Michelle Obama to skip Trump inauguration, 11 days after missing Carter funeral
Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the inauguration of President-elect Trump on Monday, which will mark the second absence in two weeks from a gathering of former presidents and their spouses. Obama was not in attendance at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral last week. Former President Barack Obama is scheduled to attend the Jan. 20 inauguration event along with former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush and their spouses. “Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration,” reads a statement from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama that was shared with The Associated Press. MICHELLE OBAMA, DICK CHENEY AMONG NOTABLE ABSENCES AT CARTER FUNERAL It is unclear why former first lady Michelle Obama is skipping Trump’s inauguration. Former presidents Trump, Bush and Clinton and their spouses all attended Carter’s funeral on Jan. 9 at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., as did former President Barack Obama. Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband also attended, along with former Vice President Mike Pence and his wife. Former President Bill Clinton will attend next week’s swearing-in ceremony, a person familiar with the former president’s schedule confirmed to the AP. Former first lady Hillary Clinton will also attend, a spokesperson said. The Office of George W. Bush said he and former first lady Laura Bush are attending. At Carter’s funeral, Trump and Obama appeared to put their political differences aside and were seen chatting and laughing together despite the former Democrat president’s history of political animosity with the returning Republican. All three former presidents and their wives attended Trump’s first inauguration in 2017, including Hillary Clinton, after she lost the 2016 presidential election to Trump. Carter also attended. President-elect Trump and former first lady Melania Trump did not attend President Biden’s inauguration in 2021. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Obama Foundation for comment. CARRIE UNDERWOOD TO PERFORM ‘AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL’ AT TRUMP INAUGURATION The news of Michelle Obama sidestepping the inauguration comes a day after former first lady Melania Trump revealed that she and her husband did not get enough information from the Obama administration about moving into the White House back in January 2017, for the beginning of the first Trump administration. “The difference is, I know where I will be going. I know the rooms where we will be living. I know the processes,” the former first lady told “Fox & Friends” co-host Ainsley Earhardt on Monday. “The first time was challenging. We didn’t have much of the information, the information was upheld from us from the previous administration. But this time I have everything. I have the plans. I could move in. I already packed. I already selected the furniture that needs to go in. So it’s very different a transition this time, second time around.” The inauguration events will feature performances by Carrie Underwood, the Village People and Lee Greenwood. Underwood, the 2005 “American Idol” winner, will be singing “America the Beautiful” and will be joined by the Armed Forces Choir and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club. A Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee spokesperson told Fox News Digital Underwood will perform during the swearing-in ceremony for President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance. TRUMP, OBAMA CHATTING AND LAUGHING AT CARTER FUNERAL LIGHTS UP SOCIAL MEDIA The ’70s disco group Village People have been a staple during Trump’s rallies over the past year, with hits like “Y.M.C.A” and “Macho Man” being played. The group is slated to perform at one of Trump’s inaugural balls and a rally he’s holding in Washington the day before his inauguration. Along with Greenwood, opera singer Christopher Macchio is set to make a performance during Trump’s inauguration festivities, The Associated Press reported. Fox News’ Janelle Ash, Brooke Singman and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Dem senator’s ‘lies and stupidity’ at Hegseth hearing roasted on social media: ‘Clown show’
Social media users are criticizing a Democratic senator for claiming that Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth would lead a military invasion of Greenland if nominated. A confirmation hearing for Hegseth was held by the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, when lawmakers were given the opportunity to question Trump’s defense pick. One Democrat in particular, Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, caused a firestorm of social media reactions to her asking Hegseth whether he would invade Greenland or take over the Panama Canal. “Trump never strategically tips his hand. I would never publicly state one way or another to direct the orders of the president,” Hegseth responded to the question. “Hirono was playing judge, jury, and executioner based on lies and stupidity,” Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., wrote in a post on X. PETE HEGSETH HEADS TO CAPITOL HILL FOR FIERY HEARING ON HIS RECORD, PLANS TO SHAKE UP PENTAGON Brigette Gabriel, ACT for America founder and chair, wrote that “Mazie Hirono might be the least intelligent Member of Congress, and that’s saying something.” “This line of questioning is unbecoming of her position as a United States Senator,” Gabriel said on X. “I stand with Pete Hegseth.” HEGSETH WAS ‘INCREDIBLY TALENTED, BATTLE-PROVEN LEADER,’ MILITARY EVALUATIONS SHOW During the hearing, Hirono claimed that President-elect Donald Trump ordered guards to “shoot protesters in the legs” during a protest at Layfayette Square in Washington, D.C., in 2020 and asked if Hegseth would carry out such an order. “I was in the Washington, D.C. National Guard unit that was in Lafayette Square during those events, holding a riot shield on behalf of my country,” Hegseth responded. “I saw 50 Secret Service agents get injured by riot agents.” Hirono also asked Hegseth about allegations of sexual assault and claims that he was drinking on the job – both of which he has repeatedly denied. “Clown show,” wrote Eric Daughtery, Assistant News Director of Florida’s Voice. “Mazie Hirono peddles the discredited anonymous sources from NBC who claimed that Pete Hegseth was constantly drunk at work,” wrote Greg Price.
Biden issues second AI action during final week in office with executive order fast-tracking US infrastructure
President Biden on Tuesday signed an ambitious executive order that he says will keep both national security and climate change in mind while fast-tracking the build out of large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure in the United States. Biden said in a statement released by the White House that the executive order will “accelerate the speed at which we build the next generation of AI infrastructure here in America, in a way that enhances economic competitiveness, national security, AI safety, and clean energy.” It directs the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy “to lease federal sites where the private sector can build frontier AI infrastructure at speed and scale.” “The United States leads the world at the frontier of artificial intelligence (AI). Cutting-edge AI will have profound implications for national security and enormous potential to improve Americans’ lives if harnessed responsibly, from helping cure disease to keeping communities safe by mitigating the effects of climate change. However, we cannot take our lead for granted,” Biden said. “We will not let America be out-built when it comes to the technology that will define the future, nor should we sacrifice critical environmental standards and our shared efforts to protect clean air and clean water.” The order will “ensure that the infrastructure needed for advanced AI operations—including large-scale data centers and new clean power infrastructure—can be built with speed and scale here in the United States,” Biden said, adding, “These efforts are designed to accelerate the clean energy transition in a way that is responsible and respectful to local communities, and in a way that does not impose any new costs on American families.” “Building AI infrastructure in the United States is a national security imperative,” Biden said. “As AI’s capabilities grow, so do its implications for Americans’ safety and security. Domestic data centers for training and operating powerful AI models will help the United States facilitate AI’s safe and secure development, harness AI in service of national security, and prevent adversaries from accessing powerful systems to the detriment of our military and national security.” BIDEN WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCES ‘FINAL RULE’ ON AI CHIP EXPORTS BEFORE TRUMP HAND-OFF, DRAWING INDUSTRY BLOWBACK “It will also help prevent America from growing dependent on other countries to access powerful AI tools,” he added. Vice President Harris, who attended the first-ever global AI summit hosted in London in November 2023, said in a statement on Tuesday the “significant electrical power needs of large-scale AI operations also present a new opportunity for advancing American leadership in clean-energy technology, which will power our future economy.” “By activating the full force of the federal government to speed up and scale AI operations here in the United States, we are securing our global leadership on AI, which will have a profound impact on our economy, society, and national security for generations to come,” she added. Under the new rules, the departments of Defense and Energy will each identify at least three sites where the private sector can build AI data centers. The agencies will run “competitive solicitations” from private companies to build AI data centers on those federal sites, senior administration officials said. Developers building on those sites will be required, among other things, to pay for the construction of those facilities and to bring sufficient “clean power” generation to match the full capacity needs of their data centers. Although the U.S. government will be leasing land to a company, that company would own the materials it creates there, officials said. Developers selected to build on government sites will be required to pay all costs of building and operating AI infrastructure so that development does not raise electricity prices for consumers, the administration said. SULLIVAN CLAIMS BIDEN ADMIN LEAVES RUSSIA, CHINA AND IRAN ‘WEAKER,’ AMERICA ‘SAFER’ BEFORE TRUMP HANDOFF The orders also direct construction of AI data centers on federal sites to be done with public labor agreements. Some of the sites are reserved for small and medium-sized AI companies, according to government officials. Government agencies will also complete a study on the effects of all AI data centers on electricity prices, and the Energy Department will provide technical assistance to state public utility commissions regarding electricity tariff designs that can support connecting new large customers with clean energy. As part of the order, the Interior Department will identify lands it manages that are suitable for clean energy development and can support data centers on government sites, administration officials said. “The volumes of computing power, electricity needed to train and operate frontier models are increasing rapidly and set to surge even more,” Tarun Chhabra, deputy assistant to the president and coordinator for technology and national security, told the Associated Press. “By around 2028, we expect that leading AI developers will be seeking to operate data centers with as much as five gigawatts of capacity for training AI models.” Deploying AI systems at scale also requires a broader network of data centers across different parts of the country, he said. The executive order comes on the heels of the Biden administration’s proposed new restrictions on exports of artificial intelligence chips, an attempt to balance national security concerns about the technology with the economic interests of producers and other countries. The Biden White House announced its “final rule” on AI diffusion Monday, receiving blow-back from chip industry executives as well as officials from the European Union over export restrictions that would affect 120 countries. “We’re trying to strike the right balance between ensuring that the frontier of AI stays in the United States of America and our close allies, while also ensuring that the rest of the world can benefit from AI and get the hardware that they need to power AI applications going forward,” National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House Monday. “We think this is, in a bipartisan spirit, the way to best preserve and protect America’s lead when it comes to artificial intelligence.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Gov. Greg Abbott threatens Texas A&M president’s job over claim that university broke DEI ban
Abbott’s comments came after A&M invited staffers and students to attend a conference that a conservative activist said broke the state’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
FIRST ON FOX: Red state suing Biden admin for unleashing ‘chaos’ on schools through open border
FIRST ON FOX NEWS DIGITAL: The state of Oklahoma is suing to hold the Biden administration accountable for unleashing “massive chaos” on the public school system in the state through four years of open border policies. The suit, launched by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters, targets President Biden’s Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. It demands the Biden administration refund Oklahoma for the approximately $470 million it had to spend on educating thousands of illegal immigrant children over the last four years. Walters, who filed the suit in the Western District Court of Oklahoma today, told Fox News Digital that public schools are “overrun with illegal immigrants” who are stretching the system’s resources thin and limiting opportunities for the children of taxpaying citizens. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT HONDURAN GANG MEMBER KIDNAPPED US WOMAN, ‘GIGGLED’ AFTER THREATENING TO SELL ORGANS: REPORT According to data gathered by the Oklahoma State Department of Education, the state spends approximately $11,000 per student annually, and the number of unaccompanied migrant children placed in the state is nearly 3,000. Walters said that Oklahoma schools are struggling to provide adequate resources for immigrant children, such as certified teachers for students with limited English proficiency, transportation and individualized education plans, and that these challenges have a long-term impact on school budgets and the quality of education for all students in the state. “It truly is chaos in the school system. And who’s suffering here? It’s the students,” said Walters. “Joe Biden and Kamala Harris did this intentionally, and we’ve got students caught in the crossfire here. We have got to protect them, and we’ve got to get our states back on track in educating our kids.” BIDEN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPENT OVER $1 BILLION ON DEI GRANTS: REPORT Though President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office next week, he said that Oklahoma taxpayers are still being saddled with the costs of the Biden administration’s failed border policies. He pointed to an NBC interview with outgoing ICE Director P.J. Lechleitner, who said the Biden administration “absolutely” should have acted sooner to shut down the border. Walters said, “They knew it was happening, and they didn’t do anything about it.” CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE “Last week we had Joe Biden’s top ICE director admit that they allowed this to happen, that they allowed the law to be broken … and frankly, they’re crystal clear these orders came from the top, they came from Joe Biden and the border czar Kamala Harris,” he said. “We cannot just allow them to skate off into the sunset and say, ‘President Trump, here you go, states, sorry, we just caused this massive chaos across your schools, across your state, into your communities.’ Those individuals have to be held accountable for the chaos they brought to our kids and our families. And that’s what this lawsuit will do.” BLUE STATE GOV CHANGES TUNE AFTER VOWING TO FIGHT TRUMP DEPORTATION EFFORTS, NOW HOPES HE FIXES BORDER Walters called on other states to join Oklahoma’s suit against the Biden administration, saying that “every state has to get a grasp of what illegal immigration has done to their school system, has done to their states.” “This is the future we’re talking about; we’re trying to get education back on track,” he said. “This is how you change this trajectory. This is how you get the Trump administration the support that they need by holding the current administration accountable, getting this data, getting this information,” he went on, concluding: “In Oklahoma, we’re not going to tolerate Kamala Harris and Joe Biden allowing our schools to be overrun with illegal immigrants and with this lawsuit, we will hold them accountable to the taxpayers of the state of Oklahoma.”
LA councilwoman whose district ravaged by wildfires looks to hold leaders accountable for empty reservoirs
A Los Angeles council member, whose district has been devastated by the recent historic wildfires, is demanding accountability from city and state officials after empty reservoirs hindered firefighting efforts, raising questions about how ready the city will be to host world-stage events in the next few years. “This fire was unlike anything we have ever seen before, but there is no secret that we have chronically underinvested in critical infrastructure and public safety in Los Angeles,” Council member Traci Park told Fox News Digital in a Monday interview. “And I think there are a lot of questions about what more could have been done or could have been done differently, and what it’s going to take in Los Angeles to make sure this never happens again,” she said. FIRST HEARING IN ‘TRUMP-PROOF’ CALIFORNIA SPECIAL SESSION CANCELED AS CHAIRMAN’S DISTRICT HIT BY WILDFIRES Following the devastating wildfires that began in the Los Angeles mountains last week, concerns arose over dysfunctional fire hydrants and significant multimillion-dollar reductions of the fire department’s budget. Gov. Gavin Newsom responded on Friday by calling for an independent review of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to investigate the water supply issues during the emergency. “The ongoing reports of loss of water pressure to some local fire hydrants during the fires and the reported unavailability of water supplies from the Santa Ynez Reservoir are deeply troubling to me and to the community,” Newsom wrote to LADWP Chief Executive Officer and Chief Engineer Janisse Quiñones and L.A. County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella in a letter. Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers defended state leadership. “Obviously, I have a lot of concerns about the water,” said Park, whose district encompasses the Pacific Palisades, the area which was one of the first and hardest hit by the wildfires. “I was personally at the command post at Will Rogers as this Volcano of Fire came over our mountain, through our town, all the way to Pacific Coast Highway, and throughout those events into the night, I was anecdotally hearing about our firefighters not having enough water,” she said. “And I think we all have questions about the expectations, how are our firefighters supposed to fight fire without the thing they need to do it, that’s water?” ‘IS NOW THE RIGHT TIME … TO FIGHT DONALD TRUMP?’: CA HOUSE SPEAKER DODGES FIERY QUESTIONING FROM REPORTER Park, who has been collecting critical aid at her Westchester neighborhood office to distribute to her constituents, said she’s also concerned about disaster preparedness, as Los Angeles sets itself to host the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games. “I was concerned about our level of preparation for those events before this happened,” Park said, in regard to the wildfires. “And I certainly think that over the last several days, we have seen some of those gaps on full display.” While Park expressed her gratitude for Newsom and “his support at the state level,” as well as county and Cal Fire partners, “The reality is, as we are hosting millions of people in our city, and our resources are already spread so thin, it is clear that we have a lot of work to do a lot of strategic planning to continue our preparations for those big events that are coming.” ‘DEVASTATING’: CALIFORNIA HAD RECORD RAINFALL LAST YEAR, BUT LACKED INFRASTRUCTURE TO STORE IT In the months leading up to the wildfires, Los Angeles city officials reduced the fire department’s budget by just under $18 million, according to the department. At the state level, experts and lawmakers are pointing fingers at the top leaders’ handling of the state’s forestry management and a lesser-known problem: the state’s outdated water reserves system. California’s existing reservoirs can only hold so much water, and many were built in the mid-20th century. In 2024, the state experienced record-breaking rainfall after an atmospheric river event, but the existing water infrastructure faced difficulties managing the sudden influx of water. A significant portion of that rainfall was dumped into the ocean. In 2014, California voters passed Proposition 1, also known as the Water Quality, Supply and Infrastructure Improvement Act, which authorized $2.7 billion in bonds to increase the state’s water storage capacity through building new reservoirs and groundwater storage facilities. Yet, no new reservoirs have been completed under Prop. 1, according to local reports.
House DOGE Caucus eyes federal employees, government regulations in new goal-setting memo
FIRST ON FOX: The Congressional Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus is holding its second-ever meeting on Wednesday, where its leaders are expected to unveil a set of “principles” to guide the group in its mission to cut government waste. They outlined eight goals, some practical while others more symbolic, in a bid to ensure the caucus is in sync with the DOGE advisory panel set up by President-elect Donald Trump. “The federal government must serve the interests of taxpayers, and taxpayers are best served by a lean, efficient, transparent, and accountable bureaucracy,” the first principle read, according to a draft memo obtained by Fox News Digital. The document also suggested both lofty and smaller-scale goals. “No amount of waste, fraud, abuse, duplication, or administrative bloat is too small or too large to fix.” DOGE Caucus leaders had previously put an emphasis on “low-hanging fruit” to start their mission with, like unused federal office space held by agencies with remote work policies. REPUBLICANS GIVE DETAILS FROM CLOSED-DOOR MEETINGS WITH DOGE’S MUSK, RAMASWAMY The memo puts such employees on notice, noting that they and any federal regulations or agencies “must demonstrate effectiveness for and responsiveness to taxpayers while also not creating unnecessary costs or burdens.” Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., who co-founded the caucus, told Fox News Digital, “We’ve articulated our vision in a transparent manner that is both concise and consumable for every American.” Co-founder Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, said, “The mandate is clear: every dollar spent in Washington must deliver a direct benefit to the people it serves, while prioritizing transparency, accountability, and efficiency.” DANIEL PENNY TO BE TAPPED FOR CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL BY HOUSE GOP LAWMAKER The caucus also called for the elimination of “existing federal agencies, programs, rules, regulations, or functions that do not provide value to taxpayers,” if they cannot be reformed. DOGE Caucus leaders are also signaling a significant focus on rolling back the regulatory state with the point, “All rules and regulations should be grounded in statute. Congress enacts public policy, not unelected bureaucrats.” The group’s third co-chair, Vice Chair of the House GOP Conference Blake Moore, R-Utah, said of their outline, “The DOGE Caucus has wasted no time organizing our members and crafting a clear vision for what we hope to achieve, and these principles underscore how we plan to get there. The time is now to rein in wasteful federal spending, streamline our bureaucracy, and make Washington work better for Americans.” ‘OVERWHELMING SUPPORT’: REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS RALLY AROUND TRUMP AND DOGE AHEAD OF INAUGURATION Caucus members gathered for their first meeting in mid-December, which lawmakers said was largely introductory. The push to slash government waste has been met with surprising enthusiasm by members on both sides of the political aisle. Several Democrats have already joined the caucus, and at least three were said to have attended the first meeting. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy were on Capitol Hill late last year to discuss goals for their DOGE panel with lawmakers.
Biden announces names of future aircraft carriers: USS William J Clinton, George W Bush
President Biden announced the names of the newest aircraft carriers that will join the U.S. Navy: USS William J. Clinton and USS George W. Bush. The carriers, named after former President Bill Clinton and former President George W. Bush, will begin construction in the “years ahead” as part of the latest class of aircraft carriers, according to the White House. “When I personally delivered the news to Bill and George, they were deeply humbled,” Biden said in a statement Monday. “Each knows firsthand the weight of the responsibilities that come with being Commander-in-Chief. And both know well our duty to support the families and loved ones who wait and worry for the safe return of their servicemember.” The Navy currently has 11 operational aircraft carriers, some of which are nearly 50 years old and will be retired in upcoming years. Of these carriers, eight bear the names of former presidents: USS George Washington, USS Abraham Lincoln, USS Theodore Roosevelt, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, USS Harry S. Truman, USS Ronald Reagan, USS George W. Bush, and USS Gerald R. Ford. UNIDENTIFIED DRONES SPOTTED OVER US BASES IN THE UK DO NOT APPEAR TO BELONG TO ‘HOBBYISTS’ Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that the future carriers Clinton and Bush will “serve as lasting tributes to each leader’s legacy in service of the United States.” “Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s naval forces, and they ensure that the United States can project power and deliver combat capability anytime, anywhere in defense of our democracy,” Austin said in a statement Monday. 2 US AIRCRAFT CARRIER STRIKE GROUPS ORDERED TO STAY IN MIDDLE EAST WITH TENSIONS HIGH “Like their namesakes, these two future carriers, and the crews who sail them, will work to safeguard our national security, remind us of our history, and inspire others to serve our great republic,” Austin said. The future carriers Clinton and Bush are part of the Ford-class carriers to join the fleet. HEGSETH WAS ‘INCREDIBLY TALENTED, BATTLE-PROVEN LEADER,’ MILITARY EVALUATIONS SHOW These newest carriers are outfitted with more than 20 new technologies in comparison to the previous, Nimitz-class carriers that the Navy started using in 1975. Technology upgrades include a new Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, known as EMALS, that launches aircraft from the ship electronically, rather than using steam-powered equipment. President-elect Donald Trump previously called for a 12-carrier Navy during his first term as president in 2017 and has signaled interest recently in possibly expanding the sea service’s force in his second term as well. “We’re going to be announcing some things that are going to be very good having to do with the Navy,” Trump told radio host Hugh Hewitt this month. “We need ships. We have to get ships. And you know, everybody said, ‘Oh, we’ll build them.’ We may have to go to others, bid them out, and it’s okay to do that. We’ll bid them out until we get ourselves ready.”
Biden announces $770 checks for residents impacted by California wildfires
President Biden said the federal government will provide one-time payments of $770 to people impacted by the ongoing California wildfires, so they can pay for essentials like baby formula, prescriptions, clothes and food. Biden made the announcement Thursday evening during a briefing from the Oval Office on the situation in Southern California. According to the president, nearly 6,000 people had been approved to receive the payments thus far, leading to a total of $5.1 million that has already gone out through this program. “We’re not waiting until those fires are over to start helping the victims. We’re getting them help right now,” Biden said from the Oval Office. FEMA ADMINISTRATOR URGES HURRICANE HELENE VICTIMS TO TAKE ACTION AMID RISK OF LOSING TEMPORARY HOUSING The president approved California’s disaster declaration on Jan. 8, opening up federal funding to affected individuals in Los Angeles for the purposes of temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the wildfires. Additionally, the president pledged that the federal government would cover 100% of the cost of California’s disaster response for a period of six months. Meanwhile, during the Monday evening briefing, Biden called on Congress to step up with more funding for the wildfire and its victims. NEWSOM DEFENDS FIRE RESPONSE WITH FACT-CHECK SITE LINKING TO DEM PARTY FUNDRAISING PLATFORM “It’s going to cost tens of billions of dollars to get Los Angeles to what it was,” Biden said during a briefing with Vice President Kamala Harris and emergency officials. “We are going to need Congress to step up with the funding.” Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell indicated during the Monday briefing that a total of 33,000 people impacted by the California fires had requested federal assistance. She said the number continues to rise, and they don’t expect it to slow down in the near term. Criswell added during the Monday Oval Office briefing that about 700 to 800 people were currently staying in eight emergency shelters as a result of the wildfire, noting that meant a lot of folks had found shelter with family and friends, or in hotel rooms. Criswell said that through the federal government’s disaster declaration, people staying in hotels could be reimbursed for the costs. In addition to FEMA, the Department of Defense and National Guard have also deployed federal resources to help fight the fires that have claimed at least 24 lives so far.
Top lawmaker 1st Republican to launch gubernatorial campaign in race to succeed Michigan’s Whitmer
The high profile 2026 gubernatorial race to succeed term-limited Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is kicking into gear. Republican state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt on Tuesday announced his candidacy, becoming the first major party candidate to launch a gubernatorial campaign. “Michigan deserves so much better than what we’re getting out of Lansing right now,” Nesbitt said in a launch video posted on social media. “I’m going to be running a campaign that concentrates on Michigan first, families first and workers first. I’m in the fight.” Highlighting his conservative philosophy, Nesbitt emphasized that “I trust families over government.” THESE ARE THE TOP ELECTIONS TO WATCH IN 2025 “I want to go ahead and empower the taxpayers instead of the tax-takers here in the state — and that’s part of this Michigan First agenda where you have to expect so much more out of Lansing and expect that there’s actually value for money,” he emphasized. POPULAR GOP GOVERNOR REVEALS WHAT’S NEXT AFTER 8 YEARS STEERING KEY SWING STATE Additionally, Nesbitt, who highlighted his “small town farm boy” heritage in his video, also pledged to “stand with President Trump to bring back a renaissance on manufacturing here in Michigan.” Nesbit is the first Republican in Michigan to jump into a race that will likely attract a large field. Former GOP state Attorney General Mike Cox has formed a committee to explore a gubernatorial bid. Other Republicans believed to be considering a run include Rep. John James, former state House Speaker Tom Leonard, Oakland County businessman Kevin Rinke, 2022 GOP gubernatorial nominee Tudor Dixon, and former gubernatorial and presidential candidate Perry Johnson. 2026 BATTLE FOR THE SENATE: WHAT THE DEMOCRATS’ CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE CHAIR TOLD FOX NEWS Among the Democrats mulling a run for governor are Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Pete Buttigieg, the 2020 presidential candidate who has served as Transportation secretary in President Biden’s administration the past four years, and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow. Detroit’s Democratic Mayor Mike Duggan made headlines recently when he announced his 2026 gubernatorial campaign as an independent. Michigan is a crucial general election battleground state. President Biden carried the state by a razor-thin margin in the 2020 election. President-elect Trump narrowly won the state in November’s election, but Democrats held onto a highly contested open Senate seat.