House, Senate GOP leaders urge SCOTUS to halt ‘dangerous precedent,’ defend Trump’s ballot access
FIRST ON FOX: Republican House and Senate leaders filed an amicus brief in support of former President Donald Trump’s case against the Colorado Supreme Court for removing him from the state’s 2024 ballot. More than 170 lawmakers signed the brief. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., filed the brief on Thursday, arguing the court’s decision “encroaches” on Congress’ powers and that Congress must pass authorizing legislation to enforce the 14th Amendment, which the Colorado Supreme Court cited as the basis for removing Trump. “The radical left consistently does what they claim their opponents are doing. While President Biden and his allies claim they are defending democracy, their supporters are working to undermine democracy by banning Biden’s likely general election opponent from appearing on the ballot,” Cruz said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “The American people see through this, and I’m confident the Supreme Court will as well.” POLL SHOWS BIDEN HITTING RECORD LOW APPROVALS, FALLING BEHIND AGAINST TRUMP IN 2024 MATCHUP Scalise said in a statement that the Colorado court is “setting a dangerous precedent” and “subverting the will of the American people.” “Not only does the Colorado Supreme Court have no authority to remove President Trump from the ballot in the 2024 presidential election, but the broad and ill-defined justifications they use can easily be abused in the future to block political opponents from assuming office,” he said. READ REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER’S AMICUS BRIEF House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., one of the lawmakers who signed the brief, said “liberal activist judges” are weaponizing the legal system against Trump “solely because they despise him.” Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., another signer, said the Colorado Supreme Court “mis-stepped and overstepped.” Lawmakers assert in the 29-page amicus brief that it infringes on the prerogatives of Congress members and argue the court overlooked various textual and structural limitations in Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which says no one shall assume office if they have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the U.S. government. TRUMP DOMINATES POLLING IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND BEYOND AFTER IOWA CAUCUSES VICTORY Additionally, they criticized the court for adopting a broad interpretation of what it means to “engage in insurrection,” which they believe could result in the widespread misuse of the 14th Amendment against political opponents. “The Colorado Supreme Court’s decision severely intrudes on those congressional powers first by allowing enforcement of Section 3 without congressional authorization, and then by concluding that Section 3 authorizes a state to de-ballot a candidate,” the brief states. “The Fourteenth Amendment expressly gives Congress the ‘power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.’” “In other words, Section 3 enforcement mechanisms are left to Congress, not to a patchwork of state officials and courts,” lawmakers wrote. The brief states that if Congress decides to approve enforcement legislation outside of criminal contexts, it has the option to narrow down the scope by providing more specific definitions for terms like “engaging in” and “insurrection.” “Congress could even require a factfinding process and standards of proof that accord with the gravity of the consequence,” the brief read. The brief contends that “in polarized times, it is easy to cast an opponent’s rhetoric about the outcome of elections as encouraging others to obstruct the peaceful transfer of power.” “According to President Biden, a sizable portion of the Republican electorate, if not all of it, is determined to destroy democracy,” the brief read. “When partisan state officials believe so much is at stake, they may go to great lengths to interfere with the ordinary democratic process. That makes it all the more critical to minimize the partisan incentive to boot opponents off the ballot using the incredible sanction of Section 3.” TRUMP SAYS LEGAL WOES ARE A BIDEN, DEMOCRATIC PARTY SETUP: ‘NEW FORM OF CHEATING’ In December, the Colorado Supreme Court disqualified Trump from appearing on the state’s ballots in 2024. The disqualification, which was made under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, is related to the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. “We do not reach these conclusions lightly,” the court’s majority wrote. “We are mindful of the magnitude and weight of the questions now before us. We are likewise mindful of our solemn duty to apply the law, without fear or favor, and without being swayed by public reaction to the decisions that the law mandates we reach.” In a previous ruling, Colorado District Judge Sarah B. Wallace allowed Trump to stay on the ballot, but found that Trump “engaged in insurrection” for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said in a statement that she would “continue to follow court guidance on this important issue.” “The Colorado Supreme Court has ruled that Donald Trump is barred from the Colorado ballot for inciting the January 6 insurrection and attempting to overturn the 2020 Presidential Election. This decision may be appealed,” Griswold wrote. Fox News’ Bill Mears and Adam Sabes contributed to this report.
Survivor winner turned Kentucky lawmaker apologizes after bill mistakenly allowed sex with first cousins
Kentucky state Rep. Nick Wilson, a past winner of the TV show “Survivor,” apologized for a bill meant to combat family sexual abuse that mistakenly legally allowed sex with first cousins. “I filed HB 269 yesterday. The purpose of the bill is to add ‘sexual contact’ to the incest statute. Currently, incest only applies in cases of intercourse. So sexual touching/groping by uncles, stepdads or anyone with a familial relationship is not included in incest. My bill makes that kind of sexual contact a Class D Felony, unless the victim is under the age of 12, then it increases the penalty to a Class C Felony,” Wilson, a Republican representing District 82 covering Williamsburg, explained in a Facebook post on Wednesday. “During the drafting process, there was an inadvertent change, which struck ‘first cousins’ from the list of relationships included under the incest statute, and I failed to add it back in. During today’s session, I will withdraw HB 269 and refile a bill with the ‘first cousin’ language intact. The fact that I was able to file a bill, catch the mistake, withdraw the bill and refile within a 24-hour period shows that we have a good system,” he said. “This is a bill to combat a problem of familial and cyclical abuse that transcends generations of Kentuckians. I understand that I made a mistake, but I sincerely hope my mistake doesn’t hurt the chances of the corrected version of the bill. It is a good bill, and I hope it will get a second chance.” The initial bill went viral on social media and was withdrawn on Wednesday, the Kentuck General Assembly website shows. TENNESSEE, KENTUCKY BANS ON TRANSGENDER PROCEDURES FOR MINORS UPHELD IN FEDERAL COURT Wilson later filed a new version of the bill adding back language barring sexual contact with a “first cousin,” as well as a parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, great-grandparent, great-grandchild, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, brother, sister, ancestor, or descendant. “House Bill 289 adds ‘sexual contact’ to incest, applies a penalty to such conduct, and adds incest to the violent offender statute. This bill makes NO other changes to current law,” Wilson, a 33-year-old University of Kentucky graduate, wrote in another Facebook post Wednesday. DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR EXCORIATED FOR VETOING BILL BANNING GENDER TRANSITION SURGERY FOR MINORS: ‘INSANITY’ Wilson rose to fame after winning Survivor: David vs. Goliath in 2018, and later competed in 2020’s Survivor: Winners at War. Last March, Wilson received criticism from LGBTQ activists for voting in favor of another bill, known as SB 150, that barred sex change surgeries and other transgender medical treatment for minors. “This is a bill that pertains only to children. This is not ‘anti-trans’ or ‘anti-LGBTIA+ legislation,’” Wilson said in a statement to People at the time. “SB150 is a bill aimed at protecting children from making life-altering decisions at too young of an age. If you’re a Kentuckian over the age of 17, then your rights are not affected by this bill whatsoever.” The bill was vetoed by Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, but the Republican-controlled legislature overrode the veto, allowing the measure to become law. Amid legal efforts seeking to prevent enforcement, Republican Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron defended the law as “commonsense law protect[ing] children from the irreversible effects of experimental drug treatments like puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.” In October, Kentucky’s ban on transgender procedures for minors was upheld in federal court. The law also includes measures intended to prevent school administrators from hiding students’ transitions from their parents or requiring use of pronouns not in line with biological sex.
Wisconsin Republican push to impeach elections official faces internal opposition
A Republican attempt to impeach Wisconsin’s nonpartisan top elections official is nothing more than “a big show for the cameras” and will be ignored, the Assembly’s GOP majority leader said Thursday. Several Republican lawmakers, including the state Senate president, have called for Wisconsin Elections Commission Administrator Meagan Wolfe to be impeached over her handling of the 2020 election won by President Biden. The Senate voted in October to fire Wolfe but later admitted that the vote was symbolic and had no legal effect. In the Assembly, state Rep. Janel Brandtjen has introduced a resolution to impeach Wolfe. As of Thursday, it had just five co-sponsors in addition to Brandtjen. It would require 50 votes to pass. WISCONSIN REPUBLICANS CLASH OVER MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION PLAN Brandtjen tried in vain on Tuesday to be recognized to speak in an attempt to get a vote on her proposal. Brandtjen, who has endorsed discredited conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, accused Republican leaders of being “Administrator Wolfe’s PR team.” During a news conference before Thursday’s session, Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August said Brandtjen’s proposal would not be voted on because it doesn’t have enough support to get out of committee or be approved by a majority of the Assembly. “We have a process that has been utilized in this building for decades of how to bring a bill or a resolution to the floor,” August said. “And that’s the process that we’ll continue to use.” August said if Brandtjen has enough support to bring the measure forward for a vote, she can. “But the fact is she doesn’t,” August said. “Our caucus is focused on real things, not grifting and not making a big show for the cameras. And that’s all she’s interested in doing.” Even as the impeachment effort stalls, Republicans have called for Wolfe to be replaced. But she has said she will remain in her post at least through the November election. WISCONSIN GOP TO PROPOSE TAX CUTS FOR FAMILIES EARNING UP TO $200K Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is being targeted for recall by supporters of former President Donald Trump, in part over his opposition to the Wolfe impeachment. Trump in November posted a news release on his social media platform Truth Social from Brandtjen criticizing Vos for not doing more to remove Wolfe. The Assembly can only vote to impeach state officials for corrupt conduct in office or for committing a crime or misdemeanor. If a majority of the Assembly were to vote to impeach, the case would move to a Senate trial in which a two-thirds vote would be required for conviction. Although Wolfe is the administrator of elections, it is the more than 1,800 local clerks who actually run elections in the presidential battleground state. The commission she oversees is run by a bipartisan board with an equal number of Republicans and Democrats. Brandtjen and others who support impeaching Wolfe had pushed for decertification of Biden’s 2020 win. Biden defeated Trump by nearly 21,000 votes in Wisconsin, an outcome that has withstood two partial recounts, a nonpartisan audit, a conservative law firm’s review, and multiple state and federal lawsuits.
Louisiana gov orders state law enforcement to track illegal immigrant crime
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has signed an executive order requiring every government agency to capture data on the activities of illegal immigrants in the state — including the number of those charged or convicted of a criminal offense. Landry, a Republican, signed the order which directs every executive branch agency to “consider the effects of illegal immigration” on their agencies and offices and collect data relating to the “provision of public services or the expenditure of public funds directly or indirectly to, or for the benefit of illegal aliens.” The executive order will also require law enforcement to collect and report data on a monthly basis on the number of aliens charged or convicted and include their citizenship, nationality and immigration status. It will also require the reporting of criminal history, gang affiliation and whether they are in the country legally or illegally. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT POPULATION SOARS UNDER BIDEN: GOVERNMENT DATA “The cost of illegal immigration in this state is falling on the shoulders of hard-working Louisianans,” Landry said in a statement. “This Executive Order will analyze data to determine the financial burden our citizens are being forced to carry because of those who do not follow the law,” “Louisiana will always welcome those who legally immigrate, but taxpayers cannot continue to foot the bill for individuals who break the law and skip the line,” he said. The order comes amid national concern in both Democratic and Republican areas about the ongoing costs of the historic migrant crisis at the southern border — which has extended its reach far beyond the southern border. Democratic cities like New York City and Chicago have pleaded for help from the federal government due to the flood of migrants they’ve seen into their cities. Meanwhile, Republican attorneys general have testified to Congress about the effects of illegal immigration and fentanyl — which is primarily trafficked through the border — on their states. BORDER NUMBERS FOR DECEMBER BREAK MONTHLY RECORD, AS BIDEN TALKS AMNESTY WITH MEXICO Republicans have blamed the Biden administration for what it says are “catch-and-release” policies and narrowed interior enforcement. The executive order says that the administration “has failed to prevent the illicit entry of aliens and has…enacted policies designed to undermine the rule of law and encourage and induce the illegal entry of historic numbers contrary to law.” The Biden administration has said it is a “broken system” that is drawing migrants to the border amid a hemisphere-wide crisis, and that it needs funding and immigration reform legislation from Congress to fix it. Congress is currently debating a supplemental funding request from the White House that includes $14 billion for the border crisis, including aid to states and communities. But Republicans want to see stricter limits on asylum and a more limited use of parole.
Senate Dems sink amendment to halt Palestinian aid until Hamas’ hostages are released
Senate Democrats voted down an amendment on Thursday to freeze aid to any Palestinian government until hostages held by Hamas are released and the Palestinian Authority renounces the terrorist group. The measure, proposed by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., failed to reach the required 60 votes needed. The final tally was 44 in favor and 50 against the measure. Most Democrats in the chamber voting against the amendment. Hamas is currently holding 130 of the 240 hostages captive, including six Americans, whose conditions are unknown. The amendment would have barred aid to the Palestinian Authority, or any other Palestinian governing entity in the West Bank and Gaza, until certain conditions were met — like formally renouncing the Ot. 7 terror attacks on Israel. SEN. PAUL SAYS FAUCI DESERVES PRISON FOR COVID-19 MISHANDLING: ‘THERE WAS NO SCIENCE’ “We speak of human rights but reward those who violate them,” Paul said on the floor. “We can no longer afford empty rhetoric. It makes no sense to borrow money from China and turn around and give that money away to foreign countries. It is fiscally irresponsible, and it is weakening our national security. America must demand a change, a change in behavior from those who do not accept Israel’s right to exist from those who actively seek the destruction of the State of Israel and murder innocent Israelis.” Paul proposed the amendment to the short-term spending bill that extends funding for government agencies until March. Congress is anticipated to pass the bill by the end of Thursday before sending it to President Biden’s desk. The amendment would have been subject to exceptions if the president certified certain conditions, including the recognition of Israel as a nation and renunciation of terrorism. Additionally, the amendment would require a report on human rights practices of the Palestinian Authority or other governing entities, including violations. The Palestinian Authority “won’t recognize Israel, they won’t even condemn the massacre where 1,200 people were killed October 7,” Paul told the Senate. “American resources should always promote American security interests and values, and any recipient of our tax dollars should be more than willing to adopt the principles that recognize the liberty and dignity of the individual, but we cannot expect the recipient of aid to change their behavior if America does not demand it.” According to the amendment, the Department of State’s West Bank and Gaza 2022 Human Rights Report identified significant human rights issues with the Palestinian Authority, “including credible reports of unlawful or arbitrary killings.” SENATE CLEARS HURDLE TO ADVANCE TEMPORARY SPENDING BILL Other offenses include “torture or cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishments by Palestinian Authority officials, arbitrary arrest or detention of political prisoners and detainees, and significant problems with the independence of the judiciary.” “The report found that the Palestinian Authority did not adequately investigate or hold accountable gender-based violence, and crimes, violence, and threats of violence motivated by anti-Semitism,” the amendment text read. Speaking against the amendment on Thursday, Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., said it was important to ensure a future for the Palestinian people. “We know the tragedy of this war with Hamas, but we hope coming out of it will give us a new opportunity for peace in the region,” Cardin said on the floor. “And that will require us to be able to help deal with the crisis that’s been created through Hamas’s attack, particularly with the Palestinian people, and to work to make sure there’s a future for the Palestinian people living in peace with Israel.” Paul has consistently taken a hawkish stance against foreign aid that he believes lacks proper oversight, particularly expressing strong opposition to ongoing assistance for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia as well. Earlier this week, Paul voted alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., as the lone Republican on a resolution that would have halted U.S. aid to Israel unless the Biden administration reports to Congress within 30 days about whether Israel committed human rights violations during its war with Hamas. The measure failed in a 72-11 vote. This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
Former GOP Congressman Justin Amash explores joining crowded Michigan Senate field
Former Republican Congressman Justin Amash, a Libertarian who left the Republican Party in 2019 and became an independent, has announced he is considering running for Senate in Michigan. “I’ve been humbled in recent weeks by the many people who have urged me to run for Senate in Michigan and to do so by joining the Republican primary,” Amash, who represented Michigan’s 3rd Congressional District until 2021, posted on X on Thursday. “They see what I see: contenders for the seat who are uninspired, unserious, and unprepared to tackle the chief impediment to liberty and economic prosperity – an overgrown and abusive government that strives to centralize power and snuff out individualism.” “The people of Michigan and our country deserve better. Today I’m launching the Justin Amash for Senate Exploratory Committee as I consider entering the race.” Amash added that a “principled” and “consistent conservative” is needed in the Senate while touting his record of “taking on the bipartisan oligarchy, defending sound money and free speech, fighting the surveillance state and military-industrial complex, and protecting all our rights.” MICHIGAN SENATE CANDIDATE SAYS HE WAS OFFERED $20 MILLION TO CHALLENGE REP. TLAIB INSTEAD Amash famously left the Republican Party amid strong disagreements with President Trump. After switching to “independent,” Amash joined House Democrats in voting to impeach Trump over his communications with Ukraine. “In recent years, though, I’ve become disenchanted with party politics and frightened by what I see from it,” Amash wrote in a Washington Post op-ed announcing his departure from Congress. “The two-party system has evolved into an existential threat to American principles and institutions.” Trump soon responded, calling Amash’s departure “great news” for the GOP and suggesting he quit because he was likely to lose to a primary challenge for his re-election bid. Amash filed an exploratory committee to run for president in 2020 as a Libertarian but decided against running. TRUMP BOASTS SIGNIFICANT LEAD IN MICHIGAN AS BIDEN FALTERS: POLL Amash, if he decides to run, would be joining an already crowded field in the GOP primary that includes former U.S. Reps. Mike Rogers and Peter Meijer, businessman Sandy Pensler, and Detroit’s former police chief, James Craig. The Republicans are vying for a seat that’s been held by Democrats since 2001, but that will be vacated by Stabenow, who is retiring at the end of next year. U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin has led a field of Democratic candidates that also includes actor Hill Harper. Slotkin had nearly $4 million more in the bank than any other Senate candidate through September, according to campaign finance numbers released in October. A statewide poll earlier this month concluded that the Michigan Senate race is currently a “toss up.” President Biden won Michigan by less than three points in 2020 after former President Trump won the state in 2016 by less than a point. Fox News Digital’s Sam Dorman, Adam Shaw, and the Associated Press contributed to this report
Online message boards give closer look inside Amarillo’s heated abortion debate
After months of consideration from the Amarillo City Council, an abortion travel ban is gaining support through a new citizen-led petition.
Twenty months after deadly Uvalde school shooting, multiple investigations have yet to be released
The U.S. Department of Justice just released its investigation into law enforcement’s response to the shooting at Robb Elementary School. But at least three other investigations have not yet been released to the public.
Transgender candidates in Ohio could be disqualified from ballot for failing to disclose ‘deadnames’
Transgender candidates running for state office in Ohio are at risk of being disqualified from the ballot for neglecting to disclose their given name on election paperwork. Several Democrats seeking election to the GOP-controlled state House this year — motivated by bills they argue target and discriminate against transgender people — say their campaigns face a hurdle thanks to an obscure state law that requires them to list their “deadnames,” the names they had before their transition. The 1995 Ohio election law requires that candidates disclose any name changes in the last five years on their petition paperwork, with exemptions for name changes due to marriage. Democrats have complained that the law is not listed in the 33-page candidate requirement guide and allege state officials have “weaponized” it against transgender candidates. “I do not believe transgender candidates should be required to put deadnames on candidacy documents. While I don’t believe this law was written with bigotry in mind, I do believe it is clearly being weaponized for transphobic purpose,” said Arienne Childrey, a Democrat from Auglaize County who is running for state House, in a statement to Fox News Digital. OHIO LAWMAKERS PREP TO OVERRIDE GOP GOVERNOR’S VETO OF BAN ON TRANS MEDICAL PROCEDURES FOR KIDS Childrey, who identifies as female, is challenging Rep. Angie King, a Republican lawmaker who sponsored bills that would segregate school bathrooms by sex, requiring transgender students to use facilities corresponding to their birth sex. King also voted for bans on sex-reassignment medical procedures for minors and to bar transgender athletes from female sports teams. The Mercer County Board of Elections will vote Thursday on whether Childrey is eligible to run after not disclosing a legal name change on petition paperwork. Childrey is one of four transgender candidates running for the legislature and the second to face ballot access issues based on the 1995 law. The candidates say they would have followed the name-change notification requirement had they known about it. “I do not disagree with the spirit of this law. The law was designed to keep bad players from changing their names and running for office on the grounds of fooling voters,” said Vanessa Joy, a real estate photographer from Stark County running for the Ohio House. Joy was disqualified from the ballot earlier this month for violating the name requirement. CONSERVATIVES BLAST REPUBLICAN OHIO GOVERNOR AS ‘COWARD’ FOR TRANSGENDER BILL VETO “I want to make this abundantly clear: HAD I KNOWN ABOUT THIS LAW, I WOULD HAVE INCLUDED MY DEADNAME ON MY PETITIONS,” Joy wrote in a Facebook Post. “Would I have liked people to know that name? No. But, serving the people of District 50 is far more important to me than the people signing the petitions and the Board of Elections knowing my deadname.” Childrey said the same in an interview with The Associated Press. “I would have filled out whatever was necessary, because at the end of the day, while it would have been a hit to my pride, there is something much more important than my pride, and that’s fighting for this community,” Childrey said. Last week, Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose said while his office is open to putting the rule on the candidate guide, they are not open to tweaking the law and that it is up to candidates to ensure they comply with Ohio election law. RILEY GAINES PUTS HEAT ON REPUBLICAN OHIO GOVERNOR TO SIGN BAN ON TRANSGENDER SURGERY FOR MINORS However, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday that the law should be changed and that county boards should not disqualify transgender candidates on that basis. “We shouldn’t be denying ballot access for that reason,” the governor told Cleveland.com’s editorial board. “It certainly should be fixed.” DeWine is under fire from Ohio conservatives for vetoing a proposed ban on sex-reassignment medical procedures for minors, but the state House overrode his veto. The Senate is expected to follow suit on Jan. 24. “I would disagree with Governor Dewine on much, but on this I’m in agreement,” Childrey said when asked about DeWine’s position on the name-change notification requirement. “Transgender candidates should not be disqualified due to an obscure, seldom enforced law.” DETRANSITIONERS SAY THEY FACE VITRIOL FROM TRANS ACTIVISTS THEY PREVIOUSLY CONSIDERED A ‘SECOND FAMILY’ Other transgender candidates impacted by the name-change notification law include Ari Faber, a Democratic candidate running for the Ohio state Senate from Athens, and Bobbie Arnold, a contractor from West Alexandria running as a Democrat for the Ohio House. Both candidates were ultimately cleared to run and will have their names on the ballot for the March 19 primary. Joy, who was disqualified, intends to file a lawsuit challenging the law with the support of the Ohio House Democratic Caucus and the Ohio Democratic Party Pride Caucus. “The Transgender community in the United States of America is currently in the midst of a state-sponsored genocide, brought on by the Republican Party. In 2023, a record 587 bills levied against the rights of transgender people were introduced across the country. Already in 2024, we are nearing 180 bills introduced … and we are only 10 days into the year,” Joy wrote on Facebook. “Ohio is no exception, and in fact is becoming one of the most dangerous places in the country for transgender people to live.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Melania Trump gives emotional tribute to late mother at Palm Beach funeral
Former first lady Melania Trump remembered her mother Amalija Knavs for her passion for fashion and family, celebrating the Slovenia native’s immigration to the United States to be with her grandson during a heartfelt eulogy at her funeral Thursday morning. “My mother, the epitome of elegance and grace, exemplified the essence of a true woman. Her love for her husband, Viktor, my father, Ines, my sister and me was boundless. Her nurturing spirit had no limits, creating a legacy that will last for generations. She showered her grandson, Barron, with affection, illuminating his world with love, tender care, and unwavering devotion,” Melania said at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida. “She embodied the best mother, wife, grandmother, mother-in-law, a true beacon of love and luxury in our lives.” “With each step she took, she embraced the privilege bestowed upon her and, in time, the privilege of becoming a US citizen. She vowed to contribute to make a difference in the world,” Melania Trump said of her mother, who died Jan. 9 at age 78 in Miami after an undisclosed illness. “Filled with uncertainty, she knew an exquisite sense of pride as my husband became the President of the United States and as I embarked on a grand odyssey, traveling the corners of the globe as the first lady. My father, my sister, Barron, Donald and I will forever remember the echoes of our laughter that we share with our beloved Babi over family dinners and travels. Her conversations flowed effortlessly, adorned with grace and charm. No topic was off limits.” “In her presence, the world seemed to shimmer with radiant joy. She was not just a friend, but a confidant. A ray of light in the darkest of days. In her company, I found peace knowing that she would always be there to listen. She celebrated our successes and provided unwavering support during chaotic times. Our bond was unbreakable. A testament to the power of a true love for one another. She was my dear friend. An irreplaceable treasure. A gift bestowed upon me by the universe. And for that, I am entirely grateful. Rest in peace, my beloved mommy.” MELANIA TRUMP ANNOUNCES PASSING OF ‘BELOVED’ MOTHER: ‘WE WILL MISS HER BEYOND MEASURE’ The former first lady also recalled how her mother taught her to cook and inspired her interest in fashion with tales of glamorous travels to Paris and neighboring European cities and spending late nights together sketching designs and patterns, ultimately creating pieces akin to “artwork.” “She was a creator of dreams, and I am forever grateful for the beauty she brought into my life,” Trump said, describing how her mother “balanced the demands of motherhood with grace and poise. From managing the household to pursuing her own ambition in fashion, she never ceased to amaze with her resilience and determination.” Fox News had been granted exclusive access to the funeral, and Melania was to be the only one giving a eulogy. Former President Trump had acknowledged the passing of his mother-in-law during a speech Monday night after sweeping the Iowa caucuses. “I think most importantly, I want to thank my incredible wife, first lady, I’ll say former and maybe future, but more important than Melania, I want to thank her incredible, beautiful mother who passed away a few days ago. And she’s up there, way up there. She’s looking down, and she’s so proud of us,” Trump said. “And I just want to say to Amalija, you are special, one of the most special people I’ve ever known. And that was a tough period of time for the family. But she – she’s amazing. She was amazing.” “So I just want to thank what she’s done for our family and her husband, who’s home right now and very lonely. He’s a lonely man, but he’s going to be okay, Viktor. They’re great people, great, great parents to all of us, really great parents, but also to Barron. Boy, did she take care of Barron. That’s how he got so tall. He only ate her food,” Trump said. “And I want to thank my family. Generally, they’ve worked so hard and they’ve taken so much abuse for being good people.” Donald and Melania Trump were married at the same Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in 2005, and the former president sometimes attends services with the congregation. MELANIA TRUMP SPENDS CHRISTMAS WITH AILING MOTHER, MISSING MAR-A-LAGO CELEBRATION During the Trump presidency, the first lady’s mother lived in New York along with Melania’s father, Viktor Knavs, and occasionally appeared at the White House. Amalija Knavs was at a 2018 ceremony where the first lady debuted her “Be Best” public awareness campaign to help children. The Knavses raised Melania, born Melanija, and her older sister, Ines, in the rural industrial town of Sevnica while Slovenia was under Communist rule as part of Yugoslavia. Amalija Knavs was a textile worker and homemaker, while her husband worked as a chauffeur before becoming a car dealer. The former first lady, 53, attended high school in the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, and changed her name to Melania Knauss when she started modeling. She settled in New York in 1996 and met Trump in 1998. She sponsored her parents’ immigration to the United States, and they became citizens at a New York City courthouse in 2018, while Trump was president. The Associated Press contributed to this report.