Happy New Year 2025

Tag: expected

Trump expected to pardon pro-life activists convicted under FACE Act

Donald Trump is expected to pardon pro-life activists convicted under the FACE Act during President Biden’s administration in the coming days.

The pardons, first reported by The Daily Wire, would apply to activists convicted of protesting near abortion clinics during various demonstrations. The details and scope of the pardons have yet to be revealed.

Thomas Ciesielka, a spokesman for the pro-life law firm the Thomas Moore Society, confirmed plans for the pardon to Fox News Digital.

News of the plan comes just one day before the March for Life, an annual pro-life march that takes place in Washington, D.C.

WHITE HOUSE OPM ORDERS ALL DEI OFFICES TO BEGIN CLOSING BY END OF DAY WEDNESDAY

President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., had called on Trump to pardon activists convicted under the FACE Act since the president was sworn into office.

“No administration in history has targeted Christians like the Biden Admin. We saw one persecution after another, from shutting down churches during COVID to raiding pro-lifers homes at the crack of dawn. EVERY pro-life prisoner Biden wrongly imprisoned should be pardoned,” Hawley wrote on X.

Hawley said he spoke with Trump about a potential pardon plan on Thursday morning, saying they had a “great conversation.”

TRUMP TO DEPLOY MILITARY TO BORDER, END BIDEN PAROLE POLICIES IN FLURRY OF DAY ONE EXECUTIVE ORDERS

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, has also introduced legislation that would dismantle the FACE Act. Many lawmakers have argued that Democratic administrations have weaponized it against pro-life groups and Christians.

“97% of FACE Act prosecutions between the years of 1994-2024 were initiated against pro-life Americans; it is laughable to argue that the law hasn’t been weaponized. Let’s put H.R. 589 on the President’s desk and end this once and for all,” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said in a statement reacting to the pardon news.

Pro-life supporters march in Washington D.C., United States on January 20, 2023. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

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Trump also issued a blanket pardon for nearly all January 6 prisoners shortly after he took the oath of office.

Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to [email protected], or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.

January 23, 2025
Biden expected to pardon pro-life activists convicted under FACE Act

Donald Trump is expected to pardon pro-life activists convicted under the FACE Act during President Biden’s administration in the coming days.

The pardons, first reported by The Daily Wire, would apply to activists convicted of protesting near abortion clinics during various demonstrations. The details and scope of the pardons have yet to be revealed.

Thomas Ciesielka, a spokesman for the pro-life law firm the Thomas Moore Society, confirmed plans for the pardon to Fox News Digital.

News of the plan comes just one day before the March for Life, an annual pro-life march that takes place in Washington, D.C.

WHITE HOUSE OPM ORDERS ALL DEI OFFICES TO BEGIN CLOSING BY END OF DAY WEDNESDAY

President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., had called on Trump to pardon activists convicted under the FACE Act since the president was sworn into office.

“No administration in history has targeted Christians like the Biden Admin. We saw one persecution after another, from shutting down churches during COVID to raiding pro-lifers homes at the crack of dawn. EVERY pro-life prisoner Biden wrongly imprisoned should be pardoned,” Hawley wrote on X.

Hawley said he spoke with Trump about a potential pardon plan on Thursday morning, saying they had a “great conversation.”

TRUMP TO DEPLOY MILITARY TO BORDER, END BIDEN PAROLE POLICIES IN FLURRY OF DAY ONE EXECUTIVE ORDERS

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, has also introduced legislation that would dismantle the FACE Act. Many lawmakers have argued that Democratic administrations have weaponized it against pro-life groups and Christians.

“97% of FACE Act prosecutions between the years of 1994-2024 were initiated against pro-life Americans; it is laughable to argue that the law hasn’t been weaponized. Let’s put H.R. 589 on the President’s desk and end this once and for all,” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said in a statement reacting to the pardon news.

Pro-life supporters march in Washington D.C., United States on January 20, 2023. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Trump also issued a blanket pardon for nearly all January 6 prisoners shortly after he took the oath of office.

Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to [email protected], or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.

January 23, 2025
Geomagnetic storm expected following autumnal equinox

The Earth is expected to experience a geomagnetic storm this week following the autumnal equinox.

A sunspot erupted on Sunday, generating a coronal mass ejection (CME) on a trajectory toward Earth.

The solar plasma, propelled toward the planet at 650,000 mph, is expected to glance off the magnetosphere on Wednesday, according to Space.com.

GEOMAGNETIC STORM HITS EARTH CREATING NORTHERN LIGHTS, DISRUPTING RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

A view of the Sun through a solar telescope, showing solar prominences, sunspots and filaments. (Manuel Romano/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The CME could create a geomagnetic storm in part of the world due to its occurrence near the autumnal equinox, which passed on Sept. 22.

During the spring and fall equinoxes, the Earth’s magnetic poles are aligned with the sun’s, making geomagnetic storms more likely.

NORTHERN LIGHTS MAY BE SEEN ACROSS SOME PORTIONS OF US THIS WEEK AFTER ‘STRONG SOLAR ACTIVITY’

The geomagnetic storm can sometimes cause disruption in communications or electrical blackouts.

The phenomenon can also cause the “Northern Lights” effect at high altitudes, illuminating the night sky with brilliant colors.

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The aurora borealis from Mukilteo, Washington state, during a geomagnetic storm earlier this year. (Scott Sistek via Fox Weather)

Earlier this summer, the dancing lights of the aurora borealis were seen across the U.S. and even in some of the southern states, after the strongest geomagnetic storm in 20 years took place.

Fox News Digital’s Sydney Borchers contributed to this report.

Timothy Nerozzi is a writer for Fox News Digital. You can follow him on Twitter @timothynerozzi and can email him at [email protected]

January 23, 2025
Raiders expected to hire John Spytek as new GM: reports

The Las Vegas Raiders have made their first big hire of the offseason.

The organization is expected to name John Spytek, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ assistant GM, as their next general manager, per multiple reports.

Spytek takes over for Tom Telesco, who lasted just one season after joining the Raiders in the same GM role he held with the Los Angeles Chargers.

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John Spytek, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vice president of player personnel, watches action on the field before a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins Aug. 13, 2022, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Spytek, 44, has an extensive track record in NFL front offices, and it all began as a Detroit Lions operations intern in 2004.

He moved on to the Philadelphia Eagles, serving as a college and pro scout from 2005-09, and then to the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos in similar scouting roles before eventually landing in Tampa Bay in 2016.

DEION SANDERS HAS ‘VERY STRONG INTEREST’ IN OPEN RAIDERS JOB: REPORT

He joined the Bucs as their director of player personnel, working alongside GM Jason Licht to build a Tampa Bay squad that won the Super Bowl during the 2021 season.

One of the main reasons for that Vince Lombardi Trophy heading back to Tampa Bay was the Bucs’ acquisition of Tom Brady, which Spytek played a role in after their time together as Michigan Wolverines.

That connection continues with the Raiders. Brady is a minority owner of the franchise.

John Spytek, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vice president of player personnel, watches action at Buccaneers rookie minicamp May 14, 2022, at the AdventHealth Training Center at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, Fla. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Spytek worked his way through the Bucs’ front office, getting promoted to vice president of player personnel in 2021 and then moving to assistant GM in 2023.

With Spytek expected to assume his role soon, the next big hire will be head coach for the Raiders after the firing of Antonio Pierce one season after the team named him full-time head coach after an interim stint in 2023.

John Spytek, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vice president of player personnel, watches before a preseason game between the Miami Dolphins and the Buccaneers Aug. 13, 2022, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Then Spytek will aim to build a roster in desperate need of a franchise quarterback and some more playmakers on both sides of the ball. Las Vegas owns the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and some view the Raiders as a team that may trade up to get a quarterback like Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

January 23, 2025