Former presidential hopeful Marianne Williamson announced a bid to become the next Democratic National Committee (DNC) chair.

In a letter addressed to DNC members posted to her Transform with Marianne Williamson site, she pledged that as chair she would seek to “reinvent the party.” 

She also warned that President-elect Trump’s political accomplishments should not be underestimated.

“President Trump has ushered in an age of political theatre – a collective adrenaline rush that has enabled him to not only move masses of people into his camp but also masses of people away from ours. It does not serve us to underestimate the historic nature of what he has achieved,” Williamson said.

DEMOCRATS IN DISARRAY: MORE CANDIDATES JUMP INTO WIDE-OPEN RACE FOR DNC CHAIR

“In fact, it’s important that we recognize the psychological and emotional dimensions of Trump’s appeal. We need to understand it to create the energy to counter it. MAGA is a distinctly 21st century political movement, and it will not be defeated by a 20th century tool kit. Data analysis, fundraising, field organizing, and beefed-up technology – while all are important – will not be enough to prepare the way for Democratic victory in 2024 and beyond,” she asserted.

“We will create a surge of patriotic fervor, and a connectedness of the American heart to the great historical legacy of this country. Our ultimate success will be creating in people’s minds a sense that in order to further that legacy, your smartest move is to vote for Democrats,” she contended.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR FRONTRUNNER ACKNOWLEDGES ‘WE’RE GETTING OUR BUTTS KICKED RIGHT NOW’

Williamson, an author who says she has “worked as a spiritual/political activist” over the course of her career, pursued the Democratic presidential nomination during the last two presidential election cycles but failed to gain traction in both cases.

In early 2020 she dropped out before the first nominating contest, the Iowa caucus, took place. In 2024, she suspended her campaign in February but unsuspended it later that same month.

OUTGOING DNC CHAIR DEFENDS PARTY, SAYS 2024 COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE FOR DEMOCRATS

Other figures have also announced bids for the DNC chair role, including former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, who recently served as Social Security Administration commissioner.

2024-12-26 18:08:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fpolitics%2Fformer-presidential-hopeful-marianne-williamson-announces-bid-dnc-chair-looks-reinvent-party?w=600&h=450, Former presidential hopeful Marianne Williamson announced a bid to become the next Democratic National Committee (DNC) chair. In a letter addressed to DNC members posted to her Transform with Marianne Williamson site, she pledged that as chair she would seek to “reinvent the party.”  She also warned that President-elect Trump’s political accomplishments should not be,

Former presidential hopeful Marianne Williamson announced a bid to become the next Democratic National Committee (DNC) chair.

In a letter addressed to DNC members posted to her Transform with Marianne Williamson site, she pledged that as chair she would seek to “reinvent the party.” 

She also warned that President-elect Trump’s political accomplishments should not be underestimated.

“President Trump has ushered in an age of political theatre – a collective adrenaline rush that has enabled him to not only move masses of people into his camp but also masses of people away from ours. It does not serve us to underestimate the historic nature of what he has achieved,” Williamson said.

DEMOCRATS IN DISARRAY: MORE CANDIDATES JUMP INTO WIDE-OPEN RACE FOR DNC CHAIR

“In fact, it’s important that we recognize the psychological and emotional dimensions of Trump’s appeal. We need to understand it to create the energy to counter it. MAGA is a distinctly 21st century political movement, and it will not be defeated by a 20th century tool kit. Data analysis, fundraising, field organizing, and beefed-up technology – while all are important – will not be enough to prepare the way for Democratic victory in 2024 and beyond,” she asserted.

“We will create a surge of patriotic fervor, and a connectedness of the American heart to the great historical legacy of this country. Our ultimate success will be creating in people’s minds a sense that in order to further that legacy, your smartest move is to vote for Democrats,” she contended.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR FRONTRUNNER ACKNOWLEDGES ‘WE’RE GETTING OUR BUTTS KICKED RIGHT NOW’

Williamson, an author who says she has “worked as a spiritual/political activist” over the course of her career, pursued the Democratic presidential nomination during the last two presidential election cycles but failed to gain traction in both cases.

In early 2020 she dropped out before the first nominating contest, the Iowa caucus, took place. In 2024, she suspended her campaign in February but unsuspended it later that same month.

OUTGOING DNC CHAIR DEFENDS PARTY, SAYS 2024 COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE FOR DEMOCRATS

Other figures have also announced bids for the DNC chair role, including former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, who recently served as Social Security Administration commissioner.

, Former presidential hopeful Marianne Williamson announced a bid to become the next Democratic National Committee (DNC) chair. In a letter addressed to DNC members posted to her Transform with Marianne Williamson site, she pledged that as chair she would seek to “reinvent the party.”  She also warned that President-elect Trump’s political accomplishments should not be underestimated. “President Trump has ushered in an age of political theatre – a collective adrenaline rush that has enabled him to not only move masses of people into his camp but also masses of people away from ours. It does not serve us to underestimate the historic nature of what he has achieved,” Williamson said. DEMOCRATS IN DISARRAY: MORE CANDIDATES JUMP INTO WIDE-OPEN RACE FOR DNC CHAIR “In fact, it’s important that we recognize the psychological and emotional dimensions of Trump’s appeal. We need to understand it to create the energy to counter it. MAGA is a distinctly 21st century political movement, and it will not be defeated by a 20th century tool kit. Data analysis, fundraising, field organizing, and beefed-up technology – while all are important – will not be enough to prepare the way for Democratic victory in 2024 and beyond,” she asserted. “We will create a surge of patriotic fervor, and a connectedness of the American heart to the great historical legacy of this country. Our ultimate success will be creating in people’s minds a sense that in order to further that legacy, your smartest move is to vote for Democrats,” she contended. DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR FRONTRUNNER ACKNOWLEDGES ‘WE’RE GETTING OUR BUTTS KICKED RIGHT NOW’ Williamson, an author who says she has “worked as a spiritual/political activist” over the course of her career, pursued the Democratic presidential nomination during the last two presidential election cycles but failed to gain traction in both cases. In early 2020 she dropped out before the first nominating contest, the Iowa caucus, took place. In 2024, she suspended her campaign in February but unsuspended it later that same month. OUTGOING DNC CHAIR DEFENDS PARTY, SAYS 2024 COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE FOR DEMOCRATS Other figures have also announced bids for the DNC chair role, including former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, who recently served as Social Security Administration commissioner., , , https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/12/931/523/marianne-williamson-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, Latest Political News on Fox News, Read all about the political news happening with Fox News. Learn about political parties, political campaigns, and international politics today., https://global.fncstatic.com/static/orion/styles/img/fox-news/logos/fox-news-desktop.png, https://moxie.foxnews.com/google-publisher/politics.xml, ,

The problem has been percolating for a while. 

It’s been subterranean. Lurking underneath the surface. Not necessarily perceptible.

Except to those who follow Congress closely.

But the issue has gurgled to the top since the House stumbled badly trying to avert a government shutdown last week.

DOZENS OF HOUSE LAWMAKERS RALLY AROUND FUNDING AFGHAN VISA PROGRAMS AS TRUMP VOWS MAJOR SPENDING CUTS

To wit: 

Congress spasmed between a staggering, 1,500-page spending bill. Then defeated a narrow, 116-page bill – which President-elect Trump endorsed. Things got worse when the House only commandeered a scant 174 yeas for the Trump-supported bill and 38 Republicans voted nay. Circumstances grew even more dire when the House actually voted to avert a holiday government shutdown – but passed the bill with more Democrats (196) than Republicans (170). Thirty-four GOPers voted nay.

It was long likely that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., might face a problem winning the speaker’s gavel immediately when the new Congress convenes at noon ET on Jan. 3. Congressional experts knew that Johnson could be in trouble once the contours of the reed-thin House majority came into focus weeks after the November election. This could blossom into a full-blown crisis for Johnson – and House Republicans –when the speaker’s vote commences a little after 1 p.m. ET next Friday. 

Johnson emerges bruised from last week’s government funding donnybrook. Anywhere from four to 10 Republicans could oppose Johnson in the speaker’s race. 

DONALD TRUMP SAYS MIKE JOHNSON WILL ‘EASILY REMAIN SPEAKER’ IF HE ACTS ‘DECISIVELY AND TOUGH’ ON SPENDING BILL

Here’s the math:

The House clocks in at 434 members with one vacancy. That’s thanks to former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. He resigned his position for this Congress a few weeks ago. Even though Gaetz won re-election in November, his resignation letter – read on the floor of the House – signaled he did not plan to serve in the new Congress, which begins in January.

This is the breakdown when the Congress starts: 219 Republicans to 215 Democrats.

Trump’s pick for national security adviser, Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., remains in the House for now. So does Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. Trump tapped her to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. That’s pending Senate confirmation – perhaps in late January or early February. Once Waltz and Stefanik resign, the GOP majority dwindles to 217-214.

But the speaker’s election on Jan. 3 poses a special challenge. Here’s the bar for Johnson – or anyone else: The speaker of the House must win an outright majority of all members casting ballots for someone by name. In other words, the person with the most votes does not win. That’s what happened repeatedly to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., when he routinely outpolled House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., for speaker to begin this Congress in January 2023. But it took days for McCarthy to cross the proper threshold.

More on that in a moment. 

So let’s crunch the math for Mike Johnson. If there are 219 Republicans and four voted for someone besides him – and all Democrats cast ballots for Jeffries, the tally is 215-214. But there’s no speaker. No one attained an outright majority of all members casting ballots for someone by name. The magic number is 218 if all 434 members vote. 

By rule, this paralyzes the House. The House absolutely, unequivocally, cannot do anything until it elects a speaker. Period. 

The House can’t swear in members. Technically, they’re still representatives-elect. Only after the House chooses its speaker does he or she in turn swear in the membership. 

The House certainly can’t pass legislation. It can’t form committees. It’s frozen in a parliamentary paralysis until it elects a speaker.

Now, I hope you’re sitting down for the next part.

This also means that the House cannot certify the results of the Electoral College, making Trump the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 6.

The failure to elect a speaker compels the House to vote over and over…

And over… and… over…

Until it finally taps someone. 

McCarthy’s election incinerated 15 ballots over five days two years ago.

The House settled into a congressional cryogenic freeze for three weeks after members ousted McCarthy in October 2023. It burned through two speaker candidates off the floor – House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn. – and one candidate on the floor: Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. 

So you see the problem.

Consider for a moment that prior to last year, the House never went to a second ballot to select a speaker since Speaker Frederick Gillett, R-Mass., in 1923. 

It took 63 ballots before the House finally settled on Speaker Howell Cobb, D-Ga., in 1849.

But that’s nothing. The longest speaker’s election consumed two months before the House elected Speaker Nathaniel Banks, R-Mass., in 1856 – on the 133rd ballot.

So anything which elongates this into a collision with Jan. 6 – the statutory day to certify the election results and now one of the most ignominious days in American history – is dangerous.

JOHNSON ALLIES URGE TRUMP TO INTERVENE AS MESSY SPEAKER BATTLE THREATENS TO DELAY 2024 CERTIFICATION

To be clear: there is no dispute that Trump won the election. There is no anticipation of a repeat of a riot at the Capitol like four years ago. But a failure to certify the Electoral College on the day it’s supposed to be completed – especially after the 2021 experience – is playing with fire. Such a scenario would again reveal another, never-before-considered vulnerability in the fragile American political system.

On Jan. 6, the House and Senate are supposed to meet in a joint session of Congress to tabulate and certify the electoral votes. Any disputes over a state’s slate of electoral votes compels the House and Senate to then debate and vote separately on those results. The election is not final until the joint session concludes and the vice president – in this case Kamala Harris – in her capacity as president of the Senate, announces a victor.

Congress is not required to certify the Electoral College on the calendar day of Jan. 6. There is actually some leeway to wrap things up. In 2021, the Electoral College wasn’t certified until around 3:52 a.m. on Jan. 7. It only becomes a major problem if this drags on through noon on Jan. 20. That’s when the Constitution prescribes that the president-elect take the oath of office. 

What happens if the Electoral College isn’t sorted out by Jan. 20? Well, President Biden is done. So he’s gone. The same with Harris. Next in the presidential line of succession is the speaker of the House. Well, there’s no speaker. So who becomes president? 

Well, there is at that moment a president pro tempore of the Senate, the most senior member of the majority party. He or she is fourth in line to the presidency. At this moment, the president pro tempore is Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. But Republicans claim control of the chamber in early January. And unlike the House, if it’s stymied over a speaker, the Senate is functioning. That means 91-year-old Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, becomes Senate president pro tempore. Grassley has served in the Senate since 1981. 

If the House is still frittering away time, trying to elect a speaker on Jan. 20, Grassley likely becomes “acting president.”

I write “likely” because this gets into some serious, extra-constitutional turf. These are unprecedented scenarios. Strange lands never visited in the American political experience. 

And it all hinges on Mike Johnson – or frankly, someone else – wrapping up the speaker’s vote with dispatch on Jan. 3. Any interregnum like the past two speaker elections begins to establish challenging historical precedents. 

But frankly, it’s unclear if the House can avoid such contretemps. 

It’s about the math. And once again, balancing that parliamentary equation is tenuous at best.

2024-12-26 17:46:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fpolitics%2Fhitchhikers-guide-failing-elect-house-speaker-quickly?w=600&h=450, The problem has been percolating for a while.  It’s been subterranean. Lurking underneath the surface. Not necessarily perceptible. Except to those who follow Congress closely. But the issue has gurgled to the top since the House stumbled badly trying to avert a government shutdown last week. DOZENS OF HOUSE LAWMAKERS RALLY AROUND FUNDING AFGHAN VISA,

The problem has been percolating for a while. 

It’s been subterranean. Lurking underneath the surface. Not necessarily perceptible.

Except to those who follow Congress closely.

But the issue has gurgled to the top since the House stumbled badly trying to avert a government shutdown last week.

DOZENS OF HOUSE LAWMAKERS RALLY AROUND FUNDING AFGHAN VISA PROGRAMS AS TRUMP VOWS MAJOR SPENDING CUTS

To wit: 

Congress spasmed between a staggering, 1,500-page spending bill. Then defeated a narrow, 116-page bill – which President-elect Trump endorsed. Things got worse when the House only commandeered a scant 174 yeas for the Trump-supported bill and 38 Republicans voted nay. Circumstances grew even more dire when the House actually voted to avert a holiday government shutdown – but passed the bill with more Democrats (196) than Republicans (170). Thirty-four GOPers voted nay.

It was long likely that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., might face a problem winning the speaker’s gavel immediately when the new Congress convenes at noon ET on Jan. 3. Congressional experts knew that Johnson could be in trouble once the contours of the reed-thin House majority came into focus weeks after the November election. This could blossom into a full-blown crisis for Johnson – and House Republicans –when the speaker’s vote commences a little after 1 p.m. ET next Friday. 

Johnson emerges bruised from last week’s government funding donnybrook. Anywhere from four to 10 Republicans could oppose Johnson in the speaker’s race. 

DONALD TRUMP SAYS MIKE JOHNSON WILL ‘EASILY REMAIN SPEAKER’ IF HE ACTS ‘DECISIVELY AND TOUGH’ ON SPENDING BILL

Here’s the math:

The House clocks in at 434 members with one vacancy. That’s thanks to former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. He resigned his position for this Congress a few weeks ago. Even though Gaetz won re-election in November, his resignation letter – read on the floor of the House – signaled he did not plan to serve in the new Congress, which begins in January.

This is the breakdown when the Congress starts: 219 Republicans to 215 Democrats.

Trump’s pick for national security adviser, Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., remains in the House for now. So does Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. Trump tapped her to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. That’s pending Senate confirmation – perhaps in late January or early February. Once Waltz and Stefanik resign, the GOP majority dwindles to 217-214.

But the speaker’s election on Jan. 3 poses a special challenge. Here’s the bar for Johnson – or anyone else: The speaker of the House must win an outright majority of all members casting ballots for someone by name. In other words, the person with the most votes does not win. That’s what happened repeatedly to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., when he routinely outpolled House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., for speaker to begin this Congress in January 2023. But it took days for McCarthy to cross the proper threshold.

More on that in a moment. 

So let’s crunch the math for Mike Johnson. If there are 219 Republicans and four voted for someone besides him – and all Democrats cast ballots for Jeffries, the tally is 215-214. But there’s no speaker. No one attained an outright majority of all members casting ballots for someone by name. The magic number is 218 if all 434 members vote. 

By rule, this paralyzes the House. The House absolutely, unequivocally, cannot do anything until it elects a speaker. Period. 

The House can’t swear in members. Technically, they’re still representatives-elect. Only after the House chooses its speaker does he or she in turn swear in the membership. 

The House certainly can’t pass legislation. It can’t form committees. It’s frozen in a parliamentary paralysis until it elects a speaker.

Now, I hope you’re sitting down for the next part.

This also means that the House cannot certify the results of the Electoral College, making Trump the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 6.

The failure to elect a speaker compels the House to vote over and over…

And over… and… over…

Until it finally taps someone. 

McCarthy’s election incinerated 15 ballots over five days two years ago.

The House settled into a congressional cryogenic freeze for three weeks after members ousted McCarthy in October 2023. It burned through two speaker candidates off the floor – House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn. – and one candidate on the floor: Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. 

So you see the problem.

Consider for a moment that prior to last year, the House never went to a second ballot to select a speaker since Speaker Frederick Gillett, R-Mass., in 1923. 

It took 63 ballots before the House finally settled on Speaker Howell Cobb, D-Ga., in 1849.

But that’s nothing. The longest speaker’s election consumed two months before the House elected Speaker Nathaniel Banks, R-Mass., in 1856 – on the 133rd ballot.

So anything which elongates this into a collision with Jan. 6 – the statutory day to certify the election results and now one of the most ignominious days in American history – is dangerous.

JOHNSON ALLIES URGE TRUMP TO INTERVENE AS MESSY SPEAKER BATTLE THREATENS TO DELAY 2024 CERTIFICATION

To be clear: there is no dispute that Trump won the election. There is no anticipation of a repeat of a riot at the Capitol like four years ago. But a failure to certify the Electoral College on the day it’s supposed to be completed – especially after the 2021 experience – is playing with fire. Such a scenario would again reveal another, never-before-considered vulnerability in the fragile American political system.

On Jan. 6, the House and Senate are supposed to meet in a joint session of Congress to tabulate and certify the electoral votes. Any disputes over a state’s slate of electoral votes compels the House and Senate to then debate and vote separately on those results. The election is not final until the joint session concludes and the vice president – in this case Kamala Harris – in her capacity as president of the Senate, announces a victor.

Congress is not required to certify the Electoral College on the calendar day of Jan. 6. There is actually some leeway to wrap things up. In 2021, the Electoral College wasn’t certified until around 3:52 a.m. on Jan. 7. It only becomes a major problem if this drags on through noon on Jan. 20. That’s when the Constitution prescribes that the president-elect take the oath of office. 

What happens if the Electoral College isn’t sorted out by Jan. 20? Well, President Biden is done. So he’s gone. The same with Harris. Next in the presidential line of succession is the speaker of the House. Well, there’s no speaker. So who becomes president? 

Well, there is at that moment a president pro tempore of the Senate, the most senior member of the majority party. He or she is fourth in line to the presidency. At this moment, the president pro tempore is Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. But Republicans claim control of the chamber in early January. And unlike the House, if it’s stymied over a speaker, the Senate is functioning. That means 91-year-old Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, becomes Senate president pro tempore. Grassley has served in the Senate since 1981. 

If the House is still frittering away time, trying to elect a speaker on Jan. 20, Grassley likely becomes “acting president.”

I write “likely” because this gets into some serious, extra-constitutional turf. These are unprecedented scenarios. Strange lands never visited in the American political experience. 

And it all hinges on Mike Johnson – or frankly, someone else – wrapping up the speaker’s vote with dispatch on Jan. 3. Any interregnum like the past two speaker elections begins to establish challenging historical precedents. 

But frankly, it’s unclear if the House can avoid such contretemps. 

It’s about the math. And once again, balancing that parliamentary equation is tenuous at best.

, The problem has been percolating for a while.  It’s been subterranean. Lurking underneath the surface. Not necessarily perceptible. Except to those who follow Congress closely. But the issue has gurgled to the top since the House stumbled badly trying to avert a government shutdown last week. DOZENS OF HOUSE LAWMAKERS RALLY AROUND FUNDING AFGHAN VISA PROGRAMS AS TRUMP VOWS MAJOR SPENDING CUTS To wit:  Congress spasmed between a staggering, 1,500-page spending bill. Then defeated a narrow, 116-page bill – which President-elect Trump endorsed. Things got worse when the House only commandeered a scant 174 yeas for the Trump-supported bill and 38 Republicans voted nay. Circumstances grew even more dire when the House actually voted to avert a holiday government shutdown – but passed the bill with more Democrats (196) than Republicans (170). Thirty-four GOPers voted nay. It was long likely that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., might face a problem winning the speaker’s gavel immediately when the new Congress convenes at noon ET on Jan. 3. Congressional experts knew that Johnson could be in trouble once the contours of the reed-thin House majority came into focus weeks after the November election. This could blossom into a full-blown crisis for Johnson – and House Republicans –when the speaker’s vote commences a little after 1 p.m. ET next Friday.  Johnson emerges bruised from last week’s government funding donnybrook. Anywhere from four to 10 Republicans could oppose Johnson in the speaker’s race.  DONALD TRUMP SAYS MIKE JOHNSON WILL ‘EASILY REMAIN SPEAKER’ IF HE ACTS ‘DECISIVELY AND TOUGH’ ON SPENDING BILL Here’s the math: The House clocks in at 434 members with one vacancy. That’s thanks to former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. He resigned his position for this Congress a few weeks ago. Even though Gaetz won re-election in November, his resignation letter – read on the floor of the House – signaled he did not plan to serve in the new Congress, which begins in January. This is the breakdown when the Congress starts: 219 Republicans to 215 Democrats. Trump’s pick for national security adviser, Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., remains in the House for now. So does Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. Trump tapped her to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. That’s pending Senate confirmation – perhaps in late January or early February. Once Waltz and Stefanik resign, the GOP majority dwindles to 217-214. But the speaker’s election on Jan. 3 poses a special challenge. Here’s the bar for Johnson – or anyone else: The speaker of the House must win an outright majority of all members casting ballots for someone by name. In other words, the person with the most votes does not win. That’s what happened repeatedly to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., when he routinely outpolled House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., for speaker to begin this Congress in January 2023. But it took days for McCarthy to cross the proper threshold. More on that in a moment.  So let’s crunch the math for Mike Johnson. If there are 219 Republicans and four voted for someone besides him – and all Democrats cast ballots for Jeffries, the tally is 215-214. But there’s no speaker. No one attained an outright majority of all members casting ballots for someone by name. The magic number is 218 if all 434 members vote.  By rule, this paralyzes the House. The House absolutely, unequivocally, cannot do anything until it elects a speaker. Period.  The House can’t swear in members. Technically, they’re still representatives-elect. Only after the House chooses its speaker does he or she in turn swear in the membership.  The House certainly can’t pass legislation. It can’t form committees. It’s frozen in a parliamentary paralysis until it elects a speaker. Now, I hope you’re sitting down for the next part. This also means that the House cannot certify the results of the Electoral College, making Trump the 47th president of the United States on Jan. 6. The failure to elect a speaker compels the House to vote over and over… And over… and… over… Until it finally taps someone.  McCarthy’s election incinerated 15 ballots over five days two years ago. The House settled into a congressional cryogenic freeze for three weeks after members ousted McCarthy in October 2023. It burned through two speaker candidates off the floor – House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn. – and one candidate on the floor: Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.  So you see the problem. Consider for a moment that prior to last year, the House never went to a second ballot to select a speaker since Speaker Frederick Gillett, R-Mass., in 1923.  It took 63 ballots before the House finally settled on Speaker Howell Cobb, D-Ga., in 1849. But that’s nothing. The longest speaker’s election consumed two months before the House elected Speaker Nathaniel Banks, R-Mass., in 1856 – on the 133rd ballot. So anything which elongates this into a collision with Jan. 6 – the statutory day to certify the election results and now one of the most ignominious days in American history – is dangerous. JOHNSON ALLIES URGE TRUMP TO INTERVENE AS MESSY SPEAKER BATTLE THREATENS TO DELAY 2024 CERTIFICATION To be clear: there is no dispute that Trump won the election. There is no anticipation of a repeat of a riot at the Capitol like four years ago. But a failure to certify the Electoral College on the day it’s supposed to be completed – especially after the 2021 experience – is playing with fire. Such a scenario would again reveal another, never-before-considered vulnerability in the fragile American political system. On Jan. 6, the House and Senate are supposed to meet in a joint session of Congress to tabulate and certify the electoral votes. Any disputes over a state’s slate of electoral votes compels the House and Senate to then debate and vote separately on those results. The election is not final until the joint session concludes and the vice president – in this case Kamala Harris – in her capacity as president of the Senate, announces a victor. Congress is not required to certify the Electoral College on the calendar day of Jan. 6. There is actually some leeway to wrap things up. In 2021, the Electoral College wasn’t certified until around 3:52 a.m. on Jan. 7. It only becomes a major problem if this drags on through noon on Jan. 20. That’s when the Constitution prescribes that the president-elect take the oath of office.  What happens if the Electoral College isn’t sorted out by Jan. 20? Well, President Biden is done. So he’s gone. The same with Harris. Next in the presidential line of succession is the speaker of the House. Well, there’s no speaker. So who becomes president?  Well, there is at that moment a president pro tempore of the Senate, the most senior member of the majority party. He or she is fourth in line to the presidency. At this moment, the president pro tempore is Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. But Republicans claim control of the chamber in early January. And unlike the House, if it’s stymied over a speaker, the Senate is functioning. That means 91-year-old Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, becomes Senate president pro tempore. Grassley has served in the Senate since 1981.  If the House is still frittering away time, trying to elect a speaker on Jan. 20, Grassley likely becomes “acting president.” I write “likely” because this gets into some serious, extra-constitutional turf. These are unprecedented scenarios. Strange lands never visited in the American political experience.  And it all hinges on Mike Johnson – or frankly, someone else – wrapping up the speaker’s vote with dispatch on Jan. 3. Any interregnum like the past two speaker elections begins to establish challenging historical precedents.  But frankly, it’s unclear if the House can avoid such contretemps.  It’s about the math. And once again, balancing that parliamentary equation is tenuous at best., , , https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/12/931/523/johnson_capitolbuilding.png?ve=1&tl=1, Latest Political News on Fox News, Read all about the political news happening with Fox News. Learn about political parties, political campaigns, and international politics today., https://global.fncstatic.com/static/orion/styles/img/fox-news/logos/fox-news-desktop.png, https://moxie.foxnews.com/google-publisher/politics.xml, ,

A Texas man is being charged with attempting to smuggle over 100 illegal immigrants into the U.S. in a locked tractor trailer.

Juan Manuel Aguirre, 49, is facing a three-count indictment of conspiracy to transport an undocumented alien within the United States and the transportation of an undocumented alien within the United States for financial gain, according to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas on Monday.

Aguirre, a resident of the South Texas city of Laredo, was observed by law enforcement loading a large group of migrants into a white trailer in a warehouse parking lot on Dec. 2. After it departed, authorities conducted a traffic stop on the white truck hauling the trailer and allegedly found 101 undocumented immigrants, including 12 unaccompanied children, crammed in.

CALIFORNIA GOV. NEWSOM’S TEAM CONSIDERING WAYS TO HELP ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AHEAD OF SECOND TRUMP ADMIN: REPORT

The Justice Department statement said two of the migrants reported having difficulty breathing and feared for their lives due to the conditions in the trailer.

Aguirre is facing 10 years in prison for each of the three counts and fines of up to $250,000.

The number of individuals sentenced for alien smuggling offenses in the U.S. has steadily risen under the Biden administration, reaching 4,731 in fiscal year 2023, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

MIGRANT CRIME WAVE DURING BIDEN-HARRIS ADMIN UNDER SCRUTINY AMID SERIES OF ASSAULTS, MURDERS: A TIMELINE

The top five districts for human smuggling are all along the southern border. With Texas accounting for over 60% of the U.S. border with Mexico, the top two districts for human smuggling were both in Texas.

There were 64,124 alien smuggling offense cases reported in 2023. About 10% of alien smuggling cases involve unaccompanied minors.

In October, local news source KGNS reported a concerning rise in human smuggling incidents in Laredo, resulting in high-risk vehicle pursuits and other dangerous situations.

THESE ARE TRUMP’S THREE PRIORITIES FOR BORDER CZAR TOM HOMAN | FOX NEWS VIDEO

Earlier this month, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott launched a new billboard ad campaign in Mexico and Central America to warn potential illegal migrants of the dangers of attempting to cross into the U.S. illegally.

“We’re here to expose the truth to immigrants who are thinking about coming here, the truth about the traffickers who assault so many of the women and children along the way,” the governor said. “The message is: Do not risk a dangerous trip just to be arrested and deported.”

2024-12-26 17:06:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fpolitics%2Ftexas-man-indicted-smuggling-dozens-illegal-immigrants-locked-tractor-trailer?w=600&h=450, A Texas man is being charged with attempting to smuggle over 100 illegal immigrants into the U.S. in a locked tractor trailer. Juan Manuel Aguirre, 49, is facing a three-count indictment of conspiracy to transport an undocumented alien within the United States and the transportation of an undocumented alien within the United States for financial,

A Texas man is being charged with attempting to smuggle over 100 illegal immigrants into the U.S. in a locked tractor trailer.

Juan Manuel Aguirre, 49, is facing a three-count indictment of conspiracy to transport an undocumented alien within the United States and the transportation of an undocumented alien within the United States for financial gain, according to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas on Monday.

Aguirre, a resident of the South Texas city of Laredo, was observed by law enforcement loading a large group of migrants into a white trailer in a warehouse parking lot on Dec. 2. After it departed, authorities conducted a traffic stop on the white truck hauling the trailer and allegedly found 101 undocumented immigrants, including 12 unaccompanied children, crammed in.

CALIFORNIA GOV. NEWSOM’S TEAM CONSIDERING WAYS TO HELP ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AHEAD OF SECOND TRUMP ADMIN: REPORT

The Justice Department statement said two of the migrants reported having difficulty breathing and feared for their lives due to the conditions in the trailer.

Aguirre is facing 10 years in prison for each of the three counts and fines of up to $250,000.

The number of individuals sentenced for alien smuggling offenses in the U.S. has steadily risen under the Biden administration, reaching 4,731 in fiscal year 2023, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

MIGRANT CRIME WAVE DURING BIDEN-HARRIS ADMIN UNDER SCRUTINY AMID SERIES OF ASSAULTS, MURDERS: A TIMELINE

The top five districts for human smuggling are all along the southern border. With Texas accounting for over 60% of the U.S. border with Mexico, the top two districts for human smuggling were both in Texas.

There were 64,124 alien smuggling offense cases reported in 2023. About 10% of alien smuggling cases involve unaccompanied minors.

In October, local news source KGNS reported a concerning rise in human smuggling incidents in Laredo, resulting in high-risk vehicle pursuits and other dangerous situations.

THESE ARE TRUMP’S THREE PRIORITIES FOR BORDER CZAR TOM HOMAN | FOX NEWS VIDEO

Earlier this month, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott launched a new billboard ad campaign in Mexico and Central America to warn potential illegal migrants of the dangers of attempting to cross into the U.S. illegally.

“We’re here to expose the truth to immigrants who are thinking about coming here, the truth about the traffickers who assault so many of the women and children along the way,” the governor said. “The message is: Do not risk a dangerous trip just to be arrested and deported.”

, A Texas man is being charged with attempting to smuggle over 100 illegal immigrants into the U.S. in a locked tractor trailer. Juan Manuel Aguirre, 49, is facing a three-count indictment of conspiracy to transport an undocumented alien within the United States and the transportation of an undocumented alien within the United States for financial gain, according to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas on Monday. Aguirre, a resident of the South Texas city of Laredo, was observed by law enforcement loading a large group of migrants into a white trailer in a warehouse parking lot on Dec. 2. After it departed, authorities conducted a traffic stop on the white truck hauling the trailer and allegedly found 101 undocumented immigrants, including 12 unaccompanied children, crammed in. CALIFORNIA GOV. NEWSOM’S TEAM CONSIDERING WAYS TO HELP ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AHEAD OF SECOND TRUMP ADMIN: REPORT The Justice Department statement said two of the migrants reported having difficulty breathing and feared for their lives due to the conditions in the trailer. Aguirre is facing 10 years in prison for each of the three counts and fines of up to $250,000. The number of individuals sentenced for alien smuggling offenses in the U.S. has steadily risen under the Biden administration, reaching 4,731 in fiscal year 2023, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Sentencing Commission. MIGRANT CRIME WAVE DURING BIDEN-HARRIS ADMIN UNDER SCRUTINY AMID SERIES OF ASSAULTS, MURDERS: A TIMELINE The top five districts for human smuggling are all along the southern border. With Texas accounting for over 60% of the U.S. border with Mexico, the top two districts for human smuggling were both in Texas. There were 64,124 alien smuggling offense cases reported in 2023. About 10% of alien smuggling cases involve unaccompanied minors. In October, local news source KGNS reported a concerning rise in human smuggling incidents in Laredo, resulting in high-risk vehicle pursuits and other dangerous situations. THESE ARE TRUMP’S THREE PRIORITIES FOR BORDER CZAR TOM HOMAN | FOX NEWS VIDEO Earlier this month, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott launched a new billboard ad campaign in Mexico and Central America to warn potential illegal migrants of the dangers of attempting to cross into the U.S. illegally. “We’re here to expose the truth to immigrants who are thinking about coming here, the truth about the traffickers who assault so many of the women and children along the way,” the governor said. “The message is: Do not risk a dangerous trip just to be arrested and deported.”, , , https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/01/931/523/borderbridge.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, Latest Political News on Fox News, Read all about the political news happening with Fox News. Learn about political parties, political campaigns, and international politics today., https://global.fncstatic.com/static/orion/styles/img/fox-news/logos/fox-news-desktop.png, https://moxie.foxnews.com/google-publisher/politics.xml, ,

The State Department’s foreign disinformation center, accused by conservatives of censoring U.S. citizens, shut its doors due to lack of funding this week. 

Elon Musk had deemed the Global Engagement Center (GEC), established in 2016, the “worst offender in U.S. government censorship & media manipulation,” and its funding was stripped as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Pentagon’s yearly policy bill. 

“The Global Engagement Center will terminate by operation of law [by the end of the day] on December 23, 2024,” a State Department spokesperson said in a statement. “The Department of State has consulted with Congress regarding next steps.”

Lawmakers had originally included funding for the GEC in its continuing resolution (CR), or bill to fund the government beyond a Friday deadline. But conservatives balked at that iteration of the funding bill, and it was rewritten without money for the GEC and other funding riders.

The agency had a budget of around $61 million and 120 people on staff. 

At a time when adversaries like Iran and Russia sow disinformation throughout the world, Republicans saw little value in the agency’s work, arguing that much of its disinformation analysis is already offered by the private sector. 

The GEC, according to reporter Matt Taibbi, “funded a secret list of subcontractors and helped pioneer an insidious — and idiotic — new form of blacklisting” during the pandemic. 

Taibbi wrote last year when exposing the Twitter Files that the GEC “flagged accounts as ‘Russian personas and proxies’ based on criteria like, ‘Describing the Coronavirus as an engineered bioweapon,’ blaming ‘research conducted at the Wuhan institute,’ and ‘attributing the appearance of the virus to the CIA.’” 

“State also flagged accounts that retweeted news that Twitter banned the popular U.S. website ZeroHedge, claiming that it ‘led to another flurry of disinformation narratives.'” ZeroHedge had made reports speculating that the virus had a lab origin.

The GEC is part of the State Department but also partners with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Special Operations Command and the Department of Homeland Security. The GEC also funds the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab).

SPENDING BILL TO FUND STATE DEPARTMENT AGENCY ACCUSED OF CENSORING, BLACKLISTING AMERICANS

DFRLab Director Graham Brookie previously denied the claim that they use tax money to track Americans, saying its GEC grants have “an exclusively international focus.”

A 2024 report from the Republican-led House Small Business Committee criticized the GEC for awarding grants to organizations whose work includes tracking domestic as well as foreign misinformation and rating the credibility of U.S.-based publishers, according to the Washington Post. 

The lawsuit was brought by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, The Daily Wire and The Federalist, who sued the State Department, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other government officials earlier this month for “engaging in a conspiracy to censor, deplatform and demonetize American media outlets disfavored by the federal government.”

The lawsuit stated that the GEC was used as a tool for the defendants to carry out its censorship. 

​​”Congress authorized the creation of the Global Engagement Center expressly to counter foreign propaganda and misinformation,” the Texas Attorney General’s Office said in a press release. “Instead, the agency weaponized this authority to violate the First Amendment and suppress Americans’ constitutionally-protected speech. 

STATE DEPARTMENT FUNDS ‘DISINFORMATION’ INDEX TARGETING NON-LIBERAL AND CONSERVATIVE NEWS OUTLETS: REPORT

The complaint describes the State Department’s project as “one of the most egregious government operations to censor the American press in the history of the nation.’”

The lawsuit argued that The Daily Wire, The Federalist and other conservative news organizations were branded “unreliable” or “risky” by the agency, “starving them of advertising revenue and reducing the circulation of their reporting and speech — all as a direct result of [the State Department’s] unlawful censorship scheme.”

Meanwhile, America First Legal, headed up by Stephen Miller, President-elect Trump’s pick for deputy chief of staff for policy, revealed that the GEC had used taxpayer dollars to create a video game called “Cat Park” to “Inoculate Youth Against Disinformation” abroad. 

The game “inoculates players … by showing how sensational headlines, memes, and manipulated media can be used to advance conspiracy theories and incite real-world violence,” according to a memo obtained by America First Legal. 

Mike Benz, executive director at the Foundation for Freedom Online, said the game was “anti-populist” and pushed certain political beliefs instead of protecting Americans from foreign disinformation, according to the Tennessee Star.

2024-12-26 15:55:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fpolitics%2Fstate-departments-global-engagement-center-accused-censoring-americans-shuts-its-doors?w=600&h=450, The State Department’s foreign disinformation center, accused by conservatives of censoring U.S. citizens, shut its doors due to lack of funding this week.  Elon Musk had deemed the Global Engagement Center (GEC), established in 2016, the “worst offender in U.S. government censorship & media manipulation,” and its funding was stripped as part of the National Defense,

The State Department’s foreign disinformation center, accused by conservatives of censoring U.S. citizens, shut its doors due to lack of funding this week. 

Elon Musk had deemed the Global Engagement Center (GEC), established in 2016, the “worst offender in U.S. government censorship & media manipulation,” and its funding was stripped as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Pentagon’s yearly policy bill. 

“The Global Engagement Center will terminate by operation of law [by the end of the day] on December 23, 2024,” a State Department spokesperson said in a statement. “The Department of State has consulted with Congress regarding next steps.”

Lawmakers had originally included funding for the GEC in its continuing resolution (CR), or bill to fund the government beyond a Friday deadline. But conservatives balked at that iteration of the funding bill, and it was rewritten without money for the GEC and other funding riders.

The agency had a budget of around $61 million and 120 people on staff. 

At a time when adversaries like Iran and Russia sow disinformation throughout the world, Republicans saw little value in the agency’s work, arguing that much of its disinformation analysis is already offered by the private sector. 

The GEC, according to reporter Matt Taibbi, “funded a secret list of subcontractors and helped pioneer an insidious — and idiotic — new form of blacklisting” during the pandemic. 

Taibbi wrote last year when exposing the Twitter Files that the GEC “flagged accounts as ‘Russian personas and proxies’ based on criteria like, ‘Describing the Coronavirus as an engineered bioweapon,’ blaming ‘research conducted at the Wuhan institute,’ and ‘attributing the appearance of the virus to the CIA.’” 

“State also flagged accounts that retweeted news that Twitter banned the popular U.S. website ZeroHedge, claiming that it ‘led to another flurry of disinformation narratives.'” ZeroHedge had made reports speculating that the virus had a lab origin.

The GEC is part of the State Department but also partners with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Special Operations Command and the Department of Homeland Security. The GEC also funds the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab).

SPENDING BILL TO FUND STATE DEPARTMENT AGENCY ACCUSED OF CENSORING, BLACKLISTING AMERICANS

DFRLab Director Graham Brookie previously denied the claim that they use tax money to track Americans, saying its GEC grants have “an exclusively international focus.”

A 2024 report from the Republican-led House Small Business Committee criticized the GEC for awarding grants to organizations whose work includes tracking domestic as well as foreign misinformation and rating the credibility of U.S.-based publishers, according to the Washington Post. 

The lawsuit was brought by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, The Daily Wire and The Federalist, who sued the State Department, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other government officials earlier this month for “engaging in a conspiracy to censor, deplatform and demonetize American media outlets disfavored by the federal government.”

The lawsuit stated that the GEC was used as a tool for the defendants to carry out its censorship. 

​​”Congress authorized the creation of the Global Engagement Center expressly to counter foreign propaganda and misinformation,” the Texas Attorney General’s Office said in a press release. “Instead, the agency weaponized this authority to violate the First Amendment and suppress Americans’ constitutionally-protected speech. 

STATE DEPARTMENT FUNDS ‘DISINFORMATION’ INDEX TARGETING NON-LIBERAL AND CONSERVATIVE NEWS OUTLETS: REPORT

The complaint describes the State Department’s project as “one of the most egregious government operations to censor the American press in the history of the nation.’”

The lawsuit argued that The Daily Wire, The Federalist and other conservative news organizations were branded “unreliable” or “risky” by the agency, “starving them of advertising revenue and reducing the circulation of their reporting and speech — all as a direct result of [the State Department’s] unlawful censorship scheme.”

Meanwhile, America First Legal, headed up by Stephen Miller, President-elect Trump’s pick for deputy chief of staff for policy, revealed that the GEC had used taxpayer dollars to create a video game called “Cat Park” to “Inoculate Youth Against Disinformation” abroad. 

The game “inoculates players … by showing how sensational headlines, memes, and manipulated media can be used to advance conspiracy theories and incite real-world violence,” according to a memo obtained by America First Legal. 

Mike Benz, executive director at the Foundation for Freedom Online, said the game was “anti-populist” and pushed certain political beliefs instead of protecting Americans from foreign disinformation, according to the Tennessee Star.

, The State Department’s foreign disinformation center, accused by conservatives of censoring U.S. citizens, shut its doors due to lack of funding this week.  Elon Musk had deemed the Global Engagement Center (GEC), established in 2016, the “worst offender in U.S. government censorship & media manipulation,” and its funding was stripped as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Pentagon’s yearly policy bill.  “The Global Engagement Center will terminate by operation of law [by the end of the day] on December 23, 2024,” a State Department spokesperson said in a statement. “The Department of State has consulted with Congress regarding next steps.” Lawmakers had originally included funding for the GEC in its continuing resolution (CR), or bill to fund the government beyond a Friday deadline. But conservatives balked at that iteration of the funding bill, and it was rewritten without money for the GEC and other funding riders. The agency had a budget of around $61 million and 120 people on staff.  At a time when adversaries like Iran and Russia sow disinformation throughout the world, Republicans saw little value in the agency’s work, arguing that much of its disinformation analysis is already offered by the private sector.  The GEC, according to reporter Matt Taibbi, “funded a secret list of subcontractors and helped pioneer an insidious — and idiotic — new form of blacklisting” during the pandemic.  Taibbi wrote last year when exposing the  Twitter Files that the GEC “flagged accounts as ‘Russian personas and proxies’ based on criteria like, ‘Describing the Coronavirus as an engineered bioweapon,’ blaming ‘research conducted at the Wuhan institute,’ and ‘attributing the appearance of the virus to the CIA.’”  “State also flagged accounts that retweeted news that Twitter banned the popular U.S. website ZeroHedge, claiming that it ‘led to another flurry of disinformation narratives.'” ZeroHedge had made reports speculating that the virus had a lab origin. The GEC is part of the State Department but also partners with the Federal Bureau of Investigation , the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Special Operations Command and the Department of Homeland Security. The GEC also funds the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab). SPENDING BILL TO FUND STATE DEPARTMENT AGENCY ACCUSED OF CENSORING, BLACKLISTING AMERICANS DFRLab Director Graham Brookie previously denied the claim that they use tax money to track Americans, saying its GEC grants have “an exclusively international focus.” A 2024 report from the Republican-led House Small Business Committee criticized the GEC for awarding grants to organizations whose work includes tracking domestic as well as foreign misinformation and rating the credibility of U.S.-based publishers, according to the Washington Post.  The lawsuit was brought by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, The Daily Wire and The Federalist, who sued the State Department, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other government officials earlier this month for “engaging in a conspiracy to censor, deplatform and demonetize American media outlets disfavored by the federal government.” The lawsuit stated that the GEC was used as a tool for the defendants to carry out its censorship.  ​​”Congress authorized the creation of the Global Engagement Center expressly to counter foreign propaganda and misinformation,” the Texas Attorney General’s Office said in a press release. “Instead, the agency weaponized this authority to violate the  First Amendment and suppress Americans’ constitutionally-protected speech.  STATE DEPARTMENT FUNDS ‘DISINFORMATION’ INDEX TARGETING NON-LIBERAL AND CONSERVATIVE NEWS OUTLETS: REPORT The complaint describes the State Department’s project as “one of the most egregious government operations to censor the American press in the history of the nation.’” The lawsuit argued that The Daily Wire, The Federalist and other conservative news organizations were branded “unreliable” or “risky” by the agency, “starving them of advertising revenue and reducing the circulation of their reporting and speech — all as a direct result of [the State Department’s] unlawful censorship scheme.” Meanwhile, America First Legal, headed up by Stephen Miller, President-elect Trump’s pick for deputy chief of staff for policy, revealed that the GEC had used taxpayer dollars to create a video game called “Cat Park” to “Inoculate Youth Against Disinformation” abroad.  The game “inoculates players … by showing how sensational headlines, memes, and manipulated media can be used to advance conspiracy theories and incite real-world violence,” according to a memo obtained by America First Legal.  Mike Benz, executive director at the Foundation for Freedom Online, said the game was “anti-populist” and pushed certain political beliefs instead of protecting Americans from foreign disinformation, according to the Tennessee Star., , , https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/12/931/523/global-engagement-center-has-been-accused-of-censoring-conservatives.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, Latest Political News on Fox News, Read all about the political news happening with Fox News. Learn about political parties, political campaigns, and international politics today., https://global.fncstatic.com/static/orion/styles/img/fox-news/logos/fox-news-desktop.png, https://moxie.foxnews.com/google-publisher/politics.xml, ,

A trio of House Democrats in the progressive “Squad” is demanding an end to the U.S.-led investigation into a key ally’s anti-Israel arms embargo.

Reps. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., Cori Bush, D-Mo., and Summer Lee, D-Pa., wrote to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), an independent agency that oversees maritime trade affecting the U.S., regarding Spain’s “decision to deny port entry to ships carrying weapons bound for the Israeli government and its ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza.”

“This investigation is a reckless insult to our allies in Spain, which has only sought to enforce in good faith its sovereign national policies and uphold international law, including its treaty obligations to prevent genocide,” the hardline-left lawmakers wrote.

“It is bad enough that the United States is violating these same obligations and its own domestic laws by sending these weapons. We urge you to immediately suspend this obstruction of justice and withdraw this misguided investigation.”

NETANYAHU WARNS HOUTHIS AMID CALLS FOR ISRAEL TO WIPE OUT TERROR LEADERSHIP AS IT DID WITH NASRALLAH, SINWAR

Spain, a longstanding U.S. ally and fellow member of NATO, said it would stop selling weapons to Israel when its war with Hamas broke out in October 2023.

Since then, the Spanish government has been accused in three separate instances of refusing ships from docking in its ports over allegations those ships were carrying weapons meant for Israel.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told state TV channel RTVE of one of the incidents in May, according to the Associated Press. “The Middle East needs peace. That is why this first denial of authorization will start a policy for any boat carrying arms to Israel that wants to dock at a Spanish port.”

The FMC opened its probe earlier this month after receiving information that “indicates Spain has refused entry to certain vessels on at least three separate occasions this year,” a press release read. “The two most recent instances involved U.S.-flagged vessels.”

The agency will now “investigate whether regulations or practices of foreign governments result in conditions unfavorable to shipping in the foreign trade of the United States.”

But the House Democrats wrote: “Spain’s decisions to bar the Maersk Denver and the Maersk Seletar from stopping in transit at its port in Algeciras in early November, as well as its decision to deny port of call to the Marianne Danica at the port of Cartegena in May of this year, are legitimate actions taken by a sovereign state to ensure that it is in compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law.”

Tlaib, Bush and Lee have been three of Congress’ loudest critics of the Israeli government since it launched its invasion in Gaza.

The campaign was launched in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 surprise attack in southern Israel. Terrorists crossed the border and killed more than 1,200 Israelis who were in their homes, attending a music festival, and other areas.

The responding operation to eradicate Hamas in Gaza has killed more than 45,000 people, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

HOUSE DEMOCRAT BLASTS IRELAND, SPAIN, NORWAY RECOGNITION OF PALESTINIAN STATE AS ‘GIFT TO HAMAS’

The trio of House Democrats has frequently accused the Biden administration of improperly acquiescing to Israel, the U.S.’s closest ally in the Middle East.

They also argued the U.S. has no standing to investigate Spain’s decision, claiming “these actions do nothing to threaten the reliable international ocean transportation supply system that the FMC is tasked with safeguarding.”

“No agency of the United States should be in the business of punishing or sanctioning our allies for enforcing the international law that our government has refused to uphold,” they wrote.

Spain, along with Ireland and Norway, made the decision to formally recognize Palestinian statehood earlier this year.

Fox News Digital reached out to the FMC for comment.

2024-12-26 15:02:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fpolitics%2Fsquad-dems-demand-end-us-investigation-anti-israel-weapons-embargo?w=600&h=450, A trio of House Democrats in the progressive “Squad” is demanding an end to the U.S.-led investigation into a key ally’s anti-Israel arms embargo. Reps. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., Cori Bush, D-Mo., and Summer Lee, D-Pa., wrote to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), an independent agency that oversees maritime trade affecting the U.S., regarding Spain’s “decision,

A trio of House Democrats in the progressive “Squad” is demanding an end to the U.S.-led investigation into a key ally’s anti-Israel arms embargo.

Reps. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., Cori Bush, D-Mo., and Summer Lee, D-Pa., wrote to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), an independent agency that oversees maritime trade affecting the U.S., regarding Spain’s “decision to deny port entry to ships carrying weapons bound for the Israeli government and its ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza.”

“This investigation is a reckless insult to our allies in Spain, which has only sought to enforce in good faith its sovereign national policies and uphold international law, including its treaty obligations to prevent genocide,” the hardline-left lawmakers wrote.

“It is bad enough that the United States is violating these same obligations and its own domestic laws by sending these weapons. We urge you to immediately suspend this obstruction of justice and withdraw this misguided investigation.”

NETANYAHU WARNS HOUTHIS AMID CALLS FOR ISRAEL TO WIPE OUT TERROR LEADERSHIP AS IT DID WITH NASRALLAH, SINWAR

Spain, a longstanding U.S. ally and fellow member of NATO, said it would stop selling weapons to Israel when its war with Hamas broke out in October 2023.

Since then, the Spanish government has been accused in three separate instances of refusing ships from docking in its ports over allegations those ships were carrying weapons meant for Israel.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told state TV channel RTVE of one of the incidents in May, according to the Associated Press. “The Middle East needs peace. That is why this first denial of authorization will start a policy for any boat carrying arms to Israel that wants to dock at a Spanish port.”

The FMC opened its probe earlier this month after receiving information that “indicates Spain has refused entry to certain vessels on at least three separate occasions this year,” a press release read. “The two most recent instances involved U.S.-flagged vessels.”

The agency will now “investigate whether regulations or practices of foreign governments result in conditions unfavorable to shipping in the foreign trade of the United States.”

But the House Democrats wrote: “Spain’s decisions to bar the Maersk Denver and the Maersk Seletar from stopping in transit at its port in Algeciras in early November, as well as its decision to deny port of call to the Marianne Danica at the port of Cartegena in May of this year, are legitimate actions taken by a sovereign state to ensure that it is in compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law.”

Tlaib, Bush and Lee have been three of Congress’ loudest critics of the Israeli government since it launched its invasion in Gaza.

The campaign was launched in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 surprise attack in southern Israel. Terrorists crossed the border and killed more than 1,200 Israelis who were in their homes, attending a music festival, and other areas.

The responding operation to eradicate Hamas in Gaza has killed more than 45,000 people, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

HOUSE DEMOCRAT BLASTS IRELAND, SPAIN, NORWAY RECOGNITION OF PALESTINIAN STATE AS ‘GIFT TO HAMAS’

The trio of House Democrats has frequently accused the Biden administration of improperly acquiescing to Israel, the U.S.’s closest ally in the Middle East.

They also argued the U.S. has no standing to investigate Spain’s decision, claiming “these actions do nothing to threaten the reliable international ocean transportation supply system that the FMC is tasked with safeguarding.”

“No agency of the United States should be in the business of punishing or sanctioning our allies for enforcing the international law that our government has refused to uphold,” they wrote.

Spain, along with Ireland and Norway, made the decision to formally recognize Palestinian statehood earlier this year.

Fox News Digital reached out to the FMC for comment.

, A trio of House Democrats in the progressive “Squad” is demanding an end to the U.S.-led investigation into a key ally’s anti-Israel arms embargo. Reps. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., Cori Bush, D-Mo., and Summer Lee, D-Pa., wrote to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), an independent agency that oversees maritime trade affecting the U.S., regarding Spain’s “decision to deny port entry to ships carrying weapons bound for the Israeli government and its ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza.” “This investigation is a reckless insult to our allies in Spain, which has only sought to enforce in good faith its sovereign national policies and uphold international law, including its treaty obligations to prevent genocide,” the hardline-left lawmakers wrote. “It is bad enough that the United States is violating these same obligations and its own domestic laws by sending these weapons. We urge you to immediately suspend this obstruction of justice and withdraw this misguided investigation.” NETANYAHU WARNS HOUTHIS AMID CALLS FOR ISRAEL TO WIPE OUT TERROR LEADERSHIP AS IT DID WITH NASRALLAH, SINWAR Spain, a longstanding U.S. ally and fellow member of NATO, said it would stop selling weapons to Israel when its war with Hamas broke out in October 2023. Since then, the Spanish government has been accused in three separate instances of refusing ships from docking in its ports over allegations those ships were carrying weapons meant for Israel. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares told state TV channel RTVE of one of the incidents in May, according to the Associated Press. “The Middle East needs peace. That is why this first denial of authorization will start a policy for any boat carrying arms to Israel that wants to dock at a Spanish port.” The FMC opened its probe earlier this month after receiving information that “indicates Spain has refused entry to certain vessels on at least three separate occasions this year,” a press release read. “The two most recent instances involved U.S.-flagged vessels.” The agency will now “investigate whether regulations or practices of foreign governments result in conditions unfavorable to shipping in the foreign trade of the United States.” But the House Democrats wrote: “Spain’s decisions to bar the Maersk Denver and the Maersk Seletar from stopping in transit at its port in Algeciras in early November, as well as its decision to deny port of call to the Marianne Danica at the port of Cartegena in May of this year, are legitimate actions taken by a sovereign state to ensure that it is in compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law.” Tlaib, Bush and Lee have been three of Congress’ loudest critics of the Israeli government since it launched its invasion in Gaza. The campaign was launched in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 surprise attack in southern Israel. Terrorists crossed the border and killed more than 1,200 Israelis who were in their homes, attending a music festival, and other areas. The responding operation to eradicate Hamas in Gaza has killed more than 45,000 people, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. HOUSE DEMOCRAT BLASTS IRELAND, SPAIN, NORWAY RECOGNITION OF PALESTINIAN STATE AS ‘GIFT TO HAMAS’ The trio of House Democrats has frequently accused the Biden administration of improperly acquiescing to Israel, the U.S.’s closest ally in the Middle East. They also argued the U.S. has no standing to investigate Spain’s decision, claiming “these actions do nothing to threaten the reliable international ocean transportation supply system that the FMC is tasked with safeguarding.” “No agency of the United States should be in the business of punishing or sanctioning our allies for enforcing the international law that our government has refused to uphold,” they wrote. Spain, along with Ireland and Norway, made the decision to formally recognize Palestinian statehood earlier this year. Fox News Digital reached out to the FMC for comment., , , https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/05/931/523/Tlaib-Bush.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, Latest Political News on Fox News, Read all about the political news happening with Fox News. Learn about political parties, political campaigns, and international politics today., https://global.fncstatic.com/static/orion/styles/img/fox-news/logos/fox-news-desktop.png, https://moxie.foxnews.com/google-publisher/politics.xml, ,

Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) was viewed as a shoo-in for the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial race.

But with her party in disarray following a GOP sweep in the 2024 general election, Spanberger’s candidacy is facing more questions.

While Spanberger has faced little competition from within her own party so far, fellow Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) is considering throwing himself into the race. He said a few weeks ago that he hadn’t “ruled it out.”

“Usually people running statewide take about a three-month leave and I’m not ready to do that, but we’ll see. I haven’t ruled it out,” Scott said in an interview with Punchbowl News, which also reported that Democrats think Scott may be able to attract voters of color better than Spanberger, which may be critical against likely GOP nominee Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) is ineligible to run.

Earle-Sears wants to attract the same diverse coalition that President-elect Donald Trump did in the 2024 election, and she appears to plan to do so while painting the centrist Spanberger as a radical leftist.

“Congresswoman Spanberger desperately wants Virginians to believe she’s a bipartisan, moderate Democrat, but her voting record proves otherwise,” David Abrams, a senior adviser to Earle-Sears, told the Washington Post. “She was complicit in enacting the Biden Administration’s destructive agenda that left people paying more and getting less, communities suffering from a wave of violent crime, and families ripped apart by an epidemic of fentanyl overdoses — all that, and more, will be tough to answer for on the campaign trail.”

Nevertheless, Spanberger has solid support from Democrats in the state’s Democratic primary.

“I can’t speak for the country but in Virginia, I think we are yearning for her,” Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) told the outlet. “She’s always been about finding middle ground and getting things done.”

“There are gonna be more progressive people that would rather have an AOC-type person here,” he added, “but I don’t think that’s where Virginia is.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

As things stand, it’s likely going to be Spanberger against Earle-Sears in the 2025 race. A September poll showed the two are tied in their pursuit of the governor’s mansion.

However, any challenges to Spanberger from further to her left are sure to showcase the Democratic Party’s differences in coming to terms with how they lost in November and how they plan to move forward.

2024-12-27 03:24:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fcampaigns%2F3270742%2Fvirginia-governor-race-highlight-growing-democratic-party-divide%2F?w=600&h=450, Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) was viewed as a shoo-in for the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial race. But with her party in disarray following a GOP sweep in the 2024 general election, Spanberger’s candidacy is facing more questions. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) speaks during a news conference on national security legislation on Capitol Hill,

Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) was viewed as a shoo-in for the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial race.

But with her party in disarray following a GOP sweep in the 2024 general election, Spanberger’s candidacy is facing more questions.

While Spanberger has faced little competition from within her own party so far, fellow Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) is considering throwing himself into the race. He said a few weeks ago that he hadn’t “ruled it out.”

“Usually people running statewide take about a three-month leave and I’m not ready to do that, but we’ll see. I haven’t ruled it out,” Scott said in an interview with Punchbowl News, which also reported that Democrats think Scott may be able to attract voters of color better than Spanberger, which may be critical against likely GOP nominee Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) is ineligible to run.

Earle-Sears wants to attract the same diverse coalition that President-elect Donald Trump did in the 2024 election, and she appears to plan to do so while painting the centrist Spanberger as a radical leftist.

“Congresswoman Spanberger desperately wants Virginians to believe she’s a bipartisan, moderate Democrat, but her voting record proves otherwise,” David Abrams, a senior adviser to Earle-Sears, told the Washington Post. “She was complicit in enacting the Biden Administration’s destructive agenda that left people paying more and getting less, communities suffering from a wave of violent crime, and families ripped apart by an epidemic of fentanyl overdoses — all that, and more, will be tough to answer for on the campaign trail.”

Nevertheless, Spanberger has solid support from Democrats in the state’s Democratic primary.

“I can’t speak for the country but in Virginia, I think we are yearning for her,” Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) told the outlet. “She’s always been about finding middle ground and getting things done.”

“There are gonna be more progressive people that would rather have an AOC-type person here,” he added, “but I don’t think that’s where Virginia is.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

As things stand, it’s likely going to be Spanberger against Earle-Sears in the 2025 race. A September poll showed the two are tied in their pursuit of the governor’s mansion.

However, any challenges to Spanberger from further to her left are sure to showcase the Democratic Party’s differences in coming to terms with how they lost in November and how they plan to move forward.

, Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) was viewed as a shoo-in for the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial race. But with her party in disarray following a GOP sweep in the 2024 general election, Spanberger’s candidacy is facing more questions. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) speaks during a news conference on national security legislation on Capitol Hill Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) While Spanberger has faced little competition from within her own party so far, fellow Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) is considering throwing himself into the race. He said a few weeks ago that he hadn’t “ruled it out.” “Usually people running statewide take about a three-month leave and I’m not ready to do that, but we’ll see. I haven’t ruled it out,” Scott said in an interview with Punchbowl News, which also reported that Democrats think Scott may be able to attract voters of color better than Spanberger, which may be critical against likely GOP nominee Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) is ineligible to run. Earle-Sears wants to attract the same diverse coalition that President-elect Donald Trump did in the 2024 election, and she appears to plan to do so while painting the centrist Spanberger as a radical leftist. “Congresswoman Spanberger desperately wants Virginians to believe she’s a bipartisan, moderate Democrat, but her voting record proves otherwise,” David Abrams, a senior adviser to Earle-Sears, told the Washington Post. “She was complicit in enacting the Biden Administration’s destructive agenda that left people paying more and getting less, communities suffering from a wave of violent crime, and families ripped apart by an epidemic of fentanyl overdoses — all that, and more, will be tough to answer for on the campaign trail.” Nevertheless, Spanberger has solid support from Democrats in the state’s Democratic primary. “I can’t speak for the country but in Virginia, I think we are yearning for her,” Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) told the outlet. “She’s always been about finding middle ground and getting things done.” “There are gonna be more progressive people that would rather have an AOC-type person here,” he added, “but I don’t think that’s where Virginia is.” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER As things stand, it’s likely going to be Spanberger against Earle-Sears in the 2025 race. A September poll showed the two are tied in their pursuit of the governor’s mansion. However, any challenges to Spanberger from further to her left are sure to showcase the Democratic Party’s differences in coming to terms with how they lost in November and how they plan to move forward., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/spanberger-capitol.webp, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Ross O'Keefe,

Wisconsin election officials discovered nearly 200 absentee ballots went uncounted during November’s general election.

The missing ballots were found “during post-election reconciliation and cleanup” and did not affect the outcome of any election, but they could have.

The City of Madison Clerk’s Office said it informed the state election board on Dec. 20 of the 193 missing absentee ballots and that they would contact each of the voters to notify them of the mistake.

The ballots were found in sealed carrier containers when the clerk’s office was going through its post-election process. The office has signaled it will make changes to avoid such a mistake in the future.

“Moving forward, every polling location will receive a list of absentee envelope seal numbers that will be verified as counted on Election Day,” a statement from the office says. “The goal of the Clerk’s Office is that each eligible voter will be able to cast a ballot and have that ballot counted. Falling short of this goal for the November 2024 Election, we sincerely apologize to our voters and will strive to make sure this never happens again.”

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, a Democrat, expressed her disappointment in a statement released on Thursday: “This oversight is a significant departure from the high standard our residents expect and must be addressed and avoided in future elections.”

“We plan to conduct a thorough review of the City’s election policies and procedures to ensure this kind of oversight does not recur. My office is committed to taking whatever corrective action is necessary to maintain a high standard of election integrity in Madison, and to provide ongoing transparency into that process,” Rhodes-Conway added. “This statement and the timeline are a first step in doing so.”

“I also wish to offer an apology to affected voters,” her statement continued. “You have my word that immediate steps will be taken to ensure this kind of mistake will not happen again.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

President-elect Donald Trump claimed widespread election fraud after the 2020 elections, though no widespread evidence was found.

Trump beat Vice President Kamala Harris in Wisconsin by nearly 30,000 votes in November.

2024-12-27 01:03:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fcampaigns%2Fstate%2F3270733%2Fwisconsin-officials-find-200-missing-absentee-ballots%2F?w=600&h=450, Wisconsin election officials discovered nearly 200 absentee ballots went uncounted during November’s general election. The missing ballots were found “during post-election reconciliation and cleanup” and did not affect the outcome of any election, but they could have. The City of Madison Clerk’s Office said it informed the state election board on Dec. 20 of the 193,

Wisconsin election officials discovered nearly 200 absentee ballots went uncounted during November’s general election.

The missing ballots were found “during post-election reconciliation and cleanup” and did not affect the outcome of any election, but they could have.

The City of Madison Clerk’s Office said it informed the state election board on Dec. 20 of the 193 missing absentee ballots and that they would contact each of the voters to notify them of the mistake.

The ballots were found in sealed carrier containers when the clerk’s office was going through its post-election process. The office has signaled it will make changes to avoid such a mistake in the future.

“Moving forward, every polling location will receive a list of absentee envelope seal numbers that will be verified as counted on Election Day,” a statement from the office says. “The goal of the Clerk’s Office is that each eligible voter will be able to cast a ballot and have that ballot counted. Falling short of this goal for the November 2024 Election, we sincerely apologize to our voters and will strive to make sure this never happens again.”

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, a Democrat, expressed her disappointment in a statement released on Thursday: “This oversight is a significant departure from the high standard our residents expect and must be addressed and avoided in future elections.”

“We plan to conduct a thorough review of the City’s election policies and procedures to ensure this kind of oversight does not recur. My office is committed to taking whatever corrective action is necessary to maintain a high standard of election integrity in Madison, and to provide ongoing transparency into that process,” Rhodes-Conway added. “This statement and the timeline are a first step in doing so.”

“I also wish to offer an apology to affected voters,” her statement continued. “You have my word that immediate steps will be taken to ensure this kind of mistake will not happen again.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

President-elect Donald Trump claimed widespread election fraud after the 2020 elections, though no widespread evidence was found.

Trump beat Vice President Kamala Harris in Wisconsin by nearly 30,000 votes in November.

, Wisconsin election officials discovered nearly 200 absentee ballots went uncounted during November’s general election. The missing ballots were found “during post-election reconciliation and cleanup” and did not affect the outcome of any election, but they could have. The City of Madison Clerk’s Office said it informed the state election board on Dec. 20 of the 193 missing absentee ballots and that they would contact each of the voters to notify them of the mistake. The ballots were found in sealed carrier containers when the clerk’s office was going through its post-election process. The office has signaled it will make changes to avoid such a mistake in the future. “Moving forward, every polling location will receive a list of absentee envelope seal numbers that will be verified as counted on Election Day,” a statement from the office says. “The goal of the Clerk’s Office is that each eligible voter will be able to cast a ballot and have that ballot counted. Falling short of this goal for the November 2024 Election, we sincerely apologize to our voters and will strive to make sure this never happens again.” Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, a Democrat, expressed her disappointment in a statement released on Thursday: “This oversight is a significant departure from the high standard our residents expect and must be addressed and avoided in future elections.” “We plan to conduct a thorough review of the City’s election policies and procedures to ensure this kind of oversight does not recur. My office is committed to taking whatever corrective action is necessary to maintain a high standard of election integrity in Madison, and to provide ongoing transparency into that process,” Rhodes-Conway added. “This statement and the timeline are a first step in doing so.” “I also wish to offer an apology to affected voters,” her statement continued. “You have my word that immediate steps will be taken to ensure this kind of mistake will not happen again.” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER President-elect Donald Trump claimed widespread election fraud after the 2020 elections, though no widespread evidence was found. Trump beat Vice President Kamala Harris in Wisconsin by nearly 30,000 votes in November., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Voting.webp, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Ross O'Keefe,

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) believes the federal judiciary offers the Democratic Party its strongest chance to defy President-elect Donald Trump.

President Joe Biden and a Democratic-controlled Senate spent the past four years lining the judiciary with Democrats in hopes they could defend their priorities.

Now they’ll be one of their only lines of defense against a GOP-controlled White House, Senate, and House of Representatives.

“I don’t know exactly what [Trump will] do. But I can tell you this: The judiciary will be one of our strongest — if not our strongest — barrier against what he does,” Schumer told Politico this week.

Schumer said he decided to lead Democrats in prioritizing the judiciary after Republicans did so during the Bush administration. Republicans “came up with a strategy in the George W. Bush [years]: ‘We’ve got to control the bench’ and they made every effort to do it,” Schumer said. “When I became majority leader, I said, ‘This is something we have to work on, we have to focus on.’”

Trump and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) also prioritized appointing judges during Trump’s first term, with their focus leading to a 6-3 GOP majority on the Supreme Court. Schumer took note of their efforts, saying Democrats aimed to beat the Trump administration’s record.

“When we started out, we knew it would be a very difficult job to do more than Trump had done,” the New York senator said. “But we did: We got 235 — more than a quarter of the federal judiciary was appointed by our Senate and by the president.”

He said it’s about protecting their “legislative record” against future administrations and other challenges.

Schumer admitted that the approach of confirming so many judges was challenging, especially when Republicans levied charges against them.

“We would go to members and persuade them in two ways: Persuade some of them to vote for these judges because the Republicans threw all kinds of charges — mainly false — against them,” said Schumer. “And second, I had to persuade them that this was really important. And one of the most important things we could do with our floor time, particularly in ’23, ’24, when there was a Republican House.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Trump and Republicans have vowed to make cuts to several different areas of the government to reduce the massive government debt.

With the Senate slated to switch to Republican control in January, Schumer is set to become minority leader while Sen. John Thune (R-SD) will take his place as majority leader, replacing McConnell as the GOP’s chief in the upper chamber.

2024-12-26 22:57:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fnews%2Fsenate%2F3270635%2Fschumer-federal-judiciary-democrats-strongest-defense-trump%2F?w=600&h=450, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) believes the federal judiciary offers the Democratic Party its strongest chance to defy President-elect Donald Trump. President Joe Biden and a Democratic-controlled Senate spent the past four years lining the judiciary with Democrats in hopes they could defend their priorities. Now they’ll be one of their only lines of,

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) believes the federal judiciary offers the Democratic Party its strongest chance to defy President-elect Donald Trump.

President Joe Biden and a Democratic-controlled Senate spent the past four years lining the judiciary with Democrats in hopes they could defend their priorities.

Now they’ll be one of their only lines of defense against a GOP-controlled White House, Senate, and House of Representatives.

“I don’t know exactly what [Trump will] do. But I can tell you this: The judiciary will be one of our strongest — if not our strongest — barrier against what he does,” Schumer told Politico this week.

Schumer said he decided to lead Democrats in prioritizing the judiciary after Republicans did so during the Bush administration. Republicans “came up with a strategy in the George W. Bush [years]: ‘We’ve got to control the bench’ and they made every effort to do it,” Schumer said. “When I became majority leader, I said, ‘This is something we have to work on, we have to focus on.’”

Trump and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) also prioritized appointing judges during Trump’s first term, with their focus leading to a 6-3 GOP majority on the Supreme Court. Schumer took note of their efforts, saying Democrats aimed to beat the Trump administration’s record.

“When we started out, we knew it would be a very difficult job to do more than Trump had done,” the New York senator said. “But we did: We got 235 — more than a quarter of the federal judiciary was appointed by our Senate and by the president.”

He said it’s about protecting their “legislative record” against future administrations and other challenges.

Schumer admitted that the approach of confirming so many judges was challenging, especially when Republicans levied charges against them.

“We would go to members and persuade them in two ways: Persuade some of them to vote for these judges because the Republicans threw all kinds of charges — mainly false — against them,” said Schumer. “And second, I had to persuade them that this was really important. And one of the most important things we could do with our floor time, particularly in ’23, ’24, when there was a Republican House.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Trump and Republicans have vowed to make cuts to several different areas of the government to reduce the massive government debt.

With the Senate slated to switch to Republican control in January, Schumer is set to become minority leader while Sen. John Thune (R-SD) will take his place as majority leader, replacing McConnell as the GOP’s chief in the upper chamber.

, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) believes the federal judiciary offers the Democratic Party its strongest chance to defy President-elect Donald Trump. President Joe Biden and a Democratic-controlled Senate spent the past four years lining the judiciary with Democrats in hopes they could defend their priorities. Now they’ll be one of their only lines of defense against a GOP-controlled White House, Senate, and House of Representatives. “I don’t know exactly what [Trump will] do. But I can tell you this: The judiciary will be one of our strongest — if not our strongest — barrier against what he does,” Schumer told Politico this week. Schumer said he decided to lead Democrats in prioritizing the judiciary after Republicans did so during the Bush administration. Republicans “came up with a strategy in the George W. Bush [years]: ‘We’ve got to control the bench’ and they made every effort to do it,” Schumer said. “When I became majority leader, I said, ‘This is something we have to work on, we have to focus on.’” Trump and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) also prioritized appointing judges during Trump’s first term, with their focus leading to a 6-3 GOP majority on the Supreme Court. Schumer took note of their efforts, saying Democrats aimed to beat the Trump administration’s record. “When we started out, we knew it would be a very difficult job to do more than Trump had done,” the New York senator said. “But we did: We got 235 — more than a quarter of the federal judiciary was appointed by our Senate and by the president.” He said it’s about protecting their “legislative record” against future administrations and other challenges. Schumer admitted that the approach of confirming so many judges was challenging, especially when Republicans levied charges against them. “We would go to members and persuade them in two ways: Persuade some of them to vote for these judges because the Republicans threw all kinds of charges — mainly false — against them,” said Schumer. “And second, I had to persuade them that this was really important. And one of the most important things we could do with our floor time, particularly in ’23, ’24, when there was a Republican House.” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Trump and Republicans have vowed to make cuts to several different areas of the government to reduce the massive government debt. With the Senate slated to switch to Republican control in January, Schumer is set to become minority leader while Sen. John Thune (R-SD) will take his place as majority leader, replacing McConnell as the GOP’s chief in the upper chamber., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/senate-democrats-press-conference.webp, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Ross O'Keefe,

Medicare’s $2,000 cap on what beneficiaries pay out-of-pocket for prescription drugs covered by the health insurance program will begin on Jan. 1.

The price cap will apply to drugs under Medicare Part D. With roughly 53 million people across the country on this plan in 2024, the cap is projected to lower costs for many of those enrolled. 

“If your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs reaches $2,000 (including certain payments made on your behalf, like through the Extra Help program), you’ll automatically get ‘catastrophic coverage.’ That means you won’t have to pay out-of-pocket for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the calendar year,” Medicare announced.

The nonprofit organization AARP has projected that 3.2 million Americans will save money on prescription medications in 2025. 

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for citizens 65 years or older that also covers eligible beneficiaries younger than 65 with certain health conditions. Medicare Part D is an outpatient prescription drug benefit for people with Medicare “provided through private plans that contract with the federal government,” according to KFF. 

The changes to Medicare’s prescription drug cap were set in motion by the Biden administration’s 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

Many lawmakers have expressed concern the IRA’s policy change has caused insurers to hike the drug plan premiums for millions of Medicare beneficiaries to fill the gap in what patients used to pay. Premiums for many Medicare Part D plans increased in 2024, ahead of the drug cap changes.

Republicans have criticized President Joe Biden for subsequently giving health insurers an extra $15 per member a month to offset premium spikes just months before the 2024 presidential election.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Biden’s subsidies to health insurers will cost an estimated $5 billion next year. 

“One of [Biden’s] signature domestic achievements is set to cause a significant spike in Medicare premiums for millions of Americans just ahead of the Nov. election,” Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) posted on X in August. “Now, his admin is preparing to dole out billions of dollars to private insurance companies…”

2024-12-26 22:36:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fpolicy%2Fhealthcare%2F3270458%2Fmedicare-prescription-drug-cap-take-effect-jan-1%2F?w=600&h=450, Medicare’s $2,000 cap on what beneficiaries pay out-of-pocket for prescription drugs covered by the health insurance program will begin on Jan. 1. The price cap will apply to drugs under Medicare Part D. With roughly 53 million people across the country on this plan in 2024, the cap is projected to lower costs for many,

Medicare’s $2,000 cap on what beneficiaries pay out-of-pocket for prescription drugs covered by the health insurance program will begin on Jan. 1.

The price cap will apply to drugs under Medicare Part D. With roughly 53 million people across the country on this plan in 2024, the cap is projected to lower costs for many of those enrolled. 

“If your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs reaches $2,000 (including certain payments made on your behalf, like through the Extra Help program), you’ll automatically get ‘catastrophic coverage.’ That means you won’t have to pay out-of-pocket for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the calendar year,” Medicare announced.

The nonprofit organization AARP has projected that 3.2 million Americans will save money on prescription medications in 2025. 

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for citizens 65 years or older that also covers eligible beneficiaries younger than 65 with certain health conditions. Medicare Part D is an outpatient prescription drug benefit for people with Medicare “provided through private plans that contract with the federal government,” according to KFF. 

The changes to Medicare’s prescription drug cap were set in motion by the Biden administration’s 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

Many lawmakers have expressed concern the IRA’s policy change has caused insurers to hike the drug plan premiums for millions of Medicare beneficiaries to fill the gap in what patients used to pay. Premiums for many Medicare Part D plans increased in 2024, ahead of the drug cap changes.

Republicans have criticized President Joe Biden for subsequently giving health insurers an extra $15 per member a month to offset premium spikes just months before the 2024 presidential election.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Biden’s subsidies to health insurers will cost an estimated $5 billion next year. 

“One of [Biden’s] signature domestic achievements is set to cause a significant spike in Medicare premiums for millions of Americans just ahead of the Nov. election,” Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) posted on X in August. “Now, his admin is preparing to dole out billions of dollars to private insurance companies…”

, Medicare’s $2,000 cap on what beneficiaries pay out-of-pocket for prescription drugs covered by the health insurance program will begin on Jan. 1. The price cap will apply to drugs under Medicare Part D. With roughly 53 million people across the country on this plan in 2024, the cap is projected to lower costs for many of those enrolled.  “If your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs reaches $2,000 (including certain payments made on your behalf, like through the Extra Help program), you’ll automatically get ‘catastrophic coverage.’ That means you won’t have to pay out-of-pocket for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the calendar year,” Medicare announced. The nonprofit organization AARP has projected that 3.2 million Americans will save money on prescription medications in 2025.  Medicare is a federal health insurance program for citizens 65 years or older that also covers eligible beneficiaries younger than 65 with certain health conditions. Medicare Part D is an outpatient prescription drug benefit for people with Medicare “provided through private plans that contract with the federal government,” according to KFF.  The changes to Medicare’s prescription drug cap were set in motion by the Biden administration’s 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi surrounded by House Democrats, signs the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 during a bill enrollment ceremony on Capitol Hill in Washington, Aug. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File) Many lawmakers have expressed concern the IRA’s policy change has caused insurers to hike the drug plan premiums for millions of Medicare beneficiaries to fill the gap in what patients used to pay. Premiums for many Medicare Part D plans increased in 2024, ahead of the drug cap changes. Republicans have criticized President Joe Biden for subsequently giving health insurers an extra $15 per member a month to offset premium spikes just months before the 2024 presidential election. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Biden’s subsidies to health insurers will cost an estimated $5 billion next year.  “One of [Biden’s] signature domestic achievements is set to cause a significant spike in Medicare premiums for millions of Americans just ahead of the Nov. election,” Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) posted on X in August. “Now, his admin is preparing to dole out billions of dollars to private insurance companies…”, , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AP23362503579584-1024×589.jpg, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Emily Hallas,

President Joe Biden reaffirmed his support for a weapons surge to Ukraine on Thursday after Russia’s Christmas Day attack on the country’s energy system, but it’s uncertain if U.S. aid will continue under President-elect Donald Trump, who will be sworn in on Jan. 20.

Biden said in a statement following the attacks that he directed the Department of Defense to continue it’s “surge” of weapons deliveries to Ukraine in the wake of the attack. Biden’s statement comes as his administration works to send as much assistance to Ukraine as possible before Trump, who has vowed to bring a quick end to the war, assumes office.

“The purpose of this outrageous attack was to cut off the Ukrainian people’s access to heat and electricity during winter and to jeopardize the safety of its grid,” Biden said in a statement on Wednesday. “In recent months, the United States has provided Ukraine with hundreds of air defense missiles, and more are on the way. I have directed the Department of Defense to continue its surge of weapons deliveries to Ukraine, and the United States will continue to work tirelessly to strengthen Ukraine’s position in its defense against Russian forces.”

Russia launched more than 70 missiles in addition to drones targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The strikes wounded at least six people in the northeastern city of Kharkiv and killed one in the region of Dnipropetrovsk, the governors there said. The attack marks the thirteenth time this year that Russia has targeted Ukraine’s power grid, according to DTEK, the country’s largest energy provider.

Trump and other Republicans have repeatedly questioned the level of U.S. financial involvement in the conflict, which started nearly three years ago.

“Every time Zelensky comes to the United States, he walks away with $100 billion,” Trump quipped at a campaign event in Georgia this past September. “We’re stuck in that war unless I’m president,” he said at the rally.

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the U.S has committed $175 billion in aid, including approximately $61.4 billion in security assistance. Biden has also eased limits on Ukraine using American longer-range missiles against targets inside Russia for the first time in mid-November. 

On Dec. 2, the Biden Administration announced $724 million in military assistance, which was sent from the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), already approved by Congress. The U.S. pledged $988 million in military aid to Ukraine on Dec. 7, which included drones and munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), sent via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). 

On Dec. 12, another military aid package to Kyiv worth $500 million was unveiled, sent via the PDA. The Biden Administration is expected to announce its final Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative package, using up the remaining funds to purchase new weapons for Ukraine, according to reporting from Reuters. 

There is $5.6 billion remaining of presidential drawdown authority. There is also about $2.2 billion remaining in the USAI for Biden to utilize.  John Kirby, the U.S. national security spokesman, reaffirmed that Biden would “continue to provide additional packages right up to the end of this administration,” speaking to reporters on Dec. 13.

Trump has said he wants to bring the war to an end, which has some concerned he could cut off financial support to Ukraine once he is sworn into office. Many Republicans, who will control both the House and Senate in January, have also soured on aid to Ukraine as well increasing the possibility that U.S. financial support for Ukraine could be coming to an end.

However, when asked by TIME magazine if he would abandon Ukraine when he assumes office the president-elect said he wanted to “reach an agreement” in the war.

“I want to reach an agreement, and the only way you’re going to reach an agreement is not to abandon,” Trump said. “You understand what that means, right?”

When pushed on the topic, Trump continued, saying, “You can’t reach an agreement if you abandon, in my opinion. And I disagree with the whole thing, because it should have never happened. Putin would have never invaded Ukraine if I were president for numerous reasons.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER 

Trump repeatedly promised on the campaign trail to end the war as soon as taking office. While his plans have not fully been revealed, his efforts could suggest he’s considering a settlement involving the sacrifice of Ukrainian territory. 

2024-12-26 22:20:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fpolicy%2Fforeign-policy%2F3270612%2Fbiden-surge-weapons-ukraine-trump-handover-looms%2F?w=600&h=450, President Joe Biden reaffirmed his support for a weapons surge to Ukraine on Thursday after Russia’s Christmas Day attack on the country’s energy system, but it’s uncertain if U.S. aid will continue under President-elect Donald Trump, who will be sworn in on Jan. 20. Biden said in a statement following the attacks that he directed,

President Joe Biden reaffirmed his support for a weapons surge to Ukraine on Thursday after Russia’s Christmas Day attack on the country’s energy system, but it’s uncertain if U.S. aid will continue under President-elect Donald Trump, who will be sworn in on Jan. 20.

Biden said in a statement following the attacks that he directed the Department of Defense to continue it’s “surge” of weapons deliveries to Ukraine in the wake of the attack. Biden’s statement comes as his administration works to send as much assistance to Ukraine as possible before Trump, who has vowed to bring a quick end to the war, assumes office.

“The purpose of this outrageous attack was to cut off the Ukrainian people’s access to heat and electricity during winter and to jeopardize the safety of its grid,” Biden said in a statement on Wednesday. “In recent months, the United States has provided Ukraine with hundreds of air defense missiles, and more are on the way. I have directed the Department of Defense to continue its surge of weapons deliveries to Ukraine, and the United States will continue to work tirelessly to strengthen Ukraine’s position in its defense against Russian forces.”

Russia launched more than 70 missiles in addition to drones targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The strikes wounded at least six people in the northeastern city of Kharkiv and killed one in the region of Dnipropetrovsk, the governors there said. The attack marks the thirteenth time this year that Russia has targeted Ukraine’s power grid, according to DTEK, the country’s largest energy provider.

Trump and other Republicans have repeatedly questioned the level of U.S. financial involvement in the conflict, which started nearly three years ago.

“Every time Zelensky comes to the United States, he walks away with $100 billion,” Trump quipped at a campaign event in Georgia this past September. “We’re stuck in that war unless I’m president,” he said at the rally.

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the U.S has committed $175 billion in aid, including approximately $61.4 billion in security assistance. Biden has also eased limits on Ukraine using American longer-range missiles against targets inside Russia for the first time in mid-November. 

On Dec. 2, the Biden Administration announced $724 million in military assistance, which was sent from the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), already approved by Congress. The U.S. pledged $988 million in military aid to Ukraine on Dec. 7, which included drones and munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), sent via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). 

On Dec. 12, another military aid package to Kyiv worth $500 million was unveiled, sent via the PDA. The Biden Administration is expected to announce its final Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative package, using up the remaining funds to purchase new weapons for Ukraine, according to reporting from Reuters. 

There is $5.6 billion remaining of presidential drawdown authority. There is also about $2.2 billion remaining in the USAI for Biden to utilize.  John Kirby, the U.S. national security spokesman, reaffirmed that Biden would “continue to provide additional packages right up to the end of this administration,” speaking to reporters on Dec. 13.

Trump has said he wants to bring the war to an end, which has some concerned he could cut off financial support to Ukraine once he is sworn into office. Many Republicans, who will control both the House and Senate in January, have also soured on aid to Ukraine as well increasing the possibility that U.S. financial support for Ukraine could be coming to an end.

However, when asked by TIME magazine if he would abandon Ukraine when he assumes office the president-elect said he wanted to “reach an agreement” in the war.

“I want to reach an agreement, and the only way you’re going to reach an agreement is not to abandon,” Trump said. “You understand what that means, right?”

When pushed on the topic, Trump continued, saying, “You can’t reach an agreement if you abandon, in my opinion. And I disagree with the whole thing, because it should have never happened. Putin would have never invaded Ukraine if I were president for numerous reasons.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER 

Trump repeatedly promised on the campaign trail to end the war as soon as taking office. While his plans have not fully been revealed, his efforts could suggest he’s considering a settlement involving the sacrifice of Ukrainian territory. 

, President Joe Biden reaffirmed his support for a weapons surge to Ukraine on Thursday after Russia’s Christmas Day attack on the country’s energy system, but it’s uncertain if U.S. aid will continue under President-elect Donald Trump, who will be sworn in on Jan. 20. Biden said in a statement following the attacks that he directed the Department of Defense to continue it’s “surge” of weapons deliveries to Ukraine in the wake of the attack. Biden’s statement comes as his administration works to send as much assistance to Ukraine as possible before Trump, who has vowed to bring a quick end to the war, assumes office. “The purpose of this outrageous attack was to cut off the Ukrainian people’s access to heat and electricity during winter and to jeopardize the safety of its grid,” Biden said in a statement on Wednesday. “In recent months, the United States has provided Ukraine with hundreds of air defense missiles, and more are on the way. I have directed the Department of Defense to continue its surge of weapons deliveries to Ukraine, and the United States will continue to work tirelessly to strengthen Ukraine’s position in its defense against Russian forces.” A Ukrainian AS-90 self-propelled artillery vehicle fires towards Russian positions at the frontline on Pokrovsk direction, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) Russia launched more than 70 missiles in addition to drones targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The strikes wounded at least six people in the northeastern city of Kharkiv and killed one in the region of Dnipropetrovsk, the governors there said. The attack marks the thirteenth time this year that Russia has targeted Ukraine’s power grid, according to DTEK, the country’s largest energy provider. Trump and other Republicans have repeatedly questioned the level of U.S. financial involvement in the conflict, which started nearly three years ago. “Every time Zelensky comes to the United States, he walks away with $100 billion,” Trump quipped at a campaign event in Georgia this past September. “We’re stuck in that war unless I’m president,” he said at the rally. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the U.S has committed $175 billion in aid, including approximately $61.4 billion in security assistance. Biden has also eased limits on Ukraine using American longer-range missiles against targets inside Russia for the first time in mid-November.  On Dec. 2, the Biden Administration announced $724 million in military assistance, which was sent from the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), already approved by Congress. The U.S. pledged $988 million in military aid to Ukraine on Dec. 7, which included drones and munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), sent via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).  On Dec. 12, another military aid package to Kyiv worth $500 million was unveiled, sent via the PDA. The Biden Administration is expected to announce its final Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative package, using up the remaining funds to purchase new weapons for Ukraine, according to reporting from Reuters.  There is $5.6 billion remaining of presidential drawdown authority. There is also about $2.2 billion remaining in the USAI for Biden to utilize.  John Kirby, the U.S. national security spokesman, reaffirmed that Biden would “continue to provide additional packages right up to the end of this administration,” speaking to reporters on Dec. 13. Trump has said he wants to bring the war to an end, which has some concerned he could cut off financial support to Ukraine once he is sworn into office. Many Republicans, who will control both the House and Senate in January, have also soured on aid to Ukraine as well increasing the possibility that U.S. financial support for Ukraine could be coming to an end. However, when asked by TIME magazine if he would abandon Ukraine when he assumes office the president-elect said he wanted to “reach an agreement” in the war. “I want to reach an agreement, and the only way you’re going to reach an agreement is not to abandon,” Trump said. “You understand what that means, right?” When pushed on the topic, Trump continued, saying, “You can’t reach an agreement if you abandon, in my opinion. And I disagree with the whole thing, because it should have never happened. Putin would have never invaded Ukraine if I were president for numerous reasons.” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER   Trump repeatedly promised on the campaign trail to end the war as soon as taking office. While his plans have not fully been revealed, his efforts could suggest he’s considering a settlement involving the sacrifice of Ukrainian territory. , , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Biden-dec-26-scaled-1024×683.webp, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Samantha-Jo Roth,