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Gavin Newsom facing legal action from fired Jewish general for alleged antisemitic discrimination, harassment

Gavin Newsom facing legal action from fired Jewish general for alleged antisemitic discrimination, harassment

Democrat California Gov. Gavin Newsom and another state officials are facing legal action from a fired Air National Guard general who says he faced antisemitic discrimination, harassment and retaliation before being wrongfully terminated last year. Retired Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Magram, who is Jewish, filed the lawsuit on Jan. 24 in a Los Angeles court. Magram is alleging that his former superior, Maj. Gen. Matthew Beevers, who now serves as the California Military Department’s adjutant general, created a hostile work environment by engaging in numerous antisemitic behaviors over a period of two years and that complaints related to his conduct went unanswered by Newsom. Magram made headlines in January 2023 when his firing in that month followed reports he used troops to carry out personal errands, including taking his mother shopping, and that he readied a fighter jet for a “possible domestic mission” in 2020 during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, which spurned fear among officials the order would result in a plane “buzzing” civilian protesters in an attempt to disperse crowds. TOP REPUBLICAN TO BOOST KARI LAKE IN ARIZONA AS FLIPPING STATE SEEN AS CRUCIAL TO GOP SENATE MAJORITY An internal disciplinary board substantiated the multiple allegations against Magram prior to his involuntary transfer to the Air Force retired reserve, which reports at the time said was “parallel” to a firing. Magram, however, disputes those reasons for his termination and instead says it’s because he spoke out against Beevers’ alleged behavior, which, according to Magram, included statements referring to another general as being so cheap he “gives Jewish people a bad name” and making the statement, “How Jewish can you get,” regarding another Jewish service member’s attempt to obtain a military discount on a vehicle. According to Magram, each instance of alleged antisemitism by Beevers was witnessed by at least one other senior officer and that he reported them to Newsom’s office on six different occasions. HALEY MOCKS TRUMP IN EFFORT TO ENTICE DEBATE WITH FORMER PRESIDENT AHEAD OF SC PRIMARY: ‘CAN’T HIDE’ After reporting the behavior, Magram says Beevers’ animus toward him became evident when he allegedly began “resurrecting and misrepresenting minor settled issues” that were up to a decade old in what the former argues was an attempt to force him out of the department ahead of the latter’s promotion to adjutant general in Aug. 2022. The lawsuit says that when Magram refused to quit, Beevers unsuccessfully attempted to undo the former’s disability claims, for which he was receiving benefits from the Guard, and subsequently got approval from Newsom to cut short his disability medical evaluation, causing him to lose certain benefits. It adds that similar other senior officers’ complaints about Beevers to Newsom’s office also went ignored. “I am extremely proud of my more than 37 years of service to California and this great nation, but I still have serious concerns for the welfare of the servicemembers and civilians that currently serve in the Department,” Magram said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “MG Beevers mounted an unprecedented defamatory campaign against me, and it was supported by the Governor.”  TRUMP WORLD, DEMOCRATS UNITE IN TROLLING NIKKI HALEY AFTER LOSS TO ‘LITERALLY NO ONE’ IN NEVADA PRIMARY “I want to make sure this never happens again. MG Beevers actions were disturbingly aggressive and unexplainable, and he needs to be held accountable,” he added. “It’s shocking that Governor Newsom disregarded the many attempts made to correct this situation and appointed MG Beevers permanently as the Adjutant General.” When reached for comment, Newsom’s office referred Fox News Digital to the California Military Department, which blasted the lawsuit as “retaliatory and baseless” and provided documents that showed Magram was fired for causing the department to “lose faith, trust, and confidence” in his ability to continue serving as a leader in the organization. “In 2021, the United States Air Force Inspector General investigated Brigadier General Magram for multiple instances of misconduct involving ethical violations and maltreatment of subordinates. On 26 October 2021, the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force issued Brigadier General Magram a Letter of Admonishment for these indiscretions,” a department spokesperson said in a statement. “This independent action by the Air Force formed the basis of a removal action initiated by the California Military Department to hold Gen. Magram accountable for his misconduct. The recommended discipline was unanimously upheld by a board of three senior officers with no involvement in the underlying incidents,” they said.  “All actions were taken based on independent investigations by the U.S. Air Force and the Military Department Inspector General. We look forward to defending our actions to hold a senior leader accountable for his misconduct,” they added.

Senate Republicans prepare for long haul in fight over Ukraine, Israel aid

Senate Republicans prepare for long haul in fight over Ukraine, Israel aid

Capitol Hill is abuzz with the Senate’s progress on the anticipated passage of a standalone $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific without border security measures.  After overcoming the first procedural hurdle Thursday, the current landscape is fluid, as the upper chamber now gears up for what promises to be a protracted debate with potential weekend sessions and overnight votes looming.  Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s move to file additional cloture votes sets the stage for a potentially drawn-out process, with the Senate bound by procedural rules dictating the timing of the vote, which could happen anytime between Friday evening and Tuesday, Senate aides told Fox News Digital. “Now that we are on the bill, we hope to reach an agreement with our Republican colleagues on amendments,” Schumer said after the vote. “For the information of senators, we are going to keep working on this bill until the job is done.” ISRAEL, UKRAINE FOREIGN AID BILL CLEARS FIRST HURDLE IN SENATE WITHOUT BORDER AND IMMIGRATION PROVISIONS The $95 billion package advanced in a 67-32 cloture vote Wednesday, also known as a motion to limit debate on a bill, and moved to a final vote. It required a three-fifths majority. The package includes $60 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel, $9 billion in humanitarian assistance for Gaza and nearly $5 billion for the Indo-Pacific. Democrats brought the package up for a vote after Republicans had blocked the $118 billion package that also included numerous border and immigration provisions Wednesday.  Republicans had previously said they would not approve funding for Ukraine unless the overwhelmed southern border was secured first. Now, senators await an additional cloture vote before they can enter a period of debate and the opportunity to add amendments over the next few days, and Republicans are sure to bring forth border security-related proposals.  Sen. Krysten Sinema, I-Ariz., one of the key negotiators for the failed border bill that took months to craft, sparred with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on the floor Thursday afternoon, Graham dubbing the border bill a “half a–ed effort” he couldn’t cast a vote for.  SENATE RELEASES LONG-AWAITED BORDER LEGISLATION, MAJOR ASYLUM CHANGES “We have not really tried hard to secure the border. We took a well-meaning product. People worked really hard,” Graham, a staunch Ukraine funding supporter, said on the floor. “I applaud you and others for coming out with a product that I thought had a lot of good things in it, but not enough for me.” Sinema said she looks “forward to debating and possibly even supporting one or more of his amendments.” But amendments and debate are halted until the next procedural vote, which would open the door for considering additional amendments. “However, it could be more difficult to consider some of those border-related amendments since the package now does not include any of the border language that we carefully negotiated over the last 4½ months,” Sinema said.  Graham and GOP senators Pete Ricketts, Tommy Tuberville, Rick Scott, Mike Lee, Katie Britt, John Barrasso, Josh Hawley, Rand Paul, Roger Marshall and Jim Risch were among the dissenting votes of the standalone bill. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., who negotiated the border provisions that failed to pass the Senate on Wednesday, also voted no.  Seventeen Republicans, including Minority Whip John Thune and senators Chuck Grassley, Roger Wicker, John Kennedy, Mitt Romney and Mike Rounds, voted to advance the bill.  Republican minority leader Mitch McConnell backed funding for Ukraine and voted to advance the bill but drew criticism from party members who urged lawmakers not to pass foreign aid without securing the border first.  However, the road to a final vote appears winding, with expectations rife for prolonged discussions and procedural intricacies delaying a definitive decision.  Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, a rabid Kansas City Chiefs fan, even joked on X that he’s prepared for votes to drag out until Super Bowl Sunday.  SENATE TANKS IMMIGRATION, FOREIGN AID SPENDING PACKAGE AFTER GOP BACKLASH AGAINST BORDER PROVISIONS Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., appeared determined to make that happen. “It’s not going to be easy,” Paul told reporters. “I plan on making them stay here through the weekend, and they’ll get their votes. And they’ll finish up when hell freezes over as far as I’m concerned. “By the time the weekend’s over, I hope every American in the country will know that the people who voted for this voted to secure the Ukrainian border before we secure the southern border.”  He added he may also ask that the clerk read the Ukraine-Israel bill aloud.  Rand contended that even if Schumer selects a handful of amendments to bring to the floor, “none” will pass.  “The Democrats will vote in block against every amendment,” he said.  Against this backdrop, the Senate braces for a marathon of debates, the possibility of amendment votes and the looming specter of prolonged deliberations that could spill into late next week. On Tuesday, Republicans in the lower chamber instead attempted to pass a standalone bill providing aid only to Israel. It failed after 14 Republicans and 166 Democrats voted against it.

Bipartisan lawmakers eye ‘pilot program’ to expedite citizenship for migrants who serve in US military

Bipartisan lawmakers eye ‘pilot program’ to expedite citizenship for migrants who serve in US military

FIRST ON FOX: A Republican and Democrat are joining forces and pushing for a faster pathway to citizenship for migrants who serve in the U.S. military. It comes after talks about overhauling the border and the U.S. immigration system fell through this week after months of negotiations. Reps. John James, R-Mich., and Pat Ryan, D-N.Y., are introducing the “Courage to Serve Act,” which would put qualified and vetted migrants into an expedited lane to eventually become U.S. citizens if they serve in the armed forces. According to the text of the bill obtained by Fox News Digital, the legislation would create a pilot program that would apply to people with no lawful permanent status, like asylum seekers and migrants waiting for work authorization. They would require vetting by both the FBI and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.  SENATE TANKS IMMIGRATION, FOREIGN AID SPENDING PACKAGE AFTER GOP BACKLASH AGAINST BORDER PROVISIONS Qualified migrants could apply for lawful permanent residency within 180 days of enlisting in the military, the text said.  Their applications would be expedited after three years of “honorable service in the Armed Forces,” one year in an active duty zone or 30 days in a designated combat zone.  The application would not guarantee citizenship, and the applicant would still have to be admissible under existing U.S. immigration law. SENATE RELEASES LONG-AWAITED BORDER LEGISLATION, MAJOR ASYLUM CHANGES Lawful permanent residency is often the slowest portion of the citizenship process. The lawmakers reason that the process would be faster for those who serve. James and Ryan, both veterans, cited the need for immigration reform and solving the military’s recruitment crisis in statements on their bill. “If folks have the courage to raise their right hand, swear an oath to protect and defend this nation and put their lives on the line, then they sure as hell deserve the opportunity to become an American citizen,” Ryan told Fox News Digital. He also took a swipe at the failed negotiations over an immigration and border compromise. “Earlier this week, partisan posturing got in the way of passing significant immigration reform,” Ryan said. “But I’m not giving up the fight. I’ll keep pushing every day for concrete, practical and actionable measures to secure our border, address critical military recruiting shortfalls and help immigrants already in this country build a better life for their families.” IMMIGRATION HAWKS WARN CONGRESS THAT SENATE DEAL WILL HANDCUFF FUTURE ADMINISTRATIONS ON SECURING BORDER “Some of the heroes Pat and I served with in Iraq were immigrants, and I can’t think of a more deserving person to become an American citizen than immigrants who are willing to serve in our military,” James told Fox News Digital. He cited statistics that the Army missed its recruitment goal by 25% in 2022. “Immigration is both an economic and moral imperative, and giving specific America-loving immigrants who want to serve the country the chance to become citizens is a no-brainer,” James said. An effort to pass $118 billion in supplemental security aid and new border policies failed in the Senate Wednesday in the face of mounting GOP opposition in both the House and Senate.

Former Navy SEAL says Dems meddling in his Senate race ‘to distract Montana voters’ from ‘two-faced’ opponent

Former Navy SEAL says Dems meddling in his Senate race ‘to distract Montana voters’ from ‘two-faced’ opponent

FIRST ON FOX: A former Navy SEAL running for Senate suggested Democrats are meddling in his race “to distract Montana voters from Jon Tester’s record.”  There are only a handful of Senate races in 2024 that will decide which party claims control of the chamber in 2024 – and all eyes are on Montana. With the majority on the line, Democrat Sen. Chuck Schumer’s Senate Majority PAC launched The Last Best Place PAC, a shadowy group that recently began spending millions in ads across Montana targeting Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy. Sheehy, in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, suggested the ads attacking him are a diversion from Sen. Jon Tester’s record as he seeks re-election in a red state. SCHUMER-ALIGNED GROUP THAT MEDDLED IN GOP PRIMARY HIT WITH COMPLAIN ALLEGING FEC VIOLATIONS “The Democrats in Montana know that on the issues Jon Tester loses across the board. Immigration, economy, energy. It’s no question Jon Tester is a rubber stamp for all of Joe Biden’s policies, and if he runs on the issues, they’re going to lose to me. And they know that,” Sheehy told Fox.  The Republican added that he expects Democrats are going to continue spending millions on advertisements against him in the coming months. JOHNSON BACKPEDALS ON DIVISIVE SENATE ENDORSEMENT AFTER GOP BLOWBACK “They’re trying to make this race not about the issues. They’re trying to confuse the Montana voters and obfuscate what Tester really stands for. If they have to talk about Jon Tester’s voting record, they lose,” the former Navy SEAL said. “One million dollars a week they’re going to spend trying to attack my character, my family, my businesses, because they have to distract Montana voters from Jon Tester record.” Senate Majority PAC disagreed with Sheehy’s response in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Tim Sheehy may think it’s a ‘distraction’ for Montanans to learn that he has shady ties to China, did business in the Caymans, and built his company off government contracts, but voters certainly don’t,” Sarah Guggenheimer, Senate Majority PAC spokesperson, told Fox. “And while Mitch McConnell’s prized candidate spends his time whining about Montanans learning the truth, Jon Tester continues to put hardworking families in his state first – just like he has his entire career.”  Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., is considering jumping into the GOP primary race, making several recent indications of a run, but there has been no official announcement. When asked about a potential primary challenger, Sheehy said 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,” the Republican 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.” With the backing of Sen. Steven Daines, R-Mont., Sheehy highlighted that he’s “in this because I care about the future of this country, and I want to make sure that our children’s future is better than our own.” Fox News Digital reached out to the Tester campaign.

After Trump romps in Nevada, GOP presidential race moves to Haley’s home state of South Carolina

After Trump romps in Nevada, GOP presidential race moves to Haley’s home state of South Carolina

After sweeping Nevada’s GOP presidential caucus, former President Donald Trump has his eyes on the next major contest on the 2024 Republican nominating calendar – South Carolina. “Is there anyway we can call the election,” a buoyant Trump asked as he pointed to his large double-digit lead in the latest polls in South Carolina. The Nevada caucus victory by the former president, who is the commanding front-runner for the GOP nomination as he makes his third straight White House run, was never in doubt. Trump was the only major candidate in a contest run by a friendly state party in which only registered Republicans could vote. Trump’s convincing win in Nevada – where 26 delegates were at stake – came hours after he won a landslide victory in a presidential caucus run by the U.S. Virgin Islands GOP. TRUMP HITS THE JACKPOT IN LAS VEGAS And Thursday’s caucus in Nevada also came two days after he was a winner in Nevada’s state-run Republican presidential primary, even though he wasn’t on the ballot.- Trump’s absence from the primary ballot wasn’t enough to provide a path to victory for Nikki Haley, the former president’s last remaining major rival for the 2024 Republican nomination. The former two-term South Carolina governor who later served as U.N. ambassador in the Trump administration lost on Tuesday to a “none of these candidates” option by a more than two-to-one margin in a primary where no GOP convention delegates were at stake. HALEY CHARGES NEVADA GOP CAUCUS ‘RIGGED’ FOR TRUMP Voters casting ballots in the primary couldn’t write in Trump’s name, but they could vote for “none of these candidates.” And Trump supporters Fox News interviewed outside of polling stations said that is how they voted. “So I’d like to congratulate none of the above,” Trump said on Thursday night s he mocked Haley. “I was one of them.” Haley, who hadn’t campaigned in Nevada since October, downplayed this week’s primary and caucus in the Silver State, saying in a Fox News Digital interview in Los Angeles on Wednesday that they weren’t “anything we were looking at” and charging that the caucus was “rigged” for Trump. Trump won a majority of the vote in the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses, and he topped Haley by 11 points a week later in the New Hampshire primary, when the nomination battle turned into a two-candidate race. Haley, facing calls from some Republicans to end her White House bid, told supporters in California this week that “I’m in this for the long haul.” FIRST ON FOX: HALEY’S LEFT COAST FUNDRAISING HAUL South Carolina’s primary is next up, on Feb. 24, and Trump’s returning to the state this weekend for the first time in two months. The latest public opinion polls in the Palmetto State indicate Trump holds a very formidable double-digit lead. And the former president enjoys the backing of the state’s governor, nearly the entire congressional delegation, and scores of state lawmakers and local officials. Veteran South Carolina based Republican consultant Dave Wilson pointed to Trump’ “groundswell” in the state and highlighted the former president’s “ground forces.” Wilson also noted that “Nikki Haley is reintroducing herself to South Carolina” because “almost a million people have moved into the statae since she was governor.” But pointing to her undefeated electoral record, Wilson said “never underestimate Nikki Haley. Never count Nikki Haley out.” Haley, looking ahead, reiterated that “our focus is on South Carolina, Michigan, Super Tuesday.” WHAT NIKKI HALEY TOLD FOX DIGITAL ABOUT WHAT SHE NEEDS TO DO TO KEEP RUNNING Michigan holds its primary on Tuesday, Feb. 27, three days after the South Carolina Republican primary. Fifteen states, including the behemoths of California and Texas, hold contests a week later, on Super Tuesday. Haley’s two campaign stops on Wednesday in California were her first to date in any of the Super Tuesday states. And the swing to the Golden State appears in part to be a marker for Haley as she pushes back against calls by some Republicans to drop out of the race and give up her uphill climb for the nomination.  The trip also included a series of fundraisers. And as Fox News Digital first reported on Wednesday, Haley hauled in $1.7 million in fundraising during her two days in California. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Haley told Fox News Digital that when it comes to campaign finances, “we have been smart.” And she touted that you don’t end up being “the last one standing against Donald Trump if you don’t manage your money well. So yes, we are focused on making sure we have the resources.” Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.