Fox News Politics: Death of a titan

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What's happening:

-Fauci set to be grilled for the first time by a Republican House Majority for the first time…

-DeSantis & Newsom square off in televised debate tonight on Hannity. Follow the Fox News live blog for the latest updates…

-Grand Central Station shut down by Pro-Palestinian protests…

Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger died at his home in Connecticut on Wednesday. He was 100.

The German-born American served as a diplomat, academic and presidential adviser, and continued to impact American politics in the private sector after leaving office. His stamp on U.S. foreign policy spanned decades and he was responsible – for better or worse – for systematically changing the standing of the U.S., China, Russia and others.

After the news of his death broke, dignitaries from around the world commented on his life and legacy. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby called Kissinger's death a "huge loss."

But not everyone spoke well of the deceased diplomat. Virginia Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly said it was time to reassess Kissinger's legacy. "His indifference to human suffering will forever tarnish his name and shape his legacy," Connolly posted on X.

GOOD RIDDANCE’: Rolling Stone, other liberal outlets jubilant over Kissinger's death …Read more

BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Fauci set to be grilled by House GOP majority for first time …Read more

'THIS WILL HAUNT THEM': Santos torches Dems ahead of House expulsion vote, teases call to remove progressive House member …Read more

GETTING SCHOOLED: Jim Banks blasts college professors who criticized him over antisemitism letter …Read more

‘CHERRY PICKING’: Expert blows up left's favorite narrative on guns after tense Senate floor exchange …Read more

FINGERPRINTS: GOP bill would mandate fingerprinting for kids crossing the border illegally …Read more

FULL STEAM AHEAD: House GOP to huddle Friday discussing vote on formalizing Biden impeachment inquiry: Sources …Read more

GAGGED: Appeals court reinstates order restricting Trump during NY fraud trial …Read more

NO MORE 'DRAMA': Nikki Haley's first campaign ad calls for 'moral clarity,' leaving behind past 'chaos' …Read more

PRIME-TIME SHOWDOWN: What DeSantis, Newsom aim to gain from 'Hannity' debate …Read more

‘IF NECESSARY’: Kamala Harris reveals she would 'of course' inform the American public if there was a 'problem' with Biden …Read more

IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID: Democratic strategist declares voters are 'wrong' for not giving Biden enough credit on the economy …Read more

PRO-LIFE LEGISLATION: Ohio Secretary of State consulted anti-abortion groups while drafting Issue 1 ballot language …Read more

'YOU CAN'T HIDE': Pro-Palestinian demonstrators shout at Hillary Clinton outside Columbia class …Read more

ELECTION INDICTMENT: Arizona Republican officials charged over delayed certification of 2022 election results …Read more

‘EXCITING PLANS’: Top American university hosts controversial official who praised CCP …Read more

WHICH IS IT: CBS says economy 'better' than government thought after reporting people need 'extra $11,400' to afford basics …Read more

TRAIN DOWN: Grand Central Station shut down due to Palestinian protests …Read more 

House GOP discussing vote to formalize Biden impeachment inquiry

House Republicans are expected to huddle behind closed doors Friday morning to discuss holding a vote formalizing an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, Fox News Digital has learned.

Three sources familiar with discussions said GOP leaders are strongly considering a House-wide vote to approve an investigation into Biden. 

The Friday morning meeting is expected to see chairmen of the three committees probing Biden and his family — Oversight Chairman James Comer, R-Ky.; Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio; and Ways & Means Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo. — to make their case to the House GOP Conference. 

HOUSE OVERSIGHT SUBPOENAS HUNTER BIDEN, JAMES BIDEN, ROB WALKER FOR TESTIMONY AMID IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., directed the House to open an impeachment inquiry into Biden in September, but the White House has dismissed the probe as illegitimate without a formal vote on the matter. 

GOP leaders believe that holding a House-wide vote on formalizing the impeachment inquiry would make it harder for the Biden administration to resist House Republicans’ subpoenas and requests for information, one source explained.

And moderate Republicans have indicated they see enough need to investigate Biden to support Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., holding a vote on an inquiry.

WEISS SAYS HE 'WASN'T GRANTED' SPECIAL ATTORNEY AUTHORITY IN HUNTER BIDEN PROBE DESPITE REQUEST: TRANSCRIPT

Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., whose district is anchored in Miami, told Fox News Digital, "There's plenty of smoke coming out of the White House which justifies an impeachment inquiry."

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., whose district was narrowly won by Biden in 2020, is also supportive of opening a formal impeachment inquiry. 

"Since the administration has started stonewalling in the last couple of weeks, we need the impeachment inquiry to compel them to provide information. Ultimately, this is what voters need to know come next November, and the inquiry will get information," Bacon told Fox News Digital.

The vote would just affirm House GOP support for investigating Biden and would not in itself see the president impeached.

A Republican lawmaker told Fox News Digital they believe there is enough support for such a measure to pass. 

A second GOP lawmaker stressed that no decision has been made and that the formal impeachment inquiry vote was still in a "discussion" phase. 

SPEAKER JOHNSON: BIDEN ENGAGING IN ‘COVER-UP’ OF ROLE IN HUNTER BUSINESS DEALINGS, IMPEACHMENT PROBE CONTINUES

At their weekly press conference on Wednesday, GOP leaders along with Comer, Jordan and Smith laid out their case for investigating the president and his family, accusing them of profiting off of his time as vice president.

"This impeachment inquiry, led by the chairmen here today, James Comer, Jim Jordan and Jason Smith, continues to provide the American people the answers they both demand and deserve. They have found over $10 million from China, Russia, Ukraine and Romania funneled through a corrupt influence-peddling scheme to line the pockets of the Biden crime family," GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., said.

Biden and his allies have denied any wrongdoing. The White House panned the inquiry as a "baseless fishing expedition" in a statement to Fox News Digital on Thursday.

"This is yet another sad attempt by extreme House Republicans to try to distract from their own chaos and dysfunction, including whether to expel their own member and how they are yet again on a path to shut down the government," White House spokesman Ian Sams said.

"Their baseless fishing expedition targeting the President has been going on for an entire year and, over and over again, their allegations of wrongdoing by President Biden have been thoroughly debunked. House Republicans have already proven this is an illegitimate exercise not rooted in facts and the truth but only in a political desire to smear the President with lies, and the American people see right through it."

The speaker's office did not return a request for comment.

Marjorie Taylor Greene reintroduces impeachment push against Mayorkas: ‘Lost the trust’ of Americans

Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene, R- Georgia, reintroduced articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday, after her previous impeachment effort against him failed earlier this month. 

During her remarks on the House floor, Greene said the secretary has "failed to maintain operational control of the border," citing high levels of illegal immigration, including migrants with possible terrorist ties, and violence and drug smuggling, which she called a "direct national security threat."

"Mayorkas has made it easier for illegal aliens and drugs to enter the United States, endangering American citizens and has made it harder for CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) to expel such threats," Greene said. 

DEMOCRATS BLOCK EFFORT TO IMPEACH DHS SECRETARY MAYORKAS WITH REPUBLICAN SUPPORT

She added that Mayorkas' actions are incomparable with his duties and that he has "lost the trust" of Americans. 

A Homeland Security statement to Fox News Digital called Greene's impeachment effort a "baseless attack" that is "completely without merit and a harmful distraction from our critical national security priorities." 

"Every day, the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security work tirelessly to keep America safe," the statement said. "They need Congress to stop wasting time and do its job by reforming our broken immigration system, reauthorizing vital tools for DHS, and passing the Administration’s supplemental request to properly resource the Department’s critical work to stop fentanyl and further secure our borders."

"Secretary Mayorkas continues to be laser-focused on the safety and security of our nation," the statement continued.

GOP REP. TORCHES REPORTER CLAIMING AMERICANS SEE NO EVIDENCE FOR BIDEN IMPEACHMENT: ‘YOU DON’T REPORT ON IT'

Mayorkas has been sharply criticized by Republicans over his handling of the southern border amid record numbers of migrants and illegal activity at the border, in addition to attacks on border agents. 

Greene has been calling for his removal and accused him with "high crimes and misdemeanors" in her latest effort. Her last attempt was thwarted by members of her own party. Eight Republicans joined Democrats in the 209-201 House vote. 

The eight who voted against were Reps. Ken Buck, R-Colo., Darrell Issa, R-Calif., Tom McClintock, R-Calif., Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., John Duarte, R-Calif., Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., Cliff Bentz, R-Ore., and Mike Turner, R-Ohio. 

Additionally, 11 Democrats and 12 Republicans did not vote on the measure.

Greene addressed the failed effort Wednesday on X, formally known as Twitter. 

"While some members, like Tom McClintock, want to bloviate endlessly while imagining themselves wearing a powdered wig, the American people want action," she wrote. "These members whine about ‘due process’ while protecting Mayorkas from facing accountability for his violation of our border security laws."

"Impeachment IS due process. It would put Mayorkas in front of the Senate to face trial," she added. "We’ve seen the evidence of him breaking the law. It’s time for the Senate to try him for it."

Money laundering investigator warned of Hunter Biden’s ‘unusual,’ ‘erratic’ payments from China in 2018

FIRST ON FOX: A bank investigator responsible for detecting and combating money laundering warned in 2018 of "unusual" and "erratic" activity related to more than a dozen wire transfers of large sums of money to accounts belonging to Hunter Biden.

In an email released by the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, a Bank Secrecy Act manager raised concerns that the payments did not appear to correspond to "any services rendered," as well as Chinese efforts to target children of politicians. The investigator suggested the bank re-evaluate its relationship with the client.

The payments from China ultimately funded a $40,000 check to Joe Biden from his brother that had been labeled loan repayment, according to House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky. Comer is co-leading the impeachment inquiry against President Biden and has been investigating the Biden family’s business dealings for months.

JOE BIDEN RECEIVED $40K IN 'LAUNDERED CHINA MONEY' FROM BROTHER IN 2017, COMER SAYS

The email is from a Bank Secrecy Act manager to an assistant vice president and branch manager of a financial institution. The names of the investigator, the vice president and the bank have been redacted in the email, dated June 26, 2018.

"We have been monitoring the subject customer due to the PEP designation and observations on the account activity as well as recent negative news indicate this entity to be high risk," the investigator writes in the email. 

A "PEP designation" is short for a "Politically Exposed Person," meaning the individual, through their prominent position or relationships, could be more susceptible to being involved in bribery or corruption, according to LexisNexis Risk Solutions. 

"Since the initial funding of $5,000,000.00 from Northern International Capital Holdings (HK) Limited on 08/08/17 as a business loan, it was noted that there was no loan agreement document submitted," the investigator wrote in the email.

The investigator noted that the funds in the account had "primarily funded 16 wires ranging from $157,393.19 to $400,000.00," totaling more than $2.9 million to a redacted name and to "Owasco PC—Law Firm in D.C." Owasco was an entity controlled by Hunter Biden.

"These payments were indicated as management fees and reimbursements," the investigator notes.

SPEAKER JOHNSON: BIDEN ENGAGING IN ‘COVER-UP’ OF ROLE IN HUNTER BUSINESS DEALINGS, IMPEACHMENT PROBE CONTINUES

"We find it unusual that approximately 58% of the funds were transferred to the law firm in a few months and the frequency of payments appear erratic," the investigator notes. "It was also previously indicated that HUDSON WEST III LLC does not currently have any investment projects at this time, which raises further concerns as millions in fees are being paid but does not appear to have any services rendered by Owasco PC."

"Furthermore, there has been negative news regarding the beneficial owner of Owasco PC, Robert Hunter Biden (son of former U.S. Vice President- Joe Biden) regarding allegations by his ex-wife that there were financial concerns about his extravagant spending on his own interests (drugs, strip clubs, prostitutes, etc.) which may put his family in a deep financial hole," the investigator wrote.

The investigator also pointed to more "recent negative news indicate China targeting children of politicians and purchase of political influence through ‘sweetheart deals.’"

FLASHBACK: HUNTER BIDEN ASSOCIATE TEXTS HINT AT PUSH TO ‘GET JOE INVOLVED,’ MAKE IT LOOK LIKE ‘TRULY FAMILY BUSINESS’

"Specifically, Hunter Biden’s $1.5 billion dollar deal with the Chinese-State to establish a private-equity firm in which they manage the funds over time and make huge fees," the investigator wrote. "The management company’s purpose is to invest in companies that benefit Chinese government."

The investigator added: "Thus, the activity on the account appears unusual with no current business purpose and along with the recent negative news…may require re-evaluation of [the bank's] relationship with the customer."

Last month, the Oversight Committee obtained bank records revealing that on Aug. 8, 2017, $5 million in funds were sent to Hudson West III, a joint-venture established by Hunter Biden and an associate of Chinese Communist Party-linked CEFC, Gongwen Dong.

The records revealed that on the same day, Aug. 8, 2017, Hudson West III sent $400,000 to Owasco, P.C. — as mentioned by the bank investigator in the new email.

HUNTER DEMANDED $10M FROM CHINESE ENERGY FIRM BECAUSE 'BIDENS ARE THE BEST,' HAVE 'CONNECTIONS'

On Aug. 14, 2017, Hunter Biden wired $150,000 to Lion Hall Group, a company owned by James Biden and his wife Sara Biden. By Aug. 28, 2017, Comer said Sara Biden withdrew $50,000 in cash from Lion Hall Group and later deposited it into her and James Biden’s personal checking account.

Days later, Sara Biden wrote a check to Joe Biden for $40,000. The memo line of the check stated "loan repayment."

The White House, upon discovery of the check, said the committee found that as a private citizen, the president loaned his brother James his own money when his brother needed it, and only discovered a record that he was repaid.

Comer, reacting to the new email Wednesday, said the money laundering expert’s concerns were raised "long before" his committee’s investigation.

EMAIL FROM BIDEN'S BROTHER NAMES HARRIS, SCHUMER AS PROSPECTS FOR CHINESE FIRM

"Long before our investigation into President Biden’s corruption, a bank money laundering investigator raised the exact concerns that we raised publicly about the Biden family business: ‘payments appear erratic,’ ‘does not appear to have any services rendered,’ ‘no current business purpose,’ and ‘China target[s] children of politicians and purchase of political influence through ‘sweetheart deals.’ Those are the words of a bank investigator who was just doing his job," Comer said. "The bank investigator was so concerned about Hunter Biden’s financial transactions with the Chinese company, he wanted to re-evaluate the bank’s relationship with the customer."

FLASHBACK: HUNTER BIDEN IN 2017 SENT 'BEST WISHES' FROM 'ENTIRE BIDEN FAMILY' TO CHINA FIRM CHAIRMAN, REQUESTED $10M WIRE

Comer said that "even worse, we know that the sitting President of the United States knew about, participated in, and benefited from his family’s shady China dealings."

"Joe Biden showed up to his son’s CEFC meetings and benefited from the money wired from China," Comer said.

Comer went on to blast "the White House and their Corporate Media allies’ efforts to excuse and cover up this blatant corruption," calling the denials "appalling to the American people."

Fox News Politics: A Squad divided

Welcome to Fox News’ Politics newsletter with the latest political news from Washington D.C. and updates from the 2024 campaign trail

Subscribe now to get Fox News Politics newsletter in your inbox.

What's happening:

- Senator Schumer shares the isolation, fear, felt by American Jews

- Black voters in South Carolina feel the Democrat Party has failed them

- Dem run cittydrop six figures repainting BLM mural amid rising crime 

The House of Representatives' Tuesday votes on reaffirming Israel's right to exist and condemning the terrorist group Hamas showed some division among members of the far-left "Squad."

The vote was nearly unanimous in support of Israel. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich, and Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., were the only members of the radical eight-person group to not vote in favor of the resolution centered on Israel's existence. Tlaib was the only House member to vote "present," while Bush didn't vote.

After the vote, Tlaib told Fox News Digital in a statement about H. Res. 888 that "both Israelis and Palestinians have the right to live with democracy, safety, peace, and human dignity." 

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie was the only "no" vote. He said he didn't support the resolution because it "equates anti-Zionism with antisemitism" and that expanding the definition of antisemitism to include criticism of Israel is "not helpful."

'BAD OPTICS': Biden admin quietly waived key taxpayer safeguard to boost green energy project …Read more

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‘DEEP FEAR’: Schumer gives impassioned Senate speech describing isolation felt by Jews …Read more

'ONE STOP SHOP': House GOP rolls out a website about the Biden impeachment inquiry …Read more

LET THEM WATCH: Top Oversight Democrat slams GOP for keeping Hunter Biden hearing out of public view …Read more

RACING TO 2024: House GOP eyes election security overhaul as 2024 heats up …Read more

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'CAN'T BE BOUGHT': Former NFL player announces run for newly drawn AL congressional district …Read more

WARNING BELLS: Black voters in South Carolina feel Democratic Party has 'failed them' …Read more

DON'T BE DUMB: CIA reminds staff about social media posts after CIA officer shares pro-Palestinian image …Read more

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'INHERITED': Chicago mayor pins blame for migrant crisis on predecessor Lightfoot …Read more

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DNA COLLECTORS: Conservative groups put pressure on Congress to ban contracts with CCP-linked biotech company …Read more

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.

House Republicans roll out ‘one-stop shop’ Biden impeachment inquiry website

EXCLUSIVE: House Republicans are launching a "one-stop shop" website for all things related to the impeachment inquiry against President Biden on Wednesday so that the American people can "see the clear corruption that Joe Biden and his family have committed," Fox News Digital has learned. 

The website, GOP.gov/Bidenimpeachmentinquiry, will highlight the work of the committees leading the effort — the House committees on Oversight, Judiciary, and Ways & Means — and will include summaries of their findings to date, along with supporting "key evidence." A GOP aide told Fox News Digital that the website will be a "one-stop shop" for Americans. 

"House Republicans investigations have uncovered what I believe will be the greatest political corruption scandal of my lifetime. House Republicans will continue to follow the facts and uncover evidence of vast corruption committed by Joe Biden and his family," House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., told Fox News Digital. "Here are the facts: Joe Biden directly financially benefited from his family's corrupt influence peddling scheme, the Biden family repeatedly attempted to sell access to Joe Biden to the highest bidder, including our foreign adversaries, Joe Biden has repeatedly lied to the American people about his involvement and knowledge of his family's corrupt influence peddling scheme." 

"Today, House Republicans are unveiling a website for the American people to provide them with transparency and allow them to see the clear corruption that Joe Biden and his family have committed," she said. 

HOUSE OVERSIGHT SUBPOENAS HUNTER BIDEN, JAMES BIDEN, ROB WALKER FOR TESTIMONY AMID IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY

The website includes the House Oversight Committee’s interactive timeline of the Biden family's alleged "influence peddling," dating back to President Biden’s time as vice president during the Obama administration. That timeline includes a breakdown of business dealings with China-linked companies, Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia, and Ukraine.

That timeline also has a feature dedicated to the federal criminal investigation into Hunter Biden. 

The website also includes a "photos" section, which features images of checks written to Joe Biden, photos of the president with his son’s business associates like Devon Archer and more. 

House Republicans also invite visitors of the website to sign up with their email addresses to "get the latest impeachment inquiry updates."

House Republicans also use the website to break down the impeachment inquiry "by the numbers." That section says that lawmakers have found at least $240,000 in direct payments to Biden and have issued 20 subpoenas. The committee, last month, subpoenaed Hunter Biden, the president's brother, James Biden, and requested transcribed interviews from a number of other Biden family members. 

"House Republicans are committed to delivering the transparency and accountability that the American people demand and deserve. Our investigation has unearthed evidence revealing how Joe Biden knew of, participated in, and benefited from his family’s corrupt business schemes," House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., told Fox News Digital. "House Republicans’ new website ensures this information is accessible to the American people."

Comer, in September, subpoenaed personal and business bank records belonging to both Hunter Biden and James Biden. Comer said those subpoenaed bank records revealed that President Biden himself received $40,000 in "laundered China money" from a bank account belonging to James Biden and Sara Biden. The $40,000 check had a memo line reading "loan repayment."

Subpoenaed financial records also revealed that Joe Biden received a "$200,000 direct payment" in 2018 in the form of a "personal check" from James Biden and Sara Biden. That check was also labeled "loan repayment."

WEISS SAYS HE 'WASN'T GRANTED' SPECIAL ATTORNEY AUTHORITY IN HUNTER BIDEN PROBE DESPITE REQUEST: TRANSCRIPT

The White House has repeatedly blasted the impeachment inquiry as an "evidence-free" investigation.

Hunter Biden is set to appear for a deposition behind closed doors on Dec. 13, despite offers to testify publicly.

The committees have also heard testimony from DOJ officials involved in Special Counsel David Weiss' investigation into Hunter Biden. 

"President Biden and his administration have continually changed their stories about President Biden's involvement in his family's influence-peddling schemes and business deals," House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, told Fox News Digital. "House Republicans are ready to deliver transparency and accountability to the American people."

SPEAKER JOHNSON: BIDEN ENGAGING IN ‘COVER-UP’ OF ROLE IN HUNTER BUSINESS DEALINGS, IMPEACHMENT PROBE CONTINUES

The impeachment inquiry is being led by Comer, Jordan and House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo. and began under the leadership of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. Newly-minted House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is fully behind the effort. 

Republicans are focused several avenues of investigation, including the Biden family's business dealings and whether the president was involved. The lawmakers are also investigating allegations of political misconduct and politics influencing prosecutorial decisions throughout the years-long federal investigation into Hunter Biden. 

Pennsylvania Supreme Court debates future of impeachment trial for Philadelphia Prosecutor Larry Krasner

Pennsylvania's highest court on Tuesday weighed whether the Legislature can proceed with an impeachment trial against Philadelphia's elected progressive prosecutor and whether the court or lawmakers should determine what qualifies as misbehavior in office.

What the justices decide after oral arguments in the Supreme Court chambers in Harrisburg will determine the future of efforts to remove District Attorney Larry Krasner, a Democrat, on claims he should have prosecuted some minor crimes, his bail policies and how he has managed his office.

Krasner was impeached by the state House in November 2022, a year after he was overwhelmingly reelected to a second term, sending the matter to the state Senate for trial.

PHILADELPHIA DA LARRY KRASNER IMPEACHED BY PENNSYLVANIA LAWMAKERS IN GOP-LED EFFORT: 'CRISIS OF CRIME'

PROGRESSIVE DA WILL INVESTIGATE IF PHILLY RIOTERS ARE 'FUNDAMENTALLY LAW-ABIDING PEOPLE' BEFORE PROSECUTION

Justice Kevin Brobson, one of the two Republicans on the bench Tuesday, questioned why the court should get involved at this point and suggested the Senate may not get the two-thirds majority necessary to convict and remove Krasner from office.

"Just as I would not want the General Assembly to stick its nose into a court proceeding, I am shy about whether it makes sense, constitutionally, jurisprudentially, for us at this stage to stick our noses" into the impeachment process, he said.

Justice Christine Donohue, among the four Democratic justices at the hearing, said she was not comfortable delving "into the weeds" of what the impeachable offenses were, but indicated it should be up to the Supreme Court to define misbehavior in office, the grounds for removal.

"It would go through the Senate once we define what misbehavior in office means, whatever that is, and then it would never come back again because then there would be a definition of what misbehavior in office is," she said.

Another Democrat, Justice David Wecht, seemed to chafe at an argument by lawyers for the two Republican House members managing the impeachment trial that lawmakers should determine what constitutes misbehavior.

"It’s not just akin to indicting a ham sandwich," Wecht said. He went on to say, "They could have totally different ham sandwiches in mind."

"I mean, it’s whatever the House wakes up to today and what they have for breakfast and then they bring impeachment. And then tomorrow the Senate wakes up and they think of the polar opposite as what any misbehavior means," Wecht said.

PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE REPUBLICANS ANNOUNCE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST PHILADELPHIA DA LARRY KRASNER

Krasner has dismissed the House Republicans’ claims as targeting his policies, and a lower court issued a split ruling in the matter.

A panel of lower-court judges rejected two of Krasner’s challenges — that the opportunity for a trial died along with the end last year’s session and that as a local official he could not be impeached by the General Assembly. But it agreed with him that the impeachment articles do not meet the state constitution’s definition of misbehavior in office.

Krasner’s appeal seeks reconsideration of the Commonwealth Court’s decision.

The Republican representatives who spearheaded the impeachment and the GOP-controlled Senate leadership also appealed, arguing that impeachment proceedings exist outside of the rules of lawmaking and could continue into a new legislative session. Krasner, as a district attorney, gets state funding and that distinguishes him from purely local officials, they argued.

Top Oversight Democrat slams GOP for keeping Hunter Biden hearing out of public view

House Oversight Committee ranking member Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., slammed committee Republicans for refusing Hunter Biden's request for a public hearing on Dec. 13, when Biden will appear for a closed-door deposition.

In a statement Tuesday, Raskin called the Republicans' actions an "epic humiliation" and said their hesitancy to let the president's son give public testimony is "a frank confession that they are simply not interested in the facts and have no confidence in their own case or the ability of their own Members to pursue it. 

"Let me get this straight," Raskin said. "After wailing and moaning for ten months about Hunter Biden and alluding to some vast unproven family conspiracy, after sending Hunter Biden a subpoena to appear and testify, Chairman Comer and the Oversight Republicans now reject his offer to appear before the full Committee and the eyes of the world and to answer any questions that they pose?"

HUNTER BIDEN AGREES TO HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TESTIMONY

Earlier Tuesday, Hunter Biden's attorney Abbe Lowell wrote to House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., and offered to let the president's son appear before the committee, with C-SPAN cameras rolling, and answer lawmakers' questions about his family's business dealings. The letter came in answer to a subpoena issued by Comer for Hunter Biden and his family members and business associates to sit for a closed-door deposition as part of the GOP-led investigation into the Biden family's business dealings. 

"We have seen you use closed-door sessions to manipulate, even distort the facts and misinform the public. We therefore propose opening the door," Lowell wrote. "If, as you claim, your efforts are important and involve issues that Americans should know about, then let light shine on the proceedings." 

HOUSE GOP SUBPOENAS DOJ PROSECUTOR WHO ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO SHIELD BIDEN DURING FEDERAL PROBE INTO SON HUNTER

In reply, Comer accused Biden of "trying to play by his own rules" and rejected his request to testify publicly on Dec. 13. However, the chairman agreed that Biden "should have the opportunity to testify in a public setting at a future date." 

No future hearing has yet been scheduled. 

BIDEN'S CLAIM TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF HUNTER'S BUSINESS DEALINGS IS BECOMING HARDER TO MAINTAIN

House Republicans have opened an impeachment inquiry into President Biden to examine evidence and allegations that Hunter Biden leveraged his father's positions in government to make unethical business deals with foreign partners, from which President Biden allegedly received payouts. But at the first public inquiry hearing, GOP witnesses said there was not yet enough evidence to prove the president committed an impeachable offense. 

Raskin said Republicans won't schedule a public hearing for Hunter Biden to testify because it would expose how their case against his father is weak. 

"After the miserable failure of their impeachment hearing in September, Chairman Comer has now apparently decided to avoid all Committee hearings where the public can actually see for itself the logical, rhetorical and factual contortions they have tied themselves up in," he said. 

"The evidence has shown time and again President Biden has committed no wrongdoing, much less an impeachable offense. Chairman Comer’s insistence that Hunter Biden’s interview should happen behind closed doors proves it once again. What the Republicans fear most is sunlight and the truth." 

Fox News' Chad Pergram contributed to this report.

Pennsylvania Rep. Craig Williams enters 2024 race for attorney general

A state lawmaker who is helping lead the effort to impeach Philadelphia's elected prosecutor on Tuesday became the newest candidate for Pennsylvania attorney general, an office that played a critical role in court defending Joe Biden’s 2020 victory in the presidential battleground.

Rep. Craig Williams, a Republican who represents part of suburban Philadelphia, has said for months that he planned to run for the state's top law enforcement office in 2024.

Williams, a former federal prosecutor and former U.S. Marine Corps pilot and prosecutor, is the third Republican to declare his candidacy.

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS FILE APPEAL REGARDING THE LEGALITY OF THE PA LEGISLATURE'S IMPEACHMENT OF LARRY KRASNER

COURT REJECTS PENNSYLVANIA TOWNSHIP'S BAN OF 'THIN BLUE LINE' FLAG AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL

In an announcement video, Williams says, "I'm running for attorney general because I know how to deal with violence. ... I fought the bad guys on the battlefield and I beat them in the courtroom."

Democrats are facing a five-way primary for an office that will be open after next year.

Williams is a second-term member of the state House who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2008, losing by 20 percentage points to then-U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak. He spent about a decade as a lawyer for Philadelphia-area electric and gas utility Peco Energy Co., an Exelon Corp. subsidiary, before running for the Legislature.

As a freshman lawmaker, he became one of two House Republicans tapped to lead the impeachment of Philadelphia's progressive district attorney, Larry Krasner. The process is tied up in court, with Krasner challenging it as a political impeachment based on policy disagreements, not credible evidence of wrongdoing in office.

Williams, 58, born in Alabama, got his law degree at the University of Florida.

The attorney general's office has a budget of about $140 million annually and plays a prominent role in arresting drug traffickers, fighting gun trafficking, defending state laws in court and protecting consumers from predatory practices.

The office also defended the integrity of Pennsylvania’s 2020 presidential election against repeated attempts to overturn it in state and federal courts by Donald Trump’s campaign and Republican allies.

The two other Republicans who have announced their candidacies are York County District Attorney Dave Sunday and former federal prosecutor Katayoun Copeland.

The Democrats running are Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, state Rep. Jared Solomon of Philadelphia, former state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, former federal prosecutor Joe Kahn and Keir Bradford-Grey, the former head of Philadelphia’s and Montgomery County’s public defense lawyers.

No Republican has been elected attorney general since 2008.

Candidates must file paperwork by Feb. 13 to appear on the April 23 primary ballot.

The current officeholder, Michelle Henry, is filling the last two years of Gov. Josh Shapiro 's second term as attorney general and doesn't plan to run for the office. Shapiro nominated Henry, his top deputy, in January when he was sworn in as governor.

Tennessee Supreme Court justice announces retirement

Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Roger Page announced on Monday that he plans to retire in August 2024.

In a statement from Tennessee's court system, the 68-year-old said his time as a judge has been humbling, inspiring and the honor of a lifetime. He was first appointed to the high court by former Republican Gov. Bill Haslam in 2016. His last day will be Aug. 31.

"The Tennessee judiciary is truly a family, and I have been fortunate to walk this path with my great friends in the judiciary," Page said in a statement. "I will miss all of them and treasure their friendship."

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The decision will give Republican Gov. Bill Lee a chance to appoint his third justice on the five-member court. The five current justices were all appointed by Republican governors.

Page has spent more than 25 years as a judge at the trial court, intermediate appellate and Tennessee Supreme Court levels. Haslam appointed him to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals in 2011 before picking Page for the state Supreme Court about five years later. Page served as the chief justice from 2021 to 2023.

During his tenure, Page helped secure funding for electronic filing for the court system, advocated for access to pro bono services and promoted livestreaming of appellate arguments, according to the statement.

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Page grew up on a farm in the Mifflin area of West Tennessee. Before his legal career, he worked as a chief pharmacist and assistant store manager for Walgreens.

"If I hurry, I might have time for one more career," Page said.

He praised the work done by Tennessee's judiciary system during the pandemic, including advances in technology.

"It has been incredibly gratifying to watch the start of an evolution across the judiciary," Page said. "I look forward to following those changes and to catching up with my judicial family in between trips I have been planning for years, watching my grandkids play sports, and spending time with my wonderful wife."

In Tennessee, the governor's picks for Supreme Court must also be confirmed by state lawmakers. Republicans have supermajority control in both legislative chambers. Additionally, Supreme Court justices face "yes-no" retention elections every eight years. Voters retained Page and the other four justices at the time during the 2022 election.