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Biden makes pledge at South Carolina church on last full day in office: 'I'm not going anywhere'

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Biden makes pledge at South Carolina church on last full day in office: 'I'm not going anywhere'

President Biden vowed to stick around in public life following his departure from the White House, telling a South Carolina church congregation on Sunday, “I’m not going anywhere.” 

On his last full day in office, Biden traveled to Charleston, South Carolina, where he spoke at the Royal Missionary Baptist Church to celebrate Martin Luther King Day early. 

On the topic of clemency, Biden commended himself for issuing more commutations and individual pardons than “any other president in American history,” adding that he also aspired to “end the federal death penalty” by commuting most sentences to life in prison without parole. The president also said he commuted the sentences of individuals “serving disproportionately hard, long, and harsh sentences for nonviolent drug offenses” and showed “mercy” for individuals who did their time or served a significant amount of time and “have shown significant remorse and rehabilitation.”

BIDEN PARDONS LATE BLACK ACTIVIST MARCUS GARVEY, 4 OTHERS

President Biden speaks during a church service at Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston, South Carolina, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

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“These decisions are difficult. Some have never been done before, but, in my experience, with my conscience, I believe taking together justice and mercy requires as a nation to bear witness, to see people’s pain, not to look away and do the work, to move pain to purpose, to show we can get a person, a nation, to a day of redemption,” Biden said. “We know the struggle to redeem the soul of this nation is difficult and ongoing.”

“This is the shore between peril and possibility. But faith, faith teaches us the America of our dreams is always closer than we think. That’s the faith we must hold on to for the Saturdays to come. We must hold on a hope. We must stay engaged. Must always keep the faith in a better day to come,” Biden said, adding: “I’m not going anywhere. I’m not kidding… The people in South Carolina, thank you for keeping the faith. It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president.” 

Biden on last full day in office at South Carolina church sitting in pew

President Biden, first lady Jill Biden and Rep. James Clyburn attend a service at Royal Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

“As I close out this journey with you, I’m just as passionate about our work as I was as a 29-year-old kid when I got elected,” Biden added. “I’m in no ways tired.” 

HOW TO WATCH, STREAM TRUMP’S 2025 INAUGURATION ON JANUARY 20TH

Biden, who turned 82 in November, must be back in Washington, D.C., on Monday for the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Trump. 

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After a disastrous debate performance against Trump over the summer, Biden suspended his re-election campaign amid serious concerns within the Democratic Party over his age and mental fitness. 

Biden sits with congregation in Charleston church

“It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president,” President Biden told a congregation in North Charleston, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Vice President Kamala Harris headed the Democratic ticket in Biden’s place and suffered a decisive defeat by Trump in November.

Biden was the oldest U.S. president sworn into office four years ago. Trump, 78, will eclipse that record by a few months on Monday. 

Earlier Sunday, Biden granted clemency to an additional five people, including pardoning political activist and Black nationalist Marcus Garvey.

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Southeast

Vance tells Republicans to stop fearing federal power, says Democrats pioneered weaponizing it

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Vance tells Republicans to stop fearing federal power, says Democrats pioneered weaponizing it

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Vice President JD Vance told a Turning Point USA audience Wednesday that Republicans shouldn’t fear using federal power, arguing the left has already weaponized it in the past.

Vance was responding to a question from an audience member at the University of Mississippi, also known as “Ole Miss,” who asked whether Republicans risk “abusing that power” if they use the federal government aggressively when governing.

“We cannot be afraid to do something because the left might do it in the future,” Vance said. “The left is already going to do it, regardless of whether we do it. That is the takeaway of the last 40 years.”

ERIKA KIRK DELIVERS RAW, FAITH-FILLED TRIBUTE TO LATE HUSBAND AT OLE MISS: ‘I SLEPT ON HIS SIDE OF THE BED’

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Vice President JD Vance addresses a Turning Point USA audience at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Jonathan Ernst-Pool/Getty Images)

Vance sarcastically prefaced his answer by saying, “What if Joe Biden sent the Federal Bureau of Investigation to start arresting his political opponents,” a dig at the criminal cases brought against former President Donald Trump over the last few years.

The Trump administration has deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and Memphis, Tenn., with plans to send troops to as many as 19 states to support immigration enforcement and fight crime.

Vice President JD Vance speaking at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi on podium.

At the University of Mississippi, Vice President JD Vance was asked whether Republicans risk “abusing that power” if they use the federal government aggressively when governing. (Jonathan Ernst-Pool/Getty Images)

VANCE ISSUES MIDTERM WARNING, SAYS DEMOCRATS’ ANGER COULD DRIVE 2026 TURNOUT

“If Joe Biden wanted to deploy the National Guard to a red state in a place where the murder rate was twice what it is in third-world countries to actually go after murderers, that would be a great use of the National Guard,” Vance continued.

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“Unfortunately, I don’t think Joe Biden would use it like that,” the vice president added. “What I’m worried about, frankly, is what the far left already did with American law enforcement — and that is the thing we have to prevent against.”

National Guard troops in DC

District of Columbia National Guard members patrol outside Union Station, Sept. 1, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

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He said that preventing future misuse of federal power requires holding those responsible to account.

“And the answer to that question is, you make sure the people who did it face penalties for using the federal power against American citizens,” he said. “And by the way, that’s exactly what we’re trying to do.”

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Beach bliss turns chaotic as shark lunges at snorkeler: ‘He could have ripped my arm off’

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Beach bliss turns chaotic as shark lunges at snorkeler: ‘He could have ripped my arm off’

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A Florida man is reportedly recovering from being bitten by a shark while snorkeling with friends last weekend.

The incident occurred off Boca Chita Key in the Florida Keys’ Biscayne Bay in the late morning hours of Saturday, Oct. 25, the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue confirmed to Fox News Digital. 

Emergency personnel responded to a medical call regarding an animal bite at around 11:30 a.m., authorities said. Officials airlifted the man to a local hospital.

FLORIDA BEACHES CLAIM 9 OF TOP 10 SPOTS FOR MOST SHARK ATTACKS IN AMERICA, NEW STUDY SHOWS

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Yasvany Echevarria was reportedly attacked by a shark while snorkeling at Boca Chita Key in the Florida Keys’ Biscayne Bay on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (iStock)

The victim has been identified as Yosvany Echevarria, 46, according to CBS News Miami. He told the outlet he moved to the United States from Cuba three years ago, and was snorkeling with friends in the water when the shark bit him more than a half-dozen times.

“He could have ripped my arm off,” Echevarria told the outlet in Spanish. “I was scared. I was in a lot of pain. We were swimming there by the beach. I was diving in the water and snorkeling, and a shark lunged at me, at my hands.”

Echevarria added that he had received 27 stitches as a result of the attack, and suffered severe injuries to his arm, CBS News Miami reported.

GREAT WHITE SHARK SIGHTINGS RISE ALONG NORTHEAST BEACHES AS SUMMER WINDS DOWN

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Biscayne Bay in the Florida Keys

Yosvany Echevarria told CBS News Miami he received 27 stitches after the shark attack at Biscayne Bay in the Florida Keys, while also suffering severe injuries to his arm. (iStock)

“We got out because we were close to the shore, and we called someone to pick us up,” Echevarria said.

As of this week, there have been 51 reported shark attacks throughout the country this year, according to trackingsharks.com. Of those incidents, 10 reported attacks have occurred in the Sunshine State – with some taking place in Hollywood Beach, located just 20 miles from Miami, and southwest Florida’s Boca Grande.

SHARK BITES BEACH FISHERMAN WHO DRAGGED THRASHING PREDATOR BACK TO WATER AFTER CATCH

Last year, there were 71 reported bites — including 47 unprovoked attacks — worldwide, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File. Data indicates that 28 of the unprovoked attacks occurred in the United States, with Florida accounting for the country’s most unprovoked bites after 14 people reported incidents last year.

A pair of sharks swim underwater

There have been 51 reported shark attacks throughout the United States in 2025, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File. (iStock)

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“My advice to people is if they are going to get in the water, they need to be careful. It could have been much worse,” Echevarria reportedly said. “I was lucky it was just bites. He could have ripped my arm off.”

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ICE says suspect accused of killing teen in second drunk driving incident was in US illegally

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ICE says suspect accused of killing teen in second drunk driving incident was in US illegally

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A suspect facing a DUI manslaughter charge in connection with the tragic death of a 16-year-old in Mobile, Alabama, is in the United States illegally, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

ICE announced that an immigration detainer has been placed on Franklin Oriel Fajardo-Arana. The agency described him as “an illegal alien from Honduras” following his arrest by the Mobile Police Department on Monday.

“ICE remains committed to prioritizing the arrest and removal of criminal illegal aliens who pose threats to public safety,” acting ICE New Orleans Field Officer Director Scott Ladwig said in a statement. “This case underscores the critical importance of ICE’s partnerships with local law enforcement agencies to identify and remove individuals who have violated our nation’s immigration laws and endangered our communities.”

ICE said police in Mobile responded to a traffic accident Sunday involving a Toyota Corolla and a Toyota 4Runner.

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PREVIOUSLY DEPORTED HONDURAN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CHARGED WITH KILLING TEEN WHO REJECTED HIS SEXUAL ADVANCES

ICE said it has issued an immigration detainer for Franklin Oriel Fajardo-Arana following his arrest in Mobile, Ala., earlier this week. (Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images; ICE)

“The 4Runner had flipped on its side, and the teen boy — a passenger — was pronounced deceased at the scene. On the same day, ERO New Orleans issued an immigration detainer to the Mobile County Metro Jail, ensuring that Fajardo-Arana will be transferred to ICE custody upon his release,” ICE said.

“An investigation revealed that the Fairfield Police Department in Kentucky has an active in-state warrant for Fajardo-Arana for a separate DUI offense,” the agency added.

10 ARRESTED IN CALIFORNIA ON CHARGES OF ATTACKING LAW ENFORCEMENT DURING ANTI-ICE RIOTS

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Security measures are taken as tensions rise over prolonged protests targeting federal ICE operations near an ICE facility in Broadview, Ill., on Oct. 10, 2025. (Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The Mobile Police Department did not immediately respond Thursday to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. Fajardo-Arana has been charged with DUI manslaughter, according to ICE.

Ernest Williams, a local barber and witness to the crash, told WALA that he “was just standing outside talking with the other barbers” and “then we heard the crash” and “everything changed in that instant.”

“We instantly ran over there to see what was going on,” he said to the station. “We got the driver out and pushed the vehicle up to get the victim from under it.”

ICE agent badge and gun

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, along with other federal law enforcement agencies, attends a pre-enforcement meeting in Chicago, Ill., on Jan. 26, 2025. ( Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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“Now that I know he passed away, it kind of makes it seem like you didn’t do enough,” Williams added in reference to the victim. “But we were just there to help however we could.”

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