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Day: January 16, 2025

Gov. Newsom joins handful of GOP governors raising flags to full height for Trump inauguration

Gov. Newsom joins handful of GOP governors raising flags to full height for Trump inauguration

Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom will temporarily raise the American Flag at the state Capitol to full height on Inauguration Day next week, joining a handful of GOP governors and Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson in the decision. Newsom’s press office confirmed the decision to Fox News Digital on Wednesday night. Following tradition, flags at the U.S. Capitol and state buildings across the country are flying at half-staff because of the death of former President Jimmy Carter on Dec. 29, 2024.  Flags temporarily raised to full height will return to half-staff on Jan. 21 for the remainder of the 30-day mourning period, which ends on Jan. 28 – eight days after President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn into office. HONORING TRUMP: SPEAKER JOHNSON SAYS FLAGS TO FLY AT FULL-STAFF AT US CAPITOL BUILDING DURING PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION As of Thursday morning, Newsom is the only Democratic governor to issue the directive, which comes as Southern California is ravaged by catastrophic wildfires. Similar decisions were recently made by Idaho Gov. Brad Little, North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott – all of whom are Republicans. House Speaker Johnson also ordered that flags at the U.S. Capitol fly at full-staff for Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20. DESANTIS ORDERS FLAGS AT FULL-STAFF FOR TRUMP’S INAUGURATION DESPITE 30-DAY MOURNING PERIOD FOR JIMMY CARTER Trump has criticized the potential for flags to be displayed at half-staff for his inauguration following Carter’s death. “The Democrats are all ‘giddy’ about our magnificent American Flag potentially being at ‘half mast’ during my Inauguration,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Jan. 3. “They think it’s so great, and are so happy about it because, in actuality, they don’t love our Country, they only think about themselves.” “Look at what they’ve done to our once GREAT America over the past four years – It’s a total mess! In any event, because of the death of President Jimmy Carter, the Flag may, for the first time ever during an Inauguration of a future President, be at half mast,” he continued. “Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it. Let’s see how it plays out. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Flags were flown at half-staff when former President Nixon was sworn-in for his second term in 1973 after Nixon ordered the flags to be lowered following the death of former President Truman. Fox News Digital’s Landon Mion contributed to this report.

‘Lying to the nation’: Trump orbit slams Biden for taking credit for ceasefire deal

‘Lying to the nation’: Trump orbit slams Biden for taking credit for ceasefire deal

President Biden is ending his tenure in the White House on a “sad” note after “lying to the nation” and taking credit for a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas during his farewell address on Wednesday evening, a Trump transition official said.  “Joe Biden is going out sad. Lying to the nation trying to take credit for a deal that all parties credit President Trump for making happen. Biden has had well over a year to secure the release of these hostages and peace. He failed. Trump succeeded,” a Trump transition official told Fox News Digital on Wednesday evening.  War has raged in the Middle East since October of 2023, with Israel and Hamas coming to a ceasefire agreement on Wednesday that also ensured the release of hostages.  Biden delivered his final address to the nation on Wednesday evening, where he took a victory lap for the cease fire in his opening remarks.  BIDEN TAKES SOLE CREDIT FOR ISRAEL-HAMAS DEAL, WARNS OF ‘OLIGARCHY’ THREATENING DEMOCRACY IN FAREWELL SPEECH “My fellow Americans, I’m speaking to you tonight from the Oval Office. Before I begin, let me speak to important news from earlier today. After eight months of nonstop negotiation, my administration – by my administration – a cease-fire and hostage deal has been reached by Israel and Hamas. The elements of which I laid out in great detail in May of this year,” Biden said.  “This plan was developed and negotiated by my team, and will be largely implemented by the incoming administration. That’s why I told my team to keep the incoming administration fully informed, because that’s how it should be, working together as Americans,” he continued.  PRESIDENT BIDEN RELEASES FAREWELL LETTER, SAYS IT’S BEEN ‘PRIVILEGE OF MY LIFE TO SERVE THIS NATION’ Credit for reaching the agreement, however, was bolstered by the incoming Trump administration, according to sources who told Fox Digital that a recent meeting between Trump’s incoming Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly played a pivotal role in the deal.  FOX NEWS GETS AN INSIDE LOOK AT IDF’S WAR AGAINST HAMAS Netanyahu also thanked Trump on Wednesday for “his assistance in advancing the release of the hostages.” “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke this evening with US President-elect Donald Trump and thanked him for his assistance in advancing the release of the hostages and for helping Israel bring an end to the suffering of dozens of hostages and their families,” the official Prime Minister of Israel X account posted.  “The Prime Minister made it clear that he is committed to returning all of the hostages however he can, and commended the US President-elect for his remarks that the US would work with Israel to ensure that Gaza will never be a haven for terrorism.” The X account added later: “Prime Minister Netanyahu then spoke with US President Joe Biden and thanked him as well for his assistance in advancing the hostages deal.”  ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASE-FIRE, HOSTAGE RELEASE DEAL REACHED: ‘AMERICANS WILL BE PART OF THAT’ When asked who the history books would remember for championing the ceasefire deal earlier Wednesday, Biden balked at the suggestion Trump and his team spearheaded the effort.  “Who in the history books gets credit for this, Mr. President, you or Trump?” Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich asked Biden at Wednesday afternoon’s White House news conference. “Is that a joke?” the president responded. “Oh. Thank you,” Biden responded when Heinrich said it was not a joke, and then walked away.

‘Worst farewell speech in presidential history’: Biden’s Oval Office goodbye panned as ‘dark’

‘Worst farewell speech in presidential history’: Biden’s Oval Office goodbye panned as ‘dark’

Reactions from social media came pouring in on Wednesday night as President Joe Biden delivered his farewell address to the country ending his career in politics that spanned over half a century. “Joe Biden discussing democracy, a free press, institutions and the abuse of power in his final farewell speech is rich,” GOP Congresswoman Nancy Mace posted on X.  “What an embarrassing and pathetic end to an embarrassing and pathetic term,” Fox News host Greg Gutfeld posted on X.  “Joe Biden can’t even read. Every time he speaks it gets worse,” conservative commentator and radio host Clay Travis posted on X. “Trying to run him in 2024 is the most reckless and indefensible presidential decision in any of our lives.” BIDEN BALKS WHEN ASKED IF TRUMP DESERVES CREDIT FOR ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASE-FIRE DEAL: ‘IS THAT A JOKE?’ “My thoughts on President Joe Biden’s Farewell Address: It was underwhelming and divisive,” Gabriella Hoffman, Independent Women’s Forum Center for Energy & Conservation director, posted on X. “I’m relieved his four-year term is coming to an end. Mr. Biden failed to bring Americans together and pushed terrible “whole of government” policies that weakened us on many fronts: energy, national security, economics/small business, foreign affairs, and general freedoms. History won’t look kindly on Biden’s tenure. He’s now the most unpopular U.S. President in history.” ‘SINKING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY’: BIDEN’S CUBA MOVE SPURS RARE BIPARTISAN CONDEMNATION IN KEY ELECTORAL STATE “Joe Biden mentions climate hysteria ahead of actual priorities, like border security, lowering costs, and peace through strength,” GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin posted on X. “They never learn.” “I’m stunned,” former Democrat adviser Dan Turrentine posted on X. “I’m no historian, but, I don’t recall a more dark Presidential farewell address? It’s more a cry to the DNC than accentuating the positive to the country. This is sad.” “Biden ends his presidency by using rhetoric that would be right at home in a third-world communist dictatorship,” Red State writer Bonchie posted on X. “This may be the worst farewell speech in presidential history.” Democrats, however, generally had a decidedly different take. “Four years ago, in the middle of a pandemic, we needed a leader with the character to put politics aside and do what was right,” former President Barack Obama posted on X.  “That’s what Joe Biden did. At a time when our economy was reeling, he drove what would become the world’s strongest recovery – with 17 million new jobs, historic wage gains, and lower health care costs. He passed landmark legislation to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure and address the threat of climate change.  I’m grateful to Joe for his leadership, his friendship, and his lifetime of service to this country we love.” Liberal commentator Harry Sisson posted on X, “President Biden just gave the best speech of his presidency.” “His farewell address was incredibly moving. I will always be thankful for President Biden and his talented administration. Thank you to everyone who served and gave America an amazing four years.” Biden’s speech comes as he has four days left in his presidency until Monday’s inauguration when President-elect Trump will be sworn into office. “My fellow Americans, I’m speaking to you tonight from the Oval Office. Before I begin, let me speak to important news from earlier today. After eight months of nonstop negotiation, my administration –  by my administration — a cease fire and hostage deal has been reached by Israel and Hamas. The elements of which I laid out in great detail in May of this year,” Biden said in his opening remarks, taking credit for the recent announcement that a cease fire deal had been reached in Israel.  CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “This plan was developed and negotiated by my team, and will be largely implemented by the incoming administration. That’s why I told my team to keep the incoming administration fully informed, because that’s how it should be, working together as Americans,” he continued.  Biden’s speech also focused on the American dream and the “most powerful idea” that “all of us are created equal.” “The very idea of America was so big we felt the entire world needed to see. The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France after our civil war. Like the very idea of America. It was built not by one person, but by many people, from every background and from around the world. Like America, the Statue of Liberty is not standing still. Her foot literally steps forward atop a broken chain of human bondage. She’s on the march and she literally moves,” he said.  “A nation of pioneers and explorers, of dreamers and doers, of ancestors native to this land, of ancestors who came by force. A nation of immigrants came to build a better life, a nation holding a torch. The most powerful idea ever in the history of the world that all of us, all of us are created equal. All of us deserve to be treated with dignity, justice and fairness. That democracy must defend and be defined and be imposed, moved in every way possible. Our rights, our freedoms, our dreams,” he said.