NationalWatch

EXCLUSIVE: Republican Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake is building momentum in her race to flip the seat currently held by independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.

Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., chair of the House Republican Study Committee, announced his endorsement of Lake on Thursday, becoming the latest national figure to back her bid in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched and consequential races of 2024.

“I am proud to endorse Kari Lake for U.S. Senate in Arizona. Kari is exactly who we need in the Senate to secure the border, stand up to Hamas terrorists, rein in reckless spending, and protect the Second Amendment. She is an America First fighter who will shake up Washington D.C. and I look forward to working with her in the Senate,” Banks said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

RACE TO REPLACE ROMNEY IN SENATE HEATS UP AS ANOTHER REPUBLICAN LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN: ‘STRONG CONSERVATIVE WOMAN’

“I am humbled to have the endorsement of Congressman Jim Banks. He is a proven conservative leader, promoting America First policies and standing up to Joe Biden. Jim and I will help flip the Senate red and get to work for the American people,” Lake told Fox.

The conservative firebrand, who narrowly lost her bid to become Arizona’s governor last year, won a string of endorsements over the last two weeks, including from Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo.; Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah; and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, as well as a number of state and local officials.

She also received the backing of former President Donald Trump on the night of her campaign launch last month.

GOP, DEMS TEAM UP TO RIP ‘DELUSIONAL’ SINEMA OVER ‘PLAN’ TO SWIPE THEIR VOTERS IN INDEPENDENT RE-ELECTION BID

The endorsements show a coalescing of Republican support around Lake, whose new approach appears to have left the accusations of a stolen 2022 election in the rearview mirror.

Lake plans to center the race largely on the “radical” record of her Democrat opponent, Phoenix-area Rep. Ruben Gallego, who is expected to win his party’s nomination, specifically his support for the Biden administration, the Iran nuclear deal and past opposition to a border wall. 

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Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb is Lake’s only major Republican challenger in the race for the GOP nomination. He has received the backing of Latinos for America First PAC, a group that advocates “for conservative policies” and electing “America first candidates.”

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

Former President Donald Trump on Thursday blasted New York Judge Arthur Engoron and defended his sons Donald Trump, Jr. and Eric Trump, who he said are being “persecuted in a political witch hunt.” 

Both of Trump’s sons took the stand this week in the non-jury civil trial stemming from New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit against Trump’s family and businesses.

Trump slammed Engoron, saying he was “hurting my very good children” and working to “damage & defame” him in an effort to interfere with the 2024 presidential election. 

ERIC TRUMP TO TAKE THE STAND IN NON-JURY CIVIL TRIAL AGAINST TRUMP ORGANIZATION STEMMING FROM NYAG LAWSUIT

The former president and 2024 Republican presidential primary frontrunner posted to his Truth Social account Thursday afternoon, as his son Eric Trump was on the stand testifying. 

“When Judge Arthur Engoron, one of the most overturned, on Appeal, Judges on the ‘bench,’ stated that a Billion Dollar House is only worth 18 Million Dollars, & made numerous other mistakes, as well, he is the ‘Fraudster,;’ not me,” Trump posted.

“He is just doing this out of his personal ‘Hatred of TRUMP,’ his love of the publicity that this case is getting him, & his lack of respect for the Appeals Court (He is in total violation of their order ending much of this Witch Hunt right now. He refuses to do what they say he must!),” he continued.

“Engoron is a wacko who is having a great time endlessly sanctioning, fining, & pushing around ‘TRUMP,’ hurting my very good children, & working to damage & defame me for purposes of Interfering with the 2024 Presidential Election, all this while never admonishing our failed & corrupt Attorney General, whose ‘Star Witness’ admitted he lied, & that I did NOT tell him to inflate values, a total reversal,” Trump wrote. “Their whole case was based on this single LOSER, so it should be dismissed!”

DONALD TRUMP JR. TAKES THE STAND IN CIVIL TRIAL STEMMING FROM NEW YORK AG LAWSUIT

Trump’s post came amid his son Eric Trump’s testimony, and a day after his eldest son Donald Trump, Jr. took the stand to defend their business.

“So sad to see my sons being PERSECUTED in a political Witch Hunt by this out of control, publicity seeking, New York State Judge, on a case that should have NEVER been brought,” Trump said. “Legal Scholars Scream Disgrace!” 

Again, Trump maintained that his worth is “far greater than on financial statements, plus they contain a full DISCLAIMER CLAUSE telling readers of this information to do their own due diligence and analysis.” 

JUDGE DENIES TRUMP TEAM’S REQUESTS FOR IMMEDIATE VERDICT IN FRAUD TRIAL AFTER COHEN TESTIMONY

“Banks and Insurance Companies made money, not even a minor default, and there were NO VICTIMS, except for the people getting mugged and murdered on the sidewalks of New York while our Corrupt Attorney General sits on her ass in Court all day watching the Trump family be abused by a Trump Hating Judge that said a Billion Dollar house is only worth $18,000,000 Million Dollars!!!” Trump posted. 

Engoron imposed a partial gag order in the trial, blocking all parties from making derogatory statements about his court staff.

Engoron first fined Trump $5,000 for violating the order on social media, and threatened imprisonment if further violations were committed.

Last week, Engoron fined Trump another $10,000, claiming he was again in violation of the order by making a comment about a member of his staff.

NEW YORK JUDGE FINES TRUMP $10K FOR VIOLATING PARTIAL GAG ORDER IN CIVIL FRAUD TRIAL

It is unclear if Engoron will view this Truth Social post as a violation of the gag order.

Meanwhile, the “star witness” Trump referred to is his former attorney Michael Cohen, who testified as part of the civil trial last week. After Cohen testified that Trump did not specifically direct him to inflate assets, Trump’s legal team demanded an immediate verdict and case dismissal, but Engoron rejected their effort. Trump, in another post, again said Cohen “admitted on the stand that he lied.” 

The former president’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, was also set to testify this month, but her attorneys filed an appeal Wednesday to reverse her requirement to do so.

The trial comes after James, a Democrat, brought a lawsuit against Trump last year alleging he and his company misled banks and others about the value of his assets. James claimed Trump’s children Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric, as well as his associates and businesses, committed “numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation” on their financial statements.

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Engoron in September ruled that Trump and the Trump Organization committed fraud while building his real estate empire by deceiving banks, insurers and others by overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used in making deals and securing financing.

Engoron’s ruling came after James sued Trump, his children and the Trump Organization, alleging that the former president “inflated his net worth by billions of dollars” and said his children helped him to do so.

Eric Trump testified Thursday he was never involved with financial statements for the Trump Organization, echoing older brother and co-Executive Vice President Donald Trump Jr.’s testimony from earlier this week.

Both sons of former President Trump took the stand to testify in the non-jury civil trial stemming from New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit against Trump’s family and his businesses. 

Eric Trump is expected to return to the stand for testimony Friday.

Eric Trump said Thursday he had “no involvement and never worked on my father’s statement of financial condition.” 

TRUMP BLASTS MANHATTAN JUDGE, DEFENDS HIS ‘VERY GOOD CHILDREN’ AMID TRUMP ORG CIVIL TRIAL FROM NYAG LAWSUIT

Donald Trump Jr. testified Wednesday he also had no involvement in financial statements, was not professionally trained on generally accepted accounting principles and relied on accountants with regard to financial statements for the Trump Organization.

Both Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump are listed as defendants in James’ suit, along with their father, the 2024 GOP presidential frontrunner.

Ivanka Trump was dismissed as a defendant from the case over the summer after a decision by a New York Appeals Court, but she was scheduled to appear for testimony. Her attorneys on Wednesday, though, filed a notice of appeal to the decision requiring her to testify at her father’s civil fraud trial. The status of that appeal is pending.

The former president is expected to testify Monday. 

The lawsuit centers on whether the former president and his business misled banks and insurers by inflating his net worth on financial statements. James claims the Trump children helped their father do so.

As his son Eric testified on the stand Thursday, Trump posted on his Truth Social account, blasting New York Judge Arthur Engoron and James, while defending his children.

“When Judge Arthur Engoron, one of the most overturned, on Appeal, Judges on the ‘bench,’ stated that a Billion Dollar House is only worth 18 Million Dollars, & made numerous other mistakes, as well, he is the ‘Fraudster,;’ not me,” Trump posted.

DONALD TRUMP JR. TAKES THE STAND IN CIVIL TRIAL STEMMING FROM NEW YORK AG LAWSUIT

“He is just doing this out of his personal ‘Hatred of TRUMP,’ his love of the publicity that this case is getting him, & his lack of respect for the Appeals Court (He is in total violation of their order ending much of this Witch Hunt right now. He refuses to do what they say he must!),” he continued.

“Engoron is a wacko who is having a great time endlessly sanctioning, fining, & pushing around ‘TRUMP,’ hurting my very good children, & working to damage & defame me for purposes of Interfering with the 2024 Presidential Election, all this while never admonishing our failed & corrupt Attorney General, whose ‘Star Witness’ admitted he lied, & that I did NOT tell him to inflate values, a total reversal,” Trump wrote. “Their whole case was based on this single LOSER, so it should be dismissed!”

Trump posted the comments during son Eric Trump’s testimony, and a day after his eldest son Donald Trump Jr. took the stand to defend their business.

JUDGE DENIES TRUMP TEAM’S REQUESTS FOR IMMEDIATE VERDICT IN FRAUD TRIAL AFTER COHEN TESTIMONY

“So sad to see my sons being PERSECUTED in a political Witch Hunt by this out of control, publicity seeking, New York State Judge, on a case that should have NEVER been brought,” Trump said. “Legal Scholars Scream Disgrace!” 

Again, Trump maintained that his worth is “far greater than on financial statements, plus they contain a full DISCLAIMER CLAUSE telling readers of this information to do their own due diligence and analysis.” 

“Banks and Insurance Companies made money, not even a minor default, and there were NO VICTIMS, except for the people getting mugged and murdered on the sidewalks of New York while our Corrupt Attorney General sits on her ass in Court all day watching the Trump family be abused by a Trump Hating Judge that said a Billion Dollar house is only worth $18,000,000 Million Dollars!!!” Trump posted. 

The “star witness” Trump referred to is his former attorney, Michael Cohen, who testified as part of the civil trial last week. After Cohen testified that Trump did not specifically direct him to inflate assets, Trump’s legal team demanded an immediate verdict and case dismissal, but Engoron rejected their effort. Trump, in another post, again said Cohen “admitted on the stand that he lied.” 

Engoron imposed a partial gag order in the trial, blocking all parties from making derogatory statements about his court staff.

NEW YORK JUDGE FINES TRUMP $10K FOR VIOLATING PARTIAL GAG ORDER IN CIVIL FRAUD TRIAL

Engoron first fined Trump $5,000 for violating the order on social media and threatened imprisonment if further violations were committed.

Last week, Engoron fined Trump another $10,000, claiming he was again in violation of the order by making a comment about a member of his staff.

It is unclear if Engoron will view this Truth Social post as a violation of the gag order.

The trial comes after James, a Democrat, sued Trump last year, alleging he and his company misled banks and others about the value of his assets. James claimed Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric, as well as his associates and businesses, committed “numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation” on their financial statements.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Engoron in September ruled that Trump and the Trump Organization committed fraud while building his real estate empire by deceiving banks, insurers and others by overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used in making deals and securing financing.

Engoron’s ruling came after James sued Trump, his children and the Trump Organization, alleging that the former president “inflated his net worth by billions of dollars” and said his children helped him to do so.

Fox News’ Maria Paronich and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

RICHMOND, VA – With just a handful of days to go until crucial legislative elections in Virginia that are grabbing plenty of national attention, former President Barack Obama is putting his star power to use in urging Democrats to head to the polls.

A pair of robocalls recorded by Obama will be sent to over 100,000 households in roughly 20 key legislative districts in Virginia between now and Election Day on Tuesday.

It’s the first time the former president has waded into the closely watched elections in Virginia, where Republicans aim to hold their narrow majority in the state House and recapture control of the state Senate, where Democrats currently hold a fragile majority. Total Republican control of the state government in Richmond would allow Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a rising star in the GOP, to push through a conservative agenda.

“The people we elect in the State Senate and House of Delegates will make decisions that affect your everyday life,” Obama emphasizes in the recorded calls.

WILL VIRGINIA’S ELECTIONS BE A ROADMAP FOR THE GOP IN 2024?

The recordings don’t mention specific issues, including abortion, which state and national Democrats have made a crucial centerpiece of their push to get out the vote.

The calls are being sent by the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NRDC), the Democrats’ top redistricting organization, which is run by Eric Holder, who served as attorney general during the Obama administration.

YOUNGKIN SHATTERING FUNDRAISING RECORDS IN VIRGINIA

One of the two robocalls recorded by Obama urges Virginians to cast a ballot in early voting. Saturday is the last day of early voting in Virginia, which kicked off on September 22. 

The other recorded call urges voters to head to the polls on Tuesday, which is Election Day.

Youngkin and an outside political group aligned with the governor have been making a major push to encourage Republicans to overcome resistance to early voting driven by former President Donald Trump’s unproven claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election.

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The governor has been headlining rallies with Republican legislative candidates across Virginia, which are organized by his Spirit of Virginia PAC. The group has been sending out mailers and running ads encouraging early voting.

News of Obama’s recorded calls was first reported by Politico. 

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

Welcome to Fox News’ Politics newsletter with the latest political news from Washington D.C. and updates from the 2024 campaign trail. 

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What’s happening:

– Two of Donald Trump’s sons testify in civil business fraud trial against Trump Org…

– President Biden heads to Lewiston, Maine, on Friday to meet with first responders, victims of the mass shooting last week…

– The House is expected hold a vote related to Israel aid funding…

Trump’s ‘very good children’

Former President Trump’s two adult sons testified in the Manhattan bench trial against the Trump Organization this week …Read more

Donald Trump Jr. was on the stand much of Wednesday and Eric Trump testified Thursday. Both said they were not involved in the statements of financial condition that are at the core of the lawsuit.

But Trump on Thursday afternoon launched an attack of the court process and the judge – despite Judge Engoron imposing a gag order against criticizing court staff …Read more

“Engoron is a wacko who is having a great time endlessly sanctioning, fining, & pushing around ‘TRUMP,’ hurting my very good children, & working to damage & defame me for purposes of Interfering with the 2024 Presidential Election,” Trump said in part.

Engoron has already imposed $15,000 in fines against Trump for statements about a court clerk, but it’s unclear whether he’ll consider the recent statements as a violation of the partial gag order.

Capitol Hill

WHAT’S ON DECK: Speaker Mike Johnson reveals legislative priorities …Read more

‘GO TO COURT’: Republicans rail against GOP senator’s military holds …Read more

‘DANGEROUS’: Liz Cheney claims Speaker Johnson helped ‘undermine our republic’ …Read more

‘VERY REAL RISK’: Top GOP senator warns of bomb-carrying drones at border …Read more

ILLICIT CASHFLOW?: House committee probes Democratic fundraising giant …Read more

‘SERVED’: Pelosi served subpoena related to California criminal case …Read more

SANTOS SAVED: House kills resolution to expel GOP lawmaker …Read more

NO VOTE: Republicans vote with Dems to kill resolution to censure Tlaib …Read more

‘GUTTING BETRAYAL’: Fetterman faces rage from left-wing base over Israel support …Read more

NEED MORE MONEY: Democratic mayors beg Biden for more funds amidst migrant surge …Read more

Israel at War

LIFE AFTER HAMAS: US, partners discussing foreign troops serving as Gaza peacekeeping force …Read more

ANTISEMITISM ON THE RISE: GOP senators grill Biden official on plan to crack down on college antisemitism …Read more

RAIDED: FBI raids home of NYC Eric Adams’ chief fundraiser, source says …Read more

Campaign Trail

‘LIE, DENY, COUNTER ACCUSE’: 2020 debate claims are coming back to haunt Biden as GOP probes swirl …Read more

2028 SPECULATION: Following Biden on the trail, this Democrats sparks 2028 rumors …Read more

‘FIGHTER’: Kari Lake builds momentum with more big-name backing in race to flip Arizona Senate seat …Read more

‘COLORFUL’ LANGUAGE: DeSantis doubles down on vow to ‘slit the throats’ of federal bureaucrats, says it is just ‘colorful’ language …Read more

CRITIC TO RUNNING MATE?: Rep. Nancy Mace finds idea of being Trump’s VP ‘intriguing’ …Read more

REJECTING ‘LABELS’: Charlamagne Tha God asks Nikki Haley why she doesn’t embrace ‘identity politics’ …Read more

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.

President candidate Gov. Ron DeSantis does not apologize for his promise to “slit the throats” of bureaucrats in the federal government if elected.

The Florida governor was asked by MSNBC’s Willie Geist on Thursday if he regretted using such violent imagery.

“We’re going to have all of these deep state people, you know, we are going to start slitting throats on day one,” DeSantis said during a Q&A session in August.

RON DESANTIS SAYS HE WILL ‘START SLITTING THROATS ON DAY ONE’ IN EXECUTIVE BRANCH

DeSantis told Geist that he had no regrets about the language he used “because you’re, you’re being colorful at some of the stuff but you basically need to bring in serious accountability.”

He told the host, “Obviously, we’re going to do that within the context of the rule of law in the Constitution. But I want to make very clear to voters that I’m not just going to go up there and be nice about it.”

The governor has made rooting out political corruption and cronyism in the federal government a key promise of his presidential campaign.

DONORS FRUSTRATED AT DESANTIS’ INABILITY TO GAIN TRACTION, TAKE ‘HARD LOOK’ ELSEWHERE FOR TRUMP ALTERNATIVE

DeSantis has acknowledged a need for reform on political appointments reaching all the way to the top positions of the executive branch.

“I think the idea that you take a flag [officer] or general officer who recently retired and put them as [secretary of defense], I think it is a mistake,” he told Real America’s Voice earlier this year.

“You know, they may have to slit some throats. And it’s a lot harder to do that if these are people that you’ve trained with in the past,” DeSantis continued. “So we’re going to have somebody out there, you know, be very firm, very strong, but they are going to make sure that we have the best people in the best positions, and there’s not going to be necessarily prior relationships that would cloud that judgment.”

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DeSantis was once solidly in second place in the race for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, but he has seen his numbers in the surveys erode in recent months as former President Trump expanded his lead over the Florida governor. 

The latest presidential power rankings from Fox News shows Trump with a commanding lead but with two candidates in the best position to “reshape” the race with a strong showing in Iowa, DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

The latest Real Clear Politics average shows Trump at 48.8% in Iowa followed by DeSantis at 17.3% and Haley at 11.5%.

Fox News Digital’s Andrew Mark Miller, Paul Steinhauser, Charlie Gasparino, and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is facing his first big GOP spending showdown as leader of the House of Representatives.

Republican lawmakers and aides told Fox News Digital that the bill laying out funding for Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (THUD) could land with a “thud” on the House floor if it’s not pulled from the schedule or altered.

Among the main issues that kept resurfacing were cuts that both Northeastern and Midwestern Republicans said would severely hinder U.S. train and railway operations. 

“Yeah, it is,” Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said bluntly when asked whether the spending bill was in trouble. “I know there’s a lot of Republicans I talked to last night, they have the same concerns on the railroad side.” 

He explained earlier, “We’re making some serious cuts . . . to the railroad funding. And you know, I worry about it. We’ve got Union Pacific, we’ve got some Burlington Northern. Amtrak goes through.”

WHY JORDAN FAILED TO WIN SPEAKERSHIP IN FIRST ROUND, LOSING 20 REPUBLICANS

For New York Republicans, Amtrak is a particular concern. The THUD bill would cut funding to the rail system by 64% from 2023 levels. It’s likely to also have a major effect on the Northeastern Corridor, the busiest passenger rail line, which runs among Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City and Boston.

“It’s a lot of jobs in our area, in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area, that could potentially be lost with the 64% cut,” Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y., told Fox News Digital. “The cuts are not really proportionate. They’re just, you know, a direct slash across the board.” 

THE CHAOTIC, CONVOLUTED PATH HOUSE REPUBLICANS TOOK TO ELECT A SPEAKER LEADS BACK TO SQUARE ONE

Asked whether he is opposing the bill in its current form, D’Esposito said, “We’re trying to talk through it and make sure that there’s not something that we’re missing. Perhaps, you know, there’s ways to find the funding elsewhere, but right now, a 64% cut to Amtrak in New York is a tough pill to swallow.” 

A staffer for a Northeast House Republican said many lawmakers from that area are opposing the bill.

Rep. Marc Molinaro, R-N.Y., told Fox News Digital that he had “reservations” about supporting the THUD funding.

“Certainly, the significant cut to Amtrak in particular, for me, the Northeast line, is . . . hard to accept. I’ve expressed those reservations and am hopeful that they can be addressed to a degree,” he said. “The Northeast Corridor line is the one Amtrak line that makes significant revenue. And it is a major artery for not only the northeast, but the heart of New York State.”

He added, “I’m certainly interested in reining in federal spending, but it shouldn’t be done on the backs of Amtrak employees.”

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., however, told Fox News Digital that she supported the overall bill but added, “I would like to see some additional Amtrak funding being put back.”

FLASHBACK: CALLS MOUNT FOR ‘HOUSE SPEAKER DONALD TRUMP’

But a senior GOP aide was not optimistic that enough Republican lawmakers felt the same way.

“There’s enough opposition to kill it. It’s just a matter of whether or not they want to go to the amendment process and try to whip it still. Or if they want to pull it,” the aide said. 

“People were looking at THUD as a place to cut a bunch of things. So the Freedom Caucus guys are upset that we’re not cutting enough, and then you have folks like the New Yorkers, who are moderates, looking at it saying, ‘You’re cutting way too much, especially to Amtrak.’ . . . So I don’t think there’s a lot of room to budge,” the senior GOP aide explained.

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Two more lawmakers from the New York City metropolitan area would not discuss their thoughts on the bill – Reps. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., and Thomas Kean, R-N.J. 

“I’m not talking about any of the approps bills right now,” Lawler said tersely when asked for his thoughts. When pressed as to why, he said, “Because I’m not.”

As of Thursday afternoon, the THUD spending bill vote is expected on Friday.

Former President Donald Trump has won a major home-state endorsement over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Fox News confirmed Thursday that Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., is throwing his support behind Trump in what could be described as a huge snub to DeSantis, who remains Trump’s primary rival in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

When reached for comment, DeSantis’ campaign told Fox News that the governor “has more endorsements from state legislators than the former president in Iowa (41), New Hampshire (62), and South Carolina (16).” 

RACE TO REPLACE ROMNEY IN SENATE HEATS UP AS ANOTHER REPUBLICAN LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN: ‘STRONG CONSERVATIVE WOMAN’

“He also has the support of almost all Florida elected officials because he worked with them to deliver historic results for the conservative movement. The governor will win his home state because Floridians want to see a fighter who will bring the same type of results-oriented leadership to Washington that he has provided in the Sunshine State,” communications director Andrew Romeo said.

Scott, who late last year launched the first ever challenge against longtime Senate Republican leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is running for re-election in 2024 and hasn’t ruled out another potential future bid for Senate Republican leader. 

Political prognosticators long viewed Scott, a former health care executive who’s the Senate’s wealthiest member, as a potential 2024 Republican presidential contender. As chair during the 2022 election cycle of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), which is the Senate GOP’s campaign arm, Scott made repeated trips to Iowa and New Hampshire, the two states that lead off the Republican presidential nominating calendar. 

SOROS-FUNDED GROUP DISPARAGES BLACK GOP GOVERNOR CANDIDATE AS UNCLE TOM: ‘ALL SKINFOLK AIN’T KINFOLK’

Scott has repeatedly shot down such speculation, emphasizing he would seek a second six-year term in the Senate.

Scott has kept his distance from his successor as Florida governor, pointedly not applauding DeSantis’ high-profile policy war with Disney. “My experience with Disney had been positive,” Scott said earlier this year. 

Additionally, while DeSantis snubbed President Biden as he toured Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia this summer, Scott met with Biden.

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Trump is scheduled to hold multiple events in Florida over the next few days, including in the Orlando area, and a rally next Wednesday, the same night as the next Republican debate, in Hialeah, Florida.

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

Donors in GOP circles are growing increasingly concerned as no candidate has gained significant traction as the alternative to the front-runner, former President Trump, causing some to look at options other than Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“There’s a lot of concern, hand-wringing, and significant conversations among the donor class regarding their frustrations as it relates to Gov. DeSantis and his ability to gain traction,” a veteran Republican strategist with close ties to the GOP donor class told Fox News Digital.

“As a result, a lot of them are taking a hard look at Nikki Haley. They realize the field needs to consolidate and any opportunity to beat President Trump is going to be predicated on it being a two-person race. There are folks who are seriously considering shifting away from DeSantis and over to Nikki Haley.”

“There’s definitely a lot of people talking,” a top dollar donor supporting DeSantis, who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely, told Fox News. “I think there’s a lot of frustration with the DeSantis campaign. We were like this pedigree thoroughbred on the starting and it just didn’t happen.”

OVER 1,000 VETERANS FLOCK TO NEW DESANTIS COALITION JUST 2 WEEKS AFTER LAUNCH: ‘SERVICE ABOVE SELF’

Additionally, FOX Business Senior Correspondent Charlie Gasparino posted on X this week that “people close” to the DeSantis campaign told him they are “growing increasingly despondent about his chances as he continues to languish in polls.”

“They say he is stubbornly refusing the drop out and has enough money to stay in race hoping that something existential happens to Donald Trump.”

Gasparino also told Fox News Digital people close to the campaign are saying DeSantis needs to play “effective defense” and that the operation is a “mess” that lacks any “technocrats.”

While some donors are growing wary of the way the DeSantis campaign is trending, Fox News Digital spoke to several donors who believe the 2024 bid is right on track.

Dan Eberhart, an oil drilling chief executive officer and a prominent Republican donor and bundler who is supporting DeSantis, told Fox News Digital “we’re the only campaign built to go the distance.” 

“DeSantis is the only candidate who can beat Trump in Iowa,” Eberhart said. 

Roy Bailey, a DeSantis fundraiser who previously served as Trump’s national finance co-chairman in 2016 and 2020, touted DeSantis’s fundraising operation in a phone call with Fox News Digital and said he feels “great” about where the campaign is.

“I think our candidate is hitting on all the notes,” Bailey said. “I think he’s showing the leader that he is. Since the advent of the terrible tragedy and horrific things in Israel he is proven to be the leader that we all know he is. Great judgment.”

DeSantis donor and Point Bridge Capital CEO Hal Lambert told Fox News Digital that some of the Iowa polls are “off” and that Haley will “not get” double digits in the state when the votes are counted.

“We’re still raising lots of money,” Lambert said. “The narrative is out there I get it. The media in general wants Trump to be the nominee. The Democrat Party wants Trump to be the nominee and Trump wants to be the nominee. You have three pretty powerful groups that want him and so there’s been a lot of attacks on DeSantis.”

The latest presidential power rankings from Fox News show Trump with a commanding lead but with two candidates in the best position to “reshape” the race with a strong showing in Iowa, DeSantis and Haley.

WITH IOWA CAUCUSES CLOSING IN, TRUMP REMAINS 2024 GOP PRESIDENTIAL DOMINATING FRONT-RUNNER

“Nikki Haley is now second in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina and is the only candidate with upward momentum in polls, fundraising and support,” Ken Farnaso, spokesperson for Haley’s campaign, told Fox News Digital. “It’s time to start calling this a two-person race, between one man and one woman.”

Last month, the DeSantis campaign touted a $15 million July-September fundraising haul that they said at the time “shatters expectations” while also confirming to Fox News the campaign is moving staff from Florida to Iowa, where the Jan. 15 caucuses lead off the GOP presidential nominating calendar.

DeSantis was once solidly in second place in the race for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, but he has seen his numbers in the surveys erode in recent months as Trump expanded his lead over the Florida governor. 

The latest Real Clear Politics average shows Trump at 48.8% in Iowa followed by DeSantis at 17.3% and Haley at 11.5%.

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Overall, a Quinnipiac University poll released on Wednesday shows Trump leading the GOP field with 64% support in the race for the Republican presidential nomination followed by DeSantis at 15% and Haley with 6%.

Speaking to a press gaggle in New Hampshire on Thursday, DeSantis said “we feel very good about where we are.”

“I would not trade positions with anybody,” DeSantis added.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, the COO of Never Back Down, a DeSantis aligned super Pac, Kristin Davison, said, “No one seriously thinks Nikki Haley has a real shot at winning the nomination and “the reality is Ron DeSantis is the only candidate who can bring the party together. He can win the forever Trump voters and the Never Trump voters.”

Andrew Romeo, communications director for the DeSantis campaign, told Fox News Digital that the DeSantis campaign has “out-raised the non-Trump field for the entire campaign.”

Romeo went on to say the DeSantis campaign’s “fourth quarter fundraising continues to accelerate, which is why we are beefing up our ad spending and launched our first ad in Iowa today.”

Eric Trump is expected to take the stand Thursday in the non-jury civil trial stemming from New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit against the Trump family and Trump Organization.

The former president’s son is an executive vice president at the Trump Organization. Eric Trump has oversight over the company’s operations, while his brother, Donald Trump Jr., has been involved in running the company’s property development.

Eric Trump’s expected testimony is scheduled for a day after his brother, Donald Trump Jr., another executive vice president at the company, took the stand.

Donald Trump Jr. testified Wednesday that he does not have professional training with generally accepted accounting principles and instead relied on accountants with regard to financial statements at the Trump Organization. 

DONALD TRUMP JR. TAKES THE STAND IN CIVIL TRIAL STEMMING FROM NEW YORK AG LAWSUIT

The lawsuit centers on whether the former president and his business misled banks and insurers by inflating his net worth in financial statements.

Donald Trump Jr. also testified that he reported to former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg for a short time and later reported to his father until he became President of the United States.

The former president’s son said his father did not make any business decisions while he was in the White House. 

Meanwhile, Ivanka Trump was dismissed as a defendant from the case over the summer after a decision by a New York Appeals Court, but she was scheduled to appear for testimony Friday. Her attorneys on Wednesday, however, filed a notice of appeal to the decision requiring her to testify at her father’s civil fraud trial.

Former President Trump, Don Jr. and Eric Trump are all still listed as defendants.

The former president is expected to take the stand Monday.

JUDGE DENIES TRUMP TEAM’S REQUESTS FOR IMMEDIATE VERDICT IN FRAUD TRIAL AFTER COHEN TESTIMONY

The trial comes after James, a Democrat, brought a lawsuit against Trump last year alleging he and his company misled banks and others about the value of his assets. James claimed Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric, as well as his associates and businesses, committed “numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation” on their financial statements.

The appellate ruling from over the summer, which dismissed Ivanka Trump as a defendant, also prevented James from suing for alleged transactions that occurred before July 13, 2014, or Feb. 6, 2016, depending on the defendant. 

Trump has blasted James for bringing the lawsuit, for the trial not having a jury and Judge Arthur Engoron, presiding over the trial, calling him “corrupt.” 

“The attorney general filed this case under a consumer protection statute that denies the right to a jury,” a Trump spokesperson said. “There was never an option to choose a jury trial. It is unfortunate that a jury won’t be able to hear how absurd the merits of this case are and conclude no wrongdoing ever happened.” 

Engoron last month ruled that Trump and the Trump Organization committed fraud while building his real estate empire by deceiving banks, insurers and others by overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used in making deals and securing financing.

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Engoron’s ruling came after James sued Trump, his children and the Trump Organization, alleging that the former president “inflated his net worth by billions of dollars” and said his children helped him to do so.

Fox News’ Maria Paronich and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

President Joe Biden made several claims during the 2020 presidential debates that 3 years later are being labeled as falsehoods by conservatives as evidence continues to trickle out in the investigation into his son Hunter’s foreign business ties and the president’s involvement.

“My son has not made money in terms of this thing you’re talking about, what are you talking about, China,” Biden said on the debate stage leading up to the 2020 election. 

Since that claim, Hunter Biden has admitted in court that he received $664,000 from a “Chinese infrastructure investment company.”

“Lie, deny, counter accuse,” GOP Rep. Pat Fallon posted on X on Wednesday with a clip of Biden’s claim about his son’s dealings in China. “The three principles of the Biden family influence peddling scheme!”

FBI RECEIVED ‘CRIMINAL INFORMATION’ FROM OVER 40 CONFIDENTIAL SOURCES ON JOE BIDEN, HUNTER, JAMES: GRASSLEY

Also on Wednesday, the House Oversight Committee released information it says shows that Biden received $40,000 in “laundered China money” from the bank account of his brother and his sister-in-law in the form of a personal check which would contradict another debate claim from candidate Biden. 

“I have not taken a penny from any foreign source ever in my life!” Biden said on the debate stage. “I have not taken a single penny from any country whatsoever, ever.”

House Oversight Chair James Comer said that even if the check — which was 10% of the $400,000 sent to Hunter’s company Owasco — was, in fact, a loan repayment, “it still shows how Joe benefited from his family cashing in on his name — with money from China no less.”

While President Biden has maintained he was never in business with his son, text messages obtained by Fox News Digital back in 2020 revealed that Joe Biden, in May 2017, met with Hunter’s business associates for the Sinohawk venture — specifically, Tony Bobulinski. The meeting on May 2, 2017, would have taken place just 11 days before a May 13, 2017, email obtained by Fox News in 2020, which included a discussion of “remuneration packages” for six people in the business deal with CEFC. 

The email includes a note that “Hunter has some office expectations he will elaborate.” A proposed equity split references “20” for “H” and “10 held by H for the big guy?” with no further details.

HUNTER BIDEN MISSING FROM STATE DINNER GUEST LIST AFTER BACKLASH FOR ATTENDING OTHERS AMID LEGAL ISSUES

The “big guy” has been said to be a reference to President Biden. 

The communications obtained by Fox News Digital were found on a laptop belonging to Hunter Biden that bring to light another claim Biden made on the 2020 debate stage that also appears to be false.

“What he’s accusing me of is a Russian plant,” Biden said about the laptop on the debate stage when pressed by Trump. “What he’s saying is a bunch of garbage. Nobody believes it except him and his good friend Rudy Giuliani.”

For years, Biden and his administration officials have claimed that the Hunter Biden laptop was Russian “misinformation” despite numerous media outlets independently verifying its legitimacy. 

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“My son did nothing wrong,” Biden said on the debate stage during the Democratic primary in 2019. “I did nothing wrong.”

The White House did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

Fox News Digital’s Brooke Singman contributed to this report

Donald Trump Jr. took the stand Wednesday to testify in the non-jury civil trial stemming from New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit against the Trump family and Trump Organization.

The former president’s eldest son, who is listed as a defendant in James’ lawsuit, took the stand Wednesday afternoon in a Manhattan courthouse.

Donald Trump Jr., an executive vice president at the Trump Organization, testified that he does not have professional training with generally accepted accounting principles, and instead, relied on accountants with regard to financial statements at the Trump Organization. 

The lawsuit centers on whether the former president and his business misled banks and insurers by inflating his net worth on financial statements.

He also testified that he reported to former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg for a short time, and later reported to his father until he became president of the United States. 

Donald Trump Jr. testified that his father did not make any business decisions while he was in the White House. 

Eric Trump is expected to testify next in the trial.

NEW YORK JUDGE FINES TRUMP $10K FOR VIOLATING PARTIAL GAG ORDER IN CIVIL FRAUD TRIAL

Ivanka Trump was dismissed as a defendant from the case over the summer after a decision by a New York Appeals Court, but she was set to appear for testimony. Her attorneys on Wednesday, though, filed a notice of appeal to the decision requiring her to testify at her father’s civil fraud trial.

Former President Trump, Don Jr., and Eric Trump are all still listed as defendants.

The trial comes after James, a Democrat, brought a lawsuit against Trump last year alleging he and his company misled banks and others about the value of his assets. James claimed Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric, as well as his associates and businesses, committed “numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation” on their financial statements.

The appellate ruling from over the summer, which limited dismissed Ivanka Trump as a defendant, also prevented James from suing for alleged transactions that occurred before July 13, 2014, or Feb. 6, 2016, depending on the defendant. 

Trump has blasted James for bringing the lawsuit; for the trial not having a jury; and Judge Arthur Engoron, presiding over the trial, calling him “corrupt.” 

JUDGE DENIES TRUMP TEAM’S REQUESTS FOR IMMEDIATE VERDICT IN FRAUD TRIAL AFTER COHEN TESTIMONY

“The Attorney General filed this case under a consumer protection statute that denies the right to a jury,” a Trump spokesperson said. “There was never an option to choose a jury trial. It is unfortunate that a jury won’t be able to hear how absurd the merits of this case are and conclude no wrongdoing ever happened.” 

Engoron, last month, ruled that Trump and the Trump Organization committed fraud while building his real estate empire by deceiving banks, insurers and others by overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used in making deals and securing financing.

Engoron’s ruling came after James sued Trump, his children and the Trump Organization, alleging that the former president “inflated his net worth by billions of dollars,” and said his children helped him to do so.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. 

Fox News’ Maria Paronich contributed to this report. 

The Biden administration announced Wednesday it would establish a national strategy to counter Islamophobia just one day after a poll showed Arab-American support for the president and his fellow Democrats was tanking.

The announcement also comes a day after FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before the Senate Homeland Security Committee that despite being just 2.4% of the American public, attacks on Jewish-Americans accounted for “something like 60% of all religious-based hate crimes.”

“We look forward to continuing our work with community leaders, advocates, members of Congress, and more to develop the strategy – which will be a joint effort led by the Domestic Policy Council and the National Security Council – and counter the scourge of Islamophobia and hate in all its forms,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

WATCH: FBI DIRECTOR GOES SILENT WHEN ASKED IF COUNTRY ‘SAFER’ UNDER BIDEN

“For too long, Muslims in America, and those perceived to be Muslim, such as Arabs and Sikhs, have endured a disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks and other discriminatory incidents,” she added.

According to the Tuesday Reuters/Zogby poll, just 17% of Arab-Americans expressed support for Biden, a tremendous drop from the 59% support he got in 2020. His support from the group had already fallen to 35% before the start of the war between Israel and Hamas.

The poll also marked the first time since it was taken in 1997 that a majority of Arab-Americans did not identify as Democrats. 32% said they identified as Republicans and 31% as independents. 

WHITE HOUSE INDICATES PEOPLE MAKING ‘VIOLENT ANTISEMITIC THREATS’ NOT CLASSIFIED AS ‘DOMESTIC TERRORISTS’

Just 20% rated Biden’s job performance as “good” while 40% said they planned to support former President Donald Trump should he be the Republican nominee in 2024.

Fox News Digital asked the White House if the strategy was related to the poor poll numbers among Arab-Americans, as well as if there would be a national strategy to combat antisemitism, but did not receive a response.

The Biden administration said Tuesday it would be partnering with colleges to combat the “alarming rise” of antisemitic threats and incidents on campuses across the country, but made no mention of a national effort beyond college campuses.

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However, the administration indicated during Tuesday’s White House press briefing that people in the U.S. making “violent antisemitic threats” were not going to be classified as “domestic terrorists.”

The race to replace retiring Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, is getting even more crowded as a sixth Republican candidate jumped into the race on Wednesday.

Carolyn Phippen, a former staffer for Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, officially launched her campaign in Draper, Utah, vowing to be the “strong conservative woman” she said the state needed to uphold its values and the leadership to bring Washington, D.C. back from “the brink of disaster.”

“Our economy is spiraling, the national debt is out of control, and the crisis at our border continues to grow. I’ve fought on the front lines of the conservative movement while raising a family. Now is the time to stand up for the principles that made our country great,” Phippen said in a statement.

UTAH HOUSE SPEAKER JUMPS IN SENATE RACE TO REPLACE ROMNEY: ‘OUR COUNTRY IS NOT ON THE RIGHT PATH’

“I’m not a career politician. I’m a mom who knows what it takes to raise a family in Utah. For too long, D.C. politicians have prioritized their own interests while their reckless spending has sent our economy spiraling. I’ll fight to end the inflation crisis and work tirelessly to shrink our national debt,” she said. 

Phippen added that she would prioritize securing the border and ensuring the military has the tools it needed to do its job. 

“I believe that our nation’s best days lie ahead but we must elect leaders who not only understand the real challenges we face, but who will do the hard work to restore the principles that have made this nation prosper,” she said.

RACE TO REPLACE MITT ROMNEY IN UTAH GAINS STEAM AS ANOTHER CANDIDATE JUMPS IN: HE ‘SOLD US OUT’

Phippen also serves as the executive director of Freedom Front of Utah, an organization that advocates for the defense of individual liberties and free market principles.

She joins five other Republicans in the race, including Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson, Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs, Roosevelt Mayor Rod Bird Jr., Ty Jensen and Josh Randall. So far, five Democrats are also running.

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Romney announced in September that he would not run for re-election, leaving a wide open race for Republicans to try and hold the seat in 2024.

The state is widely considered to be a safe Republican seat.

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

A new national poll suggests that independent presidential candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornell West pull support from both President Biden and former President Donald Trump — the two likely major party nominees — in a hypothetical four-way 2024 general election showdown.

Biden stands at 47% support and Trump at 46% among registered voters in a Quinnipiac University poll released on Wednesday. The findings are unchanged from Quinnipiac’s August and September surveys.

“Democrats support Biden 94 – 4 percent and Republicans support Trump 94 – 4 percent. Independents are split, with 45 percent supporting Trump and 44 percent supporting Biden,” the survey’s release states.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS IN THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL RACE

When Kennedy is added to the mix, Biden stands at 39%, Trump 36% and Kennedy at 22% support.

Kennedy, an environmental lawyer and high-profile vaccine critic who is a scion of arguably the nation’s most famous family political dynasty, launched a Democrat primary challenge against Biden in April.

WITH IOWA CAUCUSES CLOSING IN, TRUMP REMAINS COMMANDING GOP 2024 FRONT-RUNNER

But Kennedy announced at a campaign event in Philadelphia last month that he would seek the White House as an independent candidate.

West, an outspoken progressive university scholar, was running on the Green Party ticket, but last month announced he would seek the presidency as an independent candidate.

When West’s name is included, Biden’s support drops to 36%, Trump edges down to 35%, with Kennedy at 19% and West grabbing 6% support.

Among independent voters in a four-way matchup, a third support Kennedy, three in ten back Trump, with Biden at 27% and West at 8%.

Ballot access will be a key question for Kennedy and West going forward. Their campaigns will have to gather a long list of signatures in each of the 50 states to land access to the ballot.

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The survey also indicates Republicans with the enthusiasm edge. Fifty-eight percent of Republicans say they’re more motivated to vote in next year’s presidential election than in past White House contests. That percentage drops to 47% for Democrats and 45% for independents.

In the race for the Democrat presidential nomination, Biden stands at 77% support. Best-selling author and spiritual adviser Marianne Williamson, who launched her second straight White House run in March, is at 8%. 

Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota, one of the wealthiest members of Congress, grabbed 6% support among likely Democrat presidential primary voters, according to the poll.

The survey was conducted Oct. 26-30, partially before and mostly after Phillips on Friday formally launched his 2024 White House campaign.

Trump stands at 64% support in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at 15% and former ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley at 6%.

The survey indicates Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy each at 3%, with everyone else at 1% or less.

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.

EXCLUSIVE — Fox News Digital has learned that Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., has introduced a bill that seeks to reclassify the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen as terrorists, following a series of attacks on Israeli and U.S. forces.

“The ongoing attacks on Israel are horrific — and they’re being perpetrated by Iranian proxies, including the Houthis,” Daines told Fox News Digital in written comments. “Hamas, Hezbollah and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad have all been designated FTOs (foreign terrorist organizations) since 1997, there is no reason that the Houthis shouldn’t be on the FTO list as well.”

“The Houthis attacked Israel this week with missiles and drones,” he continued. “It was already past time for the Biden administration to re-designate them an FTO but now it’s even more important in order to send a message to the world that the United States will not tolerate attacks on our allies.”

“This is especially important in order to send a direct message to Iran, the world’s largest state sponsor of terror,” he wrote.

BIDEN WHITE HOUSE BRAINSTORMING ANTI-ISLAMOPHOBIA PROGRAM AMID WARNINGS AGAINST SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL

The USS Carney last week shot down four missiles and dozens of drones launched from Yemen and seemingly intended for Israel. The Houthis then took credit for a “large batch” of ballistic and cruise missiles launched on Tuesday at Israel, which the Israel Defense Forces shot down.

The Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act seeks to designate Ansarallah – more commonly known as the Houthis – to allow the U.S. to enact several measures and sanctions against the group, including disruption of financial support networks.

BIDEN SAYS AMERICAN CITIZENS TO LEAVE GAZA THROUGH RAFAH BORDER CROSSING

The designation makes it unlawful for a person in the U.S. or subject to U.S. jurisdiction to knowingly provide material support or resources to an FTO, and members of an FTO are inadmissible and – under certain conditions – subject to removal from the U.S. 

A Daines spokesperson said 13 senators have co-sponsored the bill: Roger Marshall, R-Kan.; Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn.; Susan Collins, R-Maine; Joni Ernst, R-Iowa; Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; Roger Wicker, R-Miss.; John Barrasso, R-Wyo.; Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo.; Bill Cassidy, R-La.; Shelley Capito, R-W.Va.; Pete Ricketts, R-Neb.; John Kennedy, R-La.; Katie Britt, R-Ala. No Democrats co-sponsored the bill.

DEMOCRATS COULD BE SPLIT FOR A ‘GENERATION’ AS LEFT TEARS ‘ITSELF APART OVER ISRAEL’

Critics have recently urged the U.S. to consider reclassifying the Houthis as an FTO. The Trump administration applied the designation to the group as one of its final acts, but the Biden administration reversed that decision as one of its first acts upon taking office.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the time argued that the administration removed the designation over concerns that it might have “a devastating impact on Yemenis’ access to basic commodities like food and fuel.”

“The revocations are intended to ensure that relevant U.S. policies do not impede assistance to those already suffering what has been called the world’s worst humanitarian crisis,” he added. “By focusing on alleviating the humanitarian situation in Yemen, we hope the Yemeni parties can also focus on engaging in dialogue.”

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Senior Pentagon officials last week discussed an expected “significant escalation” of attacks against U.S. troops in the Middle East as tensions flare in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. The U.S. said that preliminary intelligence did not indicate any Iranian involvement in the planning or execution of the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 but that subsequent attacks from various Islamic extremist groups, which have injured dozens of American service members, have “Iranian fingerprints all over them.”

“I think it’s fair to say when you see this uptick in activity in attacks by many of these groups, there’s Iranian fingerprints all over it,” a defense official said during a background briefing with reporters.

Welcome to Fox News’ Politics newsletter with the latest political news from Washington D.C. and updates from the 2024 campaign trail. 

Subscribe now to get Fox News Politics newsletter in your inbox.

What’s happening:

– The House prepares to vote Wednesday on disciplinary measures of three controversial members…

– Donald Trump Jr. takes the stand in the Manhattan civil fraud trial against the Trump Org…

– House Republican Rep. Ken Buck criticizes GOP in his retirement announcement…

House Floor Fight

The House of Representatives is expected to start dealing with controversial plans to either discipline or expel some of the most controversial members of Congress …Read more

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich. — Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced a resolution to censure Tlaib last week for her antisemitic statements and for supporting what Greene called an “insurrection” — a protest and demonstration at Capitol Hill office buildings.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. — After the censure against Tlaib, Democratic Rep. Becca Balint brought her censure resolution against Greene, which calls Greene out for “[fanning] the flames of racism, antisemitism, LGBTQ hate speech, Islamophobia, anti-Asian hate, xenophobia, and other forms of hatred.

Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y. — Santos has faced calls to resign from his own Republican colleagues from New York, and now many want him expelled from the chamber. He faces several federal criminal charges and a House Ethics investigation for his lies on the campaign trail about his resume. Expulsion of a House lawmaker requires two thirds of the majority. 

The House could vote to “table” each resolution. If a motion to table fail in the vote, the House will begin debate on each resolution itself. 

Israel at War

‘EXTREMIST’: AOC accuses pro-Israel PAC of destabilizing American democracy …Read more

TOO MUCH?: Rep. Massie argues over $14 billion aid package to Israel …Read more

NOT REALITY: Speaker Johnson hits back at Senate Dem attacks on Israel aid bill …Read more

DARK MONEY: Ohio abortion amendment bankrolled by same left-wing groups bankrolling anti-Israel groups …Read more

Capitol Hill

BORDER CRISIS: Dem, GOP lawmakers urge funding for first responders dealing with migrant influx …Read more

FOLLOW THE MONEY: Top Dem committee took thousands from Menendez on day bribery charges were unveiled …Read more

‘DETRIMENTAL’: Vance, Senate banking Republicans sound alarm at Biden admin directive on lending to illegal immigrants …Read more

HEATED HEARING: Hawley grills Mayorkas over DHS employee who celebrated Hamas terror attack …Read more

‘ABSURD’: Mike Johnson responds to attacks from Bill Maher, Jen Psaki: ‘Not surprised’ …Read more

‘WHOLLY INADEQUATE’: House Homeland chairman subpoenas Mayorkas for records on vetting of Afghan evacuees …Read more

‘LAUNDERED CHINA MONEY’: Comer says Biden received $40K from his brother after China deal …Read more

Campaign Trail

POWER RANKINGS: Trump freezes his lead as Haley rises in a narrow field …Read more

MONTANA CHALLENGER: Combat veteran enters race for seat held by Matt Rosendale …Read more

OUT OF HAND: Size of Trump’s hands at center of Supreme Court case …Read more

PUSHING BACK: Biden’s primary challenger strikes back at criticism from black leaders …Read more

Across the Nation

‘BIDENOMICS IN ACTION’: Two major green energy projects abruptly axed in crippling blow to Biden climate agenda …Read more

‘WEAPONIZED’ MIGRATION: Caravan leader claims Latin American countries are ‘conspiring against the US’ …Read more

STRENGTHENED RELATIONS: Biden will meet Xi Jinping face-to-face in San Francisco, White House says …Read more

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.

• Modest improvements have been reported in Kentucky students’ test scores, though those numbers have yet to fully rebound from their pandemic-era slump.
• The number of students measured “proficient” or “distinguished” in reading and mathematics evaluations still remains below 50%.
• Test scores have become a hot-button issue in next Tuesday’s gubernatorial election, with Republican nominee Daniel Cameron blaming Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s COVID-19 school shutdowns for the Bluegrass State’s lagging test scores.

Students in Kentucky showed some improvement on their statewide test scores, especially in elementary schools, but considerable work remains to get back to pre-pandemic levels, state education officials said. The subject has become a top issue in this year’s hotly contested race for governor.

Despite the gains, elementary to high school students in the Bluegrass State are still struggling across a range of core subjects in the wake of schools’ COVID-era shift to virtual learning to try to keep people safe. Those struggles reflect a nationwide problem of lagging academic achievement, prompting extensive efforts in Kentucky and elsewhere to help students overcome the pandemic learning setbacks.

“We see progress in some areas, especially at the elementary school level, but there is still a lot of work left to be done,” said Robin Fields Kinney, the state’s interim education commissioner. “We must not underestimate how much of an impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our children.”

GOP CHALLENGER ROASTS RED-STATE DEM GOVERNOR OVER BIDEN SUPPORT AS ELECTION DAY DRAWS NEAR: ‘NO SURPRISE’

The annual Kentucky School Report Card, made public late Tuesday, showed improvement among the number of pupils deemed proficient or distinguished in reading at the elementary school level.

The number of elementary school pupils considered proficient or distinguished in math, science and social studies also increased, with smaller gains at other schools, education officials said in releasing the report for the 2022-2023 academic year.

The statewide tests were given to public school students in grades 3-8 and 10-11 this past spring.

Education is always an overarching issue in gubernatorial contests, but pandemic-related learning loss escalated to a flashpoint topic for Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Republican challenger Daniel Cameron, and the off-year race is drawing considerable attention nationally. The election is next Tuesday, but Kentuckians head to polling places for three days of early voting starting Thursday.

Cameron, the state’s attorney general, has tried to blame Beshear’s pandemic-related actions, when schools were closed, for the learning loss. Beshear says he prioritized vaccinating teachers to get schools reopened and says his pandemic policies reflected recommendations from then-President Donald Trump’s coronavirus task force. Sending teachers and other school staff back to school before having access to the vaccine would have put them and their families at risk, the governor says. The COVID-19 virus has killed more than 19,000 Kentuckians since early 2020.

Cameron has proposed tutoring programs for students who fell behind in math and reading during the pandemic. The proposal mirrors initiatives already underway in some school districts. Beshear is pushing for state-funded preschool for every 4-year-old in Kentucky to bolster early education.

The state’s GOP-dominated legislature has generally followed its own course in setting education policies. The two-year budget that lawmakers passed last year funded full-day kindergarten and poured money into teacher pensions and infrastructure. They increased the state’s main funding formula — known as SEEK — for K-12 schools, but the amount was considerably less than what Beshear proposed.

Kentucky received more than $2 billion in federal pandemic-related relief funding to help accelerate learning and get additional support to school districts and students who need it the most, state education officials said. Most districts expanded tutoring and added more summer learning programs, they said.

KENTUCKY DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY AFTER COAL PLANT COLLAPSE; 1 WORKER CONFIRMED DEAD

The latest test score data showed that 47% of elementary school pupils statewide scored proficient or distinguished on their reading tests — a 2 percentage point improvement from a year ago. Among middle school students, 45% achieved proficient or distinguished scores in reading, up from 44% a year ago. The number of high school students reaching those levels remained the same at 44%.

In math, 42% of elementary school pupils were at proficient or distinguished levels, up from 38% last year. In middle schools, 37% attained those levels, unchanged from a year ago. At high schools, 33% reached those levels, down from 36% last year.

Brigitte Blom, president and CEO of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, said the latest report showed “valuable growth” since last year, but stressed that considerable work remains to regain pre-pandemic levels and to lift students to even higher achievement. The Prichard Committee is a statewide citizens’ group that advocates for improved Kentucky schools.

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“As a commonwealth, we need to invest in education to increase our pace of improvement so Kentucky learners are on track to compete in a rapidly changing economy,” Blom said in a statement.

The House of Representatives is expected to start dealing with controversial plans to either discipline or expel members Wednesday evening.

On the table is a resolution to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., for her antisemitic comments and support of an anti-Israel rally on Capitol Hill; a resolution to censure Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., over a host of remarks, including anti-LGBTQ comments; and a resolution to expel Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., as he faces a litany of criminal charges and criticism for lying about his background to win a seat in Congress.

Even though these three disciplinary measures are slated to come up on the House floor, it’s possible the House may only vote on motions to table each resolution. If the motion to table succeeds, the resolution is essentially done. However, if the House fails to table a resolution, it would go on do debate and vote directly on each measure to censure or expulsion. 

The House will consider each resolution for Tlaib, Greene and Santos separately. It takes a simple majority to table the resolutions. A simple majority is also required to adopt a censure resolution. However, Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution requires a two-thirds vote to expel a lawmaker from the House.

MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE PUTS HEAT ON REPUBLICANS TO VOTE FOR RASHIDA TLAIB CENSURE

Censure is “a formal, majority vote in the House on a resolution disapproving of a Member’s conduct.”  Censure is the second-most serious form of discipline in the House, falling between reprimand and expulsion. A member must stand in the well of the House chamber and face a verbal rebuke by the House Speaker when censured.

The House has censured 25 members in history. But the frequency of censures has increased in recent years. The House didn’t censure anyone between 1983 and 2010, when lawmakers voted to censure former Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-N.Y., for failing to pay taxes and misusing his office. 

In 2021, the House voted to censure Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., for posting a video which depicted him violently attacking President Biden and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. And in June, the House censured Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., for his charges about collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. 

REP. GEORGE SANTOS CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY, WIRE FRAUD AND MORE IN 23-COUNT SUPERSEDING INDICTMENT

The House has only expelled five members in history. The last was the late Rep. Jim Traficant, D-Ohio, in 2002. 

A senior House Republican leadership source tells Fox it expects the House to table all three motions. But it’s truly unclear what the outcome might be. Leaders on either side won’t whip these votes to get a sense of where members stand. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., characterized the censure effort for Tlaib as a “vote of conscience.”

The effort to expel Santos took an odd turn late Tuesday afternoon. The House Ethics Committee published a statement indicating that it would take action on Santos “on or before November 17.” That was viewed as a pre-emptive strike by the Ethics Committee to convince members to table the effort to expel Santos. Despite Santos’s alleged misdeeds, he has not been convicted and the Ethics Committee has not published a report on his conduct. The Ethics Committee has also not recommended a potential punishment for Santos. 

The maneuver by the Ethics Committee could give lawmakers a fig leaf to hide behind it until it finishes its work. In other words, lawmakers who may otherwise want to expel could vote to table. 

Some Republicans may prefer the option of tabling the Santos expulsion question. If so, they will have dodged a tough vote again on Santos. They may not like Santos. But don’t have to judge Santos. Yet.

Johnson has expressed concern about the House acting without granting Santos “due process,” noting that the New York Republican hasn’t been convicted of anything. Moreover, it’s about the math. Johnson suggested he is concerned about the size of the Republican’s “razor-thin” majority. Expelling Santos would dwindle those ranks. There have been suggestions that other members could resign, too. So salvaging the majority of part of the GOP calculus when it comes to Santos.

Expulsions are rare in the House. The House last expelled a member in 2002. 

Here’s what’s not on the table Wednesday evening: an effort by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., to expel Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., for pulling a false fire alarm. Bowman pleaded guilty to the charge last week. 

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Malliotakis and others have suggested that Bowman be expelled for “disrupting Congress.” They note that Bowman is a former elementary school teacher and principal. Malliotakis says that a student would be expelled from school had they pulled a false fire alarm. She reasons that Bowman deserves the same punishment. But any sanction for Bowman is not before the House tonight. 

Fox News’ Thomas Phippen contributed to this story.

President Biden is kicking off his rural America tour Wednesday in Minnesota, the home state of Rep. Dean Phillips, who launched his 2024 Democratic presidential primary challenge just days ago. 

Biden is expected to announce $5 billion in new investments, including $1.7 billion in “climate-smart agriculture programs,” $1 billion in broadband deployment, and some $2 billion in rural development programs. 

“I think there are obviously a lot of folks in Minnesota who understand and appreciate climate-smart agriculture and the enormous new income opportunities and environmental benefits that that accrues,” U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. 

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Explaining that the primary goal of the administration’s tour is highlighting federal farm subsidies, Vilsack, the former governor of Iowa, championed Minnesota as an early adopter of clean-water initiatives and biofuels.

Biden’s trip is being viewed as a show of political force on the home turf of his new 2024 primary challenger, Phillips. The White House and Biden’s re-election campaign, however, say Wednesday’s trip was planned before Phillips joined the race, according to The Associated Press. 

The president is scheduled to travel from Washington, D.C., to Minneapolis on Wednesday afternoon, and he will then tour a family farm in Northfield, Minnesota, as part of the administration’s Investing in Rural America Event Series. The White House said Biden will deliver remarks there “highlighting how Bidenomics and his Investing in America agenda are ensuring rural Americans do not have to leave their hometowns to find opportunity.” 

PHILLIPS TARGETS BIDEN, FELLOW DEMOCRATS, OVER BORDER POLICIES AS HE LAUNCHES PRIMARY CHALLENGE AGAINST PRESIDENT

Aides are billing the visit to Dutch Creek Farms in rural Dakota County as the start of Biden’s “barnstorming” of rural America aimed at spotlighting farmers who are leaning on recent federal spending to improve sustainability and offer producers a competitive leg up in new markets, the Star Tribune reported. 

The president will also attend a campaign event in Minneapolis before flying back to Joint Base Andrews. 

Invited guests to Biden’s fundraiser include past donors to Phillips’ congressional campaigns, as well as Minnesota’s Democratic Gov. Tim Walz.

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Phillips, 54, is a moderate from the largely well-to-do, comfortably Democratic Minneapolis suburbs. He has been saying since last year that Biden should not be seeking re-election and should instead step aside to make way for a new generation. He points to polls showing voters, even many Democrats, concerned about the 80-year-old president’s age and electability against Donald Trump, the former president and Republican frontrunner.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.