Top battleground Senate race heats up as party-backed Republican faces onslaught from former Trump official
What is expected to be one of this year’s most closely watched Senate races has morphed into a one-sided slugfest for the Republican nomination as a well-funded former Trump official continues his relentless onslaught against the national party-backed candidate. Dr. Jeffrey Gunter, who served as former President Trump’s ambassador to Iceland, made waves in Nevada last month when he announced a multimillion-dollar ramp up of his Senate campaign, causing heartburn for national Republicans who had already thrown their support behind former U.S. Army Captain Sam Brown. Gunter touts himself as “the MAGA guy” and “110% pro-Donald Trump” and is making a potential endorsement from the former president a central factor in his effort to overtake Brown, whome he calls “Scam Brown,” and accuses of being a “Never Trumper.” RFK, JR REVEALS PATH TO PRESIDENCY AS BIDEN, TRUMP CAMPAIGNS TARGET RACE ‘SPOILER’ “Nevada voters deserve truthful, honest, straightforward politicians. … I’m the MAGA guy. I’m 110% pro-Donald Trump. That’s who I am,” Gunter told Fox News Digital in an interview. “The reality is Sam Brown, Scam Brown, whatever you want to call him … he’s a Mitch guy. He’s a Nikki guy. That’s who he’s beholden to. I’m only beholden to one group, and that’s the Nevada voters,” he said, referencing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Republicans who have often broken with Trump on various issues. VOTERS IN MAJOR SWING STATE SOUND OFF ON TRUMP TRIAL: VIDEO Brown, however, avoided directly engaging with Gunter while speaking with Fox News Digital over the weekend and has attempted to keep his focus on incumbent Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen, as well as President Biden. “Look, my record has been clear. I’ve been on the campaign trail effectively for the last three years,” Brown said, alluding to his unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination for Senate against Adam Laxalt in 2022. “I have been consistent. My issues have never changed. I am a pro-America First candidate, and I am extremely conservative. What other candidates do is just an indication of how desperate people are,” he added, not mentioning Gunter by name. Brown described his campaign as an “indictment” against Rosen and Biden, saying their policies had not served Nevadans well, and, in contrast to Gunter’s argument that he is a “Never Trumper,” defended the former president concerning his ongoing trial in New York City. “It seems to be motivating people to get engaged, to voice their concerns, and, frankly, to see that Trump is taking heat on their behalf,” he said. “A lot of this didn’t start until he announced he was running for re-election, and I do expect that it will play a part in driving people to participate in voting this year.” BLACK REPUBLICAN WHO SHUNNED DEI BY IDENTIFYING AS ‘AMERICA’ SAYS DEMS’ ‘FREE PASS’ TO MINORITIES IS OVER Gunter pushed back when asked about Brown’s “desperate” comment, arguing he was trying to meet the desire of Nevadans to have “truthful politicians,” a jab at Brown’s standoffish approach to Trump before finally endorsing his bid for the White House in January. Gunter, likewise, blasted the Trump trial as “election interference,” and praised the former president’s record while in office, a common theme on the campaign trail as he continues to seek his endorsement in the race. Despite largely keeping his focus on Rosen, Brown has also made it a point to applaud Trump while on the trail and has been proactive in seeking the former president’s endorsement. In a recent interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham, he praised Trump’s “America First vision” as the reason he “enthusiastically” voted for the former president, and, the same week, visited Mar-a-Lago to try and secure his support, according to a report by CNN. Additionally, Kristy Wilkinson, Brown’s campaign communications director, told Fox News Digital he “would be thrilled to have President Donald J. Trump’s endorsement.” WHITE HOUSE DENIES SECRET PLOT TO OUST KARINE JEAN-PIERRE AS BIDEN FACES MORE BAD NEWS “He is the most powerful endorsement in politics, and Sam greatly appreciates all that President Trump is doing to save our country,” Wilkinson said. Brown is the only battleground Republican Senate candidate backed by the National Republican Senatorial Committee not to have Trump’s endorsement. It’s unclear why Trump has yet to endorse in the race, but pro-Gunter and pro-Brown sources each expressed confidence to Fox that the former president’s backing is well within reach. Aside from the rhetoric surrounding Trump, both candidates argue they’re the only one who can take on Rosen and flip the seat for Republicans, who have struggled to produce wins in the Silver State in recent election cycles. According to the Rosen campaign, that’s far from a foregone conclusion. “Jacky Rosen has been ranked one of the most bipartisan and effective senators in the nation because of her proven record of political independence and her work across party lines to deliver for Nevada,” Rosen campaign spokesperson Johanna Warshaw told Fox News Digital. “While extreme MAGA Republicans are busy tearing each other down in a divisive and expensive primary, Sen. Rosen is focused on communicating directly to voters about the work she’s doing to fight for Nevadans.” Little polling has been done on the race to indicate a clear leader in the Republican primary. However, Brown maintains a fundraising advantage and, in the few polls that have been conducted, appears to pose more of a challenge to Rosen than his GOP opponents, including Gunter, veteran Air Force pilot Tony Grady and former state Assemblyman Jim Marchant. Elections analysts rate the race as either a toss-up, “tilt Democratic” or “lean Democratic.” The primaries will be held Tuesday, June 11. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub
For now, Democrats Protect Speaker Mike Johnson
So far, it’s been all talk and no action from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and her threat to call a vote to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. A phalanx of reporters peppered Greene with questions as she left the U.S. Capitol Tuesday about why she didn’t trigger her resolution to dump Johnson or if she had a sense of what would prompt her to act against the Speaker. “Have you made a decision yet on when to move ahead?” hollered one scribe. “Are your threats kind of a blank right now when you do anything with your resolution?” asked yours truly. “How soon do you plan to make a decision,” asked another reporter. THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO WHAT HAPPENS IF GREENE TRIES TO OUST SPEAKER JOHNSON Greene didn’t respond in public. But she did weigh in with a statement – moments after House Democratic leaders announced they would formally protect Johnson if Greene tried to vacate the chair. In an extraordinary move, the House Democratic leadership team of Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., and Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., declared “the time has come to turn the page on this chapter of Pro-Putin Republican obstruction. We will vote to table Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Motion to Vacate the Chair. If she invokes the motion, it will not succeed.” Greene immediately shot back at Johnson and the Democrats. “What slimy backroom deal did Johnson make for the Democrats’ support?” Greene asked. The Georgia Republican went on to say that “Mike Johnson is officially the Democrat Speaker of the House.” She vowed to call a vote “because putting Congress on record allows every American to see the truth.” Johnson wasn’t even apprised that the Democratic cavalry was coming. “First I’ve heard of it,” quipped Johnson at a press conference when asked about the Democratic backup. So is there essentially a Democratic Speaker of the House now? “It makes no difference to me if it’s Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker or Mike Johnson right now,” said Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo. “I mean we’re passing the Democrat agenda anyway.” I asked Rep. Chip Roy, R-Tex., if Johnson was now weaker, relying on Democratic votes. “He’s already been relying on Democrat votes,” replied Roy. That’s true. Johnson turned to Democrats to avoid multiple government shutdowns and pass the foreign aid package. Most Democrats were especially pleased that Johnson greenlighted a bundle of money for Ukraine. So is this great for Johnson and stability in the House? Maybe right now. But there could be a major downside here for Johnson. The maneuver by Democrats could embolden the smaller coterie of Republicans who want to oust Johnson. And even some rank-and-file Republicans could see that Johnson is only in the job because of the Democrats. This might not undercut Johnson right away. But it could give those who might want his job – potentially House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio – an opportunity to use Democratic support as a wedge and perhaps challenge Johnson for Speaker next year or a leadership post in the new Congress if Republicans lose the majority. Let history be our guide: Late House Speaker Joe Cannon, R-Ill. relied on DEMOCRATS to survive a vote of no confidence in the early 20th Century. Cannon retained the Speakership. But largely with help from across the aisle. EXPERTS WARN SENATE GRIDLOCK COULD WORSEN WITH ROMNEY, SINEMA, MANCHIN RETIREMENTS That could be the same situation here. And perhaps a point in Johnson’s favor is that they eventually named a House office building after Cannon. So, there’s that. Prior to Democratic leaders announcing their support for Johnson, it was thought a few Democrats could simply vote to guard Johnson. The other option was that they might “take a walk.” If Democrats don’t vote, that assists Johnson, changing the math in the House necessary to remove the Speaker. It should be noted that another Member besides the Greene could trigger the resolution to “vacate the chair” and force the House to tangle with the possibility of removing the Speaker. Or, in a particularly audacious move, Johnson himself or an ally could trigger the resolution, confident that their forces will defeat Greene soundly. Such a scenario could embarrass Greene and likely euthanize any effort to remove the Speaker for the rest of the Congress. So here’s what happens if Greene’s resolution is triggered: The first vote is likely on a motion to table or kill the resolution. If the House votes to table, the gig is up. The House will have vanquished Greene’s effort. That’s where Democrats say they will help. Democrats parsed the parliamentarily process of what they would do for Johnson. “None of the discussion that we had in caucus was about saving Mike Johnson,” said Aguilar. “The underlying motion to vacate was not discussed. The motion to table was.” Aguilar alluded to Johnson’s efforts to help former President Trump win the election, despite the Electoral College results. Other Democrats have reservations about Johnson because of his evangelical faith and staunch opposition to abortion. So this is not a full-throated endorsement of Johnson. This was more about cutting off Greene “We want to show that the emperor or the empress has not clothes,” said Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y. “We have a group of people with no sense of responsibility to the nation. They have been empowered for too long. And this is a way to disempower them.” I had questions for leading Democrats about their decision to throw Johnson a lifeline. “Do Democrats seem like they have a piece of Mike Johnson now or that he’s somehow beholden to Democrats if you protect him?” I asked Katherine Clark. HOUSE REPUBLICANS URGE BIDEN TO PRESS ICC NOT TO CHARGE NETANYAHU, ISRAELI OFFICIALS WITH WAR CRIMES “We will continue to extend our hand to Mike Johnson in bipartisanship and hope that they will continue to learn a lesson about putting the American
NY Dem Sens. Schumer, Gillibrand avoid Columbia campus as ‘Squad’ descends to back agitators
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., have avoided visiting Columbia University as anti-Israel and antisemitic demonstrations descend into chaos on the campus. A pro-Palestinian occupation first developed on the Ivy League campus earlier this month and soon evolved into an encampment, taking over a portion of the outdoor space at the school. It has persisted since then, being spurred on by the support of high-profile Democratic legislators from New York. Both Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., were seen visiting members of the encampment as it continued to gain national media attention and attract significant backlash. A spokesperson for Schumer did not respond to multiple inquiries but referred Fox News Digital to the majority leader’s Tuesday remarks on the Senate floor, in which he addressed the protests. HOUSE DEMOCRATS TELL COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY ADMIN, ‘TIME FOR NEGOTIATION IS OVER’ “Smashing windows with hammers and taking over university buildings is not free speech — it is lawlessness, and those who did it should promptly face the consequences that are not merely a slap on the wrist,” Schumer said, referencing the demonstrators’ recent takeover of a building on Columbia’s campus. The New York Democrat’s office would not say whether he would follow the lead of House GOP leadership and visit the school, which happens to be in his home state. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., last week led several Republicans on a visit to the university amid the demonstration, remarking at the time, “We have to bring order to these campuses. We cannot allow this to happen around the country. We are better than this.” On Tuesday, Johnson revealed he called on President Biden to make his own visit to the school as protests escalate. SENATE GRIDLOCK COULD WORSEN WITH ROMNEY, SINEMA, MANCHIN RETIREMENTS: EXPERTS Gillibrand, Schumer’s New York counterpart who has been outspoken in her support for Israel, also did not respond to Fox News Digital’s inquiry regarding any planned visits to Columbia or whether she supported “Squad Democrats” cheering on the protesters. “I am appalled at the virulent antisemitism being displayed on Columbia University’s campus,” Gillibrand said in a statement last week. “Threats of violence against Jewish students and the Jewish community are horrible, despicable and wholly unacceptable. Using the rhetoric of terrorists has no place in New York, where we pride ourselves on tolerance and the right of every group to practice their religion in peace.” House Democrats, including several representing New York, have also made their concerns about the protests known. In a letter signed by 21 lawmakers and led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., and Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., the Democrats urged the university’s Board of Trustees to dismantle “the unauthorized and impermissible encampment of anti-Israel, anti-Jewish activists on campus,” telling them “time for negotiation is over.” GOP SENATORS AIR ‘DEEP CONCERNS’ OVER NPR BIAS, URGE CEO TO ‘START A COURSE CORRECTION’ Another New York Democrat, Rep. Ritchie Torres, a signatory of the letter, hasn’t visited the campus since the encampment began, but told Fox News Digital, “I have gone to Columbia University on several occasions — whether it is meeting with Jewish Students at Columbia Law School or joining students for Shabbat at the Columbia Chabad. I will continue to do so in the future.” Rep. Thomas Suozzi, D-N.Y., who recently took over the seat of expelled former Rep. George Santos, was also a signatory of the letter. He shared a series of posts to X last week, detailing his visit to Columbia during the protests. “Yesterday I went to Columbia University to show my support for the Jewish students who have faced harassment, intimidation and vicious antisemitic attacks on campus,” he said in one post. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., denounced the visit of “a Member of Congress” to the encampment, “who accused some Jewish students of being, ‘pro-genocide.’” He was referencing Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., who said on video last week, “I think it is really unfortunate that people don’t care about the fact that all Jewish kids should be kept safe, and that we should not have to tolerate antisemitism or bigotry for all Jewish students, whether they’re pro-genocide or anti-genocide.”
Fmr governor rails against Obamacare’s rising costs: ‘More crony capitalism’
A former Republican governor from Louisiana railed against Obamacare as “the worst kind of political corruption” that he claims was designed to establish reliance on the federal government – an ideology he also suggested is not unique to health care. Bobby Jindal, a former GOP congressman who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2016, said Obamacare was “sold on a lie” by President Barack Obama in a new video for American First Policy Institute’s (AFPI) Center for a Healthy America – pointing to rising costs and fewer health care options over the years. “President Obama was a very eloquent politician and a lot of what he said sounded great. When he was campaigning to run for president, when he was campaigning to try to pass Obamacare, he made some great promises,” Jindal told Fox News Digital in an interview. “All of that sounded great. Here’s the problem. Every single one of those promises was a lie.” Jindal detailed rising costs that he says resulted from Obama-era policies, and that “it is time for us to get beyond the failed policies, the failed promises of Obamacare.” LIBERAL IDEOLOGY ‘QUITE DANGEROUS’ IN HEALTH CARE, DO NO HARM FOUNDER SAYS: ‘POISONS THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE’ “I think you’re going to see more and more crony capitalism, where these big companies become dependent on their friends in DC. And it’s the worst kind of political corruption,” the former congressman said. 5 STEPS TOWARD A FRESH APPROACH TO HEALTH CARE REFORM Republicans have made attempts to reform Obamacare over the years, failing to pass a reform to the Affordable Care Act in 2017 after former President Trump took office. Jindal highlighted that the 2024 election will play a key role in future attempts to reform the health care system and that Republicans will be more prepared to create tax cuts and pass legislation than in previous years if they capture a majority in Congress. Jindal added that “we need a different approach” than the current system under President Biden, who he says has signed “dangerous” executive orders since his first day on the job. “Biden has made it clear he wants to raise taxes. Biden has made it clear he wants to make us less energy secure. Biden has made it clear he wants to leave the borders open. Biden has made it clear that they will not take decisive action to crack down on anti-Semitism and radical protests on our college campuses. Biden has made it clear he won’t stand with our strongest ally in the Middle East consistently. He won’t stand with Israel consistently,” he told Fox, referencing recent anti-Israel protests that have plagued college campuses in recent weeks. The Republican claimed that Obamacare was implemented because believes Democrats “trust government bureaucrats more than they trust the American people” to make health care decisions. Fox News Digital reached out to the Biden and Trump campaigns.
Top Kentucky Democrat cleared of ethics charges stemming from access to voter rolls
Former Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes has been cleared of ethics charges stemming from allegations that the one-time Democratic rising star abused her access to voter registration data to benefit herself and fellow Democrats. Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd ruled Monday that Grimes legally accessed the data while “acting in the scope of her public duties” as secretary of state. “It is unclear how the commission can penalize the commonwealth’s chief election official for having access to voter data, or downloading it to a flash drive when it has failed to identify any illegal or unethical use of such data,” Shepherd said in his order. DEMOCRATIC MAYOR JOINS KENTUCKY GOP LAWMAKERS TO CELEBRATE STATE FUNDING FOR LOUISVILLE Grimes had faced a $10,000 fine after the state Executive Branch Ethics Commission said that she committed ethics violations by improperly ordering the downloading and distribution of voter registration data. The judge’s reversal of the commission’s order means Grimes won’t have to pay the fine. Jon Salomon, one of Grimes’ attorneys, said Tuesday that the ruling vindicated Grimes. “Secretary Grimes should have never been investigated for simply doing the job that Kentucky voters twice elected her to do, and the court has appropriately cleared her of all charges,” he said in a statement. The commission said Tuesday that it is reviewing the matter. Grimes was seen as a rising political star when she was first elected secretary of state in 2011. She launched a high-profile challenge against longtime Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell in 2014 but was soundly defeated. She rebounded to win reelection as secretary of state in 2015, when Republicans claimed most statewide offices. The only other Democrat to win that year was Andy Beshear, who was elected attorney general then and is now in his second term as governor. The ethics commission’s allegations against Grimes stemmed from activity in 2015 and 2016. Grimes was accused of failing to follow government processes in downloading and sharing voter information. She was accused of acting unethically by instructing her employees to download voter information onto flash drives while she was running for reelection and sharing voter registration information for state House districts, all without complying with open records rules or collecting fees. Shepherd ruled that the allegations were “arbitrary and without the support of substantial evidence.” The judge said there is no law or regulation that prohibited her from accessing or sharing the information. He noted that the long-running matter drew “exhaustive” investigations from the ethics commission and the state attorney general’s office, after which “there was no allegation concerning any substantive violation of any statute or regulation regarding the integrity of the voting rolls.” Republican Michael Adams succeeded Grimes as Kentucky’s secretary of state. Adams’ office on Tuesday noted the changes made to state law in response to the allegations against his predecessor. “Because of the scandals that preceded Secretary Adams in this office, the General Assembly in 2019 limited direct access to the voter file, and our administration has followed the letter and the spirit of the law,” Adams’ spokeswoman, Michon Lindstrom, said in a statement. The judge also ruled that the ethics commission failed to meet the statute of limitations when bringing the claims against Grimes. The commission’s charges followed a 2019 series from the Lexington Herald-Leader and ProPublica. The two news organizations published stories on Grimes’ conduct as secretary of state.
Fox News Politics: Bound to be gagged
Welcome to Fox News’ Politics newsletter with the latest political news from Washington D.C. and updates from the 2024 campaign trail. What’s happening? -White House condemns antisemitism at Columbia University -Ex-lawmaker George Santos offering cameos in drag queen persona -Trump permitted to attend son’s graduation The judge presiding over the NY v. Trump trial in Manhattan lamented not being able to fine former President Trump more than $1,000 for each violation of his gag order amid the trial. Judge Juan Merchan fined Trump $9,000 Tuesday morning for violating a gag order that bans him from speaking publicly about witnesses and family members of court officials. The judge found he violated the order on nine separate occasions, with each violation resulting in a $1,000 fine. The judge detailed in the order that if Trump carries out “continued willful violations” of the gag order, he could face “incarceratory punishment” if “necessary and appropriate.” ‘NO PLACE IN AMERICA’: White House condemns antisemitism, violent anti-Israel anarchy at Columbia University: ‘No place in America’ …Read more GENDER FIGHT: DeSantis touts Florida lawsuit seeking to block Biden’s Title IX changes …Read more ‘HOSTILE ATMOSPHERE’: Experts warn Senate gridlock could worsen with Romney, Sinema, Manchin retirements …Read more ‘She’s Back’: Ex-lawmaker George Santos offering Cameo videos with his drag queen alter ego in latest scheme …Read more FREE SPEECH: Conservative groups iffy about House push for college antisemitism monitors …Read more TIPPING THE SCALES: Stefanik hits Jack Smith with ethics complaint, election meddling accusations …Read more FEELING BLUE?: House Dems vow to block Marjorie Taylor Greene from ousting Johnson …Read more BACK TO SCHOOL: Johnson schools universities on antisemitism, announces massive House probe …Read more ‘PEANUTS’: Trump decries Columbia agitators, calls Charlottesville ‘peanuts’ compared to today’s unrest …Read more JAIL ‘MAY BE’ NECESSARY: NY v. Trump judge laments not being able to fine former president more …Read more POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE: Judge makes ruling on Trump’s request to attend son’s graduation …Read more CALIFORNIAN GROWTH: California’s population has grown for the first time in 3 years …Read more ‘GUT PUNCH’: Red state’s Dem governor wins battle over banning minor transgender surgeries …Read more ‘A BETRAYAL’: Judge hits ‘treasonous’ ex-NSA worker with 21-year sentence for trying to sell secrets to Russia …Read more Subscribe now to get Fox News Politics newsletter in your inbox. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Johnson demands Biden visit Columbia University amid anti-Israel occupation
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., called on President Biden to visit Columbia University as students there and at colleges across the country hold demonstrations in protest of Israel’s war in Gaza. Johnson led House GOP leaders and the chairs of six top committees in a press conference announcing a wide-ranging congressional probe into instances of antisemitism at those demonstrations. “Yes, I do,” Johnson said when asked if he thinks Biden should go to the New York City Ivy League. Johnson himself visited the school last week, addressing anti-Israel agitators at a public press conference after meeting with Jewish students who have said they feel unsafe on campus amid the demonstrations. Johnson said he connected with the White House soon after that visit. ANTISEMITIC RIOT AT COLUMBIA REACHES BOILING POINT AS AGITATORS TAKE OVER ACADEMIC BUILDING, BARRICADE DOORS “In fact, after we left the campus, I made a call to senior policy advisers in the White House. The president was on the road as I was, and we did not connect immediately. But I’ve encouraged him to go and see it for himself,” he said. Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for a response. Earlier Tuesday, White House spokesman Andrew Bates released a statement condemning Columbia student protesters’ takeover of a campus building called Hamilton Hall. “President Biden has stood against repugnant, antisemitic smears and violent rhetoric his entire life. He condemns the use of the term ‘intifada,’ as he has the other tragic and dangerous hate speech displayed in recent days,” Bates said. “President Biden respects the right to free expression, but protests must be peaceful and lawful. Forcibly taking over buildings is not peaceful – it is wrong. And hate speech and hate symbols have no place in America.” It comes as college campuses around the country are seeing a wave of anti-Israel demonstrations that sparked when Columbia University students and those at their sister school, Barnard College, were arrested for setting up an encampment on the Manhattan Ivy League’s grounds. The protests, done in opposition to Columbia’s investments in companies with Israeli ties, have continued since then. The committees involved are Education & the Workforce, Energy & Commerce, Oversight, the Judiciary, Ways & Means and the committee on Science, Space & Technology. TRUMP SAYS 4 WORDS ABOUT ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES AS ARRESTS SKYROCKET The investigation is an expansion of the probe being led by Education & Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C. Foxx announced a new hearing on the matter on May 23 in her own remarks during the press conference. She invited officials from Yale University, University of California at Los Angeles, and the University of Michigan to testify, she said. House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., who is on the same committee, said during the press conference, “Enough is enough. It is time to restore, restore law and order, academic integrity and moral decency to America’s higher education institutions. Joe Biden has been deafeningly silent.” The other committees will be focusing on parts of the investigation relevant to their panels’ work. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY STUDENT FILES CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST SCHOOL TO PROTECT JEWS ON CAMPUS A spokesperson for the Energy & Commerce Committee, for example, told Fox News Digital that Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., would look into taxpayer-funded National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants that go to colleges and universities. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., indicated his panel would look into where the nationwide protests’ funding was coming from – suggesting he suspected a coordinated effort. “It appears global elites are funding these hateful protests and pop up tent cities. These are the same groups that fund other radical agendas, including diminishing America’s energy production and pushing soft on crime policies that harm the American people,” Comer said. “The House Oversight Committee will follow the money trail, expose it to the American people, and seek to hold bad actors funding hate accountable.”
DHS docs reveal where paroled migrants under controversial Biden flight program are landing
EXCLUSIVE: Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data is revealing the more than 45 cities in the U.S. that hundreds of thousands of migrants have flown into via a controversial parole program for four nationalities — with the vast majority entering the U.S. via airports in Florida. During an eight-month period from January through August 2023, roughly 200,000 migrants flew into the U.S. via the program. Of those, 80% of them, (161,562) arrived in the state of Florida in four cities: Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando and Tampa Bay, according to DHS data obtained via a subpoena by the House Homeland Security Committee and provided to Fox News. The policy was first announced for Venezuelans in October 2022, which allowed a limited number to fly or travel directly into the U.S. as long as they had not entered illegally, had a sponsor in the U.S. already, and passed certain biometric and biographical vetting. The program does not itself facilitate flights, and migrants are responsible for their own travel. ‘ILLEGAL PROGRAM’: GOVERNOR VOWS TO FIGHT BIDEN FLYING MIGRANTS INTO US In January 2023, the administration announced that the program was expanding to include Haitians, Nicaraguans and Cubans and that the program would allow up to 30,000 people per month into the U.S. It allows for migrants to receive work permits and a two-year authorization to live in the U.S. and was announced alongside an expansion of Title 42 expulsions to include those nationalities. By the end of February 2024, more than 400,000 nationals have arrived under the parole program, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas recently said the program is a “safe and orderly way to reach the United States” and has “led to a reduction in numbers of those nationalities.” “It is a key element of our efforts to address the unprecedented level of migration throughout our hemisphere, and other countries around the world see it as a model to tackle the challenge of increased irregular migration that they too are experiencing,” Mayorkas said. CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE The top 15 cities migrants flew into during the eight-month window are: 1) Miami, Florida: 91,821 2) Ft. Lauderdale, Florida: 60,461 3) New York City, New York: 14,827 4) Houston, Texas: 7,923 5) Orlando, Florida: 6,043 6) Los Angeles, California: 3,271 7) Tampa, Florida: 3,237 8) Dallas, Texas: 2,256 9) San Francisco, California: 2,052 10) Atlanta, Georgia: 1,796 11) Newark, New Jersey: 1,498 12) Washington, D.C.: 1,472 13) Chicago, Illinois: 496 14) Las Vegas, Nevada: 483 15) Austin, Texas: 171 DHS also revealed in the subpoena response that as of October 2023, there were about 1.6 million applicants waiting for DHS approval to fly to the U.S. via the parole program. DHS said in its subpoena response, “All individuals paroled into the United States are, by definition, inadmissible, including those paroled under the CHNV processes.” Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green, argues that the program exceeds parole powers put in place by Congress. The authority is to be used on a “case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.” MAYORKAS CALLS POLICY TO LET 30K MIGRANTS FLY IN EACH MONTH A ‘KEY ELEMENT’ OF BORDER AFTER LEGAL WIN “These documents expose the egregious lengths Secretary Mayorkas will go to ensure inadmissible aliens reach every corner of the country, from Orlando and Atlanta to Las Vegas and San Francisco,” he said in a statement. “Secretary Mayorkas’ CHNV parole program is an unlawful sleight of hand used to hide the worsening border crisis from the American people. Implementing a program that allows otherwise inadmissible aliens to fly directly into the U.S. — not for significant public benefit or urgent humanitarian reasons as the Immigration and Nationality Act mandates — has been proven an impeachable offense.” He then made reference to the House’s efforts to impeach Mayorkas. The chamber impeached him, but the Senate has not held a trial on the articles. “Following our subpoena and the House’s impeachment vote — especially in light of the Senate’s complete failure to fulfill its duty to hold a trial — the Committee will not rest until this administration is finally held accountable for its open-borders agenda and its devastating impact on our homeland security,” he said. Green’s arguments against the program have been echoed in a lawsuit by multiple states, who have sued to block the program. The 20 states argued that it “amounts to the creation of a new visa program that allows hundreds of thousands of aliens to enter the United States who otherwise have no basis for doing so.” The lawsuit was struck down by a district judge, but states have appealed. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration has repeatedly said it is confident the lawsuit will ultimately be successful. “Biden’s parole program is unlawful, and constitutes an abuse of constitutional authority. Florida is currently suing Biden to shut it down, and we believe that we will prevail,” press secretary Jeremy Redfern told Fox News. DHS has said that those who enter the U.S. under the program undergo and clear a “robust security vetting” as well as other eligibility criteria. “These processes are publicly available online, and DHS has been providing regular updates on their use to the public. These processes are part of the administration’s strategy to combine expanded lawful pathways with stronger consequences to reduce irregular migration, and have kept hundreds of thousands of people from migrating irregularly,” a spokesperson told Fox News Digital this month.
Trump accuses Manhattan judge of ‘rigging’ 2024 election following gag order ruling: ‘Election interference’
Former President Trump accused the judge presiding over his trial in Manhattan of “rigging” the 2024 election after ruling the 45th president violated a gag order stemming from the case. “This Judge has taken away my Constitutional Right to FREE SPEECH. I am the only Presidential Candidate in History to be GAGGED,” Trump wrote Tuesday on Truth Social. “This whole ‘Trial’ is RIGGED, and by taking away my FREEDOM OF SPEECH, THIS HIGHLY CONFLICTED JUDGE IS RIGGING THE PRESIDENTIAL OF 2024 ELECTION. ELECTION INTERFERENCE!!!” Trump continued. Earlier Tuesday, Judge Juan Merchan ruled Trump violated a gag order that bans him from speaking publicly about witnesses and family members of court officials. The judge ruled Trump violated the order on nine separate occasions in social media posts, with each violation resulting in a $1,000 fine. Trump was ordered to pay $9,000 for violating the gag order. LIVE UPDATES: NEW YORK V TRUMP TRIAL ENTERS 3RD WEEK AS JUDGE FINES TRUMP FOR GAG ORDER VIOLATIONS Following the ruling, Trump removed the social media posts found in violation of the order from his Truth Social account. Merchan’s ruling comes after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office accused Trump of violating the order 14 times since it was imposed last month. Merchan detailed in the order that if Trump carries out “continued willful violations” of the gag order, he could face “incarceratory punishment” if “necessary and appropriate.” NY V TRUMP: JUDGE REGRETS HE ‘UNFORTUNATELY’ CAN’T FINE 45TH PRESIDENT MORE IN GAG ORDER RULING Trump has repeatedly railed against the gag order, calling the case overall a “scam” promoted by the Biden administration and saying the gag order has stripped him of the ability to defend himself against accusations in the case. “We have a gag order, which to me is totally unconstitutional. I’m not allowed to talk, but people are allowed to talk about me. So, they can talk about me,” Trump said outside the New York City courtroom last week. “They can say whatever they want, they can lie, but I’m not allowed to say anything. I just have to sit back and look at why a conflicted judge has ordered me to have [a] gag order,” Trump said in comments outside the courtroom last week. Trump on Tuesday morning called on Merchan to recuse himself from the case, citing again that he’s “conflicted.” “This is a hoax. This is a judge who is conflicted – badly, badly, badly conflicted. I’ve never seen a judge so conflicted and giving us virtually no rulings,” Trump said outside the courtroom before the trial kicked off its ninth day. “I’m going to sit in the freezing cold icebox for eight hours, nine hours or so. They took me off the campaign trail. But the good news is my poll numbers are the highest it’s ever been. So, at least we’re getting the word out. And everybody knows this trial is a scam. It’s a scam. The judge should be recused; that he should recuse himself today, he should recuse himself today. And maybe he will,” Trump said. The former president had previously cited Merchan’s daughter and her work as a political consultant for Democrat politicians as a reason the judge is “conflicted.” JUDGE FINES TRUMP THOUSANDS OVER VIOLATING GAG ORDER, WARNS ‘INCARCERATORY PUNISHMENT’ COULD BE NEXT In Merchan’s ruling regarding the gag order on Tuesday, the judge lamented not being able to fine Trump more than $1,000 per violation. He wrote in the order that it would be “preferable” if the court “could impose a fine more commensurate with the wealth of the contemnor.” “In some cases that might be a $2,500 fine, in other cases it might be a fine of $150,000. Because this Court is not cloaked with such discretion, it must therefore consider whether in some instances, jail may be a necessary punishment,” he wrote, highlighting again that Trump could face time behind bars if he continues violating the order. Trump is on trial for 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. He has pleaded not guilty to each charge and slammed the case as a “witch hunt” and “scam.” The NY v. Trump case focuses on Trump’s former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, paying former pornographic actor Stormy Daniels $130,000 to allegedly quiet her claims of an alleged extramarital affair she had with the then-real estate tycoon in 2006. Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels. Prosecutors allege that the Trump Organization reimbursed Cohen and fraudulently logged the payments as legal expenses. Prosecutors are working to prove that Trump falsified records with the intent to commit or conceal a second crime, which is a felony, in violation of a New York law called “conspiracy to promote or prevent election.”
US troops could pay price if NATO allies don’t make major change, former VP’s group warns
FIRST ON FOX: U.S. troops could be forced into a Russian war if the surrounding NATO countries fail to increase their military spending, according to former President Mike Pence’s lobbying group, Advancing American Freedom (AAF). In a memo sent to Congress on Tuesday, AAF claims several countries have not fulfilled their NATO-sanctioned 2% obligation, leaving the heaviest burden on the U.S. In 2014, only the U.S., U.K., and Greece upheld its treaty obligations during Russia’s Crimea invasion, with non-compliant countries averaging 1.3% of GDP on defense. What’s more, under the Biden administration, some countries like Turkey, Norway and Italy have regressed, moving closer to 2014 levels despite overall spending growth, according to the memo. “By contrast, the Trump-Pence Administration made improving allied-burden sharing a major priority for foreign policy to significant effect,” the memo reads. UKRAINE IMPLEMENTS PASSPORT RENEWAL RESTRICTION FOR MILITARY-AGE MEN OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY “This trend is especially alarming to observe in countries bordering Russia and Ukraine,” the memo said, adding that “the countries closest to the conflict ought to be carrying the lion’s share of the burden.” The 2% obligation refers to the commitment made by NATO allies to allocate at least 2% of their GDP to defense spending. While all NATO countries in the region raised defense spending after Crimea’s annexation, Norway and Romania reduced military expenditures during the Biden administration, despite increased Russian activity as it launched a full scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. AAF concluded the U.S. “must find ways to encourage and, if necessary, pressure its allies” to uphold its end of NATO’s burden-sharing commitment. “Unless these trends are reversed, our deterrence strategy will fail, Russia will likely invade a NATO ally, and the U.S. will be required to send troops overseas to honor our Article 5 mutual defense pledge,” the memo reads. KEY NATO ALLY SHOCKS WITH ITS ‘SINGLE LARGEST’ PLEDGE TO UKRAINE: ‘THEY NEED OUR SUPPORT’ Marc Short, chairman of the AAF board, told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that “NATO has been rightly criticized by many conservatives for the United States paying the bill while our European allies skimp out and fail to meet basic spending requirements for membership despite flush social spending.” “Amid a new Cold War with the Chinese Communist Party, a resurgent Russia, and their partner in crime in the Middle East, Iran, the Biden Administration has neglected to strengthen NATO by holding members accountable for the 2% obligation,” Short said. “Under the Biden Administration, just one NATO member has joined the 2% club.” CHINA IS RAPIDLY EXPANDING ITS INFLUENCE IN OUR BACKYARD AND US MUST ACT NOW On Monday, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that vital U.S. weapons were starting to arrive in Ukraine in small amounts, but that it needed to move faster. NATO boss Jens Stoltenberg also told Ukrainians on Monday that his alliance’s members had failed to live up to their promises of military aid in recent months, but said the flow of arms and ammunition would now increase. Last week, U.S. Congress also passed a months-long debated $60 billion aid package for Ukraine’s continued war endeavors against Russia. The controversial aid was tacked onto a $95 billion foreign aid package that President Joe Biden signed shortly after. Reuters contributed to this report.