Ramaswamy done at DOGE, Ohio gubernatorial campaign launch expected early next week: sources
Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is done at President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, a source close to the multimillionaire biotech entrepreneur confirmed to Fox News Digital. And Ramaswamy, who along with Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, was tapped in November by Trump to steer DOGE, is expected to launch a Republican campaign for Ohio governor early next week, according to the source. GOP Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio is term-limited and cannot seek re-election in 2026. DeWine on Friday announced that Lt. Gov. Jon Husted would fill the U.S. Senate seat that was held by former Sen. JD Vance until earlier this month, when the vice president stepped down ahead of Monday’s inauguration. MUSK AND RAMASWAMY IGNITE MAGA WAR OVER SKILLED WORKER IMIMGRATION Before the Senate announcement, Husted had planned to run for governor in 2026 to succeed DeWine. Ramaswamy, for his part, had expressed interest in serving in the Senate. DeWine’s decision to choose Husted to fill the vacant Senate seat appeared to accelerate Ramaswamy’s move toward launching a run for governor. Ramaswamy, 39, who launched his presidential campaign in February 2023, saw his stock rise as he went from a long shot to a contender for the Republican nomination. CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS REPORTING ON VIVEK RAMASWAMY Ramaswamy campaigned on what he called an “America First 2.0” agenda and was one of Trump’s biggest supporters in the field of rivals, calling Trump the “most successful president in our century.” He dropped his White House bid a year ago after a distant fourth-place finish in the Iowa caucuses and quickly endorsed Trump, becoming a top surrogate on the campaign trail. Ramaswamy’s exit appears to clear the way for Musk, Trump’s top donor and key ally, to steer DOGE without having to share the limelight. The move also comes a couple of weeks after Ramswamy and Musk sparked a firestorm among Trump’s hard core MAGA supporters over their support for H-1B temporary worker visas for highly skilled workers from foreign countries. Ramaswamy’s comments criticizing an American culture that he said “venerated mediocrity over excellence” received plenty of pushback from leading voices on the far right. Ohio, which was once a top general election battleground, has shifted red over the past decade as Republicans have dominated statewide elections.
White House website now lists Trump as president, removes Biden, Harris content
The White House’s official website now lists Donald Trump as President and JD Vance as Vice President. Pages detailing the work of “The Biden-Harris Administration” were removed just moments after both Trump and Vance took the oath of office Monday. Those who visit Whitehouse.gov are greeted with an image of Trump pointing and the message “America is Back.” “Every single day I will be fighting for you with every breath in my body. I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve. This will truly be the golden age of America,” it says under the message, followed by Trump’s signature. The updated administration section says “After a landslide election victory in 2024, President Donald J. Trump is returning to the White House to build upon his previous successes and use his mandate to reject the extremist policies of the radical left while providing tangible quality of life improvements for the American people.” Next to JD Vance’s name, it says “In 2024, President Donald J. Trump extended JD the incredible honor of asking him to serve as the Vice-Presidential Nominee for the Republican Party. JD looks forward to serving with President Trump over the next four years as they work diligently to Make America Great Again.” This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Donald Trump sworn in as 47th President of the United States
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, marking his return to the Oval Office with a pledge to restore America to a “golden age.” Trump addressed the nation after taking the oath of office for the second time and is expected to use his inaugural address remarks to call for a “revolution of common sense.” TRUMP TO TAKE MORE THAN 200 EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ON DAY ONE “I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success. A tide of change is sweeping the country,” Trump will say. “My message to Americans today is that it is time for us to once again act with courage, vigor, and the vitality of history’s greatest civilization.” The president will deliver his remarks from the Capitol Rotunda Monday due to an arctic blast that hit the nation’s capital, with frigid temperatures forcing the inaugural ceremonies to be moved indoors for the first time in four decades. TRUMP TO DEPLOY MILITARY TO BORDER, END BIDEN PAROLE POLICIES IN FLURRY OF DAY ONE EXECUTIVE ORDERS Trump, who won the Electoral College and popular vote, defeating now-former Vice President Kamala Harris in a landslide, has vowed that his second administration will bring “the golden age of America.” Trump was running against President Biden, who was seeking re-election, until July 2024. But after the two debated for the first time, and after a disastrous performance by Biden, the incumbent was pressured by Democrat insiders to suspend his presidential bid. Biden made the announcement in a social media post and endorsed Harris to be the Democratic presidential nominee in his place, moving his vice president to the top of the ticket. TRUMP WINS 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION The decision for Biden to drop out of the race came just days after the Republican National Convention (RNC) finished, and after Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, formally accepted the GOP nomination. But Trump, just days before accepting the Republican nomination, survived an assassination attempt at a rally on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania. During the event, Trump was showing off a chart highlighting how illegal immigration skyrocketed under the Biden-Harris administration. As he turned toward the chart, he was hit by a bullet that pierced the upper part of his right ear by the now-deceased would-be-assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks. Trump credits the chart for saving his life. But weeks later, in September, another would-be-assassin hid himself in the bushes at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida. The gunman, Ryan Wesley Routh, had an AK-47-style rifle pointing through the fence toward Trump as he was golfing. Trump was rushed off the golf course by U.S. Secret Service agents unharmed. TRUMP TO END BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP FOR CHILDREN OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, HALT REFUGEE FLOW Trump, on his first day in office, is expected to take more than 200 executive actions – a massive, first wave of policy priorities focused on border security, energy, reducing the cost of living for American families, ending DEI programs across the federal government, and more, Fox News Digital exclusively reported. Trump will also deliver on his campaign promise to roll back policies from his predecessor’s administration on his first day in office. Trump will end “catch and release,” pause all offshore wind leases; terminate the electric vehicle mandate; abolish the Green New Deal; withdraw from the Paris climate accord; and take several major steps to assert presidential control over the federal bureaucracy.
Michelle Obama skips Trump inauguration as Barack arrives solo
Former President Barack Obama arrived at the U.S. Capitol on Monday for President-elect Trump’s inauguration ceremony without former First Lady Michelle Obama. Obama was introduced at the ceremony and walked into the swearing-in ceremony inside the Capitol alone. The ceremony was moved indoors due to the intense cold. Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush arrived alongside their spouses, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former first lady Laura Bush. Michelle Obama’s absence from the inauguration came as no surprise, since the Obamas released a statement last week announcing that while the former president would be in attendance, the former first lady would not be in attendance. OBAMA WISHES WIFE MICHELLE HAPPY BIRTHDAY AS SHE STAYS AWAY FROM KEY PUBLIC EVENTS The Obamas’ statement did not provide a reason as to why the former first lady was skipping the event. Michelle Obama also skipped former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral earlier this month. A notable moment at Carter’s funeral came when Obama and Trump, who were seated next to each other, were seen chatting and laughing like old friends despite the history of political animosity between the Democratic former president and the returning Republican. KID ROCK RIPS MICHELLE OBAMA FOR NOT PLANNING TO ATTEND TRUMP’S INAUGURATION: ‘SEEMS A LITTLE ANGRY’ All three former presidents and their wives attended Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, including Hillary Clinton, after she lost the 2016 presidential election to Trump. Carter also attended. Trump and former first lady Melania Trump did not attend President Biden’s inauguration in 2021. Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Trump targets culture war lightning rods in early slate of executive orders
Incoming President Trump is planning to target federal diversity and pro-transgender initiatives among his early slate of executive orders, officials said on Monday. The latter order will be aimed at “defending women from gender, ideology, extremism and restoring biological truth to the federal government,” officials told reporters in a phone call. The order would clarify that it is U.S. government policy to recognize just two sexes, male and female. Those would be classified based on reproductive function rather than chromosomes, officials said. References of “gender” for federal employees will be switched to “sex.” TRUMP WINS 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION Trump officials also signaled that the Biden administration’s decision to offer an “X” gender passport option would be rescinded, telling reporters, “the Secretary of State, Homeland Security and all other agencies are going to ensure that official government documents, including passports and visas, reflect sex accurately.” Other aspects of the order would include making sure taxpayer funds do not go toward gender-transition surgeries and stripping Biden administration guidance on preferred pronoun use in schools. The other order mentioned would roll back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives by the federal government. It’s aimed at ending taxpayer funding to diversity initiatives, with Trump officials holding up examples like the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s environmental justice program, Treasury Department diversity training and diversity recruiting efforts by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The order would direct the Office of Management and Budget and Office of Personnel Management to coordinate with various agencies to terminate all similar programs. Trump has promised to sign more than 200 executive orders within his first 24 hours as president — many targeting culture war issues and border security, two cornerstones of his White House campaign. HIGHLIGHTS FROM PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP’S 1ST INAUGURATION DAY; WHAT TO EXPECT FROM MONDAY Signaling his intent to waste no time after being sworn in, Trump aides have already briefed both members of Congress and members of the media on what many of those orders will entail. On a separate press call held on Monday, Trump officials said he would sign executive actions ending birthright citizenship and renaming the “Gulf of Mexico” as the “Gulf of America.” Fox News Digital’s Brooke Singman contributed to this report
President Biden pardons his siblings just minutes before leaving office
President Biden pardoned his siblings just minutes before leaving office on Monday. The pardon applies to James Biden, Sara Jones Biden, Valerie Biden Owens, John Owens, and Francis Biden, the White House announced. The president argues that his family could be subject to “politically motivated investigations” after he leaves office. “I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics. But baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families,” Biden said in a statement. “Even when individuals have done nothing wrong and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage their reputations and finances,” Biden added. HUNTER BIDEN PARDON: MEDIA TAKES LATEST BLOW TO CREDIBILITY WITH BOTCHED COVERAGE OF BROKEN PROMISE The pardons come after House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer requested that Trump’s Justice Department investigate and prosecute James Biden for allegedly making false statements to Congress. House Republicans in June sent criminal referrals for James Biden and Hunter Biden to the Justice Department recommending they be charged with making false statements to Congress about “key aspects” of the impeachment inquiry of President Biden. HOUSE REPUBLICANS REFER HUNTER BIDEN, JAMES BIDEN FOR CRIMINAL PROSECUTION AMID IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY Biden issued another wave of pre-emptive pardons earlier Monday morning, those going to Dr. Anthony Fauci, Gen. Mark Milley and people associated with the House select committee investigation into January 6. Biden had teased the possibility of issuing pre-emptive pardons weeks ago in an interview with USA Today. Biden’s pardons at the end of his term have proven to be some of his most controversial actions as president, particularly the pardon for his son, Hunter Biden. Biden had repeatedly vowed that he would not intervene on his son’s behalf, but he issued a blanket pardon regardless. The president later claimed that he had broken the promise after finding out Hunter had paid his back taxes. Biden’s pardon of Hunter was defended in some corners as a natural move from someone protecting his own family, but many prominent figures derided it as a craven flip-flop that would damage the White House and the president’s legacy. “Everyone looks stupid,” Pod Save America co-host and ex-Obama aide Tommy Vietor said at the time. “Everyone looks like they are full of s—. And Republicans are going to use this to argue it was politics as usual when Democrats warned of Trump’s corruption or threat to the rule or the threat to democracy.” This is a developing story. Check back soon for updates.
Biden greets Trump at White House with two-word message
President Biden delivered a two-word message to President-elect Trump at the White House on Monday. “Welcome home,” Biden shouted to Trump, as the soon-to-be 47th president arrived outside the White House with his wife, Melania Trump. Trump walked up the steps and greeted Biden and first lady Jill Biden. The couples posed for photos, but did not answer questions shouted by the press. The Bidens and the Trumps turned around and entered the White House together to have tea. BIDEN BALKS WHEN ASKED IF TRUMP DESERVES CREDIT FOR ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASE-FIRE DEAL: ‘IS THAT A JOKE?’ After the private tea concluded, Biden and Trump got into their motorcade and traveled together to the Capitol for the inauguration ceremony. Trump will be sworn in as president around noon ET. The two-word message mirrored the “welcome back” Biden told Trump when the two met in the Oval Office on Nov. 13 following the Republican’s decisive victory over Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. ‘WORST FAREWELL SPEECH IN PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY’: BIDEN’S OVAL OFFICE GOODBYE PANNED AS ‘DARK’ The welcoming tone is a stark contrast to the combative nature of the June debate between Biden and Trump, as the Democratic president’s rocky performance ultimately led to him suspending his re-election campaign and Harris topping the ticket. Just weeks later, Trump survived a July 13 assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, that sent shock waves through the 2024 election cycle. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Over concern about Biden’s age and mental fitness, Democratic donors and insiders pushed for his ouster from the race, and Harris became the nominee without any primary. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was her vice presidential running mate.
Trump to end birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants, halt refugee flow
President-elect Trump will sign an executive order ending birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants, incoming White House officials said on Monday – one of a slew of border-related orders he will sign to overhaul U.S. immigration policy and border security, and that also includes a pausing of refugee resettlement for at least four months. Officials told reporters in a press call that Trump will sign an order clarifying language in the 14th Amendment and stating that the federal government “will not recognize automatic birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens born in the United States.” The 14th Amendment states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” TRUMP TO DEPLOY MILITARY TO BORDER, END BIDEN PAROLE POLICIES IN FLURRY OF DAY ONE EXECUTIVE ORDERS Some legal experts have said that such a move is a constitutional change and cannot be made by executive order. The move will almost certainly face a challenge in court from civil rights groups and immigration activists. Trump advisers and some conservative legal scholars have previously argued that the idea of giving birthright citizenship to children of illegal immigrants is based on a misreading of the amendment. It’s one of a slew of executive orders Trump will sign related to border security and illegal immigration on his first day in office. Fox News previously reported that Trump will order the deployment of U.S. troops to the southern border, stamp out Biden-era parole policies and designate international cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Trump will direct the federal government to resume border wall construction, and will also end Biden parole policies – including the use of the CBP One app to parole migrants into the U.S., and the parole processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans (CHNV). A second order will send U.S. troops for deployment to the southern and northern borders under U.S. Northern Command and will “instruct the military to prioritize our own borders and territorial integrity in strategic planning for its operations.” TRUMP TO TAKE MORE THAN 200 EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ON DAY ONE A third order will designate international cartels and organizations, including MS-13 and the bloodthirsty Tren de Aragua, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT). An FTO designation allows for targeted action against members, including financial penalties. On Monday, incoming officials also said Trump will sign orders suspending refugee resettlement for four months and ending the ability for migrants to claim asylum by creating an immediate removal process without the possibility of asylum. “We are going to end asylum and close the border to illegals,” an official said. Trump will also order the attorney general to seek capital punishment for the murder of law enforcement and capital crimes committed by illegal immigrants, officials said. Trump is expected to sign 10 executive orders related to border security and immigration just on Monday.
Poll reveals most popular – and least-liked – parts of Trump’s agenda
A new poll released on Inauguration Day reveals some of the most popular, as well as the least liked aspects, of President-elect Trump’s agenda. The survey conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research provides insight into the stances among U.S. adults on mass deportations, tariffs, potential pardons for Jan. 6 rioters and increased drilling of U.S. oil and gas, among other proposals brought by the soon-to-be 47th president on the 2024 campaign trail. The poll found that a sizable share of Americans hold a neutral view on parts of Trump’s agenda, signaling that public opinion could easily shift in coming weeks. The poll of 1,147 adults was conducted Jan. 9 through 13, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points. STEVE BANNON WARNS OF WORLD CONFLICT THAT COULD BE ‘TRUMP’S VIETNAM’ Among his campaign promises, Trump has vowed to launch the largest deportation program in U.S. history. According to the AP-NORC poll, targeted deportations of immigrants who have been convicted of a crime would be popular among U.S. adults, even if they involved immigrants who are in the country legally. The poll found that about eight in 10 U.S. adults favor deporting all immigrants living in the U.S. illegally who have been convicted of a violent crime – including about two-thirds who are strongly in favor – and about seven in 10 support deporting all immigrants living in the U.S. legally who have been convicted of a violent crime. Yet, only four in 10 of U.S. adults are in support of deporting immigrants who are in the country illegally and have not been convicted of a crime, according to the survey. Trump has also proposed sweeping tariffs on foreign goods imported into the United States, and the transition team reportedly has been working on a gradual roll-out plan aimed at off-setting the potential of inflation rising as a result. Almost half of U.S. adults “somewhat” or “strongly” oppose imposing a tariff, also referred to as an import tax, on all goods brought into the U.S. from other countries, according to the AP-NORC poll. The poll found that about three in 10 are in favor, and about one-quarter are neutral, saying they neither favor nor oppose this policy. The AP assesses that opinion could move in either direction if the tariffs are implemented. Republicans are much likelier than Democrats and independents to support broad tariffs, but about four in 10 are either opposed or unsure. Just over half of Republicans favor imposing a tariff on all goods brought into the U.S. Trump indicated on the campaign trail that he would likely issue pardons for many of the more than 1,500 people charged in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. The AP-NORC poll found that about two in 10 U.S. adults “somewhat” or “strongly” favor pardoning most people who participated in the Capitol riot. Meanwhile, about six in 10 “somewhat” or “strongly” oppose the proposal, including half who are strongly opposed, and about two in 10 are neutral. As for members of Trump’s party, the poll found that about four in 10 Republicans favor pardoning many of the Jan. 6 participants, while about three in 10 are neutral, and about three in 10 are opposed. BIDEN PARDONS MARK MILLEY, ANTHONY FAUCI, J6 COMMITTEE MEMBERS Trump has vowed to establish American “energy dominance,” often repeating the chant, “Drill, baby, dill” at rallies while touting his plan to bring down energy costs by increasing U.S. oil and gas drilling, including on federal lands. But the AP-NORC poll found the majority of U.S. adults are split on the issue. About one-third of Americans “somewhat” or “strongly” favor increasing oil drilling on federal lands, while about 4 in 10 are opposed. The rest – about one-quarter – are neutral, saying they neither favor nor oppose increasing oil drilling on federal lands. Republicans broadly favor increasing oil drilling, but the proposal is not popular among Democrats or independents, according to the poll. Trump has indicated that he would pull out of the Paris climate agreement a second time once he takes office. According to the AP-NORC poll, about half of Americans “somewhat” or “strongly” oppose withdrawing from the agreement. Only about two in 10 U.S. adults are “somewhat” or “strongly” in favor of pulling out of the deal aimed at reducing carbon emissions, while about one-quarter are neutral. The AP assesses that most of the opposition comes from Democrats, but Republicans show some uncertainty as well. Slightly less than half of Republicans are in favor, while about three in 10 are opposed. A federal judge in Kentucky recently rejected the Biden administration’s attempt to redefine sex in Title IX as “gender identity,” blocking the change nationwide. The AP-NORC poll categorized Biden’s Title IX rewrite as promoting discrimination “protections” for transgender or LGBTQ+ students, but the Trump campaign has highlighted stories from women and girl athletes who have spoken out about losing scholarship opportunities and feeling uncomfortable and unsafe when forced to compete against, or change in locker rooms with, biological males identifying as female. The survey found opposition is higher than support “for eliminating protections for transgender students” under Title IX, the federal law that prohibits any high school or college that receives federal funds from discriminating on the basis of gender. Almost half of U.S. adults “somewhat” or “strongly” oppose getting rid of these protections, while about three in 10 are in favor, and the rest are neutral, according to the survey. Trump pressured lawmakers to raise or eliminate the national debt ceiling at the end of last year as Congress scrambled to reach a spending deal that averted a government shutdown. The poll found that about half of U.S. adults oppose eliminating the debt ceiling, while about one-quarter are in favor, and about three in 10 are neutral, signaling there could be room for
Atul Subhash suicide case: SC gives custody of techie’s child to Nikita Singhania
The court had expressed the wish to talk to the child and interacted with him online through video conferencing. The court asked for affidavits from the Haryana Government and Singhania on the child’s condition.