New poll reveals how voters’ views on abortion have changed as Dems seek to make issue a central 2024 theme
A new Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday revealed information about Americans’ views on abortion that could surprise voters as the November election draws nearer. The poll comes as Democrats seek to make abortion a central issue this election year, hoping it will drive turnout across the country in their favor as they seek to win control of the House of Representatives and hold the Senate and the White House. According to the poll, a record number of Americans (66%) now support legal abortion in some or all cases, the highest level of support ever recorded by the poll in its two-decade history. A plurality of 34% said abortion should be legal in all cases, while 32% said it should be legal in most cases. ‘SQUAD’ MEMBER SURVIVES CHALLENGE FROM CENTRIST DEMOCRAT AFTER ANTI-ISRAEL RHETORIC THREATENED RE-ELECTION At the same time, support for abortion to be illegal in all cases is at a record low of 5%, while 22% said it should be illegal in most cases. Strong majorities of 89% and 85% believe abortion should be legal when the life of the mother is in danger and when the pregnancy is caused by rape or incest, respectively. Democrats have made the issue of abortion a central theme in their campaigns across the country this election year, including warning that Republican control of Congress, in tandem with another four years in the White House for former President Donald Trump, would mean a nationwide ban. COLUMBIA ALUM OBAMA SILENT AS JEWISH FACULTY, STUDENTS FACE ANTISEMITIC HARASSMENT ON CAMPUS In what appeared to be an effort to alleviate fears of electoral reprisal, Trump said earlier this month that rather than any national legislation, the issue of abortion should be decided by the states. He posted a video on Truth Social explicitly affirming his support for in vitro fertilization and emphasizing his support for states determining their own laws for abortion so long as there are exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother. “The states will determine by vote, or legislation, or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land — in this case, the law of the state,” Trump said. “Many states will be different. Many states will have a different number of weeks… at the end of the day, it is all about the will of the people.” His statement drew flak from some pro-life groups, including Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, whose president Marjorie Dannenfelser said she was “deeply disappointed” by the announcement, arguing it was a victory for Democrats. Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
New poll shows Biden’s 2024 lead vanishing with Trump on trial
A new Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday shows President Biden’s slight lead over former President Trump vanishing despite Trump’s ongoing criminal trial in New York City. Trump’s trial, related to the 34 counts of falsifying business records he’s charged with, began last week with jury selection and moved into opening arguments this week. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The poll also found the presidential race to be in a dead heat with Biden and Trump tied at 46% support. The two remain tied at 37% with the inclusion of independent presidential candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (16%) and Dr. Cornel West (3%) and the Green Party’s Jill Stein (3%). ‘SQUAD’ MEMBER SURVIVES CHALLENGE FROM CENTRIST DEMOCRAT AFTER ANTI-ISRAEL RHETORIC THREATENED RE-ELECTION Those numbers mark a significant closing of the gap for Trump, who trailed Biden 48%-45% in Quinnipiac’s March poll. However, with the inclusion of Kennedy, West and Stein, Trump held a one-point lead over Biden 39%-38%. Biden’s job approval remained dismally low at 35% support, down from 37% in March, while 61% said they disapprove of his job performance, up from 59%. Regarding the charges Trump faces in his ongoing New York trial, a plurality of 46% said they believe the former president did something illegal, while 45% said he didn’t. However, 27% believe he did something unethical but not illegal, and 18% believe he did nothing wrong. COLUMBIA ALUM OBAMA SILENT AS JEWISH FACULTY, STUDENTS FACE ANTISEMITIC HARASSMENT ON CAMPUS If Trump were to be convicted on the charges, 21% said they would be less likely to vote for him, 62% said it would not affect their vote and 15% said they would be more likely to vote for him. Trump has argued the trial is pure politics, a “political persecution,” and he maintains his innocence. The former president, the first ever to be a defendant in a criminal trial, vowed to “tell the truth” if he takes the stand. He has also argued the trial is unfairly keeping him from the campaign trail, giving Biden an advantage. Fox News’ Brooke Singman contributed to this report. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
Here’s what the law says about protesting on Texas college campuses
Students can generally peacefully protest, regardless of their viewpoint, but colleges and authorities may enforce some restrictions and criminal laws to maintain peace and order.
House Democrat called for Trump’s arrest but gives pass to his scandalous brother
A House Democrat outspoken about his disdain for former President Donald Trump and desire to see him face criminal prosecution is giving his own legally troubled sibling a pass. Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., a Philadelphia-area congressman who boldly declared in Jan. 2021 that “Donald Trump belongs in prison,” has avoided calling for his younger brother, Democratic state Rep. Kevin Boyle, to also face criminal prosecution despite a warrant being issued for his arrest and a drunken tirade at a local bar that was caught on video. “In the days following the unprecedented attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, I was one of the first members of Congress to publicly call for Donald Trump to be criminally held responsible. It is reassuring to see that now, at long last, justice is being served. This sends a clear message that nobody, not even the former President of the United States, is above the law,” the congressman’s office said in a statement on Trump’s Washington, D.C. indictment last August. ‘SQUAD’ MEMBER SURVIVES CHALLENGE FROM CENTRIST DEMOCRAT AFTER ANTI-ISRAEL RHETORIC THREATENED RE-ELECTION The statement noted the congressman’s 2021 social media posts calling for Trump’s arrest, which used the hashtag “#ArrestTrump.” In September 2021, a few months after making those posts, the younger Boyle was arrested for harassment and violating a protection from abuse order his estranged wife had filed against him. And earlier this year, he was caught on video at Gaul & Malt House, a Philadelphia-area bar, berating the staff and threatening to use his position of power to close down the establishment in retaliation for being kicked out. It’s unclear what prompted his drunken tirade, but bar staff could be heard in the video stating that Boyle started the altercation. “Do you know who the f–k I am?” he asked at one point in the video as staff yelled at him to leave. “I’ll close your f—–g bar. This bar is done. Do you know who the f–k I am? This bar is done tomorrow.” Kevin Boyle ultimately left the bar and faced no charges related to the altercation, but he was subsequently removed by the Pennsylvania state House from his committee chairmanship and barred from entering the Capitol building because of it. Since then, he has been unable to cast votes, and other members have had to vote on his behalf by way of proxy. COLUMBIA ALUM OBAMA SILENT AS JEWISH FACULTY, STUDENTS FACE ANTISEMITIC HARASSMENT ON CAMPUS For weeks, Kevin Boyle’s district offices have remained closed, with constituent services available by appointment only. Even his Democratic colleagues in the House recognized his decline — several leaders supported a procedural move that would have paved the way for his expulsion from the body. They submitted a proposal for a rule change aimed at removing members who were “incapacitated,” thereby ensuring due process and maintaining the integrity of the legislature. Additionally, an arrest warrant was issued for him earlier this month for again violating his wife’s PFA. Following the arrest warrant being issued, Brendan Boyle released a statement saying his brother has a “very serious mental health condition,” and that it had been “a nightmare for our family.” “Like any family who has a beloved member with a serious health issue, we are doing the best we can to help him get better,” Boyle said, stating that his brother initially made a full recovery after he first experienced symptoms of the unnamed condition in 2021, but had again been showing symptoms in recent months. The congressman didn’t say whether his brother should face prosecution, nor did he say he should step down from his role as a state representative despite his attribution of the latter’s legal struggles to a mental health issue or his inability to fully represent his constituents in person at the Capitol. DEMOCRATS HOLD MAJOR 2024 ADVANTAGE AS HOUSE REPUBLICANS FACE FURTHER CHAOS, DIVISION Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced Monday that his office was withdrawing Kevin Boyle’s arrest warrant — a day before voters cast ballots in his primary race against another Democratic opponent — citing “previously unavailable information” coming to light “regarding the Protection from Abuse order.” When reached for comment, Krasner’s office told Fox News Digital, “While there may or may not be a basis for other charges, there is no longer probable cause for violation of a protective order. This remains an ongoing investigation, and we have no further comment at this time.” Voters ultimately didn’t give Kevin Boyle a pass, as he lost the primary to his Democratic opponent on Wednesday. There has been no indication he will not serve out the remainder of his term. Fox News Digital has reached out to both Boyles’ offices for comment for purposes of this story.
Biden makes sign of the cross during pro-abortion speech in Florida
President Biden made the sign of the cross, a gesture Catholics often make before and after prayer, while listening to pro-abortion comments by a fellow Democrat in Florida. The president’s actions came Tuesday as Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried, the state’s former Democratic gubernatorial nominee, blasted an upcoming law restricting abortion to within six weeks of gestation. Biden was heavily criticized in response to the move, which several Catholic groups and commentators described as sacrilegious given the Catholic Church’s strict teaching condemning abortion. “And then we come back here to the state of Florida where [Gov.] Ron DeSantis felt like he needed to run for president and so 15 weeks wasn’t good enough. We had to go to six weeks,” Fried said at the event alongside Biden. At the moment Fried said “15 weeks wasn’t good enough,” Biden made the sign of the cross, appearing to mock Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ efforts to limit abortion. Critics of the president, who is a practicing Catholic, said his actions mocked Christians. Kristan Hawkins, the founder of Students for Life of America, said Catholics “should be calling this evil out.” The pro-life group 40 Days for Life said Biden’s gesture is a “stark reminder of the disconnect between his actions and Catholic teachings on the sanctity of life.” CHRISTIAN LEADERS REACT TO TRUMP’S ‘GOD BLESS THE USA’ BIBLES: ‘MORE TRUMP THAN BIBLE?’ “Biden’s decision to make the sign of the cross in support of abortion extremism is a despicable charade that attempts to co-opt a sacred practice in support of his new abortion religion,” added CatholicVote President Brian Burch. “His gesture openly mocks the Christian belief in the sanctity of life.” “There is no divine support for destroying the lives of innocent children, and he should know better,” he added. “Biden’s gesture suggests he is either terribly naive, or senile, or callously indifferent to the foundational beliefs of millions of Christians in America.” The incident comes shortly after a Pew Research poll showed a large majority of Americans are not convinced by Biden’s presentation of himself as a “devout Catholic.” The poll, conducted in late February, found that just 13% of Americans think of the president as “very religious,” while 41% say Biden is “somewhat religious” and another 44% say he is “not at all” or “not too religious.” According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the church has “affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion” for centuries. It adds that the teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. The White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Johnson says calling National Guard on Columbia protests would be ‘appropriate’ if threats ‘not stopped’
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is suggesting the National Guard should soon be called in to quell the Gaza ceasefire protests at Columbia University if they don’t peter out themselves. Johnson and several House Republicans visited the New York City Ivy League school on Wednesday as tensions there escalate over demonstrations that have had several Jewish students speak out publicly about fear for their safety. Columbia University students and those attending its sister school, Barnard College, have set up a tent city on campus in protest of Columbia’s investments in companies linked to Israel. Tensions over the issue almost reached a boiling point several times during Johnson’s speech as pro-ceasefire student activists repeatedly heckled and tried to interrupt the Louisiana Republican with coordinated chants which included “We can’t hear you” and “Mike, you s—.” “Enjoy your free speech,” Johnson shot back at the protesters at one point early on. LIVE UPDATES: ANTISEMITISM ON CAMPUS SURGES AS AGITATORS TAKE OVER Later when asked whether he would urge President Biden to call the National Guard in to the campus, Johnson said he would be speaking with the president shortly – and did not rule out suggesting federal troops. “My intention is to call President Biden after we leave here and share with him what we have seen with our own two eyes and demand that he take action. There is executive authority that’d be appropriate if this is not contained quickly, and if these threats and intimidation are not stopped, there is an appropriate time for the National Guard,” Johnson said. “We have to bring order to these campuses. We cannot allow this to happen around the country. We are better than this.” Johnson attacked the demonstrators as a “mob” and specifically denounced professors and other faculty who have joined the protests. ANTISEMITIC AGITATORS: WHAT PROTESTERS AT ELITE US UNIVERSITIES ARE SHOUTING He also repeated his call from early this morning for Columbia University President Minouche Shafik, who he met with prior to the press conference, to resign. “I’m here today joining my colleagues in calling on President Shafik to resign if she can not immediately bring order to this chaos,” Johnson said, eliciting more jeers. “As Speaker of the House, I have committed today that the Congress will not be silent as Jewish students are expected to run for their lives and stay home from their classes hiding in fear.” At points he addressed the protesters directly, calling their activity un-American and accusing them of censorship as students continued shouting in the crowd. “The college campus used to be the place for respectful debate, for the differences of opinion in the free marketplace of ideas to be discussed. That is not what is happening here,” Johnson said. “You are intimidating and shouting down people you disagree with.” TRUMP SLAMS ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS AS ‘DISGRACE’ THAT ARE ‘ALL BIDEN’S FAULT’ AHEAD OF MANHATTAN COURT The jeers grew louder while Johnson pressed on, “You cannot censor and silence viewpoints you disagree with. That is not American, but you do not understand what it means to respect the First Amendment.” “My message to the students inside the encampment is it go back to class and stop the nonsense,” he said. “If we want to have a debate on campus about the merits of there things, let’s do that. But you can’t intimidate your fellow students and make them stay home from class. Think about that. Is that right? Do you think that’s right?” Fox News Digital reached out to the White House about Johnson’s comments regarding the National Guard.
White House vows to not be quiet on violent protests: ‘Silent is complicit’
White House officials addressed the anti-Israel protests taking place at universities across the country on Wednesday, saying President Biden believes in free speech, but when violent rhetoric and physical intimidation takes place, it must be called out. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked by a reporter during a briefing on Wednesday what the president thinks of how the administration at Columbia University in New York City has been handling the protests. Jean-Pierre directed questions about personnel to university officials because it was up to them to comment on the situation. But she spoke about the situation at the university, saying it is “a deeply painful, painful moment for communities.” “The president believes that free speech debate and nondiscrimination on college campuses are important. They’re important American values and…we will always be very clear about that here,” she said. “But you know, protests must be peaceful, you know. Students must be safe. When we see violent rhetoric, we have to call that out. When we see physical intimidation or grotesque, antisemitic remarks, we have to speak that out.” ‘DEATH TO AMERICA’ PAMPHLETS CIRCULATED AT COLLEGE ANTI-ISRAEL ENCAMPMENT, EYEWITNESS SAYS Jean-Pierre said the White House would continue to “forcefully condemn” antisemitism, adding there are plans to implement the first national strategic effort to counter antisemitism. She called the hateful rhetoric coming out of Columbia “vile.” The press secretary was also asked what the president’s personal reaction was to the activity taking place on the college campuses and what his message would be to those peacefully protesting. LIVE UPDATES: ANTISEMITISM ON CAMPUS SURGES AS AGITATORS TAKE OVER She said the president had been clear: “We can’t be silent here.” ANTISEMITIC AGITATORS: WHAT PROTESTERS AT ELITE US UNIVERSITIES ARE SHOUTING “Silent is complicit, and we can’t allow that. We believe in First Amendment rights. We believe in people being able to express themselves in a peaceful manner. But when we’re talking about hateful rhetoric, when we’re talking about violence, we have to call that out. “Students should feel safe. Communities should feel safe, and you know…we can’t stay silent,” Jean-Pierre said. “Obviously, it is a deeply painful moment. He sees that. He understands that, and he will always support and believe in free speech and debate and nondiscrimination on college campuses.”
Vulnerable Dem senator ripped for ignoring questions about Biden’s push to ‘ban’ gas-powered cars
Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown faced immediate backlash Tuesday after video circulated of him refusing to answer a question about whether he supports the Biden administration’s push to “ban” gas-powered cars. “Senator Brown, do you think that gas cars should be banned,” Brown was asked while walking down the street in Washington, D.C. in a video posted online. After Brown didn’t answer and kept walking, he was asked if he “supports the EPA’s decision to ban gas cars?” Brown again declined to answer before he was asked a third time a “yes or no” question asking, “Should gas cars be banned?” VULNERABLE DEM SENATOR BLASTED OVER VOTING RECORD AFTER AD TOUTS STRENGTH ON IMMIGRATION: ‘WON’T BE FOOLED’ Brown declined to answer a third time and continued on his way. “While facing his toughest election yet, Sherrod Brown is running from his decades-long record of supporting green energy schemes that burden hardworking Ohioans with higher prices and cripple our energy sector,” Reagan McCarthy, communications director for Brown’s Senate opponent, Republican businessman Bernie Moreno, told Fox News Digital in a statement. “Make no mistake, Brown supported Joe Biden’s radical anti-energy agenda since day one of this administration.” Moreno also posted the exchange on X, saying, “Sherrod Brown won’t answer because the truth is that he is a green new deal radical that wants to crush American autoworkers and hand our industry to China.” VULNERABLE DEM SENATOR FLIP-FLOPS ON SUPPLYING ENERGY TO CHINA IN MIDDLE OF RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN “Sherrod Brown and Joe Biden don’t just want to ban gas cars, they want to overhaul the entire American economy to appease their far-left base,” National Republican Senatorial Committee Spokesman Philip Letsou told Fox News Digital. “The Democrats’ green energy agenda is enriching China while wreaking havoc on American manufacturers, and Sherrod Brown is with them every step of the way.” The exchange also generated criticism from social media users. “That’s because Sherrod Brown is a Green New Deal radical who agrees with Biden!!!” Donald Trump Jr. posted on X. Some on social media pointed to the fact that Brown has voted against Biden’s emissions agenda in the past and has pushed back against Biden’s EPA. “This is bizarre,” American Commitment President Phil Kerpen posted on X. “He actually voted right! To stop Biden’s EPA gas car ban! I mean, we knew he’d snap back after the election. But he can’t even bring himself to play the part???” Brown has voted with President Biden nearly 100% of the time and voted to confirm 99% of Biden’s nominees. MAGA-ENDORSED BERNIE MORENO SET TO SQUARE OFF AGAINST INCUMBENT SHERROD BROWN IN CRITICAL OHIO SENATE RACE A Brown spokesperson told Fox News Digital “Sen. Brown doesn’t tell anyone what kind of car they should drive. “He just wants more cars made in Ohio by autoworkers making middle-class wages. That’s why he has stood up to the administration when their policies were wrong for Ohio’s auto industry, and why he’s fighting to ban Chinese electric vehicles.” The Biden administration recently finalized a slate of highly anticipated environmental regulations curbing gas-powered vehicle tailpipe emissions as part of its broader efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat global warming. Under the new plan, automakers will be forced to rapidly curb the emissions of greenhouse gases, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from new passenger cars, light trucks and larger pickups and vans beginning with model year 2027 vehicles. “At a time when millions of Americans are struggling with high costs and inflation, the Biden administration has finalized a regulation that will unequivocally eliminate most new gas cars and traditional hybrids from the U.S. market in less than a decade,” American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers President and CEO Chet Thompson and American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Mike Sommers said in a statement after the EPA rules were announced. “As much as the president and EPA claim to have ‘eased’ their approach, nothing could be further from the truth.” Brown is facing a hotly contested re-election contest against Moreno in November that the Cook Political Report ranks as a toss-up and many believe provides one of the best chances Republicans have to gain control of the Senate in a state Trump carried by eight points in 2020. Fox News Digital’s Thomas Catenacci contributed to this report Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub
Arizona House lawmakers pass bill to repeal 1864 abortion ban
Arizona House lawmakers on Wednesday passed a bill to repeal a near-total abortion ban from 1864 on the books in the state. The bill will now go to the state Senate after all 29 House Democrats and three Republicans voted in favor of the repeal. The ban was held up by the Arizona Supreme Court earlier this month. “MAGA Republicans have spent the last week lying about their stance on abortion because they know that when abortion is on the ballot, Democrats win, every time,” said Arizona Democratic Chairwoman Yolanda Bejarano.
‘Death to America’ pamphlets circulated at college anti-Israel encampment, eyewitness says
Pamphlets declaring “Death to America” were shared at a growing anti-Israel encampment at the University of Michigan this week, according to an eyewitness. One of the pamphlets, titled “10 anarchist theses on Palestine solidarity in the United States,” was made available for students to take and read. The pamphlet discusses a wide-ranging set of opinions related to the confrontation between Israel and Hamas and states on one page, “Freedom for Palestine means Death to America.” The pamphlets were made available to students at the encampment, said Josh Brown, a junior at the University of Michigan who documented the ongoing unrest. Brown told Fox News Digital that the encampment, which has not been removed or taken down, featured a “library” of materials for students. LIVE UPDATES: ANTISEMITISM ON CAMPUS SURGES AS AGITATORS TAKE OVER Other pamphlets were handed out to students, including one titled “The Gaza Ghetto Uprising” and another, “First We Take Columbia.” “In ‘The Gaza Ghetto Uprising’ the anonymous author draws parallels of 10/7 and the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. The author also shows soft support for taking Israeli hostages,” Brown wrote in a post to X. “Another pamphlet is titled ‘First We Take Columbia’ apparently authored by @Yale and @Columbia students.” Brown, who studies computer science at the university, noted on X that the encampment appeared to have been organized by a handful of student groups, some of which “have advocated for terrorism and glorified those who engage in it online.” The four groups, according to Brown, include Students Allied for Freedom and Equality (SAFE), which describes itself on social media as “a Palestinian solidarity group”; Jewish Voice For Peace, which claims to organize “for Palestinian liberation and Judaism beyond Zionism” on it’s Instagram page; the Graduate Employees’ Organization at the University of Michigan; and the TAHRIR Coalition, which claims on social media to be “90+ student organizations united for the TAHRIR (liberation) of Palestine at the University of Michigan.” ANTISEMITIC AGITATORS: WHAT PROTESTERS AT ELITE US UNIVERSITIES ARE SHOUTING Brown’s online documentation of the encampment purportedly showed that the anti-Israel demonstrators directly targeted Santa Ono, who has served as the 15th president of the University of Michigan since October 2022. Written in chalk on one brick at the encampment site, which was set up in an effort to push the university to divest investments from Israel, were the words “ONO, YOU CAN’T HIDE”. Footage shared by Brown online showed several anti-Israel protesters engaging in chants like “Intifada! Intifada! Long live the intifada,” “Resistance is justified, when people are occupied,” and “Five, six, seven, eight, smash the settler Zionist state!” Another clip shared by Brown appeared to show a Jewish student holding an Israeli flag who was surrounded by anti-Israeli demonstrators. “‘There is only one solution: Intifada revolution!’ chanted the protestors while encircling a Jewish student with an Israeli flag inside the encampment,” Brown wrote in a post to X. The University of Michigan did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment about the pamphlets that were made available at the encampment, or the encampment in general.