War Secretary Pete Hegseth spends Thanksgiving with US troops in Latin America: ‘We are grateful for you’
War Secretary Pete Hegseth spent Thanksgiving with Navy sailors stationed in the Latin American region, serving holiday meals and sharing a message of gratitude for their service. In a video posted to X, Pete Hegseth and his wife, Jennifer, said they chose to spend the holiday aboard Navy warships with sailors supporting Southern Spear, a mission targeting narco-terror networks across Latin America. “I was deployed three times — was always thinking about my family and hoped they were gathering with food and football and all those things,” Pete Hegseth said. “These folks won’t be. We’re going to bring them maybe a turkey and a little bit of cheer.” The war secretary also addressed Wednesday’s attack that targeted two Washington, D.C., National Guardsmen, offering prayers for the victims and their families. PETE HEGSETH MAKES HOMELAND SECURITY TOP MISSION IN FIRST INTERVIEW AS SECRETARY OF WAR “Our minds are also in Washington, D.C., with the two great Americans who were ambushed and targeted,” Pete Hegseth said. “And we’re prayerful for them, for all those around them, for their families.” The Hegseths visited both the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill, according to the Department of War. In another video posted to X, the Hegseths were seen serving Thanksgiving plates to sailors. “I give out too much candy at Halloween and too much turkey on Thanksgiving,” Pete Hegseth joked. HEGSETH TELLS TROOPS TO RESIGN IF THEY OPPOSE HIS PLAN TO SCRAP ‘WOKE’ POLICIES AND RESTORE WARRIOR ETHOS Aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford, the war secretary delivered an address to the crew. “Happy Thanksgiving from me, the Secretary of War. Happy Thanksgiving from the President of the United States. Happy Thanksgiving from a grateful nation,” Pete Hegseth said. He again referenced the Guardsmen, calling them a reminder of “the bravery and the selflessness of Americans who put it all on the line.” HEGSETH RIPS MARK KELLY’S POST ABOUT HIS SERVICE: ‘YOU CAN’T EVEN DISPLAY YOUR UNIFORM CORRECTLY’ “Whether it’s in our nation’s capital, walking patrol, or whether it’s in our nation’s hemisphere, out at sea, interdicting cartels, defending the American people — we are grateful for you,” Pete Hegseth said. He added, “So on this Thanksgiving, on behalf of my wife and I, Jennifer, who is here with me as well and will meet many of you, we simply say thank you, our deepest gratitude, and we renew how committed we are to you and your families.” The war secretary closed with George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation and added a prayer for all deployed forces. “Godspeed, God bless, you are in our prayers, and we are grateful. Thank you. Thank you very much.”
Trump says US will begin stopping Venezuelan drug traffickers by land: ‘Going to start very soon’
President Trump on Thursday said the U.S. will “very soon” begin stopping suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers “by land.” Speaking to U.S. service members on Thanksgiving, Trump praised the U.S. Air Force’s 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas, and their efforts to deter Venezuelan drug networks. “In recent weeks, you’ve been working to deter Venezuelan drug traffickers, of which there are many,” Trump said. “Of course, there aren’t too many coming in by sea anymore. Have you probably noticed that?” The president noted that drug traffickers are killing “hundreds of thousands of people a year” in the U.S. from the “poisons” that they bring in. US TROOPS IN VENEZUELA? TRUMP HINTS MAJOR MOVES POSSIBLE AS TENSIONS SOAR “From sending their poisons into the United States, where they kill hundreds of thousands of people a year — but we’re going to take care of that situation,” Trump said. “We’re already doing a lot… It’s about 85% stopped by sea.” The president added, “You probably noticed that now people aren’t wanting to be delivering by sea, and we’ll be starting to stop them by land also. The land is easier, but that’s going to start very soon.” “We warn them, ‘stop sending poison to our country’,” Trump said. US MILITARY KILLS 2 SUSPECTED NARCO-TERRORISTS IN 16TH EASTERN PACIFIC STRIKE, HEGSETH SAYS Earlier this month, Trump said he was not ruling out sending U.S. ground troops into Venezuela amid his administration’s crackdown on criminal networks tied to the country’s top leadership and drugs that are exported from it. “No, I don’t rule out that, I don’t rule out anything,” Trump said Nov. 17 when asked if he had ruled out sending U.S. troops to Venezuela. US CARRIES OUT MORE ‘LETHAL’ STRIKES ON ALLEGED DRUG BOATS IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS, SECRETARY HEGSETH SAYS Since early September, strikes across the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean have destroyed dozens of vessels, many tied to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang and Colombia’s Ejército de Liberación Nacional. The administration has since carried out at least 21 fatal strikes on the boats. The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner and Emma Colton contributed to this report.
DHS moves to cut off South Texas Catholic Charities over migrant grant ‘misconduct,’ documents say
EXCLUSIVE – Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley – the South Texas nonprofit long known for its migrant shelter run by Sister Norma Pimentel – has been suspended from receiving federal funds and now faces a rare six-year debarment after a Department of Homeland Security investigation found major grant violations, according to internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) documents shared exclusively with Fox News Digital. The action, taken by FEMA on behalf of DHS on Nov. 19-20, follows months of warnings and data reviews that auditors say uncovered sweeping inaccuracies, large gaps in migrant records and significant billing outside federally allowed timeframes. The suspension applies only to this South Texas affiliate, not to Catholic Charities USA or any other Catholic Charities chapters nationwide. In a formal Notice of Suspension and Proposed Debarment, DHS officials accused the organization of submitting migrant data so inconsistent the agency could not verify whether many of the people it reported serving had ever appeared in DHS databases. BORDER CZAR TOM HOMAN SLAMS CATHOLIC CHURCH, SAYS ‘SECURE BORDER SAVES LIVES’ Investigators also alleged at least 248 instances in which the nonprofit billed the government for services outside the 45-day window federal rules allow for migrants released from DHS custody. FEMA concluded the group provided assurances that its spreadsheets were accurate and compliant, statements the agency said were “false” or “not entirely truthful,” according to the documents. The proposed punishment is unusually severe. While federal debarments typically run three years, DHS is seeking a six-year ban due to what it describes as a pattern of “pervasive” problems that spanned multiple programs and multiple years. LAWYERS CHALLENGE DEPORTATION OF HUNDREDS OF MINORS TO GUATEMALA If finalized, the designation would cut the organization off from most federal funding streams and flag it in the government-wide System for Award Management, warning agencies and pass-through partners not to issue new grants. Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley (CCRGV) now has 30 days to respond, submit documentation or request a meeting to argue it remains “presently responsible.” If it does not, the six-year ban would likely go into effect. The DHS findings center heavily on migrant intake data the nonprofit submitted to justify millions of dollars in payments through FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter-Humanitarian program (EFSP-H) and its newer Shelter Services Program. FEMA said it asked the group to provide names, A-numbers, countries of origin and evidence of DHS encounters for individuals it claimed to assist. In response, the nonprofit told the agency all migrants had A-numbers recorded and asserted its spreadsheets were accurate within a 4.99% margin of error. TEXAS SUES COUNTY FOR HELPING MIGRANTS ACCESS LEGAL SUPPORT AS THEY FIGHT DEPORTATION: ‘EVIL AND WICKED’ Auditors said the reality was far different. In sample sets reviewed by the agency, A-numbers were frequently missing, truncated to four digits, or replaced with phone numbers and other stray entries. Error rates reached 21%, 26% and 42% across three spreadsheets, the documents show. When FEMA tested 100 names, it could not find 61 of them in DHS systems at all. Investigators also stressed the Rio Grande chapter’s 45-day rule violations. Under federal guidelines, NGOs may only bill for food, shelter or transport for migrants within 45 days of their release from DHS custody. FEMA told the organization it found at least 248 cases where billing dates occurred after that window had closed, raising concerns that federal dollars were used for services outside what the law allows. The agency wrote that such activity could amount to “potential criminal activity,” though DHS has not said whether it plans to refer the case for criminal review. TRUMP’S IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN SPARKS BIPARTISAN CALL FOR ASYLUM FIXES, PROTECTION FOR LONGTIME MIGRANTS The documents further cite the nonprofit’s own posted FY 2024 audit, which reported “material weaknesses” in internal controls over federal awards, inconsistent intake procedures and missing documentation for roughly 5% of sampled recipients. FEMA said corrective-action plans were copied forward almost verbatim year to year, without meaningful improvements. Catholic leaders have recently pushed back against efforts to cut funding. Pope Leo XIV praised Catholic Charities USA this fall as “agents of hope,” commending its 168 agencies for decades of work with migrants, refugees and the poor. Pimentel, who leads the Rio Grande Valley branch, has for years been a national figure in migrant ministry. Her Humanitarian Respite Center once processed more than 1,500 migrants per day at the height of mass crossings. She has been publicly praised by the Vatican for her humanitarian work and has spoken out against a return to the Remain in Mexico policy, saying families forced to wait in Mexico suffered “tremendously.” But her organization has also been a political focal point. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has pursued cases against several Catholic migrant shelters, accusing them of encouraging illegal immigration and operating illegal “stash houses,” including his suit against Annunciation House in El Paso. A judge earlier this year blocked Paxton from deposing Sister Norma in that separate matter. The suspension now places the Rio Grande Valley operation under simultaneous federal and state scrutiny. It is not yet clear whether other local shelters or municipal partners can absorb the South Texas caseload if the nonprofit ultimately loses federal funds. CCRGV currently serves far fewer migrants than in prior years, but remains one of the region’s key intake points. DHS has not said when a final decision on debarment will be made. The organization continues to operate during the suspension period but cannot receive new federal awards until the matter is resolved. Fox News Digital reached out to Catholic Charities for comment. DHS noted to Fox News Digital that future debarments may occur and that investigations remain ongoing.
Thanksgiving recipes from America’s first families — presidential dishes to try at home
Across generations, America’s first families have celebrated Thanksgiving not just with speeches and ceremonies, but with dishes that tell stories of home. TRUMP KICKS OFF THANKSGIVING WEEK WITH TURKEY PARDON AND CHRISTMAS TREE ARRIVAL From spicy deviled eggs inspired by the Bushes’ Texas roots to the Reagans’ pumpkin pecan pie, these presidential recipes offer a delicious glimpse into the tastes that once graced the nation’s most famous dining room. Herbert and Lou Hoover’s Marshmallow Sweet Potatoes Ingredients6 sweet potatoes2 tablespoons of butter2 cups chopped walnutsNutmegSaltCreamMarshmallows Instructions1. Boil the sweet potatoes until tender. Drain well.2. Mash the potatoes thoroughly with a potato masher, making sure to remove any strings.3. Add butter, then season with nutmeg and salt to taste (start with small amounts and adjust as you like).4. Pour in cream gradually, mixing until the potatoes reach a smooth, soft consistency.5. Fold in the chopped walnuts.6. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake for 10 minutes.7. Top with marshmallows and return to the oven. Bake until the marshmallows are lightly browned and the top is golden. George and Laura Bush’s Deviled Eggs Ingredients12 large eggs, boiled hard and peeled1 tablespoon (plus) soft butter1 tablespoon (plus) mayonnaise1 tablespoon Dijon mustard1/2 teaspoon Yucatán Sunshine Habanero sauce (can be substituted for another hot sauce)Salt to taste Instructions1. Cut the eggs in half lengthwise and carefully remove the yolks. Set the egg white halves aside.2. Place the yolks in a food processor and add the mustard, Habanero sauce, and salt.3. Process for about 20 seconds, or until the mixture is smooth and well blended.4. Taste and adjust seasoning—add a bit more mustard, salt, or hot sauce if desired.5. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag fitted with a star tip, and pipe the filling into the egg white halves.6. Sprinkle with paprika and chopped parsley for color and flavor.7. Chill for about 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to blend. Note: The Bush family favored Yucatán Sunshine Habanero sauce so much while living in Texas that their White House chef incorporated it into a variety of dishes. Gerald and Betty Ford’s Celery Stuffing Ingredients1 medium onion, chopped1 celery stalk, chopped⅓ cup of butter2 teaspoons of poultry seasoning2 tablespoons of chopped parsley1 teaspoon of salt5 cups of diced stale bread1 cup of giblet broth2 eggs, beaten Instructions1. Sauté the onions and celery in butter over medium heat until tender but not browned.2. In a large bowl, combine the bread and seasonings.3. Add the sauteed vegetables to the bread mixture and toss gently to mix.4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the giblet broth and eggs.5. Pour the broth mixture over the stuffing, stirring until evenly moistened and well combined. PUMPKIN OR APPLE? AMERICA’S FIERCEST THANKSGIVING DESSERT DEBATE HEATS UP Ike and Mamie Eisenhower’s Deep Dish Apple Pie Ingredients6 tart apples1/2 cup sugar1/2 cup brown sugar1/2 teaspoon nutmegGrated rind of 1 lemonGrated rind of 1 orange3 tablespoons butter or margarine1/2 pastry recipe (below) Pastry ingredients2 cups flour3/4 teaspoon salt2/3 cup shorteningCold water Pastry instructions 1. Sift the flour once to measure accurately.2. Mix and sift the flour and salt together into a large bowl.3. Cut in the shortening using two knives or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with pieces about the size of small peas.4. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of cold water over the mixture and toss lightly with a fork.5. Continue adding water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing gently after each addition, until the dough gathers together into a soft ball.6. Divide the dough in half.7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each half to about ⅛ inch thickness. Handle the rolling pin lightly to avoid overworking the dough.8. Use as desired for two 9-inch pie crusts.Note: For a deep-dish or single-crust pie, make half this recipe. 10 ESSENTIALS YOU NEED TO HOST A STRESS-FREE THANKSGIVING DINNER Instructions 1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).2. Grease a deep baking dish and arrange the apple slices evenly inside.3. In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, nutmeg, lemon rind, and orange rind.4. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the apples.5. Dot with butter or margarine.6. Cover with a thin sheet of pastry, pricking the top with a fork to create a simple design and allow steam to escape.7. Bake in the preheated oven until the pastry is golden brown and the apples are tender, about 25–30 minutes.8. Serve warm. Makes about six servings. Ronald and Nancy Reagan’s Pumpkin Pecan Pie Ingredients4 slightly beaten eggs2 cups canned or mashed cooked pumpkin1 cup sugar1/2 cup dark corn syrup1 teaspoon vanilla1/2 teaspoon cinnamon1/4 teaspoon salt1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell1 cup chopped pecans Instructions 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).2. Combine all ingredients except the pecans, mixing until smooth.3. Pour the mixture into the unbaked pie shell.4. Arrange the pecans evenly over the top.5. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top is lightly browned.6. Cool before serving to allow the filling to firm up.
Faith leader explains why Charlie Kirk’s final Thanksgiving message matters
Nearly three months after his assassination, Charlie Kirk’s legacy is inspiring many to live their lives with gratitude, prayer and truth. In 2024, just weeks after the presidential election, Kirk delivered a Thanksgiving statement on the importance of being thankful. Communio president JP De Gance says it is a message that is still relevant in 2025. “I think Charlie’s message repeats those messages of Thanksgivings long ago when we were at different times, we’ve had setbacks as a country, we have had sufferings as a country, we had losses as a country and the message of Thanksgiving is that in all things we can be grateful,” De Gance told Fox News Digital on Tuesday. “We can look to God above, and thank him both for all of our many blessings and then even, you know, it’s through our sufferings that we so frequently grow to become better men and women.” Kirk said that he loved Thanksgiving, which he called a “uniquely American tradition,” because it was a time when people of all faiths could come together to recognize the importance of gratitude. “I think it speaks very well to our nation that there is a day when we stop and say thank you,” Kirk said in 2024. He believed that “the ungrateful make the world worse” and “the grateful make the world better.” PASTOR RECALLS LAST MOMENTS WITH CHARLIE KIRK: ‘AMERICAN MARTYR’ “Gratitude is the fruit that makes everything else taste sweet. But then you must be thankful to whom? To the Almighty God,” he added. De Gance also spoke about the significance of gratitude in the Christian faith, noting that humility allows Christians to recognize the good things in their lives that emanate from God. He added that while Thanksgiving comes once a year for the nation, it is something that “ought to be part of the daily Christian walk.” In his 2024 Thanksgiving message, Kirk encouraged his listeners to disconnect from technology during Thanksgiving and instead connect with their families. ERIKA KIRK REFLECTS ON LIFE, LOSS AND FAITH IN FIRST TV INTERVIEW SINCE CHARLIE KIRK’S DEATH De Gance agreed with the sentiment, saying that it was important for Americans to take time to focus less on the “noise” of the modern world and more on those around them. “There’s so much noise from our technology and from the world around us, and I think it’s a great reminder, a great message and exhortation to disconnect from the devices and take a step back from the daily noise,” De Gance said. In line with the mission of Communio, De Gance advised that this Thanksgiving people look to find ways to invite those who may not have a community to join them. He touched on the importance of seeking out those who may not have people to enjoy Thanksgiving with and extending an invitation to them. CHARLIE KIRK’S BELIEF IN GOD AND THE WAY HE ‘DEFENDED FAITH’ IMPACTS SCORES OF YOUNG PEOPLE “It can give us a chance and an opportunity to invite others into our homes to invite them in, to experience that gratitude,” De Gance said. “We’ve got an epidemic of loneliness that is ravaging our country. . . . So we can ask ourselves, what are we doing to invite folks in who might not have someone to enjoy Thanksgiving with this season, or someone who might be far away from family and unable to travel, someone who might be a first responder and can’t get back to his family.” For those looking to honor Kirk’s legacy this Thanksgiving, De Gance suggests they look to the late activist’s core messages for inspiration. He also advised young people to go to church on Thanksgiving weekend and for all to invite family and loved ones to join in prayers of gratitude. In his last Thanksgiving message, Kirk said that “the fundamental story of Thanksgiving is to understand that there is a God and that you are not above him.” “We must have the humility to know that God is sovereign,” Kirk said.
Shifting Thanksgiving traditions reflect broader political, economic and cultural divides
Thanksgiving is often cast as a holiday of unity, but it has also become a microcosm of the country’s fractures. What winds up being served for Thanksgiving dinner, who shows up — or doesn’t — and whether politics gets mentioned, can reflect broader shifts in ideology and culture. Simultaneously, Thanksgiving is still intended to bridge divides and emphasize the magnificence of the great American experiment launched centuries ago. One example of this is the food Americans choose to eat on Thanksgiving and how they make it. 6 CLASSIC THANKSGIVING SIDE DISHES THAT HAVE DISAPPEARED FROM AMERICAN TABLES Take-out and dine-in options have become more widely adopted in contemporary Thanksgiving celebrations, with research from restaurant software company Popmenu finding a 42% increase from 2024 in the number of folks who plan to order from, or dine-in at, a restaurant on Thanksgiving. Costs were a primary reason for the shift, along with wanting to spend more time with family and not worry about cooking. The length of time spent at the dinner table can also be quite telling. In 2018, university researchers analyzed smartphone location data pings and determined that “politically diverse” Thanksgiving dinners tended to be significantly shorter than those dinners involving a family of entirely like-minded individuals. The study, conducted in 2018, showed the average dinner was 30 minutes to 50 minutes shorter at tables full of politically diverse folks, while a study measuring the same thing in 2020 found politically diverse dinners to be about 24 minutes shorter on average. Meanwhile, other Thanksgiving survey data from 2025, published by YouGov, found that 19% of Democrats expect to have political arguments at the dinner table, compared to 9% of Republicans. GUY FIERI INSISTS THANKSGIVING IS ‘ONE OF THE MORE AFFORDABLE HOLIDAYS’ FOR FAMILIES TO COOK ON A BUDGET It is hard to say overall whether Thanksgiving diners have gotten longer or shorter, but according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, people typically spend around 128 minutes on meal preparation and cleanup, 89 minutes on eating and drinking, and about 148 minutes socializing, according to a long-term analysis conducted between 2003 and 2015. According to the National Turkey Federation, 94% of Americans plan to celebrate Thanksgiving. The group added that 87% of those who celebrate say turkey is part of their holiday tradition, with 74% planning to serve an entire bird. However, simultaneously, other findings from turkey producer Jennie-O indicated that there is a growing openness for less traditional Thanksgiving meal options, which the group said shows a “blend of old and new is redefining what Thanksgiving dinner looks like across America.” The turkey product brand noted that 55% of Americans were “open to trying Thanksgiving recipes from different cultures,” particularly via side dishes. Even the changing treatment of the turkeys used for the presidential pardon has shifted slightly over the years. In the early-2000s, turkeys that were presented were sometimes unnamed, or treated more anonymously, but more recently it has become standard to dub the turkeys with names and humanize them a bit. That trend also mirrors a shift toward better care for the pardoned turkeys over the years.
Trump admin set to let protected status for 350,000 Haitian migrants expire in February
The Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian migrants living in the United States. The agency posted a federal register notice stating that the 353,000 Haitian migrants who currently hold TPS will see their status expire in February. TPS protects eligible migrants from deportation and lets them work legally in the United States while conditions in their home country remain unsafe. “After consulting with interagency partners, Secretary [Kristi] Noem concluded that Haiti no longer meets the statutory requirements for TPS,” DHS said in a news release. “This decision was based on a review conducted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, input from relevant U.S. government agencies, and an analysis indicating that allowing Haitian nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is inconsistent with U.S. national interests.” DHS told Haitian migrants under TPS to prepare to depart if they have no other lawful basis for remaining in the United States. FEDS UNSEAL CHARGES AGAINST ‘BARBECUE,’ HAITIAN GANG LEADER WITH $5M BOUNTY ON HIS HEAD The agency advised them to use the U.S. Customs and Border Protection CBP Home mobile application to report their departure from the United States. “This secure and convenient self-deportation process includes a complimentary plane ticket, a $1,000 exit bonus, and potential future opportunities for legal immigration to the United States,” DHS said. Haiti was first granted TPS in 2010 after an earthquake and has been repeatedly extended or redesignated by successive administrations. VIOLENT CRIMINAL GANGS HAVE ‘NEAR-TOTAL CONTROL’ OF WORLD NATION’S CAPITAL, UN SAYS Former President Joe Biden’s administration extended TPS for Haitians in 2024, citing “simultaneous economic, security, political, and health crises” in the country fueled by gangs and a lack of a functioning government. That extension lasts through Feb. 3, 2026. Haiti has been in turmoil for years, with natural disasters and political violence rocking the Caribbean nation. Governance effectively collapsed in 2021 with the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, leaving power vacuums. Kidnappings, gang rule and a lack of law enforcement have surged. The number of people displaced by violence and instability in Haiti has reached an unprecedented level, with more than 1.4 million people forced from their homes this year, according to the International Organization for Migration. UNICEF, according to the DHS notice, estimated in October that more than 6 million people — over half the population, including 3.3 million children — need humanitarian assistance. Some Haitians have attempted to flee to the U.S. despite the Trump administration’s hardline approach to immigration. For instance, in February, the Coast Guard intercepted 132 Haitians on a boat south of the Florida Keys. The Coast Guard boarded the 30-foot vessel and processed the migrants before they were repatriated to Haiti, officials said. Fox News’ Adam Sabes and Reuters contributed to this report.
How the White House turkey pardon became an American tradition
President Donald Trump pardoned two turkeys Tuesday — Gobble and Waddle — as part of an annual tradition that has occurred at the White House for more than 35 years. The Thanksgiving Turkey Pardoning is a ceremony originating from the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation dating back to the 1940s, when the National Turkey Federation would present the president with a live turkey for Thanksgiving. President John F. Kennedy is often credited with pardoning the first turkey in 1963, when he said that he would “let this one grow.” Although Kennedy didn’t use the word “pardon,” the L.A. Times reported on the matter with the headline, “Turkey gets presidential pardon,” according to an NBC News archive. President Ronald Reagan also made a joke about pardoning that year’s turkey, Charlie, in response to a question from a reporter, according to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum. TRUMP JOKES THAT BIDEN TURKEY PARDON IN 2024 ‘INVALID’ DUE TO AUTOPEN “If they’d given me a different answer on Charlie and his future, I would have pardoned him,” Reagan said in 1987. However, the tradition was codified during George H.W. Bush’s administration, according to the White House Historical Association. Bush used the word pardon, and the tradition continued each year afterward. “But let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table, not this guy — he’s presented a presidential pardon as of right now — and allow him to live out his days on a children’s farm not far from here,” Bush said in 1989. Gobble and Waddle clocked in at 50 pounds and 52 pounds each, and traveled from North Carolina to the Washington’s Willard InterContinental Hotel for the annual tradition. Following the pardoning, they will head to North Carolina State University’s Prestage Department of Poultry Science. During the ceremony in the Rose Garden, Trump also took aim at former President Joe Biden, and said Biden used the autopen to pardon the 2024 turkeys, and as a result those pardons were “totally invalid.” As a result, Trump quipped that he had pardoned those turkeys too, and said he “saved them in the nick of time.”
Congress investigates betting scandals rocking NBA and Major League Baseball following federal charges
Odds are that most Thanksgiving dinners will include a heaping helping of Packers-Lions. A side of Chiefs-Cowboys. A run back out to the fridge for a plate of stuffing alongside the nightcap game of Bengals-Ravens. A veritable football smorgasbord paired with mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and a slab of pumpkin pie. But the real side dish to go with the games may be your wagers. Drop the dark meat. Put your money where your mouth is. More and more Americans are placing wagers on practically anything related to sports. You can take the over-under on individual games or see if the Lions cover the point spread. But many fans are now lured by very specific bets. You can wager money on how many passing attempts Lamar Jackson has or how many penalties the Lions will commit. Maybe bet how many times they’ll show Taylor Swift on the screen during the Chiefs contest. The American Gaming Association says sportsbooks scored a staggering $13.71 billion in revenue last year. Heightened gambling interest is what worries lawmakers. Astonishing betting scandals recently rocked the NBA and Major League Baseball. FORMER COLLEGE BASKETBALL PLAYER GIVES REASON FOR POINT-SHAVING THAT LED TO NCAA BAN: ‘I WAS MONEY-HUNGRY’ Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups pleaded not guilty earlier this week to charges of taking part in an illegal poker scheme with possible ties to organized crime. Terry Rozier of the Miami Heat is due for arraignment on Dec. 8. Prosecutors accuse Rozier of yanking himself out of a game two years ago because of a foot injury. But bettors placed hundreds of thousands of dollars in wagers on how many points Rozier might score, as well as rebounds and assists. The feds allege that Rozier benched himself to help a gambling ring that bet on the paucity of his performance that night. And the feds busted Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase for allegedly conspiring with bettors to throw specific pitches at specific times during the games. It’s believed this resulted in bettors pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars. So there’s the gaming of the games. That’s why lawmakers question whether fans can trust what they see on the field or the court. “People have to have faith in the product, and they have to have the belief that the players are playing, and the coaches are on the up and up and the refs are on the up and up,” said Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo. UFC CUTS FIGHTER AFTER SPORTSBOOKS FLAG ‘UNUSUAL’ BETTING ACTIVITY ON HIS FIRST-ROUND LOSS “You may not be able to throw a strike 10% of the time. But even a lousy pitcher as I am could throw a ball 100% of the time,” said Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas. “These cheating scandals threaten to undermine the integrity of sports.” That’s why Cruz and the top Democrat on the panel, Sen. Maria Cantwell, of Washington state, wrote to Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred. They want answers on suspicious wagers and whether there are any other instances of alleged rigging. Cruz and Cantwell fired off a letter to the NBA as well. “We need these organizations to make sure that there’s rules and regulations in place that are followed,” said Cantwell. “What you should do to make sure that people are complying.” “If you’re watching a game and you think, ‘Is this the glorious uncertainty of sport, or is this some theater designed by gambling mobsters and their addicted athletes?’ then the joy of sport is dead, ladies and gentlemen,” said University of New Haven professor Declan Hill after a meeting with lawmakers. The latest line is on the emerging phenomenon of prop bets. People don’t wager on overall outcomes of games or who might win the division or conference, but instead place their money on individual events during the game. “We are a long way from the Black Sox scandal,” said John Affleck, Knight Chair in Sports Journalism and Society at Penn State. NBA MEMO SHEDS LIGHT ON LEAGUE’S INTEGRITY CONCERNS AFTER GAMBLING-RELATED ARRESTS That’s where eight members of the Chicago White Sox allegedly took money to throw the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Reds – although the evidence of what the White Sox players may have done is mixed at best. “We’re now in a place where the first corner kick or the number of points you score in the first half can be manipulated if you have a willing athlete,” said Affleck. Sports leagues have all cozied up to commercial gambling operations over the past few years. Many established partnerships. Some lawmakers believe betting scandals were inevitable once the leagues and the gaming industry parlayed their fortunes together. “These growing scandals simply highlight the need for national standards that stop the sports betting industry from exploiting vulnerable gamblers and the potential corruption among the players themselves,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. “The sports betting industry has grown huge without any kind of safeguards against the use of algorithms and micro bets to target individuals, whether they are gamblers or players in sports.” Congress hasn’t passed a gambling law since 2006. Lawmakers say the leagues should tread carefully with gambling. Fans could lose interest if they think the sports are rigged. OKLAHOMA QB JOHN MATEER DENIES SPORTS BETTING ALLEGATIONS AFTER VENMO SCREENSHOTS GO VIRAL “All these scandals,” said Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C. “People are going to get tired of it and move on. I mean, my God, football, basketball, baseball should all be worried now that watching people play video games is a spectator sport.” And we reside in a period when people routinely take to social media to claim that the leagues only want certain teams to succeed or that the refs or umpires are biased against their club. “I think of the proclivity of conspiracy theories in our modern world. It just sort of fits that as soon as you get a bad call as a fan, you go
Alleged National Guard shooter worked with US government entities in Afghanistan, including CIA: Ratcliffe
EXCLUSIVE: The Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guard members blocks from the White House worked with various United States government entities, including the CIA, as a member of a partner force in Afghanistan, Fox News Digital has learned. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, entered the United States on the heels of the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 under the Biden administration. Lakanwal arrived in the U.S. a month later under “Operation Allies Welcome.” TWO NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS SHOT NEAR WHITE HOUSE, AFGHAN NATIONAL SUSPECT IN CUSTODY: ‘ACT OF EVIL’ Intelligence sources told Fox News Digital that Lakanwal had a prior relationship with various entities in the U.S. government, including the CIA, due to his work as a member of a partner force in Kandahar. “In the wake of the disastrous Biden withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Biden administration justified bringing the alleged shooter to the United States in September 2021 due to his prior work with the U.S. government, including CIA, as a member of a partner force in Kandahar, which ended shortly following the chaotic evacuation,” CIA Director John Ratcliffe told Fox News Digital. “The individual—and so many others—should have never been allowed to come here,” Ratcliffe continued. “Our citizens and service members deserve far better than to endure the ongoing fallout from the Biden administration’s catastrophic failures.” Ratcliffe added: “God bless our brave troops.” Fox News Digital has learned that the FBI is taking the lead on the investigation. 2 NATIONAL GUARDSMEN CRITICALLY WOUNDED IN ‘TARGETED SHOOTING’ BLOCKS FROM WHITE HOUSE Multiple high level intelligence sources told Fox News Digital that the shooting is being investigated as a possible act of international terrorism. FBI officials confirmed the two West Virginia National Guardsmen remain in critical condition. In an online address to the nation late Wednesday, President Donald Trump called the shooting a “savage attack” and described how one of the Guardsmen “was shot at point-blank range in a monstrous ambush-style attack just steps away from the White House.” Trump added that the “heinous assault” was an “act of evil and act of hatred and an act of terror. It was a crime against our entire nation. It was a crime against humanity.” “The hearts of all Americans tonight are with those two members of the West Virginia National Guard and their families,” he added. “The love of our entire country is pouring out for them, and we are lifting them up in our prayers as we are filled with anguish and grief for those who were shot, we’re also filled with righteous anger and ferocious resolve. As President of the United States, I am determined to ensure that the animal who perpetrated this atrocity pays the steepest possible price.” “This is a targeted shooting,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser explained during a news conference Wednesday afternoon following the shooting. “One individual appeared to target these guardsmen. That individual has been taken into custody.”