Texas GOP vice chair challenges Matt Rinaldi for party leadership
Dana Myers has been critical of the party’s ties to Defend Texas Liberty PAC, a hard-right group that’s been tied to white supremacists.
Migrant crisis broke new record in December with 302k encounters, officials confirm
December broke records for migrant encounters at the southern border, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed on Friday, as it released numbers showing that there were a record 302,000 migrant encounters at the southern border. The Friday afternoon release, which showed 302,034 encounters in December, comes more than three weeks since Fox reported that there were over 302,000 encounters — which breaks the monthly record set in September and is the first time the number has ever breached the 300,000 mark. It’s enough people to fill the Las Vegas Super Bowl more than four and a half times, and is nearly the total population of Cincinnati. Of the encounters, nearly 250,000 were between ports of entry. BORDER PATROL HAS ‘NO PLANS’ TO REMOVE RAZOR WIRE SET UP BY TEXAS AMID FEUD WITH BIDEN ADMIN It’s the latest staggering numbers to come from the southern border since the crisis exploded in 2021. There were over 2.4 million migrant encounters in FY 23, after a record-setting FY 22. The numbers do not include “gotaways” of which there have been estimates of over 800,000 in FY 23, or migrants who are paroled in through the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan (CHNV) parole program — which allows 30,000 migrants to fly directly in each month as part of the Biden administration’s “expanded lawful pathways.” Separately, there were 19 individuals arrested on the terror watch list in December – all on the southern border. It brings the total for FY 24 so far to 50 arrests (49 on the southern border, one on the northern border). ABBOTT DECLARES TEXAS HAS ‘RIGHT TO SELF-DEFENSE’ FROM MIGRANT ‘INVASION’ AMID FEUD WITH BIDEN ADMIN The watch list, now officially called the Terrorist Screening Dataset, is the U.S. database that contains information on terrorist identities and includes not only known or suspected terrorists but also affiliates of watch-listed individuals. The numbers come as border security remains a red-hot political issue across the country. In Texas, officials are feuding with the federal government over the state’s seizure of Shelby Park and the administration’s cutting of razor wire set up by Texas. The Supreme Court recently allowed the Biden administration to resume the practice. Meanwhile, multiple “sanctuary” cities have called for aid from the Biden administration for the massive numbers of migrants they are seeing flood into their cities, some of whom have been bused in by Texas. Separately, in Washington D.C., negotiations are ongoing over a border supplemental bill. The White House has requested $14 billion as part of its request, including for aid to communities, more staffing and increased expedited removal. Republicans have said the package needs to include asylum restrictions and limits on the administration’s use of humanitarian parole. The Biden administration has said it needs comprehensive immigration reform from Congress as well as funding to deal with what it says is a “broken” system, and has accused Republicans of seeking to turn it into a political issue. It has also pointed to a number of removals since May that is larger than the entirety of FY 2019, and record fentanyl seizures. On Friday, acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller said that CBP “remains vigilant to respond to the serious challenges we are experiencing across the southwest border.” “CBP continues to use all available resources to ensure the safety and security of our agents and officers, and the migrants who are often misled and victimized by the transnational criminal organizations,” he said. “But as we have repeatedly said, CBP and our federal partners need additional support from Congress so that we can continue to effectuate consequences for those who do not use established lawful pathways.” But Republicans have blamed the crisis on the Biden administration and its policies, and has recently moved to impeach DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over what they have claimed is a “dereliction of duty.” Those calls were immediately renewed after the numbers dropped, with House Homeland Security Chair Mark Green saying they were “undeniable proof” of his majority’s case. “This staggering number of encounters at our borders only happens by design and a willful refusal to comply with the laws passed by Congress,” he said. “The harsh reality is that this secretary has intentionally opened our borders, sending a clear message worldwide: entering this country illegally means release into the interior, with little to no chance of removal—and the world has responded accordingly. This is intentional, and it is a disaster.
Fox News Politics: Jury orders Trump to pay massive damages
Welcome to Fox News’ Politics newsletter with the latest political news from Washington D.C. and updates from the 2024 campaign trail. Subscribe now to get Fox News Politics newsletter in your inbox. What’s happening? – GOP moves to defund sanctuary cities – Biden approval rating hits rock bottom – Dem calls out soft-on-crime prosecutors Former President Trump was ordered to pay over $83 million in damages to E. Jean Carroll after she sued him for what she called defamatory statements following her accusation that he sexually assaulted her. The trial was not about whether Trump sexually assaulted Carroll – a jury in a Manhattan civil trial last year already found Trump liable for the alleged assault, which Trump vehemently denies. “Absolutely ridiculous!” Trump wrote on Truth Social after the verdict came down. “I fully disagree with both verdicts, and will be appealing this whole Biden Directed Witch Hunt focused on me and the Republican Party,” Trump posted on his TRUTH Social shortly after the verdict was read. “Our Legal System is out of control, and being used as a Political Weapon. They have taken away all First Amendment Rights.” Trump added: “THIS IS NOT AMERICA!” ‘PLAYING POLITICS’: White House halts enormous natural gas projects in victory for environmentalists …Read more GATHERING INFORMATION: Hunter Biden biz associate Rob Walker to testify on being alleged ‘vehicle’ for Biden family’s foreign funds …Read more ‘HONOR OF A LIFETIME’: First-ever chief White House diversity advisor leaving Biden administration …Read m SHUT IT DOWN: Democrats blast impeachment inquiry after GOP witness says he is ‘unaware’ of Joe Biden role in family biz …Read more ‘THREATEN OUR KIDS’: Eric Swalwell calls out soft-on-crime prosecutors for letting ‘dangerous people threaten’ kids …Read more ‘DICTATORS’: Sen. Tillis schools anti-Israel protester on Hamas in hallway confrontation …Read more ‘HEIGHT OF HYPOCRISY’: GOP lawmaker moves to defund ‘sanctuary’ cities, slams ‘hypocrisy’ as they seek federal aid for migrant crisis …Read more EMOTIONALLY TAXING: House GOP leaders look to Dems for help on $80B tax bill as Republicans defect …Read more ‘GRAVE CONCERN’: House members press Biden to withdraw radical ‘judicial’ nominee with ties to 9/11 hijacker sympathizers …Read more ‘SOME RACIST IN THEM’: Alabama congressman says everyone ‘has some type of racist in them’ during debate: report …Read more BORDERLINE: Speaker Johnson says House will vote on impeaching Mayorkas ‘as soon as possible’ …Read more ‘DESIGNED’ NOT TO SOLVE CRISIS?: Senate GOP in ‘quandary’ over border security, Ukraine aid package …Read more ‘SHORTSIGHTED EFFORT’: Dozens of Senate Republicans warn Biden’s latest war on energy empowers America’s enemies …Read more ‘MORE FREEDOM’: Fetterman rejects top Democrat’s attempted crackdown on Zyn: ‘On the side of more freedom’ …Read more SINKING SOON: Biden’s approval rating lowest for third-year president since Carter …Read more SPEAKING OUT: Trump opposes plan to pressure RNC into making him the GOP’s ‘presumptive nominee’ …Read more ‘A LOT CAN GO SIDEWAYS’: Nonpartisan watchdog releases report outlining top election security threats for 2024 …Read more TRUMP TRAIN: Several senior House Republicans still silent on Trump 2024 amid growing pressure for party unity …Read more ‘DEPLOY THEIR GUARDS’: Trump urges states to surge National Guard to Texas as Abbott standoff with Biden accelerates …Read more SELF-ADMINISTERED DEATH: Minnesota lawmakers initiate debate on physician-assisted suicide bill …Read more NOT COMPLIANT: Texas AG Ken Paxton says state won’t comply with Biden administration order to reopen park to federal agents …Read more Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Maryland bill would ban gun carry for owners without insurance policy of at least $300K
Gun owners in Maryland would be required to buy at least $300,000 in liability insurance or forfeit their ability to carry a firearm under a new bill. The controversial legislation, introduced by Delegate Terri Hill, D-Howard County, would prohibit the “wear or carry” of a gun anywhere in the state unless the individual has obtained a liability insurance policy of at least $300,000. “A person may not wear or carry a firearm unless the person has obtained it and is covered by liability insurance issued by an insurer authorized to do business in the State under the Insurance Article to cover claims for property damage, bodily injury, or death arising from an accident resulting from the person’s use or storage of a firearm or up to $300,000 for damages arising from the same incident, in addition to interest and costs,” the proposed Maryland legislation said. RED STATE’S NRA-BACKED BILL TO ALLOW ARMED TEACHERS IN CLASSROOM ONE STEP CLOSER TO PASSAGE According to the proposed law, the liability insurance requirement does not apply to members of the military or federal law enforcement officers. There is also an insurance exemption if a gun is unloaded. Hill told FOX 45 News that this bill is an attempt to pass “common sense” gun control. MARYLAND COUNTY’S GUN SAFETY PAMPHLET LAW UPHELD IN FEDERAL APPEALS COURT She told the local outlet that the idea came after talking to a concerned constituent who said that gun owners should “bear some liability in cases where there is damage because of guns being used in ways that cause harm.” Gun advocate Frank Duffy noted to the outlet that the legislation is yet another effort to hinder individuals from carrying their firearms. “It’s another effort by the state to throw an obstacle in front of people trying to get their conceal carry permits,” Duffy said. “The Supreme Court made a decision that said Maryland and other states could not require a good or substantial reason to get a permit.”
Top White House adviser on migration issues leaving amid intense southern border policy blowback
Katie Tobin, a top White House adviser on migration issues, is leaving after three years within the National Security Council, according to reports. Tobin had originally planned to leave her position as senior director for transborder security last summer, but the Biden administration persuaded her to stay on through the end of the year, NBC News reported. Tobin’s departure comes as the administration faces intense criticism over its handling of migrants illegally crossing the southern border. Tobin was part of a U.S. delegation that traveled to Mexico to discuss what can be done to decrease illegal crossings, and she led planning for the end of the Trump era Title 42 last year. AS TEXAS FACES POTENTIAL FEDERAL STANDOFF, STATE AG SAYS BORDER LOOKS LIKE BIDEN ‘CUT A DEAL WITH CARTELS’ National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan called Tobin “tenacious and dedicated” on migration efforts in a statement to NBC News. He added, “We will miss Katie’s positivity and thoughtful contributions on an incredibly complex portfolio, but wish her well.” Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and National Security Council for comment. NOEM PLEDGES TO SHIP RAZOR WIRE TO TEXAS IF BIDEN STOPS ABBOTT A replacement for Tobin has not been selected, an NSC spokesperson told NBC News. Just this week, Border Patrol agents near El Paso, Texas, caught 40 migrants involved in two human smuggling operations as the border hit its highest rate of migrant encounters last month, blowing away previous statistics. Sources with Customs and Border Protection told Fox News Digital that migrant encounters hit a staggering 300,000 incidents in the last month of 2023, reaching a level thought unimaginable just years ago. Between Dec. 1 and 31, more than 302,000 migrants were documented attempting to cross the U.S. southern border. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP It is the highest total for a single month ever recorded. It is also the first time migrant encounters have exceeded 300,000. Fox News’ Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.
Trump ordered to pay more than $80 million in E. Jean Carroll defamation trial
A federal jury decided former President Trump must pay E. Jean Carroll more than $83 million in damages after he denied allegations he raped her in the 1990s. The jury decided Trump must pay $18.3 million in compensatory damages, and $65 million in punitive damages. Federal Judge Lewis A. Kaplan announced the jury’s verdict Friday. TRUMP DEFENDS HIMSELF ON THE STAND, BLASTS E JEAN CARROLL TRIAL: ‘THIS IS NOT AMERICA’ A federal jury in New York City decided last year that Trump was not liable for rape, but was liable for sexual abuse and defamation. The former president was ordered to pay $5 million in that trial. “Absolutely ridiculous! I fully disagree with both verdicts, and will be appealing this whole Biden Directed Witch Hunt focused on me and the Republican Party,” Trump posted on his TRUTH Social shortly after the verdict was read. “Our Legal System is out of control, and being used as a Political Weapon. They have taken away all First Amendment Rights.” Trump added: “THIS IS NOT AMERICA!” Carroll, who alleged that Trump raped her at the Bergdorf Goodman department store across from Trump Tower in Manhattan sometime in 1996, was seeking $12 million. Trump, the 2024 GOP frontrunner, has repeatedly and vehemently denied the allegation. His denial resulted in Carroll slapping Trump with a defamation lawsuit, claiming that his response caused harm to her reputation. The jury found Carroll was injured as a result of statements Trump made while in the White House in June 2019. The jury awarded Carroll $7.3 million in compensatory damages, other than the reputational repair program, and $11 million in damages for the reputational repair program. The jury found Trump’s statements were made to harm Carroll and awarded her $65 million in punitive damages. In total, the jury said Carroll should be paid $83.3 million. Trump took the stand briefly on Thursday in his defense. First, Trump was asked whether he saw his deposition played in court, to which he replied: “Yes.” Second, he was asked if he stands by his statements in the deposition, to which he replied: “100 percent. Yes.” And third, he was asked if he ever threatened Carroll in his tweets and social media posts. “No,” Trump said. “I was only defending myself from what I believe was a false allegation.” The judge struck statements from Trump that went beyond a yes or no answer. On the way out of the courtroom, Trump repeatedly said: “This is not America.” Trump and his legal team insist that Carroll’s allegations are fabricated, with the former president’s initial reaction including an accusation that Carroll was motivated by wanting to sell copies of her book. Trump has repeatedly told Fox News Digital that he has “absolutely no idea who this woman is.” Trump, on his Truth Social account on Friday after closing arguments, posted that Judge Kaplan “refuses to allow the Anderson Cooper Interview on CNN of E. Jean Carroll wherein Carroll says, ‘Rape is sexy,’ and numerous other things that totally exonerate me.” Trump was referring to possible evidence being introduced in the trial. “Judge Kaplan is refusing me my Constitutional Right to Due Process, to defend myself against this False Accusation,” Trump wrote. “This is a one-sided trial, where the other side is allowed everything, and we are allowed nothing. He is an extremely abusive individual, the likes of which few have seen before!” Trump, also on his Truth Social account last week, posted images of Carroll’s tweets dating back to 2015. In one image, Carroll wrote: “How do you know your ‘unwanted sexual advance’ is unwanted, until you advance it?” Trump also posted that Carroll “has been ‘all over the place’ on the timing of this alleged ‘incident,’ which never took place, and is being coached by Lunatic Radical Left Democrat operative attorney, Roberta Kaplan, who has sued me before, and just lost.” “I am the only one who has been injured by this attempted EXTORTION,” Trump posted. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Watch a March 20 conversation on the critical role of child care in Texas communities
The Texas Tribune, in partnership with the LBJ School of Public Affairs Urban Lab, will host the panel discussion.
Former New York Gov Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed 13 staffers, Justice Department says
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo subjected at least 13 female state employees to a “sexually hostile work environment,” according to a settlement agreement reached between the Justice Department and New York State Executive Chamber. The agreement resolves claims of sexual harassment and retaliation against Cuomo, a Democrat, according to a DOJ release on Friday. The nine-page agreement said Cuomo subjected the female employees to unwelcome, non-consensual sexual contact, “ogling” and gender-based nicknames. His senior staff was aware of the then-governor’s behavior and retaliated against four women,” the settlement states. BILL MAHER CONFRONTS CUOMO ON NURSING HOME SCANDAL, EX-NY GOV CALLS QUESTIONS ‘MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACKING’ “The Executive Chamber’s response was designed only to protect Cuomo from further accusations, rather than to protect employees from sexual harassment,” the settlement states. In a statement, Cuomo’s attorney, Rita Glavin, said he didn’t harass anyone and that the DOJ investigation was based on a “deeply flawed, inaccurate, biased, and misleading report” by New York State Attorney General Letitia James. “This is nothing more than a political settlement with no investigation,” Glavin said. Cuomo is suing James for documents related to her 2021 investigation into alleged sexual harassment that led to his resignation in August 2021 following her bombshell report of his alleged misdeeds. FORMER NY GOVERNOR RE-EMERGES AS CRITIC ON DEMS’ FAR-LEFT POLICIES, FUELING COMEBACK SPECULATION In a separate statement, Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi said the DOJ’s investigation “isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.” Mariann Wang, an attorney for two women who alleged Cuomo harassed them, said: “We are pleased the US Attorney’s office and the Executive Chamber have taken serious steps to ensure nothing like the abuse Cuomo engaged in will happen again.” “We hope these measures have real impact and prevent the kind of repeated abuse of power that resulted in so much harm to so many women,” she added. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Under the terms of the settlement, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office will create a new process for complaints against senior officials.
Border Patrol has ‘no plans’ to remove razor wire set up by Texas amid feud with Biden admin
Border Patrol has “no plans” to remove razor wire placed by Texas along the southern border, a senior Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official told Fox News on Friday, stressing a “strong” relationship with Texas despite an ongoing legal battle between the state and the administration. Texas is currently locked in a multi-pronged legal fight with the federal government over the security of the Texas-Mexico border. The federal government has threatened legal action over Texas’ recent seizure of Shelby Park near Eagle Pass, while lawsuits are ongoing over the administration’s cutting of razor wire set up by Texas and the establishment of buoys in the Rio Grande. Texas has declared that it has a right to “self-defense” against what it says is a migrant “invasion.” On Monday, the Supreme Court found in the administration’s favor when it granted an emergency appeal to allow agents to keep cutting border wire set up by Texas after a lower court had blocked such moves. Texas has continued to fortify the border, and has also indicated it will not comply with the administration’s demands for it to vacate the Shelby Park area. ABBOTT DECLARES TEXAS HAS ‘RIGHT TO SELF-DEFENSE’ FROM MIGRANT ‘INVASION’ AMID FEUD WITH BIDEN ADMIN “[President Biden’s] actions have caused an unprecedented invasion that we must defend against,” Abbott said on Thursday. The Biden administration has said that Texas is interfering with the federal enforcement of immigration law. “Enforcement of immigration law is a federal responsibility,” a DHS spokesperson said this week. “Rather than helping to reduce irregular migration, the State of Texas has only made it harder for frontline personnel to do their jobs and to apply consequences under the law. We can enforce our laws and administer them safely, humanely, and in an orderly way.” Dozens of Republican governors have backed Texas as the feud between the state and the feds escalates. But a senior CBP official told Fox that the relationship between Texas and Border Patrol officials on the ground is “strong.” “While this issue plays out in the courts, the relationship between Border Patrol, Texas DPS [Department of Public Safety], & TMD [Texas Military Dept.] remains strong,” the official said. “Our focus is and will always be the mission of protecting this country and its people. On the ground, we continue to work alongside these valuable partners in that endeavor.” “Bottom line: Border Patrol has no plans to remove infrastructure (c-wire) placed by Texas along the border. Our posture remains the same. If we need to access an area for emergency response, we will do so. When that happens, we will coordinate with Texas DPS & TMD” TEXAS AG PAXTON PROMISES ‘FIGHT IS NOT OVER’ AFTER SCOTUS RULE ON BIDEN ADMIN’S RAZOR WIRE CUTTING That sentiment was echoed by the Border Patrol union, which in a lengthy statement dismissed the idea that Border Patrol agents could start arresting Texas National Guard members. “TX NG and rank-and-file BP agents work together and respect each other’s jobs. Period. If TX NG members have LAWFUL orders, then they have to carry out those orders,” the National Border Patrol Council said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Rank-and-file BP agents appreciate and respect what TX has been doing to defend their state in the midst of this catastrophe that the Biden Admin has unleashed on America,” the statement said. “We want to be perfectly clear, there is no fight between rank-and-file BP agents and the TX NG, Gov. Abott, or TX DPS. It may make flashy headlines, but it simply isn’t true.”
Kirby unsure of ‘dollar figure’ of US funding to controversial UN agency allegedly tied to Hamas attack
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Friday that he was unsure of a specific “dollar figure” when asked about the amount of money the U.S. has given to a United Nations agency that is facing allegations that some of its members were involved in Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel. Kirby made the comment during an exchange with Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy after the State Department announced earlier today that the U.S. is “extremely troubled” by claims that a dozen members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in the Near East “may have been involved” in Hamas’ attack. The State Department has since “temporarily paused additional funding” for UNRWA pending a review. “It certainly looks as if there’s cause to be concerned about the actions of some of the members of UNRWA . . . but that does not and nor should it impugn the entire agency and the entire body of work that they’re doing.” Kirby said. “They have helped save literally thousands of lives in Gaza. They do important work. [It] doesn’t mean that there aren’t some folks in that group that need to be punished for potentially these kinds of behavior.” “That’s bad, though, if there are 12 people who are accused,” Doocy said. BIDEN ADMINISTRATION CUTS FUNDING TO CONTROVERSIAL UN AGENCY OVER ALLEGATIONS MEMBERS ASSISTED IN HAMAS MASSACRE “It’s bad, it’s bad if there’s one. Bad if there’s one,” Kirby responded. “And the U.S. is giving them money, how much money?” Doocy then asked. “We have suspended the, we have suspended,” Kirby started saying before Doocy asked, “How much before the suspension?” “I don’t have the dollar figure for you, Peter. I’ll take the question and get back to you. But we have suspended unallocated funds pending the outcome of the investigation,” Kirby concluded. UN’S TOP COURT ALLOWS ISRAEL TO KEEP FIGHTING IN GAZA, ORDERS IT TO ‘ADHERE TO THE GENOCIDE CONVENTION’ The U.S. funding to the agency will resume subject to an investigation from the United Nations. UNRWA, citing information provided by Israeli authorities, terminated the contract with the accused employees on Friday and announced an investigation “to protect the agency’s ability to deliver humanitarian assistance” and “establish the truth without delay,” Reuters reported. The U.S. State Department in a press release said that Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres regarding the investigation, which will be “comprehensive and independent.” The U.S. insisted that it must see “complete accountability for anyone who participated in the heinous attacks of Oct. 7.” Fox News’ Peter Aitken contributed to this report.