Trump-backed candidate Ed Gallrein defeated Massie on Tuesday by a 55% to 45% margin after one of the most expensive Republican primaries in Kentucky history. More than $32 million was reportedly spent between both sides in a race that exposed growing divisions within the GOP.

    Earlier this year, Trump sharply criticized Massie on Truth Social, calling him “the WORST Republican Congressman in the long and fabled history of the United States Congress.” The president had targeted Massie for repeatedly breaking with Republican leadership on several high-profile votes.

    Despite the bitter campaign, Massie remained popular among many libertarian-minded conservatives and supporters of the “America First” movement that helped fuel Trump’s rise in 2016 and again in 2024.

    During his concession speech, Massie defended his record and suggested the conflict centered around a handful of major disagreements rather than broader Republican priorities.

    “It’s only the 10% of the time they’re mad about,” Massie said. “When I won’t vote for a war, when I won’t vote for warrantless spying and when I won’t vote to bankrupt the country.”

    Those positions once aligned closely with Trump’s own campaign rhetoric, particularly his promises to reduce foreign intervention and rein in government spending. Critics now argue Massie stayed consistent while Trump’s priorities shifted after returning to office.

    One issue that reportedly intensified tensions between the two men involved the Epstein files. Trump had previously pledged to release additional documents connected to Jeffrey Epstein, but later backed away from doing so. Massie then supported legislation aimed at forcing the release of the files, a move that angered many within Trump’s circle.

    Farmer and conservative commentator Joel Salatin defended Massie in a recent blog post, comparing him to former Congressman Ron Paul and praising him for resisting pressure from political insiders.

    “Massie, like Congressman Ron Paul before him, could not be bought,” Salatin wrote. “And Washington, both Republicans and Democrats, cannot abide partners who refuse to be bought.”

    Polling data also highlighted a noticeable generational divide among Republican voters in Kentucky. A Big Data Poll conducted May 15 found younger Republicans overwhelmingly backed Massie, while older voters strongly favored Gallrein.

    According to the survey, Massie received support from 81.5% of Generation Z voters and 68.6% of Millennials. Support declined among older groups, with only 38% of Baby Boomers supporting Massie. Gallrein won the Boomer vote decisively.

    Some Republican strategists worry the split could create long-term problems for the party if younger conservatives continue drifting away from establishment-backed candidates.

    At the same time, recent national polling numbers suggest broader concerns for Republicans beyond Kentucky.

    A Fox News poll released May 20 found Trump’s overall approval rating sitting at 39%. The survey showed weaker numbers on key issues, including foreign policy, the economy and inflation.

    Another national survey conducted by VoteHub showed Democrats leading Republicans by 7.5 percentage points on the generic congressional ballot, a potential warning sign ahead of the midterm elections.

    Economic concerns remain a major issue for voters across the country. Rising fuel prices, inflation and higher consumer costs continue weighing heavily on households, and political analysts note that voters often blame the party currently in power when economic conditions worsen.

    The U.S. Labor Department reported this week that producer prices climbed 6% in April compared to a year earlier, fueling concerns that additional inflation could soon hit consumers more directly.

    Trump also faced criticism after dismissing concerns over rising gas prices during a May 19 interview, calling the increases “peanuts.” Democrats are expected to use the comment heavily in campaign advertising this fall as they attempt to paint Republicans as disconnected from everyday financial struggles.

    Although Massie represented a safely Republican district that is expected to remain in GOP hands, some conservatives believe the primary battle reflected deeper frustrations inside the Republican Party over loyalty, ideology and the direction of the movement after Trump’s return to the White House.

    For now, Republicans may have secured a victory in Kentucky. But whether the costly fight strengthens or weakens the party nationally remains an open question heading into November.

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Recall the president’s first term was closely shadowed by high-profile breakups from loyalists who disagreed with him on matters of substance. For example, the split with his first Defense secretary, James Mattis, began in 2017 when Mattis, a man who spent more than four decades in uniform, defended the importance of NATO. His successor, Mark Esper, found himself at odds with the president for refusing to use the military on citizens. On his way out the door, Esper told the country that if his replacement was “a real ‘yes man’ … then God help us.”

Some of the highlights from Trump’s second term include squabbles with his biggest donor, Elon Musk, who was upset the president wasn’t lowering the national debt enough; with former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene because millions of Americans faced losing health insurance; and with Rep. Thomas Massie for having the audacity to seek justice for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s child sex-trafficking operation.

Now it appears it’s Carlson’s turn. He, like Pope Leo XIV and many of our allies and nearly 70% of Americans, disapproves of the president’s handling of the war in Iran. On a recent episode of the Carlson podcast, the former Fox News host invited his brother Buckley, himself a former Trump speechwriter, on the show to discuss their buyer’s remorse.

Everyone has that line they won’t cross for the president.

Omarosa Manigault Newman left reality TV to advise Trump. She followed him to the White House, found out there was a lot of racism over in MAGA land, and ended up back on reality TV. For Mattis, it was abandoning our allies. For Esper, it was shooting protesters.

For Carlson, it’s Iran. Candidate Trump campaigned on ending endless wars. This week, Trump said there’s no timeline for when the war he started with Iran will end.

“I do think it’s like a moment to wrestle with our own consciences,” Carlson told his brother. “We’ll be tormented by it for a long time. I will be. And I want to say I’m sorry for misleading people.”

Now before Tucker’s apology, Buckley defended his initial support of Trump’s candidacy in 2015 — despite “all of his obvious foibles and his disgusting elements of his personality” — in part because “he built things.” Buckley also said that after the election of President Obama, white Americans in Washington were subjugated by a version of Jim Crow in education and society, and that progressives “would look blank or angry” whenever he asked what Obama was doing to strengthen the nation.

In other words, being red in the face over Trump did not turn the Tucker boys blue. In fact, the episode ended with the two calling the left a bunch of “lunatics,” even after listing the ways the Trump administration was holding back release of the Epstein files and hurting the country.

“Demonic influences concentrate on those who have power. Beware of power,” Tucker warned listeners halfway through the show before his brother chimed in: “And those who seek power.”

Of course, Trump’s ascension to the White House wasn’t solely based on the contributions of media folks. The president entered 2015 having been a public figure for more than 30 years. He’s had the luxury of criticizing elected officials and legislation on camera without the burden of governing for much of that time. When he entered the political arena, he didn’t have a record to defend. He likes being quotable, not being held accountable. That’s why it’s doubtful he would have been elected a second time if not for the support from unscrupulous podcasters masquerading as political journalists such as Joe Rogan, Theo Von and Andrew Schulz, who less than a year ago said everything Trump “campaigned on, I believed he wanted to do. And now he’s doing the exact opposite thing.… I voted for none of this.”

As if “this” had not been clearly spelled out in the pages of Project 2025 for all to see before deciding whether to vote for Trump and that agenda.

Schulz, the comedian and podcaster, might not have read that outline, but Tucker Carlson probably did. That’s why his apology to listeners — like the mea culpas from the discarded loyalists of the past — ultimately won’t mean anything to mainstream Republicans or MAGA. Those who identify with the latter listen only to Trump. As for the former — they have always known that people like Carlson don’t regret supporting Trump. They regret falling out of favor.

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In a phone interview with The Hill, Trump said Wright was “totally wrong” in suggesting gas prices might not fall below $3 per gallon until next year.

Instead, Trump tied any meaningful drop in prices to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. “As soon as this ends,” he said, indicating he expects prices to ease once tensions subside.

Wright, speaking on CNN a day earlier, struck a more cautious tone. He said it’s possible prices could dip later this year, but acknowledged it may take until 2027 depending on how the situation develops, particularly with disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz — a key global shipping route for oil.

“Prices have likely peaked and should start to come down,” Wright said, adding that a resolution to the conflict would help bring broader energy costs down.

His outlook differs from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said last week that gas prices could return to the $3 range as early as this summer.

Global oil markets have been on edge amid escalating tensions tied to Iran and shipping restrictions through the Strait of Hormuz. In the U.S., gas prices have climbed past $4 per gallon — levels not seen since the early months following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. AAA reported the national average at $4 on Monday.

Oil prices also jumped after the U.S. seized an Iranian vessel near the Strait over the weekend. Brent crude rose to about $94 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate hovered near $88.

At the same time, the U.S. has been enforcing a blockade targeting Iranian ports, further tightening supply. According to Reuters, Pakistan’s army chief, Gen. Asim Munir, raised concerns about the blockade during discussions with Trump, calling it a barrier to negotiations. Trump, however, disputed that account.

“He didn’t recommend anything on the blockade,” Trump said. “It’s very strong. They’re losing about $500 million a day. We control it — they don’t.”

Vice President JD Vance is expected to head a U.S. delegation to Islamabad for potential talks involving Pakistani and Iranian officials. Still, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Monday that no final decision has been made on whether negotiations with the U.S. will move forward.

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Democrats voiced concern that the United States is becoming further entrenched in another lengthy conflict in the Middle East. They promised to keep raising the issue through more war powers votes in the coming weeks.

The 213-214 vote came one day after a similar effort failed in the Senate. The U.S. and Israel struck Iran on Feb. 28, and a fragile ceasefire is now in its second week.

Democrats overwhelmingly supported the attempt to rein in Trump’s use of military force.

“We’re standing at the edge of a cliff and Congress must act before the president pushes off,” said New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. “Every day we delay, we inch closer to a conflict with no exit ramp.”

Republicans tried to cast the effort as hypocritical.

Florida Rep. Brian Mast, the committee chairman, said Congress never voted on a war powers resolution when the U.S. attacked Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen in 2024 while Democrat Joe Biden was president.

“When Joe Biden was responding to merchant marine vessels being attacked, it was OK. No war power needed. It went on for about a year,” Mast said. “President Trump responds — war power, war power, war power. … That’s the hypocrisy.”

Under the War Powers Act of 1973, Congress must declare war or authorize use of force within 60 days — a deadline in the Iran war that will arrive at the end of April. The law provides for a potential 30-day extension, but lawmakers have made clear that they want the Republican administration to soon lay out a plan for the war’s end.

While the House vote failed, it gave Democrats an opportunity to highlight some of the most negative effects of the war: the billions of dollars spent, the death of at least 13 service members, the soaring gas prices and fissures with long-standing allies who do not support Trump’s actions.

“Gas prices at home are up to $7 in my home state, and families are hurting,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash. “Another 10,000 U.S. troops are being sent in to join 50,000 already stationed in the Middle East with absolutely no strategy, no plan and no exit.”

Republicans defended Trump as taking decisive action against an Iranian government that has long terrorized the Middle East and its own people.

“President Donald Trump has sent a message that those who threaten the United States and our partners will be ultimately held accountable,” said Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C.

In Thursday’s vote, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky was the only Republican to cross party lines and vote for removing U.S. forces from the war. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine was the only Democrat to vote against the measure.

The first House vote to curb Trump’s miliary action with Iran failed in early March, 212-219.

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U.S. District Judge Richard Leon’s latest ruling comes in response to an appeals court’s instruction to clarify an earlier decision on the 90,000-square-foot (8,400-square-meter) ballroom planned for the site where it demolished the East Wing of the White House.

Trump on social media called Leon, who was nominated to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush, a “Trump Hating” judge who “has gone out of his way to undermine National Security, and to make sure that this Great Gift to America gets delayed, or doesn’t get built.”

Leon said that below-ground work on security measures is exempt from his order suspending above-ground construction. Government lawyers have argued that the project includes critical security features to guard against a range of possible threats, such as drones, ballistic missiles and biohazards.

Leon’s latest ruling comes several days after a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit instructed him to reconsider the possible national security implications of stopping construction.

In his previous order, Leon barred above-ground work on the ballroom from proceeding without congressional approval. The judge also ruled on March 31 that any construction work that’s necessary to ensure the safety and security of the White House is exempt from the scope of the injunction. Leon said he reviewed material that the government privately submitted to him before concluding that halting construction wouldn’t jeopardize national security.

Leon had suspended his March 31 order for two weeks. He stayed his latest decision for another week, which gives the administration more time to seek Supreme Court review.

Leon said he is ordering a stop only to the above-ground construction of the planned ballroom, apart from any work needed to cover or secure that part of the project. Otherwise, the Trump administration is free to proceed with the construction of any excavations, bunkers, military installations, and medical facilities below the ballroom.

“Defendants argue that the entire ballroom construction project, from tip to tail, falls within the safety-and-security exception and therefore may proceed unabated,” the judge wrote. “That is neither a reasonable nor a correct reading of my Order!”

On Saturday, a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said it didn’t have enough information to decide how much of the project can be suspended without jeopardizing the safety of the president, his family or the White House staff.

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The post on Trump’s Truth Social platform, which Trump later said was meant to portray him as a ‌doctor, came amid his escalating feud with Pope Leo, who has criticized the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran as inhumane. Shortly before publishing the image, the president posted a lengthy screed against Pope Leo, calling him “WEAK on crime and terrible for Foreign Policy.”

Leo, the first U.S.-born pope, said in response to Trump’s attacks that he had “no fear” of the Trump administration and would continue to speak out. In a forceful speech on Monday in Algiers, he denounced “neocolonial” world powers who ​are violating international law, without specifically referring to the United States.

Sunday’s post, depicting Trump in a white robe with an apparently healing hand on a prone man’s head, could create a ​rift between Trump and the religious right, whose support was critical to his victory in the 2024 election.

In the painting-like image, Trump holds a glowing ⁠orb in one hand and uses his other hand to touch a seemingly sick man on the forehead. The Statue of Liberty, fireworks, a fighter jet and eagles could be seen in the background.

Trump ​denied on Monday that the image was intended to show him as a Jesus-like figure, calling that “fake news.”

“It’s supposed to be me as a doctor making people better, and I do make people better,” ​he told reporters at the White House, soon after the post was deleted.

Brilyn Hollyhand, who served as the co-chair of the Republican National Committee Youth Advisory Council, wrote on X: “This is gross blasphemy. Faith is not a prop. You don’t need to portray yourself as a savior when your record should speak for itself.”

Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer and outspoken critic of transgender athletes in women’s sports who has appeared with Trump at rallies, wrote on X ​she could not understand why Trump posted the image.

“Does he actually think this?” she wrote. “Either way, two things are true. 1) a little humility would serve him well 2) God shall not be mocked.”

Christian ​voters, including Catholics, have formed a critical part of Trump’s political base. Trump, who does not attend church regularly, won large majorities of Christian voters in the 2024 election, including Catholics, who had previously been closer to ‌a split.

After Trump ⁠narrowly survived an assassination attempt in July 2024, some evangelical supporters said it was evidence he had been blessed by God.

‘WATERSHED MOMENT’

David Gibson, the director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University, a Catholic school, said it was difficult to understand Trump’s motive in attacking Leo and for posting the image, but that it was also hard to say if American Catholics would turn against him.

“Will this move cross a red line for them? Will they finally punish Trump and the GOP and at the ballot box?” he said. “This is a watershed moment – will Catholics in America choose the pope or the ​president?”

Bishop Robert Barron, who serves on a Trump-created ​religious liberty commission, said on X that ⁠the president owed Leo an apology for his “inappropriate” statements on social media. But he also praised Trump in the same post for his outreach to Catholics.

Trump told reporters on Monday he had “nothing to apologize for” to the pope.

In recent weeks, Leo has become one of the most prominent critics of the war in ​Iran, even making an unusual direct appeal to Trump and urging him to find an “off-ramp.”

Leo has also said that Jesus cannot be used to ​justify war and that God ⁠rejects the prayers of those who start conflicts. Those remarks were widely seen as a rebuke to Trump officials like U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who has cited scripture to justify the use of “overwhelming violence” against enemies and likened the rescue of a U.S. airman inside Iran to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Trump also feuded at times with Leo’s predecessor, Francis, who publicly opposed Trump’s deportation campaign as un-Christian. Last year, after Francis’ ⁠death, Trump posted ​an image showing himself as pope, prompting outrage from many Catholics.

But Trump’s attacks on Leo have gone well beyond his swipes ​at Francis.

“American presidents and American Catholics have disagreed with popes in the past,” Gibson said. “But this is disrespect. Disrespect is way different than disagreement, and that’s the danger for Trump here.”

At least eight members of Trump’s cabinet are Catholic, including Vice President ​JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

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In comments aboard the papal flight to Algiers, where the first U.S. pope is starting a 10-day tour to ​four African countries, the pontiff also said the Christian message ​was being “abused”.

“I don’t want to get into a debate with ⁠him,” Leo told Reuters as he greeted journalists on the plane. “I don’t ​think that the message of the Gospel is meant to be abused ​in the way that some people are doing.”

“I will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among the ​states to look for just solutions to problems,” he said, speaking ​on English.

“Too many people are suffering in the world today,” said Leo. “Too many innocent ‌people ⁠are being killed. And I think someone has to stand up and say there’s a better way.”

“The message of the church, my message, the message of the Gospel: Blessed are the Peacemakers. I do ​not look at ​my role as ⁠being political, a politician,” he said.

Leo, originally from Chicago, has emerged as an outspoken critic of the ​U.S.-Israeli war on Iran in recent weeks and decried ​the “madness of ⁠war” on in a peace appeal on Saturday.

Trump, in an apparent response to the pope’s criticisms of both the conflict and the White House’s ⁠hard-line ​immigration policies, said late on Sunday that ​Leo was “terrible”.

“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” Trump wrote in ​a post on Truth Social.

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Trump posted late Sunday on his social media platform Truth Social that he has known Hilton for years and called the conservative commentator “a truly fine man” who could turn around a state beset with notoriously high taxes. California, Trump wrote, “has gone to hell.”

“With Federal help, and a Great Governor, like Steve Hilton, California can be better than ever before!” Trump added.

The endorsement — coming about a month before mail ballots go to voters in advance of the June 2 primary — will help Hilton coalesce conservative support in a race with no clear leader. However, Trump is widely unpopular in heavily Democratic California outside his conservative base and Trump’s backing would become a liability if Hilton faces a Democrat in the November election.

With a large field, Democrats have been fearful that a quirk in the state’s unusual “top two” primary system could allow only two Republicans to reach the November general election ballot — Hilton and GOP rival Chad Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff. Trump’s decision — a strong signal to undecided conservative voters — will make that outcome less likely by helping Hilton lure additional support.

Democratic consultant Paul Mitchell called Trump’s decision “the safe bet” for Republicans. Rather than cling to a long shot hope that both Republicans reach the November ballot — or risk that both Hilton and Bianco fall short — Trump’s blessing should consolidate support behind Hilton and allow him to emerge from a large primary field and reach November.

“Having a Republican on the top of the ticket is essential” to drive turnout in critical down-ballot races, with control of the U.S. House in play,” Mitchell added. In an unpredictable, wide-open race, the smart play for the GOP is to “get one Republican on the ballot.”

There are more than 50 candidates on the ballot — including eight established Democrats and along with Hilton and Bianco, the two leading Republicans. An all-GOP general election is possible in California, which puts all candidates on one primary ballot and only the top two vote-getters advance to November, regardless of party.

Polling in early February by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California found the field had broken into two distinct groups, with Bianco, Hilton and three Democrats — U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, former Rep. Katie Porter and billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer — in close competition, with other candidates trailing.

In a statement, Hilton thanked Trump for his support and promised to grow jobs and bring down the state’s punishing cost of living. “Together we can turn things around,” Hilton said.

Republicans have not won a statewide election in California in two decades. Registered Democratic voters outnumber Republicans in the state by nearly 2-to-1.

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    The allegations come after The Washington Post reported that FBI Director Kash Patel has instructed agents to prepare files from a decade-old investigation for possible public release. The case examined Swalwell’s past interactions with a suspected Chinese intelligence operative.

    According to the report, the documents are being reviewed and redacted by agents in the bureau’s San Francisco office — a move that former officials say is highly unusual, particularly since the investigation never resulted in criminal charges.

    The inquiry focused on Swalwell’s contact with Christine Fang, also known as Fang Fang, who was involved in fundraising efforts tied to his early congressional campaigns. After being briefed by intelligence officials in 2015 about concerns regarding her connections, Swalwell cut off all contact. He has never been accused of wrongdoing.

    In a statement released Saturday, Swalwell dismissed the renewed attention to the case, calling it politically motivated.

    “This is about targeting political opponents,” he said, adding that the timing of the reported document release raises serious concerns as California’s gubernatorial race begins to take shape.

    Swalwell, who launched his campaign for governor in November, argued that the effort is designed to weaken his candidacy as he gains traction in the race.

    He also suggested that the move reflects a broader strategy by the administration to influence elections beyond Washington, saying the goal is to shape leadership in key states.

    The FBI has not publicly commented on the report.

    Supporters of Swalwell quickly echoed his concerns. Adam Schiff, who has endorsed him in the governor’s race, criticized what he described as a misuse of federal agencies, writing that such actions could undermine public trust.

    Schiff, who previously served alongside Swalwell on the House Intelligence Committee, said the situation reflects a pattern of political retaliation. Both lawmakers played prominent roles in investigations and impeachment proceedings during Trump’s presidency.

    Other Democrats voiced similar concerns. Jimmy Gomez called the move a waste of resources, pointing out that the case had already been reviewed and closed without findings of misconduct.

    “Revisiting this now raises serious questions,” Gomez said, arguing the timing appears tied to the upcoming election.

    Meanwhile, Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, said any effort to revive the case for political purposes could cross legal and ethical lines, including potential violations of federal rules governing political activity.

    The original investigation dates back to the early 2010s. According to reporting from the Associated Press, Fang became involved with Swalwell’s campaign during his first run for Congress in 2012 and later participated in fundraising efforts. She also helped place an intern in his office.

    Federal authorities alerted Swalwell in 2015 about their concerns regarding Fang, prompting him to sever ties. Years later, in 2023, the House Ethics Committee concluded a review of the matter without finding evidence of wrongdoing.

    In its closing letter, the committee noted the broader risks posed by foreign influence but did not accuse Swalwell of misconduct.

    As the governor’s race continues to develop, the controversy is likely to remain a flashpoint — blending national politics with California’s high-stakes election season.

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Earlier this month, President Donald Trump approved $5 million in funding for the project at 37600 Sky Canyon Drive in Murrieta. The federal dollars are part of a package of appropriation bills that included more than $67 million for Riverside County projects. 

Rep. Ken Calvert (R-41) secured the funding for the county projects through the Community Project Funding process. The program provides investment in a wide variety of projects such as housing, homelessness prevention, workforce training, public facilities, parks, resilience planning and other critical infrastructure and services.

The public-use French Valley Airport is county-owned, and Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington said a new tower is needed. (The airport is located within Washington’s Third District.)

“This $5 million federal investment is a major step forward for French Valley Airport and the region,” Washington said. “It moves us closer to delivering an air traffic control tower that will improve safety, support local jobs, and strengthen the continued growth of our regional aviation economy. I’m grateful to our Congressional delegation for their partnership and commitment to our community.”

In a May 23, 2025, letter from Calvert to Rep. Tom Cole (R), Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, the local lawmaker said the money would be used to begin construction of a new Contract Air Traffic Control Tower.

A “Contract” Air Traffic Control Tower is an airport tower where the Federal Aviation Administration contracts with private companies to provide air traffic services rather than using its own employees.

Plans for the project include a 448-square-foot octagonal tower built 93 feet above ground level. A chain-link security fence would surround it, and an emergency generator with designated parking for a fuel truck would be on-site. Ten parking spaces for tower employees would be constructed.

“The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because this project would improve airspace and passenger safety, support regional growth, and increase economic development in the region,” Calvert wrote in the 2025 letter.

According to environmental documents filed with the state, the new tower would “enhance aviation safety by improving air traffic communication, providing improved aircraft separation, and reducing the risk of mid-air collisions and other accidents, runway incursions, and other hazards.”

The proposed project would not affect air traffic patterns or increase airport capacity. Additionally, the tower would be constructed entirely within airport boundaries, and no property acquisition is required, according to the documents.

The airport currently has one runway, which is 6,000 feet long and 75 feet wide. Aircraft operations at French Valley average 290 per day, according to the county’s website.

Construction on the tower is planned to begin this year and would require approximately six months to complete.

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