DNC alleges RFK Jr. campaign violating election law in FEC complaint, as party circles wagons around Biden
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) on Friday accused the Robert F. Kennedy Jr. presidential campaign of illegally coordinating with its super PAC, American Values 2024. In a complaint filed with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC), the DNC alleges that Kennedy’s campaign received $15 million worth of unlawful in-kind contributions from American Values 2024 to help him secure ballot access as an independent candidate in several states. “Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign is flouting campaign finance law by outsourcing a critical campaign function — the collection of signatures required to appear on the ballot – to an outside Super PAC that is funded by Donald Trump’s top donor this cycle. This scheme between American Values 2024 and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign requires significant — and plainly illegal — coordination, to the tune of a $15 million in-kind contribution” DNC senior adviser Mary Beth Cahill said in a statement. “This blatant disregard for federal law undermines the integrity of our democracy and electoral process, and the FEC must act decisively to put an end to this troubling scheme,” Cahill added. BIDEN LASHES OUT AT REPORTERS ASKING ABOUT AGE CONCERNS AFTER SPECIAL COUNSEL REPORT: ‘THAT IS YOUR JUDGMENT!’ Kennedy initially sought to challenge President Biden in the 2024 Democratic presidential primary, but the DNC said it would not hold primary debates and stood behind the incumbent president. He declared himself as an independent candidate in October and has seen support in polls from a sizable number of Democrats — and even some Republicans. However, independent political campaigns face various obstacles at the local, state and national levels — chief among them being ballot access. The Kennedy campaign has acknowledged that “millions” of signatures are required for petitions to appear on the ballot in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and estimated the total cost of meeting those requirements to be $15 million. “Rather than solving this problem by raising the necessary funds consistent with federal law, Mr. Kennedy and his campaign are trying to take the shortcut of having American Values 2024 perform this campaign function for him,” the DNC alleges in a letter to Lisa J. Stevenson, the FEC’s acting general counsel. FLASHBACK: DEMS RAN DEFENSE ON BIDEN’S AGE BEFORE SPECIAL COUNSEL PUT DAMNING SPOTLIGHT ON HIS ‘POOR MEMORY’ To qualify for the ballot, Kennedy’s campaign must submit paperwork, collect signatures and obtain certification from state election officials. The DNC argues that American Values 2024 cannot assist the campaign with this effort without coordinating in such a way that would be illegal. “Put simply, to qualify for the ballot under state law, American Values 2024 must coordinate its activity with Mr. Kennedy and his campaign in a way that violates federal campaign finance laws,” the DNC wrote. Kennedy’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The DNC also alleges that Kennedy is being set up as a “stalking horse” by supporters of former President Donald Trump. It pointed to a $10 million contribution to Kennedy’s super PAC from billionaire Timothy Mellon, who was Trump’s largest donor in the 2020 election cycle and has contributed more than $30 million to Trump-aligned PACs. TRUMP TEAM MADE ‘EARLY ON’ ATTEMPTS TO RECRUIT RFK JR. AS FORMER PRESIDENT’S RUNNING MATE: REPORT The concern that Kennedy could spoil Biden’s chances for reelection comes as the president faces heightened scrutiny of his age and memory. Biden lashed out at reporters during a press conference Thursday night in which he responded to the release of Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report on his handling of classified documents. Hur’s report stated that the president “shared information, including some classified information, from those notebooks with his ghostwriter.” Hur, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Biden’s handling of classified documents, concluded that he would not bring charges against him, in part because a jury would find him to be a “sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory,” despite the acknowledgment that the documents were “willfully” obtained by Biden both as vice president and as a senator. Faced with questions about his age, Biden told reporters, “I’m well-meaning, and I’m an elderly man and I know what the hell I’m doing.” Asked about polls showing Americans remain concerned about his age and mental acuity, Biden insisted he’s “the most qualified person in the country to be President of the United States and finish the job I started.” An NPR/PBS NewsHour survey released on Wednesday found that Biden and Trump were statistically tied among registered voters nationwide, 48% and 47%, respectively, with 5% unsure. An average of all the most recent national polls — compiled by Real Clear Politics — that asks a Biden-Trump horse-race question indicates the former president with a slight 1.7-point edge over the incumbent in the White House. Fox News Digital’s Joseph A. Wulfsohn and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
DC jury orders conservative commentator to pay $1M for defaming climate scientist
A Washington, D.C., jury found conservative commentator Mark Steyn guilty of defaming a prominent climate scientist, ordering him to pay $1 million in punitive damages this week. In a sprawling verdict delivered on Thursday afternoon after a multiweek trial, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia jury determined that Steyn and fellow commentator Rand Simberg defamed scientist Michael Mann, the creator of the famed “hockey stick” graph, more than a decade ago. The jury additionally ordered Simberg to pay Mann $1,000 in punitive damages, and both he and Steyn were ordered to pay just $1 each to Mann in compensatory damages. “I hope this verdict sends a message that falsely attacking climate scientists is not protected speech,” Mann said in a statement issued after the verdict was delivered late Thursday. “We consider this a win for the truthful reporting of climate science matters,” Mann’s lawyer John Williams added in an email to Fox News Digital. AOC DECLARES VICTORY IN FIGHT FOR GREEN NEW DEAL 5 YEARS LATER: ‘SOCIAL AND ECOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATION’ The case dates back to 2012 when Mann first filed his lawsuit against Simberg and Steyn. He argued the pair of commentators defamed him in separate posts in which they compared him to Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, who had recently been convicted of child molestation. Years earlier, in 1998, Mann, who remains a University of Pennsylvania climate professor, published a study in the journal Nature showing his “hockey stick” grasp, which showed the Earth warming at a rapid pace. The graph was then used worldwide, including in subsequent United Nations climate reports, to prove that global warming was an increasing threat to humanity. However, critics, like Steyn and Simberg, have repeatedly cast doubt on Mann’s graph and underlying data. JOHN KERRY’S CLIMATE OFFICE FACES GOP OVERSIGHT PROBE OVER COORDINATION WITH ECO GROUP ‘KITCHEN CABINET’ Then, in July 2012, Simberg, then a fellow at the free market think tank Competitive Enterprise Institute, published a blog post making the original comparison between Mann and Sandusky. “Mann could be said to be the Jerry Sandusky of climate science, except for instead of molesting children, he has molested and tortured data,” Simberg wrote in the post. Steyn published a blog post of his own in National Review three days later, referencing Simberg’s article. Though, Steyn appeared to back off Simberg’s original comparison in his article. “I’m not sure I’d have extended that metaphor all the way into the locker room showers with quite the zeal Mr. Simberg does, but he has a point,” Steyn wrote at the time. He further identified Mann as “the man behind the fraudulent climate-change ‘hockey-stick’ graph, the very ringmaster of the tree-ring circus,” in reference to climate science which measures historical temperatures using tree ring analyses. STATE AGS WARN BIDEN’S NATURAL GAS MORATORIUM VIOLATES FEDERAL LAW, DEMAND REVERSAL The jury on Thursday ultimately found that the two commentators’ posts were defamatory, asserted or implied a provably false fact, had reckless disregard for whether their statements were false and injured Mann as a result. “I have no difficulty standing on the truth,” Steyn said during his opening remarks at the trial last month. “The truth of what I wrote, the truth about what happened at a famous American institution, the truth about this man.” “In my world, I can write something, Mr. Simberg can write something, and Mr. Mann can write something — and you’re free to read all or none, and decide what weight to attach to all or none. But, in Mr Mann’s world, there’s his take — and everyone else has to be hockey-sticked into submission and silence,” he continued. “He’s a classic example of the guy who can dish it out but can’t take it.” BIDEN ADMIN SUED FOR HIDING JOHN KERRY’S STAFF, COORDINATION WITH ECO GROUPS Melissa Howes, Steyn’s manager, told Fox New Digital that the punitive damages would have to “face due process scrutiny under U.S. Supreme Court precedent.” She also noted the minimal amount awarded to Mann in compensatory damages. After the verdict was reached, Amy Mitchell, who writes for Steyn’s online blog, said it was a loss for the First Amendment. “Putting aside the monetary damages, the real damage done by this case is to every American who still believes in the First Amendment,” Mitchell wrote. “The precedent set today, and as alluded to by Justice Alito when the case was petitioned before the U.S. Supreme Court, means that disagreement and/or criticism of a matter of public policy — the founding principle of this country — is now in doubt. And should you choose to give voice to any dissent, you can brought before a jury, held responsible, and fined.” However, Simberg said in a statement that he was ultimately cleared of defaming Mann for “data manipulation” and highlighted the low amount of damages he was ordered to pay. “I am pleased that the jury found in my favor on half of the statements at issue in this case, including finding my statement that Dr. Mann engaged in data manipulation was not defamation,” Simberg said. “In over a decade of litigation, the sanctions levied against Dr. Mann dwarf the judgment against me.”
Popular GOP governor announces endorsement in key battleground Senate race: ‘Accomplishes missions’
FIRST ON FOX: Gov. Kristi Noem, R-S.D., is endorsing former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy in the Montana Senate race, citing his “willingness to serve and sacrifice for our country.” “As a former Navy SEAL and combat veteran, Tim has proven his commitment and love for America, and he has shown his willingness to serve and sacrifice for our country,” Noem said Friday in a press release obtained by Fox News Digital. “Navy SEALs are the best of the best. Not only must you be willing to serve, but you must be able to perform and execute at the highest level. That’s Tim. He sets goals and accomplishes missions, which is exactly what we need more of in Washington.” Noem made the coveted endorsement just hours after Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., announced he was running in the highly competitive contest for the GOP nomination. The South Dakota governor highlighted the importance of the Montana Senate race in 2024, as Democrats grip onto their slim majority in the chamber. CONSERVATIVE FIREBRAND ANNOUNCES RUN FOR KEY BATTLEGROUND SENATE RACE BEING TARGETED BY DEMS “This race in Montana will be tough. It’s a conservative state, but the Democrats will do everything to keep incumbent Democrat Jon Tester’s seat in Liberal hands,” Noem continued. “This is a must-win for us as we fight to take back the U.S. Senate in Novembr.” FORMER NAVY SEAL SAYS DEMS MEDDLING IN HIS SENATE RACE RACE ‘TO DISTRACT MONTANA VOTERS’ FROM ‘TWO-FACED’ OPPONENT Noem joins Sens. Steve Daines, R-Mont., Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., Ted Budd, R-N.C., Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and John Barrasso, R-Wyo., in endorsing the former Navy SEAL. Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., and Gov. Greg Gianforte, R-Mont., are also backing Sheehy as he seeks to oust three-term Democrat Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.
MD Gov. Moore commits to using data-driven policies to fight poverty, enhance accountability
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore rolled out a data-driven plan he will use to help meet his administration’s goals during a town hall with state employees on Thursday. Moore, the former head of the anti-poverty Robin Hood Foundation, described the nonprofit as a data-driven organization and said he wanted to bring his experience using data as a tool from his former job to guide his leadership as governor. “This is going to guide us,” Moore, a Democrat, said. “It’s going to show exactly how we need to move, and it’s going to make sure that we have core benchmarks as to what success looks like … and we’re going to have data that backs up our process.” MARYLAND JUVENILE JUSTICE AGENCY NOW FACING 200 SEX ABUSE SUITS Moore pivoted from his State of the State address a day earlier to describe how his data-oriented plan will help meet four goals he has been highlighting: improving public safety, making Maryland more affordable as well as more competitive for business, and encouraging public service. The governor said there were 10 priorities to help get there, with addressing child poverty at the top of the list. The plan calls for using data to help people access available tools to fight poverty, such as the earned income tax credit, child tax credits and Pell grants. “The reason that we have to have a focus on true measurements of economic mobility and sustainable economic mobility is because we are watching how generations of concentrated poverty continue to impact every single prospect that we have as a state,” Moore said. The other priorities the governor focused on included education, the economy, jobs, safer communities, making housing more affordable, advancing infrastructure to better connect the state’s residents to opportunities, the state’s health care system, clean energy and public service. Moore said much of the framework to improve education already has been created with the state’s Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. That’s the state’s sweeping education reform law that focuses on expanding early childhood education, increasing teachers’ salaries, and providing aid to help struggling schools adequately prepare students for college and careers. “We want to make sure that education is going to be the pathway to long-term economic success and long-term competitiveness for our state,” Moore said. “We have to invest in it clearly, and we have to use data and metrics to be able to show that it’s working.” He also underscored using data to enhance accountability in the expensive K-12 funding law that is being phased in at higher costs in future years. “Everything has to have accountability to it,” Moore said. “This cannot just be about funding numbers. That’s not the only number that’s going to matter. We need accountability. We need transparency.” The Governor’s Office of Performance Improvement will continue to work on data availability, enhancing transparency, and elevating the use of data to drive decision-making, the governor’s office said in a news release. The office will begin publicly reporting progress on key performance indicators in early 2025.
Chile bids final farewell to former President Pinera in state funeral
Sebastian Pinera died on Tuesday in a helicopter crash in southern Chile. A state funeral for Chile’s former President Sebastian Pinera who died after the helicopter he was piloting crashed into a lake, is taking place in the capital Santiago. “Today, we share the shock of the tragic departure of a man, a father, husband, grandfather and public figure that was a leader in our transition to democracy,” President Gabriel Boric said during the ceremony at the country’s former Congress on Friday. Pinera, 74, died on Tuesday and state funeral services began on Wednesday in the capital with a private viewing before opening up to the public. On Friday, a military band in red conical hats played as Pinera’s coffin, draped in the Chilean flag, was escorted to a cathedral in Santiago by guards on horseback for his funeral mass. He will later be buried in a private family ceremony attended by his widow, four children and grandchildren. A conservative billionaire first elected from 2010 to 2014, Pinera oversaw times of strong economic growth, but also continued protests. Boric himself was a student protest leader during Pinera’s first term, demanding education reforms. “These days some have remembered we were political adversaries. It’s true,” left-wing Boric said, adding that the two were able to reach compromise and even spoke the day before his death to discuss the recent deadly wildfires that killed 131 people in central Chile. ‘Unify in memory’ Reporting from Santiago, Al Jazeera’s Lucia Newman said large crowds of people had gathered since the early hours of Friday morning to pay their last respects to the former president. “This has been a very emotional funeral. Not only because the former president left office two years ago but also because of the way he perished in such a dramatic and unexpected way. So people are showing their respect not only for the former president but also for the man he was,” she said. Pinera also oversaw the rescue of 33 miners who were trapped underneath the Atacama desert. The event became a global media sensation and was the subject of a 2014 movie, The 33. Newman said that some of the 33 Chilean miners who were rescued in the audacious gamble that Pinera took, were also present at the funeral. One of the miners, Juan Carlos Aguilar, remembered the excitement after hearing the former president when they first made contact. “Imagine you’re hearing the president say, ‘We will search for you as if you were our children.’ I will never forget that,” Aguilar told the Reuters news agency. During Pinera’s second term from 2018-2022, large-scale, often violent protests against inequality erupted in 2019 and ended with promises to draft a new constitution. Pinera also oversaw the country’s pandemic response. “He [Pinera] was severely criticised in part because of his business dealings and due to human rights violations that took place during his term in 2019 … But today, members of the church are asking all Chileans to work together and unify in memory of the former president,” Newman said. Adblock test (Why?)
UNICEF says 700,000 children in Sudan face life-threatening malnutrition
As the war continues, the UN agency warns tens of thousands of children will ‘likely die’ without more aid. At least 700,000 children in Sudan are likely to suffer from the worst form of malnutrition this year, and tens of thousands could die, the United Nations children’s agency has warned. A 10-month war in Sudan between its armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has devastated the country’s infrastructure, prompted warnings of famine and displaced millions of people inside and outside the country. “The consequences of the past 300 days means that more than 700,000 children are likely to suffer from the deadliest form of malnutrition this year,” James Elder, spokesperson for UNICEF, told a press conference in Geneva on Friday. “UNICEF won’t be able to treat more than 300,000 of those without improved access and without additional support. In that case, tens of thousands would likely die.” Elder defined the most dangerous form of malnutrition as severe acute malnutrition, which makes a child more likely to die from diseases such as cholera and malaria. He said 3.5 million children were projected to suffer severe acute malnutrition. UNICEF provides “ready-to-use therapeutic food”, or RUTF, a life-saving food item that treats severe wasting in children under five years old, to Sudan. Elder said there had also been a “500 percent increase” in just one year in murders, sexual violence and recruitment of children to fight. “That equates to terrifying numbers of children killed, raped or recruited. And these numbers are the tip of the iceberg,” he said, reiterating the urgent need for a ceasefire, and for more aid. ‘Lethal combination’ Catherine Russell, the executive director of UNICEF, echoed Elder’s comments. The “lethal combination of malnutrition, mass displacement, and disease” is quickly growing, she warned in a statement. “We need safe, sustained, and unimpeded humanitarian access across conflict lines and across borders – and we need international support to help sustain the essential services and systems that children rely on for survival,” she said. UNICEF is appealing for $840m to help slightly more than 7.5 million children in Sudan this year, but Elder deplored the lack of funds collected in previous appeals. “Despite the magnitude of needs, last year, the funding UNICEF sought for nearly three-quarters of children in Sudan was not forthcoming,” Elder said. The UN on Wednesday urged countries not to forget the civilians caught up in the war in Sudan, appealing for $4.1bn to meet their humanitarian needs and support those who have fled to neighbouring countries. Half of Sudan’s population – approximately 25 million people – need humanitarian assistance and protection, while more than 1.5 million people have fled to the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan, according to the UN. “The world needs to stop turning a blind eye,” he said. “Where is our collective humanity if we allow this situation to continue.” Adblock test (Why?)
Russian anti-war presidential candidate barred from Russia’s election
NewsFeed Boris Nadezhdin, Russia’s anti-war presidential hopeful, says the decision to bar him from the election next month is political and vowed to appeal. Election officials disqualified thousands of signatures he had collected to support his candidacy. Published On 9 Feb 20249 Feb 2024 Adblock test (Why?)
Conservative firebrand announces run for key battleground Senate race being targeted by Dems
A conservative firebrand has officially filed to run for the Montana Senate in the heated contest to unseat Democrat Sen. Jon Tester. Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., made the long awaited announcement Friday on X, formerly known as Twitter. “We’ve made great accomplishments in the House, only to see them die at the hands of Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer in the Senate,” he wrote in a post. FORMER NAVY SEAL SAYS DEMS MEDDLING IN HIS SENATE RACE ‘TO DISTRICT MONTANA VOTERS’ FROM ‘TWO-FACED’ OPPONENT Rosendale’s bid stirs up the state’s Republican primary race, where he will be challenging former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy for the nomination. When asked about a potential primary challenger earlier this week, Sheehy told Fox News Digital that he is “focused on Jon Tester.” “I’m focused on gaining control of the Senate for conservatives, so we can return common sense policy to D.C,” Sheehy said. “We have to reform both parties. We’ve got a dysfunctional Congress right now in both houses. We need a new generation of leadership in both houses, and it’s about time we start getting things done.” Sheehy, a first-time candidate, has already gained endorsements from Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., and Gov. Greg Gianforte.
Nikki Haley calls Robert Hur report ‘unbelievably disturbing’
Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley called Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report on President Biden and the mishandling of classified materials “unbelievably disturbing.” Haley, who is running for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election, made the comments during a Thursday interview on Fox News’s “Hannity.” “It is unbelievably disturbing that they are showing that they see Biden to not have a good memory, that they see him as diminished, that they see that it’s a problem, and they point-blank say that,” Haley told Hannity. NO CHARGES FOR BIDEN AFTER SPECIAL COUNSEL PROBE INTO IMPROPER HANDLING OF CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS “I mean, this is actually dangerous,” Haley continued. “Look, people make fun of the fact that I say we need to have mental competency tests. There’s a reason 70 percent of Americans don’t wanna see a Biden-Trump rematch.” According to Hur’s report on Biden’s mishandling of classified documents released Thursday, the president could not remember key details of his own life — such as when he was vice president — during interviews with investigators. “In his interview with our office, Mr. Biden’s memory was worse,” the report states. “He did not remember when he was vice president, forgetting on the first day of the interview when his term ended (‘if it was 2013 — when did I stop being Vice President?’), and forgetting on the second day of the interview when his term began (‘in 2009, am I still Vice President?’).” BIDEN ‘DID NOT REMEMBER WHEN HE WAS VICE PRESIDENT,’ WHEN HIS SON BEAU DIED, DURING SPECIAL COUNSEL INTERVIEWS “He did not remember, even within several years, when his son Beau died,” the report continued. “And his memory appeared hazy when describing the Afghanistan debate that was once so important to him. Among other things, he mistakenly said he ‘had a real difference’ of opinion with General Karl Eikenberry, when, in fact, Eikenberry was an ally whom Mr. Biden cited approvingly in his Thanksgiving memo to President Obama.” Haley said the report’s findings emphasize the need to bring in a younger generation of lawmakers to contend for the nation’s highest office. “The party that gets rid of their 80-year-old candidate is gonna be the party that wins,” Haley said. Hur has been investigating Biden’s improper retention of classified records since last year. Those records included classified documents about military and foreign policy in Afghanistan, among other records related to national security and foreign policy which Hur said implicated “sensitive intelligence sources and methods.” The special counsel will not recommend criminal charges against Biden for mishandling classified documents, despite finding “evidence that President Biden willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen.” The materials included “marked classified documents about military and foreign policy in Afghanistan, and notebooks containing Mr. Biden’s handwritten entries about issues of national security and foreign policy implicating sensitive intelligence sources and methods.” Fox News Digital’s Joe Schoffstall, Brooke Singman, David Spunt and Jake Gibson contributed to this report.
Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announces Republican run for Senate
Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced Friday he is running for the U.S. Senate. “I am running for the United States Senate — not to serve one party — but to stand up to both parties, fight for Maryland, and fix our nation’s broken politics,” the Republican said in a post on X. “It’s what I did as Maryland’s governor, and it’s exactly how I’ll serve Maryland in the Senate. Let’s get back to work.” “Fifty years ago, my father, Maryland Congressman Larry Hogan Sr. made a very tough decision. He became the first Republican to come out for the impeachment of President Nixon. He put aside party politics and his own personal considerations and he stepped up to do the right thing for Maryland and the nation,” Hogan said in a video released Friday. “Today, Washington is completely broken because that kind of leadership, that kind of willingness to put country over party has become far too rare.” “My fellow Marylanders, you know me. For eight years, we proved that the toxic politics that divide our nation need not divide our state,” Hogan continued. “We overcame unprecedented challenges, cut taxes eight years in a row, balanced the budget and created a record surplus. And we did it all by finding common ground for the common good.” “The politicians in Washington seem to be more interested in arguing than actually getting anything done for the people they represent. Enough is enough,” Hogan added. “We can do so much better, but not if we keep electing the same kind of typical partisan politicians.” Hogan said he would “work with anyone who wants to do the people’s business” and that “we desperately need leaders willing to stand up to both parties.” The campaign announcement comes after Hogan recently endorsed Nikki Haley for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.