Politics
Justice Amy Coney Barrett once climbed priest’s fence in high heels to escape news cameras after church
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Supreme Court docket Justice Amy Coney Barrett recounted an alleged pursuit by journalists that pressured her to hop a church fence throughout the time of her nomination and listening to for the place.
Barrett instructed the story onstage throughout an interview with the Reagan Library. The occasion consisted of a free dialog with Barrett on a variety of subjects associated to her life and work earlier than and after her appointment to the Supreme Court docket. Requested concerning the story by the occasion host, Barrett defined the problem of going out in public when the nation’s eyes had been mounted on her doable place on the courtroom.
“Normally the media vehicles would present up round 8. It was a Sunday morning, and I used to be going to go to mass,” Barrett mentioned. “So I left the home earlier than I assumed they had been going to return. One confirmed up, and I led them on a chase by the neighborhood as a result of I actually did not need to be adopted.”
KETANJI BROWN JACKSON CITES JUSTICE AMY CONEY BARRETT AS SHE DODGES QUESTION ON COURT-PACKING
“I used to be very pleased with myself as a result of I managed to shake them. I used to be assured. I parked the automobile at our church, and after I went to go stroll in, I noticed one of many suburbans that I acknowledged from exterior the home coming the opposite approach,” she continued.
Barrett instructed the viewers that she didn’t need to be photographed by the press popping out of the church.
“I made an exit out of a facet door earlier than it was over that I had by no means exited by earlier than – and it turned on the market was a motive for that. It did not really exit out. It fairly went into the priest’s personal residence and the yard,” Barrett continued. “And so I am standing there, I am within the yard and there is a fence and so I confronted a selection – I may both hop the fence or I may return out the entrance and provides them the image. So I made a decision in my excessive heels to climb the fence. So gracefully. And after I dropped down on the opposite facet I see our affiliate pastor who says ‘Amy, what are you doing in our vegetable backyard?’”
Barrett’s Catholic religion was a central concern in her affirmation as a Supreme Court docket justice. Critics speculated that her spiritual convictions would exert undue affect over her authorized decision-making.
However a excessive courtroom feared by liberals and celebrated by conservatives hasn’t delivered as anticipated, leaving some on the appropriate to really feel let down.
Through the 2021 Supreme Court docket session, some key rulings didn’t sit nicely with conservatives. The excessive courtroom did not scuttle the Inexpensive Care Act, higher recognized to many Individuals as Obamacare, which has been a longtime purpose GOP purpose. The courtroom additionally dominated in favor of a transgender scholar who didn’t need to use the varsity rest room assigned to his intercourse at delivery, a lighting rod concern amongst many conservatives.
And whereas the courtroom dominated {that a} Catholic social companies company in Philadelphia may defy metropolis guidelines by refusing to work with same-sex {couples} who utilized for foster youngsters, there was disappointment within the slim focus of the opinion.
Following the ruling, three conservative Supreme Court docket justices – Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch – seemingly criticized Barrett and Kavanaugh for being too timid.
The courtroom additionally declined in 2021 to take up an enchantment from a florist in Washington state who refused to make a floral association for a same-sex couple attributable to spiritual issues over same-sex marriages.
Choose Ketanji Brown Jackson dodged questions on court-packing from senators saying she’d comply with the lead of Supreme Court docket Justice Amy Coney Barrett and never wade into coverage issues throughout her affirmation hearings earlier than the Senate.
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Sick., prefaced a query to Jackson about court-packing by studying a quote from 2020 when Barrett declined to reply questions on controversial public coverage issues.
“I cannot specific a view on a matter of public coverage, particularly one that’s politically controversial as a result of that’s inconsistent with the judicial function,” Barrett mentioned in 2020, in response to Durbin.
“I agree with Justice Barrett,” Jackson then instructed Durbin when he requested her about court-packing throughout her Tuesday affirmation listening to, “in her response to that query when she was requested earlier than this committee. … Judges shouldn’t be talking into political points and definitely not a nominee for a place on the Supreme Court docket.”
Fox Information’s Justin Steinhauser and Marisa Schultz contributed to this report.
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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