Politics
GOP senators urge DHS to release findings from probe into Border Patrol agents
NEWNow you can hearken to Fox Information articles!
FIRST ON FOX: A bunch of Republican senators on Wednesday urged the Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) to launch its findings from the probe into Border Patrol brokers who had been on the middle of false claims that they “whipped” Haitian migrants.
“We agree that the general public deserves to know the outcomes of this investigation,” the lawmakers, led by Sen Invoice Hagerty, R-Tenn., wrote in a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
PROBE INTO BORDER PATROL AGENTS STILL ONGOING, 6 MONTHS AFTER FALSE ‘WHIPPING’ CLAIMS
“But, it has been greater than six months since this episode occurred, and no report has been launched,” they are saying.
The opposite senators on the letter are Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, John Cornyn, R-Texas, Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Josh Hawley, R-Mo., Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., and Mike Lee, R-Utah.
The investigation centered round brokers on horseback who in September tried to dam Haitian migrants from getting into the U.S. by way of a river in Del Rio, close to a large migrant camp. The controversy started when some media retailers and Democratic lawmakers misidentified the brokers’ cut up reins, which they use and twirl to regulate and direct the horse — and falsely claimed the brokers had been utilizing “whips” on the migrants.
Mayorkas initially backed the brokers alongside Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz, however later stated the pictures “troubled me profoundly” earlier than including that “one can’t weaponize a horse” towards migrants. Vice President Kamala Harris additionally weighed in, saying she wished an investigation and was “deeply troubled” in regards to the alleged therapy of migrants.
Shortly after that, Mayorkas introduced that horses would not be utilized in Del Rio, and the brokers had been shifted to desk obligation pending an investigation into their conduct. He would go on to vow that the investigation could be “accomplished in days, if not weeks.”
That Friday, President Biden elevated the stress on the brokers by repeating the whipping claims, and in addition previewed what he hoped could be the end result of the investigation.
“To see individuals handled like they did, horses barely operating over, individuals being strapped – it is outrageous,” Biden stated, making a whipping movement along with his hand.
“I promise you, these individuals can pay,” he stated “There will likely be an investigation underway now and there will likely be penalties. There will likely be penalties.”
The Republican letter says that the administration “very publicly and harshly condemned this patrol exercise” even earlier than the information had been gathered.
Six months later, the investigation remains to be ongoing. A DHS spokesperson advised Fox final month that the company “will share the outcomes of the investigation as soon as it’s full and supply updates, as obtainable, in line with the necessity to defend the integrity of the investigation and people’ privateness.”
BORDER PATROL STUNNED AS BIDEN GOES TO WAR WITH HIS OWN AGENTS OVER FALSE ‘WHIPPING’ ALLEGATIONS
The spokesperson referred to an replace from November, which outlined how the matter had been referred to the Workplace of Inspector Common — which declined to research and as a substitute referred it to Customs and Border Protections (CBP) Workplace of Skilled Accountability — and the steps which might be to be taken.
However the prolonged investigation has led to accusations that the investigation is being lengthened for political causes. The top of the Border Patrol Union just lately advised Fox Information Digital that he thinks “they’re making an attempt to tug this out and get the American public to neglect about it as a result of finally they will have to come back again and say [the agents] did nothing mistaken, or they will should make some costs up and attempt to match some costs below coverage.”
A DHS official who spoke to The Washington Examiner in January shared that evaluation, and even questioned whether or not the administration would ever launch the report.
“I doubt that the present administration will launch this report on the horse patrol incident as a result of it makes the administration look horrible,” the official stated. “They primarily convicted the mounted brokers based mostly upon a lie, which the investigation after 120 days would certainly have revealed.”
The Republicans say that “it stays unclear why these findings haven’t been launched.”
“The American individuals—and particularly your brokers whose superiors publicly accused them of misconduct—deserve the transparency you promised, even whether it is embarrassing for the Biden administration,” they are saying.
The lawmakers request that the findings of the investigation be launched by April 13.
Politics
Dem leader condemns Thanksgiving bomb threats against liberal lawmakers after Team Trump targeted
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned several threats, mostly focused on lawmakers from Connecticut, targeting members of his caucus, just days after numerous threats were made against President-elect Trump’s cabinet selections.
Jeffries, D-N.Y., confirmed in a statement Friday that several Democrats were targeted with threats ranging from pipe bombs in their mailboxes to “swatting” — or filing a false police report on another person’s behalf that often results in a SWAT team being dispatched.
All of the threatening messages were signed “MAGA,” Jeffries said, adding law enforcement found no ordnance at any of the targeted lawmakers’ homes.
“America is a democracy. Threats of violence against elected officials are unacceptable, unconscionable and have no place in a civilized society. All perpetrators of political violence directed at any party must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” he said.
TOP DEM: ‘UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRATION’ IS A THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY
“House Democrats will not be deterred or intimidated from serving the people by violent threats. We have been in close communication with the Sergeant at Arms office and it is imperative that Congress provide maximum protection for all Members and their families moving forward.”
After Jeffries spoke out, Rep. Seth Magaziner, a Democrat from neighboring Rhode Island, announced on Friday afternoon that his home had been targeted, as well. Magaziner said Providence police responded quickly and no one was harmed.
Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Conn., had his home targeted by a bomb threat. A spokesperson said it appeared to be part of a “coordinated effort.”
Five other Democrats from the Constitution State received similar threats, including Reps. Joe Courtney, John Larson, Rosa DeLauro, Jahana Hayes and James Himes.
CT DEM SAYS IT’S CLEAR HUNTER BIDEN BROKE THE LAW
“There is no place for political violence in this country, and I hope that we may all continue through the holiday season with peace and civility,” said Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee who replaced Sen.-elect Adam Schiff, D-Calif.
Prior to that spate of threats, Trump’s U.N. ambassador-designate Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., said she was traveling home to her North Country district for Thanksgiving when she was informed of a threat against her home.
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. — Trump’s initial choice for attorney general — also received a threat.
Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y. — Trump’s nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency — said his home was subjected to a “pro-Palestinian-themed” pipe bomb threat. Zeldin is Jewish.
Former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Ore., whom the president-elect tapped for Labor secretary, said her Oregon home was targeted, as was that of former San Diego Chargers cornerback Scott Turner, whom Trump named to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Trump nominees including Cantor-Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick, America First Policy Institute President Brooke Rollins and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth also received threats.
In a statement, the FBI said it is aware of “numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees, and we are working with our law enforcement partners.”
“We take all potential threats seriously and, as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement,” it said.
Fox News’ Kevin Ward contributed to this report.
Politics
Capitol rioter's defamation suit against Fox News is dismissed
A Delaware court judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News filed by a Jan. 6 rioter who said the network falsely identified him as an FBI informant.
U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer L. Hall granted Fox News’ motion to dismiss the suit filed last year by Ray Epps.
Now based in Utah, Epps alleged his life was upended after former Fox host Tucker Carlson repeatedly described him as a federal agent who helped instigate the attack on the Capitol, which was an attempt to stop the certification of the election of Joe Biden.
Carlson described Epps as a principal in a false flag operation in which the government incited the Jan. 6 riot, an unfounded conspiracy theory. He made the false comments about Epps on his program over a period of nearly two years and in a series called “Patriot Purge” that streamed on Fox Nation in 2022.
In her remarks from the bench, Hall said Carlson did not act with malicious intent.
Fox News welcomed the judge’s decision, which is the third consecutive defamation case to be decided in favor of the network after the record $787-million settlement it paid to Dominion Voting Systems in April 2024.
Dominion said its business was damaged by false claims Fox News presented regarding voting fraud in the 2020 election. Fox News chose to settle the case rather than have its executives and on-air talent take the witness stand in a trial.
A separate defamation suit filed by Nina Jankowicz, the former head of the federal Disinformation Governance Board, was dismissed in July. Another case brought by Tony Bobulinski, a former business partner of Hunter Biden, was thrown out on Tuesday.
“Fox News is pleased with these back-to-back decisions from federal courts preserving the press freedoms of the First Amendment,” the network said in a statement.
Epps was at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and pleaded guilty in January to a misdemeanor charge for his role in the riot.
Epps testified under oath to the House committee investigating the attack that he had no involvement with the FBI, which has also stated publicly that he had no association with the bureau.
The lawsuit claimed Epps and his wife received threatening voice mails, emails and text messages because of Carlson‘s comments. Epps told the CBS news magazine “60 Minutes” that the lies ruined his Arizona-based business and led to death threats.
Carlson’s prime-time program was pulled from the Fox News lineup on April 24, 2023, the day after Epps appeared on “60 Minutes.”
Politics
Political betting markets still have plenty of action despite end of election season
The end of the election season does not mean the end of political betting, with many platforms allowing users to place wagers on everything from the 2028 election to who will be confirmed to President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet.
“Some people will be amazed by this, but people are already betting on 2026 and 2028,” Maxim Lott, the founder of ElectionBettingOdds.com, told Fox News Digital. “There’s been about a quarter million dollars bet already.”
The comments come after the 2024 election produced plenty of betting action, with users across multiple platforms wagering over $2 billion on the outcome of the latest race.
WHAT ARE ELECTION BETTING ODDS? EXPERT EXPLAINS WHY TRUMP IS CURRENT FAVORITE
While mega sporting events, such as the Super Bowl and the recent Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight, gives gamblers plenty to wager on after the election, those looking for something political to bet on will still have plenty of options.
One of the most popular topics is who will be the nominees for both major parties in 2028, with ElectionBettingOdds.com showing California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Vice President-elect JD Vance being the current leaders for Democrats and Republicans, respectively.
Other names with a significant amount of attention for betters include Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for the Democratic nomination, while Vance is trailed by names like entrepreneur and future head of the new Department of Government Efficiency Vivek Ramaswamy and Donald Trump Jr. on the Republican side.
“The big Democratic governors are favored to be the next nominee,” Lott said, noting that Vance currently holds a sizable lead over other options on the GOP side.
TRUMP OPENS UP LARGEST BETTING LEAD SINCE DAYS AFTER BIDEN’S DROPOUT
Vance is also the current betting leader on who will win the 2028 presidential election, ElectionBettingOdds.com shows, followed by Newson and Shapiro as the next two likely options.
However, Lott warned it is still too early to tell what the future holds, noting that the markets will start to provide more clarity as more information becomes known over the next few years.
“As the future becomes clearer… as we get closer to 2026, 2028, these odds will change,” Lott said. “So if the Trump administration is doing really well, the economy is booming, inflation is not out of control, wars are ending, Vance’s odds will certainly go up.”
Bettors also are not limited to wagering on elections, with platforms such as Polymarket allowing users to place bets on Trump’s picks to serve in his Cabinet and whether they will be confirmed. Bettors can also place wagers on questions such as if they believe the war in Ukraine will end in Trump’s first 90 days or if there will be a cease-fire in Gaza in 2024.
According to Lott, taking a look at the current betting odds for many scenarios can help inform you about what is going on in the world, even if you do not place bets yourself.
“People often ask… is there any value to this… it’s just gambling. It’s silly,” Lott said. “But actually it’s very useful… if you want to know what’s going to happen in 2028 or if the Trump administration is going to be a success, you could read 100 news articles on it. Some will misinform you. Or, you can just go to the prediction markets and see… is Vance a 20% chance of becoming the next Republican nominee or is he a 90% chance? That tells you a lot.”
-
Science1 week ago
Trump nominates Dr. Oz to head Medicare and Medicaid and help take on 'illness industrial complex'
-
Health7 days ago
Holiday gatherings can lead to stress eating: Try these 5 tips to control it
-
Science4 days ago
Despite warnings from bird flu experts, it's business as usual in California dairy country
-
Health4 days ago
CheekyMD Offers Needle-Free GLP-1s | Woman's World
-
Science1 week ago
Alameda County child believed to be latest case of bird flu; source unknown
-
Technology3 days ago
Lost access? Here’s how to reclaim your Facebook account
-
Sports1 week ago
Behind Comcast's big TV deal: a bleak picture for once mighty cable industry
-
Entertainment2 days ago
Review: A tense household becomes a metaphor for Iran's divisions in 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig'