Voters react as Trump touts signature tariff plan at State of the Union
Republicans were pleased when President Donald Trump spoke during the State of the Union address Tuesday about his plan to continue imposing global tariffs after the Supreme Court dealt him a setback, according to live reactions from a panel of voters.
The panel, assembled by polling group Maslansky & Partners and made up of 29 Democrats, 30 independents and 41 Republicans, gave real-time reactions as Trump spoke. The responses were displayed on a line graph, with higher values indicating positive reactions and lower values indicating negative reactions.
Trump called the Supreme Court’s decision striking down the tariffs “unfortunate” as four justices sat stone-faced in the front row of the House chamber.
It is customary for justices to be invited to the address, though not all typically attend. Chief Justice John Roberts and justices Elena Kagan, Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh attended Tuesday.
Trump touted the tariffs, which he unilaterally imposed last year under an emergency law, as a key negotiating tool, saying they helped him broker peace deals between other countries and generated billions of dollars in revenue. The Supreme Court found that Trump illegally bypassed Congress by invoking the law, known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
But “just four days ago, an unfortunate ruling from the United States Supreme Court, it just came down, a very unfortunate ruling,” Trump said, as the dials on the line graph showed Republicans reacting approvingly and Democrats and independents responding negatively.
SPEECHWRITERS FROM REAGAN TO BIDEN AGREE: TRUMP’S SOTU IS A CRITICAL TEST FOR HIS SECOND TERM
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“The good news is that almost all countries and corporations want to keep the deal that they already made … knowing that the legal power that I as president have to make a new deal could be far worse for them. And, therefore, they will continue to work along the same successful path that we had negotiated before the Supreme Court’s unfortunate involvement,” Trump said.
Trump said he had “time-tested” alternatives to the IEEPA that he planned to use so he could again sidestep Congress’ role in authorizing tariffs, which the Supreme Court said functioned like a tax and therefore required congressional approval under the Constitution.
American released from Indonesia jail after serving 11 years for ‘suitcase murder’ as US case looms
Indonesia has freed and deported an American who spent 11 years in prison for the premeditated murder of his then-girlfriend’s mother on the tourist island of Bali. Now, he’s facing federal charges in the U.S.
Tommy Schafer, who returned to the U.S. on Tuesday, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the 2014 murder of Sheila von Wiese-Mack, the mother of his then-girlfriend Heather Mack, during a luxury vacation.
Prosecutors have said that the couple was trying to gain access to a $1.5 million trust fund, The Associated Press reported. In August 2014, the battered body of 62-year-old von Wiese-Mack was found in a suitcase in the trunk of a taxi parked at the St. Regis Bali Resort.
At the time of the murder, Mack was nearly 19 years old and a few weeks pregnant, while Schaefer was 21 years old, the AP reported. Prosecutors said that Mack covered her mother’s mouth while Schaefer hit the 63-year-old with a fruit bowl, according to the AP. The outlet noted that the two were arrested the day after von Wiese-Mack’s body was found.
The U.S. District Court in Chicago charged Schafer and Mack with conspiracy to commit murder and obstruction of justice in 2017. The charges were listed in an indictment that remained sealed until Nov. 3, 2021, when Mack was arrested upon her return to the U.S. She had served seven years of a 10-year sentence in Bali for helping kill her mother, according to the AP.
In January 2024, Mack, who pleaded guilty on June 16, 2023, was sentenced to 26 years in prison in Chicago for her role in the murder.
OHIO COURTROOM DEVOLVES INTO CHAOS AFTER SENTENCING IN DEATH OF TEEN
“Heather Mack planned to violently murder her own mother while on vacation in Bali,” then-Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division said in a 2024 statement. “In Bali, Mack stood by while her mother was savagely beaten to death and then callously and unsuccessfully tried to dispose of her mother’s body. This significant sentence holds the defendant to account for this heinous crime.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
It is unclear who will represent Schaefer in his U.S. case, as his former attorney, listed in court records as Thomas Durkin, died last year, the AP reported. Schaefer is reportedly expected to make his initial court appearance in Chicago on Thursday.
Trump trims some tariffs after Supreme Court loss but keeps trade fight alive
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling against President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, the administration trimmed select emergency duties while standing firm in the trade fight.
The shift was formalized in an executive order published in the Federal Register, the government’s official record for executive actions. It ends tariffs imposed under emergency powers but preserves other trade duties and a temporary import surcharge.
It amounts to a recalibration — not a retreat — from one of the defining pillars of Trump’s second-term agenda. Trump has made clear the broader trade fight will continue, vowing to use alternative authorities to keep tariffs in place.
SUPREME COURT DEALS BLOW TO TRUMP’S TRADE AGENDA IN LANDMARK TARIFF CASE
Tariffs are taxes on imports that are typically paid upfront by U.S. importers who can then push the added expense down the supply chain to retailers and consumers or absorb the cost. In some cases, tariffs can translate into higher prices for consumers.
The ruling, handed down less than a week ago, represented a major setback for Trump’s trade strategy.
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the law cited to justify the import duties “does not authorize the President to impose tariffs.” Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the opinion of the court, while Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh dissented.
Trump blasted the decision during his State of the Union address, calling it “very unfortunate” and arguing the trade measures fueled a historic economic surge.
He argued the tariffs generated massive revenue and strengthened the country’s economic and national security position. “Countries that were ripping us off for decades are now paying us hundreds of billions of dollars,” Trump said.
‘WE WERE RIGHT’: HE TOOK TRUMP’S TARIFFS TO THE SUPREME COURT AND WON
“I use these tariffs to take in hundreds of billions of dollars to make great deals for our country, both economically and on a national security basis,” he added.
The government collected $30.4 billion in duties in January — a 275% increase from a year earlier — and $134.8 billion so far this fiscal year.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Despite the setback, Trump moved quickly to preserve parts of the policy. Shortly after the ruling, he announced a 10% global tariff, later increasing it to 15%.
Mexico says Jalisco security situation ‘stabilized,’ flights resuming after Americans stranded
The Mexican government said the security situation in the western state of Jalisco has “stabilized” after an explosion of cartel-linked violence following the death of kingpin Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho.”
The Embassy of Mexico in the United States said federal and state authorities were working to normalize conditions after the unrest, reopening transit corridors and restoring public services following targeted operations.
The update comes as the State Department’s travel advisory for Mexico remains in effect at a heightened level of caution, while flight cancellations and transportation disruptions stranded some travelers in popular destinations such as Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. Hundreds of Americans remain stranded in Mexico following the violence.
“The security situation has now stabilized following targeted operations in Jalisco,” the embassy said in a post on X. “Federal and state authorities are proceeding to reopen transit corridors and restore public services smoothly.”
The embassy said airline operations were returning to normal and that international carriers were resuming flights. Puerto Vallarta International Airport has reopened to domestic traffic, according to the statement.
“If traveling through Jalisco, some local security measures remain in place, while authorities are restoring airport operations to full capacity,” the embassy added.
Officials said they were coordinating with international partners “to ensure safety and stability at all transit hubs and tourist destinations.”
DEATH TOLL RISES AFTER MEXICAN DRUG CARTEL LEADER KILLED IN US-BACKED OPERATION
The statement described the operation as part of “a broader national effort that has produced a sustained decrease in violence across Mexico in recent months.”
According to the State Department’s official website, Mexico is currently under a Level 2 “Exercise Increased Caution” travel advisory due to risks including crime and kidnapping. The advisory notes that violent crime and organized criminal activity remain concerns for U.S. citizens traveling in the country.
Watch: Leavitt warns Mexican drug cartels, tells them not to lay a finger on Americans
Certain Mexican states carry higher risk levels, with some areas classified as Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” or Level 4 “Do Not Travel,” depending on local conditions. Jalisco — where the recent violence occurred — has previously been listed among states with elevated advisory levels, though the State Department notes that risk can vary by region.
The advisory urges U.S. citizens to take precautions similar to those required of U.S. government employees, including avoiding intercity travel at night, using regulated transportation services and remaining aware that emergency services may be limited in some areas.
The State Department said it had received hundreds of calls on its 24/7 crisis hotline as Americans sought assistance following the violence.
Mexican authorities said Oseguera Cervantes was killed Sunday during an operation aided by U.S. intelligence.
The cartel responded by setting vehicles on fire and erecting roadblocks throughout Guadalajara, the state capital. The city’s international airport operated at limited capacity as violence gripped the area.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The U.S. State Department had previously offered up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction, describing him as “one of the most wanted fugitives in Mexico.”
Louvre Museum director resigns following $102M theft of crown jewels
The director of the Louvre Museum in Paris has stepped down, months after thieves stole $102 million in crown jewels in a lightning-fast weekend robbery.
Laurence des Cars presented French President Emmanuel Macron with her resignation, which Macron accepted, according to a statement from the presidential office.
It said Macron praised her decision as “an act of responsibility at a time when the world’s largest museum needs calm and a strong new impetus to carry out major projects involving security upgrades, modernization” and other projects.
Macron thanked des Cars for “her work and commitment,” and said he wanted to give her a new mission focused on cooperation among major museums, the statement said, without saying if she had accepted.
Des Cars has remained under fire in the wake of the heist, which many critics have labeled a stunning embarrassment.
Thieves took less than eight minutes in October to steal priceless crown jewels at the world’s most visited museum in broad daylight.
WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS MUSEUM SLAMS DOORS TO VISITORS AS EMPLOYEE REVOLT CONTINUES
The thieves left behind Eugénie’s emerald-encrusted crown, which is set with over 1,300 diamonds, along their escape route outside the museum. The crown was damaged but deemed recoverable.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Authorities have arrested several suspects in that case, but the seven other priceless treasures, including Eugenie’s diamond-studded tiara, necklaces, earrings and brooches, remain missing.
Man sentenced for selling fake airplane parts for popular engine
The head of a London airline parts firm was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison Monday after selling more than 60,000 fake aircraft engine parts, a fraud that triggered worldwide safety concerns and briefly grounded planes.
Jose Alejandro Zamora Yrala, 38, pleaded guilty in December to fraudulent trading, admitting he falsified paperwork about the source and condition of engine parts sold by his company, AOG Technics, between 2019 and 2023.
Prosecutors said more than 60,000 suspect parts entered the global aviation supply chain as a result of the scheme. Many of the parts were linked to CFM56 engines, widely used in Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The discovery of the fraudulent components in 2023 led to planes being temporarily grounded and prompted calls for tighter industry oversight.
Judge Simon Picken said Zamora Yrala’s actions amounted to a “more or less complete undermining of a regulatory framework designed to safeguard the millions of people who fly every day.”
According to prosecutors, AOG Technics sold falsified parts totaling roughly $9.3 million (£6.9 million) — about 90% of the company’s revenue — causing an estimated $53 million (£39.3 million) in losses across the aviation industry.
American Airlines alone suffered about $31 million (£23 million) in losses tied to engine repairs, replacement leasing and aircraft downtime, prosecutors said.
‘SECURITY-RELATED SITUATION’ GROUNDS FLIGHT TO VACATION HOT SPOT, PASSENGERS CONFINED FOR HOURS
Prosecutors said CFM International’s co-owners, GE Aerospace and Safran, lost about $4 million (£3 million) and $780,000 (£580,000) respectively, and suffered reputational damage.
Zamora Yrala was also barred from serving as a company director for eight years and faces confiscation proceedings aimed at compensating affected companies.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
His attorney told the court he had “cut corners in order that he could trade more easily” and did not fully grasp the consequences of his actions.
‘El Mencho’ tracked to secret rendezvous with romantic partner before deadly raid
Mexico’s most-wanted fentanyl kingpin, “El Mencho,” was captured and killed Sunday after authorities tracked his romantic partner to a secret rendezvous location over the weekend, Mexican officials revealed Monday.
The operation reportedly began Feb. 20, targeting Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho.” He carried a $15 million U.S. bounty and rose to power following the arrest of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the former head of the Sinaloa Cartel.
Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla Trejo said during a news conference that military intelligence identified and located a trusted courier or guard connected to one of Oseguera Cervantes’s romantic partners.
The associate then transported the partner to a designated cabin for an overnight meeting with “El Mencho.”
“On February 20, through central military intelligence work, a man of trust of one of El Mencho’s romantic partners was located, who took her to a facility in the town of Tapalpa, Jalisco,” Trevilla Trejo said.
The following day, the partner left the property, but intelligence confirmed that Oseguera Cervantes remained behind with a small security detail, prompting authorities, including Army Special Forces and the National Guard’s Immediate Reaction Force, to carry out the operation.
Security forces reportedly raided the private property after aerial surveillance spotted Oseguera Cervantes’ inner circle openly carrying illegal high-caliber weapons, including rocket launchers and long guns.
During the confrontation, Oseguera Cervantes’ security detail reportedly fired “very violently” on military personnel, triggering Special Forces to engage the attackers. Officials said eight criminals were killed in the initial phase — correcting earlier reports of four — and two military personnel were also wounded.
CARTELS OUTGUN POLICE: ROCKET LAUNCHERS SEIZED IN EL MENCHO RAID SPOTLIGHT CJNG FIREPOWER
Amid the chaos at the cabins, Oseguera Cervantes and his “close circle” fled into a nearby wooded area, officials said. After soldiers located them “hidden among the brush,” cartel suspects allegedly opened fire on the troops. Military personnel then wounded “El Mencho” and two of his escorts in the shootout, according to Trevilla Trejo.
Military medics determined that Oseguera Cervantes and his two escorts were in critical condition and required immediate evacuation by helicopter. Oseguera Cervantes and his two escorts ultimately died during transport, officials said.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Authorities noted that 2,500 reinforcements were sent to join the 7,000 already in the state to prevent further violence in the cartel’s retaliation.
Oseguera Cervantes’ capture and subsequent death marks one of Mexico’s most significant blows to drug trafficking and organized crime since President Donald Trump called for intensified crackdowns on cartel violence.
Americans warned of al Qaeda-linked terrorist presence in popular vacation getaway
The U.S. Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire, the Ivory Coast, has reissued a “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution” travel advisory, adding a note about safety concerns in the popular African destination.
“Exercise increased caution in Côte d’Ivoire due to crime, terrorism, unrest, health and piracy in nearby waters,” according to the advisory that was reposted Feb. 18.
Officials say violent crimes such as carjacking, robbery and home invasions are common in particular areas of the country.
They’ve warned travelers that local police may not be able to help respond to serious crimes — advising tourists to stay aware of their surroundings in urban areas and crowded markets.
“There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity, in Côte d’Ivoire,” the advisory noted.
Officials warned that terrorists may attack tourist spots, nightclubs, hotels, restaurants and places of worship.
Travelers are also advised to avoid demonstrations, protests, political rallies and large crowds, as these can become violent, leading to demonstrators and security force clashes, the advisory said.
The health infrastructure in rural areas of Côte d’Ivoire may be less adequate than those facilities in large cities.
SECURITY ALERT ISSUED FOR TROPICAL DESTINATION AFTER MAJOR GANGS ATTACK POLICE
Officials warned there are often shortages of medicine, medical supplies and basic resources in public and private health facilities.
Hospitals and doctors might also require payment up front prior to service or admission, the advisory said.
Piracy is also a threat, officials said.
“Ships at sea near Côte d’Ivoire are vulnerable to major threats from piracy, armed robbery and kidnapping for ransom… U.S. citizens on vessels in the Gulf of Guinea off West Africa should stay alert.”
Other parts of the tropical country are “Level 4: Do Not Travel.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES
“Do not travel to the northern border region of Côte d’Ivoire for any reason,” the advisory warned.
The advisory comes as the al Qaeda-linked terrorist group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has been found in the Sahel region, including Burkina Faso and Mali, according to a number of sources.
“In the past, JNIM has crossed the border from Burkina Faso to conduct attacks in northern Côte d’Ivoire,” officials said.
“Attacks have occurred in the Savanes and Zanzan districts, including Comoé National Park. These attacks have mainly targeted Ivoirian security forces, and sometimes civilians.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
There was an attack at the Étoile du Sud hotel in 2016, in which three Islamist gunmen opened fire and killed at least 19 people.
It is also noted that al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has carried out small-scale attacks in northern Côte d’Ivoire.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
“There have been no recent known incidents of violent extremism in the region, although risks remain along the northern border and in the northeast corner of Côte d’Ivoire,” officials stated.
Some 2 million international visitors arrive in Côte d’Ivoire each year, according to government data.