Supreme Court issues ruling on impending TikTok ban days before inauguration
The Supreme Court on Friday upheld a federal law that would ban the Chinese-owned social media platform TikTok just two days before the bipartisan divestiture law is slated to take effect.
“There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement, and source of community,” the court wrote in the unsigned ruling. “But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary.
“For the foregoing reasons, we conclude that the challenged provisions do not violate petitioners’ First Amendment rights. The judgment of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is affirmed.”
There were no noted dissents.
At issue was the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, a law passed by Congress last April with wide bipartisan support. The law gave TikTok nine months to either divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or be removed from U.S.-based app stores and hosting services.
SUPREME COURT APPEARS SKEPTICAL OF BLOCKING US BAN ON TIKTOK: WHAT TO KNOW
In passing the law, Congress cited concerns over the app’s Chinese ownership, which members said meant the app had the potential to be weaponized or used to amass vast amounts of user data, including from the roughly 170 million Americans who use TikTok.
TikTok, ByteDance and several users of the app swiftly sued to block the ban in May, arguing the legislation would suppress free speech for the millions of Americans who use the platform. After a lower court upheld the ban, the Supreme Court agreed to hear TikTok’s emergency request to either block or pause implementation of the law under a fast-track timeline just nine days before the ban was slated to go into effect.
President-elect Donald Trump did not immediately respond to the Supreme Court decision, which comes just days before his inauguration. As president, Trump could move to delay the law, either by not enforcing it vigorously— which would allow TikTok more time to find a buyer, or continue operating as-is—or take other actions that would uphold the status quo.
Trump said he spoke by phone Friday with Chinese President Xi Jinping hours before the Supreme Court decision was published. Trump described the conversation between the two as being “a very good one” both for China and the U.S. He noted that the two had discussed shared interests, including TikTok.
Trump has also invited TikTok CEO Shou Chew to attend his inauguration. Chew said he plans to attend.
READ THE SUPREME COURT RULING ON TIKTOK LAW – APP USERS, CLICK HERE:
During oral arguments, lawyers for the Biden administration reiterated the argument that TikTok’s Chinese ownership poses a “grave” national security risk for American users.
U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar cited risks that China could weaponize the app, including by manipulating its algorithm to prioritize certain content or by ordering parent company ByteDance to turn over vast amounts of user data compiled by TikTok on U.S. users.
TRUMP SAYS FATE OF TIKTOK SHOULD BE IN HIS HANDS WHEN HE RETURNS TO WHITE HOUSE
TikTok’s lawyers, meanwhile, sought to frame the case primarily as a restriction on free speech protections under the First Amendment, which the company has argued applies to TikTok’s U.S.-based incorporation.
Noel Francisco, TikTok’s lawyer, argued that the U.S. government has “no valid interest in preventing foreign propaganda,” and reiterated TikTok’s position that the platform and its owners should be entitled to the highest level of free speech protections under the U.S. Constitution.
Francisco also argued TikTok cannot divest from its Chinese parent company, citing portions of its source code and intellectual property that are housed in China.
First Amendment protections must be considered under strict scrutiny, which requires the government to sustain a higher burden of proof in justifying a law’s constitutionality.
More specifically, laws that deal with First Amendment protections must be crafted to serve a compelling government interest, narrowly tailored to achieve that interest.
It’s a difficult legal test to satisfy in court. But the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit used it last month in considering the divestiture law, and still voted to uphold it— outlining a way that the Supreme Court could have theoretically considered the case under strict scrutiny and still opted to uphold the law.
During oral arguments at the Supreme Court, several justices appeared skeptical of the company’s core argument, which is that the law is a restriction of speech.
“Exactly what is TikTok’s speech here?” Justice Clarence Thomas asked in the first moments of oral arguments in an early sign of the court’s apparent doubt that the law is in fact a First Amendment violation.
POTENTIAL TIKTOK BAN: WHAT SOCIAL MEDIA APPS ARE POPPING UP IN APP STORES?
The Supreme Court and its 6-3 conservative majority have been historically deferential to Congress on matters of national security.
The divestiture law in question passed Congress last year under the guidance of top Justice Department officials, who worked directly with House lawmakers to write the bill and help it withstand possible legal challenges.
But it also comes at a time when President-elect Trump has signaled apparent support for the app in recent months.
In December, Trump hosted TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago resort, and later told reporters that his incoming administration will “take a look at TikTok” and the divestiture case.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Attorneys for the president-elect also filed a brief with the Supreme Court last month, asking justices to delay any decision in the case until after Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.
The brief did not signal how Trump might act, but cited his request for the court to pause the ban from taking effect until Trump’s inauguration.
Biden commutes nearly 2,500 more sentences in final days of presidency
President Biden announced Friday morning he is commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 inmates as the end of his presidency draws near.
The commutations are for people convicted of non-violent drug offenses “who are serving disproportionately long sentences” compared to what they would receive if sentenced under today’s law.
“Today’s clemency action provides relief for individuals who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes,” Biden said in a statement.
The president said now is the time to “equalize these sentencing disparities” as recognized through the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 and the First Step Act of 2018.
BIDEN COMMUTES SENTENCES OF 37 FEDERAL DEATH ROW INMATES IN FINAL MONTH OF PRESIDENCY
“This action is an important step toward righting historic wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their families and communities after spending far too much time behind bars,” he continued.
The decision puts Biden thousands of cases ahead of all other presidents who have issued acts of clemency during their terms.
“With this action, I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in U.S. history,” Biden said.
BIDEN SETS RECORD WITH FIRST-TERM CLEMENCY GRANTS, HERE’S HOW OTHER PRESIDENTS RANK
While granting clemency is not uncommon for a president, Biden has come under bipartisan fire for who he has decided to pardon or commute sentences for.
At the end of December, he chose to commute the sentences of 37 of the 40 men on federal death row – helping them escape execution and sending them to prison for life without parole instead.
He was also criticized for pardoning his son, Hunter, of all crimes he “has committed or may have committed” against U.S. law from Jan. 1, 2014, to Dec. 1, 2024. Hunter was convicted last year of gun and tax crimes in two separate federal cases.
Biden also boasted about completing the “largest single-day grant of clemency” on Dec. 12 when he commuted sentences for 1,500 people and pardoned 39 others, most of whom were already serving time in home confinement because of decisions made during the COVID-19 era.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The president added that he is “proud of [his] record on clemency” and said he will “continue to review additional commutations and pardons” ahead of his final full day in office on Jan. 19.
There are 1,947 people awaiting to be pardoned once they complete their sentence and around 6,625 cases awaiting commutation after Friday’s decision, according to Jan. 13 statistics from the Department of Justice.
Report exposes Schumer’s private convos with Biden urging him to drop out of race
Sen. Chuck Schumer, a longtime Democratic Party power player and former Senate Majority Leader, revealed his significant, behind-the-scenes role in persuading President Biden to drop out of the presidential race.
“If you run and you lose to Trump, and we lose the Senate, and we don’t get back the House, that 50 years of amazing, beautiful work goes out the window,” Schumer told Biden in a private conversation at the president’s Rehobeth Beach house, according to The New York Times. “But worse — you go down in American history as one of the darkest figures.”
“If I were you,” Schumer told the president, “I wouldn’t run, and I’m urging you not to run.”
AMERICANS SHARE WHAT BIDEN’S LEGACY WILL BE AFTER HE LEAVES OFFICE: ‘MADE MISTAKES AND PEOPLE DIED’
After Biden’s disastrous debate performance against President-elect Donald Trump in late June, Democratic Party heavyweights like Schumer and others began to discuss a campaign future with Biden. Schumer spoke directly with donors, telling them to wait and see what Biden would do.
But in private, Schumer was urging donors and allies to be quiet about their concern over Biden’s age and ability to finish out the campaign, according to the Times.
“Do not be public,” Schumer said. “That will get his back up, and you’ve got to let the dust settle. But if you can, call whoever you know in the campaign. Call the White House.”
LIES ABOUT BIDEN’S AGE, HEALTH DURING HIS PRESIDENCY IS A ‘SCANDAL OF EPIC PROPORTIONS,’ SCOTT JENNINGS SAYS
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries was also working to push Biden off the campaign in favor of another, younger candidate: Vice President Kamala Harris.
“We don’t have data at this moment,” Jeffries told allies in the final months of the campaign, the Times reported. “But the most powerful narrative in American politics is change. Vice President Harris would represent change.”
Some of Biden’s supporters continued to defend his ability to serve as president and as the candidate for the Democratic Party, including Steve Ricchetti, an adviser to the president.
“We can get through it,” Ricchetti said, according to the Times. “We think our allies on the Hill are wrong.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
In the months after Biden announced he would be withdrawing from the presidential race, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and other media outlets have revealed that advisers close to the president have long been concerned about Biden’s health and energy.
According to a Times report from December: “[Biden] looks a little older and a little slower with each passing day. Aides say he remains plenty sharp in the Situation Room, calling world leaders to broker a cease-fire in Lebanon or deal with the chaos of Syria’s rebellion. But it is hard to imagine that he seriously thought he could do the world’s most stressful job for another four years.”
Trump’s Treasury nominee turns tables on Sanders in testy exchange over ‘oligarchy’
Scott Bessent, President-elect Trump’s nominee to lead the Treasury Department, sparred with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., over whether the U.S. is heading toward an oligarchy.
On Wednesday, President Biden said in his farewell address that “an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights, freedoms and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead.”
In response, Sanders said he agreed with Biden and specifically called out tech giants Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg during Bessent’s confirmation hearing Thursday before the Senate Finance Committee.
“The three billionaires you listed all made their money themselves,” Bessent said. “Mr. Musk came to the country as an immigrant.”
GET TO KNOW DONALD TRUMP’S CABINET: WHO HAS THE PRESIDENT-ELECT PICKED SO FAR?
Sanders cut Bessent off and reiterated his question.
“Well, I would note that President Biden gave the Presidential Medal of Freedom to two people who I think would qualify for his oligarchs,” Bessent said.
Bessent’s comment referred to billionaires George Soros and David Rubenstein, who received the award from Biden earlier this month. Bessent, a hedge fund billionaire himself, previously worked for Soros.
“This is not a condemnation of any one, individual,” Sanders said. “I’m just asking you, with so few people [having] so much wealth and power, do you think that is an oligarchic form of society?”
“Senator, I think it depends on the ability to move up and down the income,” Bessent said.
TRUMP TELLS EU TO BUY MORE AMERICAN-MADE OIL AND GAS OR FACE ‘TARIFFS ALL THE WAY’
Sanders interrupted Bessent again and eventually dropped the topic before asking Bessent whether the hedge fund billionaire would “work with those of us who want to raise the federal minimum wage to a living wage to take millions of Americans out of poverty.”
“Senator, I believe that the minimum wage is more of a state and regional issue,” Bessent said.
“You don’t think we should change the federal minimum wage?” Sanders said. “We have $7.25 an hour.”
“No sir,” Bessent replied.
Sanders is an outspoken advocate for raising the federal minimum wage and introduced legislation in 2023 that would raise it to $17 by 2028.
Sanders’ home state of Vermont boosted its minimum wage from $13.67 to $14.01 per hour this month. The federal minimum wage has remained $7.25 since 2009.
TRUMP TREASURY PICK: EXTENDING TRUMP TAX CUTS ‘SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ECONOMIC ISSUE’
Bessent discussed a range of policy issues with lawmakers Thursday, including tariffs, tax cuts and sanctions against Russia.
Bessent said renewing the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that Trump approved during his first administration is paramount. Many of the reforms in the measure are slated to sunset in 2025, but failing to renew the cuts would undermine the middle and working classes, Bessent said.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
“This is the single most important economic issue of the day,” Bessent said.
“If we do not renew an extension, then we will be facing an economic calamity. And, as always with financial instability, that falls on the middle and working class.”
NFL QB condemns wildfire arsonists: ‘That’s the s—ty part about all this’
Aaron Rodgers on Thursday condemned the arsonists responsible for some of the wildfires that started the deadly Los Angeles wildfires and lamented the immense loss in the area,
Rodgers spoke about the destructive infernos that hit the county last week that left more than two dozen dead with thousands of structures burned to the ground in an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” He said residents in the area are going through a “tough time.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
The New York Jets superstar curtailed himself from criticizing leaders and lawmakers and focused his attention on those who allegedly started the blazes.
“There’s a lot of arson, and people have been caught doing it, people have been caught walking around blow torches and different s— which is crazy, and it’s inhumane is what it is, and it’s sickening and then the looting that’s gone on,” he said. “People impersonating firefighters, people starting fires and to loot the same areas. There’s a lot of things that really make you question humanity in general, and it’s a bad look because have people have lost their lives, people have lost their houses, their homes, their memories, everything, the pets. And then you have people who are legitimately starting fires in areas.
“The Runyon Canyon fire, that was an arson. There was a fire that was actually started real close to my house that was arson that thankfully got put away really quick, so that’s the s—ty part about all this.”
Rodgers relished the fact that residents have come together to help each other out in trying times.
AARON RODGERS WARNS SENATORS ABOUT RFK JR’S INTELLECT AS CONFIRMATION HEARING LOOMS: ‘BETTER COME READY’
“The beautiful part is the way that so many people have come together and have gotten meals together and supplies together for these incredible men and women fighting these fires,” he said. “The people who are flying these planes, I saw this incredible video probably about a week ago of the f—ing most beautiful drop from a plane that absolutely doused this fire.
“There’s a lot of really talented people who have been working on this, putting in crazy freaking hours, so my heart and my hat is tipped to the incredible men and women who are putting in crazy hours, not just from Southern California, but the people that came down from Northern California and other states and supplies have been given in for those people has been amazing.”
Rodgers did mention that he knew a lot of people who lost their houses and possessions, including actor Miles Teller. He said when he arrived back in Los Angeles, the first thing he did was to call him as they have been friends for nearly 20 years.
“… I called to just check on him and that’s when it really hit home,” Rodgers said. “Like this is legitimate, they didn’t have a chance. They had a short amount of time, they got everything they could, they got Buggsy (their dog) and what little they could fill in a car and got out, so that’s the reality.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“But the reality is there’s thousands of people like that who’ve been dealing with that, got displaced, lost everything, and like you said there’s some people that somehow won the lottery and their house got missed.”
Israel’s hospitals prepare to treat hostages being released in cease-fire deal
Six hospitals in Israel are preparing Friday to receive hostages, a report says.
“Our main concern is the long time… they are probably held in very, very bad conditions, lack of nutrition, lack of hygiene,” Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, the head of the medical directorate at Israel’s health ministry, told the Associated Press.
Around 100 hostages, a mix of civilians and soldiers, remain captive inside Gaza. Under phase one of the ceasefire, 33 hostages are set to be released as early as Sunday.
Dr. Mizrahi also told the AP that staff are preparing to assist people with their mental health.
Israel’s military believes at least a third of the remaining hostages — and up to half of them — are dead.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A number of prominent Palestinians are being held in Israeli jails as the country is preparing to release hundreds of inmates in exchange for hostages captured by Hamas.
There are more than 10,000 Palestinians in custody in Israeli prisons, according to Reuters.
The news agency says among the prisoners are:
- Abdallah Al-Barghouti,
who was sentenced to 67 life terms in 2004 for his involvement in suicide attacks in the early 2000s that killed dozens of Israelis. Al-Barghouti reportedly prepared the explosive belts that were detonated in the attacks, which included the bombing of a Sbarro restaurant in Jerusalem that left 15 dead. - Ibrahim Hamed, who also has been accused of planning suicide attacks that left dozens of Israelis dead. Hamed was the West Bank leader of Hamas’ military wing prior to his arrest in Ramallah in 2006.
- Ahmed Saadat, the leader of the terrorist organization Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Saadat, according to Reuters, was accused by Israel of ordering the 2001 assassination of tourism minister Rehavam Zeevi.
Each of these prisoners do not appear to be on the initial list released by Israel of the 95 Palestinians who are set to be freed on Sunday.
Israel’s Ministry of Justice released a list Friday naming 95 prisoners who will be released on the first day of the swap between Israel and Hamas.
The names, mostly female, include people who have been charged with supporting terrorism
and attempted murder.
“This is a partial list, for the purpose of the first wave only; the full list will be published after the government approves the outline,” the department said.
“The release of prisoners in the first wave according to the outline will not be carried out before Sunday at 4:00 p.m. [local time],” it added.
Fox News’ Yael Rotem-Kuriel contributed to this report.
Israel’s official X account posted an image Friday showing the hostages held in Gaza, writing that “This Shabbat this is all we’re thinking about.”
The message comes as Israel’s government
is set to review a Gaza cease-fire and hostage release deal following its approval from the country’s cabinet.
“I expect the government to follow suit in swiftly affirming this decision. This is a vital step toward fulfilling the highest covenant between the state and its citizens,” Israel President Isaac Herzog said. “There is no greater moral, human, Jewish, and Israeli duty. We must bring all of our hostages back home.
Under terms of the agreement first announced Wednesday, 33 hostages are to be released by Hamas over six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, many of whom are jailed for terrorist offenses and related crimes.
The deal is expected to go into effect Sunday.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Friday that he welcomes the Israeli security cabinet’s decision to approve a Gaza cease-fire and hostage release deal.
“I expect the government to follow suit in swiftly affirming this decision. This is a vital step toward fulfilling the highest covenant between the state and its citizens,” Herzog said. “There is no greater moral, human, Jewish, and Israeli duty. We must bring all of our hostages back home.
“I harbor no illusions — the deal will bring with it great challenges and painful, agonizing moments that we will need to overcome and face together. With all my heart, I embrace the families of the hostages, especially those who know that their loved ones will not return in the first stage,” Herzog continued. “We must bring everyone back. Everyone! We will not rest or relent until this happens.
“Now, on the eve of Shabbat, I pray and hope that this moment will become a national hour of goodwill, enabling us to heal, rebuild, and shape our shared future as one people,” Herzog also said.
Fox News’ Yael Rotem-Kuriel contributed to this report.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said Friday that “after examining all political, security, and humanitarian aspects, and understanding that the proposed deal supports the achievement of the war’s objectives, the Ministerial Committee for National Security Affairs (the Political-Security Cabinet) has recommended that the government approve the proposed framework.”
“The government meeting will be convened later today,” it added.
Under terms of the agreement first announced Wednesday, 33 hostages are to be released by Hamas over six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, many of whom are jailed for terrorist offenses and related crimes.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said yesterday that he expects the deal to go into effect on Sunday.
Gen. Jack Keane told “Fox & Friends” on Friday that he believes the “tough part” of the Israel-Hamas agreement is getting Hamas to give up governance in Gaza and for Israel’s military to withdraw from the area.
“The tough part of this deal is in the second and third phases,” the retired four-star Army general said. “On the 16th day of the 42-day cease-fire, negotiations are supposed to begin to the end state of the war in Gaza.
“Hamas, disarm and give up governance. Israel, leave Gaza completely, permanent end to the war. Those are very, very difficult positions for both parties and I suspect this deal will likely break down at that point,” Keane said.
“I cannot see the Israelis leaving Gaza completely and letting Hamas still be implied as the governance and running Gaza. That just brings us right back to Oct. 7 at some point,” he added.
Iran is describing the Israel-Hamas cease-fire deal as a “surrender” for Israel.
In a phone call with Khalil al-Hayya, who is Hamas’ political chief in Gaza, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi “congratulated the Palestinian resistance and people on their victory and legendary resilience,” according to a statement from Iran’s foreign ministry.
“He highlighted that this resilience compelled the occupying regime to surrender and accept the ceasefire agreement and the exchange of prisoners,” the statement continued. “Araghchi reaffirmed the Islamic Republic of Iran’s principled stance on continuing its support for the Palestinian cause and the legitimate and lawful resistance of the Palestinian people against occupation and violations of their right to self-determination.”
The statement also said al-Hayya “expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of Iran’s leadership, government, and people, as well as for the backing provided by resistance groups in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq for the Palestinian people.
“Al-Hayya noted that such support played a significant role in achieving this major victory,” it added.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron announced Friday that “Our fellow citizens Ofer Kalderon and Ohad Yahalomi are among the 33 hostages who are to be released in the first phase of the Gaza agreement.”
“We remain tirelessly mobilized so that their families can find them,” he added in post on X.
Macron is visiting Lebanon on Friday, where he will meet the country’s newly-elected leaders, according to The Associated Press. The country is attempting to recover from the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war.
Under the agreement announced Wednesday between Israel and Hamas, 33 of some 100 hostages who remain in Gaza are set to be released over the next six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
The agreement has not yet been approved by Israel’s security cabinet and government.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A cease-fire and hostage release deal has officially been signed by Israel, Hamas, U.S. and Qatari officials.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
has been informed of the agreement and has instructed a meeting with his political-security cabinet, which would be followed by a government meeting to approve the plan, his office said in a statement translated from Hebrew to English.
“The families of the hostages were informed a short while ago of the agreements by the Directorate for Hostages, Missing Persons, and Returnees in the Prime Minister’s Office,” the statement said. “Additionally, the Prime Minister instructed the Coordinator for Prisoners and Missing Persons to coordinate preparations for the reception of the hostages upon their return to Israel.”
Netanyahu has directed that the Security Cabinet be convened later Friday.
Originally, the Israeli government was set to vote on the measure on Saturday, which would delay the release of the first three hostages until Monday.
Government officials cited last-minute issues with Hamas for the delay.
Efrat Lachter contributed to this post.
Cabinet discussion have begun at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem.
Senior Israeli legal officials have stated that pending the approval of the cabinet and the government, and following the implementation of the agreement, the release of the hostages will take place in according to the planned outline.
This will mean that the hostages are expected to be released starting Sunday leaving a shorter window for petitions.
According to the plan the Israeli government decided the IDF will remain inside the Gaza Strip until the last hostage is freed.
In parallel, forces will begin to withdraw during the cease-fire days until they reach the perimeter area a security zone surrounding the communities on the Gaza border.
This plan dictates a new defense approach, which is now being finalized under the Southern Command.
Bandits trash their way through small businesses in crime spree
A shadowy group of thieves has been ripping off small business owners in New York City – yanking ATMs out of the ground with vans and tow chains or carrying them out of stores by hand, video shows.
At least 49 businesses have been robbed so far in the spree, according to the United Bodegas of America (UBA) trade group, which is offering a $5,000 bounty on the bandits. Bodega is often used as the term for a convenience store or small grocery shop in the city.
The NYPD said investigators believe the thieves are a group of three who are using stolen cars to conduct the crimes, which have been reported in at least 25 of the city’s 78 precincts.
MAILMAN’S FAMILY BREAKS SILENCE AFTER FATHER OF 2 KILLED ON LUNCH BREAK
Radhames Rodriguez, the UBA president, told Fox News Digital that authorities need to go back to fully prosecuting low-level crimes and criticized the NYPD’s newly announced pursuit policy, which bans police from chasing suspects for non-violent and lower tier crimes.
“While we understand the need for balance in law enforcement, limiting pursuits to only suspects involved in violent felonies and misdemeanors sends a dangerous message to criminals who commit low-level crimes,” he told Fox News Digital. “These so-called ‘minor offenses’ are often the breeding ground for more serious crimes, creating a sense of lawlessness and impunity.”
While the city has taken steps to counter rising crime, business owners see the new chase policy as a step backward.
ILLEGAL CHARGED WITH LIGHTING SLEEPING WOMAN ON FIRE PLEADS NOT GUILTY
“Accountability needs to exist at every level of criminal activity,” Fernando Mateo, a UBA spokesman, told Fox News Digital. “Low-level crimes must not be dismissed as insignificant because they escalate. Today it’s shoplifting, tomorrow it’s armed robbery.”
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said on Wednesday that new vehicular pursuit guidelines would minimize the risk of collateral damage.
According to the NYPD, 25% of car chases in 2024 led to a collision, property damage or injury. Two-thirds of them started with traffic stops where the suspect fled. Officers are no longer allowed to pursue under such circumstances.
The new rules limit officers to car chases only for serious crimes – felonies and violent misdemeanors.
“The NYPD’s enforcement efforts must never put the public or the police at undue risk, and pursuits for violations and low-level crimes can be both potentially dangerous and unnecessary,” Tisch said in a statement. “The advanced tools of modern-day policing make it possible to apprehend criminals more safely and effectively than ever before, making many pursuits unnecessary.”
NYC GROUP ROBBED 49 STORES ALL OVER CITY, STOLE ATMS, CASH: POLICE
The ATM thieves remain at large.
Joseph Giacalone, a former NYPD sergeant and a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said the new guidelines do not actually present a major shift, however.
“The policy has always been that way – it’s up to the patrol supervisor to cancel any vehicle pursuit based on certain factors [as] written in the patrol guide,” he told Fox News Digital. “She’s putting it out there to let everybody know – it was already there, but to reinforce it eventually, the New York City Council will go full Chicago and ban all pursuits, including foot pursuits. It’s only a matter of time.”
Even as the pendulum appears to have begun swinging back toward a tough-on-crime approach across the U.S., he warned that some blue city leaders are not on board yet.
“The messaging may have changed with the voting in regards to how people feel about what they want the police to do in the United States, but the cities are in firm hands with the defend the police, abolitionist crowd,” he said.
While the announcement on its pursuit policy has been criticized, the NYPD made another big change this week – upping patrols on overnight subway cars days after the chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority told residents that transit crime was just in their heads.
“The NYPD will be rolling out the ambitious plan to put two officers on every overnight train in phases,” the department announced Thursday. “Phase 1 will officially begin on Monday and include the first 100 officers. Additional phases will be rolled out over the coming weeks with the expectation that the full operation will be complete by the end of the month.”
Police have released surveillance video showing two of the suspects hauling an ATM out of a store. The UBA also shared video showing them ripping a wall down with a chain attached to the back of a van before stealing another one.
CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Police are asking for the public’s help identifying the thieves.
“It was reported to the police that between Thursday, September 19, 2024, and Thursday, December 26, 2024, there have been a total of 49 incidents involving three unidentified individuals who removed vehicles and license plates,” an NYPD spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “The individuals then used these stolen vehicles to travel to commercial establishments where they forcibly entered and removed ATMs and other property. The individuals fled the locations in various vehicles.”
Prince William makes unusual move after Prince Harry, Prince Andrew put monarchy at risk
Prince William is said to be making an unusual move as his father’s slimmed-down monarchy has backfired.
British royals expert Hilary Fordwich made the claim, believing all eyes are on King Charles’ heir as he attempts to figure out how to strengthen and unite his family after a series of scandals and health woes.
Fordwich told Fox News Digital that the father of three young children, who is “at a crossroads,” may consider getting reinforcements from unlikely relatives.
PRINCE WILLIAM UNDER PRESSURE TO SAVE MONARCHY AS PRINCE HARRY, PRINCE ANDREW ‘WARY OF HIS WRATH’: EXPERT
“The success of William’s approach depends upon whether Prince Edward’s children, as well as other younger royals, are willing and able to step up to garner public interest,” said Fordwich.
“Given their upbringing in a more private setting, they may not be properly equipped to follow the traditional path laid out for royals,” she noted. “But increasing pressure for them to step into these roles means they may well need to put aside their personal desires.”
Fordwich’s claims came after the Scottish Daily Express reported that William, 42, had been considering giving his cousins, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, a chance at becoming working members of “The Firm.”
According to the outlet, if Edward’s children were to take William’s offer, they would begin to receive public funding. That also means they would need to take on public duties to help represent the crown.
“Both of Edward’s children have been somewhat reluctant royals as teenagers,” Fordwich explained. “Their parents strived to ensure their children experience a normal childhood out of the public spotlight, which means they don’t have a track record of experience.
“Prince Edward expressed a preference for his children to have more autonomy, as opposed to a traditional path… However, Prince William knows the monarchy must strike a balance between efficiency and meeting the public desire for the presence of royals.”
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
Reports have long insisted that the king, 76, had always desired a slimmed-down monarchy, one that would focus on a core group of senior working royals. However, experts have pointed out that the monarchy has become too slim for comfort.
Charles’ plan became shaky in 2019 when his brother, Prince Andrew, announced that he was stepping away from royal duties “for the foreseeable future.” In a statement, the Duke of York admitted that his association with Jeffrey Epstein, an American financier and convicted sex offender, was “a major disruption to my family’s work.”
Then in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were stepping back as senior royals before moving to California. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said the unbearable intrusions and racist attitudes of the British press prompted them to make their royal exit. Since then, they have been estranged from the family.
Then in 2024, the royal family was rocked by an onslaught of health issues.
“We’ve got [Princess] Catherine announcing that she’s going to have an abdominal operation… Then you’ve got the king saying he’s having a prostate operation… Then you’ve got the king saying he [has] cancer,” Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, previously told Fox News Digital.
“Then you’ve got Catherine saying she [has] cancer,” said Seward. “And then you’ve got all the other problems coming just from life itself. I think it’s been very hard, because there [haven’t] been that many people as backup.
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
“You’ve got the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and you’ve got Princess Anne and her husband, Timothy Laurence. You’ve got [Queen] Camilla working really hard, but… you are missing everybody else… Charles’ slimmed-down monarchy has been a little bit too slimmed down.”
In 2024, Princess Anne also sustained a concussion after a horse incident. The year ended with Queen Camilla suffering from a chest infection.
As William looks to the monarchy’s future, he’s seeking out ways to alleviate some of the pressure within the royal fold. He’s been faced with challenges along the way.
“There has been a degree of internal resistance to the ‘slimmed-down’ concept as some family members have felt threatened,” Fordwich claimed. “The need to maintain support for extended family members such as Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, Andrew’s daughters, while also curbing the royal roster has created a degree of internal family friction.”
“Prince William’s strategy of offering Prince Edward’s children opportunities for royal duties and the royal titles they previously turned down reflects his wise attempt to further modernize the monarchy with a broader base of younger royals to attend engagements,” she shared.
“Their mother’s combination of discretion, contrary to Meghan and Harry, as well as her dedication and a genuine desire to serve has helped the royal family remain relevant… which Prince William appreciates.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams claimed to Fox News Digital that the Prince of Wales is feeling the pressure to beef up the monarchy quickly.
“The departure of Harry, Meghan and Andrew has caused this problem,” said Fitzwilliams. “If the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh’s children took up royal duties, this would solve the issue. However, although it is a possibility, it is far from decided. Lady Louise is still a student.”
“It may be a matter for Charles or William, but no decision on this has been taken,” Fitzwilliams added.
Roya Nikkhah, royals editor for The Sunday Times, previously reported that it was “highly unlikely” that Louise or James would ever consider stepping up as working royals. She pointed out that their parents put extra focus on ensuring they had as normal of an upbringing as possible.
“We made the decision not to use HRH titles,” their mother Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, told the outlet. “They have them and can decide to use them… but I think it’s highly unlikely.”
Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital that when it comes to recruiting more relatives to take on royal duties, “all bets are off,” noting that The Firm has been “stretched to the limit.”
KING CHARLES HAUNTED BY PRINCE ANDREW AS ‘GRUBBY’ DUKE HUMILIATES MONARCHY IN ‘YEAR FROM HELL’: EXPERTS
“It goes to show that if Harry and Meghan had been allowed to remain taking up duties… it would have been much easier,” he explained. “But then, of course, their popularity may have increased once more. That, from William’s perspective, may have been a risk too far… Greek tragedies seem to stalk the royal family in recent times.”
“As for Andrew, it’s a sideshow,” he said. “Although there are rumors that he would like to reinvent himself and work for charities.”
Fordwich pointed out that currently, the royal family is “navigating a delicate balance,” between the king’s idea of a slimmed-down monarchy and “preserving traditional values with public scrutiny and shifting preferences for the younger generation.”
WATCH: KING CHARLES CAN’T GET INVOLVED IN PRINCE HARRY’S SECURITY WOES: AUTHOR
“It’s William’s job to ensure that they serve the next generation appropriately,” she said. “Harry, Meghan and Andrew have negatively contributed to this challenging situation… Prince William simply isn’t going to put the family’s future in jeopardy by risking their involvement.
“The entire family has been blindsided by… incidents and indiscretions by all three of them… Projecting an ideal image of family unity, one that the monarchy depends on for its public image, was undermined. It has been additional and unwanted pressure for William.”
The royal experts agreed on one thing – William and his wife Kate Middleton represent a brighter future for the royal family.
“It’s like their favorite sport – horse racing,” said Pelham Turner. “You have William and Kate in the lead with Charles and Camilla a few paces behind. Edward and Sophie are coming up fast on the inside as the dark horse bet. And then there’s Andrew swallowing dust at the back.”