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Ohio Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown urges Biden to end campaign

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, joined Democrats calling on President Biden to drop out of the 2024 race on Friday evening.  “At this critical time, our full attention must return to these important issues. I think the President should end his campaign,” he said in a statement on X.  3RD DEMOCRAT SENATOR CALLS ON BIDEN TO STEP ASIDE AS PRESSURE ACCELERATES According to Brown, “Over the last few weeks, I’ve heard from Ohioans on important issues, such as how to continue to grow jobs in our state, give law enforcement the resources to crack down on fentanyl, protect Social Security and Medicare from cuts, and prevent the ongoing efforts to impose a national abortion ban.” “I agree with the many Ohioans who have reached out to me,” he added.  VULNERABLE DEM TESTER CALLS ON BIDEN TO DROP OUT AFTER GIVING SCHUMER HEADS UP Brown is the fourth Democrat senator to press Biden to step aside and the 34th Congressional Democrat to do so.  The Ohio Democrat is in a particularly competitive race in November, where he will face Republican Senate candidate Bernie Moreno, who is endorsed by former President Trump.  Non-partisan political handicapper the Cook Political Report rated the Ohio Senate race as a “Toss Up,” placing it alongside races in Montana, Nevada, and Michigan.  ‘THEY’RE INCOMPETENT’: SEN MARSHALL BLASTS ‘WORTHLESS’ SECRET SERVICE BRIEFING ON TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT In a statement, Moreno responded to Brown, saying, “If Joe Biden is unfit to run, he is unfit to serve.” “I am formally calling on Joe Biden to resign the Presidency because his continued presence in the situation room is a national security threat. I hope Senator Brown will join me.”  “Make no mistake, Brown was fully aware of Joe Biden’s mental decline, covered it up, and used Biden as a vessel to pass the most liberal agenda in American history,” he claimed.  SECRET SERVICE ‘CHECK-THE-BOX’ SENATE BRIEFING LEAVES QUESTIONS: ‘INFURIATING’ Brown was the third Democrat senator in just 24 hours to urge Biden to step aside, signaling a movement that is picking up its pace. Despite this, Biden and his campaign have remained adamant that he is not backing down.  Prior to the Ohio Democrat’s announcement, Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-Ohio, called on Biden to pass the torch as well.  On Thursday evening, Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., made his own plea to Biden to exit the race.  Earlier this month, Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., became the first Democrat senator to make the request of the president, doing so in an op-ed for the Washington Post.  Both Heinrich and Tester are similarly up for re-election in November.  Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub

Lawsuit over Tennessee law that puts limits on drag shows dismissed by federal court in win for Republicans

In a win for Tennessee’s Republican-led legislature, a federal appeals court on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit brought by an LGBTQ group that challenged a state law restricting drag shows considered “harmful to minors.” Friends of George’s, a Memphis-based theater that does “drag-centric performances,” sued over the law last year, claiming it would hurt its business because it has no age restrictions.  The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday ruled that Friends of George’s didn’t have legal standing to sue over the law because it wasn’t at risk of violating the law, finding its shows weren’t “harmful to minors.” The ruling reverses a lower court decision that called the law unconstitutional after the group sued, temporarily blocking its enforcement in Memphis’ Shelby County. The lower court had called the law “substantially overbroad” and said it encouraged “discriminatory enforcement.”  SUPREME COURT DENIES DESANTIS IN LEGAL BATTLE OVER DRAG QUEEN BAN With the support of Republican Gov. Bill Lee, the first-of-its-kind law was passed by the state legislature last year but has faced legal hurdles since then.  “Harmful to minors” has been defined by the Tennessee Supreme Court as shows that lack “serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for a reasonable 17-year-old minor.” In its ruling Thursday, the appeals court said Friends of George’s “has not alleged that its performances lack serious value for a 17-year-old. In fact, it insists the exact opposite. Its own witness, a member of FOG’s board, conceded that its shows ‘are definitely appropriate’ for a 15-year-old and would ‘absolutely’ have artistic value for a 17-year-old.”  DRAG PERFORMER SPEAKS OUT AGAINST ALLOWING KIDS TO ATTEND DRAG SHOWS: ‘THIS IS AN ADULT VENUE’ But state Rep. Aftyn Behn, a Democrat, claimed Thursday’s ruling was a “misguided attack on the LGBTQ+ community.” “This isn’t about protecting kids; it’s about spreading fear and division,” she said. “It’s ironic that those who claim to support small government are the first to impose it on our personal freedoms.” Fox News Digital has reached out to Friends of George’s for comment.  Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti argued, however, the law was “constitutionally sound.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “As a state overflowing with world-class artists and musicians, Tennessee respects the right to free expression,” he said in a statement. “But as the court noted, Tennessee’s ‘harmful to minors’ standard is constitutionally sound, and Tennessee can absolutely prohibit the exhibition of obscene material to children.”

Panama president dismisses this key issue as a ‘United States problem’

The president of Panama says the ongoing migrant crisis in the Western Hemisphere is a “United States problem,” adding deportation flights that are partly funded by the U.S. are only voluntary. “This is a United States problem that we are managing,” newly-elected President Jose Raul Mulino said Thursday. “People don’t want to live here in Panama. They want to go to the United States.” Panama is a key crossing area for migrants moving north as many move through the Darien Gap, a massive jungle crossing Panama and Colombia that serves as a pathway through Central America and toward the U.S. US TO PAY FOR FLIGHTS TO HELP PANAMA REMOVE MIGRANTS WHO MAY BE HEADING NORTH The U.S. has worked with Panama and Colombia to try and limit crossings, including a 60-day campaign last year to address the humanitarian crisis. The campaign aimed to end the illicit movement of people, open new “lawful and flexible pathways” for migrants and launch a plan to “reduce poverty, improve public service delivery, create jobs and promote economic and sustainable opportunities in border communities in northern Colombia and southern Panama, through international partnerships across financial institutions, civil society and the private sector.” But over half a million migrants moved through Panama last year, and Mulino has vowed to make changes to solve the crisis and make Panama a less attractive destination. He had also vowed to increase deportations. Earlier this month, the U.S. signed a memorandum of understanding that said the U.S. would pay for deportation flights and other assistance to help Panama deport migrants. The efforts to send some migrants back to their homelands “will help deter irregular migration in the region and at our southern border and halt the enrichment of malign smuggling networks that prey on vulnerable migrants,” a U.S. spokesperson said. However, Mulino clarified this week that the only migrants who will be returned are those who agree to do so. If migrants don’t want to return to their countries, “then they’ll go (to the U.S.). I can’t arrest them. We can’t forcibly repatriate them.” DARIEN JUNGLE, A TREACHEROUS ROUTE FOR MIGRANTS, BECOMES MORE ACCESSIBLE AS PANAMA SEES UPTICK IN ARRIVALS The Biden administration has emphasized the importance of foreign relations and cooperation as part of its strategy to reduce border crossings, which have exploded under its watch as the border crisis remains a top political issue in the U.S. Republicans have blamed the Biden administration’s rolling back of Trump-era policies and have accused it of incentivizing migration due to “open border” policies. The administration has said it needs funding and reforms by Congress, which it has so far failed to deliver. But it has recently pointed to reduced numbers since President Biden announced an executive order limiting crossings and increasing asylum interview standards. MIGRANT NUMBERS CROSSING DARIEN GAP SET NEW RECORD, DESPITE US EFFORTS Since June, encounters have dropped more than 50%, and the number of releases has decreased by 70%. Officials also say the administration has removed and returned more than 50,000 individuals to more than 100 countries. In his comments to the press, Mulino said he hopes upcoming Venezuelan elections could also help. “Practically all of Venezuela is walking through there every day,” Mulino said. “If the elections in that country are carried out properly, respecting the popular will regardless of who wins, I’m sure that that number will go down.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Georgia court will hear Trump’s case to disqualify Fani Willis one month after presidential election

The Georgia Court of Appeals will hear former President Trump’s case to have District Attorney Fani Willis disqualified on Dec. 5 — a month after the 2024 presidential election.  The Georgia court will hear the appeal by Trump and his co-defendants to have embattled Willis disqualified from the case due to an alleged “improper” affair with former special prosecutor Nathan Wade. Last month, lawyers for Trump filed the opening brief in their appeal of a court order in hopes of disqualifying Wills from the sweeping electioneering case against him in Georgia.  “The brief persuasively argues that the trial court should have dismissed the case and disqualified DA Willis for her forensic misconduct and the appearance of impropriety between her and former Special Assistant DA Wade, who was her lover and taxpayer-funded financial benefactor,” Steve Sadow, lead attorney for Trump, said in a statement.  FANI WILLIS FACES NOTHING BUT SETBACKS IN CASE AGAINST TRUMP, THE LATEST PENDING WITH SUPREME COURT “We are optimistic that the Court will favorably decide the appeal in our favor.” “Should a prosecutor be disqualified for intentionally and repeatedly violating ethical and professional canons to prejudice defendants for personal or political gain? Yes,” the brief argues.   “Is disqualification necessary when a prosecutor testifies falsely, conceals misconduct, and creates ‘an odor of mendacity’ that results in a ‘significant appearance of impropriety?’ Undoubtedly so. If this prosecutor deflects attention from her misconduct by claiming on national television that the defendants are dishonest racists for bringing the truthful accusations to light, could anyone have confidence in the impartiality of the prosecutor’s actions? Absolutely not,” it states. The appeals court paused activity in the case against Trump, all but eliminating any opportunity for Willis to try the former president before the Nov. 5 presidential election.  TRUMP’S APPEAL TO DISQUALIFY FANI WILLIS FROM GA CASE GETS OCTOBER HEARING DATE Willis filed a motion to dismiss that appeal earlier this month, saying the lower court found there was no sufficient evidence to support their claims that Willis has a conflict of interest, and says that there is “no basis” to appeal Fulton Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee’s March ruling allowing Willis to stay on the case. Trump’s lawyer called the motion a “last ditch effort to stop any appellate review of [her] misconduct.” Trump was indicted in August along with 18 co-defendants stemming from the yearslong criminal investigation led by Willis and state prosecutors in Georgia into his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in the state. The charges include violating the Georgia RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act; solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer; conspiracy to commit impersonating a public officer; conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree; conspiracy to commit false statements and writings; conspiracy to commit filing false documents; conspiracy to commit forgery in the first degree; and filing false documents. REP JORDAN URGES CONGRESS TO ‘DEFUND LAWFARE ACTIVITIES’ OF TRUMP PROSECUTORS Since then, Willis has struggled to avoid roadblocks in her efforts to try Trump, the GOP presidential nominee, before the election. McAfee in March dismissed six of the charges and said the state failed to allege sufficient detail for six counts of “solicitation of violation of oath by public officer.”  In February, Michael Roman, a GOP operative and co-defendant in the case, dropped bombshell accusations that Willis had an “improper” affair with Wade, whom she hired to help prosecute the case in November 2021.  Other co-defendants made similar allegations, and said she financially benefited from her relationship with him by taking lavish vacations together.  Both Wade and Willis denied they were in a romantic relationship prior to his hiring and said the couple would split the costs of their shared travels; Willis said she reimbursed Wade for her share of the trips in cash. After evidentiary hearings held in February, McAfee ordered that Wade had to be removed in order to keep Willis from disqualification in the Trump election interference case. “[T]he established record now highlights a significant appearance of impropriety that infects the current structure of the prosecution team – an appearance that must be removed through the State’s selection of one of two options,” he wrote, adding that Willis and her whole office can choose to step aside, or Wade can withdraw from the case. Wade subsequently resigned from his post as special prosecutor. In his March order, McAfee said while Willis’ “reimbursement practice” was “unusual and the lack of any documentary corroboration understandably concerning,” he ultimately decided that the defendants did not present “sufficient evidence” that expenses weren’t “roughly divided evenly.”  He also said, “the evidence demonstrated that the financial gain flowing from her relationship with Wade was not a motivating factor on the part of the District Attorney to indict and prosecute this case.” “[T]he Court finds that the record made at the evidentiary hearing established that the District Attorney’s prosecution is encumbered by an appearance of impropriety,” McAfee wrote in his order. GEORGIA PROSECUTOR FANI WILLIS APPEALS AFTER JUDGE DROPS MULTIPLE TRUMP CHARGES “As the case moves forward, reasonable members of the public could easily be left to wonder whether the financial exchanges have continued resulting in some form of benefit to the District Attorney, or even whether the romantic relationship has resumed.” “Put differently, an outsider could reasonably think that the District Attorney is not exercising her independent professional judgment totally free of any compromising influences. As long as Wade remains on the case, this unnecessary perception will persist,” he said. When the defense in March submitted a joint motion for a Certificate of Immediate Review, McAfee said his Order on the Defendants’ Motions to Dismiss and Disqualify the Fulton County District Attorney issued March 15 “is of such importance to the case that immediate review should be had” and allowed the defendants to ask the Georgia appeals court for an opportunity to appeal, which the court granted last month.

Fox News Politics: Torching the Ticket?

Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter with the latest political news from Washington, D.C. and updates from the 2024 campaign trail. RNC HIGHLIGHTS: Missed the RNC? Check out the highlights and more here. Here’s what’s happening… – Biden ‘furious’ over clamor for him to drop out – Trump highlights assassination attempt, Melania, and more in RNC speech  – Sen. Roger Marshall lights into the Secret Service – Fox News Digital continues to dominate the competition Five more House Democrats on Friday joined the growing number of congressional lawmakers who have called on President Biden to drop out of the 2024 election. In a joint statement, Reps. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., Marc Veasey, D-Texas, Chuy Garcia, D-Illinois and Marc Pocan, D-Wis., urged Biden to “pass the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders.” “Mr. President, with great admiration for you personally, sincere respect for your decades of public service and patriotic leadership, and deep appreciation for everything we have accomplished together during your presidency, it is now time for you to pass the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders,” the lawmakers wrote. …Read more ‘WE WERE UNDER ATTACK’: Five top moments from Trump’s RNC speech …Read more ‘FELLOW AMERICANS’: Trump preaches unity during his convention acceptance speech …Read more MOVING MOMENT: Trump pays emotional tribute to former firefighter killed at Butler, Pa. rally …Read more ‘TACTICAL REASON’: Army vet in front row of Trump rally reveals glaring security fail …Read more ‘ESPECIALLY CONCERNING’: Majority of Trump security detail were not Secret Service, whistleblowers say …Read more ‘SAVED MY LIFE’: WATCH: Trump breaks out immigration chart shown right before assassination attempt …Read more PRESSING QUESTIONS: FBI interviews classmate of Trump shooter over dislike for politicians …Read more HERO’S FAREWELL: Trump shooting victim Corey Comperatore’s funeral draws hundreds …Read more ‘LOTS OF ANGER’: Biden ‘furious’ about growing calls to get him to exit race: report …Read more TIME FOR A PROMOTION?: Poll answers if Democrats think VP Harris is ready to be POTUS? …Read more ANOTHER ROUND: Pressure growing in Congress for Biden to step down …Read more THIS IS NOT A TEST: Vulnerable Montana Democratic senator joins calls for Biden to drop out  …Read more WHO’S HIDING WHAT?: Congress denied access to crucial Trump protection plan screams ‘cover your a– mode’: expert …Read more ‘COMPLETELY WORTHLESS’: Sen. Roger Marshall blasts Secret Service briefing on Trump assassination attempt …Read more PILING ON: A third Democratic senator is now on record urging Biden to drop out …Read more ‘ABOVE THE CALL OF DUTY’: Gold Star parents reflect on ‘thousands’ of lives changed by vets after son died in Afghanistan …Read more ‘WHAT MATTERS MOST’: Ben Sasse stepping down as university president over wife’s health …Read more BACKLASH: Washington Post deletes post lecturing American hostage’s parents …Read more DELIVERING FOR AMERICA: Fox News Digital dominates competition in key metrics in historic news quarter …Read more Subscribe now to get Fox News Politics newsletter in your inbox. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.

Harvey Weinstein retrial on New York rape charges set for November

Prosecutors say they are still seeking new claims against the Hollywood film producer. A New York City judge has tentatively scheduled the start of former Hollywood movie mogul Harvey Weinstein’s retrial on rape and sexual assault charges for November 12. Judge Curtis Farber said on Friday that he was open to an earlier start date in September, depending on how pretrial discovery progresses. Weinstein’s lawyers said they want to proceed as soon as possible. Last week, prosecutors said they anticipated a November retrial and told Farber that they were still actively pursuing new claims against Weinstein. The new accusers have not been publicly identified, and prosecutors are seeking to shield certain evidence from public view while they prepare to seek a new grand jury. Arthur Aidala, Weinstein’s lawyer, said at last week’s hearing that it was unfair for prosecutors to seek to add more victims to the case after the conviction was overturned. Harvey Weinstein, who denies ever having nonconsensual sex, has been convicted in California of sexual assault [Adam Gray/Pool Photo via AP] Weinstein, 72, has denied wrongdoing and having any nonconsensual sexual encounters with anyone. Jurors in Manhattan found him guilty on rape charges in February 2020, but the New York Court of Appeals threw out the conviction in April, finding Weinstein did not get a fair trial because a judge improperly allowed testimony by accusers he was not formally charged with assaulting. But his conviction was a milestone for the #MeToo movement, in which women accused hundreds of men in entertainment, the media, politics and other fields of sexual misconduct. He was convicted of rape in the third degree for an attack on an aspiring actress and forcing himself on a TV and film production assistant in 2006. Weinstein denied any wrongdoing. Prosecutors said one of the accusers in that case, Jessica Mann, is prepared to testify again. Last week, Floria Allred, a lawyer for the second accuser, Mimi Haley, said her client had yet to decide whether to participate in the retrial. Weinstein was also sentenced to 16 years following a separate rape trial in California. The New York court’s decision did not affect that conviction, and he has not begun serving the California sentence. He is being held on New York City’s Rikers Island before his retrial. Adblock test (Why?)

Adidas drops Bella Hadid from campaign referencing 1972 Munich Olympics

Hadid, who is half-Palestinian, has been vocal in her support for Palestinian rights and an end to Israel’s war on Gaza. Adidas has dropped vocal pro-Palestinian supermodel Bella Hadid from an advertising campaign that drew criticism from Israel over its reference to the 1972 Munich Olympics. The campaign was for the retro SL72 shoe, inspired by a design from the 1972 event, where the Palestinian Black September group took Israeli athletes hostage. Eleven Israelis, a German policeman and five Palestinian attackers died after a standoff at the Olympic village and the nearby Fuerstenfeldbruck airfield as rescue efforts erupted into a gunfight. The German sports brand said on Friday that it would be “revising the remainder of the campaign” with immediate effect. “We are conscious that connections have been made to tragic historical events – though these are completely unintentional – and we apologise for any upset or distress caused,” the company said in a statement sent to the news agency AFP. Hadid, whose father is Palestinian, has repeatedly made public remarks criticising the Israeli government and supporting Palestinians over the years. On October 23, she posted a statement on Instagram lamenting the loss of lives in Gaza while calling on followers to pressure their leaders to protect civilians in the Palestinian enclave. Hadid has taken part in several pro-Palestinian demonstrations during the war and has described Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip, which has killed at least 38,848 Palestinians, as a “genocide”. In 2020, Instagram was forced to apologise to Hadid after she criticised the social media platform for removing a post she shared that showed a picture of her father’s passport with his birthplace listed as Palestine. In August, the model criticised Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, after he said the right to life and movement for settlers in the occupied West Bank trumped the right to movement for Palestinians. “In no place, no time, especially in 2023, should one life be more valuable than another’s. Especially simply because of their ethnicity, culture or pure hatred,” she wrote in a post on Instagram. Israeli officials express outrage A spokeswoman from Adidas confirmed that Hadid had been removed from the campaign, which notes that the shoes were first introduced in 1972 but never mentions the attack on the Israeli athletes. The Israeli embassy in Germany criticised the choice of Hadid for the campaign. “Guess who the face of the campaign is? Bella Hadid, a model with Palestinian roots who has spread anti-Semitism in the past and incited violence against Israelis and Jews,” the Israeli embassy in Germany wrote on X on Thursday. “How can Adidas now claim that the reference [to the events in Munich] was ‘completely unintentional’?” Ron Prosor, Israel’s ambassador to Germany, said in response to the company’s climbdown. “The terror of 1972 is etched into the collective memory of Germans and Israelis,” he told Die Welt TV on Friday. A flood of social media posts, meanwhile, expressed support for Hadid, criticised Adidas for axing the model and called for a boycott of the company. Adidas said it would continue the SL72 campaign with other famous faces, including footballer Jules Kounde, singer Melissa Bon and model Sabrina Lan. Adblock test (Why?)

Bangladesh protest met with violence, communications cut off

NewsFeed Student-led protests over a job quota system in Bangladesh are met with police violence and a communications shut-down. Published On 19 Jul 202419 Jul 2024 Adblock test (Why?)

If Biden withdraws, Democrats must act quickly to replace him on the Texas ballot

If Joe Biden drops out of the presidential race, the Democratic Party could select a new nominee during its national convention Aug. 19-22, just in time for the nominee to appear on the Texas ballot.

Number of Americans wanting reduced immigration skyrockets, most since 2001: poll

A majority of Americans want lower levels of immigration overall, according to a new poll ahead of an election in which immigration and the crisis at the southern border are going to be top issues for voters. Fifty-five percent of voters want to see immigration to the U.S. decrease, according to a recent Gallup poll. That is up dramatically from 41% last year, and the first time since 2005 a majority of Americans want less immigration. It’s also the highest since the 58% recorded in 2001. The percentage of Americans who want more immigration is at 16%. It’s a sharp change from 2020 and 2021, when 34% wanted more immigration and only about 30% wanted less. BORDER SECURITY, ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION TOP AGENDA AT GOP CONVENTION: ‘MASS DEPORTATION NOW!’  By party affiliation, 88% of Republicans, 50% of independents and 28% of Democrats want less immigration. It comes amid a third year of an ongoing crisis at the southern border. While that is primarily an issue of illegal immigration, there are ongoing concerns from Republicans about the use of parole by the Biden administration to admit hundreds of thousands into the U.S., which counts as legal immigration. Multiple polls, including Gallup, have consistently shown the border crisis is a top issue for voters ahead of the November election. For solutions to the crisis, 67% want Border Patrol agents, 53% want border wall expansion, 47% want deportation of all illegal immigrants and 70% want to give illegal immigrants a path to citizenship if they meet “certain requirements over time,” according to the poll. The poll was taken in June and published last week, just before the Republican National Convention, where border security was a top issue. Signs of “Mass Deportation Now!” were seen throughout the event. BORDER WALL GAP LEFT OPEN AFTER BIDEN STOPPED CONSTRUCTION FRUSTRATES AGENTS: ‘IT’S A BEACON’  Former President Trump used the convention to tout his record in office, saying his strategy to stop illegal immigration, including border wall construction and increased interior enforcement, had worked. “We stopped the invasion. But the invasion that we stopped was peanuts by comparison to what happened after I left. Look at what happened after I left. They took over our country,” Trump said. “We ended all catch and release. We shut down asylum fraud. We stopped human trafficking and forged historic agreements to keep illegal aliens on foreign soil. We want them to stay on this soil under the Trump administration. If you came in illegally, you were apprehended immediately, and you were deported. You went right back. The current administration terminated every single one of those great Trump policies that I put in place to seal the border.” CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF THE BORDER SECURITY CRISIS The Biden administration has said it has been trying to solve what it says is a hemisphere-wide crisis but needs funding and immigration reform from Congress, something it blames Republicans and Trump for blocking for political purposes. The White House said this week that since an executive order by President Biden was announced in June to limit entries into the U.S., encounters overall have decreased by more than 50% and the number of releases has decreased by 70%. Officials also say the administration has removed and returned more than 50,000 individuals to more than 100 countries. “While the president’s action has led to significant results, it is clear that the only lasting solution to the challenges we are seeing on our border — the solution that would deliver additional authorities, resources and personnel that we need to secure our border — is through congressional action,” an official said.