Trump Swears in Kevin Warsh as Fed Chair; Rubio on ‘Plan B’ for Hormuz | NTD News Today (May 22)

Added: 2026-05-23

[00:00:02]Welcome to NTD News Today. Here are today's top stories. President Trump announcing an additional 5,000 US troops will be deployed to Poland. The move drawing support from NATO leadership ahead of high level talks.

[00:00:16]Incoming Fed Chair Kevin Worsh will be sworn into the central bank's top job today at the White House. What President Trump has to say.

[00:00:25]NASCAR is mourning the loss of twotime Cup Series champion Kyle Bush, who's died at the age of 41 after being hospitalized with a severe illness.

[00:00:37]UFO enthusiasts have cause for celebration. The Department of War releasing a second batch of declassified files as public interest continues to surge.

[00:01:00]This is NTD News Today, live from our global headquarters in New York City.

[00:01:07]>> Today is Friday, May 22nd. I'm Stephanie Aox. President Trump announcing the United States will be sending an additional 5,000 troops to Poland. He praised the Polish president elected last year who he endorsed. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussing the deployment while in Sweden. You saw the president's announcement last night with regards to Poland and deployment. That said, obviously the United States continues to have global commitments that it needs to meet in terms of our force deployment and that constantly requires us to reexamine where we put troops. But in the end, you know, like like any alliance, it has to be good for everyone who's involved. There has to be a clear understanding of what the expectations are.

[00:01:48]>> Rubio is attending the NATO foreign minister's meeting. NATO allies and defense officials expressed surprise at President Trump's decision. It comes just weeks after he had ordered 5,000 troops to be pulled out of Europe.

[00:02:02]NATO's chief Mark Ruta saying today he welcomed the move. Ruda also emphasizing the trend is still towards a stronger Europe, less reliant on the United States for its defense. The Polish president thanking President Trump writing, "Good alliances are those based on cooperation, mutual respect, and a commitment to our shared security." Plan B for reopening the street of Hermuse.

[00:02:26]Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying countries need to be prepared to reopen the waterway even if Iran refuses to cooperate.

[00:02:34]>> But we also have to have a plan B. And plan B is what if Iran refuses to open the straits? What if Iran decides we refuse to open the straits? we're going to own the straits and we're going to charge tolls for it. Okay, at that point something has to be done about it. And I would argue that there are countries represented here today that are more deeply impacted by this than even the United States is. So all I'm saying and I've said and I think this has been reiterated by others. There are other countries that agree with me on this is that we have to start thinking about what do we do if a few weeks from now Iran decides we don't care. We're going to keep the straits closed. We're going to sink any ship that doesn't listen to us or doesn't pay us. then someone's going to have to do something about it.

[00:03:13]>> The Secretary of State says some NATO allies today have expressed an interest in potentially being a part of a coalition to reopen the straight. The UK and France are leading an initiative to secure the straight of Hermuz once the shooting stops. But Rubio says NATO also needs to be ready to reopen the straight even if the shooting doesn't stop. On the negotiations with Iran, Rubio says the US has seen some progress. The administration is in constant communication with the Pakistani mediators.

[00:03:44]>> So I think there's been some progress, but I wouldn't I I we're not there yet.

[00:03:49]And and hopefully that'll change. It may not. Honestly, it may not. We're we're dealing with a very difficult group of people. And if it doesn't change, then the president's been clear he has other options. He prefers the negotiated option and having a good deal, but he he himself has expressed, you know, concern that maybe that's not possible. But we're going to keep trying.

[00:04:09]Rubio is speaking to reporters after a NATO meeting in Sweden. A forum for forum of seven Arctic countries within NATO also had its own meeting. They're releasing a joint statement on Arctic security, saying they have agreed to deepen their dialogue on security challenges. The allies say the Arctic is quickly becoming a sphere of increasing geopolitical strategic importance. They specifically cite Russia's increased military activity and China's growing strategic interest in the region.

[00:04:40]>> I think there's a growing uh although this is an effort that's pre-existed, I think there's a growing commitment to make it a regular part of our engagements as NATO is to focus on Arctic security for obvious reasons. Um we're an Arctic nation. We're always going to be focused in the Arctic. It's great to see that other countries are are a part of this effort now and that it's going to play a more prominent role. the Arctic is going to play a more prominent role in NATO and in discussions around NATO's.

[00:05:07]>> Rubio says the seven Arctic allies had a very positive foreign ministers meeting.

[00:05:12]He expects a leaders level meeting at some point as well. The secretary of state praises Sweden, the newest member of NA NATO for adding more capabilities to the alliance. The US and Sweden signed a memorandum of understanding today that further strengthens cooperation on biio medicine, biotechnology and AI. The next summit of NATO leaders is scheduled for July in Anchora, Turkey. Rubio says his meeting today sets the stage for this upcoming meeting.

[00:05:42]The United States is targeting Cuba's military linked financial network. ICE Homeland Security Investigations has arrested the sister of a senior executive at the military controlled Gaesa conglomerate. NTD's Daniel Monahan has more on the move.

[00:05:58]>> Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Adis Lash Trace Morera was aiding Havana's communist regime until he terminated her permanent US resident status.

[00:06:07]Authorities say her sister is a top executive in Gaisa, the military-run Cuban business empire that controls a large share of the country's economy and overseas assets. ICE says the sister is responsible for managing what it calls Gaisa's internationally held illicit assets. ICE saying the organization's revenues total more than three times the Cuban regime's budget. It says the money was funneled to hidden overseas bank accounts while everyday Cubans continued to suffer under the country's communist rule.

[00:06:39]>> They have a private military company named GA who sitting on $18 billion of assets and not a penny of that transfers over to the state budget. Not a penny of that goes over to help the people of Cuba. Not one cent. Rubio writing on X that there will be nowhere on this earth, much less in this country where foreign nationals who threaten US national security can live lavishly.

[00:07:01]Gaisa stands for business administration group in Spanish. It is a sprawling conglomerate of militaryrun businesses.

[00:07:08]It controls many of Cuba's five-star hotels, its largest port at Marielle, its top commercial bank, plus a vast array of supermarkets, gas stations, and other key sectors. The tightly controlled umbrella group was established in the 1990s by then defense minister Rahul Castro. It is controlled by the island's revolutionary armed forces. The Trump administration accuses Gaisa of hoarding profits from the country's most valuable industries and using them for the benefit of the military and the Cuban elite. Marco Rubio saying Cuba's economic system doesn't work.

[00:07:43]>> It's broken and you can't fix it with the current political system that's in place. They just don't comprehend how to do it and it's a failed state. Like their economy and the model they're trying to follow in Cuba doesn't resemble what anyone is doing anywhere in the world.

[00:07:56]>> Rubio saying humanitarian organizations already inside of Cuba are prepared to distribute US aid.

[00:08:03]>> We're prepared to do more, but it has to be distributed by groups that are not linked to the regime or to that military company Ga because they'll just steal it and it'll never get to the people.

[00:08:13]Cubans in Florida are signaling support for US military intervention in Cuba after the indictment of former Cuban dictator Raul Castro on murder charges.

[00:08:25]>> We have the perfect administration to make a definitive decision because you don't negotiate with communists.

[00:08:31]Communists have no way of dialoguing other than with arms.

[00:08:35]very very happy that finally someone indicted that monster that we have in Cuba.

[00:08:45]>> They have been the ones who have sown terror in the world. They are the main violators of all the rights of United Nations agreements and now they want to present themselves as if they are the victims.

[00:08:56]>> Communism doesn't work and Cuba is approve of that. The charges against Castro stem from a 1996 incident in which Cuban jet shot down planes operated by the exile group Brothers to the Rescue. Daniel Monahan, NTD News.

[00:09:15]>> And a major loss in the auto racing world. Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Bush has died at the age of 41. Here's what we know about the legend's passing.

[00:09:27]NASCAR racer K Bush has died at the age of 41, his family announced Thursday.

[00:09:32]The news came just hours after his family said he had been hospitalized with a serious illness. NASCAR said in a statement, quote, "Our entire NASCA family is heartbroken by the loss of Kyle Bush, a future Hall of Famer. Kyle was a red talent, one who comes along once in a generation. Born in Las Vegas, Bush started his career as a brash teenager known as Shrub and the younger brother to Hall of Fame driver Kurt Bush. His aggressive style later earned him the lasting nickname Rowdy. Bush was competing in his 22nd full-time season in NASCAR top division with two titles and 63 race wins, placing him ninth on the all-time wins list. Bush is survived by his wife, parents, and two children.

[00:10:14]UFO enthusiasts have cause for celebration. The Department of War is releasing a second batch of declassified and historical UAP files. That is unidentified anomalous phenomena. The release is part of a project known as Pursuit, short for presidential unsealing and reporting system for UAP encounters.

[00:10:37]Documents continue to be posted at war.govfo.

[00:10:42]Additional files are expected on a rolling basis. Officials say the site has already drawn more than 1 billion visits worldwide since launching on May 8th. The traffic highlights strong public interest in the topic and in the administration's push for transparency.

[00:11:00]The Department of War and its agency partners say they're actively working on the third release of files to be announced in the near future.

[00:11:11]Coming up, $90 million in taxpayer money targeted by fraud schemes in Minnesota.

[00:11:17]How the scheme worked and who it hurt the most. And a famous art heist at a Boston museum remains unsolved after more than 30 years. Now, a former FBI agent who investigated the theft is shedding light on the case.

[00:11:42]Welcome back. Federal officials announced a major law enforcement action in Minnesota. 15 individuals charged in what prosecutors say is a widespread fraud scheme involving more than $90 million in taxpayer funds. Vice President J. D. Vance leading a White House task force delivering a strong warning to those involved in healthcare fraud. Across the city, agents have arrested 15 people for suspected fraud that amounted to $90 million.

[00:12:12]This includes two of the largest Medicaid fraud cases in Minnesota history, as well as the largest autism fraud scheme ever charged by the US federal government. Our message is simple. If you were committing fraud, our task force will find you. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanch says these criminals allegedly stole from the country's most vulnerable. Blanch also saying the Trump administration is holding scammers accountable, adding that Minnesota will no longer serve as a safe haven for fraud. Vice President Vance detailing the charges.

[00:12:49]In one of the most horrifying cases charged today, a recipient who needed 24-hour care was supposed to be receiving exactly that through a Minnesota Medicaid benefit program, but he received nothing. Shortly after, he was found dead.

[00:13:08]One day before this man died, the fraudster in question had tried to bill for the non-existent services. the services that if they had been provided, this man might actually be with us today.

[00:13:21]>> Vance calling this an affront to all Americans. Meanwhile, the ring leader of the $250 million feeding our future fraud scheme has been sentenced to 40 years in prison. Here's more.

[00:13:35]Federal officials on Thursday announcing charges against 15 individuals accused of stealing more than $90 million in taxpayer funds through fraud schemes targeting Minnesota state-run assistance programs.

[00:13:48]>> Our cases today involve seven different state- managed Medicaid programs that have been systematically pilered by fraudsters who treated Minnesota programs as their personal piggy bank.

[00:14:04]One of the programs has been completely shut down because there's no money left.

[00:14:10]It's all gone. Authorities say Minnesota's state-run housing stabilization services program was shut down in 2025. It was estimated in 2020 that the program would cost about $2.5 million a year, but the Justice Department said on Thursday that it had grown to over $14 million by 2024 due to fraud. The news conference comes a day after federal prosecutors unsealed several indictments in separate social services fraud cases. Among the allegations, some defendants are accused of paying kickbacks to parents who brought their children to autism centers and billing for autism services that were not actually provided. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.

[00:14:52]Kennedy Jr. praised the fraud division for its efforts, citing an autism support program that now costs over $400 million to operate, up from $600,000 six years ago.

[00:15:04]>> This was organized threat, organized theft, and exploited the most vulnerable children in America, deceived families, stole taxpayer dollars meant to help children with autism with autism access legitimate care and support. Also on Thursday, the founder of Feeding Our Future was sentenced for leading a massive fraud scheme involving federal child nutrition programs in Minnesota.

[00:15:30]>> I am happy to report to you all, although I imagine many of you know that just a short time ago uh this morning, uh Amy Bach, cornerstone operator in the Feeding Our Future fraud, was sentenced by Judge Brazzle to 500 months in prison. That's 41.6 years. Authorities also announcing they're expanding their fraud task force by adding 15 prosecutors focused on Medicaid fraud nationwide. Arlene Richards, NTD News.

[00:16:00]>> The FBI says a suspect accused in a major Minnesota healthc care fraud case has now been captured after being freeing briefly.

[00:16:12]Muhammad Omar jumped from a fourth floor balcony to avoid arrest. FBI Director Cash Patel says Omar was arrested within two hours after agents executed a raid tied to the fraud crackdown. Omar is charged with healthc care fraud involving a housing stabilization services company. The FBI says he submitted fraudulent claims for services never provided. The FBI has surged personnel and resources to Minneapolis beginning last December to investigate largescale fraud.

[00:16:45]Now to Capitol Hill, where Senate Republicans delay action on a major immigration enforcement package. Debate over a new anti-weaponization fund stalling that process. Senators are about to leave for Memorial Day recess, not returning until June 1st, the same day as President Trump's target deadline for the funding bill. Entities Chris Bob reports. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanch and the Trump Department of Justice established a standard, a standard and lawful process to hear from American citizens who suffered lawfare or weaponization under the Biden administration. Senate Republicans were expected to begin a voterama Thursday on a reconciliation package aimed at restoring funding for ICE and Border Patrol operations, but the process stalled after Republican senators raised concerns about a new Justice Department fund created after a settlement involving President Trump. In a letter sent to Senate Republicans Thursday, the Justice Department described the fund as a way to help Americans who suffered from quote the use of government power to target them for improper and unlawful reasons. The document also stated that the fund was intended for quote millions of Americans whose online speech was censored at the behest of the government, parents silenced at school boards, senators whose records were secretly subpoenaed, churchgoers targeted by the FBI, and so on.

[00:18:11]Democrats criticized the proposal Thursday and argued it could allow some January 6 defendants to seek compensation.

[00:18:18]>> An American president effectively suing and negotiating with himself to create a taxpayerf funded slush fund to funnel taxpayer dollars to his friends and allies.

[00:18:31]>> On the Senate floor, Senator Tommy Tuberville defended the DOJ's anti-weaponization fund. If they were wronged, the Trump administration will provide compensation from the anti-weaponization fund.

[00:18:45]>> Acting Attorney General Todd Blanch met privately with Republican senators Thursday as GOP leaders worked to address concerns about oversight and eligibility requirements for the fund.

[00:18:56]Without enough support to move forward before the recess, Senate leaders postpone the vote of Rama. Lawmakers are scheduled to return June 1st. That timing now complicates President Trump's goal of having the package signed by the same date. Chris Bob, NTD News.

[00:19:14]>> President Trump this morning weighing in on the anti-weaponization fund. In a truth social post, the president writes, quote, I gave up a lot of money in allowing the justannounced anti-weaponization fund to go forward. I could have settled my case, including the illegal release of my tax returns and the equally illegal breakin of Mara Lago for an absolute fortune. Instead, I am helping others who were so badly abused by an evil, corrupt, and weaponized Biden administration receive at long last justice.

[00:19:50]Plans to create a new women's museum on the National Mall in limbo. Democrats and a handful of Republicans rejecting a bill yesterday. NTD's Molina Weissup reports.

[00:20:02]>> We all agree that it is long past time that the women of this country, who make up more than half the population, deserve to have a museum that tells their stories and shares their contributions to our great country. A bipartisan effort to create a National Women's Museum on the National Mall failed on the House floor Thursday. The bill originally had strong Democrat support, but that changed after Republicans in committee added language to preserve the museum's dedication to biological women.

[00:20:32]>> If the goal were actually to move this museum forward, we would not be abandoning the yearslong bipartisan process that has brought us to the brink of construction. We would not be considering a bill with a cynical ideological poison pill.

[00:20:45]>> 210 Democrats oppose the bill. And yes, we have more than enough women to display in this museum that we shouldn't be fighting over the need to have non-biological uh individuals in there. So, I don't I don't understand why we're pulling bipartisan support from uh legislation.

[00:21:06]>> A handful of Republicans opposed the bill, too. One of the GOP opposers, Congressman Tim Burchett, said he felt celebrating women shouldn't be separated from other museums. He said, "To me, we ought to be about unifying instead of separating." Congress authorized the Women's Museum alongside plans for a museum of the American Latino in 2020, and President Trump signed off on it, but Congress needs to approve its construction.

[00:21:30]And New York pizzeras and bagel shops may have to adjust their recipes. A proposed ban on a flour additive is on the verge of taking effect. Some worry about the impact on the taste and cost of two of the city's most beloved and iconic foods. NTD's Andrew Thomas has more on how some local businesses are reacting.

[00:21:50]>> Salvator Luca has been kneading dough at his family's Brooklyn pizzeria for over a decade now. A key ingredient of his thin crust pies is facing a ban, so he's having to adjust.

[00:22:02]>> Costwise, yes, it is a little more expensive, but the quality is there. So, it's like anything else. You pay a little more for better quality. So, if you want to give a better product, you should pay a little more for it.

[00:22:17]>> A bill passed by the New York State Legislature would prohibit the use of bromated flour, a suspected carcinogen.

[00:22:23]Potassium bromate is an oxidizing agent, which reduces rest time for dough and helps ensure a stronger, chewier product. Second generation owner of Utopia Bagels, Jesse Spelman, says New Yorkers will feel the ban in their wallets.

[00:22:37]>> It's a little alarming in the sense that you might see a little bit of a price increase on your local neighborhood spot. Um, you might pay a little bit more for your morning breakfast or your afternoon slice of pizza.

[00:22:50]>> Scott Weiner is a pizza historian and tour guide in the city. He says the ban will force pizzeras to make higher quality pies. The potassium bromate ban will be an earth shaking event for New York pizza, but the result of it is going to be a net positive.

[00:23:06]>> The bill is awaiting Governor Kathy Hokll's signature. If signed into law, businesses will have a one-year grace period to keep using the additive.

[00:23:13]Eventually, they'll have to find another ingredient to keep the city's pizza and bagels among the best in the world.

[00:23:19]Andrew Thomas, NTD News.

[00:23:22]Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued Meta and What WhatsApp. He says the messaging platform misleads users about its security features and maintains access to private communications. This despite claims of end-to-end encryption.

[00:23:39]The lawsuit seeks to block unauthorized access to Texans messages and impose financial penalties. Paxton has a long history of high-profile legal battles with big tech. He pointed to prior Texas actions, including a more than $1.3 billion settlement with Google over data privacy violations and a$ 1.4 billion settlement with Meta over biometric data collection. He also recently sued Netflix over alleged consumer and child data collection practices. A Meta spokesperson said the lawsuit's allegations are false, adding that WhatsApp cannot access people's encrypted communications.

[00:24:24]Are cell phones and tablets doing more harm than good to America's youth? The Surgeon General's office has published a new advisory recommending limited screen time for kids. NTD Sam Wong was out on the National Mall in DC to hear what people think.

[00:24:41]Do you think cell phones and tablets are doing more harm to kids than good?

[00:24:44]>> Yes, because it affects their brain and their focus in class.

[00:24:48]>> I think they do more harm when there's no regulation. I think that children um we need to make sure that we're regulating the amount of time they're spending on their cell phone. So, I think awareness sharing is is one important thing. Regulation and then some type of filtering would also be important.

[00:25:04]>> Back when we was growing up, we had we spend more time outside than sending kids nowadays, including my little niece or nephews. they have more um they be on iPads more especially when I get have kids my own I want them to enjoy the environment instead of like been on a laptop and stuff >> just like anything they have to be supervised and there needs to be limits on our children's exposure to social media and to phone use as individuals need to be raising our children with our own boundaries in mind >> the HHS is now recommending limiting screen time for kids What do you make of that?

[00:25:40]>> So, if the recommendation is well anchored into scientific research and is really and I think it is to be honest with you, kids basically losing completely touch with reality because they're in this virtual world and and so on and so forth. So, uh I think if it's scientifically well anchored definitely we should be doing something about it.

[00:25:58]>> I think there's nothing wrong with recommending a family to have that conversation with their kids. I mean, both my sister and I come from athletic backgrounds and we talk a lot about mental health relating to sports. And I think social media does play a big role in that. So, I think starting the conversation, having the conversation, raising awareness can never do I think it can do more good than harm.

[00:26:14]>> I feel like they already do. At least Apple products do. They got you can um parents can like go on your iPhones and see um how long they've been on there and stuff like that. So, I think it's a good idea.

[00:26:24]>> I do think it's good that HHS is stepping in. As I was saying earlier, as parents, as grandparents, as people that care about kids, we need to step in and get those limits in place.

[00:26:37]A House committee has advanced legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent across most of the United States. The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted 48 to1 to move forward with the Sunshine Protection Act on Wednesday.

[00:26:53]President Trump praising the vote on Truth Social, saying he plans to work hard to get the measure signed into law.

[00:26:59]Florida Congressman Vern Buchinan says ending the twiceearly clock changes could improve public health, reduce traffic accidents, and encourage more outdoor activity. The House Energy and Commerce Committee saying the bill would eliminate disruptive time changes that it says needlessly affect Americans twice a year. The legislation still must pass through both the full House and Senate before reaching President Trump's desk.

[00:27:27]And a famous art heist at a Boston museum remains unsolved after more than 30 years. Now, a former FBI agent who investigated the theft is shedding light on the case. NTD's Andrew Thomas has the details.

[00:27:44]Curiously empty frames hang on the gallery walls at Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. After more than three decades, 13 pieces of art stolen from the museum are still missing.

[00:27:56]Former FBI agent Jeffrey Kelly led the investigation into the robbery for 22 years. So, in March 18th of 1990, the world's largest art heist occurred when two subjects posing as Boston police officers uh went into the Gardener Museum, and over the next 81 minutes, they removed 13 works of art valued at over a billion dollars.

[00:28:17]>> FBI investigators believe the mob was behind the heist. Kelly says the thieves knew exactly what they were looking for.

[00:28:25]When you look to art thefts in Massachusetts, there's this strange interreationship between organized crime and stealing Rembrandt. It's happened on a number of occasions throughout the last three decades before the heist occurred. And I think it's no mystery that our thieves made a beline for the Dutch room.

[00:28:41]>> The thieves were prepared, but Kelly says they still missed out on some lucrative opportunities.

[00:28:47]>> And while they were professional thieves, they weren't professional art thieves. They they took the Rembrandts.

[00:28:52]It's kind of the well-known uh artist when you go into a room like the Dutch room that's filled with with these oldw world masters, but they overlooked a lot of pieces that were even of greater value.

[00:29:03]>> Kelly says both suspects were killed within a year of the heist. Their deaths made the chances of recovering the artwork slim.

[00:29:11]>> One was brutally murdered and the other one died under some very suspicious circumstance. Uh, and I think that would have had a chilling effect on anybody who harbored any aspirations to come forward with the artwork and cooperate.

[00:29:22]And I think that's one of the reasons why the artwork remained hidden for so long.

[00:29:28]>> Even though it's been 36 years since the robbery, Kelly believes the stolen artwork will eventually be recovered. He says it's just a matter of time.

[00:29:36]>> But I'm confident that someday they will come back. Somebody's going to pass away and family members are going to be going through the attic or going through a safe deposit box and they're going to come across something that was stolen from the museum. So, we just have to be patient.

[00:29:49]>> Still, questions remain surrounding the daring heist and the missing loot.

[00:29:54]Andrew Thomas, NTD News.

[00:29:57]>> Coming up, the US is implementing new measures to combat the spread of the Ebola virus. And we have an update on the American doctor who contracted the illness. And a daughter's life upended as she's pulled into the global spotlight to fight for her imprisoned father, Pastor Ezra Jen, in China.

[00:30:25]Welcome back. The United States is taking new measures to combat the spread of the Ebola virus in Central Africa.

[00:30:32]Travel restrictions now require anyone from the region to enter the US through a single airport. Here are the details.

[00:30:39]>> An Air France flight bound for Detroit from Paris with a Congoise national on board briefly diverted Wednesday by the US to Canada after border authorities said the passenger boarded the flight in error. It's among the latest efforts to keep the Ebola outbreak from reaching American soil.

[00:30:54]>> Our number one thing has to be we can't have it affect the United States. We can't have Ebola cases coming here. So you saw we're now not allowing people to come in.

[00:31:02]>> The US government issuing new travel restrictions with the CDC invoking Title 42, a public health law. Now for at least the next month, anybody who's been in Ebola affected areas in the previous 21 days, Uganda, South Sudan, or the Democratic Republic of Congo, who wishes to enter the US must first fly to Washington Dallas International Airport in Virginia for enhanced screening. At least 10 CDC staffers are being sent there to help screen passengers, according to a CDC source. Meanwhile, the first confirmed American infected in this outbreak, Dr. Peter Stafford, who'd been working in the region, is improving at a German hospital, says missionary or Surge in a Thursday update, adding Peter has also received two intravenous treatments designed to improve Ebola outcomes. Secretary of State Rubio also said Thursday the US has offered to fund up to 50 pop-up clinics to help combat the spread of this outbreak as health authorities stress the risk to the general public remains low.

[00:31:56]>> And President Trump is delaying an AI executive order citing the need to compete with communist China. Here's the president addressing the issue.

[00:32:05]>> Because I didn't like certain aspects of it. I postponed it. I think it gets in the way of uh you know, we're leading China. We're leading everybody and I don't want to do anything that's going to get in the way of that lead.

[00:32:19]>> The president was expected to sign the order yesterday at a ceremony attended by top AI company CEOs.

[00:32:26]Reports say the plan was paused after pressure from Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and David Saxs. Musk denied these reports on Acts, saying he did not know what was in the order. He also said the president spoke to him only after deciding not to sign it. President Trump did not explain which parts of the order he opposed.

[00:32:48]And Taiwan's government says it has not been notified of any pause in a planned 14 billion US arms sale. The comments come after a defense official said some foreign military sales are being delayed due to the Iran conflict. Acting US Navy Secretary Hunga told a Senate committee that the pause is temporary, adding that sales would resume when the administration deems it appropriate. The US government authorized an 11 billion weapons package for Taipei in December, but it is not has yet to move forward.

[00:33:23]American lawmakers also approved a separate $14 billion arm sale to Taiwan in January. That deal can't proceed until President Trump formally submits it to Congress. President Trump has called arm sales to Taiwan a very good negotiating chip in Washington's dealings with China.

[00:33:43]Christians around the world are calling for the release of Pastor Ezra Jen.

[00:33:47]Following his visit to China, President Trump said the leader of the Communist Party in China may allow him to go free.

[00:33:55]Entities Daniel Monahan spoke with Jyn's daughter about the case.

[00:34:00]Grace Jin Drexel says she's grateful for President Trump raising her father's detention during talks with Xiinping.

[00:34:06]Oh, >> we're just so thankful for President Trump's leadership in um at such an important, highly consequential um state visit. He mentioned my father directly to General Secretary Cining and General Secretary Cining um according to President Trump is seriously considering the release of my father. She says her father's arrest upended her life and >> I had to let go of everything that I um that I wanted to pursue and give up my career. Um and now pretty much advocating for my father full time.

[00:34:41]>> Drexel says she's typically a private person, but the case has drawn her into the public spotlight.

[00:34:47]>> And then now I feel like the whole world knows my story and the like deepest part about um my families. So, it's it's a very different um environment and world that I'm real like suddenly having to step into.

[00:35:01]>> Pastor Ezra Jyn had just sat down with his elderly mother-in-law for dinner in the southern Chinese city of Behigh last October when police arrived at the apartment door. Chinese authorities targeted the pastor after years of leading Zion Church, a prominent Protestant congregation in Beijing that operated outside the Communist Party's strict religious controls. People come to church looking for meaning and purpose in their lives. I think in China there is such a vacuum of meaning. Um especially after the cultural revolution and many people were um spending a lot of time and energy making money after um China opened up. But as I've heard as I was growing up, many people told me that um for a while they thought they were unhappy when they because they were poor. But even when they became rich, they realized they were still unhappy and they were looking for what what what else is there. And many people came to Zion Church.

[00:35:57]>> Defending those imprisoned for their faith is a dangerous mission. Two months ago, her father's lawyer, also a Christian, was disbarred due to representing her father.

[00:36:07]>> His name is um Jang Kai, and he's also one of very one of the um more well-known um Christian lawyers in China as well. Um he was also detained in the past um due to his advocacy due to his advocacy for religious minorities and others that the Chinese Communist Party does not want um to see justice for.

[00:36:30]>> Drexel doesn't believe there's an immediate threat to the lawyer safety.

[00:36:34]But in communist China, such a possibility always looms in the background. A sobering reminder of that threat is Gao Shang, a prominent Chinese human rights lawyer and Nobel Peace Prize nominee. He has been the victim of severe documented torture and enforced disappearances by Chinese authorities.

[00:36:52]He bravely defended marginalized groups including Christians and fallen gong practitioners >> in China to to be able to have such bravery to um represent those that um are in the marginalized. It really takes a lot of bravery and courage. Um, and I also know u Gausan's family and we hope and pray that um, Gushon will be also returned and released um, soon.

[00:37:21]>> Drexel says she knows that the road is long with China and there's a lot of things that could happen with her father's case. I I really hope that there will be a softening of the heart by even by even the pres the the general secretary Cinping and I know that there are um both the leaders have daughters around my age and I hope that my story also resonates with them um to have a daughter advocate for her father and just wanting her father back and to be together with with the family. Human rights groups estimate that since 1999, tens of thousands of Christians and other religious believers have been swept up in ongoing persecutions and detained or imprisoned in China alongside hundreds of thousands of fallen gong practitioners. Daniel Monahan, NTD News.

[00:38:10]>> Thank you, Daniel. And coming up, almost 45 million Americans are planning to travel over Memorial Day weekend, a record number despite the high gas prices.

[00:38:21]And the Freedom Truck is taking America's story on the road as part of the nation's 250th birthday celebrations. How the project is bringing the country's founding to life.

[00:38:40]Welcome back. Comedian Steven Colbear signed off from his late night talk show yesterday after 11 seasons. His final show included a chat with Beatles musician Paul McCartney and pointed jokes about his forced departure from CBS. In a post on Truth Social, President Trump expressed gratitude that he was gone when the show concluded.

[00:39:01]Colar took over the show from David Letterman in 2015. CBS announced last July that it was cancelling the late show, citing financial reasons. Some Democrats and other critics saw it as a move to silence political satire.

[00:39:17]Millions of Americans are hitting the road for Memorial Day weekend. Gas prices are still high, but AAA expects a record number of travelers. NTD's David Lamb reports.

[00:39:28]>> AAA estimates that around 45 million Americans are expected to travel over 50 miles from home for Memorial Day weekend.

[00:39:37]>> Most Americans would take road trips.

[00:39:40]about 4 million would take air travel and 2 million do through other means such as cruise, train or bus. Uh what are your plans?

[00:39:47]>> I'm just planning to stick around here.

[00:39:49]I mean these gas prices are really uh skyrocketing. So I'm not trying to hurt my pockets too much this Memorial Day weekend. I have some people visiting coming into town to visit. So they're going to come about 2 hours.

[00:40:02]>> As of Thursday, the average price for regular gas in the US is $4.55 per gallon. But in California, people are paying an average of $6.13 a gallon, the highest in the nation.

[00:40:16]Signs at Chevron stations in California have been gaining attention online. The signs appear to be linked to the Chevron advocacy network. The high prices, they argue, are a result of state policies.

[00:40:32]>> President Trump is now swearing in Kevin Walsh as the 17th chair of the Federal Reserve. Let's take a look.

[00:40:44]Wow.

[00:41:23]No, I thought that was for me. me. I was very unhappy. I looked around and I saw they're all looking at you. I was not happy about that.

[00:41:32]It's amazing. That's an amazing uh amazing audition. And I'll tell you what, it's uh you have the most important business people and people, political people that you can possibly have in one room that soon will be a much larger room than this. We'll have a room substantially larger than this, which is which we really do need because we would have had five times this crowd. Everybody wanted to be here to be with you. And uh it's an honor. And today I'm thrilled to welcome you to the White House, the most beautiful building. I love this building. We fix it up all the time.

[00:42:09]That's the real estate business in me.

[00:42:11]And it's in tippy top shape finally. but for the swearing in of our new chairman of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, Kevin Walsh. Okay.

[00:42:43]And I expect he will go down as one of the truly great chairman of the Federal Reserves uh that we've ever had. I really believe that. I think he's uh he's got abilities that very few people have. Got covers a lot of territory and he's respected by everybody and that's so important in that position.

[00:43:01]Congratulations to Kevin and to his wonderful wife Jane. Jane, thank you very much.

[00:43:10]Fantastic.

[00:43:14]And to your very beautiful family. You have a beautiful family.

[00:43:17]Congratulations. It's a It's a big deal.

[00:43:20]We're honored to be joined by some incredible people. Our Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, who is doing an unbelievable job. Mike, thank you very much.

[00:43:34]He's working very hard on the Save America Act, but I will not say that he'll get it done, too. He gets everything done. Thanks, Mike. Supreme Court justices, and they are great.

[00:43:46]Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanagh, Secretary of the Treasury. He's like central casting Scott Bessant.

[00:44:08]If we do a movie on uh someday we're going to need a Secretary of the Treasury. We're starring him. I think we'll put him in there. Right. He's done a He's done a good job. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. Brooke, thank you.

[00:44:24]Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnik.

[00:44:27]Thank you, Howard.

[00:44:30]Secretary of Transportation, Shawn Duffy.

[00:44:33]Thank you, sir.

[00:44:36]Acting Secretary of Labor, Keith Sunderling. Thank you.

[00:44:44]CIA director John Radcliffe. Thank you, John.

[00:44:51]OM Director Russell Vote. Russell, thank you. Russell, White House Chief of Staff, Susie Wilds.

[00:45:05]Director of the National Economic Council. The other Kevin I was, you know, they kept talking about Kevin, Kevin, Kevin, and he's a good man.

[00:45:13]You're going to be working with Kevin Hassid, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Bill Py, and thanks as well. We have so many political leaders, and I just see a few.

[00:45:31]And you have uh Tommy Tubberville, soon to be a governor right now, a very successful senator. Dave McCormack, who's a phenomenal guy, wherever you may be, Dave. Wherever you may be. Andy Bar just had a big win. He won by 40 points.

[00:45:50]Where's Andy? Congratulations.

[00:45:52]That was a big win, Andy. I'm proud of you.

[00:45:56]Did the endorsement help?

[00:46:00]Dan Muer, my friend who's a fantastic congressman. Dan, thank you very much.

[00:46:06]Elise Stephan.

[00:46:09]Elise.

[00:46:10]Hi.

[00:46:12]And a highly respected guy, another friend of mine, French Hill. Thank you.

[00:46:17]Thank you.

[00:46:20]Also with us, former vice president, Dan Quail. Haven't seen Dan Quail in a long time. Where's Dan Quail? Wow, you look good.

[00:46:31]You look good.

[00:46:33]That's nice to see you, Dan. Very nice.

[00:46:35]Former Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy. Kevin, good guy. Former Secretary of State Condisa Rice. Highly respected.

[00:46:51]Highly respected by everybody. Me, too.

[00:46:56]former Governor Glenn Yncan done a great job, great governor of Virginia, and they try and take it apart as fast as they can, but you did a really fantastic job.

[00:47:09]Thank you very much, Lyn, and many others, tremendously uh distinguished, the biggest leaders of business and the biggest leaders of politics other than the ones we mentioned. This is quite an assemblage of talent. I see the Southern District over here. Will you stand up, please? Southern District Jay, stand up.

[00:47:33]And I don't know if our acting attorney general is here. He's pretty busy. He's kept very busy. So if he is, or if he isn't, I'll just tell you he's doing a very good job working together. Right.

[00:47:43]He's doing a great job, actually. So, no one in America is better prepared to lead the Federal Reserve than Kevin Walsh. Kevin received a degree in public policy from Stanford University and then earned a JD from Harvard Law School. He studied under the renowned economist Milton Freriedman and was mentored by the legendary Secretary of the Treasury and Secretary of State George Schulz.

[00:48:08]All legendary names really. Kevin has worked at the highest levels of the financial world as an executive in the private sector. He did very well and he served at the highest re reaches of government as a senior economic adviser in the White House. He knows the White House very well. He's walking through the White House. He's pointing things to me that I didn't even know. At the age of 35, he became the youngest ever Federal Reserve Governor for the past 15 years. Kevin has been a fellow at Stanford's Hoover Institution, and his credentials really are second to none when you hear them. and there's plenty more. I know that Kevin has the deepest respect and reverence for the institution he will lead starting today.

[00:48:54]We're so lucky to have him. The Federal Reserve is a pillar of the world financial system and the most important central bank anywhere in the world. With a history stretching back more than 100 years, it is truly the institution that's most looked to and most respected. And it's now taken on a new a new and even higher respect in my opinion. And honestly, I really mean this. This is not said in any other way.

[00:49:21]I want Kevin to be totally independent.

[00:49:24]I want him to be independent and just do a great job. Don't look at me. Don't look at anybody. Just do your own thing and do a great job. Okay.

[00:49:41]Unfortunately, in the eyes of many, the Fed lost its way in recent years. It became distracted by concerns far removed from its core mission and mandate, drifting into matters such as climate policy and DEI initiatives. With the Fed straying from its mandate while the last administration blew out the deficit, Americans suffered the worst inflation that we had in history. It was the worst inflation we've ever had. As you know, there some people say you're wrong about that. It was only in 48 years, but I think 48 years almost sounds worse. The worst inflation we've ever had. So, it made it very difficult.

[00:50:18]Kevin has spoken often about the need to restore the Fed's integrity by returning to a proper focus on its two functional and really fundamental responsibilities, maintaining price stability and low inflation and achieving full employment.

[00:50:34]And we talk about it. We've talked about it often and right now we have the most people working in the United States than we've ever had. We have never had as many people working right now in the United States. Uh and it's something that I like to say and it's been pretty much that way ever since I've been president. When I go back to the first term, I had those numbers too and I kept them and uh we've done things that are really amazing. But we can bring it to a new and higher level with Kevin. I think we can bring it to a level that nobody ever thought possible. By following through on this vision, Kevin will restore confidence in the Fed, which is so important and among Americans all across the political spectrum and people from all over the world and they're going to be looking to Kevin uh probably and possibly more than any other person that's had your esteemed position before. I think that's true, Kevin. You got a lot of people watching. I fully expect that with the greatest Fed chairs before him, Kevin will safeguard the Fed's integrity, they'll make their own decisions and hopefully make them well, but they'll be listening to Kevin all the way. I really believe that. Even if they're from a somewhat different persuasion, they're going to be listening to him out of respect because everybody respects him. Thankfully, unlike some of his predecessors, Kevin understands that when the economy is booming, it is uh that's a good thing.

[00:51:57]We don't have to go crazy. Just let it go. We want it to boom. We want it to be like nobody has ever had before because we have some debt we like to take care of. The way we take care of is for growth. We're going to grow our way out of it so fast.

[00:52:13]And I feel strongly. We don't want to see it stifled. We want to stop inflation, but we don't want to stop greatness and so that's really a very good thing a very positive thing and that's what he's looking to do he's looking to do positive economic growth is so important as we discussed economic growth doesn't mean inflation it can be just the opposite actually but economic growth does not mean inflation you don't have to stop the world because you're doing well Kevin's also said that he'll bring much needed reform and modernization transforming obsolete data collection ction methods, rolling back reliance on inaccurate models, and curtailing the Fed's practice of issuing so-called forward guidance. They want to do things on that. I guess it's a little complex subject, but it's something that Kevin knows about better than probably anybody here. He has the temperament and leadership abilities to foster collaboration among the entire board.

[00:53:11]and I know he will welcome robust debate. In his mission to keep prices stable and employment high, Kevin will have the full support of my administration. Every one of these people felt, including Kevin, by the way, felt so strongly about this choice.

[00:53:27]And uh we have no doubt. We have absolutely no doubt. So important, too.

[00:53:32]So big, so important. I just turned on the television. I wanted to see how the stock market's doing today. Stock market's up 600 points. That means they like you.

[00:53:43]If they didn't like you, it's actually up to 50,72.

[00:53:54]So that's as of about 12 minutes ago now. Who knows? But I think it can only go up. I think with you it's only going to go up. That was a a number that nobody thought was reachable during my entire four years. If you look at some of the great uh pundits, they said, "Well, 50,000 would be impossible during the four years, but sometime after." And we hit it in the first year, but now we're really hitting it. And uh think of it, it's up to 50,702.

[00:54:20]And S&P likewise set a new record today.

[00:54:22]They both set new records today. And boy, that's something good. But you're going to bring it to a much different level. Believe me, it's it's good, but it can go much better. And that's what I think you're going to do. My first year, we passed the largest tax cuts in American history, the largest regulation cuts in American history, and the largest spending cuts in American history. All things that are so important to greatness. And last year, we slashed the budget by almost $500 billion. At the same time, our military was at 1.2 trillion. And we'll go be doing the one thing we are going to be doing is, and we build everything in America. We build it here. It's jobs, jobs, jobs. But it's also strength.

[00:55:02]strength. Strength. We're going to be submitting a military budget for $1.5 trillion dollars. We have the greatest military in the world. I built it during my first term. I didn't know we'd be using it so much in my second term, but uh they gave away a little bit of it during somebody else's term foolishly, but it's a very small part relative to the whole. But we have the greatest military in the world. I was with President Xi and I said to him, we have the greatest military in the world. And he actually didn't agree. We had a great meeting. He actually didn't disagree with me on that very much. I will tell you. But uh we really do what we've done in Venezuela. You see what we've done to Iran. Iran is dying to make a deal.

[00:55:44]We'll see what happens. But we hit them hard. And we had no choice because Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. They cannot have it.

[00:55:58]So I promised to cut 10 old regulations as you know in my first term for every new regulation. If you put a new regulation on that's fine but you had to cut do you had to cut at least 10. And so far this and I did that I it was actually 1 to 12. So I did a little bit better. So far we're blowing it away this year. So far it's one for 129. In other words, we're cutting 129 regulations that we put in. So that you that's music to yours. You don't we don't even have to go through Congress for that. You know, that's it's a lot easier if I do it. It's a lot easier. But all of these actions are aimed at lowering costs, creating jobs, and driving economic growth. Jobless claims recently hit the lowest level since 1969. Under our leadership, 5 million people have been lifted off of the food stamps. Think of that. under just in a short period of time, more Americans are working today, as I said, than ever than ever before.

[00:56:59]And very importantly, 100% of the net new jobs under this administration have been created in the private sector, which is a number that nobody's ever achieved.

[00:57:14]Think of that. They're all in the private sector. And we did uh get rid of a lot of government jobs. You had jobs where there were 10 people for every single uh job and every single event and they were doing all the same thing or they weren't doing very much and they didn't like me for a while and now they're all working at private sector jobs and they're making double, triple, quadruple the pay and they're loving life and they're loving going to work and it was a painful experience cutting that many people from the federal government. But it's been amazing and you know you just can't have that. You can never make a country, as I say, great again if you're going to have all all government jobs. We're all private jobs and the jobs are coming. We're building more plants, more equipment than anybody uh has ever any president's ever done, any any administration's ever done. And the number I like the best is we have $18 trillion being invested in the United States for 11 months. Not 12, we haven't gotten the results from 12 yet. We're pretty new. But uh in 11 months we have $18 trillion being invested with a T being invested in the United States. And the record was $3 trillion many years ago by a different country that I actually just left.

[00:58:25]Starts with a C, but we have and that was three. And we're at 18 trillion.

[00:58:30]We're building factories, car plants, everything. AI, everything all over the country. Nobody's ever seen anything like it. And I have to say I have to give the the credit to what used to I used to say was my favorite word. My favorite word of all, but I got in such trouble because when I said tariff is my favorite word, the media went crazy.

[00:58:50]They said, "What about your wife, your family? What about God? What about religion?" So I said, "Okay, good. I'll make it my fifth favorite word." Right?

[00:59:00]But because of tariffs, we have tremendous amounts of I mean the car companies are all coming back. They left us for 354 years. They left us uh chip.

[00:59:10]We will have 50% of the chip making capability of who that man right there is. Stand up, will you please? But is that right? We're going to have 50% by the time I leave office and maybe more than that. They're moving in from Taiwan. They're moving in from other places and they're building in Arizona in particular in that particular case.

[00:59:29]But between the auto plants, we have more auto plants under construction now than we've ever had before. We went many years and there was no plant built and it's all due be what we did with tariffs I guess November 5th but all because of the tariffs and what they've done used properly used judiciously. So it's really something special. So we have all this uh all these plants under construction. They'll be completed over the next year and a half and you're going to see numbers like we've never seen in this country before. No country has ever seen the kind of numbers you're going to see. Uh, and we have some of the people in this room. I look at them, some of the geniuses that are building those plants. You know, a plant used to cost, if you built a shopping center, it would cost 50 million's a nice center, but 500 million's a giant, beautiful center. These people are investing.

[01:00:17]You're going to have to look in 50 billion dollars on a building for AI. 50 billion. It's I say, how big is it?

[01:00:25]Well, it goes three miles by five miles.

[01:00:28]In other words, you drive three miles, five miles. But it means jobs and it's got tremendous potential for a lot of things. But when you talk about growth, no country will see, and you'll start to see that very soon, no country will see the growth that we're going to experience and that we're already experiencing, but that we're going to experience. And one of the things that you see early on is we have the highest number of construction jobs we've ever had. And that's because they're building all of these plants, the auto plants.

[01:00:56]All of these plants are being built, including medical. medical is pouring back in. Eli Lily and uh so many of the they're building six major plants.

[01:01:05]They're going to make almost all of their medicines here. We learned during co it's not good to be held hostage by foreign countries. We're building all of these plants here. Lily, Fizer, all of them. They're all building tens of billions of dollars worth of medical plants. We're going to have almost all of our medicines made in our country, which is a really good thing to have.

[01:01:29]During four years of Biden, our country secured less than $1 trillion. Think of that though, and we're doing $18 trillion. And uh everyone's talking about that because nobody's ever seen anything like it. And a short time ago, and I say this often, the king of Saudi Arabia said to me, two years ago, he said, I was over there, and by the way, they invested $2 trillion, but I was over talking to him, getting them to invest a lot of money in our country.

[01:01:55]And he said, you know, President, two years ago, you were a dead country, and today you're the hottest country anywhere in the world. We're the hottest country anywhere in the world, and we're going to need guidance, and you're going to give us that guidance. But all of the uh the things that we've done, numbers that are tripled and quadrupled. Uh and we do need we need a a really steady hand at probably maybe in many ways the most. I don't know. I have two great justices of the Supreme Court here. So I have to say I don't know which is more important being a justice of the Supreme Court or your job. I'm not sure about that. I'm not sure. I think I'd rather be a justice between you and I.

[01:02:35]It might it might be easier. You're going to find out. You'll be saying, "Well, that's a very easy job."

[01:02:43]With his support and strong and wise chairmanship uh at the Federal Reserve so important. America's future will truly be unlimited with Kevin with Kevin at the helm. And uh he's off to an incredible start with his family, with his education, with his background, with all of the things he's done. He's respected by everybody. so important is to have that level of respect where you can walk into a room and people will listen to you as opposed to walking into a room and not having that kind of uh persona. He has a persona like nobody else. So I just want to say congratulations Chairman Walsh. You are really a special person in getting this job. Uh the people that wanted this job the most highly trained, highly educated, the some of the greatest credentials I've ever seen. And as far as I'm concerned, nobody was even close.

[01:03:34]And I just want to congratulate you. And I'd like to ask if I might, Jane, to step forward and uh our very highly respected Justice Clarence Thomas to come up and uh swear in. Give him a good oath if you would care because we Clarence, we need a really good oath delivered here. Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you.

[01:04:02]I Kevin doly swear >> that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States >> against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

[01:04:15]>> against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

[01:04:18]>> That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.

[01:04:22]>> That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. that I take this obligation freely >> that I take this obligation freely >> without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion.

[01:04:35]>> without without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion >> and that I will well and faithfully discharge >> and that I will well and faithfully discharge >> the duties of the office on which I'm about to enter >> the duties on the office upon which I'm about to enter.

[01:04:53]>> So help me God. So help me God.

[01:05:13]Heat.

[01:05:24]Heat.

[01:05:48]Uh, thank you, Mr. President. This is above and beyond.

[01:05:53]It is such an honor for Jane and me to have this ceremony here in the East Room with you, sir.

[01:05:59]I couldn't ask for a more beautiful setting or more gracious welcome. And I am grateful. I recognize as the president said that ours is a time of great consequence.

[01:06:10]It's also a great honor for me to have the oath of office administered by one of the great and longest serving public servants.

[01:06:19]A brilliant and independent thinker, a man dedicated to our Constitution, and no less important, a joyful and collegial presence on our highest court, my esteemed friend, Justice Clarence Thomas.

[01:06:46]Now, Justice Kavanaaugh is here as well.

[01:06:49]Uh, we served as young staffers a full generation ago in this building. And I shouldn't be speaking for another justice, but I will tell you something that I always felt that Justice Kavanaaugh and I felt the majesty of this place where we're now sitting. and we counted ourselves blessed and grateful to serve the nation we love and to do it in your building, sir. And of course, I must thank uh Leader Thun, Chairman Tim Scott, and as fellow members of the banking committee who saw me through the Senate confirmation.

[01:07:23]My whole family and I are joined by many others here today who I'm honored to call friends and colleagues, mentors, confidants. Their presence means a lot to me and I think it means a lot to the president, too.

[01:07:38]It's the honor of a lifetime to be called back into public service. And with this oath, I've accepted a high and solemn responsibility.

[01:07:49]At the swearing of Alan Greenspan, at this very place in 1987, President Ronald Reagan called the chairmanship of the Federal Reserve a quote great role in American life.

[01:08:02]I've known five of my predecessors in this job, some of them quite well, but Chairman Greenspan was the first to tell me and show me what this role demands.

[01:08:15]He recently marked his 100th birthday, and although he can't be here, I'm thinking about him today, too.

[01:08:23]Like Allan, I intended to fill I intend to fill the role of chairman with energy and purpose just the way Chairman Greenspan did. Faithful to the mission and the very best traditions of the Fed.

[01:08:38]As you demonstrate, Mr. President, every day, energy and purpose are how big obstacles are overcome.

[01:08:46]Your greatest ambitions are for America, for what free people can achieve when they have the chance.

[01:08:55]And while I'm not naive about the challenges we face, I believe, Mr. President, these years can bring unmatched prosperity that will raise living standards for Americans from all walks of life. And the Fed has something to do with it.

[01:09:12]Our mandate at the Fed is to promote price stability and maximum employment.

[01:09:18]When we pursue those aims with wisdom and clarity, independence and resolve, inflation can be lower, growth stronger, real take-home pay higher, and America can be more prosperous, and no less important, America's place in the world more secure.

[01:09:39]To fulfill this mission, I will lead a reform oriented Federal Reserve, learning from past successes and mistakes, both, escaping static frameworks and models, and upholding clear standards of integrity and performance.

[01:09:56]Today marks a return to an institution that I do in fact cherish.

[01:10:01]It was nearly a generation ago, at another time of great consequence, that I worked with some outstanding public servants at the Fed, both here in Washington and at the reserve banks. My goal now is to create an environment in which the best people can do their life's best work and to face every challenge in the spirit of common purpose and devotion to the national interest. In a word, to excellence.

[01:10:30]These duties are now mine, Mr. President, because of the trust you have placed in me. I accept them with gratitude and will strive every day to serve our fellow citizens well.

[01:10:43]And in final, I'll just say I'm going to look around and try to hold on to this special moment.

[01:10:49]But after we leave this stage, the real work begins. So, let's begin that work.

[01:10:54]It's an honor. Thank you again, Mr. President.

[01:10:58]Heat.

[01:11:11]Heat.

[01:11:33]Heat. Heat.

[01:12:00]And if you're just tuning in, we've been watching the swearing in of Kevin Walsh as the 17th chair of the Federal Reserve.

[01:12:08]Wars saying it's the honor of a lifetime and vowing to reform the Fed and lead with integrity. President Trump earlier saying he wants wars to be fully independent and recounting recent policies under his administration and their impact on strengthening the economy. That's all we have time for this hour. If you have any feedback on the show or have something you'd like to see us cover, send us an email at [email protected].

[01:12:32]We'd love to hear from you. For roundtheclock original news coverage, watch us live at ntd.com/tv or download our NTD app. I'm Stephanie Aox. Stay tuned.