โ๏ธ๐ฑ๐ทNewsโ๏ธ Trump, top national security officials refute claim that Chinese spy balloons transited US under his admin.
โ๏ธTRUMP says 'never happened with us ... and if it did, we would have shot it down immediately'โ๏ธ
A defense official on Saturday said Chinese spy balloons briefly traveled over the United States at least three times during the last administration.
But Trump and his officials said that did not occur and criticized the Biden administration for spreading disinformation.โ
  โ๏ธTRUMP says 'never happened with us ... and if it did, we would have shot it down immediately'โ๏ธ
A defense official on Saturday said Chinese spy balloons briefly traveled over the United States at least three times during the last administration.
But Trump and his officials said that did not occur and criticized the Biden administration for spreading disinformation.โ
โ๏ธ๐ฑ๐ทNewsโ๏ธ         South Carolina governor nominates new Veterans' Affairs director.
Gov. Henry McMaster on Tuesday nominated retired Maj. Gen. Todd McCaffrey to head one of the state's newest cabinet agencies. The US Military Academy graduateis expected to replace outgoing Secretary William Grimsley, who will leave his post by end of February after becoming the first leader of the department created in April 2019.
โ๏ธโI am deeply honored to have the opportunity to continue to serve by supporting fellow veterans," McCaffrey said Tuesday at a press conference. "I pledge I will do all I can to ensure that their service is valued, their access to benefits is assured and their remarkable potential to our communities and state is recognized."โ๏ธ
  Gov. Henry McMaster on Tuesday nominated retired Maj. Gen. Todd McCaffrey to head one of the state's newest cabinet agencies. The US Military Academy graduateis expected to replace outgoing Secretary William Grimsley, who will leave his post by end of February after becoming the first leader of the department created in April 2019.
โ๏ธโI am deeply honored to have the opportunity to continue to serve by supporting fellow veterans," McCaffrey said Tuesday at a press conference. "I pledge I will do all I can to ensure that their service is valued, their access to benefits is assured and their remarkable potential to our communities and state is recognized."โ๏ธ
โ๏ธ๐ฑ๐ทNewsโ๏ธWhite House dodges question on Biden's $250K line of credit against Delaware beach home amid scandalsโ๏ธ
The White House on Wednesday sidestepped a question regarding a $250,000 line of credit President Biden took out against his Delaware beach home amid an investigation into his son Hunter Biden's tax affairs and as his classified documents scandal unfolded.๐ณ
Biden's lawyers discovered the classified materials at the Washington, D.C., office for his think tank, the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, in early November and in his Wilmington, Delaware, home's garage in December. ๐
  The White House on Wednesday sidestepped a question regarding a $250,000 line of credit President Biden took out against his Delaware beach home amid an investigation into his son Hunter Biden's tax affairs and as his classified documents scandal unfolded.๐ณ
Biden's lawyers discovered the classified materials at the Washington, D.C., office for his think tank, the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, in early November and in his Wilmington, Delaware, home's garage in December. ๐
โ๏ธ๐ฑ๐ทNewsโ๏ธ.    California beach town will no longer fly LGBT pride flag outside city hall; 'We are one' city says councilmanโ๏ธ
A California beach Community has reversed a decision to fly the gay pride flag in front of government buildings and will now only allow a select group of flags to be flown.
In a 4-3 party line vote, the city council in Huntington Beach, California voted to advance a proposal that would no longer allow the gay pride flag to be flown in front of government buildings,
"Huntington Beach is inclusive. The notion that we need a flag to say that is absurd."โ๏ธ ๐
  A California beach Community has reversed a decision to fly the gay pride flag in front of government buildings and will now only allow a select group of flags to be flown.
In a 4-3 party line vote, the city council in Huntington Beach, California voted to advance a proposal that would no longer allow the gay pride flag to be flown in front of government buildings,
"Huntington Beach is inclusive. The notion that we need a flag to say that is absurd."โ๏ธ ๐
โ๏ธ๐ฑ๐ทNewsโ๏ธTrump calls Pence a 'very honorable man' after Special Counsel Jack Smith subpoenaโ๏ธ
"Mike Pence is an honorable man," Trump told Fox News Digital on Friday in an exclusive interview, but he laid out a number of areas he hopes Smith will consider and look into as part of his investigation.
"Are they going to look into the FBIโs activities with Twitter and Facebook trying to rig the election?" Trump asked. "Are they going to look at the suppression of the Hunter Biden laptop from hell, which would have made, according to pollsters, a 17-point difference in the election?" Trump added: "It was suppressed by the FBI in collusion with Twitter and with Facebook." ๐
  "Mike Pence is an honorable man," Trump told Fox News Digital on Friday in an exclusive interview, but he laid out a number of areas he hopes Smith will consider and look into as part of his investigation.
"Are they going to look into the FBIโs activities with Twitter and Facebook trying to rig the election?" Trump asked. "Are they going to look at the suppression of the Hunter Biden laptop from hell, which would have made, according to pollsters, a 17-point difference in the election?" Trump added: "It was suppressed by the FBI in collusion with Twitter and with Facebook." ๐
โ๏ธ๐ฑ๐ทNewsโ๏ธ                   US military 'decommissions' unidentified flying object over Great Lakes regionโ๏ธ
Rep Jack Bergman., confirmed that the U.S. military has "decommissioned another "object" over Lake Huron.
"Weโll know more about what this was in the coming days, but for now, be assured that all parties have been laser-focused on it from the moment it traversed our waters," she said.
"The top priority should be the safety and security of the people of the United States and keeping the American people informed is a key part of fulfilling that duty," Daines said in a statement. "President Biden owes Montanans and the country an immediate and full explanation. Without information, the public and media are left to rely on leaks, speculation and worst off all disinformation from foreign governments." ๐
  Rep Jack Bergman., confirmed that the U.S. military has "decommissioned another "object" over Lake Huron.
"Weโll know more about what this was in the coming days, but for now, be assured that all parties have been laser-focused on it from the moment it traversed our waters," she said.
"The top priority should be the safety and security of the people of the United States and keeping the American people informed is a key part of fulfilling that duty," Daines said in a statement. "President Biden owes Montanans and the country an immediate and full explanation. Without information, the public and media are left to rely on leaks, speculation and worst off all disinformation from foreign governments." ๐
โ๏ธ๐ฑ๐ทNewsโ๏ธPete Buttigieg blames Trump for Ohio train derailment amid criticism: 'We're constrained'โ๏ธ
All-star panelists Marc Thiessen, Stef Knight and Douglas Heye evaluate Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's response to the Ohio train derailment on 'Special Report.'
"In the wake of the East Palestine derailment and its impact on hundreds of residents, weโre seeing lots of newfound or renewed (and welcome) interest in our work on rail safety, so I wanted to share more about what weโve been doing in this area," Buttigieg tweeted.
The Environmental Protection Agency, Norfolk Southern and Ohio officials have conducted air monitoring in the eastern Ohio region and said the tests have
โ๏ธshown the air is safe to breatheโ๏ธ
However, locals and experts have expressed concern that it is dangerous to return to the area. ๐
  All-star panelists Marc Thiessen, Stef Knight and Douglas Heye evaluate Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's response to the Ohio train derailment on 'Special Report.'
"In the wake of the East Palestine derailment and its impact on hundreds of residents, weโre seeing lots of newfound or renewed (and welcome) interest in our work on rail safety, so I wanted to share more about what weโve been doing in this area," Buttigieg tweeted.
The Environmental Protection Agency, Norfolk Southern and Ohio officials have conducted air monitoring in the eastern Ohio region and said the tests have
โ๏ธshown the air is safe to breatheโ๏ธ
However, locals and experts have expressed concern that it is dangerous to return to the area. ๐
โ๏ธ๐ฑ๐ทNewsโ๏ธ      Spiritual guru Marianne Williamson considers Biden challenge, says DNC is 'spitting in the face of democracy'
The spiritual self-help author is expected to make an announcement about her political future this weekend in New Hampshire and, should she enter the race, will be the first declared Democratic candidate considering Biden has not yet officially announced he will run for re-election.
"Apparently Biden's going to run on a message that the economy is getting stronger. I think that speaks to the disconnect between the analysis of party elites versus the struggle of everyday Americans," Williamson told Politico this week about what was factoring into her decision-making process. ๐
  The spiritual self-help author is expected to make an announcement about her political future this weekend in New Hampshire and, should she enter the race, will be the first declared Democratic candidate considering Biden has not yet officially announced he will run for re-election.
"Apparently Biden's going to run on a message that the economy is getting stronger. I think that speaks to the disconnect between the analysis of party elites versus the struggle of everyday Americans," Williamson told Politico this week about what was factoring into her decision-making process. ๐
โ๏ธ๐ฑ๐ทNewsโ๏ธ     Trump to visit East Palestine after toxic train derailmentโ๏ธ
EXCLUSIVE: Former President Trump will travel to East Palestine, Ohio next week to visit the area and members of the community as they grapple with the aftermath of the train derailment that led to a large release of toxic chemicals, Fox News has learned.
After more than two weeks, the Biden administration on Friday announced it would deploy medical personnel and toxicologists to East Palestine from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ๐
  EXCLUSIVE: Former President Trump will travel to East Palestine, Ohio next week to visit the area and members of the community as they grapple with the aftermath of the train derailment that led to a large release of toxic chemicals, Fox News has learned.
After more than two weeks, the Biden administration on Friday announced it would deploy medical personnel and toxicologists to East Palestine from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ๐
โ๏ธ๐ฑ๐ทNewsโ๏ธ           Trump edges DeSantis, Biden remains underwater: Where the 2024 race stands in polls on Presidents Day 2023โ๏ธ
Biden stands at 44% approval and 52% disapproval according to an average of the latest national surveys that asked respondents about the job the presidentโs doing. The average, compiled by Real Clear Politics, includes both probability and non-probability based polls.
โ๏ธTrump is running a third straight time for the White House. He announced in mid-November, just days after midterms, which traditionally mark the unofficial start of a presidential election cycle.โ๏ธ๐
  Biden stands at 44% approval and 52% disapproval according to an average of the latest national surveys that asked respondents about the job the presidentโs doing. The average, compiled by Real Clear Politics, includes both probability and non-probability based polls.
โ๏ธTrump is running a third straight time for the White House. He announced in mid-November, just days after midterms, which traditionally mark the unofficial start of a presidential election cycle.โ๏ธ๐
โ๏ธ๐ฑ๐ทNewsโ๏ธ   Former Trump ambassador backs DeSantis in 2024, says Trump's 'name-calling has turned a lot of people off'โ๏ธ
Arizona businessman Don Tapia served as the U.S. ambassador to Jamaica from 2019 to 2021. He told Politico on Tuesday that despite his position under the previous administration, he would choose to back DeSantis if the governor ran for president.
โ๏ธโThe name-calling has turned a lot of people off," Tapia said of Trump. "Let me tell you, we donโt like that."โ๏ธ ๐
  Arizona businessman Don Tapia served as the U.S. ambassador to Jamaica from 2019 to 2021. He told Politico on Tuesday that despite his position under the previous administration, he would choose to back DeSantis if the governor ran for president.
โ๏ธโThe name-calling has turned a lot of people off," Tapia said of Trump. "Let me tell you, we donโt like that."โ๏ธ ๐
โ๏ธ๐ฑ๐ทNewsโ๏ธTrump lashes out at Swalwell over bill to ban the former president and his associates from the U.S. Capitolโ๏ธ
Trump responded on Thursday by mocking Swalwell for losing his spot on the House Intelligence Committee and accusing him of "falling desperately in love with a Chinese spy, Fang Fang."
"This idiot is now calling (for publicity purposes only!) for some Great American Patriots, including me, to be banned from the Capitol," Trump said in a statement on Thursday.
Axios originally reported in December 2020 that a Chinese intelligence operative helped raise funds for Swalwell's 2014 re-election campaign and placed at least one intern in his office. ๐
  Trump responded on Thursday by mocking Swalwell for losing his spot on the House Intelligence Committee and accusing him of "falling desperately in love with a Chinese spy, Fang Fang."
"This idiot is now calling (for publicity purposes only!) for some Great American Patriots, including me, to be banned from the Capitol," Trump said in a statement on Thursday.
Axios originally reported in December 2020 that a Chinese intelligence operative helped raise funds for Swalwell's 2014 re-election campaign and placed at least one intern in his office. ๐
โ๏ธ๐ฑ๐ทNewsโ๏ธ   Trump special counsel seeks access to Scott Perry's phone records, other GOP reps comms tied to Jan. 6โ๏ธ
Judge Gregory Katsas, a Trump appointee to the appeals court, spent a great deal of time quizzing government prosecutor John Pelletieri about where the line is for protected communications concerning legislation. Katsas seemed skeptical of the governmentโs ability to access large quantities of a congressmanโs communications. ๐
  Judge Gregory Katsas, a Trump appointee to the appeals court, spent a great deal of time quizzing government prosecutor John Pelletieri about where the line is for protected communications concerning legislation. Katsas seemed skeptical of the governmentโs ability to access large quantities of a congressmanโs communications. ๐
โ๏ธ๐ฑ๐ทNewsโ๏ธ       โOddball' Trump grand jury foreperson Emily Kohrs dealt a 'terrible blow' to prosecution, Andrew McCarthy says:
"This is a terrible thing. She basically flouted the secrecy rules of the grand jury. She flouted the judge's order, and she makes the whole enterprise down there in Georgia look like it's a, you know โ Trump called it a kangaroo court," McCarthy said.
"First of all, why this person is talking on TV, I do not understand," Cooper said. "She's clearly enjoying herself. But, I mean, is this responsible? She was the foreperson of this grand jury!" ๐
  "This is a terrible thing. She basically flouted the secrecy rules of the grand jury. She flouted the judge's order, and she makes the whole enterprise down there in Georgia look like it's a, you know โ Trump called it a kangaroo court," McCarthy said.
"First of all, why this person is talking on TV, I do not understand," Cooper said. "She's clearly enjoying herself. But, I mean, is this responsible? She was the foreperson of this grand jury!" ๐
