Politics

Meeting With Biden, British Leader Hints at Ukraine Weapon Decision Soon

Published

2 hours ago

September 13, 2024

Meeting With Biden, British Leader Hints at Ukraine Weapon Decision Soon

President Biden’s deliberations with Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain about whether to allow Ukraine to attack Russia with long-range Western weapons were fresh evidence that the president remains deeply fearful of setting off a dangerous, wider conflict.

But the decision now facing Mr. Biden after Friday’s closed-door meeting at the White House — whether to sign off on the use of long-range missiles made by Britain and France — could be far more consequential than previous concessions by the president that delivered largely defensive weapons to Ukraine during the past two and a half years.

In remarks at the start of his meeting with Mr. Starmer, the president underscored his support for helping Ukraine defend itself but did not say whether he was willing to do more to allow for long-range strikes deep into Russia.

“We’re going to discuss that now,” the president told reporters.

For his part, the prime minister noted that “the next few weeks and months could be crucial — very, very important that we support Ukraine in this vital war of freedom.”

European officials said earlier in the week that Mr. Biden appeared ready to approve the use of British and French long-range missiles, a move that Mr. Starmer and officials in France have said they want to provide a united front in the conflict with Russia. But Mr. Biden has hesitated to allow Ukraine to use arms provided by the United States in the same way over fears that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia would see it as a major escalation.

On Thursday, Mr. Putin responded to reports that America and its allies were considering such a move by declaring that it would “mean that NATO countries — the United States and European countries — are at war with Russia,” according to a report by the Kremlin.

Mr. Biden and Mr. Starmer offered little insight on Friday into the actions they planned to take. But officials on both sides of the Atlantic said they did not expect any announcement immediately after the White House meeting. In the past, Western countries have begun providing new military equipment to Ukraine without announcing the decision publicly.

“This wasn’t about a particular decision that we’ll obviously pick up again in UNGA in just a few days’ time with a wider group of individuals,” Mr. Starmer told reporters after the meeting, referring to the annual meeting in New York of the United Nations General Assembly at the end of the month.

But he also hinted that he expected a decision about the missiles to come soon.

“I think if you look at both the Ukrainian situation and the Middle East, it is obvious that in the coming weeks and months there are really important potential developments, whatever timetable is going on in other countries,” he said.

John F. Kirby, the national security spokesman at the White House, said Friday that the Biden administration takes Mr. Putin’s threats seriously because he has proved himself capable of “aggression” and “escalation.” But Mr. Kirby added that there had been no change in Mr. Biden’s opposition to letting Ukraine use U.S. missiles to strike deep inside Russia.

“There is no change to our view on the provision of long-range strike capabilities for Ukraine to use inside Russia, and I wouldn’t expect any sort of major announcement in that regard coming out of the discussions, certainly not from our side,” he said.

Mr. Kirby’s comments came just hours before the two leaders met for their first lengthy conversation since Mr. Starmer became prime minister in early July.

The question of whether to let Ukraine use the long-range weapons that can travel 150 to 200 miles has been a rare point of disagreement between British and American officials, who have largely been in lock step on strategy over the past 30 months of fighting.

British officials have argued that Ukraine cannot be expected to fight effectively unless it can attack the military sites that Russia is using to shoot missiles or the airplanes that deliver “glide bombs.” And they believe that Mr. Putin, for all his nuclear threats warning that war between Russia and European forces could be coming, is largely bluffing. Mr. Putin, they say, has shown he does not want to bring NATO directly into the fighting.

Mr. Biden’s view has been far more cautious.

He has hesitated at every major decision point, starting with shipping HIMARS artillery, then through debates on whether to send M1 Abrams tanks, F-16 fighters, and short- and long-range ATACMS, a missile system critical to American preparations to defend both Europe and the Korean Peninsula.

But those decisions have primarily helped Ukraine’s military defend its territory and try to repel the Russian invasion. Over time, his aides say, they have discovered that Mr. Putin was less sensitive to the introduction of new weapons into the battlefield than they had thought. So they have gradually approved more capable, longer-range arms for Ukraine.

The questions of how Mr. Putin would react to the use of American weapons by Ukraine to strike deep inside Russian territory, officials say, could lead to a very different outcome.

“When he starts brandishing the nuclear sword, for instance, yeah, we take that seriously, and we constantly monitor that kind of activity,” Mr. Kirby said. “We have our own calculus for what we decide to provide to Ukraine and what not.”

The American concerns are twofold. The first has been rooted in Mr. Biden’s concern that the war not escalate; time and again he has told members of his staff that their No. 1 priority was to “avoid World War III.”

The second American concern is a practical one: Pentagon officials do not believe Ukraine has enough of the ATACMS, the British Storm Shadow and the French SCALP missiles to make a strategic difference on the battlefield. The reach of the missiles, they note, is well known — and Russia has already moved its most valuable aircraft beyond the range the missiles can fly.

Moreover, the U.S. officials say, they simply cannot supply many more to Ukraine. The Pentagon has warned that it must keep a healthy reserve of weapons in case of an outbreak of fighting in either Europe or Asia. And the missiles are so expensive that they contend Ukraine could get more firepower putting that money into drones.

So in the American telling of events, the decisions being debated by Mr. Biden and Mr. Starmer are more symbolic than substantive.

Looming over this is the American election.

In the debate against Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday, former President Donald J. Trump declined several opportunities to say he was committed to Ukraine’s victory. Instead, he talked of striking a deal, one that Ukraine may be coerced to sign.

While Ms. Harris is likely to continue the outlines of the American strategy, providing more arms and aid to Ukraine as long as Congress keeps the spigot open, Mr. Trump has made clear he is uninterested in continuing to spend heavily. And while Europe has stepped up, it does not have enough of an arsenal to make much of a difference.

Politics

Fox News Politics: Springfield Pastors Speak Out

Published

3 hours ago

September 13, 2024

Press Room

Fox News Politics: Springfield Pastors Speak Out

Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest political news from Washington, D.C. and updates from the 2024 campaign trail.

Here’s what’s happening…

– Trump and Vance have had 48 interviews combined since last month, only eight for Harris and Walz

– Mexican government buses migrants to US border

– Putin warns that the US, NATO risk war with Russia if long-range strike bans are lifted for Ukraine

‘The suffering is real’

Two Springfield, Ohio pastors spoke to Fox News Digital about the ministry challenges facing their town that has been thrust into the national spotlight after viral videos of residents complaining of disturbing behavior from Haitian refugees who have settled in the area.

“I think the biggest change that we’ve seen happen has just been sort of a breakdown in the trust of the community and some basic civility has also broken down a little bit,” BJ Newman, a pastor in Springfield, Ohio, told Fox News Digital from Springfield’s Snyder Park on Thursday. “I think the reason for that is because there have been so many changes so quickly… In the 2020 census, there was about 50,000, a little north of that, residents here, now we have, numbers I have been reading, between 15,000 and 20,000 additional immigrants have arrived.”

“I think there’s a larger narrative… that says the only compassionate response in a situation like this is you accept all of these immigrants and shut up. Any sense of raising our hand and saying ‘wait a second, we weren’t considered, we’re suffering her too.’ And the response is something like… you’re racist or you’re a bigot, why are you so anti-immigrant,” Newman said.

Pastors speak out on the situation concerning migrants in Springfield, OH. (Fox News)

“There’s tension in the community, much like the ways that tension has arisen in the past when there have been new members to move into an established area,” the Rev. Adam Banks of First Baptist Church told Fox News Digital, adding that his experience with migrants has been generally positive.

“They have joined right in helping with the sound system, sharing special music, sharing their lovely voices, reading scripture, providing leadership in various capacities in the congregation,” Banks said, adding that he will continue to “welcome” people who “want to celebrate the gift that each person brings and magnify God.” …Read more

Capitol Hill

BLOCKED: House GOP rolling out bill to block China, American adversaries from accessing US ports …Read more

‘RESPECT OUR WARRIORS’: House GOP veteran proposes key benefit to aid deployed service members …Read more

SHUTDOWN SHOWDOWN: Johnson faces major leadership test as GOP wars over government shutdown …Read more

Tales from the Trail

34 TO 1: Trump-Vance ticket has done combined 48 interviews since last month compared to only eight for Harris-Walz …Read more

CASH DASH: Harris brings in big bucks in 24 hours after debate with Trump …Read more

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump shake hands during their debate in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (Getty Images)

‘ONLY OPTION’: Trump adviser Alina Habba hits campaign trail to attract Arab American support in swing state Michigan …Read more

Across America

COMMUNITY ‘UPENDED’: ‘It’ll upend the community’: PA town roiled by talk of migrant housing in Civil War-era orphanage building …Read more

NO ME GUSTA: Half of Latinos haven’t heard of ‘Latinx’ term, overwhelming majority don’t like it: poll …Read more

DEFIANT FANI: Fani Willis likely to defy Georgia state Senate subpoena ahead of Friday hearing, chairman says …Read more

TOUGH ON CRIME?: Gov. Newsom signs bill to resume harsh penalties for smash-and-grab robberies in California …Read more

Surveillance video still from jewelry store

Video of a shocking smash and grab robbery shows the moment a Sunnyvale jewelry store is overwhelmed by suspects armed with tools and hammers. (KTVU)

LIKE ‘ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK’: Springfield resident says roads are like ‘Escape from New York’ after Haitian migrants overrun rural town …Read more

Around the World

‘GRAY’ AREA: Lawmakers crack down on CCP influence in US government tech, warn of potential ‘devastating’ cyber attack …Read more

BORDER BATTLE: Mexican government buses migrants to US border as illegal immigration becomes top issue …Read more

A glide bomb is seen under the wing of a Su-34 bomber of the Russian air force during a combat mission in Ukraine. Ukraine is imploring the West to allow it to use ATACMS to strike inside Russia. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

BAD WORDS: New online ‘misinformation’ bill slammed as ‘biggest attack’ on freedoms in Australia …Read more

PUTIN’S RED LINE: Putin warns US, NATO risk war with Russia if long-range strike bans lifted for Ukraine …Read more

Subscribe now to get the Fox News Politics newsletter in your inbox.

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.

This article was written by Fox News staff.

Politics

Where Voters Will Decide on Abortion in November

Published

9 hours ago

September 13, 2024

Press Room

Where Voters Will Decide on Abortion in November

States voting on abortion

Voters in a record 10 states will decide whether to enshrine abortion rights in their state constitutions this fall. In Nebraska, voters face two measures: one favoring abortion rights and another that would ban abortion after the first trimester.

Supporters of abortion rights hope to continue their winning streak in both blue and red states, after a successful run of measures since the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Opponents have been working to keep these measures off the ballot or make them hard to pass.

How the measures would amend state constitutions

Of the abortion rights measures, most would recreate the standard set by Roe, which protected abortion until “viability” — the point at which a fetus could survive outside the uterus, or around 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Abortion ballot measures in 2024

Right to abortion until fetal viability

Right to abortion and public funding

Right to abortion until fetal viability

Right to reproductive freedom

Right to abortion until fetal viability

Right to abortion until fetal viability
Ban on abortion after the first trimester

Right to abortion until fetal viability

Equal rights including protection from pregnancy discrimination

Right to abortion in the first trimester

Notes: In Nebraska, a measure needs a simple majority to pass and the number of supportive votes must be at least 35 percent of all votes cast in the election. In Nevada, a winning measure would have to pass again in the next general election before it could be added to the state’s Constitution.

In Nebraska, where two abortion ballot measures take opposite stances, state officials have said that the measure with the most supportive votes would take effect.

The New York proposal does not explicitly mention abortion, but proponents say it would prevent abortion restrictions by stopping discrimination based on pregnancy outcomes or reproductive health choices.

How the measures could change the legal landscape

Twenty-two states currently ban or restrict abortion, and the procedure is broadly legal in the rest of the country.

If every abortion rights measure is successful this fall, five states would see big changes in abortion access in the months after Election Day. Arizona, Florida, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota have existing bans and restrictions, and the ballot measures would make abortion broadly legal again.

Where ballot measures would lift abortion bans

South Dakota’s amendment would prevent abortion restrictions only in the first trimester, and the State Legislature is likely to pass new restrictions after that point.

In Colorado, Maryland, Montana and New York, abortion is already legal and winning measures would enshrine its status. Colorado’s measure would further expand abortion access by allowing the use of public funds to pay for the procedure.

If all of the measures fail, abortion laws in each state would be unchanged — at least for now. Legislatures in states like Arizona, Florida and Nebraska could restrict abortions further than they already do.

If the anti-abortion measure in Nebraska passes, it would enshrine restrictions after the first trimester, which is similar to the state’s current law.

What the polls say

A majority of U.S. adults say that abortion should be legal in all or most cases, according to recent national polling from the Pew Research Center. State-level polling of abortion attitudes is rarer, but a 2023 survey from the Public Religion Research Institute showed majority support for abortion rights in every state where the issue will be on the ballot this fall, except for South Dakota.

Polls that ask specifically about this year’s abortion rights ballot measures show broad support for the proposals, but experts say such polls should be interpreted with caution. Ballot measure language can be complex and confusing for the public and therefore difficult to poll. In addition, many of these polls are run by partisan groups that may have an agenda.

Still, polls from varied organizations reveal that a majority of people would support the abortion rights measures on the ballot in Arizona, Missouri, New York and South Dakota. But in Florida, where the abortion ballot measure must reach 60 percent support to pass, some polls have shown it falling short of that threshold.

Where voters have already backed abortion rights

Voters in seven states, including Republican-led Kentucky and Ohio, have sided with abortion rights supporters when voting on ballot measures since Roe was overturned in 2022.

Abortion ballot measures since 2022

Ohio Nov. 7, 2023

Right to reproductive freedom

Vermont Nov. 8, 2022

Right to reproductive freedom

California Nov. 8, 2022

Right to reproductive freedom

Michigan Nov. 8, 2022

Right to reproductive freedom

Montana Nov. 8, 2022

Medical care requirements for “infants born alive”

Kentucky Nov. 8, 2022

Remove abortion rights protections

Kansas Aug. 2, 2022

Remove abortion rights protections

The winning measures cemented abortion rights in California, Michigan and Vermont, and tossed out restrictions on the procedure in Ohio. Voters in Kansas, Kentucky and Montana rejected efforts to restrict abortion.

Politics

Mexican government buses migrants to US border as illegal immigration becomes top election issue

Published

10 hours ago

September 13, 2024

Press Room

Mexican government buses migrants to US border as illegal immigration becomes top election issue

The Mexican government has started busing migrants to the U.S. border if they have appointments under a controversial use of a phone app implemented by the Biden administration that allows migrants to be paroled into the U.S.

The Mexican National Institute of Migration posted the video of what it said was the first bus transporting “foreigners” from Tapachula in the south of the country near Guatemala, to Reynosa near the U.S. border. It said that migrants will attend their appointments scheduled via the CBP One app. It is part of an “Emerging Safe Mobility Corridor” launched by the Mexican government last month.

The CBP One app was expanded during the Biden administration to allow up to 1,450 migrants per day to schedule an appointment at a U.S. port of entry to be paroled into the U.S. if they meet certain conditions. The app also allows them to upload documents ahead of that appointment.

US TO SANCTION MEXICAN DRUG CARTEL JALISCO OVER FENTANYL TRAFFICKING

This video shows migrants being transported on a bus by the Mexican government. (INAMI)

The Biden administration has said that the app is a key part of its migration strategy, which involves increasing funding to the border while expanding “lawful” migration pathways. It has also used the app to allow up to 30,000 nationals from four countries to fly directly into the U.S. after being approved.

But Republicans have accused the administration of abusing humanitarian parole, which is supposed to be used on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. They have said that the administration is waving in migrants quasi-legally, and have pointed to numbers suggesting that over 95% of migrants who schedule an appointment are allowed in.

‘MOST RUTHLESS’ MEXICAN CARTELS OPERATE IN ALL 50 STATES, BRING TURF WARS TO US: DEA

The Mexican government announced in a press release last month the plan to transport foreigners to the U.S. border as part of a “safe mobility corridor.” Mexico said it will issue a temporary 20-day visa for those with a confirmed CBP One appointment, and give them transportation as well as food.

This video shows migrants being spoken to by a Mexican official. (INAMI)

The app recently came under fire from a DHS Inspector General report, which found issues with vetting among other problems with the app.

“Although CBP uses biographic and biometric information submitted to CBP One to determine whether arriving noncitizens have derogatory records, it does not leverage the information to identify suspicious trends as part of its pre-arrival vetting procedures,” the report said.

Meanwhile, immigration has become a top election issue after a three-year crisis at the southern border that repeatedly smashed records. The Biden administration has called for the backing of a bipartisan Senate bill that would increase funding to the border. It has blamed the crisis on the failure of Congress to provide that funding.

DHS is also pointing to a sharp decrease in apprehensions since President Biden signed an order to allow authorities to temporarily suspend the entry of illegal immigrants across the border. Officials say that has led to a 50% decrease in apprehensions since that time. It also says it has removed more than 131,000 individuals to 144 countries, including 420 international deportation flights. Officials say they have also tripled the percentage of non-citizens processed through Expedited Removal to Mexico while in custody.

Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have blamed the crisis on the policies of the administration and the rolling back of what they see as successful Trump-era policies. Trump has promised to shut down parole policies and launch a massive deportation operation if elected in November.

Adam Shaw is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, primarily covering immigration and border security.

He can be reached at adam.shaw2@fox.com or on Twitter.