Menendez attorneys allege FBI ‘illegally’ searched, ‘ransacked’ home, seizing gold bars and $500,000 cash
Attorneys for Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., allege in a court filing the FBI “misled” judges to obtain search warrants that led to hundreds of thousands of dollars, a luxury car and gold bars being seized from Menendez’s home after agents “ransacked” it. FBI agents “broke down doors (even, in some cases, where the doors were unlocked) and tore apart closets, wardrobes, dressers and other storage locations,” the lawyers wrote. Additionally, FBI agents seized “virtually anything of value,” including almost half a million dollars in cash and 13 gold bars. Menendez’s lawyers claimed prosecutors “actively distorted the evidence” that was revealed through “exploratory rummaging.” DEMOCRAT SEN. MENENDEZ’S WIFE HIT, KILLED PEDESTRIAN WHILE DRIVING IN 2018: REPORTS “To obtain several of these search warrants, the government actively distorted the evidence and withheld key exculpatory information, misleading well-meaning magistrate judges into granting warrants that should never have issued,” Menendez’s lawyers wrote. Prosecutors conducted a thorough and lengthy investigation into Menendez, obtaining over 20 search warrants related to alleged co-conspirators. “Nevertheless, none of the ‘evidence’ obtained from these search warrants of alleged co-conspirators remotely tied Senator Menendez to knowing involvement in any alleged bribery scheme,” his lawyers wrote. Most of the specific claims pertaining to allegations that prosecutors “misled” judges to obtain search warrants were redacted in the 34-page court filing. According to the latest superseding indictment unsealed this month, Menendez is accused of accepting bribes and gifts in exchange for helping to benefit Qatar as part of a corruption scheme from 2021 through 2023, one year longer than originally thought, the Justice Department said. Menendez is already facing federal charges for allegedly acting as a foreign agent and accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to benefit the Egyptian government through his power and influence as a senator. SEN. MENENDEZ RESPONDS TO LATEST SUPERSEDING INDICTMENT ON CORRUPTION CHARGES: ‘SENSATIONALIZED ALLEGATIONS’ The New Jersey Democrat has repeatedly asserted his innocence and claimed “there is no evidence” of the gifts and payments he allegedly received as a suspected foreign agent. Menendez, along with his wife Nadine and three other New Jersey businessmen — Wael Hana, Jose Uribe and Fred Daibes — were first charged in the federal bribery scheme Sept. 23. All have pleaded not guilty. FBI and IRS criminal investigators allege Menendez and his wife accepted several gold bars and other gifts from Daibes, a New Jersey developer and former bank chairman accused of banking crimes. Menendez allegedly worked to help appoint a prosecutor who would be sympathetic to Daibes, according to the indictment.
Biden reportedly jams brakes on massive energy projects over climate impacts
The White House has intervened in the permitting process for 17 large natural gas projects, ordering additional climate impact analyses after activists called on the administration to nix the projects, the New York Times reported. In a move environmentalists have demanded in recent months, the White House is ordering the Department of Energy (DOE) to consider the impact proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal projects would have on climate change, three individuals with knowledge of internal deliberations told the New York Times. DOE has never before rejected a gas export application on climate grounds. “It appears that individuals within the White House are trying to force policymaking through leaks to the media. This continues to create uncertainty about whether our allies can rely on US LNG for their energy security,” Shaylyn Hynes, a spokesperson for energy developer Venture Global, said in a statement. “If this leaked report from anonymous White House sources is true, it appears the Administration may be putting a moratorium on the entire U.S. LNG industry.” “Such an action would shock the global energy market, having the impact of an economic sanction, and send a devastating signal to our allies that they can no longer rely on the United States,” Hynes added. “The true irony is this policy would hurt the climate and lead to increased emissions as it would force the world to pivot to coal.” ENVIRONMENTALISTS CALL ON BIDEN ADMIN TO TANK NATURAL GAS PROJECT AMID NATIONWIDE ARCTIC BLAST The White House declined to comment on the report and the DOE didn’t respond to a request for comment. Among the projects that would be impacted by the DOE’s review is the so-called Calcasieu Pass 2 (CP2) project, a proposed $10 billion LNG terminal located on a 546-acre site in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, which would be the largest export terminal of its kind in the nation. BIDEN ADMIN ABRUPTLY REVERSES PROPOSAL OPENING PUBLIC LANDS TO FOREIGN OWNERSHIP AFTER GOP OPPOSITION According to Venture Global, the facility would have a nameplate export capacity of 20 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) of LNG and a peak capacity of about 24 MTPA. In 2023, the U.S. exported 88.9 MT of LNG, according to a FOX Business analysis of tanker tracking data, meaning the CP2 facility would alone increase exports by a staggering 23%. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers and fossil fuel industry associations have called for the Biden administration to expeditiously approve pending LNG export terminals, arguing they are key for strengthening the U.S. economy and supporting the energy security of allies in Europe and Asia amid geopolitical turmoil. “The longer the Biden administration drags its feet on approving new paths for America to develop and supply its allies with clean natural gas, the more this White House empowers our enemies in China and Russia — and the more the American people pay higher energy prices,” Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, told Fox News Digital in a statement. “Our economy and national security can’t afford for President Biden to stay beholden to climate fanatics who are happy to see our country sacrifice jobs and energy independence for nothing,” Kennedy said. Fellow Republican Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy argued during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing this month that LNG export facilities in the U.S. would have an “overwhelmingly” lower carbon footprint than the alternative of coal-fired power generation in foreign nations. ENERGY DEVELOPER AXING KEY COAL POWER PLANTS TO MEET ECO GOALS, JEOPARDIZING POWER FOR MILLIONS “This is war on our allies,” Cassidy told Fox News Digital. “They depend upon us for their energy and economic security. For apparently political purposes, the Biden administration is deliberately postponing permitting. Putin must have designed this strategy.” And Marty Durbin, the president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Energy Institute, echoed those comments on Wednesday, saying U.S. LNG plays an “essential role in displacing dirtier Russian gas” that Europe remains reliant on. “Any move to restrict or delay our ability to meet our commitments to our allies is deeply disturbing,” he said. Earlier this month, international energy organizations Eurogas and the Asia Natural Gas & Energy Association (ANGEA) issued strong statements of support for continued permitting of U.S. LNG export terminals. Eurogas said such exports were critical for ensuring the full phase down of Europe’s dependence on Russian natural gas, while ANGEA added U.S. LNG is needed to meet Asia’s decarbonization goals. However, LNG export terminals have been opposed by Democrats and environmentalists who argue they would create harmful pollution and contribute to global warming. The issue has led to activists posting videos on social media which, over the last two months, have generated tens of millions of views. REPUBLICANS URGE BIDEN ADMIN TO STOP DELAYING MAJOR GAS PIPELINE PROJECT Additionally, in December, dozens of environmental groups wrote to DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm, imploring her to reject the CP2 project “for the sake of our climate and communities.” Days later, 170 scientists penned a letter to President Biden, asking him to determine CP2 is not in the public interest and to reject it and other pending LNG facilities. “Putting a stop to expanded gas exports is one of the most important moves President Biden could make on addressing the climate crisis. It would mark a bold and historic decision and a major win for communities and advocates that have long spoken out about the dangers of LNG,” Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous said Wednesday. “These facilities pollute our communities, make energy more expensive for American families, and exacerbate the climate crisis all for the sake of more gas the world does not need,” he continued. “Our movement will not give up, and we will keep working to ensure that this reported groundbreaking step will lead to meaningful change.” Further, climate activist Bill McKibben announced he was organizing a civil disobedience protest outside the Department of Energy’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., over the permitting of new LNG
Bidens invite Kate Cox, Dallas mom who sued to terminate pregnancy, to State of the Union address
The Supreme Court of Texas ruled against Cox’s lawsuit to block the state’s abortion ban. She traveled out of state to have an abortion.
More Texans than ever before enrolled in ACA health plans in 2024, feds say
The final enrollment numbers, released Wednesday, touched off discussions over whether Texas should create its own marketplace exchange.
House Democrat slams Oscars for snubbing ‘Barbie’ movie: ‘Problem with women’
House Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, is accusing the Academy Awards of sexism over the exclusion of the film “Barbie” from the Best Director category. The congressman added a high-profile voice to the internet’s progressive-fueled outrage over director Greta Gerwig not getting a mention for the 2023 summer hit. “Hollywood still has a big problem with women. In 2022, women made up 11% of directors (of top 250 grossing films),” Castro wrote on X. JODIE FOSTER CLAIMS BEFORE ‘BARBIE,’ WOMEN DIRECTORS WERE A ‘RISK’ IN HOLLYWOOD “So in 2023 Greta Gerwig: 1. Directs Barbie, year’s highest grossing film at $1.4B; 2. Provides coattails to Oppenheimer ($1B); 3. Saves [Warner Bros. Discovery’s] disastrous year.” He concluded, “How do you end up directing the biggest hit of the year, a cultural phenomenon, and not get an Oscar nomination for best director? Be a female director in Hollywood, apparently.” SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL BEGINS, ATTENDEES INCLUDE CHRISTOPHER NOLAN, KRISTEN STEWART But he wasn’t the only national Democratic figure to chime in; Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton chimed in with a message to the movie’s lead actress and director. “Greta & Margot, While it can sting to win the box office but not take home the gold, your millions of fans love you. You’re both so much more than Kenough,” Clinton wrote on X. CHRISTOPHER NOLAN INVITED TO PELOTON STUDIO AFTER INSTRUCTOR ADMITS SHE DISSED ‘TENET’ “Barbie,” along with Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” was credited with saving the movie industry from a lingering post-COVID slump. It was nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Actor for Ryan Gosling, who played the titular doll’s boyfriend Ken, and a Supporting Actress nod for America Ferrera. But left-wing activists complained at the lack of a nod for both Gerwig and the movie’s lead actress, Margot Robbie. Fox News Digital reached out to Castro’s office and the Academy for comment.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders hints at future plans amid Trump VP speculation
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders – while not totally ruling out potentially serving as former President Donald Trump’s running mate – is making it clear that she plans to run for re-election in 2026. “I love Arkansas and I feel like I just got started here with one year in office,” Sanders said Monday while delivering remarks at the Arkansas Christian Schools Summit. “There’s a long list of things I want to make happen.” With Trump being the commanding frontrunner in the Republican presidential race – winning both the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary – anticipation is growing over who the former president would pick as his running mate. Sanders often appears in speculative lists. VOTERS SHARE TOP RUNNING MATE CHOICES FOR TRUMP IF ELECTED: ‘IT HAS TO BE SOMEONE YOUNGER’ Sanders, the daughter of Fox News host and former longtime Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, was White House press secretary in Trump’s administration. TRUMP SAYS NIKKI HALEY ‘PROBABLY’ NOT HIS CHOICE FOR VICE PRESIDENT Now serving as Arkansas’ first female governor and a prominent GOP political figure, she’s considered to be one of many names on a long list of potential running mates for Trump. Sanders has openly endorsed Trump and is campaigning on his behalf, but amid rumors of rejoining his administration, affirmed her plans to run for re-election as governor. A source in the governor’s political orbit also told Fox News on Wednesday that “she is very, very happy with what she’s doing.” On Monday, Sanders also said, “I’m very biased in what I hope happens in the election. I’m going to do everything within my power to see that Donald Trump gets re-elected, but I look forward to serving as governor for seven years.” Trump said he already decided on his 2024 running mate during a recent Fox News townhall, but did not give any hints as to who that might be. Among the other rumored VP picks are Gov. Kristi Noem, R-S.D., Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, and Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y.
Arizona GOP chair resigns, claiming Kari Lake’s secret recording was a ‘set up’; Lake campaign fires back
FIRST ON FOX: Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake’s campaign is pushing back on a claim by the now-former state GOP chair that he was “set-up” by the conservative firebrand in a leaked audio recording allegedly containing an attempt to bribe her against running for Senate this year. Arizona Republican Party Chair Jeff DeWit resigned with a lengthy resignation letter on Wednesday, one day after the audio recording was leaked and first reported on by the Daily Mail. In the letter, he claimed the recording was a “deceptive tactic” by Lake and accused her of being “on a mission to destroy” him. “The tape speaks for itself: The Arizona GOP Chairman Jeff DeWit attempted to bribe Kari Lake. Thankfully, Kari is an extremely ethical person who rejected DeWit’s multiple attempts to offer her money and corporate board seats in exchange for Kari not running for public office,” campaign senior advisers Caroline Wren and Garrett Ventry told Fox News Digital. RECORD GOP TURNOUT, CALLS FOR HALEY TO LEAVE RACE ROUND OUT TOP 5 MOMENTS FROM THE NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARIES “She will be an incredible Senator for Arizonans. No one from the Kari Lake campaign threatened or blackmailed DeWit. It is unfortunate that Dewit hasn’t recognized how unethical his behavior was and still hasn’t apologized to Arizona Republicans. DeWit’s false claims are just par for the course. The Arizona GOP must be relieved to have his resignation. Now we can focus on getting ethical leadership and win big in 2024,” they added. Fox News has obtained the audio recording, but did not independently authenticate it. It appears to show DeWit asking Lake if there is “any number” that would entice her to “take a pause for a couple of years.” However, Lake pushed back on the notion that she “can be bought.” “This is not about money, it’s about our country,” Lake said. TIM SCOTT SETS CROWD ALIVE WITH ONE-LINER AFTER TRUMP SAYS HE ‘MUST REALLY HATE’ HALEY In his resignation letter, DeWit acknowledged it was him in the recording and claimed Lake released a “selectively edited audio recording” of a more than 10-month-old private conversation between the two, and that it was “taken out of context.” “Contrary to the notion of me being an enemy of Lake’s, this conversation was recorded while I was actually employing Lake in my private company. In fact, for over a year and a half we had many conversations where I was looking out for her financial interests,” DeWit wrote. “Contrary to accusations of bribery, my discussions were transparent and intended to offer perspective, not coercion. Our relationship was based on friendship, and the conversation that is now being scrutinized was an open, unguarded exchange between friends in the living room of her house. I genuinely believed I was offering a helpful perspective to someone I considered a friend,” he added. FREEDOM CAUCUS REVOLTS IN SOUTH CAROLINA OVER CLAIMS GOP PLANS TO ‘MUZZLE’ LEGISLATIVE POWERS, BOOST DEMS DeWit was elected to chair the Arizona GOP last year, replacing former chairwoman and Senate candidate Kelli Ward. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Republican National Committee for comment. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
Fox News Politics: Five takeaways from the New Hampshire primary
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? -U.S. responds to Russian claims over Alaska -More Republican Senators rally around Trump after New Hampshire -Biden’s new campaign chair previously referred to republicans as ‘f—-ers’ Former President Donald Trump and President Biden each declared victory in Tuesday’s New Hampshire primaries, making a general election rematch look even more likely. From record Republican turnout to intra-party criticism, here are the top five moments from the New Hampshire primaries: 1. Haley vows to stay in the fight Despite her second loss in a row to Trump and polls suggesting the upcoming contests in Nevada and South Carolina — her home state — would produce similar results, Haley vowed to continue campaigning for the Republican nomination. 2. Trump declares himself the unity candidate In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital’s Brooke Singman following his victory, Trump said he was “very honored” by the support he received from voters, and declared that the Republican Party was “very united” behind his candidacy. But some political prognosticators indicate that Haley’s second-place finish could be a warning sign for Trump. 3. Biden wins New Hampshire via write-in campaign Biden won his party’s primary despite failing to file as a candidate in the state last year, but did so with a massive write-in campaign that saw him carrying around 60% of the vote. But Democratic primary challenger Rep. Dean Phillips isn’t standing down. 4. Big-name Republicans turn on Haley Following Trump’s sizable win, more big-name Republicans began calling on Haley to drop out of the race, including Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. “Looking at the math and the path going forward, I don’t see it for Nikki Haley,” McDaniel told Fox News. 5. Record turnout The New Hampshire Republican primary saw record turnout on Tuesday despite some reports that low energy among voters would depress the vote. With approximately 92% of the vote counted, more than 293,000 ballots had been cast compared to just over 101,000 with approximately 88% of the vote counted in the Democrat primary. ‘OUT OF TOUCH’: Biden’s ‘de facto EV mandate’ under fire from large GOP coalition …Read more ‘ELECTION DENIER’: Biden blasted over ‘joke’ about who the ‘real’ governor of Virginia is …Read more ‘NOT GETTING IT BACK’: US laughs off reports of Putin eyeing Alaska as Russia’s ‘former real estate’ …Read more ‘CROSSED THE LINE’: Republicans unveil effort blocking Biden admin from tearing down key power source …Read more ‘UNITE AROUND’ TRUMP: More GOP senators rally around Trump after New Hampshire win …Read more ‘AN IMPORTANT ISSUE’: Border district Democrat warns Biden the immigration crisis will ‘absolutely’ be election issue in 2024 …Read more CITY-SIZED ‘GOTAWAYS’: Hawley probes shocking illegal immigrant numbers …Read more UKRAINE MEMO: Vance circulates memo ahead of private GOP Ukraine meeting detailing US aid oversight lapses …Read more ‘INADEQUATE’: House GOP threatens ‘compulsory’ action against Harvard over its response to antisemitism probe …Read more BALLOT FIGHT: Hawaii Democrat introduces bill to ban Trump …Read more ‘THIS PRIMARY IS OVER’: Conservatives warn Haley after Trump’s New Hampshire victory …Read more MANCHIN TEASES WH RUN: Democratic senator says ‘people are looking for options’ in 2024 presidential election …Read more ‘DARK TURN’: Ramaswamy warns of the ‘sinister forces’ at play if Haley stays in race …Read more BROKEN CLOCKS: Trump, Biden agree on one thing about the Republican primary …Read more UPHILL FIGHT: Haley allies admit she has ‘steeper road ahead’ facing Trump in South Carolina …Read more VERMONT’S PURSE: Vermont GOP governor proposes $8.6 billion budget, urges lawmakers to avoid tax increase …Read more GA PROSECUTOR: Trump GA prosecutor in relationship with DA blasted for ‘inadequate’ info on drug, alcohol use …Read more Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Texas high court won’t force Collin County to pay prosecutors in Paxton securities fraud case
Paxton’s securities fraud trial has been delayed for years by a number of pretrial disputes, including how much the special prosecutors should be paid.
Lara Trump predicts US won’t be ‘the same country’ if GOP voters don’t rally behind Trump to defeat Biden
MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE – Former President Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump on Tuesday said she believes skeptical GOP voters will coalesce around the former president in November and said former Ambassador Nikki Haley’s path to the nomination is essentially “impossible.” “I think so I don’t see any world in which someone who loves this country, who wants to see this country succeed again, who wants to see people basically return to a time when they could achieve their American dream, I don’t see any of those people ever voting for Joe Biden,” Trump told Fox News Digital in New Hampshire Tuesday when asked if she thinks Republicans who didn’t support Trump in the primary will support him in November. “We know, of any candidate who has been running in this election for president of the United States, there is only one who has done it successfully, It’s Donald Trump and maybe you don’t like every tweet, maybe you don’t like his personality at times, but he kept us safe,” Trump continued. “He kept us strong. He made people prosperous. He really reinvigorated the American spirit and, man, do we need that now more than ever. I don’t see anyone who really considers himself someone who loves this country ever voting for Joe Biden.” Lara Trump spoke to Fox News Digital hours before Trump’s record third New Hampshire primary victory and talked about Haley’s chances of winning in South Carolina next month. TRUMP RAN UP THE SCORE WITH THESE VOTERS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY WIN, FOX NEWS VOTER ANALYSIS REVEALS “Polling for Nikki Haley does not indicate that she would likely win her home state,” Trump said. “I think you look at New Hampshire, you have Nevada coming up as well, she’s not even registered right now for the caucuses there. That’s the only way you actually earn delegates from the votes there.” “So I think the path to victory seems small, if not negligible and impossible for her at this point. Politically, I don’t know that it would be the greatest move for her to stay in this election.” DONALD TRUMP WINS AGAIN, AS FORMER PRESIDENT QUICKLY BEATS NIKKI HALEY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE GOP PRIMARY Trump added, “The reality is we have to target our enemy. The enemy is Joe Biden. We have to take back the White House. We want to take back the Senate. We want more folks in the House from the Republican side of the aisle because we really do have a country to save at this point. I don’t think it’s hyperbolic to say that if Joe Biden wins this election in 2024, I don’t believe we will have the same country after another term of Joe Biden as president that we started with when Donald Trump left office.” If disgruntled Republicans do unite behind former President Trump in November, Lara Trump told Fox News Digital that Biden is handing a victory to Republicans by doing a “masterful” job campaigning for them with his unpopular policies. “That’s not to say that we don’t have our work cut out for us,” Trump said. “We know that we deal majorly with a hostile mainstream media who does not like Donald Trump, certainly, and is always in the pocket of the liberals, who are basically the marketing arm for the Democrat Party at this point. “We’re up against a lot and we take nothing for granted so I do think we’re going to have to work. But man, when it comes to Joe Biden, he certainly has served it up to us on a silver platter.”