Melania Trump gives uplifting message about Santa to young kids at hospital
First lady Melania Trump met with young kids at Children’s National Hospital Friday, wishing them “a lot” of presents from Santa. “I’m sure Santa will visit all of you this Christmas and bring you a lot of toys,” the first lady told the nearly dozen patients between 4 and 11 years old gathered at the Washington, D.C.-area hospital. “I wish you all a very merry Christmas and Happy New Year. “I wish you a lot of strength and love“. Trump also spoke with each child in attendance after reading the book “How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney?” and visited other children in the hospital’s hematology and oncology wings. GUCCI HEIRESS LAUNCHES NEW ‘UNITY’ HANDBAG WITH PROCEEDS BENFITING MELANIA TRUMP’S ‘FOSTERING THE FUTURE’ Before she left, an excited little girl with a red bow in her hair ran up to Trump to give her a hug before shyly speaking with her for a minute. The first lady was also joined at the event by Santa and Mrs. Claus, and the hospital room was festively bedecked with Christmas trees and presents. The first lady brought her own gifts for the children, including Christmas ornaments that said “Be Best” on them, a reference to her public awareness campaign from her first term that focused on children’s well-being. FIRST LADY MELANIA TRUMP DECORATES THE WHITE HOUSE FOR CHRISTMAS: ‘HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS’ Santa also gifted Trump a coin that said “Believe” and “Merry Christmas.” Trump told the children that President Donald Trump “is sending love and best wishes as well.” “Visiting Children’s National during the Christmas season is a tradition I cherish, and I am grateful for the opportunity to return again this year,” she said before she left. “Spending time with these brave children and their families is a reminder of the strength, hope and love that define the holiday spirit. I want to thank the dedicated doctors, nurses and staff at Children’s National for the exceptional care they provide during the holiday season and every day.” The tradition of first ladies visiting children in hospitals during the Christmas season started with former President Harry Truman’s wife in the 1940s. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Capitol Hill revolt threatens Trump’s Venezuela playbook
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening … -Trump rewrites national security playbook as mass migration overtakes terrorism as top US threat -SCOTUS to review Trump order on birthright citizenship –Dem state election board under fire after ICE-arrested superintendent surfaces on voter rolls Congress wants to seize the reins and take greater control of U.S. military action in the Caribbean with the Trump administration’s strikes in the region’s waters coming under intense scrutiny. While some lawmakers have been questioning the legality of strikes the administration says aim to cut down on the flow of drugs into the U.S., the attacks have attracted heightened scrutiny amid revelations that U.S. forces conducted a second strike killing alleged drug smugglers on Sept. 2 after a first strike left survivors. Lawmakers have voiced concerns about the legality of that strike. From introducing new legislation restricting funds for the Trump administration’s operations in the region to urging the White House to release video footage of the second strike, there is mounting interest from Democrats and some Republicans to reassert their power to formally initiate military conflict…READ MORE. MAP WARS: Red state moves forward on Trump-backed push for new congressional map LUXURY FOR A CAUSE: Gucci heiress launches new Unity handbag with proceeds benefiting Melania Trump’s “Fostering the Future” NEW BLUEPRINT: Trump national security blueprint declares ‘era of mass migration is over,’ targets China’s rise VENEZUELA FLASHPOINT: Expert reveals what it would take for Trump to deploy troops to Venezuela: ‘Possibility of escalation’ HEALTH SHIFT: GOP unveils plan for Trump Health Freedom Accounts to replace Obamacare subsidies with state waivers ABORTION STANDOFF: Abortion restrictions create major roadblock for bipartisan Obamacare subsidy deal in Senate CRUISE TRAGEDY: FBI weighing state or federal charges against 16-year-old Anna Kepner in cruise ship homicide case: lawyer PIPE BOMB SHOCKWAVES: FBI director suggests “sheer incompetence” or “negligence” in Biden administration’s handling of pipe bomb case CONFESSION CLAIM: D.C. pipe bomb suspect admitted to planting the devices, expressed doubts about 2020 election outcome: source EPSTEIN FILES: Federal judge orders unsealing of Epstein case grand jury records MENENDEZ FALLOUT: Disgraced ex-Sen. Bob Menendez banned from holding any public office in New Jersey Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Dem-backed ‘dignity’ bill could strip ICE of detention powers, erase immigration enforcement, critics warn
After more than 120 House Democrats signed onto a bill from a top progressive lawmaker to seek what they define as “dignity” for federal immigration detainees, critics sounded the alarm that the legislation could forever transform how illegal immigrants are treated in the U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., is spearheading the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, along with fellow Evergreen State lawmaker Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. They say it would curb the “shocking surge” of allegedly wrongful detentions and inappropriate conditions, particularly at jails run by private companies under government contract. Critics vociferously objected to that suggestion in exclusive comments to Fox News Digital Friday. “This legislation isn’t aimed at improving conditions for migrants navigating the U.S. immigration system. It would instead end the federal government’s ability to enforce immigration law entirely,” members of the Day 1 Alliance, the main trade association representing longtime federal and state contractors in the criminal justice and immigration spaces, warned. ICE SIT-IN ‘PHOTO OP’ BY MARYLAND DEMS BLASTED BY DHS CHIEF NOEM Day 1 Alliance members said that, for more than three decades, both Republican and Democratic congresses and administrations have respected the “limited yet valued” role their members play in working toward a better immigration enforcement system. The Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act would lead to the repeal of mandatory detention for those captured by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to a summary posted by Jayapal, and create a presumption of release, imposing a higher burden of proof to detain primary caregivers and “vulnerable populations.” It also would phase out the use of private detention centers, like those Day 1 Alliance members may work in or with, by about 2029. DEM CONGRESSWOMAN DENIES RHETORIC INCITED ANTI-ICE VIOLENCE, DOUBLES DOWN ON CONDEMNING AGENCY In apparent response to Democrats being iced out of ICE centers earlier in 2025, including a case in Newark, New Jersey, where Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., was accused of accosting officers, it also would mandate that the Department of Homeland Security admit members of Congress to detention facilities for unannounced inspections. Another case in Baltimore involved that city’s congressman, Democratic Rep. Kweisi Mfume, joining others downtown to protest to the press about not being allowed full access to the Charm City’s Department of Homeland Security installation. “Contractors operate under strict federal oversight and standards set by the U.S. Congress,” Day 1 Alliance members told Fox News Digital of the implications about the proposed changes. SENATE DEM DICK DURBIN ACCUSES TRUMP ADMIN OF ‘TERRORIZING PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES’ “They do not make arrests, do not decide the length of detention and play no role in determining the legal status of individuals in their care.” The members said contractors work to provide humane housing, proper meals and quality medical care for all in their ward. Jayapal said Thursday the Trump administration has caused a “shocking surge in the detention of people who have committed no crimes.” “As Trump has struck down legal pathways and made it nearly impossible to come to or stay in this country, even for those who have been here for decades, this will only continue to get worse,” Jayapal said. “We must pass this legislation to protect dignity and civil rights in America.” Smith added that the U.S. is witnessing “appalling conditions” and a “clear disregard for basic human rights” of detainees. “No one should be subjected to overcrowded cells, denied medical care or held in facilities that profit off of human suffering,” he said, echoing his Seattle neighbor in saying the bill would provide proper oversight. DHS SAYS FOUR HOUSE DEMOCRATS ‘CHOSE TO STAND WITH CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIENS’ AFTER VISITING ICE DETAINEE Homeland Security officials torched the new bill later Friday. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital Jayapal’s claims of overcrowding, mistreatment and wrongful detention are “false.” “ICE has higher detention standards than most U.S. prisons that hold actual U.S. citizens,” she said. “It is a longstanding practice to provide comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody,” she continued. “This includes medical, dental and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility, a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. This is the best healthcare many aliens have received in their entire lives. Meals are certified by” dietitians. McLaughlin added that ICE deaths in custody are at a rate of less than 1%, lower than any previous administration’s record. She praised House Speaker Mike Johnson’s “big, beautiful bill” as the facilitator of ICE improving detention conditions since President Donald Trump took office. “Ensuring the safety, security and well-being of individuals in our custody is a top priority at ICE,” she said A release from Jayapal’s office cited a figure of 66,000 people detained since Trump took office and claimed nearly three-quarters did not have any criminal convictions, an assertion immigration officials have rejected. There were 123 listed Democratic co-sponsors, including several lawmakers representing areas ICE and USBP have pinpointed for mass enforcement activities. Rep. Alma Adams of Charlotte; Troy Carter of New Orleans; Steve Cohen of Memphis, Tennessee; Jesus Garcia of Chicago; Robin Kelly of Chicago; Bennie Thompson of Jackson, Mississippi; and Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Ted Lieu of Los Angeles are all among the bill’s hundred-plus signatories. Fox News Digital reached out to Jayapal, Smith and the Department of Homeland Security for additional comment on the pushback.
Good news for Mumbaikars! Two new metro corridors set to open by December end, ease travel between these important routes
Two new sections, part of Metro Line 9 and Line 2B, will be inaugurated by December 31, according to Hindustan Times, citing the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) officials. The two corridors will be Line 9 and Line 2B.
Delhi Traffic Advisory amid Russian President Putin’s visit: Commuters advised to avoid THESE key routes, check diversions, major road restrictions
In the view of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day India visit, the Delhi Traffic Police on Thursday issued a detailed traffic advisory for December 5, announcing ‘special arrangements’ in the national capital with major restrictions, diversions and routes to avoid.
Good News for Uttar Pradesh residents: 14-Km Northern bypass, built at cost of Rs 400 crore, will cut travel time to Khandauli by 20 minutes, set to open in…
The construction of the bypass was completed by May, but it remained non-operational due to the low height of two critical high-tension power lines. Read here to know more about this project.
PM Modi gifts Russian translated Bhagvad Gita to Putin, says, ‘teachings of Gita…’, know what makes it special
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a timeless philosophy with Russian President Vladimir Putin as he gifted him a copy of Bhagvad Gita in Russian. The choice of gift is widely seen as a big step in wielding soft power by using ancient knowledge, traditional aspects to show strong ties, based on cultural aspects, beyond hard deals and security issues. The meeting has a special significance also because its timing reflects India’s efforts in balancing its ties both with Russia and the West.
‘Our Energy cooperation remains unaffected…’: Putin remains firm on India-Russia partnership
Russia’s energy partnership with India remains steady and untouched by the latest Western sanctions, President Vladimir Putin told India Today in an exclusive interview.
Good news for Uttar Pradesh communters: Lucknow-Saharanpur Vande Bharat Express to start regular operations from THIS date; Check route, stoppages, fare and more
The Vande Bharat Express connecting Lucknow and Saharanpur will start regular service from December 9 with a revised timetable. The train will cover 526 km in 7 hours and 45 minutes, running six days a week. The updated schedule improves convenience for passengers across Western Uttar Pradesh.
Good news for women in Uttar Pradesh: Anganwadi recruitment opens for 1,057 posts at upanganwadibharti.in, know eligibility and how to apply
UP Anganwadi Recruitment 2025 has announced 1057 vacancies for women applicants in Uttar Pradesh. Eligible 10th and 12th pass candidates aged 18-35 can apply online at upanganwadibharti.in until December 21. Positions include Anganwadi Workers and Assistants across multiple zones.