New York Dem Laura Gillen ousts incumbent Republican Rep. Anthony D’Esposito in toss-up House race
One of the first-term Republican lawmakers key to the House GOP winning the majority in the last election is projected to lose his seat. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y., a retired NYPD officer, was defeated by former local official Laura Gillen in New York’s 4th Congressional District on suburban Long Island, in the shadow of New York City, The Associated Press said Thursday. Two days after Election Day, the balance of power in the House is still undetermined, with key races yet to be called in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada and other states. Democrats and Republicans have now each flipped four seats. The election was a rematch of the November 2022 race, when D’Esposito beat Gillen and flipped the seat from blue to red. FORMER NEW YORK GOV. DAVID PATERSON, STEPSON ATTACKED BY GROUP OF SUSPECTS WHILE WALKING DOG Gillen is a former Hempstead town supervisor and previously worked as an attorney representing victims of domestic violence, according to her campaign website. She was backed by the House Democrats’ campaign arm, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, through their “Red to Blue” program – an initiative pouring resources and funding into seats where Democrats saw an opportunity to grow their numbers in the House of Representatives. Gillen was endorsed by sitting New York Democratic Reps. Dan Goldman, Grace Meng and Tom Suozzi, among others. MOST NEW YORK CITY RESIDENTS WANT INDICTED MAYOR ERIC ADAMS TO RESIGN: POLL D’Esposito’s election in 2022 came amid a wave of voter backlash against New York City’s progressive crime policies, when Republicans swept key districts in the suburbs of New York and New Jersey. He later helped lead the push to expel former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., after his criminal indictment related to fraud and other charges. However, his campaign was rocked in recent weeks by allegations in a New York Times report that D’Esposito possibly violated ethics rules by previously having his affair partner and his fiancée’s daughter on his payroll. D’Esposito denied all the allegations when asked by reporters on Capitol Hill in late September. “There was nothing done that was unethical,” he said at the time. When asked if he would stay in his race, D’Esposito said, “Absolutely. And win.” Fox News’ Tyler Olson contributed to this report.
House leaders move quickly to consolidate power in show of confidence for Republican majority
The top three House Republican leaders are all running for their roles in the new Congress, a show of confidence that the GOP will prevail in winning full control of the federal government. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., sent letters to fellow House GOP lawmakers on Wednesday night asking for support to remain in those positions. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., made a similar entreaty on Thursday morning. The current House leadership lineup is not expected to face significant challenges if Republicans prove successful in keeping the chamber. SPEAKER JOHNSON RIPS ‘LACK OF LEADERSHIP’ IN BIDEN ADMIN’S HELENE RESPONSE: ‘ALARMED AND DISAPPOINTED’ Each promised to work in support of conservative policies alongside President-elect Trump in separate letters obtained by Fox News Digital. “We can secure our borders, prioritize the needs of Americans above foreigners, promote investment and opportunity through the tax code, return to American energy dominance, dramatically reduce regulations, expand school choice, end the woke agenda, and restore fiscal sanity to Washington – among other pressing items,” Johnson wrote in his letter. “I’m ready to take the field with all of you, and I am humbly asking for your support to continue leading this Conference as your Speaker.” HOUSE GOP LEADERS RIP ACTBLUE AFTER DEM FUNDRAISING GIANT HIT WITH SUBPOENA Scalise’s letter was a four-page memo detailing how congressional Republicans would pass significant conservative reforms using a legislative process called “reconciliation.” Reconciliation is a way to fast-track legislation on issues like taxes, the debt limit, and federal spending by bypassing the Senate’s 60-vote threshold for passage, instead lowering it to a simple 51-vote majority. But Scalise signaled Republicans would test those boundaries next year. “Though there are Senate rules limiting what we can fit in budget reconciliation, I want us to be bold and creative so we can include as many reforms in this package as possible,” he said. “Democrats expanded what is traditionally allowed in reconciliation, and we intend to do the same. Now is the time to go big to advance conservative policies that will make our country prosperous and secure again.” Emmer in his letter emphasized his role as whip in convincing Republicans to come together on legislation, even conceding that it was a difficult mission at times during the exceptionally disorderly 118th Congress. JOHNSON BLASTS DEM ACCUSATIONS HE VOWED TO END OBAMACARE AS ‘DISHONEST’ “We will always have disagreements over policy and strategy. That’s a good thing. Governing is messy and imperfect. But I have always believed that there is more that unites us than divides us,” he wrote. “I’ve witnessed this as your Whip, bringing together members from across our conference to hash out these disagreements and find a path to 218 votes.” “I will always be direct, honest, and transparent. I will never make false promises or try to buy your votes.” Meanwhile, Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., who is term-limited as chair of the Republican Study Committee, the House GOP’s de facto conservative think tank, has announced a bid for House Republican Policy Committee chair. The role, currently held by Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Ala., is the No. 5 position in the House GOP leadership lineup. In his appeal to Republicans, Hern emphasized his good relationship with Vice President-elect JD Vance from his brief time in the U.S. Senate. The No. 4 House Republican leader, House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., is also running for her current position again, though Fox News Digital is also told that she is angling for a Trump administration role as ambassador to the United Nations. Her spokesperson did not immediately return a request for comment. House Republicans are slated to hold their leadership elections on Wednesday next week, their first full day back in Washington since September. The balance of power in the House has not yet been decided – something House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., has pointed out in multiple public statements – but the speedy consolidation of power is a sign Republicans are feeling good about their chances. The Fox News Decision Desk put odds slightly in favor of the GOP in a Wednesday afternoon update.
House Democrat says the party needs to get past ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’
A House Democrat is arguing that their party needs to get past “this idea they call ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’” as President-elect Donald Trump is gearing up for another term in the White House. The lawmaker, speaking to Axios about how Democrats should approach Trump’s second term, suggested they ought to “pick and choose” their battles this time around. “Democrats just literally attacked everything he did. We could never agree with anything, never give him credit for anything, could never say, ‘Well actually securing the border is a good idea, I just disagree with how he’s doing it,’” the House Democrat was quoted as saying in the wake of Vice President Kamala Harris’ election loss. The discussion about Democrats reworking their strategy for Trump comes as they have been weighing in on what they believe went wrong for Harris, ranging from her choice of Tim Walz as running mate to select comments she made on national television while campaigning. LIVE UPDATES: TRUMP, ALLIES EYE TRANSITION PROCESS TO WHITE HOUSE Mark Penn, a former Clinton adviser who is a Fox News contributor, wrote among his “lessons of the election” that “America is a center right country at heart.” “Only 25 percent are liberal and the other 75 percent won’t be ruled by the 25,” he posted on X early Thursday. “Campaigns are about issues and serious proposals and positions and you can’t avoid having them.” TOP PHILADELPHIA DEMOCRAT TORCHES HARRIS CAMP AS DEMOCRAT BLAME GAME INTENSIFIES “Voters don’t listen to Hollywood celebrities when it comes to voting,” Penn continued. “Most voters see Hollywood as great for entertaining but as far removed from their concerns when it comes to voting.” In the waning days of Harris’ campaign, she had brought out celebrities such as Bruce Springsteen and Eminem in an attempt to appeal to swing state voters. “Identity politics is ultimately losing politics as voters care more about issues not identity when living their lives,” Penn also said. “And finally, Joe Biden should never have run for re-election.”
ACLU vows to oppose Trump policies on LGBT issues, abortion and deportations
The executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union pledged “to combat” the forthcoming Trump administration’s proposed policies on critical issues such as abortion, border security and LGBTQ rights. “We know that a second Trump administration will be even more aggressive and effective than it was before,” Anthony Romero, the group’s executive director, said in an open letter published on the ACLU’s website. “The Trump administration’s anti-liberty and fundamentally anti-American policies will be met with the full firepower of the ACLU.” The left-wing civil liberties organization launched 434 legal challenges against President Trump during his first term, and these challenges will continue during his second term, according to Romero’s open letter. They plan, for example, to use the courts to “invalidate Trump administration policies” impacting the gay and transgender communities, such as actions that keep biological males out of women’s bathrooms or that prevent them from playing on women’s sports teams. The ACLU also plans to hone in on challenges to Trump’s efforts to deport illegal immigrants residing in the U.S., and any attempts by the new president to restrict abortion. BIDEN JUDGE RULES IOWA CAN CHECK BALLOTS OF POTENTIAL NONCITIZENS IN BLOW TO ACLU During Trump’s first term, the ACLU spearheaded efforts to block Trump’s travel ban on several countries in the Middle East. While initially successful, the Supreme Court eventually upheld the ban. Other challenges from the ACLU against Trump included going after his administration for restricting abortion care for immigration detainees, combating Trump’s efforts to implement asylum restrictions for migrants and his push to include a citizenship question on the 2020 census. In his second term, Trump, according to Romero, will effectuate “dragnet raids” against immigrants, target his political foes, “spy on private citizens, promote discrimination against marginalized communities, and control what we can and can’t do with our bodies.” “Despair and resignation are not a strategy,” Romero said. “At the ACLU, we’re choosing to channel our fear into action.” MEGAN RAPINOE DEMANDS PROTECTION FOR TRANS PEOPLE AFTER SOUNDING ALARM ON HOW ELECTION WILL ‘AFFECT EVERYBODY’ In addition to utilizing the courts, the ACLU also said it intends to leverage its ties to federal and state lawmakers to push for oversight and investigations into Trump’s “restrictive executive branch policies.” “The Trump administration’s anti-liberty and fundamentally anti-American policies will be met with the full firepower of the ACLU, the might of our allies, and the commitment of the American people,” Romero wrote. The ACLU declined to comment to Fox News, but an official did point to a June “roadmap” the group published outlining its plan “to protect civil rights” in the next administration and analyzing the policies of both Trump and President Biden, who, at the time, was the Democrats’ nominee for president prior to dropping out. “This November, freedom is on the ballot,” the roadmap’s introduction stated.
Amid heavy pollution in Delhi, these 12 Indian cities enjoy fresh, clean air
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Here are the most talked-about candidates for top posts in Trump’s administration
After winning the 2024 presidential election, President-elect Trump’s next big move is to fill his Cabinet with the right leaders that will reinforce his agenda over the next four years. There are several candidates rumored for each post, but the following individuals are the most talked-about contenders for the top positions: Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who was a leading contender on Trump’s short list for vice president, has been floated for secretary of state. PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP ALREADY MEETING WITH TRANSITION TEAM, STRATEGIZING HOW TO FILL ADMINISTRATION Rubio currently serves as vice chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence and is a senior member of the Committee on Foreign Relations – leading on various initiatives that seek to bolster national security. The Florida senator didn’t rule out taking a position in the administration during a post-election interview. “I always am interested in serving this country,” Rubio told CNN. “I haven’t had any set conversations with anybody in the Trump administration. Either way, I plan to work with them, whether it’s in the Senate, which is an important place to be, or in some other capacity.” RFK JR. WANTS TO CLEAR OUT ‘ENTIRE DEPARTMENTS’ IN THE FDA: ‘THEY HAVE TO GO’ Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., is also being considered for the Cabinet. Hagerty served as ambassador to Japan under Trump and has pushed back on the foreign policies of the Biden-Harris administration. Former Trump national security adviser Robert O’Brien is also in contention for the role, Fox News Digital was told. Since leaving the Trump administration, he cofounded the international policy advisory firm American Global Strategies. Fox News Digital was told that Richard Grenell is also eyeing the position. Grenell is the former ambassador to Germany and former acting director of national intelligence under Trump. He’s also a potential pick for national security adviser. Combat-decorated Green Beret Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., could be tapped to lead America’s defense agency. Waltz, who was CEO of defense contractor Metis Solutions and Pentagon defense policy director under Defense Secretaries Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates, serves on the House China Task Force coordinating policy on China and working to reduce American reliance on Chinese minerals. Walz serves as the chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and as a member of the Oversight and Accountability Committee and Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo could return to run the defense agency after serving during Trump’s first term. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., was being floated for the role but took his name out of consideration for a Cabinet position, a source close to the Republican senator told Fox News. Chad Wolf served as the acting secretary of Homeland Security under Trump during his first term. Wolf currently works as America First Policy Institute’s (AFPI) executive director, chief strategy officer, and chair of the Center for Homeland Security & Immigration. Tom Homan, former acting director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under Trump, is also a contender. Homan is a former police officer and visiting fellow at the Border Security and Immigration Center at the Heritage Foundation. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, an attorney who previously specialized in Supreme Court litigation, served as law clerk to Judge Dee Benson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, and then with future Supreme Court Justice Judge Samuel A. Alito, Jr. on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Lee has supported Trump throughout his 2024 campaign, slamming the “Democratic Party establishment” for the criminal cases against the president-elect in an interview with Fox. While on the campaign trail, Trump said he would consider Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for the AG position. Paxton has been a staunch supporter of Trump throughout his challenges to the 2020 election and legal battles. The day before the election, Paxton filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit supporting claims that special prosecutor Jack Smith was illegally appointed by the DOJ. Matt Whitiker served as the acting attorney general for a year during Trump’s first term. Prior to taking on the role, Whitiker served as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Iowa and then as chief of staff to Attorney General Jeff Sessions. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who was a leading contender to be Trump’s vice president, is reportedly being considered to head the Department of Energy. Burgum leads one of the top energy producing states in the country and has championed “innovation over regulation” on energy policy, saying that the U.S. needs to bolster oil production and not rely on foreign oil. In his speech at the Republican National Convention, Burgum focused heavily on American energy dominance. Former Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette could return to his post in the energy department he led for two years during Trump’s first term. Brouillette recently stepped down as president and CEO of the Edison Electric Institute. Trump could reassign his former Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to lead the agency for another four years. Also rumored for the position is Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who has fought the Biden administration on energy over the years. Trump has said that he is going to close the Department of Education when he takes office. Former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos could come back to serve another four years in the role under Trump’s second term. While on the campaign trail, Trump suggested former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy or former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin could be chosen to lead the administration on education. Billionaire hedge fund manager Scott Bessent has worked as a top economic adviser to Trump. “I’m going to do whatever President Trump asks,” he told CNBC when asked about a potential Cabinet position. John Paulson, also a billionaire hedge fund manager, recently told the Wall Street Journal that if appointed, he would work with Elon Musk to cut spending and extend the former president’s 2017 tax cuts. Other contenders include Jay Clayton, who chaired the U.S. Securities
Biden congratulates Trump, pledges ‘peaceful and orderly’ transfer of power
President Biden addressed the nation from the Rose Garden on Thursday after his vice president, Kamala Harris, conceded the 2024 presidential election to President-elect Trump. In brief remarks, Biden announced he spoke with Trump on Wednesday to congratulate him on his victory and assure him that the entire Biden administration will work with his team “to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition.” “That’s what the American people deserve,” Biden said. He also praised Harris for running “an inspiring campaign,” and said she has “great character” and “backbone like a ramrod.” HARRIS FORMALLY CONCEDES ONE DAY AFTER TRUMP’S SWEEPING VICTORY Trump will make a triumphant return to the White House in January after more than 72 million Americans voted for him, securing at least 295 Electoral College votes and a majority of the national popular vote. Harris claimed 226 Electoral College votes and won at least 68 million votes. Ballots are still being counted in several states. The results were the culmination of a tumultuous campaign, which saw the incumbent Biden win the Democratic primary only for him to withdraw from the race, at the urging of his party, after a disastrous debate performance against Trump in June. Harris was then nominated by Democrats to bear their standard without contest and without earning a single primary vote. During the campaign, both Harris and Biden called Trump a “fascist” and argued that his re-election to the presidency would threaten democracy and prove dangerous to the American people. But after Trump’s decisive win, Biden changed his tune to emphasize unity. On Thursday, the president spoke about political campaigns as a “contest of competing visions.” HOW TRUMP WON: THE DETAILS FROM THE FOX NEWS VOTER ANALYSIS “A country chooses one or the other. We accept the choice the country made. I’ve said many times, you can’t love your country only when you win. You can’t love your neighbor only when you agree. Something I hope we can do, no matter who you voted for, you see each other not as adversaries, but as fellow Americans.” He also said he hopes the 2024 election will “lay to rest the question about the integrity of the American electoral system.” “It is honest, it is fair, and it is transparent, and it can be trusted. Win or lose.” BIDEN SAYS SELECTING HARRIS AS RUNNING MATE WAS ‘BEST DECISION I MADE’ AFTER VP’S CONCESSION SPEECH The televised address comes after Harris conceded to Trump on Wednesday. The vice president made her first public comments about the race at Howard University, her lama mater, where she said that “while I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign.” In a staff memo earlier, her campaign manager and Biden ally Jen O’Malley Dillon called the defeat “unfathomably painful.” “This will take a long time to process. But the work of protecting America from the impacts of a Trump Presidency starts now,” she vowed. Biden, in his speech, said “setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable.” “We all get knocked down. But the measure of our character, as my dad would say, is how quickly we get back up. Remember, a defeat does not mean we are defeated. We lost this battle. The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up.”
After S Jaishankar’s conference, India slams Canada for action against Australian news channel
India accuses Canada of hypocrisy on free speech after Canada blocks an Australian outlet that aired S. Jaishankar’s interview amid rising tensions and accusations over diplomatic issues.
Chuck Schumer preps for return to Senate minority after GOP victory
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., broke his silence on Wednesday night following poor election results for Democrats across the board, including a presidential loss and the Republicans retaking the Senate majority. “As I’ve said time and again, in both the majority and the minority, the only way to get things done in the Senate is through bipartisan legislation while maintaining our principles — and the next two years will be no different,” he said in a statement. Despite Vice President Kamala Harris’ decisive loss to President-Elect Donald Trump, the New York Democrat praised her for her “historic candidacy” that “inspired millions.” ELECTION NIGHT WINNERS AND LOSERS: 2024 EDITION “Her advocacy on many issues — from lower costs, more affordable housing, and a fairer tax system — will continue to have strong impacts on America and on our party,” he said. Schumer noted that there were several outstanding Senate races across the country, such as those in Pennsylvania, Nevada and Arizona. “As we await the final tallies in elections across the country, Senate Democrats remain committed to our values and to working with our Republican colleagues to deliver for the American people,” he added. MITCH MCCONNELL SINGS TRUMP CAMPAIGN PRAISES: ‘SHARPER OPERATION THIS TIME’ As voters trended toward Republicans across the country on Tuesday night, the GOP was quickly projected to take back control of the Senate. The conference picked up seats in West Virginia, Montana and Ohio and didn’t lose any incumbents. FOX NEWS DECISION DESK PROJECTS GOP TAKES BACK SENATE MAJORITY IN DEVASTATING BLOW TO DEMS Democrats did manage to re-elect Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., despite Trump winning the blue-wall state of Wisconsin. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., also won the open Senate seat in Trump-won Michigan, which is being vacated by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. However, both of the races were much closer than predicted by polling, with Democrats pulling off victories by very close margins. FOX NEWS PROJECTS TRUMP BEATS HARRIS IN WISCONSIN, FLIPPING ‘BLUE WALL’ STATE BACK TO RED While Republicans will have at least a 52-member majority, they won’t have the necessary 60 votes to overcome the legislative filibuster, which could make executing Republican and Trump administration priorities difficult without Democrat support. Moderate Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, could present additional obstacles on certain issues. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
Rep. Thomas Massie ‘willing to help’ Trump, but hasn’t received ‘commitments or offers’ from the Trump team
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky — who has previously suggested that he could help the nation by serving as secretary of agriculture — said in a post on X that while he would be willing to assist President-elect Donald Trump with his agenda, he has not received a commitment or offer from the Trump team. “President Trump’s resounding victory secured a mandate for big ideas like reversing chronic disease, conserving our land, and empowering American farmers. His campaign unified many neglected constituencies, from the Amish who just want to be left alone to grow healthy food, to parents who want more access to nutritious food for their families,” Massie said in a post on X. “I stand ready and willing to help the President with any part of his bold agenda to focus on the health and well-being of Americans, but I have received no commitments or offers from President Trump’s team, and any discussion of the transition are premature,” he added. GOP REP. THOMAS MASSIE, ONCE TARGETED BY TRUMP, GIVES FORMER PRESIDENT ‘FULL ENDORSEMENT’ Massie has previously indicated that he would be interested in serving as secretary of agriculture. “I think I could do some good for this country as Secretary of Agriculture, for any president,” he tweeted in July. Massie issued a statement on Friday, Oct. 25, in which he endorsed Trump for president. On Sunday, Oct. 27, Massie told Fox News Digital in a statement that he had spoken with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Trump. Trump has said that he will let Kennedy “go wild” on health, food and medicine. “President Trump has asked me to do three things,” Kennedy noted in a post on X, explaining that those items include tackling “corruption in our government health agencies,” restoring them to “evidence-based science,” and “ending the chronic disease epidemic.” TRUMP PUSH TO DISMANTLE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT MET WITH ENTHUSIASM IN HOUSE GOP Massie, who describes himself on X as an engineer, farmer, and inventor, has called for reforming the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “End corruption in government. Reform FDA, USDA, and CDC, so people have real choices and honest information, uncorrupted by corporate influence,” he tweeted in September. The congressman, who has served in the House for more than a decade, secured another term during the 2024 election. KENTUCKY REP. THOMAS MASSIE SHARES UPDATE AFTER WIFE’S PASSING: ‘STILL DEVASTATED’ Last year, he endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president, before DeSantis launched his bid for the GOP presidential nomination. DeSantis dropped out and endorsed Trump in January 2024. Fox News Digital reached out to Rep. Massie for comment on Thursday but did not receive a response.