Category: fox-news/us/congress

Dem Rep. Al Green, booted from Trump’s address to Congress, doubles down on impeachment

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

Democratic Rep. Al Green of Texas doubled down on impeaching President Donald Trump following his disruption and removal from the president’s address to Congress on Tuesday night.

Green, a longtime critic of Trump, told reporters after being removed that he was working on articles of impeachment against the president and defended his outburst at the start of Trump’s speech.

"This president is unfit," Green said. "He should not hold the office."

Green said it was worth being removed from the joint session of Congress to make his point, which he said was to object to Trump saying he had a "mandate."

SOCIAL MEDIA ERUPTS AFTER HOUSE DEM AL GREEN INTERRUPTED TRUMP'S ADDRESS: ‘EMBARRASSING THEMSELVES’

"I was making it clear to the president that he has no mandate to cut Medicaid," Green said, referring to the health care program used by 80 million Americans. "I have people who are very fearful. These are poor people, and they have only Medicaid in their lives when it comes to their health care."

"But it's worth it to let people know that there are some of us who are going to stand up against this president's desire to cut Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security," he said.

Green’s outburst saw the congressman wave his walking cane as he stood up and shouted at the president. Republicans drowned him out with chants of "USA! USA!"

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., issued a warning for order, banging the gavel and saying, "Take your seat, sir!" When Green remained standing, Johnson ordered the Sergeants-at-Arms to restore order by removing the long-serving congressman from the chamber.

TOP 5 MOMENTS FROM TRUMP'S ADDRESS TO JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS

When reporters asked Green if shouting during Trump’s speech was the best way to get his point across, the congressman did not waver.

"It is the best way to get that across to a person who uses his incivility, who uses his incivility against our civility," Green said of Trump. "He is a person who has consistently used incivility against civility."

Johnson said afterward that Green should be censured by the House – among the more severe reprimands his colleagues could mete out.

"He’s made history in a terrible way," Johnson told reporters after the session.

"If they want to make a 77-year-old heckling congressman the face of their resistance, if that’s the Democrat Party, so be it," Johnson said. "But we will not tolerate it on the House floor."

Green told reporters that he is "willing to suffer whatever punishment is available to me."

"I didn't say to anyone, don't punish me," Green said. "I've said, I'll accept the punishment."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Top 5 moments from Trump’s address to joint session of Congress

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

President Donald Trump addressed both chambers of Congress Tuesday evening in an expansive speech that lasted more than 90 minutes, as he took a victory lap for his accomplishments thus far and previewed his vision for the future. 

The speech marked Trump's first address before Congress since he reclaimed the Oval Office in January. Though similar to a State of the Union Speech, Trump's address did not carry the same official title as he has not been in office a full year. 

Fox News Digital compiled the top five moments from Trump's address, including Democratic protests, chants of "USA, USA, USA" and Trump revealing that a top terrorist has been apprehended. 

Trump spoke for about an hour and 40 minutes, notching the longest address a president has delivered before a joint session of Congress, according to the American Presidency Project at the University of California at Santa Barbara. The longest speech on record previously was held by former President Bill Clinton, when he spoke for one hour and 28 minutes during his State of the Union Address in 2000. 

"To my fellow citizens, America is back," Trump declared at the start of his Tuesday speech. 

"Six weeks ago, I stood beneath the dome of this Capitol and proclaimed the dawn of the golden Age of America," he said. "From that moment on, it has been nothing but swift and unrelenting action to usher in the greatest and most successful era in the history of our country. We have accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four years or eight years. And we are just getting started." 

The audience broke out into chants of "USA, USA, USA" as Trump opened his speech by declaring "America is back," 

Trump rattled off a handful of accomplishments since taking office, notably the Department of Government Efficiency's work to stamp out government overspending, fraud and mismanagement, as well as securing the border and previewing how his tariff plans will lead to an economic "boom" for Americans. 

'HE'S BACK': TRUMP'S JOINT ADDRESS TO CONGRESS TO BE BLANKETED WITH 6-FIGURE AD BUY TOUTING TAX PLAN

"Every single day, we will stand up and we will fight, fight, fight for the country our citizens believe in and for the country people deserve," Trump said in his conclusion. "My fellow Americans, get ready for an Incredible future, because the golden age of America has only just begun. It will be like nothing that has ever been seen before. Thank you. God bless you and God bless America." 

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson ordered the sergeant at arms to remove Democratic Texas Rep. Al Green after he repeatedly shouted during Trump's opening remarks. 

"Members are engaging in willful and continuing breach of decorum, and the chair is prepared to direct the sergeant at arms to restore order to the joint session," Johnson warned as a handful of Democrats disrupted Trump. 

"Mr. Green, take your seat," he said, as Green continued shouting and shaking his cane at Trump. 

Johnson ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms to remove Green from the chamber. 

Green, one of Trump’s most vocal critics, already has filed impeachment articles against Trump over what he called "ethnic cleansing in Gaza."

DEMOCRAT REMOVED FROM HOUSE CHAMBER AFTER DISRUPTING TRUMP'S SPEECH TO CONGRESS: ‘TAKE YOUR SEAT’

Some Democrats had warned their colleagues against protesting Trump ahead of the speech, with former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, for example, saying they should let him "stew in his own juice."

Democrats, however, protested nonetheless, including remaining seated as Trump celebrated his policies, and held up signs reading "false," "lies," "Musk steals" and "Save Medicaid." Some female Democratic lawmakers wore pink suits in protest of policies they claim are anti-woman, while other Democrats were heard jeering Trump throughout the speech. 

Trump honored the lives of Laken Riley and Jocelyn Nungaray — who both were brutally killed by illegal immigrants under the Biden administration — including naming an animal refuge after Nungaray. 

"Alexis, I promised that we would always remember your daughter, your magnificent daughter," Trump said while directing his attention to Jocelyn Nungaray's mom, Alexis. "And earlier tonight I signed an order keeping my word to you. One thing I have learned about Jocelyn is that she loved animals so much. She loved nature. Across Galveston Bay, from where Jocelyn lived in Houston, you will find a magnificent National Wildlife Refuge. A pristine, peaceful, 34,000-acre sanctuary for all of God's creatures on the edge of the Gulf of America."

The 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was sexually assaulted and murdered by strangulation when two illegal immigrants in their 20s allegedly lured the young girl under a bridge before killing her in June 2024. 

"Her precious Jocelyn walked to a nearby convenience store," Trump said. "She was kidnaped, tied up, assaulted for two hours under a bridge and horrifically murdered. Arrested and charged with this heinous crime are two illegal alien monsters from Venezuela, released into America by the last administration through their ridiculous open border. The death of this beautiful 12-year-old girl, and the agony of her mother and family touched our entire nation greatly."

Trump also celebrated the life of Laken Riley, who was 22 years old when she was discovered beaten to death by an illegal immigrant in 2024 after going for a run on the University of Georgia’s campus.

TRUMP HONORS LIVES OF LAKEN RILEY, JOCELYN NUNGARAY WHILE CELEBRATING STRIDES ON SECURING BORDER

"Laken was viciously attacked, assaulted, beaten, brutalized, and horrifically murdered," Trump said during his speech. "Laken was stolen from us by a savage illegal alien." 

Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law upon taking office for a second time in January, saying that the U.S. will never forget Riley through the law that directs Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain illegal immigrants arrested or charged with theft-related crimes, or those accused of assaulting a police officer. 

Trump declared during his speech that the U.S. "will never, ever forget our beautiful Laken Riley" through legislation he singed into law. 

"All three savages charged with Jocelyn and Laken's murders were members of the Venezuelan prison gang, the toughest gang, they say, in the world known as Tren De Aragua," Trump said. "Two weeks ago, I officially designated this gang, along with MS-13 and the bloodthirsty Mexican drug cartels, as foreign terrorist organizations." 

"They are now officially in the same category as ISIS, and that's not good for them," he said. "Countless thousands of these terrorists were welcomed into the U.S by the Biden administration. But now, every last one will be rounded up and forcibly removed from our country. Or, if they're too dangerous, put in jail, standing trial in this country, because we don't want them to come back ever."

Trump revealed during his speech that the top terrorist suspect behind the 2021 Abbey Gate attack in Afghanistan that killed 13 U.S. service members has been apprehended and headed towards the "swift sword of American justice." 

"Tonight, I am pleased to announce that we have just apprehended the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity," Trump revealed during his speech before a joint Congress. "And he is right now on his way here to face the swift sword of American justice." 

TRUMP REVEALS TOP TERRORIST BEHIND ABBEY GATE ATTACK APPREHENDED, FACING 'SWIFT SWORD OF AMERICAN JUSTICE'

The suspect was identified as Muhammed Sharifullah, Fox News confirmed. 

"And I want to thank, especially, the government of Pakistan for helping arrest this monster," he said. "This was a very momentous day for those 13 families, who I actually got to know very well." 

The Biden administration’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan led to the deaths of 13 U.S. service members — eleven Marines, one Navy corpsman and one sailor — defending the Kabul airport, while hundreds of Americans and tens of thousands of Afghan allies were left in the country under Taliban rule. At least 170 Afghan civilians were injured in the attack, according to the U.S. military's investigation of it. 

The families who lost loved ones during the botched withdrawal had previously and repeatedly slammed former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris over their deaths, including the families saying the "administration killed my son" and that they "have not seen any support from you or your administration."

Trump revealed he held a phone call with the families of those who were killed in Afghanistan, filling them in on the latest development, which he said brought them tears of joy. 

"I spoke to many of the parents and loved ones, and they're all in our hearts tonight," Trump said. "I spoke to them on the phone. We had a big call. Every one of them called. And everybody was on the line and they did nothing but cry with happiness. They were very happy. As happy as you can be under those circumstances. Their child, brother, sister, son, daughter was killed for no reason whatsoever," he said. 

DJ Daniel, a 13-year-old boy who survived cancer, stole the show Tuesday evening when the president introduced him to the audience and officially swore him in as a member of the Secret Service. 

"Joining us in the gallery tonight is a young man who truly loves our police," Trump told the crowd. "His name is DJ Daniel is 13 years old, and he has always dreamed of becoming a police officer. But in 2018, D.J. was diagnosed with brain cancer. The doctors gave him five months at most to live. That was more than six years ago."

13-YEAR-OLD CANCER SURVIVOR EARNS STANDING OVATION AS HE BECOMES SECRET SERVICE AGENT DURING TRUMP SPEECH 

Daniel received a standing ovation from a majority of the crowd, although some Democrats were seen sitting at various times while Trump was speaking about the 13-year-old.

Trump told the audience that Daniel and his dad, who was in attendance and held the young boy up to the cheering lawmakers, that they were on a "quest" to make his dream of becoming a police officer come true.

"Tonight, DJ, we're going to do you the biggest honor of them all," Trump said. "I am asking our new Secret Service Director, Sean Curran, to officially make you an agent of the United States."

The Secret Service chief walked over to Daniel and presented him with a customized Secret Service badge, as the audience cheered. 

"Thank you, DJ," Trump said after the crowd started chanting the young boy’s name.

Fox News Digital's Andrew Mark Miller and Diana Stancy contributed to this report.

Social media erupts after House Dem Al Green interrupted Trump’s address: ‘Embarrassing themselves’

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

Reactions poured in as Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, was removed from the House chamber for protesting in the middle of President Donald Trump’s address to Congress on Tuesday night. 

However, Green and other Democrats protesting were drowned out with chants of "USA" at the start of the president's remarks. 

On social media, several conservatives slammed Green and the Democrats, saying their behavior was "out of control."

"The Democrats are out of control. They are embarrassing themselves. Heckling the President, especially in a forum like this, is not how they will win," former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer posted on X.

TRUMP DECLARES 'AMERICA IS BACK' IN SPEECH BEFORE CONGRESS

"Al Green is a disgrace," Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., tweeted. "[Trump] won the election. #47."

"Speaker Mike Johnson just ordered the Sergeant at Arms to forcibly remove Rep. Al Green for breaking rules of decorum in the House Chamber. Good for the Speaker. Al Green is a clown," Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk posted on X.

"Rep. Al Green has been a gadfly his entire time in Congress. He purposefully disrupted in order to get removed… shameful conduct, but absolutely not surprising," American Encore President Sean Noble stated on X.

"I am disgusted. This is disgusting behavior on the part of democrats," Megan McCain, the daughter of the late Sen. John McCain, said on X. "Get a grip. You’re in congress."

TUNE IN: LIVE COVERAGE OF TRUMP'S ADDRESS TO CONGRESS TUESDAY NIGHT ON FOX NEWS

However, some believe that the Democratic congressman did the right thing. 

"Rep. Al Green is a goddamn hero," progressive writer and former Hillary Clinton adviser Charlotte Clymer tweeted.

"If 77 year old Al Green can disrupt and be removed, then every single other Democrat had a duty to do so as well. Keep em coming," Dear White Staffers, a popular far-left social media account, posted on X.

Speaker Mike Johnson asked the Sergeant at Arms to escort the Democrat out of the chamber, which was met with cheers from Republicans. Many of Green’s fellow Democrats remained seated as the interaction went on.

Green, one of Trump’s most vocal critics, has already filed impeachment articles against Trump over what he called "ethnic cleansing in Gaza."

SCOOP: SPEAKER JOHNSON REVEALS GUEST LIST FOR TRUMP'S BIG SPEECH TUESDAY

He was far from the only one making a statement on Tuesday night, as many of the Democratic women in the chamber wore pink in uniform, and Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., briefly held up a sign behind the president stating "This is not normal." The sign was quickly taken away by Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas. 

Democrat removed from House chamber after disrupting Trump’s speech to Congress: ‘Take your seat’

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

Multiple Democrats caused disruptions before and during President Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday despite calls from many in the party not to do so. 

Shortly into Trump’s speech, Dem. Rep. Al Green stood up and began shouting at the president and waving his cane at him. 

"Members are engaging in willful and continuing breach of decorum, and the chair is prepared to direct the sergeant at arms to restore order to the joint session," House Speaker Mike Johnson said in response to the jeers from the crowd. 

"Mr. Green, take your seat," he added. 

'HE'S BACK': TRUMP'S JOINT ADDRESS TO CONGRESS TO BE BLANKETED WITH 6-FIGURE AD BUY TOUTING TAX PLAN

Speaker Johnson then ordered the sergeant at arms to remove Green from the chamber and he was escorted out.

Green, one of Trump’s most vocal critics, has already filed impeachment articles against Trump over what he called "ethnic cleansing in Gaza."

TRUMP SET TO CONTINUE UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL OF ACTIONS, ADDRESS CONGRESS IN 7TH WEEK BACK IN OFFICE

Earlier in the day, some Democrats warned that antics during the speech should be avoided, including former Kamala Harris 2024 senior adviser Ian Sams. 

"Democrats: PLEASE do not do dumb sh-- like this during Trump’s speech," former Harris 2024 senior advisor Ian Sams posted on X Tuesday.

Green told reporters after being removed that he objected to Trump saying he had a "mandate."

"I was making it clear to the president that he has no mandate to cut Medicaid," Green said. "I have people who are very fearful. These are poor people, and they have only Medicaid in their lives when it comes to their health care. And I want him to know that his budget calls for deep cuts in Medicaid. He needs to save Medicaid, protect it.

Green added that he is "willing to suffer whatever punishment is available to me."

"I didn't say to anyone, don't punish me," Green said. "I've said, I'll accept the punishment."

Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., silently protested Trump as he walked to the podium ahead of his address on Tuesday night.

Stansbury, the top Democrat on House DOGE subcommittee, held up a sign reading "This is not normal," as Trump greeted people nearby.

Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas, appeared to grab the paper from Stansbury and threw it. He stood across the aisle from her, along with fellow Republicans.

Fox News Digital's Andrea Margolis contributed to this report

Rep. Cory Mills denies wrongdoing as police investigate alleged ‘assault’

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

FIRST ON FOX: Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., has denied any wrongdoing in connection with an alleged assault in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Fox News has learned. 

The Washington Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said it was called to the 1300 block of Maryland Avenue, Southwest, at around 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday for the report of an assault. The incident is understood to have taken place inside his residence.

The MPD said it is conducting an active criminal investigation and did not provide any further details about the incident. 

GOP REP FILES IMPEACHMENT ARTICLES USING DEM PRECEDENT SET DURING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

A spokesperson for Mills, a highly decorated former Army combat veteran and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Intelligence, released a statement to Fox News Digital stating that the Congressman denies any wrongdoing. 

"This week, law enforcement was asked to resolve a private matter at Congressman Mills' residence," the spokesperson said. "Congressman Mills vehemently denies any wrongdoing whatsoever, and is confident any investigation will clear this matter quickly."

GOP REP FILES IMPEACHMENT ARTICLES USING DEM PRECEDENT SET DURING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

MPD said that once its leadership became aware of the matter, there was an immediate review of its initial response to ensure all procedures were followed. MPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau is currently investigating this matter, the department said. 

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser was asked about the incident at a press briefing on Friday and said she is aware of the report. 

"I can confirm that there is an internal investigation on making sure that all of our members did what they were supposed to do, according to MPD policy, so I can confirm that," Bowser said. "But I can't speak to anything about the police report."

Mills represents Florida's 7th District, covering southern Volusia and Seminole County. He has been in Congress since January 2023 and also serves on the House's Armed Services Committee. 

He was deployed to Iraq in 2003 and received the Bronze Star Medal for his actions.

Out of power: Democrats disoriented in fight against Trump agenda

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

It’s a new season for Congressional Democrats.

And that’s not always a good thing.

New seasons bring change. New players. New coaches. New approaches.

The problem is finding the right approach.

Especially when you’re on the outside looking in.

SPENDING SHOWDOWN: REPUBLICANS WILL NEED TO CORRAL VOTES – BUT THEY HAVEN'T ASKED, YET

Democrats are now the loyal opposition. Effectively locked out of power in Washington as Republicans control the executive branch and both bodies of Congress.

Democrats have lobbed entire landfills at President Trump since 2015. Some of it worked – a little bit. But certainly not enough to permanently sidetrack Mr. Trump. He executed one of the most extraordinary, improbable comebacks in world political history.

On the TV show "The Office," secretary Pam Beesly noted that she only got ten vacation days a year.

"I try to hold off taking them for as long as possible," said Beesly. "This year I got to the third week in January."

So far, Democrats are flailing as they try to challenge President Trump in his second term. So, they’re dusting off some old plays from a tired, dog-eared playbook.

Like Beesly, they waited as long as they could.

It took precisely 16 days before a Democrat threatened to impeach the President.

DEMOCRATS CALL FOR ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST TRUMP AMID GAZA COMMENTS

Rep. Al Green, D-Tex., prepped the first articles of impeachment against President Trump in 2017. He didn’t do so until October of that year. But now, Green is ready to impeach the President.

"I did it before. I laid the foundation for impeachment. And it was done. Nobody knows more about it than I. And I know that it’s time for us to lay the foundation again. On some issues, it is better to stand alone than not stand at all," said Green.

But two previous impeachments failed to suppress Mr. Trump. If nothing else, the impeachments may have emboldened him. Especially since despite the House impeaching him, he survived two Senate trials.

But Democratic leaders are leery of impeachment freelancing.

"This isn't a focus of the Democratic Caucus," said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, D-Calif. "We've laid out our strategy. Legislative. Litigation. Outreach. Communication. That continues to be the focus."

Democrats are united in their opposition of President Trump. But finding a unifying, resonant message is another thing.

SOCIAL MEDIA, TEAM TRUMP REACT TO CORY BOOKER'S 'MELTDOWN' OVER ELON MUSK'S USAID CRACKDOWN

"In the United States Senate, we will not cooperate!" thundered Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J. "We’ll cooperate with no appointments when it comes to the State Department!"

"There should be hundreds of thousands and millions of people descending on Washington, DC!" declared Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass.

"We must resist. We must be in the streets!" said Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif.

Democrats used to have only one target. That was President Trump.

"They have no rudder. They have no vision. They have no clear leader," observed House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. "The only message they have is anti-President Trump."

THE SPEAKER’S LOBBY: A PALPABLY UNFAIR ACT

But opponents evolve.

The arch-enemy of Batman was always the Joker. But the Penguin, Riddler and Catwoman were worthy foes, too.

And so Democrats now have a new nemesis: Elon Musk.

Democrats are peppering him with inflammatory rhetoric.

"A godless, lawless billionaire. You know who elected Elon? This is the American people. This is not your trashy Cybertruck that you can just dismantle, pick apart, and sell the pieces of," said squad member Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass.

"God damn it. Shut down the Senate. We are at war. Any time, any time a person can pay $250 million into a campaign, and they've been given access to the Department of Treasury of the United States of America. We are at war," said Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J. "We will not take this sh*t from Donald Trump and Elon Musk."

"What we not going to do is stand around while they pull this bullsh*t that they're trying to pull right now," excoriated Rep. Jasmine Crockett,. D-Tex., of Musk and DOGE. "You all know he likes to pal around with Putin, right? He's trying to turn us into Russia."

MUSK'S DOGE TAKES AIM AT 'VIPER'S NEST' FEDERAL AGENCY WITH GLOBAL FOOTPRINT

"He is a low down, dirty, no good person that along with Trump cannot be trusted," said Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif. "We have got to tell Elon Musk, nobody elected your ass."

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt blasted Democrats for their incendiary language.

"President Trump was elected with a mandate from the American people to make this government more efficient. He campaigned across this country with Elon Musk vowing that Elon was going to head up the Department of Government Efficiency," said Leavitt. "For Democrat officials to incite violence and encourage Americans to take to the streets is incredibly alarming. They should be held accountable for that rhetoric."

But at least one Democrat urges discipline for his colleagues when attacking the President – or Musk.

"There's going to be a lot of balls coming down to the plate. And I'm only waiting for a strike when I'm going to start to swing," said Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn.

Democrats executed another gambit Wednesday. They kept the Senate in session all night to postpone the confirmation of Budget Director nominee Russ Vought. The Senate broke a filibuster earlier on Wednesday. But Vought is someone who would have great influence over DOGE and potentially efforts by the administration to withhold or contour spending. Since the Senate voted to end the filibuster around 1 pm et Wednesday, Democrats opted to burn all time available to them just to protest Vought and DOGE.

SENATE DEMOCRATS SPEAK ALL NIGHT AGAINST TRUMP OMB NOMINEE, DELAYING CONFIRMATION VOTE

"Russ Vought represents a very specific view of presidential power, which is essentially unitary executive," said Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, at 1:45 am et Thursday. "It's this view that once you win, you're basically a monarch."

A cavalcade of Democrats seized the floor throughout the night. Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., at 5 am et. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., at 6 am et. Booker at 9 am et.

"Whatever the challenges, whatever the fear, is what I want to tell you right now is don't normalize a president who is violating the separation of powers," said Booker on the floor just after 10 am et. "Don't normalize a president who is violating civil service laws. Don't normalize a president who is ignoring the dictates of Congress and establishing agencies."

Around the same time, Democrats on the Judiciary Committee requested, and received - under the rules - a one-week delay on the nomination of FBI Director nominee Kash Patel.

"Kash Patel has a goal. It's to wreck the FBI," said Welch.

The Democrats’ maneuver chokes off Patel’s nomination from the Senate floor. But only for a week.

"It means that about 168 hours from right now, he'll be confirmed by our committee," said Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.

Democrats can’t do much but delay the inevitable. Republicans can confirm Patel on the floor if they stick together. The same with Vought. Vought is only the second nominee to score a partisan confirmation without Democratic assistance. The other was Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

"We are out of power. But we are not powerless," said Schatz.

But that power is low voltage. Measured in foot candles, not watts.

There are limits to their power. And Democrats are now feeling it.

Spate of health scares and violent threats highlight growing vulnerabilities for lawmakers on Capitol Hill

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

Members of Congress are vulnerable. They’re not super men and women. They are of flesh and bone like anyone else.

A series of unconnected events in recent days spoke to the vulnerabilities of those who work on Capitol Hill as health scares impacted three well-known Congressional figures.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., fell during the weekly Senate lunch last week. DC Fire and Rescue came to the Capitol to evaluate the GOP leader after he cut his face and sprained his wrist. He was spotted later wearing a brace on his arm which stretched across his hand and thumb. He was initially "cleared to resume his schedule." However, McConnell did not appear at the Capitol later in the week and his office said he was working from home. 

He suffered a concussion last year after falling at a hotel and was out for two months. McConnell also froze up at several news conferences – both in Washington and in Kentucky. He fell at his home in 2019, fracturing his shoulder.

DOGE CAUCUS FOUNDING MEMBER DEBUTS 2 BILLS TO KICK-START WASTE CUTS IN TRUMP TERM

The 83-year-old McConnell leaves his position as the top Republican in the Senate in early January, but will remain in the chamber. McConnell is the longest-serving leader of either party in Senate history.

McConnell did not appear at what is presumably the final Senate GOP leadership news conference of the year Tuesday. He also didn’t attend a ceremony with the other top bipartisan, bicameral Congressional leaders to light the Capitol menorah for Hanukkah.

McConnell isn’t the only prominent lawmaker to stumble lately.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was hospitalized in Germany after a tumble that resulted in her hip needing to be replaced. She was there with other lawmakers for the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge.

PLANES, STARS AND HOBBYISTS: LAWMAKERS INSIST NOTHING ‘NEFARIOUS’ IS HAPPENING IN NJ SKIES

"I was right next to her," said House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas. "She likes to wear high heels. Very high. She was on one of her last steps on this marble staircase that didn't have a railing, and she lost her footing and fell to the ground."

 McCaul later said he spoke to Pelosi on the phone.

 "She had a lot of energy. Very spunky," McCaul said of the former Speaker.

FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI INJURED, HOSPITALIZED WHILE TRAVELING TO LUXEMBOURG

Retired Rear Admiral Barry Black isn’t a senator, but frankly, his commanding, rumbling bass is better known than the voice of many senators. Always sporting his signature bow tie, Black has served as Senate Chaplain since 2003. He suffered a subdural hematoma and bleeding on the brain last week and has been hospitalized.

"Chaplain Black is one of the most beloved individuals in the entire Senate. Every day we gavel into session, he is always here to start us off in prayer, delivered with his profound sense of wisdom, grace, and eloquence," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

The only thing more resonant than Black’s powerful vocal instrument are his words. Black artfully weaves friendly, pastoral counsel into his daily intercessions. He prayed that senators "not permit fatigue or cynicism to jeopardize friendships" in 2019 ahead of the first impeachment trial of President-elect Trump.

During the 2013 government shutdown, Black gently chided senators who shuttered the government – even though U.S. Capitol Police remained on the job and were injured during a wild car chase and shootout which locked down the Congressional complex.

"Deliver us from the hypocrisy of attempting to sound reasonable while being unreasonable," prayed Black.

There’s not a lot which is reasonable on Capitol Hill, and perhaps the most unreasonable thing heard over the past week came from U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger.

MCCONNELL WARNS RFK JR. TO STEER CLEAR OF THE POLIO VACCINE

While the chief was just the messenger, Manger informed a Senate committee that his department recorded a staggering 700 individual threats of violence lodged against lawmakers in November alone. More horrifically, Manger said there were a record 55 "swatting" calls made against lawmakers at their homes.

"Swatting" is where someone phones in a fake distress call. Police then dispatch the "SWAT" team to the address, generally rattling the intended targets.

"It used to be that if you know when you went home, you might be able to relax a little bit while," Manger testified to the Senate Rules Committee. "Those days are gone."

Threats were called in on Thanksgiving Day to the entire Connecticut House and Senate delegation.

Some lawmakers face more problems than others.

"I'm sadly the record holder possibly for swatting calls," lamented Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.

And these faux threats sometimes result in utter calamity for innocent bystanders.

Rome, Ga., bomb squad member David Metroka was racing to join the rest of his team at Greene’s house when he crashed into a car driven by Tammie Pickelsimer. She later died at a hospital.

APPARENT SWATTING CALL AT REP. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE'S GEORGIA HOME LEADS TO DEADLY CAR ACCIDENT

In fact, the threat to Greene’s residence wasn’t even unfolding in real time. It was emailed to local police and wound up in a junk email folder. Officers found the message several days later and dispatched the bomb squad.

How do lawmakers protect themselves in such a supercharged environment?

"I'm a gun owner," said Greene. "It’s extremely important to be able to defend myself if need be."

Lawmakers have long faced threats. Some of the most tragic, chaotic moments in recent Congressional history have involved violence. January 6. The shooting of former Reps. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., and Ron Barber, D-Ariz. The Congressional baseball practice shooting, which nearly killed House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La.

And then there is something else which spooked everyone who works on Capitol Hill, especially lawmakers who have been targeted before: A recent cold-blooded assassination in Midtown Manhattan.

"I find it troubling that there have been public figures who either have been silent or have come dangerously close to rationalizing the assassination of (UnitedHealthcare CEO) Brian Thompson," said Rep. Richie Torres, D-N.Y. "If we as a society accept the notion that political differences can be resolved by violence, then that's the end of our civilization."

 "I think the worst part of that is when you saw the reaction where people are supporting the murderer," added Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Ohio.

At some point, the threats may be too much for lawmakers.

"We're not here to put ourselves or our families in danger," said Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt.

Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., has served in Congress since 1997.

"The level of contempt, the level of hatred has risen," said Smith. "When I arrived as a freshman, I would have never for a second thought that I was in any greater physical danger because I was a member of Congress than anybody else walking in the street."

 But that’s the reality of Congress.

 And everyone is vulnerable.

Present and Accounted For: House Republicans’ small majority could make attendance a priority

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

It’s long been said that Congress is a lot like school.

What’s the first thing they do in school? Take attendance.

That is one thing which they usually don’t do in Congress.

But they might next year.

FAMILIAR FACES, FAMILIAR PLACES: THE LATEST FROM CAPITOL HILL

Figuring out who is present and accounted for and who is out will emerge as one of the most dramatic daily events on Capitol Hill.

It is always about the math on Capitol Hill.

But the 119th Congress will really be about the math.

Every day in the House will hinge on who’s sick. Who has a parent/teacher conference. Whose plane was delayed due to snow. Who is just playing hooky and isn’t reliable. Who was giving a speech downtown, got caught in traffic and just didn’t make it back in time. Whose kid is starring in the school play. Whose aunt died.

President Trump and House Republicans have big plans for their 2025 legislative agenda. But the miniscule size of the GOP majority could temper those expectations on a daily basis.

It will be interesting to see what Republicans can execute.

Republicans will likely begin the new year with a 219-215 majority. So 434 seats. There is one vacancy as former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., resigned. That’s a margin of four seats. But it in reality, it means the GOP majority can only tolerate one Republican defector on each roll call vote without needing help from the other side. One Republican "nay" is 218-216. But two Republican rebels produces a 217-217 tie. By rule, ties lose in the House.

But the beginning of the new Congress on January 3 could represent the Halycon days for the House Republican Conference.

Reps. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., and Michael Waltz, R-Fla., intend to resign in January to join the Trump Administration. Stefanik is up for United Nations Ambassador and requires confirmation for that post. The President-elect tapped Waltz to serve as National Security Advisor. That position is not subject to Senate confirmation. So the Republican majority will dwindle to 217-215. At that point, Republicans can’t lose any votes to pass their agenda.

THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO GAETZ'S STATUS IN THE HOUSE AND THE ETHICS COMMITTEE REPORT

That is a problem for House Republicans who regularly had a squadron of defectors – ranging from keeping the government open to even impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. This could even spell problems for House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., returning to the Speaker’s suite. Johnson must win an outright majority of all House members voting when the new Congress convenes on January 3 to become Speaker. He’ll have a bit of a cushion when the new Congress starts. But it won’t be much. House Republicans still suffer from political PTSD after the 15 rounds it took to elect former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., early last year.

Yes. There will be special elections to fill the seats of Gaetz, Stefanik and Waltz. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has already called a special election for the Gaetz seat for April 1.

You can’t make this stuff up.

The other special elections are months away because Stefanik and Waltz haven’t resigned yet. In fact, if Stefanik is confirmed and resigns in late January, it may be May before there’s a special election in her seat – based on New York law and discretion afforded New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D).

The results in special elections sometimes produce "special" results. The usual electorate periodically stays home and the opposite party captures those seats in off-cycle elections. So, even though these are "Republican" seats, there’s no guarantee that Republicans will automatically prevail.

But if things go according to plan, Republicans will have those seats back in a few months, with a comparatively robust 220-215 majority. That means Republicans can lose up to two votes on any major issue.

But there are always absences. Always resignations.

And this isn’t limited to the Republican side of the aisle.

SPRINT TO CONFIRM TRUMP NOMINEES KICKS OFF IN JANUARY

There have long been concerns about the health and attendance of 79-year-old Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee. Scott faced criticism earlier this year over a lack of public appearances and interviews.

76-year-old Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., is the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee. Grijalva vowed that this term would be his last after suffering from cancer. The illness sidelined Grijalva for months. He missed more than 300 roll call votes on the floor between February and this fall and did not conduct interviews.

Late Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Tex., Bill Pascrell, D-N.J. and Donald Payne Jr., D-N.J., were all in office when they passed away this year. Late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., died in 2023.

Democrats make a lot of noise right now about the agenda of President-elect Trump. It will be incumbent on Democrats to have full attendance to oppose Republicans and generally make life miserable for the majority. But Democrats can only do that if they show up. All the time.

Such was the case when House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., had the votes of every House Democrat on each roll call for Speaker in January and October of last year. Only Rep. David Trone, D-Md., missed a couple of votes because he underwent a surgical procedure. But Trone returned to Capitol Hill later that evening to vote.

Rep. Al Green, D-Tex., was hospitalized this past February. But Green came to the Capitol in a wheelchair in February to help torpedo the initial effort to impeach Mayorkas. Republicans had three defectors on their side. Green’s vote fresh from a hospital gurney forced the GOP effort to fail on the floor and try again.

One factor which was a challenge for the GOP was the health of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La. Scalise was diagnosed with cancer last year and was out the first part of 2023. Scalise has now recovered. But his absence hamstrung the GOP on big votes like the initial Mayorkas impeachment.

Unfortunately – and inevitably – there will be absences due to health. And God forbid, death. Rarely does a Congress pass without the death of a lawmaker – sometimes unforeseen. Late Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Ind., and two aides died in a traffic accident during the summer of 2022.

So listen for the attendance bells in the House next year. Check the weather forecast and the flight schedule at Reagan National Airport. Better look at Waze if they’re flying into Dulles. See if the flu or another round of COVID burns through Congress.

Yes. Understanding whether someone is for or against a given bill or amendment is always important in Congress. But what supersedes that is whether they’re actually present.

Trump hit for hiring loyalists like Pam Bondi: Doesn’t every president do that?

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

It’s spat out like a dirty word.

Donald Trump – take a deep breath – is hiring loyalists.

The president-elect – can you imagine?? – is nominating people he knows will support him. He’s used plenty of curse words, but nothing said by the media is more disdainful than loyalists.

TRUMP DROPPED MATT GAETZ AFTER COMPLAINING ABOUT HIGH POLITICAL COST OF DEFENDING HIM

Now stop and think: Doesn’t every president hire loyalists? 

Didn’t Joe Biden surround himself with folks who had been with him for decades? Ron Klain, Steve Richetti and Tom Donilon created a protective bubble around the president. But few, if any, prognosticators dismissed them as loyalists.

Why? The press generally approved of Biden’s picks, including Tony Blinken; the non-communicative Lloyd Austin (who didn’t tell the boss about his cancer surgery), and the equally non-communicative Janet Yellen. The only person who stood out for great TV skills was Pete Buttigieg, the former presidential candidate and outgoing Transportation secretary.

It’s hardly a recent development. George Washington took a team-of-rivals approach, naming Thomas Jefferson secretary of state and Alexander Hamilton as treasury secretary. So did Abraham Lincoln, with Salmon Chase as treasury secretary and William Seward as secretary of war.

But if Trump picks people he expects to support him, the knee-jerk media reaction is that they’re dangerous to the country and will run roughshod over the rule of law.

Trump didn’t make much use of his Cabinet in his first term and I doubt he will this time, except for a handful of top positions. Besides, he runs the show. Any Cabinet member who strays off the reservation can get fired, "Apprentice"-style. Serving at the pleasure of the president and all that.

HACKER OBTAINS HOUSE ETHICS TESTIMONY ON MATT GAETZ AS TRUMP MAKES CALLS FOR AG NOMINEE

For what it’s worth, Trump wound up with an ideologically balanced Cabinet. The first wave – from Marco Rubio as secretary of state to a spate of current and former members of Congress – is generally impressive.

But then there was the fiasco over Matt Gaetz, now charging hundreds of dollars for Cameo videos, and such controversial nominees as Pete Hegseth, RFK Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard. And also Dr. Oz. Not to mention animosity toward pro-union Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer as labor secretary.

It’s quite obvious that the president-elect likes people he’s seen on TV, and he watches a lot of Fox News.

But consider: Jen Psaki and Symone Sanders-Townsend were both CNN contributors when they joined the Biden campaign and then held top jobs in the White House. Now they’re hosting or co-hosting shows on MSNBC. Nobody bats an eye because they’re viewed as good guys joining the right team.

From Fox, Trump has picked Army combat veteran Hegseth; ex-Congressman Sean Duffy, a FOX Business co-host, and two frequent medical commentators. 

What’s fascinating is the way many in the media have turned on Pam Bondi, a former Florida attorney general and career prosecutor who possesses the experience Gaetz lacked. 

TRUMP, DEFYING MEDIA PREDICTIONS, MAINLY PICKS SEASONED CAPITOL HILL VETERANS SUCH AS MARCO RUBIO

Sure, Bondi has said plenty of partisan things over the years, such as "prosecuting the prosecutors," then quickly adding, "the bad ones." She was part of Trump’s first impeachment legal team and then ran the legal arm of a pro-Trump PAC.

Bondi was passed over in the first Trump term because she accepted a $25,000 campaign donation from Trump’s foundation while her office was conducting a probe of Trump University (itself a mess). 

In 2013, Bondi accepted a $25,000 campaign donation from Trump’s foundation at the same time her office was conducting a fraud investigation into Trump University. 

"Her acceptance of the donation coincided with her decision not to bring fraud charges against Trump University," says MSNBC legal analyst Barbara McQuade. No evidence of a quid pro quo emerged. And a Florida ethics panel cleared her of any wrongdoing. But that’s old news now.

"Bondi has shown a taste for vengeance herself — at the 2016 Republican National Convention, Bondi embraced chants of ‘lock her up,’" McQuade says. "Even joking about jailing a political opponent is an insult to the rule of law."   

But wait – didn’t Barack Obama’s AG, Eric Holder, describe himself as the president’s "wingman"? There’s clearly a different standard for Democrats. 

Rachel Maddow producer Steve Benen says Bondi "falsely accused then-special counsel Robert Mueller of leading a ‘corrupt’ investigation that was "worse than Watergate.’" 

On the other hand, Dave Aronberg, now state’s attorney for Palm Beach County, lost his race to challenge Bondi as AG, but she hired him anyway as drug czar. "She’s someone who believes in the rule of law..I do not believe she will be Matt Gaetz 2.0. She is not going to burn it all down."

I suppose it comes down to a question of trust. The pro-Kamala media refuse to give many Trump nominees the benefit of the doubt. Bondi has criticized the weaponization of the DOJ. You might even call her a loyalist. 

But she will be the new attorney general, and that will be the ultimate test.

House GOP demands ‘immediate action’ on alleged retaliation against IRS whistleblowers

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

House Republicans are demanding answers about potential retaliation against IRS whistleblowers who brought claims of political influence in the Hunter Biden investigation to Congress.  

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.; Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La.; House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky.; Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio; and Ways & Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., began investigating in June whether the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) contributed to alleged retaliation and a "smear campaign" against IRS whistleblowers Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler.

HOUSE GOP PROBES WHETHER SPECIAL COUNSEL OFFICE HELPED RETALIATE AGAINST HUNTER BIDEN WHISTLEBLOWERS

Fox News exclusively reported on that initial letter requesting a briefing to determine whether there had been improper influence surrounding the IRS whistleblowers’ claims pending before the OSC. 

But on Friday, Comer, Jordan and Smith sent another letter to the acting principal deputy special counsel, Karen Gorman, demanding answers. 

The lawmakers notified Gorman that Shapley’s attorney "recently revealed that approximately one hour after an investigative journalist released an interview with the whistleblowers in which they discussed damaging evidence of the IRS’s disparate treatment of U.S. taxpayers, the IRS issued [Supervisory Special Agent] Shapley a 15-day notice to either accept a demotion or resign." 

Shapley and Ziegler sat down with a journalist on Tuesday to "discuss their disclosures to Congress and how their lives have been affected by making those disclosures." 

During the interview, Shapley said the IRS "has a smothering blanket on me. [They’re] hoping that I quit, that they find some way to terminate me. Or they probably hope that I commit suicide or something,’" the lawmakers wrote. 

Less than an hour after the release of the interview, the IRS sent Shapley a memo informing him that he "could no longer keep his position," the lawmakers wrote.

"This reassignment appears to give SSA Shapley effectively two options: accept a demotion or resign," they wrote. "The IRS is giving SSA Shapley 15 days to decide." 

They added: "This is egregious, and OSC must take immediate steps to pause this action while it examines the IRS’s decision." 

The lawmakers are now requesting a "prompt" update on the OSC’s investigation into the whistleblowers' allegations and for OSC to "use its lawful authority to seek an immediate stay at the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board pausing the IRS’s latest threatening action." 

HOUSE REPUBLICANS REFER HUNTER BIDEN, JAMES BIDEN FOR CRIMINAL PROSECUTION AMID IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY

"SSA Shapley’s and SA Ziegler’s whistleblowing took courage and bravery," the lawmakers wrote. "Because of their important disclosures, Americans learned how the IRS treats individuals differently based upon their last names." 

Comer, Jordan and Smith reminded that Shapley and Ziegler "made lawfully protected disclosures to Congress that resulted in unrelenting personal and professional attacks on them." 

"But they have not wavered," the lawmakers wrote. "As this case has rightfully garnered significant public attention, OSC must show the whistleblower community that OSC will take appropriate and immediate action to stand up for whistleblowers." 

Fox News Digital reached out to the IRS and OSC for comment.