US-China space race for moon mining heats up
As China, the U.S. and other countries work to expand mining and production of rare earth elements, the race to mine in space is growing more competitive. “We see China keeping their foot on the accelerator,” said Michael Usowski, the Defense Intelligence Agency’s senior defense intelligence analyst for the Office of Space and Counterspace. “They want to be that country that sets the norms in space.” U.S. scientists have been studying the moon for decades and stayed ahead of the competition when it came to examining the moon’s surface. The U.S. is the only country to place humans on the moon for exploration. During the Apollo 11 mission, a control operator warned astronauts to “watch for a lovely girl with a big rabbit.” He may have foreshadowed China’s space ambitions when mentioning Chang’e. It’s the name of a Chinese folktale about a moon goddess who flies to the lunar surface with her rabbit. It is also the name of China’s lunar exploration program. China performed its first successful soft landing on the moon in 2013 and launched its lunar rover, the Jade Rabbit. It was the first landing in nearly 37 years. Despite the U.S. dominance early on, NASA has not performed a soft landing since 1972, the final Apollo mission. “It’s another reason why we should never leave certain territories, whether it’s a poor country in Africa or the moon,” said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D. “When we abandon areas, we leave them available to bad actors like China. China steps in wherever they can [and] play by a different set of rules, if any rules at all.” HOW RARE EARTH ELEMENTS FACTOR INTO CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION China has launched five Chang’e missions. Its fourth was the first to land on the far side of the moon. The most recent mission in 2020 returned with lunar samples. Next year, it plans to combine the two previous missions and become the first country to bring back samples from the far side. Despite the advancements, Defense Intelligence officials say China likely does not have any more information about the moon’s makeup than what the U.S. has already studied. “A lot of the unmanned things that we’ve flown in the past certainly have found water at all at the poles of the moon, at the south pole of the moon specifically,” said John Huth, the Defense Intelligence Agency’s chief of the Office of Space and Counterspace. “It’s been some time, but certainly even with unmanned activities. I wouldn’t say they know anything more than we do.” Between 1969 and 1972, the Apollo missions brought back more than 800 pounds of lunar samples. Those contained trace amounts of rare earth elements. Scientists who study those samples and imaging from probes believe those minerals are likely to be even more rare on the moon. However, experts acknowledge a physical presence is needed to know the true geological makeup. “One of the things we’ll do first when we establish a lunar base, whether it’s us or the Chinese, is really assess what’s there,” Huth said. “We’ve done that remote sensing part. We’ve brought materials back from the moon, as have the Chinese. So, one of the first things is trying to build a self-sustainable lunar base. And then understand better really what those minerals, what those other things are that are available that either could be used on the moon or brought back in some way to the Earth to be used more effectively.” BIDEN ADMIN QUIETLY RELEASED STUDY SHOWING GREEN ENERGY RECEIVES FAR MORE SUBSIDIES THAN FOSSIL FUELS With a permanent lunar base in place, scientists could study the resources on the moon over a long period of time and determine how to use those. “I would say the biggest hurdle is bringing it back to Earth,” Usowski said. “It takes a tremendous amount of fuel to bring back something that’s worth actually putting towards a true application back here on the Earth.” Some remote sensing has indicated high concentrations of rare earth elements in locations not yet explored or sampled directly. “I would expect they would be found together in similar proportions or similar admixtures [as on Earth]. That would not necessarily make it easier. But again, those are all unknowns right now,” Huth said. China and the U.S. are also exploring mining on asteroids. Psyche is possibly the most mineral-rich asteroid of those studied. It’s estimated to contain $10 quintillion worth of metals. A U.S.-funded spacecraft is en route to Psyche now. It’s expected to begin orbiting the asteroid in late July 2029. Mining on asteroids could prove dangerous. Some scientists warn that drilling could alter trajectories and cause possible collisions. “It’s just the environment, right? The extreme temperatures, the absence of other things, even with the robotic type of capabilities, would it be feasible to do that extraction and make it cost-effective?” Huth said. NASA, the European Space Agency and Japan all have plans to explore Mars. Samples from the Red Planet and its moons could arrive back on Earth as soon as 2033. “I don’t know that we fully appreciate the bang for the buck, whether that be with helium-3, whether that be with rare earth elements. And I don’t think we have a really good handle on that just yet,” Huth said. “It’s certainly a competition.”
Good tidings and cheer, unless you’re in the House of Representatives
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) may have a few new lyrics to add to the holiday season staple “The 12 Days of Christmas.” On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me… A partridge in a pear tree. Tuesday was the “first day of Christmas” on Capitol Hill. The House returned to session for the first time since well before Thanksgiving. And as Speaker, Johnson got to light the Capitol Christmas tree – a 63-foot tall Norway spruce from the Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia. THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE DEMOCRATS’ GAMBIT TO EXPEL SANTOS – OR EMBARRASS THE GOP So, it wasn’t a pear tree. And there was no partridge to be seen. There weren’t four calling birds. But the U.S. Capitol Police did arrest four demonstrators who tried to interrupt Johnson during the tree lighting ceremony, shouting “Ceasefire now! Ceasefire now!” and unfurled a Palestinian flag. Unlike the White House Christmas tree, the one at the Capitol managed to stay vertical and didn’t topple over. Considering the hand Mike Johnson was given, you take the wins where you can get them. The Capitol press corps searched for Johnson all day long Tuesday with more energy than ten lords a ’leaping to no avail. Grandma might have gotten run over by a reindeer. But you might get run over by a Congressional reporter if you were looking for Johnson or embattled Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) – facing expulsion. Be good for goodness sake. On Tuesday night, three reporters – yours truly included – waited in the Capitol basement along the route we believed Johnson may take to reach the West Front of the Capitol for the Christmas tree ceremony. Johnson spoke with Santos earlier. But Santos contends the Speaker didn’t ask him to step aside. “Actually he made a point to say that he was not calling me to ask me to resign,” said Santos. But Johnson was even more circumspect when pressed about the status of Santos and efforts to expel him. “Have you made a decision about how to handle the expulsion of Mr. Santos?” asked yours truly. “Chad, I’ve got to light a tree, right now. I’ll talk to you later,” said Johnson. Tanenbaum. Tanenbaum. PROTESTERS FLY MASSIVE GEORGE SANTOS BALLOON OUTSIDE CAPITOL DEMANDING HIS EXPULSION Another reporter asked if he believed Santos needed to resign. “Not commenting,” replied Johnson. In an effort to dare Republicans to oppose expulsion, Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) teamed with Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) to engineer a simple resolution to expel Santos. “Do you think there are the votes to expel him? Would you move to table the Garcia resolution?” I asked. “Not commenting,” repeated Johnson. Not quite “Silent Night.” But close. There is consternation for Republicans about expelling Santos. Here’s the reason: the House has only expelled five members in history. The House gave three the boot in 1861 because they were Confederate sympathizers. Fast forward to present day. The House only expelled former Rep. Ozzie Myers (D-Pa.) and Jim Traficant (D-Ohio) after they refused to quit following court convictions. That’s why Johnson – and other lawmakers – are leery of an expulsion, no matter what antics Santos may have pulled to worm his way into Congress. This is why Garcia and Goldman dared Republicans to try to block or table their resolution to expel Santos. “We’re tired of waiting. We’re tired of the games that the Republicans have played to protect George Santos and their slim majority,” said Goldman. “It’s time to put up or shut up.” After finishing the report on the conduct of Santos, House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest (R-Miss.) composed a resolution to also expel Santos – but didn’t put it into play. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.) did that for him. Some New York GOP freshmen who represent battleground districts like D’Esposito are worried about the House not expelling Santos. So they have led the charge to rid the House of their Empire State colleague. Especially after the scathing Ethics Committee report. In fact a number of Republicans who were reluctant to expel Santos grew after the publication of the Ethics Committee investigation. That’s because the report represented a modicum of “due process” for Santos and added details to the host of allegations about his alleged wrongdoing. CALIFORNIA DEM TO INTRODUCE PRIVILEGED RESOLUTION TO EXPEL GEORGE SANTOS FROM CONGRESS But the worst scenario for Republicans is to have a failed vote to impeach Santos. Failed expulsion votes are even more rare than actual expulsions. There have only been three failed expulsions in House history. The House failed to kick out Rep. Preston Brooks (D-S.C.) after he nearly caned to death Sen. Charles Sumner (R-Mass.) in the Old Senate Chamber of the Capitol in 1856. The House also failed to expel Rep. Lovell Rosseau (D-Ky.) after he assaulted Rep. Josiah Grinnell (R-Iowa) in 1866. The House then failed to remove former Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) from the House in 1990 for his connection with a gay, male prostitute. The bar to expel a House member is high. The requirement is a two-thirds vote of all members casting ballots. It’s likely that most if not all Democrats would vote to expel. On the Republican side? “I think there’ll be 120-150 Republican votes or more,” forecast Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.). Couple that with the Democrats and the House probably expels Santos. Unless there is a motion to table or block the expulsion resolution. “If they put a motion to table out, that is a motion to protect George Santos,” said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.). “That is a motion to keep George Santos as a Member of Congress. To protect their thin majority. To protect Speaker Johnson.” When asked if there would be a motion to table, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) indicated the leadership hadn’t decided yet. But Johnson has anxiety about expelling Santos because of what happened with Myers and Traficant. “I personally have real reservations about doing this.
Decrease set for exorbitant Maine electricity costs
Electricity rates are set to drop in Maine, which historically has had some of the nation’s highest energy costs. Next year’s standard offer rates will drop 35% for Central Maine Power customers and 24% for Versant Power customers, the Maine Public Utilities Commission said in a statement Wednesday. The standard offer rate is the default rate for most customers. MAINE OFFERS FREE PUBLIC UNIVERSITY TUITION TO LEWISTON SHOOTING VICTIMS, FAMILIES The rate decrease comes after several years of price hikes and is welcome news for Maine consumers, said Philip Bartlett II, the commission’s chair. He attributed the price cut to a drop in natural gas prices and said the reduction “provides some much-needed relief from increasing costs due to inflation.” Maine typically has high energy costs in part because of its cold weather and reliance on oil heating. Maine residents are still dealing with soaring energy costs, as the reduction still leaves the standard offer nearly 80% higher than it was two years ago, Maine House Republicans said in a statement. Senate Republican Leader Trey Stewart said in a statement that the state “should have seen a steeper decline in rates.”
Marjorie Taylor Greene reintroduces impeachment push against Mayorkas: ‘Lost the trust’ of Americans
Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene, R- Georgia, reintroduced articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday, after her previous impeachment effort against him failed earlier this month. During her remarks on the House floor, Greene said the secretary has “failed to maintain operational control of the border,” citing high levels of illegal immigration, including migrants with possible terrorist ties, and violence and drug smuggling, which she called a “direct national security threat.” “Mayorkas has made it easier for illegal aliens and drugs to enter the United States, endangering American citizens and has made it harder for CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) to expel such threats,” Greene said. DEMOCRATS BLOCK EFFORT TO IMPEACH DHS SECRETARY MAYORKAS WITH REPUBLICAN SUPPORT She added that Mayorkas’ actions are incomparable with his duties and that he has “lost the trust” of Americans. A Homeland Security statement to Fox News Digital called Greene’s impeachment effort a “baseless attack” that is “completely without merit and a harmful distraction from our critical national security priorities.” “Every day, the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security work tirelessly to keep America safe,” the statement said. “They need Congress to stop wasting time and do its job by reforming our broken immigration system, reauthorizing vital tools for DHS, and passing the Administration’s supplemental request to properly resource the Department’s critical work to stop fentanyl and further secure our borders.” “Secretary Mayorkas continues to be laser-focused on the safety and security of our nation,” the statement continued. GOP REP. TORCHES REPORTER CLAIMING AMERICANS SEE NO EVIDENCE FOR BIDEN IMPEACHMENT: ‘YOU DON’T REPORT ON IT’ Mayorkas has been sharply criticized by Republicans over his handling of the southern border amid record numbers of migrants and illegal activity at the border, in addition to attacks on border agents. Greene has been calling for his removal and accused him with “high crimes and misdemeanors” in her latest effort. Her last attempt was thwarted by members of her own party. Eight Republicans joined Democrats in the 209-201 House vote. The eight who voted against were Reps. Ken Buck, R-Colo., Darrell Issa, R-Calif., Tom McClintock, R-Calif., Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., John Duarte, R-Calif., Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., Cliff Bentz, R-Ore., and Mike Turner, R-Ohio. Additionally, 11 Democrats and 12 Republicans did not vote on the measure. Greene addressed the failed effort Wednesday on X, formally known as Twitter. “While some members, like Tom McClintock, want to bloviate endlessly while imagining themselves wearing a powdered wig, the American people want action,” she wrote. “These members whine about ‘due process’ while protecting Mayorkas from facing accountability for his violation of our border security laws.” “Impeachment IS due process. It would put Mayorkas in front of the Senate to face trial,” she added. “We’ve seen the evidence of him breaking the law. It’s time for the Senate to try him for it.”
Dem mayor’s car stolen amid rising auto thefts in Colorado
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, a Democrat, is among the growing number of individuals in Colorado who have had their vehicles stolen. Several local reports emerged Tuesday saying that Johnston was an auto theft victim as the Centennial State has experienced a drastic uptick in such heists in recent years. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Johnston’s office confirmed his car was stolen “about a month ago” and has “since been recovered thanks to the incredible work of the Denver Police Department.” DEM-RUN CITY DROPS SIX FIGURES TO REPAINT BLM STREET MURAL AS CRIME SKYROCKETS Johnston’s office further confirmed that his car was stolen in Denver but would not share specific details to “protect the safety of Mayor Johnston and his family.” The mayor’s car theft came as the issue has been a compounding problem in the state. According to Fox 31 Denver, vehicle thefts in Colorado have increased more than in any other state between 2011 and 2020 and have jumped 144% during that time. Denver accounted for a large chunk of the thefts. And earlier this year, nearly half of Denver crime was vehicle-related, the publication reported. DENVER SPENDS MILLIONS ON TRANSPORTING MIGRANTS TO OTHER PARTS OF US This wasn’t the first time Johnston’s vehicle had been stolen. “Help! My car just got stolen from Office Depot on 35th+quebec. Call 911 if seen (yes I painted my car orange+blue),” Johnston posted on Twitter in January 2017. In a post four days later, Mayor Johnston credited the “amazing work” from Denver police for helping him track down his Jeep, adding whoever stole his vehicle “rip[ped] orange panels” off. Johnston’s mayoral campaign website earlier this year said that he wanted a “Denver where you can walk outside with your kids at night and feel safe in any neighborhood.” As part of Johnston’s platform for “holding people accountable,” he called for making “auto theft a felony, not a misdemeanor.” “As Mayor, I will push to raise the penalty for stealing a car back to a felony,” the campaign website reads. “You should not get the same penalty for stealing a car as you do for texting while you drive that car.” Johnston assumed office as Denver’s mayor in July.
Views on China as ‘enemy’ of the US grow, many support military buildup to deter Taiwan invasion: survey
EXCLUSIVE: The number of Americans who view China as an “enemy” of the U.S. is growing, while a majority support a buildup of American military personnel to deter a potential invasion of Taiwan, the annual Regan Defense Forum Survey has found. According to the survey, 77% of Americans view China as an enemy while just 15% view the nation as an ally. That number is a drastic change from 2018, when the survey found 38% of Americans viewed China as an ally, and 55% as an enemy. A majority of Americans (51%) also view China as the greatest threat facing the nation, up from 43% last year and 21% in 2018. Meanwhile, the number of those viewing Russia as the greatest threat is falling, with just 24% viewing the nation as such, down from 31% last year following its invasion of Ukraine. ‘SQUAD’ VOTES ON ISRAEL’S RIGHT TO EXIST, CONDEMNING HAMAS REVEAL DIVISION IN FAR-LEFT GROUP The survey also found that a strong majority of Americans (58%) support the security pact between the U.S., U.K. and Australia, known as AUKUS, to counter growing Chinese power across the globe. Just 22% said they opposed the defense technology sharing agreement, and 20% said they didn’t know. When asked what concerned them most about China, 20% said its military buildup while another 20% said its human rights abuses, such as the mistreatment of China’s Uyghur minority population. Another 17% said China’s foreign policy concerned them most, 15% were most worried about China’s economic practices and 10% pointed to the threat against Taiwan. Regarding Taiwan — which the U.S. government does not recognize as an independent nation under its “One China” policy — 72% said they would support officially recognizing Taiwan if China were to invade. Just 15% would oppose such action. WATCH: BIDEN SHIFTS BLAME AWAY FROM ADMINISTRATION AFTER ADMITTING PRICES ‘STILL TOO HIGH’ A plurality of 46% said they would support committing American ground troops to defend Taiwan in the event of an invasion, with 35% saying they would oppose such a move. To deter an invasion, however, 60% said they would support increasing the U.S. military presence near Taiwan, with just 25% opposed. Additionally, 55% said they would support increasing arms sales to Taiwan as a deterrent, with 28% opposed. A majority of 65% felt the U.S. government’s focus on Ukraine was distracting policymakers from the threat posed by China. WATCH: BIDEN OFFICIAL BUTCHERS POPULAR PHRASE COINED BY RONALD REAGAN ABOUT GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IN EVERYDAY LIFE In terms of the military capabilities of China compared to that of the U.S., 34% said America was superior and 28% said China. 30% said they were equal. A plurality also gave the U.S. the advantage when it came to economic strength (34%-28%) and diplomatic influence across the world (44%-15%), but China held the advantage concerning cyber capabilities (33%-24%) and artificial intelligence (29%-26%). The results come as part of the survey’s 6th year and 10th Reagan National Defense Forum. It included the participation of 2,506 U.S. adults surveyed from Oct. 27 to Nov. 5.
Deutsche Bank sought out ‘whale’ of a client in Trump, benefited from relationship, former executive testifies
A former Deutsche Bank executive testified Wednesday that the bank viewed Donald Trump as a “whale” of a client, and sought to do additional business with him, while praising the Trump Organization for taking its properties from a “shell” into “fully operational” spaces. Rosemary Vrablic, a former Deutsche Bank managing director, took the stand in the civil trial stemming from New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit against former President Trump, his family, and his businesses. James accused Trump of inflating his financial statements and deceiving banks. TRUMP DEMANDS JURY, SAYS NEW YORK AG HAS ‘NO CASE’ IN HEATED TESTIMONY Former President Trump and his family have denied any wrongdoing. The former president has repeatedly said his assets were actually undervalued. Trump has repeatedly said his financial statements had disclaimers, requesting that the numbers be evaluated by the banks. Trump’s defense team has sought to show that the bank actually sought additional business from Trump — which Vrablic testified to Wednesday. The bank’s revenue from its business with Trump increased from approximately $13,000 in 2011 to a projected $6 million in 2013, according to a briefing document the bank prepared for then-co-chairman, Anshu Jain, before a lunch with Trump in early 2013. The document revealed “key asks” for Jain to make during that lunch with Trump, including to “obtain more deposits and investment management assets” from Trump, as well as to “strategically discuss leveraging Mr. Trump’s personal and professional network within the real estate industry” in New York for the benefit of Deutsche Bank. “It was a very, very nice, productive lunch,” Vrablic recalled on the stand. The next year, her direct boss went to lunch with Trump to thank him and “ask whether we can work on other opportunities with them,” according to a document for that meeting. TRUMP, JUDGE ENGORON TRADE JABS DURING FORMER PRESIDENT’S TESTIMONY IN CIVIL TRIAL STEMMING FROM NYAG LAWSUIT Vrablic also testified about Trump’s acquisition of the Old Post Office in Washington, D.C. “It was an empty shell,” she said of the space before the Trump Organization came in. “[The Trumps] took it from a shell to a fully operational hotel and event space.” Vrablic was also asked if Deutsche Bank ever turned Trump down for a loan. Vrablic said they did — a loan for the Scotland golf course, Trump International Golf Links Aberdeen, but only because Trump was about to become president and the bank did not want to increase exposure, amid concerns that increased exposure could bring additional scrutiny and carry more risk for the bank. During cross-examination, Vrablic said she never saw Trump’s statement of financial condition. She also testified that she expected her clients to present their financial information accurately. TRUMP UNLOADS ON JUDGE, NYAG FOR TARGETING HIM ‘FOR POLITICAL REASONS’ DURING UNPRECEDENTED TESTIMONY James, a Democrat, sued Trump, his children, and the Trump Organization last year, alleging that he and his company misled banks and others about the value of his assets. James said the former president’s children — Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric — and his associates and businesses committed “numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation” on their financial statements. James filed the lawsuit against Trump “under a consumer protection statute that denies the right to a jury,” a Trump spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “There was never an option to choose a jury trial,” the spokesperson said. “It is unfortunate that a jury won’t be able to hear how absurd the merits of this case are and conclude no wrongdoing ever happened.” Judge Arthur Engoron, who is presiding over the trial, in September ruled that Trump and the Trump Organization committed fraud while building his real estate empire by deceiving banks, insurers and others by overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used in making deals and securing financing. Trump defense attorneys say they will likely move for a mistrial. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Biden touts domestic green energy agenda by promoting struggling foreign company
President Biden traveled to a wind turbine factory operated by a foreign-owned green energy firm in central Colorado on Wednesday to tout his “Bidenomics” and climate agenda. Biden delivered remarks at South Korea-based CS Wind’s site in Pueblo, Colorado, which is undergoing a $200 million expansion with the help of federal funding earmarked under the Inflation Reduction Act, Democrats’ $739 billion climate and tax package passed last year. The factory is the largest facility manufacturing wind towers, the part of wind turbines that carry the rotor and blades. “When I took office, we set a goal to produce 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035,” Biden remarked during the ceremony. “Because of my commitment to a clean energy future made in America, clean energy companies started investing here in Colorado.” “As I’ve said for a long time, when I think about climate, I mean it sincerely, I think jobs,” he continued. “It’s about, not only saving lives and saving the environment, but jobs.” INTERNAL DOCS SHOW BIDEN ADMIN WAIVED TAXPAYER SAFEGUARDS TO BOOST OFFSHORE WIND PROJECT The factory was first constructed in 2009 by Danish green energy company Vestas which sold the property to CS Wind in 2021. The South Korean company then announced in September 2022 that it would expand the plant, which produces wind towers exclusively for onshore projects, just weeks after Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act. According to CS Wind, the Pueblo facility mainly serves the U.S. market. The company’s “core facility” is located in Vietnam and its second facility — which serves markets in Europe, Asia and Africa, and sells towers to some of the largest wind energy companies in the world — is located in China. Other facilities are located in Taiwan, Malaysia, Turkey and Portugal. The company also purchased the Colorado factory two years after abandoning a facility in Ontario, Canada, which had employed hundreds of people and received millions of dollars in tax incentives. The closure came as a surprise to local officials and labor unions. BIDEN’S WAR ON OIL DRILLING THREATENS TO KILL HIS OWN GREEN ENERGY GOALS: ‘A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY’ “There’s no one working there,” Fred MacPherson, a business manager for Ironworkers Local 721, told local outlet Windsor Star in 2019. “We used to have 300 people working there and now there’s none.” And CS Wind, which is publicly traded in South Korea, has seen its value plummet in recent months as the global wind energy industry has struggled under the weight of various economic factors in recent months. The company has shed a staggering 41% of its market value since mid-June, according to financial data. Biden’s trip to promote CS Wind and his aggressive green energy agenda, meanwhile, was met with criticism from the West Slope Colorado Oil & Gas Association which represents independent fossil fuel producers in the area. “Our west slope families hear a lot from President Biden about recovery but we’re not feeling it,” Chelsie Miera, the West Slope Colorado Oil & Gas Association’s executive director, told Fox News Digital. “Inflation continues to keep costs high, challenging family budgets, while uncertainty looms over our national economy.” “Our local oil and natural gas workers stand ready to recover, but this administration continues to block and stymie our production of some of the cleanest and most dense energy molecules in the world,” Miera added. “With two different wars happening in energy intense regions in the world, it’s time for the President to allow our West Slope hardworking women and men to be part of the solution producing clean, affordable and reliable natural gas for the good of our communities and the globe.” COURT FILINGS REVEAL SECRET AGREEMENT BETWEEN BIDEN ADMIN, ECO GROUPS SEEKING TO TEAR DOWN KEY POWER SOURCE She noted that natural gas production on federal lands in Colorado declined nearly 20% between 2019 and 2022, while the Biden administration has not held a single lease sale in the Pueblo area since taking office. Miera said reducing oil and gas production burdens local counties with reduced revenues vital for schools, fire protection districts, libraries, water treatment facilities and other critical projects. But the White House defended Biden’s trip, saying his Bidenomics agenda is ushering in significant investment in Colorado and nationwide. It also defended the president’s choice to tout a foreign company, saying the administration was reversing years of offshoring. “Thanks to President Biden, businesses based in America and our partners are making historic investments here at home instead of offshoring jobs,” White House spokesperson Michael Kikukawa said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “They’re opening or expanding factories that employ American workers who are building American-made products — including the more than 800 jobs created in Colorado by CS Wind thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act.” “Bidenomics is creating jobs for American workers, reversing the offshoring caused by MAGAnomics during the Trump administration,” he continued. “Unfortunately, self-identified MAGA Republicans like Congresswoman Boebert want to repeal the investments that are powering economic growth in their districts — sending these jobs back overseas while giving more wasteful tax cuts to rich special interests.” Overall, fossil fuels continue to represent by far the largest driver of the economy compared to other energy sources. Petroleum powers the vast majority of the transportation sector while natural gas and coal produced more than 60% of electricity generated in the U.S. last year. Just 10% of the nation’s electricity was generated by wind power.
JPMorgan Chase CEO backing of Haley as Trump alternative draws fire from GOP rivals
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon on Wednesday urged Democrats to back GOP presidential hopeful Nikki Haley as an alternative to frontrunner Donald Trump — the latest Wall Street backing for Haley which has drawn criticism from her primary rivals. “If you’re a very liberal Democrat, I urge you to help Nikki Haley, too. Give them a choice on the Republican side that might be better than Trump,” Dimon said at the 2023 DealBook Summit, according to Politico. Haley has been gaining significant ground in the GOP primary polls in recent weeks, although she and others remain well behind former President Trump. She has leapfrogged DeSantis for second place in New Hampshire and in her home state, which holds the first southern contest. HALEY, BOLSTERED BY THE BACKING OF A MAJOR CONSERVATIVE GROUP, IS HAVING A MOMENT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL And she’s drawn even with DeSantis in some of the latest polls in Iowa, whose caucuses kick off the GOP nominating calendar on Jan. 15. Haley has been boosted by some major backing in recent weeks in addition to the support from Dimon. On Wednesday she scored the endorsement of Americans for Prosperity Action, the political wing of the influential and deep-pocketed fiscally conservative network founded by the billionaire Koch Brothers. AFP Action has pledged to spend tens of millions of dollars and mobilize its formidable grassroots operation to help push the Republican Party past Trump. Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal reported how major Wall Street backers are lining up to support her, with the outlet reporting that admirers include the CEO of Morgan Stanley and BlackRock’s Larry Fink. “If she passes DeSantis, she’s the backup,” one financier told the outlet, arguing that with Trump’s court cases looming “it’s not completely crazy that she could ultimately win.” BIG BOOST: HALEY LANDS THE BACKING OF A CONSERVATIVE GRASSROOTS ARMY But the support could be a double-edged sword for Haley in a primary atmosphere that is more skeptical of big business than in past primaries, with her rivals keen to use the endorsements from Wall Street and elsewhere as a way to attack her conservative credentials. “Wondering why Wall Street execs, Blackrock, and the Koch Network are all supporting Nikki Haley?” the “DeSantis War Room” posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, linking to a video highlighting what it presented as liberal positions on immigration, fuel taxes and calls for restrictions on social media. “Jamie Dimon Urges Even Liberals to Back Nikki ‘Birdbrain’ Haley as Alternative to Trump,” Team Trump said on X. Meanwhile, Dimon also addressed the possibility that Trump could be president, when asked if he’d support “anything but Trump.” “I would never say. He might be the president, I have to live with that too,” he said.
Money laundering investigator warned of Hunter Biden’s ‘unusual,’ ‘erratic’ payments from China in 2018
FIRST ON FOX: A bank investigator responsible for detecting and combating money laundering warned in 2018 of “unusual” and “erratic” activity related to more than a dozen wire transfers of large sums of money to accounts belonging to Hunter Biden. In an email released by the House Oversight Committee Wednesday, a Bank Secrecy Act manager raised concerns that the payments did not appear to correspond to “any services rendered,” as well as Chinese efforts to target children of politicians. The investigator suggested the bank re-evaluate its relationship with the client. The payments from China ultimately funded a $40,000 check to Joe Biden from his brother that had been labeled loan repayment, according to House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky. Comer is co-leading the impeachment inquiry against President Biden and has been investigating the Biden family’s business dealings for months. JOE BIDEN RECEIVED $40K IN ‘LAUNDERED CHINA MONEY’ FROM BROTHER IN 2017, COMER SAYS The email is from a Bank Secrecy Act manager to an assistant vice president and branch manager of a financial institution. The names of the investigator, the vice president and the bank have been redacted in the email, dated June 26, 2018. “We have been monitoring the subject customer due to the PEP designation and observations on the account activity as well as recent negative news indicate this entity to be high risk,” the investigator writes in the email. A “PEP designation” is short for a “Politically Exposed Person,” meaning the individual, through their prominent position or relationships, could be more susceptible to being involved in bribery or corruption, according to LexisNexis Risk Solutions. “Since the initial funding of $5,000,000.00 from Northern International Capital Holdings (HK) Limited on 08/08/17 as a business loan, it was noted that there was no loan agreement document submitted,” the investigator wrote in the email. The investigator noted that the funds in the account had “primarily funded 16 wires ranging from $157,393.19 to $400,000.00,” totaling more than $2.9 million to a redacted name and to “Owasco PC—Law Firm in D.C.” Owasco was an entity controlled by Hunter Biden. “These payments were indicated as management fees and reimbursements,” the investigator notes. SPEAKER JOHNSON: BIDEN ENGAGING IN ‘COVER-UP’ OF ROLE IN HUNTER BUSINESS DEALINGS, IMPEACHMENT PROBE CONTINUES “We find it unusual that approximately 58% of the funds were transferred to the law firm in a few months and the frequency of payments appear erratic,” the investigator notes. “It was also previously indicated that HUDSON WEST III LLC does not currently have any investment projects at this time, which raises further concerns as millions in fees are being paid but does not appear to have any services rendered by Owasco PC.” “Furthermore, there has been negative news regarding the beneficial owner of Owasco PC, Robert Hunter Biden (son of former U.S. Vice President- Joe Biden) regarding allegations by his ex-wife that there were financial concerns about his extravagant spending on his own interests (drugs, strip clubs, prostitutes, etc.) which may put his family in a deep financial hole,” the investigator wrote. The investigator also pointed to more “recent negative news indicate China targeting children of politicians and purchase of political influence through ‘sweetheart deals.’” FLASHBACK: HUNTER BIDEN ASSOCIATE TEXTS HINT AT PUSH TO ‘GET JOE INVOLVED,’ MAKE IT LOOK LIKE ‘TRULY FAMILY BUSINESS’ “Specifically, Hunter Biden’s $1.5 billion dollar deal with the Chinese-State to establish a private-equity firm in which they manage the funds over time and make huge fees,” the investigator wrote. “The management company’s purpose is to invest in companies that benefit Chinese government.” The investigator added: “Thus, the activity on the account appears unusual with no current business purpose and along with the recent negative news…may require re-evaluation of [the bank’s] relationship with the customer.” Last month, the Oversight Committee obtained bank records revealing that on August, 8, 2017, $5 million in funds were sent to Hudson West III, a joint-venture established by Hunter Biden and an associate of Chinese Communist Party-linked CEFC, Gongwen Dong. The records revealed that on the same day, Aug. 8, 2017, Hudson West III sent $400,000 to Owasco, P.C.— as mentioned by the bank investigator in the new email. HUNTER DEMANDED $10M FROM CHINESE ENERGY FIRM BECAUSE ‘BIDENS ARE THE BEST,’ HAVE ‘CONNECTIONS’ On Aug. 14, 2017, Hunter Biden wired $150,000 to Lion Hall Group, a company owned by James Biden and his wife Sara Biden. By Aug. 28, 2017, Comer said Sara Biden withdrew $50,000 in cash from Lion Hall Group and later deposited it into her and James Biden’s personal checking account. Days later, Sara Biden wrote a check to Joe Biden for $40,000. The memo line of the check stated “loan repayment.” The White House, upon discovery of the check, said the committee found that as a private citizen, the president loaned his brother James his own money when his brother needed it, and only discovered a record that he was repaid. Comer, reacting to the new email Wednesday, said the money laundering expert’s concerns were raised “long before” his committee’s investigation. EMAIL FROM BIDEN’S BROTHER NAMES HARRIS, SCHUMER AS PROSPECTS FOR CHINESE FIRM “Long before our investigation into President Biden’s corruption, a bank money laundering investigator raised the exact concerns that we raised publicly about the Biden family business: ‘payments appear erratic,’ ‘does not appear to have any services rendered,’ ‘no current business purpose,’ and ‘China target[s] children of politicians and purchase of political influence through ‘sweetheart deals.’ Those are the words of a bank investigator who was just doing his job,” Comer said. “The bank investigator was so concerned about Hunter Biden’s financial transactions with the Chinese company, he wanted to re-evaluate the bank’s relationship with the customer.” FLASHBACK: HUNTER BIDEN IN 2017 SENT ‘BEST WISHES’ FROM ‘ENTIRE BIDEN FAMILY’ TO CHINA FIRM CHAIRMAN, REQUESTED $10M WIRE Comer said that “even worse, we know that the sitting President of the United States knew about, participated in, and benefited from his family’s shady China dealings.” “Joe Biden showed up to his