House conservatives warn Trump-Schumer deal undercuts GOP leverage on DHS funding

House conservatives are quietly grumbling about the deal President Donald Trump entered into with Senate Democrats to keep the government open — particularly regarding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Some Republican lawmakers are concerned that the plan will force them to swallow concessions on immigration enforcement policies that they would not normally entertain while the GOP holds all the levers of power in Washington, albeit with slim majorities.

"I don’t think we have any more leverage," one House Republican granted anonymity to speak candidly told Fox News Digital. "We just shot ourselves in the foot, and nine days later we’ll do it again."

The compromise between Democrats and the White House funds 97% of the federal government through Sept. 30, but only keeps DHS running until Feb. 13.

PLAN TO END GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN SURVIVES KEY HOUSE HURDLE AFTER TRUMP QUELLS GOP REBELLION THREATS

That's because House and Senate Democrats walked away from an initial compromise that would similarly fund DHS through the end of fiscal year (FY) 2026, in exchange for added guardrails on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) like a new body-worn camera mandate and required training on de-escalation and public engagement.

The earlier plan passed the House, mostly with only GOP support, but was rejected by Senate Democrats in the wake of unrest in Minneapolis over Trump's immigration crackdown. Federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens there during anti-ICE demonstrations, with tensions escalating thanks to those fatal encounters and angry rhetoric by progressive local officials.

Trump's new deal for DHS with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is aimed at giving time for more bipartisan negotiations on a longer-term funding plan.

GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN AGAIN AFTER DEMOCRATS REVOLT OVER DHS FUNDING

But the move frustrated some House Republicans all the way up to Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who told his conference on a lawmaker-only call Friday that he was "frustrated" by the compromise but that congressional Republicans needed to stick by Trump's decisions as the leader of their party.

He also told reporters during a Tuesday morning press conference, "This is not my preferred route. I wanted to keep all six bills together."

"But listen, the president agreed with Schumer that they would separate Homeland, and we'll do that, and we'll handle it," Johnson continued. "The Republicans are going to do the responsible thing."

Frustrations about Trump negotiating away their leverage were brought up again by House conservatives during a GOP lawmaker-only meeting on Tuesday morning, two sources told Fox News Digital.

HOUSE CONSERVATIVES SKEPTICAL AS SENATE DEAL SACRIFICING DHS SPENDING REACHED: 'NON-STARTER'

One senior House Republican said they'd heard such complaints but commended Trump for acting responsibly in a difficult situation.

"I think there were no good options. We obviously don’t want a shutdown, Democrats are very capable of that, they’ve demonstrated they’re willing to do that," the senior House Republican said.

"They backed out on their end of the deal, and politically, they made a calculus, so the president had to be the bigger person. So, yeah, of course there was leverage that was given away. But leaders are the ones who can de-escalate. He seems to be de-escalating."

Others who spoke on the record said they trusted Trump but were pessimistic about getting to Feb. 13 with a plan that Republicans could all support.

"Homeland Security is doing a tremendous job. It’s unfortunate that two people got shot, but it’s unfortunate that 20 million illegals came to America, too," Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., said Monday.

"Trump, I trust his judgment. I’m just saying my gut instinct is… they’ll use the two weeks to demagogue [DHS Secretary] Kristi Noem, they’ll use the two weeks to say how bad everything is with ICE. I think they’ll take the two weeks to make unreasonable demands on dismantling ICE. That’s not going to happen."

HOUSE SENDS BILL ENDING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN TO TRUMP'S DESK AFTER 21 DEMS BREAK WITH JEFFRIES

Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., told Fox News Digital, "I am concerned, but I’m hopeful that the president in the negotiations will hold firm, and hold strong."

But two more House Republicans who spoke with Fox News Digital privately signaled they did not see a path to GOP success on DHS after Trump's talks with Senate Democrats.

"Whatever will come of that will be something that I probably won’t be able to support," one of them said.

"How are we in a better negotiating position in two weeks? The only difference will be time," the second GOP lawmaker said. "At the end of the day, I’m worried that we’re going to make a lot of concessions that we wouldn't normally make."

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told Fox News Digital that Trump would hold firm on implementing his immigration law.

"President Trump and his entire administration have been clear: we will not waver when implementing the president’s electoral mandate to enforce federal immigration law. Democrats should not hold funding hostage for disaster relief as many Americans continue to recover from winter storms," Jackson said.

source https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-conservatives-warn-trump-schumer-deal-undercuts-gop-leverage-dhs-funding

Minneapolis City Council moves to spend $500K on immigrant legal services

The Minneapolis City Council on Tuesday signaled support for a resolution that would direct additional funding toward immigrant legal services, as city leaders weigh how to respond to ongoing federal immigration enforcement activity.

The resolution would increase the budget for the Neighborhood and Community Relations Department’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs by $500,000 on a one-time basis. 

Jason Chavez, a Minneapolis City Council member representing Ward 9, said the move would bring the city’s total investment in immigrant legal services to $1 million this year, following an earlier allocation approved in December.

"This action unanimously passed at the Committee of the Whole meeting and will now have a final vote at full council. We are hearing from providers that we desperately need to expand services, capacity, and support," Chavez wrote on Facebook.

FEDERAL JUDGE REJECTS MINNESOTA REQUEST TO BLOCK ICE-LED OPERATION METRO SURGE

"We also know that habeas corpus and the legal system are one of the ways we have successfully reunited families," he added. "While this was one action today, I believe we must do more."

The Minneapolis City Council is scheduled to vote on Chavez's resolution on Thursday.

The city council’s action comes against the backdrop of stepped-up federal immigration enforcement activity in Minnesota that has drawn protests and heightened scrutiny following the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens.

BORDER CZAR HOMAN MEETS WITH MINNESOTA OFFICIALS FOLLOWING IMMIGRATION OPERATION TENSIONS

Demonstrations have taken place nationwide as community members and activists question the scope and tactics of the operations, which the Department of Homeland Security says are targeted.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA STUDENT GROUPS TEAMING WITH FAR-LEFT RADICALS TO LEAD ANTI-ICE ‘NATIONAL SHUTDOWN'

Tom Homan, the White House border czar, said at a press conference Wednesday morning that the administration would draw down 700 federal law enforcement personnel from Minnesota, citing "unprecedented collaboration" with local officials.

Homan said federal agents have arrested people with serious criminal histories, including those convicted of homicide, sex-related offenses and gang activity.

"We're taking a lot of bad people off the street," he told reporters. "Everybody should be grateful for that. Who in their right mind would want these dangerous criminals walking around communities?"

source https://www.foxnews.com/politics/minneapolis-city-council-moves-spend-500k-immigrant-legal-services

CDC investigates new cruise ship outbreak after dozens report gastrointestinal illness

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating a gastrointestinal illness outbreak aboard a luxury cruise ship.

The outbreak occurred during a voyage from Jan. 11 through Feb. 1 on a Regent Seven Seas Cruises ship.

It sickened 27 people, including 21 passengers and six crew members, CDC data shows.

CDC REPORTS FIRST CRUISE NOROVIRUS OUTBREAK THIS YEAR, AS NEARLY 90 PEOPLE ARE INFECTED

The cruise line notified the CDC of the illnesses during the sailing — and the agency listed the cause of the outbreak as unknown.

The outbreak was reported on the cruise line’s Seven Seas Mariner.

The vessel departed from Miami and was sailing to Honolulu.

It had scheduled port calls in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico and other destinations, according to CruiseMapper.

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A total of 631 passengers were on board the ship at the time.

The CDC said the cruise line took multiple steps to limit the spread of illness on board.

Those measures included increasing cleaning and disinfection procedures and isolating passengers and crew members who reported symptoms. The cruise line also followed the agency’s outbreak response and sanitation protocols, the CDC said.

The CDC asked passengers who reported symptoms to provide stool samples, so health officials could test for a possible cause of the outbreak.

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The agency said laboratory testing was still pending.

Fox News Digital reached out to Regent Seven Seas Cruises for comment.

Identifying the source of an outbreak can take time, federal health officials said. Norovirus is often associated with gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships. However, the virus is not always immediately confirmed.

The CDC advises frequent handwashing as a key step in reducing the risk of gastrointestinal illness.

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Fox News Digital previously reported on the first confirmed norovirus outbreak of 2026.

That outbreak occurred on a Holland America Line cruise and left nearly 90 passengers and crew members ill during a voyage that ran from Dec. 28 through Jan. 9.

Ashley DiMella of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.

source https://www.foxnews.com/travel/cdc-investigates-cruise-ship-outbreak-after-dozens-report-gastrointestinal-illness

Wife of Jill Biden's ex-husband described him as 'a romantic' in 2020 interview

The wife of Jill Biden’s ex-husband, William Stevenson, had described him as a romantic in an interview about five years before he allegedly murdered her in December.

Stevenson, and his second wife, Linda, had spoken to "Inside Edition" in 2020 when former Vice President Joe Biden was running for office against then-President Donald Trump. The couple gushed about their relationship during the interview.

"She was sitting across the bar with a common friend," Stevenson said. "I said, ‘Is that Linda?’ and he said, ‘Yes.’ And from that day on, we have never been apart."

"Quite a romantic, this guy?" the interviewer asked Linda.

PHOTOS REVEAL VIRGINIA NANNY TOOK SLAIN WIFE’S PLACE IN MASTER BEDROOM WEEKS AFTER LOVE TRIANGLE MURDERS

"Yeah, yes," she said, while smiling and holding her husband’s hand.

"He was persistent," the interviewer said.

"Yes, very," Linda responded.

Stevenson, 77, was taken into custody Monday and has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Linda, 64, according to the New Castle County Police in Delaware.

Officers were called on Dec. 28 concerning a domestic dispute to a home where they found Linda Stevenson unresponsive, authorities said at the time. 

After being pronounced dead, her body was turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science for an autopsy.

Authorities have not provided a cause of death as of Wednesday.

Linda Stevenson’s obituary states that she "passed away unexpectedly." It lists those she is survived by — a list that notably excludes her husband.

At the time the obituary was published, the missing detail caught the public’s attention, with a friend asking Stevenson on Facebook why that was the case.

AFFLUENT VIRGINIA SUBURB ROCKED AS TRIAL BEGINS FOR EX-FEDERAL AGENT HUSBAND IN NANNY LOVE-TRIANGLE MURDERS

"Bill, your wife's obituary is in the paper and you are not listed anywhere as her husband or your name is not listed," a woman wrote on Jan. 14, according to People. "Is there a reason for this or a misprint?"

The social media post was no longer visible following his arrest, according to the outlet. It was unclear who deleted the post or when.

Stevenson remains in jail after failing to post $500,000 bail after his arrest and grand jury indictment following a weekslong investigation by detectives.

Stevenson was married to Jill Biden from 1970 to 1975. Jill Biden married then-U.S. Sen. Joe Biden in 1977.

Jill Biden declined to comment on the matter through an emailed response from a spokesperson at the former president and first lady’s office, according to The Associated Press.

Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

source https://www.foxnews.com/us/wife-jill-bidens-ex-husband-described-him-a-romantic-2020-interview

5 cruise deals from $169 with MSC, Celestyal, Princess and more

Cruises simplify vacation planning by bundling meals, entertainment and activities into one trip price. We found discounted sailings from Celestyal, MSC and Princess, along with select booking sites, to destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico and Europe, with select routes to Alaska.

Celestyal Cruises offers affordable sailings to the Mediterranean and the Arabian Gulf, with options ranging from quick three- or four-night trips to full weeklong itineraries. Prices start at $499 per person for shorter Greek island cruises (three or four nights) and $869 per person for seven-night Mediterranean sailings, with routes covering Greece, Italy and Croatia.

READ MORE: What to pack for any trip – from cruises to long-haul flights

If you prefer something a bit more tropical, MSC Cruises offers affordable Caribbean sailings with week-long trips stopping in Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. Select voyages from Feb. 10 to 23 start at $199, and kids sail free. The cruise line also runs routes to Mediterranean and Northern European destinations, along with seven-night Alaska cruises from Seattle in spring and summer.

Princess Cruises isn't skimping on the deals this year. The popular family-friendly cruise line is offering global sailings with savings of up to $500, including last-minute deals starting at $248. Travelers can choose from destinations across the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Mexico and New Zealand, with onboard activities ranging from casinos to wellness spas.

READ MORE: Warm weather wear you should have on your next cruise

Cheap Cruises works as a booking site similar to travel portals like Expedia and Kayak, with a focus on budget-friendly sailings from partner lines such as Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean. The site lists more than 8,700 cruise options, with 2026 deals ranging from about $169 to $1,900 and up depending on destination and cruise line. Popular destinations include Mexico, the Bahamas and islands in the wider Caribbean.

For more Deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals

Cruises.com aggregates more than 13,000 sailings from lines like MSC, Norwegian, Carnival and Celebrity Cruises, with a 2026 deals section highlighting both discounted and last-minute trips. Prices start as low as $169 for short Baja Mexico, and Key West/Bahamas cruises with longer options available for travelers planning a full week at sea.

source https://www.foxnews.com/deals/cruise-booking-options

Iranian gunboats unsuccessfully attempt to board US oil tanker as Trump builds military presence

Six Iranian gunboats unsuccessfully attempted to halt a U.S.-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The security firm Vanguard Tech told its clients on Tuesday that the Iranian vessels were armed with .50-caliber guns, and they ordered the oil tanker to turn off its engines and prepare to be boarded. Instead, the tanker sped up and was ultimately escorted to safety by a U.S. Navy vessel, according to the Journal.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

The incident comes as the U.S. continues to ramp up its military presence surrounding Iran, with President Donald Trump describing an "armada" arrayed in the area.

IRAN TO HOLD LIVE-FIRE DRILLS IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ WITH US ARMADA IN MIDDLE EAST

Iran's regime has vowed that any military strike on its territory would ignite a regional conflict, even as senior Iranian officials signaled a willingness to negotiate with the U.S.

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in Israel on Tuesday for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, according to Axios. The publication also reported that Witkoff will meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Istanbul on Friday.

The talks in Israel are expected to focus on Iran, following Zamir’s weekend visit to Washington, where he held a series of meetings with U.S. defense officials on the Islamic Republic.

IRAN REVOLUTIONARY GUARD COMMANDER SAYS REGIME HAS 'FINGER ON THE TRIGGER' AS US WARSHIPS HEAD TO MIDDLE EAST

Trump said on Saturday he believes Iran is negotiating "seriously" with the U.S., stressing that he hopes an "acceptable" deal can be brokered.

When asked by a reporter aboard Air Force One whether he had decided on a strike against Iran, Trump responded, "I certainly can't tell you that."

"But we do have very big, powerful ships heading in that direction," he added. "I hope they negotiate something that's acceptable."

The president then sidestepped a question about whether Tehran would be emboldened if the U.S. opted not to launch strikes on Iran, saying, "Some people think that. Some people don’t."

"You could make a negotiated deal that would be satisfactory with no nuclear weapons," Trump said. "They should do that, but I don't know that they will. But they are talking to us. Seriously talking to us."

Fox News' Efrat Lachter and Michael Sinkewicz contributed to this report.

source https://www.foxnews.com/politics/iranian-gunboats-unsuccessfully-attempt-board-us-oil-tanker-trump-builds-military-presence

Trump seeks $1 billion in damages from Harvard University over ‘serious and heinous illegalities’

President Donald Trump said Monday that he is seeking $1 billion in damages from Harvard University.

Harvard has been a main target of the Trump administration’s attempt to leverage federal funding in order to crack down on antisemitism and "woke" ideology. The New York Times published a Monday report headlined, "Trump Is Said to Have Dropped Demand for Cash From Harvard," that suggested the president was no longer seeking a $200 million payment to the government. Trump took to social media, blasting the Times and saying he now wants the prestigious university to shell out even more cash. 

"Strongly Antisemitic Harvard University has been feeding a lot of ‘nonsense’ to The Failing New York Times. Harvard has been, for a long time, behaving very badly! They wanted to do a convoluted job training concept, but it was turned down in that it was wholly inadequate and would not have been, in our opinion, successful. It was merely a way of Harvard getting out of a large cash settlement of more than 500 Million Dollars, a number that should be much higher for the serious and heinous illegalities that they have committed. This should be a Criminal, not Civil, event, and Harvard will have to live with the consequences of their wrongdoings," Trump wrote on Truth Social. 

HARVARD ALUM BLASTS DEI POLICIES AFTER 'WOKE' VALUES DRIVE LONGTIME PROFESSOR'S EXIT

"In any event, this case will continue until justice is served," Trump continued. "We are now seeking One Billion Dollars in damages, and want nothing further to do, into the future, with Harvard University."

Trump did not specify what specific damages Harvard caused, but suggested he agrees with at least one part of the Gray Lady report.  

"As The Failing New York Times clearly stated, ‘Some connected to the University, however, think Harvard has no option but to eventually cut a deal. The Administration has repeatedly attempted to cut off research grants, which would be an untenable crises. Like many major research universities, Harvard relies on federal funding for its financial model,’" Trump wrote. 

Harvard University did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

HARVARD FACULTY ADMIT STUDENTS SKIPPING CLASS, NOT ENGAGING WITH OPPOSING VIEWS, AND STILL GETTING GOOD GRADES

The Times updated its report following Trump’s reaction. 

"Trump administration officials have indicated in recent days that the president no longer expects such a payment, according to the Harvard and Trump officials briefed on the matter, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe private conversations," the Times reported. "But shortly before midnight, six hours after The Times reported that Mr. Trump had backtracked, he claimed the story was wrong and attacked The Times and Harvard."

In December, lawyers for the Trump administration appealed a judge’s order to restore $2.7 billion in frozen federal research funding to Harvard University. 

HARVARD PRESIDENT CRITICIZES FACULTY ACTIVISM, CLAIMS UNIVERSITY BRINGING OBJECTIVITY BACK TO CLASSROOM

Harvard sued the Trump administration in April over its attempt to freeze the federal funding and argued in court that the actions amounted to an unconstitutional "pressure campaign" to influence and exert control over elite academic institutions.

The Trump administration accused Harvard of "fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus," but Harvard Law professor Noah Feldman said in a radio interview that the move is "about Trump trying to impose his view of the world on everybody else."

Lawyers for the Justice Department argued it had "every right" to cancel the funding for Harvard after it failed to comply with its demands.

A spokesperson for Harvard previously told Fox News Digital that the court's September order reinstated "critical research funding that advances science and life-saving medical breakthroughs, strengthens national security, and enhances our nation’s competitiveness and economic priorities."

"We remain confident in our legal position," the spokesperson added.

 Fox News Digital’s Breanne Deppisch contributed to this report. 

source https://www.foxnews.com/media/trump-seeks-1-billion-damages-from-harvard-university-over-serious-heinous-illegalities