Sununu on Haley’s GOP presidential primary rivals: ‘I think they should all get out’
A brash Gov. Chris Sununu has a message for Nikki Haley’s rivals for the Republican presidential nomination – it’s time to get out of the race. “This is a race between two people – Nikki Haley and Donald Trump. That’s it,” Sununu stated as he spoke with reporters after endorsing Haley for president on Tuesday, at a town hall event at a ski lodge in New Hampshire’s largest city. Sununu, the popular Republican governor of the state that holds the first primary and second overall contest in the GOP presidential nominating calendar, emphasized that “with all due respect to all the other candidates, this is a two-person race at this point.” The endorsement will likely have little immediate impact on the former president, who remains the commanding front-runner for the GOP nomination as he makes his third straight White House run. ‘WE’RE ALL IN’ – SUNUNU BACKS HALEY IN MAJOR 2024 ENDORSEMENT But Sununu’s much coveted backing of Haley, the former two-term South Carolina governor who later served as ambassador to the United Nations in the Trump administration, is seen as a setback for the two other Republican presidential candidates who were also in the running to land the endorsement – former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. “Chris and Ron have been running great campaigns. Both are very good friends. Great governors in their own right,” Sununu said in a Fox News Digital interview after endorsing Haley. SUNUNU TEAMS UP WITH HALEY, DESANTIS, AND CHRISTIE AS HE DECIDES ON A 2024 ENDORSEMENT But he added that one of the reasons he chose to endorse Haley is that “she’s really connecting on the campaign trail. Her numbers are moving.” “I’m behind Nikki Haley. I think they should all get out frankly, including former President Trump. I think everyone should kind of clear the way,” Sununu said when asked about Haley’s rivals. But he quickly acknowledged “they’re going to keep campaigning.” Sununu’s endorsement of Haley appears to be a big blow for Christie, who just as he did in his unsuccessful 2016 White House bid, is once again betting it all on New Hampshire. Sununu told Fox News that he hadn’t talked to Christie ahead of his endorsement of Haley. WAS THE REAL WINNER SO FAR IN THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES THE GUY WHO DIDN’T SHOW UP? Haley, asked by Fox News if Christie should depart the race in the wake of her landing Sununu’s endorsement, said “Chris is my friend and I will never tell anyone to get out of the race. It’s a personal issue to get in. It’s a personal decision to get out. That’s Chris’ decision to make.” Sununu will join Haley for three more campaign events on Wednesday and Thursday in New Hampshire. The governor will be stumping with Haley across the Granite State as Christie returns Wednesday to New Hampshire for two events. Christie’s campaign, in a statement, emphasized that Sununu’s endorsement of Haley “puts us down one vote in New Hampshire and when Governor Christie is back in Londonderry tomorrow, he’ll continue to tell the unvarnished truth about Donald Trump and earn that one missing vote and thousands more.” CHRISTIE UPS HIS GAME IN A KEY PRIMARY STATE As he worked to land Sununu’s endorsement, Christie spotlighted that when it comes to Trump, he and the New Hampshire governor were on the same page, as two of the most vocal GOP critics of the former president. “Who does he want standing across from Donald Trump when this gets down to a one-on-one? Who does he think can take him on in a direct way? Who’s been saying the same things as Chris Sununu has been saying for the last couple of years about Donald Trump, trying to move the party in a new direction? And I think I’m the person who has the clearest, strongest voice on that,” Christie emphasized in a Fox News Digital interview a couple of weeks ago. Christie in recent weeks has also stepped up his criticism of Haley’s much more measured jabs at Trump. Haley, at Tuesday’s event, once again repeated her well-worn line that Trump was “the right president at the right time.” Asked if Haley’s more passive attacks on Trump were an issue, Sununu told Fox News “not at all.” “A candidate has to be talking about what they’re about, not just what the other guy isn’t. I think there’s always an opportunity to talk about the former president in terms of where he succeeded and where he didn’t – and there’s a lot of didn’t there. But I think Nikki’s done a great job not just talking about him but what she’s about,” he argued. And Haley emphasized to reporters that “I talk about my differences with Trump.” “Anti-Trumpers don’t think I hate him enough. Pro-Trumpers don’t think I love him enough,” she added. “At the end of the day I put my truths out there and let the chips fall where they may.” Haley, who has enjoyed momentum in the polls in recent months, thanks in part to well-received performances in the first three GOP presidential primary debates, leapfrogged DeSantis for second place in New Hampshire and her home state, which holds the first southern contest. Christie stands in third place in most of the latest surveys in New Hampshire. Haley also aims to make a fight of it in Iowa – the state whose Jan. 15 caucuses lead off the GOP nominating calendar. The latest polls suggest she is close to pulling even with DeSantis for a distant second place behind Trump. While Sununu’s backing of Haley is also a setback for DeSantis, it likely won’t sting as much as it does for Christie. DeSantis is mostly concentrating on Iowa, where he enjoys the endorsement of Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds. He’s also backed by Bob Vander Plaats, president of The Family Leader, a top social conservative organization in a state where evangelical voters play an outsized role in Republican politics.
DeSantis pins partial blame on Trump administration for satanic temple display in Iowa state capitol
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis invoked the name of former President Donald Trump when asked in a CNN town hall on Tuesday about a controversial satanic display in the Iowa state capitol building. “So it’s interesting,” DeSantis told CNN’s Jake Tapper. “I heard this and then I was like, well, how did it get there? Is that even a religion? And lo and behold, the Trump administration gave them approval to be under the IRS as a religion. So that gave them the legal ability to potentially do it.” DeSantis continued, “So I don’t know what the legislature, how they analyzed it, but it very well may be because of that ruling under Donald Trump that they may have had a legal leg to stand on. My view would be that that’s not a religion that the founding fathers were trying to create. But I do think that IRS ruling, I was really surprised to see that they did that.” THE SATANIC TEMPLE DEDICATING ‘LARGEST SATANIC GATHERING IN HISTORY’ TO BOSTON MAYOR, WILL REQUIRE MASKS DeSantis was referring to a situation that developed this week where The Satanic Temple of Iowa erected a public display depicting “Baphomet,” made of a ram’s head of with mirrors covering it, propped by a mannequin in red clothing. Co-founder of The Satanic Temple, Lucien Greaves, told the news outlet that the display represents the group’s right to religious freedom. The display sparked intense controversy and condemnation from conservatives in Iowa from those who felt the state legislature or the state’s Republican governor should have stopped it from being put up. SATANISTS CONDEMN LEADER, DEMAND HE REAFFIRM TRANS RIGHTS AFTER TAKING PHOTO WITH ANTI-WOKE ATHEIST The Iowa Department of Administrative Services said the satanic group met all the requirements legally needed to erect the display, KWWL-TV reported. “Like many Iowans, I find the Satanic Temple’s display in the Capitol absolutely objectionable,” Gov. Kim Reynolds, who endorsed DeSantis, said in a statement. “In a free society, the best response to objectionable speech is more speech, and I encourage all those of faith to join me today in praying over the Capitol and recognizing the nativity scene that will be on display – the true reason for the season,” Reynolds added. Lawmakers who oppose the display have acknowledged that it is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. During the Trump presidency, the IRS in 2019 granted the “non-theistic” Salem-Mass.-based Satanic organization tax exempt status. “That doesn’t necessarily mean the government supports it, but they did grant it,” Tapper told DeSantis Tuesday. “Yeah, exactly,” DeSantis responded. “But they recognized it as a religion, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to do it. I don’t think that was the right decision… that’s wrong.” When asked if the display should be taken down, DeSantis said, “Yeah, I mean look, I think if they’re going to get sued on it, I think you fight that fight.” Fox News Digital reached out to the Trump campaign for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Fox News Digital’s Adam Sabes contributed to this report
DeSantis downplays significance of Gov. Sununu’s New Hampshire endorsement of Haley: ‘So many problems’
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis responded to New Hampshire GOP Gov. Chris Sununu’s endorsement of former Ambassador Nikki Haley by praising the governor’s political chops, but he also said he doesn’t believe it will be enough to put Haley over the top. “Well, unlike some people running, if someone doesn’t endorse me, I’m not going to go trash them,” DeSantis told CNN’s Jake Tapper, taking a shot at former President Trump, when asked about Sununu’s endorsement of Haley. “Chris is a good guy. He’s done a good job. And I’m going to continue to say he’s good. He’s a really good campaigner.” DeSantis added the caveat that even though Sununu is a good campaigner, he is “not going to be able to paper over Nikki being an establishment candidate.” WILL SUNUNU ENDORSEMENT OF HALEY MAKE A DENT IN TRUMP’S MASSIVE LEAD IN GOP PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY RACE? “I mean, she’s getting funded by liberal Democrats from California, like the founder of LinkedIn, people on Wall Street like the head of JP Morgan. She’s getting all these folks that are going to her. Guess what, guys? Those folks do not want to see conservative change in this country. So why are they gravitating to her?” DeSantis criticized Haley for a controversial comment on the campaign trail calling for social media users to verify their real names, which caused a firestorm among some conservatives. “Conservatives have been singled out for expressing opinions on social media. People have been canceled,” DeSantis said. “They’ve lost jobs over this. Why would she want to put our own people under there? So I think there’s so many problems with her policy positions.” TRUMP HOLDS MASSIVE LEAD IN IOWA 5 WEEKS FROM CAUCUSES THAT KICK OFF GOP RACE: POLL DeSantis said that Haley is “really reflective of the old Republican establishment” and “we do not need to go back to that.” “But I will say this, Chris is great, he’s done a great job as governor. He’s a great campaigner. And I look forward to campaigning with him next fall in New Hampshire as the Republican nominee.” Sununu announced his coveted endorsement on Tuesday telling a crowd in New Hampshire that he is thankful for Trump’s service but “we’re moving on.” “This is a race between two people: Nikki Haley and Donald Trump,” Sununu told reporters after the event. “That’s it. Nikki has spent the time on the ground here, she has earned people’s trust, and that’s going to be the real decider.” Trump currently leads the field in New Hampshire with 45.5% of the vote followed by Haley at 18.5%, former New Jersey Gov. Christie at 12%, and DeSantis at 8.5%, according to the Real Clear Politics average. A recent Wall Street Journal poll showed that Haley holds a 17 point lead over President Biden in a general election. “Gov. Sununu picks winners, and we’re thankful he’s on our team,” Haley spokesperson Ken Farnaso told Fox News Digital on Tuesday night.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul threatens legal action against universities that fail to combat antisemitism
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul warned all state colleges and universities that failing to crack down on antisemitism on their campus is a violation of the state’s Human Rights Law and will result in “aggressive enforcement action.” Hochul wrote a letter to the presidents of colleges and universities across the state, with a message that calls for genocide made on campuses violate the New York State Human Rights Law and Civil Rights Act of 1964. The letter came as Hochul, like many Americans, saw presidents of several universities fail to denounce antisemitism and calls for genocide of Jewish people on their college campuses. HARVARD, MIT AND UPENN PRESIDENTS PRESSED ON ‘RACE-BASED IDEOLOGY OF THE RADICAL LEFT’ AT ANTISEMITISM HEARING Hochul said she contacted State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor John King to make sure that calling for the genocide of any group of people on any of its 62 campuses is a violation of the code of conduct, which it is. Hochul said King affirmed that SUNY does not tolerate antisemitism or hatred of any kind and learned from City University of New York (CUNY) Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez the same is true for CUNY schools. Hochul told the university presidents that by not addressing antisemitic activity on campuses, the schools are in violation of the State Human Rights Law and Civil Rights Act of 1964. She also said schools that receive federal funds are responsible for keeping students free from a hostile environment based on their ethnicity or national origin. HARVARD WHISTLEBLOWER POINTS TO ‘UNDISGUISED CALLS FOR THE MURDER OF JEWS’ AFTER LAUNCH OF FEDERAL PROBE She then said if schools do not comply with the laws, they can become ineligible to receive state and federal funds. “I assure you that if any school in New York State is found to be in violation, I will activate the State’s Division of Human Rights to take aggressive enforcement action and will refer possible Title Vi violations to the federal government,” Hochul wrote. “The moral lapses that were evidenced by the disgraceful answers to questions posed during this week’s congressional hearing cannot and will not be tolerated here in the state of New York.” College presidents from Harvard, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania were pressed on Capitol Hill last week during an education hearing about the massive protests on campus where chants calling for the genocide of Jews, “intifada,” and “from the river to the sea” were heard. COLUMBIA SHUTS DOWN PLANNED DISCUSSION JUSTIFYING HAMAS’ OCTOBER 7 MASSACRE AS ‘PALESTINIAN COUNTEROFFENSIVE’ All three dodged, did not directly answer the question or claimed it did not violate their policies per se, and it depended on context. UPenn President Liz Magill’s comments sparked fierce backlash after she gave a non-answer to New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik’s question asking if calling for the genocide of Jews violates Penn’s rules or code of conduct. “If the speech turns into conduct, it can be harassment. Yes,” Magill responded, later adding, “It is a context-dependent decision.” ANTISEMITISM EXPOSED Stefanik asked her if calling for the genocide of Jews violated the schools code of conduct in terms of bullying and harassment, and Magill’s answer was, “It can be harassment.” She later walked back her comments in a video on X, saying, “I was not focused on, but I should have been, on the irrefutable fact that a call for genocide of Jewish people is a call for some of the most terrible violence human beings can perpetrate.” Fox News Digital’s Adam Sabes contributed to this report.
Migrant who thanked Biden after entering US illegally is already in NYC with court date set for October 2024
A Moroccan man who thanked President Joe Biden after illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border into Arizona last week has since been released from Border Patrol custody and is already in New York City with a court date set for October 2024, Fox News has learned. The individual was one of two African men who spoke to Fox News’ Bill Melugin in Lukeville, near the Arizona-Mexico border. “I love you Joe Biden, thank you for everything, Joe Biden!” the male African migrant said. “I’m a good person, I want to be a good person here in the United States.” Both he and another migrant — who came from Liberia — said they were not seeking asylum, but rather work opportunities in the U.S. “I came here because I want [a] quality life, America is a land of opportunity,” he said. CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS PUSHES BIDEN FOR MEETING ON BORDER CRISIS TALKS WITH GOP Both men, who are among thousands who illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border each week, said they were headed to New York City, which has been overwhelmed by an influx of some 140,000 migrants since last year, forcing the city to slash funding for certain departments. Fiscal Year 2023 has broken new records, with more than 2.4 million migrant encounters. September saw a record for encounters at the southern border, while the following month saw a record for encounters in October — with more than 240,000 encounters border-wide. Funding for more resources at the border has stalled in recent weeks, as Republicans demand it be coupled with restrictions on asylum and the use of parole — a demand which some Democrats have balked at. Fox News Digital’s Adam Shaw contributed to this report.
US senator expresses concerns about Irish bill that would restrict free speech
U.S. Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, raised questions for lawmakers in Ireland, who are proposing a bill that could jail citizens for merely possessing material that criticizes certain protected characteristics, like gender or national origin. Dubbed the “Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offenses) Bill 2022,” the proposed legislation is intended to target hate speech, though critics have compared it to the concept of punishing people for “thoughtcrime,” a term popularized by George Orwell’s dystopian novel, “1984.” The text of the “Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offenses) Bill 2022,” notes that a person can be imprisoned if they “prepare or possess” material that is “likely to incite violence or hatred against a person or a group of persons on account of their protected characteristics or any of those characteristics with a view to the material being communicated to the public or a section of the public, whether by himself or herself or another person.” IRISH CITIZENS COULD SOON BE JAILED FOR ‘POSSESSING MATERIAL LIKELY TO INCITE VIOLENCE OR HATRED’ The bill includes a variety of “protected characteristics” that one can be prosecuted for criticizing, including, race, color, nationality, religion, national or ethnic origin, descent, gender, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, or disability. Vance addressed a letter to Irish UN Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, in which he expressed concern over the pending legislation, sitting in the Irish parliament. “I write to express concern about legislation pending in the Oireachtas [aka the Irish parliament] that could undermine Ireland’s commitment to universally prized freedoms, including the freedom of speech,” Vance wrote. “Given that President [Éamon] de Valera himself was imprisoned for sedition in 1918, I urge your government to consider the impact of this legislation on Ireland’s proud tradition of free speech.” IRISH SENATOR UNDER FIRE FOR ADVOCATING BILL TO RESTRICT FREE SPEECH He continued by saying the law criminalizes those in public who behave in a way that could incite hatred against a person or group of people because of their protected characteristics. “What on earth does that mean,” Vance asked the Irish representative. “Would the prohibition include ‘recklessly’ attributing social ills, like crime, to increased immigration to Ireland? Would it include ‘recklessly’ affirming that gender is biologically determined and that there are only two genders, male and female?” Vance told Nason the bill would rob Ireland of the public discourse “all democracies need” if citizens self-censor to protect themselves from prosecution, adding that the law is vague. IRELAND ANTI-HATE LAW PUSHED IN WAKE OF DUBLIN RIOTS COULD CRIMINALIZE MEMES, POSES FREE SPEECH CONCERNS Ireland Sen. Pauline O’Reilly spoke to the Seanad Éireann, where she claimed the law protects people from “discomfort” associated with views about their identities. Vance said the U.S. condemns similar “censorious conduct” from China, Myanmar or Iran, explaining the U.S. imposed visa restrictions on government officials from the latter because they were believed to have been censoring “peaceful protesters” and “inhibiting their rights to freedom of expression” and peaceful assembly. “I am alarmed that one of our closest friends, a democracy dedicated to upholding cherished freedoms, should undertake such legislation,” Vance wrote. CONOR MCGREGOR DOUBLES DOWN ON CRITICISM OF IRELAND’S IMMIGRATION POLICIES AFTER RIOTS He then presented several questions to the UN representative, like whether the law, if passed, would be consistent with all of Ireland’s treaty obligations. Earlier this month, O’Reilly, a member of the Green Party, was criticized after she advocated for the bill that would restrict free speech. Vance also asked if the bill would be applicable to all classes of foreign visitors in Ireland and if U.S. government officials would be subject to the prohibitions when visiting Ireland. The final question Vance posed was if the bill does become law, what steps will Nason take to ensure Ireland’s departure from fundamental values of democracy, like freedom of expression, does not damage its relationship with the U.S. In defense of the bill, O’Reilly spoke at the Houses of the Oireachtas in June, saying, “We are restricting freedom, but we’re doing it for the common good. “You will see throughout our constitution, yes, you have rights, but they are restricted for the common good,” she added. “If your views on other people’s identities go to make their lives unsafe, insecure and cause them such deep discomfort that they cannot live in peace, then I believe that it is our job as legislators to restrict those freedoms for the common good.” Alexander Hall of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
UW regents meet after DEI rollback deal with lawmakers falls through
The head of the Universities of Wisconsin system declined to reveal what the school’s regents discussed in a closed meeting Tuesday, after the collapse of a contentious deal with Republican lawmakers that would have required campuses to slash diversity positions and scrap an affirmative action program at UW-Madison in exchange for employee raises and funding for construction projects. The regents met in a closed video conference Tuesday morning to “deliberate and negotiate funding proposals and matters,” according to the agenda. Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman declined to comment on what was said, repeatedly stating in a brief interview with reporters that the meeting was closed. TOP WI REPUBLICAN DECLARES END TO FINANCIAL NEGOTIATIONS WITH STATE UNIVERSITY The meeting came three days after the regents voted to reject a funding proposal from Assembly Republican Speaker Robin Vos. The speaker had offered to release funding for a 6% university employee raise over the next two years as well as funding for construction projects, including $200 million for a new UW-Madison engineering building. To get the money, the universities would have had to freeze hiring for diversity positions through the end of 2026, shift at least 43 current diversity positions to focus on “student success” and eliminate statements supporting diversity on student applications. The system also would have had to drop an affirmative action faculty hiring program at UW-Madison and create a position focused on conservative thought. The regents rejected the deal on a 9-8 vote after Democrats likened it to selling out students and faculty. The Republican-controlled Legislature approved the raises in the state budget but Vos has blocked the funding as he works to reduce diversity positions. He contends such positions only lead to division.
Will Sununu endorsement of Haley make a dent in Trump’s massive lead in GOP presidential primary race?
MANCHESTER, N.H. – Saying “let’s not miss this opportunity. The entire country is watching,” Republican Gov. Chris Sununu took sides in the GOP presidential nomination race, as he endorsed former ambassador to the United Nations and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. The endorsement of Haley by the popular governor of the state that holds the first primary and second overall contest in the Republican presidential nominating calendar came as the two teamed up Tuesday evening at a Haley campaign event at a ski lodge in the state’s largest city. “There was a sweet older woman who has come to a lot of events and I saw her coming in here and she said, ‘So are you going to finally endorse Nikki Haley for president?’ You bet your ass I am. We’re all in for Nikki Haley,” Sununu said as he formally backed Haley. Moments later, Sununu praised Haley as “someone I could not be more proud of. Someone who looks people in the eye, answers their questions and most importantly, has taken the time to earn the trust of the citizens and voters in this state. The next President of the United States – Nikki Haley.” SUNUNU TEAMS UP WITH HALEY, DESANTIS, AND CHRISTIE AS HE DECIDES ON A 2024 ENDORSEMENT A beaming Haley, speaking moments later, said “it’s a great night in New Hampshire. I mean it doesn’t get any better than this. To go and get endorsed by the live free or die governor is about as rock-solid endorsement as we could hope for.” The endorsement by Sununu, who’s won election and re-election to four two-year terms as governor, could potentially sway some Republican voters, as well as independents and moderates who often play an influential role in New Hampshire’s crucial presidential primary. Sununu, who for nearly three years has been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump – the commanding front-runner for the 2024 GOP nomination as he makes his third straight White House run – flirted with his own presidential bid before announcing in early June that he wouldn’t seek the White House. Since then, he’s said he would eventually endorse in the Republican nomination race and has teamed up repeatedly with many of the GOP contenders as they’ve campaigned in New Hampshire. MEET THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR IN DEMAND WITH THE GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES – OTHER THAN TRUMP In recent weeks, he’s said that he had narrowed his endorsement choice down to three candidates – Haley, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. And Sununu campaigned with all three candidates on the trail in New Hampshire just before Thanksgiving. Christie, who is once again spending most of this time and resources on New Hampshire as he makes his second White House run, returns to the campaign trail in the Granite State with two events on Wednesday. As he worked to land Sununu’s endorsement, Christie spotlighted that when it comes to Trump, he and the New Hampshire governor were on the same page. “Who does he want standing across from Donald Trump when this gets down to a one-on-one? Who does he think can take him on in a direct way? Who’s been saying the same things as Chris Sununu has been saying for the last couple of years about Donald Trump, trying to move the party in a new direction? And I think I’m the person who has the clearest, strongest voice on that,” Christie emphasized in a Fox News Digital interview a couple of weeks ago. His campaign put out a statement on Tuesday afternoon noting that Sununu’s endorsement of Haley “puts us down one vote in New Hampshire and when Governor Christie is back in Londonderry tomorrow, he’ll continue to tell the unvarnished truth about Donald Trump and earn that one missing vote and thousands more.” DeSantis, who is spending most of his time in Iowa, is expected back in New Hampshire on Friday. “What happens in New Hampshire will be significantly impacted by the outcome in Iowa, where the true Trump alternative will emerge. And when Ron DeSantis comes out in that position, he will be joined by over 60 New Hampshire state legislators who stand ready to take the fight to the establishment and their candidates of yesteryear to return power to grassroots conservatives,” DeSantis campaign spokesman Andrew Romeo argued in a statement. Haley, who has enjoyed momentum in the polls in recent months, thanks in part to well-received performances in the first three GOP presidential primary debates, leapfrogged DeSantis for second place in New Hampshire and her home state, which holds the first southern contest. Christie stands in third place in most of the latest surveys in New Hampshire. Haley also aims to make a fight of it in Iowa – the state whose Jan. 15 caucuses lead off the GOP nominating calendar. The latest polls suggest she is close to pulling even with DeSantis for a distant second place behind Trump. TRUMP HOLDS A MASSIVE LEAD IN THE POLLS WITH FIVE WEEKS TO GO UNTIL THE IOWA CAUCUSES Sununu’s endorsement was one Haley had long coveted. Early this summer, at the New Hampshire GOP’s annual cookout, Haley was introduced by Sununu. After exchanging a hug, Haley kicked off her comments to the crowd by saying, “You’ve got a great governor.” With a joke that elicited plenty of laughter, she said, “Governor, I very much worry about your health. What I’m thinking is, I don’t want you to over-stress. I don’t want you to get out there and do too much. So I think what’s best is, go ahead and endorse me now.” Haley was kidding, but in the ensuing months she’s jokingly asked Sununu about an endorsement a handful of times. Sununu’s backing of Haley follows by a month Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa’s endorsement of DeSantis. Since then, Reynolds has joined DeSantis at multiple stops on the Hawkeye State campaign trail. Sununu told Fox News Digital last month that his endorsement would also
Ex-NSA official Harry Coker confirmed as White House cyber chief despite Republican censorship worries
The Senate on Tuesday confirmed President Biden’s pick for a new cybersecurity chief despite concerns of digital censorship from Republicans. The Senate voted 59-40 to appoint Harry Coker, a retired naval officer and former National Security Agency official, as the United States’ second national cyber director. Coker brings more than four decades of public service to the role, including his time from 2017 to 2019 as he served as the Executive Director of the NSA, where he helped lead and manage the largest component of the U.S. Intelligence Community, according to the White House. Coker will be taking on the role that has been vacant since February when inaugural director, Chris Inglis, resigned. Biden announced his intent to nominate Coker back in July. US ALARMED AS CHINA HACKS CRITICAL SYSTEMS: WHAT YOU CAN DO Coker’s appointment comes after months of backlash from Republicans worrying this new position would strong-arm social media companies and censor speech, but Coker affirmed his opposition to the government encouraging digital censorship, and he made clear that the Biden administration intends to continue to collaborate with private tech firms. “I am a proponent, a strong proponent, of First and Fourth Amendment, free speech and privacy,” Coker said at the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on his nomination. “I do not see any role in ONCD in that area.” The success of Biden’s cyber agenda will depend largely on how effectively Coker works with other agencies to navigate through political and logistical obstacles and mend previously strained relationships. During his Senate confirmation hearing, Coker expressed that his corporate experience had shown him “the need for stronger partnerships” between government and industry, and he promised to make collaboration “the guiding principle for the administration’s cyber work,” adding that companies are “on the front line” of the nation’s fight against hackers. According to reports, one of the biggest projects on Coker’s plate will be searching for ways to ignite new interest in cybersecurity careers to fill a massive cyber talent shortage. EMERGENCY ROOM PATIENTS FORCED TO SEEK LIFE-SAVING CARE ELSEWHERE AFTER RANSOMWARE ATTACK One of Coker’s other obstacles will be easing the tensions between federal agencies and companies that complain about receiving too little information about cyber threats. During the hearing, Coker also said that he considered it his responsibility to ensure that “less capable” organizations “are more aware” of the threats they face and the government support available to them. Congress created the Office of the National Cyber Director in 2021 to coordinate federal cybersecurity policy and advise the president on policy matters. However, the Biden Administration created a new national security council position to oversee cyber policy matters when the president took office. The White House was not immediately available for comment.
US Senate confirms new national cyber director
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Harry Coker Jr. as the second-ever national cyber director, who advises the president on cybersecurity policy and strategy.