Federal Reserve Holds Rates As Inflation Persists at 2.7% — Despite Trump’s Demand to Cut: What It Means for Your Retirement
Experts warn sustained price pressures could erode purchasing power for years
News
Federal Reserve Holds Rates As Inflation Persists at 2.7% — Despite Trump’s Demand to Cut: What It Means for Your Retirement
Experts warn sustained price pressures could erode purchasing power for years
Federal Reserve Holds Rates As Inflation Persists at 2.7% — Despite Trump’s Demand to Cut: What It Means for Your Retirement
Experts warn sustained price pressures could erode purchasing power for years
Federal Reserve Holds Rates As Inflation Persists at 2.7% — Despite Trump’s Demand to Cut: What It Means for Your Retirement
Experts warn sustained price pressures could erode purchasing power for years
Federal Reserve Holds Rates As Inflation Persists at 2.7% — Despite Trump’s Demand to Cut: What It Means for Your Retirement
Experts warn sustained price pressures could erode purchasing power for years
Federal Reserve Holds Rates As Inflation Persists at 2.7% — Despite Trump’s Demand to Cut: What It Means for Your Retirement
Experts warn sustained price pressures could erode purchasing power for years
Do Democrats Even Hear the ‘Stupid Things That Come Out of Their Mouths’: Mike Lawler
A Fox News segment featuring comments from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and an exchange between Tomi Lahren and Rep. Mike Lawler highlighted sharp divisions over Venezuela, President Donald Trump’s record, and broader economic and health care policy.
The discussion followed remarks from Jeffries criticizing the idea that the United States president could improve conditions in Venezuela.
In a video clip aired during the segment, Jeffries questioned the premise that American leadership could positively influence Venezuela’s future, tying the issue to domestic policy disputes.
“To address the Republican health care crisis. So the notion that he’s going to run Venezuela and make life better for the Venezuelan people, of course, is belied by the facts as to what he’s done as president here in the United States of America,” Jeffries said.
Lahren responded by challenging Jeffries’ assessment and pointing to reactions from Venezuelans themselves. Turning to Lawler, she raised the issue of public sentiment in Venezuela and asked for his response.
“Congressman, really interesting, because the Venezuelan people seem to be pretty excited about the possibility of freedom in their country. But what do you make of Hakeem Jeffries there and his assessment?” Lahren asked.
Lawler rejected Jeffries’ criticism and forcefully defended President Trump’s record while condemning Venezuela’s former leadership.
He began by dismissing what he described as Democratic rhetoric surrounding the issue.
“I don’t even know if they hear themselves talk half the time with the stupid things that come out of their mouths. I mean, I’m sorry,” Lawler said.
He then turned directly to Venezuela’s former president.
“Nicolás Maduro was a despot, a dictator, a brutal murderer, a Marxist who has run his country into the ground.”
Lawler cited Venezuela’s economic collapse as evidence of failed leadership.
“Poverty rates have skyrocketed. You want to talk about health care, you want to talk about food insecurity. This is a man who is sitting on oil, who is sitting on minerals, and has destroyed his economy,” he said.
He added that criticism of President Trump in that context was misplaced.
“And they’re criticizing President Trump.”
Lawler contrasted the current economy under President Trump with the prior administration, arguing the difference was significant.
“Look, when you look at Joe Biden’s economy versus President Trump’s economy, it’s night and day,” he said.
He credited Trump-era policies with economic growth.
“The fact is, the economy is growing. We have job creation. Costs are coming down.”
He also pointed to tax policy as a central achievement.
“We delivered the largest tax cut in American history, that when people go to file their taxes this April, they will see significant reduction in their tax burden because of what we have done,” Lawler said.
“The economy is booming, and this year it is going to really prove fruitful with the policies that we’ve enacted.”
While acknowledging ongoing challenges, Lawler placed responsibility for health care costs squarely on Democrats and the Affordable Care Act.
“Yes, there are issues to deal with, like health care, but by the way, that is because of Obamacare, because Obamacare has failed to actually reduce health care costs,” he said.
Lawler continued by citing long-term trends since the law’s passage.
“That’s their policy. That is their chief policy that they put in place, that they said would reduce health care costs in America, they have skyrocketed over 15 years by 96% meanwhile, insurance company profits are up 2,000%,” he said.
He concluded by accusing Democrats of avoiding accountability.
“Because Obamacare was written by the insurance companies for the insurance companies, but Democrats never seem to want to be honest about how to deal with these problems,” Lawler said.
“They just want to point the finger, blame President Trump and kick and scream.”
WATCH:
Stephen Miller Steamrolls Right Over CNN’s Jake Tapper: ‘Damn Straight We Did’
A tense exchange unfolded between CNN anchor Jake Tapper and White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller during a discussion about U.S. actions in Venezuela, future elections, and the Trump administration’s foreign policy posture.
Tapper opened the exchange by directly referencing U.S. military involvement in Venezuela.
“You invaded the country. We took, went into the country and we seized the leader of Venezuela,” Tapper said.
Miller did not dispute the characterization. “Damn straight we did,” he responded.
Tapper then pressed Miller on what comes next for Venezuela, asking whether democratic processes would follow the intervention.
“So is the U.S. going to have more elections?” Tapper asked.
Miller shifted the focus to U.S. security and border enforcement, emphasizing what he described as the administration’s red lines.
“We’re not going to let tin pot communist dictators send rapists into our country, send drugs into our country, send weapons into our country,” Miller said.
Tapper briefly interjected. “Okay,” he said.
Miller continued by outlining broader strategic goals for the region and the administration’s priorities moving forward.
“And we’re not going to let a country fall into the hands of our adversaries,” Miller said.
“The future of Venezuela, working with America is going to be so bright and so incredible and so positive, and we’ll have a conversation about everything that you raised.”
He stressed that immediate focus remains on stability rather than political timelines.
“But the priority right now, as the President has made clear, is a judicious, thoughtful, careful transition process to secure a great future for Venezuela and to secure a great future for America,” Miller said.
Tapper responded briefly. “All right,” he said.
Miller concluded the exchange by praising President Donald Trump’s recent actions on the global stage, framing them as historically significant.
“Let’s just take a moment and just acknowledge, Jake, that what we’ve witnessed under President Trump’s leadership this last week is one of the greatest foreign policy and military victories this country has ever had,” Miller said.
WATCH:
Man Opens Fire on LAPD Helicopter, Taken Down by Police K9
A Los Angeles Police Department K-9 helped bring a violent confrontation to an end after a suspect fired multiple rounds at a police helicopter during a prolonged standoff that unfolded in broad daylight last month, according to department footage released Sunday.
The incident occurred on Nov. 20 after officers responded to a call reporting an assault with a deadly weapon.
Once on scene, officers deployed an LAPD helicopter to assist with locating and monitoring the suspect.
Police identified the man as Anthony Whitsey, 57, who was seen outside his residence armed with a handgun.
According to LAPD, Whitsey fired “approximately three to five” rounds from a 9mm handgun at the helicopter as it hovered overhead.
Video released by the department shows Whitsey standing in front of his home, gesturing and shouting before raising the firearm and discharging it into the air toward the aircraft.
After the shots were fired, officers on the ground returned fire.
Whitsey was not struck by gunfire, but he eventually dropped the weapon onto his front lawn and retreated back into the house.
The incident then developed into a standoff that lasted nearly four hours as officers attempted to bring the situation to a peaceful conclusion.
During the standoff, SWAT officers established a perimeter around the home.
Negotiators attempted to communicate with Whitsey while aerial units continued to monitor the scene.
Police said the suspect remained inside the residence for an extended period before briefly stepping back outside.
Footage shows Whitsey opening his front door and stepping onto his porch, where officers were positioned nearby.
At that point, officers released a police dog toward the suspect.
The K-9 quickly engaged Whitsey, bringing him to the ground on the porch area.
The video shows the dog securing the suspect while officers moved in to take him into custody.
Whitsey was then restrained and removed from the scene without further gunfire.
Police said Whitsey was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the arrest.
According to LAPD, Whitsey suffered dog bite injuries to his shoulders, arms, and legs.
He was treated and later booked on charges of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer.
LAPD confirmed that Whitsey was not struck by bullets at any point during the standoff.
No officers were reported injured during the incident, and the police helicopter was not hit despite being fired upon.
Trump’s Venezuela Moves Bigger Than Reported: Taiwan, AI, BRICS, Iran, China, and Russia
Glenn Beck argued that recent U.S. actions involving Venezuela are not about securing oil for Americans, but about strategically cutting off China’s access to energy and weakening adversarial powers across the globe.
In detailed remarks, Beck laid out what he described as an interconnected strategy involving Venezuela, China, Iran, and global energy dominance.
“Okay, so I want to go over. I put a chalkboard up. And if you’re watching us at Glenn, beck.com you’ll see Venezuela, China, Iran. They’re all connected. All of these things are connected,” Beck said.
He acknowledged that oil is central to the issue, but said the public debate often misses the real point.
“And if one, if somebody tells you this is all about the oil, listen to them, because it is. But I don’t know if they understand what they’re even saying about that.”
Beck explained that while oil, drugs, terrorism, and military concerns are all factors, they must be separated to understand the broader strategy.
“If they’re saying, well, it’s about drugs, okay? This about terror, this about the hemisphere, this about the US military in the war machine, yes to all of those things,” he said.
He emphasized Venezuela’s resource wealth, noting, “Right, now, Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves on Earth, 303 billion barrels. That’s 17 plus trillion dollars at the current market value.” Beck also referenced gold reserves, saying Venezuela “claim about 8,000 to 10,000 tons of gold that is still in ground.”
However, Beck argued the United States does not need Venezuelan oil.
“Now here’s the part you’re not being told. With all of that oil, we don’t need the oil. Have you noticed the gas prices? They keep coming down. We don’t need the oil,” he said.
Beck stated that U.S. domestic production and refining have reduced reliance on foreign sources.
“We need to pull the oil out of the ground ourselves. Which we are. We need to refine it ourselves. Which we are.”
According to Beck, China is the true target of the strategy. “China needs the oil,” he said.
“China buys 60 to 90% of all of Venezuela’s crude exports.”
He added that China also purchases “85 to 90% of all of the oil from Iran” and “nearly half of all Russian oil.”
Beck said recent developments have disrupted those supply lines.
“What’s happening right now? Well, 60 to 90% of all of the exports from Venezuela now not going to China,” he said.
He questioned how China could sustain its energy needs without Venezuelan oil.
“How is China going to be able to power all of their electricity needs? How are they going to do that if they don’t get oil from Venezuela.”
He also pointed to instability involving Iran.
“Oh, and what else has been destabilized this weekend, Iran,” Beck said, reiterating China’s dependence on Iranian oil.
He framed the debate over oil as misunderstood.
“No, it’s not about oil. We don’t need it. No, it absolutely is about oil, but not for us,” he said.
Beck described the strategy as part of what he called a long-term approach by President Trump.
“This is about Donald Trump again, playing to win the long game,” he said.
Beck argued that denying adversaries access to Western Hemisphere energy would limit their military and technological ambitions.
“We need the energy. The West needs the energy, and you’re not pulling it out of our hemisphere.”
He warned of major consequences for China if Venezuela and Iran were both cut off. “Okay, if Iran and Venezuela fall at the same time, China loses 70% of its non US regulated oil supply, 70%,” Beck said.
He linked that loss to broader strategic outcomes.
“Well, you can’t go into Taiwan. You certainly can’t have a war with Taiwan. You can’t have AI dominance. There’s no BRICS reserve currency.”
Beck dismissed claims that the strategy is about corporate profit.
“No, because if you shut down the oil, know what? War in Taiwan, because they don’t have the energy to do it,” he said.
“No. AI dominance, because they won’t have the energy to do it. And no BRICS currency. Game over for now.”
Beck referenced comments from Senator Marco Rubio supporting the position.
“Here’s what Marco Rubio said over the weekend, we don’t need Venezuelans oil,” Beck said, adding that Rubio emphasized preventing adversaries from controlling energy in the hemisphere.
He acknowledged debate over the legality of President Trump’s actions.
“We can argue about the constitutionality of what Donald Trump did. Does he have the right to do it? Well, I don’t know,” Beck said.
While noting disagreements among constitutional scholars, Beck concluded the policy aligns with an America-first approach.
“What you cannot argue about is if you say you’re America first. This isn’t America first. This is absolutely America first.”
Beck closed by arguing that the strategy extends beyond confrontation.
“Notice another thing, Trump is not just confronting our enemies. He’s stealing alliances,” he said, pointing to diplomatic outreach in the Middle East.
“Because power flows through relationships, not just weapons. This is all about blocking Iran, China and Russia.”
WATCH:
Trump’s capture of Maduro IS “America first.” Not because we get oil, but because we STARVE China of it. Without Venezuela’s oil (and hopefully soon, Iran’s), it’s game over for China:
No Taiwan invasion.
No AI dominance.
No BRICS reserve currency. pic.twitter.com/3b48AdVN7O— Glenn Beck (@glennbeck) January 5, 2026