Trump lays wreath at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier ahead of inauguration
President-elect Donald Trump Vice President-elect JD Vance participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Sunday, the eve of his return to the White House. Trump was participating in a series of Washington events prior to his return to office. The president-elect’s wife, Melania Trump, was also there, as were his children: Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump and Ivanka Trump. Vance’s wife, Usha Vance, was also in attendance. NELLY DEFENDS PERFORMING AT TRUMP’S INAUGURATION, SAYS ‘IT’S AN HONOR’ Some of Trump’s Cabinet picks were in the crowd, including Pete Hegseth, his pick for defense secretary; Marco Rubio, his pick for secretary of state; Tulsi Gabbard, his pick for director of national intelligence; and Elise Stefanik, his pick for United Nations ambassador. Trump appeared solemn as he placed a wreath on an easel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in drizzly rain and in front of a silent crowd. Moments later, Vance did the same. Trump held a salute while Vance held a hand over his heart during the ceremony. HOW TO WATCH, STREAM TRUMP’S 2025 INAUGURATION ON JANUARY 20TH The two left Arlington National Cemetery once the ceremony was complete. Trump is set to hold a campaign-style “MAGA Victory” rally at Capitol One Arena on Sunday evening. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Newly built border wall segment further endangers rare desert fish, conservation organization says
A newly built segment of border wall in southern Arizona will keep out more than just illegal immigrants, a nonprofit conservation organization says. The border wall segment and a “paved road across Arizona’s California Gulch is blocking streamflow critical to the survival of one of only two U.S. populations of Sonora chub,” a press release from the Center for Biological Diversity reads. The “rare desert fish” is a “small, moderately chubby fish that feasts on a variety of native food sources and has a unique and distinctly red coloration on the underside when in breeding condition,” the organization says. “The new wall and road will push these imperiled fish to the brink of extinction,” Krista Kemppinen, Ph.D., a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement. LINDSEY GRAHAM DEFENDS KASH PATEL IN HEATED EXCHANGE WITH CBS HOST “The Sonora chub’s survival depends on being able to access scarce desert water on both sides of the border, exchange genetic material with nearby populations in Mexico, and bolster its populations with upstream migrations of fish from Sonora after droughts. The new construction makes all that impossible,” she continued. The organization drew attention to the matter just days before President-elect Donald Trump is set to retake office and ramp up his border security efforts. TRUMP TO BE SWORN IN ON BIBLE GIVEN TO HIM BY HIS MOTHER, AND THE LINCOLN BIBLE “Designating California Gulch as critical habitat is more urgent than ever to minimize other threats, such as by keeping cows out of the Sonora chub’s pools,” Kemppinen said in the statement. “It’s also imperative that carefully designed culverts be added to the new border infrastructure to allow at least some semblance of a natural streamflow and migration. If federal officials are serious about saving this fish, they need to act now.” Earlier this month, Trump set off a fiery debate over whether Democrats should be to blame for California’s wildfires after he accused Gov. Gavin Newsom of caring more about protecting endangered fish species known as smelt than protecting the state’s residents from wildfires. Trump set off a firestorm on Wednesday when he called out Newsom on his Truth Social platform for wanting “to protect an essentially worthless fish” over protecting the water needs of Californians. The comments are not new, however. In the run-up to the November election, Trump made the claim during an October interview with podcaster Joe Rogan. Neither the Center for Biological Diversity nor the Trump transition team responded to a request for comment regarding this story. Fox News’ Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.
Johnson says price tag on Trump mass deportation plan is ‘small investment’ to ‘restore’ security, safety
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Sunday denied that President-elect Trump’s mass deportation plan could cost trillions of dollars, though said that there is no better investment than restoring the safety and security of the country. Johnson made the remarks during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” when he was asked about the border crisis and grocery prices, the two issues that Trump says helped him win the election. “I cannot think of a better dollar for dollar investment than to restore the security and the safety of the country,” Johnson said. “We’ve had a wide-open border for four years and millions upon millions of illegal persons. We have dangerous illegals in the country, criminals who have already committed crimes here, violent crimes against American citizens.” The speaker cited crime and “the untold humanitarian cost in terms of trafficking and fentanyl deaths” in the U.S. as important reasons to tackle border security, saying, “getting rid of that criminal element … is something the American people want us to do.” IMMIGRATION HAWKS URGE CONGRESS, TRUMP TO ‘BEGIN IMMEDIATELY’ ON MASS DEPORTATION PLEDGE “The number one job of the federal government is protecting the citizenry,” he said. “And when you have a wide-open border, you don’t have safety, security or even sovereignty, for that matter. President Trump is going to follow through on his campaign promises and the promises that we all made on the campaign trail. It costs money to do that. But there is a small investment in terms of what it costs us.” When asked whether the plan would come with a price tag in the trillions of dollars, Johnson rejected the notion. “It won’t cost trillions of dollars. I think we don’t yet know the dollar figure,” he said. “But I will tell you that the American people are going to support that effort. And we’re going to begin with the most dangerous elements. And you’re going to see a dramatic change in the country because of it.” Johnson did not provide an estimated cost for the deportation plan. BIDEN HAD NO IDEA HE SIGNED NATURAL GAS EXECUTIVE ORDER, JOHNSON SAYS Regarding grocery prices, Johnson said those costs would unquestionably come down under Trump with the return to “fiscal sanity” and “common sense.” Johnson said that Congress and the Trump administration will “turn the economic engines back on” like during the first Trump term when lawmakers “reduced the tax burden on the American people, but even more importantly, the regulatory burden.” “That’s going to be a major theme of the upcoming administration in this Congress, because if you release the red tape, you unleash the free market again. And that’s good for everybody,” he said.
How to watch, stream Trump’s 2025 inauguration on January 20th
On Jan. 20 2025, the nation and the world will be watching as President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will officially begin their four-year tenure in the White House. Thousands will flock to the U.S. Capitol to see the historic moment in-person. For those watching from home, Fox News Media has a lineup of live broadcasts straight from Washington, D.C., as well as around-the-clock commentary for viewers. On Jan. 20, Fox News Channel and FoxNews.com will broadcast a live stream of the inauguration ceremony, where Trump and Vance will each officially be sworn into office. GET TO KNOW DONALD TRUMP’S CABINET: WHO HAS THE PRESIDENT-ELECT PICKED SO FAR? The swearing-in ceremony is slated to begin at noon. Additionally, throughout the ceremony, and at other events occurring on the day, there will be several live performances by A-list stars, including Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Kid Rock, Lee Greenwood, Village People, Rascal Flatts, Parker McCollum and others. After the swearing-in ceremony, Trump will make his second inaugural address following his first presidency, with an inaugural parade following soon after along Pennsylvania Avenue. JD VANCE JOKES ABOUT SKIPPING INAUGURATION TO WATCH OHIO STATE IN TITLE GAME Later in the day, there will be three different official inaugural balls where Trump is expected to give remarks; the Commander in Chief Ball, Liberty Inaugural Ball and Starlight Ball. Surrounding live broadcasts of the events unfolding throughout the day on FOX News Channel and FoxNews.com will be Washington-based programming with commentary from Fox hosts. Fox News Channel’s Jan. 20 Inauguration Day coverage begins at 4 a.m., with “Fox & Friends First” with Carley Shimkus and Todd Piro and “Fox & Friends” with Brian Kilmeade, Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt and Lawrence Jones airing after. TRUMP, VANCE OFFICIAL PORTRAITS RELEASED AHEAD OF INAUGURATION At 9 a.m., Dana Perino and Bill Hemmer will take over coverage on “America’s Newsroom,” followed by “The Faulkner Focus” with Harris Faulkner. At 11 a.m., just shortly before the swearing-in ceremony is set to begin, Fox News Channel will air special coverage, “Inauguration of Donald Trump” until 5 p.m,, with Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum at the helm. Perino, Brit Hume, Harold Ford Jr., Faulkner and many others will contribute to this coverage throughout the afternoon into the evening. Fox coverage goes late into the night, with “The Five,” “Special Report with Bret Baier,” “The Ingraham Angle,” “Jesse Watters Primetime,” “Hannity,” “Gutfeld!” and “Fox News @ Night” with Trace Gallagher. FOX Business Network will also be providing live coverage on Inauguration Day, with Larry Kudlow live from Washington, D.C., beginning at 4 p.m. For those who wish to stream Inauguration Day events from their phone, tablet or computer, FoxNews.com will have a live broadcast available.
Lindsey Graham defends Kash Patel in heated exchange with CBS host
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., had a tense interaction on Sunday during a live interview with Margaret Brennan on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” Graham told Brennan he was “ready” to vote to confirm Kash Patel, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for FBI director, and believes Patel’s confirmation hearing “will expose him to be a very qualified man of the law.” The remarks came after Brennan quoted former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr’s memoir about Patel. “Patel had virtually no experience that would qualify him to serve at the highest level of the world’s preeminent law enforcement agency,” Barr wrote in his 2022 memoir. INAUGURATION DAY IS TOMORROW – HERE’S A COMPLETE GUIDE TO FOX NEWS CHANNEL’S COVERAGE AND WHAT TO EXPECT Graham said Barr was wrong when he wrote it, and wrong now about Patel. He said he takes his advice on the nominee from former Rep. Trey Gowdy, who worked with Patel. “Kash was a public defender, he was a prosecutor, he worked with Trey Gowdy about the Russia hoax,” Graham said. “So I do think he has the experience. He has the trust of the president.” TRUMP TO BE SWORN IN ON BIBLE GIVEN TO HIM BY HIS MOTHER, AND THE LINCOLN BIBLE “I’m ready to vote for him because I know him too. See [you] never asked about the Russia hoax that he exposed,” Graham continued. “People on the right believe that he was part of the solution, not the problem.” Graham then began to talk about this situation in the Middle East and its relation to the “world stage.” “You took me all the way to Israel from Kash Patel,” Brennan said. “You shouldn’t worry about Kash Patel,” Graham responded when Brennan asked about Patel “going after journalists.” “You should worry about reporting the news fairly, which you don’t do when it comes to everything Trump,” Graham concluded. The CBS host then reminded Graham he is a guest on the show because “we wanted to hear you out,” before cutting to a commercial break.
Saif Ali Khan stabbing case: Is the accused Bangladesh? Lawyer says no proof
The court has granted police custody of Shehzad for five days, instructing investigators to submit a detailed report within this period.
Immigration hawks urge Congress, Trump admin to ‘begin immediately’ on mass deportation pledge
FIRST ON FOX: A coalition of hawkish immigration groups, ahead of President-elect Trump’s inauguration, are urging Republicans in Congress and officials in the incoming Trump administration to follow through on their promises to launch a mass deportation operation – urging them not to back down or compromise on key issues, and to use the upcoming reconciliation process to put those promises into action. “The undersigned organizations and individuals write to express and pledge our support in fulfilling the promises you made to the American people,” the coalition says. The 10 groups include Heritage Action for America, NumbersUSA, the National Immigration Center for Enforcement and the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). In their letter, obtained by Fox News Digital, they warn that work needs to start immediately. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PLANNING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ARRESTS THROUGHOUT US ON ‘DAY ONE’ “Due to limitations in Congressional calendars, the threat of litigation from open-borders zealots, the slow pace of regulatory action, as well as the complexity of promised law enforcement operations, work needs to begin immediately, in earnest,” they say. “Mass deportations and secure borders are not only cornerstones of public safety and national security, but they are also a critical means to protect American workers and stop employers from engaging in unscrupulous activities,” they say. “Most importantly, they are not bargaining chips for other policies or political priorities.” DEM SENATOR QUIZZES NOEM ON HOW SHE WILL WORK WITH HOMAN: ‘WHO IS IN CHARGE?’ Trump has promised to launch a “historic” deportation operation and to provide additional border security. Many Republicans in Congress ran on those issues, and polls showed many Americans saw illegal immigration as a top issue. The groups note that the 2023 House-passed GOP border bill, which they repeatedly pushed lawmakers to pass, included a number of sweeping measures to secure the border and limit the ability of migrants to claim asylum. But they say now that the bill is a “floor, not a ceiling” and urge the incoming administration and Congress to go further, first with a funding package via the budget reconciliation process. “Now, with unified control of government and a critical window opening, we also stand ready to help you assemble a bold reconciliation package that reflects President Trump’s commitment to the American people and the very laws that govern and protect our nation,” they say. Their recommendations for the reconciliation package include additional resources to make “millions of deportations” happen, end loopholes in immigration law, cut funding to nonprofits and “prioritize the American worker over foreign labor.” They also warn lawmakers: “NO amnesty of any kind. (If you have to say it isn’t one, it is.)” CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF THE BORDER SECURITY CRISIS “It is time to bring order to our immigration system and restore fidelity to the rule of law. The American people are waiting,” they say. Rosemary Jenks, police director at the Immigration and Accountability Project, said Congress must “act immediately to deliver the resources, including ICE ERO officers and detention beds, that are required for President Trump to carry out the mass deportations necessary to reverse the damage done by the Biden Administration.” Fox reported on Friday that the incoming administration is planning to start mass immigration arrests as soon as day one. “What we’re telling ICE, you’re going to enforce the immigration law without apology,” border czar Tom Homan told “Jesse Watters Tonight.” “You’re going to concentrate on the worst first, public safety threats first, but no one is off the table. If they’re in the country illegally, they got a problem.”
Biden had no idea he signed natural gas export pause, Johnson says
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Friday recounted a meeting with President Biden from early last year when the president appeared to forget he signed an executive order pausing the export of liquified natural gas (LNG). Johnson publicly recalled the story for the first time to Bari Weiss during an episode of her podcast “Honestly” for The Free Press after saying that through his “personal observation” in dealing with Biden, the president “has not been in charge for some time.” Johnson’s story was first reported by the Wall Street Journal in June, though the newspaper’s reporting relied on anonymous sources at the time. When Weiss asked Johnson to elaborate on his observations, the speaker began his tale of how Biden’s staff kept brushing off his attempts to schedule a meeting with the president in January 2024 amid “big national concerns” that Johnson said he “was losing sleep over.” Johnson said that Biden’s staff finally relented after some pressure from the media and invited him to the Oval Office to meet with the president. Johnson, however, said the meeting did not start as expected. ‘WRONG-HEADED’: ENERGY INDUSTRY LEADERS BLAST BIDEN ADMIN REPORT ON NATURAL GAS EXPORTS “I show up and I realize it’s actually an ambush ’cause it’s not just me and the president,” Johnson said. “It’s also Kamala Harris, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem, you know, The CIA Director.” Johnson said the group began to “hot box” him on Ukraine funding when Biden asked if he could have the room with him, a request that Johnson said left the president’s staff visibly concerned. Once Biden and Johnson were alone in the Oval Office, the speaker asked the president about his pause on LNG exports. “I cannot answer this from my constituents in Louisiana,” Johnson recalled telling Biden. “Sir, why did you pause LNG exports to Europe? Liquefied natural gas is in great demand by our allies. Why would you do that? Cause you understand we just talked about Ukraine, you understand you are fueling Vladimir Putin’s war machine, because they gotta get their gas from him.” Johnson recounted how a stunned Biden replied: “I didn’t do that.” Biden initiated a pause on new LNG export permits in January 2024, a move which has been widely criticized by the oil community and bipartisan lawmakers in the House. Johnson said that when he reminded the president of the executive order he had signed just weeks ago, Biden denied that what he had signed was a pause on LNG. BIDEN ISSUES SWEEPING OFFSHORE OIL, GAS DRILLING BAN IN 625M ACRES OF FEDERAL WATERS AHEAD OF TRUMP TRANSITION Johnson said he argued that the pause would do “massive damage to our economy, national security,” and he even suggested that the president’s secretary print out a copy of the order so that the two of them could read it together. “He genuinely did not know what he had signed,” Johnson said. “And I walked out of that meeting with fear and loathing because I thought, ‘We are in serious trouble—who is running the country?’ Like, I don’t know who put the paper in front of him, but he didn’t know.” Biden’s LNG pause threatens nearly 1 million jobs over the next two decades if the restriction remains in place, according to a study by the National Association of Manufacturers, which Fox News Digital previously reported on. The export ban would stifle the U.S. GDP by between $122.5 billion and $215.7 billion in 2044, while between $26.9 billion and $47.7 billion in tax and royalty revenues to federal, state and local governments would be at risk in 2044 if the permit pause persists, the study found. President-elect Trump, however, reportedly “plans to go strong on the issue” of LNG exports when he assumes office, sources told Reuters in November. Fox News Digital’s Aubrie Spady and Eric Revell contributed to this report.
Biden pardons late Black activist Marcus Garvey, 4 others
President Biden issued five more pardons on Sunday on his last full day in office, including for political activist and Black nationalist Marcus Garvey. “America is a country built on the promise of second chances,” Biden said in a statement. “As President, I have used my clemency power to make that promise a reality by issuing more individual pardons and commutations than any other President in U.S. history. Today, I am exercising my clemency power to pardon 5 individuals and commute the sentences of 2 individuals who have demonstrated remorse, rehabilitation, and redemption. These clemency recipients have each made significant contributions to improving their communities.” In addition to Garvey, the clemency recipients are Darryl Chambers, Ravidath “Ravi” Ragbir, Don Leonard Scott, Jr., and Kemba Smith Pradia. Garvey was granted the pardon posthumously. BIDEN COMMUTES NEARLY 2,500 MORE SENTENCES IN FINAL DAYS OF PRESIDENCY The Biden White House described Garvey, who influenced Malcolm X, as “a renowned civil rights and human rights leader who was convicted of mail fraud in 1923, and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.” Former President Calvin Coolidge commuted his sentence in 1927. “Notably, Mr. Garvey created the Black Star Line, the first Black-owned shipping line and method of international travel, and founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association, which celebrated African history and culture. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. described Mr. Garvey as ‘the first man of color in the history of the United States to lead and develop a mass movement’,” the White House said. “Advocates and lawmakers praise his global advocacy and impact, and highlight the injustice underlying his criminal conviction.” Congressional leaders had pushed for Biden to pardon Garvey. Supporters long argued that Garvey’s conviction was politically motivated and an effort to silence the increasingly popular leader who spoke of racial pride. Biden also pardoned Ragbir, an immigrant rights activist, and Smith Pradia, an advocate for criminal justice reform. Ragbir was convicted of a nonviolent offense in 2001 and was sentenced to two years in prison. Smith Pradia is an advocate convicted of a drug offense in 1994 when she was sentenced to 24 years behind bars. President Bill Clinton commuted her sentence in 2000. Biden also announced he is commuting the sentences of 2 additional individuals – Michelle West and Robin Peoples – so that their sentences expire on Feb.18, 2025. West was convicted in the ’90s on charges that included conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, drug-related homicide and aiding and abetting in drug-related homicide, court records show. The White House said West “is currently serving a life sentence for crimes she committed between 1987 and 1993.” “During her three decades of incarceration, Ms. West has demonstrated extraordinary rehabilitation and personal transformation,” the Biden White House argued. “Ms. West’s clemency petition has received overwhelming support from the civil rights community, women’s rights advocates, former fellow inmates, and lawmakers. Supporters describe Ms. West as a role model who has built a 31-year record of rehabilitation and redemption.” Meanwhile, court records show Peoples was convicted of bank robbery and other associated offenses. Peoples “is currently serving a 111-year sentence for crimes he committed in the late 1990s,” the White House said in their announcement. “Mr. Peoples would likely face a significantly lower sentence under current law and policy. While in custody, he has demonstrated remarkable rehabilitation and courage. Mr. Peoples’s clemency petition has received overwhelming support from the civil rights community, government officials, friends, and family members. Mr. Peoples’s supporters describe him as a model inmate, an inspiring mentor, and someone deserving of a second chance.” It’s still not clear whether Biden will use his last full day in office to give pardons to people who have been criticized by President-elect Donald Trump. Biden had floated the idea of issuing preemptive pardons for possible offenses by Trump’s critics that could be investigated or prosecuted by the incoming administration. Doing so would stretch the powers of the presidency in untested ways. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: ‘Even if the court says hang him…’, says guilty Sanjay Roy’s mother
Soon after his conviction in the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case, civic volunteer Sanjay Roy’s mother, Malati Roy, affirmed that she would accept the punishment given to her son by the Sealdah sessions court.