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Biden thanks troops for ‘strength’ and ‘integrity’ in unprecedented times at farewell address to military

Biden thanks troops for ‘strength’ and ‘integrity’ in unprecedented times at farewell address to military

President Biden on Thursday thanked service members for their “strength” and “integrity” while giving his farewell address in Virginia.  “There’s never been a time in history when we’ve asked our military to do so many different things so many places, all at the same time,” the president said at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Virginia. “And I want to be clear: You have done all these missions with strength and, maybe even importantly, integrity.”  Biden’s address to troops came the morning after his farewell address to the nation in which he said it was his “great honor” to serve as the 46th president.  It also comes four days before President-elect Trump succeeds him.  WHILE TRUMP, BIDEN CLAIM CREDIT FOR ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASEFIRE, SOME REPUBLICANS CALL IT A BAD DEAL “You all represent what America is: character, honesty, integrity, commitment,” Biden told the troops. “You are simply the greatest fighting force in the history of the world.”  The president said the troops “rose to the occasion” when he asked for the war in Afghanistan to end, “evacuating Americans, allies and our Afghan partners, accomplishing the largest airlift in military history and ending a war. The same courage is defined by American service in Afghanistan for over 20 years.” He said he believes “history will reflect that was the right thing to do, but I know, I know, it was hard after decades of losing your brothers and sisters, including [during the] withdrawal. The pain was still real. And it was for me as well. Every day I still carry, every single day.”  Biden has been criticized for his handling of the messy Afghanistan withdrawal, when 13 U.S. service members were killed.  He added that six months after American troops withdrew from Afghanistan, “when Russia began its largest war in Europe since World War II, I asked you to help defend Ukraine. You didn’t hesitate. You kept Ukraine in the fight, trained Ukrainian soldiers and pilots, troops, bolstered NATO’s eastern flank. And, above all, you showed the world America stands up for freedom, stands with our friends.” BIDEN THANKS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FOR THE GREAT HONOR TO SERVE AS PRESIDENT DURING FAREWELL ADDRESS He also touted the Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal, which was announced Wednesday and first mentioned in his farewell address to the nation.  “The road to that deal was not easy,” he admitted, saying he “laid down the elements of that deal eight months ago.”  President-elect Trump has also taken credit for the cease-fire. “This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday. “I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones.”  Biden also thanked military families who “sacrifice so much” in his speech.  “Most Americans never see the sacrifices that you make every single day,” he continued. “Don’t ever see all those holidays and birthdays with an empty seat at the dinner table because mom or dad was deployed. Never see all the moves you had to make to new states, to new schools, to new jobs.”  He added near the end of his speech, “You’re truly the finest fighting force in the history of the world,” adding that the American military has the best training, weapons, ships and planes.  “But that alone is not what makes us strong,” he said. “It’s our values. American values. Our commitment to honor, to integrity, to unity, to protecting and defending. Not a person or a party or a place, but an idea.”  CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Before Biden’s speech, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, thanked Biden for his service in their own remarks, which were part of the commander in chief farewell tribute to the president. 

Top Trump ally Byron Donalds turns up volume on likely 2026 run for Florida governor

Top Trump ally Byron Donalds turns up volume on likely 2026 run for Florida governor

Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., appears to be getting more vocal about running for Florida governor in 2026 in the race to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. Donalds, a leading friend, ally and supporter of President-elect Trump in the House of Representatives, in recent days has been telling potential donors and Florida political players that he intends to run for governor, Republican sources confirm to Fox News. Some of those conversations occurred last weekend in Orlando at the Florida GOP’s annual meeting. “He’s serious,” a source with knowledge told Fox News. WHAT BYRON DONALDS SAID ON FOX NEWS SUNDAY Another signal came a week ago when Donalds hired prominent Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio’s research firm. Fabrizio was a top pollster in Trump’s 2016 and 2024 presidential campaigns. WHY TRUMP IS PRAISING ONE-TIME PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY RIVAL DESANTIS The conservative former state lawmaker who has represented parts of southwest Florida’s 19th District in Congress for four years has been eyeing a potential gubernatorial bid for months. “I’ve thought about it. I don’t really rule anything out,” Donalds said in a Fox News Digital interview last spring when asked about a possible run for governor. Donalds, who was a top surrogate on the campaign trail last year for Trump, was interviewed a few days after Trump, at a closed-door fundraiser in New York City, suggested that if Donalds ran for Florida governor in 2026, he’d have “many friends in the race.” “It’s really cool that people back home in Florida consider me to be able to be the state’s next governor. It’s really an honor. It’s honestly surreal thinking about it because I’m 45 and my journey through politics has been a really fruitful one,” Donalds said at the time. “It’s really humbling and an honor, but I just focus on doing the job I have.” CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS REPORTING ON THE TRUMP TRANSITION AND INAUGURATION Another prominent Florida Republican who’s believed to be considering a run is state Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, the former president of the state Senate. And former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who was Trump’s first choice for attorney general in his second administration before dropping out amid controversy, has also said he’s thinking of running. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody was also thought to be mulling a run to succeed DeSantis, her ally in Tallahassee, but the governor on Thursday named Moody to succeed Sen. Marco Rubio, Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, who is likely to be one of the president-elect’s first Cabinet picks to be confirmed by the Senate. And Florida’s chief financial officer, Jimmy Patronis, who was also believed to be interested in a potential gubernatorial campaign, is considered the front-runner in this month’s special congressional election to fill Gaetz’s seat. “With Moody going to the Senate, should he choose to run for governor, Donalds would be the clear favorite over Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, who is the Tallahassee establishment’s choice,” Fabrizio said. “We’ll see if the Tallahassee establishment smartens up after betting and losing badly in 2010 against [former two-term governor and current Sen.] Rick Scott and in 2018 against Ron DeSantis.” With Florida, which was once a top general election battleground state, now firmly red, the slowly emerging gubernatorial battle may be determined by whom Trump, the GOP’s kingmaker in his adopted home state of Florida and across the country, may eventually back. But not to be discounted is any possible endorsement by DeSantis in the race to succeed the governor.

DOJ releases final violent crime numbers for Biden administration

DOJ releases final violent crime numbers for Biden administration

The Department of Justice (DOJ) this week released the final nationwide crime statistics under the Biden administration as the president prepares to leave office.  Following an uptick in violent crime in 2021 during the pandemic, it began to trend down significantly in 2023, “including double-digit drops in homicide rates across many major cities,” according to the DOJ.  In 2024, violent crime continued to go down, according to preliminary DOJ data from 85 major cities.  That included a 17.5% decrease in murder rates. There was also a 7.1% decrease in rape, 3.6% decrease in aggravated assault and 7.8% decline in robbery over the first three quarters of the year.  Between 2021 and 2022, violent crime decreased by 1.7%, which became a 3% decrease between 2022 and 2023, and through the second quarter of 2023 to 2024 it went down by 10.3%.  In the same time spans, the murder rate went down by 6.1% starting from 2021 to 2022, by 11.6% in 2023 and finally by 22.7% in 2024. HOMICIDES ARE PLUNGING IN BIDEN’S LAST YEAR COMPARED TO TRUMP’S: REPORT “Since launching the Violent Crime Reduction Strategy in 2021, the Department has made historic progress against the most significant drivers of violent crime,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement.  She added, “This report details the Department’s many successes in implementing its violent crime strategy and serves as a testament to the work of law enforcement officers around the country who have done so much to keep our communities safe.” Shortly after taking office in 2021, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that Monaco would be implementing a Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime. “Recognizing that every jurisdiction — large, small, rural, urban — faces unique challenges that cannot be addressed by a one-size-fits-all policy — the strategy was data-driven and deployed federal resources, including cutting-edge tools, in the most effective way: to act as a force multiplier for state and local law enforcement on the front lines of the fight against violent crime,” the report said.  Of the 85 cities included in the statistics, violent crime went up in 23 and down in 62, and murder rates went up in 19 and down in 64, the report said.  CNN PANEL CLASHES OVER WHETHER CRIME IS DOWN AFTER NEW FBI REPORT: ‘SO MUCH BETTER THAN IT USED TO BE’ The report said that while there is “no single cause” for the decline or increase in violent crime, “the work of law enforcement across the country — a partnership between federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies — has no doubt played a leading role.” The DOJ said its strategy was to “focus on the most significant drivers of violent crime — including gun violence and repeat offenders.”  It also prioritized building trust in communities and investing in community-based prevention and intervention programs. “Since the start of this administration, this Department has been laser-focused on targeting the most significant drivers of violent crime — with gun violence at the top of that list,” Monaco said. “Our strategy is data-driven and focuses on doing what we do best: acting as a force multiplier with our state and local law enforcement partners — who are on the front lines of the fight against violent crime — and deploying technology and other cutting-edge tools to go after the individuals most responsible for crime in our communities.” She added, “We are seeing returns on our efforts. After a peak during the pandemic, violent crime is on a downward trajectory — including double-digit drops in homicide rates across many major cities.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP This is President Biden’s last week in office. President-elect Trump will assume office on Monday. 

President-elect Trump taps slew of administration picks days before inauguration

President-elect Trump taps slew of administration picks days before inauguration

President-elect Trump on Thursday announced multiple nominations just days before his inauguration on Jan. 20. In a series of posts on Truth Social on Thursday afternoon, Trump congratulated his picks. Nominees include a former test engineer of missile defense systems for secretary of the Air Force, as well as a trade partnership CEO for secretary for trade and foreign agriculture affairs. TRUMP NAMES LATEST WHITE HOUSE STAFF PICKS AS JAN. 20 INAUGURATION APPROACHES Trump selected Chris Stallings to be assistant administrator for disaster recovery and resilience of the Small Business Administration. Stallings currently serves as the director of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency and will work closely with Kelly Loeffler, the incoming small business administrator. “[Stallings and Loeffler will] make sure that when disasters happen, our Government responds quickly and capably to protect our Small Businesses, which are the backbone of our Economy,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. Trump tapped Luke Lindberg as U.S. undersecretary for trade and foreign agriculture affairs at the Department of Agriculture. During Trump’s first term, Lindberg served as chief of staff and chief strategy officer at the Export-Import Bank, where he earned the Distinguished Service Award. He is currently the president and CEO of South Dakota Trade and a member of the board of directors of the National Association of District Export Councils. JEAN-PIERRE BRISTLES WHEN PRESSED ON PAST ‘DEMOCRACY’ WARNINGS: ‘DO NOT APPRECIATE HAVING MY WORDS TWISTED’ South Dakota Trade is a 501(c)(6) public-private partnership that navigates international trade for the state, according to the organization’s website. Lindberg has been featured on Fox News and other outlets for his “Thought Leadership” on international affairs and agricultural policy. Trump wrote on Truth Social that Lindberg would make sure American farmers and ranchers get the “smart” trade deals they deserve. Troy Meink has been picked to serve as secretary of the Air Force.  Meink is serving as the principal deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office, and he began his career as a KC-135 tanker navigator, according to Trump’s post. He later worked as a test engineer for missile defense systems. “Troy will work with our incredible Secretary of Defense Nominee, Pete Hegseth, to ensure that our Nation’s Air Force is the most effective and deadly force in the World, as we secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH,” Trump wrote. “Congratulations Troy!” Dudley Hoskins was selected as undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs at the Department of Agriculture. He currently holds the title of “counsel” on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and he previously spent four years at the Department of Agriculture during Trump’s first term as the chief of staff for marketing and regulatory programs and senior adviser to the secretary, according to Trump’s post. “[Hoskins] will work with our great Secretary of Agriculture Nominee, Brooke Rollins, to make sure American food is the safest and healthiest in the World,” Trump wrote. “Congratulations Dudley!”

While Trump, Biden claim credit for Israel-Hamas cease-fire, some Republicans call it a ‘bad deal’

While Trump, Biden claim credit for Israel-Hamas cease-fire, some Republicans call it a ‘bad deal’

While President-elect Trump and President Biden are jockeying for credit for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, some Republicans are wary of the deal and whether it will stick.  “There’s no part of me that trusts Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Al-Aqsa martyrs Brigade, Fatah or the rank-and-file people that voted for Hamas,” Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., the House’s new Foreign Affairs Committee chair, told Fox News Digital.  “There’s no part of me that trusts them in any way whatsoever. I do trust there’s a fear of God in them from the fact that President Trump is coming in, Secretary Rubio and Stefanik, others, [and] what’s not going to continue with programs like UNRWA,” he added, referring to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. “I trust that there is a chilling effect, you know, how they see the world going forward. But there’s no part of me that trusts them in any way.” Asked if he was celebrating the deal itself alongside some of his colleagues, Mast said, “I’m skeptical, like anything.”  “If it gets Americans home, I’m happy about getting Americans home,” Mast went on. “That’s been a problem for me that, you know, if there’s Americans detained abroad, I would have every expectation that there’s an American coming to get them. And, to me, unfortunately, that hasn’t been the result.” The cease-fire is meant as a way to bring home the remaining hostages taken from Israel and provide a path to peace for the 2 million Palestinians who have been living in a war zone since Hamas’ bloody attack in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The deal has implications for the U.S.: Seven hostages who remain in Hamas’ clutches are Americans.  “Why is lame duck Joe Biden trying to cram down a bad deal on Israel on his way out the door?” Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., wrote on X. “The only ‘deal’ should be unconditional surrender by Hamas—which is already nearly destroyed—and return of ALL hostages. Instead, we hear reports that Biden is demanding that Israel withdraw from key terrain in Gaza, release dozens of hardened terrorists for every one hostage, and get back only SOME hostages?” Sources confirmed Israeli reporting to Fox News Digital that it was Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, who traveled to Doha, Qatar and strong-handed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into sitting down to finalize the deal that had evaded the Biden administration’s mediation for the better part of the past year.  The first cease-fire in November 2023 lasted only one week, with both sides accusing the other of breaking it. In that time, 105 hostages were released, as were 240 Palestinian prisoners. ISRAEL’S NETANYAHU DELAYS GAZA CEASE-FIRE VOTE, ACCUSING HAMAS OF TRYING TO BACK OUT OF DEAL Trump had promised there would be “hell to pay” if a cease-fire was not reached by the time he took office, which will be on Jan. 20. His surrogates developed close relationships with Arab leaders in swing states like Michigan throughout the campaign, promising Trump would bring peace to the Middle East. ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASE-FIRE, HOSTAGE RELEASE DEAL REACHED: ‘AMERICANS WILL BE PART OF THAT’ The deal, brokered by Qatari negotiators, with the help of mediation from both the outgoing Biden administration and Witkoff, is set up in three phases. It will see three hostages released on the first day – Sunday – with new hostages released each week. That phase will entail a withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Philadelphi corridor on Egypt’s border and the so-called buffer zone in the Gazan territory bordering Israel.  Women, children and men over 50 will be prioritized initially. Over the course of the 42-day first phase, 33 of the remaining Israeli hostages will be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.  That group is likely to include some who have been convicted of murder. On Thursday, Netanyahu delayed ratification of the deal over disagreements about whether he would get a veto over which prisoners convicted of murder would be released. Israel’s Cabinet will now meet Friday to ratify the deal.  “This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies,” Trump wrote on social media.  Biden said from the White House that “my diplomacy never ceased in their efforts to get this done.” He added, “This plan was developed and negotiated by my team and will be largely implemented by the incoming administration.”