Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday said the state was sending its voter rolls to the Justice Department to check for potential ineligible registrations.

Abbott confirmed the state’s move in a post on X, writing that only American citizens can vote in the Lone Star State.

“Texas sent the Justice Department a list of the state’s registered voters last month,” the post read. “We want our voter rolls to be checked for potential ineligible registrations. Only US citizens can vote in Texas.”

The announcement comes after Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson in October said a cross-check of state voter records found that more than 2,700 possible illegal immigrants were registered on the voter rolls, leading to an eligibility review across the 254 counties.

TEXAS FINDS THOUSANDS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS REGISTERED TO VOTE ON STATE VOTER ROLLS

Federal officials have increasingly pressed states on voter roll compliance issues in recent years, arguing that transparency around registration lists is essential to maintaining accurate records, preventing administrative errors and ensuring voters have confidence in election outcomes.

Democrats have warned that states complying with the DOJ’s request to share voter registration data may be violating federal election law.

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

Last week, DNC Chair Ken Martin said Democrats are prepared to take legal action should states agree to share the information with the DOJ, claiming eligible voters are being put at risk of being purged and that it opens the door to privacy concerns.

Texas is one of at least seven states that have shared its voter information with the federal government, according to the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, which is tracking the DOJ’s effort.

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In December, the DOJ filed lawsuits against six blue states: Delaware, Maryland, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington, accusing them of violating federal law by refusing to provide statewide voter registration rolls upon request.

Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Baehr and Christina Shaw contributed to this report.

A former U.S. Navy SEAL was convicted by a federal jury on Friday of transporting explosives with the intent to harm law enforcement officers during planned “No Kings Day” protests in California, prosecutors announced.

The Department of Justice said Gregory Vandenberg, 49, was convicted of transportation of explosives with intent to kill, injure or intimidate and attempted transportation of prohibited fireworks into California after a five-day jury trial and roughly three hours of deliberation.

Prosecutors said Vandenberg was traveling from El Paso, Texas, to San Diego, California, to attend the “No Kings Day” protests in June 2025 when he stopped in New Mexico to purchase six large mortar fireworks. 

“During this visit, he told the store clerk that he intended to throw fireworks at police officers at the upcoming protests. He asked detailed questions about the amount of gunpowder in the fireworks, their explosive impact, and their ability to harm others,” the DOJ said.

SUSPECTED SUBURBAN JIHADISTS SHARED ISIS-STYLE SELFIES AND JOKED ABOUT FBI READING GROUP CHAT: FEDS

Store employees became alarmed after Vandenberg repeatedly spoke about throwing fireworks at police and asked whether the store was going to track him, prompting them to record his license plate and contact law enforcement.

He was arrested in Arizona where federal agents discovered clothing displaying antisemitic, anti-Israel, and extremist symbols, including a t-shirt with an image of the Al-Qaeda flag.

A review of his phone also uncovered messages indicating Vandenberg harbored anger toward the U.S. government, including President Donald Trump, driven by his belief that the government was controlled by Israel and Jews.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY’S ‘NO KINGS’ ANTI-TRUMP RALLIES ACROSS US 

“People in this country are free to hold their own beliefs and to express them peacefully,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison. “What they are not free to do is use explosives to threaten or terrorize others. Vandenberg intended to turn explosives into a tool of intimidation, and this verdict sends the message that attempts to substitute violence for expressing one’s opinion has no place in our communities and will be met with federal consequences.”

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The DOJ said the court ordered that Vandenberg remain in custody pending sentencing following the verdict, which hasn’t yet been scheduled. 

He faces 10 years in prison.

Buddhist monks have set off on a trek across the country on foot that has drawn national attention as they travel from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., as a part of a monthslong journey they describe as a spiritual practice.

The more than 2,300-mile journey they have named the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center’s Walk for Peace began in late October and is estimated to conclude later this winter in the nation’s capital.

The walk, according to the group’s official page, is intended to promote peace, compassion and mindfulness during a time they say the country is marked by division and uncertainty.

“This is not a protest,” the monks say in public statements. “It is a spiritual practice.”

AT LANCASTER MARKET, I WITNESSED AN AMERICA THAT STILL WORKS — NO POLITICS REQUIRED

The monks are affiliated with a Texas-based Buddhist meditation center.

They describe the walk as a moving meditation as they continue to pass through cities, small towns and rural communities across the U.S.

They have been greeted by supporters who have gathered along the route, walking short stretches with the group and offering food or simply observing quietly as they pass.

The Monks are keeping a blog that tracks their journey in real time. On the blog they say those who “visit the venerable monks along our path, we tie a blessing string around your wrist—a simple thread that carries profound meaning.”

According to the blog, the cord is a reminder and every time the wearer sees it, “in a moment of stress, during a difficult conversation, when patience feels impossible—it gently calls you back to the intention you set when you met us: to walk with us in spirit, to nourish peace, mindfulness, loving-kindness, and compassion in your daily life.”

 “It is a connection string between this journey and you, a tangible link that says: you are part of this walk for peace. We are walking together, always,” they write.

WITHOUT GOD, NEW YORK’S DREAM TURNS HOLLOW. MY WALK ACROSS AMERICA PROVES IT

In addition to the monks, Aloka, a rescue dog the monks refer to as the “Peace Dog,” has become an unexpected focal point of the journey.

During the journey, photos and videos are being shared online and show Aloka traveling along highways and sidewalks, resting during breaks and greeting supporters.

These special moments have helped the monks’ walk gain traction on social media, where their Facebook following recently surpassed 1 million followers.

Millions of supporters are sharing messages of encouragement and reflection in response to the journey.

“I am so inspired. Thank you — the United States so desperately needs this message,” one follower wrote.

Another supporter said the walk has had a personal impact on their daily life.

“Praying for you all each night. You have opened a light within me that makes me want to be a kinder, more peaceful person. I think now before speaking and have become more aware of my breathing,” the follower wrote. “Your trip has a lot of people thinking and restoring hope back in our country and peaceful thoughts throughout the day. It is simply wonderful, the journey you are on.”

Others said the message resonates with them during a turbulent period for the country.

“The message of peace is resonating with so many in America during these scary times,” another supporter commented.

So far, the Buddhist monks have made it across much of the country, prompting online searches and interest in the walk, the monks’ mission and their destination in Washington. The videos have circulated widely as the group continues eastward.

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They continue to emphasize that the walk is non-political and open to people of all backgrounds, describing peace as “not a destination, but a way of living.”

The monks say their message remains the same: peace begins with individual action — one step at a time.