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Fani Willis Requests Top Georgia Court Reconsider Disqualification From Trump Case

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    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) asked Georgia’s top court to review her disqualification from the election subversion case against President-elect Trump and several allies.

    In a petition filed late Wednesday to the Supreme Court of Georgia, Willis said the state’s midlevel appeals court “overreached” its authority in “all directions” when it decided she should be removed from the prosecution over her past romantic relationship with a top prosecutor on the case.

    “No Georgia court has ever disqualified a district attorney for the mere appearance of impropriety without the existence of an actual conflict of interest,” Willis’s office wrote. “And no Georgia court has ever reversed a trial court’s order declining to disqualify a prosecutor based solely on an appearance of impropriety.” 

    Georgia’s Court of Appeals disqualified Willis and her office from the 2020 election case last month in a 2-1 decision over her inappropriate romance with former special prosecutor Nathan Wade.

    The state’s high court, controlled by justices appointed by Republican governors, must first decide whether to take up the appeal at all.

    Even if the court hears Willis’s appeal and rules in her favor, she may not have a chance to resurrect the case until 2029 — after Trump has left office — since legal experts agree sitting presidents cannot be criminally prosecuted.

    If it lets the appeals court’s ruling stand, the case would be handed off to the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, a nonpartisan state agency. The agency could then send the case to another district attorney’s office, which would decide whether to proceed, appoint a special prosecutor or handle the case itself.

    Willis’s case is one of the remaining criminal prosecutions against Trump. 

    Pope Francis Appoints Vocal Trump Critic As DC Archbishop In Provocative Leadership Move

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    Pope Francis has named Cardinal Robert McElroy, a known advocate for migrants and outspoken critic of President-elect Donald Trump, as the new Archbishop of Washington, D.C. The decision underscores the pontiff’s preference for church leaders who align with his progressive vision, even as it risks further deepening ideological divisions within the millennia-old Catholic Church.

    Cardinal McElroy, recognized as a strong supporter of LGBTQ inclusion and other liberal causes, has consistently aligned with Pope Francis on key social and theological issues. His appointment was announced two weeks before Inauguration Day, conspicuous timing that drew widespread attention given the cardinal’s history of publicly criticizing Trump’s policies on immigration and social justice. This is particularly notable in light of McElroy’s emphasis on synodality (dialogue with one another in the presence of the Spirit of God) and church reform, which have drawn both praise and criticism from Catholic observers.

    The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    As Forbes’ Conor Murray reports, the move to elevate McElroy comes as a stark contrast to Trump’s nomination of Brian Burch as ambassador to Vatican City. Burch, a conservative Catholic activist and president of the right-leaning advocacy group CatholicVote, was instrumental in rallying Catholic support for Trump during the 2024 campaign. His organization has frequently clashed with the more progressive stances of Pope Francis and his allies:

    McElroy has largely slammed Trump because of his views on immigration, including his promise to conduct mass deportations. McElroy was one of 12 Catholic bishops from California who co-authored a statement last month voicing support for “our migrant brothers and sisters,” acknowledging the “calls for mass deportations and raids on undocumented individuals” have created fear in migrant communities. After Trump’s first election victory in 2016, McElroy called it “unthinkable” that Catholics would “stand by while more than ten percent of our flock is ripped from our midst and deported.” He called Trump’s mass deportation plan an “act of injustice which would stain our national honor” and compared it to Japanese interment and Native American dispossession. McElroy criticized Trump’s plan to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy in 2017 for lacking any “shred of humanity,” stating Jesus Christ was “both a refugee and an immigrant during his journey.”

    In a 2023 column for America magazine, McElroy urged greater welcoming of divorced and LGBTQ Catholics into the church, stating the church’s “disproportionate” focus on sexual activity as sin “does not lie at the heart” of a Christian’s relationship with God and “should change.” McElroy called it a “demonic mystery of the human soul why so many men and women have a profound and visceral animus toward members of the L.G.B.T. communities.” In a February 2024 speech, McElroy considered the lack of support among Catholics for blessing same-sex marriages to be the result of “enduring animus among far too many toward LGBT persons.” McElroy has also criticized abortion being considered a “de facto litmus test for determining whether a Catholic public official is a faithful Catholic.” McElroy, however, called Biden’s lack of support for anti-abortion legislation an “immense sadness” in a 2021 America magazine column, and called the overturning of Roe v. Wade a “day to give thanks and celebrate.”

    Burch, founder and co-president of CatholicVote, was once a Trump skeptic but praised him in 2020 for making a “concerted effort to reach out to Catholics in a way that we haven’t seen in the past.” That year, he authored the pro-Trump book, “A New Catholic Moment: Donald Trump and the Politics of the Common Good.” Burch has slammed Francis for “progressive Catholic cheerleading” and accused him of creating “massive confusion” over his approval of blessing same-sex marriages in 2023.

    Also on Monday, Francis appointed Sister Simona Brambilla, an Italian nun, to lead a Vatican office, making her the first woman to lead a major Vatican department. The department, the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, is responsible for religious orders. Francis has long voiced support for greater roles for women in the church, though he has ruled out ordaining women as deacons or priests.

    McElroy’s appointment also highlights Pope Francis’ broader engagement with U.S. politics. In 2024, the pontiff made headlines when he urged voters to carefully consider their choices, describing the act of voting as a moral responsibility. During a press conference aboard the papal plane, Francis remarked on the complexities of American politics, advising voters to choose “the lesser evil” when faced with challenging decisions.

    While the pope has criticized Trump’s hardline immigration policies, he has also expressed concern over Vice President Kamala Harris‘ unwavering support for abortion rights. Both stances, Francis noted, conflict with the Church’s teachings on the sanctity of life. “One must choose the lesser of two evils,” the pope reiterated. “Who is the lesser of two evils? That lady or that gentleman? I don’t know. Everyone with a conscience should think on this and do it.”

    Despite the pontiff’s cultural influence, his impact on American politics was negligible. In the 2024 presidential election, former President Donald Trump secured a notable share of the Catholic vote, surpassing his performance in previous campaigns. According to exit polls conducted by The Washington Post, Trump won the national Catholic vote by a 15-point margin, with 56% supporting him compared to 41% for Vice President Kamala Harris.

    This represents a notable shift compared to the 2020 election, where the Catholic electorate was nearly evenly split, with 50% supporting Trump and 49% favoring Joe Biden, a lifelong Catholic.

    In the 2016 election, Trump secured 52% of the Catholic vote, while Hillary Clinton received 45%.

    The 2024 election also saw variations within the Catholic demographic. Trump’s support among white Catholics increased, with 59% backing him compared to Harris’s 39%, a 20-point margin. This was an improvement over his 15-point lead in 2020.

    Marburg79, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

    Among Latino Catholics, there was a significant shift toward Trump. In 2020, Biden led this group by a substantial margin, but in 2024, Trump’s support increased notably, contributing to his overall gains among Catholic voters.

    The appointment of McElroy is likely to spark further debate within the Church, where a widening schism between liberal and conservative leaders continue to grow. However, it also reflects Francis’ commitment to shaping the Church’s leadership in a way that emphasizes his vision for pastoral care and inclusivity, even at the expense of unity.

    Yet, in the United States, voting trends strongly suggest that Trump’s campaign strategies—including selecting Senator JD Vance, a Catholic, as his running mate, and making explicit appeals to Catholic voters—resonated with this demographic, contributing to increased GOP support in the 2024 election and possibly beyond.

    Article Published With The Permission of American Liberty News.

    Report: Apple’s Tim Cook Donating $1 Million Of His Own Money To Trump Inauguration

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      Image via Pixabay free images

      Apple CEO Tim Cook is reportedly using his own money to write a $1 million check to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural committee.

      Axios reported that only Cook is expected to give to the fund — not the company.

      Cook “believes the inauguration is a great American tradition, and is donating to the inauguration in the spirit of unity,” the report said, citing sources close to Cook. He “has made it clear over the years that he believes in participation, not sitting on the sidelines, and engaging with policymakers from both sides of the aisle.”

      The report noted that Apple is America’s and the world’s largest taxpayer.

      Trump has secured $1 million donations from other top business leaders and companies including from Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg — whose company owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and more.

      OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was also reportedly planning to donate $1 million to the fund, telling The New York Times: “President Trump will lead our country into the age of A.I., and I am eager to support his efforts to ensure America stays ahead.”

      Major automakers General Motors, Ford, and Toyota have all promised to donate $1 million each toward the fund.

      Report: Democrats Push Tulsi Gabbard Confirmation Hearing

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        Tulsi Gabbard via Gage Skidmore Flickr

        President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) is facing an uphill battle for confirmation.

        Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, signaled he plans to meet again with Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii).

        Fox News’s Chad Pergram summed up the Virginia Democrat’s remarks, quoting, “This is an extraordinarily serious job that requires maintaining the independence of the intelligence community. It also means maintaining the cooperation of our allies. We’ve got a lot of our intelligence from our allies on a sharing basis, and if those that information is not kept secure, it raises huge concern. So..we’ve got a number of questions out for her. This is the beginning of a process.”

        Axios reported on Tuesday that Warner and other Senate Democrats have moved to delay Gabbard’s hearing.

        “Warner has pointed out that the committee has not yet received Gabbard’s FBI background check, ethics disclosure or a pre-hearing questionnaire, a source familiar with the matter told us. Committee rules require the background check a week in advance of a hearing,” reported Axios.

        Intel Committee Chairman Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) told the outlet in a statement he “intends to hold these hearings before Inauguration Day. The Intelligence Committee, the nominees, and the transition are diligently working toward that goal.”

        “After the terrorist attacks on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, it’s sad to see Sen. Warner and Democrats playing politics with Americans’ safety and our national security,” Trump transition spokesperson Alexa Henning also told Axios.

        Fix The NSC: A Warning & Roadmap For Trump’s Second Term

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        [Photo Cred: Office of the President of the United States, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons]

        A Call to Action: Reforming the National Security Council

        Joshua Steinman, the former senior director for cyber on President Trump’s National Security Council (NSC), has issued a stark warning to the incoming president that demands immediate attention. Steinman, who loyally served from Trump’s first day in office to his last, cautions that mistakes in NSC staffing could spell disaster for the administration’s second term, leading to either ineffectiveness or outright betrayal. His insights form a compelling argument for a complete overhaul of the NSC as the cornerstone of Trump’s efforts to govern effectively.

        The NSC, as Steinman explains, is not merely a bureaucratic appendage. It is the quarterback of the White House—the entity tasked with ensuring that the president’s directives are executed seamlessly across the vast machinery of the federal government. “If the president is the owner of the football team, the NSC is the quarterback,” he asserts, underscoring the centrality of this institution in driving the administration’s policy agenda. And yet, Steinman’s concerns suggest that the team surrounding this quarterback may not be up to the task.

        Reflecting on Trump’s first term, Steinman identifies a critical error: the decision to retain approximately 50% of the NSC staff from the Obama administration. This hesitation to implement a sweeping purge, according to Steinman, allowed disloyal actors to undermine Trump’s policies. Some of these holdovers allegedly continued to operate under Obama-era guidance until explicitly instructed otherwise. Steinman’s message is clear: “Removing people like this isn’t personal; it’s just prudent.”

        The stakes are high. Steinman contrasts Trump’s initial approach with the swift and decisive action taken by President Biden, who executed a comprehensive purge of Trump-aligned NSC staff upon taking office. This move ensured that Biden’s team could implement his agenda without interference from ideological adversaries. Critics labeled Biden’s actions a “purge” and raised concerns about the politicization of traditionally non-partisan roles, but his administration’s determination to align its personnel with its policies proved effective in consolidating its power.

        Steinman’s critique does not stop at holdovers. He raises alarms about new hires, questioning their loyalty and expertise. Among those rumored to join Trump’s team is Adam Howard, GOP Staff Director for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), who is set to take the critical role of senior director for intelligence programs. Steinman questions whether Howard’s background equips him to confront potential interference from the intelligence community—a task vital to ensuring Trump’s agenda is not derailed.

        The urgency of Steinman’s warning lies in the fundamental truth that personnel is policy. For Trump’s administration to succeed, the NSC must be staffed with individuals who are not only loyal to his vision but also possess the subject-matter expertise to navigate the complexities of their roles. Steinman’s concerns about Anne Neuberger, the Biden-appointed NSC cybersecurity director, exemplify this need. Her alignment with policies on artificial intelligence and tech censorship could undermine Trump’s objectives, should she remain in place.

        Trump’s response to these challenges is beginning to take shape. Key appointments to his NSC include:

        • Michael Waltz, National Security Advisor: A Republican Congressman and retired Army Green Beret with a hardline stance on China.
        • Alex Wong, Deputy National Security Advisor: A seasoned diplomat who oversaw North Korea policy during Trump’s first term.
        • Sebastian Gorka, Senior Director for Counterterrorism: A known advocate for robust counterterrorism strategies.
        • Brian McCormack, Senior Advisor: An energy consultant focusing on energy security.
        • Andrew Peek, Middle East Policy Adviser: A seasoned expert on the region’s complexities.

        While these appointments reflect a renewed emphasis on loyalty and alignment, Steinman’s cautionary tale lingers. The success of Trump’s second term hinges on avoiding the missteps of the first. The NSC’s ability to serve as an effective quarterback depends entirely on the quality of its staff. As Steinman aptly puts it, “The Intel Senior Director position is one of the most CRITICAL posts in U.S. Government.”

        The broader implications of Steinman’s warning extend beyond Trump’s presidency. The debate over Biden’s NSC purge highlighted the tension between ensuring policy alignment and maintaining non-partisan governance. Critics, including the Heritage Foundation, argued that Biden’s actions undermined the apolitical nature of advisory roles, while supporters contended that loyalty is essential for effective governance. Trump’s administration must navigate this delicate balance, prioritizing mission alignment without descending into the partisanship that critics decry.

        As Trump prepares to assume office once more, the lessons of his first term and Biden’s purge are clear: the NSC must be reimagined, restructured, and resolutely loyal to the President’s agenda. Failure to act decisively could jeopardize the very goals Trump has championed—from ending unnecessary conflicts to revitalizing the economy. Steinman’s call to action is both a warning and a roadmap: “Fix the NSC, fix the presidency.”

        Sponsored by the John Milton Freedom Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping independent journalists overcome formidable challenges in today’s media landscape and bring crucial stories to you.

        Musk Threatens Lawsuit After Trump Hotel Cybertruck Explosion

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          Musk is rolling up his sleeves…

          Tesla owner Elon Musk could be considering lawsuits against various media outlets reporting on the Tesla Cybertruck explosion in front of a Trump hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

          The explosion is being investigated as a possible terrorist attack intended to send a message. In a post on X, conservative influencer Robby Starbuck wrote a post saying Musk should consider suing outlets that portrayed the explosion in a way that made it appear as if Tesla’s Cybertrucks are prone to explosions.

          Musk posted a response: “Maybe it is time to do so.”

          A former U.S. Army soldier drove the Cybertruck, which he rented from Turo, outside of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Monday morning. Upon arriving, the vehicle was detonated by explosives in the car.

          Investigators found fireworks, gasoline canisters, and camping fuel in the remains of the vehicle. The soldier was believed to have fatally shot himself shortly before the explosion.

          On the day of the attack, Musk commented on X that the individual “picked the wrong vehicle for a terrorist attack” because the “Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards.”

          The driver’s motive has yet to be identified.

          Despite Musk’s threats, the potential lawsuit faces an uphill battle if it were to head to court due to the relevance of Musk’s relationship with the President-elect.

          Congress Elects House Speaker

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          On Friday, Congressional lawmakers convened to elect the next Speaker of the House.

          Mike Johnson (R-La.) will serve as Speaker of the House for the 119th Congress.

          With the Republican majority at 219-215, Johnson could lose only one Republican vote to remain speaker.

          Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was reelected to the top post in the House in a stunning floor vote on the opening day of Congress on Friday, securing the gavel on the first ballot.

          It appeared that he would fail on the first ballot as Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) and Keith Self (R-Texas) voted for other candidates. However, the chamber held the vote open as Johnson conferred with his opponents and Norman and Self switched their votes to applause in the chamber.

          The vote came after President-elect Donald Trump issued his “total” endorsement of Mike Johnson (R-la.) earlier this week.

          “Speaker Mike Johnson is a good, hard working, religious man. He will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN. Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement. MAGA!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

          Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene also offered her endorsement of Johnson shortly before Friday’s vote.

          Watch:

          “Tomorrow we convene at noon in the House of Representatives, and our first order of business will be to vote for Speaker of the House. This is a historic vote, and it is the first order of business that we have to accomplish before we can even swear in as members of Congress,” began Greene. “Now, here’s how I feel about it. You all have seen may disagree with Mike Johnson at times. You’ve seen me fight against him at times. But you want to know something else? Here’s what I recognize: For the past four years, all of you and myself included, have put blood, sweat, and tears into electing President Trump. And when you want to talk about blood, President Trump himself actually was the one that shed blood after an assassin shot him in the face.”

          This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

          MTG Changes Tune On House Speaker, Reveals Plan To Vote For Johnson

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            It’s a big day on Capitol Hill…

            After chaotic rounds of voting last year to select a House Speaker, Republican firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene is hoping this year is a little smoother.

            Rep. Greene (Ga.) who unsuccessfully sought to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson from the speakership last year, said that she will vote on Friday for Johnson to retain the gavel.

            Last year, the congresswoman lambasted Johnson as “the Uniparty Speaker,” asserting that he “is exactly what is wrong with the Republican establishment” and had “done nothing for conservatives and given everything to Joe Biden and Democrats.”

            But she now plans to vote on Friday for Johnson to remain in the leadership post.

            “Let’s put aside our pride, let’s put aside our egos, and let’s put aside the infighting,” she said in a video, adding that it is time for the GOP to join together and “do whatever it takes to make sure that we deliver the mandate that the American people told us to do.”

            However, despite the Congresswoman’s newfound support, Johnson’s path to the Speaker’s gavel isn’t clear.

            Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) who supported the effort to oust Johnson last year, has declared that he will not support the speaker’s bid to remain in the role.

            “You can pull all my fingernails out, you can shove bamboo up in them, you can start cutting off my fingers, I am not voting for Mike Johnson tomorrow,” Massie declared during an appearance on “The Matt Gaetz Show.”

            Watch:

            President-elect Donald Trump endorsed Johnson for the job earlier this week.

            “Speaker Mike Johnson is a good, hard working, religious man. He will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN. Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement. MAGA!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

            Trump, in a Truth Social post, praised Johnson as a “fine man of great ability, who is close to having 100% support.”

            “A win for Mike today will be a big win for the Republican Party, and yet another acknowledgment of our 129 year most consequential Presidential Election!!” Trump wrote.

            Johnson responded to the post and thanked Trump for his support.”Thank you, President Trump! Today is a new day in America,” Johnson wrote in a post on X Friday morning.

            “Congressional Republicans must stay united to quickly deliver President Trump’s America First agenda. Let’s get it done.”

            Alleged Assailant In Las Vegas Cybertruck Explosion Named By Local Media

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              Steve Jurvetson, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

              More details are coming out following the disturbing explosion outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas.

              Local outlets have reportedly identified the suspect in the Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas as 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger, a Colorado native.

              KOAA first reported Livelsberger’s name, citing local senior enforcement sources. Livelsberger reportedly lived in Colorado Springs, had multiple addresses tied to his name, and has a U.S. military background.

              Police have confirmed that they have identified the driver of the truck, but have not officially confirmed it is Livelsberger.

              The blast outside of the Trump Hotel occurred on Wednesday, New Year’s Day. A deceased individual was found inside the truck, along with explosives, police revealed.

              Tesla CEO Elon Musk credited the design of his vehicle for the blast not having more impact on the building the truck was parked outside of.

              “The evil knuckleheads picked the wrong vehicle for a terrorist attack. Cybertruck actually contained the explosion and directed the blast upwards,” he wrote on X. “Not even the glass doors of the lobby were broken.”

              On the same day as the blast outside of the Trump hotel, more than a dozen people were killed in New Orleans after a man drove his car directly into a crowd on Bourbon Street. Dozens more were injured. Police said they have not found a direct connection between the two attacks, but they have yet to officially rule one out.

              Federal officials are investigating the incidents as possible acts of domestic terrorism.

              Shamsud Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old Texas man, was identified as the New Orleans suspect. Jabbar was killed by police after firing on officers and an ISIS flag was found in the vehicle.

              New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) said there will be a heightened security presence in Times Square and at Trump Tower following the two deadly attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas on New Year’s Day.

              “After the attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas, @NYPDPC  and I have been in constant communication,” Adams wrote in a Thursday post on the social media platform X. 

              “While there are no immediate threats to our city at this time, out of an abundance of caution, we have heightened security and have increased NYPD presence at relevant locations, including at Trump Tower and in Times Square.”

              Don Lemon Calls Trump Supporters ‘Dumb F—ing Idiots,’ During Meltdown

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              Don Lemon via Wikimedia Commons

              Former CNN host Don Lemon unloaded on MAGA supporters in an expletive-filled rant posted to his YouTube channel. 

              Lemon called supporters of President-elect Donald Trump “dumb f—ing idiots” and mocked their “stupid MAGA brain,” during an episode of the Don Lemon Show

              “You’re so f—ing stupid and you deserve it. You f—ing deserve it because you’re so dumb,” he said. “Yes, I am gloating over your stupidity.”

              “You’ve been co-opted because you’re in a f—ing cult and you don’t even realize it because you have stupid MAGA brain and you don’t get it,” he added. “How stupid and dumb are you?” 

              Last week the MAGA base splintered after Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, co-chairs of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), shared their support for H-1B visas for skilled laborers. 

              However other Republicans such as former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, is against H-1B visas. Bannon called the visas a “scam” that “takes American jobs and brings over what essentially become indentured servants at lower wages” on his “War Room” podcast. 

              Trump sided with Musk and Ramaswamy over the weekend, stating his support for H-1B visas. 

              “I’ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them,” Trump told the New York Post Saturday.

              Trump said that he recognizes the visas on his properties, saying, “I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It’s a great program.”

              Lemon was fired from CNN in April 2023 after a series of scandals, including alienating female viewers and conservative audiences.