Biden blasted for ‘absolutely disgusting’ joke during briefing on deadly wildfires

President Biden made what many considered a “disgusting” joke during his remarks on the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires Thursday.

Biden convened senior administrative officials to address the federal response to the Pacific Palisades wildfires that have continued to rage throughout the county, forcing the displacement of thousands of California citizens and destroying thousands of homes and buildings.

After briefing the public on the federal government’s plan to help local officials during the disaster, Biden gave the floor to Vice President Kamala Harris, who hails from California, and made a quick joke. 

“Madam Vice President, I know you’re directly affected. So you fire away, no pun intended,” Biden said.

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES DEVASTATE LOS ANGELES COUNTY, KILLING 5 AND THREATENING THOUSANDS OF HOMES

X users were quickly shocked by the comment and began blasting the president.

“WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS DUDE,” Redstate writer Bonchie exclaimed.

“Is the empathy in the room with you now?” Townhall.com video editor Kevin McMahon wrote.

Townhall.com columnist Derek Hunter wrote, “Most of the time, @JoeBiden is just a mean, vindictive person (has been his whole career), but in this case I think this can be blamed on his senility.”

The Spectator contributing editor Stephen Miller remarked, “Even Kamala at this point is like ‘You serious dude?’”

“Completely tone deaf,” Libs of TikTok wrote.

“What a jerk,” Conservative commentator Steve Guest said.

Conservative writer Ben Kew remarked, “Probably not the time to be making puns.”

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During the briefing, Biden announced that the federal government will cover 100% of the costs of disaster response over the next 180 days.

“That’s going to pay for things like debris and hazard material removal, temporary shelters, first responders’ salaries, and all of the safety measures to protect life and property,” he said. “I want to underscore, I told the governor and local officials: spare no expense. And we’re doing literally everything we can at the federal level.”

Biden had already faced backlash one day earlier during a meeting with California Gov. Gavin Newsom and firefighter officials. 

After signing a disaster declaration and reiterating his support for the state, Biden took the time to announce the birth of his first great-grandson.

“The good news is I’m a great-grandfather as of today,” Biden said.

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Biden was also criticized for a joke in a similar situation in 2023 after addressing the devastating wildfires that took the lives over 100 people in Maui.

Prior to a speech he made on site, Biden met and shook hands with a group of officials, stopping in front of a search and rescue dog. While petting the dog, he joked about the boots the canine was wearing.

“You guys catch the boots out here?” Biden appeared to ask the press watching him. He smiled and said, “That’s some hot ground, man.”

Trump reacts to Supreme Court’s ruling on his sentencing in New York case

President-elect Donald Trump said he respects the Supreme Court’s decision to deny his request to stop his sentencing in New York v. Trump from moving forward, but said Thursday night he will appeal, while stressing that “lawfare” has been an “attack on the Republican Party.” 

Trump’s comments came just moments after the Supreme Court denied Trump’s emergency petition to block his sentencing from taking place on Friday, Jan. 10. The sentencing was scheduled by New York Judge Juan Merchan. 

SUPREME COURT DENIES TRUMP ATTEMPT TO STOP SENTENCING IN NEW YORK V. TRUMP

Merchan, last week, said he would not sentence the president-elect to prison, but rather issue a sentence of an “unconditional discharge,” which means there would be no punishment imposed. 

“I’m the first president and probably one of the first candidates in history that’s under attack with a gag order where I’m not allowed to speak about something,” Trump said during a meeting at Mar-a-Lago Thursday night with Republican governors. “This is a long way from finished and I respect the court’s opinion.” 

Trump said he thought the court’s ruling was a “very good opinion for us,” noting that the justices “invited the appeal.” 

“We’ll see how it all works out,” he said. “I think it’s going to work out well.” 

But Trump reflected on the “lawfare” that he has been victim of, saying that it “was an attack on the Republican Party.” 

TRUMP FILES MOTION TO STAY ‘UNLAWFUL SENTENCING’ IN NEW YORK CASE

“This was an attack on the Republican candidate who just won an election by record numbers—the highest number of Republican votes by far ever gotten, and we won all the swing states, we won the popular vote by millions of people,” he said. “They tried to stop that from happening—they tried to stop this election from happening or to bloody somebody up so badly they couldn’t win.” 

Trump said that “the people got it and we won by the largest number.” 

Trump filed an emergency petition to the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday in an effort to prevent his Jan. 10 sentencing, scheduled by Judge Juan Merchan, from taking place. 

“The application for stay presented to Justice Sotomayor and by her referred to the Court is denied for, , the following reasons. First, the alleged evidentiary violations at President-Elect Trump’s state-court trial can be addressed in the ordinary course on appeal,” the order states. 

“Second, the burden that sentencing will impose on the President-Elect’s responsibilities is relatively insubstantial in light of the trial court’s stated intent to impose a sentence of unconditional discharge’ after a brief virtual hearing,” the court ruled. 

NEW YORK COURT ASSIGNS NEW JUDGE IN TRUMP CIVIL FRAUD CASE STEMMING FROM AG LETITIA JAMES’ PROBE

The order also noted that “Justice Thomas, Justice Alito, Justice Gorsuch, and Justice Kavanaugh would grant the application.” 

Trump needed five votes in order to have his request granted. The note on the order suggests Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett voted with Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Katanji Brown Jackson. 

Trump’s sentencing is now expected to move forward, with the president-elect expected to appear virtually for the proceeding, scheduled for 9:30 am Friday. 

Merchan set Trump’s sentencing in New York v. Trump for Jan. 10 after a jury found the now-president-elect guilty of falsifying business records in the first degree, stemming from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s investigation. Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges and has appealed the ruling but was rejected last week by Merchan. 

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Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Jan. 20. 

Trump has maintained his innocence in the case and repeatedly railed against it as an example of “lawfare” promoted by Democrats in an effort to hurt his election efforts ahead of November. 

Police shoot down theory about how fires started — but some celebrities aren’t buying it

As the Los Angeles wildfires continue to consume parts of Southern California, leaving homes destroyed and families displaced, many are left wondering how this all happened. 

Authorities have deployed arson investigators to the Pacific Palisades to determine the origin of the blaze that consumed thousands of structures in the neighborhood.

“The cause of the fire remains unknown, and it continues to be under active investigation,” Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said Thursday. 

LOS ANGELES WILDFIRES: ANNA FARIS LOSES PACIFIC PALISADES HOME, MOLLY SIMS WEEPS OVER ‘DEVASTATED’ COMMUNITY

But some celebrities aren’t buying it. 

“THERE IS an ARSONIST here in LA,” actor Henry Winkler wrote on Wednesday on X. “May you be beaten you unrecognizable !!! The pain you have caused !!!”

Actress Alison Sweeney simply responded, “agreed.”

Singer Chris Brown took to his Instagram stories on Thursday and wrote, “Someone starting these fires. S— don’t add up.”

“Dancing with the Stars” pro Peta Murgatroyd shared a tweet that was originally posted by political and cultural media personality Xaviaer DuRousseau that reads: “LOS ANGELES / SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THERE ARE AT LEAST FIVE MEN GOING AROUND IN SKI MASKS STARTING FIRES. KEEP AN EYE OUT.”

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TV personality Elizabeth Chambers reposed a screenshot of reports of people allegedly starting fires. 

“Feels like this is a lot more than nature,” she wrote on her Instagram stories. 

Celebrity podcaster and neuroscientist Andrew Huberman shared a video on X that purportedly shows a group of people standing near what appears to be a freshly-started fire in Santa Monica. 

“People are lighting fires in otherwise non-burning areas of LA,” Huberman alleged on X, alongside a video. “We don’t need more flames out here. Some of those guys lit that fire … the tree has caught fire, and the palms are catching fire.”

Despite the various claims, the Los Angeles Police Department told Fox News Digital, “We have not received any reports of arson.”

As of Thursday, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone announced that the Eaton and Palisades wildfires are 0% contained. The Eaton Fire has spread to 10,600 acres, and the Palisades Fire has reached 17,234 acres.

Another wildfire in Acton has been 40% contained, Marrone said. That blaze was limited to just 348 acres. 

Firefighters have also successfully stopped the forward progress of the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills, officials said.

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Roughly 180,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, and 200,000 more are under evacuation warnings. 

Billy Crystal, Anna Faris, Sandra Lee, Paris Hilton, and Spencer and Heidi Pratt are among a long list of celebrities who have lost their homes. 

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Body language expert picks apart VP Harris’ demeanor during Carter funeral

During the 2024 campaign cycle, Americans witnessed what appeared to be no love lost between President-elect Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama.

However, at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral the two recent presidents appeared to be enjoying each other’s company and largely ignored other dignitaries arriving around them, including Vice President Kamala Harris and President Biden.

Susan Constantine, a communication and body language expert, said Harris came off “as cool as could be.”

“‘Ice Princess’ all the way around. When she was walking she was very robotic. I call that ‘rigidity’ when we see that kind of soldier-like stance.”

HARRIS, EMHOFF APPEAR TO IGNORE TRUMP, OBAMA, AS OUTGOING VEEP GRIMACES AT PRESIDENTIAL BANTER

Harris deliberately averted eye contact with Trump, in a sign of disdain. The tension of her facial expression, with pursed lips tightened toward the center showed there was “no love lost” between the two 2024 contenders.

“She intentionally walked past him and a stride of arrogance and confidence that did not look well on her,” Constantine said. “[It] tells me that she walked in there with a chip on her shoulder.”

Another attendee who appeared to be more muted than normal was former First Lady Laura Bush.

Constantine said Mrs. Bush has always been known for her outgoing personality, but noted she did not greet the Trumps or Obama to her left.

“I think that she’s just always been such a beautiful, eloquent woman that always has a genuine smile and appears to be very cordial. So I’m going to give her the benefit of the doubt,” Constantine said, adding she saw Bush look over her right shoulder only briefly to make eye contact – potentially with Al Gore or the Quayles.

However, Constantine said there was one interaction that very much stood out: Trump’s jovial conversation and gesticulations with Barack Obama.

TRUMP CHATS UP OBAMA WHILE CLINTONS, HARRIS IGNORE PRESIDENT-ELECT AT CARTER WAKE

“They add rapport. There was no doubt about it.”

“President Obama would lean his head towards him listening to what Trump had to say. Trump was always in that forward stance. He was always ready, engaging. And he and President Obama and Trump felt very much like this with one another that may have made the rest of [the presidential attendees] feel a bit uncomfortable.”

However, there was a moment where Trump appeared to be talking about something Obama appeared to wish was held til after the somber event. 

Trump appeared to give a “thumb shrug” to Obama, as if to ask “what do you think about this?”

Obama’s furrowed brow and “neutral expression” showed he was listening intently but that the men were having an “intense conversation,” said Constantine.

The New York Post reported a lip-reader suggested the two were discussing “international agreements” which would therefore require such sensitivity.

When asked about Gore appearing to make a point to be first to stand and greet Trump, as well as others, Constantine said that would denote the Tennessean showing respect and being a “perfect gentleman.”

Trump passed the Quayles without either member of the second family under President George H.W. Bush standing up, but Gore quickly rose to shake hands.

The longtime Democrat was likely putting politics aside when greeting the Republican president-elect, she said.

George W. Bush’s “belly tap” of Obama made the rounds on X after the ceremony.

“When you tap somebody on the stomach, that’s where all your emotions are. And when you touch someone in that, it’s a personal zone. You’ve got to feel pretty comfortable to be able to do that. You have to feel very comfortable with that relationship in order to do that,” she said of Bush, who notably has indeed had a civil relationship with the man who repeatedly criticized him in 2008.

Bush also notably reached back to playfully swat Vice President Dan Quayle with his bulletin as he took his seat.

That could be a sign Bush was uncomfortable, or just a less intimate or playful greeting.

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The Clintons and Bidens notably arrived without actively greeting the rest of the assembled dignitaries. Hillary Clinton had an “incredulous” facial expression that she has shown before, Constantine said.

“If you could hone-in on Hillary, you’ll see the dimples on both sides of her mouth make that incredulous expression that she’s got.

Overall, Constantine said, when people go to funerals, they act differently and usually say hello to everyone no matter past differences – and that sentiment could play into the interactions seen Thursday.

Meanwhile, the forensic lip reader – expert witness Jeremy Freeman – told the New York Post that Trump appeared to tell Obama the two should find a “quiet place” soon to discuss “a matter of importance.”

 “I’ve pulled out of that. It’s the conditions. Can you imagine that?” Trump said at one point, according to Freeman.

Freeman also indicated it appeared Trump asked Obama to call him after the funeral mass to discuss the issue or issues further.

The moment sparked a different tone between the two men, as Trump previously made light of allegations Obama is a Muslim, referring to him by his full name that includes the middle-name Hussein.

Obama has also taken shots at Trump over the years, including during the 2024 campaign when he appeared to reference Trump’s private parts with a joke about crowd sizes while gesturing with his hands a few inches apart.

He also compared Trump’s stump speeches to the rambling, hourslong diatribes by the late Cuban Communist leader Fidel Castro:

“You have the two-hour speeches, the word salad. It’s like Fidel Castro over and over again,” Obama told a crowd in Allegheny County, Pa. in October.

Judge imposes fine for personal jabs after chaos erupts in CNN defamation trial

PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – There were fireworks in Bay County Court on Thursday during the third day of high-stakes testimony from the plaintiff in a defamation lawsuit against CNN, resulting in the judge imposing a fine for personal jabs going forward.

U.S. Navy veteran Young alleges that CNN smeared him by implying he illegally profited when helping people flee Afghanistan on the “black market” during the Biden administration’s military withdrawal from the country in 2021. Young believes CNN “destroyed his reputation and business” by branding him an illegal profiteer who exploited “desperate Afghans” during a November 11, 2021, segment that first aired on CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper.” 

Young had previously said during deposition and testimony that he never received money or found work in his industry following CNN’s report. That became critical during cross-examination when CNN lead counsel David Axelrod, who is not the same person as the on-air pundit with the same name, pulled out a document that was not familiar to the plaintiff or the court.  

NAVY VETERAN WARNED CNN REPORTER HE WOULD ‘SEEK LEGAL DAMAGES’ IF ‘INACCURATE’ STORY WAS PUBLISHED

Judge William Henry sent the jury out of the room to discuss the matter without them present. The document was a contract that tied Young to a company called Helios Global. It was signed by Young and dated December 8, 2021 – after the CNN report aired. 

Young’s attorney, Vel Freedman, noted that Helios Global came up during the discovery process and “CNN chose not to send a subpoena” for any documents.

“We did not have this document, or it would have been produced and that does not mean Mr. Young violated his discovery obligations,” Freedman said. 

He then blasted CNN for using it as a “surprise document” for “dramatic effect.”

“We’re not supposed to have trial by ambush in this state,” Freedman said. 

“This is wholly inappropriate,” he continued. “And CNN should not be permitted to use this document. They should have provided it to us first.”

Freedman then called CNN’s legal team “desperate,” which prompted snickers from their bench. 

Judge Henry then scolded both sides for “personal attacks” and insults.

Axelrod shot back, “The plaintiff’s entire case is that after the CNN publication he couldn’t get any work.”

Axelrod then said Young “knew he entered into a new agreement with a government contractor one month after CNN’s publication.”

CIA-TRAINED NAVY VETERAN DETAILS ‘VERY DEVASTATING’ IMPACT CNN SEGMENT HAD ON HIS LIFE: ‘LABELED A CRIMINAL’

“This entire lawsuit was a fraud on this court. It was a fraud on CNN,” Axelrod said, adding that Young “lied” in his deposition. 

“He made up some incredible ruse,” Axelrod said. “This lawsuit was a fraud from day one.”

The two sides bickered back and forth until Judge Henry declared both sides were guilty of “throwing mud back and forth.”

“I’m not going to rule based on who can make each other out to be the worst person in this case,” Judge Henry said. 

Judge Henry then called for a recess because he wanted to return to his chambers and think things over. That resulted in a lengthy delay, as journalists and other attendees speculated if the whole trial would get tossed as a result. Based on Axelrod’s reaction to the document, most of the people observing the trial assumed the document showed that Young was paid as a consultant by Helios, which would have contradicted sworn testimony. 

Judge Henry eventually returned and ruled that the trial would go on, and the document was allowed to be used. Judge Henry suggested knowledge of the document was clearly in Young’s “brain,” even if he didn’t have a physical copy to hand over during discovery. He also ruled it doesn’t result in prejudice to admit it this late.

“I don’t expect this to happen again. I think I said this the last time,” Judge Henry said. 

CNN CHOSE ‘THEATER OVER TRUTH’ AND ‘DESTROYED THE LIFE OF AN AMERICAN PATRIOT,’ LAWYER SAYS TO KICK OFF TRIAL

The judge imposed a $100 fine for each time a lawyer makes a personal insult to the other side going forward, with the money going to North Florida Legal Services. 

After the stunning break in the trial, it resumed, and Axelrod briefly touched on the document that seemed so critical. Axelrod noted that it was headlined “consultant security agreement” asked Young if he signed the document on December 8, 2021, and asked if that date was after the CNN segment. 

“Yes,” Young answered. 

Shortly afterwards, Axelrod wrapped up his cross-examination. 

Freedman later asked Young to clear up the document ordeal during redirect. 

“Once you leave government services, you can’t personally hold a [security] clearance by yourself. It has to be through a company that has an agreement with the United States government. They are the ones that have to sponsor the clearance. Clearance is issued by the U.S. government,” Young said. 

JURY SET FOR CNN DEFAMATION TRIAL AFTER MULTIPLE CANDIDATES EXPRESSED DISDAIN FOR NETWORK: ‘NOT A FAN OF CNN’

“This is just a company, like any defense contractor, that has the contracts with the U.S. government, and they hold the clearance for the individual,” Young said. “Every year you have to sign this administration document with whoever holds your clearance. In this case it’s Helios. It’s not an agreement to do work… it’s just an administrative function.” 

Young testified that he turned over seven years’ worth of bank records and there were no payments from Helios to him.

“CNN knows this, there’s no transfers from Helios Global,” Young said. 

So, in the end, Young testified under oath that he didn’t take money from Helios after the CNN report aired and, therefore, he did not lie when he said he didn’t make any money in his industry in the aftermath of the CNN report – but the North Florida Legal Services might get a few donations if the hostile environment remains. 

The trial will resume on Friday and can be live-streamed on Fox News Digital. 

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Notre Dame forced to improvise after star quarterback sidelined during Orange Bowl

It’s next man up time for Notre Dame.

The Fighting Irish inserted a backup quarterback while trailing in the Orange Bowl Thursday.

Notre Dame starting quarterback Riley Leonard left the College Football Playoff semifinal late in the first half and was being evaluated by the Fighting Irish’s medical staff.

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Leonard went into the medical tent on Notre Dame’s sideline with about two minutes left in the half after a play in which he was hit by Penn State’s Zane Durant and Dvon J-Thomas.

EX-NFL STAR, WITH TIES TO ELI MANNING TRADE, DISCUSSES CHANCES OF SHEDEUR SANDERS REFUSING TITANS FOR GIANTS

It was not immediately clear what Leonard’s injury status was. He was replaced by Steve Angeli, and Notre Dame kicked a field goal on the final play of the half to cut Penn State’s lead to 10-3.

Leonard completed six of 11 passes for 63 yards and an interception before getting hurt.

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Angeli, a Westfield, New Jersey, native, played high school football at Bergen Catholic High School. He made his first collegiate start in the 2023 Sun Bowl, throwing for 232 yards and three touchdowns in a 40-8 win over Oregon State.

Trump Cabinet pick gets backing from powerful group known to be politically neutral

FIRST ON FOX: As fires rage in California, the largest firefighter union in North America threw its support behind South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security after notably remaining politically neutral in the 2024 election cycle. 

“We support President Trump’s nomination of Governor Kristi Noem for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. As a Governor, nominee Noem understands emergency management and the importance of government response to emergencies both natural and man-made,” International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) General President Edward Kelly wrote in a letter to Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Gary Peters, D-Mich., the respective chair and ranking member on the Senate Committee on Homeland Security.

“She has earned broad support from law enforcement unions, and we join many other organizations in calling for her speedy confirmation.”

The IAFF’s letter of endorsement for Noem comes as multiple fires rip through Los Angeles County, causing at least five deaths, widespread damage and the evacuation of more than 100,000 residents. Fox News Digital exclusively obtained the IAFF’s endorsement on Thursday. 

‘NO TIME TO PLAY’: SENATE MUST QUICKLY CONFIRM NOEM AS DHS CHIEF IN WAKE OF TERROR ATTACK, SAYS LOUISIANA GOV

“There is no greater government service than public safety. The members of IAFF are proud to serve our communities, and we look forward to working with Governor Noem and the Department of Homeland Security in the years ahead,” the union chief said. 

The IAFF represents 353,000 members who protect more than 85% of the communities living in both the U.S. and Canada. The DHS oversees a number of national security and law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Secret Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

NOEM BOASTS OUTPOURING OF POLICE, BORDER UNION SUPPORT FOR DHS CHIEF: CURRENT LEADERS ‘BETRAYED US’

The IAFF’s endorsement of Noem comes after the union notably decided against endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris or Trump ahead of the general election. 

“The IAFF Executive Board determined that we are better able to advocate for our members and make progress on the issues that matter to them if we, as a union, are standing shoulder-to-shoulder. This decision, which we took very seriously, is the best way to preserve and strengthen our unity,” Kelly said in an October statement declaring the union would remain neutral during the election. 

A source familiar with Noem’s nomination process highlighted the timing of the IAFF’S endorsement amid the raging California fires, saying the urgency behind its Noem support shows firefighters know “it’s important that President Trump have his whole team in place as quickly as possible to keep America safe from all threats.”

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT KRISTI NOEM, THE ‘BORDER HAWK’ NOMINATED BY TRUMP TO LEAD DHS

“The whole country can see the horrible wildfires ravaging Southern California, and so it really says something that the firefighters union felt the urgency to stand up for Gov. Noem at this moment in time,” the source said.

“These firefighters are the bravest of the brave, and they know that it’s important that President Trump have his whole team in place as quickly as possible to keep America safe from all threats, and to be in place for disaster response.

“Their endorsement solidifies the public safety support around Gov. Noem, since she’s also been endorsed by police organizations and the border patrol union. The message is clear — she should be confirmed as rapidly as possible.” 

Noem’s Senate confirmation hearing with the Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs is scheduled for Wednesday, kicking off at 9 a.m. 

Noem is heading into the final leg of the confirmation process armed with support from law enforcement unions and groups. At least eight police groups or unions have sent letters to Paul calling for a speedy confirmation process, including a union that represents thousands of Border Patrol agents. 

EX-TRUMP OFFICIAL PREDICTS ‘ENTIRE MINDSET CHANGE’ AT SOUTHERN BORDER, HAILS ‘FANTASTIC’ PICK TO LEAD DHS 

“On behalf of the men and women of the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) who protect our nation’s borders, we are excited to provide our support for President-elect Trump’s nominee, Governor Kristi Noem, to be the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security,” National Border Patrol Council President Paul Perez wrote in a letter last month in support of Noem. 

TRUMP’S ‘BORDER CZAR’ WARNS DEM GOVS REJECTING TRUMP DEPORTATION PLAN: ‘GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY’

Law enforcement groups that have endorsed Noem include the National Fraternal Order of Police, the largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers in the U.S.; the National Association of Police Organizations; the International Union of Police Associations; the Toledo Police Patrolman’s Association; International Union of Police Associations Local 6020; the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association; the Police Officers Association of Michigan; and the National Border Patrol Council. 

Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry also called on Senate lawmakers, most notably Democrats, to swiftly confirm Noem after a terrorist attack that shook New Orleans on New Year’s Day. 

“This is no time to play around,” Landry said in a statement earlier this week. “Which is why I am also calling on Senate Democrats on the Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee to allow Kristi Noem to get to work on Day 1 as our Secretary of Homeland Security. There should be no gap in leadership. In the wake of the Bourbon Street and Las Vegas attacks, our nation’s security depends on her quick confirmation.”

Trump announced Noem as his pick to lead DHS shortly after his decisive win over Harris at the ballot boxes, citing the Republican governor’s efforts to secure the southern border, which has been overwhelmed by illegal crossings under the Biden administration. 

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“Kristi has been very strong on Border Security. She was the first Governor to send National Guard Soldiers to help Texas fight the Biden Border Crisis, and they were sent a total of eight times. She will work closely with ‘Border Czar’ Tom Homan to secure the Border, and will guarantee that our American Homeland is secure from our adversaries. I have known Kristi for years, and have worked with her on a wide variety of projects – She will be a great part of our mission to Make America Safe Again,” Trump wrote in his announcement on Nov. 12. 

‘The View’ co-hosts spar over free speech with one of them especially annoyed

“The View” co-stars battled over the limits of free speech in a tense fight on Wednesday’s show.

The ABC daytime talk show discussed Meta’s decision on Tuesday to end its fact-checking program in what many have seen as a “win” for free speech. 

Some on the panel, however, were concerned whether this would lead to more “hate speech” on social media, which Sunny Hostin claimed was a different issue.

“There’s a difference between free speech and hate speech,” Hostin said. “We know that. Free speech, I welcome, I think everyone welcomes. It’s your constitutional right. When you start delving into hate speech, which is what is happening all over social media, there’s a problem with that, when you start delving into misinformation and disinformation, there’s a problem with that.”

SUNNY HOSTIN LIKENS JANUARY 6 RIOT TO THE HOLOCAUST, SAYS WE CAN ‘NEVER FORGET’

Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin, who previously worked for the first Trump administration, interjected, “Of course there’s pressure because Trump is coming into office, but I do think there’s a cultural and societal desire to be able to talk about things openly.” 

She added how “liberals used to be the ones who were pro-free speech. The famous saying goes, ‘I disagree with what you’re saying, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.’

Co-host Whoopi Goldberg interrupted, “I will not defend to the death your right to call me…”

Griffin pushed back, complaining that she couldn’t “finish a sentence” while Hostin got to talk “for 20 minutes,” leading Goldberg to warn her to “be nice.”

“Okay, I’m trying to make the point that hate speech, something that incites violence, is not legally ever protected under the First Amendment,” Griffin continued. “My ability to say a housewife is a household object, I can say that, it can offend you. I don’t agree with it, but you absolutely, under the First Amendment, have a right to say it, and the fact that we’re policing speech because it makes people uncomfortable or they don’t like it or it offends them…”

“If somebody decides, as they do often on these social media places, to call me a…” Goldberg interrupted again, using profanity. 

She later argued, “There are certain things we all agree, boy, you shouldn’t be saying that. That is not curbing your free speech, it’s asking [somebody] to respect the fact that people don’t want to hear that word when it has to do with them.”

Further in the segment, co-host Joy Behar claimed that hate speech is mostly pushed by the “majority” to the “minority.”

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“Everybody was a pizza maker. As a child I felt that that was offensive to me, so, I understand, I have empathy for people who don’t like it when you are making fun of their group in a nasty way,” Behar said. “The people who are doing this are not from minority groups, they’re from majority groups.”

Griffin pushed back, insisting “every person at the table gets hate speech directed at them.”

“I guess no one gets to finish a sentence here anymore. Okay,” Behar remarked as Griffin rolled her eyes.

Griffin called out the panel for they “all act like we’re for free speech when it’s the things we like,” to which Goldberg insisted was “not true.”

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At the end of the panel, Griffin criticized Hostin for suggesting that President-elect Donald Trump’s first election in 2016 influenced a rise in hate speech.

“There’s never been a social media platform that’s existed where you can’t call people names,” Griffin said. “It’s not because Donald Trump got elected, now you can call people names on social media, that’s just not true.”