Talk show host Bill Maher called out liberal writers on "Saturday Night Live" for their portrayal of conservatives, arguing they used an outdated stereotype.Maher spoke about the current state of American culture with fitness icon and commentator Jillian Michaels in an episode of "Club Random" released on Sunday. After Maher spoke about Trumps unique appeal as a brash outsider willing to be called "deplorable" by his detractors, Michaels marveled at how Democrats are still tarring his supporters."The whole deplorable" thing," Michaels said, referring to then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton infamously smearing Trumps supporters as "a basket of deplorables," noting, "Theyre still doing that."Michaels recalled having met outspoken liberal actor Tom Hanks multiple times, saying he was "lovely" in person, but crossed a line with his portrayal of a Trump supporter on "Saturday Night Live." Hanks portrayed a caricature of an unkempt racist Southerner in a MAGA hat named "Doug" several times on the sketch comedy show. In one famous moment in the recurring "Black Jeopardy" sketch, Doug initially balks at shaking the hand of the Black host, before eventually relenting.TOM HANKS HAMMERED FOR 'DISGUSTING' PORTRAYAL OF WHITE TRUMP SUPPORTER IN SNL SKIT"I hated it too, and I said it on my show. I know. I hated it. Wearing the MAGA hat, not shaking hands with a Black person. And thats when I thought, You people dont know MAGA people," Maher said. "I mean, they have their issues and I certainly have my issues with them, but theyre general I mean, of course, theres some racists everywhere who are that bad, but generally, all the MAGA people I know have no problem shaking hands with a Black person."Maher then appeared to address the people behind such a portrayal by declaring, "Youre just hysterical, and youre not helping."Maher referred to such a smear of Trump supporters as a "zombie lie.""Mostly what I hate is, its what I call a zombie lie. Dont lie to me," he said, again addressing those who smear Trump supporters. "Its a lie that MAGA people wont shake hands with I get it, its part of a skit, and its exaggeration, and thats comedy. Its a little too delicate a subject to just make to go there for that one. You know, look, we all in comedy step over the line sometimes or do one that they want to take back. I doubt if they want to take that one back. I think they probably think its great."CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTUREOne of the rules of comedy, said Maher - a comedian himself - is that good jokes have to have some element of observational truth about the world in them."But Im telling you, as a liberal, I dont like it," he said. "Again, because lying offends me. Im a comedian. When the premise isnt real, I cant go with the joke is not gonna work. The premise has to ring true. That premise doesnt ring true. It might have rang true, I dont know, X years ago. It doesnt now. So, you know but thats where we are. Everybody has to just play the hate card, because thats what gets clicks. Thats what gets you loved by your side."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

A fourth inmate has been captured by authorities after escaping from a New Orleans jail on Friday with six other convicts."Louisiana State Police just captured inmate Gary C. Price," FBI New Orleans confirmed in a post on X.7 FUGITIVES REMAIN ON THE RUN AFTER NOLA PRISON BREAK; INSIDE JOB SUSPECTED"The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain out on the street this evening searching for the remaining six. If you have any information please call 1-800-Call-FBI or send us a tip online," the post continued.Price, 21, was charged with seven counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree battery, aggravated assault with a firearm, false imprisonment with a weapon, domestic abuse, simple assault, aggravated criminal damage to property and resisting an officer, according to officials.Officials said Price will ultimately be transported to a secure state facility outside the area and booked.NEW ORLEANS JAIL INMATES CHARGED WITH MURDER AND OTHER CRIMES ESCAPEAuthorities said that some fugitives may have left the city or the state of Louisiana, and the public has been urged to stay alert, not be alarmed and report any tips. The FBI in a statement said it has "surged resources" and is offering up to $5,000 for tips leading to the arrest of the inmates.A source confirmed to Fox News that authorities have come close to detaining others, but the "timing has been off."The source added it's possible the remaining fugitives have left New Orleans, but it's believed most, if not all of them, are still here.Police said that "over 200 Law Enforcement personnel from various local, state, and federal agencies continue to work around the clock to locate the remaining fugitives."The six fugitives still on the run are Jermaine Donald, 42; Antoine Massey, 33; Leo Tate, 31; Lenton Vanburen, 27; Derrick Groves, 27; and Corey Boyd, 19.The fugitives on the run are:Louisiana State Police released images of the captured fugitives being led into a helicopter on Friday night.Kendall Myles, 20, was apprehended after a brief foot chase through the French Quarter soon after the escape. He had previouslyescaped twicefrom juvenile detention centers.By Friday evening, two more fugitives had been captured. Officials found Robert Moody, 21, in New Orleans thanks to a Crimestoppers tip, according to Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office. Dkenan Dennis was found near the Chef Menteur Highway, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced on the social platform X.Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson said Friday it's unlikely the inmates could have escaped without some kind of help.Attorney General Liz Murrill said thatthey "clearly dropped the ball and theres no excuse for this."LOUISIANA GOVERNOR BLASTS 'PROGRESSIVE PROMISES' AFTER NEW ORLEANS JAIL ESCAPEShe is calling for a full investigation of the incident.A female civilian employee monitoring the pod "stepped away" to get food and missed the getaway, according to authorities.Officials said the video feed was not being actively monitored at the time, but it was reviewed after the inmates were discovered missing hours later.The escapees were not discovered missing until a routine headcount at 8:30 a.m. Friday.The jail is only at 60% staffing, and at the time of the escape, four supervisors and 36 staff members were monitoring 1,400 inmates, authorities said.Three jail employees have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, authorities said.Retired FBI special agent Jason Pack tells Fox News Digital that "the jailbreak in New Orleans should get everyones attention.""This wasnt a complicated escape. Ten inmates got out through a hole behind a toilet,"Pack said. "It took more than seven hours before anyone noticed they were gone. That tells you a lot about whats going on inside that jail. Too few people on staff. Not enough oversight. And likely not enough working equipment or security checks."Pack said that the number one goal for law enforcement is to get all the inmates back into custody quickly and safely."Police dont want this to end with anyone getting injured, including the escapees. The goal is to find them, surround them, and bring them in without any drama. Thats what officers train for. Its not about chasing headlines. Its about doing the job carefully and professionally, even when the public is watching," Pack said.Fox News Digital's Michael Dorgan and Alex Koch contributed to this report.

Robert Griffin III was among those who chimed in on the latest saga in the rivalry between basketball stars Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, saying the Chicago Sky star "hates Caitlin Clark.""After watching Caitlin Clarks flagrant foul on Angel Reese and the aftermath, there is no way Angel Reese can continue the lie that she doesnt dislike Caitlin Clark," Griffin wrote on X. "I know what hatred looks like. Angel Reese HATES Caitlin Clark. Not some basketball rivalry hate either. Hate."Griffin later claimed his statement was "purely based in basketball" and was simply a "sports take."CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMTempers flared between Reese and Clark after the Fever guard committed a flagrant foul on the Sky forward. It was one of the bigger moments of Indiana's 93-58 blowout win on Saturday.Current ESPN NFL analyst and former Pittsburgh Steelers star Ryan Clark reacted to Griffin's comments on the Reese-Clark drama. Clark suggested Griffin was joining the "hate train" and was falling in line with the positions other media figures have taken."When RG3 jumps onto the hate train or the angry train, it now follows what we saw from Keith Olbermann, what we saw from Dave Portnoy, as they poured onto Angel Reese to make her the villain, and Caitlin Clark heroic or hero story," Clark said during a recent episode of his "The Pivot" podcast."The one thing we know about RG3 is hes not having conversations at his home about what Black women have to endure in this country. About what young Black women and athletes like Angel Reese have had to deal with being on the opposite side of Caitlin Clarks rise and ascension into stardom."CAITLIN CLARK SPEAKS OUT ON WNBA'S PROBE INTO ALLEGED 'HATEFUL COMMENTS' TOWARD ANGEL REESEClark then highlighted the former NFL quarterback's marriage."If youre RG3, when is the last time within your household youve had a conversation about what [Angel Reese is] dealing with?" Clark asked. "You havent been able to do that because in both of your marriages, youve been married to White women."Griffin is married to Grete Griffin, who is a native of Estonia and a heptathlete."You havent had opportunities to have those conversations to educate you on what theyre feeling, what Black women deal with, what theyre seeing when they think of a young Angel Reese. And the whole time that hes mimicking Angel Reese and bobbing his head and moving his neck while hes doing this whole piece, his wife is in the back amening and clapping."Griffin left ESPN in 2024. Multiple outlets reported at the time that Griffin's dismissal was a cost-cutting move."When I worked with RG3, he would make all of these sort of corny jokes about milk and how much he loved it and how important it was. And he always points out on social media the color of his wifes white skin. As if the color of her skin is what makes her special. As if the color of her skin is what makes her a good wife," Clark continued."Ive met the lady. Ive had a conversation with her. I think shes more than that. But it also leads to what Black women deal with a lot from Black men who have chose to date or marry outside of their race. They always feel like they have to go the extra mile to prop up the woman that they married or the woman that theyre with over Black women by denigrating Black women."Griffin caught wind of Clark's comments and took to social media to share his response."Ryan Clark personally attacking me and my family personally over a sports opinion is cowardly, spineless, and weak," Griffin wrote on X, along with a more than two-minute-long video. Griffin also stated several times that Clark's assertions were "way out of bounds."Caitlin Clark and Reese have major history, going back to the 2023 NCAA womens basketball national championship. Both players downplayed the incident.Clark told ESPNs Holly Rowe after the third quarter that there had been "nothing malicious" behind the foul.Fox News' Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digitals sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

A bill making its way through the Texas Legislature would ban minors from accessing popular social media apps and websites in an effort to curb what a lawmaker says is an addictive and "harmful product."Republican state Rep. Jared Patterson's measure, House Bill 186, passed the Texas House with bipartisan support last month and appears poised to be pushed through by the state Senate en route to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk.In an interview with Fox News Digital on Monday, Patterson said the bill came about by speaking with multiple committees and with parents who have young kids about the effect that popular social media sites like X, TikTok, Facebook and Snapchat have on children.These committees and conversations came during the last two interims in the state Legislature that studied the issue of social media and minors."Learning more about it, we really came to the realization that this is the most harmful product that our kids have access to in terms of its addictive nature," Patterson said.NEW TEXAS LAW TAKES EFFECT REQUIRING PARENTAL APPROVAL FOR CHILDREN TO CREATE SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTSBill 186 wouldban minors from signing up for accounts on social media, require parental consent to download applications, and place warning labels about the dangers of social media.Websites that allow users to create content and share it will be considered a social media platform and thus be banned from minors.However, websites containing news and sports will be accessible for minors.While Texas isnt the first state to put some restrictions on minors' access to social media platforms, it right now would be the strictest.As of June 2024, there are 10 states that have age restriction laws on social media for minors, according to the Age Verification Providers Association.SNAPCHAT OPENLY DEFYING LAW, ALLOWING KIDS ACCESS TO HARMFUL ADDICTIVE CONTENT: FLORIDA AGCurrently, only Florida has laws banning minors from using social media, but its laws are not as strict as the proposed Texas Bill 186.Floridas age restriction is currently 14 years old, while Texass proposed limit would be for those under the age of 18.However, Patterson said the age restriction isnt set in stone."We'll see what happens with the Senate. When [the bill] left the House, people under the age of 18 will be prohibited from social media. There was broad bipartisan support when the bill left the Texas house," Patterson said. "[The Senate has] every right to adjust it to whatever it needs to get out of that body."MOMS FOR LIBERTY CO-FOUNDER SAYS CONGRESS' LATEST BILL TO PROTECT KIDS ONLINE HAS SERIOUS LOOPHOLERegardless of what changes are made, Patterson said he still feels strongly that protecting children is the No. 1 priority and that parents will realize just what exactly is happening."It starts with the understanding that these parents dont stand a chance against these algorithms," he said. "It also starts with parents understanding that these apps arent for friends sharing information with friends; they are built to harvest data and get people hooked on their products."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPPatterson said Texas will continue to "stand in the gap and protect these kids, even when these social media companies refuse to show up."They refuse to answer for the harm theyve caused, and they don't even care to answer questions in a public forum about what theyve done to our kids."

Talk show host Bill Maher called out liberal writers on "Saturday Night Live" for their portrayal of conservatives, arguing they used an outdated stereotype.Maher spoke about the current state of American culture with fitness icon and commentator Jillian Michaels in an episode of "Club Random" released on Sunday. After Maher spoke about Trumps unique appeal as a brash outsider willing to be called "deplorable" by his detractors, Michaels marveled at how Democrats are still tarring his supporters."The whole deplorable" thing," Michaels said, referring to then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton infamously smearing Trumps supporters as "a basket of deplorables," noting, "Theyre still doing that."Michaels recalled having met outspoken liberal actor Tom Hanks multiple times, saying he was "lovely" in person, but crossed a line with his portrayal of a Trump supporter on "Saturday Night Live." Hanks portrayed a caricature of an unkempt racist Southerner in a MAGA hat named "Doug" several times on the sketch comedy show. In one famous moment in the recurring "Black Jeopardy" sketch, Doug initially balks at shaking the hand of the Black host, before eventually relenting.TOM HANKS HAMMERED FOR 'DISGUSTING' PORTRAYAL OF WHITE TRUMP SUPPORTER IN SNL SKIT"I hated it too, and I said it on my show. I know. I hated it. Wearing the MAGA hat, not shaking hands with a Black person. And thats when I thought, You people dont know MAGA people," Maher said. "I mean, they have their issues and I certainly have my issues with them, but theyre general I mean, of course, theres some racists everywhere who are that bad, but generally, all the MAGA people I know have no problem shaking hands with a Black person."Maher then appeared to address the people behind such a portrayal by declaring, "Youre just hysterical, and youre not helping."Maher referred to such a smear of Trump supporters as a "zombie lie.""Mostly what I hate is, its what I call a zombie lie. Dont lie to me," he said, again addressing those who smear Trump supporters. "Its a lie that MAGA people wont shake hands with I get it, its part of a skit, and its exaggeration, and thats comedy. Its a little too delicate a subject to just make to go there for that one. You know, look, we all in comedy step over the line sometimes or do one that they want to take back. I doubt if they want to take that one back. I think they probably think its great."CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTUREOne of the rules of comedy, said Maher - a comedian himself - is that good jokes have to have some element of observational truth about the world in them."But Im telling you, as a liberal, I dont like it," he said. "Again, because lying offends me. Im a comedian. When the premise isnt real, I cant go with the joke is not gonna work. The premise has to ring true. That premise doesnt ring true. It might have rang true, I dont know, X years ago. It doesnt now. So, you know but thats where we are. Everybody has to just play the hate card, because thats what gets clicks. Thats what gets you loved by your side."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

A fourth inmate has been captured by authorities after escaping from a New Orleans jail on Friday with six other convicts."Louisiana State Police just captured inmate Gary C. Price," FBI New Orleans confirmed in a post on X.7 FUGITIVES REMAIN ON THE RUN AFTER NOLA PRISON BREAK; INSIDE JOB SUSPECTED"The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain out on the street this evening searching for the remaining six. If you have any information please call 1-800-Call-FBI or send us a tip online," the post continued.Price, 21, was charged with seven counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree battery, aggravated assault with a firearm, false imprisonment with a weapon, domestic abuse, simple assault, aggravated criminal damage to property and resisting an officer, according to officials.Officials said Price will ultimately be transported to a secure state facility outside the area and booked.NEW ORLEANS JAIL INMATES CHARGED WITH MURDER AND OTHER CRIMES ESCAPEAuthorities said that some fugitives may have left the city or the state of Louisiana, and the public has been urged to stay alert, not be alarmed and report any tips. The FBI in a statement said it has "surged resources" and is offering up to $5,000 for tips leading to the arrest of the inmates.A source confirmed to Fox News that authorities have come close to detaining others, but the "timing has been off."The source added it's possible the remaining fugitives have left New Orleans, but it's believed most, if not all of them, are still here.Police said that "over 200 Law Enforcement personnel from various local, state, and federal agencies continue to work around the clock to locate the remaining fugitives."The six fugitives still on the run are Jermaine Donald, 42; Antoine Massey, 33; Leo Tate, 31; Lenton Vanburen, 27; Derrick Groves, 27; and Corey Boyd, 19.The fugitives on the run are:Louisiana State Police released images of the captured fugitives being led into a helicopter on Friday night.Kendall Myles, 20, was apprehended after a brief foot chase through the French Quarter soon after the escape. He had previouslyescaped twicefrom juvenile detention centers.By Friday evening, two more fugitives had been captured. Officials found Robert Moody, 21, in New Orleans thanks to a Crimestoppers tip, according to Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office. Dkenan Dennis was found near the Chef Menteur Highway, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced on the social platform X.Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson said Friday it's unlikely the inmates could have escaped without some kind of help.Attorney General Liz Murrill said thatthey "clearly dropped the ball and theres no excuse for this."LOUISIANA GOVERNOR BLASTS 'PROGRESSIVE PROMISES' AFTER NEW ORLEANS JAIL ESCAPEShe is calling for a full investigation of the incident.A female civilian employee monitoring the pod "stepped away" to get food and missed the getaway, according to authorities.Officials said the video feed was not being actively monitored at the time, but it was reviewed after the inmates were discovered missing hours later.The escapees were not discovered missing until a routine headcount at 8:30 a.m. Friday.The jail is only at 60% staffing, and at the time of the escape, four supervisors and 36 staff members were monitoring 1,400 inmates, authorities said.Three jail employees have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, authorities said.Retired FBI special agent Jason Pack tells Fox News Digital that "the jailbreak in New Orleans should get everyones attention.""This wasnt a complicated escape. Ten inmates got out through a hole behind a toilet,"Pack said. "It took more than seven hours before anyone noticed they were gone. That tells you a lot about whats going on inside that jail. Too few people on staff. Not enough oversight. And likely not enough working equipment or security checks."Pack said that the number one goal for law enforcement is to get all the inmates back into custody quickly and safely."Police dont want this to end with anyone getting injured, including the escapees. The goal is to find them, surround them, and bring them in without any drama. Thats what officers train for. Its not about chasing headlines. Its about doing the job carefully and professionally, even when the public is watching," Pack said.Fox News Digital's Michael Dorgan and Alex Koch contributed to this report.

Two South Texas gang members have been sentenced for human smuggling, following a series of high-speed chases at the border that involved one of the gang members crashing his car into the Rio Grande and swimming to Mexico to escape.A Monday statement by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said the two human smugglers, Juan Miguel Regalado, 28, and Samuel Grajeda Jr., 21, are members of "Puro Tango Blast," a local Texas gang.The two were sentenced on May 15 after being convicted of conspiracy to transport undocumented immigrants, following an investigation by ICE, U.S. Border Patrol Laredo Sector and the Texas Department of Public Safety.U.S. District Judge John Kazen imposed a 66-month sentence for Regalado, while Grajeda previously received a 30-month imprisonment as well as a consecutive six months for violating the terms of his supervised release for a previous alien transporting conviction. Both must also serve three years of supervised release.Both men admitted to involvement in the human smuggling conspiracy.PROGRESSIVE PROSECUTOR LETS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TEEN OFF EASY AFTER 90-MPH CRASH THAT KILLED 24-YEAR-OLD WOMANAccording to the ICE statement, the investigation began April 20, 2024, when a group of suspected illegal aliens entered a green Tahoe in a sector of the border just north of Laredo, Texas.The statement said that Regalado was driving and led law enforcement on a high-speed chase, during which "multiple individuals jumped out of the vehicle."CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGEDriving up to 100 miles per hour, Regalado crashed the Tahoe into the Rio Grande and then proceeded to escape by swimming across the river to Mexico.Authorities continued to monitor the area over the next several months. In November 2024, another group of illegal aliens entered a white Ford Taurus parked in the area. Authorities followed the vehicle until another vehicle, a black Mercedes, cut them off. ICE said that the two vehicles were driven by Grajeda and Regalado.DEM'S IMMIGRATION REFORM PLAN ADDS BORDER PATROL AGENTS, OFFERS SELECT MIGRANTS PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIPA traffic stop of the Ford Taurus led to another vehicle pursuit in which Grajeda crashed into a bystanders vehicle. Law enforcement eventually discovered the Ford Taurus abandoned in a north Laredo neighborhood. Authorities then found four illegal aliens and Grajeda and Regalado within the vicinity of the abandoned vehicle.Both gang members are currently in custody.Craig Larrabee, ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Special Agent in Charge, said that "these sentences reflect the serious consequences awaiting those who engage in human smuggling and endanger public safety."Larrabee said that "Tango Blast gang members put countless lives at risk during these reckless pursuits" and that "through strong collaboration with our federal and state law enforcement partners, we remain committed to dismantling violent criminal organizations and protecting our communities."

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted its first self-deport operation, dubbed "Project Homecoming," with a charter flight on Monday from Texas, and made stops in Honduras and Columbia, taking 64 illegal immigrants who chose to self-deport back to their home countries.DHS said in a post on X that all participants who chose to leave the U.S. were offered the same benefits as any illegal alien who self-deports using the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home App."They received travel assistance, a $1,000 stipend, and preserved the possibility they could one day return to the United States legally," DHS said.DHS also shared a video of the events leading up to the first flight, showing families preparing to leave Houston, where they were greeted and offered food, games and stuffed animals for their children.TRUMP SIGNS EO OFFERING ILLEGAL MIGRANTS 'EXIT BONUS' IN FIRST-EVER SELF-DEPORTATION PROGRAMEarlier this month, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing the first ever self-deportation program which incentivizes illegal immigrants to voluntarily leave the U.S. on a free flight and with a cash bonus."Project Homecoming" authorizes government-funded flights and offers money to illegal immigrants who are willing to self-deport.When Trump announced the signing of the order in a post on Truth Social, he said the program would end up saving taxpayers "billions and billions" of dollars.DEMOCRAT FLOATS WORK VISA SUGGESTION IN RESPONSE TO TRUMP ADMIN'S $1,000 SELF-DEPORTATION OFFER"We are making it as easy as possible for illegal aliens to leave America. Any illegal alien can simply show up at an airport and receive a free flight out of our country," Trump said. "Illegals can book a free flight to any foreign country as long as it's not here. You can go anywhere you want."DHS said days before the executive order was signed that migrants would be offered a $1,000 stipend each to leave. The department said this will be 70% cheaper for American taxpayers, as it currently costs DHS, on average, over $17,000 to arrest, detain, and deport someone."This deportation bonus will save American taxpayers billions and billions of dollars," Trump said.DHS UNLEASHES POSSIBLE MONEY-SAVING MEASURE FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS TO SELF-DEPORT: 'SAFEST OPTION'Illegal immigrants are encouraged to use the CBP One app to arrange their deportations. The same app under the Biden administration was used to expedite migrants from scheduling appointments at official ports of entry before they were paroled into the U.S., which was discontinued on the first day of Trumps second term.DHS Secretary Kristi Noem shared a post about the first "Project Homecoming" flight on X, advising those in the country to take advantage of the program.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"If you are here illegally, use the CBP Home App to take control of your departure and receive financial support to return home," Noem wrote. "If you dont, you will be subjected to fines, arrest, deportation and will never be allowed to return. If you are in this country illegally, self-deport NOW and preserve your opportunity to potentially return the legal, right way."Fox News Digitals Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is launching an investigation into the City of Chicago for allegedly engaging in a pattern of discrimination based on race, which is a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.Harmeet K. Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for the DOJs Civil Rights Division, sent a letter to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday to notify him that an investigation into civil rights violations was being opened."Our investigation is based on information suggesting that you have made hiring decisions solely on the basis of race," Dhillon wrote. "In your remarks made yesterday at the Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn, you highlight[ed] the number of Black officials in [your] administration."Johnson was a guest at the Apostolic Church of God, when he responded to critics who claim he only talks about hiring Black people.TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TARGETS IVY LEAGUE SCHOOL, LAW JOURNAL FOR RACIAL DISCRIMINATION"No, what Im saying is, when you hire our people, we always look out for everybody else. We are the most generous people on the planet," he said.Johnson went on to list top officials in his administration, emphasizing their race.For example, Johnson said his deputy mayor of business and economic neighborhood development is a Black woman.Other positions filled by Black women that Johnson spoke about include the deputy mayor of infrastructure, the budget director and the commissioner of the department of planning and development.AG BONDI LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION INTO DEI ADMISSIONS POLICIES AT STANFORD, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SCHOOLSJohnson also highlighted the chief operations officer and senior advisor as both being positions held by Black men."You then said that you were laying these positions out to ensure that our people get a chance to grow their business," Dhillon wrote to Johnson. "Considering these remarks, I have authorized an investigation to determine whether the City of Chicago is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination as set forth above."If these kind of hiring decisions are being made for top-level positions in your administration, then it begs the question whether such decisions are also being made for lower-level positions," she added.RUMP DOJ SLAPS ILLINOIS, CHICAGO WITH LAWSUIT OVER SANCTUARY LAWSDhillon stressed that no conclusions have been made on the matter, and she welcomed his assistance with the investigation.Johnsons office did not respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment on the investigation.The Chicago mayor has made race-based comments in the past.After President Donald Trump was elected to a second term, Johnson claimed during a news conference that the new president is a threat to Black families in his city."His threat is not just towards new arrivals and undocumented families. His threats are also against Black families," Johnson said. "Were going to protect Black folks, Brown folks, Asian folks. The City of Chicago will be better, stronger and safer despite whos in the White House."Fox News' Patrick McGovern and Elizabeth Heckman contributed to this report.

Following news that the House Rules Committee will convene at 1 a.m. on Wednesday morning to take the next steps in advancing President Trump's "big, beautiful" budget bill, Democrats are accusing Republicans of cowardice for advancing the monumental bill "in the dead of night."The House Budget Committee reached an initial consensus to pass the bill to the Rules Committee late Sunday evening, after gaveling in at approximately 10:00 p.m. The Rules Committee must now take up the matter to set out the rules for debate and markup that are expected to take place next in the GOP-controlled House of Representatives.Shortly after, the House Budget Committee passed the bill in a late-Sunday night vote, the House Rules Committee announced it would be considering the One Big Beautiful Bill Act at 1 a.m. on Wednesday morning. The announcement, followed by the late-night Sunday vote, has stirred up criticism from Democrats who argue the late-night legislative sessions are the result of GOP cowardice."Republicans are scheduling votes in the DEAD OF NIGHT on Trump's big, beautiful bill. They advanced their bill last night at 10:30PM. The next vote is scheduled for 1AM on Wednesday. Why hide?" questioned Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. "Maybe because this bill rips away health care from babies, new moms, and seniors."NEW PROJECTION SIGNALS GOOD NEWS FOR FAMILIES, WORKERS IN TRUMP'S 'BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL'The legislative negotiations over the GOP's budget bill have circulated around what federal programs, or funding, will need to be cut in order to extend the president's tax cuts from his first term, which are set to expire. Among those cuts are new provisions to federal healthcare programs, like Medicaid, which Democrats have slammed as a move to take away public healthcare programs from those who need them the most. "Republicans know that their efforts to take away health care from millions of Americans is deeply unpopular. Republicans know that the effort to enact the largest cut to nutritional assistance in American history, which will literally take food from the mouths of children, veterans and seniors, is deeply unpopular. Republicans know that providing billionaire donors with a massive tax break for people, like Elon Musk, and at the same time, exploding the deficit by trillions of dollars is deeply unpopular," the Democrats' House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said during a Monday afternoon press conference."That's why Republicans are going to try to advance this bill in the dead of night at 1 a.m. in the morning."HAROLD FORD, JR. ARGUES TRUMP'S 'BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL' CUTS ONLY THE RICHEST PEOPLE'S TAXESRepublicans, however, have indicated their hope to pass their new budget bill by Memorial Day, and, in order to do that, the lengthy reconciliation process Republicans are using to get the bill passed must move quickly as the date is fast approaching.As a result of the looming Memorial Day deadline, Republicans appear to be moving the bill forward as quickly as possible, and, to do so, it is reportedly requiring the House Rules Committee to convene early Wednesday morning. "Under the rules, Budget Dems get two calendar days to file minority views after last night's markup.That could take until midnight Tuesday. Rules then has a one hour notice requirement, hence starting at 1 am," political commentator Brendan Buck said on X, citing someone with expert knowledge of the legislative process.BUDGET OFFICE WITH 'FUNDAMENTALLY PROGRESSIVE ROOTS' USED BY DEMS AS LATEST TOOL IN ANTI-TRUMP RESISTANCEBut that hasn't stopped Democrats from claiming Republicans are engaging in late-night votes to somehow keep the budget bill process out of the limelight."Remember when Republicans said late-night sessions were not what the country needs or deserves during the American Rescue Plan? Now theyre getting ready to make dramatic cuts to Medicaid and SNAP so they can give tax breaks for billionaires - in the dead of night," Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., said following news of the Wednesday morning Rules Committee session. "Hypocrisy on full display."