After marking the first 100 days of his second term, President Donald Trump is showing no sign of slowing down as his administration rakes in more historic accomplishments, including a trade truce with China."I've been busy, but I've enjoyed it because we're getting things accomplished. We're getting things done," Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Tuesday.Trump spoke about a number of his administration's major accomplishments over the past week during an interview on "Hannity" while en route to Saudi Arabia. One of the most consequential was a tariff trade agreement with the Chinese.TRUMP CHINA TARIFF TRUCE IGNITES STOCK MARKETS WILL IT ALSO PUMP UP PRESIDENT'S POLL NUMBERS?The arrangement was arguably the most significant development stemming from the trade negotiations, Trump told reporters Monday at the White House. Plans have yet to be finalized and "papered," but Trump said that China is on board with the agreement.The agreement with China, announced early Monday, came after talks were held between U.S. and Chinese officials over the weekend in Geneva, Switzerland."They had a deal pretty much from the beginning," Trump said on "Hannity," noting that one of the "most exciting" promises of the agreement is that the U.S. is trying to "open up" China."Many years ago, we opened up the USA. Now it's time for China to open up, and that's part of our deal. And we're going to open up China. To me, that's the most exciting part," Trump said.The trade truce implements a 90-day cooling-off period between the world's two largest economic superpowers, bringing a temporary end to their tariff war that last month triggered a massive financial market sell-off. During this period, the tariffs announced against China on April 2 will be cut by 24 percentage points while retaining the remaining ad valorem rate of 10% from that announcement, according to a joint statement by the Trump administration and China.THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY ... STAY WITH FOX NEWS FOR MORE UPDATES.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPFox News Digital's Paul Steinhauser and Diana Stancy contributed to this report.

Three key committees in the process of putting together President Donald Trumps "one big, beautiful bill" are expected to work through the night to advance their respective portions of the Republican agenda.The House Agriculture Committee, the Energy & Commerce Committee and the Ways & Means Committee are all holding meetings aimed at advancing key parts of Trumps bill.Sources told Fox News Digital they expected the Energy & Commerce and Ways & Means meetings, which began on Tuesday afternoon, to last upwards of 20 hours each. The Agriculture panels markup is also expected to last into Wednesday.Democrats on each committee, meanwhile, have prepared a barrage of attacks and accusations against GOP lawmakers looking to gut critical welfare programs.ANTI-ABORTION PROVIDER MEASURE IN TRUMP'S 'BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL' COULD SPARK HOUSE GOP REBELLIONSparks flew early at the Energy & Commerce Committee meeting with protesters both inside and outside the room repeatedly attempting to disrupt proceedings with 26 people arrested by Capitol Police.Protesters against Medicaid cuts, predominately in wheelchairs, remained outside the budget markup for several hours as representatives inside debated that and other critical facets under the committees broad jurisdiction.Inside the budget markup, Democrats and Republicans sparred along party lines over Medicaid cuts. Democrats repeatedly claimed the Republican budget proposal will cut vital Medicaid services.Many Democrats shared how Medicaid services have saved their constituents lives and argued that millions of Americans could lose coverage under the current proposal.Meanwhile, Republicans accused Democrats of lying to the American people about Medicaid cuts a word Kentucky Republican Rep. Brett Guthrie, Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, deterred his colleagues from using. Tensions arose when the word was repeated as Democrats called it a mischaracterization of their testimonies.Republicans have contended that their bill only seeks to cut waste, fraud, and abuse of the Medicaid system, leaving more of its resources for vulnerable populations that truly need it.That committee was tasked with finding $880 billion in spending cuts to offset Trumps other funding priorities. Guthrie told House Republicans on a call Sunday night that theyd found upwards of $900 billion in cuts.Democrats have seized on Republican reforms to Medicaid, including heightened work requirements and shifting more costs to certain states, as a political cudgel.At one point late in the evening, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., made an appearance at the Energy & Commerce panels meeting."I just want to mention our Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries is here because of his concern about Medicaid. Thank you," the committees top Democrat, Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., said.But tensions remain between moderate Republicans and conservatives about the level of cuts the committee is seeking to the former Biden administrations Inflation Reduction Act green energy tax subsidies.The meeting at the Ways & Means Committee, the Houses tax-writing panel, had relatively little fanfare but was equally contentious as Democrats attempted to offer amendments to preserve Affordable Care Act tax credits and changes to the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap.At one point, Reps. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas, and Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., got into a heated exchange over SALT, with Suozzi pushing Van Duyne on whether shed ever been to New York.Van Duyne earlier called Texas a "donor state" in terms of taxes, arguing, "We should not have to pay to make up for the rich folks in New York who are getting raped by their local and state governments."Suozzi later pointed out Van Duyne was born and went to college in upstate New York leading to audible gasps in the room.Van Duyne said there was "a reason" she left.BROWN UNIVERSITY IN GOP CROSSHAIRS AFTER STUDENT'S DOGE-LIKE EMAIL KICKS OFF FRENZY"Were sorry you left New York, but in some ways it may have worked out better for all of us," Suozzi said.The SALT deduction cap, however, is still a politically tricky issue even as House lawmakers debate what Republicans hoped would be the final bill.The legislation would raise the $10,000 SALT deduction cap to $30,000 for most single and married tax filers a figure that Republicans in higher cost-of-living areas said was not enough.Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., threatened to vote against the final bill if the new cap remains.As the committees marathon meeting continued, a group of blue state Republicans are huddling with House GOP leaders to find a compromise on a way forward.Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., hinted at tensions in the meeting when he posted on X that Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., a member of the SALT Caucus and Ways & Means Committee, "wasnt involved in todays meeting" because her district required "something different than mine and the other most SALTY five."Malliotakis had told Fox News Digital she was supportive of the $30,000 cap. Shes also the only member of the SALT Caucus on the critical tax-writing panel.The Agriculture Committee, which began its meeting on Tuesday evening, saw Democrats waste no time in accusing Republicans of trying to gut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), colloquially known as food stamps.Rep. Adam Gray, D-Calif., accused Republicans of worrying that "somebody is getting a meal they didnt deserve or kids are getting too fat" instead of more critical issues.Republicans, like Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, touted the bills inclusion of crop insurance for young farmers, increasing opportunity for export markets, and helping invest in national animal disaster centers aimed at preventing and mitigating livestock illness.He also said Republicans were working to "secure" SNAP from waste and abuse.House and Senate Republicans are working on Trump's agenda via the budget reconciliation process, which allows the party in power to sideline the minority by lowering the Senate's threshold for passage to a simple majority, provided the legislation at hand deals with spending, taxes or the national debt.Trump wants Republicans to use the maneuver for a sweeping bill on his tax, border, immigration, energy and defense priorities.Two sources familiar with the plan said the House Budget Committee intends to advance the full bill, the first step to getting the legislation to a House-wide vote, on Friday.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - Pete Buttigieg pushed back against criticism from President Donald Trump on the job he did as transportation secretary in former President Biden's administration and declined to say if Biden experienced cognitive decline during his final years in the White House, as he took questions from reporters on Tuesday night.Buttigieg, speaking with reporters after headlining a town hall with veterans in this eastern Iowa city that sparked more speculation that the 2020 Democratic presidential contender is mulling another White House run in 2028, told Fox News that 'right now Im not running for anything."Buttigieg won the 2020 Iowa presidential caucuses and came in a close second in the New Hampshire presidential primary before Biden surged to claim the party's nomination and later the White House.While Iowa's caucuses for half a century kicked off both major political parties' presidential nominating calendars, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) demoted the Hawkeye State on their 2024 schedule, and it's unclear if Iowa will regain its early state status in the 2028 calendar.LESS THAN FOUR WEEKS INTO TRUMP'S SECOND TERM, DEMOCRATS ALREADY EYEING 2028 PRESIDENTIAL RACEBut Buttigieg's visit, along with his announcement in March that he would pass on a 2026 run for a Democrat-controlled open Senate seat in battleground Michigan, his adopted home state, are seen as signals of his interest in a potential 2028 national run.Buttigieg told a Substack author in a live interview hours before the town hall that when it comes to 2028, he would consider "what I bring to the table."But asked by Fox News if the trip to Iowa - where he also gathered with staffers from his 2020 campaign and was followed around by a videographer from his political group Win the Era - was the beginning of an assessment period, Buttigieg said "right now, Im not running for anything and part of whats exciting and compelling about an opportunity like this is to be campaigning for values and for ideas rather than a specific electoral campaign. So that's what I'm about."Told that audience members who said they voted for him in 2020 and would be interested in backing him again if he runs in 2028, Buttigieg said "of course it means a lot to hear that people who supported me then continue to believe in what I have to say."The Cedar Rapids event was hosted by VoteVets, a progressive group that represents veterans and military families in the political process. The group told Fox News that 1,800 people attended the event.WATCH: TRUMP TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY LAYS OUT NEW PLAN TO UPGRADE AGING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMThe trip by Buttigieg came as he's faced incoming fire in recent days from Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy over a surge in flight delays and cancellations at New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport, which is one of the three major airports that services the New York City metropolitan area.Duffy blames his predecessor at the Department of Transportation and the Biden administration for what he claims was a failure to upgrade the busy airport's air traffic control system.And Trump, last week, also chimed in, claiming that during his tenure as transportation secretary Buttigieg "didnt have a clue. And this guy is actually a contender for president?" Trump added. "I don't think he's going to do too well."The president's jabs came a few days after Buttigieg, pointing to Trump's underwater approval ratings in national polling, said in a social media post that "Donald Trump is the most unpopular 100-day-mark president in modern American history."WATCH: TRUMP TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY LAYS OUT NEW PLAN TO UPGRADE AGING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMThe Trump administration argues that Buttigieg oversaw a rocky transition of the Newark airport's airspace to the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (Tracon) last July.And Duffy, who earlier this week unveiled a major plan to overhaul the nation's aging air traffic control system, claims the Biden administration is to blame for the recent problems, including air traffic control equipment outages."Maybe when you work from home, or maybe when you work from Michigan as a secretary, maybe youre not focused on the real issues that are taking place throughout the airspace," Duffy said, as he took aim at Buttigieg, who lives in Michigan.Buttigieg, responding, told reporters on Tuesday night that "when youre the secretary of transportation, you have a tough job and your responsibility is to fix tough problems. You dont have time to indulge in trying to point fingers or blame other people.""What I can tell you is we inherited a shrinking air traffic control workforce. We turned it into a growing air traffic control workforce," he added. "My successor is, of course, not asking for my advice, but my advice would be to making sure that it grows and actually delivering the technological change thats needed."Buttigieg's Iowa trip also came on the same day that excerpts from a new book offered details on Biden's supposed mental and physical decline during his last two years in the White House.Asked whether Biden experienced cognitive decline, Buttigieg would only say that "every time I needed something from him from the West Wing, I got it."But he said "maybe" when asked whether the Democratic Party would have been better off if Biden had not run for re-election in 2024. "Right now with the benefit of hindsight, I think most people would agree that that's the case."Biden dropped out of the race last July, one month after a disastrous debate performance with Trump sparked a chorus of calls from fellow Democrats for the then-81-year-old president to end his re-election bid. He was replaced at the top of the ticket by then-Vice President Kamala Harris, who ended up losing in November to Trump.

After marking the first 100 days of his second term, President Donald Trump is showing no sign of slowing down as his administration rakes in more historic accomplishments, including a trade truce with China."I've been busy, but I've enjoyed it because we're getting things accomplished. We're getting things done," Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Tuesday.Trump spoke about a number of his administration's major accomplishments over the past week during an interview on "Hannity" while en route to Saudi Arabia. One of the most consequential was a tariff trade agreement with the Chinese.TRUMP CHINA TARIFF TRUCE IGNITES STOCK MARKETS WILL IT ALSO PUMP UP PRESIDENT'S POLL NUMBERS?The arrangement was arguably the most significant development stemming from the trade negotiations, Trump told reporters Monday at the White House. Plans have yet to be finalized and "papered," but Trump said that China is on board with the agreement.The agreement with China, announced early Monday, came after talks were held between U.S. and Chinese officials over the weekend in Geneva, Switzerland."They had a deal pretty much from the beginning," Trump said on "Hannity," noting that one of the "most exciting" promises of the agreement is that the U.S. is trying to "open up" China."Many years ago, we opened up the USA. Now it's time for China to open up, and that's part of our deal. And we're going to open up China. To me, that's the most exciting part," Trump said.The trade truce implements a 90-day cooling-off period between the world's two largest economic superpowers, bringing a temporary end to their tariff war that last month triggered a massive financial market sell-off. During this period, the tariffs announced against China on April 2 will be cut by 24 percentage points while retaining the remaining ad valorem rate of 10% from that announcement, according to a joint statement by the Trump administration and China.THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY ... STAY WITH FOX NEWS FOR MORE UPDATES.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPFox News Digital's Paul Steinhauser and Diana Stancy contributed to this report.

Three key committees in the process of putting together President Donald Trumps "one big, beautiful bill" are expected to work through the night to advance their respective portions of the Republican agenda.The House Agriculture Committee, the Energy & Commerce Committee and the Ways & Means Committee are all holding meetings aimed at advancing key parts of Trumps bill.Sources told Fox News Digital they expected the Energy & Commerce and Ways & Means meetings, which began on Tuesday afternoon, to last upwards of 20 hours each. The Agriculture panels markup is also expected to last into Wednesday.Democrats on each committee, meanwhile, have prepared a barrage of attacks and accusations against GOP lawmakers looking to gut critical welfare programs.ANTI-ABORTION PROVIDER MEASURE IN TRUMP'S 'BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL' COULD SPARK HOUSE GOP REBELLIONSparks flew early at the Energy & Commerce Committee meeting with protesters both inside and outside the room repeatedly attempting to disrupt proceedings with 26 people arrested by Capitol Police.Protesters against Medicaid cuts, predominately in wheelchairs, remained outside the budget markup for several hours as representatives inside debated that and other critical facets under the committees broad jurisdiction.Inside the budget markup, Democrats and Republicans sparred along party lines over Medicaid cuts. Democrats repeatedly claimed the Republican budget proposal will cut vital Medicaid services.Many Democrats shared how Medicaid services have saved their constituents lives and argued that millions of Americans could lose coverage under the current proposal.Meanwhile, Republicans accused Democrats of lying to the American people about Medicaid cuts a word Kentucky Republican Rep. Brett Guthrie, Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, deterred his colleagues from using. Tensions arose when the word was repeated as Democrats called it a mischaracterization of their testimonies.Republicans have contended that their bill only seeks to cut waste, fraud, and abuse of the Medicaid system, leaving more of its resources for vulnerable populations that truly need it.That committee was tasked with finding $880 billion in spending cuts to offset Trumps other funding priorities. Guthrie told House Republicans on a call Sunday night that theyd found upwards of $900 billion in cuts.Democrats have seized on Republican reforms to Medicaid, including heightened work requirements and shifting more costs to certain states, as a political cudgel.At one point late in the evening, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., made an appearance at the Energy & Commerce panels meeting."I just want to mention our Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries is here because of his concern about Medicaid. Thank you," the committees top Democrat, Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., said.But tensions remain between moderate Republicans and conservatives about the level of cuts the committee is seeking to the former Biden administrations Inflation Reduction Act green energy tax subsidies.The meeting at the Ways & Means Committee, the Houses tax-writing panel, had relatively little fanfare but was equally contentious as Democrats attempted to offer amendments to preserve Affordable Care Act tax credits and changes to the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap.At one point, Reps. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas, and Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., got into a heated exchange over SALT, with Suozzi pushing Van Duyne on whether shed ever been to New York.Van Duyne earlier called Texas a "donor state" in terms of taxes, arguing, "We should not have to pay to make up for the rich folks in New York who are getting raped by their local and state governments."Suozzi later pointed out Van Duyne was born and went to college in upstate New York leading to audible gasps in the room.Van Duyne said there was "a reason" she left.BROWN UNIVERSITY IN GOP CROSSHAIRS AFTER STUDENT'S DOGE-LIKE EMAIL KICKS OFF FRENZY"Were sorry you left New York, but in some ways it may have worked out better for all of us," Suozzi said.The SALT deduction cap, however, is still a politically tricky issue even as House lawmakers debate what Republicans hoped would be the final bill.The legislation would raise the $10,000 SALT deduction cap to $30,000 for most single and married tax filers a figure that Republicans in higher cost-of-living areas said was not enough.Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., threatened to vote against the final bill if the new cap remains.As the committees marathon meeting continued, a group of blue state Republicans are huddling with House GOP leaders to find a compromise on a way forward.Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y., hinted at tensions in the meeting when he posted on X that Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., a member of the SALT Caucus and Ways & Means Committee, "wasnt involved in todays meeting" because her district required "something different than mine and the other most SALTY five."Malliotakis had told Fox News Digital she was supportive of the $30,000 cap. Shes also the only member of the SALT Caucus on the critical tax-writing panel.The Agriculture Committee, which began its meeting on Tuesday evening, saw Democrats waste no time in accusing Republicans of trying to gut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), colloquially known as food stamps.Rep. Adam Gray, D-Calif., accused Republicans of worrying that "somebody is getting a meal they didnt deserve or kids are getting too fat" instead of more critical issues.Republicans, like Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, touted the bills inclusion of crop insurance for young farmers, increasing opportunity for export markets, and helping invest in national animal disaster centers aimed at preventing and mitigating livestock illness.He also said Republicans were working to "secure" SNAP from waste and abuse.House and Senate Republicans are working on Trump's agenda via the budget reconciliation process, which allows the party in power to sideline the minority by lowering the Senate's threshold for passage to a simple majority, provided the legislation at hand deals with spending, taxes or the national debt.Trump wants Republicans to use the maneuver for a sweeping bill on his tax, border, immigration, energy and defense priorities.Two sources familiar with the plan said the House Budget Committee intends to advance the full bill, the first step to getting the legislation to a House-wide vote, on Friday.

Karen Read's defense team opened the door to new evidence from a fight she got into with boyfriend John O'Keefe in the month before she allegedly killed him in a drunken hit-and-run that prosecutors say could illustrate the slaying as a "domestic violence homicide" and that she couldn't accept the victim's attempts to break up with her, according to a new court filing.Alan Jackson, one of her lawyers, had Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik read a string of text messages between the suspected killer and a potential romantic interest, ATF Agent Brian Higgins, who was present at a bar and after-party that Read and O'Keefe, a Boston police officer, visited the night O'Keefe was last seen alive."Where the defendant has opened the door, it is especially significant for the jury to understand that it was the defendant who repeatedly refused to accept the victim's desire [to] terminate their relationship, the defendant's made repeated hostile accusations that the victim was having an affair, and that there was an established pattern of hostility, occurring in the weeks and days preceding the murder," special prosecutor Hank Brennan wrote.KAREN READ DEFENSE FLOATS THEORY THAT JEALOUS BRIAN HIGGINS FOUGHT JOHN O'KEEFE BEFORE DEATHBecause the texts discussed claims directly made by Read about O'Keefe in Aruba, Brennan is arguing that prosecutors now have a right to rebut her with evidence and witness testimony that contradicts her story.In the texts, Read flirted with Higgins behind her boyfriend's back, referred to herself as single, complained about O'Keefe's adopted children and claimed he "hooked up" with another woman in a hotel lobby.Without mention of the Aruba incident, the prosection wouldn't have had a chance to bring it up at trial.Read the motion:"Four weeks prior to the murder, the defendant became enraged at the victim for speaking to a female friend who was on their group vacation in Aruba and accused the victim of having an affair," Brennan wrote in court filings Monday. "This incident was observed by numerous individuals who will testify to their personal observations of the incident as well as to statement of the defendant in the immediate aftermath."Brennan wrote that he expects this testimony to prove Read had intent, opportunity or preparation ahead of O'Keefe's death.KAREN READ'S GOOGLE TIMELINE DERAILED AGAIN AS 2ND EXPERT DISPUTES DEFENSE CLAIMSGET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUBRead faces charges of second-degree murder, drunken driving manslaughter and fleeing the scene of a deadly accident for allegedly ramming her then-boyfriend with the back end of her Lexus SUV and leaving him to die during a blizzard on Jan. 29, 2022."Evidence of the Aruba incident was proffered by the defendant through a series of text messages between the defendant and Brian Higgins, thus opening the door for the Commonwealth to rebut the defendant's misleading and inaccurate claims about what had occurred weeks prior in Aruba," Brennan wrote.FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON XSIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER"This incident in Aruba seems to also be the turning point in the relationship as the defendant told Brian Higgins that her relationship with the victim was a very f---ed up situation' as she had observed the victim all over [a] friends sister in the lobby of our hotel' and accused the victim of having hooked up with another girl."Brennan said he plans to call four witnesses to the Aruba incident to testify."In a domestic violence homicide, evidence such as prior disputes are relevant to show the volatile nature of the relationship," Brennan wrote.He added that he expected their testimony to show Read's "intent and state of mind toward the victim.""Brennan is smart," said Linda Kenney Baden, a high-profile defense attorney who squared off with Jackson in 2007 when he was the lead prosecutor in the murder trial of music producer Phil Spector. "You don't get to represent Whitey Bulger for eight years if you're not."Still, she said, Jackson may have been prepared for it."I think even if the judge allows him to bring it in, Jackson is ready for it," she said. "That's why he had the Aruba text read in the whole Higgins outline."Read has pleaded not guilty, and her attorneys deny she ever struck O'Keefe with her vehicle.Four weeks into the trial, prosecutors have yet to show O'Keefe's autopsy findings to the jury or allege specifically how she intended to kill him."This feels desperate to get the intent," said Grace Edwards, a Massachusetts defense attorney who has been following the case. "I dont think the jury will care to hear more evidence that there were issues. No relationship is perfect."

The U.S. State Department announced it has approved apotential sale ofmore than $1.4 billioninhelicopters and F-16 fighter jet parts to the United Arab Emirates, just ahead of President Donald Trumps visit to the Middle Eastern nation.The proposed sale includes $1.32 billion for CH-47 F Chinook helicopters and $130 million for F-16s parts, the State Department said on Monday.The agency has notified Congress of the proposed sale, although some Democrats have previously signaled they may be hesitant to give the green light to such a sale.This comes as Trump is expected to travel to the UAE later this week for the final stop on his four-day trip to the Middle East. He is also visiting Saudi Arabia and Qatar on his first major international trip of his second administration.HOUSE DEMOCRAT CALLS FOR 'IMMEDIATE' ETHICS PROBE OF QATARI PLANE GIFT TO TRUMPThe UAE has already vowed to spend $1.4 trillion in U.S. investments over the next decade, which are expected to focus on semiconductors, manufacturing, energy and artificial intelligence.Arms transfers and defense trade are overseen by the Pentagons Defense Security Cooperation Agency and the State Department.The State Department first reviews deals wanted by other countries to ensure they meet the U.S. government's goals. If approved, the agency notifies Congress of the sale. Federal lawmakers may reject a proposed sale, but if they elect not to, the U.S. government proceeds to negotiations.Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said on Monday ahead of the State Department's announcement that he would "block any arms sale to a nation that is doing direct personal business with Trump," citing the UAE-backed investment firm putting $2 billion into Trumps crypto venture and the U.S. president's administration accepting Qatars gift of a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to serve as Air Force One."We should have a full Senate debate and vote,"Murphy wrote on X. "UAEs investment in Trump crypto and Qatars gifting of a plane is nuclear grade graft. An unacceptable corruption of our foreign policy.""Normally, arms sales go forward without a vote," he continued. "But any Senator can object and force a full debate and Senate vote. I will do that for any military deal with a nation that is paying off Trump personally. We can't act like this is normal foreign policy."In January, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., expressed opposition to a $1.2 billion arms sale to the UAE, pointing to the country providing weapons to the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, which the U.S. has accused of war crimes and ethnic cleansing.TRUMP DEFENDS QATAR JUMBO JET OFFER AS TROUBLED BOEING FAILS TO DELIVER NEW AIR FORCE ONE FLEETCongress has previously attempted to block Trump from completing arms sales to Gulf nations, including in 2019 during his first term, when lawmakers placed holds on deals with Saudi Arabia and the UAE over concerns about civilian casualties in the war in Yemen, as the Saudi coalition has been accused of being responsible for the majority of civilian deaths.However, Trump has invoked a provision allowing sales to go through immediately without a review period in cases considered an emergency.

President Donald Trump continued to defend his decision to accept a $400 million jet from Qatar during an exclusive interview with Sean Hannity on Air Force One on Tuesday.Trump has received backlash for planning to accept the jumbo Boeing 747-8 jet from the Qatari royal family since news of the gift broke on Sunday."Now, some people say, 'oh, you shouldn't accept gifts for the country.' My attitude is, why wouldn't I accept the gift? We're giving to everybody else? Why wouldn't I accept the gift?" the president said to Hannity.TRUMP DEFENDS QATAR JUMBO JET OFFER AS TROUBLED BOEING FAILS TO DELIVER NEW AIR FORCE ONE FLEETThe luxury jet, which was offered to the United States because of delays in Boeing's production of the new Air Force One fleet, will serve as a temporary method of transportation so that the current presidential plane doesn't have to be flown.Trump has said AF1 is nearly 40 years old and looks "much less impressive" when compared to the planes in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar."You know, we're the United States of America. I believe that we should have the most impressive plane," Trump told Hannity.TRUMP CLARIFIES OWNERSHIP OF AIRCRAFT IN DEFENSE OF QATAR'S GIFTIn addition to Boeing running behind on delivering the new fleet, the jumbo jet is a gift to the Department of Defense for "a job well done" in successfully defending Qatar "for many years," Trump added on Truth Social a few hours after the interview."Why should our military, and therefore our taxpayers, be forced to pay hundreds of millions of Dollars when they can get it for FREE from a country that wants to reward us for a job well done," he wrote.Trump has said the plane will be retired to the presidential library once Boeing delivers its new AF1 fleet.The president will be in Qatar on Wednesday for the next stop of his three-day visit to the Middle East, marking his first major international trip of his second term.He spent Tuesday in Saudi Arabia meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

LOS ANGELES In a bombshell decision, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic slashed the Menendez brothers original life-without-parole terms to 50 years-to-life, making Erik and Lyle eligible for parole.Judge Michael Jesic ruled Tuesday that both brothers received a reduced sentence of 50 years to life with the opportunity for parole for the 1989 shotgun murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez."Im not suggesting they should be released [on parole]. Thats not for me to decide," he said.Their fate now lies in the hands of the parole board and Calif. Gov. Newsom.MENENDEZ BROTHERS COULD GET FREEDOM UNDER CALIFORNIA LAW SIGNED BY GAVIN NEWSOM: EXPERTFormer Assistant U.S. Attorney Neama Rahmani told Fox News Digital that Erik and Kyle Menendez "will likely be freed in a matter of months," adding that he does not expect "the parole board or Governor Newsom" to block their release.Rahmani noted that the resentencing decision rests on whether the brothers pose "an unreasonable risk of committing another violent crime," and he believes the evidence weighs heavily in their favor.Pointing to Judge Jesics ruling, Rahmani explained that because former LA County District Attorney George Gascon initiated the resentencing request, new LA DA Nathan Hochman "couldnt pull it back," and the court could only deny resentencing if the risk threshold wasnt met."That wasnt the case," he said, saying that "prison guards and other inmates testified that they were model prisoners."Rahmani also highlighted the unprecedented support from the Menendez family, observing that "every living family member of Jose and Kitty Menendez also supported their release, which is something that never happens. Victims do not support resentencing."MENENDEZ BROTHERS' RESENTENCING MOVES FORWARD AS DA CALLS OUT 'DECEIT, 'NARCISSISTIC TENDENCIES' IN PRISONJudge Jesic made this point while handing down the reduced sentences, saying he had given a lot of thought to the sentence, while acknowledging "the horrific crimes the brothers committed."He added that he was "equally shocked by letters of support he received from prison officials" who spoke highly of the brothers' actions behind bars, calling it "remarkable."Jesic stated the original sentence of life without parole was appropriate, but given the change in state law allowing for resentencing, Jesic said, "Theyve done enough over 35 years to get that chance."Rahmani stressed that such broad victim-family backing made it all but impossible for the current district attorney to derail the process."The bottom line is that there was too much support for the Menendez brothers, both inside and outside the courtroom, for Hochman to prevent their resentencing," he said. It just goes to show the power of a Netflix series."He added that "the Menendez brothers should send Netflix and former LA County DA Gascon nice cards this holiday season."FREEDOM FOR THE MENENDEZ BROTHERS MIGHT COME FROM A SURPRISING SOURCE. AND THIS COULD BE NEXTThe resentencing hearing comes after the brothers filed a habeas corpus petition in May 2023 citing new evidence of sexual assault. Former Los Angeles County DA George Gascon then filed a motion for resentencing in October 2024. Both filings follow the passage of AB 600, a California law allowing for resentencing of long-convicted inmates to align with current law. Gascon recommended resentencing the brothers to 25 years to life for each count of first-degree murder, so a total of 50 years to life for each brother. Because of their age at the time of the murders, that sentence would make them eligible for parole. Gascon cited "a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding sexual violence" and "Erik and Lyles continuous rehabilitative efforts." During the morning session on Tuesday, three Menendez family members were called to the stand by the defense to try and convince the judge that the brothers had shown remorse and had been rehabilitated.FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON XAll three witnesses were asked whether they thought their male cousins would in fact commit another heinous crime."There is no chance," Anamaria Baralt said. "I would bet my life on it.""They are not going to commit a [serious crime]. Because they have too many plans to give back to the world," Tamara Goodall said."Absolutely. No. None. They are extremely remarkable people now," Diane Hernandez said.SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTERMark Geragos, the attorney for the Menendez brothers, said the family's unified plea for the brothers' resentencing is a "unicorn."The brothers, now 57 and 54, were dressed in blue jail garb, and flashed big grins following their resentencing, and waved to family and friends in attendance.WATCH ON FOX NATION: MENENDEZ BROTHERS: VICTIMS OR VILLAINS?Erik and Lyle Menendez appeared in court via video camera from the San Diego prison where they are incarcerated and were each given a chance to address the court prior to their sentencing.Each brother spoke for about 10 minutes and offered full admission to the crimes.Lyle Menendez spoke first and took responsibility for the cold-blooded killing of his parents in their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989.GO HERE FOR REAL-TIME UPDATES FROM THE FOX TRUE CRIME HUB"I take full responsibility. I killed my parents. I made the choice to kill my mom and dad in their own home.""I made the choice to make a mockery of the justice system. I offer no excuse and I dont blame my parents," he said."I was impulsive and immature, and I bottled up my own emotions and anger. I was scared, but also filled with rage," he continued. "Had I had the coping skills and trusted others, I would have not done this. Even after I killed him (Jose), I still heard his voice.""Im deeply ashamed for what I did," he said.After his older brother addressed the court, Erik Menendez spoke, expressing his "profound sorrow.""I fired all five rounds at my parents and went back to reload. I lied to police. I lied to my family. I'm truly sorry," he said."My actions were criminal, selfish and cowardly. I take full responsibility. I am truly sorry.My parents should be alive. There can never be full healing for my crime," he continued. Geragos took a victory lap following the bombshell ruling for thekillers brothers' resentencing.MENENDEZ BROTHERS CASE: WHAT'S NEXT FOR KILLERS AFTER DEFENSE, DA SPAR OVER RESENTENCING"I never thought two years later we'd be standing here after 35 years with this wonderful family that I have grown to love like my own family," Geragos said. "And now we see the pot at the end of the rainbow, so to speak."Following the judge's decision, LA District Attorney Hochman shared his response to the ruling and said "Justice should never be swayed by spectacle.""The decision to resentence Erik and Lyle Menendez was a monumental one that has significant implications for the families involved, the community, and the principles of justice," Hochman said in a news release. "Our offices motions to withdraw the resentencing motion filed by the previous administration ensured that the Court was presented with all the facts before making such a consequential decision."The case of the Menendez brothers has long been a window for the public to better understand the judicial system. This case, like all cases especially those that captivate the public must be viewed with a critical eye. Our opposition and analysis ensured that the Court received a complete and accurate record of the facts. Justice should never be swayed by spectacle."The brothers remain in prison, but are now eligible for parole.Both Lyle and Erik are already scheduled to appear before the board on June 13thas part of a comprehensive risk assessment report (CRA) ordered by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is considering the brothers clemency request a separate potential path to freedom.Fox News is told the two types of parole hearings cannot be combined.The parole board is expected to submit its clemency recommendation to Newsom on the June date.Newsom can also commute their sentence at any time.Fox News' Lee Ross contributed to this report.

The U.S. State Department announced it has approved apotential sale ofmore than $1.4 billioninhelicopters and F-16 fighter jet parts to the United Arab Emirates, just ahead of President Donald Trumps visit to the Middle Eastern nation.The proposed sale includes $1.32 billion for CH-47 F Chinook helicopters and $130 million for F-16s parts, the State Department said on Monday.The agency has notified Congress of the proposed sale, although some Democrats have previously signaled they may be hesitant to give the green light to such a sale.This comes as Trump is expected to travel to the UAE later this week for the final stop on his four-day trip to the Middle East. He is also visiting Saudi Arabia and Qatar on his first major international trip of his second administration.HOUSE DEMOCRAT CALLS FOR 'IMMEDIATE' ETHICS PROBE OF QATARI PLANE GIFT TO TRUMPThe UAE has already vowed to spend $1.4 trillion in U.S. investments over the next decade, which are expected to focus on semiconductors, manufacturing, energy and artificial intelligence.Arms transfers and defense trade are overseen by the Pentagons Defense Security Cooperation Agency and the State Department.The State Department first reviews deals wanted by other countries to ensure they meet the U.S. government's goals. If approved, the agency notifies Congress of the sale. Federal lawmakers may reject a proposed sale, but if they elect not to, the U.S. government proceeds to negotiations.Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said on Monday ahead of the State Department's announcement that he would "block any arms sale to a nation that is doing direct personal business with Trump," citing the UAE-backed investment firm putting $2 billion into Trumps crypto venture and the U.S. president's administration accepting Qatars gift of a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to serve as Air Force One."We should have a full Senate debate and vote,"Murphy wrote on X. "UAEs investment in Trump crypto and Qatars gifting of a plane is nuclear grade graft. An unacceptable corruption of our foreign policy.""Normally, arms sales go forward without a vote," he continued. "But any Senator can object and force a full debate and Senate vote. I will do that for any military deal with a nation that is paying off Trump personally. We can't act like this is normal foreign policy."In January, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., expressed opposition to a $1.2 billion arms sale to the UAE, pointing to the country providing weapons to the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, which the U.S. has accused of war crimes and ethnic cleansing.TRUMP DEFENDS QATAR JUMBO JET OFFER AS TROUBLED BOEING FAILS TO DELIVER NEW AIR FORCE ONE FLEETCongress has previously attempted to block Trump from completing arms sales to Gulf nations, including in 2019 during his first term, when lawmakers placed holds on deals with Saudi Arabia and the UAE over concerns about civilian casualties in the war in Yemen, as the Saudi coalition has been accused of being responsible for the majority of civilian deaths.However, Trump has invoked a provision allowing sales to go through immediately without a review period in cases considered an emergency.