Republicans

“I had concerns from the get-go because Pete Hegseth didn’t have a lot of experience. I like him on Fox. But does he have the experience to lead one of the largest organizations in the world? That’s a concern. “If it’s true that he had another [Signal] chat with his family, about the missions against the Houthis, it’s totally unacceptable. …

Los Angeles’s ABC affiliate reports: A Southern California mayor facing a recall effort is coming under fire after his suggestion to ending his city’s homelessness issue was “giving them all the fentanyl they want.” The comments were made by longtime Lancaster Mayor Rex Parris during a city council meeting on Feb. 25. The comments have surfaced in recent days since …

DANA BASH: “You’re not only a lawmaker, you are an attorney. Do you think the federal government has any legal authority to do that with American citizens?” TOM EMMER: “I think right now what he’s doing is absolutely legal, which is removing those that do not have legal status in this country. That have proven to be the worst of …

Mediaite reports: In an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday, Sen. John Kennedy called out the president’s proposal to send domestic criminals away. “Do you think the law allows the President of the United States to send US citizens to a foreign prison?” Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker asked Kennedy. “No, ma’am,” Kennedy said. “Nor does it — …

The Associated Press reports: Ryan Kelley [photo] thought he had a good shot at becoming Michigan’s governor in 2022. Three years later, Kelley says, people ask him all the time to run for governor again. In today’s America, where Trump returned to the White House and within hours pardoned some 1,500 Jan. 6 rioters, Kelley’s two-month prison sentence for his …

Axios reports: Another House Republican committee chair said Friday he will not grant Democrats’ request to lead a congressional delegation to El Salvador to check on the status of deportees being held there. Republicans sent their own official delegation to the country this week to visit the notorious maximum security prison housing deportees and express their support for President Trump’s …

The Miami Herald reports: A federal judge on Friday said she was “astounded” that Florida authorities violated her order blocking them from enforcing a new state law that targets undocumented immigrants who enter the state. During a hearing in Miami federal court, it was disclosed that as many as 15 arrests have been made by Florida law enforcement officers over …

Little Rock’s ABC affiliate reports: Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has signed the bill that would require the display of the national motto and the Ten Commandments in public classrooms across all education levels and in public buildings operated by taxpayer funds. Senate Bill 433 (SB433) requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in a size that is legible to …

The Hill reports: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who finished in second place to President Trump in the 2016 Republican presidential primary, has distinguished himself from MAGA World by declaring his skepticism of long-term tariffs, remaining a hawk on Russia and coming out against proposals to tax the rich. By calling out tariffs as “taxes on American consumers” and sticking to …

The Birmingham News reports: House Bills 67 and 244, both described by supporters as parental rights legislation, would ban drag performances and cross-dressing in schools and would expand Alabama’s current “Don’t Say Gay” law to include older students. Lawmakers approved HB67, the anti-drag bill, on a 76-9 vote with no discussion. HB244, filed by Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, drew some …

NBC News reports: The Supreme Court on Monday is set to hear arguments in a case challenging a provision of the Affordable Care Act that requires private insurers to cover health care screenings, tests and checkups for free. Experts say the court’s ruling in the case, called Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, could have sweeping consequences for patient access to preventive health …

“Casey and I stand in solidarity and are praying for the entire Florida State community. We’re mourning the two individuals who lost their lives in this tragic attack, and we wish well of those who are currently recovering in the hospital. “This killer must and will be brought to justice to the fullest extent of the law. I want to …

Florida Politics reports: A Zoom meeting held by First Lady Casey DeSantis’ embattled Hope Florida was interrupted as the public bombarded the Board with a Nazi flag, racial slurs and pornography. The Hope Florida Foundation struggled to control the meeting and apparently didn’t have security measures in place to prevent trolls from sharing inappropriate content. “It looks like some of …

“They’re criminals. They broke our laws. They need to suffer our punishment. Look, I don’t want Donald Trump teaching my daughter’s Sunday school class, but doggone I like him in the White House because he understands the rule of law, I feel like. If it’s a homegrown criminal, I have no problem. Now, we’re studying the laws right now. Pam …

The Texas Tribune reports: The Texas House gave initial approval early Thursday to a bill that would create a $1 billion private school voucher program, crossing a historic milestone and bringing Gov. Greg Abbott’s top legislative priority closer than ever to reaching his desk. The lower chamber signed off on its voucher proposal, Senate Bill 2, on an 85-63 vote. …

The Daily Beast reports: A Republican congressman accused “the left” of instigating the shocking firebomb attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home. He even suggested at one point that Shapiro himself was to blame. “Look in the mirror,” he told Democrats in response to the chilling attack, which caused widespread damage to the state’s governor’s mansion. Rep. Dan Meuser made …

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports: A New College of Florida marketing director was arrested Tuesday night for exposing his sexual organs, Manatee County officials say. The incident marks one of four arrests for indecent exposure in Sarasota and Manatee Counties related to 47-year-old Frederick Piccolo Jr. He previously worked as the spokesperson for Gov. Ron DeSantis and the director of marketing, …

Florida Politics reports: Members of the House and Senate are getting behind an effort to restrict oil drilling and exploration near the Florida coast. In the House, Representatives unanimously backed that chamber’s bill on the full floor, prompting cheers and applause from lawmakers. The House measure (HB 1143), sponsored Rep. Jason Shoaf, a St. Joe Republican whose House District 7 …

Politico reports: Rep. Elise Stefanik is considering a run for New York governor, according to two people familiar with her thinking and granted anonymity to discuss it. Since giving up her nomination to be U.N. ambassador, Stefanik has been getting encouragement to run from in-state Republican leadership and donors along with close allies of President Donald Trump, the people said. …

Atlanta’s ABC affiliate reports: Less than five minutes after a town hall with Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene began, at least three people have been removed. Within moments of the Congresswoman’s town hall in Acworth beginning, a man was dragged out by at least four police officers. Shortly after, another protester calls out and Greene orders him out from the podium. …