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Top F.B.I. Agent in New York Vows to ‘Dig In’ After Removals at Agency
The top agent at the F.B.I.’s New York field office vowed in a defiant email to his staff to “dig in” after the Trump administration targeted officials involved in the investigations into the Jan. 6 attack — and praised the bureau’s interim leaders for defending its independence.
“Today, we find ourselves in the middle of a battle of our own, as good people are being walked out of the F.B.I. and others are being targeted because they did their jobs in accordance with the law and F.B.I. policy,” wrote James E. Dennehy, a veteran and highly respected agent who has run the largest and arguably the most important field office in the bureau since September.
Mr. Dennehy, through a representative in New York, declined to comment.
The email, viewed by The New York Times, came after the Justice Department ordered the F.B.I. on Friday to collect the names of bureau personnel who helped investigate the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, raising the possibility that Mr. Trump’s political appointees plan to purge career bureau officials, including rank-and-file field agents. That number could reach 6,000 — or about a sixth of the bureau’s 38,000 employees, according to the F.B.I.
At least nine high-ranking officials have been forced out since Mr. Trump’s inauguration, plunging the bureau into confusion. Mr. Dennehy wrote that those removals had spread “fear and angst within the F.B.I. ranks.”
That sense of dread was stoked by a remarkable questionnaire sent to bureau employees, asking them to describe what, if any, role they had in investigating and prosecuting Jan. 6 rioters.
The form requires the employees to say if they collected evidence, provided support services, interviewed witnesses, executed search warrants or testified at trial — basic activities of F.B.I. employees during the normal and lawful course of their duties. They have until 3 p.m. Monday to complete the forms.
Robert C. Kissane, the acting deputy director, sought to allay concerns that F.B.I. employees would be punished for doing their jobs as he tried to answer questions about the list that the Justice Department was gathering.
“We do not view anyone’s identification on the list as an indicator of any misconduct,” he wrote in a lengthy message to staff members, adding that “we are still working with D.O.J. to better understand the purpose for which the list is being sought.”
Mr. Kissane said the F.B.I. had conducted about 2,400 investigations related to the attack on the Capitol and circulated the questionnaire based on the names of everyone connected to those cases. He said that those who received the questionnaire were not required to fill it out, but that management was obligated to do so.
Mr. Dennehy, in his email, urged his employees to remain calm and not to make any rushed decisions about their careers as he committed to providing assistance to them no matter what happened. He also suggested he had no intention of stepping down.
“Time for me to dig in,” he wrote.
In an extraordinary gesture, Mr. Dennehy, a former Marine, praised the two top acting officials at the F.B.I., Brian Driscoll and Mr. Kissane, for “fighting” for the bureau’s employees. Both resisted efforts to immediately oust career employees, and they pushed for a formal review process to delay or mitigate the disruption, according to people familiar with the situation.
“They are warriors,” he said of those who pushed back on broad dismissals of F.B.I. personnel across the bureau, according to people directly familiar with the matter.
Such is the uncertainty at the F.B.I. that some bureau leaders have felt compelled to email colleagues to say they have not been removed.
“I know a lot of you have seen or heard reports that F.B.I. executives have been asked to resign or be fired,” the top agent in Seattle wrote on Friday in a message viewed by The Times. “To clarify my own status, as of this writing I have not been fired or asked to resign, nor have I received any indication I might be.”
On Saturday, the F.B.I. issued an unusual statement reassuring the work force that Mr. Driscoll was still the acting director. And Mr. Dennehy, in his email, also pushed back on rumors that anyone had been removed outside the small group of officials already known to have been ousted.
Mr. Dennehy’s office has roughly 1,100 agents and about 500 task officers, who are police investigators and law enforcement officers from other federal agencies assigned to work with the F.B.I. The number of agents in New York at times makes up as much as 10 percent of the agent population nationwide. There are also about 1,000 civilian employees, including analysts, technicians and other support staff.
One executive whose job appeared to be in peril, Spencer Evans, the top agent in Las Vegas, informed his staff on Thursday that he would be dismissed “from the rolls of the F.B.I.” as soon as Monday morning.
“I was given no rationale for this decision, which, as you might imagine, has come as a shock,” he wrote in an email viewed by The Times.
Another was the head of the New Orleans field office, who was asked to return to headquarters after his name surfaced as someone the administration might want to remove, according to current and former F.B.I. officials.
That agent was on vacation when a terrorist drove through a crowd on New Year’s Day and drew criticism for being away during Mardi Gras. On Jan. 6, 2021, he was also a top supervisor in the Washington field office and helped to direct the bureau’s response to the attack on the Capitol.
The Society of Former Special Agents of the F.B.I., which represents thousands of retirees, called the forced resignations “illegal actions” that violated civil service laws and the due process rights of employees. The Justice Department has not accused any of those targeted with improper conduct, and has based most of the personnel actions on the president’s discretion under the Constitution.
In his message to employees, Mr. Dennehy described those who had left as “extraordinary individuals,” saying, “I mourn the forced retirements.”
Mr. Dennehy likened the current situation to his days as a Marine in the early 1990s, when he dug a small foxhole five feet deep and hunkered down for safety.
“It sucked,” he wrote. “But it worked.”
The recent removals at the F.B.I. have caused quite a stir, but the top agent in New York is not backing down. In a statement released today, the agent vowed to “dig in” and continue the fight against corruption and injustice.Despite the setbacks, the agent remains steadfast in their dedication to upholding the law and protecting the American people. With a track record of successful investigations and a reputation for being a tough and relentless agent, there is no doubt that they will continue to do whatever it takes to bring criminals to justice.
In the face of adversity, the top F.B.I. agent in New York is ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work. With their determination and unwavering commitment to serving the public, there is no doubt that they will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the fight against crime.
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F.B.I. Agent, New York, Removals, Agency, Investigation, Top Agent, Law Enforcement, Dig In, Vows, FBI, New York City, Leadership, Challenges, Resilience, Determination, Commitment
#Top #F.B.I #Agent #York #Vows #Dig #Removals #AgencySenate confirms Zeldin to lead Environmental Protection Agency as Trump vows to cut climate rules
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican-controlled Senate on Wednesday confirmed Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, a key role to help President Donald Trump fulfill his pledge to roll back major environmental regulations, including those aimed at slowing climate change and encouraging use of electric vehicles.
The vote was 56-42 in Zeldin’s favor. Three Democrats — Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly of Arizona and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania — supported Zeldin, along with all 53 Republicans.
Zeldin, a former Republican congressman from New York, is a longtime Trump ally and served on Trump’s defense team during his first impeachment. He voted against certifying Trump’s 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden.
Zeldin, 44, said during his confirmation hearing that he has a moral responsibility to be a good steward of the environment and pledged to support career staff who have dedicated themselves to the agency’s mission to protect human health and the environment.
Zeldin repeatedly declined to commit to specific policies, however, promising instead not to prejudge outcomes before arriving at EPA. When asked by Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska whether he would roll back programs that promote electric cars — a program Trump has repeatedly criticized — Zeldin stayed vague but acknowledged he has heard Republican complaints.
Trump led efforts to dismantle more than 100 environmental protections during his first term and has promised to do so again, targeting what he falsely labels an electric vehicle “mandate” and “green new scam” approved by Democrats.
Trump, who has called climate change a hoax, has vowed to overturn former President Joe Biden’s biggest climate accomplishments, including tailpipe regulations for vehicles and slashed pollution from power plants fired by coal and natural gas. Trump has already moved to oust career staff at EPA and other agencies, remove scientific advisers and close an office that helps minority communities that disproportionately struggle with polluted air and water.
Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island called Zeldin the wrong man for the job.
“We need an EPA administrator who will take climate change seriously, treat the science honestly and stand up where necessary to the political pressure that will be coming from the White House, where we have a president who actually thinks (climate change) is a hoax, and from the huge fossil fuel forces that propelled him into office with enormous amounts of political money and who now think they own the place,” Whitehouse said in a Senate speech.
Trump is “under the thumb of the fossil fuel industry,” Whitehouse said, adding that the EPA administrator “has to be truthful and factual and support and defend our environment and our safety from climate change.”
He has nothing against Zeldin personally, Whitehouse added, “but the likelihood of him standing against that fossil fuel bulldozer that is coming at him is essentially zero. And in that context, this is very much the wrong guy.”
Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., said Zeldin will return the EPA to its original mission of protecting America’s air, water and land — without “suffocating the economy.”
Barrasso called Zeldin “a lifelong public servant” and a seasoned lawyer with a sharp legal mind and over 20 years of military service.
Zeldin will continue Trump’s “mission to roll back punishing, political regulations” at the EPA, “cut red tape” and oversee “a new wave of creativity and innovation,” Barrasso said.
“For the last four years, the so-called experts at the Environmental Protection Agency went on a reckless regulatory rampage,” Barrasso said, referring to the Biden administration. “They saddled American families and businesses with higher costs and heavy-handed restrictions. They bowed to climate extremism and ignored common sense.”
Zeldin “will right the ship and restore balance at the EPA,” Barrasso said, citing likely actions to repeal Biden-era rules on tailpipe emissions and power plants, along with eliminating federal subsidies for electric vehicles.
The League of Conservation Voters, a national environmental advocacy group, has panned Zeldin’s lifetime environmental record, giving him a 14% score. Like all Republicans at the time, he voted against the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act aimed at boosting renewable energy and manufacturing and fighting climate change.
Zeldin supported a bill to reduce harmful forever chemicals, called PFAS, that would have required the EPA to set limits on substances in drinking water. He also was a leading proponent of the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act, which used oil and gas royalties to help the National Park Service tackle its massive maintenance backlog. He’s also supported local conservation efforts on Long Island.
Zeldin said at his Jan. 16 hearing that he wants to collaborate with the private sector “to promote common-sense, smart regulation that will allow American innovation to continue to lead the world.”
The EPA under his leadership “will prioritize compliance as much as possible,” Zeldin said. “I believe in the rule of law and I want to work with people to ensure they do their part to protect the environment.”
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Today, the Senate confirmed former Congressman Lee Zeldin as the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Zeldin’s confirmation comes amidst President Trump’s vow to roll back climate regulations and cut environmental protections.Zeldin, a staunch advocate for deregulation and a critic of climate change science, is expected to lead the EPA in a new direction that aligns with the Trump administration’s pro-business agenda. His confirmation has sparked controversy among environmentalists and lawmakers who fear that his leadership could lead to further dismantling of crucial environmental protections.
President Trump has made it clear that he intends to prioritize economic growth over environmental concerns, and Zeldin’s appointment is seen as a step in that direction. With Zeldin at the helm, the EPA is likely to see a significant shift in its approach to climate change and other environmental issues.
As Zeldin takes the reins at the EPA, it remains to be seen how his leadership will impact the agency’s mission to protect the environment and public health. Environmental advocates and concerned citizens will be closely watching to see how Zeldin’s policies shape the future of environmental protection in the United States.
Tags:
- Senate confirmation
- Zeldin appointment
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Trump administration
- Climate regulation
- EPA leadership
- Environmental policy
- Climate change
- Trump’s environmental agenda
- Government appointments
#Senate #confirms #Zeldin #lead #Environmental #Protection #Agency #Trump #vows #cut #climate #rules
Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov vows not to shoot against Michael ‘Venom’ Page
Who will shoot a takedown during Saturday morning’s UFC Saudi Arabia fight between Michael “Venom” Page and Shara “Bullet” Magomedov?
It’s been a hot topic between the two strikers, who definitely have enough ground skills built up over their extensive careers to change the flow of the fight should they decide to use them. “MVP” has always excelled on the feet and struggled when opponents wrestled him to the canvas, so you’d think it was in Shara’s best interest to threaten takedowns. But the half-blind fighter says there’s no way that’s happening
“I’ve had twenty fights in MMA at this point, and I’ve never gone for a takedown,” he said during media day interviews. “I watched his fights. It doesn’t look like he goes for takedowns too much. But I’m going to be that person. I’m going to make ‘MVP’ be the first one to jump for a takedown.”
In response, Page has said he might go for a takedown, but it ain’t gonna be out of desperation.
“When I said it, I wasn’t talking about who was going to do it first,” Page clarified during his media day time. “I was simply saying he would. I can make him do it.”
“I’m happy to shoot a takedown. This is an MMA game,” he continued. “So, I’m happy to do it. I’ve been working on that area, but I don’t feel like I’ll need to. There’s a difference. I may get to a point where I feel like it may be worth draining him out on the floor a little bit, landing some shots, elbows on the floor. So I may do that, but I don’t think I’m going to need to.”
“Whereas, if he shoots a takedown, it’ll be for a completely different reason. If I do it, it’s just part of my game plan. If he does it, he’s in danger. That’s the difference.”
The takeaway here is this fight will be contested on the feet, which is exciting, not on the ground, which is boring. Not an outlook we agree on, but we’ve all seen those fights where the flashy high-flying striker gets pinned to the mat and dragged to a disappointing decision. We’re getting guarantees this won’t be one of those, and honestly? We’ll take it in this case.
Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov, the Russian MMA fighter known for his deadly accuracy in the cage, has made a surprising announcement ahead of his upcoming fight against Michael ‘Venom’ Page. In a recent interview, Magomedov stated that he has no intention of shooting against Page, despite his reputation as a master of striking.“I have the utmost respect for Michael Page and his skills as a striker,” Magomedov said. “I know that trying to outstrike him would be a dangerous game, so I have decided to stick to my own strengths in this fight.”
Magomedov’s decision to avoid shooting against Page is a bold move, considering that his wrestling and ground game are considered to be his greatest assets. However, Magomedov is confident that he can find a way to defeat Page without resorting to his usual tactics.
“I believe that I have what it takes to beat Page at his own game,” Magomedov declared. “I have been training hard and studying his style, and I am confident that I can outsmart him in the cage.”
Fans of both fighters are eagerly anticipating the showdown between Magomedov and Page, with many speculating on how the fight will play out. Will Magomedov be able to stick to his game plan and defeat Page without shooting, or will Page’s striking prowess prove to be too much for the Russian fighter to handle?
One thing is for certain – this fight is sure to be an exciting and unpredictable clash of styles. Stay tuned for updates on this highly anticipated matchup between two of the top fighters in the MMA world.
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Shara Magomedov, Bullet Magomedov, Michael Page, Venom Page, MMA fight, MMA news, Bellator fight, mixed martial arts, Shara Magomedov vs Michael Page, Bullet vs Venom, Bellator MMA, fight preview, fight analysis.
#Shara #Bullet #Magomedov #vows #shoot #Michael #Venom #PageSenate confirms Zeldin to lead Environmental Protection Agency as Trump vows to cut climate rules
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican-controlled Senate on Wednesday confirmed Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, a key role to help President Donald Trump fulfill his pledge to roll back major environmental regulations, including those aimed at slowing climate change and encouraging use of electric vehicles.
The vote was 56-42 in Zeldin’s favor. Three Democrats — Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly of Arizona and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania — supported Zeldin, along with all 53 Republicans.
Zeldin, a former Republican congressman from New York, is a longtime Trump ally and served on Trump’s defense team during his first impeachment. He voted against certifying Trump’s 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden.
Zeldin, 44, said during his confirmation hearing that he has a moral responsibility to be a good steward of the environment and pledged to support career staff who have dedicated themselves to the agency’s mission to protect human health and the environment.
Zeldin repeatedly declined to commit to specific policies, however, promising instead not to prejudge outcomes before arriving at EPA. When asked by Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska whether he would roll back programs that promote electric cars — a program Trump has repeatedly criticized — Zeldin stayed vague but acknowledged he has heard Republican complaints.
Trump led efforts to dismantle more than 100 environmental protections during his first term and has promised to do so again, targeting what he falsely labels an electric vehicle “mandate” and “green new scam” approved by Democrats.
Trump, who has called climate change a hoax, has vowed to overturn former President Joe Biden’s biggest climate accomplishments, including tailpipe regulations for vehicles and slashed pollution from power plants fired by coal and natural gas. Trump has already moved to oust career staff at EPA and other agencies, remove scientific advisers and close an office that helps minority communities that disproportionately struggle with polluted air and water.
Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island called Zeldin the wrong man for the job.
“We need an EPA administrator who will take climate change seriously, treat the science honestly and stand up where necessary to the political pressure that will be coming from the White House, where we have a president who actually thinks (climate change) is a hoax, and from the huge fossil fuel forces that propelled him into office with enormous amounts of political money and who now think they own the place,” Whitehouse said in a Senate speech.
Trump is “under the thumb of the fossil fuel industry,” Whitehouse said, adding that the EPA administrator “has to be truthful and factual and support and defend our environment and our safety from climate change.’’
He has nothing against Zeldin personally, Whitehouse added, “but the likelihood of him standing against that fossil fuel bulldozer that is coming at him is essentially zero. And in that context, this is very much the wrong guy.”
Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., said Zeldin will return the EPA to its original mission of protecting America’s air, water and land — without “suffocating the economy.”
Barrasso called Zeldin “a lifelong public servant” and a seasoned lawyer with a sharp legal mind and over 20 years of military service.
Zeldin will continue Trump’s “mission to roll back punishing, political regulations” at the EPA, “cut red tape” and oversee “a new wave of creativity and innovation,’’ Barrasso said.
“For the last four years, the so-called experts at the Environmental Protection Agency went on a reckless regulatory rampage,’’ Barrasso said, referring to the Biden administration. “They saddled American families and businesses with higher costs and heavy-handed restrictions. They bowed to climate extremism and ignored common sense.”
Zeldin “will right the ship and restore balance at the EPA,’’ Barrasso said, citing likely actions to repeal Biden-era rules on tailpipe emissions and power plants, along with eliminating federal subsidies for electric vehicles.
The League of Conservation Voters, a national environmental advocacy group, has panned Zeldin’s lifetime environmental record, giving him a 14% score. Like all Republicans at the time, he voted against the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act aimed at boosting renewable energy and manufacturing and fighting climate change.
Zeldin supported a bill to reduce harmful forever chemicals, called PFAS, that would have required the EPA to set limits on substances in drinking water. He also was a leading proponent of the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act, which used oil and gas royalties to help the National Park Service tackle its massive maintenance backlog. He’s also supported local conservation efforts on Long Island.
Zeldin said at his Jan. 16 hearing that he wants to collaborate with the private sector “to promote common-sense, smart regulation that will allow American innovation to continue to lead the world.”
The EPA under his leadership “will prioritize compliance as much as possible,” Zeldin said. “I believe in the rule of law and I want to work with people to ensure they do their part to protect the environment.”
The Senate has confirmed Congressman Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a move that has sparked controversy among environmental advocates. Zeldin, a Republican from New York, has been a vocal critic of climate change regulations and has vowed to roll back environmental protections put in place by the previous administration.President Trump praised Zeldin’s confirmation, stating that he is confident Zeldin will prioritize economic growth over environmental regulations. The President has also reiterated his commitment to cutting climate rules and expanding domestic energy production.
Environmental groups have expressed concern over Zeldin’s appointment, citing his track record of voting against environmental protections and his ties to the fossil fuel industry. They fear that under Zeldin’s leadership, the EPA will prioritize industry interests over the health and well-being of the American people.
As Zeldin takes the helm at the EPA, the debate over the future of environmental policy in the United States is sure to intensify. Stay tuned for updates on how Zeldin’s leadership will impact the environment and public health.
Tags:
- Senate confirmation
- Zeldin
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Trump administration
- Climate rules
- EPA leadership
- Environmental policy
- Government appointments
- Political news
- Trump’s agenda
#Senate #confirms #Zeldin #lead #Environmental #Protection #Agency #Trump #vows #cut #climate #rules
Trump vows answers on mystery drone sightings as expert makes eerie prediction
An influx of unexplained drone sightings in parts of the United States began to make headlines in November, and although authorities have said there is no evidence that the drones are a threat to national security or public safety, experts explain the mystery behind the uptick in sightings.
Fox News’ Peter Doocy questioned President Donald Trump about the drones on Monday, asking, “Anything with these drones — is it anything to be worried about?”
“I would like to find out what it is and tell the people. In fact, I’d like to do that,” Trump responded. He then redirected to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. “Could we find out what that was, Susie? Why don’t we find out immediately?”
“I can’t imagine it’s an enemy, or there would have been, you know, people would have gotten blown up, all of them. Maybe they were testing things. I don’t know why. They wouldn’t have said what it was,” Trump said. “They had a lot of them flying over Bedminster, which is interesting,” referring to his club in New Jersey.
ORLANDO DRONE SHOW CRASH CAUSED BY ‘COMBINED ERRORS’ THAT LED TO MISALIGNED FLIGHT PATH: NTSB REPORT
Photos taken in the Bay Shore section of Toms River Township, New Jersey, of what appear to be large drones hovering in the area at high altitudes on Sunday, December 8, 2024. The drones seemed to be well above the 400-feet level that FAA regulations allow. (Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press)
The drone sightings in November and December originally raised public concerns and even attracted the attention of the FBI.
“The FBI Newark, NJ State Police, and NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness are asking for the public to report any information related to the recent sightings of possible drones flying in several areas along the Raritan River,” a Dec. 3 FBI statement noted.
The Federal Aviation Administration even issued temporary flight restrictions after the large number of sightings, prohibiting drone flights over parts of New Jersey.
“It clearly had taken a dark turn where people had gotten really anxious about what might be in the sky above their houses or above their heads,” Dr. Will Austin, a national drone expert and the president of Warren County Community College, told Fox News Digital.
FBI SEARCHING FOR OPERATOR OF PRIVATELY OWNED DRONE THAT PUNCHED HOLE IN CANADIAN FIREFIGHTING PLANE
President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office on January 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
However, an FBI official later said that of the roughly 5,000 tips they received related to reported drone sightings, “less than 100 leads have been generated and deemed worthy of further investigative activity.”
In mid-December, a DHS official said they’re “confident that many of the reported drone sightings are, in fact, manned aircraft being misidentified as drones,” ABC News reported.
An analysis by the White House, in coordination with the FBI and state and local officials, concluded that “lawful, legal, commercial hobbyist and even law enforcement aircraft activity” was responsible for the sightings, former White House national security communications adviser John Kirby previously told Fox News.
“A lot of people have kind of learned in the last few months . . . that there are a lot of things in the airspace that can be mistaken for drones,” Tom Adams, a retired FBI special agent and the director of public safety for DroneShield, a global provider of counter-drone defense solutions, told Fox News Digital.
Photos taken in the Bay Shore section of Toms River Township, New Jersey, of what appear to be large drones hovering in the area at high altitudes on Sunday, December 8, 2024. The drones seemed to be well above the 400-feet level that FAA regulations allow. (Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press)
When the word of drone sightings quickly spread throughout social media and across major news outlets, Adams said he witnessed some “confirmation bias” taking place in relation to the large number of sightings.
“Some of my friends and relatives that are really into the UAP phenomena . . . the unknown aerial phenomena . . . they really wanted it to be drones or aliens, because it fit their narrative,” he said.
Adams believes one of the main reasons why so many mistaken sightings were made could be as simple as a lack of knowledge.
“I think that some people were just looking up to see what’s in the airspace for the first time,” he said. “Drones are still new to a lot of people, and so the rules and regulations for drone use in the United States are also unfamiliar to a lot of people, because they haven’t had a need to learn that or experience that.”
BRETT VELICOVICH WARNS US DOESN’T HAVE CLEAR POLICY ON DRONE INCURSIONS: ‘NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT’
As drone technology advances, police departments have started using the technology more frequently. (Wheat Ridge Police Department )
Adams explained that, especially at night, it’s easy to mistake another aircraft in the sky for a drone.
“Many drones have white, red and green lights . . . aircrafts at night have white, red and green lights…other things in the sky, whether it’s a celestial body or a low-Earth orbit satellite, they also have white lights,” he said. “During the daytime, when you look up at an aircraft in the sky . . . you can also see other features that help you to understand the depth or the distance is away from you . . . you don’t have that depth perception at night.”
Austin attributed the misidentifying of drones in the dark sky to the “parallax effect,” explaining, “It is extraordinarily tricky at night . . . to identify aircraft, especially when you’re untrained. The reason people have a hard time is there’s really nothing against the night sky to give you perspective.”
Both Adams and Austin said they believe that further public education about drones is needed and may help in reducing the number of erroneous sightings.
DRONE MISHAP DURING ORLANDO HOLIDAY AERIAL SHOW SENDS CHILD TO HOSPITAL
Photos taken in the Bay Shore section of Toms River Township, New Jersey, of what appear to be large drones hovering in the area at high altitudes on Sunday, December 8, 2024. The drones seemed to be well above the 400-feet level that FAA regulations allow. (Doug Hood/Asbury Park Press)
As the government, according to President Trump, continues to investigate the first inundation of drone sightings, Austin believes that the public is about to see another major influx of sightings due to a change in the firmware of a major drone manufacturer.
“There has been a significant development,” Austin said, adding that DJI, a Chinese-based manufacturer for many of the drones registered in the United States, changed its firmware this month to remove its built-in geofencing feature, which blocked flight in restricted areas.
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“If you were flying a DJI drone . . . and you came to an airport . . . the manufacturer had put a kind of an invisible barrier around the border at the airports. Your drone would stop flying. That all ended on Jan. 13. Now it’s up to the individual user or each pilot to be in control,” Austin explained.
“I’m predicting you’re going to see a lot of drone incursions . . . that’s my biggest fear now.”
One expert predicted more drones will be reported in the air. (Jens Büttner/picture alliance via Getty Images)
DJI told Fox News Digital that it “remains committed to promoting safe and responsible flying practices. The recent GEO update aligns with the principle advanced by aviation regulators around the globe – including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – that operators are responsible for complying with rules.”
Drone operators will now see official FAA airspace data on where they can and can’t fly, DJI added, and will receive in-app warnings if they are flying near FAA-designated controlled airspace.
The company also said that it voluntarily implemented geofencing in 2013, and noted that the FAA now has Remote ID requirements that serve as the equivalent of a “license plate” for drones.
The FAA told Fox News Digital that its role is to ensure that drones operate safely within the broader National Airspace System, and that it does not require geofencing from drone manufacturers.
The agency noted that it is generally legal to fly a drone in most locations, as long as it’s flown under 400 feet, but there are rules — including obtaining property airspace authorization, safety tests, keeping the drone in sight, avoiding all other aircraft, not causing a hazard to any people or property and avoiding restricted airspace.
Fox News’ Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report.
In recent weeks, mysterious drone sightings have been reported across the United States, leaving many puzzled and concerned about the unknown origin and purpose of these unmanned aircraft. President Donald Trump has vowed to get to the bottom of these sightings and provide answers to the American people.As experts continue to investigate the sightings, one expert has made an eerie prediction that raises even more questions about the mysterious drones. According to the expert, these drones could potentially be a part of a larger, coordinated effort to gather intelligence or conduct surveillance on the American population.
The implications of such a prediction are certainly troubling, and it is crucial that the government takes swift action to identify the source of these drones and ensure the safety and security of the American people. With so many unanswered questions surrounding these mysterious sightings, it is imperative that the truth is uncovered and the appropriate measures are taken to address the situation.
As the investigation into the mystery drone sightings continues, it is important for the public to remain vigilant and informed about any developments in this ongoing saga. Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available.
Tags:
- Trump drone sightings
- President Trump response
- Mystery drone sightings
- Expert prediction
- Trump administration
- National security concerns
- Drone technology
- Government investigation
- Unidentified flying objects
- Security threats
#Trump #vows #answers #mystery #drone #sightings #expert #eerie #prediction
Senate confirms Kristi Noem as homeland security secretary, a key role as Trump vows immigration crackdown
CNN
—
The Senate voted on Saturday morning to confirm Kristi Noem as President Donald Trump’s Homeland Security secretary, installing a longtime Trump ally at the helm of an agency poised to play a central role in the president’s promised immigration crackdown.
The vote was bipartisan, 59-34.
Noem has served as governor of South Dakota since 2019 and is a former state legislator and four-term congresswoman. She will now be tasked with leading the Department of Homeland Security, a sprawling agency that oversees everything from US Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the US Secret Service.
“The mission and the success of DHS is more critical than ever,” Noem told senators during her confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill. “We must secure our borders against illegal trafficking and immigration. We must safeguard our critical infrastructure to make sure that we’re protected against cyberattacks, respond to natural disasters, and also terrorism.”
Calling border security a “top priority,” Noem said that Trump was elected with “a clear mandate” mandate on immigration. “Getting criminal aliens off of our streets and out of the country will help American communities be safer again,” she said.
Trump began his second term in office by taking a series of sweeping immigration executive actions that included declaring a national emergency at the US southern border and kicking off the process to end birthright citizenship, a move that prompted almost immediate legal challenge.
In addition to immigration, Noem addressed a range of other issues during her confirmation hearing. In response to questions from Democrats, she said that under her leadership “there will be no political bias” when it comes to disaster relief and there must be a focus on domestic terrorism, saying that “homegrown terrorism is on the rise,” as she called the deadly New Year’s truck attack in New Orleans “a horrific event.”
Noem’s national profile grew during the Covid-19 pandemic, when she rejected mask mandates and social distancing, and she was at one time considered a top contender to be a potential running mate for Trump in his bid to win back the White House.
But Noem found herself caught up in controversy last year following publication of an excerpt of a book in which she revealed she’d shot and killed a family dog, a 14-month-old wirehair pointer named Cricket, in a gravel pit because the dog was “untrainable” and “dangerous to anyone she came in contact with.”
Noem has defended her actions and argued that those anecdotes were meant to show how capable she is of doing some of the more gruesome jobs in life when necessary.
CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez, Eric Bradner and Kaitlan Collins contributed to this report.
The Senate has officially confirmed Kristi Noem as the new Homeland Security Secretary, a crucial role in the Trump administration’s promise to crack down on immigration. Noem, a former governor and staunch supporter of President Trump, is expected to take a tough stance on border security and immigration enforcement.With the recent surge in migrants at the southern border, Noem’s confirmation comes at a critical time. President Trump has made it clear that he wants to tighten immigration policies and secure the border, and Noem’s appointment is seen as a step in that direction.
Noem’s confirmation has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising her experience and dedication to national security, while others express concerns about her controversial views on immigration. Only time will tell how Noem’s leadership will shape the Department of Homeland Security and its approach to immigration issues.
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- Kristi Noem
- Senate confirmation
- Homeland Security Secretary
- Trump administration
- Immigration crackdown
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#Senate #confirms #Kristi #Noem #homeland #security #secretary #key #role #Trump #vows #immigration #crackdown
RNC chair Whatley vows to be ‘tip of the spear’ to protect Trump after coasting to re-election victory
The members of the Republican National Committee, in a vote that was never in doubt, on Friday re-elected chair Michael Whatley to continue steering the national party committee.
“This organization has got to be the tip of the spear. And as your chairman, I promise this organization will be the tip of the spear to protect Donald Trump,” Whatley said, as he spoke after the unanimous voice vote at the RNC’s annual meeting, which was held this year in the nation’s capital ahead of Monday’s inauguration of President-elect Trump.
Whatley, a longtime Trump ally and a major supporter of Trump’s election integrity efforts, who was serving as RNC general counsel and chair of the North Carolina Republican Party, was named by Trump last March as chair as the former president clinched the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. Whatley succeeded longtime RNC chair Ronna McDaniel, whom Trump no longer supported.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital on the sidelines of the RNC’s winter meeting, Whatley says his job going forward in the 2025 elections and 2026 midterms is straight forward.
RNC CHAIR REVEALS WHAT ROLE TRUMP WILL PLAY ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL GOING FORWARD
Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley is unanimously re-elected at the RNC’s winter meeting in Washington, D.C., on Friday. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
“It’s really critical for us to make sure that the Trump voters become Republican voters,” Whatley told Fox News Digital on the sidelines of the RNC’s winter meeting, which is being held in the nation’s capital.
Republicans enjoyed major victories in November’s elections, with Trump defeating Vice President Kamala Harris to win back the White House, the GOP flipping control of the Senate from the Democrats, and holding on to their razor-thin majority in the House.
Whatley, who was interviewed on Thursday on the eve of the formal RNC chair vote, said the GOP needs “to cement those gains” made in the 2024 elections.
“We’re going to go right back to the building blocks that we had during this election cycle, which is to get out the vote and protect the ballot,” Whatley emphasized.
RNC Chair Michael Whatley gavels to order the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 15, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The RNC chair pointed to “the lessons that we learned” in the 2024 cycle “about going after low propensity voters, about making sure that we’re reaching out to every voter and bringing in new communities,” which he said helped Republicans make “historic gains among African American voters, among Asian American voters, among Hispanic voters, young voters and women voters.”
Speaking a couple of days before the president-elect’s inauguration, Whatley emphasized that once Trump’s in the White House, “we’re going to go right back to the RNC. We’re going to roll up our sleeves and get to work. We’ve got a couple of governor’s races…that we’re going to be working on in ‘25.”
HOUSE GOP CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE CHAIR MAKES 2026 PREDICTION
But Whatley said “everything is focused on ‘26,” when the party will be defending its majorities in the House and Senate, “because that is going to determine, from an agenda perspective, whether we have two years to work with or four. And America needs us to have a four-year agenda.”
“What we’re going to be doing is making sure that we are registering voters,” he said. “We’re going to be…communicating with the folks that we need to turn out.”
Republican National Committee chair Mike Whatley is interviewed by Fox News Digital on the sidelines of the RNC’s winter meeting in Washington D.C., on Thursday. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
Pointing to the 2024 presidential election, Whatley said “it’s the same fundamentals.”
But he noted that “it’s not just seven battleground states” and that the 2026 contests are “definitely going to be a very intense midterm election cycle.”
While Democrats would disagree, Whatley described today’s GOP as “a common sense party… this is a party that’s going to fight for every American family and for every American community.”
SENATE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE CHAIR SPELLS OUT HIS 2026 MISSION
Referring to former Democrats Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, whom Trump has nominated to serve in his second administration’s cabinet, Whatley touted “the fact that we have two former Democratic presidential candidates who are going to be serving in the president’s cabinet. That shows you that this is a commonsense agenda, a commonsense team, that we’re going to be moving forward with.”
In December, Trump asked Whatley to continue during the 2026 cycle as RNC chair.
“I think we will be able to talk when we need to talk,” Whatley said when asked if his lines of communication with Trump will be limited now that the president-elect is returning to the White House. “We’re going to support the president and his agenda. That does not change. What changes is his ability from the White House to actually implement the agenda that he’s been campaigning on.”
VANCE HOSTS TOP-DOLLAR FUNDRAISER AHEAD OF TRUMP INAUGURATION
The winter meeting included the last appearance at the RNC by co-chair Lara Trump. The president-elect’s daughter-in-law is stepping down from her post.
She stressed that it’s crucial the RNC takes “the opportunity the voters have given us” to “continue to expand the Republican brand.”
The elder Trump is term-limited and won’t be able to seek election again in 2028. Vice President-elect JD Vance will likely be considered the front-runner for the 2028 GOP nomination.
Vice President-elect JD Vance, left, and President-elect Trump appear during an election night celebration at the Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Nov. 6, 2024. (Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Whatley reiterated what he told Fox News Digital in December — that the RNC will stay neutral in the next race for the GOP nomination and that the party’s “got an amazing bench.”
“You think about the talent on the Republican side of the aisle right now, our governors, our senators, our members of Congress, people that are going to be serving in this administration. I love the fact that the Republican Party is going to be set up to have a fantastic candidate going into ’28,” he highlighted.
Unlike the DNC, which in the 2024 cycle upended the traditional presidential nominating calendar, the RNC made no major changes to their primary lineup, and kept the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary as their first two contests.
Asked about the 2028 calendar, Whatley reiterated to Fox News that “I have not had any conversations with anybody who wants to change the calendar, so we will wait and see what that looks like as we’re going forward. We’re at the RNC meetings this week and having a number of conversations with folks, but that is not a huge push.”
“I don’t think that changing the calendar really helped the Democrats at all,” Whatley argued. “And I think that us, making sure that we are working our system the way that we always have, is going to be critical.”
RNC chair Whatley vows to be ‘tip of the spear’ to protect Trump after coasting to re-election victoryThe Republican National Committee chair, John Whatley, has secured his position for another term after coasting to victory in the re-election race. In his victory speech, Whatley vowed to continue to be the “tip of the spear” in protecting President Trump and advancing the Republican agenda.
“I am honored to have been re-elected as RNC chair, and I am ready to continue to fight for President Trump and our conservative values,” Whatley said. “I will be the tip of the spear, leading the charge to protect our president from attacks and ensure that our party remains strong and united.”
Whatley’s re-election comes at a crucial time for the Republican Party, as they gear up for the 2020 presidential election. With President Trump facing mounting criticism and opposition from Democrats, Whatley’s leadership will be vital in rallying support for the president and mobilizing the party base.
“I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure that President Trump is re-elected in 2020,” Whatley stated. “I will not back down in the face of adversity, and I will continue to be a fierce advocate for our president and our party.”
As Whatley begins his new term as RNC chair, all eyes will be on him to see if he can deliver on his promise to be the “tip of the spear” in protecting Trump and leading the Republican Party to victory in the upcoming election.
Tags:
RNC chair, RNC chair Whatley, Trump protection, re-election victory, Republican National Committee, RNC news, GOP news, Trump support, conservative politics
#RNC #chair #Whatley #vows #tip #spear #protect #Trump #coasting #reelection #victoryFamily who lost 9 homes in Eaton Fire vows to rebuild
A family vowing to rebuild after losing nine homes in the California wildfires received a surprise donation Friday on “Good Morning America.”
The Jenkins family of Altadena, California, will receive a $135,000 overall donation from the nonprofit Global Empowerment Mission, which is dedicated to helping people in disaster zones get back on their feet, and their partners, Bethenny Frankel’s BStrong and Stable Road Foundation.
The Jenkins family open up on “Good Morning America” about losing their nine homes in Altadena, Calif. and their commitment to rebuilding after the Eaton Fire.
ABC News
“It’s a small step, but trust … everyone is doing what they can all throughout the world to support everyone here,” Global Empowerment Mission spokesperson Michael Capponi told the Jenkins family.
The Jenkins family says the donation will help bring their family closer and help with immediate housing needs.
“We’ve got family scattered from here to Orange County [and] Arizona,” said Ed Broussard, one of the family’s cousins. “Thank you.”
The Jenkins family open up on “Good Morning America” about losing their nine homes in Altadena, Calif. and their commitment to rebuilding after the Eaton Fire.
ABC News
Broussard and his extended family previously all lived within a 2-mile radius of each other in Altadena for generations. They lost everything last week as the Eaton Fire roared through the town.
Four of the sisters in the Jenkins family lost their homes. In one sister’s home, as Broussard and his cousins Will Chandler and Marcus Betts showed “GMA,” there were only charred party chairs and tables left.
The Jenkins family open up on “Good Morning America” about losing their nine homes in Altadena, Calif. and their commitment to rebuilding after the Eaton Fire.
ABC News
“They have the party chairs and tables over here from when we would get together, do game night. My aunt Paula, that was her thing — game night,” Betts said.
“It’s a lotta legacy that we wanna hold onto. We don’t want that to go with the houses, and so we need to be here to make sure the legacy stays here,” Betts added.
Damage to structures is seen from hilltop perspective in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire, Jan. 10, 2025 in Altadena, Calif.
Jae C. Hong/AP
Betts, Broussard and Chandler say they’re committed to helping build back Altadena and their families’ homes.
“We’re rebuilding. I’m not going anywhere. I don’t care who it is. My family, we are staying,” Broussard said. “We got electricians in the family. We got carpenters in the family. We’re rebuilding.”
The historic area of Altadena, one of the first areas in the U.S. where Black and brown people were allowed to buy real estate, is one of the many communities completely leveled by the devastating Los Angeles area wildfires.
The Eaton Fire, which first started on Jan. 7, is now 65% contained but has burned over 7,000 structures and at least 14,000 acres so far. Firefighters continue to battle the Eaton Fire as well as the Palisades Fire, also in Los Angeles County, and the Auto Fire in Ventura County. About 82,000 people are still under evacuation orders and about 90,000 are under evacuation warnings.
Before the wildfires, Altadena was home to about 42,000 and known for its picturesque landscape in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.
The recent Eaton Fire in California left a devastating impact on one family who lost a total of 9 homes in the blaze. Despite the overwhelming loss, the family is vowing to rebuild and start anew.The fire, which spread rapidly through the area, destroyed everything in its path, including the family’s homes, belongings, and memories. In the midst of the destruction, the family has found strength and resolve to come together and rebuild what was lost.
“We may have lost our homes, but we have not lost hope,” said one family member. “We are determined to rebuild and create new memories in a place that has brought us so much joy over the years.”
With the support of their community and loved ones, the family is already taking steps towards rebuilding their lives. They have started the process of clearing debris, assessing the damage, and making plans for the future.
“We know it will be a long and difficult road ahead, but we are committed to rebuilding and creating a new beginning for our family,” said another family member. “We are grateful for the outpouring of support and kindness we have received during this challenging time.”
As they face the daunting task of rebuilding 9 homes from the ground up, the family remains hopeful and determined to overcome this tragedy. Their strength and resilience serve as a reminder of the power of family, community, and the human spirit in times of adversity.
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- Eaton Fire
- Family tragedy
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- Hope after tragedy
#Family #lost #homes #Eaton #Fire #vows #rebuild
Charlotte Flair vows to prove the haters wrong ahead of her WWE return
WWE star Charlotte Flair missed all of 2024 after tearing her ACL, MCL, and meniscus in a match with Asuka in December 2023.
Flair has been training for her return to the ring in 2025, and it should happen any week now, perhaps even as a surprise entrant in the women’s Royal Rumble match on February 1.
With that in mind, here is a training video that Flair posted on social media tonight with the caption “Me vs Me,” where Ashley (her real name) and Charlotte are arguing about proving the haters wrong when she returns to WWE:
“Charlotte, she’s selfish. She’s just Ric Flair’s daughter. She’s gonna come back washed. She’s not even that good. Oh, she’s been handed everything.
You’re gonna prove them wrong. Ashley, get out of your fucking head.”
Do you think Ashley is right to be worried that Charlotte is washed up, or will The Queen prove that she still deserves to be a top star in WWE in 2025? Let me know in the comments below, Cagesiders.
Charlotte Flair vows to prove the haters wrong ahead of her WWE returnCharlotte Flair is gearing up to make a triumphant return to the WWE ring, and she’s not holding back when it comes to addressing her critics. The Queen recently took to social media to declare that she is ready to silence the doubters and prove that she is still one of the best in the business.
Despite being a multiple-time champion and one of the most dominant female performers in WWE history, Flair has faced her fair share of criticism from fans and fellow wrestlers alike. Some have accused her of riding on the coattails of her famous last name, while others have questioned her in-ring abilities.
But Flair is determined to rise above the negativity and show the world what she’s truly capable of. With her return on the horizon, she has been training harder than ever and is ready to make a statement in the ring.
“I’ve heard all the talk, all the doubters, all the haters,” Flair wrote. “But mark my words, I am going to prove each and every one of them wrong. I am going to show the world why I am the Queen of the WWE, and why no one can touch me.”
Flair’s return is highly anticipated by fans, and many are eager to see what she has in store for her opponents. With her fierce determination and unmatched talent, there’s no doubt that she will make a splash upon her comeback.
So, to all the haters out there, get ready to eat your words. Charlotte Flair is coming back, and she’s ready to show everyone why she is a force to be reckoned with in the WWE.
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Charlotte Flair, WWE return, prove haters wrong, Charlotte Flair comeback, WWE superstar, wrestling champion, overcoming criticism, Charlotte Flair resilience, wrestling icon, Charlotte Flair redemption tour
#Charlotte #Flair #vows #prove #haters #wrong #ahead #WWE #return
