Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs could hit a snag in court today. Here’s what to know
A federal appeals court on Thursday will hear arguments over the legality of President Donald Trump‘s sweeping tariff plan, a high-stakes court fight that comes just hours before Trump’s import duties and so-called “reciprocal” tariffs are slated to take force. At issue before the Washington-based Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is Trump’s attempt to use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) — a 1977 emergency law — to enact the steep import fees, and impose additional tariffs on certain trading partners. Thursday’s hearing comes less than 24 hours before Trump’s tariffs are slated to take force. Both sides have signaled they plan to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court, if necessary. On April 2, Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff on all countries, along with higher, reciprocal tariffs targeting select nations — including China. He said the measures would address trade imbalances, reduce deficits with key trading partners and boost domestic manufacturing and production. TARIFF FIGHT ESCALATES AS TRUMP APPEALS SECOND COURT LOSS However, whether emergency tariffs are the appropriate vehicle to accomplish this is an open question and one central to Thursday’s oral arguments before the appeals court. Plaintiffs in V.O.S. Selections Inc. v. Trump will argue on Thursday that the looming tariffs have already introduced confusion and volatility into markets, threatening the bottom lines of small U.S. businesses and making it extremely difficult for owners to operate under shifting guidance that seems to change on a whim. Small businesses in the U.S. have been hit with months of “complete uncertainty,” Jeffrey Schwab, senior counsel and director of litigation of the Liberty Justice Center, one of the groups representing small businesses in court, said in an interview Wednesday. “That’s largely due to the fact that the president asserts the power to impose tariffs on any country he wants, for any reason — and at any rate he wants, at any time he wants,” Schwab said. “So there’s no certainty on what the rate is going to be from one week to the next, and that’s very difficult to do business with, when things are constantly changing.” Judges on a three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of International Trade voted unanimously to block Trump’s tariffs from taking force earlier this year, ruling that, as commander in chief, Trump does not have “unbounded authority” to impose tariffs under the emergency law. That ruling was later paused by the appeals court in Washington, D.C., which agreed to consider the administration’s request for relief. Ahead of Thursday’s oral arguments, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi vowed they would continue to defend the president’s trade agenda in court. “This morning, [Justice Department] attorneys are going to court to defend President Trump’s tariffs — which are transforming the global economy, protecting our national security, and addressing the consequences of our exploding trade deficit,” she said. “We will continue to defend the president.” TRUMP TARIFF PLAN FACES UNCERTAIN FUTURE AS COURT BATTLES INTENSIFY Others argue that the tariffs are more a negotiating tool designed to bring trading partners to the table to negotiate new deals. JUDGES V TRUMP: HERE ARE THE KEY COURT BATTLES HALTING THE WHITE HOUSE AGENDA Despite trade adviser Peter Navarro’s pledge to strike “90 trade agreements in 90 days,” and Trump’s assertion to Time magazine that they had struck “over 200 deals” this year, the Trump administration has in fact inked just eight such agreements over the last 120 days. The agreements announced by the U.S. include deals with the European Union’s 27-member bloc, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan and others. The U.S. and China, which threatened each other with escalating reciprocal tariffs that climbed as high as 145%, agreed at a meeting in Geneva in May to lower tariffs through at least mid-August. Talks for a longer-term deal are ongoing. Some Trump supporters have argued the tariffs are merely a negotiating tactic to get foreign governments to the table — though the administration has repeatedly vowed to use “all tools” at their disposal to advance They argued in a court filing that the IEEPA is the law that Congress passed in 1977 to allow the president to respond to “unusual and extraordinary threats” and in cases where a national emergency has already been declared. However, plaintiffs argue that Trump’s use of IEEPA to address the trade deficit is unlawful, pointing out that, by the administration’s own admission, the deficit has persisted for nearly 50 years, undermining the claim of an “unusual and extraordinary” emergency. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit will likely move on the case quickly, with a decision expected in August. No matter the outcome, both sides have vowed to take the fight to the Supreme Court, if necessary. In the interim, economists noted there could be real harm the longer the court process takes. Schwab, the lawyer helping represent plaintiffs in court Thursday, said small business owners could see “potentially irreparable harm” as a result of court inaction. Already, he said Wednesday, his clients are reporting real harm. “Some of the harm has already taken place,” Schwab said in an earlier interview. “And the longer it goes on, the worse it is.”
Douglas Murray slams NY mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, London’s Sadiq Khan: ‘Stay out of foreign policy’
Israel-supporting British commentator Douglas Murray said New York mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani should “stay out” of foreign policy, as should London Mayor Sadiq Khan. “Khan decides to make statements about the international stage. Funnily enough, the job of Mayor of London does not include having a foreign policy summit,” Murray told Fox News Digital on the sidelines of the Israel on Campus Coalition (ICC). “Sadiq Khan does not realize what he does when he’s just being silly. Mamdani seems to have the same idea, which is that the mayor of New York should get involved in foreign policy, which they shouldn’t,” he went on.”That’s a big mistake.” Both Khan and Mamdani have lambasted Israel’s offensive campaign in Gaza. Mamdani earlier this month told a group of business leaders he would no longer use the phrase “globalize the intifada,” after repeatedly declining to walk back his past use of the term. The phrase encourages expanding Palestinian uprisings against Israel. DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKER ‘NO LONGER ON SPEAKING TERMS’ WITH SOME FAMILY OVER ISRAEL SUPPORT Murray claimed Khan “isn’t a progressive, just a sort of opportunist and heartless bad man.” President Donald Trump reignited his feud with Khan during a visit to Scotland over the weekend, calling him a “nasty person” who has done a “terrible job.” “The international community — including our own government — must do far more to pressure the Israeli government to stop this horrific, senseless killing and let vital life-saving aid in. Nothing justifies the actions of the Israeli government,” Khan said in a statement urging his government to recognize a Palestinian state. “The U.K. must immediately recognise Palestinian statehood. There can be no two-state solution if there is no viable state left to call Palestine.” Murray characterized Mamdani as an “opportunistic politician” who “would like to get into power by promising New Yorkers things that he cannot bring and failing to address things that New Yorkers need.” “His position as a so-called Democratic socialist, would make sure that New York, which has been suffering for some many years now with a brain drain, talent drain, money train, money drain would simply go down even further.” During a June debate prior to Mamdani’s win in the Democratic primary, mayoral candidates were asked where they would visit. A number of them said Israel before Mamdani said he would stay in New York. “I would stay in New York City. My plans are to address New Yorkers across the five boroughs and focus on that.” Mamdani has proposed ideas like free buses, free childcare and government-run food markets. When asked if he believes Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state, he said, “I believe Israel has a right to exist.” When pressed on the “as a Jewish state” point, he said, “As a state with equal rights.” Murray’s criticisms also extended to British Prime Minister Kier Starmer, who recently said the United Kingdom would recognize a Palestinian state in September if there wasn’t any progress on a ceasefire in Gaza. Starmer’s announcement followed French President Emmanuel Macron making the same announcement. Khan had urged Starmer to recognize a Palestinian state immediately, arguing the U.K. government “must do far more to pressure the Israeli government to stop this horrific senseless killing.” “A Palestinian state is not going to emerge because the prime minister of Britain or the president of France has called for it,” said Murray. “It’s purely to make a political signal to the domestic population, and I think, part of the immigrant population in these countries to show we’re on the side of the Palestinians, not on Israel’s side, because it’s a very cynical, cynical move. It does absolutely nothing to bring peace to the Middle East.” Amid a slew of reports of starvation among the Gazan population, Murray and the 700-some students gathered at the summit are undeterred in their support for Israel. Murray claimed it was Hamas, not Israel, who was the architect of mass hunger. NEW YORKERS SKEPTICAL AFTER ZOHRAN MAMDANI DISTANCES HIMSELF FROM PHRASE ‘GLOBALIZE THE INTIFADA’ “People have to understand that the Hamas narrative is not just, ‘let’s kill Israelis for our benefit.’ The Hamas narrative is ‘let’s make sure that the Gazans starve and suffer’ also for their own benefit,” Murray said. “This is a very counter-intuitive narrative for a lot of people to understand. But Hamas does not mind Palestinian deaths. In fact, it wants it because [Hamas] believes it can use a narrative to go against Israel, go against America.” The Washington, D.C., summit comes as Israel-supporting students feel a renewed sense of vindication with the Trump administration cracking down on pro-Gaza protests that they say veered into antisemitic territory. The State Department has revoked the visas of students they believe to be engaging in “pro-Hamas” conduct and the Trump administration has yanked federal funding from universities it believes have not sufficiently addressed antisemitic conduct at such protests. At the same time, the nation has faced a rise in antisemitic acts and political violence. Two months ago, a pair of Israel Embassy staffers were shot and killed in Washington, D.C., while attending an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. The summit, in turn, had heightened security protocols and a police presence guarding outside. “We’re not going to be intimidated by violent actors. We’re not going to be intimidated by these misguided protesters,” said ICC CEO Jacob Baime in an interview with Fox News Digital. He said that pro-Gaza protests were “highly professionalized, highly organized, coordinated, well-funded operations,” and ICC sought to bring Jewish students together to “match that level of organizing, the level of sophistication.”
Mamdani, Cuomo clash over who is better at supporting law enforcement after Manhattan mass shooting
New York City mayoral contenders Zohran Mamdani and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo are facing off over who is a better supporter of law enforcement after Monday’s mass shooting in a midtown Manhattan office building. Mamdani is the 33-year-old democratic socialist state lawmaker from Queens who shocked the political world last month by coming from behind to top Cuomo and nine other candidates to capture the Democratic Party mayoral nomination in the overwhelmingly blue city. He has been facing criticism after the shooting over his past comments calling to defund the NYPD. Cuomo has called Mamdani “anti-police,” arguing he “doesn’t understand the need for public safety.” “He has said the NYPD are racists, the police are a threat to public safety,” Cuomo charged Wednesday morning ahead of a press conference held by Mamdani, during which he addressed the criticism from Cuomo. “I think he’s dangerous because he doesn’t understand the need for public safety in this city.” MAMDANI FACES BACKLASH FOR OPULENT WEDDING CELEBRATION After the Manhattan shooting this week, Mamdani is facing renewed scrutiny over past statements made on social media in 2020 when he called for defunding the police multiple times. And Mamdani, who spent the past several days in his native Uganda celebrating his recent wedding, has also been chastised for what some argue was his tardy response to the shooting, which left four people dead, including a police officer. In response to Cuomo’s criticism, Mamdani slammed the former governor for politicizing the mass shooting that occurred in downtown Manhattan earlier this week, while blasting the former governor for being stuck in the past. “I know that Gov. Cuomo is far more comfortable in the past, whether it be his own or whether it be in attacking me for tweets made before I was even an Assembly member,” Mamdani said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon after Cuomo’s morning criticism. They were Mamdani’s first public remarks since New York City’s worst mass shooting in a quarter century. MAMDANI’S PAST ‘DEFUND THE POLICE’ STANCE RESURFACES AFTER DEADLY MANHATTAN SHOOTING “Cuomo wishes he was running against me in the past. He wants to find every tweet he can. He doesn’t want to look at the present but the past,” Mamdani added. Cuomo denied Mamdani’s claims he was using the mass shooting to score political points, telling Fox News Digital in response to Mamdani’s rebuttal that “it’s not politicizing the tragedy … it is a political discussion that we have to have in this campaign.” “The public safety discussion has been ongoing for months. It’s a very important topic,” Cuomo said. “It is an everyday issue and, yes, it is a political discussion that we have to have in this campaign.” Cuomo, who is running in November’s general election as an independent candidate after losing his bid for the Democratic Party nomination, said that, for him, “public safety comes first.” Pivoting to the recent mass shooting in Manhattan, Cuomo also suggested that the magnitude of the shooting, which has grabbed plenty of national attention, could shake up the mayoral race. “New Yorkers have PTSD from 9/11 and from other horrific situations, and I think it’s always in the back of every New Yorker’s mind that all it takes is one mentally ill person with an assault weapon and that’s TNT, that’s a public safety stick of dynamite,” Cuomo said. “And, yeah, I think it brought that back. It’s back to reality. In New York City you’re a target.” During Wednesday’s press conference, Mamdani sought to distance himself from his 2020 comments about defunding the police, arguing they were made before he even entered public service and “amidst a frustration that many New Yorkers held at the murder of George Floyd.” “I’m proud of the public safety platform we’ve put together,” Mamdani said. “For the former governor to have spent an entire day speaking almost exclusively about me and barely about the New Yorkers who have been killed is indicative of the very politics New Yorkers want to leave in the past.”
Kamala Harris decision not to run in 2026 opens door to possible second presidential run in 2028
Former Vice President Kamala Harris closed one door with her announcement that she wouldn’t run in 2026 for governor of her home state of California. But her decision to keep her name off the ballot next year left the door open for a possible second presidential bid in 2028. In her statement explaining her decision, Harris said, “For now, my leadership — and public service — will not be in elected office.” But Harris, who replaced then-President Joe Biden as the Democratic Party’s 2024 presidential nominee last summer after he dropped out of the race amid mounting questions over his physical and mental stamina, pledged to stay involved in politics. KAMALA HARRIS RULES OUT 2026 RUN IN HER HOME STATE OF CALIFORNIA “I look forward to getting back out and listening to the American people, helping elect Democrats across the nation who will fight fearlessly, and sharing more details in the months ahead about my own plans,” she said. After losing last year’s election to President Donald Trump and then serving out the remainder of her term as vice president, Harris returned to California and kept close counsel with an inner circle of confidants. 21 DEMOCRATS WHO MAY RUN FOR THE WHITE HOUSE IN 2028 And some in her inner circle, as well as political analysts, suggested that running and winning the election in 2026 for governor of California, the nation’s most populous state and home to the world’s fifth-largest economy, would likely take a 2028 White House run off the table. But with a gubernatorial run off the table, that’s no longer a concern. If Harris eventually does launch a 2028 presidential campaign, she would start her ride on the road to the White House as the most recognizable Democrat in what’s expected to be a large field of contenders. And she would also come equipped with a broad fundraising network that she built up last cycle. “She would certainly be a very serious candidate in the primary in 2028, if she runs,” a Democratic strategist and veteran of multiple White House campaigns told Fox News Digital. The strategist, who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely, said that “a lot of Democrats think she was put in a tough spot in 2024 and deserves to have a chance to run a race on her own…she was limited in doing some of the things that politically she might have needed to do to make a cleaner break with Biden.” But Harris could also potentially be weighed down with plenty of political baggage from the 2024 campaign, when the Democrats lost not only the White House but also their Senate majority, and failed to win back control of the House. SUCCEEDING TRUMP IN 2028: SIX REPUBLICANS TO KEEP YOUR EYES ON As the party looks to escape the political wilderness, many Democrats are aiming to make a clear break with the past as they strive for a reset. “If you’re trying to take a different path for the party, it’s hard to go backwards and pick the person who lost to Trump,” a Democratic consultant told Fox News. “There needs to be a fresh start, a new generation.” If Harris does run, she’d have to deal with her unwavering support for Biden as his physical and mental abilities appeared to waver in front of Americans. Republican Rep. James Comer, who as House Oversight chair is investigating the former president’s use of the autopen and mental fitness while in the White House, said in an interview on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle” that “the odds of Kamala Harris getting a subpoena are very high.” While Harris has been spending recent months mulling her decision on a gubernatorial run, other potential 2028 Democratic presidential contenders have already been making early moves as they try to move past the Biden administration and last year’s election setbacks. Among them are Govs. Gavin Newsom of California, JB Pritzker of Illinois, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Wes Moore of Maryland, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, as well as Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and former Biden Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. While Harris, in her statement, ruled out a run for elective office next year, she pledged to stay in the fight. And on Thursday she took to social media to announce her new book about her 2024 presidential campaign, titled “107 Days.” “What the world saw on the campaign trail was only part of the story. My new book is a behind-the-scenes look at my experience leading the shortest presidential campaign in modern history,” Harris wrote. Former Democratic National Committee chair Donna Brazile, who’s part of the former vice president’s wider orbit of friends and advisers, noted that “in the modern vice presidency, these individuals don’t go into obscurity; they continue their public life, whether it’s academia, the public sector, public speaking, serving in advisory capacities for corporations or nonprofits, launching their own personal advocacy, writing a memoir or returning to public office.” “There are so many gaps the former vice president can fill, so many roles she can play, whether it’s as a private citizen or a public official. This is just one of the many decisions she will make over the course of her lifetime,” Brazile told Fox News.
Trump brushes back Russia’s Medvedev after ‘war’ warning: ‘Watch his words’
President Donald Trump hammered back at former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s warnings about war with the United States, telling the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council to “watch his words.” “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care,” Trump wrote on TRUTH Social at midnight Thursday. “We have done very little business with India, their Tariffs are too high, among the highest in the World. Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together. Let’s keep it that way, and tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia, who thinks he’s still President, to watch his words. He’s entering very dangerous territory!” In response to Trump’s post, Medvedev referenced Russia’s “Dead Hand” – the Cold War-era automated nuclear retaliation system developed by the Soviet Union. “If a few words from a former Russian president provoke such a nervous reaction from the supposedly mighty President of the United States, then clearly Russia is in the right – and will continue on its chosen path,” Medvedev wrote on Telegram. TRUMP ANNOUNCES 25% TARIFF ON INDIA, SLAMMING ‘OBNOXIOUS’ TRADE BARRIERS, RUSSIA MILITARY AND ENERGY BUYS “And as for all that talk about the ‘dead economies’ of India and Russia, or about ‘venturing into dangerous territory’ – well, maybe he should rewatch some of his favorite zombie movies,” he added. “And also remember just how dangerous the supposedly mythical ‘Dead Hand’ system can be.” In theory, the “Dead Hand,” described by the West during the 1980s as a Russian doomsday device, is meant to guarantee a massive retaliatory nuclear strike even if Moscow’s leadership is destroyed or incapacitated. While in Scotland on Monday, Trump warned during public remarks that Russian President Vladimir Putin had 10 or 12 days to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine, shortening a previous 50-day deadline he issued earlier this month. If Russia does not, Trump promised more “sanctions, tariffs, and maybe secondary tariffs” against Moscow and the purchasers of Russian goods and energy. He lamented that repeated talks with Putin have resulted in little progress toward peace. “Trump’s playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10,” Medvedev complained in a post to X earlier this week. “He should remember 2 things: 1. Russia isn’t Israel or even Iran. 2. Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country. Don’t go down the Sleepy Joe road!” Trump on Wednesday announced a 25% tariff on imports from India – one of the biggest consumers of Russian oil, next to China – starting on Aug. 1. The president described India as a “friend,” but slammed the South Asian country’s “strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary” trade barriers. Trump vowed other unspecified “penalties” against India for buying most of its military equipment from Russia and Russian energy “at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE.” During an unrelated press conference, Trump noted that India and Russia are founding members of BRICS, originally formed as a counterweight to Western institutions. BRICS is “basically a group of countries that are anti-the United States and India is a member of that, if you can believe it. It’s an attack on the dollar. And we’re not going to let anybody attack the dollar,” Trump said. “We have a tremendous deficit.” FROM TALK TO TACTICS: TRUMP PIVOTS ON RUSSIA STRATEGY TO END WAR In recent days, Medvedev has also shredded the framework of the trade deal Trump reached with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during his recent trip to Scotland. Trump has repeatedly communicated that trade deals with other countries would be contingent on foreign policy alignment with the United States. For example, after Canada announced it was backing Palestinian statehood amid Israel’s war against Hamas terrorists in Gaza, Trump wrote Thursday, “That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them.” Trump, meanwhile, on Thursday celebrated this reciprocal tariffs plan after telling reporters on Wednesday that they brought “billions” of dollars into the U.S. economy. “Tariffs are making America GREAT & RICH Again,” Trump wrote on social media. “They were successfully used against the USA for decades and, coupled with really dumb, pathetic, and crooked politicians, we’re having a devastating impact on the future, and even the survival, of our country. Now the tide has completely turned, and America has successfully countered this onslaught of Tariffs used against it.” “ONE YEAR AGO, AMERICA WAS A DEAD COUNTRY, NOW IT IS THE ‘HOTTEST’ COUNTRY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!” Trump added.
Protesters caught on camera delivering coffin to GOP congressman’s front door in mock funeral procession
FIRST ON FOX: More than two dozen protesters were captured on video last week delivering a faux coffin and flowers to the Wisconsin home of House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil, R-Wis. The unwanted visitors, dressed in black and carrying cowbells, walked up the congressman’s private driveway in what appeared to be a mock funeral procession, before dropping a cardboard coffin prop with an epitaph at his front door. Former Walworth County Democrat Party Chairwoman Ellen Holly was identified in the video footage posted to social media allegedly walking up to Steil’s front door, along with several other constituents from previous protests. AFTER MINNESOTA KILLINGS, CAPITOL HILL REPRESENTATIVES FACE STARK REALITY ABOUT FAMILY SAFETY Prior to the “Death of Democracy” funeral procession, sponsored by the Southern Wisconsin Grassroots Network and Working Families Party, an organizer could be heard on a Facebook Live video saying, “We’re not going to hang out here because we’re not going to invite the police to come and ask questions, and say, ‘What are you doing here, blah, blah, blah.’ We’re just going to get out of town.” Following the demonstration, protesters could be seen walking across Steil’s front yard, forgoing the sidewalk, and commenting on photo opportunities in front of the home. A photo of the coffin and epitaph at the front door was later posted to Facebook by another group involved. One commentator asked for the lawmaker’s home address. USER’S MANUAL TO SECURITY BRIEFINGS FOR LAWMAKERS AFTER MINNESOTA SHOOTINGS This incident has been reported to U.S. Capitol Police (USCP). It is unclear if any of the protesters are facing criminal charges. “It’s disappointing that Democrat leadership and the radical left resort to these type of tactics,” Steil told Fox News Digital. “I remain committed to my work to get this country back on track and will not be deterred by their threats.” Ravi Mangla, National Press Secretary for Working Families Power, told Fox News Digital the incident was less concerning than Steil’s policies. “17 million Americans are going to lose life-saving medical care because of Bryan Steil’s vote,” Mangla wrote in a statement. “Frankly, that’s a far scarier thing than a group of seniors holding some taped together cardboard.” Congressional offices have seen a 93.8% increase in threats reported to USCP compared to last year. Steil oversees the Committee on House Administration, which has been working with leadership on both sides of the aisle to address increased threats to congressional members and their staff. Due to an increase in threats, Congress recently authorized an increase in funding for the Member Security Allotment, from $10,000 to $20,000 for life, and an increase in the Monitoring and Maintenance Allotment from $150 to $5,000 per month for fiscal year 2025. MINNESOTA LAWMAKER SHOOTINGS PROMPT SECURITY DEBATE IN HOUSE AND SENATE The group is encouraging protests at Steil’s in-person town hall on Thursday. Organizers posted “Good Trouble Lives ON!” on Facebook ahead of the meeting. Similar efforts are being sponsored by left-wing dark money groups and the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. USCP and Southern Wisconsin Grassroots Network did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Inside Biden confidante Steve Ricchetti’s ‘combative’ eight-hour grilling in House Oversight cover-up probe
A member of former President Joe Biden’s inner circle sat with House Oversight Committee investigators for a marathon closed-door interview that lasted more than eight hours on Wednesday. Steve Ricchetti, who served as counselor to the president for all four years of Biden’s term, was described as “combative and defensive” during his voluntary meeting, a source familiar with the sitdown told Fox News Digital. The source described Ricchetti as defiant in the face of doubts about Biden’s mental acuity, though he “admitted that they all knew President Biden’s age was an issue and were dealing with it as a political matter,” they said. “Mr. Ricchetti stated that he believed President Biden had the ability to be president and that he was performing the capacity of president every day. He believes that Joe Biden is capable to being president today, and that he could have won in 2024,” the source told Fox News Digital. COMER DISMISSES BIDEN DOCTOR’S BID FOR PAUSE IN COVER-UP PROBE: ‘THROWING OUT EVERY EXCUSE’ Ricchetti, a longtime Democratic operative and lobbyist, first began working for Biden in March 2012 when he was appointed counselor to the vice president under former President Barack Obama. He was elevated to be Biden’s chief of staff in December 2013. He touted his closeness to Biden over the last 13 years, the source said, and described having personal relationships with former first lady Jill Biden and Hunter Biden as well. Ricchetti’s own children were also close to the White House during Biden’s tenure – at least three of them had jobs in the Democratic administration at some point. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., is investigating whether Biden’s top White House aides concealed signs of mental decline in the president, and if that meant executive actions were signed via autopen without his knowledge. Ricchetti is the seventh ex-Biden aide to come in, but just the fourth to appear on voluntary terms. Former White House doctor Kevin O’Connor and former White House aides Annie Tomasini and Anthony Bernal all pleaded the Fifth Amendment to avoid answering questions. Ricchetti told investigators that he was not involved in O’Connor’s physical evaluation letters for Biden, “but he did have conversations with senior staff on how to communicate and present President Biden’s physical evaluation letters,” the source told Fox News Digital. He also defended Biden’s frequent gaffes, describing them as “common mistakes” that anyone could make, the source said. “He said the frequency of these mistakes have not increased since Joe Biden was vice president,” the source said. RON KLAIN DODGES REPORTERS AFTER MARATHON GRILLING IN BIDEN COVER-UP PROBE The majority of questioning during the eight-hour session came from Republicans – the source said Democrats frequently attempted to change the topic to discuss President Donald Trump. Ricchetti said nothing to reporters when leaving the meeting on Wednesday evening. No lawmakers were present for the sitdown, as is usually the case with such transcribed interviews. Fox News Digital reached out to Ricchetti’s attorney for comment but did not hear back by press time.
DHS mocks Democrats for ‘running to court’ after demanding access to Baltimore ICE facility
The Trump Department of Homeland Security is mocking several House Democrats for “running to court” over unsuccessfully demanding access to a Baltimore ICE processing facility. A dozen Democrats are suing the Trump administration for “unlawful obstruction of congressional oversight” after Democratic members of the Maryland congressional delegation were denied entry to the ICE facility on Monday. Maryland Democratic Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, along with Reps. Glenn Ivey, Johnny Olszewski, Sarah Elfreth and Kweisi Mfume showed up in Baltimore at the Fallon Federal Building on Monday but were denied entry into an ICE detainment facility in the building. After being denied access to the facility, the group held a press conference outside the building in which Mfume said, “We had to stand outside, bang on the door, and ultimately sit in front of the door.” The Democrats filed their lawsuit against the administration on Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. SENATOR SAYS BALTIMORE ICE FACILITY HIDES ‘EVIL PERSISTING IN DARKNESS’ AFTER DEMS TRY NEWARK REDUX American Oversight, one of the law firms representing the members of Congress, said in a Wednesday statement that “at a time when ICE is detaining more individuals than ever before—over 56,000 people—and reports of mistreatment, overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and the detention of U.S. citizens are growing, the need for real-time, on-the-ground oversight has never been more urgent.” Rep. Joe Neguse, D-Colo., said in the statement that “blocking Members of Congress from oversight visits to ICE facilities that house or otherwise detain immigrants clearly violates Federal law—and the Trump administration knows it.” In response, DHS Assistant Secretary for Communications Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News that “these Members of Congress could have just scheduled a tour; instead, they’re running to court to drive clicks and fundraising emails.” McLaughlin cited concerns over assaults against ICE officers surging by 830 percent. ICE BUSTS SEVERAL CONVICTED CRIMINALS, INCLUDING CHILD RAPIST WHO THREATENED TO KILL 11-YEAR-OLD VICTIM “Here are the facts. As ICE law enforcement have seen a surge in assaults, disruptions, and obstructions to enforcement — including by Member of Congress themselves — any requests to tour processing centers and field offices must be approved by the Secretary of Homeland Security,” she said. “As for visits to detention facilities” she went on, “requests should be made with sufficient time to prevent interference with the President’s Article II authority to oversee executive department functions—a week is sufficient to ensure no intrusion on the President’s constitutional authority. To protect the President’s Article II authority, any request to shorten that time must be approved by the Secretary.” She added that “these requests must be part of legitimate congressional oversight activities.” After the incident, Ivey’s office shared a letter with Fox News Digital dated July 21 in which the delegation informed Noem and acting ICE Director Todd Lyons of their intent to visit the Baltimore facility. The letter did not appear to be making any request. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., and Ranking Member Robert Garcia, D-Calif., were also included in the letter. FORMER ICE CHIEF TORCHES ‘UNCONSCIONABLE’ BIDEN-ERA POLICIES AS TRUMP’S DHS FINDS MIGRANT CHILDREN The congressman also shared a letter he and Elfreth sent to Noem on July 23 in which the two requested the immediate release of Daniel Fuentes Espinal, a Honduran immigrant and pastor they claimed was wrongfully arrested by ICE. Plaintiffs in the suit include Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., and Garcia.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Of ‘Burn Bags’ and Russia Probes
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening… -What to know about Judge Boasberg, the Trump foe at center of DOJ complaint –SCOTUS to discuss Ghislaine Maxwell’s case privately in September at post-summer conference –Virginia councilman set on fire with gasoline by attacker at his place of business FBI Director Kash Patel found a trove of sensitive documents related to the origins of the Trump–Russia probe buried in multiple “burn bags” in a secret room inside the bureau, sources told Fox News Digital. Sources told Fox News Digital that the “burn bag” system is used to destroy documents designated as classified or higher. Sources told Fox News Digital that multiple burn bags were found and filled with thousands of documents…READ MORE BABY BONUSES: Trump accounts for newborns could grow to $1.9 million, Treasury says AMERICAN DREAM: Trump signs VA Home Loan Program Reform Act to prevent veterans from losing homes to foreclosure CIRCLE OF TRUST: Who is Steve Ricchetti, the longtime Biden confidante questioned in Comer’s cover-up probe? CLOCK IS TICKING: Trump says his Aug 1 tariff deadline ‘will not be extended’–here are the countries that might not make it REFUGEE REVERSAL: Trump says Ukrainians can stay in US following months of uncertainty BOLSONARO BACKLASH: Trump admin sanctions Brazilian judge overseeing Bolsonaro coup-plot probe ULTIMATUM TO TERROR: Arab nations for first time pressure Hamas to disarm, relinquish power in Gaza BEIJING BLUNDER: Trump blasted for ‘steep concessions to Beijing’ after chip deal, canceled Taiwanese visit NATIONAL FAILURE: Canada’s antisemitism envoy resigns, citing exhaustion amid hate surge FAMILY FEUD: Democratic lawmaker ‘no longer on speaking terms’ with some family over Israel support ‘NO RATIONALE’: Top GOP senator demands probe into whether Jack Smith ‘unlawfully’ tried to influence 2024 election RACE-BAIT BACKLASH: White House knocks Chuck Schumer over Jim Crow claim: ‘Professional gaslighter’ ‘LITTLE-KNOWN LAW’: Schumer says century-old law forces Trump DOJ, FBI to release Jeffrey Epstein files by August deadline TRADITION SLAMMED: Grassley rebukes Trump’s pressure to ‘have the courage’ to speed up nominations COST OVERRUN EXPOSED: Hundreds of billions in over-budget federal projects exposed, as Senate DOGE tries to claw money back DODGING QUESTIONS: Zohran Mamdani dodges questions on mass shooting after returning from Africa vacation ‘RECKLESS POLICIES’: Newsom office dismisses crime fears, defends sanctuary policies amid surge in violence DRAWING THE LINES: Trump, Republicans race to redraw Texas congressional map as Democrats threaten legal war UNDER OATH: Epstein, Maxwell grand juries relied on two law enforcement witnesses, DOJ filing reveals Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Bernie Sanders to force Senate vote on blocking arms sales to Israel
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., plans to force a vote on banning arms sales to Israel, a move that will prove to be a test for Senate Democrats whose position on the Jewish state has shifted in recent weeks. Sanders, an independent who routinely caucuses with Senate Democrats, announced he would force a vote on a pair of resolutions to block the $675 million sale of thousands of bombs and guidance kits for the bombs and to halt the sale of “tens of thousands” of automatic rifles to Israel. “U.S. taxpayers have spent tens of billions of dollars in support of the racist, extremist Netanyahu government,” Sanders said in a statement. “Enough is enough.” WATCH: BERNIE SANDERS REACTS TO TRUMP’S IRAN STRIKES IN REAL TIME AT ‘FIGHTING OLIGARCHY’ RALLY It’s not the first time Sanders has pushed to block arms sales or military aid to the Jewish state. Since December 2023, just months after the conflict between Israel and Hamas began, the lawmaker has either introduced or forced votes on resolutions five times, each intended to block military aid and billions of dollars in munitions and arms. His latest attempt comes after photos revealed starving children in Gaza, which he squarely blamed on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. WATCH: DEM SENATORS BLAME TRUMP FOR IRAN CRISIS AS GOP URGES HIM TO STAND FIRM WITH ISRAEL “The time is long overdue for Congress to use the leverage we have — tens of billions in arms and military aid — to demand that Israel end these atrocities,” he said. The vote, expected late Thursday, comes as Senate Democrats have undergone a tonal shift on Israel since the events of Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas executed a brutal attack on Israeli soil. Sanders’ last attempt earlier this year that sought to block over $8 billion in arms sales, saw 15 Senate Democrats vote for it, while all Senate Republicans voted against it. Though the resolutions are likely to fail as his previous attempts have, more Democrats are expected to vote alongside him. ISRAELI OFFICIALS OBJECT TO EXPECTED UN SECURITY COUNCIL CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION Earlier this week, 40 Senate Democrats wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and called on the administration to push for “a large-scale expansion of humanitarian assistance and services throughout the Gaza Strip.” Senate Republicans have largely blamed the reported conditions in Gaza on Hamas, with some calling for more food aid making its way into the Gaza Strip. President Donald Trump vowed that more food centers, administered by Israel, would be coming. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said he shared Trump’s view and that there was a desire to “meet that need and alleviate that pain.” “But you got to understand, too, that when you got a terrorist group like Hamas operating in that region, they intercept and divert a lot of that food aid that’s going in there,” he said. “That’s the challenge that the Israelis have. That’s the challenge that we have and other nations around the world.”