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Trump suggests Canada become 51st state after Trudeau said tariff would kill economy: sources

President-elect Trump suggested to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week that if a tariff for failing to address trade and immigration issues would kill the neighbor to the north’s economy, maybe it should become the 51st state, sources told Fox News. Last Friday, Trudeau flew to Mar-a-Lago unannounced after Trump threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products. Specifically, Trump is threatening to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico over their failures to curb the flow of illegal immigrants and illicit drugs from those countries into the U.S. Now, new details are beginning to emerge about the meeting between the two men, which Trump called “very productive.” Before nibbling on crab cocktail and slurping down oysters, the issues of tariffs, border security and trade deficits were front and center. TRUMP BOASTS OF ‘VERY PRODUCTIVE MEETING’ WITH CANADIAN PM TRUDEAU AT MAR-A-LAGO According to two people at the table who heard the discussion, Trump, while cordial and welcoming, was very direct when it came to what he wants from his counterpart to the North. Paraphrasing the discussion, Trump told Trudeau that Canada has failed the U.S. border by allowing large amounts of drugs and people across the border, including illegal immigrants from over 70 different countries. Sources say Trump became more animated when it came to the U.S. trade deficit with Canada, which he estimated to be more than $100 billion. MUSK, STALLONE AMONG STAR-STUDDED NAMES PARTYING AT TRUMP’S MAR-A-LAGO CLUB FOR THANKSGIVING The president-elect told the prime minister if Canada cannot fix the border issues and trade deficit, he will levy a 25% tariff on all Canadian goods on day one when he returns to office. Trudeau told Trump he cannot levy the tariff because it would kill the Canadian economy completely. Trump replied – asking, so your country can’t survive unless it’s ripping off the U.S. to the tune of $100 billion?  Trump then suggested to Trudeau that Canada become the 51st state, which caused the prime minister and others to laugh nervously, sources told Fox News. MEXICAN PRESIDENT MIGHT BE CHANGING VIEW ON US AS TRUMP WIN SENDS WARNING TO RULING SOCIALISTS  But he continued, telling Trudeau that prime minister is a better title, though he could still be governor of the 51st state. Sources told Fox News someone at the table chimed in and advised Trump that Canada would be a very liberal state, which received even more laughter. Trump suggested that Canada could possibly become two states: a conservative and a liberal one. He told Trudeau that if he cannot handle his list of demands without ripping the U.S. off in trade, maybe Canada should really become a state or two and Trudeau could become a governor. While sources say the exchange got many laughs, Trump delivered the message that he expected change by January 20. The nearly three-hour conversation continued about various other topics, and at the end, the Canadian guests called the dinner “very friendly and very positive,” though no reference was made about becoming the 51st state. Fox News Digital has reached out to both the Trump camp and Trudeau’s team about the statements, though neither immediately responded.

French government faces no-confidence vote amid budget dispute

The government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier is likely to collapse with parties from the right and left rallying against it. The government of French Prime Minister Michel Barnier is facing collapse after right- and left-wing parties have promised to put forward a no-confidence vote against it amid a budget dispute. France’s far-right leader Marine Le Pen said on Monday that her party, the National Rally (RN), tabled a no-confidence motion against Barnier after he moved to force through budget measures without parliamentary approval. Left-wing politicians have also said they will introduce a similar motion. The left-wing coalition and RN have enough votes to topple the prime minister. Early on Monday, Barnier said he would scrap electricity price hikes and reduce healthcare coverage for undocumented migrants, caving in to demands from the far right. The budget vote had been scheduled in the lower house of France’s Parliament, the National Assembly, later in the day. The prime minister’s minority government, backed by a fragile coalition of conservative and centrist lawmakers, did not have the votes needed to pass its legislation outright without the RN’s support. Advertisement His concession was a last-ditch effort to keep the government’s financial plan on track and remain in office. But Le Pen said her party’s “demands on the budget were not met” and accused Barnier of failing to listen to political groups opposed to the bill. Barnier then activated a provision of the French Constitution – Article 49.3 – to push his budget through the National Assembly without a vote. He defended his decision and called on French lawmakers not to plunge the country into crisis. “We have arrived at a moment of truth. …  [We must] decide if our country gets a responsible, indispensable budget or if we step into uncharted territory,” he said. A vote of no confidence is now expected as early as Wednesday. If Barnier’s government is voted out, it would be the first time French lawmakers have taken such a step since 1958. It would also make him the shortest-serving prime minister during that period. Barnier was hand-picked by President Emmanuel Macron in September to try to forge a consensus in France’s fractured political landscape. His appointment was an attempt to end two months of limbo after snap legislative elections delivered a hung parliament. New Popular Front, a coalition of left-wing parties, emerged as the largest party in the parliament after the elections. The left had partnered with Macron to prevent Le Pen’s RN from winning, but it was incensed at the appointment of Barnier, a right-wing politician. Macron, whose term runs until the spring of 2027, will remain as president even if Barnier and his cabinet fall. But Macron, whose powers were weakened after July’s snap general elections, will need to appoint a new prime minister. Advertisement Macron could ask political parties to seek a new coalition government or appoint a technocratic government until new legislative elections can be held this summer. No general election can take place within 12 months of the previous vote. In recent weeks, brinkmanship over budget measures has roiled French markets, briefly pushing Paris’s borrowing costs above Greece’s and denting France’s stock market. Last week, Barnier warned of a “storm” in financial markets if he is dismissed from power. Adblock test (Why?)

Israeli attacks kill two people in Lebanon; Hezbollah responds

Israel has killed two people, including a State Security officer, in separate attacks in Lebanon as it continues its assaults on the country since the ceasefire with Hezbollah came into effect last week. For its part, the Lebanese group said on Monday that it carried out a “preliminary defensive response” to the “repeated violations” of the ceasefire by attacking an Israeli military base in the hills of Kfar Chouba, a disputed area that Lebanon claims as its own. Hezbollah said Israeli breaches of the truce that went into effect on Wednesday include deadly air raids across Lebanon, shooting at civilians in the south, and flying drones and jets in Lebanese airspace, including over the capital, Beirut. The group said it launched its “warning” attack because “appeals by the relevant authorities to stop these violations did not succeed”. The renewed violence highlights the fragility of the ceasefire, which ended a devastating war that killed nearly 4,000 people in Lebanon and saw Hezbollah fire rockets daily at Israel. Advertisement Earlier on Monday, Lebanon’s State Security agency said an Israeli rocket killed officer Mahdi Khreis in the southern district of Nabatieh, calling the incident a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire and a dangerous escalation. Israeli bombardment in neighbouring Marjayoun killed another person, Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health said. A drone attack in the northeast of the country also injured a Lebanese soldier. Although the ceasefire calls on all parties to hold their fire, Israel has been launching near-daily attacks against Lebanon. Lebanese media have also reported that the Israeli military is using the truce to advance into new neighbourhoods in towns that it had entered during the war. Reporting from Beirut, Al Jazeera’s Ali Hashem said life in Lebanon “started resuming” after the ceasefire was reached with hundreds of thousands of displaced people returning to their homes. “Now, it seems with Israel’s insistence on violating the ceasefire, Hezbollah found it necessary to say … that these violations must stop or things might get out of control,” Hashem said. After months of low-level hostilities, Israel launched an all-out war on Lebanon on September 23 with the stated aim of defeating Hezbollah. The Lebanese group had been targeting Israeli military bases in northern Israel for months in an effort that it said was aimed at pressuring Israel to end its war on Gaza. Israel assassinated top Hezbollah military and political leaders early in the war, including the group’s chief Hassan Nasrallah. Advertisement It also levelled thousands of buildings and homes across Lebanon with its focus on southern and eastern Lebanon and the Beirut suburbs of Dahiyeh – areas where Hezbollah is popular. Still, Hezbollah continued to fire rockets at northern and central Israel. The group also said it inflicted heavy losses on invading Israeli troops that crossed into the country. The truce, which was brokered by the United States and France, stipulates that the Israeli military must withdraw from Lebanon within 60 days and Hezbollah must move away from the border with Israel until it is north of the Litani River. During those two months, the Lebanese army is to deploy to southern Lebanon to be the only armed force there. Although Israel said its recent attacks are to “enforce” the truce, the agreement prohibits attacks by all sides. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally who was Lebanon’s chief negotiator in the ceasefire talks, stressed on Monday that Israel has violated the truce more than 54 times, including by carrying out air raids and demolishing homes near the border. “All these activities represent flagrant violations of the ceasefire agreement,” he said in a statement. On Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz suggested the country is ready for further escalation, promising a “harsh response” to the Hezbollah attack. “We promised to act against any violation of the ceasefire by Hezbollah – and that is exactly what we will do,” he said in a social media post. Advertisement But the US voiced confidence in the truce agreement on Monday. “Broadly speaking, it has been successful in stopping the fighting and getting us on a path where we are not seeing the daily loss of life that we had seen for two months prior,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters. He said the US administration will work through a monitoring mechanism established by the agreement to address potential violations to the ceasefire. Adblock test (Why?)

Hamas says 33 captives killed in Gaza as Palestinian factions hold talks

Hamas’s announcement comes as the group and Fatah discuss the Palestinian Authority’s management of post-war Gaza. Hamas says 33 captives held by the group in Gaza have been killed since the start of Israel’s nearly 14-month-old war in the besieged enclave. The group issued a video statement on Monday saying the captives were killed “because of the stubbornness of the war criminal” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and “his ongoing aggression”. Hamas made the announcement as key mediators, including Egypt, Qatar and the United States, launch another effort to reach a ceasefire that would see the release of Israeli captives. The push comes after a recent truce in Lebanon raised hope for a diplomatic breakthrough. Hamas’s video lists and dates the incidents in which the group said captives were killed. Most of them were air strikes. However, some were rescue attempts by the Israeli military gone wrong. According to the Hamas, the first incident was an Israeli air strike that killed four captives on October 9, 2023. The latest was the killing of a captive during the Israeli military operation in northern Gaza last month. Advertisement “By continuing your mad war, you may lose your captives forever. Do what needs to be done before it’s too late,” the video concluded. Separately on Monday, the White House issued a statement grieving the death of Omer Neutra, a US citizen who was serving in the Israeli military. Neutra was killed by Hamas during its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, while serving as a tank commander for the army, according to the White House. Incoming US President Donald Trump issued his own statement on the captives later on Monday, warning in a social media post that where would be “ALL HELL TO PAY” if they are not released by January 20, the day he takes office. Meanwhile, delegations from the Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas met in Cairo to “reach a mutual understanding” on the Palestinian Authority’s management of the Gaza Strip after the end of Israel’s war, Egypt’s foreign minister said on Monday. “There are indeed two delegations from the Fatah and Hamas movements in Cairo consulting and deliberating to quickly reach a mutual understanding regarding the management of daily affairs in the Gaza Strip under the full control of the Palestinian Authority,” Badr Abdelatty told a news conference in Cairo. Netanyahu previously voiced opposition to allowing the Palestinian Authority (PA) to take over Gaza. However, the US says it wants a “reformed” PA to be in charge of the Palestinian enclave. As the talks continued, Israeli forces have pressed on with the bombardment of Gaza, attacking Jabalia in the north and Abasan al-Kabira in the south. Advertisement Northern Gaza has been particularly battered after Israel began besieging it 60 days ago. Gaza’s Government Media Office said at least 3,700 people have been killed or are missing since then. Israel’s offensive in Gaza – which United Nations experts have described as a genocide – has killed at least 44,466 Palestinians and wounded 105,358 since October 7, 2023. At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks that day, and more than 200 were taken captive. Adblock test (Why?)

Trump picks Warren Stephens to serve as US ambassador to UK

President-elect Trump picked businessman and philanthropist Warren A. Stephens to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the Court of St. James, who, in simple terms, is the country’s representative to the U.K. “Over the last 38 years, while serving as the president, chairman, and CEO of his company, Stephens Inc., Warren has built a wonderful financial services firm, while selflessly giving back to his community as a philanthropist,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “Warren has always dreamed of serving the United States full-time. I am thrilled that he will now have that opportunity as the top Diplomat, representing the U.S.A. to one of America’s most cherished and beloved Allies.” Trump then congratulated Stephens, his wife Harriet, their three children, Miles, John and Laura, and their six grandchildren. The announcement comes as Trump continues to fill several positions in his administration. TRUMP FBI PICK KASH PATEL SHOULD TAKE THESE CONCRETE STEPS TO RESTORE TRUST: FORMER SPECIAL AGENT According to the Stephens Inc. website, Trump’s pick serves as the chairman, president and CEO of the privately owned diversified financial services firm headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. Stephens is a graduate of Washington and Lee University where he received a BA in economics. He later earned an MBA from Wake Forest University. GET TO KNOW DONALD TRUMP’S CABINET: WHO HAS THE PRESIDENT-ELECT PICKED SO FAR? Under Stephens’ leadership, the company expanded into major U.S. markets and opened offices in London, U.K., and Frankfurt, Germany. Stephens has also served as chairman of the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) District Conduct Committee, and currently sits on the Board of Directors of Dillard’s Inc. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP In terms of civic and community involvement, Stephens has chaired the board for the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts; the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation Board; the Episcopal Collegiate School Foundation Board; and served on the Board of Directors for the Central Arkansas Boys and Girls Club, among other things. The Senate will have to confirm Stephens’ position.

Biden’s sweeping Hunter pardon at odds with longtime rhetoric on executive power: ‘No one is above the law’

President Joe Biden faced mounting criticism Monday for his decision to issue a sweeping pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, with detractors not only citing the breadth of the pardon itself but also the degree to which it breaks with the president’s history of extolling the virtues of the judiciary as a bulwark against executive abuses of power. In fact, Biden took aim at these very abuses during a speech in July, in which he warned of a “dangerous precedent” created by the Supreme Court’s decision that expanded the view of presidential immunity.  “This nation was founded on the principle that there are no kings in America,” Biden said in July. “No one is above the law, not even the president of the United States.” Biden’s remarks were a response to the Supreme Court’s July 1 ruling that expanded the view of presidential immunity, and which he criticized as fundamentally changing the separation of powers. “With today’s Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity, that fundamentally changed,” Biden said in July. “For all practical purposes, today’s decision almost certainly means that there are virtually no limits on what a president can do,” he added. PRESENT AND ACCOUNTED FOR: HOUSE REPUBLICANS’ SMALL MAJORITY COULD MAKE ATTENDANCE A PRIORITY  In their decision, justices writing for the 4-3 Supreme Court majority said that presidents are entitled to absolute immunity from any actions taken within the scope of “core constitutional powers” of the office.  A presumption of immunity also applies to other actions taken while holding office, they said. Biden strenuously objected to that ruling, citing deep concerns over the risks of unchecked power in the executive branch — and the erosion of what he described as necessary parameters for a sitting president.  The presidency, Biden said then, “is the most powerful office in the world. It’s an office that not only tests your judgment. But perhaps even more importantly, it’s an office that can test your character.” “You not only face moments where you need the courage to exercise the full power of the presidency,” Biden said in his speech. “You also face moments where you need the wisdom to respect the limits of the power of the office of the presidency.” TRUMP’S AG PICK HAS ‘HISTORY OF CONSENSUS BUILDING’ Six months later, Biden is facing sharp criticism from some lawmakers and legal analysts for his decision to pardon Hunter, an about-face from his earlier promises, and a sweeping protection that covers any federal crimes Hunter Biden “has committed or may have committed” from Jan. 1, 2014, through Dec. 1, 2024.  In announcing the pardon, Biden criticized the unfair investigation and prosecution of his son, a process he said was “infected” by politics and led to a “miscarriage of justice.” “No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son — and that is wrong,” the president said in a statement Sunday. But some critics also cited fears that Biden’s pardon could further erode the public’s view of the Justice Department — giving credence to Trump’s frequent complaints that the Department of Justice is a political apparatus capable of being “weaponized,” rather than a department that strives to act independently and largely without political influence.  Biden is “essentially endorsing Trump’s long-held opinion that the Department of Justice is politicized and isn’t acting impartially,” longtime Republican strategist and communicator Ryan Williams told Fox News Digital of the pardon.  Fox News Digital’s Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.

Fox News Politics: Pardon us, Karine

Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump transition, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening… -Five things to watch for on immigration and border security in 2025 -Trump asks about ‘J-6 Hostages’ in response to Biden’s pardon of Hunter: ‘Such an abuse’ -Republicans hammer Biden’s ‘No one is above the law’ claim following Hunter pardon: ‘Aged like fine milk’ White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced the press for the first time Monday after President Biden pardoned his son Hunter – an outcome that both Biden and Jean-Pierre previously insisted multiple times would not happen. One reporter asked Jeane-Pierre if those previous statements denying a pardon “could be seen as lies” to the American people. “One thing the president believes is to always be truthful with the American people,” Jeane-Pierre said, repeatedly saying that Biden “wrestled with [the decision].”…Read more ‘OVER-PROMISED’: Biden travels to Africa where policies were ‘over-promised and under-delivered,’ amid massive China expansion…Read more ‘LIAR’: Lawmakers harshly criticize Biden’s decision to pardon Hunter…Read more ‘THERE WAS NONE’: Special counsel denies ‘vindictive or selective’ prosecution in Hunter Biden case…Read more BEG YOUR PARDON?: 2 times Biden said he would not pardon son Hunter Biden…Read more ‘FAMILY AHEAD OF THE COUNTRY’: Dem Colorado governor criticizes Biden for Hunter pardon…Read more EARLY CHRISTMAS GIFT: President Biden’s pardon of son Hunter a political gift for Trump…Read more ‘I BET YOU…’: Trump previously predicted Biden would pardon his son Hunter…Read more ‘A DISASTER’: Biden blocks new mining in region that produces about 40% of nation’s coal: ‘It’s a disaster’…Read more DEFENSE DOUBLE DOWN: Biden still believes ‘no one is above the law,’ White House says in wake of Hunter pardon…Read more JILL BIDEN SPEAKS: ‘Of course I support the pardon of my son,’ Jill Biden tells reporter…Read more PARTING GIFT: Biden administration to announce $725M weapons package to Ukraine months before Trump is sworn in…Read more ‘CONSEQUENCES’: Trump victory boosts conservatives in Latin America, wake-up call to dictators: ‘there will be consequences’…Read more CONSERVATIVE PUSHBACK: Thomas Massie, conservative commentators vocally oppose Trump’s DEA nominee…Read more ‘HELP US IN THIS FIGHT’: Harris campaign still asking for donations weeks after massive loss to Trump…Read more ‘IRREPARABLY DAMAGED’: Mike Johnson unleashes on Biden’s handling of justice after Hunter pardon…Read more ‘IT’S A SETBACK’: Democrats criticize Biden over Hunter pardon…Read more HOUSE STAFFER ARRESTED: US Capitol Police arrest House Democrat staff member after finding ammunition in bag…Read more DOWN TO THE WIRE: Single House race stands between Republicans and 1-seat majority…Read more ‘TRUMP-PROOFING’ CALIFORNIA: Newsom proposes $25M from state legislature to take on Trump administration in courts…Read more REFUND THE POLICE: Experts see a tougher-on-crime shift in blue, purple states…Read more CRISIS: New York City is home to nearly 60k ‘criminal’ migrants: Report…Read more ‘NOT BASED ON SCIENCE’: COVID was ‘most likely’ leaked from Wuhan lab and social distancing had no basis in science: select committee…Read more Get the latest updates on the Trump presidential transition, incoming Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.

MD mayor under fire for pushing immigrant ‘legal advocacy fund’ to rebuff Trump-Homan agenda

The mayor of Maryland’s second-largest city caused a firestorm after announcing his plan seeking the establishment of a taxpayer-funded “legal advocacy fund” to defend immigrants “who may be harmed by policies from the new (Trump) administration.” Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor, a Democrat, hearkened back to his ancestors’ arrival from Ireland in saying President-elect Donald Trump’s “first term is prologue” on how he will treat immigrants in announcing an appropriation request to “ensure [immigrants] have the legal support they need to stand strong and remain in this community they have chosen to call home.” “In many regards, this election did not go as I had hoped,” said O’Connor, whose city of 86,000 sits halfway between Washington, D.C. and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. “As many residents know, our city council recently made a decision to provide voting rights to any resident that calls Frederick home, regardless of citizenship status. We will continue to make progress on implementation as it’s our responsibility and not take any step that would seek to create division, target vulnerable populations or undermine the trust that we have worked hard to build in our community,” O’Connor added. MS-13 GANG MEMBER SUSPECTED OF MARYLAND MURDER ALLOWED TO ATTEND HIGH SCHOOL The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee criticized the move, saying O’Connor’s “pledge to protect illegal aliens is particularly appalling.” He highlighted the case of Walter Javier Martinez, an MS-13 gang member who was sentenced to 70 years for the rape, strangulation and murder of Kayla Hamilton, a young, autistic woman in nearby Harford County. Martinez, who was 17 at the time, had been released to a “sponsor” in Frederick before committing the crime. He pleaded guilty to Hamilton’s murder in August.  Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., said public officials at all levels of government have a responsibility to protect their citizens: “I am confident the incoming Trump administration will disabuse these state and local leaders of the notion they are above federal immigration law.”  Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins told Fox News Digital that O’Connor’s plan is “totally inappropriate.” “I think he’s going to anger the taxpayers. And aside from that, I think it’s unfair to the taxpayer,” Jenkins said in a Monday interview. He added there are enough private or non-profit advocacy groups that would front legal fees and such for migrants facing federal action. Jenkins, whose department is responsible for enforcing laws outside Frederick city proper, predicts the move will invite increased criminal activity to the area under the “false perception” they’ll be protected. “He’s not going to let the Frederick Police Department cooperate with ICE.” Jenkins praised incoming “border czar” Tom Homan, adding the ICE veteran doesn’t need Frederick city’s blessing to conduct federal operations. He noted that local and county agencies don’t have jurisdiction to enforce immigration law, but reiterated he is fully supportive of Trump’s and Homan’s general policy plans. “I am 100% supportive from the standpoint I want to do everything I can to keep my county safe, our citizens safe, reduce crime, remove a criminal element, and let’s clean this country up.” In his remarks reported last week, O’Connor cited Vice President Kamala Harris’ concession speech, in which she said, “Now is the time we must be organized, energized and engaged.” He said Frederick would add focusing on upholding the city’s values to her sentiment. MARYLAND GOVERNOR DEFENDS $190K TRUMP-CENTRIC CONSULTANT CONTRACT AS PRESIDENT-ELECT MOVES IN NEXT DOOR Fox News Digital reached out to O’Connor for further comment. Frederick notably hosts both the presidential Camp David retreat in the nearby Catoctin Mountains and the U.S. biological defense headquarters at Fort Detrick. In his public remarks, O’Connor denied he was making a political message, but instead a “patriotic one.” “While we cannot predict every policy or action this administration may take. We have seen enough to know our path forward here in Frederick is clear. We will be steadfast in ensuring that our city continues to be a place where everyone feels safe, respected and protected.” O’Connor added that the Frederick Police Department — separate from Jenkins’ agency — is “committed to ensuring all residents feel safe in reporting crime and know that they will not be questioned about their immigration status.” “We refuse to aid and abet outside agencies attempting to detain, deport or remove any residents from our community,” the mayor said. Asked for first-hand comment, the FPD said it is committed to building trust and maintaining open lines of communication with all members of our diverse community.” “For years, we have focused solely on enforcing traffic and criminal laws, not immigration laws… Immigration enforcement is the responsibility of federal agencies, not the Frederick Police Department.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP In their statement sent to Fox News Digital, the department said it does not inquire about immigration status from residents who need help or are reporting a crime, and it wants everyone in Frederick to feel safe in their interactions with police. In Anne Arundel County, which includes the capital Annapolis, Democratic County Executive Steuart Pittman suggested similar defenses to O’Connor’s for immigrants facing deportation. FOXBaltimore reported Pittman said Anne Arundel will provide services to families of a deported breadwinner. In Annapolis itself, Gov. Wes Moore told Fox News Digital the U.S. immigration system is broken and that Congress must fix it. “Federal leaders need to set aside politics and work to ensure that our border is secure and that we have a fair and humane immigration system,” he said, adding he comes from a family of immigrants and is “deeply connected to the immigrant story and contributions” of their communities. Moore addressed “speculation” about how Trump will address immigration policy: “As governor, I have an obligation to protect Marylanders, including members of our immigrant communities. I take that obligation seriously and will wait to see what actions the new administration takes.” Fox News Digital also reached out to potential Senate Homeland Security Committee chairman Rand Paul, R-Ky., and a listed contact for Democratic Rep.-elect April McClain-Delaney, who will

Hunter Biden’s confident demeanor in unearthed video raises questions about dad’s pardon plans

An unearthed video of Hunter Biden smiling and showing a confident demeanor while being pressed about a possible pardon raises questions about when his dad made the decision that he would pardon his son. President Biden repeatedly said throughout the year that he would not pardon his son and would not interfere with the criminal justice process. Despite this repeated position, Hunter Biden maintained a confident attitude, even as he faced a maximum sentence of 17 years in federal prison. A 30-second video obtained by Fox News Digital shows Hunter smiling wryly and walking away after being pressed on whether he was “expecting a pardon” while leaving a Malibu, California, restaurant on July 31, 2024. HUNTER BIDEN SAYS HIS MISTAKES WERE ‘EXPLOITED’ FOR POLITICAL SPORT, HE WILL NEVER TAKE PARDON FOR GRANTED The video was taken after Hunter Biden was convicted of three felony charges relating to the illegal purchase of a firearm and shortly before he pleaded guilty to tax evasion. He is seen walking out of Cholada Thai Cuisine by Topanga Beach, just north of Los Angeles, with longtime friend and defender, Academy Award-winning actor and director Sean Penn. The man taking the video asks: “Hunter, how are you holding up?” to which he responds simply, “Great, man.” The man then asks, “Hunter, are you expecting a pardon?” Hunter Biden does not respond but immediately flashes a large smile as a woman who appears to be a Secret Service agent comes in between the two. The man prods further asking, “Is that something you can answer on?” to which Biden’s son continues to smile silently as he steps into a black vehicle. TRUMP PREVIOUSLY PREDICTED BIDEN WOULD PARDON SON HUNTER “Listen, I’m a big fan, you’ve fought the good fight,” the man says, to which Hunter Biden responds, “Thank you” and waves as the vehicle begins to drive away. On June 11, a federal court in Delaware convicted Hunter Biden of lying on a federal screening form and to a gun dealer about being addicted to drugs and for possessing a firearm despite having a drug addiction. Ahead of his tax evasion trial, Hunter Biden pleaded guilty on Sept. 5 to three felonies and two misdemeanor charges of failing to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes between 2016 and 2019. JONATHAN TURLEY: JOE BIDEN’S PARDON OF SON HUNTER CEMENTS HIS LEGACY AS LIAR IN CHIEF After the June conviction, the president was asked whether he had ruled out pardoning his son, to which he replied, “Yes.” During the G7 Summit in Washington, D.C., he further told reporters: “I will abide by the jury’s decision. I will do that. And I will not pardon him.” Then, on Sunday night, the president gave his son a full and unconditional pardon for these offenses as well as any he “may have committed or taken part in” from Jan. 1, 2014, through Dec. 1, 2024. Biden claimed that his son was being “singled out” and that “raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice.” “The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election,” he said. “It is clear that Hunter was treated differently.” Hunter Biden’s sentencing was scheduled for Dec. 16. 

Reporter’s Notebook: The hitchhiker’s guide to recess appointments

So you want to know about “recess appointments”? Well, recess is over and class is in session.  Let’s start with four main sections in the Constitution:  “[The President] shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States” – Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution PRESENT AND ACCOUNTED FOR: HOUSE REPUBLICANS’ SMALL MAJORITY COULD MAKE ATTENDANCE A PRIORITY  “The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.” – Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution “Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.” – Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution And then there is this particularly thermonuclear passage: “[The President} may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper.” – Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution Let’s work through the mechanics of each one. It’s tradition for a president to nominate various persons for his Cabinet, other administration positions and the judiciary. However, the Senate must confirm those figures through a roll call vote on the floor. The confirmation process usually entails formal visits with senators, background checks on nominees by the FBI or the committees of jurisdiction, hearings with the nominee and other witnesses who either support or oppose the nominee, a committee vote to discharge the nomination to the floor, debate on the floor and a final confirmation vote. This is the Senate’s “Advice and Consent” exercise. It’s a responsibility most senators take very seriously. Many passionately guard those prerogatives. ‘IT’S A SETBACK’: DEMOCRATS CRITICIZE BIDEN OVER HUNTER PARDON For instance, incoming President Trump nominated former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., for attorney general. Gaetz met with several Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee last month. But Gaetz’s selection never got to the vetting phase or even a hearing. It was clear to Gaetz – and most senators – that the nominee wasn’t confirmable by the Senate. Confirmation of Gaetz would have represented the “consent” provision of the Constitution. However, the abrupt withdrawal of the nominee – after all of the Senate’s closed-door muttering – certainly reflected “advice.” After Gaetz, expect lots of consternation in the coming weeks about the viability of Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard, Health and Human Services secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy and FBI Director pick Kash Patel. This is where the concept of “recess appointments” could come in. If the Senate fails to confirm some of Trump’s nominees, there are suggestions that Trump might try to circumvent the Senate and temporarily install these persons in those roles on an “acting” basis. This is the application of Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution. It allows the president to “fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate.” A “recess appointment” may only serve in the role until the end of a given, two-year Congress. The Founders crafted the concept of a recess appointment so the government could have a stand-in for a period if a given office suddenly became vacant due to death or resignation. Congress was often out of session for months at a time in the early days of the republic. Transportation was tough. It was a challenge to quickly confirm replacements if the Senate wasn’t meeting. So the Founders created the fail-safe of “recess appointments.” That way, the government wasn’t hamstrung waiting on the Senate to eventually reconvene and confirm someone to an important government post. But how would a recess appointment work in the current environment? And could a president just bypass the Senate and install someone if Congress wasn’t meeting? In theory, yes. And it’s possible that a president could do so if a nomination is stalled or someone is unconfirmed. THOMAS MASSIE, CONSERVATIVE COMMENTATOR VOCALLY OPPOSE TRUMP’S DEA NOMINEE However, the brutal truth is that recess appointments are becoming rare. Both Trump and President Biden had precisely zero recess appointments. President Obama had 32. The last recess appointment was Richard Griffin Jr. to the National Labor Relations Board on Jan. 4, 2012. He was part of four recess appointments by Obama on that day. Griffin and two others were placed at the NLRB. Obama also slotted Richard Cordray as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.  By contrast, President George W. Bush had 171 recess appointments. President Bill Clinton scored 139.  The lynchpin to the entire enterprise is whether there is in fact an appropriate “recess” of the Congress. Only under such a recess would the Senate reside in the proper parliamentary posture to allow for the potential of a recess appointment. It’s been years now since both the House and Senate have technically abandoned Washington for more than three days. That’s to guard against the chance of a recess appointment. The House and Senate used to frequently approve what’s called an “adjournment resolution.” That granted both the House and Senate leave from Capitol Hill for extended periods – such as over the holidays, Thanksgiving, Easter and Passover, Independence Day and the “August recess.” But those are infrequent.  This fall, both the House and Senate were “out” for part of September, all of October and a chunk of November. However, both bodies convened abbreviated sessions every three days. Each one lasted just a few seconds. That’s de rigueur in Washington because the House and Senate can’t approve an adjournment resolution. The House and Senate just don’t snap their fingers and they’re out. Like everything on Capitol Hill, both bodies must