Pentagon prepares to make ‘tough choices’ between US readiness and Ukraine support as funding package lingers
Pentagon officials urged Congress to approve a supplemental funding package on Thursday, because ultimately, they said, the money the Department of Defense can pull down quickly to support Ukraine will dwindle, forcing leaders to make tough choices about funding the U.S.’s own readiness. Department of Defense spokesman Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters on Thursday that supplemental funding is necessary to provide additional support to Ukraine going into 2024. “We’ve got about…$4.4 billion left, I think now, with the most [Presidential Drawdown Authority] and about $1 billion left in replenishment funds,” Ryder said. “Certainly, we do retain the option to spend the $4.4 [billion]. SCHUMER ANNOUNCES SENATE WILL CANCEL PART OF HOLIDAY RECESS AS BORDER TALKS CONTINUE “But these are tough choices, because ultimately, at the end of the day, we start to have to make decisions about our own readiness and about our ability to continue to support Ukraine in the way they need to be supported on the battlefield,” he added. “So, again, this is why we’re urging Congress to pass that supplemental [funding] as quickly as possible.” Ryder opened up the press briefing saying the department applauds Congress’s passage of the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act. JAYAPAL TELLS FELLOW DEMS NOT TO ‘OUT-REPUBLICAN THE REPUBLICANS’ ON IMMIGRATION AND FUNDING TALKS The legislation, he said, authorizes a 5.2% pay increase for service members and civilian employees in the Pentagon, while also providing investments in America’s national security and military to meet the challenges of the 21st century. But he called on Congress to do more. “We continue to urge Congress to pass our urgent supplemental budget request to help stand by our partners and to invest in our defense industrial base,” Ryder said. CONSERVATIVE GROUPS, EX-BORDER OFFICIALS DEMAND LAWMAKERS REJECT ‘UNACCEPTABLE’ BORDER COMPROMISE As of Thursday, lawmakers had not reached a deal on the supplemental package. Talks have been ongoing with senators and Biden administration officials this week, as Republicans have refused to pass some $60 billion in additional aid to Ukraine unless it is tied to strict border security measures, such as immediate screenings for asylum processing and quicker expulsions for illegal entrants. The total amount of supplemental aid the White House first requested in October amounts to roughly $106 billion and includes $14 billion to assist Israel. Fox News Digital’s Jamie Joseph contributed to this report.
Satanic display inside Iowa State Capitol destroyed, man charged: officials
The Satanic Temple’s display inside the Iowa State Capitol was destroyed on Thursday, according to police. A spokesperson for the Iowa State Police told Fox News Digital that Michael Cassidy, 35, was arrested after allegedly tearing down the Iowa Satanic Temple’s Baphomet display. He was charged with 4th-degree criminal mischief. In a text message to Fox News Digital, Cassidy confirmed he tore down the satanic display, which was erected last week by The Satanic Temple of Iowa to represent the group’s right to religious freedom. “It was extremely anti-Christian,” Cassidy told Fox News Digital when asked why he tore the statue down. THE SATANIC TEMPLE SETS UP PUBLIC DISPLAY INSIDE IOWA CAPITOL BUILDING: ‘VERY DARK, EVIL FORCE’ Cassidy previously ran an unsuccessful campaign in 2022 to unseat Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss. The former congressional candidate didn’t elaborate on why he tore the statue down, but posted a Bible verse Thursday night to X after being charged. “1 Peter 5:8 KJV Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,” he posted. IOWA PILOT AIRBORNE AGAIN, 2 WEEKS AFTER SUSPECTED DUCK PLOWED THROUGH HELICOPTER’S WINDSHIELD In a Facebook post, The Satanic Temple of Iowa wrote that the display was “beyond repair.” “We ask that for safety, visitors travel together and use the 7 Tenets as a reminder for empathy, in the knowledge that justice is being pursued the correct way, through legal means,” the group wrote. “Happy Holidays! Hail Satan!” Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds condemned the display’s presence, but said it should be countered with more speech. “Like many Iowans, I find the Satanic Temple’s display in the Capitol absolutely objectionable,” Reynolds said. “In a free society, the best response to objectionable speech is more speech, and I encourage all those of faith to join me today in praying over the Capitol and recognizing the Nativity scene that will be on display ― the true reason for the season.” Co-founder of The Satanic Temple, Lucien Greaves, previously told KCCI Des Moines that the display would remain up for two weeks. “We’re going to really relish the opportunity to be represented in a public forum. We don’t have a church on every street corner,” Greaves said. “My feeling is if people don’t like our display in public forums, they don’t have to engage with them. They don’t have to view them.”
Yogi govt issues guidelines for UP Education Service Selection Commission
The commission will conduct exams for the recruitment of instructors of basic, secondary and higher education as well as vocational education and teachers of aided minority colleges in the state.
Congress to begin ‘UP Jodo Yatra’ on December 20 ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections
It will be conducted under the leadership of state party chief Ajay Rai and is expected to cover 16 parliamentary constituencies.
Bhajan Lal Sharma to be sworn in as Rajasthan CM today; PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah to attend ceremony
Deputy chief ministers Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa will take oath along with Bhajan Lal Sharma.
Missing PM Modi pamphlet, special shoes: What Lalit Jha, Parliament security breach mastermind had planned?
As per Delhi Police, the accused persons had purchased special shoes from Lucknow and canisters from Mumbai. This was a well-planned conspiracy and attack on the Parliament of India.
Nearly 1.7 million Texans lose Medicaid as state nears end of “unwinding”
Texas has booted the most people from Medicaid of any state in the country. A majority of those removed lost their health insurance coverage because of procedural errors.
Indiana Rep Carson fuses to agree or disagree with State Department’s designation of Hamas as terrorist org
Rep. Andre Carson, D-Ind., dodged questions Thursday on whether he agreed with Hamas being designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the State Department years ago. Hamas is a group of Iranian-backed terrorists that was designated as an FTO by the State Department on Oct. 8, 1997. On Thursday, Carson was walking toward his ride after finishing up a press conference calling for a cease-fire in Gaza with House representatives Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich; Cori Bush, D-Mo.; Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.; Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.; and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., when a reporter with the Daily Caller News Foundation approached him with a question. TLAIB REFUSES TO ANSWER REPORTER’S QUESTIONS ON CONTROVERSIAL PHRASE DEFINED AS ‘CODE FOR ERADICATING’ ISRAEL “Congressman, do you agree with the State Department’s designation of Hamas as a terrorist organization,” the reporter asked. “Well, I certainly feel like now is the time for us to really talk about the establishment of a proper state for the people of Palestine,” Carson said. “This cannot continue. These useless and destructive resolutions cannot continue to go on to gain political points. As I’ve said before, I condemn the attack on Oct. 7, but we cannot bully our way into this.” ‘SHAMEFUL’: AOC BLASTS BIDEN ADMIN FOR BLOCKING UN GAZA CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION After failing to answer the question, the reporter pressed Carson again, asking whether he agreed or disagreed with the State Department’s designation. Fox News Digital reached out to Carson for clarity on whether he agrees with Hamas being a designated FTO, but did not immediately hear back. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “I agree with the majority of the American people,” Carson told the Daily Caller reporter. “I think that antisemitism needs to be condemned. I think that Islamophobia needs to be condemned. I certainly think anti-blackness needs to be condemned, and I certainly think that this is the time for us to look at our disagreements, look at the critiques on both sides, extract the truths from those critiques and work together toward a workable solution, because I fear in 2024, this issue will impact elections.”
North Dakota’s senator’s son faces upgraded charge in crash that killed sheriff’s deputy
New upgraded charges were approved Thursday for the 42-year-old son of Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., including an upgraded homicide count following a crash that killed a North Dakota sheriff’s deputy. Ian Cramer previously faced a manslaughter charge, but prosecutors have now enhanced the charge to homicide while fleeing a police officer. The homicide charge indicates that the death was caused negligently rather than recklessly, and brings higher maximum penalties than manslaughter. Ian Cramer could face up to 20 years in prison and a possible $20,000 fine. He is charged with nine offenses, including four felonies. Along with the homicide charge, Ian Cramer faces counts of fleeing a police officer, preventing arrest and reckless endangerment. He also faces drug charges including possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The drug charges came after authorities said that they found several grams of meth, cocaine and marijuana in a backpack, as well as baggies, rolled up dollar bills, smoking devices and lighters. NORTH DAKOTA SENATOR’S SON CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER FOLLOWING POLICE CHASE THAT KILLED OFFICER During Ian Cramer’s court appearance last week, District Judge Bobbi Weiler set a $500,000 cash bond, which prosecutors requested, and ordered a mental health evaluation. NORTH DAKOTA SENATOR SAYS SON WAS INVOLVED IN POLICE CHASE, CRASH THAT KILLED SHERIFF’S DEPUTY In a previous statement directly following the Dec. 6 crash, Sen. Cramer said that his son was experiencing a mental health episode at the time of the crash that killed 53-year-old Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Martin. The senator said that his son “suffers from severe mental disorders which manifest in severe paranoia and hallucinations” and was with his wife, Kris, when he insisted on going to visit his brother Ike, who died in 2018. According to a press release from the Bismark Police Department, deputies responded to Sanford Hospital at 4:30 p.m on Dec. 6 regarding reports of damage to an overhead door in the ambulance bay. Authorities said that Sen. Cramer’s wife, Kris, took their son to the local hospital during a mental health episode, but Ian Cramer fled from the hospital, stole his mother’s SUV, and rammed the vehicle into the doors of the ambulance bay. When officers arrived at the scene, the 42-year-old had fled that scene, but a cellphone tracking device confirmed to police that he was still in the stolen car. Authorities said that multiple agencies worked together to track Ian Cramer, and he was eventually taken into custody. Police said that during the pursuit, Ian Cramer crashed into Martin’s police cruiser, immediately killing him. Sen. Cramer‘s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Wisconsin DoJ sued by lobbying group over public records request
Wisconsin’s largest business lobbying group filed a lawsuit Thursday alleging the state Department of Justice violated public records laws by waiting a year and a half to deny a request. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce asked the Justice Department in March 2022 for records of communications between the agency’s employees and Sher Edling LLP, a California law firm the department hired to go after the people and businesses responsible for contamination from a group of chemicals known as PFAS. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as “forever chemicals,” have been linked to low birth weight, cancer and liver disease, and municipalities across Wisconsin are struggling to reduce contamination from in their water supplies. WISCONSIN COMPANY AGREES TO ADDITIONAL $1.8M PAYOUT OVER CORN MILL EXPLOSION The Justice Department said in April 2022 that it was processing Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce’s request, according to the complaint filed in Dane County Circuit Court. But in September 2023 the department denied it, saying the records were protected by attorney-client privilege, the lawsuit says. “According to the DOJ’s own policy, 10 business days would have been a reasonable timeframe for either granting WMC access to the requested records or providing a written denial,” Scott Rosenow, the lobbying group’s attorney, said in the complaint. In response to an email seeking comment, Department of Justice spokesperson Gillian Drummond said Thursday that the department was reviewing the filings. The complaint asks for a judge to perform a confidential review of the requested records and determine what can be made public.