Rumors are swirling that Pete Hegseth, the current U.S. Defense Secretary, is contemplating a pivot to state politics as a gubernatorial candidate in Tennessee, Newsmax reported.Amid his high-profile role, Hegseth's discussions about potentially running have sparked both interest and scrutiny regarding residency qualifications.
Pete Hegseth, who now resides in Sumner County, Tennessee, has privately expressed interest in the gubernatorial seat for the upcoming 2026 election.
Eligibility Questions Arise for Hegseth's Gubernatorial Ambitions
Hegseth, having moved to Tennessee in 2022, may face challenges concerning state laws that require candidates to have been residents for at least seven years prior to the election, posing potential eligibility issues for his candidacy.
These discussions have not only focused on the feasibility of a campaign but have also considered the competitive landscape of the race and Hegseth’s chances of securing a win.
With Tennessee’s current Governor, Bill Lee, unable to seek re-election due to term limits, the gubernatorial race in 2026 is widely open, attracting interest from numerous potential candidates, including prominent Tennessee Republican Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty.
Hegseth's Decision Hinges on Several Factors
If Hegseth decides to pursue this route, he would be required to resign from his current position as the defense secretary.
However, it remains uncertain whether he will indeed step down from his post at the Pentagon to enter the race.
This potential political move was substantively discussed within the last three weeks among Hegseth's close advisers and confidants, signifying a serious contemplation of his political future beyond the national defense arena.
Pentagon Strongly Denies Reports of Hegseth's Political Plans
The Pentagon has officially responded to these reports with strong denials. Chief spokesman Sean Parnell criticized the media’s coverage, particularly targeting NBC News for propagating what he deemed unsubstantiated rumors.
"Fake news — NBC is so desperate for attention, they are shopping around a made-up story ... again. Either the 'sources' are imaginary or these reporters are getting punked," Parnell stated, emphasizing that Hegseth's primary focus remains on his responsibilities under the Trump administration and advancing its America First mission.
This denial has added a layer of complexity and public intrigue surrounding Hegseth's potential candidacy, as it directly contradicts reports and discussions circulating within political and defense circles.
Speculation Continues Despite Pentagon's Denials
The divergence between the Pentagon’s official stance and the ongoing internal discussions about Hegseth’s political ambitions raises questions about the authenticity of the claims and the future actions of the Defense Secretary.
As the story develops, observers are closely watching Hegseth’s moves and the responses from potential competitors within the Republican Party.
With the gubernatorial race still in its early stages and the candidate field not yet solidified, the political landscape in Tennessee remains dynamic and subject to change, particularly with new entrants like Hegseth potentially shaking up the established order.
The White House has stopped the president of Taiwan from visiting New York on a tour of the Americas, according to reports.
The move comes as President Trump negotiates trade with Taiwan's rival, China, which considers Taiwan to be part of its territory.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te had planned to stop in New York and Dallas next month on his way to Paraguay, Guatemala and Belize, which are among a handful of nations around the world that recognize Taiwan's sovereignty.
White House blocks Taiwan
The Trump administration had "asked Taipei to rearrange the transit — not go through New York," one person with knowledge of the issue told the AP.
Lai had reached out to the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, about appearing at an event in New York, but scrapped his travel plans after the White House pushed back, the Financial Times reported.
But the Trump administration denies that any plans were changed. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the issue is "hypothetical" because Taiwan had never announced any travel plans.
And Taiwan says Lai is unable to travel currently because of a recent typhoon, among other issues.
“Considering the recent typhoon disaster recovery efforts in southern Taiwan, the U.S.-Taiwan reciprocal tariff measures and regional developments, the president currently has no plans for overseas visits in the near future,” Taiwan spokesperson Karen Kuo said.
Trump's transactional approach
The White House's reported move to block Taiwan is another example of Trump's transactional, "America First" foreign policy. It is an approach that has rattled internationalists, who see any weakening in support of Taiwan as a victory for China.
A source familiar with trade talks told the Hill that Taiwan is "bracing for Trump possibly cutting them out of a trade relationship as part of making a deal with China" and Taiwan is "actively contemplating the prospect of a new go-it-alone era, where Taipei can no longer count on support from the White House.”
Taiwan is a significant trade partner of the U.S., but it is not difficult to see why Trump prioritizes balancing trade with China, the world's second-largest economy. America has a bigger trade deficit with China than any other nation.
China truce?
Trump has set a Friday deadline for most countries to finish negotiating trade deals or else face punitive tariffs, but the administration is dealing separately with China.
Tariff rates between the U.S. and China hit triple digits earlier this year before a 90-day truce went into effect. White House trade negotiators discussed extending the truce, which phases out on August 12, with Chinese counterparts in Sweden this week. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that Trump has the last word.
"Nothing is agreed until we speak with President Trump," Bessent said.
"Just to tamp down that rhetoric, the meetings were very constructive. We just haven't given the sign off," he said.
Trump has dismissed "fake" rumors that he is seeking a summit with President Xi of China, but Trump says he will not rule out a visit to China at Xi's request.
President Trump is in the early stages of recruiting a Supreme Court nominee, just in case a slot opens up during his second term, according to TIME magazine.
Trump appointed three of the current justices during his first term, shifting the balance of the court rightwards.
The conservative majority has handed Trump some major victories in recent weeks, exasperating his critics, including the members of the outnumbered liberal wing on the court.
Supreme Court vacancy?
A White House official told TIME that the administration wants candidates “in the mold of” Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and the late Antonin Scalia.
Thomas and Alito are the staunchest conservatives on the court, and also the oldest members serving: Thomas is 77, and Alito is 75.
By contrast, Trump’s own appointees, particularly Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, have proven to be surprisingly moderate, earning them praise from the left-wing media.
According to Time, conservative lawyers who are advising Trump are “burned by a handful of recent decisions in which Barrett joined liberal members of the court and want to ensure the next nominee is someone who won’t veer from the conservative bloc.”
Supreme Court retirements have become political footballs in a deeply polarized America, as reflected in the bare-knuckled fight over Kavanaugh’s nomination during Trump’s first term and the rapid confirmation of Barrett, who was approved by Senate Republicans just days before the 2020 election.
The oldest liberal on the bench, Sonia Sotomayor, faced retirement pressure last year as leftists feared the possibility of Trump naming her replacement. Democrats have been haunted by Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death in 2020, which enabled Trump to choose Barrett as a successor for the liberal icon.
Trump molds the court
Replacing Thomas or Alito with conservatives cut from the same cloth would not shift the ideological balance of the court, but it would help solidify Trump’s influence for years to come.
The shortlist for Trump's next pick includes several Trump appointees on the federal courts, including Andrew Oldham and James Ho, who sit on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Neomi Rao, of the D.C. Circuit, and Amal Thapar, of the Sixth Circuit. Oldham clerked for Alito in the past, and Rao was a clerk for Thomas.
If a vacancy opens before the 2026 midterm elections, Trump could expect the Senate's narrow Republican majority to confirm his choice.
Republicans in the Senate have long prioritized court appointments, even during Trump's first term, when they were often less than cooperative about advancing his agenda. The Senate GOP is more pliable when it comes to meeting Trump’s demands, these days.
The GOP showed deference to Trump again this week by confirming his former defense lawyer, Emil Bove, to be an appellate judge, over the objections of Democrats who said he was not fit for the role.
Micheal Ward, a rising Hollywood star, has been dropped by his talent agency after he was charged with rape and sexual assault.
The British actor, of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, was charged with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault, London's Metropolitan Police said. The alleged offenses occurred in January 2023 and concern a single woman.
Ward denies any wrongdoing, and he has expressed confidence in his eventual exoneration.
The actor has worked with some of the biggest directors in Hollywood today. He co-starred in the acclaimed Sam Mendes drama Empire of Light (2022) and is set to appear in Ari Aster's upcoming Western, Eddington (2025).
Actor charged with rape
Ward is due to appear in Thames magistrates court in east London on August 28.
“I deny the charges against me entirely. I have cooperated fully with the police throughout their investigation and will continue to cooperate," he said.
“I recognize that proceedings are now ongoing, and I have full faith that they will lead to my name being cleared. Given those proceedings, I am unable to comment further.”
Detective Supt Scott Ware, whose team is leading the Met’s investigation, said: “Our specialist officers continue to support the woman who has come forward – we know investigations of this nature can have significant impact on those who make reports.”
Catherine Baccas, the deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS London South, said: “Having carefully reviewed a file of evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service has authorized the Metropolitan police to charge Micheal Ward, 27, with two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault against a woman in January 2023."
“We remind all concerned that proceedings against the suspect are active and he has a right to a fair trial. It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Dropped by agent
Ward became famous for his role in the Netflix revival of the crime drama Top Boy, which is set in East London. He appeared in 19 episodes from 2019 to 2022.
The Jamaican-born actor won the BAFTA Rising Star award for Blue Story (2019) and was nominated for a BAFTA award for Best Supporting Actor for Small Axe (2020), a BBC series about West Indian immigrants living in London.
As reported by Deadline, Ward's UK talent agency Olivia Bell Management has dropped him.
These are disturbing accusations, but like all defendants, Ward is innocent until proven guilty.
Prince Harry is now "desperate" to make amends with the royal family as his father, King Charles III, battles cancer, Fox News reported. Tension between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family continued to simmer long after they stepped down from their official roles in 2020.
Harry made the first move towards reconciliation by sharing his daily itinerary of engagements with the royal family. This has been interpreted as a way for the "Spare" author to win back the king's favor after he and his wife, Meghan Markle, left the royal family in 2020 and headed for California.
"Harry is now desperate. While this self-serving gesture is notable, it won’t do much to mitigate suspicion and caution on the royal side," Hilary Fordwich, an expert on the British royal family, said to Fox News Digital.
"King Charles III is now more guarded than ever, indeed somewhat traumatized by a string of betrayals," Fordwich added. Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan's once-promising foray into American entertainment has fallen flat with audiences and arguably squandered any goodwill for the pair.
Obstacles
While Harry may be ready to reconcile, the road is anything but easy after all that has transpired, including thinly-veiled accusations of racism against the royal family and alleged leaks to the press originating with the Sussexes. Fordwich said that Charles "has expressed being 'cautious and wary' regarding fearing further unsavory leaks, [especially] private royal family gatherings being publicized yet again."
There's also the problem of winning back Harry's brother, Prince William. "Also, overall doubt still prevails in Prince William’s camp. He considers any reconciliation at all as a 'grave mistake,'" Fordwich added.
"His senior royal courtiers are understood to be just as wary and immensely protective of the future monarch. They only see [a reconciliation] as creating more bombshells, as well as instability."
The Sussexes have long been accused of competing for attention with the British royal family, including scheduling engagements to coincide with palace dates and events. This happened most recently with Harry's visit to Angola, where his mother, Princess Diana, was dedicated to landmine removal. The visit reportedly overshadowed Queen Camilla's 78th birthday.
Royal watcher Richard Fitzwilliams believes that Harry's move to share his schedule was a signal that he was ready to rectify this problem. "The Sussexes should always respect the royal calendar, where natural care is taken to avoid clashes whenever possible. … This is a practical move that will be appreciated. It appears the Sussexes are getting some good advice," Fitzwilliams said.
Long road ahead
In May, Harry said that he was interested in repairing the relationship with his family after all that had transpired over the years. "I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore. I don’t know how much longer my father has," Harry said. Charles has an undisclosed type of cancer and is receiving treatment, though his prognosis is unknown.
While there have been recent talks between staffers for the prince and the king, representatives for Prince William, Harry's brother, were notably absent. "If there is to be any proper reconciliation, the royal family has absolutely no need to move at anything other than a glacial pace," Fordwich noted.
"As for the calendar gesture, it’s not important to the royal family. They share their calendars with the British government and other foreign governments. … It’s up to Harry to plan properly around the royals, not the other way around," Fordwich added.
However, there may be more to the story than family reunification. According to the New York Post, the ex-royals recently lost their $100 million Netflix deal after Meghan Markle’s With Love, Meghan series garnered an abysmal 5.3 million views and was ranked 383rd on the network's watch list. The streaming service will not renew its deal with the Sussexes, and without a connection to the royal family, the pair are at a dead end.
Family reconciliation is always a good thing, even in the worst of feuds. It would be wonderful for Harry and the king to make amends, especially with Charles' illness, but that will take humility and patience on the part of the Sussexes, and so far, they've shown very little of either.
President Donald Trump's Justice Department has filed a misconduct complaint against U.S. District Judge James Boasberg for allegedly trying to "improperly influence Chief Justice Roberts," Fox News reported. Attorney General Pam Bondi filed the complaint Monday, which was signed by Chad Mizelle, her chief of staff.
Boasberg has long been a thorn in Trump's side as he and other judges have thwarted the president's agenda with nationwide injunctions. However, it was Boasberg's conduct during the meeting of the Judicial Conference of the United States in March that initiated the legal action from the Justice Department.
The complaint said that Boasberg reached out to Roberts and others, claiming that Trump and his administration "disregard rulings of federal courts," which risks triggering "a constitutional crisis." They believe this was an attempt to "improperly prejudice or influence" Roberts and that it "undermined the integrity and impartiality of the federal judiciary."
The remedy suggested in the complaint was to take Boasberg off the J.G.G. v. Trump case, which involves the deportation of hundreds of illegal immigrants to El Salvador's notorious CECOT prison. Trump used the 1798 wartime immigration law, the Alien Enemies Act, to justify it, and the ACLU and others sued the administration over it.
Supporting evidence
Just days after Boasberg allegedly made those remarks to Roberts, the judge imposed a temporary restraining order on Trump's use of the law to send Venezuelan nationals deported from the U.S. to El Salvador. Planes set to take off for the prison were ordered to "immediately" return to the U.S.
Despite the order, it reportedly did not happen exactly as Boasberg commanded, and an investigation was launched to determine whether the Trump administration flouted those orders. In April, Boasberg also allowed a contempt charge to proceed based on the fact that the order wasn't followed directly, though a higher appeals court eventually stayed that action.
The judge's actions opened the door to a slew of other challenges to deportations, and the Supreme Court ruled against Trump on two of them, finding that such expedited removals violated the constitutional rights of the illegal immigrants. This continued a pattern of lower courts blocking Trump's policies nationwide in these matters.
The Trump administration excoriated Boasberg and others whom White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called "radical left-wing judge," though Boasberg was appointed by then-President George W. Bush as associate judge of the District of Columbia Superior Court in 2002. Still, Trump maintains that "troublemaker and agitator" Boasberg should be impeached for his actions.
Roberts publicly chided the president for making this call, which is an unusual move for the justice. It also comes as Boasberg continues to push back on the CECOT deportations, with the judge expecting the ACLU and Justice Department to meet for a status hearing every two weeks, beginning on Thursday, Aug. 7.
Judicial pushback
Although Boasberg is the target of this latest complaint, Trump has had to push back against him and several judges who have attempted to stop his agenda by nationwide injunctions for his policies in lower courts. The president received a win on this matter on June 27 after the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in his favor to narrow the power of the lower courts, Fox News reported.
"Americans are finally getting what they voted for. No longer will we have rogue judges striking down President Trump's policies across the entire nation. No longer. Today in the 6-3 opinion, Justice [Amy Coney] Barrett correctly holds that the district court lacks authority to enter nationwide or universal injunctions," Trump said at the time.
"These lawless injunctions gave relief to everyone in the world instead of the parties before the court. As the Supreme Court held today, they turned district courts into the imperial judiciary. Active liberal justices, judges have used these injunctions to block virtually all of President Trump's policies," the president continued.
"I was elected on a historic mandate, but in recent months, we've seen a handful of radical left judges effectively try to overrule the rightful powers of the president to stop the American people from getting the policies that they voted for in record numbers," Trump said. Somehow, Boasberg was one of the judges who kept getting assigned to these cases, a fact which has piqued the interest of the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Bondi's decision to file a complaint against Boasberg is a step in the right direction, as his actions may point to a vendetta against Trump's agenda. The U.S. system of checks and balances between the executive and judicial branches is what it was designed to do, and Trump has every right to push back when he believes it's not.
The Supreme Court in the state of Alaska has boiled its decision on the campaign of a convicted felon down to just one word, according to the Alaska Beacon.
Last year, the state supreme court issued a headline-grabbing 4-1 decision, saying that Alaska’s U.S. House ballots would allow the felon to attempt to obtain the seat.
Eric Hafner, also known as Inmate 00932-005, campaigned from the Otisville Federal Correctional Institution in New York, which is about 4,000 miles from Alaska.
The 33-year-old candidate is serving 20 years for threatening a public official in New Jersey, where he is from. But in a shocking turn of events, he launched a campaign to be the very thing he threatened: a public official.
More explanation
According to the state’s high court, their decision came down to the word “fifth.”
A 22-page opinion that explained the court’s decision cited Alaska residents’ approval of 2020’s Ballot Measure 2, in which primary elections were opened to ranked choice voting.
The top four vote-getters would be allowed to be in the primary, regardless of party, and if one of those candidates were to withdraw between the primary and general election, they would be replaced.
The measure said that the Alaska Division of Elections was tasked with replacing the candidate who dropped out “with the candidate who received the fifth most votes in the primary election.”
The 2024 contest
In the 2024 election, it turned out that two Republican candidates withdrew their candidacy after the primary, and attempted to throw their support behind fellow Republican Republican Nick Begich III, who went on to win the election.
Because of that switch-up, the candidate who got sixth place, which just so happened to be Hafner, or Inmate 00932-005 if you prefer, was put on the ballot in 2024.
Hafner had never lived in Alaska at the time he was a candidate, and if he were elected, he would have been ineligible to take on the office because of his lack of residency.
Democrat backlash
The case took an interesting turn because, despite the fact that Hafner is a Democrat and running as such, Democrats sued to remove him from the ballot.
The party feared splitting the vote between Hafner and then-incumbent Rep. Mary Peltola, and argued that the measure allowed the Division of Elections to promote the fifth finisher to the ballot, but did not offer any further allowance for the would-be candidate.
In a burst of ambition fueled by criticism against the current state leadership, Nancy Mace, a Republican Representative, has hinted at a possible gubernatorial run in South Carolina, Fox News reported.
Republican Nancy Mace is poised to announce her decision on a gubernatorial bid, potentially reshaping South Carolina's political landscape.
Nancy Mace, in recent discussions with Fox News Digital and on the Fox News Channel with host Jon Scott, expressed that her decision is forthcoming. She has crafted a narrative of readiness and dissatisfaction with current governance, which she voiced vehemently.
Mace's Political Rhetoric Targets State Issues
Diving into state issues, Mace criticized the high state income tax during a speech at the Politics and Eggs speaking series in New Hampshire. She also touched on problems like illegal immigration and law enforcement, while taking a strong stance against gender ideology in educational settings.
Her vision for South Carolina includes a robust economy and secure societal values, positioning herself contrastingly against other GOP candidates. The 2026 gubernatorial race is to fill the shoes of the term-limited Governor Henry McMaster, and includes several prominent figures like Attorney General Alan Wilson and Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette.
During her speech, Mace conveyed her concerns over state leadership's handling of illegal immigration and educational issues, emphasizing her commitment to "protect women and kids" against what she calls "gender bending ideology."
Tension Between Mace and Attorney General Wilson
Amidst her political aspirations, Mace has openly criticized Attorney General Alan Wilson, accusing him of neglect in handling sexual assault evidence—a charge he staunchly denies by labeling Mace a “liar” and condemning her political approaches. These escalating tensions point toward a heated contest in the primaries, particularly if Mace decides to formally enter the race.
"I will be making a decision in the coming days about my future," Mace stated, indicating that a gubernatorial candidacy announcement could be imminent. Her rhetoric in New Hampshire suggested that the decision could be revealed any moment, heightening anticipation among her support base.
Alan Wilson refuted Mace's accusations as distractions from her voting record in Congress, emphasizing his dedication to the state and the protection of children. The conflict between Mace and Wilson underscores the fierce competition and ideological divides within the South Carolina Republican Party.
Nancy Mace's Eclectic Backstory and Congressional Tenure
Mace's path to politics is notable; she entered the Citadel's Corps of Cadets as its first female graduate, and her resume includes working at a Waffle House. Her electoral success commenced in 2020 when she unseated Democratic Rep. Joe Cunningham, marking her entry into national politics.
Her tumultuous relationship with Donald Trump highlights her flexible political positioning. Though critical of Trump during the January 6 incident, she later endorsed him in the 2024 presidential primaries, showcasing her strategic adaptability.
In her various public appearances, Mace emphasized the role of conservative values in governance and education. Her remarks in New Hampshire: "I love being here in the Granite State, because this is where real men protect women," not only underscored her focus on traditional roles but also echoed her broader political message aimed at rallying conservative support.
Feminist Rhetoric and Conservative Values Merge in Mace's Discourse
Her advocacy extends to what she perceives as ideological battles with the far left, surrounding the expectations and rights of women in society. Mace's stance integrates a mix of feminist and conservative views, challenging the prevailing norms within her own party and beyond.
"We, as women, still have a war to wage with the far left, who want men in women's spaces. They think men can get pregnant," Mace stated, asserting her commitment to what she terms "biological truth," reflecting contentious national debates on gender and education.
As Mace contemplates this pivotal career decision, her impending announcement will not only shape her political future but potentially influence the trajectory of statewide policies and Republican dynamics in South Carolina.
A "pro-life" Republican in Texas has admitted to a tawdry affair with a former stripper - who claims he paid for multiple abortions.
State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, 52, fessed up to cheating on his wife after the other woman, Alex Grace, publicized their past relationship on TikTok and the Current Revolt Substack. But Capriglione denies paying for any abortions, and he has pledged to take legal action to protect his reputation.
Republican caught in affair
Grace alleged that the lawmaker "funded several abortions for his own personal gain" but she did not go into detail, saying people are "just going to have to go with my word.”
They first met at the strip club where Grace worked when she was 18. She was charmed by the "strait-laced businessman" with a "magnetizing" personality.
“I know that Giovannie Capriglione has been having affairs since 2005 because it’s me. I’m her. I’m not proud of it, in fact I’m ashamed of it. Hopefully, you can keep in mind that we all have a past and I wish I could say for him that that was the worst of it, but it’s not," Grace said.
Over the course of several years, they met for paid hookups at his office, hotels, and even his home when his family was away.
At one point, Capriglione directed Grace to pick up some money behind a Chuck-E-Cheese.
“He told me to go to the back of the building and next to the dumpster there would be a rubber mat. Look under it,” she said. “And under this rubber mat was an envelope with money.”
Denies paying for abortions
Grace said they grew apart after his election in 2012, and she confronted him over the phone years later about his anti-abortion political views before he severed contact.
"It was when his fantasies were so foul and seeing the political moves that he was making were continuing to erode away at women’s rights… that was the catalyst for me taking the step back," she said.
The Republican lawmaker ended his re-election bid three days before Grace exposed the affair. He admitted to betraying his family's trust but denied going to the extent of murdering unborn babies to cover up his sins.
“Years ago, I selfishly had an affair. I’m not proud of this. Thank God my wife and family forgave me, and we moved past it and have the strong marriage we do today,” he said in a statement.
“I have never, nor would I ever, pay for an abortion,” he added.
The Republican said he is looking at "legal remedies" over Grace's "categorically false and easily disproven" allegations.
In a reversal, the Trump administration will reinstate Argentina back into the U.S. visa waiver program.
It's a symbolic upgrade in America's relationship with Argentina under its current president Javier Milei, a Trump ally.
Trump reinstates Argentina
Department of Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem announced Argentina's reinstatement while visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital.
Noem cited Argentina's shared commitment to border security, as reflected by Argentina having the lowest visa overstay rate in all of Latin America.
"Under President Javier Milei’s leadership, Argentina is becoming an even stronger friend to the United States—more committed than ever to border security for both of our nations," Noem said. "Argentina now has the lowest visa overstay rate in all of Latin America and 25 percent more Argentines traveled to the U.S. in the first four months of this year compared to last year—the biggest jump of any of the top 20 international arrivals. That is why we are now taking steps to allow Argentina back into the Visa Waiver Program."
Membership in the waiver program allows foreigners to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without visas. Argentina was removed in 2002 as an economic crisis led many Argentines to use the program to stay in the U.S. illegally.
“This statement of intent I signed alongside Minister Werthein and Minister Bullrich highlights our strong partnership with Argentina and our mutual desire to promote lawful travel while deterring threats. This kind of diplomatic leadership, spearheaded by President Trump, will help increase the safety of both countries," Noem said.
Trump's ally in South America
Noem met with Mieli at the president's office, the Casa Rosada, where they posed next to a golden chainsaw, a symbol of Milei's aggressive government reforms.
Milei's election in 2023 shocked the leftist establishment in Argentina, which Milei had blamed for mismanaging Argentina's troubled economy.
The libertarian economist has dramatically reduced inflation with severe cuts to government spending. Milei's efforts have been cited as a model for Trump's DOGE.
Trump and Milei have warm ties, and Milei was one of a handful of world leaders to receive an invitation to Trump's inauguration in January.
Argentina's reinstatement in the visa waiver program will not happen overnight. Noem acknowledged that it would take "no less than a year" before Argentines are able to travel freely to the U.S again.
Noem is the third member of Trump's Cabinet to visit Argentina, after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
