Politics
House Votes to Find Two Trump Aides in Contempt in Jan. 6 Inquiry
WASHINGTON — The Home on Wednesday voted to suggest legal contempt of Congress prices towards Peter Navarro and Dan Scavino Jr., two shut allies of former President Donald J. Trump, after the pair defied subpoenas from the particular committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol.
The principally party-line vote of 220 to 203 referred contempt prices to the Justice Division, calling for prosecutions of Mr. Navarro, a former prime White Home adviser, and Mr. Scavino Jr., a former deputy chief of employees. It got here as congressional investigators have grown more and more pissed off with a few of Mr. Trump’s staunchest supporters who’ve refused to fulfill with the panel or flip over a single web page of proof to the committee because it digs into the worst assault on the Capitol for the reason that Battle of 1812.
“We’ve got two people who find themselves flagrantly, openly defying the authority of the Home of Representatives of the US,” stated Consultant Jamie Raskin, Democrat of Maryland and a member of the committee. He stated the boys had “nothing however excuses for his or her noncompliance — excuses you wouldn’t settle for from a teenage youngster.”
Solely two Republicans, Representatives Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, each members of the investigative committee, voted for the fees. The remainder of their celebration refused to assist the transfer.
Dozens of Republicans lined up on the ground of the Home on Wednesday to demand a change of matter, attempting to power a vote on immigration laws in keeping with their efforts to make use of issues on the border as a political weapon towards Democrats forward of midterm congressional elections.
After that failed, Consultant Kevin McCarthy, Republican of California and the minority chief, attacked the investigation in a ground speech as a “political present trial” and accused the panel of bullying the boys and trampling on their civil rights.
“Let me be clear: The riot on Jan. 6 was mistaken. However make no mistake: the Democrats’ response can be mistaken,” Mr. McCarthy stated, including, “Democrats are utilizing the facility of the federal authorities to jail their political opponents.”
Mr. Raskin shot again that Republicans had been utilizing “circus antics” to attempt to decelerate the vote with a “conga line” of lawmakers queued up on the ground whereas they skipped out on their committee assignments.
He accused the Republicans of “slavishly” following Mr. Trump like “sycophants,” as an alternative of becoming a member of efforts to research the lethal assault on the Capitol that left greater than 150 law enforcement officials injured.
A contempt of Congress cost carries a penalty of as much as a 12 months in jail and a most effective of $100,000. The Home vote steered the matter to the Justice Division, which now should determine whether or not to cost the 2 males.
Consultant Jim Banks, Republican of Indiana, stated the stakes of potential jail time had been too excessive, and famous the vote would imply that 4 Trump White Home aides would face legal referrals from the committee.
“Mr. Scavino has two boys. He’s dad,” Mr. Banks stated.
Ms. Cheney referred to as the vote “unhappy” and “tragic,” however stated the committee was left with no different alternative after some in her personal celebration had deserted the reality for fealty to Mr. Trump.
“So many in my very own celebration are refusing to deal with the constitutional disaster and the problem we face,” she stated.
The Jan. 6 committee laid out its arguments towards Mr. Navarro and Mr. Scavino in a 34-page report that detailed how intently they had been concerned in efforts to maintain Mr. Trump in energy even after he misplaced decisively on the polls.
Mr. Navarro and Mr. Scavino are amongst a handful of Mr. Trump’s closest allies who’ve refused to take a seat for interviews or flip over paperwork, whilst greater than 800 witnesses — together with different prime White Home officers — have complied with the committee’s requests.
Up to now week, the panel has interviewed each Ivanka Trump, the president’s eldest daughter, and her husband Jared Kushner, each of whom had been high-ranking White Home advisers to Mr. Trump. Every sat for prolonged interviews with the committee. Neither asserted government privilege to keep away from answering the committee’s questions.
Consultant Bennie Thompson, Democrat of Mississippi and the chairman of the committee, contrasted their strategy to the hard-line stance adopted by Mr. Scavino and Mr. Navarro.
“The president’s personal daughter complied with the desires of the committee,” Mr. Thompson stated. “If his daughter complied with the desires of the committee, everybody else ought to.”
The committee stated Mr. Navarro had labored with Stephen Ok. Bannon, one other Trump ally, to hold out a plan to delay Congress’s certification of the election on Jan. 6, 2021, and in the end to attempt to change the election’s consequence. Mr. Navarro has beforehand described this plan because the “Inexperienced Bay Sweep” and has stated greater than 100 members of Congress had signed on to it.
Mr. Navarro additionally wrote a report alleging a stolen election, which was broadly shared with others working to overturn the election. Mr. Navarro claimed that Mr. Trump “himself had distributed Quantity 1 of the report to each member of the Home and Senate” earlier than Jan. 6.
In his newest assertion, Mr. Navarro denied he had something to do with the violence, however continued to insist the 2020 election was rigged, whereas selling his e book, “In Trump Time.”
“A very bipartisan committee would examine why Nancy Pelosi, the Capitol Hill Police, and the Pentagon left the perimeter of the Capitol constructing inadequately guarded and whether or not FBI informants performed any vital position in instigating violence and chaos that was, as I famous in ‘In Trump Time,’ the final consequence Donald Trump and I wished on Jan. 6,” he stated. “We would have liked peace and calm that day for the authorized Inexperienced Bay Sweep to run and thereby get an correct accounting of all authorized votes.”
Contempt prices. The Home voted to suggest legal contempt of Congress prices towards Peter Navarro and Dan Scavino Jr., two shut allies of former President Donald J. Trump, after the pair defied subpoenas from the particular committee investigating the Jan. 6 assault.Capitol Riot’s Aftermath: Key Developments
As for Mr. Scavino, the committee stated he had labored with Mr. Trump to unfold false data through social media relating to election fraud and had recruited a crowd to Washington on Jan. 6.
The committee stated it had “purpose to imagine” Mr. Scavino, whose subpoena was served at Mar-a-Lago, the previous president’s property in Palm Seaside, Fla., was with Mr. Trump on Jan. 5 and Jan. 6 in 2021 when plans had been mentioned to “problem, disrupt, or impede the official congressional proceedings.” He additionally was with Mr. Trump whereas individuals trapped contained in the Capitol had been urgently calling on the president to halt the violence.
The committee additionally stated it “has purpose to imagine that Mr. Scavino could have had advance warning in regards to the potential for violence on Jan. 6,” as a result of he was identified to watch pro-Trump web sites the place plans to commit violence had been mentioned.
The committee has sought Mr. Scavino’s testimony since September, when it issued him a subpoena. The panel stated it delayed Mr. Scavino’s deposition six instances to attempt to accommodate him.
Mr. Scavino sued Verizon in January — at first, anonymously — searching for to cease the corporate from turning over his cellphone information to the committee.
His attorneys have argued that President Biden — who waived government privilege for each males — doesn’t have the authority to take action over the testimony of a former president’s senior aides.
Up to now, Mr. Bannon is the one goal of the committee who has been indicted on contempt of Congress prices for refusing to adjust to a subpoena.
Mr. Bannon, whose trial is tentatively set for July, was dealt a authorized blow on Wednesday when a choose dominated he couldn’t defend himself by claiming he was merely following the recommendation of his attorneys when he declined to reply to the committee’s subpoena.
In December, the Home beneficial that Mark Meadows, Mr. Trump’s ultimate White Home chief of employees, face legal contempt of Congress prices for his refusal to take a seat for an interview with the committee. The Justice Division has not but determined whether or not to pursue legal prices towards Mr. Meadows, who turned over hundreds of paperwork to the committee earlier than he stopped cooperating.
The committee additionally initially sought a contempt cost towards Jeffrey Clark, a former Justice Division lawyer who participated in Mr. Trump’s frenzied makes an attempt to overturn the election. However earlier than it forwarded a contempt advice to the complete Home, Mr. Clark’s lawyer let the panel know he would sit for one more interview by which he repeatedly invoked his Fifth Modification proper towards self-incrimination. That successfully ended the potential contempt cost towards him.
Alan Feuer contributed reporting.
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.”
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