Fox News host Pete Hegseth to serve as defense secretary under Trump
Fox News host Pete Hegseth has been selected by President-elect Trump to serve as his secretary of defense. “I am honored to announce that I have nominated Pete Hegseth to serve in my Cabinet as The Secretary of Defense. Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country. Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First,” Trump said in a statement.
Voters across the country decide on state ballot measures
While many states voted on abortion measures and immigration initiatives, several blue states passed tougher crime measures. “You’re allowed to rob a store as long as it’s not more than $950. Has everyone ever heard of that?,” President-elect Donald Trump said at a press conference in Bedminster, New Jersey, in August. “You can rob a store, and you have these thieves going into stores with calculators, calculating how much it is.” While convicted shoplifters have faced charges, California voters thought the penalties were not enough. Proposition 36 now makes shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders. CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN CONCEDES COMPETITIVE RACE TO DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER According to California crime data, shoplifting had been on the rise. Incidents jumped 27.5% between 2018 and 2023. Proposition 36 also tackles another issue in California – drug addiction. The measure increases penalties for some drug charges, including fentanyl. During the same time period, fentanyl overdose deaths were also up by more than 770%. “Prop 36 is a balanced approach to reducing crime to keep our communities safe while holding repeat retail thieves and those trafficking drugs to minors more accountable,” said Elizabeth Graham, CEO of the California Fuels & Convenience Alliance. The changes in the new measure stem from an initiative passed in 2014, which downgraded some drug offenses and thefts under $950 from felonies to misdemeanors. “I know we’re all here to say no to Prop 36, but some of us are here to say hell no to Prop 36,” said a speaker at a rally in opposition of Proposition 36. While the initiative passed with overwhelming support, those against the measure say it will disproportionately imprison poor people and those with substance abuse issues. “This is not the time to return to our ridiculous failed policy of incarceration,” said another speaker against the initiative. Colorado voters also voted in favor of several crime initiatives. In the aftermath of the pandemic crime rose across the country, including in Colorado. The most recent data shows violent crime is up 23.8% from 2019. “I am going to make Colorado safe again. We’re going to make you safe. We’re going to do it fast,” President-elect Trump said at a rally in Aurora, focusing on suspected Tren de Aragua crime in the area. Voters approved an initiative that removed the right to bail in cases of first-degree murder, when the proof is evident, or the presumption is great. Another measure requires criminals convicted of violent crimes, to serve more of their sentences, before being eligible for parole. BLUE STATE GOVERNOR SUMMONS LEGISLATURE IN RESPONSE TO TRUMP WIN: ‘READY TO FIGHT’ Voters also approved a fund for police officer recruitment, retention and training and a separate fund to help victims of crime. “Places like Denver have given away, have diverted $9 million out of law enforcement. Why? Because we need to take care of the euphemistically named newcomers. We have a spending problem. We have a prioritization problem. Crime is going up because of your policies,” Colorado state Rep. Ken DeGraaf said during a hearing on a property tax bill in August. Colorado voters also denied an effort to end hunting of wild cats like Mountain Lions, Bobcats and Lynx. Most states allow for Bobcat and Mountain Lion hunting, but Lynx are already federally protected. California has passed a state ban on sport hunting Mountain Lions. Florida’s panthers are classified as endangered under federal law. Florida voters also approved protections for hunters and fishermen. The measure adds language to the state constitution that provides a right to hunt and fish. Proponents say the change guards against efforts to take away those rights. Opponents say the addition is legal overkill. In Maine, voters decided against changing their state flag. The first official flag, used between 1901 and 1909, gained popularity in recent years. It shows a pine tree and star. But voters decided to keep the blue state seal as its official flag. There were also several unusual local laws passed. Voters in Miami-Dade county decided to expand public Wi-Fi access. Malheur County, Oregon voted against repealing a mandate that would have ended some discussions over shifting the Idaho-Oregon border. Voters in Illinois also voted on state boundaries. Seven counties voted in favor of exploring whether to secede from the state over differences with Cook County which holds Chicago.
Jill Biden’s apparent cold shoulder for Kamala Harris ignites social media
Social media erupted following what many characterized as first lady Jill Biden’s icy reception for Vice President Kamala Harris as the now-former Democratic presidential nominee took an adjacent seat at Arlington Cemetery on Tuesday. Harris and second gentleman Douglas Emhoff approached their row of seats from the first lady’s right as the vice president greeted and shook hands with those around her — except Biden. “It’s safe to say that Jill Biden hates Kamala Harris’ guts,” conservative commentator Steve Cortes said while sharing a video snippet of the non-interaction. As Harris took her seat, Biden appeared to look straight ahead through dark sunglasses. BIDEN ADMIN HIT WITH FOIA SUIT SEEKING 25TH AMENDMENT-RELATED COMMS “Jill Biden refused to even look at Kamala,” claimed the popular X account ‘End Wokeness’. Journalist Andy Ngo shared a closer-up shot of the second family and first lady, describing Biden as “stone face[d]” and commenting that Harris supporters have been, in part, blaming President Biden for their candidate’s loss last Tuesday. The interaction, or lack thereof, also received international media attention as Italian TV journalist Leonardo Panetta wrote on X in Italian that Harris was “ignored” by Biden after her defeat. “Jill Biden… did not get up to greet her and then remained seated next to the vice president wearing sunglasses without deigning to look at her,” Panetta said. “Good climate in America.” “They’re not taking the loss well,” remarked right-wing commentator Benny Arthur Johnson. “Watch Jill Biden evidently give Kamala the cold shoulder as she arrives at Arlington National Cemetery. Kamala shook everyone’s hand before swiftly racing past Jill as the cameras were rolling.” JILL BIDEN TELLS AZ COMMENCEMENT CROWD COMMUNITY COLLEGE SHOULD BE FREE IN AMERICA Fellow commentator Dave Rubin added in a separate post that he hasn’t “seen two chicks that hated each other that much since Dorothy stole all the men at the Rusty Anchor from Blanche in season 7 of ‘The Golden Girls’.” “Whoever seated them together hates them both,” one user replied to Rubin. Conservative author David Harris Jr. suggested there appears to be a “rift” within the party following Harris’ blowout loss to President-elect Donald Trump. The first and second families were at the Virginia cemetery to watch the president lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in remembrance of Veterans Day. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The first lady reportedly did greet Emhoff “enthusiastically,” according to a recounting by the Daily Mail, but she appeared more stoic when Harris arrived. During the campaign, the first lady did campaign for Harris and spoke of how they bonded over the loss of close family members to cancer and other connections. On Wednesday, the first lady will travel to her home region of Philadelphia to deliver remarks at a gala for the Philadelphia250 organization that is preparing to celebrate America’s semiquincentennial next year. Fox News Digital reached out to a representative for the first lady, the White House and Harris’ office for comment.
Trump picks former intel director John Ratcliffe to head the CIA
John Ratcliffe, who served as President-elect Trump’s principal intelligence advisor during his first presidential term, will serve as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency when Trump moves back into the White House. Ratcliffe is one of several appointees announced in the past week who will fill key positions during Trump’s second term. “From exposing fake Russian collusion to be a Clinton campaign operation, to catching the FBI’s abuse of Civil Liberties at the FISA Court, John Ratcliffe has always been a warrior for Truth and Honesty with the American Public,” Trump said in a statement. “When 51 intelligence officials were lying about Hunter Biden’s laptop, there was one, John Ratcliffe, telling the truth to the American People.” Trump honored Ratcliffe in 2020 with the National Security Medal, the highest honor for distinguished achievement in the field of intelligence and national security. Ratcliffe previously served under Trump as Director of National Intelligence (DNI). “In that role, Ratcliffe served as the leader of the U.S. intelligence community and principal intelligence advisor to President Trump. Before that role, Ratcliffe served in Congress for over five years as the U.S. representative for the 4th Congressional District of Texas.
William McGinley tapped as Trump’s White House Counsel
William McGinley is returning to the Trump White House to serve as his White House Counsel, President-elect Trump announced. “I am pleased to announce that William Joseph McGinley will serve as my White House Counsel,” the appointment announcement noted. “Bill is a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda while fighting or election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement.” TRUMP’S PICKS SO FAR: HERE’S WHO WILL BE ADVISING THE NEW PRESIDENT The White House Counsel typically plays a key behind-the-scenes role in vetting Supreme Court candidates and nominees. Having already picked three Supreme Court justices in his first term, Trump will have appointed a majority of the court if he lands two more in his second term. McGinley served in the first administration for Trump as the White House Cabinet secretary as well as serving as General Counsel at the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Prior to his political appointments, he was a partner at two international law firms. Fox News’ William Mears Jr. contributed to this report.
ICE nabs another illegal immigrant in Mass. charged with child sex crime, as gov snubs Trump deportations
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested another illegal immigrant charged with child sex offenses in Boston, just as the Massachusetts governor has said she won’t assist in a mass deportation operation by the incoming Trump administration. ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston announced this month that they had apprehended a Colombian illegal immigrant on Oct. 29. He had been arrested by the Boston Police Department on charges of enticing a child under 16, distribution of obscene matter, and lascivious posing and exhibiting a child in the nude. ICE had lodged a detainer — a request that an illegal immigrant be detained until ICE can take them into custody — but the detainer was not honored by local authorities and he was released from custody. The man, Mateo Hincapie Cardona, had been encountered in April by Border Patrol in Arizona and released on his own recognizance. DEM GOVERNOR THREATENS TO USE ‘EVERY TOOL’ TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST TRUMP-ERA DEPORTATIONS “This individual is charged with committing heinous crimes against a child, which show him to be a distinct threat to our Massachusetts community,” said ERO Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia Hyde. It’s one of a number of incidents whereby ICE’s Boston unit have had to go after illegal immigrants released from local custody in the city and surrounding areas. “Sanctuary” jurisdictions typically do not honor ICE detainers, arguing that doing so encourages illegal immigrants to come forward and work with police if they are victims or witnesses to crimes. Massachusets is not a sanctuary state as it does not have a sanctuary law on the books, but a number of its cities — including Boston — are sanctuary cities. In September, ICE announced it had arrested an illegal Salvadoran immigrant who was charged with several sex crimes against a child. He was one of a number of “egregious” illegal immigrant sex offenders caught in an operation in Nantucket. The same month, ICE announced the arrest of a “gotaway” migrant in Lynn, Massachusetts. He had been charged with rape, indecent assault and battery of a person over 18, but had been released on bail without notifying immigration officials. WEALTHY, LIBERAL NANTUCKET, MARTHA’S VINEYARD SEES 6 ICE ARRESTS IN ONE MONTH In August, ICE arrested a Brazilian illegal immigrant in Wakefield, Massachusetts, who was charged with assault to rape, indecent assault and battery, and domestic assault and battery in Massachusetts. A law enforcement source confirmed to Fox News that despite having an active arrest warrant for domestic violence, the local bail commissioner allowed him to be released back on bond. In March, Fox News embedded with ICE officers in Boston and saw them make five arrests, including four alleged child rapists and a member of MS-13, a group of potential dangerous criminals the officers say were allowed on the streets because of local sanctuary policies that denied the agency’s detainer requests. While ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd Lyons praised the work of local officers to remove the potential threats to the community from the streets, he admitted the sanctuary policies in Boston are “frustrating” and make it more difficult for the agency to do its job. But those sanctuary policies are likely to come more into focus with the looming Trump administration. ‘LIBERATION DAY’: WHAT TO EXPECT FROM PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP ON BORDER SECURITY, IMMIGRATION President-elect Trump has promised to carry out a mass deportation operation, and this week tapped former acting ICE Director Tom Homan as the “border czar.” Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey has said state police would “absolutely not” assist agents in their deportation operations, and hinted at potential action to push back against the administration. “Some realities need to be noted, and that is in 2016, we had a different situation in the courts, and I am sure there may be litigation ahead. There is a lot of other ways people are going to act and need to act for the sake of their states and residents,” Healey said. “There’s regulatory authority and executive powers and the like. There’s legislation also within our state. “So I think the key here is that, you know, every tool in the tool box has got to be used to protect our citizens, to protect our residents and protect our states and to hold the line on democracy and the rule of law as a basic principle.” A source at ICE Boston was unimpressed by Healey’s comments. “Governor Healey’s sanctuary policies protect the criminals and endanger law enforcement officers everyday,” they said. “Her policies do not protect the citizens of the communities to which she took an oath.”
Trump announces pick of real estate tycoon Steven Witkoff for Middle East envoy
President-elect Trump has appointed a longtime ally, New York businessman Steven Witkoff, as his Special Envoy to the Middle East. Witkoff is a real estate investor, landlord, and the founder of the Witkoff Group, which he started in 1977. TRUMP’S PICKS SO FAR: HERE’S WHO WILL BE ADVISING THE NEW PRESIDENT In his announcement, Trump said that Witkoff would be an “unrelenting Voice for PEACE” in the highly-contentious region. “Steve is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy, who has made every project and community he has been involved with stronger and more prosperous,” the announcement on Tuesday evening said. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud.”
Fired FEMA employee says instructions to skip Trump homes were part of ‘colossal avoidance’ policy
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) supervisor fired for instructing subordinates to skip over houses with Trump signs and banners now says her actions were consistent with agency guidance and were not isolated to her team alone. The supervisor, Marn’i Washington, was fired by FEMA after outrage erupted that she had instructed disaster relief workers canvassing in Lake Placid, Florida, after Hurricane Milton to “avoid homes advertising Trump.” The Daily Wire first reported that government employees told the outlet at least 20 homes with Trump signs or flags were bypassed from the end of October into November due to “best practices” guidance from Washington. The houses were skipped over by the workers, who wrote messages such as “Trump sign no entry per leadership” in a government system, per the outlet. On Saturday, FEMA’s administrator on employee misconduct, Deanne Criswell, confirmed to Fox News Digital that Washington had been fired and called her actions “reprehensible” and a clear violation of FEMA’s core values and principles to help people regardless of political affiliation. FEMA OFFICIAL SAID TO AVOID HOMES WITH TRUMP SIGNS: ‘TO SAY I WAS SURPRISED WOULD BE A LIE’ A FEMA spokesperson told Fox News Friday the agency was “deeply disturbed” by Washington’s actions but insisted it was an “isolated incident.” The spokesperson said “the employee who issued this guidance had no authority and was given no direction to tell teams to avoid these homes, and we are reaching out to the people who may have not been reached as a result of this incident.” Speaking on an episode of the “Roland Martin Unfiltered” podcast Monday, Washington said her instructions complied with FEMA protocol to avoid homes determined to be hostile or dangerous to workers. “They all allege that these actions were made in my own recognizance and that it was for my own political advances. However, if you look at the record, there is what we call a ‘community trend,’ and, unfortunately, it just so happened that the political hostility that was encountered by my team … they just so happened to have the Trump campaign signage,” said Washington. Washington claimed that her instructions were given after team members had been verbally and physically threatened by hurricane victims with signs in support of the former president. She said her instructions followed FEMA’s “avoidance” and de-escalation policy. ‘INSANE’: ‘FOX & FRIENDS WEEKEND’ CO-HOSTS REACT TO REPORT OF FEMA OFFICIAL’S POLITICAL BIAS In contrast to FEMA’s assertion the incident was isolated, Washington said there were similar “avoidance” protocols in place not only in Florida but also in North Carolina. “Senior leadership will lie to you and tell you that they do not know, but if you ask the DSA [disaster survivor assistance] crew leads and specialists what they are experiencing in the field, they will tell you,” she said. “FEMA always preaches avoidance first and then de-escalation, so this is not isolated. This is a colossal event of avoidance not just in the state of Florida, but you will find avoidance in the Carolinas.” Last week, Republican Rep. James Comer, chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, called for a hearing on the incident to be held Nov. 19. Washington said she would welcome an investigation by Republicans in Congress. “Please do [investigate]. They will find this is not isolated. I state this over and over again. This is colossal,” she said. “Demand for FEMA to give you those incident reports. They will substantiate what we are experiencing in the field.” FEMA responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment by forwarding a Nov. 9 statement by Criswell condemning Washington’s actions. “One FEMA employee departed from these values to advise her survivor assistance team to not go to homes with yard signs supporting President-elect Trump,” Criswell said in the statement. “I want to be clear to all of my employees and the American people, this type of behavior and action will not be tolerated at FEMA, and we will hold people accountable if they violate these standards of conduct.”
Senator-elect Jim Justice’s team clarifies report claiming famous pooch Babydog banned from Senate floor
Senator-elect Jim Justice’s team is clearing the air after it was reported earlier Tuesday that his famous pooch Babydog was banned from the Senate floor. “Even though I wasn’t in D.C. today, I got the most headlines,” said Babydog and her team in an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital. “However, I hope that we really focus on bringing the things to this nation to fix our problems.” Axios reported that Babydog Justice, the unofficial mascot of Justice’s campaign for Senate, was banned from the Senate floor. However, the Senator-elect has corrected the record. In their reporting, Axios claimed that Justice asked if he could bring his pup on the Senate floor. BABYDOG GOES TO WASHINGTON: WEST VIRGINIA’S JUSTICE FLIPS SENATE SEAT RED Justice’s office clarified in an email that “the Senator-Elect has never had any intention of asking about or attempting to bring Baby Dog to the floor of the Senate.” The confusion began over a well-meaning joke overheard during Tuesday’s Senate orientation between Senators-elect touring the Capitol grounds. One unidentified Senator-elect asked if children were allowed on the Senate floor. It was clarified that babies up to one year are allowed, in accordance with rules in the House of Representatives. According to Justice’s office, Senator-elect Moreno of Ohio then asked in jest if dogs were allowed to visit the Senate floor. Dogs are regularly allowed on Capitol premises, including elected officials’ offices, but not on the Senate floor. ALL ABOUT BABYDOG: THE GOVERNOR’S PET THAT STOLE THE SHOW AT THE RNC At no point during this interaction did Senator-elect Justice request to bring the popular pooch Babydog alongside him to the Senate floor, Justice’s office clarified. The celebrity hound first made waves on a national scale over the summer at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee where she joined her dad, then-Governor Jim Justice, in a dog-sized chair on stage. “I know that a lot of you want to meet my little buddy,” said Justice. “So if Babydog could come on out here.” She has been a fixture in West Virginia politics since she was given to Justice by his children for Christmas in 2019. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “Babydog will be with me frequently in Washington, and we welcome everyone to come by my office and say hello and meet Babydog when she is there,” said Senator-elect Justice in a release. “Just like she has loved and made so many people smile in West Virginia, she will do that in Washington too.”
Senator-elect Jim Justice’s famous pooch, Babydog, reportedly banned from Senate floor
It’s been a ruff day for Senator-elect Jim Justice of West Virginia and his famous pooch, Babydog. Babydog Justice, the unofficial mascot of Justice’s campaign for Senate, has reportedly been banned from the voting floor, according to reporting from Axios. Axios reports that dogs are not allowed on the Senate floor unless they are verifiable service animals, and even then require additional screening for potential allergies. Justice was reportedly informed of the decision during Tuesday’s orientation for Senators-elect at the Capitol Rotunda. Dogs are regularly allowed on Capitol premises, including elected officials’ offices. This ban appears to only apply to the Senate floor, where the legislative body votes. BABYDOG GOES TO WASHINGTON: WEST VIRGINIA’S JUSTICE FLIPS SENATE SEAT RED The celebrity hound first made waves on a national scale over the summer at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee where she joined her dad, then-Governor Jim Justice, in a dog-sized chair on stage. ALL ABOUT BABYDOG: THE GOVERNOR’S PET THAT STOLE THE SHOW AT THE RNC “I know that a lot of you want to meet my little buddy,” said Justice. “So if Babydog could come on out here.” She has been a fixture in West Virginia politics since she was given to Justice by his children for Christmas in 2019. “Since then, she has become a favorite among West Virginians across the state. Babydog travels with the Governor to nearly every stop and is the only one who rivals his popularity. She has truly become a mainstay in West Virginia politics,” a spokesperson for Justice said to Fox News Digital. It is unclear if any resolutions may pass to make an exception for Babydog Justice or other Senate pooches to make appearances on the floor. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Representatives for Senator-elect Jim Justice did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.