Hollywood star reveals what he thinks of potential Newsom presidency with two-word response
EXCLUSIVE: Hollywood action star Lorenzo Lamas recoiled at the thought of California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom leading the United States in the country’s highest elected office. “A President Newsom? God forbid,” Lamas remarked during an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital. “You have to look at the state of California. Do voters out there in our wonderful, beautiful nation want to elect a person who’s failed the state of California so pitifully? I hope not.” Lamas, who is best known for his action roles in the 80s and 90s, said he is breaking his political silence to endorse Sheriff Chad Bianco, a pro-law enforcement Republican, for California governor. He said that the Newsom administration has had a “devastating” impact on California. So much so that he believes the state may be ready to send the first Republican to the California governor’s mansion since Arnold Schwarzenegger left in 2011. HOLLYWOOD STAR ENDORSES REPUBLICAN FOR CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR AFTER ‘DEVASTATING’ NEWSOM ADMIN “I love the state of California. It’s my home. I’ve lived in other parts of the nation. And as beautiful as this country is, California is my home,” Lamas explained, adding, “A lot of my friends have moved out of the state of California because of the burdensome tax situation, politics have forced people out of the state. But I’m sticking it out. I’m here in California because I believe in fighting here in California for what Californians deserve. And that’s why I’m supporting Chad Bianco.” But with Newsom’s tenure as governor coming to a close due to California term limit laws, there is growing speculation that he is eyeing a Democratic presidential run in 2028. This has been further confirmed by statements by Newsom, such as a segment on CBS News in which he said “I’d be lying” if he said he was not considering a run. Already one of the Democratic Party’s most recognizable leaders, Newsom has further emerged as one of the leading critics of President Donald Trump and his administration. This has further solidified his position among the top contenders to challenge the Republican who will succeed Trump. GAVIN NEWSOM WINNING EARLY ENTHUSIASM FROM LIBERAL HOLLYWOOD DONORS AHEAD OF 2028: REPORT Lamas, however, shared a warning to the nation about a Newsom presidency, saying, “The impact on the state of California with the [Newsom] administration is nothing short of devastating.” He pointed to the rising homeless population in Los Angeles and San Francisco and the lack of preparedness for natural disasters, such as the Palisades fires, as evidence of what he called severe mismanagement by state leadership. “So much money has been budgeted for programs to help these people, and I see no difference other than it’s growing. So, where’s the money?” he said. “There’s nobody that’s accounting for the millions of dollars that are spent on welfare programs that’s not benefiting anybody that can use it. So, it’s a tremendous amount of mismanagement. And I think Governor Newsom has done a horrific job in accountability about where the money’s gone.” He also pointed to Newsom’s outspoken opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. UNEARTHED FEC RECORDS EXPOSE KATIE PORTER’S HYPOCRISY AFTER SHE FUMES AT ‘NEW BILLIONAIRE’ JOINING RACE “The problem with the undocumented is that it’s systemic,” said Lamas. “When you have sanctuary cities, you have higher crime rates. And listen, I’m a Christian, I believe that we’re all God’s children. But I also believe that we have laws that need to be obeyed, laws that need to be followed. And without law, there’s complete chaos.” He said that the way Newsom and local leaders “have treated the federal government in terms of coming in and removing criminals and people that are here in our country illegally is horrendous.” A spokesperson for Newsom’s office dismissed Lamas’ criticisms, responding to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the criticisms with a one-word statement asking, “Who?” Newsom’s term as California governor ends in January 2027. If Bianco wins the Republican nomination, he will be facing an uphill battle in traditionally deep blue California. Democrats running include Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif. and former Rep. Katie Porter.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Trump critic Jasmine Crockett shakes up Senate race
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News political content. Here’s what’s happening… –Obamacare paying out for tens of thousands of dead and bogus accounts: Watchdog -Lawmaker urges release of Venezuela strike footage as parties split over whether targets were defenseless -Trump to unleash $12B lifeline to farmers in new aid package amid China trade reset Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas, the progressive firebrand and vocal critic of President Donald Trump and Republicans, has filed paperwork to run for the U.S. Senate, according to a party spokesperson. A spokesperson for the Texas Democratic Party confirmed to Fox News Digital on Monday that Crockett had filed paperwork to run for Senate. She is expected to officially launch her Senate campaign on Monday evening in a race that may determine if the GOP holds its majority in the chamber next year. Crockett’s campaign announcement, which was expected, will likely further rock a high-profile and heavily contested race in Texas, which, on the Republican side, includes incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and GOP primary rivals state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt…READ MORE. EXEC POWER GRAB: SCOTUS takes up Trump’s bid to fire FTC commissioner at will — a showdown that could topple 90-year precedent COURT BLOCKS TRUMP: Alina Habba becomes Bondi adviser, leaving role as top New Jersey prosecutor ‘TOTAL FAKE NEWS’: White House calls report about Trump considering firing Noem ‘total fake news’ ‘PETTY ACTION’: Trump HHS changes transgender Biden official’s nameplate back to birth name TROOPS LOCKED DOWN: Congress moves to block Pentagon from cutting US troops in Europe and South Korea MONEY TRAIL EXPOSED: Israel unmasks Iran-directed Hamas cash network in Turkey as Ankara pushes for Gaza role WASTE NOT: ‘DOGE is not dead,’ defiant House caucus leader declares in push to revive Musk-era cuts TRADING JABS: MTG defends herself as ‘America first’ after Trump slams her on Truth Social MELTING THE FROST: FBI to be under harsh new microscope as Stefanik scores victory in annual defense bill ‘CONTINUE THE FIGHT’: Pressure mounts on Mamdani to ‘continue the fight’ on illicit Chinese vapes flooding NYC LINES DRAWN: Trump turns up the heat on red-state Republicans blocking new congressional maps Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
DOJ promises ‘a lot more action’ on gun rights with new Second Amendment enforcement section
Department of Justice (DOJ) official Harmeet Dhillon announced that her agency is unveiling a gun rights-focused section on Monday, promising Americans that “a lot more action” on gun rights enforcement will be taken. Dhillon, who works as an assistant attorney general for the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, said that her division had started a Second Amendment section this month. “I’m really excited about this,” said Dhillon. “For the first time, the DOJ Civil Rights Division and the DOJ at large will be protecting and advancing our citizens’ right to bear arms as part of our civil rights work.” “As Attorney General Pam Bondi has said, the Second Amendment is not a second-class right, and I couldn’t agree more with my boss,” she added. DC GUN PERMIT WAIT SLASHED FROM MONTHS TO DAYS AS TRUMP’S CRIME CRACKDOWN CONTINUES According to Dhillon, the department will fight a variety of state and local courts on gun issues, particularly difficulties around concealed carry permits. “Some of the things we’re seeing, and that is going to be the focus of our work around the country, includes multi-thousand-dollar costs for citizens to apply for concealed carry permits,” she said. “Other jurisdictions are having unreasonably long delays. Other jurisdictions are outlawing guns that should be protected by the Second Amendment under the recent Supreme Court precedent.” She also emphasized that gun rights “equalizes the ability of those of us, women, people with disabilities, and others who might otherwise be more vulnerable to be able to protect ourselves.” FEDERAL APPEALS COURT RULES CALIFORNIA AMMUNITION BACKGROUND CHECKS UNCONSTITUTIONAL “We will be protecting that right here in this Department of Justice,” she added. “The president issued an executive order making this clear just two weeks into his tenure, and I’ve been working on the Second Amendment section ever since I got here to the DOJ.” “So stay tuned. You’re going to see a lot more action from this Department of Justice to protect your Second Amendment rights.” Oliver Krawczyk, an attorney who specializes in Second Amendment litigation at Ambler Law, told Fox News Digital that the section creation is a “welcome change,” though the DOJ has had a flawed record on the issue. “For years, individuals and grassroots organizations have had to fight unconstitutional firearm regulations alone, and so federal help will always be appreciated,” Krawczyk said. “However, this DOJ should not ignore its own complicity in violating the Second Amendment.” “Rather than resisting ongoing legal challenges to 20th-century federal gun control laws, this DOJ should be working with pro-gun organizations to make the most of President Trump’s limited time in office,” he added.
Florida designates Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations, DeSantis says
Florida is designating the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday. The move mirrors a similar action taken by Texas in which Gov. Greg Abbott designated the CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations. “Florida agencies are hereby directed to undertake all lawful measures to prevent unlawful activities by these organizations, including denying privileges or resources to anyone providing material support,” DeSantis wrote on X. TRUMP MOVES AGAINST MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD AS ISLAMIST GROUP SPREADS IN WEST The governor’s order said the Muslim Brotherhood has long engaged in and supported violence, political assassinations and terror attacks on civilians with the intent of establishing a worldwide Islamic caliphate. It also said the group, as well as Hamas have active fundraising arms in the United States. SCATHING REPORT CALLS ON US TO LABEL ISLAMIST GROUP INFILTRATING ALL ASPECTS OF AMERICAN LIFE AS TERRORIST ORG The order said CAIR, which was created to challenge stereotypes against Islam and Muslims, has had individuals associated with it that have been convicted of providing and aspiring to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations. In a post on X, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said: “Great news! Thanks for this important Executive Order, Governor. We are ready to support!” A joint statement by CAIR and its Florida chapter said the DeSantis administration has prioritized serving their interest of the Israeli government over the people of the state. “He diverted millions in Florida taxpayer dollars to the Israeli government’s bonds. He threatened to shut down every Florida college’s Students for Justice in Palestine chapter, only to back off when CAIR sued him in federal court,” the statement said. “Like Greg Abbott in Texas, Ron DeSantis is an Israel First politician who wants to smear and silence Americans, especially American Muslims, critical of U.S. support for Israel’s war crimes. Governor DeSantis knows full well that CAIR-Florida is an American civil rights organization that has spent decades advancing free speech, religious freedom, and justice for all, including for the Palestinian people. That’s precisely why Governor DeSantis is targeting our civil rights group with this unconstitutional and defamatory proclamation. “We look forward to defeating Governor DeSantis’ latest Israel First stunt in a court of law, where facts matter and conspiracy theories have no weight,” the groups added. “In the meantime, we encourage all Floridians and all Americans to speak up against this latest attempt to shred the Constitution for the benefit of a foreign government.” Florida’s designation is at the state level. It doesn’t carry the legal force of a federal Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) listing, which only the U.S. State Department can issue. In Texas, Muslim and interfaith leaders have demanded that Abott reverse his proclamation regarding CAIR. In a lawsuit against Texas over the governor’s declaration, CAIR argued that it violates both the U.S. Constitution and state law. The order violates its First Amendment rights and due-process protections, CAIR said, arguing that the state overstepped its authority because terrorism designations fall under federal, not state, jurisdiction.
Greg Abbott makes major announcement about Turning Point USA in Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott vowed to expand Club America chapters into every Texas high school and warned districts against blocking them as he and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick cast Turning Point USA’s (TPUSA’s) youth movement as a moral mission inspired by the late Charlie Kirk’s legacy. TPUSA calls its high school chapters “Club America,” and typically they set up tables on their school campus to promote TPUSA, while also bringing in conservative speakers once per semester. Abbott and Patrick framed the surge of TPUSA’s Club America chapters as a values-driven effort to shape the next generation, arguing that public schools should welcome the groups or face disciplinary action if they do not. On Monday, Abbott described TPUSA’s influence as evidence of a cultural shift among teenagers seeking clarity about faith, nationhood and purpose. TPUSA CHAPTER GAINED 100 NEW MEMBERS RAPIDLY AT TEXAS UNIVERSITY AFTER CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION He said the growth of Club America reflects what he sees as a revival of foundational values on campuses and compared the movement to earlier faith-oriented groups that once dominated student life. The governor also portrayed Texas as uniquely positioned to accelerate that revival because of its existing concentration of chapters. He followed that message with a forceful warning that school officials who push back against Club America risk state intervention. “Any school that stands in the way of a Club America program in their school should be reported immediately to the Texas Education Agency,” Abbott said. “I expect meaningful disciplinary action to be taken for any stoppage of TPUSA in the great state of Texas.” WILLIAM & MARY SOPHOMORE HELPS LAUNCH TURNING POINT CHAPTER AFTER BEING ‘CLOSETED CONSERVATIVE’ ON CAMPUS He argued that protecting the group’s presence is part of honoring Kirk’s vision and ensuring students have access to what he called essential moral guidance. Patrick extended that theme by anchoring the movement in religious and cultural terms, saying Kirk’s message has only intensified since his death. He told supporters that Texas students are searching for direction at a moment of national uncertainty and that Club America now fills a void once occupied by traditional civic and faith institutions. WISCONSIN SCHOOL TO PARTNER WITH TPUSA AFTER FACING BACKLASH OVER REJECTING STUDENT’S CHAPTER To illustrate that point, Patrick pointed to his own family, describing how his grandson joined a chapter after Kirk’s death and quickly found a sense of belonging. He framed the group’s expansion not just as a political project but as a generational duty to reinforce values he said have been weakened over time. “Charlie’s message of freedom and liberty and faith is really resonating with young men and women across Texas and across America,” Patrick said. Abbott’s and Patrick’s remarks came as Club America gains traction nationwide, including in Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a partnership with TPUSA in October to ensure chapters can be established in any high school in the state.
Pressure mounts on Mamdani to ‘continue the fight’ on illicit Chinese vapes flooding NYC
New York City’s socialist Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is facing pressure to outline his position and plans on cracking down on illicit Chinese vapes that have flooded the United States, which have sparked widespread concern as the illegal products are being sold inside bodegas throughout the city. “New York City has always been the capital of the criminal tobacco market and the illicit Chinese vape trade is no exception,” Former New York City Sheriff Edgar Domenech, who is also a former ATF official who focused on tobacco and related contraband, told Fox News Digital. “They continue to be sold by smoke shops in every borough and on every corner. The Adams administration made strong strides bringing enforcement action and Mayor-elect Mamdani needs to continue that fight to protect New York’s children and defend small businesses. The first step should be fighting for a piece of the $200 million that the FDA has allocated to enforcement and making sure it is used to fund local efforts to combat the illicit market.” For years, federal officials have warned that disposable flavored vapes, overwhelmingly manufactured in China, remain widely available in the U.S. despite a federal ban. But recent stings suggest they are only the visible tip of a much larger criminal operation. Investigators have uncovered that many smoke shops, which often appear to be ordinary convenience stores, are serving as fronts for narcotics trafficking, illegal firearms, and extensive money-laundering schemes. TRUMP ADMIN’S CRACKDOWN ON ILLICIT CHINESE VAPES IN US SCORES MAJOR WINS: ‘EMERGING THREAT’ New York City has emerged as a national hotspot for the illegal vape trade inside its local markets and bodegas. The Adams administration seized more than 1,200 pounds of illicit vape products worth over $80 million, so much that the city had to pay to destroy them because warehouses were overflowing. The city also sued nine major national distributors, including one based in Buffalo, accused of shipping Chinese-made, candy-flavored vapes into New York neighborhoods and targeting teenagers. “We are facing an epidemic of e-cigarette and vape use among young people, and we will not stand by while manufacturers and wholesalers supply our city with illegal, harmful products that target our most vulnerable New Yorkers — children,” a spokesperson for Mayor Adams told the New York Post last year. But with a new administration taking over, officials warn that now is not the time to scale back. China’s vape industry is estimated at $28 billion, and despite federal restrictions, government data indicates that two-thirds of its products reach U.S. consumers. More than 80 percent of vapes sold nationwide are illicit and not authorized for sale. 5-FIGURE AD BUY URGES STATES TO CRACK DOWN AS CHINA FLOODS MARKET WITH ILLICIT VAPES: ‘TRUMP WAS RIGHT’ It is unclear how strongly a Mamdani administration will enforce the crackdown on illicit Chinese vapes. Fox News Digital reached out to the Mamdani transition team for comment. Congress recently allocated $200 million through the FDA to combat illicit vapes in the United States, funds New York City could presumably use to address the issue. Mamdani has pledged to cut fees and fines on small businesses by 50 percent, and late in the campaign secured the endorsement of the United Bodegas of America, a group whose member stores have repeatedly been cited for violating federal and state vape bans.
Congress moves to block Pentagon from cutting US troops in Europe and South Korea
Congress is moving to limit the Pentagon’s ability to pull forces out of Europe and South Korea, easing concerns among allied governments. The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, finalized by House and Senate negotiators and released Sunday evening, keeps force presence at roughly its current levels in both regions. It states that the U.S. cannot reduce its forces in Europe below 76,000 without submitting an assessment and certifying to Congress that such a move would not harm U.S. or NATO security interests. The bill places restraints on reductions below 28,500 in South Korea. Any drawdown would require the Pentagon to assure Congress that deterrence against North Korea would not be weakened, confirm that allies were consulted, and provide both a national security justification and an assessment of regional impact. CONGRESS UNVEILS $900B DEFENSE BILL TARGETING CHINA WITH TECH BANS, INVESTMENT CRACKDOWN, US TROOP PAY RAISE The legislation also requires the U.S. to retain the position of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), NATO’s top military post, codifying into statute a role traditionally held by an American general. These limits follow reports that the Pentagon had considered reducing forces in Europe and South Korea and even relinquishing the SACEUR position. Whether those ideas reflected genuine planning or were intended as pressure on allies to invest more in their own defenses, U.S. leaders have recently signaled they are stepping back from such moves even without congressional restrictions. During a meeting last week with U.S. national security officials and European leaders, American officials told their counterparts that Europe must be prepared to bear the brunt of NATO’s defense responsibilities by 2027, three European officials familiar with the meeting told Fox News Digital. The U.S. plans to hold onto the SACEUR position but will offer some other senior NATO military posts to European nations, officials said. They also noted that Washington has no near-term plans for major troop reductions in Europe. “We’ve been very clear in the need for Europeans to lead in the conventional defense of Europe. We are committed to working through NATO coordination mechanisms to strengthen the alliance and ensure its long-term viability as European allies increasing take on responsibility for conventional deterrence and defense in Europe,” Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said in response. GERMANY UNVEILS NEW INCENTIVES TO BOOST MILITARY RECRUITMENT AMID GROWING RUSSIA THREAT Earlier this year, the Army pulled a rotating brigade stationed largely in Romania back to the United States, prompting European allies to question whether that move might signal the beginning of broader U.S. force drawdowns on NATO’s eastern flank. The NDAA — the yearly must-pass package outlining the Pentagon’s spending and policy priorities — is expected to move swiftly to a House vote this week. Congress aims to have the legislation on the president’s desk before Christmas. The bill also includes $400 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative over two years and an amendment specifying when the Pentagon may reclaim equipment purchased for Ukraine but not yet delivered: only when the equipment is urgently needed for an ongoing or imminent U.S. contingency operation and failing to use it would risk loss of life or critical mission failure. This provision follows the Pentagon’s decision earlier this year to pause delivery of certain U.S.-funded military equipment to Ukraine. Over the weekend, War Secretary Pete Hegseth described South Korea and several European nations as “model allies.” “Model allies that step up, like Israel, South Korea, Poland, increasingly Germany, the Baltics and others, will receive our special favor,” he said at the Reagan National Defense Forum. “Allies that still fail to do their part for collective defense will face consequences.”
Trump critic Jasmine Crockett poised for Senate run in deep-red Texas
Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas, the progressive firebrand and frequent foil of President Donald Trump, is expected to launch a U.S. Senate campaign on Monday, which is the deadline for candidates to file for the state’s March 3 primary. Hours before Crockett — a rising star Democrat with a large social media imprint who represents a Dallas area district — was to hold an event announcing her decision, one of the two Democrats already running for the Senate abandoned his bid. Former Rep. Colin Allred, who was making his second straight bid for the Senate in right-leaning Texas, announced he was ending his campaign and instead would launch a congressional campaign as he seeks to return to the House. But Democratic state Rep. James Talarico, a former middle school teacher and Presbyterian seminarian, remains in the Senate primary, setting up a likely face-off between two surging contenders with formidable fundraising. If Crockett launches a Senate campaign as expected, it would further rock a high-profile and heavily contested race, which, on the Republican side, includes Sen. John Cornyn and GOP primary rivals Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. House Rep. Wesley Hunt. The contest in Texas is one of the most closely watched Senate showdowns as Democrats try to win back the chamber’s majority in next year’s midterms. EX-NFL STAR ABANDONS SENATE BID AS JASMINE CROCKETT NEARS MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT Crockett told CNN this weekend that she’s made out two cashier checks, one if she jumps into the Senate campaign and one to submit if she files for re-election in the House. And her down-to-the-wire announcement is scheduled for 90 minutes before the final deadline to submit one of the checks. Crockett has teased a possible Senate run for weeks, telling MS NOW on Sunday that “I am closer to yes than I am to no.” And she has said she’s commissioned polling to make her case for a Senate run in Texas, where no Democrat has won a statewide election in over three decades. In another sign that she’s expected to launch a Senate run, Crockett told the Dallas Morning News that she called both Allred and Talarico to discuss her polling. BIG WIN FOR TRUMP, GOP, AS SUPREME COURT GREENLIGHTS NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP IN TEXAS Monday’s filing deadline comes just a few days after the Supreme Court upheld a new congressional map passed by the GOP-dominated Texas legislature and signed into law by longtime Republican Gov. Greg Abbott that creates five more right-leaning House districts in the Lone Star State. And one of the Texas Democrats whose district had been dramatically altered, Rep. Marc Veasey, had reportedly been discussing with Crockett a plan where he would file for her current House seat shortly after she files to run for the Senate. Allred, who was making a second straight Senate bid after losing to conservative firebrand Sen. Ted Cruz by roughly 9 points last year, said in a statement that he didn’t want to contribute to anything that would splinter Democrats’ hopes of flipping the GOP-held Senate seat in next year’s elections. “In the past few days, I’ve come to believe that a bruising Senate Democratic primary and runoff would prevent the Democratic Party from going into this critical election unified against the danger posed to our communities and our Constitution by Donald Trump and one of his Republican bootlickers Paxton, Cornyn, or Hunt,” Allred wrote. By dropping out of the race, Allred will likely allow Democrats to avoid a costly and messy primary runoff in the spring, giving the party more time to consolidate around their nominee and raise much-needed campaign cash. Meanwhile, with Cornyn, Paxton, and Hunt all taking aim at each other in a combustible primary, the GOP nomination may be headed towards a runoff, which would be triggered if no candidate tops 50% in the primary. CROCKET SPENDS EYE-POPPING AMOUNT OF CAMPAIGN CASH ON THIS The 44-year-old Crockett, who is Black, is a former state representative and civil rights lawyer. She won her seat in 2022 after longtime Democratic Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, who was retiring, hand-picked her as his successor in Congress. Crockett, who won re-election last year, has become one of the most well-known Democratic politicians in the country the past couple of years, thanks to her viral jabs at Republicans and her verbal sparing on social media with Trump, who has repeatedly questioned her intelligence. And she’s grabbed plenty of headlines during her time on the House Oversight Committee. While her expected Senate run will likely excite many Democrats, thanks to her energy and her proven fundraising ability, her frequent push-back against GOP politicians may energize Republicans. Among her biggest blunders — calling Abbott, who is partially paralyzed and uses a wheelchair, “Gov. Hot Wheels.” Crockett has also compared Trump to Adolf Hitler on multiple occasions while accusing aspects of the Republican Party of fascism. She notably ran for ranking member of the House Oversight Committee earlier this year following the death of its previous top Democrat, the late Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., but dropped out of the race after failing to win the recommendation of leadership within her party. But the Dallas-area Democrat has won favor with some party leaders, like ex-Vice President Kamala Harris, who revealed in her memoir “107 Days” that she mentored Crockett as part of her covert “Stars Project” while in office. Crockett spoke at the Democratic National Convention last year when Harris was named the party’s presidential candidate, a notable slot for someone who was then a first-term House lawmaker. She had also been facing some tough decisions in her House race after the new GOP-led Texas congressional map appeared to draw her home out of her current district. Crockett’s expected entry into the Senate race will shift the spotlight off of the GOP primary, where Cornyn, the longtime incumbent who hails from the party’s establishment wing, has cut into the one-time large lead by Paxton, a MAGA firebrand, with Hunt in third. The concern
FBI to be under harsh new microscope as Stefanik scores victory in annual defense bill
A Republican-backed measure in this year’s annual defense policy bill is aimed at significantly expanding FBI transparency in American elections. A provision in the 3,000-page National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would force the bureau to disclose the initiation of a “counterintelligence assessment or investigation” against a candidate for federal office or a current elected official within 15 days of its launch. Specifically, it would mandate that the FBI notify the top four congressional leaders in the House and Senate as well as the top Republican and top Democrat on both chambers’ judiciary and intelligence committees. An exception would be granted if one of those people was the target of such a probe, however. PATEL SAYS COMEY CASE IS ‘FAR FROM OVER,’ VOWS TO RESTORE ‘ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY’ TO FBI The provision was spearheaded by House GOP Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., who told Fox News Digital on Monday that it was “a win that I am proud to deliver for transparency and accountability and against the illegal weaponization of the deep state.” “I am the only remaining House Republican who served on the House Intelligence Committee during the dark Schiff impeachment era,” Stefanik said. “Congress owes the American people long overdue accountability after the unprecedented illegal weaponization of our federal government, whether it was the illegal Crossfire Hurricane targeting of President Trump in 2016 or more recently the sweeping Operation Arctic Frost.” FBI FIRES AGENTS, DISMANTLES CORRUPTION SQUAD AFTER PROBE UNVEILS MONITORING OF GOP SENATORS, PATEL SAYS The measure is also backed by House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. A Jordan spokesman told Fox News Digital that the conservative leader has “always been 100% supportive of this provision.” Its inclusion came after some fireworks between Stefanik and Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., last week. Stefanik had publicly accused the speaker of kowtowing to Democrats and allowing that provision to be removed. Johnson said he was blindsided by Stefanik’s anger and was unaware of her concerns when she had made them public. HOUSE REPUBLICANS ACCUSE BIDEN’S FBI OF RETALIATING AGAINST WHISTLEBLOWER WHO EXPOSED MISCONDUCT Johnson also said at the time that it had been removed from the final bill during normal procedural discussions between Democrats and Republicans, although he himself supported the measure. Stefanik later claimed victory on X, however, announcing the provision had been reinstated after a conversation between herself, Johnson and President Donald Trump. “I had a very productive conversation with Speaker Johnson last night and I shared my views that House Republicans need to focus on delivering results to the American people,” she said last week. House Republican leadership aides said in answer to a question by Fox News Digital on Monday night that there was “some miscommunication and misunderstandings” related to the provision at first but “we’ve worked through those.” Aides said House GOP leaders “worked closely with Stefanik’s office and with the committees of jurisdiction to find a way to accomplish her intent and what she was hoping to get out of the provision in a way that that fit with the priorities of the committees of jurisdiction and address some of the concerns that they’d had.” Jeremy Paul, a professor of law at Northeastern University, told Fox News Digital on Monday that he did not believe there were legitimate concerns over separation of powers with the provision. HOUSE VOTES TO REPEAL CONTROVERSIAL ARCTIC FROST PROVISION FROM GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN BILL “If it is enacted into law, the executive branch could argue that this is an intrusion on executive power,” he said. “But it’s very tough, because there are no crimes unless the Congress makes something a crime. So Congress really ultimately has control over what is and is not investigated.” “As far as constitutional arguments, it’s not easy for me to think of one that would derail this statute. That doesn’t mean the statute is a good idea.” “If people are breaking the law, then they should be investigated. And if the investigation reveals that their campaign, for example, is being funded by foreign governments, then that ought to be stopped. And this is gonna make it harder for that to happen,” he said. But conservatives in Congress argue that the provision is critical. “We support that 110%. I hope it stays in the NDAA in light of what we’ve seen in the last 10 years, particularly what the weaponized Justice Department did to President Trump,” Jordan told FOX Business host Maria Bartiromo last week. “This is definitely needed. I totally support what Elise is trying to get done.”
Senate Democrats push Obamacare subsidy vote ‘designed to fail’ as Republicans call plan unserious
The Senate is readying for a vote on extending expiring Obamacare premium subsidies, but the proposal on the table is all but certain to fail. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., unveiled Senate Democrats’ long-awaited plan to prevent the subsidies from lapsing, which Senate Republicans nearly universally panned. A vote on the plan is expected on Thursday. “I mean, it’s obviously designed to fail,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told Fox News Digital. ABORTION RESTRICTIONS CREATE MAJOR ROADBLOCK FOR BIPARTISAN OBAMACARE SUBSIDY DEAL IN SENATE Schumer’s proposal would extend the subsidies for another three years without any of the reforms demanded by the GOP. And bipartisan talks that have been ongoing since the government shutdown ended have virtually ground to a halt. Thune said when the proposal fails, “if they want to have a serious conversation about a real solution, that can get underway.” “But, you know, we haven’t decided yet exactly what we’re going to do. But what that signals, though, and evidences, is they’re just not serious,” he said. Senate Republicans have not landed on their own proposal and may not before the upper chamber leaves Washington, D.C., next week until the start of the New Year. SCHUMER UNVEILS DEMOCRATS’ OBAMACARE FIX PLAN, LIKELY DEAD IN THE WATER There are several plans circulating among Republicans to choose from, but none have gained enough traction or support to hit the floor in a possible side-by-side vote. The subsidies, which were initially passed under former President Joe Biden during the COVID-19 pandemic and then enhanced to virtually remove any income caps — one of the many sticking points for Republicans — are set to expire by the end of the year. While the Senate struggles to find a way forward, lawmakers are quick to point the finger at who would own the subsidies’ expiration. Senate Republicans contend that it’s Schumer and Senate Democrats who are to blame, given that they set the subsidies to sunset by the end of this year when they controlled the Senate. And Senate Democrats argue that Republicans would own the issue since they have yet to produce their own proposal. BIPARTISAN DEAL ON OBAMACARE SUBSIDIES FADES AS REPUBLICANS PUSH HSA PLAN Schumer argued that Republicans have “chosen to do nothing, absolutely nothing,” as the deadline creeps closer. And he believes that Senate Democrats’ plan could succeed, despite a likely insurmountable math problem. “It is not a nonstarter, 13 votes could solve the problem,” Schumer said. “That’s where the onus should be.” But the plan is a nonstarter for Republicans for several reasons, including the lack of reforms, the length and that it has no inclusion of Hyde Amendment language that would prevent taxpayer dollars from funding abortions — a tricky issue that has largely derailed bipartisan negotiations. Meanwhile, Republicans are eyeing a proposal that would send the subsidy money directly to Americans in the form of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), a plan first pushed by Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and then co-opted by President Donald Trump. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., has been working on an HSA plan that he presented, among other ideas, last week to Senate Republicans during their closed-door lunch. Still, lawmakers exited the meeting and left Washington by the end of the week, without a counteroffer to Senate Democrats’ dead-on-arrival proposal. “The president gave the marching orders. We’re working on it. We want to deliver it,” Cassidy told Fox News’ Shannon Bream.