Friday, November 13, 2026
Home Blog Page 287

Consider This from NPR : NPR

0

US President Donald Trumpshows an executive order he signed in the Oval Office of the White House on January 30, 2025 in Washington, DC.

ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images


hide caption

toggle caption

ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images


US President Donald Trumpshows an executive order he signed in the Oval Office of the White House on January 30, 2025 in Washington, DC.

ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images

Most presidents want as much power as they can get. And it’s not unusual to see them claim authority that they don’t, in the end, actually have.

We saw it just last term, when former President Biden tried to unilaterally forgive hundreds of billions of dollars in federal student loans.

Or when he announced, days before leaving office that the 28th Amendment, on gender equality, was now the law of the land.

So are the opening moves of Trump’s presidency just a spicier version of the standard playbook or an imminent threat to constitutional government as we know it?

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org

Email us at [email protected]

This episode was produced by Marc Rivers and Connor Donevan.

It was edited by Courtney Dorning.

Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

NY Dems working to keep Stefanik’s House seat vacant for months in latest scheme against Trump: assemblyman

0

New York Democratic lawmakers are working to keep Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik’s House seat vacant until the summer in an unprecedented move hashed out during late-night discussions last week, a Republican Empire State assemblyman told Fox Digital. 

“We still haven’t seen the final proposal from the Democrats in Albany, but there’s no doubt that Tammany Hall corruption is alive and well in the state capital,” Republican New York Assemblyman Matt Slater, who represents the state’s 94th district in areas of Putnam and Westchester counties, told Fox News Digital in an exclusive Zoom interview on Sunday morning. 

“It is just blatantly corrupt for the New York State Democrats to keep changing the rules of engagement simply out of self-interest. Meanwhile, New Yorkers are struggling in so many different ways. U-Haul just gave us our worst migration rating ever because there’s so many New Yorkers who are fleeing this state. So they can get things done, but they only do it when it benefits them,” Slater continued. 

Slater, who serves as the ranking Republican on the state’s Election Law Committee, was reacting to state Democrats working to introduce legislation that could keep Stefanik’s House seat vacant until June, when the state holds its scheduled primary elections. Stefanik is in the midst of her confirmation process to serve in the Trump administration and is expected to resign her House seat if the Senate confirms her as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. 

STEFANIK LOOKS BACK TO FIERY EXCHANGES WITH COLLEGE LEADERS IN SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARING: ‘WATERSHED MOMENT’  

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., the nominee for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, arrives for her Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing on Jan. 21, 2025. (Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Under current law, New York’s governor has 10 days to declare a special election for a vacant seat and an additional 80 to 90 days to hold the election. Stefanik’s seat is key for the Republican Party and Trump’s second administration, as Republicans hold a slim majority at 218 members to the Democrats’ 215 members. 

The state Democrats’ anticipated legislation has not yet been introduced, but Democrats were summoned to an emergency conference on Friday evening to reportedly discuss such a bill, Slater explained. He expects to have a copy of the Democrats’ bill on Monday morning. 

STEFANIK PLANS TO PUSH TRUMP’S ‘AMERICA FIRST’ AGENDA AT UN, MAKE SURE IT ‘SERVES THE INTERESTS’ OF US PEOPLE 

Slater said the Democrats’ objective of changing election laws to move the special election back to the summer is part of their bigger agenda to combat the second Trump administration. 

“Speaker Johnson has the hardest job in government right now, trying to keep the Republican conference, caucus together. This obviously would make that margin of Republican control that much more thin and that much more challenging for the speaker and, again, jeopardizing President Trump’s agenda to get through Congress. That’s their entire mission and goal, the Albany Democrats, is to make sure that they’re combating President Trump each step of the way. And this is their latest way of doing it,” Slater said. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (Alex Kent/Getty Images/File)

He pointed to a bevy of instances in which New York Democrats have leveraged their state power to combat Trump and the Republican Party in recent years, including gerrymandering and “stacking” New York’s top court with Democrats. 

NEW YORK APPEALS COURT JUDGES IN TRUMP CASE ROUTINELY DONATED TO DEMOCRATS, RECORDS SHOW

“If you look at the track record of the Democrats, who control every aspect of state government here in New York, they have changed the rules so many times just because it benefits them. Whether it’s redistricting, whether it’s stacking the Court of Appeals, whether it’s allowing the governor to remove her then-indicted lieutenant governor from the ballot. The list goes on and on,” he said. 

Matt Slater

NY Republican Assemblyman Matt Slater (NY legislature )

“And in this case, it will deprive 800,000 New Yorkers of proper representation in Washington. And oh by the way, there were two special elections last year. And the Democrats didn’t say anything about changing the rules because fact of the matter is, these are Republican districts that will be impacted, and they are trying to disrupt the Trump administration and, frankly, Leader Johnson from being able to deliver on their agenda.”

President Donald Trump nominated Stefanik to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under his second administration. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted to advance the New York Republican’s confirmation on Thursday, with her full Senate floor vote expected later this week. 

FETTERMAN STILL ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORTIVE OF STEFANIK FOR US AMBASSADOR TO UN: ‘ALWAYS WAS A HARD YES’ 

Assemblyman Slater

Rep. Mike Lawler, a Republican from New York, left, and Assemblyman Matt Slater, a Republican from New York, are shown during a campaign event at the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Mahopac, New York, on June 29, 2023. (Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Stefanik is expected to resign from the U.S. House to take the ambassadorship if and when the Senate officially confirms her nomination. 

A spokesperson for Democrat New York Gov. Kathy Hochul told Gothamist that she “believes it’s critical to increase voter turnout and reduce the cost of election administration, and she would support legislation that achieves that goal.”

Slater poured cold water on the office’s claim that the proposal is rooted in promoting voter turnout and easing costs, pointing to two special elections held last year – former Democrat Rep. Brian Higgins’ seat as well as the February 2024 special election to replace former Republican Rep. George Santos’ in a district where Democrats were expected to have an edge over the GOP. Democrats, who have held trifecta control in the state since 2018, did not push to change special election laws last year, Slater noted. 

Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/File)

WHAT STEFANIK’S HOUSE TENURE REVEALS ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF UN AMBASSADOR SHE MAY BE 

“I can’t believe how hypocritical the governor and her office can be in this, because let me remind the governor that she had two special elections for Congress last year,” he said.

“To sit here and say that this is going to save taxpayer money and increase voter turnout, but you didn’t think about that last year when your own party had special elections that you were favored to win? Fact of the matter is, this has everything to do with the fact that this is a Republican seat. This is about control of Republicans in Congress, and this is about disrupting President Trump’s agenda in Washington.” 

Local outlets have reported the bill could push the special election beyond June to November, when the state holds its general elections, though Slater cast doubt that Democrats would push the envelope that far. 

Stefanik and Trump

House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (Getty Images)

“If you want to talk about increasing voter turnout and saving taxpayer money, they really don’t have an excuse to wait past that June date. And so, you know, yes, it’s always a possibility that November is the date that they put in the legislation. But I’m hard-pressed to believe that they would go that far,” he said. 

Slater argued that the push from Democrats to approve the special election change is a wake-up call for New Yorkers.

“[It’s] so transparently political that New Yorkers need to wake up, and they need to understand that this isn’t the leadership that we’re asking for. President Trump has a great agenda moving forward, and this is all about disrupting that agenda to put America first,” he said.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Stefanik is a longtime Trump ally who chaired the House Republican Conference from 2021 to 2025, making her the fourth-most powerful Republican in the House. She was first elected to the House in blue New York in 2014 at age 30, making her the youngest woman elected to the House at the time.

Fox News Digital reached out to the governor’s office on Sunday but did not immediately receive a reply.

Democrat Fetterman says RFK Jr. confirmation as HHS secretary ‘not a slam dunk’

0

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., said the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services is “not a slam dunk,” as President Donald Trump’s nominee works to shore up support.

In an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” Fetterman said he has met with Kennedy twice in his office and that whatever his decision ends up being on the HHS nominee, it will be “an informed view.” 

“I’ve invested a lot of time to really understand his background and to learn more about the man,” Fetterman said, adding: “I approached with an open mind and I watched the hearing. And that’s how the process works.” 

TRUMP HEALTH SECRETARY NOMINEE RFK JR SURVIVES HEATED HEARINGS AHEAD OF CRUCIAL CONFIRMATION VOTES

Sen. John Fetterman during the 60th presidential inauguration in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2025. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Asked if he’s reached a decision on whether he’ll vote “yay” or “nay” for Kennedy, Fetterman said he has spoken to colleagues on both sides regarding the matter. 

“It’s been challenging for sure. Absolutely. It’s certainly not a slam dunk for the nomination,” Fetterman told “Fox News Sunday” host Shannon Bream. 

“I’ve made an investment to really understand and talk to all of the nominees, and I treated everyone with respect and I took the time to listen, and that’s been part of my commitment,” he added.

Kennedy, a lifelong Democrat who switched his presidential campaign against Biden to run as an Independent before ultimately dropping from the race to back Trump, made it through back-to-back grillings by the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday and the Health Committee on Thursday. He still faces crucial committee and full Senate confirmation votes in his mission to lead 18 powerful federal agencies that oversee the nation’s food and health.

Kennedy confirmation hearing

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., testifies during a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

VP VANCE MAKES CONFIRMATION PREDICTIONS FOR GABBARD, PATEL AND RFK, JR: ‘HAVE TO FIGHT FOR EACH ONE’

Most of the tough questions and sparring over his stances on vaccines, abortion, Medicaid and other issues came from Democrats on the two committees, but Thursday’s hearing ended with the top Republican on the Health panel saying he was “struggling” with Kennedy’s nomination.

“Your past of undermining confidence in vaccines with unfounded or misleading arguments concerns me,” Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., told the nominee.

The physician from Louisiana, who is a crucial vote and who has voiced concerns over Kennedy’s past stance on vaccines, asked whether Kennedy can “be trusted to support the best public health.” The senator told Kennedy, who seeks to lead key health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, that “you may be hearing from me over the weekend.”

Kennedy walks to meeting at Fetterman office

Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Robert Kennedy Jr. walks to a meeting with Sen. John Fetterman on Capitol Hill on Jan. 9, 2025. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

Kennedy, whose outspoken views on the pharmaceutical and food industries have also sparked controversy, has said he aims to shift the focus of the agencies he would oversee toward promotion of a healthy lifestyle, including overhauling dietary guidelines, taking aim at ultra-processed foods and getting to the root causes of chronic diseases.

A strong pro-life advocate, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told “Fox News Sunday” that he is supporting Kennedy despite the nominee’s past comments saying he supported codifying Roe v. Wade and abortion “even if it’s full term.”  

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

“I am now OK to supporting RFK Jr. because I think during the course of the hearing he’s committed to a Republican pro-life agenda, President Trump’s pro-life agenda,” Graham said when asked about those specific past remarks from Kennedy. “So I will take him at his word. I’m comfortable with what he said on the pro-life issue. He has been radically pro-choice as a person. But I do believe that as secretary, he will implement a pro-life agenda that will be pushed by President Trump. I will be a yes, but I’ll also watch every move he makes.” 

Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.

JONATHAN TURLEY: End NPR’s taxpayer-funded gravy train

0

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

“This is NPR.” That tagline has long been used for National Public Radio, but what it is remains remarkably in doubt. NPR remains something of a curiosity. It is a state-subsidized media outlet in a country that rejects state media. It is a site that routinely pitches for its sponsors while insisting that it does not have commercials. That confusion may be on the way to a final resolution following the election. NPR is about to have a reckoning with precisely what it is and what it represents.

While I once appeared regularly on NPR, I grew more critical of the outlet as it became overtly political in its coverage and intolerant of opposing views.

TRUMP TAPS FCC MEMBER BRENDAN CARR TO LEAD AGENCY: ‘WARRIOR FOR FREE SPEECH’

Even after a respected editor, Uri Berliner, wrote a scathing account of the political bias at NPR, the outlet has doubled down on its one-sided coverage and commentary. Indeed, while tacking aggressively to the left and openly supporting narratives (including some false stories) from Democratic sources, NPR has dismissed the criticism. When many of us called on NPR to pick a more politically neutral CEO, it instead chose Katherine Maher, who was previously criticized for her strident political views.

Some have long questioned the federal government’s subsidization of a media organization. NPR itself continues to maintain that “federal funding is essential” to its work. However, this country has long rejected state media models as undermining democratic values.

UKRAINE – 2023/04/17: In this photo illustration, National Public Radio (NPR) logo is seen on a smartphone and on a pc screen. (Photo Illustration by Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

This funding is likely more important, given NPR’s cratering audience and revenue. The NPR’s audience has been declining for years. As a result, NPR has been forced to make deep staff cuts.

Ironically, NPR has one of the least diverse audiences in media. Its listeners are is overwhelmingly white, liberal, and more affluent than the rest of the country. Yet, while serving fewer and fewer people, it still expects most of the country to subsidize its programming.

Many of us have argued that NPR should compete with other radio companies in the free market. Notably, some Democratic leaders have pushed to get Fox News dropped from cable news carriers despite the fact that it is not government subsidized and consistently ranks as the most-watched cable news network. (For full disclosure, I am a legal analyst at Fox.)

NPR and PBS are facing calls for the subsidy to be removed at long last. However, at the same time, pressure is coming from the Federal Communications Commission. FCC Chair Brendan Carr is inquiring about NPR’s claim that it does not do commercial advertising.

NPR CEO Katherine maher

NPR CEO Katherine Maher was largely defiant during rare public acknowledgement of longtime editor Uri Berliner’s claims that the public news organization lacks “viewpoint diversity” and caters to a liberal audience.  (Fox News)

Many of us have noticed that NPR has ramped up its sponsor statements with taglines about the products or firm’s clientele. Carr wrote, “I am concerned that NPR and PBS broadcasts could be violating federal law by airing commercials. In particular, it is possible that NPR and PBS member stations are broadcasting underwriting announcements that cross the line into prohibited commercial advertisements.”

The support for noncommercial radio and television stations fell under different regulations. It is hard to see the sponsor acknowledgments as anything other than commercial advertising. It is common for for-profit outlets to have hosts read commercial sponsors.

Noncommercial educational broadcast stations, or NCEs, are prohibited under Section 399B of the Communications Act from airing commercials or other promotional announcements on behalf of for-profit entities. 

What is interesting is that NPR stresses in its sponsor guidelines that the “NPR way” is actually a better method to reach consumers:

“Across platforms, NPR sponsor messages are governed by slightly different regulations, but the guiding spirit is the same: guidelines are less about what’s “allowed” and more about the approach that works best for brands to craft sponsor recognition messages that connect with people in ‘the NPR way,'” read the guidelines.

What is striking is how NPR’s shrinking audience righteously opposes any effort to cut off public subsidies. While dismissing the values or views of half the country, they expect those citizens to support its programming.

It is common for law firms or companies to have hosts herald their work in given areas. It is also common to have product references.

The thrust of NPR’s pitch to advertisers is that this is a different type of pitch to attract more customers. However, the federal government claims that this is really not a commercial pitch at all.

There is little discernible difference between NPR and competitors beyond pretense when it comes to bias or promotions. What is striking is how NPR’s shrinking audience righteously opposes any effort to cut off public subsidies. While dismissing the values or views of half the country, they expect those citizens to support its programming. What would the reaction be if Congress ordered the same subsidy for more popular competitors like Fox Radio?

CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION

I would oppose a subsidy for Fox as I do for NPR. Each outlet should depend on its viewership for support. Notably, many liberal outlets continue to maintain their biased coverage despite falling ratings and revenues. The Washington Post has had to again lay off employees and has lost roughly half of its readership. 

After being called in to right the ship, Washington Post publisher and CEO William Lewis delivered a truth bomb in the middle of the newsroom by telling the staff, “Let’s not sugarcoat it…We are losing large amounts of money. Your audience has halved in recent years. People are not reading your stuff. Right? I can’t sugarcoat it anymore.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Nevertheless, writers at the LA Times and other outlets continue to argue against balanced coverage. They would rather lose readers and revenue than their bias. So be it. These outlets have every right to offer their own slanted viewpoints or coverage. They do not have a right to a federal subsidy to insulate them from the response of consumers. 

It is time to establish a bright-line rule against government subsidies for favored media outlets. “This is NPR” but it is not who we should be as a nation.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM JONATHAN TURLEY

Musk rips ‘fraudulent’ Treasury payments as reports mount DOGE has access to federal payment system

0

Tech billionaire Elon Musk ripped alleged “fraudulent” Treasury payments on Saturday as reports circulated that the Department of Government Efficiency has gained acces to the federal government’s payment system as the second Trump administration continues cutting what they say is government fat and overspending. 

“The @DOGE team discovered, among other things, that payment approval officers at Treasury were instructed always to approve payments, even to known fraudulent or terrorist groups. They literally never denied a payment in their entire career. Not even once,” Musk, the chair of DOGE, posted early Saturday morning to X. 

Musk’s post came just ahead of the New York Times reporting Saturday afternoon that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent granted DOGE personnel access to the payment system. The Treasury spends roughly $6 trillion per year on payments for federal agencies. 

The ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, posted to social media on Saturday that he has also been informed that DOGE was granted access to the system. 

DOGE ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $1B IN SAVINGS AFTER CANCELING 104 FEDERAL DEI CONTRACTS

Elon Musk is heading the Department of Government Efficiency. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

“Sources tell my office that Treasury Secretary Bessent has granted DOGE *full* access to this system. Social Security and Medicare benefits, grants, payments to government contractors, including those that compete directly with Musk’s own companies. All of it,” Wyden posted to social media site BlueSky on Saturday evening. 

DOGE’s reported access to the payment system comes after the Washington Post reported on Friday that the former acting director of the Treasury, David A. Lebryk, was planning to exit the finance department of the federal government following a clash over granting DOGE access to its payment system. Lebryk oversaw the Treasury Department in the days between President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20 and Bessent’s confirmation to lead the department on Jan. 27. 

TOP DOGE LAWMAKER SAYS TRUMP ‘ALREADY RACKING UP WINS FOR TAXPAYERS’ WITH EFFICIENCY INITIATIVES

On Friday, reports also spread that civil servants within the Office of Personnel Management, which works as the federal government’s HR department, were reportedly locked from the office’s computer systems by DOGE. 

Musk quipped on X on Saturday that working over the weekend is a “superpower,” where the “opposing team” disappear for two days. 

“Very few in the bureaucracy actually work the weekend, so it’s like the opposing team just leaves the field for 2 days! Working the weekend is a superpower,” he posted. 

‘DOGE’-MEETS-CONGRESS: GOP LAWMAKER AARON BEAN LAUNCHES CAUCUS TO HELP MUSK ‘TAKE ON CRAZYTOWN’

Trump officially created DOGE via an executive order signed on his first day in office. The EO outlines that government agency chiefs provide DOGE with access to internal government platforms such as, “software systems, and IT systems.”

“Agency Heads shall take all necessary steps, in coordination with the USDS Administrator and to the maximum extent consistent with law, to ensure USDS has full and prompt access to all unclassified agency records, software systems, and IT systems.  USDS shall adhere to rigorous data protection standards,” the executive order reads. 

President Trump

President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office on Jan. 20, 2025. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Trump and Musk had long previewed the creation of DOGE while on the campaign trail, championing that the team would weed out overspending and fraud within the federal government. DOGE is not a government department, but instead operates as a team within the Trump administration. 

Before Trump’s win in November, Musk hosted the Republican president for an interview on X in August, where Musk railed against government overspending and inflation that has gripped the nation in recent years. 

Elon Musk and Trump

President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk arrive to attend a viewing of the launch of the SpaceX Starship rocket on Nov. 19, 2024 in Brownsville, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

“A lot of people just don’t understand where inflation comes from. Inflation comes from government overspending because the checks never bounce when it’s written by the government. So if the government spends far more than it brings in, that increases the money supply. If the money supply increases faster than the rate of goods and services, that’s inflation,” Musk said during their conversation. 

MUSK RENEWS HARSH REBUKE OF DEMS WHO REJECTED DEPORTING SEX OFFENDERS: VOTE OUT ‘EVERY ONE’

“So really we need to reduce our government spending, and we need to re-examine… I think we need a government efficiency commission to say like, ‘Hey, where are we spending money that’s sensible. Where is it not sensible?’”

Since its official creation last month, DOGE’s X account has provided updates on its work to cut government spending, including announcing last week that it has cut more than $1 billion from federal spending through now-defunct diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and personnel. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House and Treasury Department on Sunday morning, but did not immediately receive replies. 

Non-traditional media, TikTokers tout applying for White House Press passes

0

Nontraditional media and several TikTok influencers who use the social media platform to talk about news said they would be applying to be a reporter in the briefing room this week after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced there would be a designated seat in the briefing room for independent or new media.

“The idea of opening the White House press briefings to organizations beyond the legacy media is the right thing to do,” ex-CNN journalist Chris Cillizza wrote in a Substack post. 

As several journalists have opted to utilize Substack, others have used TikTok to share news or talk about news. Leavitt also suggested that podcasters apply to what she described as the “new media” seat.

“I very much hope, however, that the Trump White House doesn’t just (or mostly) approve only news creators who are predictably in favor of their partisan views. If they want to do a one and one as they did on Tuesday — one partisan news outlet (Breitbart) and one more nonpartisan outlet (Axios) — that would be fine with me. In fact that would be great — whether I was ever the representative for the nonpartisan media,” Cilizza wrote.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced there would be a designated seat in the briefing room for independent or new media. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING DIRECT ASSISTANCE WON’T BE IMPACTED BY FEDERAL FUNDING FREEZE, PRESS SECRETARY SAYS

Leavitt told reporters during her first briefing these changes were being made to keep in line with President Donald Trump’s “revolutionary media approach” that he deployed during his campaign in speaking to popular podcast hosts and social media influencers.

“In keeping with this revolutionary media approach that President Trump deployed during the campaign, the Trump White House will speak to all media outlets and personalities, not just the legacy media who are seated in this room,” she explained.

The Daily Wire reported that the White House had received over 7,000 applications for the new media seat after the announcement.

U.S. President Donald Trump, his wife Melania, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance with his wife Usha, Tiffany Trump and Eric Trump attend the National Day of Prayer Service

Leavitt told reporters during her first briefing that changes were being made to keep in line with President Donald Trump’s “revolutionary media approach.” (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

Democratic influencer Harry Sisson, a vocal supporter of former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris, posted on TikTok that he was applying for a press pass, but had his doubts about whether he would be allowed in the briefing room.

Sisson argued that independent media should have a seat at the table, but wondered how the White House would decide who would get the new media seat, and whether he, a Democrat, would be allowed to ask a question.

Host of “The Ruthless Podcast,” Josh Ashbrook, became the first podcaster to ask a question in the briefing room. Ashbrook asked Leavitt if the media was out of touch.

“In your first briefing, the media went after this administration for deporting illegal immigrants they claimed were not criminals,” Ashbrook began. “The question is, do you think they’re out of touch with Americans demanding action on our border crisis?”

Ashbook, a former campaign strategist to Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., shed light on what it was like to be in the briefing room during an appearance on “The Will Cain Show” that afternoon. 

President Donald Trump speaks in the James Brady Press Briefing Room

President Donald Trump speaks in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Washington.  (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)

TRUMP WHITE HOUSE ROLLS OUT SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT TO HOLD ‘FAKE NEWS ACCOUNTABLE’

“I’ve interacted with a lot of these same reporters as a press secretary back in the day. So, when I walked into the room, I saw a lot of eye rolls and a lot of smirks and that is exactly what I was hoping for, Will,” Ashbrook told Fox News’ Will Cain. 

Ashbrook also praised the White House’s embrace of “new media,” saying Leavitt and her team are making sure that “we the people have a voice inside that room.” 

“It’s a brand-new day in the media,” he said. Others also praised the move on social media.

Other influencers, such as Ivan Gutierrez, a TikToker with 1.2 million followers who posts regularly about the news, also announced they would be applying to have a seat in the briefing room. 

Gutierrez said he was hopeful to post a video directly from the briefing room should his application get accepted. 

Another TikTok news account, UnderTheDeskNews, run by V Spehar, who has collaborated with Biden and former President Barack Obama on the social media app, also praised the seat, but announced they would not be applying for a pass.

“But what I will say is having a new media seat in that room is incredibly smart, and very clever and definitely needed,” Spehar said in the post. “And I think the White House Correspondence Association and their attempt to constantly stiff-arm new media missed an opportunity here, because that seat should have been overseen by the White House Correspondence Association. It should have been a peer-led offering, but it’s not.” 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Democrats vote for Minnesota's Ken Martin as the new Party chair

0

Democrats are starting to plan a path forward for their party after major losses in the 2024 elections. They started by choose a new party chair on Saturday.

Lakers, Mavericks pull off wild blockbuster as Luka Dončić, Anthony Davis swap teams: reports

0

The NBA world was hit with perhaps the craziest trade in a generation in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

According to multiple reports, the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks came to an agreement to swap Luka Dončić and Anthony Davis as part of a three-team blockbuster deal.

SIGN UP FOR TUBI AND STREAM SUPER BOWL LIX FOR FREE

The Lakers received Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris, while the Mavericks took on Davis, Max Christie, and Los Angeles’ 2029 first-round pick.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of the game at American Airlines Center on February 26, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. (Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

To settle it all out, the Utah Jazz acquired Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-round picks.

ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the trade early Sunday morning, and because of the starpower involved, the immediate reaction was that the reporter had been hacked. However, it was later confirmed by multiple other outlets.

Charania reported that the Mavs approached Los Angeles recently, saying their 25-year-old global superstar was available via trade; Dallas general manager Nico Harrison told ESPN that he was concerned about the team’s defense, which is now massively improved by replacing Dončić with Davis.

Luka Doncic

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after a play during the first half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball finals against the Boston Celtics, Friday, June 14, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

2024-25 NBA CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS: THUNDER FAVORED; LAKERS RISE AFTER DONČIĆ TRADE

But Dončić is a phenomenon, and a young one at that. The Slovenian led the NBA with 33.4 points per game last season and won’t turn 26 until later this month. In his career, he averages 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists, putting himself in the MVP conversation every year of his young career.

It was also reported that LeBron James did not find out about the trade until shortly before the news broke, while he was out to dinner in New York shortly after his Lakers defeated the New York knicks – Davis was ruled inactive for the game.

Davis, a defensive player of the year candidate last year, is putting up 25.7 points and 11.9 rebounds this season, both slightly better than his career averages of 24.2 and 10.7.

Anthony Davis talks to the media

Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to the media after winning the In-Season Tournament Championship game against the Indiana Pacers  on December 9, 2023 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The Mavericks lost in the NBA Finals last year, and Dončić received some criticism for his defense and attitude. Perhaps there is more to the story than what’s public right now.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

The Dark Side of Canada’s Fight Over Lobster

0

Nighttime provides ideal cover for acts of sabotage in the sleepy fishing villages along the southern shores of Nova Scotia.

Slashed buoys, stolen lobster crates, mysterious fires. These are just some of the acts of vandalism on the wharves where lobster fishers have been locked in battle for more than three decades.

Lobstermen have a simple way of framing the dispute: Think of the ocean’s bounty like a pie. They are asking who should get a piece, and what is the fairest way to divide it between the white Canadians who built the commercial lobster industry, and the Indigenous people who were historically left out.

The federal government, which regulates fisheries, has been reluctant to settle the politically fraught issue, alienating warring fishermen on both sides.

The conflict has created deep ruptures within fishing communities. Criminals have entered the equation, the authorities say, profiting from the illegal fishing and trading of lobsters.

The dispute raises thorny questions about Indigenous rights, economic equity, the conservation of resources and the future of Canada’s lobster industry.

Stormy weather muffled the sound of a bullet piercing Geoffrey Jobert’s house.

He woke up, he said, to the damage in November at his home in Clare, a community on the southwest shore of Nova Scotia, along the coast of St. Mary’s Bay, where the waters are especially rich with lobster.

“It’s a warning shot,” Mr. Jobert said of the bullet that ended up tearing into a wall just above an armchair.

Mr. Jobert, 30, operates a family-owned seafood distributor that packs live lobster for export.

He believes he was targeted for ignoring repeated orders over the last year to do business with people in the lobster industry whom he believed had ties to criminals. He said he had received threatening text messages, followed by an in-person visit by two men.

The police have charged the two men with several crimes in connection to his case, including extortion and criminal harassment.

The episode involving Mr. Jobert is part of what the authorities say is a pattern of violence that has rocked the area: unsolved arsons, including of a historic sawmill in June and the torching of a police car one month later, as well as shootings into the homes of other fishermen.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said a criminal organization, with a core group of less than 10 locals, was largely behind the violence.

Their scheme, the authorities say, focuses on buying lobsters that Indigenous fishermen catch in the summer. Harvesting lobsters during the summer is illegal because that’s when they reproduce, but Indigenous fisherman have special permission because of historical treaty rights.

But strict rules prohibit them from selling their haul.

The lobsters eventually wind up in restaurants and stores across the province. Lobster fishers who refuse to cooperate with the criminal group have become targets, the authorities said.

“I was expecting a small, little, quaint village, but I’ve got big city problems,” said Sgt. Jeff LeBlanc of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who became the local commander in Clare in 2020.

The lobster battle has embroiled Indigenous lobstermen from the Sipekne’katik First Nation after they set up a commercial fishery in Clare to assert what they say are ancestral rights to catch — and sell — lobster all year long.

“We have a right to be here,” said Shelley Paul, a lobster fisher from the Sipekne’katik group, which has also sued Canada’s government over the summer lobster rules.

But criminals posing as lobster dealers, according to locals, started doing business with some of the Indigenous fishermen.

A maritime fishing union, helped by private detectives, has traced illicit lobster shipments — mostly conducted at night — to local businesses, according to a lawsuit filed by the union against several firms.

The union also says government officials have not done enough to target the illicit trade.

“This organized crime group has seen an opportunity and a door opened to possibly exploit and fund their criminal organization with the trade and sale of that seafood, which can be very profitable,” Sgt. LeBlanc said.

But policing unauthorized fishing is a top priority, said Debbie Buott-Matheson, a spokeswoman for Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans. “Enforcement activity is not always visible,” she said.

Jean-Claude Comeau, a machinist who runs a marine hydraulic company in Clare, said the tension in the community had become suffocating.

“Somebody’s going to get killed,” Mr. Comeau said. “I’m surprised it hasn’t happened.”

Nova Scotia, a province of just over one million people, is Canada’s top seafood producer, with annual exports valued at 2.6 billion Canadian dollars, or $1.8 billion, largely because of lobsters.

In the 1700s, the Mi’kmaq, an Indigenous group on Canada’s east coast, signed treaties with the British colonial government promising them rights to hunt and fish. For the seasonally nomadic Mi’kmaq, that meant hunting inland during the winter, and moving to the coast to fish in the summer.

Canada did not recognize those rights for decades as various fisheries and regulations were established, including the banning of lobster harvesting during the summer.

The summertime restrictions were successfully challenged in the 1990s in Canada’s highest court by a Mi’kmaq fisherman who had appealed illegal fishing charges.

The Canadian supreme court, in 1999, ruled that treaty rights allowed Indigenous people to fish during the summer and earn a moderate livelihood. But the court never defined what a moderate livelihood meant, leaving that up to the federal government.

The government, however, has only gone as far as granting individual lobster licenses to Indigenous groups allowing them to catch lobsters in the summer, while limiting commercial sales to lobsters harvested during the legally permitted fishing season from November to May.

The piecemeal approach angered Indigenous fisherman who cite ancestral rights to make a living selling summer lobsters, while the non-Indigenous were unhappy because they claim that summer fishing was depleting lobster stocks and hurting their livelihood.

“The government of Canada has basically walked on tippy toes around Indigenous folks from the very beginning,” said Ken Coates, a historian who has studied Indigenous fishing rights. “They have been very, very cautious about enforcing much on the First Nations.”

The Sipekne’katik First Nation opened its commercial fishery in Clare in 2020, pointing to the treaties that predated the formation of Canada to claim a right to catch and sell lobster throughout the year.

Chaos ensued. Commercial fishermen dumped lobster caught by Sipekne’katik back into the ocean. Lobster pounds where they stored their catch were set on fire. The Indigenous fishermen accused their white counterparts of being racist.

But in Clare, some lobster fishers and others involved in the industry say evidence gathered by private investigators strongly suggests that the tribe’s fishery is not following some standard regulations and procedures.

“I can’t really make myself believe that all of that activity is actually legitimate,” said Morley Knight, an industry consultant and a former senior official in the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans. “If it was, then why do it under the cover of darkness?”

Michelle Glasgow, the chief of the Sipekne’katik group, and the reserve’s lawyers declined to provide responses to written questions.

“The commercial fishermen are sitting back watching their livelihoods be taken out of the water, out of season, and the Canadian government is not doing anything about it,” said Ruth Inniss, a fisheries adviser for the Maritime Fishermen’s Union.

David Pictou, a Mi’kmaq fisherman from Acadia First Nation in Yarmouth, a port town on Nova Scotia’s southern tip, remembers fights breaking out just about every day between white and Indigenous fishers following the Supreme Court ruling.

He believes his tribe has a right to make a living fishing lobster in the summer. But he also wants to avoid the turmoil that has unfolded in St. Mary’s Bay.

“We’re not really involved in the bay, because we know how much drama is up that way,” he said.

Instead, he built a small saltwater tank house in 2019 on his reserve and sells summer lobster he buys from a handful of Indigenous fishermen from his community.

Standing outside the tank house, Mr. Pictou said he knows he could be charged for selling illegally harvested lobsters — but does not care.

“All we’re asking for is let us exercise our treaty right the way we want,” Mr. Pictou said. “I’ve hidden nothing for years because I’m just tired of it.”

Week in politics: Trump's confusing funding freeze for federal workers

0

We look at a chaotic week in politics, with the Trump administration attempting a federal funding freeze and a buyout for two million federal workers.