Democrats plan luxury Napa retreat as government shutdown threat looms over Congress
Democrats have come under fire for planning a luxury jaunt to California’s wine country while Washington heads toward a possible government shutdown. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), chaired by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, allegedly invited lawmakers to an expensive two-day Napa Retreat from Oct. 13–14 at Hotel Yountville, a five-star resort with hot tubs and vineyard views, according to an invitation obtained by Politico Playbook. If Congress fails to pass funding legislation before the end of September, the government may still be shut down when some Democrats gather for wine tours and dinners, the outlet reported Saturday. THUNE SLAMS DEMOCRATS’ ‘COLD-BLOODED PARTISAN’ TACTICS AS FUNDING DEADLINE NEARS The retreat, was also said to include dinner at the expensive Staglin Family Vineyards, an organic estate known to be one of Napa’s premier winemakers. Attendees will include Gillibrand, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks and other Democrats. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich, is also expected to attend, a Democrat briefed on the plans told Politico. In a statement to the Daily Caller, Alyssa Brouillet, spokesperson for GOP Senate candidate Mike Rogers, criticized Stevens for “running off to wine and dine in California” while Michiganders brace for potential paycheck disruptions. TRUMP-APPROVED PLAN TO AVERT GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN SCUTTLED BY SENATE “If it was outrageous for Trump, it’s hypocritical for Senate Democrats,” the GOP strategist told the outlet after Democrats had criticized Trump for heading to the Ryder Cup Friday at Bethpage. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas also shared news of the “invitation obtained by Playbook for a Napa Retreat” on X. So far, the DSCC has not disclosed the retreat’s costs, nor clarified whether the event would be canceled if a shutdown persists. Fox News Digital has reached out to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan for comment.
Reporter’s Notebook: Democrats’ shutdown gamble reveals party divisions, Schumer’s weak spot with the left
It’s often hard to separate the noise from the signal in politics. The noise is that congressional Democrats are fighting President Donald Trump and Republicans over a prospective government shutdown and healthcare spending. The signal is scratchy. But if you turn the squelch knob, you may detect the signal. We won’t know who “wins” or is “blamed” for a government shutdown for weeks. But the government shutdown will likely tell us a great deal about the future of the Democratic Party. REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: TRUMP HOLDS BIPARTISAN MEETING WITH CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS AS WEDNESDAY SHUTDOWN LOOMS Progressives excoriated Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., in March when he reluctantly provided Democratic votes to break a filibuster to avoid a government shutdown. Democrats on both sides of Capitol Hill were apoplectic. They felt betrayed by Schumer. The New York Democrat caved to Republicans to avert the shutdown without pocketing any political concessions in return. At the time, Schumer said a shutdown under those conditions would be worse. Elon Musk was busy filleting the federal government. To hear Schumer tell it, Musk may try to block parts of the federal government from ever opening again. Progressives fumed at Schumer. Some called for new leadership. “There was a disappointment because Schumer had said that he was going to vote against it, and then he voted for it,” said Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Va., to Fox. “So there was some confusion about why he would do that.” REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN CHANCES ASTRONOMICAL AS CONGRESS BARRELS TOWARD DEADLINE House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and other top Democrats seethed about Schumer’s March move. A senior House Republican source told Fox recently that they were stunned the government didn’t close earlier this year — surprised at Schumer’s decision to cave. And so liberals thought that Schumer may have overstayed his welcome, and it was time to move on. Schumer didn’t provide the necessary votes to avoid a shutdown when the Senate took a test vote to clear the way for the House-approved interim spending bill a week-and-a-half ago. So that made Schumer an easy target of the right. Plus, calling it the “Schumer Shutdown” is alliterative. It rolls off the tongue and easy for the GOP to characterize what’s going on. That’s why lots of Republicans — and some Democrats — hope Schumer faces a challenge from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. This explains how Republicans are trying to always flag a potential challenge to Schumer by Ocasio-Cortez. They portray Schumer as finding himself in a tight spot, having to appeal to the left-leaning base of the Democratic Party. If Democrats fold, they face an avalanche of criticism from progressives. “That’s why Jeffries and Schumer are betwixt in between,” said Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., on Fox. “Jeffries has to worry about a primary next year and Schumer’s got to worry about AOC in 2028.” The star of Ocasio-Cortez could shine as Schumer’s may dim. She’s deploying rhetoric which appeals to liberals when speaking of Trump at a recent town hall meeting. “Authoritarians rely on the perception of power,” said Ocasio-Cortez. “They need people to believe that they are more powerful than they actually are.” How Schumer handles a possible shutdown could dictate the political future of Ocasio-Cortez. That’s to say nothing of his own. Political observers consistently mention Ocasio-Cortez among the top four potential Democratic presidential candidates were she to run in 2028. No one in the Democratic Party can churn out a crowd like Ocasio-Cortez. The same with raising money. This is why Republicans believe Schumer’s resistance hinges on self-preservation. GARBAGE COLLECTION, TOURS TO BE SUSPENDED ON CAPITOL HILL IF THERE’S A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN “You’ve seen Sen. Schumer’s poll numbers. He’s got AOC nipping at his heels,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Fox. Not everyone is buying the GOP line that Schumer is trying to finesse government funding around his own political fortunes. “Do you think that Leader Schumer feels kind of footsteps from the left with Ocasio-Cortez?” asked yours truly of Jeffries. “Leader Schumer is not even up for reelection in 2026,” replied Jeffries. Either way, Democrats have struggled since the election about how to connect with their voters and combat Trump. “They just want to be perceived as fighting Trump,” said Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., on Fox. “Chuck Schumer is afraid of his own shadow at this point. They want to be perceived as the resistance more than a party that’s willing to govern.” And since many Democrats aren’t pleased with how their party has fought back at Trump… There are few inflection points over the course of a two-year Congress. A skirmish over government funding is one of them. So Democrats must seize the opportunity. But there is something crafty in the Democrats’ strategy, which isn’t necessarily apparent to the casual observer. Fights over “government funding” and “avoiding a government shutdown” aren’t terribly compelling to most voters. Yes, Democrats will talk about the possibility of a shutdown impacting federal workers and thrusting the economy into uncertainty. And Democrats always seem to pepper their arguments about Trump with concerns about “instability” and “chaos,” be it government funding or say, tariffs. However, it’s no surprise that Democrats are attempting to convert the shutdown into something more tangible for millions of Americans: The high cost of healthcare coverage. “Republicans have refused to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, and as a result of that, millions of working-class Americans are going to experience skyrocketing premiums, co-pays and deductibles at a time when America is already too expensive,” said Jeffries. First, Democrats are pushing for a restoration of what they say are cuts to federal health care benefits under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill. On its face, government funding has nothing to do with what congressional Republicans approved under the hallmark of Trump’s legislative agenda. But, as we said, this is one of those inflection points. So it’s an opportunity for Democrats to emphasize what Republicans passed and portray it as a negative ahead of the 2026
Trump finds new leverage in Ukraine fight with Tomahawk threat and long-range strike authorization
President Donald Trump is flexing new leverage in the war in Ukraine — allowing the nation to use U.S. weapons to strike deep into Russia, weighing whether to provide Kyiv with Tomahawk cruise missiles and vowing Ukraine can take back all its land — while pressing China and India to slash purchases of Russian oil. Ukraine supporters are cheering the shift, noting that after months of frustration over the grinding conflict, Trump appears to be changing tactics. From a combative February meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to his declaration last week that Ukraine could reclaim all of its original territory, the president is signaling a harder line on Moscow. On Fox News’ The Sunday Briefing, Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg revealed that Trump had authorized long-range Ukrainian strikes inside Russia. Vice President JD Vance added that the administration is weighing whether to send Tomahawk missiles, a capability the Biden White House had denied. The weapons would be funded by European partners. “We’re certainly looking at a number of requests from the Europeans,” Vance said. “It’s something the president’s going to make the final determination on.” ‘PUTIN IS PUSHING THE LIMITS’: EASTERN ALLIES WARN TRUMP NOT TO PULL US TROOPS The U.S.-made Tomahawk has a range of about 1,500 miles, meaning Kyiv could theoretically target Moscow if Trump approves the transfer. Russia quickly issued warnings, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov questioning whether Ukrainians could operate such systems without American assistance. “Who can launch these missiles, even if they end up on the territory of the Kyiv regime?” Peskov asked. “Can they be launched only by Ukrainians, or must it still be done by American personnel? Who provides the targeting? A very deep analysis is needed here.” He dismissed the weapons as strategically meaningless. “There is no panacea that can change the situation on the fronts. There are no magic weapons, whether Tomahawk or others, that can alter the dynamics,” Peskov said. Still, Trump’s stance marks one of his most striking reversals. Last week, he suggested Ukraine could not only hold its ground but also return to its original borders, calling that “very much an option,” while urging NATO nations to shoot down Russian drones and jets that cross into their airspace. He added that Russia has been “fighting aimlessly for three and a half years in a war that should have taken a Real Military Power less than a week to win. This is not distinguishing Russia.” BALTIC LEADERS RIP UN SECURITY COUNCIL AS POWERLESS WHILE RUSSIA HOLDS VETO SEAT This month, Russian drones entered Polish and Romanian territory. Missile-carrying MiG-29 jets crossed into Estonian territory. Eastern European officials say Moscow’s provocations are meant to test NATO unity. “Part of these provocations are to see: will there be solidarity? Will there be a clear decision within NATO to increase defense?” Romanian foreign minister Oana Țoiu told Fox News Digital. The tougher tone follows Trump’s August summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, which produced few breakthroughs. Since then, Trump has ratcheted up pressure, urging Europe to accelerate its energy break with Moscow and coordinating a new sanctions package with U.S. allies. “Inexcusably, even NATO countries have not cut off much Russian energy and Russian energy products,” Trump told the United Nations General Assembly. “China and India are the primary funders of the ongoing war by continuing to purchase Russian oil.” The president has already imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, citing New Delhi’s reliance on Russian fuel. Officials suggest additional measures are under consideration if India and China do not curb their energy ties with Moscow.
Trump to attend Tuesday’s unprecedented gathering of US military commanders
President Donald Trump is set to attend Tuesday’s unprecedented all-hands meeting of U.S. military commanders in Quantico, Va., he said Sunday. As speculation swirls over why generals and flag officers from around the world were summoned, Trump insisted the purpose was celebratory. “It’s really just a very nice meeting talking about how well we’re doing militarily, talking about being in great shape, talking about a lot of good, positive things. It’s just a good message,” Trump told NBC News. “We have some great people coming in, and it’s just an ‘esprit de corps.’ You know the expression ‘esprit de corps’? That’s all it’s about. We’re talking about what we’re doing, what they’re doing, and how we’re doing.” SEN TAMMY DUCKWORTH: WHY TRUMP’S PATTERN OF PURGING OUR HIGHEST-PERFORMING MILITARY OFFICERS IS DANGEROUS The gathering represents a major logistical and security feat, concentrating nearly every top U.S. military leader in one location. Trump’s attendance raises the stakes further, putting the Secret Service in charge of security. Hundreds of generals, admirals and their senior enlisted leaders — ranked one star and above — were ordered last week to attend the meeting with War Secretary Pete Hegseth. The invitation offered no stated reason, fueling speculation it could herald mass cuts consistent with Hegseth’s push to shrink the general officer corps. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., wrote to the Pentagon seeking details on the cost of flying in officers on such short notice and whether virtual alternatives were considered. About 800 general and flag officers are stationed worldwide, and together with their enlisted advisors and aides, the number descending on Quantico could exceed 1,000, according to Duckworth. She also asked what accounts would cover the costs, whether return travel might be disrupted by a potential government shutdown, and if a cost-benefit analysis preceded the decision to meet in person. TOP US MILITARY BRASS TO HOLD SECRETIVE MEETING WITH HEGSETH AS TRUMP RAMPS UP RUSSIA CRITICISM Defense officials and analysts have suggested the meeting may preview cuts not only to the general officer ranks but also to civilian and contractor roles at bases worldwide. Others believe it could foreshadow reductions to the U.S. force posture in Europe and the Middle East, consistent with an expected national defense strategy that prioritizes homeland defense after years of emphasis on the Indo-Pacific and China. Hegseth has pledged to cut the general officer corps by 20 percent and has already dismissed roughly two dozen senior officers. Reports also suggest he intends to use the meeting to stress his “warrior ethos,” which defense sources suggest could be a way to remind commanders of their duty to remain apolitical, and reassert his personal authority over the force. Last week, Trump signed an executive order directing law enforcement and the military to counter “domestic terrorism and organized political violence.” On Sunday, at Trump’s direction, Hegseth informed the adjutant general of the Oregon National Guard that 200 troops would be deployed for 60 days to protect immigration enforcement officials facing protests. The federalized Guard members will serve under U.S. Northern Command.
A tale of two indictments: Top Dems say ‘no one is above the law’ on Trump, but decry Comey case
Top Democrats are striking two very different notes on accountability: cheering President Donald Trump‘s felony conviction as proof that “no one is above the law,” while blasting the recent indictment of former FBI Director James Comey as pure political payback. COMEY INDICTMENT SPARKS FIERCE POLITICAL REACTIONS NATIONWIDE In 2019, then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said during a discussion at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco that Democrats believe “no one is above the law,” including the commander-in-chief. “Everybody wants the president to be held accountable in the most serious way. And everybody believes, now I’m talking on the Democratic side, that no one is above the law, especially the President of the United States,” Pelosi said. Former President Joe Biden reiterated the “no one is above the law” mantra before his White House remarks on the Middle East on May 31, 2024. He said the New York case against Trump was “a state case, not a federal case,” decided by “a jury of 12 citizens” after five weeks of evidence and deliberation. COMEY DENIES CHARGES, DECLARES ‘I AM NOT AFRAID’ The jury, Biden noted, “reached a unanimous verdict” finding Trump guilty on 34 felony counts, while emphasizing that Trump has the right to appeal. “That’s how the American system of justice works,” Biden said, calling it “reckless, dangerous, and irresponsible” to claim the trial was rigged simply because of an unfavorable outcome. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., addressed Trump’s conviction in a June 3, 2024, floor speech saying that “former President Donald Trump is now a convicted felon.” “The most important takeaway from this case is that nobody’s above the law, including Donald Trump,” he added. On the heels of Comey’s indictment, Schumer said Sunday that he has “no faith in Trump’s judicial system.” Schumer said on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that Trump “has turned this judicial system to be his own political fighter.” “He tells them to go after people he doesn’t like. He tells them to exonerate people that he likes,” Schumer said. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., denounced what he called a “malicious prosecution,” reminding reporters that Trump previously fired a prosecutor who refused to bring “frivolous charges.” TRUMP ANSWERS WHETHER COMEY INDICTMENT IS ABOUT JUSTICE OR REVENGE Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, issued an even sharper rebuke. “This kind of interference is a dangerous abuse of power,” he warned. “By ousting a respected, independent prosecutor and replacing him with a partisan loyalist, Trump is undermining one of the most important U.S. attorney’s offices in the country and eroding the rule of law itself.” As Democrats leaned on the “no one is above the law” refrain, Trump struck back — telling reporters Friday at the White House that the indictment against the former FBI chief was about rooting out corruption, not political payback. “It’s about justice really, it’s not revenge,” Trump said. “It’s also about the fact that you can’t let this go on. They are sick, radical left people, and they can’t get away with it, and Comey was one of the people.” “He wasn’t the biggest, but he’s a dirty cop,” Trump said, adding, “He’s always been a dirty cop. Everybody knew it.” Trump’s comments came after Comey was indicted by a grand jury for allegedly lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional proceeding. He was indicted on two counts: alleged false statements within the jurisdiction of the legislative branch and obstruction of a congressional proceeding. Comey’s arraignment is set for 10 a.m. on Oct. 9 before District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff. If convicted, Comey faces up to five years in prison. Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan and Emma Bussey contributed to this report.
Shutdown explained: Who works, who doesn’t and how much it costs
The clock is ticking to fund government, and so far, lawmakers do not have a path forward to avert a partial shutdown. The Senate returned to Washington, D.C., on Monday, and congressional leaders are slated to meet with President Donald Trump to negotiate a deal on funding the government. But the last week has seen both sides point the finger at who would own closing the government. Lawmakers have until midnight Wednesday to pass a short-term funding extension, or else the government will close. And if it does, it would be the third shutdown under Trump. A government shutdown happens when Congress can neither pass all 12 appropriations bills needed to fund the government, nor pass a continuing resolution (CR), which typically keeps funding levels static while lawmakers hustle to finish their work on spending bills. SCHUMER, DEMOCRATS FACE HEAT FOR SHIFTING STANCE ON GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN THREAT Since 1980, there have been 10 government shutdowns. Only three have happened since the turn of the century. All shutdowns are different, and the impending shutdown is no exception. However, it could have more devastating effects on the federal workforce than previous shutdowns given the administration’s orders to undertake mass firings. Programs like Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid will continue, along with the Postal Service, Veterans’ Affairs hospitals and clinics, and Immigration and Border Patrol security activities, among others. Federal employees will likely go without pay, however, and a string of agencies will see their services hampered by furloughs, like the IRS and Small Business Administration. Housing programs may also see a delay in rental assistance and loans. Typically, shutdowns see thousands of federal workers deemed “nonessential” furloughed, but the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a memo last week that directed agencies to “use this opportunity to consider reduction in force (RIF) notices for all employees” in programs that have no other available funding source and that don’t comport with Trump’s priorities if lawmakers couldn’t fund the government. SPEAKER JOHNSON FLIPS SCRIPT ON DEM LEADERS WITH STAUNCH WARNING AGAINST GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN “RIF notices will be in addition to any furlough notices provided due to the lapse in appropriation,” the memo read, and they will be issued “regardless of whether the employee is excepted or furloughed during the lapse in appropriations.” Then there is the cost of a shutdown. While the cost of a partial closure this year is unknown, the Congressional Budget Office did an analysis of the cost of the last time the government shuttered in 2019. The report, published in January 2019, found that the shutdown saw roughly $18 billion in federal spending delayed, which led to a dip in that year’s first quarter gross domestic product of $8 billion. The report noted roughly $3 billion of that would not be recovered. It also found that federal workers who received delayed payments and private businesses were the hardest hit. “Some of those private-sector entities will never recoup that lost income,” the report stated. Congressional Republicans and Democrats are at a stalemate on the current CR, not so much because of what’s in the bill — it would keep the government open until Nov. 21 and includes tens of millions in new spending for lawmakers’ security — but because of what it lacks. Democratic lawmakers demanded that the short-term extension at least include an extension to expiring Obamacare premium subsidies and have warned that if Congress doesn’t act, millions of Americans will see their health care costs increase. TRUMP CANCELS MEETING WITH SCHUMER, JEFFRIES OVER ‘RIDICULOUS DEMANDS’ AS FUNDING DEADLINE LOOMS While the subsidies don’t expire until the end of the year, congressional Democrats have noted that insurers are gearing up to send out new rates on Oct. 1. But Senate Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., have said that conversations about the subsidies can happen after the government is funded, but that has so far not been enough for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Democrats. “Fundamentally, nothing has changed, though, and the choice remains the same: Democrats can either vote for a clean, short-term, nonpartisan CR that prioritizes the American people, or they can choose a completely avoidable shutdown that prioritizes politics above all else,” Thune told NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Both Thune and Schumer, along with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., will meet with Trump Monday afternoon. The confab comes after Trump canceled a meeting with the Democratic leaders earlier this week. Schumer and Jeffries said in a joint statement after a new meeting was set that “Democrats will meet anywhere, at any time and with anyone to negotiate a bipartisan spending agreement that meets the needs of the American people.” “We are resolute in our determination to avoid a government shutdown and address the Republican health care crisis,” they said. “Time is running out.”
Reporter’s Notebook: Trump holds bipartisan meeting with congressional leaders as Wednesday shutdown looms
President Donald Trump meets Monday at 2 p.m. ET with top bipartisan, bicameral congressional leaders as the clock ticks down toward a potential government shutdown at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. But there is little optimism for the meeting. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., have not met with Trump since he returned to office. Democrats are insisting on subsidies to make Obamacare coverage cheaper and a reinstatement of money cut for public radio and television. Previous meetings between Trump and top Democrats have ended badly. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., stormed out of one such session. REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN CHANCES ASTRONOMICAL AS CONGRESS BARRELS TOWARD DEADLINE The prospects of a shutdown are extremely high. There have been no talks or trading of offers for weeks. The House approved a stopgap bill to simply renew all existing funding at present levels, and then they left town. Only the Senate is in session today. The Senate likely re-votes a procedural vote which failed just to start debate on the House-approved bill tomorrow, hours before the deadline. That needs 60 yeas to break a filibuster. Otherwise, the government is on cruise control for a shutdown. GARBAGE COLLECTION, TOURS TO BE SUSPENDED ON CAPITOL HILL IF THERE’S A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN House Republicans may not be in Washington, but House Democrats will descend on the Capitol late this afternoon for a caucus meeting.
Harris reveals crude hypotheticals on abortion, Viagra rehearsed before Trump debate
Former Vice President Kamala Harris revealed her debate preparation against Donald Trump during the 2024 election cycle included how to handle a handful of crude hypothetical attacks on abortion and Viagra use, according to her new book, “107 Days.” Bolstered by a team of advisers and a veteran trial attorney Harris compared to a “wartime consigliere,” the then-vice president traveled to the basement of Howard University, her undergraduate alma mater, to prepare for her debate against Trump. Harris had prepped to debate JD Vance in a vice presidential debate ahead of then-President Joe Biden dropping out of the race in July 2024. Amid typical debate prep focused on providing Harris with intimate knowledge of topics so she could effectively present her argument on stage, she also was trained for the “the painful matter of imagining what kinds of personal attacks Trump might mount against me.” “‘He might ask you if you’ve ever had an abortion,’ one adviser said,” Harris wrote of her time devising her debate strategies. NEW BOOK REVEALS WHAT KAMALA HARRIS ‘MOANED’ TO HER HUSBAND DURING WALZ’S DISASTROUS VP DEBATE “If he did, the response would be: That’s none of your business and that’s not what we’re here for,” she continued. Harris continued that another individual in the debate prep room floated “a dark joke that if he got that personal, I should ask if he took Viagra.” “Another: Had he ever paid for an abortion?” she continued. The pair were asked about abortion during the debate, but it never culminated into personal attacks on hypothetical abortions or Viagra use. KAMALA HARRIS BREAKS SILENCE ON BIDEN DROPOUT, ADMITS SHE HAS REGRETS ABOUT HER HANDLING OF SITUATION “In the end, he didn’t go down that track. He probably knew a question like that would be exceedingly thin ice for him—and would infuriate just about every woman in America,” Harris wrote. Harris added that her team wrote a debate card “for every nuance of every subject, and once I memorized what was on that card, I’d draw a big, loopy X across it.” KAMALA HARRIS REVEALS WHAT BIDEN TOLD HER JUST BEFORE CRUCIAL DEBATE WITH TRUMP THAT LEFT HER ‘ANGRY’ “I am not a trained seal; I’m not going to memorize lines and spout them. I have to understand the logic and building blocks of every argument so I can present it clearly and defend it persuasively,” she wrote. Harris’ book, “107 Days,” hit shelves Tuesday and reflects on the 107 days she had on the presidential campaign trail after Biden dropped out of the race amid mounting concern over his mental acuity. Harris failed to rally enough support to defeat Trump, losing each of the seven battleground states Nov. 4, 2024.
Top US military brass to hold secretive meeting with Hegseth as Trump ramps up Russia criticism
The Pentagon is gathering hundreds of top U.S. military leaders for an unusual meeting — one that comes as President Donald Trump has ramped up his criticism of Russia and as the Pentagon gears up a new national defense strategy prioritizing homeland defense. Several War Department officials confirmed to Fox News that the Pentagon requested top military commanders to convene in Virginia for the meeting this week. However, the topic of the discussion remains unclear. The Pentagon confirmed the meeting but did not offer details. HEGSETH ORDERS HUNDREDS OF MILITARY COMMANDERS TO VIRGINIA FOR UNPRECEDENTED MEETING “The Secretary of War will be addressing his senior military leaders early next week,” chief spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement last week. The unusual meeting would involve approximately 800 generals and admirals who are based all throughout the U.S. and stationed in various parts of the world. Those invited to the meeting say they’ve been told little, sources told Fox News Digital. Generals on Thursday exchanged messages from across the globe speculating on why the secretary might want to see them face-to-face. The Washington Post first reported War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s plans for the Thursday meeting. The Post also reported on Friday that Hegseth plans to discuss “warrior ethos” with the officers. Meanwhile, the meeting comes amid several key global and national security developments, including Trump leveling criticism and ire toward Russia amid its ongoing war with Ukraine. NATO DEFENSE CHIEFS STRESS COMMITMENT TO UKRAINE, DISCUSS SECURITY GUARANTEES DURING VIRTUAL SUMMIT For example, Trump voiced his frustration with Russia Tuesday and accused Moscow of “fighting aimlessly” and compared Russia to a “paper tiger,” after he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York at the United Nations General Assembly. Additionally, he said that he believes Ukraine, with the backing of the European Union, could secure back all of its territory as the war between Russia and Ukraine persists. “I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form. With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original Borders from where this War started, is very much an option,” Trump said in a Tuesday social media post. “Putin and Russia are in BIG Economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act.” In recent weeks, Russia has been testing the boundaries of NATO, seemingly daring members of the defensive alliance to respond. Russian drones have been found in Polish and Romanian airspace and three Russian jets carrying missiles flew over Estonia recently. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz promised the U.S. would defend “every inch” of NATO in his U.N. address and Trump mused that nations should shoot down Russian aircraft that traverse into their territory. Behind closed doors, U.S. officials worry the situation may escalate. “Almost all wars, if you look at them, they don’t necessarily start with a big bang,” one senior State Department official told Fox News Digital. “They start with an escalation, and then somebody feels they need to respond to this, and then you just get in a toxic spiral.” “The last thing we want is to have NATO get drawn into a war with Russia.” JOINT CHIEFS, NATO COUNTERPARTS TO DISCUSS UKRAINE SECURITY GUARANTEES AFTER TRUMP SUGGESTS US AIR SUPPORT The meeting also comes as administration officials are assembling a new National Defense Strategy that identifies homeland defense as the top priority — in alignment with Trump’s “America First” agenda. Previously, the National Defense Strategy has identified countering threats from China as its top focus. Likewise, the meeting comes as the Pentagon has eyes on slimming down its top officers. Hegseth previously unveiled plans in May to trim down 20% of four-star generals and admirals, along with an additional 10% reduction in general and flag officers across the military. Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.
Hegseth chairs first-ever Gold Star Advisory Council meeting, giving families direct line to Pentagon
The Department of War’s Gold Star Advisory Council (GSAC) convenes for the first time Monday, providing an unprecedented, direct channel for families of fallen service members to meet and engage with senior military leadership and have their voices heard at the decision-making level. “Today marks the first time a Gold Star Advisory Council convened at the Secretary of War level,” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth exclusively told Fox News Digital. “This council is long overdue for Gold Star families to elevate their voices directly to Department leadership, tackle real concerns, and transform the casualty process for good. It has my full backing to call out the failures, shake up the bureaucratic status quo, and drive the changes that will stick.” Gold Star families are relatives of U.S. military members who lost their lives in service. The GSAC was established in May, through a memorandum signed by Hegseth. Its mission is rooted in honoring the ultimate sacrifice of America’s warfighters and ensuring that the families left behind are never forgotten. HEGSETH DELIVERS STERN WARNING TO CHINA IN FIRST CALL AFTER XI’S MILITARY PARADE Meeting at least twice each year, the council will be charged with offering policy recommendations, holding the department accountable and providing a permanent forum for Gold Star families to share concerns and propose solutions. Co-vice chairs include Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness Anthony Tata, alongside Jane Horton, a Gold Star wife and senior advisor to the Secretary of War. Together, they are to bring senior-level expertise and the deeply personal perspective of those who have borne loss firsthand. FEMALE MILITARY RECRUITS SURGE ACROSS ALL SERVICE BRANCHES “Gold Star Families are vital to our military community and our mission,” Tata said to Fox News Digital. “Their strength and resilience are truly inspiring and emblematic of the warrior ethos that we strive to promote throughout the Total Force. The Gold Star Advisory Council is a testament to their enduring service to our nation.” He added that the council represents an enduring commitment: “The Gold Star Advisory Council will enable the Department to continue remembering our fallen Service members and delivering on our promise to take care of the families they left behind.” Tata also praised his co-vice-chair’s “extraordinary efforts” to elevate Gold Star families by “telling their stories, and keeping the memories of our fallen heroes alive.” He expressed his appreciation for Horton’s “advocacy, representation, and leadership.” Horton echoed both Hegseth and Tata’s charge and highlighted the council’s mission-driven purpose. “The Secretary’s charge is clear: every warrior must know that if the worst should happen, their family will never be forgotten, and their sacrifice will never be overlooked,” she said to Fox News Digital. “The Gold Star Advisory Council exists to create real, lasting change. We are not symbolic. We are a mission-driven body of Gold Star Families and senior leaders focused on reforming the systems that shape casualty assistance, long-term care, and how our nation honors the fallen. “The strength of this council lies in those who have borne unimaginable loss and still choose to lead. We are here to serve our warriors.”