Taylor Swift and Travis Kelces Madison Square Garden wedding garnered significant attention, requiring a large presence from the New York Police Department and other officials.

According to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the wedding cost $160,000 in city resources, all of which was paid for by the newlyweds.

Taylor Swift has paid already the cost of the permit that was lodged, which was over $160,000 for that event and for the response to that event, and that was a permit that was finalized, I think, in just the days before the event itself, the mayor said.

RELATED STORY | Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are married in Madison Square Garden ceremony

Few other details from inside the venue have emerged since the couple tied the knot July 3. A publicist for Swift said Kelces brother, Jason, served as best man, while Swifts brother, Austin, was the man of honor.

Adam Sandler officiated the wedding, which was attended by a whos who of A-list celebrities.

Mamdanis comments came after some online speculated that the wedding was an expensive use of city resources. The use of the NYPD drew criticism from some lawmakers, including Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y.

RELATED STORY | You belong with me: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announce engagement

Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce should reimburse NYPD for the 130 officers needed per day to keep their multi-million dollar, thousand person wedding at MSG safe. Our officers are already working overtime for 4th of July festivities & NYC taxpayers should NOT be on the hook, she wrote before Mamdani announced that Swift would pay for the NYPDs overtime.

The wedding came during a busy time for the city, which also has hosted World Cup matches over the last month. It also held a special Times Square ball drop July 3-4 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning ahead of the July 4 holiday weekend urging Americans to protect themselves against mosquito bites.

Federal health officials say West Nile virus cases are at a two-decade high to start 2026, with 48 cases reported through the end of June. The CDC said 38 of those cases involved severe neuroinvasive disease.

West Nile virus cases have been reported in 23 states so far this year.

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"These findings serve as an important reminder that mosquito season is well underway," CDC medical epidemiologist Dr. Erin Staples said. "As families gather outdoors to celebrate Independence Day, we encourage everyone to enjoy their holiday while taking simple steps to protect themselves and their loved ones from mosquito bites."

The CDC issued the following guidance for Americans this holiday weekend:

Use an insect repellent registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. Wear long, loose-fitting shirts and pants to make it harder for mosquitoes to bite. Avoid being outside between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes that spread West Nile virus are most active. Use window and door screens or air conditioning, if available, to keep mosquitoes outside.

The CDC said the virus commonly causes fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Less than 1% of infected people develop severe neurologic disease, which can lead to long-term disability or death.

RELATED STORY | Want mosquitoes to buzz off? Try wearing these colors

Health officials said people 60 and older, as well as those with certain underlying medical conditions, are at increased risk for severe illness.

With July 4 falling on a Saturday this year, some organizations and businesses are closing Friday, one day ahead of Independence Day.

Most nonessential federal offices, including the Social Security Administration and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, will be closed Friday. Essential government operations, including the National Weather Service, will remain open.

One notable exception is the U.S. Postal Service, which will remain open Friday but close Saturday.

RELATED STORY | Poll: Americans excited to celebrate July 4, but divided on Trumps role

U.S. stock markets also will be closed Friday. Most banks plan to remain open Friday and close Saturday.

Many state and local governments also are closing nonessential offices Friday.

Most retailers and restaurants will operate with normal Friday hours. Costco will be closed Saturday. Some stores, including Trader Joes, IKEA and TJ Maxx, will have shortened hours Saturday.

RELATED STORY | Where to go for unique travel experiences celebrating America 250

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin surprised the hockey world Thursday by announcing he will return for a 22nd NHL season, postponing retirement for at least one more year. The contract is worth $4.75 million.

The Capitals said the NHLs all-time leading goal scorer signed a one-year contract to remain with the team that drafted him in 2004. Ovechkin has played 1,573 games over 21 seasons, ranking No. 15 all time in games played. If he plays all 82 games in 2026-27, he would move up to No. 8.

Ovechkin is the only player in the top 15 in games played to spend his entire career with one franchise.

Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzkys career goals record in April 2025 and last season became the first NHL player to score 900 regular-season goals. He enters the 2026-27 season with 929 goals.

Im back, babes, Ovechkin said as he signed his new contract.

Thank you to everyone for giving me and my family the time to make this decision. Im healthy. I love playing hockey and competing to win. Im excited to come back and join my teammates so we can fight for a playoff spot and have a chance to win, he said.

Thursdays announcement came as a mild surprise because Ovechkin had shrugged off questions about his future near the end of the 2025-26 season. In the regular-season finale, Ovechkin shooed away members of the Columbus Blue Jackets who wanted to exchange handshakes with him.

RELATED STORY | Ovechkin shines as he equalizes Gretzky's iconic goal record

After missing the playoffs in Ovechkins first two seasons, Washington qualified for the postseason in 17 of the next 18 years. That streak ended last season when the Capitals failed to make the playoffs.

The Capitals, who had the best record among teams that missed the playoffs, have retooled for the upcoming season by signing former Columbus Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner and former San Jose Sharks defenseman Vincent Desharnais.

We are excited to have Alex return and continue his illustrious career, team owner Ted Leonsis said. Ever since we drafted him, there have been two constants: his love for the game and his relentless drive to win. Alex has always shown a deep commitment to his teammates, this organization and the fans who have supported him throughout his career.

RELATED STORY | Womens pro hockey league expanding to Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario

Ovechkins only Stanley Cup title came in 2018, when the Capitals defeated the Vegas Golden Knights.

Numerous medical professionals and police departments are warning people against participating in the Benadryl Challenge.

The challenge first surfaced on social media in 2020, but hospitals and first responders say they have recently seen a resurgence in cases. The challenge involves participants taking large doses of Benadryl to induce hallucinations.

RELATED STORY | UK slaps social media ban on children under 16, including TikTok and YouTube

The drug is generally used to treat hay fever, upper respiratory allergies and cold symptoms. The Food and Drug Administration says the drug is generally safe when used as directed, but the agency warns against taking large doses.

Ingesting high doses of this medication can cause more serious health problems, including slurred speech, large pupils, increased body temperature, irregular heart rhythms, seizures and even death. As the dose increases, the risk for these serious side effects also increases. Everyone should be aware of the risks and harmful consequences of participating in this challenge, wrote Natalie I. Rine, director of the Central Ohio Poison Center.

The Grantville Police Department in Georgia is encouraging parents to talk with their children about the dangers of the challenge.

The challenge urges viewers to take as many as 12 tablets at a time to supposedly induce hallucinations, the department said. For perspective, the maximum allowed dose in a 24-hour period is six tablets for children ages 6 to under 12 and 12 tablets for adults and children 12 and older. Taking more than the recommended amount can lead to nausea, seizures or even death.

RELATED STORY | Authorities warn parents about dangerous social media Benadryl challenge

The drugs relatively minor side effects include constipation, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache and upset stomach. More serious side effects can include allergic reactions, vision changes and difficulty urinating.

Earlier this month, the Office of the Child Advocate in Connecticut said three children in the state died from diphenhydramine overdoses over a two-month span. The agency did not say whether the deaths were connected to the challenge.

Diphenhydramine is one of the active ingredients in Benadryl.

KOCO-TV also reported that a 15-year-old died earlier this month in Oklahoma after the teens family learned she had participated in the challenge.

Visitors to the United States for this years FIFA World Cup have been enjoying ranch dressing but it has apparently caused issues at airports.

According to the Transportation Security Administration, some tourists have been leaving bottles of ranch dressing in their carry-on luggage, violating regulations that ban liquids larger than 3.4 ounces on planes.

Are you kicking around the idea of flying home with your favorite dip? If youre traveling within the U.S., make sure to keep your carry-on sauces to 3.4 ounces or less and place any larger containers in your checked bags, TSA said in a statement, adding it does not advise chugging the condiment in the screening line.

RELATED STORY | World Cup melting pot: How migration is rewriting soccers national storylines

In response to the advisory, Kraft said it is working on a TSA-compliant way for travelers to carry ranch dressing onto planes.

Some visitors leave with souvenirs. Others leave with Americas favorite dressing. Introducing Kraft TSA Compliant Ranch, a travel-friendly way to bring the taste of America home, Kraft said in an Instagram post, teasing potential travel-sized bottles.

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A YouGov poll taken earlier this year found ranch was the only salad dressing that a majority of Americans said they had in their homes. Only 39 percent said they had Italian dressing. The only condiments more popular than ranch were ketchup, peanut butter, mayonnaise, mustard, jam or jelly, honey, and barbecue sauce.

The National Park Service confirmed that three people died from heat-related illnesses in two separate incidents last week at Grand Canyon National Park.

Officials said both incidents involved hikers found on trails within the park. The first death occurred June 12 and involved a 72-year-old man who died due to extreme heat along the South Kaibab Trail. The second incident involved a 67-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman on the North Kaibab Trail.

RELATED STORY | El Nio is here and scientists fear it'll be big, bad and costly

The National Park Service said rescue efforts were underway before the hikers died.

According to park officials, daytime temperatures can exceed 109 degrees in shaded parts of some trails in June. The National Weather Service reported a high temperature of 88 degrees on June 12 and 90 degrees on June 16 at a nearby weather station.

Park rangers advise visitors to avoid hiking between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the summer due to dangerous temperatures.

Hiking up the South Kaibab Trail during the summer months is extremely strenuous and potentially dangerous due to intense heat, minimal shade and no water sources, the park service said in a statement. Similarly, the Tonto Trail between The Tipoff and Havasupai Gardens offers no water and very limited shade.

RELATED STORY | Body of woman found after flash flooding in Grand Canyon

From 2007 through 2025, there have been 227 deaths reported at the national park, according to park data.

The WNBA announced it will expand its regular-season schedule in 2027, increasing from 44 games to 50.

The league has lengthened its schedule several times in recent years. In 2025, the regular season grew by four games, from 40 to 44. In 2023, it expanded from 36 games to 40.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, teams played 34 games. When the league began in 1997, the schedule was 28 games.

RELATED STORY | WNBA players approve landmark 7-year collective bargaining deal

The move comes as the league continues to broaden its footprint. This year, the WNBA added its 15th franchise, the Toronto Tempo. Over the next four years, teams will debut in Detroit, Cleveland and Philadelphia.

The WNBA schedule still trails the NBAs, which features 82 games.

League officials say the increase responds to growing fan demand. WNBA attendance has nearly doubled over the past three years.

Demand for the WNBA has never been greater, and expanding to a 50-game regular season reflects the extraordinary momentum we are seeing across the league, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. This move reflects our commitment to growing the game and creating more opportunities for fans to watch the best players in the world and experience the extraordinary talent and competition that define the WNBA.

RELATED STORY | WNBA approves expansion teams in Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia

The additional games could benefit league markets, with each team gaining three more home games per year.

The league said further details on implementing the 50-game schedule will be released later.

The National Hurricane Center said that the Atlantic basin's first named storm of the season has formed in the Gulf Coast.

Tropical Storm Arthur was named on Wednesday morning, as it became a minimal tropical storm. As of Wednesday evening, its top sustained winds had declined to around 40 mph. The National Hurricane Center issued tropical storm warnings along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast, where the tropical storm is expected to come ashore in the next day.

The storm was moving northeast at around 8mph on Wednesday evening.

Although it will not be a strong storm, it is forecast to drop 50 to 10 inches of rain and cause flooding in low-lying areas of Louisiana and Texas. Numerous flood watches were also issued for the region.

The National Hurricane Center said the risk of flash flooding would extend from the middle Texas coast through parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and the Florida panhandle.

RELATED STORY | Forecast calls for below-normal Atlantic hurricane season amid El Nio conditions

Tropical Storm Arthur is not expected to remain a tropical storm for long; it will come ashore on Wednesday and quickly dissipate into a tropical depression.

Forecasters expect the 2026 season to be below average, as a strengthening El Nio typically creates unfavorable conditions for hurricanes in the Atlantic basin.

A major severe weather outbreak is likely across the Midwest on Wednesday, with the Storm Prediction Center forecasting potentially damaging tornadoes.

The agency issued a tornado watch for parts of Missouri and Illinois on Wednesday, with strong storms also expected in Ohio and Indiana later in the day. Indianapolis is among the cities facing the highest risk.

RELATED STORY | Damage surveys underway after multiple tornadoes slam Illinois, Indiana

The storm system showed its power Tuesday, when wind gusts of more than 90 mph were reported in Iowa.

Flooding is also a concern in parts of Illinois, Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. Flood watches were issued as rain began falling in the region.

Forecasters say the storms could arrive in multiple rounds Wednesday before moving toward the East Coast early Thursday. Some of the most dangerous storms could hit after dark.

The Storm Prediction Center said evening storms could form supercells, which are more likely to produce tornadoes.

RELATED STORY | El Nio is here and scientists fear it'll be big, bad and costly

Pet dogs can once again travel to Mexico after the U.S. Department of Agriculture briefly banned them due to recent cases of the New World screwworm.

Several animal species including swine, cattle, sheep, goats and horses remain on the restricted list. Dog owners must still meet requirements before transporting pets to Mexico. The USDA says dogs must be free of disease, show no signs of open wounds and be transported in clean cages.

The USDA reports six recent cases of the New World screwworm in the United States. The parasite is a fly that can cause severe, potentially fatal infestations by feeding on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals.

RELATED STORY | Screwworm fly detected in Texas decades after cattle threat was largely eradicated in US

Health officials say the screwworm is attracted to open wounds and sores, which can lead to serious infections. The parasite is typically found in South America and the Caribbean but has more recently been detected as far north as Mexico.

While the USDA says the screwworm can devastate livestock, it has not been found in the human food supply.

RELATED STORY | Quarantine ordered for animals in parts of South Texas after screwworm detected

From 2007 through 2024, the U.S. birth rate steadily declined after nearly three decades of relative stability.

While some have speculated that the decline stems from socioeconomic factors such as the cost of health care, child care or housing researchers suggest there may be another culprit: the iPhone.

RELATED STORY | US birth rate falls to lowest level on record in 2025

Since 2007, the U.S. fertility rate broadly defined as the number of children women ages 18 to 45 have in a given year has dropped 22%.

A paper released this week by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the advent of the iPhone and other smartphones reduced relationship formation and partnered intimacy. The study noted that smartphones were not the sole cause of declining fertility, but they could account for nearly half of the drop.

Researchers focused on the period from 2008 through 2011, when many Americans began shifting from flip phones to smartphones.

The paper argues that more than simply enabling broader smartphone use, these devices made it easier for Americans to access pornographic material, reducing the need for a sexual partner. Researchers also cited increased stress and reduced social contact outside of family as other factors emerging from the smartphone era.

The authors said financial incentives for having children such as those proposed by the Trump administration would have only modest effects on boosting birth rates, and that such incentives would come at a steep cost.

RELATED STORY | Birth rates remain stagnant as US encounters aging population issues

We do not claim that the iPhone is the sole cause of the post-2007 decline, nor that no policy lever can move the trajectory, the paper says. But over the 20082011 window that our design identifies, our estimates imply that the introduction of the modern smartphone played a sizable role in the decline in U.S. births.

The mechanism evidence suggests this operates through the formation of relationships and the time and inclination for partnered intimacy, not the cost of raising children. If so, the policy instruments to which governments have committed the largest sums cash transfers, tax credits, subsidized childcare, extended parental leave do not, on their own, address the behavioral shift our estimates suggest is at work.

The U.S. Postal Service has proposed rules that would require states to provide the names of eligible voters in order for mail-in ballots to be processed.

The proposal follows President Donald Trumps March 2026 executive order pressing states to share voter lists with the federal government. Several Democratic-led states and civil rights organizations have opposed the move.

The Trump administration says the rule would help ensure fair and secure elections. Civil rights groups, including the NAACP, argue it could disenfranchise voters.

Trump has long criticized mail-in voting, particularly after his 2020 election loss. Many states expanded mail-in voting that year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to a record turnout. President Joe Biden captured multiple battleground states, winning overwhelmingly among mail-in voters.

RELATED STORY | Trump signs order to tighten rules around mail-in voting, setting up likely legal challenges

In the years since, Trump has repeatedly claimedwithout evidencethat mail-in voting led to a rigged election, a charge widely rejected by election officials from both parties.

Jonathan Smith, president of the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO, said the rules conflict with the agencys mission.

Our public Postal Service does not block mailers from sending letters or refuse to deliver letters because of those who mailed them, Smith said. Postal workers take the sanctity of the mail seriously, and every process and policy of the Postal Service ensures that mail is accepted, processed and deliveredno matter who sent it or where it is going.

The administration is pushing to finalize the rule before this years midterm elections, but ongoing lawsuits could delay implementation until after 2026.

RELATED STORY | 'Because I'm president': Trump defends casting mailin ballot ahead of election

Consumers are paying significantly more for goods and services, as new government data shows prices climbed 4.2% in the 12 months ending in May. The price of goods and services within the month of May jumped 0.5%.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation rose at its fastest annual pace since April 2023, driven largely by oil and energy prices, which surged after the United States launched an attack on Iran.

RELATED STORY | Consumer confidence dented with gas prices around $4.50 and inflation still elevated

The consumer price index has spiked notably in recent months. In February, annual inflation stood at 2.4%, closer to the Federal Reserves target of 2%. The Fed had projected a quarter-point rate cut this year, but it typically raises rates during periods of high inflation.

With inflation more than double the Feds target and job growth remaining strong, hopes for interest rate cuts have faded. The central bank could opt to raise rates at its meeting next week.

The consumer price index weighs the cost of goods and services based on their importance, with food, shelter and energy carrying more weight.

Since February, prices have risen more than 2%, fueled by a nearly 20% jump in energy costs. Those increases have started to show up in the price of food, airfares and motor vehicle maintenance.

RELATED STORY | The 'vibe economy' is driving record debt; experts warn a 'vapor economy' could be next

Republican Sen. Susan Collins became the first senator in history to record 10,000 consecutive votes without missing a single roll call, continuing a streak that began in 1997.

Collins cast her first vote after being elected in 1996, when she voted to confirm President Bill Clintons nomination of Madeleine Albright as secretary of state. Her streak has drawn bipartisan praise.

No matter what has been going on in the world or in her life, Senator Collins has never missed a vote in her entire Senate career, said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. Many of us try hard to make every vote. Senator Collins has actually done it 10,000 times in a row Senator Collins and I belong to different parties, but 10,000 consecutive roll call votes is an extraordinary streak by any measure.

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In the most recent Congress from 2023 to 2025, Collins was rated the least conservative Republican in the caucus. She has long been considered a swing vote and has often broken ranks, most notably as one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict President Donald Trump after his first term in office.

In the last session of Congress, Collins was one of only four senators not to miss a vote.

Mainers are known for their work ethic, and they deserve a senator who works just as hard for them, Collins said. Growing up in Aroostook County, I learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and honoring commitments Representing Maine is the honor of a lifetime, and I will continue to serve with the diligence and responsibility that Mainers deserve.

Collins is in a competitive reelection race against Democrat Graham Platner, who faces allegations of inappropriate behavior toward former girlfriends. Platner denies the claims.

RELATED STORY | Bernie Sanders backs Platner in Maine Senate race despite sexting scandal

A recent University of Massachusetts Lowell poll showed Platner holding a slight lead over Collins.

Ten U.S. states are facing a high risk of ticks to start the summer, according to an analysis of government data by My Wild.

The June 2026 tick forecast shows states from Pennsylvania to Maine will likely have a busy month for tick activity. Tick bites are a concern because they can cause Lyme disease.

RELATED STORY | HHS rolls out multimillion-dollar plan to battle Lyme Disease nationwide

The forecast comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said tick activity in 2026 began busier than usual.

The good news is you have options to help prevent tick bites when you spend time outdoors: You can wear EPA-registered insect repellent and permethrin-treated clothing, do tick checks, and remove attached ticks as quickly as possible. These simple steps can go a long way in protecting you and your family from diseases spread by ticks, said Alison Hinckley, an epidemiologist and Lyme disease expert with the CDCs Division of Vector-Borne Diseases.

RELATED STORY | Tick season seems to be off to a fast start, some worry about future illnesses

The forecast also follows the Department of Health and Human Services announcement of a $2.5 million investment toward stopping the spread of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. The agency said the funding will support advances in public awareness, treatment and patient care.

These states are expected to face higher tick risk this month:

Connecticut Maine Maryland Massachusetts New Hampshire New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Rhode Island Vermont

President Donald Trump on Monday named Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte as interim director of National ntelligence after Tulsi Gabbard announced she was stepping down from the post.

In his current role, Pulte oversees Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks. The director of national intelligence heads the U.S. intelligence community, oversees implementation of the National Intelligence Program, and serves as principal adviser to the president, the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council on matters related to national security.

Trump defended the nomination despite Pultes lack of counterterrorism experience.

William has deep experience managing the most sensitive matters in America, the safety and soundness of the Markets, and over $10 trillion at Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, a substantial increase from where it was just 12 months ago, Trump said.

Trump added that Pulte will also remain director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency while serving as interim director of national intelligence.

Pulte is the grandson of William J. Pulte, the founder of what is now PulteGroup, which is one of the largest homebuilders in the United States. He served on the company's board from 2016 through 2020.

Democrats claimed that Pulte abused his position as FHFA director when he criminally referred Sen. Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James, claiming they had engaged in mortgage fraud.

As numerous performers withdraw from the Freedom 250 concerts on the National Mall, President Donald Trump suggested Saturday that he could fill the void.

In a Truth Social post, Trump hinted he might appear on the National Mall for a rally.

Earlier this week, Freedom 250 announced the first wave of artists for the two-week event starting June 25. Several performers quickly dropped out, citing a desire to avoid partisan politics.

Young MC, Morris Day, the Commodores and Martina McBride were among those who pulled out.

I asked lots of questions and was assured this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to celebrate ALL 50 states, McBride wrote on social media. Yesterday, things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening.

RELATED STORY | Martina McBride, Morris Day among cancellations at Trump-linked Freedom 250 concerts

The event was originally described as a national state fair honoring the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

I understand Artists are getting 'the yips' having to do with their performance on Wednesday, so I am thinking about bringing the Number One Attraction anywhere in the World, the man who gets much larger audiences than Elvis in his prime, and he does so without a guitar, the man who loves our Country more than anyone else, and the man who some say is the Greatest President in History (THE GOAT!), DONALD J. TRUMP, to take the place of these highly paid, Third Rate Artists, and give a major speech, rallying the Country forward like I have done ever since being President! Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He said he was ordering staff to hold an America Is Back rally on the National Mall.

RELATED STORY | National Mall prayer event sparks concern about Trump administration eroding the wall between church and state

The Department of Homeland Security is considering removing Customs and Border Protection officers from international airports in so-called sanctuary cities.

It is unclear how the plan would be implemented, as many U.S. airports are located in Democratic-led cities. Last year, the Department of Justice released a list of jurisdictions it considers sanctuaries for migrants in the country illegally.

The DOJ says those cities and states impede the enforcement of federal immigration laws. Many of these jurisdictions argue they are under no obligation to assist federal authorities with immigration violations, such as expired visas and work permits.

RELATED STORY | JFK airport begins Ebola health screening for travelers returning from central Africa

Cities on the list include Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles and New York all home to some of the nations busiest international airports.

We are currently drawing up plans to say, listen, these sanctuary cities where radical left Democrats arent allowing us to do our job and enforce federal laws we shouldnt be processing international flights into their cities, either, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a Fox News interview. They dont want us to enforce immigration.

Indiana Sen. Jim Banks told Fox News he supports the measure, saying it could benefit states such as Texas and Indiana.

I think Markwayne is onto something here; its a good idea, Banks said. It is one way we can crack down on what these mayors have created.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy pushed back, testifying before Congress last week.

We have people from around the world that need to be able to fly into all different kinds of places, Duffy said. We shouldnt shut down air travel in a state that doesnt agree with our politics.

RELATED STORY | DOJ identifies 35 sanctuary jurisdictions in immigration crackdown

The U.S. Travel Association also opposes the proposal, as many international passengers enter the U.S. for the World Cup.

Pulling CBP officers from airports would cause a severe, self-inflicted economic wound, the organization said. American citizens trying to get home, international visitors, and the success of a once-in-a-generation global event cannot be used as leverage in disputes over immigration policy. We urge all parties to find solutions without impacting travel.

In 2025, there were more than 1.8 million international flights carrying 259 million passengers. New Yorks JFK was the busiest U.S. airport for international travel, followed by Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco.