Russia has this to say about Trump after he called Putin ‘crazy’

Elite university permanently shuts down DEI office amid higher education shifts

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is shutting down its diversity, equity and inclusion office following a comprehensive assessment that began nearly 18 months ago.

MIT President Sally Kornbluth announced the closing, or “sunsetting,” of the Institute Community and Equity Office (ICEO) last Thursday.

“As I’ve said many times, MIT is in the talent business,” Kornbluth’s announcement read. “Our success depends on attracting exceptionally talented people of every background, from across the country and around the world, and making sure everyone at MIT feels welcome and supported, so they can do their best work and thrive.”

Among the top priorities listed in the memo, titled “How we support our community,” was a section with the header “Core programs will continue, but we will wind down the central ICEO.”

ELITE UNIVERSITY ELIMINATES DEI HIRING REQUIREMENT: ‘THEY DON’T WORK’

“This process began nearly 18 months ago,” a university spokesperson told Fox News Digital, noting that the decision followed a “comprehensive assessment” of the Institute.

The ICEO, which billed itself online as a steward of “MIT’s values and their interconnections,” claimed it built “community through care, education, restorative practices, and programming that embraces, celebrates, and helps increase MIT’s diversity in all its forms.”

MIT will also eliminate the role of vice president for equity and inclusion, Kornbluth confirmed.

Earlier this month, the school became the first in its class to scrap diversity pledges in its hiring and admissions processes – a practice slammed by free speech advocate organization FIRE as functionally serving as “ideological litmus tests.”

TRUMP ADMIN ASKING FEDERAL AGENCIES TO CANCEL REMAINING HARVARD CONTRACTS

MIT’s decision comes on the heels of the Trump administration’s public feud with nearby Harvard University, including a recent ask to pull all federal funds – amounting to a staggering $100 million in contracts – being funneled toward the Ivy League institution.

This comes after Harvard has shown little sway in its standoff with the president over foreign student enrollment and alleged race-based admissions.

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MIT, however, has been downscaling its DEI infrastructure for some time – and the university spokesperson denied any correlation between ongoing political disputes involving Harvard and the ICEO’s demise.

Federal court rejects Trump’s ‘unbounded authority’ to impose worldwide tariffs

The U.S. Court of International Trade ruled Wednesday that President Donald Trump overstepped his authority over tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

“The Constitution assigns Congress the exclusive powers to ‘lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises,’ and to ‘regulate Commerce with foreign Nations,’” the court opined. “The question in the two cases before the court is whether the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (“IEEPA”) delegates these powers to the President in the form of authority to impose unlimited tariffs on goods from nearly every country in the world.

“The court does not read IEEPA to confer such unbounded authority and sets aside the challenged tariffs imposed thereunder,” the court continued.

JUDGE RULES TRUMP ACTED LAWFULLY IN CHINESE TARIFFS, IN COURT WIN FOR WHITE HOUSE

The three judges who ruled on the matter were appointed by former Presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama, as well as Trump himself.

The Trump administration has appealed the court’s decision, Reuters reported.

The panel did not waste time in its decision and bypassed the plaintiff’s preliminary requests for temporary injunctive relief to get straight to the merits, vacating the tariffs and permanently enjoining them from enforcement.

“The court holds for the foregoing reasons that IEEPA does not authorize any of the Worldwide, Retaliatory, or Trafficking Tariff Orders. The Worldwide and Retaliatory Tariff Orders exceed any authority granted to the President by IEEPA to regulate importation by means of tariffs,” the panel wrote. “The Trafficking Tariffs fail because they do not deal with the threats set forth in those orders.

TRUMP GRANTS EU TARIFF EXTENSION AFTER ‘GOOD CALL’ WITH URSULA VON DER LEYEN

“This conclusion entitles Plaintiffs to judgment as a matter of law; as the court further finds no genuine dispute as to any material fact, summary judgment will enter against the United States,” the panel concluded.

The Trump administration can appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, but in the meantime there will be uncertainty over what goods may be subject to tariffs and how the administration will react.

The White House told FOX Business that the Trump administration is committed to using every level of executive power to restore American greatness.

TRUMP THREATENS 25% TARIFF ON IPHONES, 50% TARIFF ON EU GOODS AMID TRADE TENSIONS

“Foreign countries’ nonreciprocal treatment of the United States has fueled America’s historic and persistent trade deficits,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said. “These deficits have created a national emergency that has decimated American communities, left our workers behind, and weakened our defense industrial base – facts that the court did not dispute. 

“It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency,” Desai continued. “President Trump pledged to put America First, and the Administration is committed to using every lever of executive power to address this crisis and restore American Greatness.”

Trump announced his highly anticipated reciprocal tariff plan as part of his “Liberation Day” announcement April 2. 

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Trump announced customized tariffs on dozens of nations to help bring parity to what he said were decades of foreign nations installing trade barriers on U.S. goods, while also imposing a 10% baseline tariff on all countries.

Michelle Obama reveals people ‘spilled water’ on her while reaching for Barack

As former first lady Michelle Obama tells it, it’s not easy being married to a famous man, describing people “spilling water” on her while trying to reach her husband.

Both Obama and her guest, OB-GYN Dr. Sharon Malone, who joined the podcast that Obama co-hosts with her brother, “IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson,” discussed the challenges of being married to famous men on Wednesday. 

Malone’s husband is former Attorney General Eric Holder, who was the 82nd attorney general of the United States from 2009 to 2015 under former President Barack Obama.

MICHELLE OBAMA URGES PARENTS NOT TO TRY TO BE FRIENDS WITH THEIR CHILDREN

Michelle Obama recounted the first time she met Malone during an event. 

“They put us together because we were both reluctant spouses attending one of these huge dinners,” Obama said. “And what, where were they… was Barack a U.S. senator?”

“Yes, he was a senator because you, you were still living in Chicago and Eric was in private practice,” Malone said. “So it was just it was very early days.” 

Michelle Obama said the experience was overwhelming. 

“There was a line of people waiting to shake hands with our respective husbands,” she said. “You know, people, like, reaching over our heads and spilling water on us, trying to get to these two, you know, illustrious men.” 

Obama said that she saw Malone across the table and felt a kindred spirit, saying, “She had the same look on her face as I did, like, ‘Here we go.’”

She added that they exchanged a look that said, “You see this? Like, this is crazy, isn’t it, girl?” They soon became friends.

MICHELLE OBAMA REVEALS BARACK OBAMA NEEDED TO ‘ADJUST’ TO BE PUNCTUAL, LEAVE ON TIME

Obama also spoke about “the fight to protect women’s reproductive health” beyond abortion.

“Sadly, it has been reduced to ‘choice,’” Obama said. “The question of ‘choice.’ And it’s as if that’s all of what women’s health is. That’s the only thing. And as I attempted to make the argument on the campaign trail, this past election, was that there’s just so much more at stake.” 

She also called out men for not knowing enough about women’s reproductive health. 

“So many men have no idea about what women go through, right,” Obama said. “We haven’t been researched. We haven’t been considered. And it still affects the way a lot of male lawmakers, a lot of male politicians, a lot of male religious leaders, think about the issue of choice, as if it’s just about the fetus, the baby, but women’s reproductive health is about our life.”

“This whole complicated reproductive system that does – the least of what it does is produce life,” Obama said. “It’s a very important thing that it does. But you only produce life if the machine that’s producing it … is functioning in a healthy, streamlined kind of way. But there is no discussion or apparent connection between the two.”

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Deborra-Lee Furness files for divorce from Hugh Jackman, speaks out about betrayal

Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness have officially ended their marriage.

After announcing their amicable split in September 2023, Furness officially filed for divorce from Jackman in New York on Tuesday.

According to People, Furness’ lawyer also submitted filings related to the duo’s settlement, health care coverage and medical child support. The former couple tied the knot in 1996, when Jackman was 27 and Furness was 40.

They share two adopted children: Oscar and Ava.

HUGH JACKMAN REVEALS HE ‘DIDN’T KNOW WHAT A WOLVERINE WAS’: ‘I’D NEVER HEARD OF SUCH AN ANIMAL’

Per the filing, the couple’s divorce is uncontested and will only need a judge to sign off.

On Tuesday, Furness shared a statement with the Daily Mail and spoke out for the first time since filing, with an emotional comment. 

“My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal,” Furness said.

She said their separation was “a profound wound that cuts deep.”

Furness continued, “However, I believe in a higher power and that God/the universe, whatever you relate to as your guidance, is always working FOR us. This belief has helped me navigate the breakdown of an almost three-decade marriage.”

This painful process has forced Furness to find “knowledge and wisdom.”

“My heart and compassion goes out to everyone who has traversed the traumatic journey of betrayal.”

— Deborra-Lee Furness

“Even when we are presented with apparent adversity, it is leading us to our greatest good, our true purpose. It can hurt, but in the long run, returning to yourself and living within your own integrity, values and boundaries is liberation and freedom,” she said.

Furness’ big take away from her divorce is “that none of this is personal.” 

“We are all on our individual journeys and I believe that the relationships in our lives are not random. We are drawn to people, we invite them in, in order to learn our lessons and to recognize and heal the broken parts of ourselves…I remain grateful,” Furness concluded. 

Representatives for Jackman and Furness did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Jackman and his former “Music Man” co-star Sutton Foster were seen holding hands together in January while going out to dinner in Los Angeles. 

Foster filed for divorce from her husband, Ted Griffin, in October after 10 years of marriage. 

In September 2023, Jackman and Furness announced they were separating after 27 years together. The Australian actress and actor shared a joint statement with People at the time.

“We have been blessed to share almost 3 decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage,” they said. “Our journey now is shifting, and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.

“Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness. We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition in all of our lives.”

“This is the sole statement either of us will make,” the statement, signed “Deb and Hugh Jackman,” concluded.

Furness and Jackman first met in 1995 on the set of the 10-part Australian TV series “Corelli.” At the time, Furness was an established actress in her home country, who had previously won awards for her lead performance in the 1988 movie “Shame” and starred in several TV series and movies.

“Correlli” was up-and-coming actor Jackman’s first professional gig after graduating from an Australian acting academy.

In a 2017 appearance on People TV’s “The Jess Cagle Interview,” Jackman recalled having a crush on Furness.

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“My first job out of drama school — it was a massive break for me. I was really scared,” Jackman remembered.

“Deb, she was a big star. I get picked up, and Deb is in the front seat of the car. I’ll never forget. She took off her seat belt, and she turned around and put out her hand and took off her sunglasses and said, ‘Hi, I’m Deborra-Lee Furness, nice to meet you.’ I remember thinking, ‘I like this girl.'”

Jackman told Cagle he realized he had feelings for Furness after a few weeks of working together.

“Deb and I were already best friends, and I realized, I’ve got a crush on my leading lady,” he said. “This is the thing you do not do. It’s unprofessional and embarrassing.”

Though Jackman tried to avoid his co-star, he eventually confessed his crush to Furness, who told him that she had a crush on him as well.

The two attempted to hide their relationship for three weeks but realized it was futile since he said “everybody knew the entire time.”

Though the two had a 13-year age gap, Jackman told Cagle he was “the adult in the relationship.”

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Due to Furness’ age, the couple began trying to expand their family shortly after their nuptials. However, according to People, after Furness had two miscarriages and attempts at invitro-fertilization failed, the two decided to adopt. In 2000, Jackman and Furness adopted Oscar, and they went on to adopt Ava in 2005. 

Since announcing their separation, the two appear to have stayed on good terms. In October 2023, the Marvel star was joined by Furness as he celebrated his 55th birthday during a dinner at New York City’s Polo Club with close friends and family.

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Todd and Julie Chrisley walk free after President Trump pardons them

Pensacola, Fla. – Todd and Julie Chrisley are officially free.

On Wednesday evening, Todd first walked out of a federal prison in Pensacola, Florida, after serving two and a half years in prison on bank fraud and tax evasion charges, according to his lawyer Alex Little’s office. The release came shortly after President Donald Trump signed pardons for both Todd and his wife, Julie, who was also convicted of the same charges in 2022.

“Todd has been released from prison and is on his way home to Nashville,” Little’s office told Fox News Digital. 

Little’s office confirmed to Fox News Digital that Julie was released from the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, on Wednesday night, shortly after Todd was released. “Julie has also been released from prison and is now on her way home to Nashville as well,” Little’s office told Fox News Digital. 

CHRISLEY CHILDREN CELEBRATE TRUMP’S PLAN TO PARDON REALITY TV PARENTS IN FRAUD, TAX EVASION CASE
 

According to the couple’s daughter Savannah Chrisley, her brother Grayson is picking up their mom.

CHRISLEY CHILDREN CELEBRATE TRUMP’S PLAN TO PARDON REALITY TV PARENTS IN FRAUD, TAX EVASION CASE  

Savannah got emotional outside the federal prison in Pensacola, Florida, awaiting her father’s release earlier in the day.

Speaking to reporters, Savannah said, “Honestly, this process has been absolutely insane, and I am so grateful that I’m going to leave here with my dad.” 

Savannah claimed that prosecutors had her father’s head “on a dart board” before his prison sentence. She read Trump’s pardon to the reporters, which stated an immediate release, and she said she hopes “the prison is going to do that shortly.”

Savannah said Trump’s pardon for her parents “literally came out of nowhere.”

“I was in such shock and awe that the president himself took the time to tell me my family is coming back together,” she said. During her interview, Savannah got emotional while explaining her constant fight to get her parents released from prison wasn’t just for them.

WATCH: Todd and Julie Chrisley’s daughter Savannah gets emotional awaiting parents’ prison release after Trump pardon

“I’m literally fighting for every man that has been left behind here,” she said, referring to the prisoners in the federal prison in Pensacola.

Prior to arriving at the prison, Savannah was spotted in Pensacola with her best friend and hair stylist, Tyler Bishop. Savannah was seen wearing an all-black outfit along with a pink “Make America Great Again” hat while typing on her cell phone.

On Tuesday, after Trump announced his plan to pardon the couple, Todd and Julie’s children were quick to share their excitement. 

“I am grateful to God and extremely grateful to President Trump and his entire administration,” the couple’s son, Chase, said in a statement to the New York Post. “I’m beyond thankful to finally have my parents back home and my family together again!”

“I’m ecstatic,” Kyle, whose biological mom is Todd’s ex-wife, Teresa Terry, told E! News. “Truly. I just found out a little bit ago, and I still just can’t believe it. I know Savannah had been working at this for so long, and she never gave up. So I’m just grateful to her and to President Trump for making this happen for my dad and Julie.”

“I know they can’t wait to get home and just be with family, and I’m going to remain hopeful that another reconciliation is possible,” Kyle, who has been estranged from his father for years, added.

Savannah posted a video on her Instagram on Tuesday saying she got the call from the president that he was signing pardon papers for her parents while she was walking into Sam’s Club. 

“So, both of my parents are coming home tonight or tomorrow, and I still don’t believe it’s real!” she exclaimed.

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She said she will be “forever grateful” to Trump and his administration as well as her lawyers and everyone else who “put in countless hours” to “make sure that my parents got home.” 

“My parents get to start their lives over!” she added, saying she “vowed to stand next to you and your administration, exposing the corruption and continue fighting for the men and women who are in prison … Thank you, thank you, thank you and I will repay your kindness to every person that I meet, so thank God for a president like Donald J. Trump. Thank you, God, for a president who wants to restore families and loves people … and took the time to call me from the Oval Office to let me know my parents are getting their lives back.”

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital on Wednesday, the couple’s attorney explained how the “incredibly powerful” pardon will wipe the couple’s case “entirely,” as if it never happened. 

“A pardon like this generally ends the case entirely, and so we’ll see the fine print of the pardon explicitly, but generally when you are pardoned, it is wiped away, and so it’s wiped clean,” the Chrisleys’ attorney, Alex Little, a partner at Litson PLLC, said. “It’s as if the case hasn’t happened, and fortunately Todd and Julie will be able to pick up their lives to the best that they’re able and go on forward and focus on the future.”

WATCH: Chrisley’s pardon from Trump will wipe away the case ‘entirely,’ as if it never happened: lawyer

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“I think that the pardon process is something that hadn’t been used by many presidents for many, many terms. This president clearly looks at it differently, looks at, is part of his role to oversee the criminal justice system. And look, however much you may want to criticize that, it’s an incredibly powerful tool the president has, and I think it’s really important the president began to use it. This was a very deserving case and I hope that he finds more.”

Victoria’s Secret shuts down website, in-store services over ‘incident’

Victoria’s Secret’s website went dark on Wednesday after a “security incident” prompted the company to completely shut down U.S. online operations.

Customers clicking onto the world’s largest lingerie retailer’s website were met with a black screen featuring a message sprawled across the center of the page.

CYBERATTACK AT SOFTWARE GIANT POTENTIALLY COMPROMISED PATIENT DATA; FBI INVESTIGATING: REPORT

“Valued customer, we identified and are taking steps to address a security incident. We have taken down our website and some in store services as a precaution. Our team is working around the clock to fully restore operations,” the message read. “We appreciate your patience during this process. In the meantime, our Victoria’s Secret and PINK stores remain open and we look forward to serving you.”

COINBASE ESTIMATES CYBERATTACK COULD COST CRYPTO EXCHANGE UP TO $400M

A Victoria’s Secret spokesperson told FOX Business after the security incident was identified, the company immediately enacted its response protocols.

“Third-party experts are engaged, and we took down our website and some in store services as a precaution,” the spokesperson wrote in a statement to FOX Business. “We are working to quickly and securely restore operations.”

The company brought in $2 billion, or about one third of its total revenue, in digital sales in 2024.

Following the crash, shares dipped nearly 7% on Wednesday.

It is unclear what the security incident entailed, or if any customers’ data was compromised.

The company did not confirm if law enforcement is involved.

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Victoria’s Secret did not immediately confirm to Fox Business how long the outage has been active.

Rage Against the Machine guitarist blasts Trump at concert: ‘F— that guy’

Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello had some choice words for President Donald Trump at a concert on Sunday.

Rolling Stone reported that during his performance at the Boston Calling Music Festival, the famous musician unloaded on Trump in response to the president’s recent spat with classic rock legend Bruce Springsteen.

“Bruce is going after Trump because Bruce, his whole life, he’s been about truth, justice, democracy, equality,” Morello said onstage, adding, “And Trump is mad at him because Bruce draws a bigger audience. F—that guy.”

FLASHBACK: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN ENDORSES KAMALA HARRIS

The feud between Trump and Springsteen began nearly two weeks ago when the artist accused the president of treason during a concert in Manchester, England.

“The mighty E Street Band is here tonight to call upon the righteous power of art, of music, of rock and roll in dangerous times. In my home, the America I love, the America I’ve written about, that has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years, is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration,” Springsteen said, drawing applause from his audience.

TESLA DOXXING ATTACKS WRONGLY TARGET NONOWNERS ACROSS AMERICA

Two days later, Trump slammed Springsteen in a Truth Social post, stating, “I see that Highly Overrated Bruce Springsteen goes to a Foreign Country to speak badly about the President of the United States. Never liked him, never liked his music, or his Radical Left Politics and, importantly, he’s not a talented guy — Just a pushy, obnoxious JERK, who fervently supported Crooked Joe Biden, a mentally incompetent FOOL, and our WORST EVER President, who came close to destroying our Country.”

The background for Morello’s performance last weekend also included a giant “F— Trump” sign surrounded by several other smaller ones featuring the same words. The background art also referred to Trump as “HATER IN CHIEF.” There was also an image that appeared to have Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s faces morphed together into one person.

During his set, Morello introduced his cover of Woody Guthrie’s song “This Land Is Your Land” with an anti-authoritarian, anti-billionaire message seemingly aimed at the commander-in-chief.

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“It’s a beautiful song, but they censored out all the verses that explain what the song is really about. This is a revolutionary anthem. Woody Guthrie knew that music could be… an uplifting, unifying, transcendent thing; a defensive shield, and a weapon for change. Authoritarians and billionaires think this country belongs to them. Woody Guthrie knew that this land is yours,” he said. 

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

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New Orleans manhunt continues for two inmates as AG makes promise to accused helpers

New Orleans authorities have arrested a total of 14 people in connection with a mass jailbreak on May 16 and re-arrested eight of the 10 Orleans Parish escapees.

Two fugitives — domestic abuse suspect Antoine T. Massey and four-time convicted killer Derrick Groves — remain at large.

“I am absolutely confident that they will be recaptured, and we just are going to continue our very methodical work to get them back in custody,” Attorney General Liz Murrill told Fox News on Thursday, adding that Massey and Groves are both considered “armed and dangerous.”

Officials this week announced the arrests of Massey’s sister, 31-year-old Daishanae Massey, and two other women, Lenika Vanburen and Diamond White. All are accused of helping the escaped inmates, who removed a toilet from a wall in a cell and crawled through the hole it created.

4 ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY AIDING ESCAPED INMATES IN NEW ORLEANS

The eight inmates who have been re-arrested include Lenton Vanburen Jr., Leo Tate, Jermaine Donald, Corey Boyd, Robert Moody, Gary C. Price, Dkenan Dennis and Kendall Myles.

The 11 others charged in connection with helping them escape include Patricia Vanburen, Tyshanea “Minnie” Randolph, Lenton Vanburen Sr., Angel McKey, Emmitt Weber, Trevon Williams, Casey Smith, Sterling Williams, Connie Weeden, Corvanntay Baptiste and Cortnie Harris.

“I think they were sympathetic. I mean, some of them are relatives of some of the escapees,” Murrill said Thursday. “I mean, these individuals are reaching out to people they know and seeking assistance, and we are going to arrest and prosecute anyone who we find is assisting them.”

A New Orleans jury last October found Groves guilty of two counts of second-degree murder after he killed two men on Mardi Gras in 2024. He later pleaded guilty to two manslaughter charges in two other killings.

INMATE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH ORLEANS JUSTICE CENTER ESCAPE

Groves, already serving two life sentences for the Mardis Gras murders, was awaiting his sentencing for the manslaughter charges when he escaped the Orleans Justice Center. His aunt, Jasmine Groves, is calling on him to turn himself in.

“I’m praying to the Lord that he is protected, and I pray that they don’t try to kill him,” she told FOX 8 New Orleans.

Murrill told Fox News’ John Roberts there is “always the possibility” that Groves and Massey could be traveling out of state.

Jasmine Groves told the outlet that her nephew has been stabbed three times in jail, and she noted that the inmates would have never been able to escape had the correctional facility been staffed properly.

FORMER NEW ORLEANS POLICE CHIEF CRITICIZES SHERIFF’S ‘CHECKERED PAST’ AFTER JAILBREAK

The other escaped inmates, some of whom are charged with violent offenses, were being held in a minimum-custody site at the Orleans Parish facility. The jail is only at 60% staffing, and at the time of the escape, four supervisors and 36 staff members were monitoring 1,400 inmates, authorities said.

Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson on Thursday called for a long-term investment in plumbing upgrades at the Orleans Justice Center ahead of hurricane season, noting issues with flooding and “severe plumbing issues.” 

“These recurring plumbing issues highlight a much deeper infrastructure crisis at OJC, rooted in years of deferred maintenance, chronic overcrowding, and a lack of meaningful investment,” Hutson said in a Thursday statement. “This is not just a facilities problem. It’s a public safety issue, a staffing issue, and most of all, a human dignity issue. We are responsible for providing safe, stable, and humane conditions for everyone in our custody and working inside that building.”

Hutson announced a temporary suspension of her re-election campaign in a statement on May 21.

“As I said today, I take full accountability for the breach that occurred under my leadership,” Hutson said. “I am grateful to the community, our law enforcement partners and city and state leaders for helping us to secure the Orleans Justice Center and capture the remaining escapees.” 

LOUISIANA JAIL WORKER ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY HELPING 10 INMATES ESCAPE ORLEANS PARISH FACILITY

“We’ve taken immediate action, including suspensions, an arrest and full cooperation with the attorney general’s investigation.”

She added there is “a long road ahead” for her “to be fully satisfied that the [Orleans Justice Center] and my deputies have the proper resources to perform their duties to the fullest extent the people of New Orleans deserve.”

LOUISIANA GOVERNOR BLASTS ‘PROGRESSIVE PROMISES’ AFTER NEW ORLEANS JAIL ESCAPE

“As such, I am temporarily suspending my re-election campaign. I cannot spend a moment putting politics over your needs,” she said. “Now is the time to focus on security, accountability, and public safety. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with other agencies and community organizations to hear your valuable input and make necessary changes.”

WATCH: Stunning video shows New Orleans inmates escaping

Anyone found aiding an escapee will be charged as an accomplice, according to New Orleans authorities. The FBI is offering rewards of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of the escaped inmates. Crime Stoppers is also offering a $2,000 reward per inmate.

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A violent offender warrant squad is searching for the escapees, along with the FBI and U.S. Marshals. More than 200 law enforcement officers are assisting with the search.