Author: Fox News

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., suggested the House may continue negotiations and votes on the speakership throughout the weekend if needed.

“We shouldn’t leave,” McCarthy told Punchbowl News around 9:45 p.m. Thursday as he left the Capitol. “Why should we leave if we haven’t got our work done?”

THE VOTE FOR HOUSE SPEAKER: LIVE UPDATES

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., asked Punchbowl, “why should we leave if we haven’t got our work done?”
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Punchbowl reported McCarthy insisted it is unlikely the House adjourns for an extended period of time until a speaker is elected. This could mean the House continues to work and vote throughout the weekend if they are unable to reach a majority Friday, when they reconvene at noon.

The House failed on 11 votes through Thursday as a group of nearly two dozen Republicans continued their opposition to McCarthy. However, the minority leader and his allies drafted a rules framework Thursday night they believe could win over a significant portion of the dissenters in the conservative House Freedom Caucus (HFC), lawmakers familiar with the framework told Fox News. The deal would heed to HFC demands as it gives them strong representation on committees, plans to counter increased federal spending, and allows a single member of the House to a motion for a vote to remove the speaker.

GOP DEAL EMERGES LATE THURSDAY THAT COULD GIVE MCCARTHY A PATH TO THE SPEAKERSHIP

House Freedom Caucus Chair Rep.-elect Scott Perry, R-Pa., tweeted that “we’ll take our time.”
(Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

HFC Chair Rep.-elect Scott Perry, R-Pa., tweeted late Thursday that “we’ll take our time” in negotiations. 

“We’re at a Reagan moment — ‘trust but verify,’” Perry tweeted. “The devil is in the details, and we’ll take our time to ensure it’s right, not easy. One way or another, the status quo must go.”

ANTI-MCCARTHY REPUBLICANS, DEM LEADER JEFFRIES FUNDRAISE OFF STALLED HOUSE SPEAKER VOTE

Rep.-elect Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., faces opposition from nearly two dozen Republicans in his bid for speaker
(Fox News)

The weekend poses a potential challenge for McCarthy, as he works to negotiate with a slim majority. Rep.-elect Ken Buck, R-Colo., had to leave the nation’s capital Thursday afternoon for a medical appointment — and other members may have conflicts as well. Rep.-elect Roger Williams, R-Texas, has stayed in Washington, D.C., as his wife suffers a medical emergency. Rep.-elect Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, may return home as his wife gave birth this week. Oklahoma Rep.-elect Kevin Hurn’s mother died this week, and he wants to attend her funeral on Saturday.

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McCarthy told reporters after the House adjourned Thursday that he is not too focused on a timeline — just that a deal is eventually agreed upon.

“I’m not putting any timeline on it,” McCarthy said. “The entire conference is going to have to learn how to work together. So it’s better that we go through this process right now so we can achieve the things we want to achieve for the American public, what our commitment was. So if this takes a little longer and it doesn’t meet your deadline, that’s okay, because it’s not it is not how you start. It’s how you finish.”

Speaking exclusively to Fox News Digital after President Biden announced he will be visiting the southern border on Sunday, Sheriff Mark Lamb of Pinal County, Arizona, had some stern words for the president.

“We’ve got to regain control of our southern border,” said Lamb in a telephone interview late Thursday afternoon, stressing that the president “doesn’t understand the crisis.”

To start off with, the president — when he arrives at the southern border after many years of not visiting the border even when he was in a position of influence to do so, said Lamb — “must say he’s sorry to the men and women” of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Lamb told Fox News Digital, and to all others in law enforcement who have worked hard to do their jobs under excruciatingly challenging conditions.

BIDEN FUMBLES DURING SPEECH, APPEARS NOT TO KNOW TITLE 8 BORDER LAW, MISLABELS CPB

Added Lamb, “He’s also got to apologize to the American people” — people who have lost loved ones to crime and drugs as a result of the porous border.  

Then, said Lamb, “he’s got to get the real scoop if he really cares. Get the real story” of what’s been going at the border, said the sheriff, who has long been active and outspoken about America’s border security issues.

Sheriff Mark Lamb of Arizona, left, told Fox News Digital on Thursday he believes the Biden administration “has been disrespectful” to America’s Border agents “because they haven’t had their backs. They haven’t appropriately staffed them.” President Biden said on Thursday that he’ll be visiting the southern border this weekend. 
(Brandon Bell/Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

“I think this administration has been disrespectful to our Border agents because they haven’t had their backs,” Lamb said of the Biden administration. 

“They haven’t appropriately staffed them. They’ve had them doing jobs that they weren’t designed to do. And they continue to show no outward support for them.”

BORDER PATROL AGENTS’ WIVES REVEAL ‘DEVASTATING’ TOLL THEIR HUSBANDS’ WORK IS TAKING: ‘IT’S NOT RIGHT’

Lamb said that America’s dedicated Border Protection agents “are doing a very tough job. And yet I’ve never heard [this administration] say ‘kudos’ once to them. So, I think as a leader — even if you don’t want to deal with border security, even if you want open borders — at least he [Biden] should recognize the men and women who are doing the job every day.”

“I want to have success at the border. I don’t want Joe Biden to fail as a president. I don’t want America to fail.” 

“I think that’s the least they could do,” said Lamb. “Recognizing their efforts would just be a small token, but it would go a long way.”

Biden on Thursday gave a major White House speech in which he announced expanded border measures — yet fumbled when discussing the replacement of Title 42, a public health law that has been used to deter migrants at the border. 

The speech came days before Biden’s first visit as president to the southern border next week as his administration struggles to deal with a historic surge in migrants. 

‘Very frustrated’ 

Lamb also told Fox News Digital that local officials who have been dealing with America’s southern border security issues day in and day out for a very long time are “very frustrated” with what’s been going on at the border under this administration.

“You may have people who are aligned with [it] who won’t say that publicly — but the rest of us are very frustrated,” said Lamb.

Sheriff Lamb of Arizona has long been “passionate” about America’s border security, he said. While his county in Arizona is some 50-60 miles from the southern border, the area has seen a dramatic rise in human trafficking-related stops by law enforcement, he said. 
(Sheriff Mark Lamb/Brave Books)

Sheriff Lamb added, “If he fails to address where they’ve fallen short, then this will be just another PR opportunity. It will almost be as if they’re placating the American people and recognizing that they have two years to try to make it seem like they cared about border security — when, in reality, their actions say otherwise.”

SHERIFF MARK LAMB CALLS OUT ‘ATTACK ON TRADITIONAL VALUES,’ HAS A FIX FOR THAT 

The sheriff added vehemently, “I want to have success at the border. I don’t want Joe Biden to fail as a president. I don’t want America to fail.”

This is why, he said, “I’m so passionate about border security. I’m also willing to help however I can.”

“We also have the I-10 Interstate running through the heart of our county. And that is one of the main arteries for the Mexican cartels.”

He said that he “would be the best host if he [Biden] chose to come here” — meaning to Pinal County, Arizona.

Lamb’s county is about 50-60 miles from the border, he said. 

Migrants attempting to cross to the U.S. from Mexico are detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the border on August 15, 2021 in San Luis, Arizona.
(Photo by Nick Ut/Getty Images)

“But on the south end of my county is an Indian reservation — and that reservation actually runs into Mexico. So under President Trump, we actually had more apprehensions during President Trump’s [administration] because they weren’t coming through the border checkpoints. We actually had more apprehensions in our county than the actual border counties were getting.”

A lot of people are more impacted by the problems right now related to America’s border security “by coming to our county” and seeing what’s going on, said Lamb.

Lamb said they’ve “always had an issue” in his area because “the cartels push the military-age men through there — that’s where they come in with the camouflage clothes” and more.

“We also have the I-10 Interstate running through the heart of our county. And that is one of the main arteries for the Mexican cartels, who are trafficking people and drugs into our country,” he added.

Sheriff Mark Lamb discussed the “big problems” that exist because of poor security at America’s southern border in an interview with Fox News Digital. 
(Fox News)

“We go out every morning and we pull over [these] vehicles — human-load vehicles, drug-load vehicles — every day,” he said. 

It’s constant, he said.

“Our pursuits have increased by 250%,” he said. “Our human-trafficking traffic stops have increased by 200%.”

“So yes, this is a big problem for us — even though we’re not right on the border.”

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A lot of people are more impacted by the problems right now related to America’s border security, he noted, “by coming to our county” and seeing what’s going on.

That’s “because you’re seeing what’s happening 50, 60 miles inland” from the border, said Sheriff Lamb. 

Fox News Digital’s Bradford Betz contributed to this report.

Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupted again Thursday, with photos showing lava piling up inside its summit crater, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The eruption comes less than a month after its previous eruption ended.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory detected the lava glowing inside the Halemaumau crater at the volcano’s summit caldera through webcam images, indicating Kilauea had begun erupting.

The volcano’s summit is inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and is not near residential communities.

Kilauea is one of the world’s most active volcanoes with its previous eruption lasting 16 months starting in September 2021.

This webcam image provided by the U.S. Geological Survey shows Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. 
(U.S. Geological Survey via AP)

ENDANGERED SEABIRD AT HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK CAUGHT ON CAMERA FOR FIRST TIME

Hawaii had two volcanoes erupting side by side last year, for about two weeks, when Mauna Loa erupted for the first time in 38 years. Both volcanoes subsided on Dec. 13, 2022.

The shared eruption lasted about two weeks starting Nov. 27, and both volcanoes stopped about the same time.

This webcam image provided by the U.S. Geological Survey shows Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano, from the west rim of the summit caldera, looking east, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. 
(U.S. Geological Survey via AP)

FILE – This Aug. 13, 2021 photograph provided by the U.S. Geological Survey shows the crater of Kilauea volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island in Hawaii National Park, Hawaii. 

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Earlier Thursday, the U.S. Geological Survey raised an alert level for Kilauea after detecting signs that the volcano might erupt.

Cincinnati Bengals veteran running back Joe Mixon is apparently not a fan of the NFL’s solution to Monday night’s canceled game against the Buffalo Bills, which was initially suspended after second-year safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest after collapsing on the field. 

The league made the announcement Thursday night citing several factors including that the teams who qualified for the post season already would not have been impacted by the result of the game, but rescheduling it would cause the playoffs to be postponed by a week.   

Joe Mixon, #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals, runs the ball during the third quarter in the game against the Carolina Panthers at Paycor Stadium on Nov. 6, 2022 in Cincinnati.
(Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

“This has been a very difficult week,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. 

BENGALS’ TEE HIGGINS OPENS UP ABOUT DAMAR HAMLIN INCIDENT, SAYS HE’S ‘IN A GOOD PLACE’ FOLLOWING LATEST UPDATE

“We continue to focus on the recovery of Damar Hamlin and are encouraged by the improvements in his condition as well as the tremendous outpouring of support and care for Damar and his family from across the country.  We are also incredibly appreciative of the amazing work of the medical personnel and commend each and every one of them.”

Damar Hamlin, #3 of the Buffalo Bills, reacts after a tackle for a loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium on Oct. 9, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York.
(Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)

While Mixon has been among the many players to celebrate the positive update on Hamlin’s health Thursday, he was seemingly annoyed with the NFL’s handling of their Week 17 matchup. 

“So we not following the rules no more,” Mixon wrote on Twitter with a screenshot from the NFL rule book on its policy for canceled games. 

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“If a game is canceled, a team’s standing in its division or in its conference (e.g., qualification as a Wild Card on the playoffs or position in playoff seeding) shall be determined on the basis of its final record,” the rule states. 

The NFL acknowledged that canceled game does create “potential competitive inequities in certain playoff scenarios,” which could be what Mixon is referring to in his tweet. 

The Bills-Bengals game had major playoff implications for the AFC. Buffalo (12-3) entered Monday night needing a win to maintain the AFC’s No. 1 seed. The Kansas City Chiefs (13-3) now hold that spot. The Bengals (11-4) had a chance to earn that top seed with two more wins and a loss by the Chiefs.

Joe Mixon, #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals, stretches prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills at Paycor Stadium on Jan. 2, 2023 in Cincinnati.
(Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

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The NFL will hold a Special League Meeting on Friday to determine several different scenarios that may result in the AFC Championship Game being played at a neutral site. 

They will also discuss using a coin toss to determine the site for a potential Wild Card game between the Baltimore Ravens and Bengals in the event that Baltimore defeats Cincinnati this weekend and face each other in the playoffs. 

This means that, despite being named AFC North champions as a result of the canceled game, the Bengals are not guaranteed to host a home playoff game in the Wild Card round. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The drama surrounding Republican leader Kevin McCarthy’s stalled bid to become the next speaker of the House has garnered nationwide attention, and now, those who oppose McCarthy’s nomination, including one prominent Democrat, are asking their supporters for financial support.

The House of Representatives headed into its eleventh vote to determine the House speaker on Thursday night as 21 Republicans continue to withhold their support for GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy of California.

Of the 21 Republicans, at least two – Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz and Arizona GOP Rep. Andy Biggs – have issued emails to supporters calling for donations amid their fight to prevent McCarthy from obtaining the speaker’s gavel.

In a Thursday evening email from Gaetz, who has seemingly led the GOP movement against McCarthy in the House, the congressman wrote: “Maybe the right person for the job of Speaker of the House isn’t someone who has sold shares of himself for more than a decade to get it…”

HOUSE SPEAKER VOTE: HERE ARE THE 21 REPUBLICANS WHO AREN’T VOTING FOR MCCARTHY

Rep. Matt Gaetz R-Fla., delivers remarks in the House Chamber during the third day of elections for Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on January 05, 2023 in Washington, DC.
(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

“If you want to Drain the Swamp, you CANNOT put the biggest alligator in charge of the exercise,” Gaetz told his supporters in the email. “But that’s exactly what we would get with a McCarthy Speakership…”

“I need to know if you’ll stand with me on this. Consider this your opportunity to show how the MAGA Base feels about a Cavin’ McCarthy Speakership. If you’re a “NO” Vote like I am… Please make that LOUD AND CLEAR by clicking the button below,” he said, including a link to his campaign donation page.

Like Gaetz, Biggs, who has strongly opposed McCarthy’s bid for speaker, also sent out a campaign email requesting financial assistance from his supporters, according to New York Times reporter Nick Confessore.

“We BLOCKED Kevin McCarthy from becoming Speaker of the House,” Biggs reportedly wrote in the email. “…but now, we conservatives must lead the fight to get the leadership we deserve. Saving this country from Joe Biden and the Left is going to be tough. That’s why we need a leader who has the record, skill, and ferocity to lead the House GOP.”

From left to right: Reps. Democrat Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Republican Matt Gaetz of Florida, Kevin McCarthy of California, and Republican Andy Biggs of Arizona.
(Nathan Howard, Joe Raedle, Alex Wong, Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images )

THE VOTE FOR HOUSE SPEAKER

“But I am running out of time to win over my colleagues. Can I count on your support as I fight for a conservative Speaker…and finally put the Establishment on notice,” Biggs added, including a link where donations could be made.

Democrats are also using the holdup in the House by Republicans to fundraise.

In an email titled “embarrassing chaos” – which was sent Thursday evening by incoming Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries – the newly elected Democratic leader told his supporters that he lacks the total number of donations to “show that Democrats are united and ready to lead our country.”

“Republicans have now failed 6 times to elect a Speaker of the House. This hasn’t happened in over 100 years,” Jeffries said in the campaign email. “I’ll be blunt: Republicans are incapable of governing. And they’re putting politics over the American people. But if Democrats stick together in this historic moment, we have an opportunity to show how powerful we are.”

Jeffries’ email also contained a list of links where his supporters could make donations.

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

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Twenty of the GOP members-elect have voted for other candidates while one has voted present – or not voting for any candidate – amid the tumultuous votes.

The 21 House Republicans who haven’t voted for McCarthy are Reps.-elect Andy Biggs of Arizona, Dan Bishop of North Carolina, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Josh Bechreen of Oklahoma, Michael Cloud of Texas, Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Eli Crane of Arizona, Matt Gaetz of Florida, Bob Good of Virginia, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Andy Harris of Maryland, Ana Paulina Luna of Florida, Mary Miller of Illinois, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Andy Ogles of Tennessee, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Matt Rosendale of Montana, Chip Roy of Texas, Keith Self of Texas, Byron Donalds of Florida and Victoria Spartz of Indiana.

Spartz – who has voted present in recent rounds after initially backing McCarthy – is the one Republican of the 21 who has yet to vote for a McCarthy opponent.

Fox News’ Houston Keene contributed to this report.

MOSCOW, Idaho — Idaho murder victim Kaylee Goncalves’ family said they will be part of the criminal justice process “for the long haul” after seeing suspect Bryan Kohberger in person for the first time Thursday.

Goncalves, 21, was one of four University of Idaho students brutally stabbed in their home on King Road in Moscow while two of the victims’ roommates survived. The other victims include Goncalves’ best friend, 21-year-old Madison Mogen; 20-year-old Xana Kernodle; and her boyfriend, 20-year-old Ethan Chapin.

“It’s obviously an emotional time for the family, seeing the defendant for the first time,” the family’s attorney, Shanon Gray, said outside the Latah County courthouse after Kohberger’s initial appearance during which he was ordered held without bond. “This is the beginning of the criminal justice system, and the family will be here for the long haul. And that’s the statement for the media today.”

Gray also said the family would not be taking any questions.

UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO STUDENT STABBINGS TIMELINE

The Goncalves family leaves the Latah County courthouse Jan. 5, 2023. Thursday was the first time they had seen Bryan Kohberger, the suspected murderer of Kaylee Goncalves, in person. 
(Fox News Digital)

Goncalves’ mother, Kristi Goncalves, told Fox News her family has “to stay strong for Kaylee and Maddie,” who were found dead in the same bed Nov. 13.

IDAHO MURDERS: BYRAN KOHBERGER HELD WITHOUT BOND IN STUDENT SLAYINGS AMID CHILLING NEW DETAILS

She talked about how beautiful their friendship was, dating back to fifth grade. She said the family will try to attend each future hearing, but it’s “hard” because getting to the Moscow courthouse requires about a two-hour drive.

Kaylee Goncalves, one of four University of Idaho students found murdered Nov. 13 in a home near campus.
(Facebook)

While the suspect’s motive remains unknown, an affidavit was released Thursday morning linking Kohberger, his vehicle and his phone to the scene and time of the crime. 

Kohberger also allegedly left behind a tan leather knife sheath on a bed next to Mogen’s right side, according to the affidavit. The sheath had “Ka-Bar” and a United States Marine Corps eagle globe and anchor insignia stamped on the outside of it, investigators said.

READ THE AFFIDAVIT HERE

IDAHO MURDER VICTIMS’ ROOMMATE HEARD CRYING, SAW MAN IN MASK NIGHT OF KILLINGS: COURT DOCS

Kohberger, 28, was a Ph.D. criminology student at nearby Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, where he lived in an apartment building.

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The murders left both towns of Moscow and Pullman on edge, though the feeling among locals has shifted from concerned and fearful to slightly relieved after Kohberger’s arrest. 

A local CBS affiliate in Missouri has launched an internal investigation after an unauthorized email was sent out by the channel trashing former President Trump. 

Jefferson City’s CBS 13 KRCG sent an email Wednesday responding to a press release from the Make America Great Again Inc. PAC promoting an op-ed titled “Trump Can Rescue, Restore the American Dream.”

“Stop sending us these pathetic emails.  Stop it,” the email obtained by Fox News Digital read. “We don’t want to hear from your criminal, traitorous, idiot candidate.  Besides, he needs to get busy getting ready for prison.  Prepare for a long stay!!”

TRUMP’S INABILITY TO LIFT KEVIN MCCARTHY IN SPEAKER RACE LEAVES MEDIA ASKING ‘WHAT POWER DOES HE REALLY HAVE?’

A message sent out by the Missouri CBS affiliate KRCG email account trashing former President Trump is under investigation.
(Screenshot)

The email, first reported by The Daily Caller, was blasted by Taylor Budowich, head by MAGA Inc. 

“Trust in America’s media is at an all-time low, not because of Republicans or President Trump, but because they’ve exposed themselves as partisan activists who defy facts and truth to push their radical world view,” Budowich told Fox News Digital in a statement. “As we see with this email, it’s not just CNN and the big networks who are hostile towards President Trump, but the plague of liberal bias has infected even the smallest of local networks. Only one phrase comes to mind: enemy of the people.”

MATT GAETZ VOTES FOR DONALD TRUMP FOR HOUSE SPEAKER IN SLIGHT TO MCCARTHY

Beth Worsham, the vice president and general manager of KRCG, told The Daily Caller “this is not a reflection of our journalistic standards and will be met with disciplinary action pending an investigation.”

Sinclair Broadcasting Group, which owns KRCG, did not immediately respond to Fox News’ request for comment.

The email debacle from the CBS affiliate is another example of the media’s longstanding animosity towards the former president. 

Former President Donald Trump.
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

Trump launched his third bid for the White House in November, one week after the 2022 midterms, and is currently the only declared 2024 candidate. 

Some are speculating about a potential rematch between him and his 2020 rival President Biden, who has repeatedly said he intends to seek reelection, particularly after Democrats performed better than expected in the 2022 midterms many had predicted would result in a nationwide “red wave.”

TRUMP WARNS LAWMAKERS OPPOSING MCCARTHY FOR SPEAKER ARE PLAYING A ‘DANGEROUS GAME,’ THE DEAL MUST GET DONE

Since launching his candidacy, Trump has largely remained absent from the campaign trail. While polling continues to show Trump dominating in a hypothetical GOP field, the former president appears more vulnerable in one-on-one matchups, specifically with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who just won reelection in a blowout gubernatorial race in the Sunshine State. 

US President Joe Biden smiles during a news conference in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. Biden is speaking following a midterm election in which Democrats fared better than expected and avoided a worst-case scenario in Tuesday night’s vote as a feared Republican wave failed to materialize. 
(Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The former president also faces multiple investigations regarding the storage of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago property, his role in challenging the results of the 2020 presidential election and the events surrounding the Jan. 6 riot in 2021. Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Special Counsel Jack Smith to spearhead the politically sensitive probes. 

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Additionally, there have been questions over whether Trump maintains his influence over the GOP, specifically following the 2022 midterms where many of his most prominent endorsed candidates lost in key races. 

His endorsement of Rep.-elect Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in the ongoing battle for Speaker of the House has not moved any of the 20 Republicans who are blocking the leader from reaching the 218 vote threshold. Notably, Trump has received vocal support from Rep.-elect Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., for the former president to become speaker. 

Trump, who previously rejected the notion of becoming speaker, teased the idea Thursday by sharing a photoshopped meme on his social media platform Truth Social of him standing behind Biden during a State of a Union address. 

Positive news came from doctors regarding the health of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who continues to improve despite remaining in the intensive care unit at University of Cincinnati Medical Center. 

While the NFL’s focus remains on Hamlin’s health, the league is expected to move on with its Week 18 slate of games. Even the Bills were at practice Thursday with the mindset they will be playing the New England Patriots Sunday. 

However, the league must figure out what it wants to do with the postponed Bills-Cincinnati Bengals game from Monday night. During the game, Hamlin went into cardiac arrest after his hit on wide receiver Tee Higgins. 

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Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium Sept. 25, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla.
(Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

“No decisions have been made,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told Fox News Digital about how the league will move forward with the Bills-Bengals game. “We continue to explore all options.”

One of those options is to not resume the game. And ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter believes that’s what will happen.

“As somebody said to me this past week, the game is bad mojo; it’s time to leave it behind,” Schefter said on ESPN’s “First Take.” “Move forward, not back.”

DAMAR HAMLIN ASKED ABOUT BILLS’ GAME RESULT AFTER WAKING UP, DOCTORS SAY

To move forward without resuming the game, which the Bengals were leading 7-3 at the time, the NFL must figure out how that plays into playoff seeding. Schefter gave a scenario that his coworker, former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, suggested. 

“He said you call the Bengals-Bills a tie,” Schefter noted. “The No. 1 seed gets the choice of home field throughout the playoffs or the bye. The No. 2 seed gets whatever isn’t chosen.”

Schefter added that he believes the league did think about having the No. 1 seed choose between home field or receiving a bye in the first round. 

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) runs near Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) during the first half of a game Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Cincinnati. Hamlin was injured on the play. 
(AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)

He also believes a neutral site for the AFC championship game might be in the cards. 

“If there is an AFC championship game, in the end, that involves teams that don’t have the same amount of games played, where Monday night’s non-result factors into who gets home-field advantage, here’s what I think the league will do,” Schefter explained. “I think the league would say, ‘We’re not gonna have any home-field advantage this year. We’re gonna play the conference game on a neutral site.”

The current No. 1 seed in the AFC is the Kansas City Chiefs at 13-3, but a win by the Bills Monday night would have kept them in the top spot because they own a head-to-head tiebreaker. 

HOSPITAL PRAISES BILLS MEDICAL STAFF FOR ‘TEXTBOOK EXECUTION’ TENDING TO DAMAR HAMLIN

Cincinnati Bengals long snapper Clark Harris stands on the NFL logo during warmups for the Super Bowl between the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams Feb. 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.
(Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Bengals were also looking to keep their spot at the top of the AFC North, which will be decided between them and the Baltimore Ravens, their Week 18 opponent. 

Only a few days remain before Week 18 kicks off, and teams continue to prepare as if they will be suiting up Sunday. 

While everyone awaits the league’s decision, there was some relief when UC Medical Center doctors reported Hamlin made tremendous improvement over the last 24 hours. He was communicating with doctors through writing due to a breathing tube still being used, and he actually asked who won the game Monday night. Hamlin was also able to grip the hands of family members. 

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) warms up prior to a game against the Cincinnati Bengals Jan. 2, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.
(Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

NFLPA Medical Director Dr. Thom Mayer said Hamlin is expected to make a “full neurologic recovery.”

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“When he asked ‘Did we win?’ the answer is, ‘Yes, Damar, you won the game of life,’” Dr. Timothy Pritts said. 

The trial date for an Arizona alleged polygamous cult leader with 20 wives – some of whom are underage and as young as nine – has been pushed back to March to allow his attorney time to prepare.

Samuel Rappylee Bateman – as well as his conspirators and aiders and abettors – is accused of engaging in the transportation of minors in interstate commerce to engage in criminal sexual activity and travel interstate commerce to engage in illicit sexual conduct with minors, between May 2020 and November 2021, between Arizona, Utah, Nevada and Nebraska.

Samuel Rappylee Bateman, 46, of Colorado City, Arizona, is accused of the transportation of minors in interstate commerce to engage in criminal sexual activity. 
(Coconino County Sheriff’s Office)

Bateman’s wives were allegedly transported across state lines in a trailer, while the self-proclaimed prophet drove two Bentleys while pushing failed business ventures in real estate and goal coaching.

BENTLEY-DRIVING ACCUSED CULT LEADER HAS 20 WIVES AS YOUNG AS AGE 9, POSSIBLY MARRIED OWN DAUGHTER, FBI ALLEGES

The investigation revealed that on August 28, 2022, Bateman, with aiders and abettors, committed obstruction of justice by destroying records of their illegal actions, according to federal prosecutors. 

Bateman pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping and tampering with evidence in a federal investigation into his community, according to a report from Fox station KSAZ in Phoenix.

Three girls embrace before they are removed from the home of Samuel Bateman, following his arrest in Colorado City, Ariz., on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022. Seven were removed from the Bateman home, as well as two others from another house as part of the investigation. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP)
(Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP)

While the trial was expected to begin on Jan. 10, 2023, Bateman’s attorney requested more time to prepare. The judge granted more time, and the trial is expected to start on March 14.

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Bateman claims to be a prophet of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, of FLDS, a subset of the fundamentalist Mormon Denominations whose members practice polygamy.

Bateman, according to an FBI affidavit included in a criminal complaint against three new charged co-conspirators, has nearly 50 followers and over 20 wives, many of whom are minors, mostly under the age of 15.

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The probable cause affidavit filed in federal court last month by FBI Agent Dawn A. Martin alleges that some of Bateman’s wives were the wives or daughters of Bateman’s male followers. The affidavit also accuses Bateman of trying to take his own daughter as his wife.

Fox News’ Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.