Author: Fox News

The Department of Justice unleashed a shocking and often violent unconstitutional nationwide dragnet — detaining as many as 10,000 people — on this day in history, Jan. 2, 1920.

Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer, appointed to the office 10 months earlier by President Woodrow Wilson, led the sweep against suspected communists and anarchists, as well as their sympathizers.

The action was soon dubbed the Palmer Raids. 

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“The raids constituted a horrific, shameful episode in American history, one of the lowest moments for liberty since King George III quartered troops in private homes,” writes the Foundation for Economic Education. 

The foundation calls the effort under President Wilson “America’s reign of terror.”

Attorney General Alexander Mitchell Palmer launched a series of unconstitutional raids on Jan. 2, 1920, arresting as many as 10,000 people suspected of being communists or anarchists.
(Photo by Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)

The Wilson administration also targeted political opponents.

“Even simple criticism of the government was enough to send you to jail,” according to Christopher Finan, author of the 2007 book “From the Palmer Raids to the Patriot Act: A History of the Fight for Free Speech in America.”

“Even simple criticism of the government was enough to send you to jail.” 

The Palmer Raids marked the height of the nation’s first Red Scare, a response to the Bolshevik Revolution and communist takeover of Russia. 

The radical ideology soon spread across Europe and the United States after the tectonic social upheaval caused by World War I. 

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The era of fear was further fueled by widespread postwar labor discontent and the deadly influenza pandemic of 1919, which killed about 675,000 Americans, many of them children, in just a year-and-a-half.

“The Constitution faced a major test on this day in 1920 when raids ordered by Attorney General Mitchell Palmer saw thousands of people detained without warrants merely upon general suspicion,” the National Constitution Center wrote last year. 

“Facilitated by a young Justice Department official, J. Edgar Hoover, what became known as the Palmer Raids peaked on the night of Jan. 2, 1920, when between 3,000 and 10,000 people in 35 cities were detained.”

(Original Caption) 1928: Washington, D.C.: J. Edgar Hoover, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, sits at his desk in the Justice Department. Hoover played a key role in the Palmer Raids; he was named FBI director in 1924. 
(Getty Images)

Many in the media applauded the raids. 

“There is no time to waste on hairsplitting over infringement of liberties,” wrote The Washington Post on Jan. 4.

Alexander Mitchell Palmer was a Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania when Wilson chose him to head the Department of Justice. 

“There is no time to waste on hairsplitting over infringement of liberties.” — The Washington Post, Jan. 4, 1920

The Wilson administration called the new attorney general “young, militant, progressive and fearless.”

The Department of Justice was accused of recklessly employing warrantless searches, illegal wiretapping and aggressive interrogation techniques that might be considered torture today. 

Palmer may have been motivated by personal revenge. 

“On June 2, 1919, a militant anarchist named Carlo Valdinoci blew up the front of newly appointed Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer’s home in Washington, D.C. — and himself up in the process when the bomb exploded too early,” the FBI reports in its online history of the bureau.

Anti-Bolshevik political cartoon published in the Literary Digest, July 5, 1919.
(Photo by: Photo 12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

“A young Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, who lived across the street, were also shaken by the blast. The bombing was just one in a series of coordinated attacks that day on judges, politicians, law enforcement officials and others in eight cities nationwide.”

Palmer was also motivated by personal ambition. 

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He launched his raids while beginning a bid for the White House.

He lost the Democrat nomination to James M. Cox at the party’s convention in July. 

His “reign of terror” and White House ambitions ran out of steam simultaneously. 

The Palmer Raids were deemed “lawless and subversive of constitutional liberty for citizens and aliens alike.”

“On April 30, 1920, Palmer warned of assassination attempts against ‘more than a score’ of government officials the next day. But on May Day, nothing happened, and Palmer lost momentum as a presidential candidate,” according to the National Constitution Center.

He left office when Warren G. Harding became president in March 1921.

The Palmer Raids were deemed “lawless and subversive of constitutional liberty for citizens and aliens alike” during a Senate Judiciary hearing in February 1921.

(Original Caption) Supreme Court Justice Tom C. Clark of Texas, shown in a 1964 file photo. He issued his infamous “black list,” officially known as the Attorney General’s List of Subversive Organizations.
(Getty Images)

The unconstitutional nature of the Palmer Raids were revived during the Franklin Delano Roosevelt administration in 1938 with the creation of the House Un-American Activities Committee under chairman and Texas Democrat Martin Dies. 

A new Red Scare consumed the government after World War II and the onset of the Cold War with the Soviet Union.

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The Truman administration and the HUAC would be accused of many of the same unconstitutional tactics as the Palmer Raids. 

“It originated with President Truman’s Executive Order 9835 of March 21, 1947, which required that all federal civil service employees be screened for ‘loyalty,’” wrote Robert Justin Goldstein for Prologue magazine of the National Archives in 2006.

“All federal civil service employees [had to] be screened for ‘loyalty.’”

Attorney General Tom C. Clark issued his infamous “black list” the following December, officially known as the Attorney General’s List of Subversive Organizations.

The highly publicized list, notes Goldstein, “cast a general pall over freedom of association and speech in the United States.”

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“The Palmer Raids were certainly not a bright spot for the young bureau,” according to the FBI’s online history of the department.

“But it did gain valuable experience in terrorism investigations and intelligence work and learn important lessons about the need to protect civil liberties and constitutional rights.”

The 118th Congress convenes for the first time on Tuesday at noon. 

“Opening day” in Congress is always full of pageantry. Lawmakers pour into the Capitol with their families from all over the country. Toddlers and kids run up and down the aisles. Freshmen bring everyone to Capitol Hill. They pack their offices with constituents, supporters and families, serving punch and local delicacies from back home.

It’s a lot like the first day of school.

And this year will likely be like any other opening day in the House of Representatives – until about 2 p.m. 

That’s usually when the House votes on a speaker. The new speaker in turn swears-in the entire body, and we’re off to the races.

And for the first time in a century, things might not go down like that on Tuesday. It’s far from certain that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., will become speaker. And, what’s even more cryptic is how long it may take the House to elect McCarthy as speaker or someone else. 

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks at a press conference at the Capitol building on August 27, 2021 in Washington, DC. Leader McCarthy said he wants House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to call Congress back in session and to take up legislation that would prevent President Biden from withdrawing troops until every U.S. Citizen is out of Afghanistan. 
(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

This could take a few hours. Or, it may even take a week or more. 

The first order of business in the House is electing a speaker. It can’t do anything – including swearing-in the new members until the House chooses a speaker. 

The last time the speaker vote even went to a second ballot was 1923. It took nine ballots and three days before the House re-elected Speaker Frederick Gillett, R-Mass. The House frittered away two weeks before electing Speaker Howell Cobb, D-Ga., in 1849. But that was efficient compared to the two months the House squandered in late 1855 and early 1856 before finally electing Speaker Nathaniel Banks, D-Mass., – on the 163rd ballot. 

This is what opening day will look like in the House – before things might get dicey.

Clerk of the House Cheryl Johnson will call the House to order promptly at noon on Tuesday. Johnson is the holdover from the Democratically-controlled House. She will preside from the dais – and be in charge of the House until its members select a speaker.

So, the longer it takes Republicans to figure out a speaker, the longer the House is run by an appointee of outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

The first thing the House must do is take attendance. All members elected in November are asked to come to the chamber and record their presence. The House starts at 434 members: 222 Republicans to 212 Democrats. There is one vacancy: the late Rep. Donald McEachin, D-Va., died just after the election. 

Then, it’s on to the selection of speaker. 

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House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., will nominate McCarthy. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., will nominate Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. 

Democratic Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., conducts a news conference after a meeting of the House Democratic Caucus in the Capitol Visitor Center on Wednesday, July 13, 2022.
(Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

If this were a typical year, that would be it. But Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., plans to challenge McCarthy for the speakership. It’s possible that someone could nominate Biggs or even another candidate. There’s no requirement that the speaker of the House be a member of the body – although that’s never happened. However, it is routine for a few members to vote for a few non-members in protest.

The vote is of the highest order at that moment in the House. The House then begins with the Reading Clerk alphabetically calling the roll of each name. Members respond verbally with their pick for speaker. The winner is the candidate who receives an outright majority of the House by those who voted for someone by name. In other words, if all 434 members vote for someone by name, the magic number is 218. But there are at least five known opponents of McCarthy. If they all vote for someone else by name, McCarthy only has a maximum of 217 votes. 

However, it gets trickier yet.

There are often a few absences. So the House may not start at 434 members. Or, it’s possible members just decline to vote for speaker. Lawmakers who vote “present” don’t count against the total. The “218” threshold begins to dwindle.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks about Republicans’ “Commitment to America” agenda at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. 
(AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

The problem for McCarthy is if several members cast ballots for someone else by name. Such a scenario blocks McCarthy from obtaining an outright majority of ballots cast for someone by name. He may have the most votes. But that’s not the rule.

The successful speaker candidate doesn’t need 218. Pelosi and former House Speakers Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., and John Boehner, R-Ohio, each prevailed in at least one election with fewer than 218 votes. 

But the complicating factor is that the “magic number” for speaker is unknown until the first tally is complete. We then know the total number of ballots cast for someone by name. 

If there’s no winner, the House must vote again and again and again – until it selects a winner.

Things could get chaotic if McCarthy nor anyone else prevails on the first ballot. The House will find itself in a posture not seen in 100 years. There’s not a lot of precedent as to how things should unfold in the House.

This is all we know on Jan. 3: Cheryl Johnson, the Democratic Clerk of the House, remains in charge. And, there are no members of the House. 

Let me say that again: there are no members of the House. 

The House is not fully constituted because there is no speaker to swear them in. The members-elect only become members when they are sworn-in by the speaker.

U.S. Capitol Building 
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Remember all of those family members and constituents who flew to Washington to see their cousin, friend, college buddy become a House member? Hope you don’t need to go anywhere soon. You may be cooling your heels at the Hyatt Regency bar until you see them sworn-in. And forget about staged photo-ops with the new speaker. Those are on ice, too.

Fox is told this could become a staring contest that takes days to play out. The reason is that both sides are so dug in that no one concedes right away. There will be debates. Horse trading. Raised voices. Tempers will flare.

All the while, the Republican-led House could get off to one of the most inauspicious beginnings for any Congress in history. No bills to cut IRS agents. No legislation on abortion. The House can’t even fully constitute its committees.

And, if this speaker saga drags on through Jan. 13, the lawmakers themselves and certain aides won’t get paid. 

However, it’s possible the House could eventually elect a speaker without an outright majority of those casting ballots by name. In both the elections of Howell Cobb in 1849 and Nathaniel Banks in 1856, the repeated voting wore members down. For both Cobb and Banks, the House adopted a resolution that then allowed it to pick a speaker with a simple majority. In other words, the resolution said that the winner simply secured the most votes. It’s possible the House could do the same in these circumstances if it flails long enough to elect a speaker.

But we have not addressed a unique scenario which could unfold this Jan. 3: whether to seat Rep.-elect George Santos, R-N.Y.

George Santos on the campaign trail. 
(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

We noted earlier that once the House concludes its initial quorum call, the next order of business is to select a speaker. Fox is told it’s possible members could try to challenge whether the House should seat Santos. Members of both parties view Santos as tainted. So why should he get to cast what could be a decisive ballot for speaker when he may be a fraud?

Late House Democratic Caucus Chairman Vic Fazio, D-Calif., attempted to sidetrack the vsote in 1997 because Newt Gingrich had faced an ethics investigation. However, it was ruled that the selection of the speaker was of the highest importance to begin the new Congress. So ethics questions must wait.

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One could anticipate a similar situation – and outcome – if there’s a challenge to seat Santos before the speaker vote.

However, once the House picks a speaker – yet before the speaker swears-in the members – a lawmaker could contest whether the House should seat Santos. 

Regardless of Santos’ problems, 142,673 voters in New York’s 3rd Congressional District elected him as their congressman. Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution states that “No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been Seven Years a Citizen of the United States, who shall not, when elected be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.”

Santos meets that bar. We think.

But Article, I, Section 5 of the Constitution also says that the House and Senate have the final say as to who is seated. 

This brings us to a phenomenon in Congress known as “exclusion.” 

George Santos
(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

The House has challenged the seating of dozens of members over the years. Lawmakers have raised questions about ethics, finances, bigamy, polygamy and residence. In 1985, the House refused to seat either late Rep. Frank McCloskey, D-Ind., or his GOP challenger Richard McIntyre because of a dispute over ballots. The House investigated and finally re-seated McCloskey months later. But McCloskey did not get to be a member on opening day.

In early 1967, House Speaker John McCormack, D-Mass., decided against seating Rep. Adam Clayton Powell, D-N.Y., due to a host of ethics and financial issues. Later that year, the House voted 307-116 to exclude Powell from taking his seat in the House. Powell then sued McCormack and the House and ran again for his vacant seat. Powell won, and the House seated him in January 1969. The Supreme Court ruled in Powell v. McCormack that the House overstepped its bounds by barring Powell from being seated in 1967.

The Constitution is clear about the requirements to become a member. But the House may not add requirements for people to be sworn-in. It says nothing about character.

So, any challenge regarding Santos may have to wait until after the speaker vote is complete – whenever that is.

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Moreover, once the House swears-in Santos, it could move to expel him. Nothing in the Constitution says how long you get to stay. That’s why Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution also grants the House and Senate the right to kick out members. Expulsion requires a two-thirds vote. The House has only expelled five members in its history.

So, this could be a doozy of a few days on Capitol Hill. And, it may be a while until America’s bicameral legislature has two functioning bodies. 

Prospective House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is still tussling with some members of his party who are concerned electing him to be speaker would be a “continuation of past and ongoing Republican failures.”

Last week, the California Republican floated a congressional rule change that would make it easier to remove a House speaker in exchange for his rise to the post, a key demand from powerful GOP opponents.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks about Republicans’ “Commitment to America” agenda at DMI Companies in Monongahela, Pa., Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. 
(AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Under current rules, which were imposed under House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, only a member of the House leadership can offer a motion to vacate, while the new proposal would allow any member of the House to force a vote to remove the speaker, at any time.

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On Sunday afternoon, McCarthy met with GOP members to try and rally support for his speakership vote on Jan. 3, when the new Congress takes office. The embattled Republican leader conceded rank-and-file members will be allowed to call for the speaker’s removal, though he wasn’t clear about how many members would need to sign on to the motion, according to reports.

The meeting came after his letter on New Year’s Eve, titled “Restoring the People’s House and Ending Business as Usual,” which was his admission of the deep dysfunction of the House of Representatives and his pitch to make it right.

In response to McCarthy’s letter, GOP Reps. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Chip Roy of Texas, Dan Bishop of North Carolina, Andy Harris of Maryland and Andrew Clyde of Georgia, along with Rep.-elects Andy Ogles of Tennessee, Anna Paulina Luna of Florida and Eli Crane of Arizona sent a letter of their own.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.
(Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)

“Regrettably, however, despite some progress achieved, Mr. McCarthy’s statement comes almost impossibly late to address continued deficiencies ahead of the opening of the 118th Congress on January 3rd,” the letter stated. “At this state, it cannot be a surprise that expressions of vague hopes reflected in far too many of the crucial points still under debate are insufficient. This is especially true with respect to Mr. McCarthy’s candidacy for speaker because the times call for radical departure from the status quo – not a continuation of past and ongoing, Republican failures.”

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The letter continues to say that McCarthy’s 14-year presence in senior house leadership puts the burden of House dysfunction on him, which he now admits.

Rep. Andy Biggs announced in early December that he would run against McCarthy for speaker.

“We cannot let this all too rare opportunity to effectuate structural change pass us by because it is uncomfortable to challenge the Republican candidate who is a creature of the establishment status quo, or because the challenge is accompanied by some minimal risk,” Biggs wrote in an Op-Ed for the Daily Caller at the time.

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., said he will not support Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and will run against him for the position of speaker of the House.
(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Biggs and four other Republicans pledged to vote against McCarthy, which could be problematic with the party’s slim majority — 218 votes are needed to clinch the speaker seat.

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Biggs’ candidacy is largely seen as an opportunity to showcase that McCarthy cannot get the 218 votes required to be speaker. McCarthy’s opponents say that once that reality becomes clear, other alternatives will step up.

Republicans in the incoming House have a majority with 222 seats, and McCarthy needs 218 votes to clinch the speakership. With five opposed, theoretically he only needs one vote from those five to get that spot.

But those votes could be fluttering away.

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“Mr. McCarthy’s statement also continues to propose to restrict the availability of the traditional motion to vacate the chair as a means of holding leadership accountable to its promises; we have from the beginning made clear that we will not accept following Nancy Pelosi’s example by insulating leadership in this way,” the nine House GOP members said in their letter on Sunday. “We also note that the statement fails completely to address the issue of leadership working to defeat conservatives in open primaries. The progress made thus far has been helpful and should guide our thinking going forward.”

Actor Jeremy Renner was reportedly hospitalized following a snow plowing accident on Sunday in Reno, Nevada.

A spokesperson for Renner told Deadline the actor was listed in “critical but stable condition with injuries suffered after experiencing a weather related accident while plowing snow earlier today.”

The spokesperson said he is with his family and “receiving excellent care,” according to Deadline.

Actor Jeremy Renner arrives for the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema’s “Tag,” held at Regency Village Theatre on June 7, 2018, in Westwood, California.
(Albert L. Ortega)

Renner has a home near Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe, an area that was hit on New Year’s Eve by a winter storm that saw 35,000 homes lose power. 

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Renner, best known for playing the superhero Clint Barton, or “Hawkeye,” in multiple Marvel movies and Disney+ television shows, was reportedly airlifted to the hospital. 

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Jeremy Renner arrives at the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards, in Santa Monica, Calif. 
(Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

The two-time Oscar nominee currently stars in the Paramount+ series “Mayor of Kingstown.”  The second season of the show is set to begin airing on January 15.

Renner was previously nominated for Best Actor at the 2010 Academy Award’s for his performance in “The Hurt Locker.” 

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The following year, Renner was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “The Town.”

The Washington Commanders might have a lawsuit on their hands after unveiling their new mascot, Major Tuddy, during Sunday’s loss to the Cleveland Browns. 

Major Tuddy, a hog in Commanders gear, was running around FedExField trying to pump up the Washington fans in attendance. But a certain group of former Washington players weren’t so pleased. 

According to Front Office Sports, the choices for the mascot came down to a dog or the hog. However, the hog was trademarked in July by O-Line Entertainment, which is an LCC formed by the original “Hogs” Joe Jacoby, Mark May, John Riggins, Fred Dean, and Doc Walker. 

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Russ Grimm (front), Joe Jacoby, George Starke, Fred Dean, Mark May and Jeff Bostic formed the 1980s Washington Redskins unit known as the Hogs.
(John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

O-Line Entertainment filed two trademarks: Hogs and Original Hogs. 

“If they go forward on Sunday and make the hog their mascot and try to trademark it, we are going to be forced into trademark infringement litigation,” O-Line Entertainment attorney Seth Berenzweig told Front Office Sports. 

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“We’ve made it very clear to them that we believe they’d be infringing on the trademark, and they need to arrange a licensing deal with the players. They have refused to do that.”

The debut of Major Tuddy came on the day of the Commanders’ celebration of the Hogs’ 40th anniversary. 

Joe Jacoby #66 of the Washington Redskins in action against the New York Giants during an NFL football game September 16, 1984 at RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C.. Jacoby played for the Redskins from 1981-93.
(Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

“The Hogs are a key part of our franchise’s history and we want to keep their legacy alive with the next generation of fans,” the Commanders said in an official statement about their famous offensive line grouping. “We have been working with the Hogs on this event for six months and look forward to welcoming them and Coach Gibbs back.”

The Commanders abandoned the Hogs trademark they had in 1991, but Zak Kurtz, a trademark attorney, told FOS the team could argue that it had the trademark first if faced with legal challenge. 

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As of now, the team hasn’t challenged the trademark by O-Line Entertainment. 

Things didn’t go well for Washington in the game Sunday, as they fell 24-10 to Deshaun Watson and the Browns. Carson Wentz, who was back in the saddle as the Commanders’ starter, threw three interceptions and heard boos from fans in the stands. 

Jan 1, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders fans cheer against the Cleveland Browns during the first half at FedExField. 
(Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports)

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With the Green Bay Packers routing the Minnesota Vikings at home, the Commanders are officially out of the playoff hunt as well. 

The Green Bay Packers held their own destiny in their hands: Win the remaining two games of the season and get in. 

They can check Week 17 off their list. 

Green Bay showed out for their home fans at Lambeau Field on Sunday, dominating the Minnesota Vikings, this year’s NFC North champs, 41-17, to keep their playoff dreams alive. 

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Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) dances after breaking up a pass meant for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. 
(Anthony Souffle/Star Tribune via AP)

Leading up to the game, there was a lot of hype surrounding these two teams as has been the case for quite some time in this historic rivalry. 

Minnesota clinched the division title last week. The Packers won three straight to get back into playoff contention. And of course, Packers top cornerback Jaire Alexander called Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson’s performance the first time these two teams matched up this year – nine catches, 184, two touchdowns – a fluke. 

So, with tensions high at kickoff, this was a game that was pegged to be a good one. But nobody expected what transpired for the Packers. 

VIKINGS’ JUSTIN JEFFERSON HITS REF IN BACK WITH HELMET AS FRUSTRATIONS BOIL OVER

It wasn’t a great start as the Vikings blocked a punt that landed them near the goal line, though they weren’t able to punch it in for a touchdown. Instead, Greg Joseph plugged a very short field goal to get the Vikings on the board first. 

Then, it was all Packers from there and it began with a 105-yard kickoff return by Keisean Nixon, the first of his career. It didn’t look like Nixon should’ve brought the ball out at all, but he clearly had a feeling and it was worth the long sprint down the gridiron. 

Later in the first quarter, the Vikings had solid field position after the Packers couldn’t convert on fourth down. But Kirk Cousins threw a pick to Darnell Savage on their own attempt at a fourth-down conversion, and he took it 75 yards to the house to make it a 14-3 game. 

That’s when the rails fell off for the Vikings. The next drive was a missed field goal by Joseph, which the Packers turned into one of their own. Cousins was then picked off again on a deep ball intended for Jefferson. Adrian Amos took that one away. 

PACKERS PUT UP 105-YARD KICKOFF RETURN, PICK-SIX IN WILD FIRST QUARTER VS VIKINGS

Robert Tonyan would find the end zone on the ensuing drive from a pretty Aaron Rodgers pass, and after Joseph missed his second field goal of the night, Mason Crosby ended the first half with a bomb from 56 yards to make it 27-3 at halftime. 

AJ Dillon #28 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates with teammates after rushing for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter of the game at Lambeau Field on January 01, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

In the second half, more turnovers plagued the Vikings, as their first two drives ended in disaster. First, Cousins was strip sacked by Kenny Clark, who recovered the ball in Packers territory. Then, just after the Packers made it 34-3 when A.J. Dillon punched in his sixth rushing touchdown in five games, Cousins threw another interception on the first play of the next drive. 

Rodgers capped off a solid game with a rushing touchdown himself to make it 41-3, and even with time left, this one was over. The Vikings had two charity touchdowns at the end of the game, but it didn’t matter: The Packers were moving on with a chance to make the playoffs if they can get the Detroit Lions in Week 18. 

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Rodgers finished 15 of 24 for 159 yards and one touchdown, while collecting that rushing score as well. Aaron Jones looked healthier in this game, totaling 111 yards on 14 carries. Allen Lazard led the receiving corps with 59 yards on five catches. 

As for the Vikings, Cousins finished 18 of 31 for 205 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions, while Nick Mullens eventually came in for him. The Packers were able to swallow up Dalvin Cook, who had just 27 yards on nine carries. 

Oh, and Alexander lived up to his words about Jefferson: The NFL’s top wide receiver on the stat sheet had just 15 yards on one catch (five targets). After a pass breakup, Alexander was even seen doing Jefferson’s signature “Griddy” dance. 

Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers runs for a two yard touchdown during the fourth quarter Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on January 01, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
(Kayla Wolf/Getty Images)

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But, at the end of the day, the Vikings are only playing for seeding while the Packers are hoping they can take down Detroit, who is also looking to sneak into the playoffs. 

Minnesota is now the No. 3 seed in the NFC after the San Francisco 49ers extended their win streak with an overtime victory against the Las Vegas Raiders. They will take on the Chicago Bears in Week 18.

Fans booed Carson Wentz and chanted for Taylor Heinicke to no avail while it was becoming abundantly clear Ron Rivera’s quarterback change backfired on the Washington Commanders.

It snowballed so badly, it turned into another loss for a team once in control of its playoff chances.

Wentz threw three interceptions after getting the starting job back, defensive miscues added up and the Commanders’ postseason odds took a major hit with an embarrassing 24-10 defeat Sunday to the Cleveland Browns, who had nothing to play for.

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Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at FedExField on January 01, 2023 in Landover, Maryland.
(Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)

Washington (7-8-1) is winless in five games and would be eliminated if Green Bay beats Minnesota.

“I have high expectations for myself and this team, and we underperformed — I did, myself, as well,” said Wentz, who was 16 of 28 for 143 yards. “That’s not what I had in mind and what we had in mind as a team. Not the performance I envisioned. A lot of stuff I want back. Yeah, that was a tough one.”

COMMANDERS’ CARSON WENTZ FACES BOOS AS HE THROWS TWO INTERCEPTIONS IN FIRST HALF

The offense gained just 261 yards — 96 on Washington’s only touchdown drive — not exactly the spark Rivera was hoping for when he went back to Wentz. Fans making up the sparse crowd booed and chanted early on for Heinicke multiple times after Wentz missed open receivers or lobbed the ball into the hands of a Cleveland defender.

“I tried to be aggressive, tried to force a couple throws early, obviously, and kind of put us in a hole,” said Wentz, who similarly melted down with Indianapolis at this point last season when the Colts needed to win to get into the playoffs. “Then the rest of the way just didn’t make enough plays personally, as a team — the whole nine yards. I’m definitely kicking myself over some.”

Fans chanting, “Heinicke! Heinicke!” did not get their wish: Wentz remained in the game and struggled to move the ball beyond handing it to rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr., who rushed for 87 yards on 24 carries. Rivera said he contemplating going to Heinicke but decided against it once his team fell behind by 14 and he knew some downfield throws would be necessary.

Carson Wentz #11 of the Washington Commanders throws a pass against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of the game at FedExField on January 01, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. 
(Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)

“Yeah, I thought we might (see Heinicke) just because he was available and the other quarterback was struggling a little bit, but they stuck with him,” said Browns safety Grant Delpit, who had two of the interceptions. “We had a good game plan for him, and it worked out.”

The Commanders’ fourth-ranked defense allowed a handful of big plays, including a 46-yard pass from Deshaun Watson to Amari Cooper that became a touchdown when top cornerback Kendall Fuller missed an open-field tackle.

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“We missed a couple of tackles,” Rivera said. “We missed a couple of them completely. You can’t miss tackles on good players.”

Watson also connected with Cooper on a 33-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter that sent fans to the exits.

Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns hands the ball off to Nick Chubb #24 of the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter against the Washington Commanders at FedExField on January 01, 2023 in Landover, Maryland.
(Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)

The Browns (7-9) were already out of the race in the AFC but made good on tight end David Njoku’s expectation they’d “give the Commanders hell.” Cooper had three catches for 105 yards, Nick Chubb ran 14 times for 104 yards and Watson finished 9 of 18 for 169 yards and the TD passes to Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones.

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“That was definitely the potential of what the future can hold,” Watson said.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson was badgered and bothered by the Green Bay Packers secondary all game long and it could’ve gone much worse.

The incident occurred in the second quarter with about 6 minutes to play in the half. Kirk Cousins threw his second interception of the game to Packers safety Adrian Amos. And when Amos went out of bounds, Jefferson was barely on the sideline when he ripped off his helmet and swung it downward. He accidentally hit one of the sideline officials.

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Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) dances after breaking up a pass meant for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. 
(Anthony Souffle/Star Tribune via AP)

The official didn’t appear hurt and Jefferson went back to the bench after the incident was over. He avoided an ejection and definitely avoided doing serious damage to the official.

Frustrations were high for the star wide receiver who has been the thunderbolt for the Vikings offense all season long. He only managed one catch for 15 yards on five targets as he was hounded by Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander throughout the game. Alexander had one pass defended in the game.

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Minnesota lost the game 41-17.

Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings leaves the field after the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 01, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. 
(Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Jan 1, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander does the Griddy after breaking up a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) at Lambeau Field.
(Tork Mason-USA TODAY Sports)

Jefferson had a chance to bolster his case for NFL MVP with a solid performance. He came into the contest leading the NFL in receptions (123), receiving yards (1,756) and yards per game (117.1). He also had eight touchdowns and was named to a third straight Pro Bowl.

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Minnesota at least has the playoff berth notched. Green Bay picked up its fourth straight win and now could enter the postseason with a victory over the Detroit Lions next week.

Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera raised eyebrows on Sunday with a puzzling answer to a question about the team’s playoff scenarios following a loss to the Cleveland Browns.

For the Commanders to make the playoffs on Sunday, the team needed to beat the Browns, get a Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions to lose and the Green Bay Packers to lose or tie. But they didn’t hold up their end of the bargain and by the end of the day were facing elimination.

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Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera speaks with an official in the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Santa Clara, Calif. 
(AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Rivera suggested in his postgame press conference that he wasn’t aware of the threat of being eliminated from playoff contention before the game. He made the switch to go with Carson Wentz as the starting quarterback over Taylor Heinicke. Washington lost 24-10.

He was asked about the quarterback strategy for Week 18 if Washington was eliminated.

“We can be eliminated?” Rivera asked after pausing for several moments.

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According to ESPN, Rivera later said he was frustrated by the question and didn’t have any strategy for them losing because he didn’t think the team would.

Carson Wentz #11 of the Washington Commanders throws a pass against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of the game at FedExField on January 01, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. 
(Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)

By Sunday afternoon’s end, all the teams that the Commanders needed to lose won and brought their chances of making the postseason down to zero.

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Washington lost two out of their last three games with a tie against the New York Giants in Week 13 their only plus on their recent docket.

The suspect arrested in the New Year’s Eve stabbing of two New York City police officers is believed to have penned a manifesto in which he urged his family to “repent to Allah and accept Islam,” according to a Sunday report. 

The report from The New York Post comes after investigators were looking into whether the attacker – 19-year-old Trevor Bickford of Maine – harbored radical Islamic views due to his recent online activity. 

The weapon an unnamed attacker allegedly used to stab two NYC police officers.
(NYPD Crime stoppers)

Police sources told The Post that Bickford traveled to New York City days before the attack and checked in at the Bowery Mission in Manhattan. He was reportedly carrying various religious materials, $200 and a handwritten note. 

“To my family – specifically, mother – I’m sorry for not having been a good enough son,” the note says. “I fear greatly that you will not repent to Allah. And therefore I hold in my heart that a piece of you believes so that you may be taken out to the hellfire.” 

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Bickford reportedly tells his brother Travis: “Of anyone I’ve known who I have felt is closest to faith – it’s you.”

“Of anyone I’ve ever wanted to accept Islam with me – it’s you. Please repent to Allah and accept Islam. I fear for you,” Bickford allegedly wrote. 

Authorities hold a press conference regarding the stabbing of two NYPD officers.
(Credible)

Bickford writes to his brother, Devon, who is in the Marines: “there was a time when we were close, but that time has passed.” 

“You have joined the ranks of my enemy. And for that I can give you no kind words – return to Allah.”

The FBI and officers from the Wells Police Department were investigating Bickford’s home, according to local media reports.

The FBI told Fox News Digital it is “currently conducting court authorized activity in connection with an ongoing federal investigation” without elaborating. 

Fox News Digital has reached out to the NYPD and the Wells Police Department for additional comment. 

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The Portland Press Herald reports that Bickford competed in football and wrestling while in high school and was a member of the 2020 Wells High School state championship wrestling team. 

His father, Tom, died in 2018, according to an obituary. He was said to have had a “very active” role in the lives of his three sons. 

Bickford is accused of slashing two officers at a security checkpoint near Times Square on New Year’s Eve. The motive remains under investigation. 

A high-level police source also tells Fox News Digital that Bickford was being watched by the FBI’s counterterrorism task force in the weeks leading up to Saturday’s attack. The source also said Bickford recently converted to Islam and a tipster claimed he had expressed interest in going to Afghanistan.

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A rookie officer, on his first night of policing, was slashed in the head, prompting another nearby officer to shoot Bickford. That officer was also struck, but he was not seriously injured. The rookie officer, identified by authorities only as Paul, is expected to recover.

Fox News’ Anders Hagstrom and Alexis McAdams contributed to this report.