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‘Lying to the nation’: Trump orbit slams Biden for taking credit for ceasefire deal

‘Lying to the nation’: Trump orbit slams Biden for taking credit for ceasefire deal

President Biden is ending his tenure in the White House on a “sad” note after “lying to the nation” and taking credit for a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas during his farewell address on Wednesday evening, a Trump transition official said.  “Joe Biden is going out sad. Lying to the nation trying to take credit for a deal that all parties credit President Trump for making happen. Biden has had well over a year to secure the release of these hostages and peace. He failed. Trump succeeded,” a Trump transition official told Fox News Digital on Wednesday evening.  War has raged in the Middle East since October of 2023, with Israel and Hamas coming to a ceasefire agreement on Wednesday that also ensured the release of hostages.  Biden delivered his final address to the nation on Wednesday evening, where he took a victory lap for the cease fire in his opening remarks.  BIDEN TAKES SOLE CREDIT FOR ISRAEL-HAMAS DEAL, WARNS OF ‘OLIGARCHY’ THREATENING DEMOCRACY IN FAREWELL SPEECH “My fellow Americans, I’m speaking to you tonight from the Oval Office. Before I begin, let me speak to important news from earlier today. After eight months of nonstop negotiation, my administration – by my administration – a cease-fire and hostage deal has been reached by Israel and Hamas. The elements of which I laid out in great detail in May of this year,” Biden said.  “This plan was developed and negotiated by my team, and will be largely implemented by the incoming administration. That’s why I told my team to keep the incoming administration fully informed, because that’s how it should be, working together as Americans,” he continued.  PRESIDENT BIDEN RELEASES FAREWELL LETTER, SAYS IT’S BEEN ‘PRIVILEGE OF MY LIFE TO SERVE THIS NATION’ Credit for reaching the agreement, however, was bolstered by the incoming Trump administration, according to sources who told Fox Digital that a recent meeting between Trump’s incoming Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly played a pivotal role in the deal.  FOX NEWS GETS AN INSIDE LOOK AT IDF’S WAR AGAINST HAMAS Netanyahu also thanked Trump on Wednesday for “his assistance in advancing the release of the hostages.” “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke this evening with US President-elect Donald Trump and thanked him for his assistance in advancing the release of the hostages and for helping Israel bring an end to the suffering of dozens of hostages and their families,” the official Prime Minister of Israel X account posted.  “The Prime Minister made it clear that he is committed to returning all of the hostages however he can, and commended the US President-elect for his remarks that the US would work with Israel to ensure that Gaza will never be a haven for terrorism.” The X account added later: “Prime Minister Netanyahu then spoke with US President Joe Biden and thanked him as well for his assistance in advancing the hostages deal.”  ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASE-FIRE, HOSTAGE RELEASE DEAL REACHED: ‘AMERICANS WILL BE PART OF THAT’ When asked who the history books would remember for championing the ceasefire deal earlier Wednesday, Biden balked at the suggestion Trump and his team spearheaded the effort.  “Who in the history books gets credit for this, Mr. President, you or Trump?” Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich asked Biden at Wednesday afternoon’s White House news conference. “Is that a joke?” the president responded. “Oh. Thank you,” Biden responded when Heinrich said it was not a joke, and then walked away.

‘Worst farewell speech in presidential history’: Biden’s Oval Office goodbye panned as ‘dark’

‘Worst farewell speech in presidential history’: Biden’s Oval Office goodbye panned as ‘dark’

Reactions from social media came pouring in on Wednesday night as President Joe Biden delivered his farewell address to the country ending his career in politics that spanned over half a century. “Joe Biden discussing democracy, a free press, institutions and the abuse of power in his final farewell speech is rich,” GOP Congresswoman Nancy Mace posted on X.  “What an embarrassing and pathetic end to an embarrassing and pathetic term,” Fox News host Greg Gutfeld posted on X.  “Joe Biden can’t even read. Every time he speaks it gets worse,” conservative commentator and radio host Clay Travis posted on X. “Trying to run him in 2024 is the most reckless and indefensible presidential decision in any of our lives.” BIDEN BALKS WHEN ASKED IF TRUMP DESERVES CREDIT FOR ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASE-FIRE DEAL: ‘IS THAT A JOKE?’ “My thoughts on President Joe Biden’s Farewell Address: It was underwhelming and divisive,” Gabriella Hoffman, Independent Women’s Forum Center for Energy & Conservation director, posted on X. “I’m relieved his four-year term is coming to an end. Mr. Biden failed to bring Americans together and pushed terrible “whole of government” policies that weakened us on many fronts: energy, national security, economics/small business, foreign affairs, and general freedoms. History won’t look kindly on Biden’s tenure. He’s now the most unpopular U.S. President in history.” ‘SINKING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY’: BIDEN’S CUBA MOVE SPURS RARE BIPARTISAN CONDEMNATION IN KEY ELECTORAL STATE “Joe Biden mentions climate hysteria ahead of actual priorities, like border security, lowering costs, and peace through strength,” GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin posted on X. “They never learn.” “I’m stunned,” former Democrat adviser Dan Turrentine posted on X. “I’m no historian, but, I don’t recall a more dark Presidential farewell address? It’s more a cry to the DNC than accentuating the positive to the country. This is sad.” “Biden ends his presidency by using rhetoric that would be right at home in a third-world communist dictatorship,” Red State writer Bonchie posted on X. “This may be the worst farewell speech in presidential history.” Democrats, however, generally had a decidedly different take. “Four years ago, in the middle of a pandemic, we needed a leader with the character to put politics aside and do what was right,” former President Barack Obama posted on X.  “That’s what Joe Biden did. At a time when our economy was reeling, he drove what would become the world’s strongest recovery – with 17 million new jobs, historic wage gains, and lower health care costs. He passed landmark legislation to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure and address the threat of climate change.  I’m grateful to Joe for his leadership, his friendship, and his lifetime of service to this country we love.” Liberal commentator Harry Sisson posted on X, “President Biden just gave the best speech of his presidency.” “His farewell address was incredibly moving. I will always be thankful for President Biden and his talented administration. Thank you to everyone who served and gave America an amazing four years.” Biden’s speech comes as he has four days left in his presidency until Monday’s inauguration when President-elect Trump will be sworn into office. “My fellow Americans, I’m speaking to you tonight from the Oval Office. Before I begin, let me speak to important news from earlier today. After eight months of nonstop negotiation, my administration –  by my administration — a cease fire and hostage deal has been reached by Israel and Hamas. The elements of which I laid out in great detail in May of this year,” Biden said in his opening remarks, taking credit for the recent announcement that a cease fire deal had been reached in Israel.  CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “This plan was developed and negotiated by my team, and will be largely implemented by the incoming administration. That’s why I told my team to keep the incoming administration fully informed, because that’s how it should be, working together as Americans,” he continued.  Biden’s speech also focused on the American dream and the “most powerful idea” that “all of us are created equal.” “The very idea of America was so big we felt the entire world needed to see. The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France after our civil war. Like the very idea of America. It was built not by one person, but by many people, from every background and from around the world. Like America, the Statue of Liberty is not standing still. Her foot literally steps forward atop a broken chain of human bondage. She’s on the march and she literally moves,” he said.  “A nation of pioneers and explorers, of dreamers and doers, of ancestors native to this land, of ancestors who came by force. A nation of immigrants came to build a better life, a nation holding a torch. The most powerful idea ever in the history of the world that all of us, all of us are created equal. All of us deserve to be treated with dignity, justice and fairness. That democracy must defend and be defined and be imposed, moved in every way possible. Our rights, our freedoms, our dreams,” he said. 

Native tribe lifts banishment on Noem ahead of Senate confirmation hearing

Native tribe lifts banishment on Noem ahead of Senate confirmation hearing

A Native American tribe in South Dakota lifted its banishment on Republican Gov. Kristi Noem in a letter Wednesday, offering its endorsement of her nomination to serve as secretary of Homeland Security, Fox News Digital has learned.  Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe President Tony Reider wrote a letter to Noem Wednesday informing her the tribe’s executive committee voted to “remove the banishment” it placed on Noem in May and congratulated her for her nomination to serve in President-elect Trump’s cabinet.  The letter comes just days before Noem is scheduled to appear before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for her confirmation hearing.  “I commend you on your nomination by President Elect Donald Trump to the position of Secretary of U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and hereby support your nomination. I wish you the best of luck during the Senate confirmation hearing on January 17, 2025, and believe that your dedication to the safety and security of the United States will benefit us all,” Reider’s letter states, according to a copy obtained by Fox News Digital.  SOUTH DAKOTA GOV. NOEM BANNED FROM TRIBAL RESERVATION OVER REMARKS ON US SOUTHERN BORDER All nine native tribes in South Dakota banned Noem from their reservations last year after outrage over her suggestion that tribal leaders benefit from cartels and the immigration crisis and comments regarding native children’s futures. The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe was the last tribe to ban her. POWERFUL FIRE UNION THAT WAS NEUTRAL IN 2024 BACKS NOEM FOR DHS AS CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES RAGE “Their kids don’t have any hope. They don’t have parents who show up and help them. They have a tribal council or a president who focuses on a political agenda more than they care about actually helping somebody’s life look better,” Noem said last year in a comment that drew criticism from tribes.  Reider addressed the issue in his letter to Noem Wednesday, explaining that the governor has apologized for her previous remarks and explained her commentary.  ‘NO TIME TO PLAY’: SENATE MUST QUICKLY CONFIRM NOEM AS DHS CHIEF IN WAKE OF TERROR ATTACK, SAYS LOUISIANA GOV “One of the stipulations contained in the banishment resolution was that you apologize for the comments that were made regarding tribal members and the education of tribal member children which were deemed offensive by some. In several meetings before and after the resolution was passed, you not only explained your position, but apologized if the comments offended the Tribe. You additionally sought advice on how to phrase such communications moving forward, which the Tribe and I appreciated,” Reider wrote.  TRIBES BLAST SOUTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR’S CLAIM THAT LEADERS ARE BENEFITING FROM DRUG CARTELS The letter comes as Noem prepares for her Senate confirmation hearing Friday morning.    Trump announced Noem as his pick to lead DHS shortly after his decisive win over Kamala Harris, citing the Republican governor’s efforts to secure the southern border, which has been overwhelmed by illegal crossings under the Biden administration.  In the months since her nomination, Noem has picked up endorsements from at least eight police groups or unions, including a union that represents thousands of Border Patrol agents.  Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry also called on Senate lawmakers, most notably Democrats, to swiftly confirm Noem after a terrorist attack that shook New Orleans on New Year’s Day.  The International Association of Fire Fighters, a large, historically Democratic firefighter union, also recently endorsed Noem, arguing during the raging wildfires in Los Angeles she “understands emergency management and the importance of government response to emergencies both natural and man-made.”

DOGE caucus roadmap for cutting government waste emerges after closed-door meeting: ‘great synergy’

DOGE caucus roadmap for cutting government waste emerges after closed-door meeting: ‘great synergy’

The Congressional DOGE Caucus’ plans for cutting government waste are shifting into focus after the group’s second-ever closed-door meeting on Wednesday. Caucus leaders are splitting lawmakers into eight working groups focused on different sectors for waste-cutting. Those will focus on retirement, social and family safety nets, emergency supplemental funding, energy permitting, homeland security, defense and veterans, the workforce, and government operations, according to a document viewed by Fox News Digital. Co-chairs Aaron Bean, R-Fla., and Pete Sessions, R-Texas, challenged lawmakers in the room to introduce at least one bill related to government efficiency in the 119th Congress. REPUBLICANS GIVE DETAILS FROM CLOSED-DOOR MEETINGS WITH DOGE’S MUSK, RAMASWAMY Both told Fox News Digital that it was just one of the coordinated efforts the caucus is planning as it seeks to be the legislative support for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) being co-led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. “We’re going to aim for a day where we will drop pieces of legislation, a day where we will go on the floor and speak to the American people,” Sessions told Fox News Digital. Bean expounded on the idea, labeling it “DOGE Days.” “We’re going to have a day where we hopefully can draw up 20, 30 bills and all the DOGE members come forward, boom, we’re on them,” Bean said. “We’re going to have great team work and great synergy and momentum.” They asked attendees to fill out a survey, a copy of which was obtained by Fox News Digital, designating which working groups they would like to be a part of.  DANIEL PENNY TO BE TAPPED FOR CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL BY HOUSE GOP LAWMAKER During the closed-door meeting, lawmakers took turns to discuss their own ideas for cutting government waste as well. Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., called for a constitutional amendment requiring Congress to balance the federal budget. And Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., suggested cutting off child tax credit eligibility for illegal immigrants. “Currently, we’re not nearly careful enough… where illegal aliens are getting a child tax credit, childcare tax credit. That’s ridiculous. You know, so those are my point was those are the easy things to do, the low-hanging fruit,” Van Drew told Fox News Digital when asked about his meeting comments. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, who is leading the DOGE effort on the Senate side and also attended the Wednesday House meeting, urged lawmakers there to work with their counterparts in the upper chamber on bicameral bills. Lawmakers have been enthusiastic about the goals laid out by Musk and Ramaswamy’s new panel. Commissioned by President-elect Trump, the group is an advisory panel aimed at recommending where the executive branch can cut government waste. The DOGE Caucus is a bid to make Trump’s cost-cutting initiatives permanent through legislation. The group opened and email tip line which Bean and Sessions said has already received over 15,000 emails. Bean said he was surprised but pleased at the enthusiasm. Sessions added, “I’ve gotten probably 200 letters here that were really typed out, and some were written, that said, ‘Thank you for doing this. I’d like you to hear from me.’ And this is an acknowledgement back to the American people who have skin in the game also.”

Top 5 moments from Rubio’s Senate confirmation hearing: ‘I get bilingual protesters’

Top 5 moments from Rubio’s Senate confirmation hearing: ‘I get bilingual protesters’

Florida’s Republican Sen. Marco Rubio sailed through his confirmation hearing with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, all but assuring he will assume the role of top diplomat under the new Trump administration later this month. Rubio’s confirmation hearing — a process usually full of verbal diatribes, strong political agendas and illusive answers — was full of pleasantries, with both Democratic and Republican lawmakers applauding his work in the Senate and his in-depth knowledge of complex issues across the globe. Here were the top moments from Rubio’s hearing. RUBIO TO PITCH FOREIGN POLICY CREDENTIALS TO SENATE AS HE VIES TO BECOME AMERICA’S TOP DIPLOMAT While Rubio may have been welcomed by his Senate colleagues, his hearing wasn’t entirely contention-free. The Secretary of State-hopeful’s opening remarks were interrupted by several protesters affiliated with a group known as Code Pink, who were protesting the Israel-Hamas war and wore pink shirts that read “stop killing the children of Gaza.” Two of the demonstrators forced to leave the chamber were male, before a female protester also stood up and yelled out in Spanish.  She was quickly escorted from the room and the hearing promptly restarted. “I get bilingual protesters,” Rubio said to the panel of Senators with a grin before resuming his remarks. Rubio’s quip about the protesters appeared to set the tone for his hearing. Though Rubio faced tough questions about detailed geopolitical issues on nearly every continent, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle also joked around with their Senate colleague. Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott introduced Rubio at the top of the hearing and quipped that “finally” he will get to be the senior Senator of Florida after the duo have served together in the upper chamber since 2019. Democrat from New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker drew chuckles when he said, “Senator Rubio the President [elect] made a great decision in choosing you. “You’re a thought leader in foreign policy. I, however, don’t think most Americans know how great of a thought leader you are in NCAA, NFL and high school football, and I’m a little disappointed that you’re not going to the head of the NCAA right now.” To which Rubio replied, “Not yet,” garnering laughs from the room. In another bipartisan moment rarely seen during Cabinet nomination hearings, Illinois Democrat Sen. Tammy Duckworth told a touching story from one of her first encounters with Rubio — a stark contrast to her questioning of Pete Hegseth the day prior.  In 2018, not only was Duckworth relatively new to the upper chamber, but the soon-to-be new mom was also pushing the congressional body to change its rules and allow new parents to bring their infant onto the Senate floor during a vote. Duckworth, who is physically disabled after surviving a 2004 RPG attack on her helicopter in Iraq, described rolling across the Senate floor in her wheelchair when she heard someone call out her name.  “And you came running down from the top back of the Senate chambers to tell me, ‘I’m with you. I will support you’,” she said.  “And I just want to thank you for that kindness… It was a moment of true bipartisanship.” Rubio responded and said, “I think what I exactly said is, ‘What’s the big deal? This place is already full of babies’,” once again drawing laughs. INTERNATIONAL UNDERWATER CABLE ATTACKS BY RUSSIA, CHINA ARE NO ‘MERE COINCIDENCE’ WARNS EU’S TOP DIPLOMAT The five-hour hearing wasn’t all fun and laughs, as Rubio was pressed on issues with major security implications like the war in Ukraine, China, NATO and Artic security. Rubio surprised no one with his tough-on-China approach and his commitment to remaining a strong ally of NATO’s. Though one area Senators may have hoped Rubio would have come out more definitively was over what continued support for Ukraine may look like and how the incoming Trump administration will handle the question of Ukraine becoming a NATO member.  Both Ukraine and Russia have signaled they are open to negotiating a ceasefire. But securing a lasting peace deal could be difficult as Ukraine entering the NATO alliance has been deemed a non-negotiable by both Kyiv — who wants the alliance’s security — and Moscow — which has fervently opposed Ukrainian NATO membership. “The truth of the matter is that in this conflict there is no way Russia takes all of Ukraine. The Ukrainians are too brave, and fight too hard, and the country is too big,” he said. But Rubio added that “there’s no way Ukraine is also pushing these people [Russians] all the way back to where they were on the eve of the invasion.” Rubio pointed out that Ukraine will not be able to keep up with the sheer number of bodies that Russia can throw in to the war. “It’s important for everyone to be realistic. There will have to be concessions,” Rubio said. “This is not going to be easy. “[It’s] going to require a lot of hard diplomacy.” TRUMP CABINET PICKS PAM BONDI, MARCO RUBIO, OTHERS FACED A FULL DAY OF QUESTIONS FROM SENATORS The security threats surrounding China came up in nearly every issue Rubio was asked to address, including its growing presence in Africa and Latin America, its oppressive practices in the South China Sea, concerns over trade, human rights abuses, tech and its growing relationships with other adversarial nations. But one issue newer to headlines as of late is China’s involvement in the Panama Canal. “This is something that’s existed now for at least a decade in my service,” he said referring to a 2017 trip he took to Panama. “Chinese companies control port facilities at both ends of the canal — the east and the west. And the concerns among military officials and security officials, including in Panama, at that point, [was] that could one day be used as a choke point to impede commerce in a moment of conflict.” “This is a legitimate issue that needs to be confronted,” he added. The issue over