Trump’s UN ambassador nominee Elise Stefanik says president sees ‘great promise’ in the United Nations
FIRST ON FOX: President Trump sees “great promise” in the United Nations, according to his U.N. ambassador nominee Elise Stefanik, who said she would bring “reform” to the organization. “When discussing this nomination with President Trump, the President shared with me that he sees great promise in the United Nations if it focuses on its founding mission of international peace and security. President Trump has long advocated for peace and no new wars,” she will say, according to excerpts of her opening statement for Tuesday’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, obtained by Fox News Digital. She will pledge to support Israel – as it faces chronic criticism for the war in Gaza – and work to ensure the agency is using U.S. tax dollars to advance U.S. interests. “As the world faces crisis after crisis, with hostages including Americans still held in Hamas’ captivity, to national security challenges ranging from China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, it has never been more critical for the United States to lead with strength and moral clarity,” Stefanik plans to say. “As a Member of Congress, I also understand deeply that we must be good stewards of U.S. taxpayer dollars. The U.S. is the largest contributor to the U.N. by far. Our tax dollars should not be complicit in propping up entities that are counter to American interests, antisemitic, or engaging in fraud, corruption, or terrorism.” “We must invest in programs that strengthen our national security and deliver results. To increase the efficacy of U.N. programs, we must drive reform. If confirmed, I will be the first U.N. Ambassador in over two decades to come directly from Congress – and I have a deep respect and understanding of the oversight and appropriations role of the legislative branch. I look forward to using my strong House and Senate relationships to deliver much needed reforms.” After Tuesday’s hearing, where Stefanik will be grilled on her plans for representing the U.S. at the U.N., the Foreign Relations Committee will vote on her confirmation before it heads to a full Senate vote. FORMER HIGH-LEVEL UNITED NATIONS OFFICIALS TO LAUNCH ‘DOGE-UN’ TO HIGHLIGHT AGENCY INEFFICIENCIES Stefanik, who currently serves as the House GOP Conference chair, is expected to sail to confirmation in the U.N. role. Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, has already said he will vote for her – they are both strong Israel supporters. She served on the Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, but she went viral for her work on the other side of the table last year when she questioned university presidents and their policies surrounding pro-Gaza protests during Education Committee hearings. The U.N. ambassador is a Cabinet-level position, meaning Stefanik will regularly meet with the president to share updates and suggestions, if confirmed. Both Trump and Stefanik have been critical of the U.N., and Trump slashed funding for certain U.N. agencies and programs during his first term. Founded with a mission to promote global peace, development and respect for human rights after World War II, the U.N. relies on the U.S. for about a third of its budget. President Biden increased U.S. financial contributions to the U.N. and its sister agencies, boosting it from $11.6 billion in 2020 to $18.1 billion in 2022. US FOES IRAN, RUSSIA, OTHER UN DIPLOMATS EXEMPT FROM NYC CONGESTION PRICING AS TAXPAYERS FORCED TO FOOT BILL The U.S. gave about three times as much that year as the next-highest contributors, Germany, at $6.8 billion, and Japan, at $2.7 billion. That amount of funding gives a new administration wiggle room to withhold funds to the U.N. if its global interests do not align with those of the U.S., a notion some Republicans have already pushed for. Trump will be in office when the international body elects its next secretary-general in 2026, and the U.S. will have veto power over any candidate. The U.N. particularly relies on the U.S. for global aid programs. In 2022, it provided half of all contributions to the World Food Programme, and about a third of all contributions to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and the International Organization for Migration. And critics have warned that China has infiltrated the agency – the CCP doubled the number of its nationals employed at the U.N. to nearly 15,000 from 2009 to 2021.
Former presidents mum following Donald Trump’s inauguration
The men who held the nation’s highest office before President Trump have all remained mum on his taking the presidency on Monday. All four living former presidents – Bill Clinton, George Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden – attended the inauguration ceremony, and sat behind Trump as he gave a politically charged speech about his vision for the future of the country. None had any public well-wishes for the incoming president after the swearing-in ceremony. Asked whether they planned to put out a statement on it, none of their offices responded at press time. Biden only addressed his supporters and staffers in remarks before boarding a government helicopter to be whisked away from Washington, D.C. “We’re leaving office, we’re not leaving the fight,” he told them. Former first ladies Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Jill Biden all attended the ceremony alongside their husbands. Michelle Obama did not attend. Sources reportedly close to Michelle Obama told People magazine that the former first lady intended to skip Trump’s inauguration because she cannot contain her disdain for the Republican president-elect. MARK MILLEY PARDONED: GENERAL AT CENTER OF AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL PREDICTED IT WOULDN’T BE A SAIGON MOMENT Hillary Clinton chuckled when Trump suggested renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. Bill Clinton told CNN of his reaction to the speech: “I think you can figure it out for yourself.” The Clintons did not stay for the inaugural luncheon. Trump and former first lady Melania Trump did not attend President Biden’s inauguration in 2021. At the late President Jimmy Carter’s funeral, Obama and Trump were seen chatting and laughing like old friends despite the history of political animosity between the former Democratic president and the returning Republican. PRESIDENT BIDEN PARDONS HIS SIBLINGS JUST MINUTES BEFORE LEAVING OFFICE Trump, in his address, took shots at Biden without addressing him by name. “My recent election is a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal, and all of these many betrayals that have taken place, and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy and indeed, their freedom,” Trump said. In a follow-up speech to supporters, Trump called out Biden’s last-minute moves as president. “You’re going to see a lot of action on the J6 hostages,” he said. “And I was going to talk about the things Joe did today with the pardons of people that were very, very guilty of very bad crimes, like the UnSelect Committee of political thugs,” he went on. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP In an 11th hour move, Biden preemptively pardoned the members of the January 6th House Select Committee that investigated the role of Trump and his acolytes in the 2021 Capitol riot, along with Dr. Anthony Fauci and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Mark Milley. And just moments before leaving the White House, Biden preemptively shielded his siblings and their spouses from any prosecution.
‘New Golden Age’: Republican lawmakers ecstatic as Trump takes office with slate of new orders
Republican lawmakers are jubilant after President Trump was sworn in for a second term on Monday, followed by a speech promising massive policy changes in the U.S. “President Trump’s speech was a breath of fresh aid for Americans – he will bring down costs, close the southern border, deport illegal immigrants, bring back free speech, and unleash American energy dominance,” House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., told Fox News Digital. “The Golden Age of America begins today.” House GOP leaders, meanwhile, reaffirmed their promise to execute Trump’s policies as quickly as possible, with the commander in chief angling for an active first 100 days in office beginning with a sweeping set of executive orders. “This is America’s moment of redemption, and under President Trump’s leadership, our nation will usher in a new Golden Age,” said House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn. “House Republicans are fully committed to making his America First vision a reality and are ready to hit the ground running on day one.” DONALD TRUMP SWORN IN AS 47TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., meanwhile, hailed Trump’s address as “a powerful speech outlining his vision for an America that’s safe, strong, free, and full of opportunity.” Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., chair of the House GOP Policy Committee, compared Trump’s inauguration to former President Ronald Reagan’s in 1985 – which was also held indoors. “Like Reagan, who ushered in a renaissance of American greatness, President Trump’s inauguration marks the beginning of a new golden age in America. His vision and leadership will secure a brighter future for our nation. Today, we witness the dawn of a new era,” Hern said. Like Trump, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, called for legislative action to begin without delay. He said, “Today is a day for celebration, but our work begins immediately. There is no room for excuses. Congress must work with the president to deliver fully, not partially. I stand ready and resolved.” Meanwhile, Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, urged Congress to now work with Trump “to pass the Farm Bill, extend the Trump Tax Cuts, lock down our border, end the electric vehicle mandates, support our small businesses, and lower costs for our families and farmers.” TRUMP TO TAKE MORE THAN 200 EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ON DAY ONE Several of those goals were also mentioned by Trump himself during his inaugural speech in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. “I will direct all members of my Cabinet to marshal the vast powers at their disposal to defeat what was record inflation, and rapidly bring down costs and prices. The inflation crisis was caused by massive overspending and escalating energy prices. And that is why today I will also declare a national energy emergency. We will drill, baby, drill,” Trump said. “With my actions today, we will end the Green New Deal, and we will revoke the electric vehicle mandate, saving our auto industry and keeping my sacred pledge to our great American autoworkers.” He also repeated promises to crack down on crime at the border as well as target foreign nations with high tariffs as a means to bring down the deficit. Trump later gave roughly half an hour’s worth of further remarks in the Capitol’s Emancipation Hall. The second speech, more freewheeling than his first, saw Trump criticize his predecessor, former President Biden, for issuing pardons to members of the former House Select Committee on Jan. 6 and others, like retired Gen. Mark Milley. “We’re going to turn our country around, and we’re going to turn it around fast. And I think it was a better speech than the one I made upstairs,” Trump joked in those remarks.
Youngkin, Miyares react to Biden granting clemency to ‘cop killers’: ‘Utter disbelief’
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares lambasted President Biden after he granted clemency to the “Waverly Two,” who they said admitted to being responsible for the 1998 murder of a Sussex County police officer. “I am beyond outraged and in utter disbelief that President Biden would announce clemency for Ferrone Claiborne and Terence Richardson – two men who admitted to being responsible for brutally killing Officer Allen Gibson, a hero and dedicated servant to our community,” Youngkin said in a statement. “What makes this even more unconscionable is the Biden U.S. Attorney advised the White House not to commute these sentences as they are violent offenders.” Youngkin said “the pain and sorrow this clemency causes the Gibson family is unimaginable.” BIDEN COMMUTES NEARLY 2,500 MORE SENTENCES IN FINAL DAYS OF PRESIDENCY “To know that the men who took Officer Gibson’s life will walk free is not just a grave injustice- – it is a heartbreaking blow to those who continue to mourn his sacrifice. This is despicable; a grim day for justice and for the families who trust that our system will hold the guilty accountable,” Youngkin said. Youngkin’s office said Claiborne and Richardson admitted in Sussex County Circuit Court to being responsible for Gibson’s brutal killing. “The evidence presented and the details surrounding Officer Gibson’s death are deeply disturbing and tragic,” Youngkin stated. Youngkin’s office said then-President Obama declined to grant clemency to Claiborne and Richardson. Under the current terms, both men are set to be released in July. “This is despicable. I’m beyond outraged and in utter disbelief that President Biden would announce clemency for these two violent criminals,” Youngkin wrote in a post on X. BIDEN’S FULL LIST OF CLEMENCY AND COMMUTATION RECIPIENTS REVEALED Miyares echoed Youngkin’s disgust and said his office would continue to seek justice for Gibson’s family. “I’m outraged by Biden granting clemency to cop killers, forcing the fallen officer’s child, Crissana, to relive this trauma. Shame on you, Joe Biden and your enabling staff. May the memory of Officer Allen Gibson & his family haunt each of you forever,” Miyares wrote in a post on X. Miyares also shared a statement from Crissana Gibson, who was outraged by Biden’s decision. “I am absolutely outraged by what has happened. My heart is shattered knowing that the men that killed my father are going to be released from prison and can walk the streets freely. This is a huge miscarriage of justice, and I am completely disgusted by the outgoing administration,” she wrote. “The Virginia Attorney General’s office has worked tirelessly to keep these murderers behind bars, and I am forever grateful for their dedication and hard work. I am so disappointed that the disgraceful Biden administration has failed my family, my father, and the entire law enforcement community. Neither my family nor I have ever supported the release of Richardson or Claiborne, and we denounce this decision by the outgoing failed presidency of Joe Biden and the Democratic Party’s abuse of the justice system.” ‘SQUAD’ DEM APPLAUDS BIDEN FOR SPARING MURDERERS FROM ‘RACIST’ DEATH PENALTY IN 11TH-HOUR CLEMENCY MOVE Miyares said that on April 25, 1998, Allen Gibson, 25, woke up and went to work as a Waverly police officer and never returned home after he was shot with his own service weapon in the woods behind an apartment complex. “He put on his bulletproof vest and said goodbye to his 8-year-old daughter Crissana. Officer Gibson found Terence Richardson and Ferrone Claiborne engaged in a drug deal behind an apartment building. The men attacked Officer Gibson, and Richardson disarmed Officer Gibson and fatally shot him in the stomach right below his bulletproof vest,” Miyares described. Officials said that both Claiborne and Richardson were named suspects and arrested for Gibson’s murder soon after his death. Both men are still serving a life sentence for a remaining drug trafficking charge but were acquitted by a federal jury of murder and firearms charges. On Friday morning, Biden announced that he would commute the sentences of nearly 2,500 inmates as his presidency came to a close. The commutations are for people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses “who are serving disproportionately long sentences” compared to what they would receive if sentenced under today’s law. However, Biden has come under bipartisan fire for who he has decided to pardon or commute sentences for. At the end of December, he chose to commute the sentences of 37 of the 40 men on federal death row, helping them escape execution and sending them to prison for life without parole instead. Biden also boasted about completing the “largest single-day grant of clemency” on Dec. 12 when he commuted sentences for 1,500 people and pardoned 39 others, most of whom were already serving time in home confinement because of decisions made during the COVID-19 era. Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.
Laken Riley Act set to become one of first bills to hit President Trump’s desk
The Laken Riley Act is expected to be headed back to the House after the Senate likely passes an amended version on Monday night. The legislation is set to be one of the first pieces of legislation sent to President Trump’s desk after it overcame the legislative filibuster’s 60-vote threshold twice this month. The bill, introduced in the new Congress by Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., in the Senate and Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., in the House, was named for a 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student who was found dead on the University of Georgia’s campus in February. NEXT OHIO SENATOR, A ‘FISCAL CONSERVATIVE,’ AIMS TO ‘GET GOVERNMENT OUT OF PEOPLE’S LIVES’ Jose Ibarra, a 26-year-old illegal immigrant, was found guilty of 10 total counts, including felony murder. He initially pleaded not guilty but was ultimately sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in November. The measure would require ICE to arrest and detain illegal immigrants that have committed theft, burglary or shoplifting until they are deported. States would also be granted standing under the legislation to take civil action against members of the federal government that do not enforce immigration laws. DOGE CAUCUS PLANS FOR BIGGEST IMPACT, EYEING KEY TOOLS TO EXPEDITE CUTTING WASTE A Republican amendment that added assault of law enforcement officers to the list of crimes that would trigger ICE detainment was added last week in the Senate. The upper chamber will also vote on Monday afternoon on whether to add “Sarah’s Law” as an amendment. The legislation, led by Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, would require ICE to detain illegal immigrants charged with killing or seriously injuring another person. A final vote on the immigration bill is expected around 6 p.m. in the upper chamber. OHIO GOV DEWINE PICKS LT GOV TO FILL VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT JD VANCE’S VACANT SEAT Afterward, the House will need to take up the measure once again and approve the final version as amended by the Senate. The prioritization of the bill ahead of Trump’s swearing in on Monday came as the new president is expected to make immigration law enforcement a top goal of his administration. DESANTIS ANNOUNCES CHOICE FOR SENATE APPOINTMENT AFTER RUBIO’S EXPECTED RESIGNATION Trump’s administration has already revealed several actions he is taking on the first day of his term, with many addressing immigration. Incoming White House officials revealed on Monday that he would sign an executive order ending birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants, in addition to several other day-one actions tackling the border crisis. Fox News Digital’s Adam Shaw contributed to this report.
Second acts: President Trump makes historic comeback
President Trump left Washington four years ago a beaten man. He lost a bitter election battle. Faced recriminations over the Capitol riot. That’s to say nothing of a host of criminal charges. F. Scott Fitzgerald famously pronounced “there are no second acts in American lives.” But he may not have been writing about sports or politics. In athletics, Rocky Bleier, Tommy John and even Michael Jordan come to mind. TRUMP WINS 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION Politics is replete with comebacks – Richard Nixon, Winston Churchill and Vladimir Lenin make the cut. And so does President Donald Trump. He’s now only the second American president to return to office. President Grover Cleveland served his first term from 1885 to 1889. But Cleveland lost the presidency in 1888. Cleveland won the popular vote – but lost the Electoral College to President Benjamin Harrison. However, Cleveland rallied to vanquish Harrison in 1892, returning to the White House. So this is a second act for Trump. At least in the presidency. For him, the president enjoys unprecedented public support. He commanded 77 million votes – though failed to reach 50%. But, the president did score a robust 312 electoral votes. And so, Trump, like Cleveland, is into his second act. What’s ahead? The expectations are astronomical. “America issued a verdict on Nov. 5. They spoke loud and clear,” said Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., on Fox. HIGHLIGHTS FROM PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP’S 1ST INAUGURATION DAY; WHAT TO EXPECT FROM MONDAY Republicans promised a makeover. “When I see peace starting to break out again around the world. They’re going to be like, ‘This is the stability that we were asking for,’” said Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., on Fox. “Daddy’s back.” Crackdowns are coming. “When you have a wide open border, you don’t have safety, security or even sovereignty,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on NBC. The president returns to power with more GOP unity than he had in 2016. Congressional Republicans were far from standing foursquare behind him. House Republicans had 241 seats then. His most ardent supporters on Capitol Hill were people who no longer serve. Former Reps. Chris Collins, R-N.Y., and Duncan Hunter Jr., R-Calif., were his first supporters in the House. Both were convicted on unrelated criminal matters and left Congress. Trump then pardoned them. His biggest advocate in the Senate was former Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala. Sessions left the Senate to serve as Trump’s first attorney general. He lasted less than two years, stepping down at the president’s request. Congressional Republicans were skeptical of Trump back then. Former House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., led the charge to unwind ObamaCare. After the GOP had to pull the bill in the House, Republicans finally cobbled together the votes to kill it a month later. The bill stumbled in the Senate after the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., voted no. But the House failure on the first try told you everything you needed to know about where the party stood and how much influence Trump wielded. But lawmakers did muscle through the vaunted Trump tax cuts later in the year. The unity is different among Republicans this time around. And the administration and lawmakers start with an agenda of slashing taxes and cleaving the deficit. “Right now there’s a discussion about whether we’ll have one bill or two bills up here. The process doesn’t matter to us. We just know that we’ve got to accomplish this for the American people,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., on Fox. “He’s way ahead of where he was eight years ago.” But one GOP senator has a warning for his colleagues. “I think the number one priority for the Republican Party should be to secure that border,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on CBS. “Get the tax cuts and spending reductions put together later.” It will be about the math. Despite their ambitious legislative ambitions to approve tranches of money for the border – but simultaneously slash spending and cut taxes. And Republicans have a miniscule majority in the House. With the resignation of former Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., to become national security adviser, House Republicans will be down to 218 votes. That majority dwindles to 217 when Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., resigns to become ambassador to the United Nations – presuming she receives Senate confirmation. So, advancing anything through the House is going to be challenging despite the goals. Frankly, they may need help from Democrats on some issues – like avoiding a government shutdown or lifting the debt ceiling. “Even though my colleagues have been talking about that the president got a mandate, and he did electorally, that mandate does not exist in the House,” said Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., on Fox. “They barely have a majority. And so, if they want to work with us, I think they’re going to find a willing partner.” Confirmation votes are coming soon on Trump Cabinet picks. “He needs a team that can be disruptive,” said Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., on Fox. “They want disrupters. They want outside the box thinking.” But some picks could be too disruptive. Think Director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard and the selection of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., for Health and Human Services secretary. Senate committees have not yet scheduled hearings for either of them. Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth likely has the votes for confirmation. But the Senate may need to take a procedural vote to break a Democratic filibuster to muscle through Hegseth to confirmation. Still, Democrats are recalibrating their approach for Trump 2.0. “I think Democrats last time around just resisted the president on everything. It was just constant outrage. And I think this time they need to shift to a different strategy of selective resistance,” said Moskowitz. So Trump’s second act is on. The issues that Grover Cleveland grappled with? Tariffs and silver policy. Trump won’t need to wrestle with the latter subject (we presume). But you know about the pending battle about tariffs and issues with China, Canada, Mexico
High-profile Dems warned Biden against preemptive pardons before giving Fauci, Milley passes
High-profile Democrats and former President Biden, himself, warned about blanket, preemptive pardons before Biden ultimately granted passes to Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley and members of his family in the 11th hour of his administration. “The precedent of giving blanket pardons, preemptive blanket pardons on the way out of an administration, I think, is a precedent we don’t want to set,” now-Sen. Adam Schiff warned on ABC’s “This Week” in December. Biden ended his term in the Oval Office on Monday, when President Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. But hours before the inauguration, the White House announced pardons for both Fauci and Milley and those involved in the January 6 select committee investigation – though those individuals were not identified by name. And just 22 minutes before leaving office, Biden also pardoned his family, including his brother James B. Biden, sister Valerie Biden Owens, brother-in-law John T. Owens, and brother Francis W. Biden. The former president had previously issued a blanket pardon to his adult son, Hunter Biden, after he was convicted in two separate federal cases last year. FAUCI RIPPED OVER NEW PAPER CRITICIZING TRUMP ON CORONAVIRUS, PROMOTING NATURAL ORIGIN THEORY: ‘EMBARRASSMENT’ “My family has been subjected to unrelenting attacks and threats, motivated solely by a desire to hurt me – the worst kind of partisan politics. Unfortunately, I have no reason to believe these attacks will end,” Biden said in a statement pardoning his family. Speculation had mounted that Biden would issue blanket pardons and preemptive pardons to those viewed as Trump’s political foes, such as former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, as well as Milley and Fauci and members of the Biden family. Democrats stretching from former President Bill Clinton to Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., warned Biden against issuing such pardons in the waning days of his administration. BIDEN PARDONS MARK MILLEY, ANTHONY FAUCI, J6 COMMITTEE MEMBERS “If President Biden wanted to talk to me about that, I would talk to him about it. But I don’t think I should be giving public advice on the pardon power. I think it’s too – it’s a very personal thing, but it is – I hope he won’t do that,” Clinton said of preemptive pardons on “The View.” Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin also warned against such pardons in an interview on CNN last month, remarking, “when we talk about a preemptive pardon, where does it start and where does it stop?” Klobuchar echoed that sentiment in the same month. “I am not a fan of these [preemptive pardons],” she said. “I didn’t like the pardon of the president’s son. I didn’t think that that was prudent. But I also am very concerned about this idea of preemptive pardons.” Biden, too, had warned against preemptive pardons before he took office in 2020, at a time when speculation swirled that Trump would pardon his children and personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. HUNTER BIDEN PARDON: MEDIA TAKES LATEST BLOW TO CREDIBILITY WITH BOTCHED COVERAGE OF BROKEN PROMISE “It concerns me in terms of what kind of precedent it sets and how the rest of the world looks (at) us as a nation of laws and justice,” Biden said in an interview with CNN in December 2020. Trump ultimately did not pardon his adult children or the former mayor of New York City. Following the 11th hour pardons for Milley, Fauci and staff of the Jan. 6 Select Committee and family, political leaders and lawmakers slammed the decision, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. “One of Biden’s greatest abuses of power was the forcing of mRNA shots by executive fiat (which Florida successfully blocked). Now, on his way out the door, Biden pardons the chief henchman of that and so many other abuses. The swamp protects its own,” said DeSantis, a Republican, on Monday. BIDEN COMMUTES NEARLY 2,500 MORE SENTENCES IN FINAL DAYS OF PRESIDENCY Fauci was the national spokesman for the nation’s pandemic response, including advising then-President Trump in 2020 on how to handle COVID-19 as it swept across communities. But his favor with the president waned over time, with Trump slamming him and fellow pandemic task force adviser Dr. Deborah Birx as “two self-promoters trying to reinvent history to cover for their bad instincts and faulty recommendations.” FAUCI RIPPED OVER NEW PAPER CRITICIZING TRUMP ON CORONAVIRUS, PROMOTING NATURAL ORIGIN THEORY: ‘EMBARRASSMENT’ Fauci said Monday he appreciates his pardon, though he stressed he has “committed no crime.” “I really truly appreciate the action President Biden has taken today on my behalf,” Fauci told ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl. “Let me be perfectly clear, Jon, I have committed no crime, you know that, and there are no possible grounds for any allegation or threat of criminal investigation or prosecution of me,” he continued. DR. FAUCI SAYS HE APPRECIATES PRESIDENT BIDEN’S PARDON BUT INSISTS ‘NO CRIME’ WAS COMMITTED Milley, the former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also has a contentious relationship with Trump and his supporters. He had called Trump a “fascist” and “the most dangerous person to this country” just ahead of the November election. WHO ELSE MIGHT BIDEN PARDON AFTER HE SPARED HUNTER FROM SENTENCING? Trump has repeatedly slammed Milley since leaving office, including after the United States’ botched withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, when he called Milley a “loser who shamed us in Afghanistan and elsewhere!” After the election, Milley appeared to walk back his characterization of Trump as a “fascist,” saying America will “be OK” under Trump’s second administration. Liz Cheney, the Republican former congresswoman from Wyoming, and Mississippi Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson, the Jan. 6 House Select Committee chair, were also targets of Trump’s ire. Biden did not mention Cheney or Thompson by name in his statement, instead pardoning “staff who served on the Select Committee.” HUNTER BIDEN PARDON WILL UNDERMINE PARTY’S ‘SELF-PROCLAIMED AUTHORITY’ ON RULE OF LAW: DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST “The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in
Dems promise to ‘stand up to’ Trump but laud ‘peaceful transfer of power’ after speech
Congressional Democrats are balancing efforts to stand tough against President Trump while also pledging to work with him where possible after the Republican commander in chief took office. It comes as moderate Democrats and Democrats in vulnerable seats have made overtures toward Republicans in areas like border security and transgender youth after the GOP’s commanding victories in the 2024 elections – which the right has widely interpreted as a mandate for a more conservative America. “My job is to fight to make life better for Texas families, and I will work with anyone, Democrat or Republican, who is interested in lowering costs, securing our border, and keeping our communities safe,” freshman Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Texas, who attended the inauguration, said in a statement. “But make no mistake, I will always stand up to President Trump, his administration, division, and far-right extremism when any of those individuals or entities threaten our way of life.” DONALD TRUMP SWORN IN AS 47TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., who ran tight races in 2016 and 2022 and is expected to do so again in 2028, said in a statement, “I look forward to working with the incoming administration to lower prices, create jobs, and keep our communities safe. But make no mistake, if President Trump uses his position to hurt hardworking Nevadans, I will always stand strong to protect them.” Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., took a similar conciliatory tone. “There is progress to be made on housing, environmental stewardship, public safety, immigration reform, national security, and more. I will work with anybody and any administration to pursue areas of agreement and aggressively deliver for the people I serve,” he said. “I also firmly believe that our diversity is our strength and our unity is the power to endure and succeed no matter the many challenges that we face. Law-abiding immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, women, and families recovering from devastating natural disasters are understandably worried by the rhetoric from the campaign trail and potential policies from the Trump Administration.” Other Democrats were more guarded in their statements, like Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., who said on X, “Today, and always, I root hard for this country of ours, and I wish [President Trump] well as he takes on the responsibility of leading America.” TRUMP TO TAKE MORE THAN 200 EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ON DAY ONE Progressive Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., however, made clear that she would take a more hard-line approach against Trump. “Day 1 under Trump. We must face these challenges and attacks with courage and clarity. I’m ready for the work ahead to defend our Constitution and will be working tirelessly to address the urgent needs of Vermonters and working people across America,” she wrote on X. Trump was sworn into office for his second term in an inauguration ceremony inside the U.S. Capitol.
Trump national security adviser pick Waltz resigns from House, shrinking GOP majority
Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., retired from Congress Monday to serve as President-elect Trump’s national security adviser — a long-awaited move that he announced just one hour before Trump was sworn in as president. Waltz had confirmed to Fox News his plans to resign on Inauguration Day prior to Trump’s inaugural ceremony — a decision that further narrows the Republican House majority to just 218–215. “As I prepare to assume my duties as National Security Advisor to the president-elect, Donald J. Trump, I hereby make my resignation official from the U.S. House of Representatives, effective January 20th, 2025,” Waltz said in a letter announcing his decision. “I intend to serve out my term in the 118th Congress, and to be sworn into the 118th Congress. I have also submitted by notice to Governor Ron DeSantis to advise him on my resignation.” A special election to replace Waltz will be held in April. News of his resignation in the House comes at a time when Republicans in the chamber have struggled to unify amid intraparty divisions over government spending, fealty to Trump, and other differences in ideology. ‘HELL NO’: HOUSE DEMS ERUPT OVER GOP SPENDING DEAL These divisions were on sharp display during the election of House Speaker Mike Johnson earlier in January and the massive spending bill in December that narrowly averted government shutdown. Waltz, a former Green Beret who served in both the White House and Pentagon, was tapped by Trump in the fall of 2024 to serve as his national security adviser. Trump praised Waltz’s more than 25 years in the Army Special Forces, noting that he “was deployed multiple times in combat for which he was awarded four Bronze Stars, including two with Valor.” Fox News Digital’s Haley Chi-Sing contributed to this report.
Mark Milley pardoned: general at center of Afghanistan withdrawal predicted it wouldn’t be a Saigon moment
Former President Joe Biden issued a preemptive pardon to Gen. Mark Milley on Monday, capping off a presidency marred by the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021. Milley accepted the pardon, saying in a statement he does not want to spend the remainder of his life fighting “retribution.” But critics of the withdrawal in Congress say they aren’t done with him. “Mark Milley might be pardoned but we will continue to explore ways to hold him accountable,” said Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., an Afghanistan veteran. Post-withdrawal assessments largely question why the military pulled out of the region before civilian evacuations were complete. Milley, the former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, has admitted the withdrawal where 13 U.S. troops lost their lives was a “strategic failure.” HOUSE GOP RELEASES SCATHING REPORT ON BIDEN’S WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN During a Foreign Affairs Committee hearing in 2024, Milley blamed the State Department for delaying a Noncombatant Evacuation Operations (NEO), or an order to withdraw U.S. civilians working in the country, but praised the military’s actions. That order did not come until mid-August 2021, just two weeks before the deadline Biden had set to leave the country. “I think that was too slow and too late. And that then caused a series of events that resulted in the very last couple of days. There’s a lot of other mistakes that [were] made along the way … [but] I think that was the key.” “The U.S. military is responsible for supporting the State Department in a non-combatant evacuation operation, however, the withdrawal of U.S. forces from a combat theater as it relates to an act of war is the responsibility of the Department of Defense, and at the end of the day, we did not leave a residual force behind,” Alex Pritsas, a former counterterrorism official at the Defense Department, told Fox News Digital. BIDEN THANKS TROOPS FOR ‘STRENGTH’ AND ‘INTEGRITY’ IN UNPRECEDENTED TIMES AT FAREWELL ADDRESS TO MILITARY Milley said in congressional testimony in June 2021 that the U.S. would not see scenes reminiscent of the fall of Saigon in Vietnam, where U.S. personnel were being airlifted from rooftops. “I don’t see Saigon 1975 in Afghanistan. The Taliban just aren’t the North Vietnamese Army.” Milley’s pardon was part of a group of preemptive pardons that included Anthony Fauci and members of the January 6th Committee. “My family and I are deeply grateful for the President’s action today,” Milley said in reaction to the pardon. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP He went on: “After 43 years of faithful service in uniform to our nation, protecting and defending the Constitution, I do not wish to spend whatever remaining time the Lord grants me fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution for perceived slights. I do not want to put my family, my friends, and those with whom I served through the resulting distraction, expense, and anxiety.” Jerry Dunleavy, former top investigator on the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Afghanistan probe, told Fox News Digital of the pardon: “Milley wrongly dismissed the obviously correct comparison between the fall of Saigon and the impending fall of Kabul, massively inflated size of the Afghan forces, woefully underestimated the speed and scope of Taliban district control, then pushed fiction that Afghanistan fell in only 11 days. “After a disaster where thirteen troops were murdered at Abbey Gate and the Taliban regained power, Milley then wrongly predicted Ukraine would fall to the Russians in just three days,” he added, referring to remarks Milley made in a closed-door briefing with lawmakers.