Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister withdraws as Trump’s nominee to lead DEA
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister withdrew his name for consideration as President-elect Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). “To have been nominated by President-Elect @realDonaldTrump to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime,” Chronister wrote in a post on X. “Over the past several days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, I’ve concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration. There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling,” Chronister continued. “I sincerely appreciate the nomination, outpouring of support by the American people, and look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Chronister was appointed by then-Florida Gov. Rick Scott to head the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in 2017, and has been re-elected twice.
Manchin delivers emotional final floor speech as West Virginia senator: ‘Honor of my life’
Departing Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.V., focused on unity in an emotional farewell address to his colleagues in the Senate, marking the final floor speech of his 14-year term after not seeking re-election this cycle. “My friends and colleagues, today I rise with a full heart and an overwhelming sense of gratitude. It’s been the honor of my life to represent my great state of West Virginia in this great country of ours,” Manchin opened his final remarks on Tuesday. “Now, as my time here comes to an end. I want you to know that my belief in the potential of this institution, and each and every one of you that represent it, remains as strong as ever.” In his speech, Manchin urged his colleagues to put their differences aside and work together in an effort to bridge political differences. The senator revealed that it “wasn’t exactly my plan to join the Senate” at first, but that he “saw an opportunity to serve more people and tackle bigger challenges.” SENATE DEMOCRATS NAME TOP LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AFTER LOSING CHAMBER MAJORITY Manchin, focusing on the theme of unity, recalled being asked to help recruit Democratic candidates to run against Republicans when he first entered the Senate, but vowing not to work against his colleagues. “It didn’t take long for me to see that the divisions here run pretty deep,” he said. “I’m not going to raise money to attack my friends and colleagues just because they have an ‘R’ by their name. How do we expect to work together if I’m working against them when they’re in cycle?” KYRSTEN SINEMA RESPONDS TO DEMOCRATS ADMITTING FILIBUSTER WILL HELP THEM STOP TRUMP AGENDA: ‘SCHADENFREUDE In his final speech, Manchin took the opportunity to highlight accomplishments in his state of West Virginia such as on energy, infrastructure, and job growth. While Manchin is widely known for his memorable work in the senate, his career in West Virginia politics dates back decades. Manchin served as a state delegate in the early 1980s, before being elected as a state senator until the late 90s. Manchin served as Secretary of State for four years, and then was elected as governor of West Virginia in 2005. Manchin was eventually elected to his longest held post of Democratic senator for West Virginia in 2010. Known for his moderate approach and bipartisan work on national issues, the senator left the Democratic Party to register as an independent in May 2024, but continued to caucus with Democrats in the months following his departure from the party. Manchin ended his speech urging his colleagues to fix inflation and the southern border crisis, emphasizing that “when each side could take a little step to find common ground, powerful things happen.” “I’m not going anywhere, gang,” Manchin said, appearing to tear up as he thanked his staff and family for their support over the years. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., commended Manchin’s service in the senate ahead of his farewell address. “It fills me with great pleasure, and a little sadness, to say a few words here in his honor,” Schumer said. “So today, I wish to pay tribute to a very dear friend, one of my closest friends in the Senate – even when we disagreed we stayed friendly and stayed good friends – and of course a longtime colleague: Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia.”
Fox News Politics: Tipping the Scales to the Left
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… -Hunter Biden’s pardon sets troubling precedent, risks politicizing Justice Department, critics say –Senate Democrats name top leadership positions after losing chamber majority -House Dem moves to force vote on releasing Gaetz ethics report The Senate GOP leader on Monday slammed decisions by two federal judges to reverse their announced retirements after Republican former President Trump won re-election in November. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., criticized the pair of “partisan Democrat district judges” after they announced plans to “unretire” after “the American people voted to fire Democrats last month.” “Looking to history, only two judges have ever unretired after a presidential election. One Democrat in 2004 and one Republican in 2009. But now, in just a matter of weeks, Democrats have already met that all-time record. It’s hard to conclude that this is anything other than open partisanship,” McConnell said in remarks delivered on the Senate floor…Read more ‘IMPARTIAL INSTITUTION’: Hunter Biden’s ex-biz partner reveals Trump DOJ blueprint he would like to see after last-minute pardon…Read more GUNNING FOR JUSTICE: DOJ special counsel says Hunter Biden’s indictment should not be dismissed…Read more TRUMP TRUMPS BIDEN: Mar-a-Lago trumps White House as president-elect overshadows Biden on world stage…Read more HUNTER BIDEN SAGA: Hunter Biden gun case terminated after pardon, but Delaware judge stops short of full dismissal…Read more ‘MAJOR INCREASE’: John Bolton declares hiking US defense budget the ‘most important priority in foreign affairs today’…Read more ‘MOUTHPIECES FOR GOVERNMENT’: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy agree on ‘need to scrutinize’ US funding for NGOs…Read more ‘DEEP STATE’ FOE: FBI has long been accused of politicization ahead of Dem concern over Kash Patel nomination…Read more PARTING WORDS: Outgoing DNC chair defends party, says 2024 could have been worse for Democrats…Read more LEADERSHIP ELECTION: Senate Democrats to hold leadership elections after losing chamber majority…Read more ‘NO LONGER EMPLOYED’: House Democrat staff member fired following arrest by Capitol Police…Read more PROMOTED: General involved in Afghanistan withdrawal has promotion confirmed by Senate…Read more GETTING TESTY: Recently ousted Dem senator said he’s ‘getting the f*** out of here’ when asked about presidential pardon…Read more CROSSING THE AISLE: Dem lawmaker joins Republican-led DOGE caucus with push to remove Secret Service from DHS…Read more ‘FROM THE ASHES’: Conservative group’s roadmap calls for Congress to rebuild new US immigration system ‘from the ashes’…Read more ‘ABOVE THE LAW’: Dem Rep. Dean Phillips blasts Biden after Hunter pardon, says some people ‘are indeed above the law’…Read more ‘CHOOSE WORDS CAREFULLY’: Denver mayor criticized by hometown paper over vow to resist Trump deportations…Read more STACKING THE DECK: Daniel Penny prosecutor dangles race card again over defense objection despite no hate crime charges…Read more SHOOTER TO SHOP OWNER?”: Would-be Reagan assassin John Hinckley Jr. opening music store…Read more ‘COMMON SENSE’: Ohio Lt. Gov. touts state’s ‘common sense’ bathroom bill, hopes to see similar bills ‘across the country’…Read more RED LIGHTS: AOC’s ‘Red Light District’ plagued by crime as Democrat who helped her rise to power says she ‘disappeared’…Read more GANG EXECUTIONER?: Suspected Tren de Aragua gang member in Texas charged with murder, kidnapping…Read more FALLEN HEROES: Trump, DeSantis join thousands to mourn three Florida deputies killed in roadside crash…Read more Get the latest updates on the Trump presidential transition, incoming Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
NYC mayor delivers blunt message to left-wing critics over desire to meet with Trump’s incoming border czar
New York City Mayor Eric Adams revealed on Tuesday that he is open to meeting with incoming Trump border czar Tom Homan to develop solutions to take on illegal immigrant criminals — and dismissed criticism from the left, telling critics to “cancel me.” Adams was asked at a press conference about whether he will meet with Homan, who was picked by President-elect Trump to lead the mass deportation operation he intends to launch after he is sworn into office. Adams stressed the city’s openness to immigrants and emphasized the work being done on helping migrants apply for Temporary Protected Status and work authorization, as well as services including case management for migrants. He said it has now seen a 21-week decrease in migrant arrivals. TRUMP BORDER CZAR HOMAN SAYS HE’LL MEET WITH NYC MAYOR ADAMS TO ADDRESS MIGRANT CRISIS: LETS ‘GET THIS DONE’ “But we cannot ignore, ignore the fact that the American people have communicated to us, loudly and clearly. We have a broken system. They want to fix, and we need to fix our immigration system,” he said. He said he has reached out to Homan and said he would like to speak to him: “I’m not going to be warring with this administration, I’m going to be working with this administration. President Trump is the president-elect. And whomever he chooses to run his agencies. I’m looking forward to sitting down and see how do we better New York,” he said. “I would like to speak with our border czar, and find out what his plans are. Where our common grounds are, we can work together. And I strongly believe, my history is sitting down with those across the aisle, with different ways of thinking, and sit down and share my ideas,” he said. “I believe I have some ideas that could deal with this issue, and we can reach what the American people have been saying to us — secure our borders, address the people who are committing violent acts in our country and make sure that… our citizens are going to be safe.” In another part of the press conference, he said that those who are in the country illegally who are otherwise law-abiding “should not be rounded up in the middle of the night.” But he said that it was different for criminal illegal immigrants. NYC ENDS TAXPAYER-FUNDED PREPAID DEBIT CARD PROGRAM FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS “Those are the people I am talking about. And I would love to sit down with the border czar and hear his thoughts on how are we going to address those who are harming our citizens.” As to his critics from the left on the issue, Adams pointed to past remarks by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Barack Obama, who he said had called for the deportation of criminal illegal immigrants, and brushed off what he said was “cancel culture.” “Well, cancel me, because I’m going to protect the people of this city, and if you come into this country, in this city, and think you’re going to harm innocent New Yorkers and innocent migrants and asylum seekers, this is not the mayor you want to be in a city under,” he said. Adams has been sounding the alarm about the impact that the border crisis has had on New York City, including the billions that it has cost the city. He has repeatedly called for additional support from the federal government. He said on Tuesday that the city has so far seen $6.4 billion spent on the migrant crisis. ‘TRUE!!’: TRUMP CONFIRMS SUPPORT FOR MAJOR STEP IN MASS DEPORTATION PUSH TO ‘REVERSE THE BIDEN INVASION’ While New York City is a sanctuary city — meaning local police are not allowed to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requests to hand over illegal immigrants after they are released from custody — Adams has increasingly backed away from that stance. He has called for changes that allow those suspected of major crimes to be turned over to ICE, something that is not currently allowed under the sanctuary policies. Homan, meanwhile, has also been open to a meeting with Adams. “I’m willing to meet with him, and I’m willing to meet with anybody to help make their communities safer,” Homan said Monday on “America’s Newsroom” after being contacted by the Adams administration. “Prioritization out of the gate is public safety threats. Work with us on that. It makes your community safer. It keeps my officers safe. It keeps the community safe. Let’s work together and get this done.” Fox News’ Taylor Penley contributed to this report.
Facebook still silent after suddenly banning then reinstating this popular gun manufacturer
The popular American gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson says it is still being kept in the dark after its Facebook account was suddenly suspended last month. Though the account has since been reinstated, a representative for the company told Fox News Digital that “despite multiple attempts to reach Facebook to discuss the matter, to date we have not had direct communications with any of their staff members.” The gun company, which is headquartered in Maryville, Tennessee, said staff suddenly received a notification from Facebook on Nov. 22 stating that their official Smith & Wesson account had been “suspended indefinitely.” “No warnings of a page suspension were previously communicated by Facebook,” said the representative. BIDEN-HARRIS POLICIES MAY BE BEHIND SURGE IN REPUBLICAN WOMEN OWNING GUNS, CONCEALED CARRY ADVOCATE SAYS The representative said Facebook referenced five posts dating back to December 2023 that they “suggest did not follow their community guidelines.” “The posts in question included consumer promotional campaigns, charitable auctions, and product release announcements,” the Smith & Wesson representative explained. “While Facebook’s policies are ever-changing, which creates a burden for users to comply with, we do not believe this content violated any of Facebook’s policies or community guidelines, and similar posts have been published in the past without issue.” Facebook’s commerce policy prohibits the promotion of buying, selling and trading of weapons, ammunition and explosives. However, according to Facebook’s parent company Meta’s website, there is an exception for legitimate brick-and-mortar and online retailers, though their content is still restricted for minors. ‘SMOKING-GUN DOCUMENTS’ PROVE FACEBOOK CENSORED AMERICANS ON BEHALF OF WHITE HOUSE, JIM JORDAN SAYS According to the representative, the page was reinstated on Nov. 27 after the gun manufacturer made a public statement about the incident on X. In the post, which has 3.1 million views, Smith & Wesson criticized Facebook and thanked Elon Musk and X for supporting free speech amid what it called ongoing attacks against the First and Second Amendments. The company encouraged its 1.6 million Facebook followers and fans to “seek out platforms” that represent the “shared values” of free speech and the right to bear arms. Despite the page eventually being reinstated, the representative told Fox News Digital that the company has still had no contact with Meta and “no rationale was given for the reinstatement beyond a comment on social media from a Facebook representative stating that the suspension had been ‘in error.’” That same Meta staffer, Andy Stone, also directed Fox News Digital to the X post positing that Smith & Wesson’s suspension was an accident. In the post, Stone said “the page was suspended in error and we’ve now restored it. We apologize that this happened.” TRUMP FCC PICK SAYS BRINGING ‘CENSORSHIP CARTEL’ TO HEEL WILL BE A ‘TOP’ PRIORITY: ‘IT’S GOT TO END’ Through it all, the Smith & Wesson representative said the manufacturer is “grateful to Elon Musk for having created a public square platform that respects the right for Americans to voice their opinions, ALL opinions, and not just those that coincide with one agenda or another – especially as it relates to our constitutional rights guaranteed under the 1st and 2nd Amendments.” The spokesperson said that since their account was suspended, they have become aware that many other social media users have been similarly silenced and de-platformed. “While we were encouraged by the reinstatement of our account, we were similarly disappointed by the number of other users reacting to our statement on X that commented that they have had very similar experiences with their accounts being de-platformed without warning,” said the representative. “While we obviously do not know the details of those instances, we encourage Meta to continue working towards a more inclusive platform which allows the freedom for respectful dialogue from all viewpoints, which is a hallmark of American society.” Founded in Norwich, Connecticut, in 1852, Smith & Wesson is one of the most recognized gun brands in America and reported $535.8 million in sales in the 2024 fiscal year.
Biden pledges $1B in aid to Africa as North Carolina residents continue to struggle after Helene
President Biden pledged $1 billion in humanitarian support to Africans displaced by historic droughts and food insecurity on Tuesday, as North Carolina residents continue to rebuild after the devastation left by Hurricane Helene. “The United States continues to be the world’s largest provider of humanitarian aid and development assistance. That’s going to increase, you know, that’s the right thing for the wealthiest nation in the world to do,” Biden said while speaking in Angola. “Today I’m announcing over $1 billion in new humanitarian support for Africans displaced from homes by historic droughts and food insecurity. We know African leaders and citizens are seeking more than just aid. You seek investment. “So, the United States is expanding our relationship all across Africa from assistance to aid, investment to trade, moving from patrons to partners to help bridge the infrastructure gap,” he added. Biden’s visit to Angola this week marks the first time the president has stepped foot on African soil during his presidency, and it comes as people in North Carolina continue to face challenges after Hurricane Helene caused destruction and devastation in late September. BIDEN TRAVELS TO AFRICA WHERE POLICIES WERE ‘OVER-PROMISED AND UNDER-DELIVERED,’ AMID MASSIVE CHINA EXPANSION Last month, the White House requested $98 billion in additional disaster relief funding to help efforts in Helene-ravished areas. Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle have pledged to act swiftly once they get a formal request from the Biden administration. On top of that, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told reporters last month that her agency “will need additional funding of approximately $40 billion beyond its 2025 budget request to support the ongoing recovery efforts to these storms and meet our overall mission requirements through the end of the fiscal year.” HOUSE REPUBLICANS EYE FEMA FUND OVERHAUL AHEAD OF HIGH-STAKES HEARING ON HELENE RECOVERY Still, until these funds are in place, some continue to slam Biden’s legacy of putting foreign countries before his own, which was seen Tuesday as a video of Biden making the $1 billion announcement in Africa made the rounds on social media. “BREAKING: Joe Biden just announced a $1B aid package for AFRICAN nations that are rebuilding from natural disasters. What about North Carolina? This is DISGUSTING,” one user on X wrote. “This is by far the WORST President of all time,” another said on X. JOHNSON BLASTS DEM ACCUSATIONS HE VOWED TO END OBAMACARE AS ‘DISHONEST’ Still, one more user asked, “Can anyone please explain why Joe Biden hates America so much?” The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the matter. Helene ravaged part of the U.S. Southeast in late September, killing more than 100 people in North Carolina alone. It’s estimated to have caused billions of dollars worth of damage as well. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., previously told Fox News Digital that he believed it could be one of the most expensive storms in U.S. history. Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.
Trump attorneys file motion to dismiss ‘failed lawfare’ case in New York, citing Hunter Biden pardon
Lawyers for President-elect Donald Trump have officially requested to “immediately” dismiss charges against him in New York v. Trump, declaring the “failed lawfare” case “should never have been brought.” “President Donald J. Trump respectfully submits this motion to dismiss the Indictment and vacate the jury’s verdicts…,” they wrote in their official motion to dismiss submitted to the court on Monday. “The Presidential immunity doctrine, the Presidential Transition Act, and the Supremacy Clause all require that result, and they require it immediately.” TRUMP LAWYERS DEMAND BRAGG CASE BE ‘IMMEDIATELY DISMISSED,’ SAY ELECTION ‘SUPERSEDES’ POLITICAL ‘MOTIVATIONS’ Trump attorneys, in the beginning of their argument for dismissal, invoked President Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden. “Yesterday, in issuing a 10-year pardon to Hunter Biden that covers any and all crimes whether charged or uncharged, President Biden asserted that his son was ‘selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,’ and ‘treated differently,’” they wrote. “President Biden argued that ‘raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice.’” Trump attorneys said Biden’s “comments amounted to an extraordinary condemnation of President Biden’s own DOJ.” PROSECUTORS REQUEST STAY IN TRUMP NY CASE UNTIL 2029 AS DEFENSE PLANS MOTION FOR DISMISSAL ‘ONCE AND FOR ALL’ “This is the same DOJ that coordinated and oversaw the politically-motivated, election-interference witch hunts targeting President Trump by disgraced Special Counsel Jack Smith, the other biased prosecutors in Smith’s Special Counsel’s Office (“SCO”), and others. This is the same DOJ that sent Matthew Colangelo to DA Bragg to help unfairly target President Trump in this empty and lawless case,” they wrote. “Since DA Bragg took office, he has engaged in ‘precisely the type of political theater’ that President Biden condemned.” Trump spokesman and incoming White House communications director Steven Cheung said after the filing, “President Trump and his legal team have filed a powerhouse motion to dismiss once and for all the unconstitutional and politically motivated Manhattan DA Hoax. This lawless case should have never been brought, and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed, as President Trump must be allowed to continue the Presidential Transition process, and execute the vital duties of the presidency, unobstructed by the remains of this, or any other, Witch Hunt.” “Today’s motion provides every possible chance for Judge Merchan do the right thing and end what remains of this charade immediately, rightfully allowing our country to unite behind President Trump for the betterment of all Americans.” Trump attorneys said New York v. Trump is “based on a contrived, defective, and unprecedented legal theory relating to 2017 entries in documents that were maintained hundreds of miles away from the White House where President Trump was running the country.” “There are no ‘aggravating factors’ here, other than those arising from DANY’s misconduct,” they wrote. “Thus, this case should never have been brought, particularly during a period when DA Bragg’s failure to protect this City from pervasive violent crime frightens, threatens, and harms New Yorkers on a daily basis.” Trump attorneys also said that the case “would never have been brought were it not for President Trump’s political views, the transformative national movement established under his leadership, and the political threat that he poses to entrenched, corrupt politicians in Washington, D.C. and beyond.” JUDGE GRANTS JACK SMITH REQUEST TO DISMISS JAN. 6 CHARGES AGAINST TRUMP, APPEAL DROPPED IN FLORIDA DOCS CASE Trump lawyers said that “wrongly continuing proceedings in this failed lawfare case disrupts President Trump’s transition efforts and his preparations to wield the full Article II executive power authorized by the Constitution pursuant to the overwhelming national mandate granted to him by the American people on November 5, 2024.” Trump attorneys, citing the Supreme Court’s presidential immunity decision which ruled that presidents have immunity from official acts, said the case threatens the functioning of the federal government. “Local elected officials such as DA Bragg have no valid basis to cause such disruptions, which also violate the Supremacy Clause,” they wrote. “Consequently, the federal Constitution is an absolute “legal impediment” to further proceedings…and the case must be immediately dismissed.” Trump attorneys said that Bragg’s “wrongful prosecution threatens ‘enduring consequences upon the balanced power structure of our Republic’ and the type of ‘factional strife’ that President Biden decried in yesterday’s blanket pardon announcement.” They said the Special Counsel’s Office “has been forced to concede.” TRUMP REQUESTS NY JUDGE OVERTURN GUILTY VERDICT, INDICTMENT AFTER SCOTUS IMMUNITY RULING Last month, a federal judge, upon Special Counsel Jack Smith’s request, dismissed charges against Trump in his 2020 election interference case. Smith also rescinded his appeal in his classified records case against Trump — a case that was tossed in July by a federal judge in Florida who ruled Smith was appointed unlawfully as special counsel. Bragg, last month, requested to Judge Juan Merchan that the case be stayed until the end of Trump’s second term, but Trump attorneys noted that the Office of Legal Counsel in the Justice Department concluded that “the categorical prohibition on the federal indictment of a sitting president…even if the case were held in abeyance…applies to this situation.” They wrote that Bragg’s “ridiculous suggestion that they could simply resume proceedings after President Trump leaves Office, more than a decade after they commenced their investigation in 2018, is not an option.” BRAGG CASE ‘EFFECTIVELY OVER’ IN ‘MAJOR VICTORY,’ TRUMP OFFICIALS SAY Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree stemming from the yearslong investigation related to alleged hush money payments run by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Former Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance initiated the investigation, and Bragg prosecuted Trump. After an unprecedented six-week trial in New York City, a jury found the president guilty on all counts.
House Dems ripped for ‘tone deaf’ social media post on key issue affecting Americans: ’embarrassing’
A social media account associated with House Democrats was ripped by conservatives Tuesday over a deleted post suggesting the economy is strong and seemingly minimizing the struggles of those who have difficulty affording groceries. “And here we were thinking y’all couldnt afford eggs!” the Ways and Means Democrats posted on X Tuesday with a screenshot of an X post from journalist Paul Brandus that said, “Record air travel, holiday shopping busting records, stock market at all-time highs. The economy is ‘the worst ever,’ some Pollyannas whine.” The post, which has since been deleted by the Ways and Means Democrats, sparked backlash from conservatives on social media. “What an embarrassing thing to post … wow,” Abigail Jackson, communications director for GOP Sen. Josh Hawley, posted on X, “and Dems wonder why they lost.” TRUMP SUGGESTS CANADA BECOME 51ST STATE AFTER TRUDEAU SAID TARIFF WOULD KILL ECONOMY: SOURCES “Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Egg prices soared—he couldn’t afford it all!” GOP Rep. Claudia Tenney posted on X. “Ways and Means Dems tweeted with smiles so wide, While the cost of eggs kept rising high! Humpty Dumpty cracked in despair, ‘These prices, these prices, they’re too much to bear!’ Democrats laugh, they don’t seem to care, But we’re stuck paying more for eggs in high-cost despair!” “This is really what Democrat staffers on Capitol Hill think of the American majority who just rejected their policies after causing the worst inflation crisis our country has seen,” conservative commentator Amanda Head posted on X. “This is just how out-of-touch they are!” ANDY PUZDER: TRUMP WON IN AN ‘IT’S THE ECONOMY, STUPID’ ELECTION. DEMOCRATS CHOSE JUST TO BE STUPID “And people wonder why the Dems lost…,” Meredith Schellin Turton, digital director for House Speaker Mike Johnson, posted on X. “Americans have been struggling for FOUR YEARS to afford basic necessities and House Democrats are mocking them,” Speaker Johnson posted on X. “Talk about your all-time out of touch, disgraceful comments.” “House Dems deleted the tweet below in which they mocked people for complaining about the price of eggs, and also thought they were dunking on Republicans because there was record high spending on Black Friday,” Washington Free Beacon reporter Chuck Ross posted on X. Fox News Digital reached out to House Ways and Means Democrats for comment but did not receive a response. A Gallup poll released in the lead-up to the presidential election showed 52% of Americans believed they and their families are worse off today than they were four years ago. The polling powerhouse noted that participants’ responses to whether they felt “better off” were typically tied to the U.S. economy. Gallup’s monthly Economic Confidence Index (ECI), which ranges from -100 to +100, registered at -26, with 39% saying they were better off financially four years ago. During the past three years, Americans have named inflation the most important financial problem facing their families. The survey’s findings suggest that inflation is an underlying fear of many Americans’ perception of the economy despite generally low unemployment and steady economic growth. Approximately 46% of Americans say their current economic conditions are “poor,” some 29% described them as “only fair,” while 25% said they were “good” or “excellent.” Additionally, 62% said the economy is “getting worse,” while 32% said in the survey that it is “getting better.” Fox News Digital’s Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report
California’s unemployment benefits system ‘broken’ with $20B owed to feds in loan debt: report
California’s unemployment insurance (UI) financing system is facing big deficits, requiring a full “redesign,” according to a new report from the state’s nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO). The system, meant to be self-sufficient, has fallen short of covering annual benefit costs, resulting in a projected $2 billion annual deficit over the next five years and an outstanding $20 billion federal loan balance. “This outlook is unprecedented: although the state has, in the past, failed to build robust reserves during periods of economic growth, it has never before run persistent deficits during one of these periods,” the LAO report, titled “Fixing Unemployment Insurance” and published Tuesday, stated. NEWSOM PROPOSES $25M FROM STATE LEGISLATURE TO ‘TRUMP PROOF’ CALIFORNIA Independent analysts project that annual shortfalls will increase California’s federal loan, costing taxpayers around $1 billion in interest each year. The system, which is funded by employer payments to the UI Trust Fund, hasn’t been updated since 1984 and “cannot keep up with inflation or provide the intended wage replacement of half of workers’ wages,” according to the report. The current employer tax structure discourages eligible unemployed workers from claiming benefits, while the state’s low taxable wage base hampers hiring of lower-wage workers, analysts found. One suggestion researchers wrote to fix the gap is to increase the amount of wages taxed for unemployment benefits, raising it from $7,000 per worker to $46,800. Supporters of this change say it would bring in more money to fund the program. The report also recommends reworking how businesses are taxed for unemployment benefits to make the system simpler and encourage more hiring. PROPOSITION 36 OVERWHELMINGLY PASSES IN CALIFORNIA, REVERSING SOME SOROS-BACKED SOFT-ON-CRIME POLICIES To deal with the massive federal loan, the report suggests splitting the cost between employers and the state government, so that businesses aren’t stuck with all the debt. “These are significant problems in isolation, let alone in combination,” analysts wrote. “The significant changes proposed in this report are an honest reflection of these problems. However, whether or not the Legislature takes action, employers will soon pay more in UI taxes than they do today due to escalating charges under federal law.” Gareth Lacy, a spokesperson for the California Employment Development Department, which administers the state’s unemployment insurance program, called it “a thoughtful report” and noted officials “are reviewing it carefully.” “We agree the issue stretches back for decades and the pandemic compounded it,” Lacy told Fox News Digital in a statement. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the state’s UI system was hit hard with an overwhelming number of unemployment claims, resulting in the state borrowing roughly $20 billion from the federal government to cover insurance benefits, which the state still owes. “Not only will the state’s tax system fall short of repaying that loan, the balance is set to grow due to the ongoing gap between contributions and benefits,” the report noted. “This will become a near-permanent feature of the state’s UI program and a major ongoing cost for state taxpayers.”
Drone activity near Trump Bedminster, Army arsenal spurs NJ flight restriction: FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed Tuesday it issued two flight restrictions following questionable drone activity in the area of President-elect Trump’s New Jersey golf club. On Nov. 18, the FAA first received reports of drone activity within Morris County, the border of which lies about two miles north of Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in Somerset County. Upon request from “federal security partners,” the agency issued two TFRs, or temporary flight restrictions, and several reports of drone sightings continued into this week in Central Jersey. One restriction covers an area near Solberg-Hunterdon County Airport that consists of airspace above Trump Bedminster. Flights are also banned over Picatinny Arsenal, a major U.S. Army hub in Dover, N.J., geared toward research and development via its CCDCAC armaments center. NEW JERSEY OFFICIALS DRAFT VIP SECURITY PLAN AT BEDMINISTER AFTER ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT The ban remains in place over Trump Bedminster for the rest of this week and over Picatinny Arsenal until Dec. 26. “Safely integrating drones into the National Airspace System is a key priority for the FAA,” the agency said in a statement Tuesday. “We look into all reports of unauthorized drone operations and investigate when appropriate,” the agency said, adding drone pilots who endanger aircraft or people can have their certification revoked and/or face $75,000 in fines. FLASHBACK: TRUMP ORG BLASTS REPORTS NJ MAY PULL LIQUOR LICENSES Local media reported law enforcement has also been probing continued drone activity in the area. Sightings have also occurred a few miles north of Bedminster in Mendham and Parsippany, where I-80 meets I-287. A Parsippany woman told the Morristown Record she saw as many as five drones overhead Sunday night. Morris County Sheriff James Gannon told New Jersey Patch there is “no advisable immediate danger to the public at this time” and asked the public to send law enforcement clear photographs of the drones. An FBI spokeswoman told the outlet the bureau’s Newark field office and New Jersey State Police are investigating. Fox News Digital reached out to Team Trump as well as the U.S. Army’s garrison at Picatinny for comment. The drone sightings in New Jersey come as unidentified drones have been seen over British-American joint bases in the United Kingdom. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “Swarms of small drones” have been seen over Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Fairford and RAF Feltwell in England. Some of those bases house F-15 and F-35 fighter jets. The British military sent dozens of personnel to protect the bases, and a Pentagon spokesman said Nov. 26 none of the incursions affected the base’s buildings, personnel or assets. Nineties punk rock band Green Day also paused a September show in Detroit after a drone was spotted overhead. Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong rushed backstage as he closed out “Longview.” The show resumed about 10 minutes later, and Detroit Police said a man was detained. Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin, Liz Friden and Bradford Betz contributed to this report.