Brandon Scott, the Democratic mayor of Baltimore, is facing questions about the taxpayer funds he uses for his transportation as well as social media pushback over a press conference where he suggested racism was a factor.

Scott, a progressive who has served as mayor since 2020, is facing pressure over a Fox Baltimore report showing his primary vehicle, a 2025 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, is the most expensive government-issued vehicle operated by any mayor, governor, county executive or county commissioner in the state, costing taxpayers $163,495. 

Scott has responded to the report, which claims his SUV costs nearly twice as much as the next most expensive taxpayer vehicle in the state, by pointing to the cost of President Donald Trump’s “Beast” vehicle, arguing that inflation is not being factored in and suggesting politics are at play. 

Scott, after being pressed by a reporter in a back-and-forth exchange, called the question “idiotic” and part of a “right-wing” effort to discredit him. 

BALTIMORE MAYOR DOUBLING DOWN ON DEI WITH ‘DEFINITELY EARNED IT’ CAMPAIGN

“Just because you didn’t get the answer that you wanted in your racist slant, that’s one thing,” the mayor said.

Scott has championed himself as a fighter against the “status quo” as the city faces an $85 million budget deficit and has also been an advocate against climate change despite choosing a Jeep Wagoneer, a vehicle with modest gas efficiency at 14 MPG, to get around.

Scott’s exchange with the reporter made waves on social media from the mayor’s conservative critics.

GOP SENATOR’S ‘FEDERAL FUMBLES’ REPORT HIGHLIGHTS $240M SPENT ON TRANSGENDER RAT TESTING

“Mayor Scott could not defend using tax dollars to buy his luxury vehicle, so he called the reporter a racist,” Maryland Republican state Delegate Kathy Szeliga posted on X. “Classic deflection. His gas guzzling $165K Jeep Grand Wagoneer must be a sweet ride!”

“When a reporter simply asks about the outrageous cost? Scott immediately screams ‘racism’ and accuses the station of a ‘severe right-wing effort,’” social media commentator Officer Lew posted on X. “Classic deflection. Waste money, play the race card, dodge accountability. This is what happens when identity politics runs City Hall.”

“Cry racism to dodge the grift,” conservative commentator Brandon Tatum posted on X. “Unqualified virtue-signaler supreme.”

“Can’t make this up,” conservative influencer account LibsofTikTok posted on X.

Scott has repeatedly criticized the “old way” of Baltimore politics, which he associated with prioritizing image over substance.

“For too long, corrupt and inept leaders of this city have prioritized flashy, yet unsuccessful transportation options that have done nothing to substantially improve the safety and quality of our transportation network,” Scott wrote as a mayoral candidate in 2020. 

A spokesperson for the mayor’s office told Fox News Digital the 2020 quote has “no relevance whatsoever” to the city’s government vehicle fleet and is “clearly a response to a question about utilizing state and federal resources for Baltimore’s public transportation system.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The spokesperson also pushed back on the Fox Baltimore report, saying the vehicle was procured in February 2025 at a normal MSRP through the normal procurement procedure, and “the supplier contract was approved without incident by the Board of Estimates on September 18, 2024.”

“First, I want to clarify that the vehicle did not cost $163,495. That figure is the total project cost, which includes the cost of the vehicle and the cost of necessary safety modifications. As with any executive vehicle, which is utilized by the Baltimore Police Department’s Executive Protection Unit (EPU), the vehicle is required to be compatible with police operations. This means that the vehicle needed to be fitted with appropriate safety, security, and communications features (emergency vehicle lights, sirens, a microphone, etc.).

“According to best practices for reliability and safety, the City budgets to purchase a new mayoral vehicle every four years. This vehicle replaced a previous executive vehicle originally purchased in 2016. These vehicles are scheduled to be replaced every four years because they are used far more often through their official duties than an average personal vehicle; as such, they accumulate miles quicker and require more regular maintenance and replacement. Once the vehicles are replaced, the old vehicles are either repurposed for other official duties or sold at auction to ensure cost effectiveness.”

The spokesperson also pushed back on the reporting that the mayor’s vehicle is the most expensive taxpayer vehicle in the state for an executive, saying the reporting “does not actually provide the evidence to fully support that assertion.”

“The story admits that they did not receive documentation from all jurisdictions in the state and utilizes comparisons to vehicles that are substantially older or from jurisdictions that work on a different vehicle replacement cycle or have different executive protection protocols. It also did not include context that the 2016 vehicle served beyond the standard replacement cycle,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson’s statement did not address Scott’s comment about a “racist slant.”

Democrats believe Bill and Hillary Clinton’s decision to appear before the House Oversight Committee will put to bed accusations of noncompliance with congressional investigations on Jeffrey Epstein while strengthening precedents related to subpoena power that Democrats could use down the line.

At the same time, lawmakers cast doubt that their testimony would provide answers that Republicans are looking for.

“I think House Republicans want this to be performative and a public show,” Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., the No. 3 Democrat in the chamber, said.

“I think it satisfies the [subpoena] requirements … as long as they are indicating that they are willing to answer questions,” he added, referring to the congressional request compelling their testimony.

HILLARY CLINTON EXPECTED TO DEFY EPSTEIN PROBE SUBPOENA, RISKING CRIMINAL CHARGES

Republicans hope to learn more about the relationships Bill and Hillary Clinton may have had with Epstein, the disgraced financier who killed himself while incarcerated on charges of sex trafficking minors in 2019.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will appear before the House Oversight Committee for a deposition Feb. 26, while former President Bill Clinton will appear Feb. 27.

The Clintons’ decision to testify follows Republican efforts to hold them in contempt of Congress.

The Oversight Committee teed up contempt resolutions along bipartisan lines last month after the pair failed to appear for scheduled depositions in January. If put to the House and passed, the resolution would have referred the Clintons to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution, and, if convicted, they could have faced a $100,000 fine and up to a year behind bars.

Notably, even a handful of progressive members of the “Squad” joined to support teeing up consideration of the contempt resolution, revealing bipartisan frustrations about their absence.

Aguilar said he believes the Clintons have now nixed that possibility.

BILL, HILLARY CLINTON RISK CRIMINAL CONTEMPT CHARGES AFTER DEFYING HOUSE SUBPOENAS IN EPSTEIN PROBE

“If people receive a lawful subpoena, they should comply, and they should share [testimony],” Aguilar said. “There’s absolutely no way that contempt can move forward if they’re cooperating.”

He noted that the mere use of contempt resolutions to compel testimony might play into Democrats’ hands in the future.

“It sets an interesting precedent on who is subject to come into Oversight, and we will see what the next year holds for Trump Inc. and the Trump family,” Aguilar said, alluding to the requests Democrats might make if they hold a majority in 2027.

Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., was one of the nine Democrats who voted to advance contempt considerations out of committee. He said that while he probably would have opposed the measure had it reached the floor, he had voted for it in committee, hoping to reinforce the congressional subpoena power.

“I think no matter who you are, if Congress wants you to testify, you should testify,” Frost said Wednesday.

Like Aguilar, he believes a new bar has been set by Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., on whom the committee can request an appearance from.

“It sets new standards. It’s a new precedent that will follow for anyone — former presidents, their family, their spouse, whoever — depending on investigations that we do in the future,” Frost said.

CLINTONS AGREE TO TESTIFY AFTER HOUSE THREATENS CONTEMPT IN JEFFREY EPSTEIN PROBE

Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., a top Democrat in the House of Representatives, echoed his colleagues’ thinking on the Clintons’ compliance with the subpoenas.

“I think it’s a positive development. You know, they had a chance to look it over, and they made the choice that ‘I’ll come testify,’ and I applaud them for doing it,” Thompson said.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

“No,” Thompson said simply when asked if he expected their testimony to reveal new information about the pair’s relationship with Epstein. “I don’t think they have anything to be worried about. I look forward to hearing what they have to say.”

The situation worsened in the evening, when security forces had to use mild force to disperse the protesters. However, protests had continued since morning. But the anger of the protesters flared up further when information about Kuki MLAs supporting the new government came to light. The protesters allege that the MLAs have taken this step ignoring the sentiments of the community, whereas the demand for a separate administrative system in the area has been raised for a long time.

The protesters clearly said that they will not accept this government until their demand for a separate administration is met. The situation worsened when the process of government formation was completed in the presence of Kuki MLAs. This included Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, MLA LM Khaute and Ngursangalur Sanate. The protesters termed the development as a betrayal of the community’s aspirations.

Also read: Meghalaya: 16 people killed in coal mine explosion in Meghalaya; PM announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh each

Concern increased due to suicide attempt
According to information, the movement took a serious turn when two protesters were reported to have allegedly attempted self-immolation. However, the policemen present at the spot intervened in time and took control of the situation, due to which no major accident occurred. After around 6 pm, the situation once again worsened and incidents of sporadic clashes were reported. Many protesters have also been confirmed injured in these clashes, although no one’s condition is said to be serious.

warning was given in advance
Earlier, some organizations and sections of the Kuki community had warned the Kuki MLAs not to support the popular government if it was formed. The administration said that the situation is being constantly monitored and all necessary steps are being taken to maintain law and order.

Young people who have encountered the police and have been victims of crime have said they lack trust in the system and often feel unheard.

Sky News listened in as sixth-form students at one London school were visited by a minister ahead of the government announcing it was launching a consultation to give young people a voice in the justice system.

Teenagers at All Saints School in Stepney, east London, told minister for victims and tackling violence against women and girls Alex Davies-Jones how their experiences contributed to a wider culture of fear and reduced trust in the system designed to protect them.

One student, who Sky News is not naming due to his age, said he was “stopped and searched on his way to school when he was just 13-years-old”.

He told the minister there was no clear explanation given and described the encounter as distressing, adding that officers “did not contact his parents”.

Another said: “Anyone can be attacked at any moment, especially at night. People cover up (using balaclavas) and you don’t really know their identity, so you have to be wary.”

A third told how her sister’s phone was stolen in a crowded shop and when she reported it, the police said there was “not much they could do”. It left her feeling she had little confidence the police could help.

One young person at the school said a shift in culture was required. He said: “There needs to be more of a clamp down on the idea of the stigma of snitching.

“Many young people don’t come forward because there’s this dichotomy between police and young people, and you’re like a police officer if you’re reporting someone to keep the community safe.”

What’s the government doing about it?

In launching its consultation on the Victims’ Code, the government is admitting many children and young people don’t know where to turn following crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual violence as they get lost in the complexities of the criminal justice system.

It says the proposals in the Victims’ Code would mean:

• More direct contact with police and probation officers alongside parents, for those aged 12 and up

• Ensuring young people have a stronger feeling of safety while going through the justice system

• Measures to encourage all victims to see their case all the way through to trial and beyond

• An Understand Your Rights campaign across England and Wales to ensure young people can see “the Victims’ Code is there for every victim, whatever the crime”

The minister in charge of victims had to admit, after listening to the young people in Stepney, that the government had a “big job” in front of it.

Ms Davies-Jones told Sky News: “What we heard today from the young people, their lived experience of crime was truly quite shocking.

“They weren’t believed. They were targeted themselves as potential criminals rather than victims and witnesses. And we have a big job to do as a new government coming in to ensure that we rebuild that criminal justice system, that we rebuild trust in our organisations again, whether that’s the police.

“Just because you’re a child, it doesn’t diminish anything that’s happened to you. You shouldn’t be patronised or talked down to. You treat them like a victim or a witness, regardless of their age.”

She said rebuilding trust in the criminal justice system, including the police, prosecutors and courts, would be a major task for the government.

Other proposed improvements to the Victims’ Code include new “fundamental principles” and training for agencies across the justice system to deliver a higher standard of communication with victims.

And the government says compliance with the Victims’ Code would be enshrined in law and, once in operation, the victims’ commissioner would be given enhanced power to hold agencies to account should they fall short of the code’s standards without good reason.

‘Child victims need to be listened to’

The Children’s Commissioner for England, Rachel D’Souza welcomed the consultation, saying it could strengthen children’s rights within the justice system.

She said: “Too many children tell me the justice system can be bewildering or even traumatising. Child victims need to know their rights, to be listened to, to be treated with dignity and care, and to get the support they are entitled to.

“This updated Victims’ Code sets out these rights much more clearly and provides a strong set of principles for the professionals who interact with child victims to follow, recognising they have different needs and different circumstances to adults.

“I hope this will drive important change to make sure those rights are realised in practice.”

The Maryland Freedom Caucus, a group of GOP delegates in the Maryland state legislature, made a post on social media showing a sign that appeared to have been hung by Democrat colleagues, dismissing concerns over trans athletes in women’s sports. 

The post claimed the sign was hung Wednesday, which was National Girls & Women in Sports Day. 

The sign, which has a signature from the Maryland Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus, was hung on the offices of Democrat state delegates Eric Ebersole and Nick Allen.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Ebersole and Allen provided a joint statement to Fox News Digital addressing the sign. 

“As proud allies, we support the LGBTQ+ Caucus and its work to fight discrimination and counter the rampant misinformation targeting the transgender community. Our office is next door to that of our friend, colleague, and Chair of the LGBTQ+ Caucus, and it will always be a safe space. At a time when adults, especially those in positions of power, feel compelled to publicly bully trans kids, we choose to stand with the LGBTQ+ community today and always,” the statement read. 

The sign makes the claim that “trans women have no competitive advantage” in women’s sports. 

In 2021, the British Journal of Sports Medicine published a study that said transgender women maintain an advantage over biological women even after a year of hormone therapy treatment.

EDUCATION DEPT LAUNCHES 18 TITLE IX PROBES AFTER SCOTUS HEARS ARGUMENTS IN EFFORTS TO PROTECT WOMEN’S SPORTS

The sign also went on to state, “anti-dignity policies put transgender youth at risk,” “banning transgender youth is illegal” and “invasive enforcement creates fear.” 

This all happened a day before the Maryland state legislature is scheduled to vote on the Fairness in Girls’ Sports Act.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

The bill would require “certain interscholastic and intramural junior varsity and varsity athletic teams or sports sponsored by certain schools and certain locker rooms to be expressly designated based on biological sex; prohibiting certain entities from taking certain adverse actions against a school for maintaining separate interscholastic and intramural junior varsity and varsity athletic teams or sports or locker rooms for students of the female sex.” 

So far, 27 states in the U.S. have similar laws in effect that enforce bans on trans athletes in girls sports. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.