Northern Louisiana district judge dies after unspecified illness
A north Louisiana district judge has died following an undisclosed illness. District Attorney Schuyler Marvin, whose office covers Bossier and Webster parishes, confirmed Wednesday that state District Judge Lane Pittard passed away overnight at his home, KTBS-TV reported. He was 66. For more than a decade, Pittard served as the lead prosecutor at the Bossier-Webster District Attorney’s office. He was in his second term as a 26th Judicial District Judge serving in Division C. FORMER KENTUCKY GOV. JULIAN CARROLL DEAD AT 92 U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, in a statement, described Pittard as a “humble leader and a dedicated jurist who served our area honorably.” “He was a longtime friend who will be sorely missed by us and countless many others. Kelly and I join everyone in praying for the Pittard family and the community surrounding the 26th Judicial District Court,” said Johnson, who represents Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District, which covers 16 parishes in the northwest and western regions of the state. Pittard grew up in Minden and graduated from Northwestern State University in 1978 with a degree in business administration. After graduating from the University of Arkansas Law School in 1992, he and his family moved to the Shreveport-Bossier area where he began his career in law and managed a private law practice for 20 years. Bossier Parish Clerk of Court Jill Sessions told KTBS-TV that the parish has “suffered a tremendous loss.” “If you’ve spent one moment with Judge Pittard, then you can hear the laugh and feel the warmth of his smile from these pictures,” Sessions said. “As the news breaks with the sadness, while the courthouse flags are lowered, and while we are all in a state of heartache, he is looking down on us strumming an old classic or hymn on his bass guitar.” Pittard’s term was scheduled to expire in December 2026. However, he submitted his resignation notice to be effective next year. Qualifying for a special election to fill the remainder of the term began Wednesday. The election is March 23. Funeral arrangements are pending.
White House silent on reported Biden administration staffers protesting president’s Israel policy
The White House is remaining silent after dozens of reported Biden administration staffers protested their boss’s Israel policy on Wednesday, calling for a cease-fire in the Jewish nation’s war against terrorists. The protesters, wearing masks and sunglasses at night to hide their faces, called for Biden to push for a cease-fire in the war started by the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas’ surprise attack on innocent Israelis. “Ceasefire” was spelled out with lit candles in front of the protesters with a sign behind them reading, “President Biden, your staff demands a ceasefire.” ‘SHAMEFUL’: AOC BLASTS BIDEN ADMIN FOR BLOCKING UN GAZA CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION The protesters ranged from career Biden administration staffers to political appointees, according to multiple media reports. The group, Staffers for Ceasefire, told Fox News Digital that “the protest was organized by current Biden administration staffers and the participants were also current staffers from across the administration.” Fox News Digital asked the Biden White House multiple times whether the president had any comment on his staffers’ reported protest over his foreign policy, whether he knows who the protesters are, and whether the protesters would face disciplinary actions. The White House did not answer Fox News Digital’s questions. Former State Department official Josh Paul, who said he had quit his job over the president’s Israel-Hamas war policies, read remarks prepared by the organizers of the protest, he confirmed to Fox News Digital. “The temporary cease-fire ended 13 days ago, and we have been horrified to see the full resumption of killings, displacement and bombardment of Palestinian civilians in Gaza,” Paul said, according to reported prepared remarks. “A temporary pause to this violence was never enough,” he continued. “We must move with urgency to save as many lives as possible and achieve an immediate, permanent cease-fire agreement and the return of all hostages.” “The American people and respected institutions like the United Nations are pleading for a cease-fire, but this administration has yet to listen. We demand President Biden and members of the Cabinet to speak up: call for a permanent cease-fire, a release of all hostages and an immediate de-escalation now.” BIDEN TELLS DONORS ISRAEL IS LOSING SUPPORT GLOBALLY Typically, presidential administration staffers and appointees do not protest their boss’s policies but rather work to further them, sometimes despite their own personal goals or views. It is exceedingly rare to see staffers actively and anonymously protest a president’s policies, and even rarer when it involves a close U.S. ally like Israel. The news comes after Biden warned that Israel is losing global support in its continued war against Hamas, according to the White House press pool. Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas began after the terrorist group launched an attack on Israeli civilians, infiltrating the country on October 7 and killing more than 1,200 Israelis. Fox News Digital’s Timothy H.J. Nerozzi contributed reporting.
Fox News Politics: WH prickles at ‘baseless,’ ‘no evidence’ Biden impeachment
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: – New York court rejects Trump’s appeal of gag order… – Former prosecutor who allegedly scuttled Hunter Biden probe ‘refused’ to answer Judiciary Committee questions… – Senate delays Christmas break to work on border deal… White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre blew up Thursday when pressed by a reporter on President Biden “lying” about past interactions with his son Hunter’s business associates, declaring there was “no evidence” the president did anything wrong. Jean-Pierre also lashed out at House Republicans over the vote to approve an official impeachment inquiry against Biden, accusing them of “wasting their time,” but the interaction began with New York Post reporter Steven Nelson asking why Biden interacted with so many of his family’s business associates, which contributed to the inquiry’s launch. “What we’re seeing from House Republicans is wasted time. And it is certainly, you know, a baseless political slant. That’s what we’re seeing. And they’re leaving. House Republicans are leaving this week to go, you know, enjoy a nice holiday. Right? As most Americans should. But what happened to the funding to Ukraine?” Jean-Pierre responded. Earlier Thursday, the White House said House Republicans were “dithering” by leaving for Christmas break without approving additional Ukriane funding, aid to Israel, or addressing the border. ‘HE’S WORRIED’: Biden reportedly lashes out at some aides who bring up Hunter Biden …Read more TWO TO TANGO: Dance troupe in bizarre White House Christmas video has a history of far-left activism …Read more ‘LUNATICS’: Energy experts blast John Kerry’s UN act shutting down fossil fuels …Read more BIG BUCKS: Hunter Biden claimed he didn’t ‘stand to gain anything’ in controversial Burisma role despite making millions …Read more BOWING OUT: Georgia GOP Rep. Drew Ferguson joins growing list of politicians departing Congress after 2024 …Read more ‘DELUSIONAL’: GOP lawmakers skeptical about voting on border deal as Dems threaten to delay Christmas break …Read more ‘SILENT EPIDEMIC: Senate report sounds alarm on surge in fentanyl deaths among older Americans …Read more APATHY WINS: Just 1 in 4 Michigan Democrats enthusiastic about Biden being the nominee: poll …Read more STRIKE IT DOWN: Ramaswamy says SCOTUS should strike down FDA approval of abortion pill …Read more FRIENDLY FIRE: Newsom pressed on San Francisco’s homeless woes in late-night stop: ‘Can’t blame it on conservatives’ …Read more POWERED UP: Dem, Republican unleash effort to loosen China’s stranglehold on EV supplies amid Biden’s green energy push …Read more ‘ABSOLUTE EMBARRASSMENT’: Critics demolish liberal DC mayor for forgetting where her own city’s metro lines go …Read more WOKE REVOKED: Oklahoma governor signs executive order banning DEI in state institutions …Read more EXCLUSIVE INVITE: Boston mayor defends excluding White people from holiday party …Read more Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Andy Biggs calls for contempt charges against Eric Swalwell for aiding Hunter Biden
EXCLUSIVE: A GOP lawmaker on the House Oversight Committee is calling for Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., to be punished by Congress for helping Hunter Biden on Wednesday morning. Swalwell had reserved a spot outside the Senate side of the U.S. Capitol where Hunter Biden later made a brief statement to the press before skipping a planned deposition by the House Oversight Committee. “Nobody gets to do that,” Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., told Fox News Digital of Hunter Biden’s deliberate absence. “He was sent subpoenas. He was told to appear.” “We’re going to vote to hold him in contempt. We probably need to vote Eric Swalwell in contempt, because the rumor is that Mr. Swalwell aided and abetted him by setting up his facilities so he could have his [press] conference across the way.” WH SPURNS BIDEN FAMILY ‘CONSPIRACY THEORIES’ AHEAD OF LIKELY IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY VOTE, HUNTER BIDEN DEPOSITION Swalwell admitted to Politico on Wednesday that he had reserved the spot for Hunter Biden, telling the outlet, “There is absolutely zero evidence Hunter or his father acted corruptly. . . . So I’m not going to sit quietly and let MAGA Republicans do Trump’s bidding in Congress.” Fox News Digital reached out to his office for comment but did not immediately hear back. HUNTER BIDEN FACES BACKLASH AFTER DEFYING SUBPOENA WITH PRESS CONFERENCE ‘STUNT’: ‘HOLD HIM IN CONTEMPT!’ House Republicans are seeking to hear from Hunter Biden and the president’s brother James Biden as part of their probe into whether President Biden committed any impeachable offenses. They suspect that he used his position as vice president in the Obama administration to enrich himself and his family. Lawmakers wanted to hear from Hunter Biden in detail about his involvement with foreign businesses in China and Ukraine. He is also currently under federal investigation over tax and firearms charges. If the House holds Hunter Biden in contempt over skipping his deposition, which Biggs called for, the conservative Republican argued that precedent should compel Attorney General Merrick Garland to charge him. HUNTER BIDEN CLAIMED HE DIDN’T ‘STAND TO GAIN ANYTHING’ IN CONTROVERSIAL BURISMA ROLE DESPITE MAKING MILLIONS “He went after Steve Bannon and several others. He should go after Mr. Biden as well,” Biggs said, citing Bannon’s contempt charge for failing to cooperate with the now-defunct January 6 select committee’s investigation. “We were all sitting there. We had a court reporter there, Democrats were there. Republicans were there. We were ready . . . Mr. Biden chose not to come.” A defiant Hunter Biden told reporters on Wednesday morning, “For six years, I have been the target of the unrelenting Trump attack machine, shouting, ‘Where’s Hunter?’ Well, here’s my answer: I am here,” “I am here to testify at a public hearing, today, to answer any of the committees’ legitimate questions. Republicans do not want an open process where Americans can see their tactics, expose their baseless inquiry or hear what I have to say,” he said.
Haley’s momentum in the GOP presidential race appears to be paying off: ‘The funding is coming through’
Addressing a standing-room-only crowd at a weekday morning town hall in New Hampshire, Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley noted that “it’s been a great couple of weeks for us.” Minutes earlier, the former ambassador to the United Nations and former South Carolina governor was introduced to the crowd – many of whom were seeing her on the campaign trail for the first time – by popular Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, who endorsed Haley on Tuesday. Haley has enjoyed momentum in the polls in recent months, thanks in part to well-received performances in the first three GOP presidential primary debates. She leapfrogged Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for second place in New Hampshire, which holds the first primary and second overall contest in the Republican nominating calendar. Haley also aims to make a fight of it in Iowa – the state whose Jan. 15 caucuses lead off the GOP nominating calendar – where the latest polls suggest she is close to pulling even with DeSantis for a distant second place behind former President Donald Trump, who remains the far and away frontrunner in the race as he makes his third straight White House bid. ‘WE’RE ALL IN’ – SUNUNU BACKS HALEY IN MAJOR 2024 ENDORSEMENT In an interview with Fox News ahead of her town hall, Haley said her campaign’s momentum is starting to pay off when it comes to fundraising. “We’ve been talking to people on the ground. We do see that the funding is coming through. We see it on the website. We see that a lot of people are going to Nikki Haley dot com and donating, and we appreciate the support,” Haley touted. “The energy is really good. It’s good on the ground. It’s good around the country.” Her campaign spotlighted that November was their largest online fundraising month of the cycle, and that December is already outpacing November “with no signs of momentum slowing down.” Haley’s team also showcased that since the first GOP presidential debate in August, they’ve raised more each subsequent month. And showing off their grassroots appeal, they noted that 95% of donations to the campaign have been $200 or less. SUNUNU ON HALEY’S 2024 RIVALS: ‘I THINK THEY SHOULD ALL GET OUT’ The campaign and affiliated committees hauled in over $11 million during the July-September third quarter of 2023 fundraising, up nearly $4 million from the second quarter. But Haley’s fundraising, while impressive, trailed DeSantis by around $4 million and lagged far behind Trump’s massive $45 million third quarter haul. Separate from the fundraising, Sununu said he’s sensing the campaign’s energy on the ground. “I’ve done town halls with all the different candidates the past three months. These are the biggest and most energetic town halls I’ve done to date with any candidate,” he told Fox News following the Thursday town hall in Atkinson. Sununu, a vocal GOP critic of Trump who mulled his own 2024 White House bid before deciding in June against a presidential run, had long said he would make an endorsement in the race ahead of next month’s New Hampshire primary. In November, he said he had narrowed his choices down to Haley, DeSantis and former Gov. Chris Christie, a longtime Sununu friend who is making his second White House bid. CHRIS CHRISTIE VOWS ‘I’M NOT GOING ANYWHERE. SO LET’S BE REALLY CLEAR ABOUT THAT’ The governor, who teamed up with Haley at four town halls since Tuesday, pointed to Wednesday evening’s campaign event in Keene, New Hampshire. “Last night was a great example, where you literally had hundreds and hundreds of people who had to get turned away. The energy was through the roof,” he said. “She’s got this amazing spark. Her numbers are moving. And now we’re throwing a little gasoline on it and people are loving it.” Sununu’s endorsement of Haley was a setback for Christie, who’s repeating his strategy from his unsuccessful 2016 Republican presidential run of placing all his chips in New Hampshire. He stands in third place in Granite State polls, a couple of points behind Haley. “I would have been happy to accept his support,” Christie said of Sununu, as he spoke with reporters Wednesday evening after holding a town hall in Londonderry, New Hampshire. But he downplayed the significance of the Sununu endorsement, arguing, “I would have known exactly what it meant. It meant one vote. And it would have been nice to hang around with him, and we could have done a buddy show like he and Nikki are doing, but in the end, these voters are not going to be told by anybody who to vote for.” “I’m disappointed. I’m not going to be stupid about it. It’s disappointing not to get it, but on the other hand, it doesn’t change my strategy here one bit,” he highlighted. Christie said he was staying in the race, telling Fox News Digital, “I’m not going anywhere, so let’s be really clear about that.” The former New Jersey governor took aim at Haley early and often during the town hall, starting with what he called her “word salad” answers when it comes to the combustible issue of abortion. Later, he accused her of “political pandering.” “The voters in this state have a right to know where she stands. Not just her happy talk. They have a right to know where she stands,” Christie told reporters after the town hall. Christie said Haley’s “unwilling to do it. She wants to be everything to everybody on that issue [abortion]. It’s too important an issue, it’s too personal an issue, and it’s too serious an issue to not answer it directly. I’ve answered it directly. She hasn’t.” Asked about Christie’s criticism, Haley told Fox News on Thursday, “He’s saying I say one thing in one state and one thing in another. That’s because I was asked two different questions. The first question was, if you were governor and the people of South Carolina wanted a six-week abortion law, would you support it? And I said
Jayapal tells fellow Dems not to ‘out-Republican the Republicans’ on immigration amid funding talks
Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., on Friday scolded fellow members of her party for trying to “out-Republican the Republicans” on immigration, as Democrats and the Biden administration tried to find common ground on border security measures as part of an emergency supplemental funding deal. A number of Democrats have expressed concern over a CBS News report which said that the White House was open to a number of policy proposals on the border to get its supplemental funding request for the border, Ukraine and Israel passed. Those included a Title 42-style authority allowing for rapid expulsions at the border, increased detention and nationwide expedited removal. Republicans — who had demanded stricter border security measures to combat the ongoing migrant crisis — have said there have been positive signs from the talks and suggested a deal could be within reach. But left-wing Democrats and immigration activists have accused the White House of “selling out” migrants and asylum seekers. CONSERVATIVE GROUPS, EX-BORDER OFFICIALS DEMAND LAWMAKERS REJECT ‘UNACCEPTABLE’ BORDER COMPROMISE Jayapal, the chair of the House Progressive Caucus, responded on X, formerly Twitter, to a tweet by Washington Post columnist Greg Sargent, who said sarcastically that Republicans had promised not to attack President Biden over the border as part of the deal. “Exactly the problem that I have watched for decades,” Jayapal said. “Dems try to out-Republican the Republicans on anti-immigration policies, mistakenly thinking that GOP will thank us for ‘fixing the border.’ NEWSFLASH: This is same party that just voted for [Biden’s] impeachment inquiry.” She went on to claim that Republicans have no interest in fixing the immigration system. REPUBLICANS SEE PROGRESS IN BORDER TALKS, BUT UNCLEAR IF DEAL WITHIN REACH AS CRISIS RAGES “It has been too politically valuable to have immigrants to blame for everything. Giving in to this hostage taking just encourages them to do more of it and not stop till they have destroyed immigration as we know it,” she said. DEMOCRATS FUME OVER REPORTED BIDEN OFFER TO REINSTATE TITLE 42-TYPE MIGRANT EXPULSIONS She then said that Republicans are hoping to break apart the coalition that got Biden elected in 2020, warning that swing voters will “swing right out to the couch” if they feel betrayed. She also said the proposals would only make things worse at the border. “We’ll go into 2024 with continued xenophobic Trumpian attacks, a completely demoralized base that won’t vote over betrayals, & a decimated asylum system that cuts against our core,” she said. “We’ll never out-Republican the Republicans–nor should we want to. All we’ll do is create more chaos in an already-broken immigration system, deny people seeking to escape horrific conditions the right to seek asylum & lose voters who trusted us to stand up for them. Enough,” she said. She then renewed Democrat calls to abolish the Senate filibuster, expand “legal pathways” and pass “real comprehensive immigration reform.” The posts came as the clock ticks down on a potential deal, with lawmakers expected to depart Washington on Thursday. Meanwhile, a number of conservatives have also expressed concern about the deal, demanding that the entirety of the House GOP border legislation passed earlier this year be included. On Friday, other lawmakers also expressed concern about getting a deal done before lawmakers break for the holidays. “The small group negotiating a ‘deal’ in secret may reach agreement among themselves, but then we will need time to review it and determine whether it will actually solve the problem and has any chance of passing in the House,” Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said on X.
Karine Jean-Pierre blows up when pressed on Biden connection to Hunter’s business dealings: ‘No evidence!’
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre blew up Thursday when pressed by a reporter on President Biden “lying” about past interactions with his son Hunter’s business associates, declaring there was “no evidence” the president did anything wrong. Jean-Pierre also lashed out at House Republicans over the vote to approve an official impeachment inquiry against Biden, accusing them of “wasting their time,” but the interaction began with New York Post reporter Steven Nelson asking why Biden interacted with so many of his family’s business associates, which contributed to the inquiry’s launch. “What we’re seeing from House Republicans is wasted time. And it is certainly, you know, a baseless political slant. That’s what we’re seeing. And they’re leaving. House Republicans are leaving this week to go, you know, enjoy a nice holiday. Right? As most Americans should. But what happened to the funding to Ukraine?” Jean-Pierre responded. HUNTER BIDEN CLAIMED HE DIDN’T ‘STAND TO GAIN ANYTHING’ IN CONTROVERSIAL BURISMA ROLE DESPITE MAKING MILLIONS She listed a number of other policy topics, including the border and potential government shutdown next year, and claimed Republicans had not done anything to help Democrats address those problems. “There’s been zero evidence, zero evidence. You can ask me about engagement and what the president has done with his family in conversation. But there’s no evidence,” Jean-Pierre said. Nelson attempted to push back, but Jean-Pierre stopped him. “Wait, wait. But there’s no evidence. There is no evidence that the president has done wrongdoing. There’s none. Absolutely none. None. And that is just a fact. You’ve heard it from Republicans themselves. So they’re wasting their time. Instead of doing the work on behalf of the American people, they go after the president’s family. But that’s a waste of time,” she said. WATCH: WHITE HOUSE SAYS BIDEN ‘PROUD’ OF HUNTER DESPITE MOUNTING LEGAL ISSUES, SUBPOENA DEFIANCE Nelson noted that there was an easy counter to her claim, that there was evidence to show Biden had interacted with those associates, and that he was “lying” about it. “The president is not lying about anything as it relates to what House Republicans are trying to do. It is baseless. It is a political stunt. And it has not proven that the president has done anything wrong, anything wrong. And so they are wasting their time. They are wasting the American people’s time,” Jean-Pierre responded. “What they should be doing is the things that I just listed. They’re going to go home, but they haven’t taken care of what — We need to make sure that we are helping Ukraine. There’s going to be potentially a shutdown next month. They have done nothing, nothing to avert that shutdown,” she said before moving on to another reporter. SUPPORT FOR BIDEN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY GROWS WITH A NOTABLE LEVEL OF DEMOCRAT BACKING: POLL Last week, Biden was pressed during a press conference about why he interacted with “so many” of his son and brother’s foreign business associates, but he denied having any such interactions, despite evidence to the contrary. “I’m not going to comment. I did not, and it’s just a bunch of lies,” Biden responded. “They’re lies. I did not. They’re lies.” One of Hunter’s former business associates reacted to President Biden’s comments by telling Fox News Digital that his claim was “complete malarkey” and said there is “plenty of evidence” to refute his denial.
Dem Sen praised ‘diversity and equality’ efforts of Islamic group whose leader was ‘happy to see’ Hamas attack
Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. Bob Casey heaped praise on the group whose leader recently made controversial remarks about Hamas’ brutal invasion of Israel by previously heralding one of its local chapters’ dedication to “diversity and equality” and its commitment to fight “discrimination and prejudice” in society. Nihad Awad, the executive director and co-founder of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said he was “happy to see” the Oct. 7 Hamas invasion of Israel and that the Jewish state did not have a right to self-defense because it is an “occupying power.” Awad made the contentious remarks at the 16th Annual Convention for Palestine in the U.S. on Nov. 24, sparking widespread outrage and even forcing the White House to distance itself from CAIR by scrubbing the group as a committed partner to fight antisemitism on its website. WHITE HOUSE SCRAMBLES TO DISTANCE ITSELF FROM ISLAMIC GROUP AFTER LEADER’S PRAISE FOR HAMAS’ OCT 7TH SLAUGHTER Casey previously honored the Philadelphia CAIR chapter over its continued work. In March 2016, he penned a celebratory letter for its 10th anniversary that lauded their “diversity and equality” efforts and commitment to fighting against “discrimination and prejudice” in our society. “It brings me great pleasure to extend warmest regards and congratulations as you celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations,” Casey wrote in the letter. “This anniversary is a remarkable reminder of CAIR’s dedication and commitment to diversity and equality. Our Nation has benefited throughout its history from the unique perspectives and experiences of many cultures and has long been characterized by people of diverse faiths and backgrounds practicing their beliefs,” he continued. “Great strides have been made in the fight for social and political equality for all Americans but there remains much more to be done. The work of CAIR to advance the well-being of Muslim-Americans and fight against rising discrimination and prejudice in our society stands as a testament to the bravery, work ethic and ideals of everyone involved.” “Please accept my congratulations and best wishes for the continued success of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Thank you for all the work you have done and all you continue to do,” the note concluded. DEM LAWMAKERS HAVE HISTORY OF PRAISE FOR GROUP WHOSE LEADER SAID HE WAS ‘HAPPY TO SEE’ HAMAS ATTACK ISRAEL Casey’s ties to the group continued in the years after the message. In 2019, he invited a CAIR representative to moderate an event, the Jerusalem Post reported. And in 2021, Casey gave a member of CAIR Philadelphia a shoutout in a Facebook post. The Democrat senator condemned Awad’s comments when contacted about his ties to the group. “October 7th was a brutal and vicious attack on innocent Israeli civilians,” Casey told Fox News Digital. “I unequivocally condemn the antisemitic and hateful comments made by CAIR’s leadership and any comments that celebrate the despicable acts of Hamas terrorists.” Meanwhile, dozens of federal lawmakers across the U.S. have also previously expressed support for CAIR, and some remained silent when asked by Fox News Digital about the co-founder’s stance on the horrific attacks that left 1,200 dead and others captured.
Top conservatives joining DeSantis on the Iowa campaign trail ahead of caucuses: ‘Will get the job done’
FIRST ON FOX: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will be joined by a trio of top conservatives on the campaign trail in Iowa in the next few days as he continues his push to mobilize Hawkeye State voters to caucus for him next month. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., a longtime friend of DeSantis, is set to appear with the GOP presidential candidate on Saturday for a 2nd Amendment Town Hall in Johnston, Iowa. Additionally, DeSantis will be joined by Massie’s GOP colleague Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, in Iowa on Monday through Wednesday. “In one month, Iowans can send a loud message that they choose principles over princes and choose Ron DeSantis for his bold, honest leadership and the proven courage to bring a reckoning to Washington, D.C.,” Roy said in a statement. “I look forward to spending time with Iowans to share my heartfelt belief Gov. DeSantis is the proven leader we all need to send Biden back to his basement and to carry America forward, not backward, as we start a new era of freedom, security, and prosperity,” Roy said. “As he has always done, Gov. DeSantis will get the job done – ending the invasion of our southern border, shrinking government, and making clear to radical progressives and establishment Republicans that it is a new day in Washington.” DESANTIS DOWNPLAYS SIGNIFICANCE OF GOV. SUNUNU’S NEW HAMPSHIRE ENDORSEMENT OF HALEY: ‘SO MANY PROBLEMS’ Oklahoma’s Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt will also join DeSantis in Iowa next Wednesday and Thursday. “I watched Ron DeSantis lead through COVID, and I know that as president he will fight for Americans the same way he fought for the people of Florida to protect our liberties and freedoms,” Stitt said in a statement. “I can’t wait to tell Iowans firsthand that he has never made a promise he did not keep, and his record of results proves we can trust him to beat Joe Biden and serve two terms to secure our southern border, end Washington’s reckless spending spree and runaway inflation and unleash our domestic energy production.” DeSantis has made Iowa his main focus in recent months, shifting resources and staff to the state and visiting all 99 counties as he makes a final push to narrow the polling gap between his campaign and former President Donald Trump’s. TRUMP HOLDS MASSIVE LEAD IN IOWA 5 WEEKS FROM CAUCUSES THAT KICK OFF GOP RACE: POLL The Florida governor took part in a CNN town hall debate in Iowa this week and his campaign is hoping that recent endorsements from Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats will help propel him to a strong showing in the state. “Riding a wave of momentum in Iowa following historic endorsements from Iowa Gov Kim Renyolds, Iowa Kingmaker Bob Vander Plaats, and 42 state legislators, Ron DeSantis is now enlisting some of the conservative movement’s best fighters – Congressmen Roy and Massie and Governor Kevin Stitt – to help him get his message out in the Hawkeye State,” DeSantis communications director Andrew Romeo told Fox News Digital in a statement. “Iowans will hear directly from these national leaders who’ve seen first-hand Ron DeSantis fight the tough battles against the left and deliver big wins for conservatives,” Romeo continued. “They’ll make sure there is no doubt in the minds of Iowans that Ron DeSantis will deliver on his promises to stop the invasion at our southern border, restore our economy, and revive America.”
Schumer announces Senate will cancel part of holiday recess as border talks continue
Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., announced Thursday afternoon the Senate would shorten its holiday recess by returning Monday as lawmakers continue to hash out a border deal in the national security supplemental funding request. “That will give negotiators from the White House, Senate Democrats, Senate Republicans, a time to work through the weekend in an effort to reach a framework agreement. It will then take some time to turn that framework into text,” Schumer said on the floor. Schumer said he plans to propose reconsidering the “shell” of the legislation as a means to progress border provisions within the supplementary bill. “But no matter what, members should be aware that we will vote on a supplemental proposal next week,” Schumer said. “It’s not easy to reach an agreement on something this complicated. This might be one of the most difficult things we have ever had to work through.” GOP LAWMAKERS SKEPTICAL ABOUT VOTING ON BORDER DEAL BEFORE CHRISTMAS AS DEMS THREATEN TO DELAY BREAK On Thursday morning, GOP lawmakers expressed skepticism that a border deal that includes reforms to the policies at the southern border could be reached before Christmas. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., posted to X saying that lawmakers still need to determine whether the bill will actually solve the influx of illegal migrants, and whether it will have any momentum in the House. “The small group negotiating a ‘deal’ in secret may reach agreement among themselves, but then we will need time to review it and determine whether it will actually solve the problem and has any chance of passing in the House,” Rubio wrote Thursday morning. “Anyone who thinks we can do all that before the end of the year is delusional,” he said. 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.