Harris’ ‘ice princess’ demeanor, Bush’s belly-tap were key expressions at Jimmy Carter’s funeral: expert
During the 2024 campaign cycle, Americans witnessed what appeared to be no love lost between President-elect Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama. However, at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral the two recent presidents appeared to be enjoying each other’s company and largely ignored other dignitaries arriving around them, including Vice President Kamala Harris and President Biden. Susan Constantine, a communication and body language expert, said Harris came off “as cool as could be.” “‘Ice Princess’ all the way around. When she was walking she was very robotic. I call that ‘rigidity’ when we see that kind of soldier-like stance.” HARRIS, EMHOFF APPEAR TO IGNORE TRUMP, OBAMA, AS OUTGOING VEEP GRIMACES AT PRESIDENTIAL BANTER Harris deliberately averted eye contact with Trump, in a sign of disdain. The tension of her facial expression, with pursed lips tightened toward the center showed there was “no love lost” between the two 2024 contenders. “She intentionally walked past him and a stride of arrogance and confidence that did not look well on her,” Constantine said. “[It] tells me that she walked in there with a chip on her shoulder.” Another attendee who appeared to be more muted than normal was former First Lady Laura Bush. Constantine said Mrs. Bush has always been known for her outgoing personality, but noted she did not greet the Trumps or Obama to her left. “I think that she’s just always been such a beautiful, eloquent woman that always has a genuine smile and appears to be very cordial. So I’m going to give her the benefit of the doubt,” Constantine said, adding she saw Bush look over her right shoulder only briefly to make eye contact – potentially with Al Gore or the Quayles. However, Constantine said there was one interaction that very much stood out: Trump’s jovial conversation and gesticulations with Barack Obama. TRUMP CHATS UP OBAMA WHILE CLINTONS, HARRIS IGNORE PRESIDENT-ELECT AT CARTER WAKE “They add rapport. There was no doubt about it.” “President Obama would lean his head towards him listening to what Trump had to say. Trump was always in that forward stance. He was always ready, engaging. And he and President Obama and Trump felt very much like this with one another that may have made the rest of [the presidential attendees] feel a bit uncomfortable.” However, there was a moment where Trump appeared to be talking about something Obama appeared to wish was held til after the somber event. Trump appeared to give a “thumb shrug” to Obama, as if to ask “what do you think about this?” Obama’s furrowed brow and “neutral expression” showed he was listening intently but that the men were having an “intense conversation,” said Constantine. The New York Post reported a lip-reader suggested the two were discussing “international agreements” which would therefore require such sensitivity. When asked about Gore appearing to make a point to be first to stand and greet Trump, as well as others, Constantine said that would denote the Tennessean showing respect and being a “perfect gentleman.” Trump passed the Quayles without either member of the second family under President George H.W. Bush standing up, but Gore quickly rose to shake hands. The longtime Democrat was likely putting politics aside when greeting the Republican president-elect, she said. George W. Bush’s “belly tap” of Obama made the rounds on X after the ceremony. “When you tap somebody on the stomach, that’s where all your emotions are. And when you touch someone in that, it’s a personal zone. You’ve got to feel pretty comfortable to be able to do that. You have to feel very comfortable with that relationship in order to do that,” she said of Bush, who notably has indeed had a civil relationship with the man who repeatedly criticized him in 2008. Bush also notably reached back to playfully swat Vice President Dan Quayle with his bulletin as he took his seat. That could be a sign Bush was uncomfortable, or just a less intimate or playful greeting. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The Clintons and Bidens notably arrived without actively greeting the rest of the assembled dignitaries. Hillary Clinton had an “incredulous” facial expression that she has shown before, Constantine said. “If you could hone-in on Hillary, you’ll see the dimples on both sides of her mouth make that incredulous expression that she’s got. Overall, Constantine said, when people go to funerals, they act differently and usually say hello to everyone no matter past differences – and that sentiment could play into the interactions seen Thursday. Meanwhile, the forensic lip reader – expert witness Jeremy Freeman – told the New York Post that Trump appeared to tell Obama the two should find a “quiet place” soon to discuss “a matter of importance.” “I’ve pulled out of that. It’s the conditions. Can you imagine that?” Trump said at one point, according to Freeman. Freeman also indicated it appeared Trump asked Obama to call him after the funeral mass to discuss the issue or issues further. The moment sparked a different tone between the two men, as Trump previously made light of allegations Obama is a Muslim, referring to him by his full name that includes the middle-name Hussein. Obama has also taken shots at Trump over the years, including during the 2024 campaign when he appeared to reference Trump’s private parts with a joke about crowd sizes while gesturing with his hands a few inches apart. He also compared Trump’s stump speeches to the rambling, hourslong diatribes by the late Cuban Communist leader Fidel Castro: “You have the two-hour speeches, the word salad. It’s like Fidel Castro over and over again,” Obama told a crowd in Allegheny County, Pa. in October.
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Social media erupts over funeral rendition of Jimmy Carter’s reported favorite song, ‘Imagine’
The late former President Jimmy Carter reportedly held the 1971 John Lennon hit “Imagine” as his favorite tune. But its use as a song at his state funeral ceremony has set a firestorm on social media from critics saying it wasn’t fit for use in what in a memorial service in a Christian church. On Thursday, the tune was performed by fellow Georgian Trisha Yearwood and her husband Garth Brooks during Carter’s Washington National Cathedral funeral service. One year earlier, Brooks and Yearwood performed it at former first lady Rosalynn Carter’s wake, as well. The country star couple previously worked with Carter on several Habitat for Humanity home projects, according to reports. Social media lit up later Thursday, calling into question the performance of the song, given its lyrical rejection of religion. “Imagine there’s no heaven / It’s easy if you try / No Hell below us / Above us, only sky,” the first line goes. HARRIS, EMHOFF APPEAR TO IGNORE TRUMP, OBAMA AT CARTER FUNERAL On X, several observers, including top conservative figures, questioned the use of the song, while others differed. “Having Joe Biden lecture us about what a strong Christian Jimmy Carter was before the crowd sits through ‘Imagine’ with the lyrics ‘Imagine there’s no heaven /It’s easy if you try’ makes me question the authenticity of the assertion,” said commentator Erick Erickson, who also served on the Macon City Council in Carter’s home state. “Imagine there is no heaven — Sung for someone who is a devout Southern Baptist,” one X user added. TRUMP CHATS UP OBAMA WHILE CLINTONS, HARRIS IGNORE PRESIDENT-ELECT AT CARTER WAKE “I don’t think Jimmy would appreciate the ‘no religion’ part,” another said. Self-described “Trumpocrat” Steve Carlson, a perennial Minnesota Democratic candidate now running for governor in 2026, wrote that it is an “insult” to have “Imagine” played at Carter’s funeral. REV GREG LAURIE DETAILS HOW LENNON FOUND GOD “Why would any Christian have that sung at their funeral? Imagining there is no heaven and no Christianity at a Christian funeral is dark, indeed,” said Mollie Z. Hemingway, Federalist editor and frequent “All-Star Panel”-ist on Fox News’ “Special Report with Bret Baier.” A prominent member of the Catholic clergy also chimed in on X, saying he was “appalled” by the performance. “Under the soaring vault of what I think is still a Christian church, they reverently intoned, ‘Imagine there’s no heaven; it’s easy if you try” and “imagine there’s no country; it isn’t hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too.’ — Vested ministers sat patiently while a hymn to atheistic humanism was sung,” said Bishop Robert Barron, prelate of the Catholic Archdiocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota. “This was not only an insult to the memory of a devoutly believing Christian but also an indicator of the spinelessness of too much of established religion in our country,” the bishop said. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The National Review’s Jim Geraghty said the fact “Imagine” asks the listener to imagine the absence of heaven is a “de facto concession” that it exists, in an apparent defense of the rendition. “Otherwise, there would be no need to ask us to envision otherwise,” Geraghty said. Lennon himself had a complicated view of Christianity and organized religion, but notably corresponded with Christian preachers like Oral Roberts. “I was brought up a Christian and I only now understand some of the things that Christ was saying in those parables,” Lennon also has been quoted as saying. “God is a concept by which we measure our own pain.”
Laken Riley Act roils NJ governor’s race as 2 Dems skip roll: ‘The more someone campaigns the less they vote’
Two Democrats in the 2025 race to succeed term-limited New Jersey Gov. Philip Murphy did not cast votes this week in Congress on the Laken Riley Act, leading them to be lambasted by gubernatorial candidates from both parties. The House Clerk’s office recorded Reps. Mikie Sherrill of Essex and Josh Gottheimer of Bergen County recorded as “not voting” on the landmark bill, which would require illegal immigrants convicted of theft-related crimes be detained by municipal and state authorities. The bill takes its name from a young woman murdered by an illegal immigrant in Georgia who had been previously arrested and released on lesser charges. Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop exclaimed, “This is cowardly,” in an X post. NEW JERSEY USED AS ‘TRANSIT POINT’ FOR MIGRANT BUSES HEADED FOR NYC AFTER NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER, GOVERNOR SAYS “We lose elections when we don’t have any core convictions… when we can’t explain why we have a view and why we believe in it. Hiding is not an answer that wins elections,” the Democrat said. “Mikie and Josh are the same again – If you don’t have the courage to vote for a bill then what does that say about your courage to lead as Governor?” Fulop added. Meanwhile, former Republican Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli slammed the two lawmakers from their right. “Shame on [Josh and Mikie] for gutlessly ducking a vote on the Laken Riley Act today,” said Ciattarelli. On X, Ciattarelli said Riley “fought till her last breath against a murderous illegal immigrant, but Josh/Mikie didn’t have the courage to stand up to their extreme far left base.” Ciattarelli ran against Murphy in 2021 and nearly defeated him by Garden State standards, losing by less than three points. In November, President-elect Trump only lost the state by four points, leading the GOP to signal their optimism about flipping Trenton red this fall. When the bill last came up for a vote, Gottheimer voted “yea,” and a spokesman told the Philadelphia Inquirer he would have supported the bill this week if he had voted. New Jersey’s three Republican congressmen – Reps. Christopher Smith, Jeff Van Drew and Tom Kean Jr. – all voted for the Laken Riley Act. Democratic Reps. Nellie Pou, Frank Pallone, Herbert Conaway, LaMonica McIver, Donald Norcross and Rob Menendez Jr. all voted against it. NJ RESIDENTS HIT WITH DOUBLED BILLS AS LAWMAKERS FUME AT MURPHY’S ‘ENERGY DISASTER PLAN’ Republican Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia – who is not running for governor – torched the pair on Wednesday with a quip: “The Road to Drumthwacket is paved with flat squirrels who couldn’t make a decision,” she said, referring to the historic governor’s mansion near Princeton. State Sen. Jon Bramnick, a GOP gubernatorial candidate, told Fox News Digital on Thursday that a lawmaker’s first responsibility is to their constituents, not their next campaign. “I think you have to have campaign activities come secondary to your responsibility,” Bramnick said when asked about Gottheimer’s and Sherrill’s non-votes. “The key question is – if you’re going to run – campaign activities must be secondary to your voting,” adding that systemically it seems “the more [someone] campaigns the less they vote.” Bramnick, who is also an attorney in Plainfield, added that he couldn’t assume what was on the two Democrats’ minds in terms of their vote, but that immigration is a hot issue and often difficult to navigate. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP With the Laken Riley Act scoring 48 Democratic “yea’s,” Bramnick said immigration is a bipartisan issue. If elected governor, he said he would “follow the law” when asked how he would approach President-elect Trump or border czar-designate Tom Homan. “Unfortunately, the Congress hasn’t done anything to [create] a path to citizenship for people who may have an opportunity to stay here,” he said, discussing those who have lived in the U.S. for many years as otherwise law-abiding members of their communities. “If America doesn’t like the law, change it, but state-by-state shouldn’t change the law based on how they feel on the issue.” Sherrill and Gottheimer did not immediately respond to inquiries made via their campaigns. Another Democrat in the race, Ras Baraka – mayor of the state’s largest city, Newark – also did not respond. Baraka, however, separately indicated he would have voted against the Laken Riley Act if he were in Congress.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Handshakes of Old Partners
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump transition, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening… -MAGA Republicans defend TikTok as ‘conservative platform’ as fate hangs in balance with Supreme Court -Laken Riley Act overcomes filibuster in Senate as Dems give GOP helping hand -Americans remember former President Carter’s ‘lifelong legacy’ outside National Cathedral memorial President-elect Trump and his former vice president, Mike Pence, shook hands at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral on Thursday in their first public interaction in four years. Pence was seen standing up to shake Trump’s hand as the former president arrived inside Washington, D.C.’s National Cathedral for the funeral. After the two acknowledged each other and appeared to say a few words, Pence shook the hand of former first lady Melania Trump. Former second lady Karen Pence, who was seated next to her husband, did not stand up, shake Trump’s hand, nor did she appear to acknowledge him…Read more WARNING: Biden’s HHS secretary warns against implications of preemptive pardon for Fauci, others…Read more COMPETITIVE ON-EDGE: Harris, Emhoff appear to ignore Trump, Obama as outgoing veep grimaces at presidential banter…Read more FRIENDLY FOES: Trump chats up Obama while Clintons, Harris, ignore president-elect at Jimmy Carter funeral…Read more BIDEN ACCUSER SENTENCED: FBI informant who made up Biden bribe story gets 6 years in prison…Read more CAPITOL DANGER: Suspect identified in scare moments before Trump paid respects to Jimmy Carter…Read more NO SHOWS: Michelle Obama, Dick Cheney among notable absences at Carter funeral…Read more MESSAGE FROM THE OPPOSITION: Venezuelan opposition leader María Machado has urgent message for President-elect Donald Trump…Read more BANG FOR YOUR BUCKS: Biden approves $500M Ukraine security package 11 days before Trump takes office…Read more ‘SPEEDY CONFIRMATION’: Powerful fire union that was neutral in 2024 backs Noem for DHS as Cali wildfires rage…Read more HINDERING HEGSETH?: New GOP senator tears into Dems ‘seeking to delay’ Pete Hegseth DOD confirmation…Read more BACKING BONDI: Former state AGs urge Senate to confirm Bondi to lead Justice Department…Read more WATER PRESSURE: House Republicans introduce bill to repurchase the Panama Canal after Trump raises concerns of Chinese control…Read more NEW CONGRESS: Did moderate Democrats get religion with embrace of Laken Riley Act?…Read more RETURN TO WORK: House Oversight to take on government telework in first hearing of new Congress…Read more SHUT IT DOWN: GOP firebrands Boebert, Burlison introduce bill to abolish ATF…Read more PAGE FROM TRUMP: America’s newest governor takes page from Trump with DOGE-like commission…Read more TRUMP RESISTANCE: LA suburb doubles down on sanctuary city policies as neighboring city burns…Read more ‘UNPRECEDENTED, HISTORIC’: Cause of raging Los Angeles wildfires still undetermined as Mayor Karen Bass defends her leadership…Read more CALIFORNIA NIGHTMARE: Karen Bass’ 2021 tweet comes back to haunt her as LA residents demand accountability…Read more MASS DEPORTATIONS: ICE looking into expanding migrant detention facilities, ACLU says…Read more ‘I SHUDDER TO THINK’: Sen. Adam Schiff scolds Trump, telling him to be a unifier in response to LA wildfires…Read more Get the latest updates on the Trump presidential transition, incoming Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com
Texas’ senators plan to support Trump’s Cabinet picks
Some of President-elect Donald Trump’s picks have stirred controversy for past comments and allegations of malfeasance.
Special Counsel Weiss expected to release Hunter Biden report as soon as next week
FIRST ON FOX: Special Counsel David Weiss is expected to release his final report on his years-long investigation into Hunter Biden as soon as next week, Fox News has learned. Hunter Biden was found guilty of three felony firearm offenses stemming from Special Counsel David Weiss’ investigation. The first son was also charged with federal tax crimes regarding the failure to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes. Before his trial, Hunter Biden entered a surprise guilty plea. HUNTER BIDEN: A LOOK AT HOW THE SAGA SPANNING OVER SIX YEARS UNFOLDED The charges carried up to 17 years behind bars. His sentencing was scheduled for Dec. 16, but his father, President Joe Biden, pardoned him on all charges in December. The federal investigation into Hunter Biden began in November 2018. But it wasn’t until 2023 that whistleblowers from the IRS, Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, brought allegations of politicization in the federal probe of Hunter Biden to Congress. The two alleged that political influence had infected prosecutorial decisions in the federal probe, which was led by Trump-appointed Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss, who they said had requested to become a special counsel. BIDEN PARDONS SON HUNTER BIDEN AHEAD OF EXIT FROM OVAL OFFICE After Shapley and Ziegler testified publicly, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Weiss as special counsel to continue his investigation of the first son and, ultimately, bring federal charges against him in two separate jurisdictions — Delaware and California. Justice Department regulations require Weiss to transmit any final report to Attorney General Merrick Garland, who has pledged to release as much as possible to the public. The Justice Department and Special Counsel Weiss’ office declined to comment. Meanwhile, President Biden’s pardon of his son came after months of vowing to the American people that he would not do so. But on last month, the president announced a blanket pardon that applies to any offenses against the U.S. that Hunter Biden “has committed or may have committed” from Jan. 1, 2014, to Dec. 1, 2024. “From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,” Biden said. “There has been an effort to break Hunter — who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution. In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me — and there’s no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough.” Biden added, “I hope Americans will understand why a father and a president would come to this decision.”
America’s newest governor takes page from Trump with DOGE-like commission
CONCORD, N.H. – The nation’s newest governor is coming out of the starting gate by proposing a new government efficiency commission that seems to be modeled, to a degree, on a similar national effort by President-elect Trump. Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte of swing state New Hampshire, in her inaugural address on Thursday as she succeeded longtime GOP Gov. Chris Sununu, pointed to the state’s budget challenges ahead due to the drying up of federal COVID relief funding for the states and a downturn in business revenues. “We are going to have to look to find better ways to do things with fewer dollars,” Ayotte said. The new governor then said, “Because I know nothing is harder than getting politicians to not spend money, today I am announcing the creation of the Commission on Government Efficiency, or as I like to call it – the ‘COGE.’” THIS NEW GOVERNOR LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION Ayotte argued that “COGE will make us smarter than ever before when it comes to saving taxpayer dollars and finding better ways to serve the people of our state.” In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital ahead of her inauguration, Ayotte appeared to tease her proposal by emphasizing that “we look for new, efficient ways to do things better and serve taxpayers.” THE COMEBACK KID: ONE-TIME GOP RISING STAR RISES ONCE AGAIN WITH MAJOR GUBERNATORIAL VICTORY The move by New Hampshire’s governor comes nearly two months after Trump, days after his presidential election victory, tapped Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, and former Republican presidential candidate and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to steer what he called the “Department of Government Efficiency,” better known by its acronym DOGE. Ayotte’s proposal received plenty of applause from state lawmakers gathered at New Hampshire’s Statehouse for the governor’s inauguration. Republicans in November’s elections made major gains as they strengthened their state House and state Senate majorities. “I think it’s a brilliant approach,” Republican Mayor Jay Ruais of Manchester, New Hampshire’s largest city, told Fox News. Ruais, considered a rising star in his party, emphasized “appointing a commission like this to go after any kind of bloat, I think, is a perfect approach and certainly going to be really beneficial for state government and also certainly helps us downstream at the local level as well.” New Hampshire Democrats obviously disagree. “Governor Ayotte hasn’t been in office for a full twenty-four hours yet, and she is already laying the groundwork for massive budget cuts to services that people rely on. This is all thanks to years of failed Republican policies she championed,” longtime New Hampshire Democratic Party chair Ray Buckley argued. “Throughout her speech, one thing became clear – Kelly Ayotte is taking a page out of the Donald Trump playbook,” Buckley claimed. “Governor Ayotte is following in Trump’s footsteps and setting on a dangerous and costly path for New Hampshire.” WHAT’S NEXT FOR THIS POPULAR REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR WHO DECIDED AGAINST SEEKING RE-ELECTION Ayotte, a former U.S. senator, who previously served as a state attorney general, defeated Democratic gubernatorial nominee and former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig by nearly 10 points in November’s election. Her victory kept the governor’s office in GOP hands. In her address, Ayotte praised her predecessor, whose policies she campaigned on continuing. “New Hampshire is moving in the right direction, and no one deserves more credit for that after four terms at the helm than Governor Chris Sununu. Thank you, Governor,” Ayotte said. Looking ahead, Ayotte told GOP state legislative leaders, “I look forward to working with you … to marshal our Republican majorities over the next two years to deliver on the promises we made to keep our state moving in the right direction.” And Ayotte reiterated a longstanding pledge by New Hampshire Republicans that she is “not going to surprise anyone when I say this: no income tax, no sales tax, not now, not ever.” But Ayotte also extended an olive branch to Democrats and said, “My door is always open. Good government knows no party.” “I am going to be a governor for you, whether you’re a Republican, Democrat, Independent, you name it. Because our state is so much bigger than a party or an ideology,” she added. And Ayotte, who faced a barrage of attacks by Democrats over the issue of abortion during last year’s gubernatorial campaign, repeated her vow to state lawmakers that “if you send me legislation that further restricts access to abortion beyond our current law: I will veto it.” Abortions are legal in New Hampshire through 24 weeks of pregnancy. Ayotte also made headlines by announcing she’ll move to ban cell phones in the state’s public schools. Pointing to her husband, Joe, a retired Air Force pilot who flew combat missions over Iraq and nowadays teaches middle school math, the governor said, “Joe and I talk about what he is seeing in the classroom and what his students need all the time. He and the thousands of teachers across our state are on the front lines of our education system. Teachers know uniquely what is working for our students and what isn’t. We need to listen to them. “That’s why today I am announcing that we will be taking action to ban cell phones in our schools. Screens are negatively impacting our learning environments, drawing students’ attention,” Ayotte highlighted. Sununu, in a Fox News Digital interview on the eve of Ayotte’s inauguration, which was his last full day in office after eight years and four election victories (New Hampshire and neighboring Vermont are the only states in the nation to have two-year terms for governors), praised his successor. “Kelly’s been a great friend for decades. She’s going to be a fantastic governor for New Hampshire. She’s New Hampshire, born, bred, ready to go, hit the ground running with a great team here in the state,” Sununu emphasized. The outgoing governor added that while he’s leaving office, he’s always available for advice. “Anything I could possibly add, she knows
Laken Riley Act overcomes filibuster in Senate as Dems give GOP helping hand
The Laken Riley Act defeated the legislative filibuster during a procedural vote on Thursday, amassing more than 60 votes to advance it to a final vote. The measure sailed past the filibuster by a margin of 84-9. Democrats who voted against it were Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, Andy Kim, D-N.J., Ed Markey, D-Mass., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, Tina Smith, D-Minn., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. The immigration bill was quickly re-introduced in the new Congress by Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., in the Senate and Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., in the House once the new Congress began. “Today’s vote on the Laken Riley Act is an important step forward in making our country safer, but there’s still more work to be done to get this commonsense legislation across the finish line,” Britt said in a statement after the vote. “Laken’s horrific murder should never have happened. While we cannot bring Laken back, Congress can and must pass the Laken Riley Act to save American lives and prevent this tragedy from repeating itself. Congress has an obligation to Laken, her family, and to Americans in every corner of our country to get this bill passed and signed into law.” NEW GOP SENATOR TEARS INTO DEMS ‘SEEKING TO DELAY’ PETE HEGSETH DOD CONFIRMATION The bill was named for a 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student who was found dead on the University of Georgia’s campus in February. Jose Ibarra, a 26-year-old illegal immigrant, was found guilty of 10 total counts, including felony murder. He initially pleaded not guilty but was ultimately sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in November. Britt and Collins’ bill would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest and detain illegal immigrants that have committed theft, burglary or shoplifting until they are deported. States would also be granted standing under the legislation to take civil action against members of the federal government that do not enforce immigration laws. The measure was blessed by new Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., who teed it up to be the first major vote in the upper chamber. TRUMP DETAILS STRATEGY TO GET NECESSARY VOTES WITH ONE-BILL APPROACH TO BORDER, TAXES With all Senate Republicans on board, it was initially unclear whether they would be able to get enough Democrats to advance the bill and beat the filibuster’s 60-vote threshold. However, Democratic support began to snowball after Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., was the first to say he would vote in favor of it. He and Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., both opted to become co-sponsors of the bill. Fox News had confirmed as of Thursday morning that at least 13 Democrats said they would vote to advance the bill. Sens. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Gallego, Gary Peters, D-Mich., John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., Angus King, I-Maine, Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and Fetterman, each said they would vote yes on the procedural hurdle. On the Senate floor, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., revealed he would also be voting to advance the bill. He explained that he would vote in favor of the cloture motion in order to have the opportunity for debate and for Democrats to offer amendments. The Democrat leader further said he believed there are enough votes for the measure to beat the filibuster. However, some Democrats maintained their resistance to the bill. “The idea of stopping violent criminals in our country who threaten our safety is something I support fully,” Booker told reporters. “But there are so many flaws in this bill.” SENATE DEMS TO JOIN REPUBLICANS TO ADVANCE ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION BILL NAMED AFTER LAKEN RILEY In addition, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said he would likely support advancing the bill. This isn’t a guarantee that the Democrats will all vote on final passage of the bill. However, the final vote only requires a simple majority to pass, whereas the cloture vote needed 60. BORDER STATE DEMOCRAT RUBEN GALLEGO BACKS GOP’S LAKEN RILEY ACT AHEAD OF SENATE VOTE The successful filibuster defeat effectively ensures that the GOP’s priority immigration bill will be sent to President-elect Trump’s desk and ultimately become law. A handful of the Democrats that helped the measure advance are up for re-election in potentially competitive states come 2026. They include Ossoff, Shaheen, Peters and Hickenlooper.
LA suburb doubles down on sanctuary city policies as neighboring city burns
As whole neighborhoods in Los Angeles burn to the ground, city council members in nearby Long Beach voted to double down on their sanctuary city policies, vowing to resist President-elect Donald Trump’s plans for mass deportations. Long Beach joins an ever-growing list of Democrat-controlled cities and states vowing to resist the Trump administration’s plans to crack down on illegal immigration. Among other provisions, the measure allocates an additional $200,000 in city funding to give immigrants facing deportation free legal representation. Local outlet the Long Beach Post reported that the council voted on Tuesday to further strengthen the “Long Beach Values Act,” originally passed during the first Trump presidency in 2017. PHOTO GALLERY: CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES BEFORE AND AFTER Speaking before the vote, Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, a Democrat, said: “Today, we find ourselves preparing for again an administration that outwardly challenged some of our values and beliefs.” “It’s going to be a challenge – these next few years – but I’m confident, if we continue to work together, continue to support one another, we’re going to get through this,” said Richardson. “No matter who is in power in Washington, I believe that we have a responsibility to stand firm on our principles, so all of our residents feel safe and seen and protected regardless of how they pray, or who they love or where they were born.” The $200,000 in extra funding adds to an already-existing $1.1 million available to immigrants for legal representation against removal through the “Long Beach Justice Fund.” The measure also prohibits third-party city contractors from sharing city data with federal immigration enforcement and requests that other city authorities – including police oversight, the city attorney, city prosecutor and city auditor – formally commit to complying with the Long Beach Values Act. AMERICANS FAVOR TRUMP ON IMMIGRATION, SUPPORT MASS DEPORTATION OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, POLL FINDS CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE The measure’s passage was celebrated by local immigrant rights activist group Órale, which called it a “significant step towards true sanctuary status that will tangibly improve our community members’ lives.” While Richardson projected confidence in resisting Trump’s agenda, the Long Beach Post reported that a Dec. 31 memo by Deputy City Manager Meredith Reynolds to city officials warned that Long Beach stands to lose millions in federal funding if they do not cooperate with immigration authorities. Trump’s incoming border czar Tom Homan told Fox News in November that local officials who obstruct ICE or federal authorities from enforcing the law will face consequences. “Don’t cross that line because it is a felony to harbor and conceal an illegal alien from ICE,” said Homan.