Hegseth, a “Fox and Friends” weekend co-host who served in the National Guard for 20 years and made multiple combat deployments, was announced Tuesday night as Trump’s pick to run the Pentagon. Jennings said that the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and the attempt to deploy a mobile pier in Gaza called the insiders’ competence.

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“Does anybody have confidence in the current leadership of the Pentagon and the way the defense situation has been operating for the last several years?” Jennings asked the panel. “I mean, from the Afghanistan pullout, which was an extreme debacle for which no one was held accountable, we’ve had spy balloons flying over the United States, we built the $300 million pier as a public relations stunt which wound up killing an American service member.”

“I would say I’ve had just about enough of the so-called ‘insiders’ running the Defense Department, I think we ought to give Pete Hegseth a chance.” Jennings continued, prompting journalist Carl Bernstein to ask, “You think that’s about insiders?”

Jennings referenced the thirteen service members who were killed in an Aug. 26, 2021 bombing as American forces were evacuating from Kabul, as well as a pier built to deliver relief supplies to Gaza, which cost taxpayers over $230 million and was operational for just a few weeks, during which one soldier died of injuries sustained while operating the pier.

“All the criticism of him is that he is not the expected Washington pick and I am just saying to you that the American people just voted against the expected Washington pick,” Jennings responded. “He has 20 years in service, Afghanistan, Iraq, two Bronze Stars, Princeton, Harvard. Yeah, he is on TV, but so are the rest of us. I think he ought to be given a chance.”

Trump previously announced that former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe would be nominated as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and that Republican Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida, a former Green Beret, would serve as national security advisor.

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During a phone interview with NBC News, Trump stated that “there’s no price tag” to his promised deportation plan. He said that he’d initiate an unprecedented immigration crackdown from his first day in office, aiming to deport those in the U.S. illegally, particularly individuals with criminal records.

“It’s not a question of a price tag. It’s not — really, we have no choice. When people have killed and murdered, when drug lords have destroyed countries, and now they’re going to go back to those countries because they’re not staying here. There is no price tag,” Trump said, according to NBC News.

TRUMP: "We are going to have the largest deportation effort in the history of our country, we are bringing everybody back to where they came from. We have no choice." pic.twitter.com/vsd11XVQAh

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) January 11, 2024

Trump says he’ll depend heavily on local law enforcement to deport people, although coordination with federal agencies will be essential, the outlet reported. During the same interview, Trump also expressed a welcoming stance toward legal immigration and discussed the need for a robust and secure border. He maintained that the country should remain open to newcomers who respect its laws.

“We obviously have to make the border strong and powerful and, and we have to — at the same time, we want people to come into our country,” Trump said. “And you know, I’m not somebody that says, ‘No, you can’t come in.’ We want people to come in,” Trump said, according to NBC News.

Despite efforts by Democrats to sway Latino voters, his support among Latino men has surged, according to a CNN exit poll. Trump led Vice President Kamala Harris by 12 points among Latino men, however Harris won over Latino women by 22 points.

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(DCNF)—House Republicans’ quest to preserve their slim majority will likely be dependent on the outcomes of four New York races with GOP incumbents in previously pro-Biden districts engaged in tough reelection fights.

Democrats need to flip just four Republican-held seats to retake control of the House, and party operatives are zeroing in on a group of freshman lawmakers representing competitive New York districts as prime pick-up opportunities. Though these Republican incumbents have faced voter registration and fundraising deficits in addition to running in a presidential election year that could see increased turnout, the campaigns and GOP operatives are optimistic that all of the Republican incumbent candidates in tight races will prevail on election day, according to interviews with campaign officials and written statements given to the Daily Caller News Foundation.

The incumbents — New York Republican Reps. Anthony D’Esposito, Mike Lawler, Marc Molinaro and Brandon Williams — must also overcome another challenge: President Joe Biden won the districts they represent by comfortable margins in 2020. Each candidate won by less than five points during the 2022 midterms, which saw New York Republican candidates make historic gains.

In D’Esposito’s Long Island district, Biden beat former President Donald Trump by more than 14 points in 2020, making the district the most pro-Biden seat in the country held by a Republican running for reelection.

In 2022, D’Esposito won New York’s fourth district by a four-point margin against his opponent, former Hempstead Town supervisor Laura Gillen, with the two set for a rematch in November. A Siena College poll from Oct. 13-17 showed Gillen ahead by 12 points in the contest.

D’Esposito’s campaign argued to the DCNF that the Siena College poll has “fundamental flaws” because the polling occurred during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot and failed to get an accurate sample of Jewish voters, which the campaign believes overwhelmingly support him.

“In a district with a large Jewish population, the pollster interviewed people during significant Jewish holy days. In fact, a large segment of the Jewish population don’t use electronic devices at this time. If Siena’s numbers were even close to accurate, Democrats would not be spending tens of millions of dollars to defeat D’Esposito while totally neglecting a statistical dead heat (according to Siena’s data) in the adjacent district, NY-1,” Matt Capp, spokesman for the D’Esposito campaign, added.

A poll conducted between Oct. 11 and 19 by Gotham Polling & Analytics has D’Esposito up by one point, with 6% of voters undecided. Capp told the DCNF that local opposition to the influx of migrants in New York City, the recently-tabled congestion pricing program and offshore wind are keeping this district in play for Republicans.

“The New York races have the advantage in that the Democratic Party has almost destroyed the state,” New York Republican consultant Bill O’Reilly told the DCNF. “We’re feeling it in taxes, in crime, in the migrant chaos.”

“There’s a built-in inclination to go Republican this time,” O’Reilly added.

Gillen has also outraised D’Esposito by more than $700,000, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. Cook Political Report designates the race as a “toss-up.”

O’Reilly pointed to Lawler as the candidate most likely to prevail among the four incumbents despite running in a district that Biden won by more than ten points in 2020 and being outraised by roughly $1.3 million by his opponent, former Democratic Rep. Mondaire Jones of New York, according to FEC filings. O’Reilly served as the spokesperson for Lawler’s 2022 campaign.

“He has worked that district incredibly hard. He’s a classic example of someone who’s differentiated himself,” O’Reilly told the DCNF. “He’s a bipartisan guy. He works hard, he talks to everybody. He’s in the district like he said. He’s done the work to make himself known.”

Despite the most recent independent polling showing Lawler up by just one point, O’Reilly told the DCNF that Lawler’s internal polling has the candidate up by higher margins. The Cook Political Report changed the rating from “toss-up” to “lean Republican” on Oct. 25.

O’Reilly also told the DCNF that Lawler’s condemnation of anti-Israel protests at Columbia University over the past year and support for Israel in the country’s war against Hamas is likely to pay dividends in a district that has one of the highest percentages of Jewish voters in the country.

“Jewish voters in the 17th Congressional District and across the country will have a decisive impact on how elections play out across the country,” Chris Russell, spokesman for Lawler’s campaign, told the DCNF. “Orthodox, Reform, Conservative and Hasidic voters all want a few basic things in life — safe neighborhoods, good schools and a strong economy. Republicans provide winning arguments on all of those issues, and that’s why Jewish voters will be supporting candidates like Mike Lawler this November.”

Roll Call designated Williams as the most vulnerable member of the House running for reelection due to redistricting changes that made the Republican incumbent’s central New York district more Democratic. He leads his opponent, New York state senator John Mannion, by one point in the Williams campaign’s most recent internal poll. The Cook Political Report designates the race as “lean Democrat.”

Taylor Weyneth, a Williams campaign official, told the DCNF that their focus is not on the presidential ticket but on Albany and the “disastrous policies” pushed by state Democratic lawmakers and signed into law by New York governor Kathy Hochul.

“We’re running against Albany because we’re running against a New York state senator who was there for all of these disastrous policy decisions and has to own that record,” Weyneth told the DCNF. “Our opponent — he voted to give taxpayer-funded free health care to illegal immigrants and called voters ‘ignorant’ for being concerned about the migrant crisis impacting their community.”

Weyneth also told the DCNF that the campaign is feeling optimistic due to strong early voting numbers from registered Republicans. “We’re feeling confident and onward to victory,” Weyneth added.

O’Reilly described Molinaro, the 2018 New York Republican nominee for governor who now represents the Hudson Valley, as a “fighter.” Molinaro is currently in a brutal reelection contest and trails his Democratic opponent, Josh Riley, by four points in the latest polling. Molinaro beat Riley by less than two points in 2022.

The Molinaro-Riley rematch is the most expensive House race in New York, with more than $25 million worth of political ads on track to air.

“This race is about priorities,” Molinaro told the DCNF. “I’m for securing our border and putting Upstate New Yorkers first, my opponent Josh Riley supports keeping the border open and giving taxpayer-funded perks like credit cards and hotels to illegal immigrants.”

The Cook Political Report rates Molinaro’s reelection bid as a “toss-up.”

New York House Republicans, led by Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, are also trying to flip a competitive seat in the mid-Hudson Valley held by Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan.

The Republican candidate, Alison Esposito, ran as the Republican nominee for New York’s lieutenant governor in 2022. The most recent independent polling from early October shows Esposito trailing Ryan by five points. The projected outcome for the Esposito-Ryan contest is “lean-Democrat,” according to Cook Political Report.

“Alison’s message of supporting law enforcement, securing our border, creating jobs, strengthening the economy, and defending our allies is resonating across NY-18,” Ben Weiner, spokesman for the Esposito campaign, told the DCNF. “Since beginning our campaign over a year ago, we’ve heard from Hudson Valley residents across the district who are ready for change. They know Pat Ryan is on the wrong side of every issue and are ready to send a common sense leader to D.C. That’s why Alison is surging in the polls and within striking distance of Pat Ryan.

“We are confident that we have the momentum and the winning message to flip NY-18 and secure a victory on election night,” Weiner added.

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(DCNF)—Victor Davis Hanson said Monday on Fox News that former President Donald Trump “terrifies” the “out-of-touch wealthy elite” because they lack compassion and understanding of the average American’s concerns.

Hanson argued that Trump has redefined the Republican Party by recasting it as a coalition of upper-middle and lower-middle class citizens, leaving both traditional Republicans and Democrats scrambling to respond. Hanson reflected on Trump’s ability to energize his base by shifting the GOP’s focus from the elite class to a broad cross-section of American workers.

“Trump is really saying you’re right about FDR. He said the only thing you have to fear is fear itself. There’s no limitation on what we can do. We can secure the border. Don’t worry about being ostracized or doxed or criticized or called all these names,” Hanson told Laura Ingraham. “We can reduce crime. We can refashion our foreign policy. And everything’s possible. And we’re no longer just gonna be stereotyped as a elitist party of wealthy white people and the Republicans that play golf.”

While the GOP has long been painted as the party of “wealthy white people” and golf-playing elites, Hanson says Trump has inverted this image by replacing race with a focus on class.

“That wasn’t a fair stereotype, but that’s what it was. He’s replaced race with class. And he said we’re an upper middle and lower middle class party and everybody’s invited, and that’s why it terrifies the old, never Trump elite on the Republican side,” Hanson continued. “They don’t like that. Neither does the left. And more importantly, when he created this new movement, this new Republican party, he showed what the left has become in their anger and their fury and their frenzy.”

Hanson suggested that Trump’s populist coalition reveals the cracks in the Democratic establishment, which he characterizes as increasingly out of touch with middle-class America.

“They’re really a party of the out-of-touch wealthy elite. That’s who the Obama’s are, the Clinton’s are, the Harris’ are, the Silicon Valley people. They’re really furious about this because they’ve been shown to be emperors without any clothes,” Hanson added. “They really only care about themselves and these esoteric elite agendas that destroy the middle class, of which they have no compassion.”

Reflecting on the intense political attacks against Trump, Hanson sees this as an indication of deep-seated panic among the political elite.

“So we’re at the end of a decade-long story. The Russian collusion, Russian disinformation, lawfare, get him off the ballot, two assassination attempts,” Hanson concluded. “And what are they left with? All they’re left with is he’s Hitler. He’s a fascist, he’s a Nazi.”

Vice President Kamala Harris called former Trump a fascist last Thursday at a town hall, citing warnings from Trump’s former chief of staff, John Kelly, about the dangers of a potential second term. The Trump campaign has denied the claims.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that President Joe Biden concurs with John Kelly’s assessment that Trump is a fascist, as reported by The New York Times. Jean-Pierre reiterated that Biden believes Trump aimed to govern as a dictator from day one.

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(Jaryn Crouson, DCNF)—A professor at the University of Kansas (UK) told a class that men who would not vote for a female president should be lined up and shot, according to a video posted on X Wednesday.

The university confirmed the professor is employed at UK and made the comment during a lecture in the fall semester but did not identify him, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal. The instructor has since been placed on administrative leave.

“(If you think) guys are smarter than girls, you’ve got some serious problems,” the professor stated in the video. “That’s what frustrates me. There are going to be some males in our society that will refuse to vote for a potential female president because they don’t think females are smart enough to be president. We could line all those guys up and shoot them. They clearly don’t understand the way the world works.”

“Did I say that? Scratch that from the recording,” the professor immediately added. “I don’t want the deans hearing that I said that.”

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Seriously ⁦@UnivOfKansas⁩? You’re letting this be said in your classrooms? That men who won’t vote for Kamala Harris for President should be lined up and shot?? ⁦@RogerMarshallMD⁩ ⁦@JerryMoran⁩ pic.twitter.com/7hHihxScEg

— Ned Ryun (@nedryun) October 9, 2024

The university said the professor regrets the comment and only intended to advocate for women’s rights but is being investigated.

“We are aware of the video, which was recorded during a class earlier this semester,” Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, a UK spokesperson told the Capital-Journal. “The instructor is being placed on administrative leave, pending further investigation. The instructor offers his sincerest apologies and deeply regrets the situation. His intent was to emphasize his advocacy for women’s rights and equality, and he recognizes he did a very poor job of doing so. The university has an established process for situations like this and will follow that process.”

Several educators have been exposed for inappropriate comments regarding the 2024 presidential election, with a Bellarmine University professor being suspended in July after posting “If you’re gonna shoot, man, don’t miss,” on social media following the first assassination attempt on Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump. An Oklahoma education official also stated his plan to revoke an instructor’s teaching certificate after the teacher said she wish Trump’s would-be assassin had a “better scope.”

UK did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

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In the wake of the hurricane that tore through the region, Jordan Lanning discussed the five-day delay in aid by the federal government that he experienced in an appearance on “Jesse Watters Primetime.” Lanning also blasted the administration’s prioritization of sending funds to migrants over American citizens, which has left the community feeling abandoned.

“It’s too late. I mean, they took too long. It took them five days to get here. And it took five days for Biden to come here. And he didn’t think we were worth coming down to see him, us, himself,” Lanning told Watters. “He had to fly over on his way to Raleigh. It’s disgraceful. I mean, they keep saying we the people. No, there is no we the people. It’s them versus us. So they’re not for us. It’s all about them. They tell us what we need instead of listening to us.”

The frustration stems not only from the delayed response but also from financial aid offers that Lanning says many community members consider inadequate. The federal government has offered a one-time $750 payment for essentials such as food and baby formula to residents of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, who may also receive further financial aid for home repairs and temporary housing after registering for disaster assistance.

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“There’s people that have lost everything. They’re home. They’re everything, priceless items that were worth thousands of dollars. And I’m not expecting them to actually give us thousands of dollars, but they can do more than that. And that it’s not worth anything,” Lanning continued.

Watters also touched on the lack of federal funds due to the allocation of financial resources to migrants, many of whom have entered the country illegally.

“Extremely angry. They’re putting other people before their own. I mean, I feel betrayed. I feel like we’re not worth it to them,” Lanning said when Watters asked him about the government’s financial support to migrants.

Since making landfall on Thursday night last week, Hurricane Helene has wreaked havoc in the Southeast, resulting in 132 deaths and nearly 600 people missing as of Monday. The storm’s impact has shattered homes, crushed cargo containers and swallowed highways in mud, plunging Western North Carolina into a crisis with severed roads and disrupted utilities.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) faces a cash shortage for disaster relief amid Hurricane Helene after spending over $1 billion on migrant assistance in the last two years, according to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Mayorkas said that the agency’s financial reserves are insufficient to cover the ongoing hurricane season, particularly with resources stretched thin for Americans affected by Helene.

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During an appearance on CBS News, the former Manhattan prosecutor discussed the “unusual” level of detail in the recent filings by Smith that could interfere with Trump’s constitutional right to a fair trial. The host asked Roiphe to delve into the evidentiary value of the documents now released to the public and explain how this might play out in a jury trial.

“When there are motions, those motions become public. and those motions contain certain factual allegations. I think what is unusual here is the level of detail. Now, of course, this is an important case,” Roiphe explained. “This is responding to a ruling from the Supreme Court that was fairly vague. And so it’s not that the level of detail is inappropriate, but there is a level of detail that one doesn’t normally see in motion filings.”

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The conversation highlighted the former president’s concerns about the potential interference with his constitutional rights.

“And so, you know, I think that’s worth pausing and mentioning that the former president’s argument that this was interfering with his constitutional right to a fair trial, you know, it’s not a far-fetched argument to make given how much detail is actually in there,” she continued.

Judge Tanya Chutkan released Wednesday a redacted version of Smith’s detailed brief on the evidence concerning former Trump’s alleged election interference. Dismissing accusations of “bad-faith partisan bias,” Chutkan ordered the 165-page document on presidential immunity to be filed publicly, countering Trump’s legal team’s objections to its release before the election.

In a Tuesday filing, Trump’s legal team accused Smith of political motives for seeking to publicize witness testimony before the election. They argued to Judge Chutkan that while prosecutors will redact names in a significant presidential immunity motion, they intend to leave quotations from sensitive materials unredacted, a reversal from Smith’s earlier stance on protecting such information to ensure justice.

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