Ted Cruz urges White House to halt $1.25B in ‘digital equity’ funds
FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is urging the Biden administration to halt a $1.25 billion “Digital Equity” program, calling it unconstitutional for using race-based criteria to expand broadband access. “I urge you to withdraw the unlawful [Notice of Funding Opportunity] NOFO and halt issuing Program grants before you cause real harm,” Cruz wrote to Alan Davidson, the assistant secretary of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Thursday morning. “NTIA’s use of racial classifications, as set forth in the NOFO, does not serve a compelling governmental interest.” The letter comes as Republicans push back against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives as they gear up for the incoming Trump administration. Under the soon-to-be Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, such programs like the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program could be examined as government waste. “Any source of government waste is in scope for DOGE,” a Ramaswamy spokesperson told Fox News Digital. DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKER RANTS ABOUT ‘THE WHITE MAN’ DURING A HEARING ON THE DISMANTLE DEI ACT The letter criticizes NTIA’s guidance for the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, as Cruz claims it violates the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause, lacking evidence of racial discrimination in internet access and failing to provide clear metrics for its race-based criteria. The program was a key initiative under the Digital Equity Act, which was authorized by President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. It is the third of three digital equity programs established by the act. Cruz asserts that the program requires grant applicants to prioritize “Covered Populations,” a category that explicitly includes racial and ethnic minorities in the program. He argued the approach includes impermissible racial discrimination, arguing that the federal government cannot use racial classifications without demonstrating a compelling interest and “narrowly tailored” measures. RAMASWAMY OUTLINES DOGE’S VISION “The NOFO provides no evidence racial minorities face discrimination in accessing the internet, let alone specific instances of discrimination that NTIA is seeking to address,” Cruz wrote. “And it does not attempt to make any claim that this discrimination is necessary to avoid a prison race riot.” Cruz added that “the NOFO does not define ‘minority,’ making it impossible to determine whether it is underinclusive, but in any event, it is overinclusive because it includes anyone who falls into some racial group, without any determination that that specific group has faced discrimination in access to broadband.” ELON MUSK, VIVEK RAMASWAMY TO LEAD TRUMP’S DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY Cruz, the ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee, urged the NTIA to respond by Dec. 12, either by confirming the withdrawal of the guidance or by providing a detailed explanation of how it complies with constitutional requirements. Fox News Digital has reached out to the NTIA for comment.
Fetterman says ‘F— that’ amid bipartisan backlash over arrest warrants targeting Israel’s Netanyahu, Gallant
Bipartisan backlash erupted in response to news that Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court targeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant with arrest warrants. The chamber issued the arrest warrants against the two men “for crimes against humanity and war crimes,” according to the ICC. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa. – who has been a stalwart supporter of Israel in the wake of the heinous Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack against the Jewish state – responded to the ICC’s move in a post on X, writing, “No standing, relevance, or path. F— that.” He capped off the tweet with an Israeli flag emoji. ICC REJECTS ISRAELI APPEALS, ISSUES ARREST WARRANTS FOR BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, YOAV GALLANT Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., excoriated the ICC, accusing it of ignoring the context of Israel’s war effort, which the U.S. ally launched in response to the horrific Oct. 7 attack last year. During the assault, Hamas terrorists committed atrocities including rape, murder and kidnapping. “The ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants against the leadership of Israel represents the weaponization of international law at its most egregious. The ICC has set a precedent for criminalizing self-defense: any country daring to defend itself against an enemy that exploits civilians as human shields will face persecution posing as prosecution,” Torres declared in a post on X. “The ICC ignores the cause and context of the war. Israel did not initiate the war. The war was imposed upon Israel by the unbridged barbarism of Hamas on October 7th. Not only did Hamas wage war on Israel, causing the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, it carefully constructed a battlefield designed to maximize the loss of civilian life,” he continued. NEW YORK DEM WARNS ‘VILIFYING VOTERS OF COLOR AS WHITE SUPREMACISTS’ PUSHES ‘THEM FURTHER INTO TRUMP’S CAMP’ “None of that context seems to matter to the kangaroo court of the ICC, which cannot let facts get in the way of its ideological crusade against the Jewish State. The ICC should be sanctioned not for enforcing the law but for distorting it beyond recognition,” the congressman concluded. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, declared in a post, “Enough of this dangerous lawfare against @netanyahu & Israel. @SenSchumer must stop blocking a Senate vote on my bipartisan (42 Dems joined) House-passed ICC sanctions bill, #HR8282. Vote now!” Torres was one of the dozens of House Democrats who voted in favor of passing the measure earlier this year. THUNE THREATENS INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT WITH SANCTIONS IF IT DOESN’T DROP NETANYAHU WARRANT FOR ARREST CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., referred to the ICC as “a dangerous joke,” declaring in a tweet, “It is now time for the U.S. Senate to act and sanction this irresponsible body.”
Hawley says Mayorkas, Wray ‘absolutely’ skipped Senate hearing due to Laken Riley verdict, calls for subpoenas
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., claims that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray skipped a public Senate hearing Thursday to avoid criticism over the verdict in the case of Laken Riley’s murder. Mayorkas and Wray were scheduled to testify before the Senate Homeland Security Committee on Thursday, but the hearing was postponed after they insisted it be classified and not open to the public. Hawley told Fox News Digital in a Thursday interview that he is calling on Committee Chairman Gary Peters, D-Mich., to subpoena the pair’s public testimony. “Let’s not forget who let him into country,” Hawley said of Riley’s murderer, Jose Ibarra. “Mayorkas lied about how he got into country. He said authorities didn’t have information about his past crimes. False. Then he claimed he didn’t remember the details. False. Now he’s refusing to comment.” Fox News Digital reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment on Hawley’s remarks, but they did not immediately respond. Ibarra was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Wednesday. LAKEN RILEY MURDER: FAMILY OF SLAIN UGA STUDENT SOBS IN COURT AS WITNESSES DESCRIBE CRIME SCENE EVIDENCE Thursday’s hearing is the second time in as many days that Mayorkas and Wray have forced the postponement of their testimony before Congress by insisting on a classified setting. The House Homeland Security Committee punted its hearing, originally scheduled for Wednesday, to December. A source with the committee told Fox News Digital that the hearing will be classified. LAKEN RILEY MURDER TRIAL: PROSECUTORS PLACE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT SUSPECT AT SCENE IN OPENING STATEMENTS Hawley indicated that the Senate would not comply so easily, however. He said he is formally calling on Peters to issue subpoenas to force both Mayorkas and Wray to testify publicly. Representatives for the FBI and DHS told Fox News Digital earlier on Thursday that they believe Mayorkas and Wray have already provided “extensive testimony” to the House, Senate and the American people. LAKEN RILEY’S ALLEGED KILLER JOSE IBARRA FLEW FROM ‘GROUND ZERO’ OF MIGRANT CRISIS TO GEORGIA Peters’ office did not immediately respond when asked about potential subpoenas. The senator was heavily critical of Mayorkas and Wray in a statement on X, however, saying that their refusal to testify publicly “robs Americans of critical information.” Hawley went on to call for Wray to resign ahead of President-elect Doanld Trump’s inauguration, citing his record on illegal immigration and his alleged hostility toward Catholic Americans. “If he doesn’t resign, Trump should fire him,” Hawley said of Wray.
Gaetz withdraws as attorney general nominee
Matt Gaetz, the former Florida representative and Trump nominee for Attorney General, announced Thursday that he is withdrawing as Trump’s pick for the top prosecutor, citing what he described as the “distraction” his nomination had caused due to a swirl of allegations about paying underage women for sex. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz said. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.” The news comes amid a swirl of allegations surrounding Gaetz, who for months had been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee until his resignation last Wednesday from the current congressional session. The panel had subpoenaed him as recently as September for an ongoing investigation into alleged sexual misconduct with a minor. Gaetz in response told the panel he would “no longer voluntarily participate” in their probe. Gaetz’s decision to step down eight days after his nomination now leaves open the role of attorney general—a position for which Trump had been considering a wide-ranging list of candidates, including former DOJ officials, members of Congress, and outside officials. Those on the short list included Former White House attorney Mark Paoletta, who served during Trump’s first term as counsel to then-Vice President Mike Pence and to the Office of Management and Budget; Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who was tapped in 2022 to be the state’s top prosecutor after then-state Attorney General Eric Schmitt was elected to the U.S. Senate. Since taking over the state AG’s office, Bailey has led dozens of lawsuits against the Biden administration and sought to defend the state on a number of conservative issues as well. The one position all had in common was loyalty—for which Trump praised Gaetz for in his nomination. In a Truth Social post announcing Gaetz’s nomination, Trump said Gaetz “has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice.” Regardless of who Trump picks, “He’s going to want someone who he knows, likes and trusts,” former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker told Fox News about the role earlier this month. “He’s going to want someone who was there from the beginning.” This is a breaking news story. Check back soon for updates.
‘Efficient and accountable’: GOP-led DOGE bill aims to slash outflow of federal dollars
FIRST ON FOX: House Republicans are eyeing ways to slash the outpouring of federal dollars after President-elect Donald Trump signaled that cutting government red tape would be a major part of his agenda. Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Okla., introduced a new bill on Thursday, titled the “Decreasing Overlapping Grants Efficiently (DOGE) Act,” which would establish a system for cutting down on redundant government grants from across multiple departments. It comes after Trump announced the creation of an advisory panel called the Department of Government Efficiency, which he tapped Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk to lead. JOHNSON BLASTS DEM ACCUSATIONS HE VOWED TO END OBAMACARE AS ‘DISHONEST’ “Like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, I’m looking at ways to make the government more efficient and accountable,” Bice told Fox News Digital. “The DOGE Act would create a deconfliction and tracking system for federal grants that not only reduces waste but also builds confidence in how public funds are distributed and managed.” In addition to the tracking system the legislation creates, it also prohibits the government from issuing multiple federal grants to the same applicant for the same or similar purpose. MIKE JOHNSON WINS REPUBLICAN SUPPORT TO BE HOUSE SPEAKER AGAIN AFTER TRUMP ENDORSEMENT It would also commission a report on the benefits of using artificial intelligence to more efficiently identify duplicative grant applications. One of the bill’s co-sponsors is Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., who co-founded the DOGE Caucus in the House earlier this week. It is another sign of Republicans readying to hold all the levers of power in Washington, D.C., next year, when the GOP will take over the Senate and White House in addition to retaining control of the House. MATT GAETZ FACES GOP SENATE OPPOSITION AFTER TRUMP SELECTION FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL When announcing the Department of Government Efficiency, Trump said the panel would help his administration “slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., recently announced a new subcommittee for the 119th Congress to correspond with the Department of Government Efficiency.
Why a West Texas county is building a new courthouse even after voters rejected the proposal
Officials took the extraordinary step of taking on new debt to replace the old courthouse, which has been plagued by rats and other pests, elevator breakdowns and flooding.
Would the US win a war with China over Taiwan? US lawmakers briefed on the potential outcome
House lawmakers were briefed Wednesday about the potential outcome if the U.S. were to find itself at war with China over Taiwan within the next two years, as the global superpower increasingly encroaches on U.S. allies. The Chinese defense industrial base is operating at a “wartime footing,” and now has a shipbuilding capacity 230 times greater than the U.S.’s, making a potential invasion of Taiwan a not-unlikely outcome. U.S. military analysts have projected 2027 as the year by which China would be fully equipped for a military invasion of Taiwan. And the U.S. has long followed a policy of refusing to say whether it would come to the island’s defense under such a scenario. But under war exercises gamed out by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) 25 times and presented to members of the House China Select Committee, the alliance of the U.S., Taiwan and Japan defeated an amphibious invasion by China and maintained an autonomous Taiwan, but not without suffering heavy losses. WOULD THE US DEFEND TAIWAN UNDER TRUMP IF CHINA INVADES? FOX NEWS INVESTIGATES During the simulation, the cost for all sides was high – there were more than 10,000 casualties – and the U.S. lost 10-20 warships, two aircraft carriers, 200-400 warplanes and more than 3,000 troops were killed over the first three weeks of fighting. China loses 90% of its amphibious fleet, 52 major surface warships, and 160 warplanes. “In our tabletop exercise today, we walked through one simulation of what might happen in a worst-case scenario conflict with China and learned ways we can work together in a bipartisan manner to ensure that America is prepared to be the arsenal of democracy once more if called upon. No matter where or when, the United States and our allies must have the military means to defeat our adversaries,” Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Mich., chairman of the committee, told Fox News Digital. The report emphasized four key points: 1) Taiwan must “hold the line” of the ground invasion, 2) there is no “Ukraine” model where the U.S. can slowly escalate – it must decide immediately whether it will come to Taiwan’s defense, 3) military operations would need to be conducted through Japan and 4) the U.S. needs to immediately increase its supply of anti-ship missiles. The bottom line of the report is that China chooses “D-Day,” but Taiwan and its defenders must be ready at any moment. The war game assumed a 2026 launch date for China’s invasion. The scenario operates under the assumption that the U.S. under President-elect Trump would come to Taiwan’s defense, though no such promise has been made. It’s unclear what Trump would do under such a scenario – he has mused about Taiwan needing to pay the U.S. for giving it defensive aid. Japan would be the U.S. and Taiwan’s key ally in such a fight because South Korea has not authorized the U.S. to launch combat missions from its territory. CSIS recommends deepening U.S.-Japan diplomatic relations immediately. XI JINPING WARNS TRUMP US WOULD ‘LOSE FROM CONFRONTATION’ WITH CHINA AS RENEWED TRADE WAR LOOMS “It certainly would be very helpful if South Korea stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us,” said Matthew Cancian, researcher at the Naval War College and lead author of the project. The U.S. would likely move two of the four squadrons it has stationed in South Korea to help with the fight against China over Taiwan. But, as the presenters warned, North Korea may try to take advantage of the situation and invade the south, especially after gaining operational experience from their fight with Russia against Ukraine. The exercise also claimed that unlike U.S. aid to Ukraine, which passes over NATO territory to arrive there, the U.S. would not be able to arm Taiwan without sending in U.S. forces – China’s anti-tank or anti-air missiles would threaten any shipments making their way to the island. “U.S. forces would have to be directly involved,” said Cancian. “There is no way to achieve denying a takeover of Taiwan while also keeping U.S. forces safe.” And if the U.S. were to come to Taiwan’s defense, there would be no time to waste since China is much closer geographically than U.S. forces. “If the U.S. were not to join the fight for two weeks [after an invasion], it would be too late. Chian would already have too strong a footing,” said Cancian. Chinese land attack missiles and anti-ship missiles would pose the greatest threat in the theater. Harpoons and coastal defense cruise missiles would be “absolutely critical” to Taiwan’s defense, according to the wargame exercise. China is outproducing the U.S. on airplanes, ships and missiles, the exercise found, and in order to deter them from provoking war over Taiwan, the U.S. needs to immediately ramp up its production of key munitions, per the war games. The U.S.’s current stockpile of anti-ship missiles, around 440, would run out in less than seven days in a war with China. China would not be keen to give up easily, as a loss in Taiwan could be “very destabilizing” to the government’s legitimacy back at home. The war games also underscored the need for the Taiwanese defense budget to stop focusing on expensive, large ships that China will easily destroy and focus on smaller, more survivable ships and submarines. The U.S., too, must focus on arming Taiwan with smaller ships and cheaper munitions, with most iterations of the war games finding the U.S. losing two aircraft carriers and 10 to 20 large surface combatants. “We need to make them fire their exquisite stuff at our non-exquisite stuff,” said Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla. “They’re going to out-produce us… we need to wake up.” The U.S. and Taiwan must not attack the Chinese mainland, both to avoid risking escalation with a nuclear power and because Chinese air defense on the mainland is “too strong.” Ultimately, such an invasion could happen sooner, or not at all. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) head, Adm. Samuel Paparo, said recently he believes the
Delhi records coldest night of the season, temp drops to…
Delhi recorded its coldest night of the season with foggy conditions and chilly winds continuing, as temperatures steadily drop.
FBI director, Homeland Security secretary refuse to publicly testify, Senate chairman says
Top members of the Senate Homeland Security Committee rebuked DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray for skipping an end-of-year public hearing on Thursday. Committee Chairman Gary Peters said Mayorkas and Wray’s refusal to appear is a “shocking departure” from the 15-year tradition of holding the annual hearing on worldwide threats. In a statement to Fox News Digital, the FBI argued that Wray and other officials have already “testified extensively” in public about threats facing the U.S., and that the bureau “has repeatedly demonstrated our commitment to responding to Congressional oversight and being transparent with the American people.” “FBI leaders…believe the Committee would benefit most from further substantive discussions and additional information that can only be provided in a classified setting,” the FBI said in a statement. A DHS spokesperson offered a similar explanation when contacted by Fox Digital, noting that the DHS would prefer a classified briefing saying saying Mayorkas has “testified 30 times during his tenure.” SENATE GOP INITIATES THUNE-ENGINEERED SLOWDOWN AS SCHUMER LOOKS TO STACK JUDICIAL VOTES Peters rejected that explanation in a public statement, however, arguing that the lack of a public hearing “robs the American people of critical information.” “Americans deserve transparent, public answers about the threats we face. Secretary Mayorkas and Director Wray’s refusal to speak publicly about their department’s work will only increase the concerns that many Americans have about our nation’s security at a challenging time, flout the Committee’s efforts to conduct responsible oversight, and will deal a serious blow to trust in our government. Their claims that they can only relay such information and respond to questions in a classified setting are entirely without merit,” Peters wrote. SPRINT TO CONFIRM TRUMP NOMINEES KICKS OFF IN JANUARY Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., the ranking member of the committee, also bashed the officials, saying their refusal to testify publicly was “unacceptable.” The postponed Senate hearing came just one day after a similar hearing before the House Homeland Security Committee was pushed back on Wednesday. Mayorkas and Wray were both scheduled to testify in that hearing as well. SCHUMER NOW PLEADS FOR BI-PARTISANSHIP HAVING PROMISED TO RAILROAD DEMOCRAT AGENDA THROUGH Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., who chairs the House committee, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday morning. A source with the House Homeland Security Committee told Fox Digital that the committee had been planning a classified hearing “since early last week.” Those plans fell through, however, and Wednesday’s public hearing was tentatively scheduled instead. “A few days ago, after further negotiation, we came to an agreement to postpone until December and to hold the hearing in a classified setting then,” the source said. The pair of hearings would have been the first time Mayorkas and Wray have appeared before the House and Senate since President-elect Trump won re-election earlier this month. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Trump has vowed to push extensive changes at both the DHS and the FBI.
Heritage launching $1M campaign targeting senators who could ‘make or break’ Trump Cabinet confirmations
FIRST ON FOX: The Heritage Foundation and Heritage Action for America are launching a $1 million public education campaign to advocate for the “prompt confirmation” of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet appointees and will target the home states of key senators who could “make or break” the confirmation process, Fox News Digital has learned. The campaign will also educate the American public on presidential authority on Cabinet appointments. TRUMP TEAM ‘CONFIDENT’ SENATE REPUBLICANS WILL APPROVE CABINET SELECTIONS “Taking down the deep state isn’t just a priority for President Trump — it’s the mandate the American people gave him,” president of the Heritage Foundation and Heritage Action for America Dr. Kevin Roberts told Fox News Digital. “If he succeeds, it will cement his legacy as the president who confronted Washington’s unaccountable bureaucracy and restored power to the people.” Roberts said Trump’s Cabinet choices “reflect a commitment to this mission, and now is the time for every conservative to quickly unite behind his nominees and get to work saving this great republic.” Heritage officials, like Executive Vice President Ryan Walker, said the organization and its “millions of grassroots conservatives stand ready to support President Trump and his slate of nominees through a swift Senate confirmation process.” Walker told Fox News Digital that it is imperative for the new Senate GOP majority to “unite to deliver on the promises made to the American people to implement the America First agenda as soon as possible.” Walker said the organization plans to use “all advocacy tools” at their disposal to ensure Trump’s Cabinet nominees receive “timely advice-and-consent consideration in the Senate as envisioned by the founders.” Meanwhile, the former general counsel to the U.S. Department of Transportation under Trump, now a distinguished fellow at the Heritage Foundation, Steve Bradbury, told Fox News Digital that Trump “is right to demand a return to the regular constitutional order for appointments in which the Senate gives his nominees expedited consideration and a prompt confirmation vote.” TRUMP PICKING CABINET AT BREAKNECK SPEED COMPARED TO 2016 “The advice and consent function of the Senate is critical to our constitutional system of separated powers, but it should not be used to obstruct the president’s ability to put qualified appointees in place,” Bradbury said. “The president is also right to demand an end to the Senate’s dubious practice of using pro forma sessions to prevent recess appointments.” Bradbury noted that until recent history, presidents have exercised their authority under the Constitution to fill vacancies during recesses of the Senate with temporary appointments. “This power is an important check on the Senate’s advice and consent function, and President Trump is right to reserve his authority to make use of his recess appointment power if the Senate refuses to give his nominees fair and prompt consideration,” he said. Trump has already tapped the majority of key Cabinet officials and is “confident” that Senate Republicans “will hold the line and respect the will of the American people by approving his cabinet nominees.” A Trump transition official told Fox News Digital that the president-elect is “very happy” with Vice President-elect JD Vance, who has been “laser focused on already getting the ball rolling on his highly-qualified nominees.” LOYALTY MATTERS: TRUMP PICKS ALLIES AND SUPPORTERS TO FILL OUT HIS ADMINISTRATION Trump’s nominees and administration picks during his second administration are being publicly announced at a much faster pace than during his first administration in 2016, which the transition team attributed to Trump’s commitment to putting “America first.” “The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin, giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail, and his Cabinet picks reflect his priority to put America First. President Trump will continue to appoint highly qualified men and women who have the talent, experience and necessary skill sets to Make America Great Again,” Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt previously told Fox News Digital when asked about Trump’s speedy rollout of Cabinet picks.