Latest news with #ExecutiveOrder30
Fox News
4 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
Youngkin unleashes cutting-edge AI technology in effort to slash Virginia's government red tape
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin is embarking on a landmark project to use "agentic" artificial intelligence to hasten his 2022 pledge to cut one-quarter of Virginia's red-tape regulatory structure during his tenure. The term-limited Republican signed an executive order that introduced a pilot program using AI to scan the entirety of Richmond's regulations and official guidance. "We ask each agency to calculate the savings to them associated with any action that is taken. For more information about our methodology, I would point you to the Regulatory Economic Analysis Manual, which can be found online," Youngkin spokesperson Peter Finocchio told Fox News Digital. "AI is utilized in two key ways in this process: comparing existing regulations with what is actually required by statute, to identify any redundancies, and comparing Virginia's regulations to those in other states, to see if other states are accomplishing similar goals more efficiently and with less red tape." "AI is utilized in this way to make recommendations, but there is always a human in the loop making the final decisions, which is required by Executive Order 30," Finocchio added. Agentic AI refers to artificial intelligence that differs from typical reactive bots like ChatGPT or Grok that provide information based on prompts, and instead can be programmed to pursue a goal, make autonomous decisions and take actions. Driverless cars like Waymo taxis are another real-world example of such technology. AI will "supercharge" the Youngkin administration's efforts, his office said in a statement, and help ensure that government is streamlined and modernized to better serve the people of the Old Dominion. "We have made tremendous strides towards streamlining regulations and the regulatory process in the Commonwealth. Using emergent artificial intelligence tools, we will push this effort further in order to continue our mission of unleashing Virginia's economy in a way that benefits all of its citizens," said Youngkin, who was a successful executive in the private sector before entering government. The AI tool will alert the state to any areas in which regulations are redundant, contradictory or overbroad. State agencies will then be able to use the AI platform in the future as well to continue breaking down the barriers to effective governance. "The 'Virginia model' for regulatory modernization has become the gold standard across the U.S., with other states and federal agencies looking to replicate our reforms," Virginia Regulatory Management Director Reeve Bull said. "With this newest initiative, Virginia will continue to lead the nation, becoming the first state to launch an agentic AI tool to power the regulatory reduction process," Bull added. Thus far, state government guidance documentation has been culled by nearly half, as roughly 48% of the total word counts have been deleted. That figure adds to the 26% of regulatory requirements statewide that have been either streamlined or eliminated, resulting in an estimated $1.2 billion annual taxpayer savings. The state indicated that there are still some agencies in Richmond that have not met Youngkin's 25% goal laid out in his original order.
New York Post
21-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell stands behind doxing ICE agents even after officials said his actions put them in danger
The Democratic mayor of Tennessee's largest city, who has been accused of obstructing federal immigration efforts, defended his office's decision to publicly dox the names of immigration officers. Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell's defense came even after the names of federal immigration officials were removed from a public immigration report detailing a month's worth of immigration-related interactions between local police and federal immigration authorities. Initially, the public report detailed immigration officers' names, but following backlash over the move the names were taken down. 'I wouldn't say it was an endangerment process, I would say they may have some concerns – I'm far more concerned about the overall dynamic we have about unmarked, unidentifiable masked people whisking people into vehicles – i think that's a bigger concern,' O'Connell, who is currently under investigation by GOP House lawmakers for potentially interfering with federal immigration efforts, said during a press conference with reporters. O'Connell did add the move was not 'intentional,' but then quickly followed up that he wouldn't have described what happened as 'doxing' in the first place. 'It's not a process that I would characterize as doxing. It was an unintentional release of names that were already part of a public record,' he told reporters. 'They were already part of a public record by being in Department of Emergency Communication's calls, so I don't think it puts them at additional risk. But it's also not an intention of the executive order under which those names are released.' Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell was accused of obstructing federal immigration efforts. WireImage Fox News Digital reached out to O'Connell's office for comment but did not hear back in time for publication. Larry Adams, an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Assistant Field Office Director, told local Fox affiliate in Nashville WZTV that ICE agents disagree that making their names public is not a risk, noting their faces can easily be matched to photos on social media. 'It has gotten more and more difficult,' Adams said of his job under the new administration's aggressive deportation tactics, during a ride along with WZTV that occurred last week. 'What affects me the most, is we understand the job we are doing, we understand what we sign up for, it's mostly the attacks or threats against our families.' After Tennessee Republican Congressman Rep. Andy Ogles requested the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) investigate the Nashville mayor over allegedly obstructing federal officials, the agency followed through and opened an investigation. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers gathered at the DHS field office in Nashville on May 4, 2025. REUTERS Meanwhile, two congressional committees are also investigating him, including requesting documents related to O'Connell's Executive Order 30, which has required city departments to report federal immigration communications to the city of Nashville's Office of New Americans. In an interview with Fox News' Laura Ingraham, Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin remarked at the danger associated with doxing federal immigration officers, noting that the act effectively handed cartels intelligence 'on a silver platter.' 'These are the tip of the spear, these are the people on the front lines trying to make our communities safer,' McLaughlin said. 'So, when Democrats and the media show us who they are, we'll believe them, and it's the fact that they're fighting for people like MS-13 and child rapists to be on American streets.' According to local news outlet, the Tennessee Lookout, McLaughlin has also clapped back at O'Connell's claims that the release of immigration officials' names was a mistake. 'They claimed it was a mistake. There's zero chance it was a mistake, and there will be repercussions,' she said, according to the outlet.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
TN bill proposes removing public officials who ‘disrupt' ICE efforts
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Republican lawmakers in Tennessee filed a bill Monday that would make releasing certain records regarding immigration enforcement actions a crime. The filing of Senate Bill 1464 comes after Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell enacted Executive Order 30, which requires the Metro Nashville Police Department and Metro councilmembers to document and publish interactions with federal immigration authorities. In May, a city document detailing 35 immigration-related interactions between Metro Police and federal agencies was released. The report initially named individuals, including a Metro Council member, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement analyst, and Homeland Security officers. However, the names were later removed from the public version of the report. PREVIOUS | TN House Speaker demands Nashville mayor rescind executive order tied to ICE interactions Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) has since demanded that the mayor rescind the order, claiming it jeopardizes state and federal agents. However, Mayor O'Connell stated he has no plans to rescind the order, adding that it 'helps makes sure that nobody can accuse local, state or federal entities of activity that did or did not occur.' Now, Sexton has joined Senator Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) in filing Senate Bill 1464. 'Mayor O'Connell's decision to release sensitive information undermines the rule of law, violates public trust, and jeopardizes the safety of those who protect our communities. This bill makes it clear: if you use your office to interfere with federal immigration enforcement or endanger officers, there will be swift and serious consequences. Tennessee will not be a sanctuary for lawlessness,' said Sexton. According to the filing, SB14 will: Make it a Class E felony for state and local officials to negligently release identifying information of officers involved in immigration enforcement; Provide for outster from office for those who violate the law; Expand the confidentiality protections under the Tennessee Public Records Act to cover undercover officers and sensitive enforcement activity; Strengthen existing penalties in state law for unauthorized disclosures of protected law enforcement information. 'The people of Tennessee expect their elected leaders to protect law enforcement—not endanger them,' said Leader Johnson. 'When a public official like Mayor O'Connell chooses political activism over public safety, especially by interfering with federal immigration enforcement, he has no business holding office in this state.' ⏩ Sexton added that Tennessee stands with law enforcement and 'will not become California, and Nashville will not become LA or San Francisco.' The bill will be formally considered during the 2026 legislative session. The legislation is reportedly co-sponsored by all the Senate Republican leadership — including Lt. Governor Randy McNally, Speaker Pro Tempore Ferrell Haile, Republican Caucus Chairman Ken Yager — as well as Finance Committee Chairman Bo Watson. News 2 has reached out to O'Connell's office for comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nashville mayor stands by ICE instructions, has no plans to remove executive order
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell isn't budging on the city's response to recent ICE raids. Amid growing pressure from state leaders, O'Connell stated he does not have plans to rescind Executive Order 30, which requires Metro Police and Metro Council to document and publish interactions with federal immigration authorities. This comes after House Speaker Cameron Sexton demanded O'Connell remove the order on Thursday. RELATED: TN House Speaker demands Nashville mayor rescind executive order tied to ICE interactions 'Our focus is on participating in conversations, having discourse directly with our community, and frequently, at a staff level, with people in state and federal government,' said O'Connell on Friday. 'We don't spend as much energy on statements, and so I haven't even fully reviewed the statement yet.' 'We believe that the transparency that is in that executive order helps everybody,' he continued. 'It helps make sure that nobody can accuse local, state, or federal entities of activity that did or did not occur. It also represents to the community that nobody is trying to hide anything here.' With that all said, O'Connell called it 'appropriate' to maintain the executive order, for now. He said he and his office are more focused on the city's 2026 budget. 'Our department of law leads everything that we need to do to make sure we are compliant with state and federal law. We are going to respond appropriately to any formal requests for documents or investigation,' O'Connell explained. 'But our office, our team are focused on the business of the city. We are working on our budget and we are working on doing what's right for Nashvillians.' Highlights from Mayor O'Connell's State of Metro Address and proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 Key components of the proposed budget, according to O'Connell, are public safety and housing. With public safety, O'Connell detailed an expansion of resources for Nashville Fire, the addition of more SROs in schools, plus new police precincts. As for housing, the Mayor said Nashville is in a crisis, which is why the budget would include the largest single-year investment into housing in the city's history. O'Connell referenced the 'stark contrast' between Nashville's budget plan, and President Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill,' specifically when it relates to health care and services for the lower/middle class. Overall, O'Connell said they feel 'very good' about their 2026 budget. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
TN House Speaker demands Nashville mayor rescind executive order tied to ICE interactions
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A state leader is pushing back against Nashville's response to recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity. Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton is calling on Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell to rescind an executive order he issued last month. In May, a coordinated effort between ICE and Tennessee Highway Patrol took 'everyone at Metro by surprise,' according to the Metro government's legal director. The Department of Homeland Security said the operation ended with 196 people arrested. 'We do comply with the law': Nashville mayor responds to investigation into his office To maintain transparency, O'Connell enacted Executive Order 30. That order requires the Metro Nashville Police Department and Metro Council members to document and publish interactions with federal immigration authorities. Those reports are now public, but early on, individuals involved in those interactions were identified, sparking backlash. According to O'Connell, as soon as the names were found, they were scrubbed. On Thursday, June 5, Sexton took to social media to demand that the mayor reverse the order, claiming it has jeopardized state and federal agents 'to the extent that individuals are harassing and interfering in the lawful duty of these agents.' 'While Metro has refused to assist federal agents with ICE; they decided to escalate it by forcing all employees to act as big brother,' Sexton wrote. 'Antioch bows to no council member': Some constituents call for Metro Councilman's resignation following immigration remarks Sexton acknowledged the mayor has the authority to issue the order, but he thinks it's time rescind it. 'In my opinion, I think it may do more harm to the agents and embolden people to maybe go looking for them instead of allowing them to do their job,' Sexton told News 2. 'People can disagree on whether or not they should be doing what they're doing, and they can debate that, but empowering the Metro government to act as the overseer of all that through executive order, I think, was a little bit too much.' The Tennessee Fraternal Order of Police said it will ask Nashville's District Attorney for a criminal investigation into the release of federal agents' names. The organization is also asking members of the legislature to request an investigation by the Tennessee Attorney General. 'The mayor and his office must be held accountable for their actions. The staff member who posted this should be terminated for these actions. If the mayor authorized this information, he should take responsibility for this travesty and resign. Ultimately, this publication of information is the responsibility of Mayor O'Connell. He is the elected official that is responsible for his office and his staff,' the Tennessee Fraternal Order of Police said in a statement. 'Law enforcement officers, local, state, and federal, should not have to worry about the elected officials overstepping their reach and putting private information out to the public. Actions such as this demonstrate why men and women do not want to enter law enforcement in today's society.' | READ MORE | News 2 reached out to the mayor's office for comment, but as of publication, we have yet to hear back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
