Retired U.S. Army Ranger Rep. Brian Mast praised President Donald Trump's plan to reinstate service members booted for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine with the brush of a pen, signaling an end to the saga that saw thousands expelled during the pandemic. 

"[It's a] great day for patriots, a great day for our service members, my brothers and sisters in arms," the Florida Republican congressman told "Fox & Friends" co-host Steve Doocy.

"Let's not forget… it wasn't just the military. It was other government agencies as well, where they were essentially washing conservatives that were raising their hand, saying, 'I don't want to take this vaccine.'

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"They were washing them out of government, washing them out of West Point and Naval Academy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine academies, washing them out from being on the next promotion boards for first sergeants, sergeants, majors or officers, and they were creating a system where the ones that were going to be giving promotion to the next classes of individuals were all going to be those that didn't say, 'No, I'm not a conservative, and you know, I'm okay with everything that you're doing right now.' That's what was taking place."

A White House fact sheet detailing the executive order says only 43 of the more than 8,000 service members discharged by the Biden administration and then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin returned to service after the vaccine mandate was repealed in 2023.

The same fact sheet says reinstated troops – both active duty and reserve – will be restored to their prior rank, and will receive back pay and benefits under Trump's order.

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Mast introduced legislation in 2023 to require military departments to reinstate individuals upon their request who refused to receive the vaccination.

"It's going to be beautiful [to] have these individuals returning, putting on that uniform, that sense of pride for their family, that they stood up for their causes, what they believed in, and they were rewarded for it. They're returning back to the military," Mast added.

Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy, who also appeared on "Fox & Friends" Monday, lauded Trump for "doing the right thing" by reinstating the troops.

"There were a lot of younger people who said, ‘This is a government vaccine, at least government-funded,’ and they don't completely trust the government, and on principle, they said, 'We don't want to take the vaccine. Dr. Fauci… he made them [take the vaccine]. He tried to establish complete control over everybody. Why did he do that? In my opinion, he was scared," he said. 

"I think we're going to find out [Dr. Fauci] was funding gain of function research in a Chinese lab, and the virus may have gotten out from the lab. Dr. Fauci saw that, and he said, 'Oh my God, I could get blamed for all this, so I'm going to have to establish complete control, so nobody has questions and nobody looks under the seat cushions.' I thought he went too far in terms of mandating the vaccine for everybody."

Signing the executive order will fulfill a promise inauguration attendees heard during Trump's address from the Capitol rotunda last Monday.

Newly-confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth backed the plan during his confirmation hearings before the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this month.

Fox News' Alex Nitzberg and Peter Doocy contributed to this report.

Marine Staff Sgt. Lexus Martinez described her experience dancing with Vice President JD Vance at the Commander in Chief Ball as a "once-in-a-lifetime" moment, one filled with excitement and a bit of nervousness.

"It was very nerve-wracking," Martinez, 27, shared during an interview on "Fox & Friends" Friday. "I felt a little better when I saw everyone. And he just made me feel better."

Martinez recalled how Vance helped ease her nerves backstage with a lighthearted joke. 

"I was so nervous; I stayed very far away from him, so I didn’t step on his feet," she said. "That’s exactly what he said backstage was ‘I hope you don’t step on my feet’ and I said ‘Well, I hope you teach me how to dance."

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Martinez was chosen from hundreds of applicants for the honor. Her family was stunned when they found out she would take part in the prestigious event.

"Everyone just didn’t think I would have the opportunity," she said. "They all were just really excited. Everyone was tuned in, telling everyone, sharing to everyone how it was for me."

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During the dance, Martinez and Vance bonded over their shared service in the Marine Corps. 

Vance, the first vice president to have served as a Marine, was a combat correspondent from 2003 to 2007, including a tour in Iraq, before transitioning to civilian life and attending Ohio State University.

The Commander in Chief Ball, a traditional part of inauguration celebrations, honors military service members. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and second lady Usha Vance also danced with service members during the event. 

Trump addressed the audience with gratitude, saying "I've had no higher privilege in life than to serve as your commander in chief, not once but twice." 

He thanked service members for their contributions, noting their role in helping him return to the White House. 

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The president also highlighted the creation of the Space Force during his first term, calling it a significant addition to the military. 

Reflecting on the dance, Martinez said the moment was surreal and deeply meaningful. 

"I’m very proud [to be a Marine] because not a lot of people can do it," she said. "I’m very excited to know that I’m one of the few and the proud to be a United States Marine."

It’s not every day that a garbage truck takes center stage in the presidential spotlight, but for the Trump team, the "big, beautiful" MAGA truck is more than a vehicle – it’s a statement. 

The truck, which gained national attention during Donald Trump’s campaign, is set to roll into Washington, D.C., this weekend as part of the upcoming inaugural parade on Monday. 

It first captured headlines at a rally in battleground Wisconsin last October, where then-candidate Trump climbed aboard wearing a bright orange reflective vest over his signature suit and tie.

The white garbage truck, emblazoned with "Trump Make America Great Again 2024" on its side, quickly went viral, becoming an unlikely yet effective campaign symbol.

"The inaugural team actually reached out to me asking if we'd be able to provide a truck for the parade," said Loadmaster vice president Andrew Brisson during an interview with "Fox & Friends" on Friday. "After making a few phone calls, I was actually able to get the truck that we had at the rally out there for them."

The stunt was part of Trump’s effort to connect with blue-collar voters, a demographic that played a critical role in his 2024 campaign. 

The garbage truck appearance was a response to comments by President Biden, who faced backlash after referring to Trump supporters as "garbage."

While Biden later clarified that his comments were meant to criticize Trump’s demonization of Latinos, the remarks had already ignited a firestorm. 

"How do you like my garbage truck?" Trump asked reporters when he arrived at the Green Bay rally. "This truck is in honor of Kamala and Joe Biden." 

Brisson recalled how quickly the Trump team mobilized for the stunt, "The campaign team had someone down in the Green Bay Area put together the magnets that we put on the side of the truck. They picked up some flags down there." 

Reflecting on the experience of driving the truck with Trump on board, Brisson shared his impression of the president-elect. 

"He seemed like someone you could sit down with and have a conversation with. For lack of a better term, he seemed like a normal person."

For Brisson, Trump’s focus on economic issues and his connection with blue-collar workers struck a chord. 

"The state of the economy and inflation. Just the cost of everything is the biggest (voting) factor," he explained. "The economy is the biggest issue in my mind." Brisson's sentiment echoed the concerns of many working-class voters who supported Trump during the 2024 campaign. 

Trump’s inaugural parade and Liberty Ball is expected to draw a mix of high-profile attendees, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and TikTok CEO Shou Chew. In an unexpected turn, Silicon Valley, historically left-leaning, has warmed to Trump since his November win, with tech giants donating millions to the inauguration event. 

However, some notable figures, including former first lady Michelle Obama and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have opted to skip the event.

For Brisson, the opportunity to be part of the inauguration festivities is an honor.

"Pretty excited to be there," he said. "Getting ready to fly out this morning. Going to spend the weekend out in D.C. getting things ready for the parade … Very cool experience being part of the Green Bay rally and driving Donald Trump in the truck, and being able to meet him."

The garbage truck’s presence in the parade is expected to symbolize Trump’s ongoing appeal to working-class voters, a key group that helped propel his 2024 campaign to success. 

Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines slammed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., for her "disheartening" tirade on the House floor criticizing Republicans for passing a bill aimed at banning biological males from female sports. 

Gaines accused Democrats of holding a "theatrical performance" against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act after it passed on Tuesday. She dispelled far-left myths about the future of sports eligibility during "Fox & Friends."

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"If she spent two seconds reading the bill, she would know this… has nothing to do with genital inspections. This has nothing to do with any sort of anatomical examination," Gaines told host Lawrence Jones on Wednesday. "This resorts to birth certificates and a routine physical which every athlete already has to complete to be able to play their sport anyway."

"So to watch the theatrical performance, which that's exactly what it was, from pretty much all of the Democrats on the House floor, it was disheartening," she continued. "And to continue to see them tout about women's rights, and she mentions the Violence Against Women Act... Do we remember how AOC voted on the Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act? Because she voted in opposition."

Every Republican representative voted in favor of the bill, but only two Democrats, Reps. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, and Vicente Gonzales, D-Texas, voted to pass it. The remaining 206 House Democrats all voted against. Rep. Don Davis, D-N.C., voted "present."

Ocasio-Cortez slammed Republicans over the legislation, arguing young girls would be subject to genital examinations, a claim that Republicans claim is entirely false. 

"Republicans who have voted against, consistently, against the Violence Against Women Act now want to pretend today that they care about women. And why? To open up gender and, yes, genital examinations into little girls in this country in the so-called name of attacking trans girls," she said. "Trans girls are girls"

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The bill, if it passes the Senate and is signed into law, would ban schools from allowing biological males from competing in female sports. 

Athletes would need to compete in sports teams that coincide with the gender on the individual's birth certificate. Any schools that fail to comply with the rule would lose their federal funding. 

It would apply to all federally funded schools from kindergarten through high school, as well as colleges and universities that receive federal dollars.

Despite far-left scrutiny against the legislation, Gaines insisted the issue of protecting women and girls' sports is anything but partisan. 

"Apparently November 5th taught the Democrats nothing," Gaines said. "I was curious going into this. Will we see people double down like we saw from AOC, or will we see people start to slowly recant from their position?"

Several Democrats spoke out against their own party's laser focus on inclusivity and progressivism recently, arguing that the far-left did not leave any room for dissent on issues like transgender athletes.

Gaines pointed to Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., who previously said on the record he did not support males competing in female sports. Despite his initial opposition, he did not vote in favor of the bill, and neither did Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., who also voiced concerns. 

"He [Moulton] went on the news, and he said, 'We've become too radical as a party. I have daughters. I don't want my daughters on the court or on the field with boys,' but even Congressman Moulton was pressured into voting in opposition of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act," Gaines said. 

"But that tells you something," she continued. "It tells you that more than a party, what the Democrats are… is truthfully, they're a cult."

Fox News' Elizabeth Elkind and Jackson Thompson contributed to this report. 

Butter Chicken with Leftover Holiday Meats

 Ingredients

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil or butter

• 1 medium onion, nely chopped

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced 

• 2 tsp ground cumin

• 2 tsp ground coriander

• 1 tsp turmeric

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp garam masala

• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

• 1 cup tomato puree (or canned crushed tomatoes)

• 1 cup coconut milk or heavy cream 

• 1/4 cup plain yogurt (optional for tanginess) 

• 2 cups leftover cooked meat (turkey, lamb, or roast beef), shredded or cut into bite-sized pieces 

• Salt to taste 

• Fresh cilantro for garnish 

Instructions

 1. Prepare the Base: Heat the vegetable oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until golden brown, about 5–7 minutes. 

2. Build the Flavor: Stir in the garlic and ginger and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Add the cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, garam masala, and cayenne (if using). Toast the spices for 30 seconds to release their aroma. 

3. Add the Tomatoes: Stir in the tomato puree, reduce the heat, and simmer for 5–7 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and deepens in color. 

4. Incorporate Creaminess: Pour in the coconut milk or heavy cream and mix well. If using yogurt, whisk it in at this stage. Simmer the sauce for another 5 minutes to allow the avors to meld. 

5. Add the Leftover Meat: Gently fold in the shredded or chopped leftover meat, ensuring it is fully coated in the sauce. Simmer for an additional 5–7 minutes until the meat is warmed through and infused with the spices. 

6. Taste and Adjust: Season with salt to taste. Adjust the consistency of the sauce with a splash of water or broth if it’s too thick. 

7. Serve and Garnish: Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve over steamed rice, with naan, or alongside a fresh salad. 

Tips

• Avoid overcooking the meat as it’s already cooked; just warm it through to keep it tender. 

• For a quick shortcut, use Butter Chicken Sauces from PATAK’S Original and skip the workload!

Holiday Leftovers Salad 

Turn cold leftover turkey, roast beef, or other holiday meats into a vibrant, nutritious salad that’s perfect for an instant lunch and a healthy way to kick off the new year. 

Ingredients 

• 4 cups mixed salad greens (or your favorite Fresh Express Salad mix) 

• 1 cup leftover holiday meats (turkey, roast beef, or lamb), sliced or shredded 

• 1/2 cup roasted leftover vegetables (e.g., sweet potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts), chopped 

• 1/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese (optional) 

• 1/4 cup dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds 

• 1/4 cup nuts or seeds (e.g., almonds, walnuts, or sunower seeds), toasted 

• 1/2 avocado, sliced 

• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced 

• 2 tbsp olive oil 

• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar or lemon juice 

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard 

• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup 

• Salt and pepper to taste 

Instructions 

1. Prepare the Base: Place the salad greens in a large bowl or on a serving plate. 

2. Add the Leftovers: Top the greens with the sliced or shredded leftover meats and chopped roasted vegetables. 

3. Include Fresh Ingredients: Add the avocado slices, red onion, dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds, and toasted nuts or seeds for texture and freshness. 

4. Optional Cheese: Sprinkle with crumbled feta or goat cheese for added creaminess (optional). 

5. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar (or lemon juice), Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, and a pinch of salt and pepper. 

6. Dress the Salad: Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss lightly to combine. 

7. Serve Immediately: Enjoy as a light yet satisfying lunch or side dish. 

Tips 

• Use the dressing packet in Fresh Express Salad Kits to save time instead of making the dressing from scratch. 

• Pair this salad with a whole-grain roll or soup for a complete meal.

Leftover Holiday French Toast

Ingredients

3 Tbsp. corn starch 

1/2 C. Caliia Farms Organic Almondmilk 

2 tsp. sugar or maple syrup 

1 tsp. vanilla 

1/2 tsp. kosher salt 

1/4 tsp. cinnamon 

Pinch of ground nutmeg 

6 1-inch thick sliced leftover plant-based Challah bread or Panettone 

2-3 Tbsp. plant-based butter, room temp 

Maple syrup or powdered sugar for serving 

Directions

In a large bowl beat the corn starch with the Caliia Farms almondmilk until smooth and no lumps remain. Then whisk in the sugar or maple syrup, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. 

Add the bread slices and let soak on both sides until the bread has completely absorbed the liquid, about 1 to 2 minutes. 

Heat a non-stick skillet or frying pan with some plant-based butter on medium heat until it begins to bubble. Work in batches and cook each slice of French toast for about 2-3 minutes until golden brown. 

Serve immediately with maple syrup or powdered sugar. 

Yield: 2-3 servings