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Today — 20 January 2025Latest Political News on Fox News

DOJ recommends 20-year sentence for Pennsylvania man convicted for role in Jan. 6 Capitol riot

20 January 2025 at 01:48

The Justice Department has recommended that a Pennsylvania barber convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot face 20 years behind bars.

Ryan Samsel was found guilty in February 2024 on several charges, including assaulting federal officers, carrying out an act of physical violence on the Capitol grounds and obstruction of an official proceeding.

The DOJ proposed a sentence of 240 months in prison, three years of supervised release, $2,000 restitution and a fine, according to court documents.

DOJ CONSIDERS CHARGING 200 MORE PEOPLE 4 YEARS AFTER JAN. 6 CAPITOL ATTACK

"A sentence of 240 months of incarceration reflects the gravity of Samsel’s conduct and provides sufficient deterrence given Samsel’s continued lack of remorse, active and public rehashing of false narratives, violent criminal history, and interest in assaulting the Capitol again," the DOJ wrote in a memorandum.

Samsel was the first rioter to breach the restricted perimeter of the Capitol with other supporters of now-President-elect Donald Trump in an effort to delay the certification of President Biden's 2020 election victory, according to the DOJ.

He was found guilty of verbally abusing officers, forcibly pushing and pulling on metal barricades, and assaulting an officer by lifting a metal barricade and striking him in the face with it.

Police subsequently became overwhelmed as "the floodgates opened" and "thousands of rioters poured onto the West Front of the U.S. Capitol grounds," the DOJ said in the document.

"Samsel spent the next hour and a half terrorizing the police on the West Front," the document said. "He assaulted the police with his flag, grabbed another officer’s shield, tore at scaffolding, flashed officers, grabbed a 2x4 plank and hurled it at the police line, and threw a pole at a different police line."

DOJ SEEKS TO BLOCK JAN. 6 DEFENDANTS FROM ATTENDING TRUMP INAUGURATION

"Samsel was proud of his actions on that day, taking the time to record a selfie video during the riot and announce with a smile that he had breached the Capitol," the DOJ wrote. "Samsel was still proud of his actions years later when he told an interviewer that his actions on January 6th were justified, because 'sometimes civil disorder is needed.'"

Colleges, educational groups offer advice for Inauguration Day 'anxiety,' trips to DC for Trump swearing-in

20 January 2025 at 01:00

Educational institutions and college-affiliated groups are preparing for President-elect Trump's inauguration by offering mental health advice, delivering travel notices to international students, and organizing anti-Israel rallies.

Most schools will be closed on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, due to it falling on a federal holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Similar to Trump's first inauguration and the weeks following his victory in the 2024 election, universities and education groups are offering different outlets for students on Monday.

Several anti-Israel college groups in Chicago are planning demonstrations. The University of Illinois Chicago's Students for Justice in Palestine (SJPUIC) and Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) chapters intend to hold an anti-Israel protest, according to social media posts.

The groups will reportedly meet to "fight back against Trump’s racist and reactionary program," wrote SJPUIC in a post on Instagram. 

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THROUGH THE YEARS: A LOOK AT LONG-TERM TRENDS OF PITIFUL STUDENT PERFORMANCE

Other schools are offering mental health advice ahead of the Republican's swearing-in.

Emory University's Rollin School of Public Health conducted an interview with clinical psychologist Rachel Waford, published in December, about how to deal with "anxiety" during presidential transitions

CONSERVATIVE GROUP REVEALS HOW TRUMP CAN CLEAN HOUSE AT DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, LISTS TOP BUREAUCRATS TO FIRE

"Americans are experiencing a mix of emotions as Trump prepares to start his second term as President of the United States. For some, a second Trump administration is stirring up fear and anxiety," the article reads. 

Waford suggested those who have anxiety should stay off social media or unsubscribe from news outlets. "I would encourage anybody who is in that state right now to think about the ways that you can plug into your life tangibly. Plug into your community, social supports, and the things that bring a sense of security, safety, and control," the psychologist said.

The Close Up Foundation, a nonprofit civic education organization, offered middle school students the opportunity to take a seven-day trip to Washington, D.C., for the inaugural celebration in an effort to help "young people see how our national ideals impact us today."

Meanwhile, in recent weeks, international students have been urged by their universities to return to the U.S. before the inauguration, claiming that Trump's plans to crack down on illegal immigration could impact them. Several of the schools giving such notices include Cornell University, the University of Southern California (USC), Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Penn State.

"A travel ban is likely to go into effect soon after inauguration," said Cornell University's Office of Global Learning in a message to students. "The ban is likely to include citizens of the countries targeted in the first Trump administration: Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Myanmar, Sudan, Tanzania, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, and Somalia. New countries could be added to this list, particularly China and India."

A statement from USC said that "this is especially important given that a new presidential administration will take office on January 20 and – as is common – may issue one or more executive orders impacting travel to the US and visa processing."

TRUMP SWEARING-IN TO MOVE INDOORS DUE TO COLD WEATHER, SOURCE TELLS FOX NEWS

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has also directed teachers to evade Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if they show up to schools.

"We will not allow any law enforcement entity to take any type of immigration action against our students or their families within our care," LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said during a press conference in January.

After Trump won the presidential election in November, Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy offered a "Self-Care Suite" at school, while Northwestern University offered a "post-election wellness space" that provided puzzles, snacks, and "brain break activities" for students.

Fox News' Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.

Trump vows to 'act with historic speed' after presidential inauguration that brings redemption

20 January 2025 at 01:00

At noon on Monday inside the U.S. Capitol, Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States.

Two and a half months after his convincing election victory over Vice President Harris, the president-elect returns to office in what will symbolize his reinvention and redemption four years after being ushered out of the White House by the American electorate.

"We put America first, and it all starts tomorrow," Trump told thousands of supporters jam-packed into Washington, D.C.'s, Capitol One Arena at his inauguration eve rally. "We begin a brand-new day of American strength and prosperity, dignity and pride."

FIRST ON FOX: TRUMP VOWS OVER 200 EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ON DAY 1

President Biden, Harris, former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, Republican and Democrat members of Congress, foreign dignitaries, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos – three of the wealthiest men in the world – other tech and business executives and some high-profile celebrities will crowd into the U.S. Capitol's Rotunda for Trump's inauguration, which will be held indoors for the first time in four decades due to an arctic blast that's sweeping much of the nation.

After Trump's inaugural address, there will be a rapid-fire series of events, including a formal farewell for Biden and Harris as they leave the Capitol. Minutes later, members of Congress will watch as Trump and JD Vance, the nation's new vice president, take part in a signing ceremony followed by an inaugural lunch and then a review of the troops.

TRUMP PLEDGES ‘BIGGEST FIRST WEEK’ IN PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY 

Trump then returns to Washington, D.C.'s, downtown arena for an abbreviated parade, which was moved indoors because of the frigid weather, in front of thousands of supporters. After that, the new president heads to the White House for an Oval Office ceremony before making his way to the traditional inaugural balls in the evening.

Trump is also expected to get to work immediately, signing more than 200 executive actions on his first day in office, as Fox News Digital first reported Sunday.

"I will act with historic speed and strength and fix every single crisis facing our country," Trump vowed at his inauguration eve rally. "You're going to see executive orders that are going to make you extremely happy, lots of them, lots. We have to set our country on the proper course."

WATCH FOX NEWS CHANNEL COVERAGE OF TRUMP'S 2ND INAUGURATION

Trump's first wave of policy priorities will focus on issues he highlighted during his presidential campaign, including border security, energy, curbing inflation and ending DEI programs across the federal government.

A senior administration official familiar with the executive actions and authorized to brief Fox News Digital said Trump on day one will end the "catch and release" of illegal immigrants; pause all offshore wind leases; terminate the electric vehicle mandate; abolish the so-called Green New Deal; withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord; and take several major steps to assert presidential control over the federal bureaucracy.

"By the time the sun sets tomorrow evening, the invasion of our borders will have come to a halt and all the illegal border trespassers will, in some form or another, be on their way back home," Trump pledged.

And "we're going to end the Biden war on American energy and unleash our energy resources to quickly defeat inflation and achieve the lowest cost of energy and electricity on Earth."

HOW TRUMP WILL BE SWORN IN AT HIS INAUGURATION

Monday's inauguration stands in stark contrast with President Biden's inauguration four years ago, which was held two weeks after Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent congressional certification of Biden's 2020 presidential election victory.

Trump, who disputed the results, refused to attend the inauguration or acknowledge Biden's White House victory.

Four years ago, Trump left Washington in an extremely weakened position with much of the nation, including many Republicans, angry over the Capitol riot that forced members of Congress to flee for safety.

But four years later, after a two-year presidential campaign and a convincing popular-vote victory and sweep of all the key battleground states, Trump returns as a conquering hero.

"On this day, the U.S. will witness the return of President Trump at the zenith of his political power," veteran political scientist Wayne Lesperance noted.

As Trump retakes control of the presidency, the latest Fox News national poll indicates he receives his highest favorable rating – 50% compared to just 42% when he entered the White House the first time in 2017 – with half of registered voters approving of his handling of the presidential transition.

BIDEN'S FAILURE TO TURN PAGE ON TRUMP WEIGHS ON HIS PRESIDENCY

"Trump’s journey since the election loss in 2020 is nothing short of remarkable. His refusal to accept the election results, support for the Jan. 6 insurrection and subsequent legal challenges, including indictments and convictions, would have historically ended any future political ambitions," Lesperance said.

But Lesperance, president of New England College, noted that "voters in 2024 went another way. Trump’s path to redemption and his return to the Oval Office comes as a result of the unwavering commitment of his supporters and broad dissatisfaction of Americans over the direction the country had taken under Democrats. For Trump, Inauguration Day is a day of redemption."

Pointing to his White House victory, as well as Republicans winning back control of the Senate and defending their razor-thin majority in the House, Trump touted that "we not only won a mandate, but we built a new American majority that will lead our country to unparalleled success for generations to come."

Law enforcement on high alert for Trump inauguration after 2024 assassination attempts

20 January 2025 at 01:00

Federal, state and local law enforcement officials are on high alert in Washington, D.C., ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration.

Thousands of officers and agents from the Department of Homeland Security, D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department, U.S. Capitol Police, the FBI, U.S. Secret Service and the National Guard will be on duty.

White House inaugurations already typically see among the highest level of security, but this year’s event is guaranteed to see added scrutiny after multiple recent security incidents.

Just this month, a U.S. military veteran used fireworks and other items to explode a Tesla Cybertruck outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas. U.S. Capitol police also arrested a man who attempted to set fire to a car near where mourners were paying respects to former President Jimmy Carter.

A POTENTIAL SECOND WITHDRAWAL FROM PARIS CLIMATE TREATY COULD LOOK DIFFERENT THAN FIRST US EXIT

That comes after two foiled attempts on the president-elect’s life while he was campaigning for a second term.

Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser touted confidence in law enforcement and told local residents during a press conference exactly a week before the event to brace for road closures.

Matt McCool, special agent in charge for the Secret Service's Washington Field Office, said of security preparations, "The Federal Aviation Administration will announce temporary flight restrictions in and around Washington, D.C."

The U.S. Coast Guard will communicate any maritime restrictions, which will also be linked to the inauguration website. Additional fencing and concrete barriers will supplement the fencing already around the Capitol for the election certification and President Carter's funeral.

He added that the amount of fencing that will be used for the event is more than any other designated National Special Security Event in the past.

David Sundberg of the FBI's Washington Field Office said the bureau was not tracking "any specific or credible threats" for Inauguration Day but urged people to remain vigilant.

Earlier this month, the National Guard said it would be sending 7,800 troops to the inauguration.

Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said city police officers will be joined by nearly 4,000 officers from across the country who volunteered to provide support on Inauguration Day.

DOGE REPS LAUNCH MEETINGS WITH FEDERAL STAFFERS IN EFFORT TO CUT GOVERNMENT WASTE: REPORT

Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will be taking their oaths of office on the west front of the U.S. Capitol on Monday.

Thousands of Americans are expected to be in attendance, all of whom will be screened by U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement officials.

"All attendees will undergo screening. Designated checkpoints will be set up for members of the public interested in attending the inauguration," McCool said.

Officials said last week they were bracing for nearly 250,000 ticketed attendees alone.

U.S. Capitol police asked people who will be present on Capitol grounds on Monday to refrain from bringing items like alcohol, bicycles, tripods, large bags, balloons and other things.

AOC launches series of explosive Instagram rants on eve of inauguration: 'I don't celebrate rapists'

20 January 2025 at 00:48

A visibly agitated Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., (AOC) had a busy day on social media on Sunday, taking to Instagram to make a series of rants related to President-elect Donald Trump.

She started out early scolding TikTok for sending a notification thanking "President Trump" for restoring the app.

"A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned," the notification stated.

In her Instagram stories, she says that Trump is not yet the president and is still currently a private citizen, suggesting that referring to him as such raises concerns about TikTok’s word.

AOC'S LOSS IN BID FOR HOUSE COMMITTEE CHAIR SIGNIFIES GENERATIONAL CHOICE FOR DEMOCRATS

"First of all, Donald Trump is not president right now. He is a private citizen. He does not have access to presidential powers, he does not have the ability to do any of that," AOC said.

She claims that the app is "signaling that they have agreed to privately collaborate with Donald Trump and the Trump administration" by mentioning him in the notification.

"And for all of those concerns that people were saying that TikTok is going to be used as a propaganda tool by the Chinese, understand they’re using it as a propaganda tool for the right," she added.

She warned her followers, "We are on the eve of an authoritarian administration. This is what 21st century fascism is starting to look like."

AOC LAMENTS STATE OF HER PARTY AFTER DEMOCRATS VOTE FOR TRANS ATHLETE BAN BILL: 'WE'RE NOT IN GOOD SHAPE'

Later on in the evening, she once again ranted on Instagram about her frustration with being asked if she would be attending Trump's inauguration on Monday.

"All these journalists were like congresswoman, are you going to the inauguration? Congresswoman are you going to the inauguration? Are you going to the inauguration? Let me make myself clear. I don't celebrate rapists, so no, I'm not going to the inauguration room," she expressed in what appeared to be an agitated tone.

She also clapped back on X after the Libs of TikTok account reposted her remarks and said that Trump should sue her after she called him a rapist. 

"Oh, are you triggered? Cry more," the congresswoman wrote.

Yesterday — 19 January 2025Latest Political News on Fox News

New York Gov. Hochul orders flags to be raised for Trump's inauguration amid mourning period for Jimmy Carter

19 January 2025 at 23:33

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, has ordered flags in the state to fly at full-staff on Monday for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump as the nation remains in a mourning period to honor former President Jimmy Carter.

"Tomorrow, we are all Americans as we observe the centuries-old traditions of Inauguration Day," Hochul said in a statement to the New York Post on Sunday.

"For that reason, I am directing flags to fly at full staff throughout the State of New York on January 20 and return to half staff to honor the late President Carter on January 21," she added. "Regardless of your political views, the American tradition of the peaceful transition of power is something to celebrate."

The governor's directive comes during President Biden's order that flags at all government and public buildings and grounds across the country fly at half-staff for a 30-day mourning period following Carter's death on Dec. 29, 2024, which happens to include Inauguration Day.

YOUNGKIN ORDERS FLAGS TO BE RAISED FOR TRUMP'S INAUGURATION AMID MOURNING PERIOD FOR JIMMY CARTER'S DEATH

Biden said the U.S. flag "should be displayed at half-staff at the White House and on all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions."

It is a tradition when a former president dies to order a 30-day mourning period and for flags to be displayed at half-staff.

Hochul joins a trio of Democratic governors — California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson — in ordering flags to fly at full-staff for Trump's inauguration before the mourning period ends on Jan. 28.

WASHINGTON GOVERNOR ORDERS FLAGS AT FULL-STAFF FOR TRUMP INAUGURATION DESPITE MOURNING PERIOD FOR JIMMY CARTER

Several Republican governors have also directed flags to be raised on Monday, including Idaho Gov. Brad Little, North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Nearly 30 states will raise their flags on Monday for Trump's inauguration, as will flags at the U.S. Capitol following an order from House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Trump had publicly taken issue with the idea that flags could be displayed at half-staff for his inauguration following Carter's death.

"The Democrats are all 'giddy' about our magnificent American Flag potentially being at 'half mast' during my Inauguration," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Jan. 3. "They think it’s so great, and are so happy about it because, in actuality, they don't love our Country, they only think about themselves."

"Look at what they’ve done to our once GREAT America over the past four years - It’s a total mess! In any event, because of the death of President Jimmy Carter, the Flag may, for the first time ever during an Inauguration of a future President, be at half mast," he continued. "Nobody wants to see this, and no American can be happy about it. Let’s see how it plays out. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

Flags were flown at half-staff when former President Nixon was sworn-in for his second term in 1973 after Nixon ordered the flags to be lowered following the death of former President Truman.

Lawmaker pushes bill to rename Nashville International Airport after Donald Trump

19 January 2025 at 20:11

Travelers arriving in Music City may soon be greeted by Trump International Airport.

On Friday, Tennessee Republican State Rep. Todd Warner filed House Bill 217, which would rename Nashville International Airport to honor Trump.

The bill would require the metropolitan airport authority to take actions to execute the name change.

Those actions would include setting up new signage, changing registered trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), revising all existing contracts and legal documents to reflect the new name, and updating references with local, state and federal agencies.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS PUSH TO RENAME DC INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AFTER TRUMP

During the transition period, the bill states that the airport may operate business using its current name with the designation of "doing business as Trump International Airport" or "d/b/a Trump International Airport."

If passed, the bill would take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

This is not the first time a lawmaker has pushed to rename an airport after Trump.

TRUMP 'EMBODIES WHAT BEING AN AMERICAN IS ALL ABOUT,' UFC'S DANA WHITE SAYS

Back in April 2024, a group of House Republicans also pushed to rename Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia after Trump.

Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa., the House GOP's chief deputy whip, introduced the bill, along with six cosponsors. 

"In my lifetime, our nation has never been greater than under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump," Reschenthaler previously told Fox News Digital. "As millions of domestic and international travelers fly through the airport, there is no better symbol of freedom, prosperity and strength than hearing ‘Welcome to Trump International Airport’ as they land on American soil."

If passed, it would be the second D.C.-area airport named for a Republican commander in chief after Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia.

TRUMP SET TO PROCLAIM AMERICA'S COMEBACK IN SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS: 'ENTERING A GOLDEN AGE'

Rep. Barry Moore, R-Ala., previously told Fox News Digital that "it is only fitting that we would do the same for another one of our greatest presidents."

Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., also echoed Moore and said "I can see no more fitting recognition than naming both airports in our nation’s capital after America’s two best presidents: DCA after President Reagan and Dulles after President Trump."

Fox News Digital's Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report. 

How technology has changed inauguration coverage

19 January 2025 at 19:21

Millions of people across the country are expected to tune in to President-elect Trump's second inauguration ceremony. Television networks, online publications and social media outlets are preparing for the big event. The way inaugurations have been presented to the public has changed drastically over the years.

"We must think big and dream even bigger," Trump said during his first inaugural address in 2017.

Tens of millions of people watched his first address in real time – both on television and through online streaming. But inaugural addresses and analysis of the speeches were not always available immediately. In 1789, when George Washington was sworn in for the first time, his speech was not available to the public until several days later.

TRUMP NAMES LATEST CABINET PICKS AS JAN. 20 INAUGURATION NEARS

Thomas Jefferson became the first president to have his inauguration speech printed in a newspaper the same day he gave his address in 1801. The National Intelligencer printed the speech on the morning of Jefferson’s inauguration.

James Polk was the first president to have his address reported by telegraph. It was also the first time a speech was shown in a newspaper illustration, by the Illustrated London News.

Drawings were the main visual for inaugurations for another 12 years, until photography became more frequently used. James Buchanan was the first president to have a photograph taken at his swearing-in. Another 40 years later, video was used to record inaugurations for the public.

William McKinley was the first president to appear on a movie camera during his inaugural address in 1901. Only silent films were available then, but that would change over the years as inaugural addresses began to incorporate audio.

In 1921, Warren Harding was the first to use loudspeakers to address the crowd attending his inauguration in person. Four years later, Calvin Coolidge was the first to have his inaugural broadcast nationally by radio. The White House Historical Association estimates his 1925 address reached more than 23 million radio listeners. Herbert Hoover gave the first multimedia inaugural. His 1929 address was the first recorded on a talking newsreel.

"It is a dedication and consecration under God to the highest office in service of our people," Hoover said during his address.

After World War II, an increasing number of Americans bought television sets for their homes. By 1949, almost all major cities had at least one local television station, and 4.2 million American homes had TV sets. Harry Truman became the first president to have his inauguration broadcast live that year. More than a decade later, John F. Kennedy had his address broadcast in color for the estimated 500,000 Americans who had color television sets.

"Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country," Kennedy famously said during his inauguration speech.

Ronald Reagan sought to bring the pageantry of inauguration events to Americans across the country. His inaugural committee hosted around 100 satellite inaugural balls that were broadcast in 32 cities.

"Almost 200 years ago, at the first inaugural, people came by stagecoach. This time, people all over America, millions of people, are attending this one by satellite," Reagan said during a ball at the Washington Hilton Hotel.

More than a decade later, Bill Clinton’s second inauguration in 1997 was available on the internet via livestream. Clinton had signed the Telecommunications Act of 1996 just a year before at the Library of Congress.

"Ten years ago, the internet was the mystical province of physicists; today, it is a commonplace encyclopedia for millions of schoolchildren," Clinton said during his inaugural address. "As we look back at this remarkable century, we may ask, ‘Can we hope not just to follow, but even to surpass the achievements of the 20th century in America?'"

With the growth of the internet, social media use also expanded.

"We have always understood that when times change, so must we," Barack Obama said at his second inaugural address in 2013.

Obama was the first president to join Twitter. His 2013 address generated more than 1 million tweets. According to Pew Research, around 51% of Americans owned a smartphone at the time. When Trump was sworn into office in 2017, that percentage rose to 77%. Cellphone carriers installed extracellular antennas ahead of the address for the massive crowd that would be sharing photos and videos from the day’s events on social media.

When Joe Biden gave his address in 2021, his inaugural committee relied on technology for nearly every aspect of the event. The coronavirus pandemic forced much of Biden’s festivities to move online.

"The world is watching all of us today. So, here is my message to those beyond our borders: America has been tested, and we have come out stronger for it," Biden said during his address.

Trump vows the 'biggest first week' in presidential history during Victory Rally: 'Extremely happy'

19 January 2025 at 15:41

President-elect Donald Trump outlined his plans for the opening days of his administration during his Victory Rally in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, vowing an onslaught of executive orders that will make voters "extremely happy." 

"You're going to see something tomorrow. You're going to see executive orders that are going to make you extremely happy. Lots of them, lots of them. We have to set our country on a proper course. By the time the sun sets tomorrow evening, the invasion of our borders will have come to a halt and all the illegal border trespassers will, in some form or another, be on their way back home," Trump said during his rally on Sunday. 

Fox News Digital exclusively reported earlier Sunday that Trump will sign more than 200 executive actions on his first day in office. 

"Every radical and foolish executive order of the Biden administration will be repealed within hours of when I take the oath of office," Trump said. "You're going to have a lot of fun watching television tomorrow."

TRUMP FIRES UP SUPPORTERS WITH ONE LAST PRE-INAUGURATION RALLY

Trump vowed that he will make "remaining records relating to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert Kennedy, as well as Doctor Martin Luther King Jr" publicly available. He also vowed to start constructing the "Great Iron Dome missile defense shield," as well as to get North Carolina back on its feet after hurricanes ripped through the state last year. As for January 6 protesters who were charged or convicted, Trump hinted they will be "very, very happy."

TRUMP TO TAKE MORE THAN 200 EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ON DAY ONE

"The American people have given us their trust, and in return, we're going to give them the best first day, the biggest first week, and the most extraordinary first 100 days of any presidency in American history. To implement this historic agenda, I have assembled an all-star cabinet of patriots and visionary reformers for America, and together we will win, win, win for America," he said before giving a shout out to his cabinet picks. 

Trump's speech also focused on the immigration crisis that throttled the nation, vowing again that his administration will carry out a massive deportation operation. 

"Very soon we'll begin the largest deportation operation in American history. Larger, even larger than President, Dwight Eisenhower, who has the record right now," he said.

"And we're going to end the Biden war and American energy and unleash our energy resources to quickly defeat inflation and achieve the lowest cost of energy and electricity on Earth. And we're going to be using our emergency powers to allow countries and entrepreneurs and people with a lot of money to build big plants," he said. 

TRUMP WINS 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Trump's speech is his last as president-elect ahead of taking the oath of office for the second time and returning to the Oval Office on Monday. A bevy of longtime high-profile Trump supporters joined Trump at the rally to deliver remarks or perform, including musicians Kid Rock and Lee Greenwood, as well as UFC CEO Dana White, tech billionaire Elon Musk and actor Jon Voight. 

"What an honor. What an honor it is for me to be up here in front of you. Great men and women who've all come here to celebrate the greatest win of all time. The greatest of all time. The victory we were all fighting for," Voight said from the Capital One Arena on Sunday afternoon ahead of Trump. 

"To save our country, our democracy. And I'm so grateful that I'm able to say that Donald J. Trump is the 47th president of the United States of America. And now he will make America thrive again. He will make America great again, safer again. And we the people will honor our flag again," he continued. Trump recently announced Voight will serve as a special ambassador "to a great but very troubled place, Hollywood, California."

Trump also brushed off President Biden taking victory for securing the hostage and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas last week. Hamas began releasing hostages on Sunday ahead of Trump's rally. 

HIGHLIGHTS FROM PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP'S 1ST INAUGURATION DAY; WHAT TO EXPECT FROM MONDAY

"I'm glad to report that the first hostages have just been released. And who knows what's going to happen. I know that Biden thinks that they made the deal," Trump said while supporters booed Biden's name. 

Biden took credit for inking the cease fire deal in his opening remarks of his final address to the nation last week. Credit for reaching the agreement, however, was bolstered by the incoming Trump administration, according to sources who told Fox Digital that a recent meeting between Trump's incoming Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly played a pivotal role in the deal. 

Trump thanked Witkoff for his efforts to help secure the deal during the rally, while arguing war would not have broken out in the Middle East if he had been president. 

Trump wrapped up his speech vowing to Make America Great Again – noting "it all starts tomorrow" after his inaugration. 

"We put America first, and it all starts tomorrow. When I raise my hand or they vote to be sworn as your. We'll be sworn in tomorrow. We're all going to be sworn in together. That's the way I look at it," he said. 

Fox News Digital's Brooke Singman contributed to this report. 

Chicago mayor reiterates opposition to incoming Trump admin's immigration reform

19 January 2025 at 14:29

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, on Sunday, doubled down on his vow to oppose President-elect Trump's sweeping reform aimed at removing dangerous illegal immigrants accused of crimes from the U.S. once he returns to the Oval Office on Monday.

In preparation for a change in federal administration, the mayor’s office has assured the city would continue to comply with the 2017 Illinois Trust Act, which prohibits local law enforcement from participating in federal immigration enforcement.

On Sunday, his opposition continued to ring loud and clear.

"Chicago stands strong: regardless of the circumstances, our commitment to protecting and supporting this city remains unwavering," Johnson wrote in a social media post. "We will continue to fight for the justice and safety of all who call this place home."

CHICAGO OFFICIAL SLAMS BRANDON JOHNSON'S NEW ICE GUIDELINES: ‘WHO IS THE MAYOR TRYING TO PROTECT’

The mayor also shared comments he made back in November, after Trump won the election.

In a nearly minute and ten second clip, Johnson said he and other city officials were going to defend the people of Chicago, telling those in attendance Trump’s threats are not just toward new arrivals and undocumented families, but also Black families.

He also accused Trump of wanting to destroy public education and "leveling opportunities for families who are descendants of slaves."

CHICAGO FAITH LEADERS BRACE FOR MASS DEPORTATIONS, CEASE HOSTING IN-PERSON SPANISH SERVICES: REPORT

"We’re going to stand up, and we’re going to protect undocumented individuals," Johnson said. "We’re going to protect Black folks, brown folks, Asian folks… Listen, the anti-sentiment that exists in this political space is unconscionable and it’s dangerous.

"Whether it’s anti-Black or antisemitic, we’re going to protect people, and we’re going to invest in people," Johnson continued. "The city of Chicago will be better, stronger and safer despite who’s in the White House."

Johnson’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the matter.

CHICAGO RESIDENTS SLAM THE ‘STUPIDITY’ OF MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON'S LIBERAL POLICIES DURING CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Earlier this month, Johnson released guidelines for how to handle visits from U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), should officials from the agency enter city property.

Johnson’s guidelines advise, "Contact your agency or department’s designated attorney or general counsel for further guidance. Contact the highest ranking official or designated supervisor onsite and do not take any action until that person arrives." 

TRUMP SUPPORTERS RIP CHICAGO MAYOR TO HIS FACE JUST DAYS BEFORE CITY COUNCIL REJECTS HIS TAX HIKE

The guidance says to demand copies of warrants, not to consent to ICE entering "any private or ‘sensitive’ locations," but not to interfere with any search, even if refused. There are further recommendations, including taking notes and keeping contemporaneous written records.

Tens of thousands of illegal immigrants are residing in Chicago, despite residents pleading with city officials about how there are not enough resources to provide for them. More than 20,000 migrants have arrived in the city since August 2022, according to previous reports from Fox 32 Chicago, and thousands are in shelters.

Sheltering migrants has drawn ire from residents after it has reportedly cost the city $574.5 million since August 2022. At a previous city council meeting on December 3rd, residents objected to an approximately $60 million property tax increase that was proposed to help officials overcome a $1 billion budget shortfall by the end of last year.

Fox News Digital’s Joshua Q. Nelson contributed to this report.

Trump to take more than 200 executive actions on day one

19 January 2025 at 13:48

EXCLUSIVE: President-elect Trump will sign more than 200 executive actions on his first day in office—a massive, record-setting first wave of policy priorities focused on border security, energy, reducing the cost of living for American families, ending DEI programs across the federal government, and more, Fox News Digital has learned. 

A senior administration official who is familiar with the executive actions and authorized to brief Fox News Digital said the president will sign multiple "omnibus" executive orders that each contain dozens of major executive actions. 

TRUMP WINS 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

"The president is issuing a historic series of executive orders and actions that will fundamentally reform the American government, including the complete and total restoration of American sovereignty," the official told Fox News Digital. 

On day one, the president will declare a national border emergency; direct the U.S. military to work with the Department of Homeland Security to fully secure the southern border; and establish a national priority to eliminate all criminal cartels operating on U.S. soil. 

Trump will close the border to all illegal aliens via proclamation and declare a national emergency at the border, Fox News Digital has learned. 

Trump will also create task forces for the protection of homeland security with officers from the FBI, ICE, CEA, and more to "fully eradicate the presence of criminal cartels." 

Trump will also direct designations of cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, which the official said will unlock new authorities to achieve the Trump homeland security mission. 

Fox News Digital has learned that Trump will re-institute "Remain in Mexico," "Catch and Release," and direct the military to construct a new phase of the border wall, as well as grant emergency authorities to suspend the entry of illegal aliens across the southwest border, allowing for individuals apprehended to be "swiftly returned to their countries of origin." 

As for energy, Trump will "fully unleash" Alaskan energy, which the official said is pivotal and essential to U.S. national security. 

The senior official told Fox News Digital that the energy executive order deals with "every single energy policy," and addresses liquid, natural gas, ports, fracking, pipelines, permitting and more, while also terminating President Biden's policies which "have constrained U.S. energy supply." 

The official also said Trump will fully reform the federal bureaucracy by reestablishing presidential control over the career, federal workforce and make clear to federal workers that they can be removed from posts for failing to comply with executive directives. 

The official said Trump will sign an executive order to strengthen control over senior government officials and implement a new merit-based hiring review. Trump will also take action to return federal workers to in-person work. 

The official also said Trump will end the "weaponization of the federal government" and restore freedom of speech and "end federal censorship." 

HIGHLIGHTS FROM PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP'S 1ST INAUGURATION DAY; WHAT TO EXPECT FROM MONDAY

Trump, on his first day, will also suspend the security clearances for the 51 national security officials who "lied" about Hunter BIden's laptop ahead of the 2020 presidential election. 

Trump is also expected to establish biological sex definitions; rename historical places like the "Gulf of America," and more.

Trump, on day one, will also end all Diversity Equity and Inclusion programs across the federal government. 

Trump will also establish a new Department of Government Efficiency hiring freeze; gain control over foreign aid and NGO funding; and more. 

"He is reasserting muscular control of the Executive Branch of the U.S. government," the official told Fox News Digital. 

As for reducing the cost for American families, Trump will sign a specific presidential memorandum directing all agencies and departments to remove all federal actions that increase costs for families and consumers, which the official told Fox News Digital will be the beginning of Trump’s "historic de-regulatory effort" of his second term. 

Trump, on his first day, will also declare a national energy emergency and pause all offshore wind leases. 

Meanwhile, Trump will end the electric vehicle mandate; end the Green New Deal; withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord; and roll back more of President Biden's actions and orders. 

"This is a massive, record-setting, unmatched first wave," the official told Fox News Digital. "Even after this, there is a whole host in the cue to continue the restoration of America." 

The official added: "This is the most extensive list of executive actions in American history all guided by a relentless commitment to deliver on the campaign promise." 

The official told Fox News Digital that "everything" voters voted for "is being translated into executive policy." 

"There is a massive federal workforce that has been moving its objectives at expense of the American people--and President Trump is taking command, saying you will serve the American people and only American people," the official said. "This is about stopping corrupt, abusive behavior and re-focusing the government on its fundamental duties to the American people." 

Incoming Trump administration officials told Fox News Digital that the overarching theme to his day one actions is "promises made, promises kept."

"As soon as President Trump places his hand on the Bible and swears the Oath to the United States Constitution, the Golden Age of America will begin," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News Digital. "The American people will have a leader who will deliver on the promises he made to restore our country’s greatness." 

The president, on Sunday, previewed one of his day one executive orders related to the popular video-sharing app TikTok, which was forced to go dark in the United States following a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. 

Trump said he will sign an order on Monday that will "extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security." Trump also said the order would confirm that there "will be no liability for any company that helped keep TikTok from going dark before my order." 


 

DOGE bro Ramaswamy likely to announce Ohio governor run by month's end: sources

19 January 2025 at 13:28

Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is expected to announce a run for governor in his home state of Ohio by the last week of January, a source close to the multimillionaire biotech entrepreneur told Fox News Digital.

The development on his timetable comes two days after multiple sources confirmed to Fox News that Ramaswamy, who along with Elon Musk is co-leader of President-elect Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, was likely to launch a gubernatorial campaign "shortly."

"Vivek’s base plan remains [the] same: to get accomplishments at DOGE and then announce a run for governor shortly," an Ohio operative familiar with Ramaswamy’s thinking told Fox News on Friday.

Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine is term-limited and cannot seek re-election in 2026.

DeWine on Friday announced that Lt. Gov. Jon Husted would fill the U.S. Senate seat that was held by former Sen. JD Vance until earlier this month, when the vice president-elect stepped down ahead of Monday's inauguration.

MUSK AND RAMASWAMY IGNITE MAGA WAR OVER SKILLED WORKER IMIMGRATION

Before the Senate announcement, Husted had planned to run for governor in 2026 to succeed DeWine. Ramaswamy, for his part, had expressed interest in serving in the Senate. 

DeWine's decision to choose Husted to fill the vacant Senate seat appeared to accelerate Ramaswamy's move toward launching a run for governor.

Ramaswamy, 39, who launched his presidential campaign in February 2023, saw his stock rise as he went from a long shot to a contender for the Republican nomination.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS REPORTING ON VIVEK RAMASWAMY

Ramaswamy campaigned on what he called an "America First 2.0" agenda and was one of Trump's biggest supporters in the field of rivals, calling Trump the "most successful president in our century."

He dropped his White House bid a year ago after a distant fourth-place finish in the Iowa caucuses and quickly endorsed Trump, becoming a top surrogate on the campaign trail.

Ramaswamy was named along with Musk, the world's richest person, to lead DOGE, in an announcement in November by Trump.

Ohio, which was once a top general election battleground, has shifted red over the past decade as Republicans have dominated statewide elections.

Trump gets inaugurated Monday; here's how the Supreme Court swears in new presidents

19 January 2025 at 12:15

Top members of the three branches of government will come together in a rare display of national unity and tradition when the presidential and vice-presidential oaths of office are delivered at Monday's inauguration. A swear-in rookie, and perhaps funny hats, will be indispensable parts of the ceremonies.

Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh will continue a nearly 240-year-old tradition of administering the oaths to President-elect Trump and his No. 2, JD Vance. The other seven members of the high court are expected to attend the event in the Capitol Rotunda, all in their judicial robes. 

Whatever political differences exist, they surely will not be on display at this most cordial and dignified of ceremonies. After all, the first person the president thanks will likely be the chief justice. But an undercurrent of tension remains.

During his first run for high office in 2016, candidate Trump took the unusual step of attacking a member of the federal judiciary, labeling Roberts "an absolute disaster" among other personal insults. This will be the "Chief's" fifth presidential swearing-in, his second with Trump.

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

The choice of Kavanaugh is no surprise: incoming second lady Usha Vance clerked for Kavanaugh when he was a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington.

She then went on to a prestigious law clerkship at the Supreme Court with Roberts. Sources say Kavanaugh gave an especially strong job recommendation for Usha Vance to his now bench colleague.

In an August interview with "Fox and Friends," Usha Vance said Kavanaugh was "such a good boss" and "decent person" who "hired people from all over the political spectrum."

"My experience working for him was overwhelmingly positive," she added.

Sandra Day O'Connor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Clarence Thomas are among recent justices who have performed similar vice-presidential swear-in honors.

While chief justices have normally sworn in the president, a broader mix of officials have handled the vice-presidential duties. Then-House Speaker Dennis Hastert swore in Vice President Dick Cheney in 2005.

Thomas did the honors when Mike Pence was sworn in 2017 as vice president for Trump's first term.

TRUMP SWEARING-IN TO MOVE INDOORS DUE TO COLD WEATHER, SOURCE TELLS FOX NEWS

Article VI of the Constitution requires executive officers, including the president, as well as members of Congress and federal judges, to "be bound by oath or affirmation," but nothing mandates that a Supreme Court justice administer it. When it comes to the presidential inauguration, they just have, most of the time.

There was no Supreme Court yet formed when George Washington took the first oath of office in 1789, so New York's highest ranking judge did the honors at Federal Hall on Wall Street. Four years later, Associate Justice William Cushing swore in Washington for a second term, beginning the Supreme Court tradition.

Early swear-ins were usually conducted in the House or Senate chamber. The 1817 inaugural was held outdoors for the first time when James Monroe took the oath in front of the Old Brick Capitol, where the legislature met temporarily after the original Capitol was burned by invading British troops in the War of 1812. The Monroe swear-in site is now occupied by the Supreme Court, which opened its building in 1935.

The man who handled the duties more than 200 years ago was John Marshall, widely acknowledged as the most influential chief justice in U.S. history. He participated in a record nine swear-ins, from Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Jackson. For Roberts, this will be his fifth.

The Constitution lays out the exact language to be used in the 34-word oath of office: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Many judges have tacked on four little words, "so help me God." It is not legally or constitutionally required, unlike other federal oaths that invoke the words as standard procedure. Historians have been at odds over whether President Washington established precedent by adding the phrase on his own during his first acceptance, but contemporary accounts mention no such ad-libbing.

Abraham Lincoln was reported to have said it spontaneously in 1861, and other presidents over the years have followed suit. A Bible is traditionally used, with the president placing one hand on it while raising the other during the oath of office.

The 16th president and Chief Justice Roger Taney shared a mutual animosity. When the oath was administered just days before the Civil War erupted, many attending the ceremony noticed the frosty demeanor both men showed each other, befitting the late winter chill. Several historians have said Lincoln later that year secretly issued an arrest warrant for Taney, who tried to block the president's suspension of habeas corpus during the conflict. The warrant was never served.

President Barack Obama used Lincoln's Bible for his two swear-ins.

Trump is expected to again use the Lincoln Bible and a family Bible.

TRUMP, VANCE OFFICIAL PORTRAITS RELEASED AHEAD OF INAUGURATION

Roberts, administering his first presidential oath in 2009, strayed slightly from the text, which prompted its re-administration for protective purposes the following day, in a private White House ceremony.

Those Jan. 20 ceremonies at the Capitol also ran long, so that the presidential oath was not completed until five minutes past noon. Nonetheless, Obama under the 20th Amendment had officially assumed the presidency at noon.

At the time, a California atheist, Michael Newdow, objected and went to federal court to prevent Roberts from prompting Obama to repeat the "so help me God" phrase. Newdow, along with several non-religious groups, argued the words violated the constitutional ban on government "endorsement" of religion.

The high court ultimately rejected the lawsuit, and no such legal challenges are expected this time.

Four years later, Justice Sonia Sotomayor swore in Biden for a second term as vice president in 2013. She was asked by Vice President Harris to do the honors again, with the first female vice president citing the fact both women once served as government prosecutors.

Pence used the family Bible of the late President Ronald Reagan, telling Fox News at the time, "It's just very humbling for me. We are approaching it with prayer, but with deep, deep gratitude to the president-elect for his confidence and deep gratitude to the American people." 

Trump also broke tradition by not attending the swear-in of his successor four years ago.

Lyndon Johnson's swear-in from 1965 marked a change from tradition. His wife Claudia – known as Lady Bird – held the Bible, a job previously managed by the high court's clerk. Spouses have since had the honor, and Melania Trump and Usha Vance are expected to continue that role.   

Hopefully, nerves won't result in a repeat of the 1941 goof, when then-clerk Elmore Cropley dropped the Bible just after Franklin Roosevelt took the oath to begin his third presidential term.

GET TO KNOW DONALD TRUMP'S CABINET: WHO HAS THE PRESIDENT-ELECT PICKED SO FAR?

It usually is not hard at the inauguration to spot the justices, who are normally shielded from broad public view in the camera-barred court. They are announced as a group, arrive wearing their black robes – usually covering bulky winter coats – and are given prominent seats on the specially built platform on the West Front of the Capitol.

Before Marshall took over the court in 1801, the justices wore red robes with fur trim and white wigs in all public settings. His practice of a simple black silk robe without wig remains the American judicial standard.

And if there is any doubt about their identities, look for some unusual-looking headgear several justices may be sporting. The large black "skullcaps" have no brims and can be made of wool, silk or even nylon. Perhaps to keep them from looking like a Jewish yarmulke, the hats are usually pleated upward, which one federal judge privately told Fox News made him look like he was wearing a dirty napkin.

Given the inauguration ceremony is indoors this year because of expected frigid weather, the skullcaps may be an afterthought.

They have been around in British courts since the 16th century, and at least a century in the United States. Only judges wear them, and only at formal ceremonies, not in court.

Official records are hazy on the hats, but Chief Justice Edward White proudly wore one in 1913 when Woodrow Wilson became president. The "age of the skullcap" peaked in 1961 when seven of the nine justices wore them at the bitterly cold inauguration of President John F. Kennedy.

The last time around, only now-retired Justice Stephen Breyer was brave enough to sport one, though Thomas, Anthony Kennedy, and the late Antonin Scalia had worn them previously. None of the six current or former women justices ever used them.

Scalia told an audience a few years ago why he favored skullcaps. "If you've ever seen an inauguration, you will see me wearing the old hats judges used to wear. It's a ridiculous-looking hat, but it's a tradition. Yes, it's silly looking."

Scalia's headgear was a replica of one worn by St. Thomas More, a gift from the St. Thomas More Society of Richmond, Virginia

The late Chief Justice William Rehnquist also sported them, not surprising, given his role as an unofficial historian of court procedure and tradition.

He made one of the most dramatic appearances in inaugural history while suffering from thyroid cancer in 2005. There was speculation he would be too ill to attend, but he assured officials he would be there, and he kept his word.

After three months away from the public eye while he received chemotherapy, the ailing 81-year-old chief was introduced to the audience just before President George W. Bush was to take the oath. Using a cane, Rehnquist walked slowly to the podium without assistance – wearing a dark baseball cap – and did the honors. His voice was clear but raspy, because of a trachea tube in his throat, which was hidden by a scarf.

Afterward, Rehnquist wished Bush good luck, then was quickly escorted out of the cold.

Rehnquist also swore in President Bill Clinton eight years earlier. Unbeknownst to Clinton or the public, the justices days earlier had taken a private vote in Clinton v. Jones. Their ruling said the president could not refuse to testify in an ongoing civil lawsuit against him by Paula Jones, who alleged sexual harassment. That triggered a series of events leading to Clinton's 1999 impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate, presided over by Rehnquist himself, without the skullcap.

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

19 January 2025 at 11:55

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

"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." 

"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. 

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

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.

Trump lays wreath at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier ahead of inauguration

19 January 2025 at 11:45

President-elect Donald Trump  Vice President-elect JD Vance participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Sunday, the eve of his return to the White House.

Trump was participating in a series of Washington events prior to his return to office.

The president-elect's wife, Melania Trump, was also there, as were his children: Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Tiffany Trump and Ivanka Trump. Vance’s wife, Usha Vance, was also in attendance.

NELLY DEFENDS PERFORMING AT TRUMP'S INAUGURATION, SAYS 'IT'S AN HONOR'

Some of Trump’s Cabinet picks were in the crowd, including Pete Hegseth, his pick for defense secretary; Marco Rubio, his pick for secretary of state; Tulsi Gabbard, his pick for director of national intelligence; and Elise Stefanik, his pick for United Nations ambassador. 

Trump appeared solemn as he placed a wreath on an easel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in drizzly rain and in front of a silent crowd. Moments later, Vance did the same. 

Trump held a salute while Vance held a hand over his heart during the ceremony.

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

The two left Arlington National Cemetery once the ceremony was complete. 

Trump is set to hold a campaign-style "MAGA Victory" rally at Capitol One Arena on Sunday evening.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Newly built border wall segment further endangers rare desert fish, conservation organization says

19 January 2025 at 11:15

A newly built segment of border wall in southern Arizona will keep out more than just illegal immigrants, a nonprofit conservation organization says.

The border wall segment and a "paved road across Arizona's California Gulch is blocking streamflow critical to the survival of one of only two U.S. populations of Sonora chub," a press release from the Center for Biological Diversity reads.

The "rare desert fish" is a "small, moderately chubby fish that feasts on a variety of native food sources and has a unique and distinctly red coloration on the underside when in breeding condition," the organization says.

"The new wall and road will push these imperiled fish to the brink of extinction," Krista Kemppinen, Ph.D., a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement. 

LINDSEY GRAHAM DEFENDS KASH PATEL IN HEATED EXCHANGE WITH CBS HOST

"The Sonora chub’s survival depends on being able to access scarce desert water on both sides of the border, exchange genetic material with nearby populations in Mexico, and bolster its populations with upstream migrations of fish from Sonora after droughts. The new construction makes all that impossible," she continued.

The organization drew attention to the matter just days before President-elect Donald Trump is set to retake office and ramp up his border security efforts.

TRUMP TO BE SWORN IN ON BIBLE GIVEN TO HIM BY HIS MOTHER, AND THE LINCOLN BIBLE

"Designating California Gulch as critical habitat is more urgent than ever to minimize other threats, such as by keeping cows out of the Sonora chub’s pools," Kemppinen said in the statement. "It’s also imperative that carefully designed culverts be added to the new border infrastructure to allow at least some semblance of a natural streamflow and migration. If federal officials are serious about saving this fish, they need to act now."

Earlier this month, Trump set off a fiery debate over whether Democrats should be to blame for California's wildfires after he accused Gov. Gavin Newsom of caring more about protecting endangered fish species known as smelt than protecting the state's residents from wildfires. 

Trump set off a firestorm on Wednesday when he called out Newsom on his Truth Social platform for wanting "to protect an essentially worthless fish" over protecting the water needs of Californians. The comments are not new, however. In the run-up to the November election, Trump made the claim during an October interview with podcaster Joe Rogan.

Neither the Center for Biological Diversity nor the Trump transition team responded to a request for comment regarding this story. 

Fox News' Alec Schemmel contributed to this report. 

Johnson says price tag on Trump mass deportation plan is ‘small investment’ to ‘restore’ security, safety

19 January 2025 at 10:56

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Sunday denied that President-elect Trump’s mass deportation plan could cost trillions of dollars, though said that there is no better investment than restoring the safety and security of the country.

Johnson made the remarks during an appearance on NBC’s "Meet the Press" when he was asked about the border crisis and grocery prices, the two issues that Trump says helped him win the election.

"I cannot think of a better dollar for dollar investment than to restore the security and the safety of the country," Johnson said. "We've had a wide-open border for four years and millions upon millions of illegal persons. We have dangerous illegals in the country, criminals who have already committed crimes here, violent crimes against American citizens."

The speaker cited crime and "the untold humanitarian cost in terms of trafficking and fentanyl deaths" in the U.S. as important reasons to tackle border security, saying, "getting rid of that criminal element … is something the American people want us to do."

IMMIGRATION HAWKS URGE CONGRESS, TRUMP TO ‘BEGIN IMMEDIATELY’ ON MASS DEPORTATION PLEDGE

"The number one job of the federal government is protecting the citizenry," he said. "And when you have a wide-open border, you don't have safety, security or even sovereignty, for that matter. President Trump is going to follow through on his campaign promises and the promises that we all made on the campaign trail. It costs money to do that. But there is a small investment in terms of what it costs us."

When asked whether the plan would come with a price tag in the trillions of dollars, Johnson rejected the notion.

"It won't cost trillions of dollars. I think we don't yet know the dollar figure," he said. "But I will tell you that the American people are going to support that effort. And we're going to begin with the most dangerous elements. And you're going to see a dramatic change in the country because of it."

Johnson did not provide an estimated cost for the deportation plan.

BIDEN HAD NO IDEA HE SIGNED NATURAL GAS EXECUTIVE ORDER, JOHNSON SAYS

Regarding grocery prices, Johnson said those costs would unquestionably come down under Trump with the return to "fiscal sanity" and "common sense."

Johnson said that Congress and the Trump administration will "turn the economic engines back on" like during the first Trump term when lawmakers "reduced the tax burden on the American people, but even more importantly, the regulatory burden."

"That's going to be a major theme of the upcoming administration in this Congress, because if you release the red tape, you unleash the free market again. And that's good for everybody," he said.

How to watch, stream Trump's 2025 inauguration on January 20th

19 January 2025 at 10:00

On Jan. 20 2025, the nation and the world will be watching as President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will officially begin their four-year tenure in the White House. 

Thousands will flock to the U.S. Capitol to see the historic moment in-person. For those watching from home, Fox News Media has a lineup of live broadcasts straight from Washington, D.C., as well as around-the-clock commentary for viewers. 

On Jan. 20, Fox News Channel and FoxNews.com will broadcast a live stream of the inauguration ceremony, where Trump and Vance will each officially be sworn into office. 

GET TO KNOW DONALD TRUMP'S CABINET: WHO HAS THE PRESIDENT-ELECT PICKED SO FAR?

The swearing-in ceremony is slated to begin at noon. 

Additionally, throughout the ceremony, and at other events occurring on the day, there will be several live performances by A-list stars, including Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Kid Rock, Lee Greenwood, Village People, Rascal Flatts, Parker McCollum and others. 

After the swearing-in ceremony, Trump will make his second inaugural address following his first presidency, with an inaugural parade following soon after along Pennsylvania Avenue. 

JD VANCE JOKES ABOUT SKIPPING INAUGURATION TO WATCH OHIO STATE IN TITLE GAME

Later in the day, there will be three different official inaugural balls where Trump is expected to give remarks; the Commander in Chief Ball, Liberty Inaugural Ball and Starlight Ball.

Surrounding live broadcasts of the events unfolding throughout the day on FOX News Channel and FoxNews.com will be Washington-based programming with commentary from Fox hosts. 

Fox News Channel's Jan. 20 Inauguration Day coverage begins at 4 a.m., with "Fox & Friends First" with Carley Shimkus and Todd Piro and "Fox & Friends" with Brian Kilmeade, Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt and Lawrence Jones airing after. 

TRUMP, VANCE OFFICIAL PORTRAITS RELEASED AHEAD OF INAUGURATION

At 9 a.m., Dana Perino and Bill Hemmer will take over coverage on "America’s Newsroom," followed by "The Faulkner Focus" with Harris Faulkner.

At 11 a.m., just shortly before the swearing-in ceremony is set to begin, Fox News Channel will air special coverage, "Inauguration of Donald Trump" until 5 p.m,, with Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum at the helm. Perino, Brit Hume, Harold Ford Jr., Faulkner and many others will contribute to this coverage throughout the afternoon into the evening. 

Fox coverage goes late into the night, with "The Five," "Special Report with Bret Baier," "The Ingraham Angle," "Jesse Watters Primetime," "Hannity," "Gutfeld!" and "Fox News @ Night" with Trace Gallagher.

FOX Business Network will also be providing live coverage on Inauguration Day, with Larry Kudlow live from Washington, D.C., beginning at 4 p.m. 

For those who wish to stream Inauguration Day events from their phone, tablet or computer, FoxNews.com will have a live broadcast available.

Lindsey Graham defends Kash Patel in heated exchange with CBS host

19 January 2025 at 09:44

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., had a tense interaction on Sunday during a live interview with Margaret Brennan on CBS' "Face the Nation."

Graham told Brennan he was "ready" to vote to confirm Kash Patel, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for FBI director, and believes Patel's confirmation hearing "will expose him to be a very qualified man of the law."

The remarks came after Brennan quoted former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr's memoir about Patel.

"Patel had virtually no experience that would qualify him to serve at the highest level of the world's preeminent law enforcement agency," Barr wrote in his 2022 memoir.  

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Graham said Barr was wrong when he wrote it, and wrong now about Patel. He said he takes his advice on the nominee from former Rep. Trey Gowdy, who worked with Patel.

"Kash was a public defender, he was a prosecutor, he worked with Trey Gowdy about the Russia hoax," Graham said. "So I do think he has the experience. He has the trust of the president."  

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"I'm ready to vote for him because I know him too. See [you] never asked about the Russia hoax that he exposed," Graham continued. "People on the right believe that he was part of the solution, not the problem."

Graham then began to talk about this situation in the Middle East and its relation to the "world stage."

"You took me all the way to Israel from Kash Patel," Brennan said. 

"You shouldn't worry about Kash Patel," Graham responded when Brennan asked about Patel "going after journalists." 

"You should worry about reporting the news fairly, which you don't do when it comes to everything Trump," Graham concluded.

The CBS host then reminded Graham he is a guest on the show because "we wanted to hear you out," before cutting to a commercial break.

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