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Here's the usual media narrative: Donald Trump did something awful (or outrageous, or borderline crazy), and the Republicans in Congress are wimps who won't stand up to him. 

Rinse, dry, repeat. 

But that changed dramatically in the last few days. 

The new story line:

Donald Trump did something beyond the pale and the brave Republicans are standing up to him. 

They're mad as hell, and they're not going to take it anymore. 

THE ART OF PERFECTION: HOW TRUMP SURVIVES EVEN HIS WORST BLUNDERS THROUGH SHEER REPETITION

If you don't recall this happening before in Trump's second term, that's because it hasn't.

So now you have the press and much of the GOP marching in lockstep. 

It's a revolt. Practically a revolution. And while most journalists love intra-party strife on both sides (such as the Dems' dumb 2024 autopsy), they particularly relish a development that seems to be breaking, or at least loosening, Trump's iron grip on power. 

There was something about Trump's decision to use $1.8 billion largely for those convicted of crimes on Jan. 6 that was a bridge too far. Some of these people had attacked and injured police officers, seized members' offices and chanted for Mike Pence's hanging.

The money came from the settlement of Trump's suit against the IRS. He had legitimately been wronged by the leaking of his tax returns to the New York Times — showing he had (legally) paid no income tax in 10 out of 15 years, and just $750 in two other years. 

But it was awkward because the head of the government was suing one of its agencies. The leaker, a former IRS contractor, was sentenced to five years in prison. 

This is the culmination of a five-year effort by the president to recast the protestors, who he had summoned to Washington and directed to march to the Capitol, as patriots, not lawbreakers. That is inconveniently contradicted by the relentless violence we all saw on our television screens as the riot unfolded. It was one of the darkest days in American history, aimed at stopping Congress from certifying Joe Biden's 2020 victory.

AOC, RO KHANNA AND THE MEDIA'S RUSH TO FLOG A CONTEST THAT IS 18 MONTHS AWAY

The coverage has been exploding as even many Republicans on the Hill have vehemently objected to what critics call a "slush fund."

When Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, a former defense lawyer for Trump, met with Senate Republicans, things exploded.

"My guess is there’re probably 45 senators in the room, at least half of them were blasting the attorney general. … They were screaming at the acting attorney general," said Sen. Ted Cruz., who called it a "full-on revolt."

Mitch McConnell, no fan of the president, put it this way: 

"So the nation’s top law enforcement official is asking for a slush fund to pay people who assault cops? Utterly stupid, morally wrong – Take your pick."

Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, who just lost his primary thanks to Trump, said on X:

"People are concerned about paying their mortgage or rent, affording groceries and paying for gas, not about putting together a $1.8 billion fund for the President and his allies to pay whomever they wish with no legal precedent or accountability."

Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, on CNN, described the entire effort as a "galactic blunder."

One senator, Tommy Tuberville, defended Trump’s plan as aimed at "hundreds of innocent patriots."

After the fiery session on the so-called "anti-weaponization" fund, GOP leaders — concerned about having to vote on the fund — killed a scheduled vote on a $72-billion measure to crack down on illegal immigration. 

They also refused to approve the $1 billion for the White House ballroom that the president is obsessed with building.

 PACKING THE SUPREME COURT? KAMALA HARRIS PUSHES IDEA AS THE PARTY QUICKLY FORGETS ABOUT JOE BIDEN

The media are suddenly full of praise for these rebelling Republicans, who, with a few exceptions, are not generally viewed as allies.

The most likely outcome, in my view, is a mushy compromise that includes some modifications on how the awards are made. That’s usually how the Hill deals with tough questions. 

But ultimately, as on most issues, Donald Trump will probably get his way, the culmination of his dogged campaign to whitewash the unsavory image of the Jan. 6 lawbreakers. 

Footnote: The timing can’t be coincidental. Many Republicans–along with Democrats and the likes of the Wall Street Journal editorial page–are openly criticizing the outlines of a Trump agreement with Iran.

"Doesn’t make too much sense to me," said Sen. Thom Tillis.

A "60-day ceasefire — with the belief that Iran will ever engage in good faith — would be a disaster," said Sen. Roger Wicker.

While the details are still being negotiated, the main objection is the U.S. bowing to Iran’s demand to deal with nuclear issues later on — with no time limit–once the Strait of Hormuz and other questions are resolved.

Lindsey Graham, a war hawk and pal of the president, says the vaguely defined delay on nuclear weaponry "makes one wonder why the war started to begin with."

Maybe the previously unthinkable idea of Republicans openly challenging Trump is catching on.

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A skydiver died Sunday following a reported midair collision between two jumpers, authorities said Monday.

The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. near Colville, northeast of Washington state, according to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO).

The impact occurred during a scheduled group jump involving multiple participants, officials said, adding that several staff members reportedly watched the tragedy unfold as the victim appeared to become unresponsive during the descent.

"Authorities are investigating a fatal skydiving incident that occurred at West Plains Skydiving involving two jumpers during a scheduled group jump," ACSO said in a Facebook post.

CHAMPION SKYDIVER PLUMMETS TO DEATH DURING WINGSUIT JUMP

"On scene, Deputies learned of a mid-air collision resulting in one of the skydivers becoming deceased and the second sustaining injuries requiring additional treatment at a medical facility," the office added.

The victim was identified as Randy Hubbs, of the Kennewick area in southeastern Washington. The second skydiver was identified as Nicole Klein, of the Colville area.

According to authorities, staff members observed and tracked Hubbs from about 500 feet above ground level after the collision.

NASHVILLE SKYDIVING INSTRUCTOR DEAD AFTER FALLING WITHOUT PARACHUTE

Among the 11 individuals scheduled to participate in the jump operation, multiple staff members were able to observe and track Hubbs as the incident unfolded, officials reported.

Preliminary findings indicated that Hubbs became unresponsive after colliding with Klein, with witnesses reporting that his head and arms appeared to go limp following the impact.

"Following the collision, Randy Hubbs reportedly became incapacitated and was no longer in control of his parachute canopy," authorities said.

SKYDIVER PLUNGES TO DEATH IN FREAK ACCIDENT AFTER BOTH PARACHUTES FAIL

Hubbs then drifted north and away from the designated drop zone before disappearing beyond a hill to the northeast, officials said.

Adams County Dispatch later received reports of a medical emergency in the 2000 block of E. Schoessler Road involving two injured skydivers.

Deputies responded to the scene and investigated the incident. Hubbs was later released into the care of the Adams County Coroner’s Office.

Officials added that weather conditions do not appear to have been a contributing factor in the incident.

West Plains Skydiving told local media both jumpers were experienced and using personally owned equipment. The company said Hubbs had completed more than 800 jumps, while Klein had completed about 900.

"We offer our deepest condolences to those impacted by this incident," ACSO said.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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The recent indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) by the Department of Justice (DOJ) has spurred a flurry of interest over the last couple of weeks, including a House Judiciary Committee hearing focused on examining the "role that the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has played in distorting civil rights policy in recent years."  

While it is unlikely the hearing will yield anything new, it will bring much-needed exposure to the malicious organization that has engaged in left-wing lawfare for years and corrupted our K-12 schools.  

For well over a decade, the SPLC has leveraged its status as a civil rights organization to convince school districts to use its Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance) standards, resources and lessons in the name of "social justice." In fact, following the racial justice protests of 2020, prominent leftwing organizations, including the SPLC, seized on the opportunity to steamroll a far-left political agenda in K-12 education. 

The nonprofit’s programming has been sold to highly empathetic educators as vital to reducing "bias" and "hate," fixing the achievement gap and addressing mental health issues. The ideas being peddled by the SPLC — "anti-racism," "White privilege" and "Whiteness" — spread quickly throughout every facet of the K-12 education system via the Colleges of Education, activist teachers and administrators, associations, teachers unions and consultants. 

HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN TAX MONEY GOES TO CONTRACTS FOR DEI GROUPS, WATCHDOG FINDS: 'TOTAL RACKET'

Currently, the SPLC’s influence on K-12 is massive but also difficult to quantify. Even though hundreds of districts use its content in lessons, in curricula, as resources on racial justice webpages, and have adopted the organization’s social justice standards, it is hard to nail down the totality of the organization’s impact.  

What also makes its use difficult to gauge is the undocumented use by teachers when they introduce Learning for Justice content as supplemental materials or use it to steer dialogue on controversial topics. 

Unfortunately, the influence operation does not end there.

For example, popular Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs such as Second Step, Panorama Education, and the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence's (YCEI) RULER have integrated the SPLC’s lessons and standards into their curricula and platforms. Tens of thousands of districts across the country have contracts with these entities.

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE SLAMS CIF'S SHARED PODIUM RULE AS HUMILIATING RESPONSE THAT FAILS FEMALE COMPETITORS

Additionally, the far-left nonprofit’s programming and content are pushed through professional development, teachers unions, professional organizations such as the American School Counselor Association and the Association of Alaska School Boards, Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) and state Departments of Education. 

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In reality, upwards of thousands of districts have knowingly and unknowingly played a role in the proliferation of divisive SPLC content that often shames children based on immutable characteristics like race and ethnicity and promotes a verifiable anti-Western ideology. Despite the claim that these concepts are meant to fight injustice, they actually create hostility, resentment and angst between individuals.  

Regardless of the legal outcomes that await the SPLC, the DOJ’s indictment of the left-wing nonprofit has brought long overdue attention to the organization. For years, the SPLC has enjoyed unquestioned credibility within the K-12 education system. Hopefully, the indictment, hearing and further exposure will bring into question the SPLC’s authority.

In the meantime, parents, community members and legislators need to investigate their own school districts for these politically biased content and materials. Moreover, school districts need to purge from lessons, curricula and resources any content that has originated from the organization. 

No child should be forced to learn from an organization that fights "bias" and "hate" by advancing their own biased left-wing ideology and labeling concerned parents as members of a hate group. 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM RHYEN STALEY

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At least 82 people were killed and more than 120 others hospitalized after a massive gas explosion ripped through a coal mine in China late Friday, according to the Associated Press (AP). Two people remained missing.

The catastrophic blast at the Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan County, located in China’s northern Shanxi province, marked the country’s deadliest mining disaster in recent years.

Local officials, who have launched an investigation into the incident, said they uncovered "serious violations" by the mine’s operator, Shanxi Tongzhou Coal & Coke Group.

The explosion also triggered a wave of heightened safety inspections across China’s coal sector, tightening the supply outlook for coking coal and sending prices soaring Monday, according to Reuters.

EARTHQUAKE 50 MILES FROM MOUNT EVEREST LEAVES AT LEAST 95 DEAD IN TIBET

According to the AP, the explosion triggered a chaotic scene where thick smoke engulfed the mine and suffocated many victims underground.

One miner lost consciousness, while many others suffered from toxic gas exposure, the outlet added, citing state broadcaster CCTV.

The explosion has reportedly intensified scrutiny from Chinese officials, who said investigators found multiple violations at the site, though details remain unclear.

8 SKIERS FOUND DEAD, 1 MISSING AFTER MASSIVE LAKE TAHOE AVALANCHE

In 2024, China’s National Mine Safety Administration had previously classified the mine as disaster-prone due to its "high gas content," the AP reported.

State media also reported that blueprints provided by the mine did not match the site’s actual layout, complicating rescue operations, the outlet added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a full-scale effort to rescue those still missing and ordered a thorough investigation to hold those responsible accountable, the AP said, citing official Xinhua News Agency.

SIBANYE WORKERS BEGIN TO SURFACE AFTER ACCIDENT AT SOUTH AFRICAN GOLD MINE

The state-run outlet later reported that company officials connected to the disaster had been "placed under control," according to the AP.

China has suffered a string of deadly mining disasters in recent decades even as officials have pledged to strengthen oversight of the sector.

In 2023, at least 53 people were killed in Inner Mongolia following reports of a collapse at an open-pit mine.

In 2009, a reported explosion at a coal mine in Heilongjiang province left 108 people dead.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Body camera footage has captured the dramatic rescue of a baby trapped inside a vehicle stranded in rising floodwaters on Saturday as floodwaters appeared to sweep the car toward a creek in Beeville, Texas.

The incident, which occurred about 100 miles southeast of San Antonio, unfolded as heavy storms dumped rain across the region, rapidly turning roadways dangerous.

According to police, the sudden downpour overwhelmed a low-water crossing, catching a vehicle as it entered the crossing.

"Recently, officers and firefighters responded after a vehicle drove into a flooded creek crossing and began getting pushed by the rushing water," Beeville Police Department said in a Facebook post Saturday.

TEXAS RIVER FLOOD LEAVES AT LEAST 6 DEAD AS EMERGENCY CREWS RACE TO FIND OTHERS MISSING; CAMP EVACUATED

Officials warned that conditions deteriorated within minutes, noting that fast-moving rain left no time for barricades to be placed before the vehicle arrived at the crossing.

A fire chief assisting at the scene had attempted to flag down the driver, who ultimately did not see the crew in time, police said.

Footage shows the vehicle becoming stranded as water levels rapidly rose, reaching up to the top of its wheels. An officer in the video can also be heard reporting that the car was being pushed toward a creek by the surging water.

OFFICERS LOOK BACK ON HOW THEY REVIVED BABY TRAPPED UNDER CAR: 'THE LORD'S NOT DONE WITH HER'

As crews assessed the situation, the driver was heard screaming to a nearby officer that a baby was inside the vehicle.

The responding officer then ran through the floodwaters, opened the door, and pulled out the carriage containing the infant.

After carrying the baby back to safety, another responder was seen quickly using a jacket to shield the child from the continuing rain.

TEXAS FLOOD SURVIVORS SHARE HARROWING STORIES, SEARCH CONTINUES FOR THOSE STILL MISSING

"Thankfully, nobody was hurt," police said, indicating that the driver was also safely rescued from the vehicle.

Beeville police used the video as a stark warning about the dangers of floodwaters, stressing that "what may look passable one minute can quickly become dangerous the next."

"It does not take much moving water to push a vehicle off the roadway, and by the time you realize how dangerous it is, it can already be too late," the department said.

"If barricades are up around a roadway or crossing, please do not drive around them. They are there for a reason. Going around barricades not only puts lives at risk, but it is also a criminal offense."

Drivers are urged to slow down during heavy rain and avoid flooded areas, including creek crossings and other low-lying roadways.

"No errand, shortcut, or destination is worth risking your life or your family’s safety," police added.

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FIRST ON FOX: SULLIVAN, ME – Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner declined to apologize both to voters and a Purple Heart recipient when asked by Fox News Digital about a deleted Reddit post where he said the wounded soldier "didn’t deserve to live."

Platner did not respond at first when asked outside a market near his home whether he regrets making the post, which Fox News Digital reported earlier this week showed him mocking a video of Pfc. Ted Daniels taken during a clash with Taliban fighters in 2012 that ended in Daniels being shot four times and being awarded a Purple Heart. 

"I did four tours in the infantry, any attempt to say that I disrespect veterans is slanderous and offensive," Platner said when asked follow-up questions about what he would say to any Maine voters who were offended by his post and if he should apologize to Daniels.

"Do you think you owe him an apology?" Fox News Digital asked again.

UNEARTHED POSTS SHOW DEM SENATE HOPEFUL PRAISING VULGAR GRAFFITI, MAKING CRUDE PORTA POTTY ADMISSION

"Do you know how many of my friends have Purple Hearts, do you know how many of my friends got wounded?" Platner responded, before adding, "yeah, a lot of them, thank you."

Platner, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, sparked significant outrage online this week over the resurfaced Reddit post critics have said shows a lack of respect for his fellow soldiers.

"This video never gets old," Platner posted in June 2019 using the Reddit account "P-Hustle," which he has acknowledged owning, in reference to a viral video from the helmet Daniels was wearing while taking enemy fire.

WATCH: COLLINS RIPS MAINE CHALLENGER PLATNER OVER RESURFACED REDDIT POST MOCKING WOUNDED US SOLDIER

"Dumb motherf-----  didn't deserve to live. At least his stupidity and fat a-- wheezing are available for all future infantrymen to witness and hold in contempt. Poor marksmanship on the Taliban's part is the only reason this mouthbreather made it home. He managed to make every possible s--- decision possible when it comes to small unit combat." 

Rob O’Neill, the U.S. Navy SEAL who is credited with killing Usama bin Laden, was one of many veterans to speak out in response to the post. 

"Mr. Platner was way out of line talking about a soldier that way," O’Neill  told Fox News Digital about the controversy on Thursday.

PLATNER’S BRUTAL ATTACKS ON ARMY SOLDIERS AS ‘FAT, LAZY’ REVEALED IN RESURFACED POSTS

"This is completely barbaric," O’Neill added. "I don't understand. If you swear an oath to the country, it doesn't even matter what the politics are. Every single time you fight it's for the man next to you, it’s for the person next to you. Politics goes out the window. And to wish ill on someone like that under fire is just, you know, like I said, it is the opposite of everything I've ever been raised to believe." 

Platner has previously leaned into his struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to explain the numerous incendiary social media posts that have surfaced since he announced his Senate run.

"For those of you who have read these things and been offended, have read these things and seen someone that you don’t recognize, I am deeply sorry," Platner said in October before the post about Daniels, and other posts disparaging the military, were public.

"I’m sorry for this. Just know that it’s not reflective at all of who I am. I don’t want you to judge me on the dumbest thing I ever wrote on the internet. I would prefer if people could judge me on the person I am today."

Daniels himself reacted to the post, telling Fox Business, "People like this don't say stuff like this to my face."

"It's online, and that right there tells me, Graham, you're a coward."

Platner became the Democrats' presumptive nominee after his rival for the nomination, two-term Gov. Janet Mills, ended her campaign last month after trailing Platner in polling and fundraising.

The Democratic Senate Primary in Maine will be held on June 9, where Platner will appear on the ballot alongside Democrat David Costello to earn the right to face off against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

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As states across America prepare to celebrate 250 years as a country, one state is trying to find war heroes to commemorate them.

Historians believe around 7,000 Revolutionary War soldiers are buried throughout Ohio. After the American Revolution, thousands of soldiers were paid parcels of land for fighting in the war. 

Millions of those acres were in what is now, Ohio. As thousands of veterans moved westward for a new beginning, many settled there.

"These veterans are some of our first Ohioans to come to the state," said Krista Horrocks, the project manager, historian and cemetery preservationist with the Ohio History Connection. Horrocks oversees the state's program, Revolutionary War Veterans Graves Project, partnered with America250-Ohio. 

BEHIND THE SCENES: MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTE

The project is seeking help from Ohio residents to locate the grave sites of Revolutionary War heroes.

"These guys, they survived, and they moved on, and they moved on and settled here in Ohio with their families," Horrocks said.

To date, the public has documented over 4,100 soldiers throughout the state of Ohio. The deadline is Memorial Day. 

Horrocks knows they will not hit the 7,000 mark "because some of them do have missing grave sites," but the app Survey123 can help get as close to that goal as possible.

Survey123 lists the surveys related to the project and allows users to search in local cemeteries, according to Horrocks. The app can be downloaded on any mobile device.

HONORING FALLEN VETERANS: MEMORIAL DAY

When locating veterans' graves, people can also look up cemeteries with documented Revolutionary War heroes. Once an undocumented grave is located in the app, users can answer a slew of questions related to the cemetery. This includes name, date of birth, date of death and pictures.

Several cemeteries around the state are also doing their part. 

AMERICA 250: CODE TALKERS

"We've had various lists submitted to us over the years of, 'this may be a list of Revolutionary War veterans, or this may be a list'," said Randy Rogers, Executive Director of Green Lawn Cemetery, which he added is the second-largest cemetery in the state of Ohio.

While Green Lawn was established in 1848 – well after the Revolutionary War – Rogers says many families brought their relatives over from other cemeteries. He said other cemeteries closed in the city as the city of Columbus grew. 

As the Memorial Day deadline approaches, Rogers said they have documented nine Revolutionary War heroes on the app for the state project. Though he has identified thirteen, he said the hunt for these veterans can get complicated.

"You know, families take a lot of pride in their veteran and their patriot ancestors," Rogers said. "They may have a marker on the family lot, even though they're buried somewhere else, and they have a headstone somewhere else, but they just have a marker here." 

The group plans to compile a list of the found Revolutionary War veteran graves and post it for the public. Horrocks hopes the end result will mean restored or new historical markers, or gravestones for these heroes that were once forgotten. 

"The whole point of the project is to get really good, accurate data to the public so they can do the best for the veterans in their community," Horrocks told Fox News.

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