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A Senate Republican warned that President Donald Trump's decisions were "killing our chances" for the GOP holding onto power in the Senate. 

It’s another chapter in the ongoing breakdown of the relationship between Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Trump that started last year during Republicans’ push to pass the president’s "big, beautiful bill." 

The latest episode on Friday came after Trump accused Tillis of being a "nitpicker" on Truth Social. 

"When I told him that I would not, under any circumstances, endorse him for another run, too much work and drama (he couldn’t have won, anyway!), he immediately quit the race and publicly announced that he was going to ‘retire,’" Trump said.

TRUMP DOUBLES DOWN ON $1.8 BILLION 'SLUSH FUND' THAT KILLED HIS AGENDA, SPURRED REPUBLICAN REBELLION

"I said, ‘Wow, great news, that was easy!’ The media said how brave he was to take me on, but he wasn’t brave, he was just the opposite - HE WAS A QUITTER," he continued. "Now he can have all the fun he wants for a few months, with some of his RINO friends, screwing the Republican Party."

Tillis has not shied away from being critical of the Trump administration since announcing his decision not to run for office again, and he has typically aimed his barbs at the president’s top advisors.

He did so again by blaming Trump’s nearly $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund on U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin, pushing 50-year mortgages and the bipartisan Senate housing package on Housing Director Bill Pulte, the push to acquire private companies with taxpayer dollars on Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and the spate of firings of top generals at the Pentagon — and "not holding Putin accountable for his systematic kidnapping, rape, torture, and murder of Ukrainian civilians," on War Secretary Pete Hegseth.

SENATE GOP ERUPTS OVER TRUMP DOJ 'ANTI-WEAPONIZATION' FUND, PUNTS ICE, BORDER PATROL FUNDING

"If opposing these things makes me a RINO, then I gladly accept that nickname," Tillis said on X. "We need Republicans to do well in November, but the stupid stuff is killing our chances!"

White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales told Fox News Digital in a statement that Trump is "the unequivocal leader, best messenger, and unmatched motivator for the Republican Party, and he is committed to maintaining Republicans’ majority in Congress to continue delivering wins for the American people."

REPUBLICANS RECOIL AS TRUMP'S BILLION-DOLLAR DOJ 'SLUSH FUND' FOR ALLIES THREATENS ICE, BORDER PATROL PLAN

"In just over one year, the President has made our country greater than ever before with the most secure border in American history, the largest middle-class tax cuts ever, and the lowest murder rate since 1900," Wales said. "President Trump will continue to draw a sharp contrast with his commonsense agenda and the radical Democrats in Congress who allowed millions of illegal aliens to flow through the border, unanimously opposed the Working Families Tax Cuts, and are soft-on-crime."

Still, many of those decisions have given Republicans across the spectrum of the Senate GOP heartburn, and most recently, the "anti-weaponization" fund derailed Congress’ effort to fund immigration operations across the country for the remainder of Trump’s term. 

Tillis was one of several Republicans who blasted the fund created by the Department of Justice (DOJ) shortly after its announcement earlier this week and joined in a dogpile against acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Wednesday behind closed doors.

Like several others, Tillis was concerned that the fund could be used by Jan. 6 rioters convicted of assaulting police officers. 

"Imagine that," Tillis said earlier this week.
"A fund that is set up to compensate people who assaulted Capitol Police officers and other responding agencies, right? People that had pled guilty to physical acts against the president may actually be able to get compensated. How absurd does that sound coming out of my mouth?"

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National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett attempted to ease concerns over rising fuel costs on Sunday, as hopes of a deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz linger on the horizon.

"We expect energy prices as soon as there's a deal to plummet," he told Fox News' Jackie DeAngelis.

"And when that happens, then there'll be a lot of room for the Fed to do the right thing and lower rates..."

Hassett's remarks come shortly after Trump-nominated Kevin Warsh was sworn in as the new Federal Reserve chair — a shake-up to the institution that comes after a lengthy tug-of-war between the president and Warsh's predecessor, Jerome Powell.

WHAT TRUMP’S NEXT PICK TO LEAD THE FEDERAL RESERVE MEANS FOR YOUR WALLET

Hassett insisted President Donald Trump had emphasized the need for an independent Fed and said he shared the sentiment himself.

"I respect the independence of the Fed and the intellect of Kevin Warsh, and I'm sure that he'll work it out on a data-dependent way."

Meanwhile, Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have suggested an end to the months-long conflict could be drawing near.

Trump announced Saturday that an agreement had been "largely negotiated" with Iran and several allied nations following what he described as a "very good call" with key world leaders.

TRUMP SAYS IRAN DEAL ‘LARGELY NEGOTIATED’ AS 84-DAY WAR NEARS POSSIBLE END

He added that final aspects and details of the deal are "currently being discussed and will be announced shortly."

Reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which has largely been disrupted since the start of the conflict, is a key provision of the tentative deal, Trump indicated.

Hassett additionally told DeAngelis that a swath of new reserves in nearby countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates could go online once the strait reopens.

"As people are getting ready to get their oil refineries going back to full capacity and everything, then there's just basically a gusher of oil that could come out," he said.

"We've done a lot of careful modeling about how long it's gonna take for things to get back to normal, and I could tell you that we've already seen signs that people are a little bit wary about buying oil on the spot market right now because they expect the price to drop a lot sometime soon, so that's a very, very good sign."

On the note of broader inflation, Hassett pointed to "great signs" that relief could be on the way, including a TrumpRx expansion to reduce prescription drug costs and a recent Oval Office event during which some government-imposed environmental regulations were loosened in an effort to bring down costs.

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A long-standing cruise ship tradition has become the center of intense debate following stricter enforcement issued to passengers.

For years, vacationers have used personalized signs, festive banners, and colorful magnets to distinguish their rooms and celebrate milestones.

However, recent safety guidelines and stricter rules are dividing the cruise-goer community.

OUTRAGED CRUISE PASSENGERS BLAST COMPANY'S 'IDIOTIC' NEW DRESS CODE CRACKDOWN

The latest wave of controversy ignited after passengers sailing on Royal Caribbean International’s Symphony of the Seas received an official notice from the cruise line outlining specific guidelines for stateroom door decorations, according to a letter obtained by Cruise Hive.

Their official policy explicitly prohibits "placing materials anywhere on the interior of the ship (including stateroom doors, along corridors, etc.)."

Fox News Digital reached out to Royal Caribbean for comment on the development.

The news highlights a larger debate among frequent cruisers who view door decorating as an integral part of the cruise experience.

One Reddit post on the subject, titled "Door decorations, yea or nay?" delved into the topic.

REDDIT SPLITS OVER 'DISGUSTING' CRUISE HABIT TRAVELERS SAY IS SURPRISINGLY COMMON

"All the pictures I've seen look fun, but I'm worried about being the only one doing it, or our decorations (nothing expressive obviously) disappearing over the trip," the user wrote.

Long cruise ship hallways often look identical, making it easy to walk past the correct room.

According to one attendee sharing their thoughts on a different Reddit post, "We went on a group girls trip and this definitely helped the six of us with drink packages find our door."

However, cruise operators argue that the practice introduces significant safety issues.

Chief among these concerns is the threat of fire. Cruise ship doors and walls are designed with strict fire-safety ratings to contain emergencies.

CRUISE SHIP OUTBREAKS FAIL TO SCARE OFF TRAVELERS AHEAD OF BUSY SUMMER SEASON

According to the official website of Carnival Cruise Line, their decoration policies mandate that "Decorations may consist only of fire retardant materials" and strictly dictate that "No string lights of any kind are allowed."

Safety is not the only issue fueling the crackdown. Many cruise lines are trying to mitigate damage caused by unauthorized adhesives.

Cruisers who use superglues, heavy duct tape, or command strips frequently ruin the paint or underlying finish of expensive metal doors.

"Please avoid using tape and other adhesives, including gel adhesives, to affix items to your stateroom door, as this can damage the doors’ finish," Disney Cruise Line warns its passengers in their prohibited items list.

CRUISE PASSENGERS BLAST NEW DINING DRESS CODE ON MAJOR CRUISE LINE

Additionally, high-quality or sentimental decorations can be targets for theft and vandalism by passing guests, which leads to disputes onboard.

Users online reported their items being stolen, as well as how much the cruise line can help them in the aftermath.

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"I heard from someone that Royal Caribbean was able to use security cameras to track down their stolen door magnet, so I went to guest services when mine was stolen, and they said their new policy is not to do anything about it," wrote one person.

A user responded that someone in their Facebook group ran into the same issue.

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"They had personalized sailing magnets stolen and guest services said they consider anything outside of the stateroom not worthy of checking cameras," they wrote.

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This appears to be in line with the letter at the center of the latest controversy.

"Please Note: We expect guests to be mindful of your door display, but any decoration displayed outside of your stateroom door is done at your own risk," Royal Caribbean wrote.

"Royal Caribbean International is not responsible for any items on display that go missing outside of your room."

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As New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani moves forward with plans for city-owned grocery stores, economists and local business owners warn the proposal could crush small grocers while leaving taxpayers with a hefty bill.

The initiative, a key Mamdani campaign pledge, would establish city-backed supermarkets across the city in an effort to lower food costs.

Adam Lehodey of the Manhattan Institute believes the city could address food affordability more efficiently through private-sector partnerships and existing assistance programs rather than operating grocery stores itself.

"I think really it’s a distraction and a pretty wasteful distraction," Lehodey told Fox News Digital. "There’s an easier and better way to solve the problem."

NYC VOTERS FLOCK TO SOCIALIST-STYLE FREEBIES AS MAMDANI PUSHES RENT FREEZES, CITY-RUN STORES

The first location is expected to open in 2027 in the Bronx neighborhood of Hunts Point as part of The Peninsula redevelopment project at the former Spofford Juvenile Detention Facility, according to the mayor’s office.

The larger redevelopment plan includes 740 affordable housing units, more than 50,000 square feet of public open space, 30,000 square feet of light industrial space and more than 50,000 square feet of community facilities. It would also include a 20,000-square-foot grocery market intended to serve the South Bronx.

MAMDANI’S PUBLIC GROCERY STORES MAY HAVE DEVASTATING EFFECTS ON CITY'S FOOD SUPPLY

Lehodey also warned the city-backed stores could put small neighborhood grocers at a disadvantage because the projects would receive public support that private businesses do not.

"Yeah, the prices might be a little bit cheaper, but that comes at the cost of other businesses running sustainable operations," he said.

He argued the city is also sacrificing valuable public land and potential revenue by subsidizing the projects.

MAMDANI'S WALL STREET COURTSHIP SPARKS CRITICISM OF ANTI-BILLIONAIRE AGENDA

"That land does have value," Lehodey said. "By giving it out for free, the taxpayer again is losing money, and we’re losing revenue that could have been spent on other things."

A second city-backed grocery market is slated to open next year at La Marqueta, a public market space in East Harlem. The city plans to spend roughly $30 million to build the location.

Critics question whether another grocery option is needed in the neighborhood. Roughly 45 grocery stores are located within a 35-minute walk of the proposed site, according to a Fox News Digital analysis.

Those stores range from major chains, including Whole Foods and Lidl, to smaller neighborhood markets and bodegas. The area is also well served by public transit, with multiple subway and bus lines giving residents several ways to reach nearby grocery options.

Some local grocers say the city-backed market could siphon away customers and hurt already thin profit margins.

Despite the abundance of nearby grocery options, some local store owners fear the city-backed market could undercut existing businesses by offering lower prices backed by public support.

"Of course it will affect this store," said Sarah Kang, manager at a CTown Supermarkets location about a 35-minute walk south, or one subway stop, from La Marqueta.

"A lot of people walk 20 to 30 minutes to get here," she explained to Fox News Digital. "If they find a cheaper supermarket, I don’t think they’ll be willing to make that trip. It’s going to affect small grocery stores. Definitely."

"I hope we don't lose customers," Kang added.

About a 30-minute walk north of La Marqueta, Joel Martinez, a manager of a supermarket at 128th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard, said the impact may depend on proximity to the proposed site.

FROM FREE BUSES TO CITY-OWNED GROCERY STORES, HERE ARE MAMDANI’S KEY ECONOMIC PROMISES

"I hope it doesn’t impact us," Martinez said in a call with Fox News Digital. "The store will be a little far from us, so that’s good. But it will affect smaller businesses that are closer."

Bodegas and small grocery stores are a staple of New York City neighborhoods, often serving as primary food sources for nearby residents.

Similar proposals for local government-owned and operated grocery stores and markets have surfaced in other cities, including Boston.

Atlanta officials appear to have pioneered the effort, opening a city-backed grocery store aimed at improving food access in underserved communities.

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At what point do you start feeling bad for teams? It can be hard to have empathy for sports teams and professionals who make millions to play a game. However, I find myself rooting for teams that continuously knock on the door, but don't find their way to knock it down. The Hurricanes are a team that I've felt bad for, and they host the Canadiens in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

NHL teams honor Kyle Busch with tribute after shocking death

The Montreal Canadiens put together a fantastic season with a 48-24-10 season. They were excellent on the road all year with a 24-9-8 record as a visiting team. In the opening round of the playoffs, they took Tampa to the distance, alternating wins and losses. In the second round, they found themselves again facing a tough test, taking on Buffalo. The Sabres couldn't get the job done against them, but took them the distance as well.

In the series opener against Carolina, the Canadiens got six goals to find the back of the net. They are now 7-2 in the postseason on the road. Tonight, they are putting Jakub Dobes in the net. He had a strong regular season with a 29-10-4 record and a 2.78 goals-against-per-game average. He also was tied for 22nd in the league with a .901 save percentage. He has been even better in the postseason, posting a .911 save percentage and a 2.48 goals-per-game average. Improving on his regular season numbers against tougher competition is quite impressive.

The Carolina Hurricanes are a team that I have a lot of sympathy for. I know the team had a good season, as they have for years. However, they keep stumbling in the Conference Finals. They went 1-4 last year against the Panthers, 0-4 three seasons ago, and 0-4 in 2018-19 when they got there. They are now 1-13 in their past 14 Conference Finals games. It is kind of depressing seeing it happen to them.

Of course, this was also the first loss of the playoffs for the Hurricanes, so you have to wonder if it is all mental or if it is just a fluke that they lost the first game. In the first round, they won all four games, but it wasn't like they blew out their opponent in any game. Against the Flyers, they had two wins in overtime, and the other two wins were by three goals. They should have Frederik Andersen in the net and he has been locked in for the playoffs. He has a .932 save percentage in the playoffs compared to .874 in the regular season. The same with his goals allowed dropping from 3.05 to 1.51.

Tonight should be a game the Hurricanes come out and look to get the stigma off their back. A win here would give them a completely new series and relieve a little bit of pressure off of them. Just because you need to win, doesn't mean you'll do it, though. I like the way the Canadiens played in Game 1 and think there is a ton of value on them.

This doesn't mean that Montreal will win the game, but it does give us a good opportunity to bet on them. Dobes has been tough to score on, but certainly easier than Andersen. Still, he is playing with house money at this point. I expect the Canadiens to play without pressure, full of confidence, and win this game. They may have found something after getting six goals in Game 1. Give me Montreal at plus money.

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For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024 

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The satirical group has gained millions of followers as "the voice of the lazy and unemployed".

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A federal judge appointed by President Donald Trump dismissed a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuit against Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows on Thursday.

The lawsuit, brought against Bellows in September, alleged that Maine violated federal election laws when the state refused to turn over data about Maine voters to the federal government.

Bellows argued that the DOJ did not provide an explanation for how it planned to use the data they requested, which included the names of everybody on Maine's voter rolls as well as driver's license numbers, partial Social Security numbers and full dates of birth.

She rejected the DOJ's request in August and then filed a motion to dismiss the federal lawsuit in December.

TRUMP-APPOINTED FEDERAL JUDGE TOSSES DOJ LAWSUIT SEEKING ARIZONA VOTER DATA

"The Gulf of Maine is awfully cold, but maybe that’s what the DOJ needs to cool down. So, here's my answer to Trump's DOJ today: Go jump in the Gulf of Maine," she said in a July news conference.

On Thursday, Maine Chief U.S. District Judge Lance Walker, who Trump appointed in 2018, granted Bellows' motion and dismissed the DOJ lawsuit.

"The United States' requests would require me to turn a blind eye to traditional practices of federalism and how those expressions have found expression in American elections," Walker said.

DOJ SUES SIX STATES FOR REFUSING TO TURN OVER VOTER REGISTRATION ROLLS, WARNS ‘OPEN DEFIANCE’ OF FEDERAL LAW

Bellows praised the ruling. "Today’s ruling affirms that the states, not the federal government, are in charge of our elections. From the moment the Trump Administration sought every American’s voter data, I said no. When they tried to bully me by suing Maine, I helped lead of coalition of states to fight back – and we’re winning. I will continue to defend every Mainer’s voting rights and their privacy," she said in a statement.

"Let me be clear – Trump and the DOJ may continue to try to interfere with free and fair elections run by the states. We will not let them," Bellows said. "Under our Constitution, states are the primary regulators and administrators of elections for federal office, unless Congress passes legislation that preempts that framework. And Congress’s power to do even that is itself subject to limitations."

The DOJ has sued 30 states for refusing to turn over unredacted lists of their voter rolls. Those lawsuits have been dismissed in Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon, Rhode Island and now Maine, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The DOJ has not publicly commented on the dismissal.

Fox News Digital contacted the DOJ and Maine secretary of state for additional comment.

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