Fox News 2024-07-20 08:08:54


Fourth Democratic senator pressing Biden to step aside emerges

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, joined Democrats calling on President Biden to drop out of the 2024 race on Friday evening. 

“At this critical time, our full attention must return to these important issues. I think the President should end his campaign,” he said in a statement on X. 

3RD DEMOCRAT SENATOR CALLS ON BIDEN TO STEP ASIDE AS PRESSURE ACCELERATES

According to Brown, “Over the last few weeks, I’ve heard from Ohioans on important issues, such as how to continue to grow jobs in our state, give law enforcement the resources to crack down on fentanyl, protect Social Security and Medicare from cuts, and prevent the ongoing efforts to impose a national abortion ban.”

“I agree with the many Ohioans who have reached out to me,” he added. 

VULNERABLE DEM TESTER CALLS ON BIDEN TO DROP OUT AFTER GIVING SCHUMER HEADS UP

Brown is the fourth Democrat senator to press Biden to step aside and the 34th Congressional Democrat to do so. 

The Ohio Democrat is in a particularly competitive race in November, where he will face Republican Senate candidate Bernie Moreno, who is endorsed by former President Trump. 

Non-partisan political handicapper the Cook Political Report rated the Ohio Senate race as a “Toss Up,” placing it alongside races in Montana, Nevada, and Michigan. 

‘THEY’RE INCOMPETENT’: SEN MARSHALL BLASTS ‘WORTHLESS’ SECRET SERVICE BRIEFING ON TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT

In a statement, Moreno responded to Brown, saying, “If Joe Biden is unfit to run, he is unfit to serve.”

“I am formally calling on Joe Biden to resign the Presidency because his continued presence in the situation room is a national security threat. I hope Senator Brown will join me.”

 “Make no mistake, Brown was fully aware of Joe Biden’s mental decline, covered it up, and used Biden as a vessel to pass the most liberal agenda in American history,” he claimed. 

SECRET SERVICE ‘CHECK-THE-BOX’ SENATE BRIEFING LEAVES QUESTIONS: ‘INFURIATING’

Brown was the third Democrat senator in just 24 hours to urge Biden to step aside, signaling a movement that is picking up its pace. Despite this, Biden and his campaign have remained adamant that he is not backing down. 

Prior to the Ohio Democrat’s announcement, Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., called on Biden to pass the torch as well. 

On Thursday evening, Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., made his own plea to Biden to exit the race. 

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Earlier this month, Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., became the first Democrat senator to make the request of the president, doing so in an op-ed for the Washington Post. 

Both Heinrich and Tester are similarly up for re-election in November. 

Democrat godfathers make Biden an offer they hope he can’t refuse

Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and the rest of the Democratic Party commission seem prepared to make Joe Biden an offer he can’t refuse: One way or another, he’s dropping out of this race, they say, either with his consent or with his legacy destroyed.

Just when Biden thought his candidacy was safe, after the assassination attempt on Donald Trump quieted talk of a swap at the top of the ticket, they pulled him back in, and now the pundits tell us that his campaign won’t survive the weekend. We’ll see.

For the bosses of the Democrat family, ending Biden’s political career is a three-step process. First they ask him to leave, then they tell him to leave, and finally they threaten to destroy him if he won’t wise up. We are almost at step three.

SOURCES CLOSE TO BIDEN ‘FURIOUS’ ABOUT GROWING CALLS TO GET HIM TO EXIT RACE

The advantages of step one are very clear. Had Biden selflessly and magnanimously put his own interests aside for the betterment of the party, if not the country, by dropping out, he might have seen the kind of double-digit approval bounce Lyndon Baines Johnson got in 1968. That boost would accrue to the benefit of the new candidate, likely Kamala Harris.

Likewise, he would secure his legacy as the caretaker president who saved the nation from the evils of the Trump Family and bestowed power upon the new, young generation. 

That ship has sailed now, and we are squarely on step two. But Biden has already rejected team Obama when they told him, “that’s a nice legacy you got there. It’d be a shame if something happened to it.”

The threats from the editorial boards of The New York Times and Chicago Tribune, the consiglieres of the Democratic Party, have been ignored by an obstinate sitting president who for some reason, thinks he’s in charge.

LIBERAL NEWSPAPERS, BIDEN MEDIA ALLIES PRESSURE PRESIDENT TO DROP OUT OF RACE

Now Biden seems poised to wake up with a bloody equine head in his bed, and the Democrats have no shortage of horses to choose from. 

Perhaps the tape of his interview with special counsel Robert Hur will be released. If the audio wasn’t humiliating to Biden, we would have it already, so not for nothing, it can’t be good. Attorney General Merrick Garland could have a sudden change of heart. These things happen.

Then there is his prodigal son, Hunter, who hopes to beat the rap and go legit with his art career. If Joe declines to run, there is no reason he can’t pardon the family Fredo, especially after the election, win or lose.

Finally, there is the 25th amendment, the ultimate play, in which Democrats would remove Biden from office, his legacy in tatters. He would be the only president ever kicked out of office for losing his marbles.

Basically, the Democrats have politely asked Joe, Jill and Hunter to leave the establishment. Soon the door will lock, and they will hear the words, “now youse can’t leave,” before the punches start flying.

So the Democrats don’t lack the cards to get Joe off the ticket, but at the same time, the big guy is not without his own moves. If he chooses not to go gently into the night, if he refuses to endorse Kamala Harris, then the Dems have a whole new contested convention headache.

Biden could also flip and turn state’s evidence, spilling tea on the Democrat’s family secrets, essentially burning down the party trying to throw him under the bus.

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No, this is still up to Joe, even if he is mumbling and drooling as he stumbles around in his bathrobe. He is still the boss for now, and if an attempt to topple him fails, the Bidens will be taking care of all the family business.

And if you think that isn’t possible, I’d ask you, now who’s being naive?

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The next few days will prove decisive, as Biden’s enemies reveal themselves. Can Joe Biden still hang on? Even win? Yeah, he can, and hell hath no fury like a boss betrayed.

Will Joe leave the presidency and take the cannolis? We will know soon, and either way, it could change everything in the race just three months from the finish line.

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What to expect as lawmakers gear up for blockbuster week on Capitol Hill

I started to write this essay about the pending blockbuster week on Capitol Hill. The week has been a little zany. I got distracted. I had to go back and find the proper Word document to continue. 

I searched for “blockbuster.”

But it was mildly amusing when an essay popped up from February 27 of this year about another “blockbuster” week on Capitol Hill.

BIDING TIME: TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT OVERSHADOWS CALLS FOR BIDEN TO STEP ASIDE

That week was a banger. 

Hunter Biden was to testify. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin would tell Congressional committees why he didn’t share his medical incapacitation with his superiors. And a partial government shutdown loomed. 

Those issues seem so quaint these days on Capitol Hill. Almost antiquated.

Yes, that was a blockbuster week back in late February/early March.

But in the annals of blockbusterdom, this one may surpass the others. 

It will be a monster.

Congress was out of session this week for the Republican convention. But lawmakers return Monday.

Five major stories will dominate Capitol Hill, plus sub-plots.

Here’s what to look for:

The Trump Assassination Attempt Investigation:

Monday:

This will mark the first time lawmakers have returned to the Capitol since the shooting. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., likely announces the structure and names members to his task force to investigate the incident in Pennsylvania. 

USSS Director Kimberly Cheatle appears before the House Oversight Committee at 10 am et on Monday. That will be one of the most anticipated hearings in Congress of the past decade. The panel issued a subpoena to compel her to testify. Cheatle confirmed she would attend. There was fear she might ghost the committee. 

Members of Congress may not be impressed with Cheatle. But just the fact that she is coming could go a long way to quash conspiracy theories about the attack. 

Most lawmakers won’t return to Washington until the mid to late afternoon on Monday. But that’s when they’ll react to the shooting and consequences for the Secret Service. 

THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO EXPELLING BOB MENENDEZ FROM THE SENATE

Tuesday:

The House Homeland Security Committee wants Cheatle for a hearing that morning. She has not confirmed her attendance yet for that session. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., invited FBI Director Christopher Wray and DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for the same hearing. Green tells me he is okay with their deputies appearing. However, Green definitely wants Cheatle. Green has invited local police and other state officials from Pennsylvania to testify at the second part of this Tuesday hearing.

The Senate is out until Tuesday afternoon. So commentary from many senators may not come until Tuesday night.

Wednesday:

FBI Director Christopher Wray is set to testify before the House Judiciary Committee. That hearing was on the books before the assassination attempt. 

Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters, D-Mich., signaled he’d like to have a hearing on the incident before the August recess.

Fox is also told there could be hearings during the August recess. 

Netanyahu Speaks to Joint Meeting of Congress:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address a Joint Meeting of Congress Wednesday. All four bicameral, bipartisan Congressional leaders invited Netanyahu – although it’s clear that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., aren’t pleased with Netanyahu. Schumer even took heat a few months ago for denouncing Netanyahu and suggesting he call new elections soon.

Protests will dominate Capitol Hill. Some anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian lawmakers and aides may even participate. There were security concerns before last weekend’s shooting. Now those worries are amplified. Watch to see how many Democrats boycott this speech. It’s also worth listening to what Schumer and Jeffries say afterwards. 

And note it is a “Joint Meeting.” Not a “Joint Session.”

Democrats in Disarray Over Biden:

The question about President Biden’s future is gurgling to a head now. There’s a distinct possibility that the President may bow out. A flood of Democrats are now demanding President Biden step aside. Watch the moves of Schumer, Jeffries and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Pelosi has been close to the situation – especially speaking with the gigantic California delegation. This trio could contour what – or who – comes next.

This drama has boiled since Mr. Biden’s disastrous debate in late June. Pay particular attention to the House Democratic leadership press conference on Tuesday. Jeffries will hold his weekly press conference on Wednesday or Thursday. Schumer will speak after the weekly Democratic Caucus lunch on Wednesday. 

CONGRESSIONAL BYPASS: MANY DEMOCRATS ELUSIVE ON BIDEN ISSUE

Will Menendez Resign? Or Will There Be An Effort to Expel Him:

Don’t expect a vote to expel Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., this week after his conviction. However, we could get a report from the Senate Ethics Committee. That could set in motion a plan to expel Menendez in the coming weeks. Reporters will be on the lookout for Menendez – if he comes to the Capitol. That’s to say nothing of posing questions to his son, Rep. Rob Menendez, D-N.J. Also, expect queries about Menendez for Schumer at his weekly press conference on Wednesday. Schumer has not called for the expulsion of Menendez. Only that he step down.

The Senate has not expelled a member since 1862. It takes a two-thirds vote to expel a senator. If Menendez refuses to budge, the senate could begin expulsion proceedings against the New Jersey Democrat once the ethics report is complete. 

What will Menendez do? It’s unclear. He predicated his entire defense on the idea that he was just doing Senate and constituent business. Not taking bribes. 

Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), GOP Vice Presidential Nominee:

It is unclear if Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, will come to Capitol Hill in the coming days for votes and hearings. Previous presidential and vice presidential nominees have parachuted back to Capitol Hill here from the trail or when there are important votes and debates. Vice President Harris – then a senator from California – came back to the Capitol during the pandemic in the fall of 2020 as the Senate conducted confirmation hearings for Supreme court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. 

Also, Vance has experienced one of the more meteoric rises ever in American politics. Faster than former President Obama. Vance has only been a senator for a year-and-a-half and never held any office before. Look for senators from both parties to offer their commentary on Vance throughout the week. 

The Wild Card:

Anything can happen in this environment. A monumental political scandal may emerge. God forbid, there could be another security incident.

One source told Fox that if President Biden bows out and the party drafts Harris, Democrats should look at Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, as their Vice Presidential pick. Brown pondered running for President in 2020. Brown stepping aside might cost Democrats a winnable Senate seat. But Fox was told some in the party like how Brown could match up with Vance. 

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This is just what to look for next week. 

Brace yourself for the week after that.

FBI interviews classmate of Trump shooter after he exposed school confrontation

EXCLUSIVE: BETHEL PARK, Pa. – The FBI has reached out to a former classmate of would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks after he publicly revealed that the killer had confronted him years ago over his support for former President Donald Trump and expressed a “smug” dislike for politicians, he says.

“They called me…honestly just asked me for names and if I could give [them] much else,” 20-year-old Vincent Taormina told Fox News Digital. 

Agents asked questions about the Trump rally gunman’s social circle and his purported dislike for candidates like Trump, Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, he said.

But he also referred to himself as a “dead end” for the bureau. He said he hadn’t talked to the gunman in years.

FORMER CLASSMATE RECALLS TRUMP SHOOTER GRILLING HIM OVER SUPPORT FOR FORMER POTUS: ‘DID NOT LIKE POLITICIANS’

He didn’t hear much from Crooks after a school shooting threat that he believes originated from the killer’s group of close friends.

“They were definitely the type, and they did, make threats to shoot up our school,” he said.

TRUMP SHOOTER’S FORMER AMERICAN POLITICS CLASSMATE ON CONVERSATIONS WITH WOULD-BE ASSASSIN THOMAS CROOKS

However, Taormina told Fox News Digital that while rumors swirled, there wasn’t any concrete evidence regarding who specifically in the group made the threat.

He had suspicions though. Crooks vanished from school for several days afterward, he said.

WATCH: Classmate recalls Trump shooter grilling him over support for former president: ‘He called me stupid’

Jason Kohler, who told reporters earlier this week that Crooks had been relentlessly bullied in school, said the same.

“No, never heard that,” he said when asked about Crooks’ being behind the threat.

Another classmate, Sarah D’Angelo, separately told Fox News Digital that she didn’t think he would have been involved in the threat – it happened at the high school when they were all in middle school.

THOMAS MATTHEW CROOKS HID RIFLE IN ADVANCE OF TRUMP RALLY SNIPER ATTACK, SECRET SERVICE SOURCE SAYS

WATCH: Former classmate of Trump’s would-be assassin says Thomas Matthew Crooks’ had ‘no outward political views’

But the former high school math whiz became a killer on Saturday, July 13. Crooks climbed onto a building during Trump’s campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and opened fire with a semiautomatic rifle, authorities said.

He killed a 50-year-old father of two named Corey Comperatore, critically wounded David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74, according to authorities. He struck the former president in his right ear.

Secret Service counter-snipers “neutralized” Crooks at the scene, authorities said. Images show him lying dead on a rooftop less than 150 yards from where Trump had been speaking.

FORMER SECRET SERVICE AGENT WARNS AGENCY ‘STRETCHED THIN’ WITH NEW RESPONSIBILITIES, LACK OF MANPOWER

Taormina said he believes someone in Crooks’ friend group must have known something about whatever triggered him to commit the violent attack.

“Everybody, anybody who knew him-knew him, should have seen something,” he said. “They should have known something was up, and I know it’s kind of easy to hide, but people are going to get their affairs in order before they do something that’s bold and this drastic, and nobody saw it? And why?”

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A federal investigation into his motives and potential help is continuing, with the FBI analyzing his laptop, cellphone and rifle as well as interviewing dozens of witnesses.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to submit tips at http://tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Country music star joins hundreds to honor firefighter who died at Trump rally

Pinned

Musician Billy Ray Cyrus joins hundreds to honor Pennsylvania local hero who died at Trump rally

Musician Billy Ray Cyrus and hundreds of other people gathered in rural Pennsylvania to honor local hero Corey Comperatore on Friday, who died while shielding his family from flying bullets while a man attempted to assassinate former President Trump in Butler on Saturday.

Comperatore served 10 years in the U.S. Army Reserves, served as the chief of the Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department in Pennsylvania in the early 2000s, and was a churchgoing, loving father and husband.

Musician Cyrus, who’s always been passionate about honoring troops and first responders, was seen shaking hands with law enforcement members at Comperatore’s service, where he joined the family and performed.

People reported that Cyrus sang “Amazing Grace,” along with his 1992 song, “Some Gave All.”

A procession of law enforcement at virtually every level, from local police to federal agents, firefighters from all over the area, EMS and military personnel drove to the funeral.

Residents waved flags. Some were clearly emotional as they wiped away tears.

Fox News’ Audrey Conklin and Chris Eberhart contributed to this report.

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HSI agents were in Pennsylvania to support the Secret Service when Trump was nearly killed

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents were on the ground at a rally for former President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, where a gunman attempted to assassinate the presidential candidate.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told Fox that HSI routinely supports partner agencies inside and outside of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in a wide range of missions.

Many of the missions, the spokesperson said, keep the American public safe from national security threats.

The rally in Butler was no different, and the spokesperson confirmed HSI agents were there to support the U.S. Secret Service.

Fox News’ Rebecca Rosenberg contributed to this report.

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Secret Service oversaw entire failed security plan at Pennsylvania Trump rally: source

The staffing and planning of the failed security detail that led to a gunman gaining a clear site of former President Trump and nearly assassinating him at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania was directed by the Secret Service, according to a federal law enforcement source with knowledge of the plan.

The source told Fox News that 22 Secret Service agents, including the advance team, assault team and sniper teams, were staffed for the event, along with 16 Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents. No Secret Service drones were in the air during the event.

The Secret Service did not request tactical support from HSI, the source noted, and HSI agents were assigned to “post standing” duties only at the media pen and street entrance.

The HSI agents were tasked with keeping an eye out for anyone suspicious in their areas. The were not responsible for the area around Trump or the buildings around the exterior of the rally, where the shooter was ultimately shot and killed, the source explained.

All planning and staffing of the event was directed by the Secret Service, who reportedly told HSI and local law enforcement officials where they needed bodies.

The source said the Secret Service oversaw the entire security plan.

Fox News’ Bill Melugin contributed to this report.

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Former President Trump says he spoke with Zelenskyy, who condemned assassination attempt

Former President Trump posted to Truth Social on Friday that he had a very good call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who not only congratulated the presidential candidate on a successful Republican National Convention, but also condemned the “heinous” assassination attempt on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania last Saturday.

“President Zelenskyy of Ukraine and I had a very good phone call earlier today. He congratulated me on a very successful Republican National Convention and becoming the Republican nominee for President of the United States,” Trump wrote. “He condemned the heinous assassination attempt last Saturday and remarked about the American people coming together in the spirit of Unity during these times. I appreciate President Zelenskyy for reaching out because I, as your next President of the United States, will bring peace to the world and end the war that has cost so many lives and devastated countless innocent families. Both sides will be able to come together and negotiate a deal that ends the violence and paves a path forward to prosperity.”

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Secret Service denies legal organization’s FOIA regarding Trump rally security in PA

The Secret Service denied a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from America First Legal, which was seeking information on the security failure that led to the attempted assassination of former President Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania last Saturday.

“Biden’s Secret Service is delaying the processing of a FOIA we filed following the assassination attempt of President Trump,” the organization wrote in a post on X.

America First Legal said the agency denied the request because there is not, “any threat to the life or safety of anyone” or “any urgency to inform the public about gov’t activity.”

The group shared an image of the denial with the post.

“Please be advised, your request has been denied because you do not qualify under either category. You have not demonstrated that there is a threat to the life or physical safety of an individual nor have you demonstrated there is a particular urgency to inform the public about the government activity involved in the request, beyond the public’s right to know about government activity, generally,” the response read. “Your letter was conclusory, in nature, and did not present any facts to justify a grant of expedited processing under the applicable standards.”

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Rep. Green subpoenas Mayorkas after not meeting deadline for documents on security at PA Trump rally

Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., subpoenaed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for documents and information on a failed security detail that led to a man nearly assassinating former President Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania last Saturday.

In a letter dated July 14, Green requested documents and information on the DHS’s planning for Trump’s July 13 rally.

Green issued the subpoena after DHS failed to respond and comply with his committee’s requests for documents and information by Friday’s deadline.

“The Department of Homeland Security has failed to properly satisfy our requests for documents and information regarding the security efforts to prevent and respond to the assassination attempt on President Trump––and the piecemeal information it has provided over phone calls is woefully inadequate,” Green wrote. “In order for this Committee to conduct proper oversight over DHS and the U.S. Secret Service, the department and agency must cooperate.

Fox News’ Chad Pergram contributed to this report.

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FBI says social media allegations on executive attending Pennsylvania rally are false

FBI STATEMENT:

“The allegations circulating on social media about an FBI executive and the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania
are categorically false. To be clear, the person depicted is not her and she did not attend the rally. The men and women of the FBI work tirelessly and selflessly to protect others every day, and false rumors and conspiracy theories targeting these dedicated public servants are reprehensible and irresponsible. They are also dangerous and often lead to threats against them and their families. The FBI will continue to work with our partners to hold accountable anyone who makes violent threats against them or any of our colleagues in law enforcement.”

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Former Secret Service agent says agency ‘didn’t win on July 13’

Former Secret Service agent Frank Loveridge weighed in on the investigation into how a gunman was able to access a roof to get a clear line of sight of former President Trump before opening fire, saying “we didn’t win on July 13.”

Loveridge was a guest on Fox News’ “America Reports” on Friday, when he said it has been over 40 years since a president has been shot.

But when asked about what happened at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania last Saturday, Loveridge emphasized the importance of the investigation.

“We have to win every day and we didn’t win on July 13 and we have to find out why,” Loveridge said.

He continued, saying the building was not missed when the plans were reviewed by an agent, a couple of supervisors and then put out as a document.

“I don’t think anyone would have missed that,” Loveridge said. “What I’m thinking is that the execution phase was where we had a problem. Was everyone where they were supposed to be when this event occurred? That is the question.”

Loveridge went on to say he has been critical of the Secret Service to be more transparent, noting the agency does not have to be granular, but can still put information out to reduce speculation.

Still, he suggested the public give Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle time to defend herself before the House Oversight Committee on Monday, saying, “Let’s see what Kim has to say on Monday.”

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Zuckerberg says Trump fist pump reaction to shooting was ‘bada–‘

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has lauded former President Trump’s reaction to being shot at a rally on Saturday, labeling the Republican presidential nominee as a “bada–” after he got to his feet and clenched his fist immediately after the assassination attempt.

Zuckerberg, 40, who has often faced the ire of the 45th President over how he operates Facebook and Instagram, said Trump’s resoluteness after coming so close to death helps explain his appeal to voters.

“Seeing Donald Trump get up after getting shot in the face and pump his fist in the air with the American flag is one of the most bada– things I’ve ever seen in my life,” Zuckerberg said Thursday during an interview at the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California, according to Bloomberg.

“On some level as an American, it’s, like, hard to not get kind of emotional about that spirit and that fight, and I think that that’s why a lot of people like the guy.”

Read more about the Facebook CEO’s take on the upcoming election.

FOX Business’s Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.

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Photo shows firefighters carrying casket of Corey Comperatore

A photo has captured firefighters carrying the casket of Corey Comperatore during his private funeral Friday, nearly a week after he was shot and killed at the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Hundreds of people have lined a rural area of the state waving American flags to honor Comperatore. A funeral procession is underway.

The former Buffalo Township fire chief shielded his family from gunfire when a shooter opened fire during the Trump campaign event.

Fox News’ Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.

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House hearing with Secret Service director should reveal a ‘lot of answers,’ expert says

Former Department of Defense counterterrorism analyst Kara Frederick said on the ‘The Faulkner Focus’ Friday that the House hearing next week with the Secret Service’s director  “should give us a lot of answers” surrounding the investigation of Trump rally shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks. 

The House Oversight Committe is set to question Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle on Monday. 

The hearing comes after Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., said members of Congress were told this week that Crooks had three encrypted accounts on overseas platforms.  

“As something I did for almost ten years with the government and then with a big tech company, what you do is you can extract data from these platforms,” Frederick said. “You can figure out who were these platforms that he was supposedly using – even if they were encrypted – who was he talking to, what are his IP addresses, can you geolocate him to those physical locations… was he using aliases?” 

“There are people who are in the government – even who are outside of the government – who can work to exploit that information that those accounts would convey,” she added. 

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Trump shooting victim Corey Comperatore’s funeral draws hundreds, security on high alert

CABOT, Pa. – Hundreds of people lined a rural area of Pennsylvania waving American flags to honor local hero Corey Comperatore on Friday. 

The former Buffalo Township fire chief shielded his family from gunfire when a shooter opened fire during a Saturday rally for
former President Trump
in Butler. 

“Get down,” were reportedly his last words. Comperatore, 50, lost his life that day. 

His daughter called her dad a “true hero,” and the massive crowds who showed up to pay their respects gave him a lionheart’s farewell. 

A procession of law enforcement at virtually every level, from local police to federal agents, firefighters from all over the area, EMS and military personnel drove through the streets of rural Pennsylvania. 

Residents waved flags. Some were clearly emotional as they wiped away tears.

There was a strong security presence for the private ceremony. He leaves behind his wife, Helen, and two daughters. 

Fox News’ Chris Eberhart contributed to this report.

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Blinken calls Trump assassination attempt an ‘attack on our democracy’

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that the assassination attempt against former President Trump last weekend was an “attack on our democracy.” 

“I think many of our friends and partners share the horror that I think every American felt… at the attempted assassination, at the killing of an incredible family man who lost his life trying to protect his family,” Blinken said at the Aspen Security Forum. “And for Americans, you know, we say that political violence is unacceptable. And of course, it is. But it’s also been a thread in our history, as everyone knows all too well, and something that each and every time you hope is the last time, that we see it.” 

“But, for me, going around the world and talking to people about this, I think the greatest strength that we bring to a crisis of this kind, to an attack on our democracy at home, even to the divisions that we have at home, which are real, which are profound, is the way we approach them is what we actually do in response,” Blinken added. “And the hallmark of this country heretofore has always been to confront our challenges, to confront our differences openly, transparently, not to pretend they don’t exist, not to sweep them under the rug.” 

Fox News’ Nicholas Kalman contributed to this report. 

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Secret Service had ‘awful quick turn around’ in preparing Trump rally site, organizer says

The president of the Butler Farm Show – where former President Trump held his rally on Saturday when the assassination attempt unfolded – tells the New York Times that Secret Service agents first visited the site less than a week before the event. 

Organizers for Trump’s campaign asked to use the site in Butler on July 3 before Secret Service agents showed up to scan the area on July 8, Ken Laughlin said to the newspaper. 

“It just seemed like an awful quick turn around,” he said. 

Trump’s rally was supposed to be held at the Butler County Airport — but the airport was already booked out for July 13 for the Penn Township Volunteer Fire Company’s annual Mega Cruise car show, according to Stephanie Saracco, the Butler County Airport Manager.

Trump held a rally at the airport on October 31, 2020 as President.  

Fox News’ Bryan Llenas contributed to this report.

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House Oversight Committee schedules Monday hearing with Secret Service director

The House Committee On Oversight and Accountability has scheduled a hearing for Monday with Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, who is facing criticism and calls to resign from lawmakers over her agency’s handling of the Trump rally shooting last weekend in Pennsylvania.

The hearing, titled “Oversight of the U.S. Secret Service and the Attempted Assassination of President Donald J. Trump,” is set to unfold on Capitol Hill beginning at 10 a.m. ET Monday.

Cheatle is refusing to resign, but House Speaker Mike Johnston told FOX Business on Thursday that he is prepared to call on President Biden to fire her.

“Continuity of operations is paramount during a critical incident and U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has no intentions to step down. She deeply respects members of Congress and is fiercely committed to transparency in leading the Secret Service through the internal investigation and strengthening the agency through lessons learned in these important internal and external reviews,” Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement late Wednesday. 

Cheatle was confronted by senators who were demanding answers when she showed up at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this week.

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Rallygoer says Pennsylvania crowd was overwhelmed by Trump’s response to getting shot

Bob Crankovic of Pittsburgh told Fox News Digital “it was tough to watch” the assassination attempt against former President Trump last weekend at the rally in Pennsylvania. 

Crankovic said he “immediately ducked for cover” as bullets were flying out Saturday in Butler. 

“As soon as the president got up, everybody was absolutely screaming their head off for the president in support,” he continued. 

“I’ve been to four rallies prior, this was number five, I didn’t see anything out of step with how it a normal rally goes about,” Crankovic also said. “President Trump’s reaction is exactly how I think the country is feeling – we want to come back, we want a strong leader who knows exactly the moment and knows how to step up to the moment and be in the moment all at the exact same time.”

Posted by Greg Norman Share

Trump shooter signed up to attend rally a week before it happened: report

A person using the name Thomas Matthew Crooks signed up on July 6 to attend the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where the assassination attempt unfolded, according to ABC News. 

A source familiar with the matter told the network that the individual used an encrypted email address and a cell phone number to complete the signup. 

The Trump campaign reportedly announced on July 3 that the rally would be happening on July 13 in Butler. 

Crooks died that day after opening fire at former President Trump. 

Posted by Greg Norman Share

Friends of fallen Trump rallygoer say Comperatore was a ‘good soul’

Sylvia and Eric Lowry, whose son is a pallbearer at the funeral for Corey Comperatore, told Fox News Digital Friday that the Pennsylvania firefighter who died in the Trump rally shooting was a “good soul.” 

“My son was a fireman with Corey for years. He was a great mentor for him, he was a wonderful person,” Sylvia Lowry told Fox News Digital. “We are all devastated.” 

“We know the girls, his daughters, they are just a great family and we just pray that he rests in peace and that the family just finds comfort in all of this,” she added. 

Eric Lowry said “Corey was also the best man in our son’s wedding.” 

Fox News’ Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.

Posted by Greg Norman Share

Sen. Hawley: Whistleblowers say most Trump rally security ‘were not even Secret Service’

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., wrote on X Friday that “whistleblowers tell me that MOST of Trump’s security detail working the event last Saturday were not even Secret Service.  

“DHS assigned unprepared and inexperienced personnel,” he added, posting a letter he sent today to United States Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.  

“Whistleblowers who have direct knowledge of the event have approached my office. According to the allegations, the July 13 rally was considered to be a ‘loose’ security event. For example, detection canines were not used to monitor entry and detect threats in the usual manner,” Hawley wrote. “Individuals without proper designations were able to gain access to backstage areas. Department personnel did not appropriately police the security buffer around the podium and were also not stationed at regular intervals around the event’s security perimeter.” 

“In addition, whistleblower allegations suggest the majority of DHS officials were not in fact USSS agents but instead drawn from the department’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). This is especially concerning given that HSI agents were unfamiliar with standard protocols typically used at these types of events, according to the allegations,” Hawley also said. 

Hawley used the letter to ask Mayorkas to respond to multiple questions regarding security at the Trump campaign event. 

Posted by Greg Norman Share

Funeral procession underway for Corey Comperatore

A funeral procession is underway Friday for Corey Comperatore, the volunteer firefighter who died last weekend at former President Trump’s
rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. 

Video taken in Comperatore’s hometown of Sarver showed a convoy of motorcycles, fire department vehicles carrying personnel, and other mourners headed to the private event. 

Posted by Greg Norman Share

Auburn basketball coach praises Trump’s ‘courage’: ‘He’d take a bullet for us’

Auburn men’s basketball head coach Bruce Pearl couldn’t believe what happened on Saturday.

Over the weekend, former President Trump was grazed on the ear by a bullet fired during a failed assassination attempt at his political rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. 

One person was killed and two others were injured when Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, who was later identified as the shooter, opened fire less than 10 minutes after Trump began speaking.

Pearl, 64, like many others, was stunned by the shooting. He recalled his initial reaction during an appearance on OutKick’s “Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich” on Thursday.

“My first reaction was: How was this possibly happening? Is it real? When he got up pretty quickly, I prayed, I immediately asked God to watch over him, and praying for him in that particular moment.”

Pearl continued, “Then to see him get up and have the presence and the courage [to pump his fist at the crowd], I mean, Dan, who does that? That’s just rare to have that presence. To let everybody know, ‘Hey, I’m OK, and I am in this for our country, and let’s continue to fight.’ He’d take a bullet for us.”

Posted by Ryan Canfield Share

Trump will head to Michigan for first rally since assassination attempt

Former President Trump will head to Michigan on Saturday for his first rally since the assassination attempt last weekend in Pennsylvania. 

The campaign event, which will be held indoors at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, is set to feature new running mate J.D. Vance. 

“We are proud here in Michigan to be hosting him for his first rally after this convention, where we really saw a unified Republican party going forward,” Michigan Republican congressional candidate Tom Barrett told ‘Fox & Friends First’ on Friday.  

“President Trump gave a real harrowing speech [at the RNC], starting his remarks recounting the events that took place in Pennsylvania with the attempt against his life, he thanked those that were there, the Secret Service agents that leapt into action to keep him safe,” Barrett added.  

Posted by Greg Norman Share

Former Secret Service agent questions why Trump was allowed on stage amid threat concerns

A retired U.S. Secret Service agent questioned why former President Trump was cleared to take the stage at Saturday’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, despite a “person of interest” being identified beforehand.

“Why the rush? Why push him on stage? Why not delay?” questioned Mike Matranga on “America’s Newsroom” Thursday.

“It would have taken nothing to take a tactical pause, assess the situation, locate him, and potentially prevent what we haven’t seen in 43 years.”

Matranga called the situation a “catastrophic failure.”

“Failing to even address the American people or to point the finger solely at the local law enforcement is just not right,” he said. “This is a catastrophic failure of communications. We’ve known this for decades, that we rely too heavily on our local counterparts to do the jobs that we are designed to do, and so this is a catastrophic failure.”

“The former president deserves better,” he continued. “The individuals who were harmed and the individual who succumbed to his injuries deserve better.”

Posted by Elizabeth Heckman Share

Private funeral to be held today for firefighter killed at Pennsylvania Trump rally

A private funeral is set to be held Friday for Corey Comperatore, the 50-year-old volunteer firefighter who was killed by gunfire at former President Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania last weekend. 

Thousands of mourners paid their respects to Comperatore on Thursday during a memorial service at a banquet hall in Freeport, according to The Associated Press. 

Fire trucks and police vehicles filled the parking lot outside the building. Sharpshooters were positioned on top of the event hall and on nearby buildings as people, including firefighters in dress uniforms, waited in line to enter. 

Guests walked past a large, framed photo of Comperatore holding a fish, while a slideshow of photos from his life was projected on a screen — his wedding, a recent 50th birthday party, time with his daughters, firefighting, fishing, and palling around with his Dobermans. 

Rich Tallis, a Penn Hills volunteer firefighter who attended the visitation, told the AP he did not know Comperatore personally but felt a need to honor his memory. 

“Any first responder, it’s a brotherhood – police, EMS fire, military. We’re technically all one,” he said. 

Jon Ruffley, who lives outside Pittsburgh and attended part of the Trump rally Saturday,
went to the visitation with his wife and young child. He told the AP he hoped his presence sent a supportive message to the family that “we stick together as Americans regardless of, you know, what someone’s political affiliations are.” 

“I think it’s really important that we raise our kids in a way where we can see that political violence is unacceptable, that we stand for having important discourses about things in, in our society,” he said. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Posted by Greg Norman Share

Congress denied access to crucial Trump protection plan screams ‘cover your a– mode’: expert

BUTLER, Pa. — Congress was denied access
to the integral Ops Report that details the protection plan for former President Trump’s rally, according to a lawmaker who was at Wednesday’s FBI briefing and spoke to Fox News Digital on the condition of anonymity.

Paul Mauro, an attorney and retired NYPD inspector, said the Ops Report “should detail who was supposed to cover the area of the roof that (Thomas Matthew) Crooks fired from.”

“If there was no Ops Plan done, or if it didn’t cover that rooftop, whoever signed off on it failed badly,” Mauro said. 

The detailed, written plan was in the hands of the FBI as of Thursday afternoon, according to Mauro, who said the information came from a source “I absolutely, 100% trust.” The FBI declined to comment. 

Posted by Chris Eberhart Share

Trump breaks out immigration chart shown right before assassination attempt

Former President Trump showed off a chart on immigration during the Republican National Convention Thursday night that he credits with literally saving his life last Saturday

“Less than four years ago, I handed this administration the strongest border in American history, but you can see on the chart that saved my life… that was the chart that saved my life,” Trump said as the chart was put up on the screen behind him.

During Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania last week, Trump pivoted to point to the same chart when shots rang out, striking the former president in the right ear. Many have credited Trump turning to the chart, which shows the number of illegal immigrants entering the country, for saving his life, noting that the former president turned to look at it just as he was hit with the bullet.

Posted by Michael Lee Share

Trump is being ‘very vulnerable and transparent’ about the assassination attempt, doctor says

Dr. Houman Hemmati told ‘Fox News Live’ that the Trump rally assassination attempt is “hurting” the former President and “he was obvious about it” during his RNC acceptance speech last night. 

Trump, during the speech, told a crowd in Milwaukee that “so many people have asked me what happened… and therefore I will tell you exactly what happened and you’ll never hear it from me a second time because it’s actually too painful to tell.” 

“When have you ever heard President Trump ever say in the past that he is never going to repeat something?” Hemmati said, adding “this is one of those rare moments where you see him in a public way be very vulnerable and transparent and it shows you that he is processing it.” 

“The fact that he also went to the uniform of the fallen individual who attended his rally also shows you the sense of survivor guilt that I think he has,” Hemmati continued. “He said ‘I shouldn’t be here,’ that is a sign he thinks that bullet should have been for him and why am I alive and someone else isn’t?” 

Posted by Greg Norman Share

Trump pays emotional tribute to Corey Comperatore during RNC speech: ‘Spirit that forged America’

Former President Donald Trump in his RNC acceptance speech paid tribute to firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the attempt on Trump’s life during a Pennsylvania rally last weekend.

“Tragically, the shooter claimed the life of one of our fellow Americans, Corey Comperatore, and seriously wounded two other great warriors… David Dutch and James Copenhaver. I spoke to all three families of these tremendous people—our love and prayers are with them, and always will be,” Trump said. 

“Corey, a highly respected former fire chief… was accompanied by his wife Helen… and two precious daughters,” he continued. “He lost his life selflessly acting as a human shield to protect them from flying bullets… what a fine man he was.”

Trump then
walked over to Comperatore’s firefighting jacket and helmet, which were sent to the convention by the family and were placed next to Trump on the stage, asking for a moment of silence for the Pennsylvania father. 

“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for others,” Trump said, noting that Comperatore was killed while shielding his family from the incoming bullets. “This is the spirit that forged America in her darkest hours, and this is the love that will lead America back to the summit of human achievement and greatness.”

Posted by Michael Lee Share

Retired Army captain at Trump rally reveals ‘tactical reason’ Secret Service should’ve been on roof

BETHEL PARK, Pa. – The Secret Service should have foreseen a “tactical reason” to have countersnipers placed on the AGR building rooftop at former President Trump’s Pennsylvania rally on Saturday – where gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire – according to a retired Army infantry captain who witnessed the chaos from the front row.

“I’ve been in more firefights than I can count, I can tell you, but I’ve never been in anything like that,” Sean Parnell, a former congressional candidate who can be seen in photos of the shooting just steps away from Trump on stage right, told Fox News Digital.

“Doesn’t it make sense to engage behind the president, too?” he added. “There was a tactical reason for that to be occupied.”

Parnell said that as soon as he arrived at the rally, he took a general look around and potential security vulnerabilities stood out to him, but he also saw a strong police presence.

“As a combat veteran, 16 months in Afghanistan, I’ll tell you that looking for threats like that is, once you come back from combat, you’re kind of wired like that,” he said. “That experience that never leaves you. I didn’t think anything was going to go wrong. I’m at a political rally … but you still think about that.”

Posted by Michael Ruiz Share

Trump says ‘​​I am not supposed to be here tonight’ during RNC acceptance speech

Former President Trump spent a the first part of his keynote acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention’s final night by acknowledging how lucky he was to survive an assassination attempt last weekend during a rally in Pennsylvania.

“So many people have asked me what happened, and therefore, I’ll tell you what happened,” Trump said Thursday night in Milwaukee. “And you’ll never hear it from me a second time, because it’s too painful to tell.”

Trump recounted the events from Butler, Pennsylvania
last Saturday when a gunman, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, opened fire. Crooks’ shot pierced the former president’s upper right ear while he was turning to look at one of his immigration charts displayed on a screen at the event.

“In order to see the chart, I started to turn to my right, and was ready to begin a further turn, which I’m lucky I didn’t, when I heard a loud whizzing sound and felt something hit me, really hard, on my right ear,” Trump said. “I said to myself, ‘Wow, what was that—it can only be a bullet,’—and moved my right hand to my ear, brought it down, and my hand was covered with blood, just blood all over the place. I immediately knew it was very serious, that we were under attack, and in one movement, proceeded to drop to the ground.”

“There was blood pouring everywhere, and yet, in a certain way I felt very safe, because I had God on my side,” Trump continued. “The amazing thing is that prior to the shot, if I had not moved my head at the very last instant, the assassin’s bullet would have perfectly hit its mark, and I would not be with you tonight.”

“But that isn’t the reason they didn’t move—the reason is that they knew I was in serious trouble, they saw all of the blood, and thought I was dead, and they just didn’t want to leave me, and you can see that love written all over their faces,” he said.

“I am not supposed to be here tonight,” Trump said, before the crowd at Fiserv Forum chanted, “Yes you are.”

“I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of almighty God,” Trump said. “In watching the reports over the last few days, many people say it was a providential moment.”

“The crowd was confused because they thought I was dead,” Trump said. “And there was great great sorrow. I could see that on their faces as I looked up. They didn’t know I was looking out they thought it was over. When I could see it I wanted to do something to let them know I was okay. I raised my right arm looked at the thousands and thousands of people that were breathlessly waiting and started shouting, ‘fight, fight, fight.'”

Posted by Scott McDonald Share

Major IT outage grounds flights, hits banks and businesses worldwide

A major cyber outage has grounded flights and disrupted businesses and media organizations throughout the world.

The technology glitch caused chaos on Friday morning with Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines issuing statements saying that their flight operations had been impacted. Emergency response systems were down at police agencies and healthcare providers in Phoenix, Arizona, forcing some police and ambulance providers to dispatch cars manually, per The Arizona Republic.

Banks and financial services firms from Australia to India and Germany warned customers of disruptions.

Ticker Security Last Change Change %
CRWD CROWDSTRIKE HOLDINGS INC. 304.96 -38.09 -11.10%
MSFT MICROSOFT CORP. 437.11 -3.26 -0.74%
DAL DELTA AIR LINES INC. 45.45 +0.53 +1.18%
AAL AMERICAN AIRLINES GROUP INC. 10.58 -0.04 -0.38%

In Britain, booking systems used by doctors were offline, multiple reports from medical officials on X said, while Sky News, one of the country’s major news broadcasters was off air, apologizing for being unable to transmit live, and soccer club Manchester United said on X that it had to postpone a scheduled release of tickets.

AMERICAN AIRLINES PLANE BLOWS TIRE MOMENTS BEFORE TAKEOFF WITH VISIBLE SMOKE, FLAMES IN STARTLING VIDEO

England’s National Health Service said Friday it was aware of the global IT outage and that its EMIS, an appointment and patient record system, had been disrupted at a majority of general practitioner’s offices. 

“The NHS has long standing measures in place to manage the disruption, including using paper patient records and handwritten prescriptions, and the usual phone systems to contact your GP,” the NHS said. 

“There are also some issues with administrative systems in hospitals that mean staff are having to work manually from paper to manage certain tasks but in the majority of hospitals, care is continuing as normal.” 

The technology glitch was caused by a faulty update from CrowdStrike, a U.S. cybersecurity technology company based in Texas, in a single content update for Windows hosts.

It resulted in Windows computers and tablets crashing and displaying a blue screen, known informally as the “Blue Screen of Death.” Over half of Fortune 500 companies use CrowdStrike software, the firm said in a promotional video this year.

“The issue has been identified, isolated and a fix has been deployed,” George Kurtz, the president and CEO of CrowdStrike posted on X. “We refer customers to the support portal for the latest updates and will continue to provide complete and continuous updates on our website.”

“Mac and Linux hosts are not impacted. This is not a security incident or cyberattack.”

CrowdStrike Holdings Inc. shares plummeted 9% Friday, resulting in the stock’s worst weekly performance since November 2022. 

CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc.

President Biden was briefed on the global outage on Friday and his administration is communicating with CrowdStrike and impacted entities, according to a White House official. 

“His team is engaged across the interagency to get sector by sector updates throughout the day and is standing by to provide assistance as needed,” the official said. 

Delta Air Lines issued a statement early Friday morning announcing that all flights were paused as they worked through the technology issue. Allegiant Air grounded flights also.

United Airlines’ ground stop has been lifted for all airports, an Air Traffic Control System Command Center advisory said. 

United earlier said it would resume some flights, but customers can expect schedule disruptions to continue throughout Friday. The airline has issued a waiver to make it easier for customers to change their travel plans via United.com or the United app, a spokesperson said. 

American Airlines says it has been able to “safely re-establish our operation.”

UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT CATCHES FIRE JUST BEFORE TAKEOFF HALTING ARRIVALS AT CHICAGO O’HARE

The FAA said all flights, regardless of destination, have been affected.  More than 30,000 flights have been delayed as of 12:42 p.m. ET Friday with 5.944 delays within, into or out of the United States, according to data from flightaware.com

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigigeg told CNBC on Friday that any transportation delays should be “resembling normal” by Saturday. 

“The issue has been identified. It’s really a matter of the kind of ripple or cascade effects as they get everything in their networks back to normal,” Buttigieg said. “These flights, they run so tightly, so back-to-back that even after a root cause is addressed, you can still be feeling those impacts throughout the day.”

Airports in Singapore, Hong Kong and India said the outage meant some airlines were having to check in passengers manually.

Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, one of Europe’s busiest, said it was affected, while airline Iberia said it had been operating manually at airports until its electronic check-in counters and online check-ins were reactivated. It said there had been some delays but no flight cancelations.

London Gatwick was also experiencing issues, while Air France-KLM said its operations were also disrupted.

Amazon’s cloud computing service warned customers to look out for “connectivity issues and reboots” as a result of the CrowdStrike outage. 

AWS services and network connectivity “continue to operate normally,” but some “Windows Instances, Windows Workspaces and Appstream Applications” that use CrowdStrike had issues Friday morning, according to a notice on AWS’ service dashboard. The company gave customers instructions to restore connectivity. 

Shipping services FedEx and UPS also reported disruptions Friday, warning that packages might be delayed while both companies separately work to mitigate the impact of CrowdStrike’s outage. 

The technology error was separate from a problem Microsoft faced overnight with cloud services, including Microsoft 365 apps such as Teams video conferencing. 

Microsoft said via X they were “working on rerouting the impacted traffic to alternate systems to alleviate impact in a more expedient fashion” and that they were “observing a positive trend in service availability.”

Microsoft says service went down for some customers in the central United States around 6 p.m. ET, “including failures with service management operations and connectivity or availability of services.” 

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They also stated on their services health status page and X that they are “continuing to see an improvement in service availability across multiple Microsoft 365 apps and services. We’re closely monitoring our telemetry data to ensure this upward trend continues as our mitigation actions continue to progress.”

Officials have not said how long it will take to resolve the stop, but an update is expected later Friday morning.

MSNBC guest admits to never-before-seen ‘enthusiasm gap’ between Biden and Trump

There is a currently a massive enthusiasm gap between former President Trump and President Biden leading Democrats to scramble for support, according to one MSNBC guest.

During a Thursday appearance on “Deadline: White House,” Tim Alberta, a staff writer for The Atlantic, said the Democratic base is “entirely lacking for intensity,” and elected officials in battleground states are struggling to find volunteers.

“I’ve never seen an enthusiasm gap like the one we’re witnessing in the summer of this election year,” he said.

“I’ve heard horror stories from people on the ground in Michigan, in Pennsylvania, in Arizona, about just striking out time and time again as local Democratic Party chapters, county chapters have tried to get people to come in and phone bank, get mail going, knock on doors. They can’t do it. They can’t find people,” the reporter added.

TRUMP CAMPAIGN ON BIDEN TURMOIL: ‘DEMOCRATS CAN’T EVEN FIGURE OUT WHO THEIR NOMINEE SHOULD BE’

If Biden were suddenly replaced with another candidate, Alberta said the pivot would lead to a “jolt of immediate energy,” enthusiasm, and donor cash that would alter the race for both parties.

“If Biden were to step aside and if Democrats had a new standard-bearer atop the ticket, you’ve got to expect that they would see a massive, historic fundraising surge of their own, which is one reason among many that so many elected officials at this point are pressuring the president to step aside,” he continued.

Former Obama adviser Van Jones also weighed in on enthusiasm among Republicans on Thursday and said the energy at this week’s Republican National Convention was comparable to what he saw when former President Obama was first nominated in 2008.

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Earlier in the evening, Jones commented on the former president enduring a litany of challenges before standing ready to receive the Republican nomination.

“Dreams become nightmares and nightmares become dreams. You’re watching a nightmare become a dream for Donald Trump,” Jones said. “He has had a nightmarish summer with, you know, convictions and indictments and all kinds of stuff, almost got shot. It’s becoming a dream for him.”

But for President Joe Biden, he argued, the dream has become a nightmare.

BIDEN CAMPAIGN INSISTS PRESIDENT IS ‘STAYING IN THIS RACE’

An AP-NORC survey – which was conducted July 11-15, mostly completed before the attempted assassination of Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania over the weekend – found that 7 in 10 adults, including 65% of Democrats, say Biden should withdraw and allow his party to select a different nominee.

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Overall, 57% of adults say Trump should withdraw from the race and allow his party to name a replacement. But Trump is maintaining support from his party, with 73% of Republicans saying he should stay in the race.

Biden is facing more resistance from his party, with only 35% of Democrats saying he should continue his re-election campaign.