Disney heiress goes after ‘potential Trump VP’ Kristi Noem with ‘Old Yeller’ comparison
Disney heiress, Abigail Disney, evoked the classic Disney movie, Old Yeller, in a recent play to call on voters to oppose the Republican Party after South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s recent book detailed her shooting her ranch dog. “My great-uncle Walt Disney knew the magic place animals have in the hearts of families everywhere,” Disney wrote in an email released by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) and obtained exclusively by the Guardian. Disney, the grandniece of Walt Disney, said that Noem’s anecdote of killing her dog in her new book, “No Going Back,” “shocked” her. “When he released Old Yeller, the heart-wrenching story stayed with people because no one takes the killing of a family pet lightly,” Disney said. “At least that’s what I thought until I read about potential Trump VP Kristi Noem shooting her family’s puppy – a story that has shocked so many of us.” ‘YOU NEED TO STOP’: GOV. NOEM LASHES OUT DURING HEATED INTERVIEW OVER BOOK ANECDOTE ABOUT KILLING DOG In “No Going Back,” the Republican governor described shooting her dog after it attacked a neighbor’s chickens. Disney said that Noem’s description of killing her ranch dog was part of “the larger story of the 2024 election.” “Walt Disney also understood story telling. Together, we must make sure all voters see how this sad Kristi Noem episode is part of the larger story of the 2024 election: America could vote into the White House extremists that glorify cruelty and lack basic empathy and compassion,” she told the PCCC. Since facing backlash for the killing of her ranch dog, Noem has fiercely defended her actions, framing it as her ability to make “tough decisions.” During an interview with FOX Business’ Stuart Varney, the Republican governor said that the dog was “vicious,” and called the backlash “ridiculous.” “This was a vicious, dangerous dog. That was a working dog. And I had to make a choice between the safety of my children and an animal that was killing livestock and attacking people,” Noem told Varney. “So it’s included because a lot of politicians have run from the truth. They want to try to hide from tough decisions.” “I’m proud of this book,” Noem said. “I know that a lot of people are using attacks to try to take me down because they’re scared of me. I have so much support and all I’ve done is won.” Disney said that unlike the compassionate shooting of Old Yeller, Noem shot the dog because it was “too hard to teach.” “In Old Yeller, the family comes to see the lovable stray dog as an indispensable member of the family. The film’s climactic moment is a heartbreaking one, when the father has no choice but to shoot Old Yeller when the dog contracts rabies because of the inevitable threat to their lives – and, out of compassion, to end the suffering the dog would have to endure,” Disney said in the letter to the PCCC. NOEM ADDRESSES FEELING ‘THREATENED’ BY NIKKI HALEY, A CONTROVERSIAL DOG KILLING, TRUMP VP SPECULATION IN BOOK “Noem shot her family’s 14-month-old puppy after a hunting trip, in her own account, because she was too hard to teach,” Disney said. “‘I hated that dog,’ she wrote, framing the killing of a puppy as an example of strength.” “Kristi Noem is not strong. Like Trump, she is cruel and selfish,” she said. “If Kristi Noem was actually strong, she would stand up to the January 6 insurrectionists instead of celebrating them,” she said. “Or she would make billionaires pay their fair share of taxes instead of lining up for their campaign donations.” KRISTI NOEM ERUPTS ON CBS ANCHOR AFTER VIRAL INTERVIEW ABOUT CONTROVERSIAL BOOK “If she had real courage, she might even criticize the Supreme Court for abolishing abortion rights or making it easier to flood our streets and schools with guns,” Disney said. Fox News Digital has reached out to Gov. Noem’s office, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and Abigail Disney for comment. Fox News’ Audrey Spady contributed to this report.
Former Kentucky prosecutor accused of trading favors for meth and sex pleads guilty
A former prosecutor in eastern Kentucky accused of doing favors for criminal defendants in return for methamphetamine and sexual favors pleaded guilty Friday to a federal charge. OHIO EX-VICE DETECTIVE GETS 11 YEARS IN SEX WORKER KIDNAPPING CASE Scott Blair, 51, pleaded guilty to honest services wire fraud, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported. Blair resigned as commonwealth’s attorney for Perry County after his arrest last month. The federal charge accused him of depriving Perry County residents of his honest services. The criminal complaint said he solicited sex and meth from people facing criminal charges beginning in 2020, and then took actions to help them. Blair told U.S. Magistrate Judge Hanly A. Ingram during the hearing that he was “quite confident” the charges could be proved and that he feels great contrition over his actions. Although he was running unopposed for another term, he said he would take steps to remove his name from the ballot and give up his law license.
Trump ally Steve Bannon loses appeal on contempt conviction as he fights to stay out of prison
Former White House official Steve Bannon‘s appeal of his contempt of Congress conviction was denied Friday, meaning he will still have to serve jail time for ignoring a subpoena from the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. In a 20-page opinion, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, a three-body panel, said granting Bannon’s appeal would “hamstring Congress’s investigatory authority.” Bannon claimed he acted on the advice of his legal team and did not intend to break the law. Judge Bradley Garcia wrote that acting on “advice of counsel” defense is “no defense at all.” MICHAEL COHEN TIKTOK VIDEOS, FUNDRAISING STUN LEGAL OBSERVERS: MAY HAVE ‘TORPEDOED CASE AGAINST TRUMP’ “As both this court and the Supreme Court have repeatedly explained, a contrary rule would contravene the text of the contempt statute and hamstring Congress’s investigatory authority,” Garcia wrote. “Because we have no basis to depart from that binding precedent, and because none of Bannon’s other challenges to his convictions have merit, we affirm.” Bannon, 70, was sentenced to four months in prison in October 2022, and a $6,500 fine for ignoring the congressional subpoena. “I want to say one thing — I respect the judge, the sentence he came down with today is his decision. I’ve been totally respectful to this entire process on the legal side,” Bannon said after the sentencing. Bannon will appeal Friday’s ruling, his attorney, David Schoen, told Fox News Digital. MICHAEL COHEN TO TESTIFY IN TRUMP TRIAL ON MONDAY “There are many fundamentally important constitutional issues at stake in this case,” Schoen said in a statement. “Today’s decision is wrong as a matter of law, and it reflects a very dangerous view of the threshold for criminal liability for any defendant in our country and for future political abuses of the congressional hearing process.” Schoen noted that Bannon’s attorney at the time he received the subpoena, Robert Costello, advised his client that he was not permitted, as a matter of law, in any way to respond to the notice, saying executive privilege had been raised and that it was not his privilege to waive it. Costello wrote the committee to inform them that Bannon would comply if the panel worked out any privilege issues with former President Trump or if a court ordered him to comply, Schoen said. “In America, we do not criminally prosecute, let alone convict and send to prison people who not only don’t believe their conduct to be wrongful or in violation of the law, but, as in this case, people who follow the advice of their lawyers who tell them that the law does not permit them to comply with a congressional subpoena when executive privilege has been invoked,” Schoen said. Other officials who served under Trump have reported to prison. Former White House trade adviser Peter Navarro began his four-month sentence for contempt of Congress at a Miami correctional facility in March. “I will walk proudly in there to do my time,” Navarro said during a press conference before turning himself in. “I will gather strength from this: Donald John Trump is the nominee.”
U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls investigated over allegations he used campaign money to pay rent to his own company
The Richmond Republican faces allegations of improperly using campaign funds for his own gain, according to an Office of Congressional Ethics report made public Friday.
House Speaker chaos: ‘One dumpster fire at a time’
“We needed bills brought to the floor that are supported by the majority of the majority,” fulminated Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., on the House steps Wednesday night. In other words, Republicans wield the House majority with 217 members. So Greene insists that at least 109 Republicans should be in favor of an issue before voting. A “majority of the majority.” A POSSIBLE PROBLEM (FOR SPEAKER JOHNSON’S LEADERSHIP But Greene did not necessarily practice what she preaches. In an audacious move, Greene had just forced the House to tangle with her resolution to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. The House soundly thumped Greene’s effort into parliamentary oblivion on a vote of 359-43. Seven members voted present. Greene is a member of the majority party. Yet 196 of the 217 members of the House Republican Conference voted in favor of killing Greene’s motion to dismiss Johnson. Clearly, a majority of the majority. As we say, it’s about the math. In fact, only 11 Republicans — including Greene — voted for a prospective recall of the Speaker. Yet, as House Democratic leaders promised, a staggering 163 Democrats voted to protect Johnson. It was perhaps one of the most extraordinary cross-party votes in decades on Capitol Hill — especially considering the fact that the minority party successfully shielded Johnson, safeguarding his Speakership. But let’s be clear: had Democratic reinforcements not arrived, Johnson would no longer occupy the Speaker’s suite. Only eight Republicans favored dumping former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., last autumn. But 11 Republicans seemingly wanted to upend Johnson this time — even though the GOP majority is more narrow now than eight months ago. “The Democrats saved him,” fumed Greene. “(Former House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., voted for him. Pelosi doesn’t vote for Republicans unless she has full control of the House. (House Minority Leader) Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. The entire leadership team. (Reps.) Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., Jamie Raskin, D-Md. They all voted for Mike Johnson.” Greene procured lengthy audiences with Johnson in the Speaker’s office on both Monday and Tuesday as she laid out her complaints. A massive scrum of reporters then clustered around Greene after each conclave. On Monday evening, the press blob occupied Statuary Hall in the Capitol, just in front of a statue of Sam Houston. By Wednesday night, the daily press forums with Greene graduated to the House steps. The demand for Greene was so high among reporters, that staffers from the House Radio/TV Gallery brought out a mic stand for her. THE HOUSE IS PRACTICALLY FUNCTIONING AS A PARLIAMENT, WITH MIKE JOHNSON AS ITS ‘PRIME MINISTER’ “Oh, is that for me?” asked Greene on Wednesday night as she walked gingerly down the House steps after the vote to sidetrack her Speaker gambit. A mobile swarm of photographers slid delicately next to her, snapping photos, as though trained in ballet. Greene may have at least temporarily won over the attention of the Congressional press corps as reporters wondered if and when she might move against Johnson. But Greene’s relations with GOP colleagues took a hit. Kendrick Lamar and Drake get along better than Greene and most of her fellow House Republicans. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wisc., briefly heckled Greene as she descended the Capitol steps to speak to reporters. “You can be productive, or you can be destructive. Ms. Taylor Greene is choosing destructive,” said Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D. “It’s going to sow discord and dissent.” “Moscow Marjorie has clearly gone off the deep end. Maybe the result of the space laser,” posited Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y. “Marjorie is going to find herself in a very lonely place,” predicted Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio. Dozens of Republicans howled and booed when Greene called up her resolution to remove Johnson late Wednesday afternoon. In fact, no one was sure if Greene would follow through or just continue to milk her ploy. After all, Greene first announced she would attempt to bounce Johnson back in mid-March. Some Democrats even wondered if Greene’s daily summits with Johnson may warrant reconsideration of their position to defend the Speaker. “When Speaker Johnson meets with her for hours, people should be asking, ‘What is Marjorie Taylor Greene extracting from the Speaker?’” asked House Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman Ted Lieu, D-Calif. Colleague Tyler Olson followed up, inquiring whether Democrats would still support Johnson. “It would depend on what Marjorie Taylor Greene is able to extract,” replied Lieu. As it turned out, Greene apparently didn’t cull any concessions out of Johnson. Not that she gave the Speaker much of a chance. She dialed up her motion to vacate the chair the next day. Support for Greene’s maneuver never materialized. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE CALLS JOHNSON’S FOREIGN AID PACKAGE HIS ‘3RD BETRAYAL’ OF AMERICAN PEOPLE “Weeks ago, when I filed my motion, I said ‘this is like a pink slip.’ And in my mind, I was hoping it served to be a warning to Mike Johnson. Maybe shake him up and wake him up,” said Greene. “And apparently it didn’t serve to be a wake-up call at all.” Ironically, the House dodged a rather unnoticed disaster Wednesday — thanks to Democrats assisting Johnson. The House voted on an interim bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration for one week. The vote came right before Greene offered her motion to remove Johnson. The House OK’d the bill preemptively, anticipating the Senate would sync up this week. The Senate later plodded through a bill to re-up the FAA for five years — as well as the temporary measure. Based on the 11 Republicans who voted alongside Greene, had the Democrats not bailed out Johnson, the House likely would have voted to declare the Speakership empty. Just like last October. If the Speakership is vacant, the House shuts down. It’s paralyzed. It can’t do anything. That would have imperiled the FAA. Yes, the Senate likely would have aligned with the House on a Band-Aid bill for the FAA as it did on Thursday night. But the Constitutional officer of
Biden is caving to campus agitators in threatening to cut aid to Israel, senators say: ‘All about November’
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Republican senators believe President Biden’s “disgraceful” warning to cut offensive aid to Israel during its conflict with Hamas was a political decision to appease “the pro-Hamas wing of the Democrat Party” in November. President Biden recently threatened to cut aid to America’s ally Israel if the country invades Rafah, a city in the Gaza Strip. “If they go into Rafah, I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities — that deal with that problem,” the president told CNN Wednesday. The decision comes after weeks of anti-Israel agitators causing chaos on college campuses across the nation, and lawmakers are connecting the two as the president seeks another term in the White House. HOUSE GOP DRAFTING BIDEN IMPEACHMENT ARTICLES OVER ISRAEL AID CUTOFF THREAT When asked about Biden’s decision coming amid the anti-Israel riots, Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., told Fox News Digital “the pro-Hamas wing of the Democrat Party is growing.” “I do think he caved to the folks on campus, who are calling for the death of Israel. And I think the pro-Hamas wing of the Democrat Party is growing. And these are political decisions, trying to meddle in another country’s elections,” Schmitt said. “You know, Chuck Schumer and Joe Biden called for Benjamin Netanyahu to be ousted in the middle of a war, and now he’s withholding arms that have been appropriated. It’s really outrageous,” he added. “And I think, again, it just sort of shows how desperate Joe Biden is to try to again appease these radicals in his party. He’s willing to risk U.S.-Israel relations.” Biden has received bipartisan backlash for his recent comment about aid to Israel, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country “will stand alone” to defeat Hamas if necessary. “Sadly, this administration has been the most anti-Israel administration we’ve ever seen,” Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital. “And right now, what do you see the Biden administration doing? They are simultaneously flooding cash to the Hamas terrorists while they’re cutting off weapons to Israel. They’re undermining our friend and ally Israel. It is disgraceful. And, yes, part of it is that today’s Democrat Party is terrified of the radical left in the party, the extreme anti-Israel, antisemitic protesters we see at college campuses all across the country.” The senator added there is a “pro-Hamas wing” of the Democratic party. NETANYAHU SAYS ISRAEL ‘WILL STAND ALONE’ IF NECESSARY AFTER BIDEN THREATENS TO WITHHOLD WEAPONS When asked by Fox News Digital if the campus riots were linked to Biden’s recent warning to Israel, Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C. said the two events are “absolutely” connected to Biden seeking another term. Budd said Biden’s warning to Israel was about the November election and Biden “collapsing in these swing states.” “I just got back from Israel this week, met with the prime minister. Met with many people here rather easily. They’re wondering, ‘What the heck is the U.S. doing?’ This is all about November, Joe Biden. This is about Minnesota. This is about Michigan. He’s collapsing in these swing states. And so he’s trying to stitch this together, and it’s completely off the rails. “It’s showing the world that you can’t trust the U.S.,” Budd added. “It’s very frustrating, particularly when you’re trying to get the eight U.S. hostages home and respect these families that have been waiting and waiting for over 200 days. This just demonstrates weakness and confusion to the world.” Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., agreed Biden’s statement was in response to the protests, saying, “I think he’s caved to the college agitators. And just, in general, the Palestinian community. It just doesn’t make sense to any of us. And that’s why I encourage everybody to not listen to what he says. Watch what Joe Biden does. It makes no sense. “I describe it as Biden’s schizophrenic national security policies,” he continued. “On the one hand, he says he wants to minimize casualties, public casualties. But, on the other hand, he keeps us from sending smart bombs. On the one hand, he says that he wants a minimum loss of life, that he wants the hostages released. But when he tells the world, ‘We’re not going to send any more weapons,’ what is the message? Do they back out of the negotiations? So, everything that Joe Biden touches when it comes to national security just turns to mud.” Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., filed articles of impeachment against Biden Friday for his threat against Israel, saying ahead of the move that “these are the same accusations made against President Trump, which resulted in his impeachment by Democrats. The same must happen for Joe Biden, which is why we’re drawing up articles of impeachment now.” Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub. Fox News’ Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.
Clarendon City Council rejects ordinance banning travel to access abortion outside of Texas
Clarendon is one of the first cities in Texas to reject the ordinance, after several cities and counties passed similar measures
Dem Senate candidate tells illegal immigrants how to evade law enforcement
Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, the Democratic nominee in the Texas Senate race, is handing out cards with instructions to help illegal immigrants evade law enforcement and potential deportation. Allred handed out the “Know Your Rights Cards” during a recent campaign event with the Dallas County Democrat Party in early May, while running for the seat currently held by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. The red cards, viewed by Fox News Digital, explain how someone in the U.S. illegally can avoid immigration agents that are asking them questions or showing up at their door. When asked about the distribution of such cards, Allred did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. TAXPAYER-FUNDED ID PROGRAM FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS EXPECTED TO BEGIN THIS SUMMER “DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR if an immigration agent is knocking on the door,” the first instruction reads. HOUSE GOP EYES ELECTION SAFEGUARDS TO BLOCK ‘DANGEROUSLY HIGH NUMBER’ OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM VOTING “DO NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS from an immigration agent if they try to talk to you. You have the right to remain silent,” says another. Also included on the card distributed by Allred, “do not sign anything” and “if you are outside of your home, ask the agent if you are free to leave and if they say yes, leave calmly.” The cards are a product of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, a group backed by the Open Society Foundations, which was founded by top-Democrat donor George Soros. The Democrat congressman has a history of voting against stronger border security, recently missing a House vote for stronger border security measures, telling CBS News afterward that he would not have voted for the legislation had he been present. The Texas border is facing the brunt of the migrant crisis, as millions of illegals continue to enter into America under President Joe Biden’s immigration policies.
Barron Trump declines to serve as Florida delegate at RNC
Barron Trump, the 18-year-old son of former President Trump and former first lady Melania Trump, has declined participating as a Florida delegate to the Republican National Convention. In a statement to Fox News, a spokesperson for the Office of Melania Trump said that Trump “regretfully declined” the delegate selection. “While Barron is honored to have been chosen as a delegate by the Florida Republican Party, he regretfully declines to participate due to prior commitments,” the statement said. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE GAG ORDER IN NY V. TRUMP The Republican National Convention is scheduled from July 15 through July 18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. According to a list released Wednesday by the Florida Republican Party, several members of the Trump family were chosen to be delegates, including Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump. Ivanka Trump is not on the list of delegates.
Vulnerable Democratic senator backs Laken Riley immigration bill ahead of tough re-election in red state
Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., is backing an immigration bill named after deceased Georgia college student Laken Riley ahead of a tough re-election battle, despite helping to block the measure previously. “Keeping Montana safe is my top priority, which is why I’ve repeatedly called on the Biden Administration and Congress to do more to secure the southern border and have worked to get the brave men and women in law enforcement what they need to keep criminals off our streets,” the Montana Democrat said in a statement. He explained that his support for the bill came “After hearing from law enforcement officers across Montana.” BACKERS OF ANTI-ISRAEL RADICALS ARE FUNDING DEM RIVAL’S SENATE RUN, RED-STATE REPUBLICAN SAYS The legislation would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain illegal immigrants who have committed theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses. Riley was an Augusta University nursing student who was found dead on the University of Georgia’s campus in February. An illegal immigrant named Jose Antonio Ibarra was arrested and charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another. The 22-year-old’s death made national headlines and prompted calls from primarily Republican lawmakers to strengthen the southern border and tighten U.S. immigration policy. IRS URGED TO PROBE TAX-EXEMPT GROUPS SUPPORTING ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS Republicans were able to force a vote on a modified version of the Laken Riley Act in March in the form of an amendment to a $1.2 trillion spending package, which was struck down along party lines — with Tester voting against it. Afterward, a spokesperson for Tester told the local Montana outlet the Belgrade News that “Senator Tester supports the Laken Riley Act and will vote yes if it is brought to the floor for a standalone vote.” However, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is unlikely to bring the Laken Riley Act to the floor. During negotiations for amendment votes ahead of the supplemental package’s consideration, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and other Republicans accused Tester of being unwilling to vote on immigration-related measures due to his precarious electoral position. Tester rejected those claims. ANTI-ISRAEL OCCUPIERS COULD LOSE FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS UNDER NEW GOP SENATE BILL Cotton reacted to news Tester had backed the Laken Riley Act on Thursday night, writing on X, “Sen. Tester voted for the open-border policies that let Riley’s killer in. He voted against this very bill a few weeks ago. Montanans who want secure borders—and not a phony election-year conversion—should support [GOP Senate candidate Tim Sheehy].” Asked about the previous amendment vote, a spokesperson for Tester told Fox News Digital that claims he reversed his stance on the bill “are patently false,” pointing to his past commitment to supporting a standalone bill. The spokesperson called the claims “another desperate attempt to politicize the border instead of fixing it.” The National Republican Senatorial Committee accused the vulnerable Montana Democrat of flip-flopping after he officially became a co-sponsor of the bill. “Jon Tester’s support for Joe Biden’s open borders agenda is hurting his reelection campaign, so he is flip-flopping. Montanans can’t trust Two-Faced Tester,” said NRSC spokeswoman Maggie Abboud. Tester’s race in Montana is considered one of the most competitive in the country, with nonpartisan political handicapper the Cook Political Report rating it a “Toss Up.”