A woman has made a name for herself on social media after she used a whole rotisserie chicken as her carry-on luggage to eat as a mid-flight snack.Chloe Gray caught the attention of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners when she casually carried a cooked bird through airport security and onto her flight from Newark, New Jersey, to California earlier this month.The social media influencer said carrying the meal as a "designer bag" was simply a clever way for her to stay nourished during her trip. (See the video at the top of this article.)6 FOODS FLIGHT PASSENGERS SHOULD NEVER ORDER ON A PLANE"Mine just happened to be a bag of rotisserie chicken," Gray told What's the Jam.Gray shared her experience of traveling with the edible carry-on item in a series of TikTok videos that have been viewed some 500,000 times since May 2."I just got pulled aside by TSA for having something crazy in my bag," Gray told her followers in one of the videos."But I told [the security screener], This is how you give yourself a first-class experience without paying for first class."Gray, who lives in New York City, said she hates buying airport food and usually tries to pack a salad when she's flying. For this trip, she didn't have time so instead she decided to grab an entire rotisserie chicken from Whole Foods.YES, FOOD AND DRINKS TASTE DIFFERENT ON A PLANE AND THERE'S A REASON"I did not feel any differently about bringing a rotisserie on my flight compared to any other meal or snack because it's just literally the same thing a meal," she told What's the Jam."It just so happened to be incredibly convenient that I could slip into Whole Foods and quickly grab one off the shelf on my way to the airport."But it didn't take long for her poultry-packed carry-on item to ruffle feathers with the TSA."The only thing that scared me about going through security with my rotisserie is that they were going to throw it away, which would have been devastating because I would have been incredibly hungry and tight on time," Gray told What's the Jam.TUNA MELT 'STINKING UP' PLANE PROMPTS FELLOW PASSENGER'S VIRAL VIDEO"I don't think I would have been able to grab another healthy and satisfying meal."Gray said the TSA agent who questioned her about it "was very polite and understanding.""She even gently handed it back to me and affectionately said, 'Here you go, baby.'"In another video, Gray is seen casually eating a bite of the chicken with a plastic fork while seated on the plane.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTERAfter sharing her journey on TikTok, Gray received plenty of responses online."Someone sitting next to me on a plane pulling out a rotisserie chicken would be my last straw," one commenter wrote.For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyleAnother person wrote, "As a passenger I would NEVER!!!""Nooo, the strong smell on the flight is diabolical," yet another commenter said.But Gray didn't seem to be bothered."Obviously, the internet is a crazy place and everyone seems to have an opinion, even if it's about something so classic and simple like a rotisserie chicken," she said.Fox News Digital reached out to Gray for further comment.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. slammed Washington Sen. Patty Murray during a Tuesday Senate hearing for allegedly "presiding over the destruction" of Americans' health across her more than 30 years in the upper chamber."You've presided here, I think, for 32 years. You presided over the destruction of the health of the American people. Our people are now the sickest people in the world," Kennedy said to Murray during a tense back and forth Tuesday morning.Murray began her tenure in the Senate in 1993."Seriously?" Murray interjected.WATCH: RFK JR. REBUKES DEM SENATOR FOR PLAYING POLITICS WITH CANCER-STRICKEN CONSTITUENT: 'YOU DON'T CARE'"What have you done about it? Kennedy shot back. What have you done about the epidemic of chronic disease?"As the two continued talking over one another, the subcommittee chair, Republican West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, asked Kennedy to "hold back and let the senator ask the questions.""Mr. Secretary, I'm asking you a question about child care," Murray continued. "I'm asking you who made the decision to withhold child care and development block grant funding?" "That was made by my department," Kennedy responded.BEN & JERRY'S CO-FOUNDER ARRESTED PROTESTING SENATE HEARING: 'RFK KILLS PEOPLE WITH HATE'Kennedy appeared before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee Tuesday morning to answer questions related to HHS' budget proposal for fiscal year 2026. The hearing comes just after Kennedy joined lawmakers in both a Senate hearing and a House hearing, both of which included fiery exchanges between Kennedy and Democrat lawmakers.Murray continued in her questioning that the HHS was making vast cuts to scientists at the agency, which Kennedy dismissed, citing that he does not "trust" Murray's information."And you said last week, quote, we were not cutting thousands of scientists," Murray continued. "We are not cutting clinical trials. But I want you to know, in the last four months, you fired or pushed out nearly 5,000 NIH staff and terminated more than 1,600 NIH grants. That includes more than 240 clinical trials across the country. So whose decision was it to fire scientists and terminate these NIH grants and the clinical trial?"DEM LAWMAKER SEETHES RFK JR'S 'LEGITIMACY' AS HHS SECRETARY HAS 'EXPIRED' IN HEATED EXCHANGE"Senator, I don't trust your information with all due respect," Kennedy responded, continuing that Murray's previous remarks in a recent hearing were not correct. "You told me what, three days ago or four days ago, that we had cut a clinical trial in your state and what you said turned out to be completely untrue. And you knew it was untrue because you corresponded with (Director of the National Institutes of Health) Jay Bhattacharya before that.""You came here to argue with me," Murray added. "I came here to ask you questions about your budget request. Your budget request is asking us to cut dramatically. But I am also making the point that Senator Baldwin made, that what you are doing right now is enacting your budget, that Congress has not passed, by cutting critical funding across the board."The Washington Democrat previously exchanged barbs with Kennedy Wednesday, when Murray accused Kennedy and the Trump administration of delaying critical cancer care for one of her constituents."Mr. Secretary, one of my constituents she's a mom of two from Bainbridge Island in Washington state," Murray said in her opening line of questioning Wednesday. "She has been fighting aggressive stage four colorectal cancer for nearly five years now. Her best hope now is a clinical trial she's participating in at the [National Institutes of Health's] Clinical Center."FDA'S LATEST MAHA MOVE WOULD WIPE OUT KIDS' FLUORIDE PRESCRIPTIONS AS HEALTH RISK EVIDENCE MOUNTS"But because of the thoughtless mass firing of thousands of critical employees across NIH and HHS that you carried out, Natalie's doctors at that clinical center have told her they have no choice but to delay her treatment by an additional four weeks.""I can't tell you that now, Sen. Murray," Kennedy responded. "What I can tell you is that if you contact my office tomorrow, I'll look specifically into that."However, that answer from Kennedy was "not acceptable" to the senator."That is not acceptable," Murray shot back, eventually demanding Kennedy provide her an update on Natalie's case within 24 hours. "I want an answer."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPKennedy added during Tuesday's hearing that Murray's constituent had qualified for the clinical trial "this week," adding that "we shouldn't be talking about patients' private information," with Murray agreeing.Fox News Digital's Alec Schemmel contributed to this article.

Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka is no longer facing a federal trespassing charge over an incident earlier this month at Delaney Hall, a privately operated Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in his city."After extensive consideration, we have agreed to dismiss Mayor Barakas misdemeanor charge of trespass for the sake of moving forward," acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba said in a statement on Monday evening."In the spirit of public interest, I have invited the mayor to tour Delaney Hall. The government has nothing to hide at this facility, and I will personally accompany the mayor so he can see that firsthand," she continued.DHS SAYS ARRESTS ARE STILL ON THE TABLE AFTER NEW JERSEY HOUSE DEMS CAUGHT ON CAMERA STORMING ICE FACILITYHowever, Rep. LaMonica McIver is being charged for allegedly "assaulting, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement." Fox News has learned that McIver must turn herself in as soon as possible, though it is up to the magistrate on the specifics of when she must turn herself in and how."I am glad that the U.S. Attorney has agreed that this case should be dismissed," he said.CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE"I have had strong relationships with prior U.S. Attorneys, and I plan to speak with the current U.S. Attorney about issues on which we can cooperate. As to Delaney Hall, I will continue to advocate for the humane treatment of detainees, and I will continue to press the facility to ensure that it is compliant with City of Newark codes and regulations."NEWARK MAYOR ARRESTED AT ICE FACILITY CLAIMS HE WAS 'TARGETED' AFTER COURT HEARING"I understand that the U.S. Attorney has chosen to charge Congresswoman LaMonica McIver with assaulting law enforcement," Baraka continued. "Congresswoman McIver is a daughter of Newark, past Newark Council President, a former student of mine, and a dear friend. I want to be clear: I stand with LaMonica, and I fully expect her to be vindicated."Baraka and three congressional lawmakers McIver, Robert Menendez Jr. and Bonnie Watson Coleman were outside the ICE facility earlier this month with a group of protesters when the gates opened to allow an ICE bus in. All four officials then allegedly rushed through the gates past security, according to officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)."If it was a typical U.S. citizen, and they tried to storm into a detention facility that's housing dangerous criminals or any person at all, they would be arrested," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told "Fox News Live" host Kevin Corke earlier this month. "Just because you are a member of Congress or just because you're a public official, does not mean you are above the law."BLUE STATE POLITICAL BATTLE INTENSIFIES AFTER DEM MAYOR'S ARREST AT ICE FACILITY: 'OUTRAGED'Barakas arrest triggered a local political firestorm, as he is also in the Democratic primary for governor. He appeared in court last Thursday for a status conference, where the case was expected to proceed to trial at the time for the class C misdemeanor charge. The court appearance led supporters of Baraka to rally outside the Newark federal courtroom, and Habba personally showed up to the conference.Fox News' Greg Wehner and Alexis McAdams contributed to this report.

Nebraska is the first state to receive a federal waiver to ban the purchase of soda and energy drinks under the benefit program for low-income Americans long known as food stamps.The move, announced Monday by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, would affect about 152,000 people in Nebraska enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which helps families pay for groceries."There's absolutely zero reason for taxpayers to be subsidizing purchases of soda and energy drinks," Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen said in a statement. "SNAP is about helping families in need get healthy food into their diets, but there's nothing nutritious about the junk we're removing with today's waiver."ARKANSAS MOVES TO BAN 'JUNK FOOD' FROM SNAP PROGRAM: 'DEFINITION OF CRAZY'Six other states Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Indiana, Iowa and West Virginia have also submitted requests for waivers banning certain foods and drinks or, in some cases, expanding access to hot foods for participants, according to the USDA.The push to ban sugary drinks, candy and more from the SNAP program has been a key focus of Rollins and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Rollins called Monday's move "a historic step to Make America Healthy again."MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN: TIMELINE OF THE MAHA MOVEMENTDetails of Nebraska's waiver, which takes effect Jan. 1, weren't immediately available. Anti-hunger advocates criticized it, saying it adds costs, boosts administrative burdens and increases stigma for people already facing food insecurity.The waiver "ignores decades of evidence showing that incentive-based approaches not punitive restrictions are the most effective, dignified path to improving nutrition and reducing hunger," said Gina Plata-Nino, a deputy director at the Food Research & Action Center, a nonprofit advocacy group.SNAP is a roughly $100 billion program that serves about 42 million Americans and is run by the U.S. Agriculture Department and administered through states.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe program is authorized by the federal Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, which says SNAP benefits can be used "for any food or food product intended for human consumption," except alcohol, tobacco and hot foods, including those prepared for immediate consumption.Over the past 20 years, lawmakers in several states have proposed stopping SNAP from paying for everything from bottled water and soda to chips, ice cream and "luxury meats" like steak.Until now, USDA rejected the waivers, saying there were no clear standards to define certain foods as good or bad. In addition, the agency had said restrictions would be difficult to implement, complicated and costly, and would not necessarily change recipients' food purchases or reduce health problems such as obesity.

The family of a U.S. Air Force veteran who was wrongfully detained in Venezuela since November 2024, on Tuesday, said he was released.Joseph St. Clair, a four-tour Afghanistan War veteran from Hansville, Washington, first went missing in November while getting PTSD treatment in Colombia."This news came suddenly, and we are still processing itbut we are overwhelmed with joy and gratitude," said Scott and Patti St. Clair, Joseph's parents.The family also thanked President Donald Trump, as well as his administration, for securing St. Clair's release.This story is breaking. Please check back for updates.

A massive inferno ripped through a three-story mansion Tuesday morning in an upscale neighborhood in northwest Washington, D.C., just blocks away from the home of former President Barack Obama.The blaze prompted nearby evacuations and a large emergency response in the Kalorama district, according to the D.C. Fire and EMS Department, adding there was a separate fire at the same home Monday night caused by an accidental electrical issue.The mansion was an unoccupied building undergoing renovations, authorities said. Public records show the six-bedroom, 5-bathroom 1928 English Manor was purchased last month for $8.575 million.While the first fire was contained to mostly one floor and required one truck to extinguish the blaze, Tuesdays incident escalated to a two-alarm fire that became a "defensive operation using large outside streams," the fire department said. Approximately 20 vehicles and 100 firefighters responded to the blaze that engulfed every floor of the building, and both sides of the house were evacuated as a precaution.2 DEAD AFTER SEPARATE FIRES STRIKE WASHINGTON, DCAuthorities added that "there was a mayday that was resolved with the firefighter safe and uninjured."2 DEAD AFTER HOUSE BURNS DOWN IN NEW JERSEY FOLLOWING 'GIGANTIC EXPLOSION,' CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION UNDERWAYOne firefighter fell into an elevator shaft but was quickly pulled to safety and was hospitalized as a precaution, FOX5 DC reported, citing D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly.No other injuries were reported, and the blaze was under control by late morning. Fire investigators are still working to determine the cause of Tuesdays fire.

Comedian and podcaster Tim Dillon rejected claims that he and other prominent comedians formed a "new establishment" that contributed to former Vice President Kamala Harris' loss in the 2024 presidential election during an interview with CNN on Monday.Dillon told CNN reporter Elle Reeve that he doesn't "buy the narrative" that several comedians with podcasts were responsible for sinking the Harris campaign or determining the outcome of the race.Reeve asked Dillon whether he believed he was part of a newly emerging establishment, and he pushed back, saying, "I dont think Im part of the new establishment."TIM DILLON SAYS REBRANDING OF CORE AMERICAN VALUES AS 'RIGHT-WING' IS THE 'CRAZIEST THING' HE'S EVER HEARDDillon continued, noting that Harris entered the race under challenging conditions: "But this is a very specific circumstance in which Kamala Harris ran for president. She was somewhat unpopular, and she was not a star in Democratic politics before this at all. And her communication strategy was pretty weak. I think most people admitted that. So to hang this defeat all on a few podcasts and to say that they were the problem, I just dont buy the narrative."The comedian dismissed the notion that "a few comedians with podcasts" were able to go toe-to-toe with the "multibillionaires, huge media institutions, a whole political party apparatus" that supported Harris' campaign."I think it seems like a great way to excuse running an unpopular candidate on a platform that American people werent sold on," Dillon said.After being pressed further by Reeve on comedians' influence on politics, Dillon mocked the idea that he and other comedians have power that "is equal to the CIA.""The idea that, like, the power that Theo Von has would be equal to, like, the intelligence agencies or these massive legacy media institutions seems crazy," he stated, referencing fellow comedian Theo Von.COMEDIAN THEO VON BACKS TRUMP'S TARIFF PLAN TO BRING LIFE BACK TO 'EMPTY' US TOWNSReeve maintained that comedians had significant sway, arguing they had formed an 'establishment' with substantial influence over large audiences. Dillon eventually interrupted, challenging this notion."Well, just, you used the word establishment," Dillon interjected. "I didnt say that we didnt have any power or that audiences werent powerful. But when you use the term establishment, I think that thats more than just having an audience. Thats having an institutional component that I dont think we have."The comedian continued, offering a counter narrative to the reporter's argument that podcasters had the power to have a major influence on an election.TRUMP VICTORY PROVES IMPORTANCE OF CANDID, LONGFORM PODCASTS AS PLATFORM SHOWED HUMAN SIDE OF ONE CANDIDATE"But I think legacy media does. I think the government and the intelligence communities do. I think Hollywood certainly does. And I think all of those people, all of those power factions have worked together for a very, very, very long time. So to say that a few comedians with podcasts equal that seems crazy to me," he said.

The Milwaukee judge accused of helping an illegal immigrant evade Immigration and Customs Enforcement is back in the spotlight this time because of the liberal federal judge presiding over her trial.U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman, 85, was randomly assigned to preside over the jury trial of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, who was indicted earlier this month for allegedly shielding an illegal immigrant from ICE in her courtroom. Adelman, a former Democratic lawmaker and outspoken judge, faces mounting criticism and scrutiny of his record as he handles the high-profile case.Adelman spent 20 years as a Democrat in the Wisconsin state Senate before then-President Bill Clinton nominated him in 1997 to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.Though the judge hasnt been active in politics for years, critics note recent rulings and writings in which hes taken aim at President Donald Trump, Chief Justice Roberts and others.TRUMP CONSIDERS FORMER DEFENSE ATTORNEY EMIL BOVE FOR FEDERAL APPEALS COURT VACANCYSome fear this continued political bias could risk his impartiality in presiding over Dugan's trial or at least the perceptions of it, in the eyes of Trump allies. Adelman did not respond to a request for comment.In 2020, Adelman published an article for Harvard Law & Policy Review, titled, "The Roberts Courts Assault on Democracy" that set off a torrent of criticism from Trump allies and court commentators alike.The article accused Chief Justice John Roberts of breaking with his Senate confirmation testimony in 2005 instead ushering in a "hard-right majority" on the Supreme Court, and "actively participating in undermining American democracy."Adelman also took aim at Trump, whose temperament he said "is that of an autocrat," but who he said "is also disinclined to buck the wealthy individuals and corporations who control his party."Adelman used the article to advocate for "righting the ship" of the high court, in part by embracing an approach similar to the Warren Court known both for its landmark civil rights rulings and a slew of other progressive decisions.100 DAYS OF INJUNCTIONS, TRIALS AND 'TEFLON DON': TRUMP SECOND TERM MEETS ITS BIGGEST TESTS IN COURTAdelman was later admonished by the Civility Committee for the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals for his remarks in the article.They found his remarks did not violate prohibited political activity under the Canons of Judicial Conduct, but issued the following rebuke:"The opening two sentences regarding the Chief Justice and the very pointed criticisms of Republican Party policy positions could be seen as inconsistent with a judge's duty to promote public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary and as reflecting adversely on the judge's impartiality," the committee said.Adelman later issued a public apology for those remarks.Adelman was also at the center of a major case involving Wisconsin's voter ID law, which sought to make it harder for citizens to vote.He blocked the law from taking force ahead of the elections a decision that was later reversed by the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, which again issued a sharp rebuke of his ruling.In "our hierarchical judicial system, a district court cannot declare a statute unconstitutional just because he thinks (with or without the support of a political scientist) that the dissent was right and the majority wrong," the appeals court said, noting that Adelman did not rely on any Supreme Court precedent to base his decision.In light of his previous remarks and progressive rulings, court-watchers expect his behavior here to be closely scrutinized.It's unclear whether his behavior could assuage the concerns of longtime critics among them, Mike Davis of the Article III Project, and conservative scholar Josh Blackman, who took aim at Adelman's 2020 remarks in a blog post at the time.This is due in part to the canons of judicial ethics, Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley noted in an op-ed for The Hill."Because of these ethical principles, judges are usually highly restrained in their public comments, particularly about political or ideological matters," he said.JUDGES V TRUMP: HERE ARE THE KEY COURT BATTLES HALTING THE WHITE HOUSE AGENDADugan's trial comes at a time when Trump and his allies have blasted so-called "activist" judges who they see as acting politically to block his agenda suggesting her trial, and Adelman's behavior will be under especially close scrutiny.But others noted that federal judges often take great caution to avoid the appearance of political bias, even more so in public remarks, understanding that doing so could violate the canons for judicial behavior.Many also see their roles on the court as a serious job that requires them to be impartial arbiters of the law looking to precedent, rather than politics as their guide.In presiding over Dugan's case, experts hope Adelman will do the same."When I have served on panels with sitting federal judges, they often balk at even discussing the scope of constitutional rights out of concern for these canons," Turley noted in the an op-ed. "Federal judges are expected to speak through opinions in court decisions rather than in editorials or law review articles."

A man who murdered an 18-year-old woman in Utah four decades ago has finally been identified, authorities said Thursday.Christine Gallegoswas found dead on May 16, 1985, along Jefferson Street in Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake City Police Department said. She had been beaten, stabbed, sexually assaulted and shot to death near an area known then as Dirks Field.Detectives were unable to find any leads despite years of investigative efforts and multiple rounds of forensic testing. The case went cold and remained so until 2023, when advances in DNA and genealogical testing connected the case to a man named Ricky Lee Stallworth.Stallworth was a 27-year-old airman stationed at Hill Air Force Base at the time of the Gallegos murder, according to police. He died of natural causes in July 2023.FAMILY OF MOM MURDERED IN RITZY DC SUBURB DECADES AGO GETS JUSTICE AS PERP NOBODY EXPECTED PLEADS GUILTY"We missed being able to talk to him and interview him just by a matter of months," Detective Cordon Parks said at a news conference on Thursday. "I wish we could have got to him before he died."Stallworth was first named a likely suspect after the case was reexamined in 2023, with efforts focusing on identifying an unknown male DNA profile that had been previously entered into the Combined DNA Index System, a database of DNA profiles from convicted offenders, unsolved crime scene evidence and missing persons.Othram Labs in The Woodlands, Texas, came up with the likely match after detectives sent evidence to the lab in late 2023 for advanced DNA analysis.One of Stallworths family members then provided detectives with a voluntary DNA sample, which police said confirmed Stallworth as a match.Parks said an investigation into Stallworth revealed him to be "sort of a State Street stalker.""Even though he was married, he would tell his spouses that he was going out for the night," Parks said. "He'd leave late in the night, and he wouldn't come back until early, early the next morning."Detectives said a motive remains unclear and any potential relationship between Gallegos and Stallworth remains unanswered. Investigators have said it was "very obvious" that Gallegos struggled with the suspect before she was shot and stabbed."She left a blood trail up to the gutter of Jefferson Street," Parks said.DETECTIVES' TRUE CRIME PODCAST HELPS DIG UP BREAKTHROUGH IN CASE THAT HAUNTED FAMILY: DREW AUDIBLE GASP'Gallegos mother, Leah, thanked investigators for "never giving up" on solving the case."You never quit thinking about it. You never quit crying about it," Leah Gallegos said when reporters asked about her memories of her daughter."I wonder about the kids that she would have" she added. "She was outgoing, she was sweet ... they took so much away when they took her away."Utah State Bureau of Investigation Agent Steve OCamb said he hoped that identifying the killer would bring the family closure."Handcuffs, however, do not equal healing," OCamb said. "The resolution of Christines case is a prime example. We werent able to arrest a suspect, but hopefully we achieved some measure of justice for her and the family and friends that loved her."

The recent escape of ten inmates from a New Orleans jail is the latest wake-up call proving that federal consent decrees do more harm than good when it comes to public safety. The jail, part of the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office system, has operated under a federal consent decree since 2013a full 12 years of federal oversight with little to show in terms of competence, safety, or accountability.This wasnt a jailbreak from a maximum-security fortress. These inmatesincluding several facing charges for violent felonies, including murdersimply walked out of a minimum-security facility that was staffed at 60% of the required personnel. It was hours before they were even noticed missing. As of this writing, multiple escapees remain at large.Consent decrees were originally intended as a way to reform abusive or corrupt police and correctional systems. But in practice, they often become sprawling bureaucratic disasters. Expensive, unaccountable, and slow to adapt, they tie the hands of local officials while encouraging a mindset of avoidance rather than enforcement.MASSIVE JAIL BREAK IN NEW ORLEANS 'IMPOSSIBLE' WITHOUT STAFF INVOLVEMENT, SAYS EX-FBI FUGITIVE HUNTERAdding insult to injury, the so-called federal "monitor" of these consent decrees is usually a private law firmone that bills taxpayers for millions of dollars in oversight fees. These firms have no incentive to wrap things up quickly, and every delay becomes another invoice paid by the public, not for safety or reform, but for paper-pushing and partner bonuses.The truth is, once instituted, federal monitorships become essentially interminable, with new "concerns" surfacing from the worthies-in-charge whenever the decree is in danger of expiring.Some monitorships literally go on for decades.LOUISIANA GOVERNOR BLASTS 'PROGRESSIVE PROMISES' AFTER NEW ORLEANS JAIL ESCAPEThats why, under the Trump administration, an Executive Order was issued last month to review and wind down federal consent decrees imposed on law enforcement agencies across the country. The rationale was simple: let local officials do their job without long-distance interference from Washington lawyers and ideologues who have no stake in the neighborhoods affected.The New Orleans debacle offers a textbook case in how these agreements backfire. The consent decree for the jail, overseen by a federal judge and an out-of-town monitor, was supposed to improve conditions. Instead, it has delivered chronic understaffing, poor morale, and a culture of indecision. Because one result of consent decrees is often the inability to answer a simple, vital question: Who is running things?All of this is unfolding as progressive politicians continue pushing the "decarceration" movement nationwideanother ideological train wreck that treats fewer jail beds as moral progress, regardless of public safety consequences. In New York City, for example, Rikers Island, the city jail, is slated to be closed soon in favor of scattered, "borough-based" jails with a diminution of roughly 30% in available prisoner beds.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONNew York City locks barely locks anybody up now. Were going down 30 percent?At some point, we have to admit the obvious: systems engineered by federal judges, consultants, academics and law firms arent delivering safety or reform. They're delivering escapes, lawsuits, public distrust and cops and corrections officers fearful of doing their jobs without being second-guessed.The lefts obsession with de-carceration and federal micromanagement is proving to be just another failed experiment in soft-on-crime governance. New Orleans just became its latest victim.Lets hope there arent anymore, as the escapees remain at large.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM PAUL MAURO