FIRST ON FOX: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and four state attorneys general are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) creating a partnership to share information and coordinate oversight of high-risk communications technology.

A draft of the MOU, viewed by Fox News Digital, outlines plans to strengthen consumer protection by targeting communications equipment and services, particularly those originating from China or subject to influence by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

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The MOU between the attorneys general of Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks. The FCC confirmed to Fox News Digital that Carr met with the attorneys general on Wednesday morning.

For the first time, the agreement will bring federal and state authorities together to share intelligence on China-linked communications technology, coordinate enforcement against security threats, protect consumers from compromised devices and close jurisdictional enforcement gaps.

“The chairman is actively partnering with state attorneys general across the country to promote national security,” the FCC said.

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A person familiar with the meeting, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, described the discussion as “exceptionally productive,” and said it highlighted the need for faster information sharing and stronger safeguards against CCP-linked companies that attempt to infiltrate U.S. markets by rebranding their products to conceal their Chinese origins.

“This strengthened federal–state partnership reflects the Trump administration’s decisive leadership in turning policy into action and safeguarding the American people from foreign adversaries,” the person told Fox News Digital, warning that U.S. manufacturers and retailers should immediately halt the sale of banned Chinese components “or they will likely face swift federal and state enforcement actions.”

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers said that after the meeting, the state attorneys general are “eager to deepen our coordination with the federal government as we work to stop CCP-linked technology from endangering American consumers.”

“We are taking decisive action to keep Communist China out of our homes and networks. This partnership reinforces our commitment to confront and shut down malign Chinese influence in America’s communications infrastructure.”

The move comes amid mounting concerns that Beijing is using Chinese-made communications equipment to undermine U.S. security and gain strategic footholds in critical networks.

Lawmakers from both parties have long warned that the Chinese government uses educational exchanges, research partnerships and business investments in the U.S. as cover for espionage activities, concerns that mirror growing fears about Beijing’s expanding footprint in America’s communications networks.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters that he is “absolutely delighted” that progressive firebrand Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, is running for U.S. Senate.

Johnson was asked during a House leadership press conference on Wednesday what he thought of Crockett entering the race and whether he was worried about her chances of flipping one of Texas’ Senate seats.

In response, Johnson rubbed his hands together and smiled.

“I’m absolutely delighted that Jasmine Crockett is running for Senate in Texas,” said Johnson.

“I think it’s one of the greatest things that’s happened to the Republican Party in a long, long time,” he went on, adding, “She is the face of the Democratic Party, she and [Zohran] Mamdani. Good luck with that.”

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Johnson said that he would like Crockett to “have the largest, loudest microphone that she can every single day.”

“We look forward to having that election down there,” he said, adding, “We are going to elect another Republican senator in Texas. Texas is a red state… The people of Texas are commonsense Americans, and what Jasmine is trying to sell will not be purchased by the folks of Texas.”

Later that day, House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., shot back at Johnson’s statements about Crockett, saying, “I think Speaker Johnson is trying to do anything he can to distract from the majority… that we see dwindling, and it’s like sand falling through his hands.”

“He just can’t keep a hold of it – he sees that – he would much rather talk about a Senate race than he would the Georgia House races that Republicans lost or the mayor’s race that the vice-chair mentioned, the first time in 30 years that a Democrat has been mayor of Miami… he wants to distract and take away from this because he’s losing his grip on his majority. That much is very clear.”

“So, the more that Speaker Johnson wants to talk about the national landscape and the Senate environment, I absolutely support because he’s losing his majority next November, if not sooner,” said Aguilar.

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Crockett, who is an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, launched a last-minute Senate campaign on Monday. The race may determine if the GOP holds its majority in the chamber next year.

In her announcement speech to supporters in Dallas, Crockett framed her candidacy as an effort to stand up against Trump, something she said incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn will not do. 

“I’m done watching the American dream on life support while Trump tries to pull the plug. The gloves have been off, and now I’m jumping into the ring,” she said. 

“Many people wonder why I jumped in this race so late, and I just want to be clear that this was never my intention, this was never about me, I never put myself into any of the polls,” Crockett said. “But the more I saw the poll results, I couldn’t ignore the trends, which were clear, both as it relates to the primary as well as the general election, I could have played it safe and continued serving in the United States House of Representatives for as long as my constituents would have me, but I don’t choose to do that, because, Texas, this moment we’re in now is life or death.” 

“Many people asked, ‘Can we win this race in November?’ I’m here to say, ‘Yes, we can!’” Crockett fired back while echoing a slogan from former President Obama, whom she praised during her speech. 

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“Texas is a big boy state made up of brawlers with a moral code. Our representation should reflect that, sadly enough, it doesn’t,” she went on. “After evaluating the data, analyzing the trends, researching historic numbers, and combing over the crosstabs, it was clear, the numbers were strongest for my candidacy for United States Senate, that’s why I decided to enter this race.”

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In the Democratic primary, Crockett will be facing off against state Rep. James Talarico, another rising Democratic star.

On the Republican side of the aisle, Cornyn is being challenged by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas.  

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Wednesday accused Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., of joining a “rioting crowd” and attempting to interfere with agents during a mass arrest operation last week.

The accusation came after Grijalva claimed she was “pushed aside and pepper sprayed” during an immigration raid on Dec. 5 in Tucson, an account ICE flatly rejected.

“During the operation, U.S. Representative Adelita Grijalva joined the rioting crowd and attempted to impede law enforcement officers, then took to social media to slander law enforcement by falsely claiming she was pepper sprayed,” ICE said in a statement.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Grijalva’s office for comment.

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ICE and its federal partners arrested 46 illegal immigrants during the operation, the result of a “multiyear investigation into a transnational criminal organization involved in labor exploitation, tax violations, and immigration violations,” the agency said.

ICE said “over 100 agitators” arrived at one of the locations it searched and “attempted to impede law enforcement operations.”

“Agitators quickly turned violent, assaulting officers and slashing tires,” ICE added.

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In a post on X on Friday, Grijalva said she was “pushed aside and pepper sprayed” after seeking information from officers during ICE’s operation near the Taco Giro restaurant.

“ICE just conducted a raid by Taco Giro in Tucson — a small mom-and-pop restaurant that has served our community for years,” Grijalva wrote. “When I presented myself as a Member of Congress asking for more information, I was pushed aside and pepper sprayed.”

Grijalva also called ICE a “lawless agency” that is “operating with no transparency, no accountability, and open disregard for basic due process” in a separate X post.

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Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin immediately disputed Grijalva’s account, saying she was never directly sprayed but merely in the “vicinity of someone who was.”

“If her claims were true, this would be a medical marvel,” McLaughlin said. “But they’re not true. She wasn’t pepper sprayed. She was in the vicinity of someone who was pepper sprayed as they were obstructing and assaulting law enforcement.”

ICE said two people in the crowd were arrested – one for assaulting a federal law enforcement officer and another for damaging a government vehicle. Two Homeland Security Investigation Special Response Team operators were also injured.

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When reached for comment, DHS referred Fox News Digital to ICE’s statement on the operation and ICE declined to comment further, referring to DHS’ post on X.

Fox News Digital’s Sophia Compton contributed to this report.