Russia’s foreign ministry has called on President Donald Trump to reaffirm the current international agreement surrounding the Panama Canal and to leave it in control of the nation of Panama. 

Alexander Shchetinin, the director of Russia’s foreign ministry’s Latin American department, told Russian news outlet TASS that he expects Trump ‘will respect the current international legal regime’ of the canal as laid out in two 1977 treaties between the U.S. and Panama.

The agreement relinquished American control over the canal by the year 2000 and guaranteed its neutrality.

Trump has railed against Panama since his sweeping election win in November, accusing the Central American country of letting China dominate the critical maritime trade route and leaving U.S. ships getting ‘ripped off’ in the process.

During his inaugural speech on Monday, President Trump doubled down on his grievances and declared that the U.S. would be ‘taking it back.’

‘We expect that during the expected discussions between the leadership of Panama and President Trump on issues of control over the Panama Canal, which certainly falls within the sphere of their bilateral relations, the parties will respect the current international legal regime of this key waterway,’ Shchetinin said.

He said that 40 countries also joined a protocol agreement, of which Russia is one, to recognize the canal’s neutrality and to keep it ‘safe and open.’

‘[The U.S. and Panama] must protect the canal from any threat to the neutrality regime,’ Shchetinin said. ‘At the same time, a reservation was made that the said right of the United States to defend the Panama Canal does not mean and should not be interpreted as the right to interfere in the internal affairs of Panama, and any actions by the American side will never be directed against the territorial integrity or political independence of Panama.’

Trump has been critical of the agreement and said previously it was a ‘big mistake’ on Carter’s part.

‘The United States… spent more money than was ever spent on a project before and lost 38,000 lives in the building of the Panama Canal,’ Trump said at his inaugural address on Monday.

‘We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should never have been made. And Panama’s promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated.’

‘American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form, and that includes the United States Navy. And above all, China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.’

The canal’s administrator, Ricaurte Vásquez, said this month that China is not in control of the canal and that all nations are treated equally under a neutrality treaty.

The 51-mile maritime trade route uses a series of locks and reservoirs to cut through the middle of Panama and connect the Atlantic and Pacific. The United States built the canal in the early 1900s as it looked for ways to facilitate the transit of commercial and military vessels between its coasts.

The canal spares ships having to sail around Cape Horn at South America’s southern tip, saving it a roughly 7,000-mile journey. 

Panama President José Raúl Mulino issued a statement rejecting Trump’s comments and said, ‘The Canal is and will continue to be Panama’s and its administration will continue to be under Panamanian control with respect to its permanent neutrality.’

‘There is no presence of any nation in the world that interferes with our administration,’ he added, taking issue with Trump’s suggestion that the U.S. ‘gave’ the canal to Panama.

‘Dialogue is always the way to clarify the points mentioned without undermining our right, total sovereignty and ownership of our Canal,’ Mulino said. 

Fox News’ Caitlin McFall and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance looked visibly irritated during the national prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday when the sermon took a political turn. 

Among the faith leaders who spoke was Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, who had been a vocal critic of Trump and the U.S. government following George Floyd’s death. 

On Trump’s first full day back in office, Budde, of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, delivered a sermon focused on ‘unity,’ but her remarks grew pointed when she brought up immigrants and LGBTQ youth. 

The reverend spoke directly to the president, saying ‘Let me make one final plea, Mr. President, millions have put their trust in you, and as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy on the people in our country who are scared. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic and Republican and Independent families, some who fear for their lives.’ 

‘And the people – the people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings, who labor in poultry farms and meet packing plants, who wash the dishes at their restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals, they – they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation, but the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors,’ Budde said. ‘They are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues… and temples.’ 

The reverend asked Trump to have ‘mercy on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away, and that you help those who are fleeing war zones of persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome, our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to a stranger.’

The vice president and second lady leaned over and whispered to one another during the sermon. 

At the start of her remarks, Budde began to ‘pray for unity as people and nation, not for agreement, political or otherwise, but for the kind of unity that fosters community across diversity and division, a unity that serves the common good.’

‘Unity, in this sense, is a threshold requirement for people to live in freedom and together in a free society,’ she said. 

 ‘Rather,’ Budde continued, ‘Unity is a way of being with one another, and it encompasses and respects differences that teaches us to hold multiple perspectives and life experiences as valid and worthy of respect that enables us in our communities to genuinely care for one another, even when we disagree.’

She went on to say, ‘Those of us gathered here, we are not naive about the realities of politics when power and wealth and competing interests are at stake, when views of what America should be are in conflict. When there are strong opinions across a spectrum of possibilities and starkly different understandings of what the right course of action is there, there will be winners and losers when those witness decisions made that set the course of public policy and the prioritization of resources.’

‘Not everyone’s prayers will be answered in the way we would like. But for some, the loss of their hopes and dreams will be far more than political,’ she said, adding that ‘all the faiths represented here affirm the birthright of all people as children of our one God. In public discourse, honoring each other’s dignity means refusing to mock and model, discount, demonize those with whom we differ, choosing instead to respect, respectfully, to make our differences, and whenever possible, to seek common ground.’

In his inaugural address, Trump asserted that there are ‘two genders, male and female,’ to thunderous applause. 

‘I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life,’ he said. ‘We will forge a society that is colorblind and merit based.’

The president has promised mass deportations of criminal illegal immigrants and further sparked controversy by signing an executive order eliminating birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants. 

It’s not the first time Budde made her left-leaning political views known. A video clip from 2020 shows Budde speaking to an ABC News reporter while protesting in Washington, D.C. 

‘It is a message for a call to justice – for swift justice for George Floyd,’ Budde, wearing a face mask, said at the time. ‘For systemic justice for all brown and Black people who have been under the knee of this country in ways that we have witnessed time and time again.’ She went on to say, ‘This is wrong, and this rising up – this spontaneous uprising of people mostly half my age or younger, they are the ones we should be listening to.’ 

Budde also testified before Congress regarding a June 1, 2020, confrontation between demonstrators and law enforcement near St. John’s Church in Lafayette Square.

She said ‘our government resorted to acts of violence against peaceful protesters’ and said the Episcopal church believes the issues of ‘racial and social justice are core tenants of the Christian faith.’ 

Budde also condemned Trump for holding up a Bible outside the church following the unrest. Testifying virtually at the time, she told a House committee, ‘When the President held up a Bible outside our church as if to claim the mantle of spiritual authority over what had just transpired, I knew that I had to speak. Nowhere does the Bible condone the use of violence against the innocent.’

Trump revisited that same church on Monday morning before he was sworn in as the 47th president.

Fox News’ Sarah Tobianski contributed to this report 

Lauren Sanchez made a drastic outfit change after she sparked backlash at President Donald Trump’s inauguration with a lingerie-inspired look.

After the fiancée of Jeff Bezos, the chairman of Amazon, wore a racy look to the historic political event, she opted for a more modest ensemble at the Inauguration Ball. 

Sanchez, 55, turned heads in a flowing Dolce & Gabbana golden-peach colored gown, that featured a satin corset. The former journalist’s elegant dress featured soft tulle sleeves that draped over her shoulders. She completed her look with dangling chandelier pearl earrings and had her hair styled in soft curls.

Her make-up consisted of her signature smoky eye shadow and glossed nude lips, as Sanchez shared behind-the-scenes photos of her posing for the camera. She wrote in her Instagram caption, ‘Starlight Ball,’ with a shooting star emoji. 

Fans commented on her ethereal gown, ‘You look absolutely stunning and early today at the inauguration.’

Sanchez subtly hit back at criticism over her controversial inauguration outfit by ‘liking’ supportive Instagram comments on her most recent social media post. 

‘Girl you ate that inaugural look don’t pay attention to no haters,’ one positive comment read that she liked.

Another fan wrote, ‘You are truly an inspiration to me and I’m sure to many women,’ which Sanchez additionally liked on social media.

However, others continued to make comments about her previous daring outfit. 

‘Usually love her outfits but the inauguration was a massive failure … the outfit looked trashy .. i think lauren usually has more class..’ an Instagram user wrote. 

The children’s book author wore a white Alexander McQueen pantsuit featuring a fitted satin-trimmed blazer with a dangerously low-cut V-neck and wide-leg trousers at Trump’s inauguration on Monday. 

She skipped a traditional blouse and instead wore a white lace bustier. She accessorized with a fuzzy coat for the frosty day. Sanchez’s hair was styled in a sleek updo.

According to reports, Sanchez’s eye-popping ensemble retails for at least $1,800.

The pilot was accompanied by her billionaire beau, who sported a suit with an oxblood-hued tie.

Many quickly took to social media to slam her appearance.

‘Jeff Bezos future wife Lauren Sanchez is incredibly inappropriately dressed for a state occasion,’ one critic wrote on X. ‘Someone should have told her that having her white lace bra out on display is not acceptable.’

‘Good grief, Lauren Sanchez. Put them away for one day,’ chimed another.

‘Really, a bra plainly visible,’ another user wrote. ‘Today is NOT a night club event. Show some class & dignity.’

Sanchez appeared to have worn the same form-fitting suit at The New York Times DealBook event in December. She took a sultry selfie at the time for her nearly 900,000 followers.

Facebook and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who was seated next to Sanchez, was also called out on social media, but for a different reason. Viewers of the inauguration couldn’t help but notice he seemingly snuck a look at her chest.

‘Zuckerberg was out of control ogling Jeff Bezos’ fiancée!’ one X user wrote, while another noted, ‘This is the most normal thing I have ever seen Zuckerberg do.’

On Monday, Trump was sworn in as the 47th president. The 78-year-old promised a ‘revolution of common sense’ as he sets out to reshape the country’s institutions.

After five years of dating, Bezos proposed to Sanchez in May 2023. While the couple hasn’t publicly announced any details about their wedding, Sanchez teased on the ‘Today’ show that she was already prepping for the big day.

Fox News Digital’s Stephanie Nolasco contributed to this report.

While Billy Ray Cyrus’ performance at the Liberty Ball Monday sparked concern among fans, the veteran musician says the mishap is all just part of ‘rock ‘n’ roll.’

On Monday, the 63-year-old took the stage to sing hits like ‘Old Town Road’ and ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ in celebration of President Donald Trump’s inauguration, but Cyrus experienced some technical difficulties along the way. 

‘Check? Is anybody awake?’ Cyrus, whose guitar seemed to be unconnected after a shaky performance of the Lil Nas X song, asked. ‘Y’all want me to sing more, or you want me to just get the hell off the stage?’

As a backstage aide came to assist, Cyrus said, ‘In life, when you have technical difficulties, you just gotta keep going, or as President Trump would say, ‘You gotta fight.”

With the issue not being resolved, Cyrus decided to sing ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ a cappella, while snapping his fingers and attempting to engage with the crowd. 

People were quick to voice their opinions of the moment on social media, with one X user describing it as ‘possibly the cringiest few minutes in entertainment history,’ and another labeling it ‘a crime.’

In a statement to People magazine Tuesday, Cyrus said, ‘I wouldn’t have missed the honor of playing this event whether my microphone, guitar and monitors worked or not. I was there because President Donald J. Trump invited me. I had a ball at the Liberty Ball last night, and I’ve learned through all these years when the producer says, ‘You’re on,’ you go entertain the folks even if the equipment goes to hell. I was there for the people, and we had a blast. That’s called rock n’ roll!!!’

The mishap came just hours after Carrie Underwood experienced her own technical difficulties during her performance at Trump’s swearing-in ceremony. 

As she geared up to perform ‘America the Beautiful,’ the country star made a game-time decision to sing the song a cappella after the instrumental track failed to play. 

The performance was followed by a round of applause from the crowd. 

Amid newly inaugurated President Donald Trump’s pardon of nearly 1,500 January 6 protesters, anti-abortion groups are calling on the president to pardon a 76-year-old grandmother and 20 others who were imprisoned and prosecuted for pro-life protests under the Biden Department of Justice.

One group, the Thomas More Society, a law firm specializing in pro-life cases, filed a petition to the new president in which it laid out the legal grounds for him to issue pardons and pointed out how President Joe Biden abused the justice system to target these pro-life activists.

Steve Crampton, a senior counsel at the Thomas More Society, told Fox News Digital that it is ‘absolutely vital’ these activists be pardoned to restore equality under the law.  

We hope by President Trump’s actions here that he will restore some sanity and rule of law to the approach of the Department of Justice and the FBI, but also help move this culture back toward a culture of life rather than one of death,’ said Crampton. ‘This small act on his part would, in fact, serve to kind of ignite a momentous movement toward restoring a respect for life in this nation that’s so desperately needed.’

Trump indicated several times during his campaign that he is open to issuing pardons for some of these pro-lifers who were prosecuted under a federal law called the Freedom of Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The activists were convicted of FACE Act violations for participating in various ‘sit-in’ protests inside abortion clinics in Washington, D.C., Nashville, Detroit, Long Island and Manhattan.

According to the Thomas More Society, Biden’s Department of Justice used the FACE Act to increase sentences for crimes that would otherwise have been simple trespassing charges. The group says Biden sought to make examples of these pro-lifers, prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law, despite their sit-in protests inside abortion clinics being entirely peaceful and with no threat of violence or intimidation.

Now that Trump is back in the White House, the Thomas More Society believes he can restore justice for these 21 activists and, in so doing, help restore confidence and trust in the justice system among the American people.

In my lifetime, I’ve never seen a president honor his campaign promises the way this president has,’ said Crampton. ‘So, we’re very hopeful that he will do so again in this case. And for these people who are really just salt of the earth, the best kind of folks that ought to be in their communities doing good rather than behind bars.’ 

Of the 21 activists prosecuted under the Biden administration’s use of the FACE Act, nine are currently in prison. Several of those in prison are elderly, with three, Jean Marshall, Paullette Harlow and Joan Andrews Bell, in their 70s. The eldest is Bell, who, at 76, has seven adult children and seven grandchildren. She was sentenced to over two years in prison.

One activist, Heather Idoni, 59, who was sentenced to two years, has undergone serious health difficulties and suffered a minor stroke while in prison.

The longest prison sentence went to 31-year-old Lauren Handy, who is currently serving a nearly five-year sentence for her role in organizing a 2020 sit-in protest at the Washington, D.C., Surgi-Clinic run by Dr. Cesare Santangelo.

Also facing prison time is 89-year-old Eva Edl, a survivor of a communist concentration camp, who has been active in the pro-life movement for decades.

‘Down is up and up is down in this case,’ said Crampton. ‘These people are folks who, some of them, have adopted several special-needs children from places like Ukraine. Some are missionaries to China and Ukraine and the worst places on the planet, going out of their way to do good to people that are in desperate need. These are folks that ought to be receiving those citizenship medals that President Biden is handing out to the likes of George Soros, who is trying to destroy our nation.’  

‘We must restore the rule of law,’ he went on. ‘The questioning of Mr. Trump’s Cabinet appointees this past week, ironically enough, from the left, points again and again, back to the need not to single out political opponents for prosecution and so forth.’

‘We have recently undertaken a disrespect for the rule of law that has undermined any respect for authority in general, let alone the law in particular,’ he said. ‘So, I really think that this also is a small step back to restoring that absolutely essential respect for the rule of law that we must have if America is to survive.’

President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a full and unconditional pardon of Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the anonymous marketplace website Silk Road, which the president promised to do ‘on Day 1’ while on the campaign trail.

‘I just called the mother of Ross William Ulbri[c]ht to let her know that in honor of her and the Libertarian Movement, which supported me so strongly, it was my pleasure to have just signed a full and unconditional pardon of her son, Ross,’ Trump wrote in a social media post Tuesday. ‘The scum that worked to convict him were some of the same lunatics who were involved in the modern day weaponization of government against me. He was given two life sentences, plus 40 years. Ridiculous!’

Ulbricht was convicted because his website, which was founded in 2011 and used cryptocurrency for payments, was used to sell illegal drugs, even though he did not sell any of the illicit substances himself.

In May, Trump delivered a speech at the Libertarian National Convention to a hostile crowd of boos in an attempt to win over Libertarian voters. Libertarians believe government investigators overreached in their case against Silk Road and generally oppose the war on drugs.

While the attendees were not favorable to Trump for most of the event, they did give a big cheer when he said he would commute Ulbricht’s sentence to time served, as the crowd chanted ‘Free Ross’ in hopes the presidential candidate would take action if elected to allow the Silk Road founder to return home to his family after more than a decade behind bars.

‘If you vote for me, on Day 1 I will commute the sentence of Ross Ulbricht to a sentence of time served. He’s already served 11 years. We’re going to get him home,’ Trump told the crowd of Libertarians, many of whom were holding signs that said ‘Free Ross.’

Ulbricht reacted to Trump’s comments the following day on the social media platform X.

‘Last night, Donald Trump pledged to commute my sentence on day 1, if reelected,’ he wrote. ‘Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. After 11 years in prison, it is hard to express how I feel at this moment. It is thanks to your undying support that I may get a second chance.’

Last month, Ulbricht wrote, ‘For my last monthly resolution of 2024, I intend to study every day and to get up to speed as much as I can as I prepare for freedom.’

Trump later reiterated his promise to commute Ulbricht’s life sentence at a bitcoin conference, which he received loud cheers for.

While Trump failed to deliver his promise to free Ulbricht on his first day back in office, he followed through on the second day.

Ulbricht, now 40, operated the website from 2011 until his arrest in 2013. He was sentenced two years later to life in prison.

Fox News Digital’s Landon Mion contributed to this report.