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House Armed Services Republicans urge Biden to increase 2023 defense budget amid ‘unprecedented threats’

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House Armed Services Republicans urge Biden to increase 2023 defense budget amid ‘unprecedented threats’

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EXCLUSIVE: Republicans on the Home Armed Providers Committee are urging President Biden to extend the nationwide protection funds for 2023, warning that the nation “can’t afford to shortchange” nationwide safety amid “unprecedented threats” going through america.

President Biden, final week, rolled out his $5.8 trillion funds proposal for fiscal yr 2023, and touted his protection proposal as “one of many largest investments in our nationwide safety in historical past.”

BIDEN’S $5.8T BUDGET PROPOSES ONE OF THE ‘LARGEST’ INVESTMENTS IN US NATIONAL SECURITY AMID WAR IN UKRAINE

However all 28 Republicans on the Home Armed Providers Committee, led by the rating member, Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., are calling for an elevated funds to make sure “ample protection topline.”

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Rep. Mike Rogers and President Joe Biden 
(Chip Somodevilla/Getty Photographs/Bloomberg  |  Anna Moneymaker/Getty Photographs)

“Our nation faces unprecedented threats from China and Russia and it’s unconscionable that President Biden has chosen to as soon as once more shortchange our warfighters,” Rogers advised Fox Information Monday. “By failing to account for inflation, President Biden’s funds request would go away America weakened and susceptible.”

With regard to China, Rogers mentioned, “Xi Jinping is watching as President Biden continues to falter.”

“In truth, whereas China has the biggest navy on this planet and is quickly increasing their nuclear arsenal – President Biden’s funds request would decommission 24 U.S. Navy ships and minimize funding for our personal nuclear capabilities,” Rogers mentioned.

He added: “Fortunately, Congress calls the pictures with regards to funding our navy.”

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Rogers touted his GOP colleagues, saying he’s “glad” that “all Republicans on the Home Armed Providers Committee are devoted to preventing for a better protection topline within the FY23 NDAA that accounts for inflation and ensures our warfighters have what they want to achieve fight.”

WHITE HOUSE INSISTS US TROOPS NOT GOING TO UKRAINE AFTER BIDEN COMMENTS IN POLAND

Home Republican Caucus Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., who additionally sits on the committee, mentioned the president’s funds “as soon as once more cuts the scale of our navy within the coronary heart of a nationwide safety disaster.”

“Our servicemen and girls deserve higher from their commander in chief. Chopping our navy and protection spending alerts weak spot to our international adversaries and additional threatens our nationwide safety,” Stefanik mentioned.

And Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., warned that Biden’s proposed protection funds is “at the very least a 4% minimize in actual greenback spending energy,” after adjusting “for the ‘official’ 8% inflation price.”

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“Therefore, Biden’s proposed protection cuts encourage America’s geopolitical foes to interact in nefarious navy assaults all over the world, thereby risking battle,” Brooks mentioned. “Biden’s poorly thought out actual greenback protection spending cuts have to be stopped.” 

The unified calls from Republicans on the Home Armed Providers Committee come after Rogers and Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., the rating member of the Senate Armed Providers Committee, led a lot of their Republican members in urging Biden to extend the protection funds by 5% over the speed of inflation.

The calls additionally come forward of testimony this week from Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Workers Gen. Mark Milley earlier than the Home Armed Providers Committee.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, left, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley talk before a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on June 17, 2021.

Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin, left, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley discuss earlier than a Senate Appropriations Committee listening to on Capitol Hill on June 17, 2021.
(Evelyn Hockstein/Pool by way of AP)

And the discontent with the proposal will not be solely from Republican lawmakers. Democratic Rep. Elaine Luria, of Virginia, final week, tweeted:  “I’ve delayed placing out an announcement in regards to the Protection Funds as a result of frankly it might have been principally stuffed with phrases you would possibly anticipate from a Sailor, however right here goes: It sucks.” 

Biden’s 2023 funds, rolled out final week, proposed $773 billion for the Division of Protection.

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“I’m calling for one of many largest investments in our nationwide safety in historical past, with the funds wanted to make sure that our navy stays the best-prepared, best-trained, best-equipped navy on this planet,” the president mentioned final week, including that it “sends a transparent message that we worth fiscal accountability, security and safety at house and all over the world.”

In the meantime, Biden, in his funds, known as for “continued funding to forcefully reply” to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “aggression in opposition to Ukraine, with U.S. help for Ukraine’s financial, humanitarian and safety wants.” 

The president’s funds proposal consists of $6.9 billion for the European Deterrence Initiative, NATO, and countering Russian aggression to help Ukraine and different partnerships with NATO allies.

The funds would assist to “improve the capabilities and readiness of U.S. forces, NATO allies, and regional companions” amid Russia’s now two-month-long battle on Ukraine.

RUSSIA INVADES UKRAINE: LIVE UPDATES 

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The funds additionally consists of $1.8 billion for the State Division and USAID, and $400 million for “Countering the Folks’s Republic of China Malign Affect Fund.”

The funds affords $1 billion in help to Ukraine for the State Division, USAID and the Division of Protection to counter “Russian malign affect” and to fulfill rising wants associated to “safety, power, cyber safety points, disinformation, macroeconomic stabilization and civil society resilience.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a news conference in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 16, 2021. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks throughout a information convention in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 16, 2021. 
((AP Photograph/Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool))

The Biden administration, final month, despatched almost $1 billion in navy and humanitarian help to Ukraine amid Russia’s battle on the nation.

In the meantime, the funds, in accordance with the White Home, “prioritizes China because the Division’s pacing problem,” and is anticipated to make use of the proposed funds to strengthen deterrence within the Indo-Pacific area.

“DOD is constructing the ideas, capabilities and posture needed to fulfill these challenges, working in live performance with the interagency and our allies and companions to make sure our deterrence is built-in throughout domains, theaters and the spectrum of battle,” the White Home mentioned.

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The president, final month, warned China of “penalties” ought to Beijing reply and comply with Russia’s requests for navy and financial help amid its greater than two-month-long battle on Ukraine. The White Home has mentioned officers stay “deeply involved” about China and Russia’s “alignment.”

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Dem leader condemns Thanksgiving bomb threats against liberal lawmakers after Team Trump targeted

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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

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.

“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.

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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.

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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.

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Fox News’ Kevin Ward contributed to this report.

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Capitol rioter's defamation suit against Fox News is dismissed

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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.

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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.

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Former prime-time host Tucker Carlson is seen in the studio on the set of his show on Fox News in New York in 2018.

(Jennifer S. Altman / For The Times)

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.

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Carlson’s prime-time program was pulled from the Fox News lineup on April 24, 2023, the day after Epps appeared on “60 Minutes.”

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Political betting markets still have plenty of action despite end of election season

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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

President-elect Donald Trump, right, welcomes Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the stage at a Turning Point Action campaign rally at the Gas South Arena on Oct. 23, 2024 in Duluth, Georgia. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

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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.

Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. (Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

TRUMP OPENS UP LARGEST BETTING LEAD SINCE DAYS AFTER BIDEN’S DROPOUT

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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.

Sen. JD Vance

Vice President-elect JD Vance. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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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.”

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