Meghan Hays, a former assistant to President Biden, joined a panel discussion with Bloomberg News senior White House reporter Josh Wingrove and ‘Ruthless Podcast’ co-host Josh Holmes on Shannon Bream’s show. They explored various topics including the ideological divide within the Democratic Party and the implications of socialist candidates in mainstream political races. Additionally, the panel examined the latest Fox News Power Rankings, highlighting key Senate shifts in Michigan and Texas before the midterms.
In an intriguing development, Taif Sami Mohammed, once celebrated by the United States as a courageous figure, has made headlines. Four years ago, she was acknowledged by Secretary of State Antony Blinken as Iraq’s ‘Iron Woman’ for combating corruption and exposing schemes despite significant threats. At present, Mohammed finds herself on the U.S. terrorist watchlist, unable to enter the country, according to a State Department official who confirmed this development to Fox News Digital.
‘While the Biden State Department shamefully celebrated and awarded foreigners who threaten our nation, the Trump State Department revokes their visas and ensures these individuals are removed from our country,’ stated Dylan Johnson, Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs.
This statement underscores the dramatic shift for Mohammed, recognized with one of the Biden administration’s prestigious awards in 2022. Mohammed, Iraq’s former finance minister, received commendations for being an anti-corruption leader. However, her positioning on the FBI’s terror watchlist signals a significant change.
Reports indicate that Mohammed’s fall from grace publicly unraveled over more than a year. Republican lawmakers previously accused her of aiding terrorist financing via Iraq’s financial system. Representatives Joe Wilson and Greg Steube labeled her a ‘key enabler of terrorist funding in Iraq’ and urged the imposition of sanctions.
These allegations contrast sharply with the Biden administration’s narrative of Mohammed when she was chosen for the International Women of Courage Award by the State Department in 2022. As Iraq’s deputy finance minister and budget department director general, she was hailed as a ‘frontline leader against corrupt practices.’ Blinken highlighted her role in preventing corruption within Iraq’s budget at the March 2022 awards ceremony.
Mohammed advanced to Iraq’s finance minister role, managing the federal budget, government expenditure, and Baghdad’s financial connections with the Kurdistan region. However, her troubles have expanded beyond U.S. circles.
An Iraqi court has summoned Mohammed, adding her to a judicial wanted list while broadening a corruption probe involving former senior government officials, according to an August 2025 report by IraqiNews. The report noted her absence from Iraq and lack of detention, emphasizing the investigation’s role rather than proof of wrongdoing.
Mohammed’s U.S. watchlist status represents a distinct, possibly graver development, without direct clarification from the State Department on any association with legislative allegations or the corruption inquiry in Iraq. The matter remains complex as various investigations unfold.
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