U.N. Suspends Travel Into Yemen

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – The United Nations on Friday suspended all travel into areas held by Yemen’s Houthi rebels after seven more of their staff were detained by the rebels. More on this from reporter Bernie Bennett.

VERBATIM: The statement comes after the Houthis have detained U.N. staffers, as well as individuals associated with the once-open U.S. Embassy in Sanaa and aid groups.
The Houthis did not immediately acknowledge the U.N.’s decision. However, it comes as they have tried to deescalate their attacks on shipping and Israel after a ceasefire was reached in the Israel-Hamas war.
Before Friday, the U.N. had a total of 16 Yemeni staff in Houthi detention. Staffers found seven others had been taken and halted their work, which provides food, medicine and other aid to the impoverished nation.
Bernie Bennett reporting.

Trump Declares Emergency at the Border with Mexico

President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency on the border with Mexico, saying “America’s sovereignty is under attack.” Details on this from Correspondent Bernie Bennett.

VERBATIM: Active-duty military arrived Thursday in San Diego and El Paso, Texas. It comes at a moment of relative calm after unprecedented turmoil. Arrests for illegal border crossings plummeted more than 80% to about 47,000 in December.
That was down from an all-time high of 250,000 the same period a year earlier. Arrests fell by about half when Mexican authorities increased enforcement within their own borders a year ago. And they plummeted by about half again when former President Joe Biden introduced severe asylum restrictions.
Bernie Bennett reporting.

Oath Keepers Founder is Banned from Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON (AP) – A federal judge on Friday barred Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes from entering Washington without the court’s approval after President Donald Trump commuted Rhodes’s 18-year prison sentence in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Reporter Bernie Bennett has details.

VERBATIM: U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, who oversaw the seditious conspiracy trial of Rhodes and other Oath Keepers, issued the order two days after Rhodes visited Capitol Hill, where he met with at least one lawmaker, chatted with others and defended his actions the day of the attack.

Mehta’s order applies to seven other defendants who were charged in one of the most serious conspiracy cases brought by the Justice Department over the attack. The order also prohibits them from entering the Capitol building or surrounding grounds without the court’s permission.

Bernie Bennett reporting.

Pete Hegseth Is Confirmed as Secretary of Defense

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as the nation’s defense secretary in a dramatic late-night vote. More details from Correspondent Bernie Bennett.

VERBATIM:
Republicans pushed back questions about Hegseth’s qualifications amid allegations of heavy drinking and aggressive behavior. Vice President JD Vance was on hand to cast the tie-breaking vote.

TRUMP CABINET-HEGSETH-vance-a-11-FRIpm (:11) “applause fades”

The Republican senators prioritized the former Fox News host and combat veteran’s vow to create a “warrior culture” at the Pentagon.

Confirming Hegseth rounds out President Donald Trump’s top national security Cabinet officials.

Bernie Bennett, Washington

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Inauguration 2025: Vance Swearing In

Sen. JD Vance is sworn in as the nation’s 50th Vice President before President-elect Donald Trump becomes the 47th President. Former Vice President Kamala Harris and the Second Gentlemen welcomed incoming Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha to the Naval Observatory ahead of his swearing in at the U.S. Capitol. They took pictures before heading to the Capitol Rotunda where he was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. At 40, Vance is the youngest Vice President since Richard Nixon.

Inauguration 2025: Martin Luther King Day

For the third time in U.S. history, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Inauguration Day will both be held collectively. Correspondent Bernie Bennett has the story.

VERBATIM:

The overlap is set for Monday when former president Donald Trump will return to the White House for a second term as President Joe Biden leaves office. Due to calendar quirks, the two significant US days will not coincide again for another 28 years.

Presidential inaugurations have been scheduled for Jan. 20 since 32nd President Franklin Roosevelt took office in 1937.

MLK Day and Inauguration Day have only coincided twice before in U.S. history: the 1997 second inauguration of Bill Clinton and the 2013 second inauguration of Barack Obama.

Bernie Bennett for Inauguration 2025.

Inauguration 2025: Foreign Guests

For the first time in U.S. history, a president-elect will welcome foreign leaders for one of the most American political traditions – the peaceful transfer of power. This story from Correspondent Bernie Bennett.

VERBATIM:

This Inauguration will make history for the many foreign heads of state in attendance.

President-elect Donald Trump invited Chinese President Xi Jinping and conservative world leaders such as Argentine President Javier Milei and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. Both leaders are expected. Xi sent his vice president as his representative.

The offices of Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña have said they were invited to the inauguration and planned to attend.

Bernie Bennett for Inauguration 2025.

House Inauguration Day Schedule

The House of Representatives is scheduled to meet on Inauguration Day to begin approving the agenda of President-elect Trump. Details on this from Correspondent Bernie Bennett.

VERBATIM:

The next meeting of the House is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. today, Monday, January 20, 2025. Majority Leader Steve Scalise posted the agenda for the week, following the Inauguration of Donald Trump of the 47th President.

Legislative priorities include protecting U.S. borders, improving forest management and restoring American forest health, requiring medical care for born-alive abortion survivors and providing aid to communities affected by wildfires in California. The President-elect has said he will visit California on Friday.

Bernie Bennett for Inauguration 2025.

Inauguration 2025: Protocols

As the Capitol prepares to host the 60th Inaugural, protocols must be observed by those visitors allowed to attend. Correspondent Bernie Bennett has details.

VERBATIM:

On Monday, January 20, 2025, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies will host the 60th Inauguration of the President-elect and the Vice-President-elect in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.

Ticketed guests are encouraged to arrive early and use public transportation to ensure they will be in place by the time the Inaugural Ceremonies begin at 11:30 a.m.

Ticketed guests should be aware of safety guidelines determined by the U.S. Capitol Police. To protect the safety and well-being of attendees, many items will not be permitted on the Capitol Grounds. A complete list of items and safety protocols can be found at w-w-w dot u-s-c-p dot gov.

Bernie Bennett for Inauguration 2025.

Inauguration 2025: Protection

According to D.C. police, early 4,000 officers from law enforcement agencies nationwide were sworn in Sunday to help support security for the 60th Presidential Inauguration.

Inauguration 2025: Trump in Washington

WASHINGTON (AP) – Donald Trump is returning to Washington to kick off days of pageantry to herald his second inauguration as president. Correspondent Bernie Bennett has details.

High Hopes for 2025

Although 2024 didn’t rate very high in most Americans’ estimation, a new poll suggests that a majority expect much better in 2025. Details on this from reporter Bernie Bennett.

VERBATIM: The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that just five percent (5%) of American Adults rate 2024 one of the best years ever. Eleven percent (11%) think it was an excellent year and 20% rate 2024 a good year. However, 34% of Americans give 2024 a poor rating. The 36% who rate 2024 at least a good year is slightly up from last year, when 34% said the same about 2023.

Bernie Bennett reporting.

Holocaust Survivor Slams Harris for Fascist Rhetoric

WASHINGTON – Republican Leaders in Congress aren’t the only ones taking issue with Vice President Harris’ comparison of Former President Trump to Adolf Hitler.

VERBATIM: A video message from Jerry Wartski, a 94-year-old survivor of Auschwitz and the Nazi death marches was trending over X on Friday, in which Wartski made it very clear what he thinks of Harris’ narrative.

He wrote, “Adolph Hitler invaded Poland when I was nine-years-old. “He murdered my parents and most of our family. I know more about Hitler than Kamala will ever know in a thousand lifetimes. For her to accuse President Trump of being like Hitler is the worst thing I’ve ever heard in my 75 years of living in the United States.”

Bernie Bennett, Washington.

Republicans Seek the Jewish Vote

WEST BLOOKFIELD, MI (AP) – Republicans in key battleground states are working to ensure one group of voters throws their support behind Former President Donald Trump. More on this from reporter Bernie Bennett.

VERBATIM: The door-to-door outreach to Jewish voters with a history of backing Republicans is part of a new effort that a group is undertaking this year in five presidential battleground states in hopes of boosting Trump over Democrat Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 election.

Although surveys show that Jews vote decidedly Democratic, the Republican Jewish Coalition is hoping that the door-knocking will peel off enough votes to make a difference in an election year when the war between Israel and Hamas has stoked debate and provoked division.

The Republican Jewish Coalition has purchased $15 million in advertising in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada and Pennsylvania.

Bernie Bennett reporting.

Trump & Vance Lead Harris/Walz in TV Interviews

Former President Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance have sat down for at least 98 interviews since the Harris-Walz ticket was formed in early August, compared to at least 60 un-scripted interviews for the Democratic presidential ticket thus far. Reporter Bernie Bennett has details.

VERBATIM: After doing just one joint interview in the first three weeks of her campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris and running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz have stepped up their media appearances in recent weeks to more match those of their Republican counterparts. Harris spoke with Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier earlier this month in Pennsylvania, marking her first interview on the network, and she also spoke briefly with NBC’s Peter Alexander last week.

An interview with CBS’ Norah O’Donnell aired on Sunday, Oct. 27, and she also spoke with NFL Hall-of-Famer Shannon Sharpe for his “Club Shay Shay”podcast that published on Monday, as well as the podcast “Unlocking Us” with Brené Brown.

Bernie Bennett, Washington.

Trump Leads in Polls

In Top Battleground States, former President Donald Trump is leading Vice President Kamala Harris consistently. More on this from Correspondent Bernie Bennett.

VERBATIM:
The Republican Presidential Candidate leads his Democrat opponent 48.4 percent to 47.5 percent overall.

In Arizona, Trump leads 49% to 47.7% perent. Nevada has him ahead by a slim margin of 48.8% to her 47.1%.
Wisconsin has him leading 48.3 to 47.8. In Pennsylvania he is just ahead at 47.9% to Harris’ 47.5% and North Carolina has Trump leading 48.6% to 47.7%.

The Vice President has a slight advantage in Michigan, 48.1% to Trump’s 47.8%

Bernie Bennett reporting.

Yankees vs. Dodgers in World Series

NEW YORK (AP) – The Yankees and Dodgers meet in World Series for the 12th time in matchup of Broadway vs. Hollywood. More on this from Bernie Bennett.

VERBATIM: Broadway vs. Hollywood. Subway vs. Freeway. Judge vs. Ohtani.

New York neighbors who became cross-country rivals, the Yankees and Dodgers renew their starry struggle in the World Series for the first time in 43 years.

Two of baseball’s most successful teams face each other starting Friday at Dodger Stadium, the Yankees coming off their 41st American League pennant and the Dodgers their 25th National League championship. New York is seeking its 28th World Series title but first since 2009, the Dodgers their eighth and second in a five-year span.

New York is 8-3 against the Dodgers in the most frequent World Series matchup, including 6-1 against Brooklyn and 2-2 since the rivalry became Big Apple against Tinseltown.

Bernie Bennett reporting.

House Panel Blames Secret Service for Failures During Trump Assassination Attempt

WASHINGTON (AP) – A bipartisan House panel says the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump at a July rally in Pennsylvania was “preventable and should not have happened,” in what it calls the “stunning security failures” at the event. Details from Correspondent Bernie Bennett.

VERBATIM: The report from a House task force released Monday, is just the latest look at the cascading and wide-ranging law enforcement failings that preceded the July 13 shooting at the Butler, Pennsylvania, rally where Trump was struck in the ear by gunfire. One rallygoer was killed and two others wounded.

Members of the House and Senate have repeatedly questioned why the Secret Service didn’t do a better job communicating with local authorities during the campaign rally, particularly when it came to securing the building that was widely agreed to be a security threat… but that ultimately was left so unprotected that gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks was able to climb up and shoot.

Lawmakers in their report focus on “the fragmented lines of communication and unclear chains of command” between Secret Service and Pennsylvania state and local police… but place the majority of the blame on the Secret Service for the security breakdown.

Bernie Bennett, Washington.

SCOTUS Denies Cohen’s Lawsuit

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court dismissed ex-lawyer Michael Cohen’s appeal to revive a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump on Monday, shutting down Cohen’s accusations for the last time. Bernie Bennett has details.

VERBATIM: Cohen had claimed his 2020 imprisonment was retaliation by Trump’s administration for publishing a book critical of the former president. The lawsuit had sought monetary damages from Trump, former U.S. Attorney General William Barr, federal prison officials and the federal government.

Cohen had served three years behind bars for several federal crimes relating to his work for Trump, including lying to Congress.

Two courts ruled against Cohen’s initial claim, based on a narrow reading of the Supreme Court’s ruling in the 1971 case Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents, which provides citizens the limited legal right to sue federal officials who violate their constitutional rights.

Bernie Bennett reporting.

Republicans Push Ahead with Agenda in the House

House Republicans are charging full steam ahead with legislation to avert a government shutdown even though it appears destined for failure amid mounting GOP opposition. More details from Correspondent Bernie Bennett.

Speaker Johnson Tries to Avoid a Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON – Speaker Mike Johnson’s opening bid to avert a government shutdown appears doomed to fail in the House this week amid widespread Republican opposition, thwarting the top lawmaker’s hopes of the proposal squeezing Democrats in both chambers. Bernie Bennett reports.

North Carolina May Miss Ballot Deadline

North Carolina could miss a federal deadline to distribute mail-in ballots to members of the military and overseas voters, as the state scrambles to reprint ballots to remove Robert Kennedy Jr. from the list of presidential candidates. Details from Correspondent Bernie Bennett.

The Chiefs Beat the Ravens in NFL Season Opener

The NFL’s season opener Thursday night was decided by referee Shawn Hochuli undertaking a video review, resulting i the Ravens loss to the Chiefs 27-20. Bernie Bennett reports.

Watch Dog Group Wants Judge in Trump Case Dropped

WASHINGTON – A watchdog group is asking the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to remove Judge Aileen Cannon from overseeing former President Trump’s classified documents case, arguing she has taken “many efforts to undermine and derail the prosecution of this case.” Details from Reporter Bernie Bennett.