INTERNACIONAL
Ex-Biden spokesman who called mental fitness doubts a ‘conspiracy’ only met with him twice: Comer
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One of former President Joe Biden’s staunchest defenders in the last year of his presidency only met with the ex-commander-in-chief in person twice while working at the White House, a top Republican said.
House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., has been leading the closed-door transcribed interview of Ian Sams, who served as a top spokesman on matters related to congressional investigations and other probes during the latter two years of the Biden administration.
«That was probably the most informative transcribed interview slash deposition we’ve had thus far. I’ll give Mr. Sam’s credit. He answered our questions,» Comer told reporters.
«I think one of the most shocking things to me is…he communicated with Joe Biden two times. He saw Joe Biden, talked to Joe Biden two times, the entire stint as White House spokesperson, but yet he would – every day – tweet and issue statements from the podium of the White House.»
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Former President Joe Biden, pictured here in May 2021, and his mental acuity are the subject of a House Oversight Committee probe. (AP Newsroom)
Comer told Fox News Digital in a statement following the interview that Sams interacted with Biden on four occasions in total – two in-person meetings, one virtual meeting, and one phone call.
Sams did leave the White House well before concerns about Biden’s mental acuity left but did defend him during some of the tensest political moments of his administration.
The longtime left-wing operative served as senior advisor and spokesman for the White House Counsel’s Office from May 2022 through August 2024, where he served as a fierce defender of Biden during both House Republicans’ investigations into his ties to family members’ foreign business endeavors, and Special Counsel Robert Hur’s probe into Biden’s handling of classified documents.
Notably, Sams criticized «wrong» and «inaccurate» findings in Hur’s report on Biden in comments to the press in February 2024. Hur had declined to charge Biden, writing that «at trial, Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview of him, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.»
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Comer told reporters on Thursday, however, «In fact, Robert Hur spent more time with Joe Biden than Ian Sams.»
«Ian Sams is the one that would counter everything Robert Hur or anytime anyone would suggest that Joe Biden wasn’t mentally fit. He would say no, he’s at the top of his game,» Comer said. «He interacted with the president two times, the entire time. The entire time he worked in the White House.»
Days after Biden’s disastrous June 2024 debate against President Donald Trump, Sams dismissed House Republicans’ inquiry into Biden’s former White House physician – just one of several instances where he vehemently defended Biden’s mental acuity from scrutiny.
Ian Sams, a former spokesman for both Biden and Harris, appeared before the House Oversight Committee. He’s pictured here on Feb. 1, 2023. (Getty Images)
«Americans question President Biden’s ability to lead the country,» Comer wrote to Dr. Kevin O’Connor in early July 2024. «The Oversight Committee is concerned your medical assessments have been influenced by your private business endeavors with the Biden family»
Sams told Newsweek in response, «Here they go again, pushing their crazy, discredited conspiracy theories in order to score another hit on [Fox News’ Maria] Bartiromo.»
He similarly told MSNBC days after that debate that Biden was «sharp» and asked «tough questions.»
Sams went as far as to send a letter to the White House Correspondents’ Association lecturing outlets like CNN, MSNBC, and the Associated Press for their coverage of Hur’s report.
«When we ask questions, ‘When you said this, did Joe Biden tell you that?’ ‘Well you know, I got it from the president.’ ‘Did Joe Biden tell you this, did Joe Biden send you an email himself?’ ‘Well, no.’ So it raises serious concerns and serious questions about who was calling the shots in the White House,» Comer said.
The House Oversight Committee is investigating whether Biden’s inner circle worked to cover up signs of mental decline in the former president, and if any executive actions were signed via autopen without his full knowledge or approval.
Biden and his allies have publicly dismissed accusations that he was not behind the decisions he made, however.
L-R: Ian Sams, former senior advisor in the White House Counsel’s Office; Andrew Bates, former senior deputy press secretary; former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre; and, Jeff Zients, former White House chief of staff, are expected to sit down with House Oversight Committee investigators behind closed doors. (Fox News)
Specifically regarding the thousands of clemency orders signed via autopen, Biden said he «made every decision» in a recent interview with The New York Times.
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«Rather than drawing conclusions from firsthand experience, Mr. Sams received much of his direction from the White House Counsel and Biden’s inner circle. Mr. Sams repeatedly made broad public claims about the President’s cognitive condition, but he was not in a position to make these claims based on such limited contact,» Comer told Fox News Digital.
«Mr. Sams’s testimony raises serious questions about who is truly calling the shots in the White House. We will continue to press for answers to ensure full transparency for the American people.»
Fox News Digital reached out to a spokesperson for Biden and for House Oversight Committee Democrats for comment.
republicans,congress,joe biden,white house,politics
INTERNACIONAL
El soporte del gobierno de México a dictaduras de crimen organizado no puede continuar impune
El gobierno de México ha pasado de la narrativa ideológica a la humanitaria para tratar de justificar el sostenido soporte, encubrimiento y defensa de las organizaciones delictivas que bajo mando de La Habana someten con terrorismo de Estado a los pueblos de Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua y Bolivia. Desde operar su política exterior, el rescate de prófugos con cobertura diplomática, hasta la contratación de personal esclavo y entregas de petróleo, el apoyo y complicidad del gobierno de México a la dictadura de Cuba y sus satélites son violaciones al derecho interno e internacional que no pueden continuar impunes.
Andrés Manuel López Obrador, AMLO, convirtió a México en un gobierno “paradictatorial”, esto es un “gobierno elegido en democracia que sirve a las dictaduras de crimen organizado, las sostiene, busca legitimarlas e incumple obligaciones internacionales, traicionando y perjudicando sus intereses nacionales”.
La presidencia de Sheinbaum es solo la continuación de este sometimiento porque los gobiernos paradictatoriales se originan cuando el socialismo del siglo XXI -sigla política de la dictadura cubana y su expansión- promueve, financia y hace llegar al poder a los que una vez al mando ponen el país al servicio de sus comandantes.
El iter criminis de México bajo los gobiernos de AMLO y Sheinbaum para sostener al crimen organizado en las Américas es notorio y notable. Apoyo incondicional y sostenido a la dictadura de Cuba con contratación de médicos esclavos, compra de piedras, envío de petróleo y discursos humanitarios para cubrir el sostenimiento de un grupo criminal que mata de hambre y tortura a su pueblo desde hace más de 66 años. No se trata de apoyo, es servidumbre, vergüenza para un país como México que tuvo una política exterior proclamando respeto a la no intervención y a los derechos humanos.
En 2025, el Centro Mexicanos contra la Corrupción y la Impunidad ha documentado “55 envíos de crudo y derivados entre mayo y agosto a la dictadura de Cuba” y los “cargamentos han sido valorados en tres mil millones de dólares” pese a la escasez de gasolina en el propio México. Este monto ¿cómo se registra en el manejo estatal mexicano? Cuanto menos se trata de malversación de recursos públicos, de desfalco o de una cadena de falsificaciones que disfrazan el sostenimiento del crimen organizado con la denominada “Gasolina Bienestar” y que la democracia de México tiene la necesidad y la obligación de aclarar.
En México, al año 2024, se reportaban 678 médicos cubanos contratados para el sector público y el Director del Instituto Mexicano de Seguridad Social después de reunirse con el dictador cubano Díaz-Canel realizó la contratación de 1.200 médicos esclavos más. La esclavitud consiste en el pago al régimen cubano por el trabajo de personas cuyas familias permanecen como rehenes, como ha reportado el informe de las Naciones Unidas y los precedentes en Brasil, Bolivia, Venezuela, Ecuador y decenas de países más.
El apoyo a la dictadura de Cuba es soporte al grupo de crimen organizado más antiguo de las Américas, al primer narcoestado de la región, al punto más importante de violación a los derechos humanos por medio de terrorismo de Estado y al centro de conspiración y desestabilización que agrede sostenidamente a las democracias. Lo demuestra el servilismo mexicano en el sostenimiento del grupo delictivo que somete al pueblo de Venezuela cuando AMLO recibió con honores presidenciales a Nicolás Maduro e ignoró la orden internacional con 25 millones de dólares -que hoy son 50 millones- por su captura. Lo ratifica la decisión de apoyar la usurpación de la soberanía popular falsificando el resultado de las elecciones de 2024 y el actual sostenimiento al cartel de los soles.
El gobierno mexicano se ha convertido en el operador títere de la dictadura de Cuba extrayendo de Bolivia a Evo Morales en 2019 cuando renunció por fraude y crímenes infraganti, librándolo de ser procesado, con igual protección a los miembros de su grupo criminal en su embajada en La Paz. Repitió la maniobra en Ecuador protegiendo al condenado Jorge Glas, promoviendo el incidente diplomático que llevó al gobierno ecuatoriano a retirar al prófugo de la embajada mexicana. Intentó cobijar al golpista Pedro Castillo de Perú y da a su esposa Lilia Paredes “10.000 dólares mensuales, guardaespaldas y choferes particulares” como lo reportó Infobae en 2 Mayo 2024.
La abierta participación en la “migración forzada” contra Estados Unidos y el “narcotráfico de cocaína y fentanilo” no es un dato menor, cuando alegando cuestiones de soberanía se puso el territorio mexicano como plataforma de agresión contra el socio del tratado de libre comercio que le ha dado crecimiento y desarrollo legal. El gobierno de México ha permitido y tolera hasta ahora la existencia de narcoestados en estados de su país a los que ha fortalecido con la elección de jueces.
Este apretado resumen prueba que el gobierno mexicano viola la Convención de las Naciones Unidas contra la delincuencia organizada trasnacional o Convención de Palermo, el tratado de libre Comercio con EEUU y Canadá, la Convención Americana sobre Derechos Humanos o Pacto de San José, la Carta de la OEA, la Carta Democrática Interamericana, y más.
*El autor de este artículo es abogado, politólogo y Director del Interamerican Institute for Democracy.
Anniversaries,South America / Central America,Government / Politics,CARACAS
INTERNACIONAL
Two IDF soldiers killed amid ‘severe’ ceasefire violation, ‘it’s not the last,’ analyst says
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Two Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers were killed by terror operatives in Rafah, southern Gaza, threatening the ceasefire with Hamas, Israeli military sources confirmed to Fox News Digital on Sunday.
The soldiers, Major Yaniv Kula, 26, a company commander in the 932nd Battalion of the Nahal Brigade, and Staff Sergeant Itay Yavetz, 21, a combat soldier in the same battalion, were both based in Modi’in-Maccabim-Reut.
According to the initial IDF investigation, a militant cell had emerged from a tunnel and fired at an excavation vehicle, killing the two soldiers. A reserve soldier was also severely wounded and evacuated to a hospital, per The Times of Israel.
According to Professor Kobi Michael, senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and the Misgav Institute, the attack showed the fragility of the ceasefire deal.
ISRAEL SAYS HAMAS VIOLATED CEASEFIRE WITH ‘MULTIPLE ATTACKS’ LEADING TO IDF RESPONSE
Major Yaniv Kula was killed by Palestinian terror operatives in IDF-controlled southern Gaza’s Rafah city on Oct. 19 (IDF)
«Today’s violation of the agreement was severe,» Michael said. «I assume that this is not going to be the last one,» he told Fox News Digital.
«Israel complies [with President Trump’s] plan and wants to continue with the realization of the plan,» he said.
«This agreement was violated since the first day by Hamas,» Michael added. «And it continued with their behavior with regard to the hostages, the dead hostages.»
«All the manipulation that they are doing plays on the nerves of Israeli society,» he continued, saying the terror group is «making themselves as if they are not able… to find the bodies where everybody knows that they can.»
STATE DEPARTMENT WARNS HAMAS MAY VIOLATE CEASEFIRE WITH ATTACK ON PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS
Staff Sergeant Itay Yavetz was killed by Palestinian terror operatives in IDF-controlled southern Gaza’s Rafah city on Oct. 19. (IDF)
Michael detailed how the first violation came immediately after the redeployment of the IDF along the so-called Yellow Line, «when Hamas first sent [civilian] children in order to provoke the IDF, in order to check if the IDF is aware enough and ready enough.»
«And then they sent militants of Hamas, and some of them were even killed along the yellow line,» he said.
«They continue reconstituting themselves and attacking the IDF by using the tunnels, using the shafts going out, because they now feel much freer, because the IDF left the populated area,» he explained.
Michael also cited Hamas’ «butchering» of civilians «because they suspect that they collaborated with Israel, or because they are afraid that these hamulas or clans might oppose them in the future… and weaken them.»
ISRAELI TROOPS ‘OPEN FIRE’ ON SUSPECTS WHO APPROACHED SOLDIERS IN NORTHERN GAZA
Terrorists in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah celebrate the ceasefire on Jan. 19, 2025. (TPS-IL)
In response to Sunday’s attack, the IDF launched air and ground strikes across southern Gaza.
«The IDF also struck and dismantled six kilometers of underground terrorist infrastructure, using over 120 munitions. The underground site was used by the terrorist organization to advance attacks against the State of Israel,» it said in a statement.
«The IDF will continue to respond firmly and will operate to eliminate any threat to the State of Israel,» it said.
Israel simultaneously announced a suspension of all humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Michael warned that Hamas has no intention of dismantling itself and cooperating with the plan when it comes to demilitarizing the Gaza Strip and establishing a mechanism of alternative governance.
«Hamas is still using the tunnels, and intends to reconstruct the tunnels that were destroyed by Israel, because they intend to continue the war against Israel,» he said.
STATE DEPARTMENT WARNS HAMAS MAY VIOLATE CEASEFIRE WITH ATTACK ON PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS
Suspected terrorists in Gaza come out of hiding as ceasefire for hostages deal gets underway in Gaza’s Deir al-Balah area. (Majdi Fathi/TPS-IL)
He said that the militant organization has been rebuilding its ranks and reasserting control in the Strip.
«They immediately recruited [thousands] of people and deployed them and are butchering their own people,» Michael said.
«They do not intend to give up on their position and influence in the Gaza Strip. They do not accept the idea of dismantling themselves. And they do not accept the idea that a foreign force or board will govern the Gaza Strip,» he concluded.
The incident comes just days after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, which took effect Oct. 10, temporarily halted the two-year war between Israel and Hamas.
Under the deal, hostages were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and a ceasefire was declared.
Later on Sunday, the IDF announced the resumption of the ceasefire, following retaliatory strikes.
ISRAEL’S COVERT CAMPAIGN TARGETS HAMAS TERRORISTS BEHIND OCT 7 MASSACRE
IDF soldiers salute during a memorial ceremony marking two years since the Oct. 7 attack on Nahal Oz base. (IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
«In accordance with the directive of the political echelon and following a series of significant strikes in response to Hamas’ violations, the IDF has begun the renewed enforcement of the ceasefire,» a statement read.
«The IDF will continue to uphold the ceasefire agreement and will respond firmly to any violation of it,» the military added.
In a statement, Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon said: «Earlier today, two IDF soldiers, Maj. Yaniv Kula and Staff Sgt. Itay Yavetz, were killed by Hamas terrorists in Rafah in what was a flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement.»
«We mourn their loss and send our condolences to their families. Israel has abided by the terms of the ceasefire agreement, but we will make it clear to Hamas terrorists that the IDF will do whatever it takes to protect Israel’s security,» Danon added.
Michael, meanwhile, predicted delays in reopening the Rafah Crossing, a critical entry point for aid and movement.
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«I don’t think Rafah Crossing will open tomorrow,» he said. «It will take several days until it is opened,» he said.
israel,middle east,wars,conflicts
Los ataques
Trump dice que Ucrania podría tener que ceder territorio para la paz
Residentes cerca de su edificio de apartamentos, alcanzado por un ataque con drones rusos, en medio del ataque de Rusia contra Ucrania, en la ciudad de Shakhtarske, en la región de Dnipropetrovsk, Ucrania. Foto Reuters
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