US Honors Human Rights Defenders; Israel Strikes Military Targets Across Syria

Good evening and welcome to the Capitol Report on Entity Television. I'm Steve Lance and coming up, what were the factors that led to the fall of Assad's regime in Syria? What will the new Syrian government look like? We'll talk to author, historian and president of the Middle East Forum, Daniel Pipes. Secretary of State Antony Blinken honoring human rights defenders today and President Biden celebrating human rights as well. We'll have a look at Blinken's remarks. The man suspected of killing the UnitedHealthcare CEO denied bail in Pennsylvania. He's being charged with murder. The updates as the high-profile case continues to claim the nation's attention. This is Capitol Report, live from our global headquarters in our nation's capital. Here's Steve Lance. The United States is responding to the formation of the new transition government in Syria. This while Israel is launching widespread strikes throughout the country. The rebel group that toppled President Bashir al-Assad's regime in Syria vowed to pursue Assad officials who were involved in the torture of Syrians. The group said their transition government will publish a list of officials involved in war crimes and extradite them back to Syria. And the rebel group appointed a close ally as caretaker prime minister of the government until March. The U.S. has designated the group, known as HTS, as a foreign terrorist organization since 2012. But the Biden administration said Tuesday it will recognize and support a new Syrian government. That is, as long as the leadership renounces terrorism, destroys chemical weapons stockpiles and protects the rights of minorities and women. The State Department has not ruled out talks with the main Syrian rebel group. The Biden administration continues to target ISIS in Syria to prevent that terror group from reemerging as an international threat. The White House said that American troops will remain in the country as part of the counterterrorism mission. Meanwhile, Israeli forces launched airstrikes at Syrian army bases Tuesday. Officials said they aimed to keep weapons from falling into hostile hands. Israeli ground troops also moved into a U.N.-monitored buffer zone between Syria and the Golan Heights. We have no intention of interfering in Syria's internal affairs. However, we do intend to do what is necessary for our security. As such, I approve the Air Force bombing of strategic military capabilities left by the Syrian military so that they will not fall into the hands of the jihadists. The defense minister has ordered Israeli forces to create a sterile defense zone in southern Syria. Israel calls the incursion a temporary measure to ensure border security and denied moving beyond the buffer zone. But Syrian sources said Israeli forces are now only within 15 miles of the capital city of Damascus. So what were the series of events that created the so-called perfect storm for rebel factions in Syria to overthrow the Assad regime? And does the collapse mean the end of the axis of resistance against Israel? Joining me now to discuss his insights is Daniel Pipes, author, historian, and president of the Middle East Forum. Daniel Pipes, thank you so much for joining. My pleasure. Daniel, what were some of the elements of this seemingly perfect storm that has emerged for the rebel factions to succeed in overthrowing longtime leader there, Bashar al-Assad? Well, three things came together. The Russians focused on Ukraine. The Iranians weakened by their connection to Russia and their fighting with Israel. And thirdly, of course, the Israeli devastation of Hezbollah, one of the main factions supporting Assad on the ground. So the three supporters of Assad are all distracted or weakened. And the Turkish-backed HTS, Hayat Tahrir Sham, thought it was the right moment to go ahead. And they've been waiting for this moment. And they picked the right time. And it was extraordinary. In something like 10 days, it went from a tiny corner of Syria to take over much of the country, not all of it, but a great deal of it. Now, Iran has suffered a series of defeats over the past few years, from the U.S. killing of General Soleimani in 2020 to Israel's killing of Iranian and Hezbollah senior leaders. Now the situation we're seeing in Syria unfolding. Are we perhaps seeing the end of this sort of axis of resistance in the Middle East? The Iranian axis of resistance has certainly taken a bunch of body blows. And it might not survive. You could be correct. On the other hand, Turkey, rogue Turkey, Turkey once a close ally, is now going very strong. And I worry that Turkey is a more powerful state than the Iranian government, and that the Turks are more clever than the Iranians when it comes to the Islamist ideology. And now they have a winning force in HTS, and that they now have an opportunity in Syria to build the kind of extremist government that Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey, has not been able to build in Turkey. Because Turkey's hemmed in by institutions that are about a century old. But in Syria, it's anarchy. And the Turks dominate. And I worry that we will be nostalgic for the battle days of Bashar al-Assad when we see what comes. Now, it could be that the HTS has reformed, as it claims to have done, that it's no longer the extremist movement that it once was, associated with al-Qaeda. But I wouldn't put my bets on that. I think that's a charm offensive, and we're in for big trouble. So I'm more pessimistic than optimistic. Even though it's great to see the Iranians push back, I worry about the Turks push forward. Now, for its part, Israel has been striking and destroying strategic capabilities in Syria over the last few days. The Israeli defense minister today saying its military has destroyed Syria's navy overnight. How significant is it that Israel is seizing this opportunity at this given moment? The navy, and also, according to the Israelis, the air force. In one sense, this is striking, to watch a significant power of the Middle East just not have a military. On the other hand, it is part of a larger trend, which is that the Arab states, which were the main enemies of Israel decades ago, are no longer enemies of Israel. Not Egypt, not Saudi Arabia, not Jordan, not Syria, not Lebanon. These are really not major factors. It's Iran, it's Turkey, it's the Islamists worldwide, it's the global left. But not the Arab states. So, the Israelis have taken the opportunity to destroy the offensive capabilities in Syria. But once things sort out in Syria, and a new government emerges, I don't think the Israelis will have this kind of free hand. And if my worries are correct, that HTS is very radical, and also under the influence of the Turkish government, I think we will see a significant power emerge. As I said before, the battle days of Bashar al-Assad will look pretty good compared to the even worse new days of HTS and Turkey. Syria was the only Arab country really to back Iran during its war with Iraq in the 1980s, under Assad's father. Iran reciprocated by supporting Syria financially, with weapons in its civil wars throughout the years. Why Iran is distancing itself from Assad now is a question. And what does this mean for that decades-long friendship between Syria and Iran? I don't know that the Iranians have much of a choice but to distance themselves from their losing partner, who's now somewhere in Russia. They need to make amends and try and find friends in the new crew. The Russians are doing the same. They start from a very weak spot, but, you know, you and I would do the same if we had such a tremendous defeat. This is a big defeat for Iran, no doubt about it. And there might well be factions in the Iranian leadership that say, you know, we have enough problems at home, we've got economic problems, we've got—you know, this is an empire, this country of Iran, and we need to worry about the majority of the population that's not even Persian. We need to worry about all sorts of things, about the disaffection from our brand of ideology, our Islamism. Let's cool it internationally. Let's pull back. We're not going to destroy Israel anytime soon. We're not going to take on the United States. Let's focus on our domestic issues. Let's leave the international arena for a while. I think there could well be such a faction, and it would have persuasive arguments, particularly at a time when the Iranian leader, Ali Khamenei, is apparently sick and weak, and who knows how long he'll be around. So it's a time for retrenchment, I would say. President of the Middle East Forum Daniel Pipes, really appreciate your insights. Thank you. And turning now to Capitol Hill, where the House tonight, passing a piece of bipartisan legislation aimed at countering threats from, yes, the Chinese Communist Party. The bill titled the Shield Against CCP Act was introduced by New York Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi. The bill would establish a working group within the Homeland Security Department, focusing on a wide range of China-related issues, including terrorism, cybersecurity, and border and port security. The CCP has an ongoing transnational repression campaign against those of us living in the United States. That includes dissidents and religious minorities, such as Falun Gong practitioners, and the Uyghur Muslim community. In a statement, Congressman Suozzi said, quote, Human Rights Day is observed every year on December 10th. Secretary of State Antony Blinken today delivering remarks at a ceremony honoring human rights defenders. President Biden also weighing in. NTV correspondent Jason Blair brings us more. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered remarks at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., in honor of Human Rights Day and those who work to protect them. Everyone everywhere is entitled to these rights, including people in the United States. And it's because we know that a world where human rights are respected is profoundly in our interest. Blinken presented awards to aid people for their work in defending human rights. I can't think of a better way to celebrate Human Rights Day than by honoring these truly remarkable individuals. It's easy to engage in hyperbole about just about anything these days, but this is the real thing. President Joe Biden released a proclamation. He said on Human Rights Day and during Human Rights Week, We recommit to upholding the equal and inalienable rights of all people. America was founded on an idea that every person is created equal and deserves to be treated equally throughout their lives. Human Rights Day was created by the U.N. in 1948 after World War II. It was formed in response to the war's atrocities, which included the Holocaust. The intent was to establish a common standard of human rights for all nations. And I also caught up with some congressmen for some comments on human rights. One rep specifically called out the Chinese Communist Party for their ongoing abuses. What we've witnessed in Xinjiang province really underscores why we need moral clarity in the competition with China. And what has happened with the Uyghurs is exhibit A of the immorality of the Chinese Communist Party. We need to continue to highlight that. America has not always got everything perfect, but we always try to. We always look in the mirror, look reflectively and say, where can we do things better? And that's an example that I think we set better than anybody else. The first Human Rights Day was formally observed in 1950, but the U.S. first observed it in 1949 with a proclamation by President Harry Truman. Reporting in Washington, D.C., Jason Blair, NTD News. And U.S. Ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, also releasing a video statement for Human Rights Day. The ambassador saying U.S. calls on the CCP to halt its ongoing abuses. We reiterate our deep concern about the PRC's restrictions on fundamental freedoms and its use of transnational repression. Burns also says the U.S. stands by Chinese citizens punished for defending human rights, standing up for human dignity, or simply expressing their beliefs or participating in their religious and cultural practices. Coming up, two of President-elect Trump's New York cases may not be going away for good. That's despite his federal criminal cases being dismissed. President-elect Trump saying he's willing to work with Democrats on a plan for Dreamers. New York City Mayor Eric Adams preparing to meet with Trump's Border Czar nominee while trying to change the city's sanctuary city law. Here what political strategists on both sides of the aisle have to say when we come back. Hi, I'm Susan Lucci. I never thought about heart disease until I had my own heart event. I had heard many times that heart disease is the number one killer. It went in one ear and out the other, frankly. I never had a health issue. I felt this slight pressure on my chest, just slight. A few days later, while shopping at a boutique, that pressure returned, much stronger. By the time I got to the ER, the doctor decided to give me a CAT scan. He said, I don't think you understand. You are on the verge of a heart attack. I had a 90% blockage in my main artery and a 75% blockage in the adjacent artery. I received two stents in my arteries. 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Will radical lies determine your child's future? Or will timeless truths, fathom the good, equip children with wisdom against the world? Our homeschool curriculum teaches high schoolers to think critically. We provide primary texts, original content, reasoning tools and mentoring videos to help them transform America. Teach your children to navigate the world's woke confusion. Teach them to fathom the good. Get store-wide savings at Mathis Home during the Holiday Savings Event. We have all the latest styles with hundreds of sofas starting at just $3.99. Dining sets and bedrooms at the lowest prices ever and we're the only place with top name recliners starting at just $1.95. It's all in stock so you get it faster with our free delivery. So for the latest in fashion for your home at the best value, shop the Holiday Savings Event at your furniture superstore, Mathis Home. And welcome back to the Capitol Report. More details on the Trump assassination attempt. The bipartisan House Task Force investigating the shooting unveiling its final report today. The documents presenting a series of recommendations to counter future instances of security failures. Lawmakers say there were pre-existing issues in the Secret Service prior to the shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania that includes granting significant responsibilities to those without enough experience. The documents also suggesting the Secret Service has yet to release details on the second assassination attempt in Palm Beach. The panel made several recommendations including reducing the amount of people under the agency's protection. They're also considering removing the Secret Service's responsibility in probing fraud and financial crime. The New York Attorney General's office will not be dropping its civil fraud case against President Trump. And on the business records case, the Manhattan DA just saying he's not dismissing that conviction. And today's Jack Bradley joins us live now from West Palm Beach, Florida. Good evening, Jack. So what's the latest on these two cases? Good evening, Steve. Well, let's start with the civil fraud case. The Attorney General in this case says that there's no basis for dismissal despite Trump's attorneys requesting such. This comes after Jack Smith dismissed both federal criminal prosecutions against Trump. And in this case, the AG says that this is a civil trial, not a criminal, so those cases shouldn't apply here. And this is when Trump was found guilty of inflating his assets and the judge ordered him and the defendants to pay over $460 million here. That number has accrued to nearly $500 million as it's accruing with interest as they appeal. And in the campaign finance case in New York, a judge is considering throwing out that case, which has been postponed indefinitely. But the Manhattan prosecutors coming out today opposed this. They said in a filing that dismissing this conviction would be unjustified, but they would agree that putting this case on hold would avoid any interference with his duties, and they would like to do that. And just recently, Democratic Senator John Fetterman came out in a recent interview saying that Trump's case in New York, as well as the Hunter Biden pardon, both of which were politically motivated cases, and both of which should deserve pardons. Take a look. It's undeniable that the case against Hunter Biden was really politically motivated, but I also think it's true that the trial in New York for Trump, that was political as well, too. And in both cases, I think a pardon is appropriate. So Steve, this is a very uncommon move, of course, for a Democratic Senator to reach over the aisle for Trump like that. Back to you. Yes, indeed it is. Jack, Trump recently nominated attorney Harmeet Dhillon as assistant AG in the Civil Rights Division. Tell us about some of his latest appointments. Right, so there's quite a few. So with Dhillon, she has a record of civil rights litigation. Trump wrote on True Social about her, just praising her and saying that she represents religious people who were prevented from praying together during COVID. And just minutes ago, Trump also tapped Andrew Ferguson to be the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission. He said that Ferguson has a record of standing up to big tech censorship and protecting free speech. Also appointed recently was Kimberly Guilfoyle as his pick for US ambassador to Greece. Guilfoyle is engaged to Donald Trump Jr. And he also named Tom Barack as ambassador for Turkey just recently, moments ago. And Trump said Barack is a well-respected and experienced voice of reason to a wide range of thought leaders in both political and business circles. Steve, back to you. Live in West Palm Beach. Thank you, Jack. New York City Mayor Eric Adams will be meeting with Trump's Borders Are nominee, Tom Holman, tomorrow. This is He Tries to Change the City's Sanctuary City Law. Joining me now to discuss these developments is Ash Wright, National Republican strategist, and Haley Lickstein, Democratic strategist. Ash Wright, Haley Lickstein, thank you both so much for joining. Thanks for having us. I want to first, right off the top here, just get both of your perspectives on the Daniel Penney case in New York. The judge and jury could actually hear protesters from the Black Lives Matter group outside of the courthouse during the trial. The judge just told the jurors to ultimately ignore them. How much can jurors be swayed by public opinion in some of these high-profile politicized cases, particularly this one? Haley, we'll start with you. Yeah, I mean, I think the jurors made their decision and they followed the justice process, which was meant to be decided within the courtroom, but I think the public outcry was due to the fact that this was a really visual example of a young black man being murdered in this country and the way that we disproportionately value the lives of people in this country when we look at people from the unhoused community and mentally ill individuals and the lack of empathy we can see towards them. Yeah, I mean, I think they're definitely influenced by it for sure. It was interesting that they were able to hear it in the courtroom this time. Typically it's just when they're walking in and out of the courtroom and are able to hear it, but my understanding was it was loud and in fact the judge had to stop and say, ignore what's going on outside. But ultimately, I think that the decision here that was made was that this was not a failure on the justice system in this one trial, but the 40 plus trials that he had prior to this, that he was able to live on the streets with no support, that this was an individual that had been identified by the city, somebody that desperately needed city resources, but they continued to just let back on the street with no help and no substantive treatment. I think that's what ultimately the jurors decided on, which was this wasn't really about this one action. This was about all of the actions that led up to this moment. Ultimately, Haley, this case came down to public safety and the perception thereof by the jurors. When it comes to Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, he says he may try to use some of his executive power in the city to bypass the New York City Council and change that city's sanctuary city law, focusing on illegal immigrants who, what he says, are committing serious violent felonies. What impact do you think this would have on New York City? Well, I think that disproportionately or kind of pointing out illegal immigrants is not the solution. Rather, we need to see serious reform to our mental health care system and the resources that the city provides to people, not just in New York, but across the country, and see the money and the resources and the change happening immediately. I think when you look at New York specifically, crime rate has actually decreased, but perception is reality. And so it's really important that we're getting people the care that they need so that we can help support the most marginalized and vulnerable members living in New York. Ash, how big of a deal is it that the Democratic Mayor of, you know, deep blue New York City is taking or could be taking such action? Well, I mean, it is a big deal. And I think, you know, Eric Adams has been a unique mayor. He came in kind of under a conservative message, but was elected as a Democrat. And I think it's an interesting play for the city. It's a change to a long-standing law and rule in the city of New York. And I think what it really says is that New Yorkers are, they're uncomfortable with the crime rate and the way that things are now. When you look at the subway specifically, I mean, it is, you know, over a million rides per minute go on in the subway and it's kind of mass chaos and crime rate in the subway alone is up. On the city, it's down as a whole, but in the subway, it's up. And, you know, I read an interesting statistic that 38 people that had been arrested in the subway were also responsible for 1,100 crimes above the subway. So on the streets of New York, but had ultimately been let out. And I think that's what he's trying to get at is that we have these sanctuary city policies in place that just allow for perpetual breaking of the law. And that's just not okay. And it doesn't operate itself for a society that can be safe and clean and that people want to enjoy. And he also, you know, as a mayor of New York, you have to worry about tourists much more than almost any other city in America. And so he's also not just thinking about his citizens in this. He's also having to think about the rest of Americans and when they visit New York City. Kaylee, on Sunday, President-elect Trump said that he would work with Democrats on a plan for Dreamers who are brought to this country, as he put it, illegally as children, but said his first priority is the mass deportation of criminal illegal immigrants. Republicans and Democrats have been divided on a plan for Dreamers to stay in the U.S. for years. Do you think Trump can get his own party to agree on a plan for these folks? Yeah. Well, I think it's important to note that during the first Trump administration, he did push pretty hard to try to get rid of DACA. And that was only unsuccessful because of the courts. This is the first time that we've really heard him say that he's willing to look for a plan for Dreamers. And so while I'm happy to hear that, you have to understand that I'm a little hesitant to believe it. But I think if he is coming from it from a good faith argument and it's not contingent on Democrats supporting other policies like mass deportation, hopefully we can actually find bipartisan policy solutions to support Dreamers. Ash, Trump's incoming border czar, Tom Homan, will meet with Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday. I want to play a soundbite of what Homan said about sanctuary cities impeding ICE from taking custody of those illegal immigrants who've been arrested. You are forcing us in the community, at large numbers, where other non-party aliens will be arrested. That's the exact result you don't want. So let us in the jail. It's safer for everybody and it's the right thing to do to security communities. Ash, how might this play out? I think where it's really going to come into play is when they go into cities like Chicago or Los Angeles, San Francisco. But it'll be interesting to see it play out in New York City. I think, and from what I'm kind of gleaning from it, is that Mayor Adams will be really open to working with them and allowing them to come in. And I think the point is correct that if we have to come in forcibly more than just illegal aliens that are criminals are going to be impacted by this. And that's not something that I don't think any Americans want. And I definitely don't think that's what Donald Trump wants. And I think he's, it's interesting that he's taking a softer approach with Dreamers and kind of, I think, and I have good faith in him, that he kind of really, he lost a lot of political weight on this issue when he was in office before. And I think he understands that and I think he knows that this time it's a bipartisan approach that's actually going to get something done. And so I'm interested to see how it will ultimately all play out. Haley, are you hopeful of any other areas of common ground where you think Democrats and Republicans may be able to come together in some form on immigration? I'm not incredibly hopeful, but I hope that we will see it. I disagree with Ash that he's taking a softer approach. We saw in the Meet the Press interview that he did this past week that he's still pretty heavy on mass deportations, not just for people committing crimes. And so I personally haven't seen it, but I hope that I'm proven wrong and that rhetoric that I've been reading is hyperbolic. The softer approach I'm referring to is there will be mass deportations for sure. And I think that's something that he was elected on to do. But what's interesting is when it comes to Dreamers or families that have one person that's an illegal immigrant but other members that aren't. And I think he said in an interview yesterday that he would address that on a family-by-family basis, which is kind of a different tone than he's taken in the past where it was just, if you're not supposed to be here, leave the country immediately. Unfortunately, we do have to leave it there for now. Ash Wright, Haley Lichten, really appreciate you both. Thank you. Coming up, the killer now charged with murder in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's Chief Executive Brian Thompson. The updates as the high-profile case moves in and out of court. And should there be term limits for Supreme Court justices and other branches of government? We'll hear from the folks right here in D.C. when we come back. Whispered across generations, a hidden secret unveils the essence of longevity and vitality, a timeless legend regarding energy and wonder. Rooted in ancient health wisdom, we proudly introduce Puritang Black Ginseng, a 100% natural, organic energy drink made from premium 6-year-old Korean ginseng. It takes 2,260 days and nights from seed to growth undergoing a meticulous 9-step process of steaming and drying. Black ginseng reaches its full potency enriched with ginsenicide RG3 and enhanced absorption efficiency. No sugar, no caffeine, no artificial ingredients. Experience the pure, natural power of Puritang Black Ginseng. Nourish your body, strengthen your immunity, and boost your energy. To order Puritang Black Ginseng, please visit puritang.com. Tired of scrolling Netflix? Trying to find something that's worth watching? 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Call now and get our copper spray nozzle with our exclusive thumb drive free. This is an exclusive release of our newest pocket hose. Order now. Call 1-800-960-8919. That's 1-800-960-8919 or visit copperbullethose.com. Order now. And welcome back to the Capitol Report on Entity Television. Bail denied to Luigi Mangione, the detainee suspected of killing UnitedHealthcare's chief executive. He refused extradition to New York after entering the Pennsylvania courtroom in an uproarious fashion. Mangione faces five charges in Manhattan, including murder. Here's Entity's Chris Beers with an update. Pennsylvania's Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks says Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, requested bail but was denied. Mangione's local defense attorney, Thomas Dickey, cited his client's clean record. He also said his client could wear a tracking bracelet if granted bail. Mangione is fighting extradition to New York where he faces murder charges. We did not waive extradition. We're contesting extradition. We're going to fight this along the rules and with the constitutional protections that my client has and that's what we're going to do. New York Governor Kathy Hochul plans to submit a warrant for his extradition and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office said it will seek that warrant. Mangione struggled with police and shouted something mostly unintelligible on his way into the Pennsylvania courthouse. The Associated Press reported that as this unfolded, Mangione said the words insult to the intelligence of the American people, though it's not clear what he said before or after that. An employee at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania identified the 26-year-old based on publicly available photos and tipped off local police. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro thanked that person at a press conference. A Pennsylvania resident saw something early this morning at McDonald's and said something to our local police. Altoona authorities described the events leading to Mangione's capture. Altoona police officers received a call of a suspicious male at a local restaurant. When officers arrived, they made contact with the male who had a face mask on. That male was asked to remove his face mask and officers immediately recognized him as a suspect in the New York City shooting. Governor Shapiro also thanked Officer Tyler Frye who encountered and recognized Mangione. Officer Frye is about six months into his time serving his fellow people here in Pennsylvania and he acted swiftly. He acted with smarts and he acted with calm. It feels good to get a guy like that off the street, especially starting my career this way. It feels great. We knew that was our guy but he was very cooperative with us, didn't really give us too many issues. Once we found out his identity, we took it from there. Mangione is an Ivy League grad and the 2016 valedictorian of a Baltimore prep school. He's the grandson of a wealthy real estate developer and the cousin of current Maryland State Senator Nino Mangione. Chris Beers, NTD News. Firefighters in California continue to battle wildfire in Malibu. Officials saying their suppression efforts are far from over. A blaze near Pepperdine University has prompted thousands of evacuations as strong Santa Ana winds fuel dangerous fire conditions. NTD's Christina Corona has more. Units reported five acres of heavy brush burning and being spread by strong Santa Ana winds. The fire is currently estimated at over 2,200 acres and we have 700 firefighting personnel assigned. Because of the great work of the firefighters that were on scene, we have only a minimal number of homes destroyed. The exact number of homes destroyed remains unknown. The Sheriff's Department has over 150 personnel, including Malibu Search and Rescue, that are assisting with this fire incident. There are currently 18 operations that include evacuations, road closures and security patrols. One Malibu resident shared that she immediately woke her family up to evacuate. A temporary evacuation center has been set up at the Palisades Recreation Center. No serious injuries or fatalities have been reported. The current red flag warning due to strong winds and low humidity remains in effect through Wednesday evening. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Christina Corona, NTD News. President-elect Trump's nominees are meeting with senators this week on Capitol Hill, this in preparation for next year's confirmation process. Senate Republicans have shown their support for Trump's selections thus far. Our Washington correspondent, Louise Martinez, has more. Trump's most embattled nominees visited Capitol Hill this week. Peter Heksef, Trump's pick for Secretary of Defense, met for a second time with Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa. And after this second meeting, it seems that the National Guard officer has changed Senator Ernst's mind. I am supporting you through this process and I'll just refer you back to the state. You could change your mind? It was a very productive meeting though. I think we're just moving through the process. But he does respect that I'm taking the time. Grateful that she said she's going to support us through that process and that's what she talked about. And it's been substantive and meaningful. Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for Director of National Intelligence, met with Senators Graham, Rounds and Lankford. Gabbard has come under fire for a trip she made to Syria back in 2017. Tulsi Gabbard has defended her foreign policy views in private meetings with Republican senators and has since mustered their support. She'll be serving Trump. We'll see how the hearing goes. I like her. She's going to get back with me. We had a very good meeting. And I make plans. My own views and experiences have been shaped by my multiple deployments and seeing firsthand the cost of war and the threat of Islamist terrorism. It's one of the many reasons why I appreciate President Trump's leadership. Kash Patel, Trump's pick for FBI Director, has had meetings with Senators John Cornyn, Mark Wayne Mullen with Mike Lee and Chuck Grassley. The reactions from these Republican senators have been of support. It was good. Great. I think Kash is doing what he needs to do. Get on the Hill. Earn the vote of Senators. As I've said before, the game up here is not to put yeses. It's to keep nos off the board. And Kash is going to be able to deliver. We'll get him confirmed. I'm really confident about that. We still don't know what Director Ray's plans are. But eventually, I assume that Mr. Patel will be confirmed as the next FBI Director. Trump's nominees can only afford to lose three Republican senators in the confirmation process. And in that case, a 50-50 vote would have to be broken by Vice President J.D. Vance. Reporting from Washington, D.C., Luis Eduardo Martinez, NTD News. A Senate hearing on mass deportation. Lawmakers giving their fiery opinions on President-elect Trump's upcoming plans. Here's the story. I will launch the largest deportation program in American history. The Senate held a hearing Tuesday on mass deportations. Patty Morin shares the tragic story of how an illegal immigrant allegedly murdered her daughter. She was beaten so badly that her body was blanketed in bruises, that she was strangled, that she was raped, and that she was stuffed into a drink. While holding up a picture of her daughter, Morin says lawmakers should prioritize the safety of Americans. She says in Maryland, a so-called sanctuary state, crime has increased by 850%. We have Americans that are dying every day. And law enforcement don't want to give you the true numbers because they don't want the public to panic. Aaron Reikland Melnick, senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, says only a small percentage of the 13 million illegal immigrants commit crimes. They are farm workers, meat packers, cooks, waiters, construction workers, factory workers, delivery people, home health aides, nurses, teachers, artists, writers, musicians, entrepreneurs. Melnick says over 90% have no criminal record and are in constant fear of deportation. He says many of them should be given a path to citizenship. The last thing we want to do is give amnesty to people here now because we'll be overrun. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham supports deportation. He says if we do not have outflow, the inflow will continue. How many people want to come to America that are not criminals? Probably hundreds of millions. And I understand why. It's a great country. Senator Josh Hawley getting into a testy exchange with the Immigration Council's Aaron Reikland Melnick. Why would you want to drive down the wages of millions of working Americans who can't get those jobs in construction, agriculture, and hospitality because illegal immigrants are getting them? Suppressing wages in the meantime. Why would you want to do that? Well, if you've been here for my initial testimony, you know I don't want to. Listen, I read your testimony word for word and I've been watching it and I know what the answer is. You don't actually care. President-elect Trump will be sworn in on January 20, 2025. The same day, he's vowed to initiate what he's called the largest deportation operation in American history. The House today passing the Liberty in Laundry Act, a bill that seeks to reverse regulations on clothing washers and dryers. Back in February, the Department of Energy imposed energy efficiency standards for certain dryers and washing machines. Some of the cheap but less efficient models are barred from being sold. That is due to what the DOE called, quote, dangerous carbon dioxide emissions. Republican lawmakers say the new legislation is to prevent government overreach into the lives of everyday Americans. And a constitutional amendment proposed in the Senate would impose term limits on Supreme Court justices. The proposal seeks to add an 18-year term for the justices with a reshuffle every two years. Do everyday Americans agree with this measure? NTD Sam Wong was out in the National Mall to hear from them. Do you think there should be term limits for Supreme Court justices? No, I don't. You know, the Supreme Court is supposed to be a separate branch of government that's supposed to be apolitical. I don't know about term limits but maybe age limits. I think there needs to be some kind of test to see that everybody's still coherent. It should be like 72 years old. That should be the cutoff. I think there should be a limit on how long anybody should be in office, I think. You can't just have people that are in their whole career for 50 years and they're set policy. Every how many years? Every four. Well, elections every four but term limits for two terms. It's probably good to recycle folks in positions of authority. Also, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Do you think there should be term limits for the Senate and the House? Absolutely. How many terms do you think that should be? I'd give the Senate no more than three. Representatives no more than six. Two term for the Senate. How about the House? Every two years is a term. I'd say two terms. Give somebody else a chance. Well, I would go with two terms. Like you said, if it's only two years or four. If it was four years, I'd say two terms. But if it's less than that, I would say go for four. I'm from Mississippi and we had a senator in that was way too long over his due date. I would extend it to six to eight, I think. Maybe even ten. Bring in some fresh ideas, fresh blood, but give some time to people who are already in there and are investing their time and their efforts to make a change. This has gone out to the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court struck down term limits for members of Congress in the 90s. At the end of the day, if the people don't want a member of Congress, they can vote them out, right? Coming up, California could be the first state to require a warning label on social media. The proposal is for a 90 second warning about mental health when using social media sites. And as Shen Yun is gearing up for its 2025 tour, a review of what the art world's elites have shared after watching this show. That and more when we return. I go by Jackie. I'm 44 years old. I had three kids at the time and a single mother. I was working 60 hours a week, still couldn't pay the bills, skip meals so that they could eat. It's been hard because one thing falls into place, ten things fall out of place. I just can't do this alone and make it work. One in five children face hunger in America. And food costs are rising. But everyone needs nourishing food to thrive. And they can when we work together so our neighbors can feed their families. Call or go online right now to join Feeding America with your gift of just $19 a month, only 63 cents a day. Together, thanks to a nationwide network of food banks, dedicated volunteers, and the monthly support of people like you, we can fill plates with nutritious food for families across America. One day my mother came over to my house and said, there's a meeting at the pantry. I said, okay, and I went. There were some ladies in there. They were from the food bank. They asked several questions. Some of those were about me and my story, but it helped me to open up a little bit. We're getting closer to the day when no one in America faces hunger, but we can't do it without you. Call or go online now. Visit helpfeedingamerica.org and give $19 a month, just 63 cents a day. 98% of donations go directly to help millions of people facing hunger from coast to coast and in your own community. And when you give by credit card, we'll send you this exclusive canvas grocery bag to show you are a part of a movement of supporters working together to help end hunger. I have people that I can trust. I have hope. Please call now or make your monthly donation at helpfeedingamerica.org and your gift can double in impact. Shen Yun Creations, the streaming platform from Shen Yun, featuring world-class dance, past programs, and all original music. Masterclasses, behind the scenes, comedy, and more. Explore ShenYunCreations.com Kids love it. Parents trust it. Obviously. Explore GJW Plus Kids Series This is spectacular. Children will learn values like respect, responsibility, and knowledge in language, science, and more. All while having fun. Subscribe today at GJW Plus Kids where learning meets fun. And welcome back to the Capital Report. I'm Steve Lance. California could be the first state to require mental health warnings on social media. NTV's David Lam reports. California's Attorney General Rob Bonta and Assemblywoman Rebecca Bauer-Cahan proposed a new social media bill this week. They say it would provide information about the risks of social media to young people. The bill would require the display of a 90-second warning to users of all ages on their first use of a platform. After that, it would be displayed at least once a week. People in California shared their thoughts with NTV. I think at the end of the day, it's the right of the people to know what their child is consuming. And if there is a restriction put or if there is a label put, it will always be a good step for their mental health. So that comes before any business or any profits, because mental health is more important than that. The label has been compared to seat belt laws and alcohol warning labels. California also has a Proposition 65 label warning about certain chemicals in packages or products. I think it's a good idea. Yeah, because it is true. What I read or what I see on kids that spend a lot of time on social media, they are more active or more restless. The VP of Technology Policy at Chamber of Progress said that the warning label ignores the reality that most teens view social media as an important outlet for social connection. According to Attorney General Rob Bots' office, adolescents who spend more than 3 hours per day on social media face double the risk of poor mental health outcomes, including symptoms of depression and anxiety. If it's a warning, I don't see it affecting your first amendments. You don't have to heed the warning, but it's just a general reminder. Earlier this year, the U.S. Surgeon General called on Congress to require a Surgeon General's warning on social media platforms. David Lam, NTD News, California. The classical Chinese dance company Shen Yun Performing Arts will begin its 2025 world tour just before Christmas, and since its founding in 2006, the company has captivated audiences worldwide, gaining acclaim from the art world's elite. What explains its exceptional success? Here's a glimpse of what professionals had to say after attending last year's performance. It's wonderful. Not only the music, the beautiful orchestra played wonderfully, and the dancing is superb, and the visual effects are just striking. I would urge everyone who has the slightest interest in this type of culture, this is a must. I love the show. I thought it was great. The costumes, the music, the dancing, all of the performers are just first rate. Shen Yun showcases classical Chinese dance, which has been refined over thousands of years with profound meaning and extraordinary expressiveness. On the surface, the movements appear to be fleeting, but every still shot of the movement is incredibly beautiful. I noticed that even a slight tap of the finger on the floor results from hours of intense practice. It's really wonderful to see it coming from their passion of their heart and their soul into the ends of their fingers, and it goes right up with their eyeline as well, so it's really wonderful. Bringing back a forgotten traditional vocal technique, Shen Yun singers captivate audiences with performances that are both powerful and deeply moving. Oh my gosh, the baritone. My God, he filled the whole theater with his voice. It was incredible. Even in Italy, the heart of opera, hearing the Chinese tenor and soprano from Shen Yun was a delightful surprise. In addition, the orchestra's musical accompaniment was fabulous. Bringing to life a lost culture through beautiful art, Shen Yun is not just a visual and auditory feast. It is also a spiritual one. It is a message of peace, serenity, harmony, purity, and order. Magnificent. Just magnificent. Shen Yun brought culture, Chinese culture, to life through this performance. Definitely a must-see not to be missed. Shen Yun's 2025 tour will debut on December 23rd in Atlanta, Georgia and simultaneously in Nagoya, Japan. And that is all we have for you tonight on the Capitol Report. For round-the-clock original coverage, visit us at ntd.com slash live and download our NTD mobile app from the nation's capital in Washington, D.C. I'm Steve Lance. Have a nice evening. See you back here tomorrow.