As President Donald Trump heads to Iowa Tuesday, a grassroots conservative coalition calling itself “MAGA United” is urging the president to stay out of the Hawkeye State’s gubernatorial race, at least for now.

While in Iowa, Trump is expected to talk about the economy and tout his administration’s agenda. However, some conservative activists in Iowa fear that the president will also endorse Rep. Randy Feenstra, a Republican and close Trump ally who surged in early campaign fundraising, raking in $4.3 million through roughly 2,000 individual contributions in seven months of campaigning and has been touting his “MAGA” bonafides.

Whoever wins the governorship in Iowa this November will be a key player in the next presidential election cycle, when national attention will surge to Des Moines ahead of the Iowa caucuses in the race to replace President Donald Trump.

Feenstra, who is currently serving his third term in the House of Representatives, has positioned himself as a strong Trump ally. Ahead of Trump’s visit to the state he wrote an op-ed saying, “Trump delivered for Iowans, over and over, in his first year,” which marked the 1-year anniversary of Trump being in office. He has also been endorsed by top Iowa Republicans, including Iowa Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa.

“Randy Feenstra is a champion for Iowa values — fiscal responsibility, defending life, and supporting farmers and rural communities. I’m proud to endorse Randy Feenstra for governor because I know he delivers for Iowa,” Cournoyer said.

Billy Fuerst, a Feenstra campaign spokesman, told Fox News Digital that the congressman “is the only conservative in the race for Iowa Governor who’s had the President’s back and actually voted to implement President Trump’s America First agenda.”

Feenstra, who is the frontrunner in the Iowa gubernatorial race, accompanied the president aboard Air Force One on his trip to Des Moines on Tuesday, marking the second time in roughly six months that Feenstra has traveled with the president on Air Force One, with the last time being when Trump signed a set of working families tax cuts that Feenstra helped write and promote in the House.

Fuerst emphasized Feenstra’s record of working with Trump, saying, “Randy voted to secure the border, unleash Iowa energy production, and pass the largest tax cuts for working families in U.S. history.”

“That’s real, conservative leadership for Iowa, and Congressman Feenstra will keep working with the President to defeat the Radical Left and keep Iowa red.”

However, some Iowa conservatives are not convinced by Feenstra’s overtures to Trump and believe that he does not reflect the priorities of the conservative base. MAGA United launched an online plea to the president called “No endorsement for Feenstra,” which has garnered over 250 signatures, including from some influential Iowa Republicans.

The petition states that by keeping himself out of the primary race, Trump would “keep the Iowa GOP primary fair, open, and decided by Iowans alone.”

FORMER DES MOINES SCHOOLS CHIEF PLEADS GUILTY TO FALSELY CLAIMING US CITIZENSHIP AND GUN CHARGE

“As proud Iowa Republicans and supporters of President Trump, we are launching this grassroots petition to respectfully ask President Trump to refrain from endorsing any candidate—including Randy Feenstra—in the 2026 Republican primary for Iowa governor,” the petition states, adding, “Iowa Republicans deserve the opportunity to fully vet and choose our nominee through the democratic process without external influence tipping the scales prematurely.”

Among those signed onto the petition are Iowa state Rep. Jason Gearhart, Cass County Republicans member Fritz Baier, former Johnston County school board candidate Lori Stiles and longtime GOP operative Sean Sebourn. Several current and former candidates also appear among the signatories. Stacy Besch, a former Iowa state Senate candidate and human trafficking advocate, is listed, as is Jennifer Duggan, a Muscatine school board candidate. Also listed is Heath Hansen, an Audubon County supervisor who also serves as the county GOP chair.

The signees expressed support for an array of other candidates, but each universally opposed a Trump endorsement.

Sebourn, a former Greene County GOP chair, who previously worked as a Republican tracker, told Fox News Digital that he signed the petition to keep Trump from endorsing Feenstra because “I just don’t think that he’s a worthy candidate for governor.”

TRUMP VOWS TO ‘TAKE OUT’ INDIANA GOP LEADER OVER REDISTRICTING FIGHT

He said that there is a “night and day” difference between Feenstra and other candidates, saying, “With the real, true MAGA conservatives that are running for the position of governor of Iowa, I think that Trump will be wise enough and smart enough to not endorse.”

Iowa independent journalist Chuck Offenberger reported in August that Sebourn said he would go so far as to “endorse and put a sign for” Democratic candidate Rob Sand Rob in his yard if Feenstra became the Republican gubernatorial nominee. 

Perhaps most politically significant is the appearance of Stiles, a Johnston school board candidate who received backing from Bob Vander Plaats and The Family Leader, a prominent evangelical conservative organization in Iowa. Vander Plaats has played an influential role in conservative politics in the state, particularly among faith-based voters, and his network has historically carried weight in both caucus and down-ballot races.

Vander Plaats and The Family Leader have not yet issued official endorsements in the Iowa gubernatorial race and did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. 

Stiles told Fox News Digital that she signed the petition because “I have confidence that the grassroots people of Iowa know all 5 Gubernatorial candidates, or will get to know them,” between now and the primary election on June 2.

“President Trump’s endorsement carries weight and … could tip the scales in favor of one who Iowans don’t necessarily favor,” she said.

“I simply prefer to allow Iowans to decide, without ANY of the 5 receiving a ‘Trump-endorsement-advantage,’” she went on, adding, “The candidates’ own efforts, track records, qualifications and vision for Iowa’s future should, in my opinion, be the main, dare I say only, consideration when they cast their vote.”

In an all-caps message to Fox News Digital, Baier wrote, “I DO NOT WANT AN [sic] HAND PICKED ESTABLISHMENT CANDIDATE.”

WHITE HOUSE RACE UNDERWAY: WITH 2026 LOOMING, BOTH PARTIES ARE ALREADY PLAYING FOR 2028

Gearhart, a first-term member of the Iowa House of Representatives, echoed this sentiment, telling Fox News Digital that his decision to sign the petition “stems from the belief that Iowa Republicans should have the autonomy to choose their representative for governor without external influence from Washington, D.C.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

“A Trump endorsement could potentially overshadow other candidates who might be more suitable for the role,” he said, adding, “While I don’t know Congressman Feenstra personally, I have spoken with many members of his district, including state representatives who refer to him as the ‘absent congressman.’”

“In my view, while President Trump is entitled to express his opinions, I believe the primary process should unfold naturally, free from external influences,” said Gearhart.

“I’m sure Representative Feenstra is a great guy and I am certainly not saying anything negative against him,” Duggan told Fox News Digital, while noting that “his previous patterns of doing business is not what Iowans are currently needing at this time.”

Addressing Trump directly, Duggan said, “President Trump, if a person needs a wrench and you give them a screwdriver, it doesn’t mean that the screwdriver is no good, it’s just not the right tool for the current job that needs done. Lets let the people of Iowa decide on which Republican candidate is best to represent Iowa’s kids and families and their future so we can continue to make America great again.”                             

Whether the effort succeeds in shaping Trump’s involvement remains to be seen. Trump has not commented publicly on Feenstra or the petition, and it remains unclear whether he is considering an endorsement in the race.

Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Elkind and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.

DENVER — The air was rare, and so was the Detroit Pistons escape from a late scare to kick off their three-game Western Conference road trip with a victory.

Piston-killer Jamal Murray missed two of three free throws with 0.7 seconds remaining as the Pistons squeaked by the Denver Nuggets, 109-107, at Ball Arena. They were led by Cade Cunningham (22 points, 11 assists) and Tobias Harris (22 points, eight rebounds), who hit the winning free throws late in the fourth quarter.

The Pistons led by 18 points in the second quarter, but a Nuggets run late in the fourth cut it to one, 105-104, with under a minute to go. Harris hit a clutch jumper from midrange to extend the lead to three, but Javonte Green fouled Jamal Murray on a 3-point attempt with 3.5 seconds left.

EARLY ALL-STAR: Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff has special tie to NBA All-Star Game

With a chance to tie the game, Murray missed the first free throw but made the next two to make it a one-point game again. Harris went to the line with 2 seconds left and made both to push the lead back to three, 109-106. But with 0.7 seconds left, Green fouled Murray on another 3-point attempt.

This time, Murray made the first but missed the second, icing the win for the Pistons. He intentionally missed the third free throw and the Nuggets couldn’t corral the rebound. They did a good job defensively on Murray, who finished with 24 points and 10 assists but shot 7-for-18.

The Nuggets were without Nikola Jokic (left knee bone bruise), Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain), Cameron Johnson (right knee bone bruise) and Christian Braun (left ankle sprain). The Pistons were without Caris LeVert (illness) for the third game in a row.

The victory boosted the Pistons to 34-11 and extended their lead as the top seed in the Eastern Conference to 5½ games over the Boston Celtics, and their lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Central Division to 7½ games. Next up, the Pistons head to Phoenix to take on the Suns on Thursday (9 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network Detroit) before wrapping up the trip the following night against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco.

Pistons withstand late run from Nuggets, Murray

The Pistons got off to a terrific defensive start, holding the Nuggets to 31.6% shooting in the first quarter and closing it with a 13-point lead, 31-18. They took the lead for good with a layup from Cunningham a minute into the first quarter, after Denver opened the game with a pair of free throws from Jamal Murray. 

But it got close late in the fourth when a 3-point play from Murray cut their lead to four, 99-95, with 3:03 to play. Murray followed with a layup to cut it to two, but a stepback midrange jumper from Cunningham and layup by Harris extended back to six, 103-97, at the 1:33 mark.

Murray, Denver’s star guard who had averaged better than 30 points against the Pistons in three previous games, got going late in the fourth. A turnaround jumper over Green cut it back to four, and then ex-Piston Tim Hardaway Jr. knocked down a 3-pointer to cut it to one, 103-102, with 56.4 seconds on the clock.

But Murray missed the most important shots of the night when he clanked his first of three free throws at the 3.5 second mark, and then his second free throw attempt with 0.7 seconds left, costing the Nuggets a chance to send the game into overtime.

Pistons struggle from 3 again

The Pistons led the Nuggets for almost the entirety of the night while enduring one of their worst performances from behind-the-arc. They were 2-for-21 from 3 midway through the third quarter, before they knocked down four of their final five attempts of the period. 

MILWAUKEE – Changes to the Milwaukee Police Department’s pursuit policy will take effect Feb. 6, tightening the circumstances under which officers may chase reckless drivers.

What we know:

Under the updated policy, speed alone can no longer be the sole reason for a pursuit. Officers must identify at least one additional factor, such as a collision with another vehicle, forcing other drivers to take evasive action to avoid a crash, or failing to slow or stop at a controlled intersection.

The policy change follows a deadly year for police chases in Milwaukee. Six pursuit-related crashes resulted in the deaths of nine people in 2025, according to department data. 

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android

However, some community members and officials question whether the changes will prevent future tragedies.

Local perspective:

It was June 8, 2024, when Tiffany Stark said her daughter’s father, Anthony Higgins, was critically injured after a vehicle fleeing police slammed into him. Higgins later died from his injuries.

“I think about all the people that died, but we also needed to think about the people that have survived,” said Tiffany Stark.

Stark said Higgins lived for 16 months with severe injuries before his death.

“His last 16 months of life was no life. It was no quality of life so I think,” said Stark.  “A spinal cord injury paralyzed him from the neck out.”

Higgins’ death was one of several fatalities linked to police chases in 2025, a key reason MPD said it is revising its pursuit policy.

“My captains have talked to the community, I’ve talked to the community,” said MPD Chief Norman.

Big picture view:

MPD presented the policy change last week during a Fire and Police Commission meeting. Norman said officers must weigh the risk a pursuit poses to the public.

“I do understand the responsibility of what a 4,000 pound vehicle is to our community,” said Norman.

SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News

The proposal drew pushback from some commissioners, who questioned whether the policy would have altered outcomes in past cases.

“When I was reading the policy I was saying to myself – would any of the fatalities of this year not happened under this policy? And I don’t think the answer is yes,” said Commissioner Bree Spencer.

MPD data shows that in addition to the fatal crashes, 233 of 970 police pursuits in 2025 ended in crashes.

As for the new policy, Stark said she remains unconvinced it will save lives.

“I don’t feel the changes are gonna save any lives,” said Stark.