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The Supreme Court on Friday set a Dec. 8 date to hear oral arguments in a case centered on President Donald Trump’s authority to fire heads of independent agencies without cause.

This closely watched court fight could overturn a longstanding court precedent and further expand executive branch powers. At issue is Trump’s attempted firing of Rebecca Slaughter, the lone Democrat on the Federal Trade Commission. Trump fired Slaughter and another Democratic member of the FTC in March, though that commissioner has since resigned. 

Slaughter sued earlier this year to block her removal, and a lower court judge ordered her temporarily reinstated to her role on the FTC while the case continued to play out on its merits.

The Trump administration appealed the case to the Supreme Court in September. The justices agreed to hear the case and stayed the lower court ruling that ordered her reinstated — allowing Trump, for now, to proceed with Slaughter’s removal from the FTC.

APPEALS COURT BLOCKS TRUMP FROM FIRING FEDERAL BOARD MEMBERS, TEES UP SUPREME COURT FIGHT

The court’s willingness to take up the case is seen by many as a sign that the justices plan to revisit the Supreme Court precedent in Humphrey’s Executor v. United States — a 1935 case in which justices unanimously blocked presidents from removing the heads of independent regulatory agencies without cause, and only in limited circumstances.

Justices signaled as much in their directions to lawyers for the Trump administration and Slaughter. 

They ordered both parties to address two key questions in their briefs: whether the removal protections for FTC members “violates the separation of powers and, if so, whether Humphrey’s Executor, should be overruled,” and whether a federal court may prevent a person’s removal from public office, “either through relief at equity or at law.”

Their review of the case also comes as justices have grappled with a flurry of lawsuits filed this year by other Trump-fired Democratic board members, including by National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) member Gwynne Wilcox and Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) member Cathy Harris, two Democratic appointees who were abruptly terminated by the Trump administration this year. 

LAWYERS FOR COOK, DOJ TRADE BLOWS AT HIGH-STAKES CLASH OVER FED FIRING

The Supreme Court in May granted Trump’s request to remove both Wilcox and Harris from their respective boards while lower court challenges played out, though the high court did not invoke the Humphrey’s Executor precedent in the short, unsigned order.

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It also comes as the Supreme Court is slated to hear oral arguments in another key case centered on Trump’s attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, with oral arguments set for January.

The court’s approach in the Slaughter case may signal how it will handle arguments in Trump’s attempt to oust Cook the following month.

An Ohio state legislator is looking to penalize sanctuary cities and push law enforcement to cooperate with federal authorities amid President Donald Trump’s illegal immigration crackdown.

Ohio state Rep. Josh Williams, a Republican running for U.S. House, is introducing the Protecting Ohio Communities Act, known as House Bill 26, which includes a 10% cut in funds from the state for areas deemed to be “sanctuary jurisdictions.”

“We’ve seen Columbus and Cleveland mayors come out and openly say they’re going to defy this legislation within their city limits because we have home rule authority here in the state of Ohio,” Williams told Fox News Digital.

TRUMP ADMIN BLOCKED FROM SLASHING FUNDING FROM DOZENS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OVER ‘SANCTUARY’ POLICIES

Under Ohio’s constitution, home rule authority gives municipalities the “authority to exercise all powers of local self-government and to adopt and enforce within their limits such local police, sanitary and other similar regulations, as are not in conflict with general laws.”

“If you want to have these sanctuary policies, we’re going to defund you,” he added.

Williams said he hopes the Trump administration will follow suit and apply “conditional funding to our states who are refusing to cooperate and even sometimes obstructing our enforcement efforts.”

In the Midwest, one governor in particular has gone toe-to-toe with Trump on immigration enforcement: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. Williams accused Pritzker of acting out of anger over Trump’s re-election, and he said it was important for states to back federal policies that Americans voted for.

“The majority of the voters, through a popular vote, elected Donald Trump, and he campaigned on the idea of undergoing the largest immigration enforcement in our nation’s history to remove the millions of illegal immigrants that came across the border during the Biden administration. And we need to support him at every single level to make that happen,” Williams told Fox News Digital.

REPUBLICAN BILL WOULD PUT ‘ANARCHIST JURISDICTIONS’ ON NOTICE, THREATEN FEDERAL FUNDING

Williams also slammed Pritzker and Democratic governors like him for “defying and obstructing federal enforcement efforts” in their states.

“Unfortunately, we have out of touch liberals that are able to afford to live in communities [where] they can avoid the chaos that their policies are creating,” Williams told Fox News Digital. “But the average working family in America can’t afford that.”

Williams, whose hometown is Toledo, cited his own experience living in a poor community and what it means to rely on law enforcement for safety and security.

“When I called 911, I expected law enforcement to respond,” he said. Williams added that law enforcement needs to be able to rely on local partners and know that their counterparts won’t “leave them hanging” because they’re working to enforce federal immigration policies.

The Protecting Ohio Communities Act has a long way to go before it becomes state law. The Ohio legislature’s website shows the bill is in House committee as of Oct. 16.

TOM HOMAN PUTS SANCTUARY CITIES ‘ON NOTICE’ AS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CRACKS DOWN ON IMMIGRATION

Williams said he believes Ohio has become the “epicenter of national politics,” making it a crucial piece of the Trump administration’s work to crack down on illegal immigration.

“We do have a Buckeye in the White House,” Williams said, referring to Vice President JD Vance, an Ohio native who represented the state in the U.S. Senate before being tapped as Trump’s running mate.

“I think you’re gonna continue to see Ohio be a spotlight for change here for the nation,” he added.

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Williams is looking to take his fight against sanctuary cities beyond Ohio as he campaigns for Congress. Cracking down on illegal immigration is a major part of his U.S. House campaign platform. Williams’ campaign website lists his priorities as defunding sanctuary cities and states, finishing the border wall, deporting criminal illegal immigrants and supporting law enforcement’s immigration efforts.

“It’s critical we empower our brave law enforcement officers to enforce the laws already on the books as well as give them the resources and authority they need to keep our nation safe,” Williams’ campaign website reads.

FIRST ON FOX: The White House railed against the “Democrat shutdown” for “jeopardizing national security” because 80% of the federal agency charged with protecting the U.S. nuclear stockpile will be furloughed in the coming days, the administration told Fox News Digital. 

“The Democrat shutdown is now jeopardizing our national security,” White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers told Fox News Digital Friday afternoon. “By refusing to pass the clean, bipartisan funding extension, the Democrats are causing funds to run out for critical programs, resulting in furloughs of personnel at the National Nuclear Security Administration who manage our nuclear stockpile.

“This is reckless and could be completely avoided if the Democrats simply voted to reopen the government and stopped holding the American people hostage.”

WHITE HOUSE SAYS FEDERAL LAYOFFS COULD HIT ‘THOUSANDS’ AHEAD OF TRUMP, VOUGHT MEETING

An administration official confirmed to Fox Digital that 80% of the National Nuclear Security Administration’s staff will be furloughed because available funds will soon be expended. 

The National Nuclear Security Administration operates within the U.S. Department of Energy, maintains the nation’s nuclear stockpile and works to reduce the threat of nuclear weapons in foreign nations. 

The agency will next enter minimum safe operations, meaning remaining employees will focus on maintaining physical security, cybersecurity, nuclear safety and emergency management, according to an administration official. 

KAROLINE LEAVITT WARNS DEMOCRATS FACE ‘VERY REAL’ CONSEQUENCES IF SHUTDOWN STANDOFF DRAGS ON

“We have not furloughed anyone yet, but we will be out of funds by tomorrow or early next week,” Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Bloomberg News Friday of the upcoming furloughs. “So, we will be forced to do that if this shutdown continues.

“We’ve been paying them to date, but, starting tomorrow, Monday at the latest, we’re not going to be able to pay those workers. If that continues on for long, they may get other jobs,” Wright told Bloomberg, putting “the sovereignty of the country,” at stake.

HERE’S WHAT TRUMP WANTS TO DO TO RESHAPE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DURING THE SHUTDOWN

The administration official told Fox News Digital at there will be significant impacts on the agency’s nuclear deterrence mission as various offices shutter during the shutdown, and consequences of the shutdown are expected to last beyond the eventual reopening of the government. 

“As our adversaries build more silos and weapons, we will be turning off the lights,” the administration official said. 

Republican lawmakers also have sounded off on the upcoming furloughs, including Alabama Rep. Mike Rogers during a House news conference on Friday. 

“We were just informed last night the National Nuclear Security Administration, the group that handles the nuclear stockpile, that the carryover funding they’ve been using is about to run out,” he said. “These are not employees that you want to go home. They are managing and handling a very important strategic asset for us. They need to be at work and being paid.” 

The U.S. government has been in the midst of an ongoing shutdown since Oct. 1, when Senate lawmakers failed to pass funding legislation for 2026.

The Trump administration and Republicans have since pinned blame for the shutdown on Democrats, claiming they sought taxpayer-funded medical benefits for illegal immigrants. Democrats have denied they want to fund healthcare for illegal immigrants and instead have blamed Republicans for the shutdown.

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“Every day that Republicans refuse to negotiate to end this shutdown, the worse it gets for Americans — and the clearer it becomes who’s fighting for them,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told Fox Digital earlier in October of the shutdown. 

“Each day our case to fix healthcare and end this shutdown gets better and better, stronger and stronger because families are opening their letters showing how high their premiums will climb if Republicans get their way.” 

Billionaire investor Bill Ackman is escalating his commentary on the New York City mayoral race, claiming Republican Curtis Sliwa’s refusal to exit has pushed democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani to a 90% chance of victory, according to prediction market data. 

Ackman, the founder of Pershing Square Capital, argued that Sliwa staying in the race is helping Mamdani secure the win.

On Friday, Ackman posted new Polymarket odds on X showing Mamdani near 90%, well ahead of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Sliwa.

“It was not Zohran Mamdani’s debate performance. It was Curtis Sliwa’s statement after the debate that he is not leaving that has tipped the odds to 90% for Mamdani,” Ackman wrote on X.

Sliwa had said he would not drop out after the most recent debate.

FINAL STRETCH: MAMDANI’S LARGE LEAD SHRINKING AS CUOMO GAINS GROUND IN NYC MAYORAL RACE

Ackman’s remarks mark a rare public foray by a high-profile investor into a local election. A spokesperson for Pershing Square told Fox News Digital there was “no additional comment beyond Ackman’s posts.” 

Ackman has supported Cuomo’s independent bid and earlier in the week urged Sliwa to exit the race to give Cuomo “a better shot.”

Sliwa is not backing down. His campaign, in an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital, rejected the idea that Ackman or any donor should influence the race. 

“Billionaires aren’t going to decide the outcome — it’s the voters. It’s the people. Let the people decide,” said Maria Sliwa, the candidate’s spokeswoman.

“Cuomo lost the primary as a Democrat. He’s running as an independent. Curtis is on a major party line just like Mamdani. If anything, Cuomo should drop out, not Curtis.”

She said Sliwa has always planned to stay in the race to give Republicans a choice. 

“This race won’t be decided by millionaires, billionaires or professional politicians. It will be decided by the voters on Nov. 4.”

Sliwa’s refusal to exit has become a flashpoint in the campaign. Ackman and others say a one-on-one matchup between Cuomo and Mamdani would be more competitive. 

NEW POLL REVEALS MAMDANI’S LEAD IS SHRINKING AS CUOMO GAINS GROUND IN NYC SHOWDOWN

Some polls suggest Cuomo could close the gap without Sliwa in the race. But Sliwa’s team and several analysts question whether his voters would support Cuomo.

Appearing Friday morning on “Sid & Friends in the Morning” on WABC radio, Cuomo accused Sliwa of playing spoiler and warned Republicans that staying loyal to Sliwa could hand the election to Mamdani.

“Curtis cannot win,” Cuomo said. “No Republican voted to put Curtis on the ballot. No Democrat voted to put Curtis on the ballot. He was put on by the party bosses — the Republican county chairs — because he is a spoiler. And they want Mamdani to win.”

Cuomo argued that GOP leaders are backing Sliwa for strategic reasons, not to win City Hall. 

“They’ll take Mamdani and run him around the country saying, ‘Look at how crazy this Democratic Party is — they elected a 33-year-old socialist who’s anti-cop, anti-business, antisemitic.’ It’ll help them politically, but it’ll kill the city,” Cuomo said.

He added that voters who support Sliwa are effectively helping Mamdani. 

“You vote for Curtis, just save yourself the time and vote for Mamdani,” Cuomo said. “He’s the candidate of the Republican Party chairs. And what Republicans are going to have to decide is whether partisan loyalty is more important than loyalty to the city.”

FOX NEWS POLL: UNHAPPY WITH NYC’S DIRECTION, VOTERS FAVOR MAMDANI FOR MAYOR BY A WIDE MARGIN

Cuomo also attacked Mamdani’s public safety policies, warning, “You defund the police, you close Rikers — he’s talking about releasing 7,000 people from Rikers when it closes. There are no new jails. There will be a mass exodus from this city. It will never be the same.”

The 2025 NYC mayoral race has drawn national attention. Mamdani, 33, is a socialist state assemblyman from Queens who upset Cuomo in the Democratic primary. If elected, he would be the city’s first Muslim mayor, and he has the backing of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

Cuomo, 65, is running as an independent four years after resigning as governor. He is trying to frame himself as a centrist who can beat Mamdani. Since Mayor Eric Adams dropped out, Cuomo has gained ground in polling.

Sliwa, 69, is best known for founding the Guardian Angels patrol group and has built his campaign around crime and quality-of-life issues. He won 27% of the vote in the 2021 mayoral race.

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Ackman’s involvement has sparked renewed interest in Polymarket, a prediction site where users bet on political outcomes. 

The contract for the NYC mayoral race has already passed $190 million in trading volume, one of the largest for a local U.S. election. Ackman’s posts have fueled speculation and a surge in trading activity.

Voters head to the polls Nov. 4.

Polymarket did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Comments by Senate leadership have renewed expectations among lawmakers that the chamber will soon entertain sanctions on Russia — even as questions remain about whether President Donald Trump would support them.  

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters on Thursday that he thought the Senate could consider sanctions introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., “in the next 30 days.” 

Trump, in contrast, told reporters on Thursday that “it may not be perfect timing” to impose sanctions on Russia.

The sanctions, which have been in the works for months, may have newfound momentum in Congress amid the Trump administration’s increased support for Ukraine in recent weeks — and as Zelenskyy returned to the U.S. this week to press his case for a more aggressive stance against Moscow. 

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle believe the sanctions bill is ripe for consideration. Senators like Blumenthal said those sanctions could be a missing component to ending the three-year conflict that has so far frustrated attempts at meaningful resolution.

“Leader Thune is right. It’s time to bring the Graham-Blumenthal Russian Sanctions bill to the floor,” Blumenthal told Fox News Digital in a statement. 

“Passing it would show unity across our government in support of confronting Putin’s bloody atrocities against Ukraine. A vote on our bone-crushing sanctions bill within the next 30 days is imperative to bring Putin’s war machine to a grinding halt,” Blumenthal added. 

In its current form, the measure would allow the President of the United States enhanced powers to block energy sales, block visas, halt investment listings, impose tariffs of up to 500%, and more — if the president determines that Russia isn’t engaging in good-faith efforts to end the war.

The bill creates some exceptions for humanitarian reasons.

Despite Trump’s hesitations on Thursday, he’s signaled openness to sanctions before. Graham, the sponsor of the legislation, said it equips the president with an expanded negotiating arsenal.

“Yeah, I hope so. It’s a tool available for the president,” Graham said of the legislation, “It empowers him. It’s up to him how to use it.”

SENATE SIGNALS READINESS TO HIT RUSSIA WITH HARD SANCTIONS IF PEACE DEAL FAILS

In addition to its 84 cosponsors in the Senate, the bill has 113 cosponsors in the House of Representatives.

Despite its broad support, Thune warned there are still aspects of the legislation that need to be addressed before it can be put to a vote.

“There are technical issues that are being worked out between the White House and Senator Graham, obviously, who’s the lead sponsor of the bill,” Thune told reporters on Thursday.

He didn’t expand on what areas might need a second look.

Thune added that to put the kind of pressure on Putin that lawmakers have in mind, the bill would also need the support of the international community. 

“We also need to have it amplified by the Europeans. And that’s one of the things the administration is working on. It doesn’t do any good to have the United States unilaterally going to all these countries and sanctioning them, and then having the Europeans buying energy from them,” Thune said.

EU PREPARING 19TH ROUND OF RUSSIA SANCTIONS AS ZELENSKYY MEETS TRUMP

Renewed expectations about the bill come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the White House on Friday, making the case that additional striking capabilities are needed to bring Putin to the negotiating table.

DEMOCRATS DOUBTED TRUMP WOULD SECURE UKRAINE CEASE-FIRE IN ALASKA SUMMIT WITH PUTIN

Its sponsor in the House, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., called the bill another way to ramp up the pressure to negotiate. 

“There are moments in history when hesitation carries a cost too great to bear. This is one of them. Bipartisan support for this bill is overwhelming, and every day of delay is a gift to Putin.”

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“We must give the president every tool to end this war and secure peace through strength. That’s how America leads. That’s how freedom prevails. I’m grateful to Leader Thune for recognizing the urgency of this moment, and I encourage Speaker Johnson to continue his leadership on this issue by scheduling a vote as soon as possible,” Fitzpatrick said.

The Senate has recessed for the weekend and will return to Washington, D.C., on Monday.

NEW YORK, N.Y. – New York City socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani sparked a political firestorm on Thursday night when he declined to endorse Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul on a debate stage despite her previously endorsing him. 

“It’s a decision that should be made after this general election,” Mamdani said during a debate with former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa when candidates were asked to raise their hand if they supported the governor.

“So my focus is on November,” Mamdani told reporters on Friday when asked about his non-endorsement.

“I am less than three weeks away from the election that we have been building this campaign towards for more than a year, and that’s why I haven’t made any endorsements beyond November.”

TOP 5 MOMENTS FROM FIERY NYC MAYORAL DEBATE: ‘HE LITERALLY HAS NEVER HAD A JOB’

The comment from Mamdani came as a surprise to some given the fact that Hochul endorsed Mamdani last month after facing pressure from many within her party to get on board with the leading candidate in the New York City mayoral race.

“New York City deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers,” Hochul said during her endorsement announcement. “That’s @ZohranKMamdani.”

Mamdani’s comment on the debate stage drew a strong rebuke from the Republican running against Hochul along with many who chimed in on social media suggesting that Hochul made a miscalculation endorsing Mamdani.

“Degrading and humiliating,” GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik, widely expected to run against Hochul for governor, said about Mamdani’s decision not to publicly endorse Hochul. 

NYC COUNCILWOMAN WHO GREW UP UNDER COMMUNISM SOUNDS ALARM ON KEY MAMDANI POSITIONS: ‘DANGEROUS SITUATION’

“Jihadist and terrorist sympathizer Commie Mamdani’s team threatened @kathyhochul with a primary if she didn’t bend the knee and endorse him,” Stefanik continued. “Hochul quickly caved, and now wears his Defund the Police, Antisemitic, Communist platform.”

“New Yorkers know how politically weak Hochul is. Mamdani confirmed it last night by refusing to endorse her,” Stefanik added.

In a press release, Stefanik referred to Hochul as the “biggest loser” in the debate, given that none of the three candidates said they support her. 

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“Zohran Mamdani REFUSES to endorse Kathy Hochul for reelection even after she endorsed him,” a Republican National Committee account posted on X, along with a clown emoji. 

“LMAO,” GOP Congressman Mike Lawler posted on X. “No one believes @GovKathyHochul should be reelected.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Hochul’s campaign for comment.

FIRST ON FOX: The Trump Department of Homeland Security is criticizing a Democratic judge for taking “activism to a whole new level” by harboring an illegal gang member who just pled guilty to illegally possessing firearms and destroying evidence.

Federal authorities arrested Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, a Venezuelan national who illegally entered the country in 2023 during the Biden administration, in February at the home of former Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Jose Luis “Joel” Cano, 67, and his wife Nancy Ann Cano, 68.

Based on his tattoos and social media activity showing firearms as well as distinctive hand signs and clothing, the Justice Department believes Ortega-Lopez is a member of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan transnational criminal group recently designated a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration.

This month, Ortega-Lopez pled guilty to illegally possessing firearms and conspiracy to destroy evidence.

DHS FLIPS SCRIPT ON MEDIA NARRATIVE WITH NEW DETAILS ABOUT ILLEGAL TEEN ARRESTED BY ICE: ‘SAFETY THREAT’

Commenting on the plea, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the judge’s action is part of a wider pattern of “sanctuary politicians” subverting U.S. law to harbor criminal illegal immigrants.

“Time and time again, we see sanctuary politicians and activist judges like Jose Cano shield criminal illegal aliens – in this case, a suspected GANG MEMBER, from arrest and removal from the country,” McLaughlin wrote in a statement to Fox News Digital.

She added that “Judge Cano, a magistrate judge, takes activist judge to a whole new level—having this criminal illegal alien live in his home with him.”

“Ortega-Lopez, a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member who pled guilty to illegally possessing firearms and conspiracy to destroy evidence, should never have been released into the country by the Biden Administration,” she said.

“This disgusting behavior is wildly unacceptable and is no longer tolerated under the Trump Administration. We are putting the safety of the American people first.”

TRUMP’S WAR ON CARTELS ENTERS NEW PHASE AS EXPERTS PREDICT WHAT’S NEXT

A senior DHS official also told Fox News Digital that the agency “will not let the Democrats’ government shutdown prevent our law enforcement officers from executing the critical mission of securing our nation from the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens.”

Federal agents received a tip in January that Ortega-Lopez was living with other illegal immigrants on a property belonging to Cano, who was still a judge at the time, and his wife.

Authorities seized four guns during a Feb. 28 search of the property.

The four guns, along with three cellphones belonging to Ortega-Lopez, were seized, and he was arrested. During the search, Ortega-Lopez was allowed to make a phone call before being taken to the Doña Ana County Detention Center (DACDC).

He told the agents that the phone he wanted to use was not among the devices recovered. Video calls from DACDC later showed Nancy Cano holding a black iPhone believed to be Ortega’s fourth phone, prosecutors said.

‘LIVING LABORATORY’: TRUMP ADMIN URGED TO LOOK TO SOUTH AMERICA FOR LESSONS ON FIGHTING MIGRANT GANGS

During a March 7 call with Ortega-Lopez, Nancy Cano allegedly used the device to contact someone named “Michelle” via WhatsApp before facilitating a FaceTime call between Michelle and Ortega-Lopez using her personal phone.

In an April 20 call, Nancy Cano and Ortega-Lopez discussed deleting his Facebook account, which he allegedly used to share incriminating content, including gang affiliations and images with guns.

On April 24, federal agents searched the Cano home to locate Ortega-Lopez’s missing phone. During questioning, Judge Cano admitted smashing the device with a hammer five weeks earlier because he believed it contained incriminating photos and videos of Ortega-Lopez with guns and throwing it into a dumpster, according to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.

APPEALS COURT BLOCKS TRUMP FROM DEPORTING MEMBERS OF TREN DE ARAGUA GANG

A forensic analysis of the recovered phones revealed messages linked to Ortega’s alleged criminal activities, including links with the Tren de Aragua gang and images of him with guns, authorities said.

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Judge Cano resigned his position in March, and he and his wife were arrested on April 24. They were released on $10,000 bonds and are facing up to 15 years in prison each for evidence tampering and conspiracy to tamper with evidence.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Canos’ attorney for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

Fox News Digital’s Audrey Conklin and Louis Casiano contributed to this report.

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social Friday that he commuted the sentence of disgraced former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., after several campaign finance violations.

“George Santos was somewhat of a ‘rogue,’ but there are many rogues throughout our Country that aren’t forced to serve seven years in prison,” Trump wrote. 

FORMER CONGRESSMAN GEORGE SANTOS DELIVERS ‘GLAMOROUS’ FAREWELL BEFORE GOING TO PRISON: ‘THE CURTAIN FALLS’

“I started to think about George when the subject of Democrat Senator Richard “Da Nang Dick” Blumenthal came up again…. This is far worse than what George Santos did, and at least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!” President Trump added. “George has been in solitary confinement for long stretches of time and, by all accounts, has been horribly mistreated. Therefore, I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY.”

Santos had reported to serve his sentence in federal prison at the end of July earlier this year, with a theatrical X post where he wrote,”Well, darlings… The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed.”

The former representative had pleaded guilty in 2024 to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

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“Good luck George, have a great life!” the President concluded.

This is a developing story, check back later for updates.

Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening…

-FBI arrests alleged pro-Hamas Oct. 7 attacker living in Louisiana

-Millions expected to flood streets at ‘No Kings’ protests targeting Trump across all 50 states

–Thune slams Schumer’s ‘kingmaker’ politics, refuses to ‘kiss the ring’ in shutdown talks

Bolton pleads not guilty

Former White House National Security Advisor John Bolton pleaded not guilty Friday to all 18 counts related to the improper handling of classified materials after surrendering to federal authorities in Maryland.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy Sullivan explained the charges to Bolton and asked if he understood them and the potential penalties of up to 10 years per count and a maximum fine of $250,000 per count. 

“I do your honor,” Bolton said during his arraignment at the federal courthouse in Greenbelt, Md…Read more

White House

RATE AND SEE: Fed’s Miran downplays impact of Trump’s tariffs on growth, inflation

F-BOMB: Trump says Venezuela’s Maduro doesn’t want to ‘f*** around’ with the US

‘BAD BLOOD’: Trump says ‘tremendous bad blood’ between Zelenskyy, Putin delaying peace deal despite Middle East momentum

BLUE SLIP BLUES: Trump rips ‘stupid and outdated’ Senate tradition blocking US attorney nominees

World Stage

WEAPONS SWAP DEAL: Zelenskyy pitches Trump on Ukraine drone-for-Tomahawk missile exchange as president weighs escalation concerns

Capitol Hill

TRUMP CARD: EXCLUSIVE: Karoline Leavitt slams Hakeem Jeffries as ‘stone-cold loser’ after he attacks her as ‘demented’

DIGITAL DAMAGE: Deleted posts urging violence haunt Democratic Senate hopeful in Maine race

RIGHTS IN LIMBO: Government shutdown is putting gun owners rights at risk, House Republicans warn

Across America 

AG SPEAKS OUT: Jason Miyares touts record on crime, fentanyl as Jones scandal roils Virginia race

SENATE SABOTAGE: Trump’s US attorneys in blue states face legal challenges that could upend key prosecutions

SPACE RACE REDUX: Musk ally Jared Isaacman makes comeback bid for NASA administrator role after May withdrawal: report

VIOLENCE EXPOSED: Lawyers guild’s alleged ties to Antifa spark call for DOJ probe

NO ‘CHAOS’ ALLOWED: Abbott orders Texas National Guard to Austin in advance of ‘Antifa-linked protest’

FOLLOW THE MONEY: Soros foundation helping fund anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ protests nationwide

MILLIONS EXPECTED: ‘No Kings’ movement and what it wants: Inside the message driving Saturday’s nationwide protests

POLITICAL VIOLENCE: Democrats’ ‘unity’ dinner draws backlash over anti-Trump ‘86 47’ sign linking MAGA to Nazis

RULES FOR ME: Hochul’s office silent when pressed if she sticks by ‘no one is above the law’ belief amid AG’s indictment

TRUST DEFICIT: Mamdani ripped by rivals for unpopular stance during fiery NYC debate

YOUR HONOR: Who is Judge Chuang, the Obama appointee assigned to John Bolton’s case?

Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.

Former President Barack Obama officially endorsed both Democrat candidates running in the only pair of gubernatorial elections this cycle, following the tradition of the former president holding his endorsement cards close to his chest in the lead-up to elections.

“Mikie’s integrity, grit, and commitment to service are what we need right now in our leaders,” Obama said in a video endorsement ad released Friday by Democratic New Jersey Rep. Mikie Sherrill’s gubernatorial campaign. “Mikie Sherrill is the right choice for your next governor.” 

“Mikie is a mom who will drive down costs for New Jersey families,” Obama continued in the ad. “As a federal prosecutor and former Navy helicopter pilot, she worked to keep our communities safe.” 

New Jersey and Virginia are the only states holding gubernatorial elections in 2025’s off-season election year, with Sherrill and former Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger as the only Democrats in the running. 

OBAMA ENDORSES SPANBERGER, ATTACKS REPUBLICANS IN VIRGINIA GOVERNOR’S RACE ADS

Obama endorsed Spanberger Thursday, in a pair of ads that also took aim at Republicans for “attacking abortion rights.” 

“Virginia’s elections are some of the most important in the country this year. We know Republicans will keep attacking abortion rights and the rights of women. That’s why having the right governor matters, and I’m proud to endorse Abigail Spanberger,” Obama said in an ad endorsing the Virginia Democrat. 

“Republican policies are raising costs on working families so (that) billionaires can get massive tax cuts,” he said in another ad endorsing Spanberger. 

Following Obama’s endorsement of Spanberger, the Republican challenger in the race, current Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears’ campaign told Fox Digital Thursday, “Abigail Spanberger is scared, and it shows.”

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“After losing support across Virginia, she’s leaning on liberal elites to try and save her collapsing campaign,” Earle-Sears’ press secretary Peyton Vogel said. “This is a desperate play from a candidate who’s run out of support, out of ideas, and out of time. Voters see through it, and that’s why Winsome Earle-Sears is surging.” 

New Jersey Republican Jack Ciattarelli’s campaign also blasted the Obama endorsement in a comment to Fox News Digital Friday. 

“If anything underscores the lack of enthusiasm around Mikie Sherrill’s arrogant, out-of-touch campaign, it’s that she thinks that endorsements by Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton actually matter to middle and working class New Jerseyans who have been kicked in the teeth by 8 years of one-party Democrat rule making our state more expensive and less safe,” Ciattarelli campaign strategist Chris Russell told Fox News Digital. “Spoiler alert: they don’t. If anything, it energizes our voters even more.” 

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has joined fundraising events for both Democratic gubernatorial candidates in October. 

Since leaving the Oval Office, Obama typically has held his endorsement card close to his chest.

He endorsed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in June 2016, following months of signaling support for Clinton without formally offering his endorsement.

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Obama remained coy during the 2020 election about whom he would endorse, saying he would not back anyone during the primary. As Democratic contenders such as former Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders dropped out of the race, Obama officially endorsed his former vice president, Joe Biden, after he became the party’s presumptive nominee. 

Obama notably got more involved with the 2020 Biden campaign in its final weeks, holding his first in-person event amid the pandemic in Pennsylvania just days before the election. 

The 44th president called on Democrats to “chill out” during the 2020 primary season and wait to see which candidate would emerge successful in the primary process. 

“There will be differences, but I want us to make sure that we keep in mind that relative to the ultimate goal, which is to defeat a president and a party that has, I think, taken a sharp turn away from a lot of the core traditions and values and institutional commitments that built this country,” Obama said in 2019 at a Democrat fundraiser in California. “Compared to that goal, the differences we’re having right now are relatively minor.”

“Everybody needs to chill out about the candidates,” he added, “but gin up about the prospect of rallying behind whoever emerges from this process.”

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During the unprecedented 2024 election cycle, Obama did not offer a formal, new endorsement of Biden’s re-election run, but did join him for campaign events. Biden ultimately dropped out of the race as concerns over his mental acuity and age mounted, with Obama again staying mum for days whether he would endorse then-Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee. 

Biden dropped out of the race July 21, 2024, and endorsed Harris to run in his place that same day in a separate social media post. Obama, as well as former first lady Michelle Obama, endorsed Harris in a video message July 26, 2024, as party members and political pundits awaited the Obamas’ support with bated breath.

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Harris published a memoir, “107 Days,” in September that detailed her short 2024 campaign cycle, including noting in her book that Obama did not offer an immediate endorsement, instead advising that she has to “earn” the nomination and consider the “timing” of it. 

“Saddle up! Joe did what I hoped he would do. But you have to earn it,” Obama said when Harris spoke to him, according to the book. “Michelle and I are supportive but not going to put a finger on the scale right now. Let Joe have his moment. Think through timing.” 

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Obama also endorsed former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s failed 2021 re-election campaign at the end of October 2024, as that election began losing ground to Republican Glenn Youngkin as education issues took center stage.

The 2025 gubernatorial elections have teed up the two Democrats as potential leaders of the party if they prove fruitful in their races, following the Democrat Party’s disarray from the losses at the 2024 ballot boxes that handed President Donald Trump a victory. 

Fox News Digital reached out to Obama’s office for additional comment on the gubernatorial endorsements Friday but did not immediately receive a reply.