity to the FBI. I promised reform, and I intend to deliver it," FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement to Fox News Digital.Patel also posted about it on X, saying, "Transparency is important, and accountability is critical. We promised both, and this is what promises kept looks like We terminated employees, we abolished the weaponized CR-15 squad, and we initiated an ongoing investigation with more accountability measures ahead."

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., declared the House of Representatives out of session for a third straight week in a bid to keep pressure on Senate Democrats in Washington.The speaker appears to be raising the stakes on lawmakers across the aisle, who keep refusing the GOP's plan to fund government agencies on a short-term basis in favor of making demands on healthcare that Republicans are calling unreasonable.The government shutdown is poised to roll into a third week after Senate Democrats sunk the GOP's federal funding bill seven times, most recently on Thursday.The House passed the bill on Sept. 19 and has not been in session since. The measure, called a continuing resolution (CR), is aimed at keeping the government funded at current levels through Nov. 21, in order for congressional negotiators to have more time to strike a longer-term deal for fiscal year (FY) 2026.SENATE DEMOCRATS BLOCK GOP PLAN AGAIN TO REOPEN GOVERNMENT AS MILITARY PAY DEADLINE LOOMSDemocrats, furious at being sidelined in federal funding discussions, have been withholding their support for any spending bill that does not also extend COVID-19 pandemic-era enhanced Obamacare subsidies that are due to expire at the end of this year.Johnson's decision was made public on Friday afternoon during a brief pro forma session in the House. Under rules dictated by the Constitution, the chamber must meet for brief periods every few days called "pro forma" sessions to ensure continuity, even if there are no formal legislative matters at hand.Pro forma sessions can also be opportunities for lawmakers to give brief speeches or introduce legislation that they otherwise would not have.Johnson's decision comes after he canceled votes on Sept. 29 and Sept. 30 in an effort to press the Senate to take up the House's CR. He canceled votes the following week as well.The House GOP leader told fellow Republicans on a private call Thursday that he would give them 48 hours' notice before they needed to return to Washington.SENATE ADVANCES 2026 DEFENSE BILL AFTER WEEKS OF DELAY AS SHUTDOWN DRAGS ONJohnson has suggested multiple times in public and in private that he would reopen the House when Senate Democrats relented on the CR.In the meantime, he's asking House Republicans to remain in their districts to drive home the effects of the government shutdown on everyday Americans.The strategy has gotten pushback from some members of his conference, including those who are pushing for a standalone vote on legislation ensuring the military is paid during the shutdown.Without action by Congress or the White House, active duty service members who are made to work during the shutdown as well as others on the federal payroll are set to miss paychecks on Oct. 15 if the standoff continues.At least three House Republicans have also suggested they want the House to return to its business next week Reps. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., and Julie Fedorchak, R-N.D., said so on the Thursday call, while Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., made his concerns public on X.But tensions ran high among the few lawmakers who were in Washington this week, with two Senate Democrats confronting Johnson and Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., getting into a screaming match with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., over Obamacare subsidies.Asked about the conflicts, Johnson suggested it was part of the reason House lawmakers should remain out of Washington until the shutdown ends."I'm a very patient man. But I am very angry right now because this is dangerous stuff. And so, is it better for them to be physically separated right now? It probably is," he said on Thursday."Frankly, I wish that weren't the case. But we do have to turn the volume down. The best way to turn the volume down is to turn the lights back on and get the government open for the people."

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said a "coward hiding behind a keyboard" was arrested this week for allegedly sending a threatening letter to conservative influencer Benny Johnson in the wake of Charlie Kirks assassination.George Isbell Jr., 69, was taken into custody on Tuesday in San Diego, California. He will be federally charged with mailing a threatening communication, according to Bondi. On his website, Johnson said he resides in Tampa, Florida, where the announcement of the arrest was made Friday."Benny is a well-known media personality, carrying a message very similar to Charlie's. Grounded largely in faith and love of country. Just days after Charlie's assassination, Benny received a letter at his home where he and Kate are raising their beautiful, beautiful young family," Bondi said. "The author of this letter made it very clear that he hated Benny because of his views, and he wanted Benny dead.""This was a coward hiding behind a keyboard who thought he could get away with this. That's why we're standing up here today. You are not going to get away with threatening people in this way. And I'm proud to announce that we have arrested the author of this letter," Bondi added.BONDI ISSUES BOLD WARNING TO WOULD-BE COPYCATS AFTER KIRK, ZARUTSKA MURDERSShe said earlier that, "we've been living through a horrific cycle of political violence in this country.""We are going to catch you if you think you can do something like this," Bondi declared. "We don't care if you're across the country in California, we will find you. We will arrest you, we will extradite you, and we will bring you to justice. We cannot allow this political violence to continue any longer. This arrest will serve as a reminder to many do not do this. We will find you."U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida told reporters Friday that Johnson "immediately contacted" the Tampa Police Department after receiving the letter. The FBI and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement assisted in the investigation, while the U.S. Postal Service determined the letter originated from San Diego, California, Kehoe added.BONDI DECLARES NEW ERA OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE AS FEDERAL AGENTS DEPLOY TO ICE FACILITIES NATIONWIDEFingerprints that were obtained from the letter led investigators to Isbell, according to Kehoe."According to the complaint, on or about Sept. 18, Isbell mailed a letter from San Diego threatening to injure his victim, a media personality located in Tampa, Florida, and telling his victim that the victim needed to be exterminated," the Justice Department said in a statement Friday."In the letter, he referenced one of the victims friends, Mr. Charlie Kirk, a conservative political activist who had recently been killed during a public engagement on a college campus. After writing that he hoped that the American flag strangles the life out of you, the letter went on to state: Maybe someone will blow your head off!!! We can hope! Planning any public engagements? Love to see your head explode and your blood stain the concrete red. What a sight!" the Justice Department added.If convicted, Isbell could face a maximum sentence of five years.Speaking himself on Friday, Johnson said, "I don't want political violence. I want peace in my nation.""I love this country. I want to be able to debate like Charlie did. I want to be able to raise my family in peace. That is our birthright. But you cannot make peace with evil as a Christian. You cannot unite with people who want you dead. I want unity in this nation," he added.