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RFK disavows campaign email calling Jan. 6 protesters ‘activists’ stripped of ‘constitutional liberties’

RFK disavows campaign email calling Jan. 6 protesters ‘activists’ stripped of ‘constitutional liberties’

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. disavows an email that spoke sympathetically of Jan. 6 protesters. The fundraising message — sent on Thursday and titled “We Must Free Assange!” — made a passing comment in support of those sentenced for participation in the riot at the Capitol.  “This is the reality that every American Citizen faces — from Ed Snowden, to Julian Assange to the J6 activists sitting in a Washington DC jail cell stripped of their Constitutional liberties,” the fundraising email read. “Please help our campaign call out the illiberal actions of our very own government.” RFK JR.’S RUNNING MATE AN ‘UNKNOWN QUANTITY’ WITH ‘DEEP POCKETS’ AS GOP, DEMS FEAR SPOILER CAMPAIGN: EXPERTS RFK’s campaign quickly blamed the message on a third-party vendor and said the email is not in line with Kennedy’s views. “That statement was an error that does not reflect Mr. Kennedy’s views,” said Kennedy spokesperson Stefanie Spear. “It was inserted by a new marketing contractor and slipped through the normal approval process.” She added, “The campaign has terminated its contract with this vendor.” RFK JR. REAFFIRMS HE WOULD PARDON EDWARD SNOWDEN ON FIRST DAY OF HIS PRESIDENCY The Kennedy campaign did not clarify which company was responsible for the email. The treatment of whistleblowers Julian Assange and Edward Snowden has become a regular talking point for Kennedy after releasing a video petition this week. Kennedy released the petition Monday, calling on President Biden to pardon Snowden, who in 2013 famously visited Hong Kong and exposed classified NSA documents that revealed the U.S. government was spying on its citizens. He was then charged with espionage and theft of government property. “Snowden performed a critical public service by revealing to Americans for the first time that our government had been spying on us, millions of law-abiding American citizens, in violation of numerous laws and of our fundamental right to privacy,” Kennedy said in a video attached to the petition. The presidential hopeful has previously said he would pardon Snowden and Assange, an Australian publisher held in a maximum security London prison and fighting extradition to the U.S. on espionage charges for publishing classified military documents in 2010. “It’s time that we return our government to the democratic and humanitarian ideals that we’ve always represented as a nation,” Kennedy Jr. said. “Let’s go back to championing free speech and celebrating truth-tellers and the whistleblowers who put their careers and their own freedom on the line to protect ours.” Fox News Digital’s Landon Mion contributed to this report.

Bipartisan group of Kansas lawmakers scrap tax cut plan after deal between Dem governor and GOP leaders

Bipartisan group of Kansas lawmakers scrap tax cut plan after deal between Dem governor and GOP leaders

A bipartisan group of rank-and-file lawmakers in Kansas scuttled a plan for cutting taxes Thursday, with Republicans defying GOP leaders and Democrats ignoring a personal appeal from the state’s Democratic governor. The state House rejected a plan to cut taxes by about $1.4 billion over the next three years. It resulted from a deal between Gov. Laura Kelly and top Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature, but the House decided on a voice vote to have House and Senate negotiators draft a different plan. The vote was overwhelming enough that House members didn’t ask for a count or roll call vote. Some critics, particularly Republicans, saw the plan as too small. Others, mostly Democrats, argued that it was weighted too heavily toward wealthy taxpayers because it would have dropped the state’s top personal income tax rate to 5.5% from 5.7%. Lawmakers in both parties thought it cut property taxes too little. KANSAS REPUBLICANS USE ‘POWER OF THE PURSE’ TO TIE UP IMMIGRATION, DEI PROVISIONS IN BUDGET “Let us rise up and be united and send a message that Kansans deserve more,” state Rep. Stephen Owens, a conservative central Kansas Republican who led the effort to reject the measure, said during the House’s short debate. The House’s action came after the Senate approved the plan 38-1, a vote that normally would have been a good omen for a House vote. Instead, many House Democrats clearly planned to vote “no” going in, and House Republicans had a private meeting outside the Statehouse beforehand, apparently so that supporters of the plan could work on their colleagues. Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican, said the Legislature won’t consider another tax plan this week. Lawmakers are set to adjourn Friday for a three-week spring break and go back in session April 29 for a few days to wrap up business for the year. Masterson said another tax plan could be considered then. The events in Kansas came two weeks after Georgia’s Republican-controlled Legislature passed personal and corporate income tax cuts that GOP Gov. Brian Kemp favored. Like Georgia, Kansas has a big budget surplus — still projected at more than $4 billion for the end of June 2025. A dozen other states cut their income tax rates last year, according to the conservative Tax Foundation, but major tax cuts were thwarted in Kansas by the dispute between Republican leaders and Kelly over a GOP proposal for a single-rate, “flat” income tax, something Kelly said would benefit the “super wealthy.” Kelly vetoed a plan with a single-rate income tax in January, and Republicans were unable to muster the two-thirds majorities in both chambers needed to override her action. Republican leaders wavered on a single-rate income tax in recent weeks as they grew less willing to chance having no cuts enacted this year. All 40 state Senate seats and 125 House seats are up for election this year. House Speaker Dan Hawkins told his colleagues during a brief debate that if they rejected the plan, they would face headlines of “House scuttles tax relief.” “There isn’t a single one of us who wants to scuttle tax relief,” said Hawkins, a Wichita Republican. Their private meeting before the vote was in the Kansas Contractors Association office near the Statehouse. When an Associated Press reporter showed up, Republican Rep. Patrick Penn, of Wichita, was urging colleagues to overcome their misgivings. GOP leaders forced the reporter to leave. Later, after Owens finished his last speech against the bill, a few Republicans members could be heard saying quietly, “Here, here,” and some clapped and tapped on their desks when the plan failed. And frustration with the plan and Kelly’s intervention was palpable when the governor met Thursday morning with House Democrats to sell it. She touted it as a big victory for Democrats. “I can guarantee that the other side has gone as far as — a lot farther than — they wanted to go,” Kelly told them. “We should be embracing this and taking credit for it.” Besides adjusting the state’s personal top income tax rate, the bill also would have eliminated state income taxes on retirees’ Social Security benefits, which kick in once a person receives $75,000 a year. It also would have increased the state’s standard personal income tax deductions, increased an income tax credit for child care expenses, reduced property taxes the state imposes to raise money for public schools and ended an expiring 2% sales tax on groceries six months early, on July 1. The property tax was modest. For the owner of a home at the Kansas median value of $210,000, the annual savings would be about $140. A home’s appraised value can easily rise enough in a year to wipe out the cut. “This, in my mind, is half a Band-Aid when the sore is still festering,” state Sen. Tom Holland, a northeastern Kansas Democrat and the only “no” vote in the Senate, said during debate.

Poll finds Americans’ support for checks and balances depends on who is in office

Poll finds Americans’ support for checks and balances depends on who is in office

Like many Americans, Richard Bidon says he’d like to see the U.S. government “go back to its original design” — a system of checks and balances developed nearly 240 years ago to prevent any branch, especially the presidency, from becoming too powerful. But that’s mainly when Republicans are in power. Bidon, an 84-year-old Democrat who lives near Los Angeles, said if President Joe Biden is reelected, he doesn’t want him to have to get the approval of a possibly Republican-controlled Congress to enact policies to slow climate change. He wants presidents to have the power to change policy unilaterally — as long as they’re from the right party. 2024 POLLS ‘ARE NOT GOOD’ FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN: KARL ROVE “When a Democrat’s in, I support” a strong presidency, Bidon said. “When Republicans are in, I don’t support it that much. It’s sort of a wishy-washy thing.” A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Opinion Research finds that Bidon’s view is common. Though Americans say don’t want a president to have too much power, that view shifts if the candidate of their party wins the presidency. It’s a view held by members of both parties, though it’s especially common among Republicans. Overall, only about 2 in 10 Americans say it would be “a good thing” for the next president to be able to change policy without waiting on Congress or the courts. But nearly 6 in 10 Republicans say it would be good for a future President Donald Trump to take unilateral action, while about 4 in 10 Democrats say the same if Biden is reelected. The sentiment comes amid escalating polarization and is a sign of the public’s willingness to push the boundaries of the political framework that has kept the U.S. a stable democracy for more than two centuries. In the poll, only 9% of Americans say the nation’s system of checks and balances is working extremely or very well. It also follows promises by Trump to “act as a dictator” on day one of a new administration to secure the border and expand oil and gas drilling. Bob Connor, a former carpenter now on disability in Versailles, Missouri, wants that type of decisive action on the border. He’s given up hope on Congress taking action. “From what I’ve seen, the Republicans are trying to get some stuff done, the Democrats are trying to get some other stuff done — they’re not mixing in the middle,” said Connor, 56. “We’re not getting anywhere.” He blames the influx of migrants on Biden unilaterally revoking some of Trump’s own unilateral border security policies when he took office. “I’m not a Trump fanatic, but what he’s saying has to get done is right,” Connor said. Joe Titus, a 69-year-old Democrat from Austin, Texas, believes Republicans have destroyed Congress’ ability to act in its traditional legislative role and says Biden will have to step into the gap. “There’s this so-called ‘majority’ in Congress, and they’re a bunch of whack-jobs,” Titus, a retired Air Force mechanic, said of the GOP-controlled House of Representatives. “It’s not the way this thing was set up.” The current Congress is setting dubious records as the least productive one in the country’s history, with fewer than three dozen bills sent to Biden’s desk last year. At Trump’s urging, House Republicans have stalled aid to Ukraine and a bipartisan immigration bill. Titus said that in general he opposes expanded presidential power but would support Biden funding more immigration judges and sending additional aid to Ukraine on his own. “There’s certain things that it seems to me the public wants and the other party is blocking,” Titus said. The presidency has steadily gained power in recent years as congressional deadlocks have become more common. Increasingly, the nation’s chief executive is moving to resolve issues through administrative policy or executive orders. The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to rule later this year on a case that could significantly weaken the ability of federal agencies — and thus a presidential administration — to issue regulations. Meanwhile, conservatives are planning a takeover of the federal bureaucracy should they win the White House in November, a move that could increase the administration’s ability to make sweeping policy changes on its own. The AP-NORC poll found that voters’ views of which institutions have too much power were colored by their own partisanship. Only 16% of Democrats, whose party currently controls the White House, say the presidency has too much power while nearly half of Republicans believe it does. In contrast, about 6 in 10 Democrats say the U.S. Supreme Court, with its 6-3 conservative majority, has too much power. With Congress evenly divided between the two parties — the GOP has a narrow House majority, Democrats a narrow Senate one — Americans have similar views on its power regardless of party. About 4 in 10 from both major parties say it has too much power. “I think Congress had too much power when the presidency and Congress were both ruled by Democrats, but now that Republicans are in the majority there’s an equal balance,” said John V. Mohr, a 62-year-old housecleaner in Wilmington, North Carolina. In contrast, he complained that Biden is “sitting there writing executive orders left and right,” including his proclamation marking Transgender Day of Visibility, which fell on Easter Sunday this year. The abstract idea of a president with nearly unchecked power remains unpopular. Steven Otney, a retired trucker in Rock Hill, South Carolina, said major policies should be approved by Congress and gain approval from the courts. But he also said it depends on the topic. He wants to see prompt action on certain issues by the next president if he’s Trump. “Some things need to be done immediately, like that border wall being finished,” said Otney, a Republican. He said it’s just common sense. “If Trump got in there and said ‘I want to bomb Iran,’ no, that’s crazy,” Otney said. “Within reason, not stupid stuff either way.

Sen Tim Scott, colleagues launch new video series aimed at courting Black voters

Sen Tim Scott, colleagues launch new video series aimed at courting Black voters

FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., is launching a new video series with several Black House Republican lawmakers in which the men discuss race and politics in America. The new series, “America’s Starting Five,” comes as Scott is being considered by former President Trump as a potential running mate in his race for the White House. BIDEN SET TO FINALIZE MENTHOL CIGARETTE BAN OVER OPPOSITION Reps. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, Byron Donalds, R-Fla., John James, R-Mich., and Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, join Scott for the weekly video series. The episodes are billed as “a series dedicated to Black Republican voices.”  The first episode features an informal roundtable conversation between Scott, Owens, Hunt and James as they react to infamous clips of President Biden discussing Black people. The lawmakers laughed as a video rolled of Biden telling Black radio host Charlamagne tha God, “Well, I tell you what. If you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t Black.” His appearance on “The Breakfast Club” took place in the summer of 2020, just months ahead of the election.  DEM ‘SQUAD’ MEMBERS FACE OUSTING BY GROUP OF THEIR OWN PARTY “Here are four non-Black Black people,” Scott joked while gesturing to himself and his co-hosts. “An old white dude telling me I can’t be Black if I don’t vote for him.” Hunt remarked, “I’ve been Black for a very long time.” Scott replied, “I’ve been Black longer than you, though.”  The freshman congressman from Texas is 42. Scott is 58. BIDEN VOTER DRIVE ORDER TARGETS WELFARE RECIPIENTS, GETS LEGAL CHALLENGE “Leftists label Black Conservatives as ‘oxymorons’ and ‘tokens,’ because we dare to think for ourselves and believe in secure borders, a strong economy, good schools, and safe communities,” Owens told Fox News Digital in a statement. “I am proud to stand with Senator Scott and Congressmen Donalds, Hunt, and James in fighting these divisive narratives and returning our country to America’s values of Faith, Family, Free Market, and Education.” According to Scott’s team, the series has been in the works between the lawmakers’ teams and the Republican National Committee for several weeks and is part of a larger GOP effort to reach Black voters. The videos, which showcase the Republicans discussing current events and joking among each other, are meant to replicate the atmosphere of a casual meeting place among Black men. The designers of the series drew inspiration from the integral role that barbershops play in the Black community as welcoming spaces for social interactions among Black men. Scott also put a focus on reaching Black voters in the lead up to his 2024 presidential campaign. Before officially launching his bid, Scott released a video in February 2023 that followed the senator to his lifelong barbershop in North Charleston, S.C. “Y’all know I’d be lost without my barber, Charles Swint, Jr.,” he said in a post with the video to X, formerly known as Twitter. “His family has been running the local Barber Shop since 1946 and his advice on faith and family is always close to my heart. No matter how long I’m away, it always feels like home.” BIDEN HOLDS NARROW LEAD OVER TRUMP IN NEW POLL DESPITE CONCERNS HE’S ‘TOO OLD’ FOR SECOND TERM Scott’s series centering around cultivating the Black Republican experience comes as Trump has made his consideration of the senator as his 2024 running mate known. Trump said in February, “I have a lot of good people. I have a lot of good ideas,” in response to a question about his potential vice president. He specifically named Scott and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a Republican, in an interview with Fox News’s Maria Bartiromo. “I watched him in the last week, defending me and sticking up for me and fighting for me. I said, ‘Man, you’re a much better person for me than you are for yourself,’” Trump remarked of Scott at the time. Both Scott’s series and the speculation of his potential to be Trump’s running mate coincide with receding support for President Biden among Black voters. Republicans have been vocal about their hope to take advantage of the opportunity presented by Biden’s shortcomings with the Black community. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

Florida bill criminalizing the harassment of working first responders awaiting DeSantis’ signature

Florida bill criminalizing the harassment of working first responders awaiting DeSantis’ signature

A bill criminalizing the harassment of first responders on duty in Florida is awaiting Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature after it was approved by the state legislature. Senate Bill 184 would make it illegal for anyone to harass a police officer, correctional probation officer, firefighter or an emergency medical care provider “engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty” after already receiving a warning not to approach the first responder. The measure was passed by both chambers last month. FLORIDA SENATE PRESIDENT’S HUSBAND DIES AFTER FALLING AT UTAH’S BRYCE CANYON PARK In the bill, harassment is defined as willfully engaging “in a course of conduct directed at a first responder which intentionally causes substantial emotional distress in that first responder and serves no legitimate purpose.” The bill also specifies that people cannot be within 25 feet of a working first responder after receiving a verbal warning to stay away if they are impeding or interfering with job duties or threatening physical harm. FLORIDA GOV RON DESANTIS SIGNS LAW WITH BIG POTENTIAL IMPACT ON EPSTEIN CASE Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said Thursday that he supports the bill as law enforcement agencies are seeing more “aggressive, dangerous behavior” from people hoping to get a reaction from officers. “If there’s a car stop, and you want to stand there across the street and film it, man, have at it. But you don’t come up over the deputy’s shoulder or on a car stop, refuse to comply, and try to bait that deputy into doing something,” Chitwood said, according to FOX 35 Orlando. While he asks that his deputies act professionally, Chitwood added that he will not discipline them for calling a disruptive person a name if it fits their behavior. “I’ll say this clearly. If you get called a [expletive] by one of my deputies, I’m not disciplining them. If that’s what comes out of their mouth and they say you’re acting like an [expletive], so be it,” he said, according to the outlet. “You earned the title.” If signed into law, harassing a first responder would be considered a second-degree misdemeanor in Florida and violators could face a fine of up to $500 or two months in jail. The law would go into effect on Jan. 1 of next year.