‘Sinking the Democratic Party’: Biden’s Cuba move spurs rare bipartisan condemnation in key electoral state
President Biden’s proclamation removing Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terror caused an uproar in Florida, notably among the president’s fellow Democrats. The rare political unity in the Sunshine State was pronounced after Biden certified on Tuesday that Havana’s Miguel Diaz-Canel regime has “not provided any support for international terrorism” during the preceding six-month period. Biden’s declaration also claimed Havana provided Washington with assurances it will not support terrorism in the future, and that the U.S. maintains its “core objective” of “more freedom and democracy” for the Cuban people. However, Democratic Floridians were up in arms at the development. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, in heavily-blue Broward County, told Axios on Tuesday that the outgoing president is doing lasting political damage. “This is Joe Biden literally sinking the Democratic Party in the state of Florida,” he said. “Big time.” CUBA’S REPORTED RETURN TO MEDDLING IN US ELECTIONS A ‘BADGE OF HONOR’ FOR TARGETED CRITICS Once the most notable “swing state” — rife with ballot “hanging chads” and the “Brooks Brothers Riot” of the 2000 election — Florida has seen a major rightward lurch in recent years. State Gov. Ron DeSantis orchestrated an electoral blowout of Republican-turned-Democrat Charlie Crist in 2022, and President-elect Trump shocked the state by flipping Miami-Dade County red in 2024. Trump lost Miami-Dade by 30 points in 2020, but won by 11 points in November. The county has a sizable Latino and specifically Cuban-American population — highlighted by its famed “Little Havana” neighborhood along U.S. Highway 41. “Just as we try to patch the hole in the boat, Biden punches another hole in it,” Moskowitz told the outlet. “Florida is a red state, and Biden just waved the white flag of surrender.” Meanwhile, Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried said she is “disappointed” at the decision. “We condemn in the strongest terms Cuba’s removal from this list, as well as any possible lifting of economic sanctions, and call on the Biden Administration to reverse course immediately.” Fried said in a statement that generations of Floridian Cuban-Americans have shared stories of the Castro regime’s oppression, and that Diaz-Canel is Raul Castro’s “hand-picked successor” as the first non-Castro to lead Cuba since Fulgencio Batista was overthrown by the Castro brothers in 1959. Following the terror-sponsored designation change, Havana officials reportedly pledged to release more than 500 political prisoners — for which the Catholic Church had been negotiating for some time. As the news fell just ahead of Cuban-American Sen. Marco Rubio’s confirmation hearing to be Trump’s secretary of state, a spokesperson for Biden told Axios the timing is strictly coincidental. Rubio is one of several lawmakers — and residents — of South Florida whose parents or grandparents fled the Communist nation. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla. — the only Cuban-born member of Congress — called Biden a “pathetic coward” for his decision to drop Cuba’s terror-sponsor designation. ‘BLOODIED’ LITTLE HAVANA DEMONSTRATOR SLAMS BIDEN: ‘CUBANS DON’T WANT VACCINES, THEY WANT FREEDOM’ Gimenez added that Rubio will “pulverize the [Castro/Diaz-Canel] regime once and for all.” He told Fox News Digital that Biden’s decision is “morally bankrupt” and geopolitically “treacherous,” for a malign regime that sits less than 90 miles from the edge of his own congressional district’s Monroe County boundary. Gimenez went on to warn that the decision ignores Cuba’s coziness with the Chinese Communist Party, and intelligence sharing with Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro and Nicaraguan leader Daniel Ortega. “The [Cuban] dictatorship must be confronted and isolated — never appeased.” He praised Florida leaders from Biden’s side of the aisle for being willing to speak out at such an important time. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, a Republican whose Miami-Dade district abuts Gimenez’, said he is “disgusted but not surprised” by what he called Biden’s “final acts of betrayal to the security interests of the United States.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP As Moskowitz and other Democrats warn of the damage being done to the Democratic Party by moves such as the removal of Cuba’s terror-sponsor designation, several Florida Democrats have fled the party and praised Trump in recent weeks. Maureen Porras, the vice-mayor of Doral, Florida — the tony Miami suburb where Trump owns a golf club and resort — told The Floridian her now-former party “prioritized minority opinions” and “neglected to… address the real issues affecting our community.” Meanwhile, State Reps. Susan Valdes of Tampa and Hillary Cassel of Hallandale Beach, Florida, recently changed their affiliation from Democratic to Republican.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Bondi’s Masterclass
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump transition, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening… –President Biden releases farewell letter, says it’s been ‘privilege of my life to serve this nation’ -CIA nominee John Ratcliffe says US faces ‘most challenging security environment’ ever in confirmation hearing -Why some Trump nominees could be confirmed with a voice vote – and why some could not Conservatives on social media celebrated President-elect Trump’s attorney general nominee Pam Bondi’s response to a question from Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., during her confirmation hearing on Wednesday. “It would not be appropriate for a prosecutor to start with a name and look for a crime?” Whitehouse said during his line of questioning. “It’s a prosecutor’s job to start with a crime and look for a name. Correct?” Bondi responded by highlighting the federal government’s investigations into Trump…Read more ‘HARMFUL’: Biden offshore drilling ban may have reverse effect on environment, set back conservation by decades: experts…Read more ‘STRONGER’ AMERICA’: President Biden set to deliver farewell speech to the nation…Read more WORST PRESIDENT EVER?: Majority say Biden will be remembered poorly as president says farewell to the nation…Read more ‘IS THAT A JOKE?’: Biden balks when asked if Trump deserves credit for Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal: ‘Is that a joke?’…Read more DEEPLY UNDERWATER: Biden leaving office with approval ratings still buried deep in negative territory…Read more ‘BETRAYED THE CUBANS!’: Democrats and Republicans criticize Biden admin’s Cuba detente…Read more ‘WILL NOT BOW DOWN’: Puerto Rico governor asks Trump to intervene after Venezuela’s Maduro threatened to invade the US territory…Read more ‘ENERGY DOMINANCE’: Trump Energy Sec pick to share American ‘energy dominance’ vision at confirmation hearing: ‘Agent for change’…Read more TIME CRUNCH: Confirmation delays stack up for Trump nominees as paperwork lags in federal offices…Read more FULL-STAFF: DeSantis orders flags at full-staff for Trump’s inauguration despite 30-day mourning period for Jimmy Carter…Read more DOUBLING DOWN: Dem senator who bashed Hegseth’s qualifications stands by DOD sec who oversaw botched Afghan withdrawal…Read more ‘BILINGUAL PROTESTERS’: Rubio brushes off demonstrators who erupted in Senate hearing: ‘I get bilingual protesters’…Read more NEW HIRE: Former Trump HHS official tapped to be RFK Jr’s chief of staff…Read more SMOOTH SAILING: Duffy confirmation hearing marked by bipartisanship, pledge to visit Helene-devastated states…Read more ‘POTENTIAL TARGET’: Government agencies concerned Trump inauguration ‘potential target’ for extremists…Read more ‘THIS WAS SPECTACULAR’: Bondi claps back at Hirono amid questions about political prosecutions: ‘Refused to meet with me’…Read more ‘EXCUSE ME’: Bondi shuts down Dem senator’s questioning attacking another Trump nominee…Read more RETURN TO WORK: House Oversight report says telework is ‘wasting billions’ in taxpayer cash ahead of 1st hearing…Read more ‘RIGHT ON’: Freshman GOP senator sets social media ablaze with ‘best’ response to Hegseth’s answer on gender question…Read more ‘GREEN ENERGY SCAM’: House GOP resolution would overturn Biden’s gas water heater ban…Read more ‘VIBE SHIFT’: Tennessee AG optimistic about SCOTUS case after ‘radical gender ideology’ reversal in lower court…Read more COLLEGE NIGHTMARE: Family attorney of fraternity pledge left debilitated from hazing cheers new law as good start but not enough…Read more ‘UNACCEPTABLE’: New GOP bill seeks to hold private elite universities to same tax standard as corporations…Read more ‘IS IT FAIR’?: Florida proposal would bar illegal migrants in the US from attending some colleges…Read more WILL SHE RUN?: Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn eyes gubernatorial bid…Read more FREE TUITION: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul unveils plan to offer free tuition at city, state colleges…Read more STOCKPILE: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy says state will stockpile abortion pills ahead of Trump’s return to White House…Read more SPECIAL SESSION: Tennessee to call special session fast-tracking Trump agenda on immigration, school choice and disaster relief…Read more Get the latest updates on the Trump presidential transition, incoming Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com
Stephen Miller preps House Republicans for Trump’s immigration overhaul in closed-door meeting
President-elect Trump’s top aide on immigration and the border spoke with House Republicans during a roughly hour-long meeting Wednesday. Lawmakers who left the room hailed Stephen Miller, who was tapped to be U.S. Homeland Security adviser in the new Trump administration, as a brilliant policy mind. Two sources present for the discussions told Fox News Digital Miller talked about the need to scale up the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) workforce, which is noteworthy given Trump’s promise to execute mass deportations when he returns to office. Miller also discussed ways to cut federal funds going toward sanctuary cities and states, a cash flow that Republicans had previously promised to target if they were to control the levers of power in Washington. COLORADO MAYOR SPEAKS OUT AFTER VIDEO OF ARMED VENEZUELAN GANG IN APARTMENT GOES VIRAL: ‘FAILED POLICY’ The strategy meeting comes as congressional Republicans are preparing for a massive conservative policy overhaul through the budget reconciliation process. By lowering the threshold for passage in the Senate from 60 votes to 51, reconciliation allows the party controlling Congress and the White House to pass broad policy changes — provided they deal with budgetary and other fiscal matters. The sources told Fox News Digital Miller’s portion of the meeting partly focused on what border and immigration policies could go into a reconciliation package and what kind of funding Congress would need to appropriate. 1.4 MILLION ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN US HAVE BEEN ORDERED DEPORTED, BUT HAVE YET TO BE REMOVED: OFFICIAL The sources said Miller told Republicans the incoming Trump administration understood the president-elect’s border and immigration goals were “probably not going to get a lot” of Democratic votes and that “those more controversial things would need to be in reconciliation.” More bipartisan initiatives could be passed during the regular process, the sources added. A House GOP lawmaker told Fox News Digital of an understanding that Congress would follow Trump’s lead. “I think we’re going to see a slew of executive orders early, and that is going to be helpful to separate from what we have to do legislatively,” the lawmaker said. One source in the room said Miller emphasized the importance of messaging, adding that “nothing matters if we don’t get our message out to the American people.” Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., told Fox News Digital Miller discussed “low-hanging fruit” that Trump could tackle by executive order, mentioning “deportation” as a possibility. “Tax stuff, that’s going to take some time,” Norman said. Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo., declined to go into specifics about the meeting but told Fox News Digital the discussion focused on “illegal immigration and how that’s going to be curbed … to bring commonsense solutions to the program.” HOUSE DOGE CAUCUS EYES FEDERAL EMPLOYEES, GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS IN NEW GOAL-SETTING MEMO “I had a couple of questions about the cost to American taxpayers if we don’t repatriate some 12 million illegal aliens who the Biden administration has let into our country,” Alford said. Miller declined to answer reporters’ questions when he left the room. He was invited to address the Republican Study Committee led by Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, the House GOP’s largest caucus, which acts as a conservative think tank of sorts for the rest of the House Republican Conference. House GOP leaders like Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., were not in attendance, nor were they expected. Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., the group’s previous chairman, said there was “nothing new” said during the meeting, adding it was an opportunity for Trump’s aides to address the House GOP. Trump and his aides have already paid heavy attention to congressional Republicans. Several of his incoming White House aides are in regular contact with top GOP lawmakers. Trump personally invited several groups of House Republicans to Mar-a-Lago last weekend.
New York to open massive new 2,200-bed migrant shelter for single men in the Bronx
After New York Mayor Eric Adams announced the planned opening of a massive, 2,000-bed migrant shelter in the South Bronx, Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres slammed the decision, accusing Adams of treating the borough as an immigrant “dumping ground.” The mayor’s office announced the new shelter last week while simultaneously claiming that the ongoing migrant crisis in New York City is waning. This comes as New York is set to close its sprawling tent shelter on Randalls Island and dozens of other shelters in the next few months. New York is a migrant sanctuary city and has a “right to shelter” law that requires the city to accommodate anyone seeking shelter who has no other option. However, in recent months, Adams has taken a different tone toward immigrants in the city and announced the closure of a string of migrant shelters. In last week’s statement, Adams said the closures are part of the city’s efforts to find “more opportunities to save taxpayer money and turn the page on this unprecedented humanitarian crisis.” “Thanks to the administration’s successful asylum seeker management strategies and federal border policy changes the city advocated for that have continued to drive down the number of people in the city’s care for 27 straight weeks and reduce costs by nearly $2.8 billion over three fiscal years,” the mayor’s office said. TRUMP BORDER CZAR MEETING WITH NYC MAYOR ADAMS DESPITE SANCTUARY CITY STATUS Meanwhile, the New York Post reported that it will cost the city between $250,000 and $340,000 to retrofit and prepare a 275,000-square-foot former office building in the Bronx to accommodate the expected thousands of men who will live in the new migrant shelter. The shelter’s location – 825 E. 141st St. – was renovated in 2017 and is near an infamous section of the Bronx called “the Hub,” which is known for having a high volume of open drug use and activity, including the use of heroin and fentanyl. The building is owned by SoBro Local Development Corp., a nonprofit that’s stated mission is to “enhance the quality of life in the South Bronx by strengthening businesses and creating and implementing innovative economic, housing, educational, and career development programs for youth and adults.” CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE Adams’ announcement was not taken well by many Bronx residents. Many of the migrant shelters in the city have earned reputations as centers for violence, crime and gang activity from the likes of the international criminal group Tren de Aragua. The New York Post reported one 21-year-old Bronx resident named Serene Bilal saying: “Wrong move!… You need to work with the people already here. We have issues going on. Why the Bronx? Why pick on the Bronx? “It’s going to be dangerous,” Bilal told the outlet. “We don’t know who these people are. We are not talking about 10 people. We’re talking about thousands. That’s a lot.” ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS MAKE UP 75% OF ARRESTS IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, SAY POLICE: REPORT Torres, who is rumored to be considering a run for New York governor, also slammed the decision to place the new shelter in the Bronx. “Instead of decisively dismantling open-air drug markets in the Hub, the City is treating the South Bronx as a dumping ground for an endless stream of shelters,” Torres told Fox News Digital. “The Bronx is treated differently from the rest of the city,” he went on. “We are treated as the second-class borough of New York City.” Fox News Digital reached out to Adams’ office for comment but did not receive a response. Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.
Trump inauguration will reportedly include Muslim cleric who refused to condemn Hezbollah as terror org
A Muslim cleric who has praised Iran and refused to call Hezbollah a terrorist organization was reportedly tapped to deliver a benediction at President-elect Trump’s inauguration. Husham Al-Husainy is a well-known Iraqi-American imam in Michigan, overseeing the Karbalaa Islamic Education Center in Dearborn. Al-Husainy was among a swath of Muslim voters in Michigan who indicated ahead of Election Day that they would support Trump instead of the Democratic Party’s ticket in November. “I lean towards Mr. Trump because I found him closer to the Bible, the Torah, and the Quran. Because I support peace, no war,” he said back in October, Fox News Digital reported at the time. He added that the country “deserves to have a strong leader where he can bring peace in this world.” Before he indicated support for the former and upcoming president, Al-Husainy reportedly made a series of questionable comments. A Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, the Middle East Media and Research Institute, for example, reported this week that the Muslim cleric praised Iran in a 2022 interview. TRADITIONALLY DEM LEADERS IN KEY MICHIGAN VOTING BLOC DITCH HARRIS, ENDORSE TRUMP “Thank God We Have the Islamic Republic of Iran; Its Light Goes to Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and All Over,” he said in the interview, the nonprofit posted on X. The conservative nonprofit The Middle East Forum described the cleric as a “radical antisemitic, pro-Hezbollah Shia imam,” who reportedly hosted a 2015 rally in Dearborn where he “wished death upon Saudi Arabia” amid the Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war. ABANDON BIDEN CAMPAIGN RELAUNCHES, TARGETS HARRIS IN KEY SWING STATES In 2007, Al-Husainy joined Fox News’ Sean Hannity on the “Hannity & Colmes” program, where he was pressed on whether he considers Hezbollah a terrorist organization. The cleric joined the program following his invitation to the DNC’s winter meeting that year to deliver the invocation. “I’ll ask you again. Is Hezbollah – this is a yes or no question. Is Hezbollah a terrorist organization? Yes or no?” Hannity asked the imam. “Now if – I give you a time to ask me a question. Now give me time to answer it, please,” Al-Husainy said. “Yes or no?” Hannity continued. “First of all – first of all, Hezbollah is a Lebanese organization. And I’ve got nothing to do with that. But there is a biblical meaning of Hezbollah. It is in Judaism and Christianity and Islam meaning people of God and that means yes,” the imam responded. WALZ PICK DOES LITTLE TO PERSUADE DEARBORN’S ANTI-BIDEN/HARRIS VOTERS Later in the segment, Hannity again asked if Hezbollah is a terrorist organization. “This is – your idea of a political or… you know what Hezbollah means? I support the people of God,” Al-Husainy said. The State Department has recognized Hezbollah as a terrorist organization since 1997. Fox News Digital reached out to the Trump transition team regarding the invitation and Al-Husainy’s previous comments, but did not receive a reply. Matt Foldi, the former congressional candidate and current editor-in-chief of the Washington Reporter, shared a photo on X this week reportedly showing the official program of Inauguration Day, including that Al-Husainy, a Catholic priest, the Rev. Frank Mann, Rabbi Ari Berman and a Detroit pastor, Lorenzo Sewell, are slated to deliver benedictions. IMAM AL-HUSAINY REACTS TO DNC FLAP Fox News Digital also attempted to reach Al-Husainy via the Karbalaa Islamic Education Center, but did not immediately receive a reply. Dearborn, Michigan, is home to the proportionally largest Muslim population in the U.S. and became the birthplace of the “Abandon Biden” movement last year as Arab voters spoke out about the administration’s handling of the conflict in Gaza. The movement morphed into “abandoning” Vice President Kamala Harris after Biden dropped out of the race in July, and ultimately endorsed Trump on Election Day. Muslim voters overall favored Harris by 32 percentage points in the 2024 election. Trump won 32% of their vote, while Harris won 63%. In 2020, Biden had won 64% of the Muslim vote, and Trump had won 35%. Trump faced mixed support from Muslim and Arab American voters, but in swing states like Michigan, their support became especially crucial. Arab American voters in Dearborn said following the election that they voted for Trump over Harris in protest of her stance on the Israel-Hamas war. “They didn’t vote for Trump because they believe Trump is the best candidate,” Arab American News publisher Osama Siblani told Politico in November. “No, they voted for Trump because they want to punish the Democrats and Harris.” Fox News Digital’s Michael Lee contributed to this report.
Bondi claps back at Hirono amid questions about political prosecutions: ‘Refused to meet with me’
Pam Bondi, President-elect Trump’s nominee for attorney general, engaged in a tense exchange with Democrat Sen. Mazie Hirono during her confirmation hearing on Wednesday that resulted in praise from conservatives on social media. “You have an incoming president who said, ‘I have the absolute right to do what I want to do with the Justice Department,’ and in fact, President-elect Trump considers the DOJ to be his law firm,” the Hawaii senator said to Bondi on Wednesday. “I ask you this: If President-elect Trump asks, suggests or hints that you as attorney general should investigate one of his perceived political enemies, would you do so?” “Sen. Hirono, I wish you had met with me. Had you met with me, we could have discussed many things and gotten to –” Bondi began to respond. Hirono then interrupted by saying, “I am listening to you now, could you please respond to the question?” DEM SENATOR WHO BASHED HEGSETH’S QUALIFICATIONS STANDS BY DOD SEC WHO OVERSAW BOTCHED AFGHAN WITHDRAWAL “You were the only one who refused to meet with me but what we would have discussed is that it is the job of the attorney general,” Bondie said before being interrupted by Hirono again. “I’m very happy to listen to your responses under oath, Miss Bondi,” Hirono said. “So I think it’s really important to us that the attorney general be independent of the White House, and you have a president-elect who considers the AG’s office his law firm. I would like to know whether if the president suggests, hints, asks, that you, as attorney general, should investigate one of his perceived enemies.” FRESHMAN GOP SENATOR SETS SOCIAL MEDIA ABLAZE WITH ‘BEST’ RESPONSE TO HEGSETH’S ANSWER ON GENDER QUESTION Bondi responded, “I certainly have not heard the president say that. But what I will tell you is two-thirds of Americans have lost faith in the Department of Justice, and its statements like that, I believe, that make people continue to lose faith.” Conservatives on social media praised Bondi for her handling of Hirono’s questions. “Pam Bondi CLAPS BACK,” Abigail Jackson, communications director for GOP Sen. Josh Hawley, posted on X. “Pam Bondi isn’t playing with these far-left Senators,” the Media Research Center posted on X. “Pam Bondi obliterates Sen. Mazie Hirono for refusing to meet with her,” conservative commentator Paul Szypula posted on X. “This was spectacular.” “Common @PamBondi W,” the Trump War Room posted on X. “Imagine thinking Maxie Hirono is qualified to be a U.S. Senator but Pam Bondi isn’t qualified to be U.S. Attorney General lol,” conservative commentator and former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines posted on X. Bondi is expected to be confirmed by the Senate, and some have speculated that she will earn some votes from Democrats.
Biden balks when asked if Trump deserves credit for Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal: ‘Is that a joke?’
President Biden balked at a question posed by Fox News senior White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich on Wednesday about whether President-elect Trump deserves credit for the recent Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal. The deal comes during Biden’s final days in office, less than a week before Trump’s second term starts on Jan. 20. A recent meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump’s incoming Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, was reportedly an integral part of the deal, sources told Fox News Digital. “Who in the history books gets credit for this, Mr. President, you or Trump?” Heinrich asked Biden at Wednesday afternoon’s White House news conference. “Is that a joke?” the president responded. ISRAEL SENDS REPORT TO UN ON ‘BRUTAL’ TREATMENT USED BY TERRORISTS AGAINST HOSTAGES IN GAZA When Heinrich denied that her question was in jest, Biden responded, “Oh. Thank you,” and walked away. Minutes earlier, Biden explained that the cease-fire would consist of two phases. The first phase, which will last around six weeks, “includes a full and complete cease-fire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from all the populated areas of Gaza, and the release of a number of hostages held by Hamas, including women and elderly and the wounded.” “And I’m proud to say Americans will be part of that hostage release and phase one as well,” the president said. “And the vice president and I cannot wait to welcome them home.” Israel has also released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, Biden said, and Palestinians “can also return to their neighborhoods in all areas of Gaza, and a surge of humanitarian assistance into Gaza will begin.” The second phase of the cease-fire will begin after Israel negotiates “the necessary arrangements,” which Biden said would mark “a permanent end of the war.” “There are a number of details to negotiate the move from phase one to phase two,” he continued. “But the plan says if negotiations take longer than six weeks, the cease-fire will continue as long as the negotiations continue.” FOX NEWS GETS AN INSIDE LOOK AT IDF’S WAR AGAINST HAMAS Weeks ago, Trump warned that there would be “hell to pay” if there were no significant developments with a hostage deal by the time he took office. “Everybody is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire World, in the Middle East – But it’s all talk, and no action!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity,” Trump added. Shortly after Biden announced the deal, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller acknowledged the role that Trump’s team played in the negotiations and thanked them. “I don’t know if it’s unprecedented to have envoys from an outgoing and an incoming administration sitting at the same table negotiating a cease-fire agreement of this kind,” Miller said Wednesday. “But if it’s not unprecedented, it’s certainly unusual.” “And, we, of course, thank the Trump team for working with this on this cease-fire agreement. We think it’s important that they were at the table.” Fox News Digital’s Danielle Wallace, Greg Norman, Trey Yingst, Brooke Curto, Efrat Lachter and Sophia Compton contributed to this report.
Trump energy nominee heckled by climate protesters, derided by Dem senator as ‘enthusiast for fossil fuels’
Lawmakers questioned President-elect Trump’s energy secretary on climate change, the Los Angeles wildfires, and the Biden administration’s green energy agenda during his nomination hearing, which saw disruptions from several climate protesters. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a confirmation hearing for Chris Wright, Liberty Energy Inc. CEO and Trump’s pick to head the Energy Department, on Wednesday, which was also his birthday. The Trump nominee was introduced by a Democratic Sen. John Hickenlooper of Colorado, who described him as “an unrestrained enthusiast for fossil fuels.” Wright focused his responses on energy dominance, saying that climate change is a “real issue,” global energy demand, and his focus on growing energy resources. “America has an historic opportunity to secure our energy systems, deliver leadership in scientific and technological innovation, steward our weapons stockpiles and meet Cold War legacy waste commitments,” Wright said in his opening statement. HOUSE GOP RESOLUTION WOULD OVERTURN BIDEN’S GAS WATER HEATER BAN Wright said he has identified three “immediate tasks” where he will focus his attention, if confirmed: unleashing American energy, leading the world in innovation and technology breakthroughs, and increasing production in America. “President Trump shares my passion for energy, and if confirmed, I will work tirelessly to implement his bold agenda as an unabashed steward for all sources of affordable, reliable and secure American energy,” Wright told the committee. Republicans, such as Sen. Steve Daines of Montana, positioned their questioning on Biden administration policies, such as a ban on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, regulations on household appliances, and most recently blocking drilling along the coast. Multiple Democratic senators claimed that the committee chairman, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, scheduled the confirmation hearing before all required paperwork on Wright was provided to the members of the committee. Other Democrats used their time at the mic to claim the Los Angeles fires were caused by “climate change.” “Despite the misinformation that’s circulating here in the Capitol, into California, and everywhere in between, it’s clear that these fires only reach the size and the scale that they have because of unseasonably dry vegetation and extremely high winds, both of which are a direct result of climate change,” Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., said during the hearing. Asked about the issue of climate change, Wright said he believes it’s a “real issue” “I’ve studied and followed the data and the evolution of climate change for at least 20 years now. It is a global issue. It is a real issue. It’s a challenging issue,” Wright said, adding that he believes the solution to climate change “is to evolve our energy system.” Fox News Digital captured footage of several climate change protesters who disrupted Wright’s hearing on Wednesday. One protester stood up while Wright was being questioned and asked if his policies would “put out the fires in LA.” “Are you gonna ask any questions or just softball on the climate this entire time,” said another protester who was removed from the hearing room. Several other climate protesters were also stationed outside the hearing room, with shirts that read, “I won’t let my future burn.”
New poll shows Biden leaving office with approval ratings still buried deep in negative territory
A new national poll indicates that President Biden’s approval ratings remain well underwater as the nation’s 46th president is only days from leaving office. Just 36% of Americans approve of the job Biden’s doing in the White House, according to the latest CNN poll conducted by SSRS, with 64% saying they disapprove. The approval rating matches the president’s previous low mark in the cable news network’s polling during Biden’s single term in office. The poll was released on Wednesday, just hours before the president delivers his prime-time farewell address to the nation, with just days left before Biden’s term ends and he is succeeded by President-elect Trump in the White House. Biden’s approval rating stands at 43% – slightly higher but still in negative territory – in national polls by USA Today/Suffolk University and Marist College which, along with the CNN survey, were conducted earlier this month. WILL HISTORY BE KIND OR UNKIND TO PRESIDENT BIDEN? The trio of polls also indicates that many Americans view Biden’s presidency as a failure. Sixty-one percent of those questioned in the CNN survey said they see Biden’s presidency overall as a failure, with 38% viewing it as a success. According to the USA Today/Suffolk University survey, which was released on Tuesday, 44% of registered voters said history will assess Biden as a failed president, with 27% saying he will be judged as a fair president. Twenty-one percent of those questioned said history will view Biden as a good president, with only 5% saying he will be seen as a great president. HEAD HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS POLLING RESULTS Just over a third of adults nationwide questioned in the Marist poll, which was released on Wednesday, said Biden will be remembered as one of the worst presidents in American history, with 19% saying he will be considered a below-average president. Twenty-eight percent of participants offered that Biden’s legacy will be considered average, with 19% saying he would be regarded as above average or one of the best presidents in the nation’s history. In his Oval Office speech, Biden will likely aim to cement his legacy as a president who pushed to stabilize politics at home while bolstering America’s leadership abroad, and as a leader who steered the nation out of the COVID-19 pandemic and made historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy while lowering prescription drug prices. Biden, in a letter to Americans released early Wednesday morning, emphasized that when he took office four years ago “we were in the grip of the worst pandemic in a century, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, and the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War.” And he touted that “today, we have the strongest economy in the world and have created a record 16.6 million new jobs. Wages are up. Inflation continues to come down. The racial wealth gap is the lowest it’s been in 20 years.” A MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SAY THIS IS HOW THEY’LL VIEW BIDEN’S PRESIDENCY Biden’s approval rating hovered in the low to mid 50s during his first six months in the White House. However, the president’s numbers started sagging in August 2021 in the wake of Biden’s much-criticized handling of the turbulent U.S. exit from Afghanistan, and following a surge in COVID-19 cases that summer that was mainly among unvaccinated people. The plunge in the president’s approval rating was also fueled by soaring inflation – which started spiking in the summer of 2021 and remains to date a major pocketbook concern with Americans – and the surge of migrants trying to cross into the U.S. along the southern border. Biden’s approval ratings slipped underwater in the autumn of 2021 and never reemerged into positive territory. The president’s single term in the White House ends Monday, Jan. 20, as Trump is inaugurated as Biden’s successor. However, according to the USA Today/Suffolk University poll, 44% also said that Trump will be seen by history as a failed president. One in five said Trump would be viewed as a great president, with 19% saying good and 27% saying he would be judged a fair president. Trump ended his first term in office with approval ratings in negative territory, including 47% approval in Fox News polling from four years ago. In Marist polling four years ago, as Trump finished his first term, 47% thought he would be remembered as one of the nation’s worst presidents. As Trump gets ready to once again assume the presidency, the Marist poll indicates opinions of him remain low, with 44% of Americans viewing him favorably and 49% holding an unfavorable opinion of the incoming president. However, opinions about Trump’s first term have risen in numerous polls conducted since his convincing victory in November’s presidential election over Vice President Kamala Harris. The vice president succeeded Biden in July as the Democrats’ 2024 standard-bearer after the president dropped out of the race following a disastrous debate performance against Trump. The poll also indicates that Americans have high expectations for Trump when it comes to the economy. “While many Americans feel the current economy is not working well for them, residents nationally have grown more optimistic about the future of their own finances,” the poll’s release highlighted. The survey also indicated Americans are divided about Trump’s proposed mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. According to the poll, more than six in 10 disapprove of Trump’s pledge to pardon his supporters who were convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. The Marist poll was conducted Jan. 7-9, with 1,387 adults nationwide questioned. The survey’s overall sampling error is plus or minus 3.2 percentage points. The CNN poll was conducted Jan. 9-12, with 1,205 adults nationwide questioned. The survey’s overall sampling error is plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.
Government agencies concerned Trump inauguration ‘potential target’ for extremists: report
Government agencies are cautioning that President-elect Trump’s inauguration may attract violent extremists – especially those harboring “election-related grievances,” according to a new report. While no specific credible threats have been identified, agencies like the FBI, Secret Service and Capitol Police authored a threat assessment asserting that extremists may view the inauguration as “their last opportunity to influence the election results through violence,” Politico reports. The threat assessment identified foreign terrorists, domestic extremists or lone wolves who could pull off violent acts, including vehicle-ramming attacks, bomb hoaxes or swatting calls. Likewise, law enforcement cited concerns about protests breaking into chaos, especially since certain groups who’ve faced arrests in previous protests have applied for demonstration permits. TRAVEL TIPS FOR ATTENDING PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP’S INAUGURATION AS EXPERTS WEIGH IN “Past protests by some of these individuals have involved traffic blockades, trespassing, property destruction, and resisting arrest,” the threat assessment said. Meanwhile, U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger cautioned Monday that “lone actors” are the most serious threat to inauguration festivities, during a press conference with federal and local law enforcement officials about the inauguration. CHECK OUT TRUMP’S PICKS FOR TOP CABINET AND ADMINISTRATION POSITIONS “The biggest threat, I think, for all of us remains the lone actor,” Manger said. “Just in the past week, while President Carter was lying in state, we had two lone actors show up at the Capitol: one trying to bring in knives and a machete; another one who was trying – what I believe – to disrupt the proceedings by setting their car on fire down in the peace circle area.” “Capitol Police were able to interdict these folks before they had a chance to do any harm,” Manger said. “But that threat of the lone actor remains the biggest justification for us being at this heightened state of alert throughout the next week.” As a result, the inauguration will feature a beefed up law enforcement presence. Approximately 4,000 local law enforcement officers have volunteered to assist, and 7,800 National Guard soldiers will also be deployed. ABBOTT ORDERS FLAGS AT FULL-STAFF FOR TRUMP’S INAUGURATION DESPITE ONE MONTH ORDER TO HONOR CARTER Matt McCool, the Secret Service’s special agent in charge of the agency’s Washington field office, said that altogether roughly 25,000 law enforcement officers will be working. McCool said this year’s inauguration plan features a “slightly more robust security plan,” in comparison to President Biden’s inauguration in 2021. “What I can tell you is that we are 100% confident in the plan that we have put in place for this inauguration that the public and our protectees will be safe,” McCool said. Additionally, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith said it is bracing for 12 separate First Amendment demonstrations at the inauguration, noting that they will have a right to peacefully protest. Still, she said violence won’t be permitted. “I want to reiterate – as I always have – that violence, destruction and unlawful behavior will not be tolerated,” Smith said Monday. “Offenders will face swift and decisive consequences.” Fox News Digital’s Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.