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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., railed against the GOP nominee for House speaker following a failed vote to fill the role Tuesday.

Jeffries spoke to reporters outside the Capitol in Washington, D.C, following House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan’s attempt to gather enough votes on the House floor to win the speakership.

Jeffries blasted Jordan, R-Ohio, after his first speaker vote failed with 20 Republican votes against him, saying the GOP speaker nominee is the “poster child of MAGA extremism” and “not one” of the respected Republicans among the House Democrats.

During the gaggle, Jeffries said that “informal talks” are ongoing with some Republicans, but would not elaborate.

JIM JORDAN LOSES IN FIRST ROUND OF HOUSE SPEAKER VOTE

“My hope, now that it’s clear Jim Jordan lacks the votes to be speaker, is that those conversations will accelerate this evening,” Jeffries said.

Jeffries also said that “House Democrats have made it clear” they are “ready, willing, and able to find bipartisan common ground on any issue in order to make a difference in the lives of everyday Americans.”

“It’s time to get off the sidelines, break away from the extremists,” he said. “Get in the arena, so we can find a bipartisan path forward.”

Jeffries added the “Republicans are unable to function on their own right now” and that there are “only two paths.”

“Either you’re going to continue to bend the knee to the most extreme members of your conference, who are not interested in governing, or you can partner with Democrats to do the business of the American people,” he said.

“All options are on the table.”

Jeffries isn’t the only House Democrat taking shots at the Republicans.

Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., blasted Republicans on Twitter over the lack of a speaker of the House.

“Trump is in Court,” Swalwell wrote. “Republicans have no Speaker.”

“This is always how it was going to end with these chaos agents in charge,” he continued.

Jordan lost the first-round vote to be House speaker on Tuesday after 20 Republicans joined all Democrats to shoot down his candidacy.

Seven Republicans voted for Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., who was the previous speaker-designate before being forced to withdraw due to mounting opposition. Six GOP lawmakers voted for ousted ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and three moderate New York Republicans voted for former GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York.

Additional votes were cast for House Rules Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla.; Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn.; Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif.; and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky.

Jordan told reporters later on Tuesday that he intended to hold another vote later in the day. 

“We need to get a speaker as soon as possible to get back to work for the American people,” he said. 

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But there appears to be some friction going on behind closed doors. A source familiar with discussions told Fox News Digital that Jordan and Scalise met after the vote. During the meeting, Jordan asked for Scalise’s support for speaker, but Scalise would not commit, the source said. 

A spokesperson for Scalise told Fox News Digital that the report was “not accurate.”

“Leader Scalise has been the only candidate throughout this process who has publicly declared he will be supportive of whomever the conference nominates for Speaker, and his position has not changed. He voted for Jim Jordan on the floor and will continue to do so,” the spokesperson said.

Fox News Digital’s Brooke Singman contributed to this report.

Former President Trump’s legal team formally appealed the partial gag order issued against him on Monday by the federal judge presiding over Special Counsel Jack Smith’s case related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

Judge Tanya Chutkan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Monday imposed a partial gag order against Trump, blocking him from making statements targeting Smith, his staff, potential witnesses and court personnel.

JUDGE IMPOSES PARTIAL GAG ORDER AGAINST TRUMP IN SPECIAL COUNSEL JACK SMITH’S JAN 6 CASE

Trump attorneys pushed back against the order in court on Monday, arguing that by imposing the partial gag order, the court “would be embracing new ground in respect to the First Amendment that would regulate campaign speech.”

“What’s going to happen if Trump says something about Pence during [the] debate?” Trump attorney John Lauro asked.

Former Vice President Mike Pence, also a 2024 Republican presidential contender, could be called as a witness in the trial. 

“Depends what he says,” Chutkan replied, saying that she was “not confident that without some kind of restriction” the speech would be limited.

Chutkan said Monday that the former president is able to criticize the Justice Department in general terms and has the right to post his view that the case against him is politically motivated. However, the judge said Trump cannot post attacks against prosecutors or court staff.

“No other criminal defendant would be allowed to do so, and I’m not going to allow it in this case,” Chutkan said, adding that, if necessary, she would impose sanctions if Trump violates the partial gag order.

TRUMP PLEADS ‘NOT GUILTY’ TO CHARGES STEMMING FROM SPECIAL COUNSEL’S JAN 6 PROBE

The Trump campaign on Monday said in a statement that the decision to impose the partial gag order “is an absolute abomination and another partisan knife stuck in the heart of our Democracy by Crooked Joe Biden, who was granted the right to muzzle his political opponent, the leading candidate for the Presidency in 2024, and the most popular political leader in America, President Donald J. Trump.”

“President Trump will continue to fight for our Constitution, the American people’s right to support him, and to keep our country free of the chains of weaponized and targeted law enforcement,” the spokesperson added.

Trump pleaded not guilty in federal court to all four federal charges stemming from Smith’s investigation into 2020 election interference and the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

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Trump, the current 2024 GOP front-runner, is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.

The judge presiding over the New York Trump Organization trial also imposed a partial gag order to prevent all parties from engaging in any verbal attacks against court staff after Trump criticized a member of the judge’s office on social media.

Judge Arthur Engoron this month issued an order that he said applies to both the defense and New York Attorney General Letitia James’ team. The gag order only applies to verbal attacks on staff.

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Speaker deja vote

Republican speaker nominee Rep. Jim Jordan failed to win enough support on the House floor in the first full vote to select Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s replacement …Read more

Get the latest updates on the House speaker race from Fox News’ live blog.

Jordan won 200 votes, with 20 Republicans voting for someone else. Every Democrat on the floor voted for Jeffries.

It’s unclear what happens next. The House went into recess following Jordan’s first failed vote. Some Republicans suggest that Jordan can rally support. 

‘THERE ARE SEVERAL’: House Dem floats GOP alternatives to Jordan for House speaker …Read more

Quote of the day:

“I would just simply say that it would be somewhere between the 15 rounds that speaker McCarthy got, and the five rounds that Pope Francis got in order to get elected”

—GOP Rep. Nicole Malliotakis on how long the speaker vote will take.

DRILLING DOWN: Cruz, Manchin take action to curb Biden’s restrictions on oil drilling …Read more

‘CRIME’ FAMILY: America weighs in on whether Biden and son Hunter committed crimes …Read more

‘WE CANNOT WAIT’: Schumer says Senate will ‘move quickly’ on supplemental package to Israel …Read more

DEPORT HAMAS: GOP Senators continue push to cancel visas of pro-Hamas foreigners …Read more

‘KEY POINT MAN’: GOP senators could block Biden nominee from Israel ambassadorship over Iran record …Read more

‘STATE-SANCTIONED VIOLENCE’: Tlaib’s top fundraiser accuses Israel of ethically cleansing Palestinians …Read more

SPECIAL DELIVERY: GOP AG launches effort to send surplus law enforcement gear to IDF soldiers …Read more

‘FLAWED’: New data shreds Newsom, Soros claim that red states are more dangerous than blue …Read more

Campaign Trail

TRUMP IN COURT: Trump to return to NYC to defend business in court …Read more

‘LIKE A LOST PUPPY’: Trump rips ’60 Minutes’ for ‘protecting Biden’ during interview …Read more

NOT ONE DOLLAR: DeSantis hammers Biden for putting Gaza relief over hostages …Read more

NO ROOM FOR HATE: DeSantis takes shot at Haley after remarks about Gaza refugees, doubles down on not letting them in US …Read more

‘NOT HELPFUL’: Tim Scott responds to Trump’s criticism of Israel PM Netanyahu …Read more

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

• Republican North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum called a special legislative session Tuesday over the state Supreme Court’s overturn of a key budget bill.
• The high court’s Sept. 28 decision, which invalidated funding for the state’s Office of Management and Budget, puts many of its government operations in limbo.
• Burgum’s longshot bid for the presidency has catapulted him into the national spotlight in recent months.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum called a special session Tuesday of the Republican-controlled Legislature to address a major budget bill struck down by the state Supreme Court last month, leaving a giant hole in state government operations lawmakers are rushing to fill.

The special session will convene Monday. Burgum’s executive order for the session comes after the court ruled last week that it won’t delay its surprising Sept. 28 decision that invalidated the funding bill for the state Office of Management and Budget.

The bill, usually the last one passed in the biennial session, is traditionally used as a catchall or cleanup bill. The court said the bill is unconstitutional because it violates the state Constitution’s single-subject requirement for bills.

NORTH DAKOTA LAWMAKERS SCRAMBLE TO FIX BUDGET BILL

Republican Senate Majority Leader David Hogue has said the Legislature would convene for a three- to five-day session. A top panel of lawmakers was meeting Tuesday to address plans for the session, including a list of 14 bill drafts to resurrect the voided bill’s provisions.

The Legislature could have called itself back into session using the five days remaining from its 80-day limit every two years for session. Burgum’s office said legislative leaders asked him Friday to convene a special session, noting that “all legislation enacted during a special session called by the governor becomes effective on the date specified in the act.” Otherwise, any bill passed in a reconvened session would not take effect for 90 days unless two-thirds of the Legislature approves an emergency clause to give the bill immediate effect when signed by the governor.

RAMASWAMY, BURGUM REJECT GINGRICH’S CLAIM THAT ‘THE RACE IS OVER,’ TRUMP WILL BE GOP NOMINEE

Burgum in a statement said he expects the situation can be fixed before Nov. 1. The special session could pull the governor, who is running for president, off his campaign trail to focus on the legislation.

The bill contained about $322 million for the state’s 2023-25 budget cycle.

The Supreme Court ruled on the bill because of a lawsuit brought by the board that oversees the state’s government retirement plans. The board argued it is unconstitutional for state lawmakers to sit on the board, and targeted a section of the bill that increased legislative membership from two to four.

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An all-Republican House-Senate panel negotiated the final version of the bill, which passed before 3 a.m. on a weekend, ending the session after four months.

The House Democrats’ campaign arm sent a memo to blue members with messaging guidance on “GOP extremism” under a potential speakership helmed by current House Judiciary Committee chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.

Fox News Digital obtained the memo sent out by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) with talking points and communications guidance as Jordan continues his quest for the speaker’s gavel.

“A Speaker Jordan means extremism and far-right priorities will govern the House of Representatives,” the guidance reads.

“It is imperative that our caucus makes clear to voters just how extreme Congressman Jordan is and how his Speakership would negatively impact working families across the country, threaten democratic norms, and weaken relationships with our allies,” the memo continues.

DEMOCRAT LAWMAKER SAYS HE HAS ‘SEVERAL’  NAMES OF GOPERS HE’D SUPPORT FOR SPEAKER IF JORDAN FAILS

Jordan was selected as the GOP nominee for speaker on Friday after weeks of deliberations that saw the initial nominee — House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., — drop out of the race.

The “messaging guidance” gives Democrat members several talking points against a Jordan speakership, including that it “appears there are no more moderates left in the Republican conference capable of standing up to the far right.”

“Jordan will only win the speakership if so-called ‘moderates’ continue to cave and get him there,” the guidance reads. “Every Republican who votes for Jordan for Speaker is simply following Trump’s marching orders– it’s clear Republicans are incapable of governing themselves and instead look to the indicted former president for guidance on everything.”

The talkers also suggest members say “Jordan has shown voters just how extreme he is and there is no indication that he’ll moderate himself in any way if he becomes speaker” and that Jordan will “pull the entire Republican caucus even further to the right.”

“House Democrats stand ready to work across the aisle to lower costs for working families and make our communities safer,” the last talking point reads. “With a Speaker Jordan, that isn’t likely. Jim Jordan is one of the least bipartisan members of Congress, coming nearly dead last on the Lugar Center’s bipartisanship score.”

The messaging memo also highlighted controversies about Jordan, including that the speaker nominee “sought to overturn the 2020 presidential election and has refused to comply with multiple subpoenas seeking to uncover details of the January 6 insurrection.”

“Jordan is a conspiracy theorist who has espoused talking points associated with the Great Replacement Conspiracy Theory in official government hearings,” the memo reads.

“Jordan is a founding member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, whose ‘our way or no way’ approach has torpedoed comprehensive immigration reform, sought repeatedly to kill the Affordable Care Act, and led the charge on multiple government shutdowns,” it continues.

The DCCC did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the memo.

The Democrats’ messaging memo comes as Jordan potentially closes in on the speaker’s gavel.

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The House is convening on Tuesday for the first expected ballot on Jordan’s bid for the big chair.

Jordan has been making calls for days since getting the nomination to shore up support for his candidacy— but nothing in Washington is guaranteed.

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., on Monday criticized former President Trump’s recent comments attacking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “terrible and not helpful” amid Hamas’ terrorist attacks against the Jewish State.

Scott, a presidential candidate seeking the Republican nomination in 2024, made the comments about his GOP primary opponent’s remarks during an event hosted by the Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service and The Associated Press.

“We should be loyal to our allies while being lethal to our adversaries. Anything less than that jeopardizes life,” the South Carolina Republican said.

More than 4,200 people have been killed in Gaza and Israel since Hamas launched its Oct. 7 attack, leading to retaliatory action from Israeli forces. Thousands more have been wounded, and many others have been taken hostage by Hamas and raped, tortured and murdered.

ISRAELI OFFICIAL SAYS ‘SHAMEFUL’ TRUMP COMMENTS ON NETANYAHU ‘ WOUND THE SPIRIT’ OF THOSE FIGHTING HAMAS

Trump blasted Netanyahu during a speech on Wednesday, saying the Israeli prime minister “let us down” shortly before the U.S. military assassinated top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in early 2020. The Republican front-runner also suggested that Netanyahu’s conversations with the Biden administration helped Hezbollah, a terror group Israel fears may launch an attack from the country’s north.

The former president also said Israel’s intelligence agencies needed to “step up their game” for not detecting Hamas’ attack, and he referred to Hezbollah as “very smart.”

On Friday, Trump changed his tune regarding the Israeli prime minister after backlash from fellow Republicans. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said he stands with Israel and Netanyahu.

Scott, meanwhile, offered high praise to Netanyahu for displaying “passion” and “humanity” when responding to Hamas’ largest attack against Israel in decades.

SEN. COTTON URGES DHS TO DEPORT FOREIGN NATIONALS WHO SUPPORT HAMAS: ‘NO PLACE IN THE UNITED STATES’

“One of the first things that Israel’s done is they waited,” Scott said. “Now how Prime Minister Netanyahu had the kind of restraint to refrain from immediate action, it just talks about the morality and the humanity that we see coming from Netanyahu into Gaza.”

The senator also spoke on whether the U.S. should accept Palestinian refugees. Scott said he does not believe it is the right move to take in the refugees because the Biden administration will not be able to determine “who is safe to bring in, who’s not safe to bring in.”

Scott’s comments about Palestinian refugees mirror statements from other Republicans, including presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs.

“I don’t know what Biden’s gonna do, but we cannot accept people from Gaza into this country as refugees,” DeSantis said during a campaign stop in Iowa. “I am not going to do that. If you look at how they behave, not all of them are Hamas, but they are all antisemitic. None of them believe in Israel’s right to exist.”

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Additionally, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said the Biden administration should rescind visas of foreign nationals who defend or support Hamas and Sen. Tom Cotton, R. Ark., urged the Department of Homeland Security to deport foreign nationals, including those on student visas, who have expressed support for Hamas in the wake of the terror attack on Israel.

“The appalling explosion of anti-Semitism in the United States over the past few weeks should disturb anyone who shares American values,” Cotton said. “While American citizens may have a First Amendment right to speak disgusting vitriol if they so choose, no foreign national has a right to advocate for terrorism in the United States.”

Former President Trump is expected in court in New York City Tuesday for the civil trial against his family and business empire as New York Attorney General Letitia James seeks to make her case that the Trump Organization fraudulently overvalued its assets.

Trump appeared in court in Manhattan for the first days of the trial earlier this month, but has been crisscrossing the country since, holding speeches and rallies for his 2024 presidential campaign.

JUDGE IMPOSES PARTIAL GAG ORDER IN TRUMP ORG. TRIAL BLOCKING PARTIES FROM VERBAL ATTACKS AGAINST COURT STAFF

Most recently, on Monday, Trump traveled to Iowa and delivered a speech focused on supporting Israel, stopping terrorism, and vowing to expand his 2017 travel ban.

A source familiar with the former president’s plans told Fox News Digital he is likely to attend court proceedings Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Trump’s ex-attorney Michael Cohen was expected to testify this week, but Cohen postponed his testimony.

“I’m not bowing out. I’m not nervous to testify. I’m not being paid off. I have a medical issue that I need to attend to. It’s as simple as that,” Cohen said last week on “X,” formerly known as Twitter.

The earliest Cohen can now testify is Oct. 23.

Meanwhile, New York Judge Arthur Engoron imposed a partial gag order preventing all parties from engaging in any verbal attacks against court staff after the former president, earlier this month, criticized a member of the judge’s office on social media.

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

TRUMP JUDGE FACES ONLINE BACKLASH AFTER SMILING, POSING FOR CAMERAS IN COURTROOM: ‘PARTISAN DEMOCRAT CLOWN’

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

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

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

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

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

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

The House of Representatives is finally expected to vote on a new speaker on Tuesday at noon after the chamber ousted its previous leader in a historic majority vote earlier this month.

Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, was chosen as Republicans’ candidate for speaker last week after a tumultuous few days in which Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., the initial speaker-designate last week, was forced to drop out of the race over growing public opposition. 

And despite Republicans holding the House majority, it’s not immediately clear if Jordan can win on the first ballot.

JORDAN PLEDGES TO ‘BRING ALL REPUBLICANS TOGETHER’ IN LETTER TO HOUSE GOP ON EVE OF SPEAKER ELECTION

“We need to get a speaker tomorrow, the American people deserve to have their Congress, their House of Representatives, working,” Jordan told reporters on Monday evening. “I felt good walking into the conference, I feel even better now.”

House Republicans met behind closed doors on Monday night, where Jordan made a last appeal to the holdouts against him. 

He’ll need a simple majority to win the speaker’s gavel. But with House Republicans’ razor-thin margin and at least one expected absence, he can only lose three GOP votes to still clinch the speakership if all House Democrats are present.

CONSERVATIVE HOUSE GOP GROUP LINKS TOP PLAYERS IN REPUBLICANS’ SPEAKER FIGHT

As of Monday evening, at least two House Republicans – Reps. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y. and Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla. – have said they are committed to voting for ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who was ousted by a vote of eight House Republicans and all House Democrats.

But Jordan Monday appeared to have substantially reduced the number of Republicans opposed to voting for him, chipping away significantly at the 55 Republicans who refused in a secret ballot vote last week to commit to backing him on the House floor. 

Jordan became the Republican nominee after Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana withdrew amid signs he could not achieve a majority on the floor.

Jordan won over a key holdout when House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., stunned political watchers on Monday morning when he said he’d back Jordan. 

Rogers had strongly opposed Jordan as recently as Friday and had suggested late last week that Republicans may have to work with Democrats to find a new leader. 

Meanwhile, Democrats tore into Jordan ahead of the vote, accusing Republicans of empowering an “extremist” over his closeness to former President Donald Trump and objection to the 2020 election results.

HOUSE GOP SELECTS JORDAN AS SPEAKER CANDIDATE, TEEING UP HOUSE-WIDE VOTE

“Jim Jordan is not fit to serve as Speaker of the House,” Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., wrote on social media.

“He is an extremist who led Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, forced government shutdowns, and attacked programs like Social Security and Medicare.”

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., meanwhile, called on moderate Republicans to break off from their conference and join a “bipartisan” coalition.

“The extremists have broken the House of Representatives. Only a bipartisan governing coalition can fix it,” Jeffries said on Monday morning.

A federal judge imposed a partial gag order against former President Donald Trump, blocking him from making statements targeting Special Counsel Jack Smith, his staff, witnesses and court personnel.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan of the District of Columbia, who is presiding over Smith’s case against the former president for charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, made the decision during a court hearing on Monday.

Chutkan said Monday that the former president is able to criticize the Justice Department in general terms and has the right to post his view that the case against him is politically motivated. However, the judge said Trump cannot post attacks against prosecutors or court staff.

TRUMP PLEADS ‘NOT GUILTY’ TO CHARGES STEMMING FROM SPECIAL COUNSEL’S JAN. 6 PROBE

“No other criminal defendant would be allowed to do so, and I’m not going to allow it in this case,” Chutkan said, adding that, if necessary, she would impose sanctions if Trump violates the partial gag order.

The former president was not in court in Washington, D.C., on Monday. He was not required to appear. Trump, instead, campaigned in Iowa. 

“Today’s decision is an absolute abomination and another partisan knife stuck in the heart of our Democracy by Crooked Joe Biden, who was granted the right to muzzle his political opponent, the leading candidate for the Presidency in 2024, and the most popular political leader in America, President Donald J. Trump,” a Trump spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

JUDGE IMPOSES PARTIAL GAG ORDER IN TRUMP ORG TRIAL, BLOCKING PARTIES FROM VERBAL ATTACKS AGAINST COURT STAFF

“President Trump will continue to fight for our Constitution, the American people’s right to support him, and to keep our country free of the chains of weaponized and targeted law enforcement,” the spokesperson added.

The move comes after the judge presiding over the New York Trump Organization trial imposed a partial gag order to prevent all parties from engaging in any verbal attacks against court staff after Trump criticized a member of the judge’s office on social media.

Judge Arthur Engoron earlier this month issued an order that he said applies to both the defense and New York Attorney General Letitia James’ team. The gag order only applies to verbal attacks on staff.

Trump pleaded not guilty in federal court to all four federal charges stemming from Smith’s investigation into 2020 election interference and the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. 

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Trump, the current 2024 GOP front-runner, is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy against rights. 

Fox News’ Lauren Shank and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Republican Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake has picked up her first major endorsement following the launch of her campaign last week to flip the seat currently held by independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.

Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., announced Monday he would be throwing his weight behind Lake, saying in a statement that she “will shine brightly for Arizona,” and calling her “a generational communicator who is giving voice to Arizona citizens.”

“Joe Biden’s policies have crushed Arizona. Arizonans are dealing with record inflation – up 20 percent under the Biden administration. Arizona is also on the front lines of the worst illegal immigration crisis in American history. Nearly 8 million illegal immigrants under Biden, equal to the population of Arizona,” Barrasso said. “The U.S. Senate needs a Senator from Arizona that understands these issues, and will fight hard to solve them.”

REPUBLICANS FLIP DEMOCRAT-HELD LOUISIANA GOVERNOR SEAT IN FIRST MAJOR CONTEST AHEAD OF 2024 ELECTIONS

In a statement shared with Fox News Digital, Lake said she was “honored by the friendship and endorsement.”

“[Barrasso]  is a tested and proven conservative leader who I greatly admire. I look forward to working with Senator Barrasso to get America back on track and fire Chuck Schumer,” she added.

Lake received the endorsement of former President Donald Trump amid her campaign launch last Tuesday, but Barrasso’s endorsement marks a major milestone as she has sought to build a bridge to establishment Republicans in an effort to coalesce support for what could be one of the most contentious races in 2024.

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

Ahead of her endorsement, Lake spent time meeting with various senators on Capitol Hill, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and hardly mentioned election fraud in her announcement speech despite it being central to her political persona following her loss in the Arizona gubernatorial election last year.

Lake currently has only one major opponent in the race for the Republican nomination: Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb. The winner will likely face Phoenix-area Democrat Rep. Ruben Gallego, the favorite to win his party’s nomination.

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Sinema has not yet said whether she will run for re-election.

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

The super PAC aligned with Tim Scott is canceling its massive ad blitz on behalf of the South Carolina senator’s Republican presidential campaign.

Trust In the Mission PAC, also known as “TIM PAC,” outlined in a memo to donors that was obtained by Fox News on Monday that “we aren’t going to waste our money when the electorate isn’t focused or ready” for an alternative to former President Donald Trump, the commanding frontrunner for the GOP nomination. 

The group emphasized that instead of continuing to run ads, it will “fully fund” its current grassroots and door-knocking program on behalf of Scott.

But the move by TIM PAC to pull the plug on the $40 million it reserved to run ads in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina – three crucial early voting states in the GOP nominating calendar – is the latest warning sign for Scott. And it comes as the senator’s poll numbers, and fundraising, have flatlined.

NO MORE MR. NICE GUY? SCOTT LASHES OUT AT BIDEN, GOP RIVALS, OVER ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

“We’ll continue to do what we have been doing and spend more time on the ground,” Scott said in a Fox News Digital interview on Saturday in New Hampshire when asked how he’d boost his standing in the 2024 Republican race with just three months to go until the first votes. 

Pointing to his campaign stops in Iowa, New Hampshire and his home state, Scott said, “We’ll continue to make our journeys… the more we do that, the better we’ll be, and I’m looking forward to being the nominee of our party.”

CHECK OUT THE NUMBERS IN THE LATEST FOX NEWS 2024 GOP PRESIDENTIAL RACE POLL

Scott, the only Black Republican in the Senate and a rising star in the GOP, entered the presidential race in the spring on high notes and with his campaign coffers stocked with over $20 million left over from his overwhelming re-election last November. 

But Scott’s poll numbers are edging down in the early voting states – and he stood at just 1% in the most recent Fox News national survey in the Republican race. 

The senator’s fundraising has also failed to ignite, and he spent more than he hauled in during the past three months.

TIM PAC co-chair Rob Collins emphasized in the memo, “We have done the research. We have studied the focus groups. We have been following Tim on the trail. This electorate is locked up and money spent on mass media isn’t going to change minds until we get a lot closer to voting.”

“Starting today, we are going to release all of our fall media inventory. We will continue to fully fund our grassroots door knocking, conduit fundraising, event hosting, and earned media efforts,” he announced.

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Collins noted, “This summer we built up Tim’s name identification, likability and brand. In July, we laid down a fall media reservation as a second phase to be prepared for the possibility of a coalesced field and the resulting protracted head-to-head election. The field remains splintered, so we will be patient.”

It’s unclear how much of the $40 million television ad program the super PAC is canceling – although a person with knowledge of the plan said it’s close to $15 million, adding that some spots in Iowa scheduled to run ahead of the Jan. 15 caucuses will remain.

Scott’s campaign, responding to the TIM PAC news, emphasized in a statement that “from Day One, Tim’s campaign was built for the long haul – powered by the most primary cash on hand and the highest candidate favorability of anyone in the field.”

“On issues ranging from foreign policy to abortion, he has been the clearest and strongest voice, leading while others have followed. We’re ready, as ever, to take our message into the early states and beyond,” the campaign highlighted.

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

“There are three things I have learned not to discuss with people. Politics. Religion. And the Great Pumpkin.” – Linus in It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

The Peanuts character Linus was steadfast in his belief in the Great Pumpkin. Linus was convinced that if he hung out in the pumpkin patch all night long, the Great Pumpkin would arise and bestow him special Halloween gifts.

Of course there is no Great Pumpkin.

And on Capitol Hill, there is no Speaker of the House. There hasn’t been a Speaker now for two weeks.

THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE SPEAKER’S ELECTION OVER THE NEXT 24-36 HOURS

Yet House Republicans continue to camp out in the parliamentary pumpkin patch each night, waiting for a mythical character who will rise and deliver them political salvation.

At the rate we’re going on Capitol Hill, we may have to wait until Halloween before lawmakers choose a Speaker.

And don’t get me started about Thanksgiving or Christmas. 

Every time it looks like the House inches closer to electing a Speaker – be it House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio or even Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., Republicans swoop in Lucy-style and yank away the football. 

Peanuts creator Charles Schultz initiated the annual football liturgy in the daily comic strip back in the mid-1950s. But Schulz first introduced the football flub into the television canon via the 1966 production of “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”

One could hardly find a better allegory for House Republicans than the Lucy/Charlie Brown caper. 

The GOP is the majority party in the House. Yet historic infighting and recriminations diminished Republicans. It started with incinerating five days and 15 ballots before finally electing former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in January. It was the longest election for Speaker since 1859.

Internecine battles blocked Republicans from even debating their own defense spending bill for weeks. The same discord prevented the GOP from passing more than one spending bill over the summer.

Naturally Republicans returned to Washington in September and blamed McCarthy – even though it was his own members who failed to advance those bills.

So a small band of Republicans finally ousted McCarthy in early October. The California Republican committed what Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., interpreted as the cardinal sin of working with Democrats to avert a government shutdown. This was after some arch-conservatives torched McCarthy in the spring for cutting a deal with President Biden to avoid a fiscal calamity with the debt ceiling.

So now, Republicans assumed the duality of portraying both Lucy and Charlie Brown. They jerked the football away from themselves, soaring catastrophically into the air, landing hard on their respective keisters.

And, they’re simultaneously camped out in the pumpkin, er, “Speaker’s patch,” waiting for you-know-who.

“Good grief,” as Charlie Brown might say.

This gives you a sense of what Republicans are up against.

JORDAN’S SPEAKER BID GAINS SERIOUS MOMENTUM AS KEY GOP HOLDOUTS COME AROUND

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., indicated she would endorse Scalise for Speaker. Then pulled away her football the very next morning. Now she’s for Jordan.

Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., told Fox she voted “present” on a secret ballot no less, for Speaker during Scalise’s bid last Wednesday. By Friday afternoon, Spartz voted for Jordan in a similar, secret conclave. However, on Friday evening, Spartz declared she would “have to assess” whether she would still support Jordan.

“I am not sure if he truly is the independent thinker and visionary leader we need to deliver for the American people,” said Spartz.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., was adamant in his opposition to Jordan. By Monday morning, Rogers came around.

These guys make Lucy look like the holder for a team about to kick a game-winning field goal in the Super Bowl.

This is why some Republicans may do better waiting for the Great Pumpkin to arise and bring order to the pumpkin patch. 

The Republican Party is spiraling right now on Capitol Hill. 

Republicans launched verbal fusillades against one another over the weekend as Jordan supporters began threatening to work against GOPers who wouldn’t support him for Speaker. Some lorded over the heads “the wrath of Trump.” Former President Trump endorsed Jordan two weeks ago. In other words, a Republican House member would surely support Jordan – if they knew what was good for them. That’s one reason why Jordan and his allies want to get opponents on the record. Those strong-arm tactics could alienate some Republicans from backing Jordan rather than building support.

This is rough.

There’s a reason why Austin Scott got out of bed last Friday as a rank-and-file Republican member. Some may even characterize Scott as a backbencher. But by midday, Scott was in the race for Speaker.

“When I woke up this morning, I had no intention of doing this. It took me a long time to even get to my wife to tell her. Call our friends. Be in prayer. Because we haven’t done any preparation,” said Scott. “But I believe if we as Republicans are going to be the majority, we have to do the right things the right way. And we’re not doing that right now.”

Scott had no organization. No battle plan. No preparation.

Yours truly encountered House Transportation Committee Chairman Sam Graves, R-Mo., in the hall just as the balloting for Speaker began Friday afternoon between Jordan and Scott. I asked Graves how things were in the room.

His response was gob-smacking.

“I think Austin (Scott) wins,” said Graves. “He was good on his feet in there. Made a good presentation.”

JORDAN PLEDGES TO ‘BRING ALL REPUBLICANS TOGETHER’ IN LETTER TO HOUSE GOP ON EVE OF SPEAKER ELECTION

The vote totals came a few minutes later. Graves was wrong. Scott didn’t defeat Jordan. Jordan prevailed in the conference meeting 124-81 over Scott.

But consider this. Without even breaking a sweat, Scott rounded up 81 votes behind closed doors. Eighty-one Republicans thought so little of Jordan’s candidacy that they would rather support someone who materialized out thin air than the Ohio Republican.

Republicans took a second ballot. Fifty-five Republicans vowed not to support Jordan on the floor. Dipping into the parliamentary algebra here, Jordan was about 65 votes short of reaching the threshold to become Speaker on the floor.

Jordan whittled that number down over the weekend. But the bar to clear remains high.

Scalise loyalist and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., was amazed that so few of Jordan’s acolytes shifted to Scalise AFTER Jordan endorsed Scalise last week.

“He couldn’t get his closest people to follow him,” said Diaz-Balart. “It seems that he has a hard time getting folks that are his closest friends, closest people to follow him.”

Back on Peanuts, there are a lot of naysayers surrounding Linus who dismiss impassioned belief in the Great Pumpkin.

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“Just you wait ‘til next year, Charlie Brown. You’ll see,” chides Linus. “I’ll be there. I’ll be sitting there in that pumpkin patch. And I’ll see the Great Pumpkin. Just wait and see, Charlie Brown.”

The way things have gone, Linus may stand a better chance of spotting the Great Pumpkin before the House of Representatives elects a Speaker.

“There are three things I have learned not to discuss with people. Politics. Religion. And the Great Pumpkin.” — Linus in “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”

The Peanuts character Linus was steadfast in his belief in the Great Pumpkin. Linus was convinced that if he hung out in the pumpkin patch all night long, the Great Pumpkin would arise and bestow him special Halloween gifts.

Of course there is no Great Pumpkin.

And on Capitol Hill, there is no speaker of the House. There hasn’t been a speaker now for two weeks.

BATTLE FOR SPEAKER: WHAT COMES NEXT AFTER A CHAOTIC FEW WEEKS FOR HOUSE REPUBLICANS

Yet House Republicans continue to camp out in the parliamentary pumpkin patch each night, waiting for a mythical character who will rise and deliver them political salvation.

At the rate we’re going on Capitol Hill, we may have to wait until Halloween before lawmakers choose a speaker.

And don’t get me started about Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Every time it looks like the House inches closer to electing a speaker — be it House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La.; Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio; or even Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga. — Republicans swoop in Lucy-style and yank away the football.

Peanuts creator Charles Schulz initiated the annual football liturgy in the daily comic strip back in the mid-1950s, but he first introduced the pigskin flub into the television canon via the 1966 production of “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”

One could hardly find a better allegory for House Republicans than the Lucy/Charlie Brown caper.

The GOP is the majority party in the House. Yet historic infighting and recriminations diminished Republicans. It started with incinerating five days and 15 ballots before finally electing former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in January. It was the longest election for speaker since 1859.

Internecine battles blocked Republicans from even debating their own defense spending bill for weeks. The same discord prevented the GOP from passing more than one spending bill over the summer.

MCCARTHY FEELS ‘VERY GOOD’ JIM JORDAN WILL BECOME HOUSE SPEAKER AHEAD OF CRUCIAL FLOOR VOTE

Naturally, Republicans returned to Washington in September and blamed McCarthy — even though it was his own members who failed to advance those bills.

So a small band of Republicans finally ousted McCarthy in early October. The California Republican committed what Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., interpreted as the cardinal sin of working with Democrats to avert a government shutdown. This was after some arch-conservatives torched McCarthy in the spring for cutting a deal with President Biden to avoid a fiscal calamity with the debt ceiling.

So now, Republicans assumed the duality of portraying both Lucy and Charlie Brown. They jerked the football away from themselves, soaring catastrophically into the air, landing hard on their respective keisters.

And, they’re simultaneously camped out in the pumpkin, er, “Speaker’s patch,” waiting for you-know-who.

“Good grief,” as Charlie Brown might say.

This gives you a sense of what Republicans are up against.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., indicated she would endorse Scalise for majority leader. Then she pulled away her football the very next morning. Now she’s for Jordan.

Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., told Fox News she voted “present,” on a secret ballot no less, for speaker during Scalise’s bid last Wednesday. By Friday afternoon, she voted for Jordan in a similar, secret conclave. However, on Friday evening, Spartz declared she would “have to assess” whether she would still support Jordan.

“I am not sure if he truly is the independent thinker and visionary leader we need to deliver for the American people,” said Spartz.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., was adamant in his opposition to Jordan. By Monday morning, Rogers came around.

These guys make Lucy look like the holder for a team about to kick a game-winning field goal in the Super Bowl.

This is why some Republicans may do better waiting for the Great Pumpkin to arise and bring order to the pumpkin patch.

The Republican party is spiraling right now on Capitol Hill.

Republicans launched verbal fusillades against one another over the weekend as Jordan supporters began threatening to work against GOPers who wouldn’t support him for speaker. Some lorded over the others’ heads “the wrath of Trump.” Former President Donald Trump endorsed Jordan two weeks ago. In other words, a Republican House member would surely support Jordan — if they knew what was good for them. That’s one reason why Jordan and his allies want to get opponents on the record. Those strong-arm tactics could alienate some Republicans from backing Jordan rather than building support.

This is rough.

SOME REPUBLICANS IN TALKS TO CUT DEAL WITH DEMOCRATS IN HOUSE SPEAKER FIGHT

There’s a reason why Scott got out of bed last Friday as a rank-and-file Republican member. Some may even characterize him as a backbencher. But by midday, Scott was in the race for speaker.

“When I woke up this morning, I had no intention of doing this. It took me a long time to even get to my wife to tell her, ‘Call our friends. Be in prayer.’ Because we haven’t done any preparation,” said Scott. “But I believe if we as Republicans are going to be the majority, we have to do the right things the right way. And we’re not doing that right now.”

Scott had no organization. No battle plan. No preparation.

Yours truly encountered House Transportation Committee Chairman Sam Graves, R-Mo., in the hall just as the balloting for speaker began Friday afternoon between Jordan and Scott. I asked Graves how things were in the room.

His response was gobsmacking.

“I think Austin (Scott) wins,” said Graves. “He was good on his feet in there. Made a good presentation.”

The vote totals came a few minutes later. Graves was wrong. Scott didn’t defeat Jordan. Jordan prevailed in the conference meeting 124-81 over Scott.

But consider this. Without even breaking a sweat, Scott rounded up 81 votes behind closed doors. Eighty-one Republicans thought so little of Jordan’s candidacy that they would rather support someone who materialized out thin air than the Ohio Republican.

Republicans took a second ballot. Fifty-five Republicans vowed not to support Jordan on the floor. Dipping into the parliamentary algebra here, Jordan was about 65 votes short of reaching the threshold to become speaker on the floor.

Jordan whittled that number down over the weekend. But the bar to clear remains high.

Scalise loyalist and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., was amazed that so few of Jordan’s acolytes shifted to Scalise AFTER Jordan endorsed Scalise last week.

“He couldn’t get his closest people to follow him,” said Diaz-Balart. “It seems that he has a hard time getting folks that are his closest friends, closest people to follow him.”

Back on Peanuts, there are a lot of naysayers surrounding Linus who dismiss impassioned belief in the Great Pumpkin.

“Just you wait ‘til next year, Charlie Brown. You’ll see,” chides Linus. “I’ll be there. I’ll be sitting there in that pumpkin patch. And I’ll see the Great Pumpkin. Just wait and see, Charlie Brown.”

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The way things have gone, Linus may stand a better chance of spotting the Great Pumpkin before the House of Representatives elects a speaker.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) scored a major win this morning as House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) reversed himself and endorsed the Ohio Republican for Speaker.

Rogers was a major holdout, adamantly opposing Jordan as recently as late Friday afternoon. But Jordan and Rogers spoke over the weekend and Rogers is now in the camp of Jordan.

LEADING MODERATE WHO VOWED TO OPPOSE JORDAN FLIPS IN MAJOR VICTORY FOR SPEAKER NOMINEE

The support from Rogers could be seismic in this Speaker’s contest. Many defense hawks were worried about Jordan’s spending plans and how it may adversely slash defense. But Rogers and Jordan now appear to be on the same page. The backing of Rogers could bring along a number of other defense hawks into Jordan’s camp.

Jordan definitely made headway over the weekend as he tries to narrow his deficit.

But, it’s about the math. And the math remains challenging for Jordan.

Forcing a roll call vote on the floor tomorrow is a tactic by Jordan. But it’s a gamble. Jordan could win. But it also lays bear how many members oppose him if Jordan loses on the floor. Remember that House Republicans wanted to avoid another spectacle on the floor of burning through roll call vote after roll call vote, ala January, before finally electing former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

A MESS, OR HOW PREVENTING ONE SHUTDOWN CAUSED THE HOUSE TO SHUT DOWN

However, THAT may be EXACTLY what Jordan wants. 

Jordan effectively wants to DARE Republicans to vote against him on the floor. He wants to see which Republicans are willing to vote against him and then turn up the outrage machine and the hand of former President Trump against those Republicans.

This tactic is risky because it may reveal just how close to winning Jordan is – or demonstrate the deficit.

If Jordan is 20 or fewer votes short, he’s probably in play. But if it’s north of that, it may take a lot to ever get Jordan elected as Speaker.

That said, Republicans may start to direct anger at Jordan for trying to smoke out Members on the floor who are opposed to Jordan. As one source said to Fox, the strategy by Jordan to put pressure on skeptical Republicans to oppose him on the floor “is a card best threatened and not played.” Such a tactic could in fact drive some support AWAY from Jordan 

HAWLEY TAPS DOJ TO INVESTIGATE PRO-PALESTINIAN STUDENT GROUPS’ POTENTIAL TIES TO HAMAS

This will come down to a battle of the wills. How long is Jordan willing to push the envelope and call vote after vote after vote?

“It’s a pressure cooker if we go to the floor,” said one senior Republican.

“If it’s a game of chicken, the crazy people win,” said one Republican source. Fox was told that Jordan was inclined to continue to call for votes in an effort to wear down his opponents.

Moreover, do not underestimate the level of antipathy for Jordan which has even developed over the past few days.

“What he did to (House Majority Leader) Steve Scalise (R-La.) is unforgiving and disqualifying,” said one angry House GOPer to Fox who opposes Jordan.

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So, it’s possible Jordan could win the Speakership tomorrow. He’s certainly a little closer than the other day. But the raw opposition from some Republicans to Jordan could mean we’re in for a continued, pitched battle this week.

And as always, it will boil down to the math.

EXCLUSIVE: The Biden campaign is launching an account on former President Trump’s Truth Social, Fox News Digital has learned.

Biden campaign officials told Fox News Digital that they are joining Truth Social for the purpose of “meeting voters where they are.”

“Republicans can’t even agree on a Speaker of the House, so clearly, not every Republican thinks the same,” a Biden campaign official told Fox News Digital.

Biden campaign officials say they are “injecting our message” into GOP primary coverage and plan to combat “mis and disinformation” about President Biden that may appear on the social media platform.

FLASHBACK: TRUMP JOINS TRUTH SOCIAL: ‘I’M BACK! #COVFEFE’

“There’s very little ‘truth’ happening on TruthSocial, but at least now it’ll be a little fun,” a senior Biden campaign aide told Fox News Digital on Monday.

The Biden campaign’s handle is expected to be @BidenHQ. Campaign officials said their first post is expected to publish later Monday.

“Well. Let’s see how this goes. Converts welcome!” The campaign’s first post is expected to read.

Campaign officials said they plan to hold “MAGA accountable on their own platform.” The officials pointed to the campaign’s existing account on “X,” previously known as Twitter, in which they post content of Republican politicians and candidates attacking their opponents. 

“We will be leveraging the fact that Republicans can sometimes be our best messengers!” a campaign official told Fox News Digital. 

The officials likened the move to the Biden campaign “going into the lion’s den to point out Republicans’ hypocrisy and have a little fun at their own expense.” 

Truth Social told Fox News Digital that it is a “free, open platform” and “welcomes anyone around the world to join.” 

Former Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., is the company’s CEO.

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And when asked for comment on the Biden campaign’s move to join Truth Social, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung told Fox News Digital: 

“Crooked Joe Biden and his team are finally acknowledging that Truth Social is hot as a pistol and the only place where real news happens,” Cheung said. “Unfortunately for Biden, his continuation of spreading misinformation to gaslight the American people in order to distract from his disastrous record won’t work and they’ll be ratioed to oblivion.”

The Republican National Committee (RNC) made it official on Monday, announcing its partners and venue for their third GOP presidential nomination debate, which will be held in Miami on Nov. 8.

The RNC said it selected NBC News, Salem Radio Network, the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC), and Rumble as partners for the debate, which will take place at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County.

RNC chair Ronna McDaniel emphasized that the showdown “will offer our candidates an excellent opportunity to meet the moment and contrast their plans and vision with the failures of the Biden White House.”

STATE OF THE RACE: DID TRUMP STEP IN IT OVER CONTROVERSIAL MIDEAST COMMENTS?

And RJC chair and former Sen. Norm Coleman noted that “as the horrific events of the last week have unfolded in Israel, the issue of American foreign policy has taken on an even greater role. American strength and American resolve – and our candidates’ vision for America’s role in the world – are more important than ever.” 

The big question going forward is which candidates will be on the stage at next month’s debate.

FIRST ON FOX: RNC RAISES THE BAR FOR CANDIDATES TO QUALIFY FOR THIRD DEBATE

Former President Donald Trump, who remains the commanding polling and fundraising frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination as he makes his third straight White House run, pointed to his large lead over his rivals as he skipped the first two debates. And late last month, Trump campaign adviser Chris LaCavita said Trump wouldn’t take the stage at the third debate.

Trump’s campaign has called for all future debates to be canceled, and that the RNC should “refocus its manpower and money” on defeating Democrats in next year’s election.

As first reported last month by Fox News, the RNC raised the polling and donor thresholds that 2024 primary candidates must reach to make the stage at the third debate.

To participate, each candidate must have a minimum of 70,000 unique donors to their campaign or exploratory committee, including 200 donors in 20 or more states. 

The White House hopefuls must also reach 4% support in two national polls, or reach 4% in one national poll and 4% in two statewide polls conducted in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada or South Carolina – the four states that lead off the Republican presidential nominating calendar.

Additionally, candidates are also required to sign a pledge agreeing to support the eventual Republican presidential nominee. They must agree not to participate in any non-RNC sanctioned debates for the rest of the 2024 election cycle and agree to data-sharing with the national party committee.

The thresholds have been rising for each ensuing debate. To make the first showdown, a Fox News-hosted event in Milwaukee on Aug. 23, the candidates needed to hit 1% in polling and have 40,000 donors. Eight candidates ended up facing off in Milwaukee.

The criteria were raised to 3% in the polls and 50,000 donors for the second debate, a FOX Business-hosted showdown that took place on Sept. 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California. Seven candidates traded fireworks at the second debate.

Multimillionaire biotech entrepreneur and first-time candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said he’s reached the criteria for the third debate but may join Trump in opting out. His campaign has been having internal discussions regarding whether he should participate in the Miami showdown.

“We’re taking a look at what’s going to best foster debate in party. I think the second debate was totally useless. I do not think it served the voters well. And so I’m looking at how are we going to be able to best inform voters and communicate with voters,” Ramaswamy told Fox News’ Deirdre Heavey earlier this month on the campaign trail in Keene, New Hampshire.

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Ramaswamy was joined on stage at the second debate by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, former Vice President Mike Pence, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who qualified for the first debate, fell short and failed to make the stage at the second showdown.

The third debate will be held with just over two months to go until the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses, which is the lead off contest in the 2024 GOP presidential nominating calendar.

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

FIRST ON FOX: House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer is demanding answers from Special Counsel Robert Hur on whether the sensitive, classified documents President Biden retained were related to specific countries— countries that were involved in his family’s lucrative foreign business deals.

Comer, R-Ky., is investigating the Biden family’s foreign business dealings as part of the House impeachment inquiry, as well as Biden’s alleged mishandling of classified documents.

Comer, in a letter to Hur, who is investigating Biden’s alleged improper retention of classified records, said his committee has “developed significant evidence regarding President Biden’s retention of classified materials at Penn Biden Center.”

BIDEN INTERVIEWED BY SPECIAL COUNSEL ABOUT CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS

“As detailed in the Oversight Committee’s bank memoranda and Impeachment Inquiry Memorandum, evidence suggests President Biden may have used certain members of his family — particularly his son, Hunter Biden — to accumulate millions of dollars from foreign individuals and entities for the benefit of his family and himself,” Comer wrote to Hur. “Indeed, the Biden family received millions of dollars from foreign sources while President Biden served in public office and afterwards.”

Comer added, “If any of the classified documents mishandled by President Biden involved countries or individuals that had financial dealings with Biden family members or their related companies, the Committee needs access to that information to evaluate whether our national security has been compromised.”

Comer noted that Biden family members, their business associates and their “related companies” received “significant payments from individuals and companies in China, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Romania.” He also referred to “other evidence recently released by the Ways & Means Committee identified over 20 different countries with ties to the Biden family’s influence peddling schemes.”

DOJ ORDERED HUNTER BIDEN INVESTIGATORS TO ‘REMOVE ANY REFERENCE’ TO JOE BIDEN IN FARA PROBE WARRANT: HOUSE GOP

Comer said the House Oversight Committee has learned throughout its investigation that the Biden family and their business associates brought in more than $24 million between 2014 and 2019 by “selling Joe Biden as ‘the brand’ around the world.”

“The Committee is concerned that President Biden may have retained sensitive documents related to specific countries involving his family’s foreign business,” Comer wrote.

Meanwhile, Comer also questioned Hur on information to help the committee to “understand whether the White House or President Biden’s personal attorneys placed any limitations or scoping restrictions during the interview that would have precluded a line of inquiry regarding evidence (emails, text messages, or witness statements) directly linking Joe Biden to troublesome foreign payments.”

“President Biden’s retention of certain classified documents begs the question as to why he kept these particular materials,” Comer wrote. “Of the many classified documents he reviewed over his lengthy career, why did President Biden keep these specific documents in his home and office?”

He added, “The sensitive nature of the information contained in the documents may answer that question for the Committee, which is why we seek to review those materials.”

HUNTER BIDEN’S $250K WIRE FROM CHINA LABELED AS A ‘PERSONAL INVESTMENT’

Comer requested that Hur determine a “mutually agreed upon secured location” and provide information without redactions to the committee, including “any terms, agreements or scoping limitations” related to his office’s review of the president.

Comer also requested a list of the countries named in any documents with classification markings recovered from Penn Biden Center, Biden’s residence, including the garage, in Wilmington, Delaware, or elsewhere; and a list of all individuals named in those documents with classification markings; and all documents found with classified markings.

Comer is also asking if Hur was “permitted” to ask about evidence obtained by the U.S. Attorneys’s Office for the district of Delaware — which has been investigating Hunter Biden — and on any information released by IRS whistleblowers related to the Biden family’s business dealings.

Comer also asked for the copy of the report and agents’ notes following the special counsel’s interview of the president and any interview with former White House counsel Dana Remus.

Comer’s letter comes just days after President Biden was interviewed by Hur.

The White House Counsel’s Office confirmed the voluntary interview took place earlier this month at the White House over the course of two days — last Sunday and Monday and concluded Monday.

HUNTER BIDEN RECEIVED $250K WIRES ORIGINATING IN BEIJING WITH BENEFICIARY ADDRESS LISTED AS JOE BIDEN’S HOME

“As we have said from the beginning, the president and the White House are cooperating with this investigation, and as it has been appropriate, we have provided relevant updates publicly, being as transparent as we can, consistent with protecting and preserving the integrity of the investigation,” White House spokesperson for investigations Ian Sams said. 

Hur’s investigation comes after a batch of records from President Biden’s time as vice president, including a “small number of documents with classified markings,” were discovered at the Penn Biden Center by the president’s personal attorneys on Nov. 2, 2022. 

Additional classified records were discovered at President Biden’s Wilmington home in January. After that discovery, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Hur as special counsel to investigate the matter.

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Special counsel Robert Mueller’s team negotiated with lawyers for then-President Trump for an interview, but Trump never sat for one. His lawyers instead submitted answers to written questions.

President George W. Bush sat for a 70-minute interview as part of an investigation into the leak of the identity of a CIA operative. President Clinton in 1998 underwent more than four hours of questioning from independent counsel Kenneth Starr before a federal grand jury.

North Carolina is emerging as a 2024 battleground for Democrats looking to turn the tide in the swing state that saw narrow Republican victories in the past three presidential elections.

The state is increasingly “trending purple” as populations in the state’s major cities grow, North Carolina-based Democrat strategist Douglas Wilson recently told The Hill. North Carolina has seen relatively close elections for years, with several presidential, gubernatorial and senatorial candidates winning by no more than a few percentage points.

Former President Barack Obama won North Carolina’s 15 electoral votes during the 2008 election, though Republicans carried the state in the 2012, 2016 and 2020 presidential contests. Republicans have generally seen more success in federal elections, like recently with Sen. Ted Budd’s 2022 victory, while Democrats have seen more recent gubernatorial victories.

Wilson cautioned how presidential campaigns, especially an incumbent like Democrat Biden is running, historically have only begun “setting up shop” in North Carolina during the spring or summer of an election year. Though this time around, he expects more attention in the Tar Heel State earlier on in the 2024 cycle. 

NORTH CAROLINA REPUBLICANS FINALIZE WIDE-RANGING ELECTIONS BILL

“I do expect a lot more attention here than in the past, not to say we didn’t get attention in the past, but it’s probably going to be much more intense in 2024,” Wilson said. “In North Carolina, you need to start talking to voters early, and you need to have folks on the ground early.”

Wilson noted how Obama’s team in 2008 successfully bolstered its campaign infrastructure early on in the primaries before beating Hillary Clinton for the Democrat nomination.

In May, a Biden campaign spokesperson told the Washington Post they “fully expect North Carolina and Florida to be competitive, and we are investing early and accordingly.”

GOP strategist Doug Heye, who has worked on several North Carolina campaigns, told The Hill that Obama caught “everybody by surprise” in 2008 while state and national Republicans were “asleep at the switch” because they did not anticipate the contest to be as competitive as it was. 

THIS CRUCIAL SOUTHERN BATTLEGROUND REMAINS ‘DEEPLY POLARIZED AND DIVIDED’

Heye pointed to growing metropolitan areas like Charlotte and Raleigh in arguing that North Carolina Republicans can no longer take the electorate for granted.

While Obama’s 2008 victory was at first considered a “fluke,” Heye explained, North Carolina was the second-closest state during the 2012 presidential election. The contests remained close in 2016 and 2020, when Biden was defeated by then-President Trump by less than 1.5 percentage points.

“The lesson or the takeaway should be this is going to be a close state and should not be taken for granted,” he told The Hill. “In the state, I think people get that. Nationally, they don’t get it at all.”

He also said Trump’s likely GOP nomination and Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s campaign for governor could pose potential hurdles for the GOP in 2024, especially in courting the growing number of suburban women in Raleigh, a demographic that proved essential to Democrat wins in 2020 and 2022.

“You don’t want to give those voters a reason to turn away from you,” Heye said, noting Robinson’s controversial remarks on Muslims, Jews and Black people who vote Democrat.

“It’s going to cause distractions for the state party, it’s going to define the race negatively, and they’ve got a good, competent Democrat who’s running who’s very vanilla, which I mean as a good thing, who just won’t have made those kinds of mistakes,” Heye told The Hill, referencing state Attorney General Josh Stein, the likely Democrat nominee.

GOP strategist Jonathan Felts, who advised Budd’s Senate campaign, told The Hill that Republicans saw sweeping victories in North Carolina despite being “massively” outspent in the last election cycle. He noted how Democrat Gov. Roy Cooper secured his reelection in 2020 by only a few points despite significantly outspending his Republican challenger. In 2024, Felts anticipates Republicans and Democrats to tighten up their economic messaging to better appeal to North Carolina working families.

“North Carolina will be like a lot of other states in that it’s going to be a referendum on who do you think is the biggest fighter for working families, and I think Donald Trump and Mark Robinson … are much better suited for that argument than are Joe Biden and Josh Stein,” Felts said. 

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Gabe Esparza, a Democrat candidate for state treasurer, noted that North Carolina’s growing Latino population could be strategic in securing his party’s success by a mere “few extra thousand” votes. Cynthia Wallace, the co-founder of a nonprofit called the New Rural Project, told The Hill that the parties should also take into account North Carolina is one of the most rural states in the country.”

“You cannot change the trajectory of who gets elected without changing the trajectory of rural North Carolina,” she said.