Rep.Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs tough Bronx persona is under fresh scrutiny with a resurfaced childhood nickname from her suburban upstate New York upbringing casting doubt on that publicly portrayed image.The progressive champions latest spat with President Donald Trump over the Iran strikes again called into question her true upbringing when she declared on X that she was a "Bronx girl" to make a point against the president.The 35-year-old "Squad" member wrote in part on X last week: "Im a Bronx girl. You should know that we can eat Queens boys for breakfast. Respectfully," she said, referring to the presidents upbringing in Queens as she called for his impeachment over his decision to bypass Congress in authorizing U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.AOCS CONSTITUENTS WEIGH IN ON PRESIDENTIAL RUN, RECALL HER STUNNING 2018 POLITICAL UPSETOcasio-Cortez was born in the Bronx but moved to Yorktown which is nearly an hour outside New York City -- when she was 5 years old and went on to attend Yorktown High School, from where she graduated in 2007.She was considered an accomplished student there and well-thought of by teacher Michael Blueglass, according to a 2018 report by local media outlet Halston Media News."There, known by students and staff as Sandy, she was a member of the Science Research Program taught by Michael Blueglass," the report states."She was amazing," Blueglass said, per the report. "Aside from her winning one of the top spots and going to the [Intel International Science and Engineering Fair], she was just one of the most amazing presenters in all of the years I've been at Yorktown. Her ability to take complex information and explain it to all different levels of people was fantastic."After high school, Ocasio-Cortez attended Boston University, where she majored in economics and international relations, per the report.Ocasio-Cortezs "Sandy" nickname which carries a more suburban and preppy tone appears to undercut her politically crafted image as a tough, inner-city fighter, one she has portrayed since her famous 2018 congressional campaign, where she eventually ousted former 10-term Congressman Joe Crowley.AOC, DEMS CALLED OUT AS 'HYPOCRITES' FOR IMPEACHMENT TALK FOLLOWING US STRIKES ON IRANIAN NUCLEAR SITESNew York GOP Assemblyman Matt Slater, who now represents Yorktown, added to the scrutiny of Ocasio-Cortezs persona in the wake of her brush with Trump and released images of Ocasio-Cortez from his high school yearbook. Heclaimed he and the rising Democratic star attended Yorktown High School at the same time when she was a freshman and he was a senior."I saw the attacks on the president and her [Ocasio-Cortez] claims that she's a big, tough Bronx girl," said Slater. "To sit there and say that shes a Bronx girl is just patently ridiculous.""Everybody in our community knows this is just a bold-face lie," said Slater on "Fox & Friends First" last week. "She grew up in Yorktown, she was on my track team.""She's lying about her background, she's lying about her upbringing," Slater claimed. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPSlaters post sent social media ablaze and prompted Ocasio-Cortez to respond after an image of her familys home in Yorktown was posted online."Im proud of how I grew up and talk about it all the time," Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X Friday, responding to the post. "My mom cleaned houses and I helped. We cleaned tutors homes in exchange for SAT prep.""Growing up between the Bronx and Yorktown deeply shaped my views of inequality & its a big reason I believe the things I do today!"Fox News' Madison Colombo contributed to this report.

The Justice Department issued a memo directing US attorneys to "prioritize and maximally pursue denaturalization proceedings" as part of an effort by the Trump administration to crack down on crime.The memo from Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate states that denaturalization cases against "individuals who pose a potential danger to national security, including those with a nexus to terrorism, espionage, or the unlawful export from the United States of sensitive goods, technology, or information raising national security concerns" are one of the key priorities."The benefits of civil denaturalization include the governments ability to revoke the citizenship of individuals who engaged in the commission of war crimes, extrajudicial killings, or other serious human rights abuses; to remove naturalized criminals, gang members, or, indeed, any individuals convicted of crimes who pose an ongoing threat to the United States; and to prevent convicted terrorists from returning to U.S. soil or traveling internationally on a U.S. passport," Shumate wrote."The Department of Justice may institute civil proceedings to revoke a persons United States citizenship if an individual either illegally procured naturalization or procured naturalization by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation," he added in the June 11 directive.TRUMP APPOINTEE VOWS TO FOCUS DOJS LARGEST DIVISION ON DEI, DENATURALIZATIONShumate said the Justice Departments Civil Division should "prioritize and maximally pursue denaturalization proceedings in all cases permitted by law and supported by the evidence."The memo said attorneys should pursue denaturalization cases against individuals who "committed human trafficking, sex offenses, or violent crimes" and those who "engaged in various forms of financial fraud against the United States (including Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan fraud and Medicaid/Medicare fraud)."FEDERAL JUDGE ALLOWS IRS TO SHARE ILLEGAL ALIEN DATA WITH DHS IN COURT WIN FOR TRUMPIt also calls for attorneys to initiate cases against "individuals who further or furthered the unlawful enterprise of criminal gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and drug cartels" and "individuals who engaged in fraud against private individuals, funds, or corporations."Overall, the memo lists ten priority categories for denaturalization.Two days after issuing the memo, the Justice Department said it "secured the denaturalization of a convicted collector and distributor of child sexual abuse material."

June was a wild month. We had the good June June Lockhart of "Lassie" and "Petticoat Junction" turning 100 (Salute!). Then, there was the bad June riots in LA, military action in Iran and a socialist winning the Democratic mayoral primary in New York, New York (no longer my kind of town). The "mostly peaceful" riots featured the now-famous quote about "people having fun watching cars burn." And the action in Iran had its own special moments discussed below.Thankfully, it all ended peacefully, unless you live in NYC. With the month concluding on a hot note weatherwise, just before July arrived.1. With friends like these:CNNs "OutFront" host Erin Burnett was out in left field about her time in Iran. The mullahs who run Iran have caused the deaths of hundreds of Americans, including over 600 U.S. servicemen killed by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. Burnett still scored with the second stupidest quote of the month: "I remember at one point being in Tehran years ago, and theyre chanting Death to America all around me, even as I say, Oh, Im an American, reporting for CNN. And they were happy to speak to me. So those two sort of jarring realities of the chant and yet, the friendliness, have existed together."Somehow, that doesnt sound all that "friendly" to most Americans.CNN HOST TOUTS 'FRIENDLINESS' OF IRANIANS WHO SHOUTED 'DEATH TO AMERICA,' CALLS IT JARRING JUXTAPOSITION2. Democrat no more:Former Biden White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declared she wasnt a Democrat anymore. Based on her many lies and misstatements at the White House, perhaps, KJP is going to create a modern version of the No Nothing Party. Her comments were in pursuit of publicity for her upcoming book, "Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines." Her decision to become "independent" was bashed by both left and right. Maybe the big bipartisan moment in America right now is making fun of former Biden staffers.3. Go West?:Former seventh-tier presidential candidate and general gadfly Cornel West still shows up in television segments on CNN this June on "CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip." Thats the same network that called him, "the eccentric professor," when he resigned from Harvard over a tenure dispute. He took his eccentricity to CNN to blast the United States for using nuclear weapons on Japan in World War II, even though that ended the war. But how he did it was special.West complained that it was "not a high moral moment" for "those of us to go all the way back to the United States to kill 250 million people in two days in Hiroshima and Nagasaki." No one corrected him, they just moved on. The look from conservative contributor Scott Jennings that followed was priceless. (For the record, the word the professor wanted was, "thousand" not "million." Oops.)4. On the run:Maybe I love this story because its almost local. A pet zebra escaped and went on runabout (the Australian walkabout but faster) in Tennessee, dominating the news for over a week because he wasnt easy to catch and, zebras are cute. "Ed" the Zebra broke free and ran down I-24 at one point, causing the road to be closed. Even then, he slipped away, eventually being rounded up and helicoptered back home in a net, taking in the sights above the beautiful mountains of the Volunteer state. Ed might have been chasing his glory like the zebra in the movie, "Racing Stripes." (That cast shockingly included Hayden Panettiere and voices of Jeff Foxworthy, Steve Harvey and Snoop Dog. Everybody has a mortgage to pay.)CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION5. Alternative media: Billionaire Mark Cuban criticized life in the liberal social media Fortress of Solitude, saying it isnt all it's cracked up to be. Cuban said Bluesky, which was created to be a lefty alternative to Twitter/X, is toxic and "hateful." He used the platform to criticize the platform: "Even if you agree with 95% of what a person is saying on a topic, if there is one point that you might call out as being more of a gray area, they will call you a fascist etc." This isnt especially a surprise to conservatives who saw how the left managed every other platform from Twitter to YouTube, censoring content like it was the old Soviet Union or the Biden White House.Cuban also made news this month claiming the Kamala Harris campaign considered him as a possible vice president. The "Shark Tank" star wisely admitted one reason he declined was, "Im not very good as the No. 2 person." Like him or not, he would outshine Harris on his worst day. You dont get to be a shark by being easygoing.6. Millionaires vs. billionaires:Every month, its just a question of which Hollywood actor/actress will say the stupidest thing. Its quite a contest. This month, its "Avengers" star Mark Ruffalo. The Incredibly Hulky One went to a "No Kings" protest to complain about rich folks and "White people." Now, while Ruffalo appears to represent both groups, hes also a true believer of lefty garbage. So, at least hes consistent. He told a lefty activist group, "We get to see who is really making our lives unbearable and making us so desperate. Its not the immigrants, its the billionaires."Not the millionaires, just the folks with the "B." Why? Because Ruffalo has around $90 million himself, if Celebrity Networth is accurate. Thats a lot closer to billionaire than me and most people reading this. Most of us just have the "air" part.7. Tinfoil hat moment: Remember supposed comedian Kathy Griffin (she held the fake, bloody head of The Donald back in 2017) and former CNN host Don Lemon? Yeah, most people dont either. But theyre still around and discussing 2024 election denial on "The Don Lemon Show" podcast, because its OK when they do it.Griffin claimed, "I do not think he won in a free and fair election. How do you like that, lefties? Yeah, I said it. Im Kathy Griffin, and I do not think Trump won in a free and fair election." Lemon was on her side in a tepid way, "Youre not far off. I wont say that I disagree with you, but, you know, Im an evidence person. I like to see the evidence." We could deny that Griffin is funny. At least we have evidence for that.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM DAN GAINOR

The "Outnumbered" family just got a little larger. Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany has welcomed her third child, a daughter named Avery Grace.The news was shared Monday by McEnanys co-hosts, who celebrated the growing family and miracle of life."We are overjoyed to announce the newest member of the Outnumbered family," co-host Emily Compagno said. "Kayleigh and her husband Sean just welcomed their third child, daughter Avery Grace to the world."RILEY GAINES, LOUIS BARKER ANNOUNCE PREGNANCY: 'GOD IS SO GOOD ALL THE TIME'Avery Grace joins older siblings Blake, 5, and Nash 2. According to Compagno, McEnany told her both children are adjusting well to their baby sister, although one more than the other."She [McEnany] said that Blake can't stop thinking about the baby in her own words," Compagno said. "She said Nash finally warmed up to her, which is so funny."McEnany shared her own birth announcement across her social media, writing she and her husband Sean Gilmartin are "so in love with our new baby girl" and enjoying this new phase in life. She also included a passage from Psalm 139 discussing the creation of life."For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mothers womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well," she included on X.TIFFANY TRUMP WELCOMES HER FIRST CHILD, DONALD TRUMP'S 11TH GRANDCHILDMcEnany first revealed her pregnancy on "Outnumbered" in March and later shared the babys gender live on air in May. She joined Fox News in 2021 following the end of her term as White House press secretary under the first Trump administration.Shortly after, she became a Fox News contributor and then a regular host on "Outnumbered," a daily news and discussion show tackling the latest headlines.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPThe "Outnumbered" team said theyre already looking forward to her return."We cant wait for you to come back," Compagno said. "But not anytime soon. Enjoy motherhood with a sweet third baby."

Between fireworks, pool parties and barbecues, the Fourth of July is a fun day for the whole family. Making sure your kids have plenty to do starts by loading up on party essentials theyll love. From festive bubble wands to glow-in-the-dark wristbands, our list has it all. And make sure youve got patriotic outfits ready for yourself and for all the kids.When your kids are running around right before the fireworks, a pack of glow sticks can only add to the fun. This 100-pack of red, white and blue glow sticks are easy to use, just crack them to make them glow and create a bracelet with the included connectors.Fourth of July-themed bubbles are festive and provide your kids with some much-needed entertainment. The mini bubble containers are patriotic and have a built-in bubble wand.If youre anAmazon Prime member,you can get these items sent to your door ASAP. You canjoin or start a 30-day free trialto start your shopping today.Keep everyone cozy while the fireworks are going off with a patriotic throw blanket. It can double as a picnic blanket or be used to cover up and keep warm as the sun goes down.HERE ARE THE BEST GRILL DEALS FOR YOUR FOURTH OF JULY COOKOUTFourth of July means barbecue, fireworks and independence. It also means lots and lots of mosquitoes. Help your kiddos keep the bugs away with mosquito-repellent bracelets. Theyre made with geraniol oil, lemongrass oil and citronella oil, making them safe for younger kids.You can also get a kids version of Off bug spray, also made from plant-based ingredients. Its easy to apply and unscented, great for kids who have sensitivities.These light-up Fourth of July necklaces are a great party accessory for kids and adults alike. You get red, white and blue necklaces that are perfectly themed to the day. Each necklace has three flashing modes: fast blinking, slow blinking and steady on.Add some fun to any Independence Day outfit with these patriotic headbands and glasses your kids are sure to love. They can choose between red or blue heart-shaped glasses and three different red, white and blue headbands.FOURTH OF JULY DECORATIONS TO SHOW OFF YOUR PATRIOTIC SPIRITHaving a low-key Fourth of July at home? Still bring the fun and stay festive with a red, white and blue inflatable sprinkler. The giant blow-up sprinkler features stars and stripes.A Fourth of July-themed jumper is an adorable, festive outfit thats comfortable and easy to put on. You can choose from a few different red, white and blue star patterns. The tank-style fit can also help your baby stay cool.For more Deals, visitwww.foxnews.com/dealsYour little patriot can celebrate Independence Day in style with this two-piece tank and shorts set. Featuring a bold stars and stripes design, the pants have an elastic waist for a snug fit. Paired with the adorable tank, your toddler will be ready for any Fourth of July fun.

FIRST ON FOX: Two Chinese nationals face serious charges after they allegedly acted as agents of the People's Republic of Chinas government to collect intelligence about U.S. Navy service members and bases, while also recruiting other military members to carry out tasks for the countrys main foreign intelligence service, the Ministry of State Security (MSS).The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Chinese national Yuance Chen, who resides in Happy Valley, Oregon, and Liren Lai, who traveled to Houston on a tourist visa in April 2025, were arrested on Friday. Both individuals face charges of overseeing and carrying out various clandestine intelligence tasks in the U.S. on behalf of the Ministry of State Security.Along with assisting with the recruitment of potential MSS assets and gathering intel about service members and bases, the two men are accused of facilitating a "dead drop" payment of cash on behalf of the MSS.The FBI arrested both men on Friday Chen was arrested in Happy Valley while Lai was arrested in Houston with help from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).CHINESE BIO-SMUGGLING SUSPECT CRIES IN COURT OVER FEDERAL DETENTION"Todays arrests reflect the FBIs unwavering commitment to protecting our national security and safeguarding the integrity of our military," FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News Digital. "The individuals charged were acting on behalf of a hostile foreign intelligence service part of the Chinese Communist Partys broader effort to infiltrate and undermine our institutions. Thanks to outstanding coordination with our partners, including NCIS, we disrupted those efforts and sent a clear message: the United States will not tolerate espionage on American soil. Our counterintelligence operations remain focused, vigilant, and relentless."Citing a criminal complaint filed in the Northern District of California, the DOJ said the government of the PRC conducts intelligence activities against the U.S. using various means, including the MSS, which is involved with collecting intelligence on civilians. The MSS is also responsible for foreign intelligence, counterintelligence and political security.The complaint alleges that Lai recruited Chen to work for the MSS in 2021.CHINESE PHD STUDENT FROM WUHAN ARRESTED SMUGGLING BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS AFTER DELETING ELECTRONIC EVIDENCE: DOJThe two men were in Guangzhou, China in January 2022, when they allegedly collaborated to facilitate a dead-drop payment of at least $10,000 on behalf of the MSS. The operation involved working with others in the U.S. to leave a backpack with the cash at a day-use locker in Livermore, California.Lai and Chen continued working on behalf of the MSS after the cash drop payment and helped with identifying Navy individuals who might be willing to work on behalf of the MSS as well.The DOJ said in 2022 and 2023, the two visited a U.S. Naval installation in Washington State as well as a Navy recruitment center in San Gabriel, California.While at the recruitment center, Chen allegedly took photos of a bulletin board that contained the names, programs and hometowns of Navy recruits. The majority of those listed on the board noted that their hometown was "China," and the photos appeared to be transmitted to an MSS intelligence officer in China, the DOJ claimed.FOREIGN NATIONALS CHARGED AMID TRUMP VISA CRACKDOWN FOR SCHEME TO SMUGGLE US MILITARY EQUIPMENT INTO CHINAThe DOJ also alleged that the MSS gave Chen instructions on what to say to potential recruits when it came to payment that could be made by the MSS, preferred Naval job assignments for potential recruits and methods to minimize Chens risk of being exposed.Chen ultimately began to communicate with a member of the Navy on social media, the DOJ alleges, and arranged for a tour of the USS Abraham Lincoln in San Diego with the employee. Chen also sent information about the employee to the MSS, the complaint said.In April 2024 and March 2025, Chen traveled to Guangzhou where he met with MSS intelligence officers, the complaint alleged, to discuss pay for specific tasks.CHINA TARGETS US MILITARY MEMBERS IN OVERSEAS SPY OPERATIONS, FORMER CIA STATION CHIEF WARNSREAD THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT APP USERS, CLICK HERE:Lai also allegedly traveled to Houston in April 2025 and claimed the purpose of the visit was related to his business as an online retailer. He also claimed he would be staying in Houston for two weeks.But on May 9, 2025, which was more than four weeks after he arrived in the U.S., Lai was seen traveling in a car with a companion from Houston to California, and back to Junction, Texas, on May 15.Chen and Lai have been charged with operating in the U.S. as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the U.S. attorney general. If convicted, both men face a fine of up to $250,000 and up to 10 years behind bars."Hostile foreign intelligence services like the PRCs Ministry of State Security dedicate years to recruiting individuals and cultivating them as intelligence assets to do their bidding within the United States," Assistant Attorney General John Eisenberg of the Justice Departments National Security Division said. "Under my leadership, the National Security Division will continue to defend our nation and way of life by rooting out and exposing our adversaries clandestine spy networks."

President Donald Trump warned that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is a "monster that might have to go back and eat Elon," after tech billionaire Elon Musk intensified his attacks on Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill.""DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon. Wouldn't that be terrible?" Trump told the media Tuesday morning as he departed for a trip to the Florida Everglades to visit a new migrant detention center. "He gets a lot of subsidies. But, Elon was very upset that the EV mandate is going to be terminated."His response followed a question regarding whether he would deport Musk, who is originally from South Africa. Trump responded, "I don't know, we'll have to take a look."Trump previously told the media in June that his relationship with Musk changed when the president began discussing plans to eliminate the electic vehicle mandate, which would affect Musk's signature electric company, Tesla. Trump signed a trio of congressional resolutions on June 12 ending California's restrictive rules for diesel engines and mandates on elective vehicle sales, with Trump celebrating that his signature "will kill the California mandates forever.""When you look at it not everybody wants an electric car," Trump continued in his remarks regarding Musk on Tuesday morning. "I don't want an electric car. I want to have maybe gasoline. Maybe electric, maybe a hybrid. Maybe some day a hydrogen. You have a hydrogen car, it has one problem: it blows up."REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS STAND FIRM AGAINST MUSK'S 'KILL THE BILL' ASSAULT ON TRUMP'S AGENDAMusk shot back in response to a video clip of Trump's remarks Tuesday morning that he would not continue escalating the feud "for now.""So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now," Musk posted X.Musk intensified his feud with former close ally Trump this week in a political warning to lawmakers that he will work to unseat them if they vote in support of Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill.""Anyone who campaigned on the PROMISE of REDUCING SPENDING , but continues to vote on the BIGGEST DEBT ceiling increase in HISTORY will see their face on this poster in the primary next year," Musk posted to X Monday evening.The message was accompanied by an image of Pinocchio sitting on fire and the caption, "LIAR Voted to increase America's DEBT by 5,000,000,000.00"Musk previously served as a special government employee with the Trump administration to help lead DOGE, frequently attended Cabinet meetings and joined Trump during public events. Musk's tenure with DOGE wrapped up at the end of May, as negotiations over the "One Big Beautiful Bill" intensified in Congress.The budget reconciliation bill, if passed, will advance Trump's agenda on taxes, immigration, energy, defense and the national debt. The legislation is currently before the Senate.Musk found himself aligned with a handful of Republican lawmakers, like Kentucky's Sen. Rand Paul, who have spoken out against the legislation, arguing it would increase the debt ceiling by $5 trillion.Musk's post threatening to primary Republicans who vote in support of the legislation was followed by a late-night Truth Social message from Trump suggesting, "DOGE take a good, hard, look" at how government subsidies assist Musk-owned businesses such as Tesla and SpaceX."Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa. No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE. Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!" Trump posted after midnight Tuesday.The post continued, "Elon Musk knew, long before he so strongly Endorsed me for President, that I was strongly against the EV Mandate. It is ridiculous, and was always a major part of my campaign. Electric cars are fine, but not everyone should be forced to own one."'HE'S NOT A BIG FACTOR': TRUMP'S SENATE ALLIES DISMISS ELON MUSK'S CALLS TO 'KILL THE BILL'Trump added in comment to the media from the White House Tuesday morning that Musk is "upset is that he's losing his EV mandate.""He could lose a lot more than that," Trump added. "I can tell you right now."ELON MUSK POSTS KILL BILL MEME IN LATEST PUSH TO NIX TRUMPS BIG BEAUTIFUL BILLMusk first remarked in May that he was "disappointed" Trump's "one big beautiful bill" passed the House, arguing it "undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing," before publicly working to rally Republican lawmakers to "kill the bill" in messages posted to X."Call your Senator, Call your Congressman," Musk said amid a flurry of similar posts June 4. "Bankrupting America is NOT ok! KILL the BILL."ELON MUSK WARPATH AGAINST TRUMP'S 'BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL' RATTLES HOUSE GOPMusk had kept his criticisms of the legislation quiet in recent days, including posting messages in support of the Trump administration as anti-ICE riots raged in Los Angeles in June. Musk reignited his criticisms of the bill Monday as the July 4 deadline to pass the "big beautiful bill" looms over Washington this week."It is obvious with the insane spending of this bill, which increases the debt ceiling by a record FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS that we live in a one-party country the PORKY PIG PARTY!! Time for a new political party that actually cares about the people," Musk posted to X Monday afternoon.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"Whats the point of a debt ceiling if we keep raising it?" Musk asked in another post early Tuesday morning. Adding in another: "All Im asking is that we dont bankrupt America."

President Donald Trump blasted New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani after the New York State assemblyman from Queens refused to condemn the term "globalize the intifada.""Frankly, I've heard he's a total nut job," Trump told reporters Tuesday morning. "I think the people in New York are crazy because they go this route. I think they're crazy. We will have a communist in the for the first time, really a pure, true communist. He wants to operate the grocery stores. The department stores. What about the people that are there? I think it's crazy."GLOBALIZE THE INTIFADA PHRASE STIRS TENSIONS ON NYC CAMPAIGN TRAIL AS MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT RAGESMamdani is a Ugandan-born Muslim who won the Democratic Partys primary for New York City mayor in June and identifies as a Democratic socialist.On Sunday, Mamdani said he didnt want to condemn the term "globalize the intifada," a phrase used to back Palestinian resistance against Israel, because he didnt want to "police language" in an interview with NBC News."I think he's terrible. He's a communist," Trump said Tuesday. "The last thing we need is a communist. I said, there will never be socialism in the United States. So even the communists, I think it's bad news. And I think you're going to have a lot of fun with him, watching him, because he has to break through this building to get his money. And don't worry, he's not going to run away with anything."WASHINGTON POST BASHES SOCIALIST ZOHRAN MAMDANI AS POTENTIAL DISASTER FOR NEW YORK CITYMamdani's comments have attracted scrutiny in recent days following a June interview with the conservative, anti-Trump news and opinion site the Bulwark, and during a Sunday interview with NBC News host Kristen Welker. Although Mamdani has said that he doesn't personally use the term "globalize the intifada," he doesn't believe it is his role as potential mayor to come out with a position on the phrase."My concern is, to start to walk down the line of language and making clear what language I believe is permissible or impermissible, takes me into a place similar to that of the president, who is looking to do those very kinds of things, putting people in jail for writing an op-ed, putting them in jail for protesting," Mamdani said. "Ultimately, it is not language that I use. It is language I understand there are concerns about, and what I will do is showcase my vision for the city through my words and my actions."Mamdami has received criticism from members of his own party for refusing to come out with a stance on the phrase, including from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Jeffries said in an interview with ABC News Sunday that the term was not "acceptable phrasing."SANDERS ENDORSES SOCIALIST MAMDANI IN MOVE TO BLOCK CUOMO IN NYC MAYORAL RACE"Hes going to have to clarify his position on that as he moves forward," Jeffries said.Even so, Mamdani said in an interview on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" prior to the primary race that Israel has the right to exist."Yes," Mamdani said. "Like all nations, I believe it has the right to exist and a responsibility also to uphold international law."Fox News' Hanna Panreck contributed to this report.

Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough reportedly has advised that a provision prohibiting Medicaid funds from supporting Planned Parenthood and other clinics that provide abortions can stay in President Donald Trumps "big, beautiful bill."Senate Republicans revised the provision on Friday from blocking Medicaid funding to abortion providers for a full 10 years to just one year. The parliamentarians assessment that the provision could remain without jeopardizing the budget package from passing the upper chamber of Congress along party lines was championed by pro-life advocates."The One Big Beautiful Bill Act that stops forced taxpayer funding of the abortion industry has been retained in the Senate bill, as we were confident it would, though for one year. This is a huge win," Susan B. Anthony Pro-life Americas President, Marjorie Dannenfelser, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Taxpayers should never be forced to funnel their hard-earned dollars to Big Abortion. This funding currently hits almost $800 million annually."The provision's inclusion, meanwhile, was condemned by Democrats as essentially clearing the defunding of Planned Parenthood."Republicans will stop at nothing in their crusade to take control of womens bodies and deny them the right to make their own health care decisions," Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said in a statement. "Republicans are trampling the law to force their extremist ideology onto the American people."SUPREME COURT BOOTS CHALLENGE TO STATE DEFUNDING PLANNED PARENTHOOD IN MAJOR PRO-LIFE VICTORYThe Hyde Amendment, introduced in the 1970s, has long prohibited federal dollars from paying for most abortions, with some exceptions. Planned Parenthood, which also provides other womens health services, such as gynecological exams, contraception and STI testing, reported receiving approximately $792.2 million in taxpayer-funded grants, contracts and Medicaid reimbursements during the 2023-2024 fiscal year.Republicans say the loophole essentially results in taxpayers subsidizing abortions. Planned Parenthood reported performing 402,000 abortions during that fiscal year.Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., defended the provision during Mondays vote-a-rama session as "establishing a commonsense protection of taxpayer dollars by prohibiting abortion providers from receiving Medicaid funds for one year.""There was a time when protecting Americans tax dollars from supporting the abortion industry was an uncontroversial, nonpartisan effort that we could all get behind," Hyde-Smith said on the Senate floor. "Even if we had opposing views on protecting the dignity of human life, this provision does not target any one entity. If a medical provider wishes to stay within the Medicaid program, it should simply cut elective abortion procedures from its services."Hyde-Smith, chair of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus, spoke out against an amendment introduced earlier Monday by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., to strike the provision from the GOPs $3.3 trillion budget package.PLANNED PARENTHOOD USING 'LOOPHOLE' TO GET MINORS GENDER TRANSITIONS WITHOUT PARENTS' OK: WATCHDOGMurray's amendment ultimately failed by a 49-52 vote, according to the Washington Examiner.Murray claimed the one-year ban on Medicaid funds for abortion providers would "cut millions of women off from birth control, cancer screenings, essential preventive health care care that they will not be able to afford anywhere else, and it will shutter some 200 healthcare clinics in our country.""This is a long-sought goal of anti-choice extremistsno surprise, it is overwhelmingly unpopular with the American people," Murray said. "But Republicans are bent on ripping away any access to abortion care, and happy to cut off this lifesaving care. No matter that women may not have another place to get the care that they can afford, or another place they can get any care at all!"She pointed to a Congressional Budget Office assessment to argue that "defunding" Planned Parenthood would cost taxpayers $52 million over the next ten years. That was based on the 10-year Medicaid block in an earlier version of the bill passed by the House.This budget provision comes after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last week that states have the power to block Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood clinics in a major pro-life victory.

Democratic Rep. Dwight Evans of Pennsylvania announced that he will not pursue re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives next year, but noted that he will finish his current term.According to a press release, the congressman indicated that he is "in good health and fully capable of continuing to serve," but has "decided that the time is right to announce that I will not be seeking re-election in 2026."The lawmaker disclosed last year that he had a minor stroke.PENNSYLVANIA REP. DWIGHT EVANS SAYS HE'S RECOVERING FROM A MINOR STROKEEvans, who began serving in the U.S. House in November 2016, had previously served in the Pennsylvania state House of Representatives since 1981."After careful consideration and deep reflection over this past weekend, I have decided that I will not seek re-election in 2026. It has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime to serve the people of PA-03. I will forever be grateful to the residents of Philadelphia for the trust they placed in me," he said in a statement.TILLIS DENOUNCES TRUMP BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL' HOURS AFTER SURPRISE RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENTHe indicated that he will work to help Democrats reclaim the House majority."I intend to spend the months ahead focused on increasing voter turnout in Philadelphia. Our voices matter, and our votes are our power. I will also do everything I can to help Democrats take back the majority in the House of Representatives," he said in the statement."Finally, I want to say this to my fellow elected officials: We must do a better job of listening truly listening to the people we represent. The challenges our constituents face are real, and they deserve leaders who are present and willing to act boldly on their behalf," he noted.KEY HOUSE GOP MODERATE DON BACON WON'T SEEK RE-ELECTIONRep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., also noted in a press release issued on Monday that he will not run in 2026.Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., indicated in a statement issued on Sunday that will not seek re-election.