Transcripts For FOXNEWS Special Report With Bret Baier 20241001

John good Evening And Welcome to washington. Im John Roberts in for bret baier. Next promised Military Operation is underway. Plus, we look at the number of migrants released into the united states who were convicted of violent crimes. And with a possible strike at sea ports on the horizon, retailers are preparing for supply shortages. John but, first, breaking tonight, officials say hundreds could be dead in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Confirming those numbers iS Proving difficult. Millions of people are without Power And Cell service. In North Carolina, the lack of Communication Services have prompted hundreds of Missing Persons reports with many others still stranded in their homes due to high floodwaters. Correspondent Steve Harrigan is in asheville, North Carolina tonight, where he has been surveying the devastation. Steve. Good evening, john. The mayor put it simply she said we need everything. Everything is just. Wiped out and washed away. Our whole house. Roads and bridges, homes and businesses, all erased by the extend the power of Hurricane Helene. Oh my gosh. Its an an incredibly apocalyptic weekend for all of us here. More actual two feet of Rain Socking Parts of western North Carolina causing the worst flooding in centuries. The village of simi i dont care gone. City of Ash Vai underwater. Built more Village Caked in mud. Once picturesque lake muir, filled with debris, the royal Town Of Swannanoa is unrecognizable. It a lot to process. You can barely recognize some areas. You are trying to figure out where am i . Not only are thousands left homeless but struggling for supplies, waiting for hours for clean water, food, and gas. I dont know what they are going to do to get us out of zero people are cut off from the outside world. With roads closed, no Power And Cell service, leaving many unable to get in touch with loved ones. It is a dire situation. We are still in an active crisis situation. North carolinas governor activated more than 500 soldiers and airmen for the national guard. And is asking people to stay off the roads as Search Teams look for those still missing. Everyone iS Pulling together to meet the needs of people of western North Carolina. But we know there is a long way to go. There went the 107 bridge. Helene left behind a 500mile path of destruction, spanning six states. It could take weeks to years to recover while Floridas Governor says his state has everything it needs, residents of places like Treasure Island are still inundated with sand and water. My heart breaks for this entire community. The Death Toll continues to rise it. Now stands at more than 120. John . John its raining again. Steve harrigan for us. Steve, thank you. President Joe Biden says he will visit North Carolina on wednesday to survey the damage in asheville. He and Vice President harris say they are prepared to help communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. It comes amid criticism that they were both absent from washington as many people began to assess the damage. Our chief Washington Correspondent Mike Emanuel looks at the federal response. I want them to know were not leaving until the job is done. Holy smokes. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, federal teams are now coordinating with state and local authorities following what experts call, quote historic, catastrophic flooding. The current data we have is that it looks like there could be as many as 600 lost lives. Vice president harris was briefed aboard Air Force 2 yesterday, reminiscent to some of the photo of President Bush during Hurricane Katrina. Former President Trump accused her of, quote Leaving Americans To Drown and staging a fake photo op. Let me get this straight, is he lying. He implies we are not doing everything possible. We are. Harris is back in washington early this morning the Vice President decided to cut short her Campaign Swing in nevada, several hours after former President Trumps team announced he would be traveling to hard hit georgia. She received an update a short time ago on federal action supporting Emergency Response and recovery efforts. I plan to be on the ground as soon aS Possible. But as soon aS Possible without disrupting any Emergency Response operations because that must be the highest priority and the first order of business. The president pushing back when asked why he and harris were not in washington this weekend leading the response. Come on, stop 90 miles from here, knock i was on the phone the whole time. A senior congressional source tells fox it would not be surprising if congress were called to address damage from helene with some suggesting western North Carolina looks like New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina back in 2005 lawmakers rushed through a 10 Billion Aid Package to help the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of katrina. John . John certainly going to need something along those lines to recover from. This mike, thank you. Mike you bet. John if you would like to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene donate now at red cross. Org fox forward or simply scan the Qr Code on your screen. Former President Donald Trump is criticizing the Bidenharris Administration Response to Hurricane Helene. The republican nominee was in georgia today, to distribute supplies and receive a briefing on the storms impact. Correspondent Alexandria Hoff is in valdosta tonight. We pulled together. We pitch in, we p persevere. In the rubble of a wrecked Antique Mall President Trump Dime Valdosta with much needed supplies in tow. To water to all sorts of equipment thats going to help them. In partnership is franklin Grahams Relief Organization Samaritans Purse Trump says he stands in solidarity with the people of georgia and plans to travel to North Carolina later this week. As you know, our country is in the final weeks of a hardfought national election. But in a time like this, when a crisis hits, when our fellow citizens cry out, in need, none of that matters. Were not talking about politics. But, when asked if he has reached out to President Biden about federal Relief Efforts no i havent reached out to him. I think he is sleeping right now. Trump also accused the current administration of being unresponsive to georgia governor brian kemp. This morning, kemp said that he did speak with President Biden after missing his call yesterday. I spoke to President Biden last night about 5 00. Just about the storm, about the devastation we have seen four state. Vice president harris and i have been playing phone tag. And trump said that earlier today he spoke with Elon Musk about making Star Link available to those who are still struggling to communicate with their loved ones. John . John all right. We will see in that comes together Alexandria Huff for us in Value Dose Attachment the man attempting to assassinate President Trump haS Pleaded not guilty to federal charges. Ryan routh appeared briefly in a courtroom. The Grand Jury handed down a 5 count indictment. The attorneys requested that he have a jury trial. Jerome powell is says the Central Bank is not in a hurry to lower interest rates. Stocks declined following those comments but rallied late this afternoon. The dow finished up 17. The S P 500 gained 24. The Nasdaq Rose 70. John israel is countering threats from nearly every direction tonight. Yemens houthi rebels say they will escalate Military Operations in response to attacks. Israeli airstrikes targeted gaza today, as troops in the north entered lebanon ahead of what officials say will become a larger ground operation. Israel continues to target beirut days after killing hezbollahs leader. U. S. Officials say his death is a good thing for the region. A senior correspondent Mike Tobin is in haifa, Israel Tonight and joins us. Hi, mike. And, john, for about four hours now, israeli artillery has been thundering across the border into lebanon. That started shortly after the army declared some small towns on the northern border closed military zones. Without Idf Confirmation that israeli boots are on the ground in lebanon, explosions can be seen and heard there. With at least two brigades of reservists and Elite Paratrooper Brigades with a complement of tanks and armor. Israels Defense Minister told troops in the north stopping the Rocket Fire and returning the israelis safely to their homes would require their service and sacrifice. Well employ all the capabilities at our disposal. And if someone on the other side did not understand what those capabilities entail, we mean all capabilities. And you are part of this effort. The idf has been able to strike targets at will in the south of lebanon and has expanded the strikes into beirut. Killing operatives with hamas and the popular front for the liberation of palestine. All of that following the assassination of hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and the top of the hezbollah command structure. Still the acting successor to Hassan Nasrallah said hezbollah fighters are ready for Idf Ground forces. If the israelis decide to enter by land, the resistance forces are ready for ground engagement. Israel has had a series of military successes, including sundays airstrikes and parts of houthi controlled Yemen Hinting the idf could do the same thing to iran. As israel takes the war into a new phase, israel does it in defiance of the u. S. President. Im comfortable with them stopping. We should have a ceasefire now. Thank you. Also tonight, new airstrikes into southern beirut neighborhood. The same neighborhood where Hassan Nasrallah was killed, warnings went in ahead of the strikes. Now u. S. Sources say this is not intended to be as large of an incursion as the 2,006 in lebanon. It intend toward specific hezbollah infrastructures. John . John no question about that. This in from baghdad. Several rockets were fired Day Base known as Camp Victim tri iraqi terrorism units baghdad international airport. A senior u. S. Official says there were no u. S. Casualties. The details are still unclear. Reuters cited Iraqi Military Officials who said gof the Katyusha Rockets were successfully intercepted. The story is developing. Well keep you apprized of it. Up next. The closer look at immigration and Customs Enforcement data showing the number of migrations released into the u. S. Under the Bidenharris Administration who have criminal records. First,beyond our borders tonight, russia Fires Missiles and drones across ukraine in a 33rd consecutive night of aerial attacks beyond the frontline. The attacks come as russian president Vladimir Putin marks the second anniversary of the annexation of four ukrainian territories. Nearly 200 people are dead in nepal after heavy rainfall caused flooding and landslides in that himalayan country. Dozens were killed in landslide that buried buses. As travelers waited on a blocked highway. Rescue workers have been able to step in as the weather has improved. This is a live look at rome. One of the big stories there tonight, eye at that timian Police Arrest 19 people were links to a Mafia Group and milan Soccer Fan clubs. The leaders of the ac. Milan ultra Fan Groups are amongst the accused. Prosecutors allege the suspects attempted to take control of business activities around the citys soccer stadium. Just some of the stories other stories beyond our borders tonight, well be right back. Youre leaving me . For a turbotax expert. Sing it adam turbotaxll beat your price this is a Taaaax Breakup this fall, switch to a turbotax live expert and well beat the price you paid your pro last tax season. Breaking tonight big news out of georgia where the judge struck Downstates Abortion Law which took in 2022 prohibited abortions beyond about 6 weeks of pregnancy. And from people in nearby states. Georgia was one of four states where the bans kick in six weeks of presidency. Data from immigration and Customs Enforcement that revealed thousands of migrants convicted of migrant crimes have been released to rome around the united states. Former President Trump is blaming Vice President Harris Walk free the Harris Campaign and Biden Campaign numbers distorted and well beyond their administration. Peter doocy takes a closer look at the more recent Data Harris is responsible for. False representation. I got to call that out. We got to call that the o. White house is disputing figures released by the Deputy Director of ice who told congress as many as 13,000 people convicted of homicide have crossed the u. S. Border and are ices nondetained docket. Miss veption. The numbers is being put out how many people are out has been falsely represented here. The data in this letter is being misrepresented. The data goes back decades. It includes individuals who entered the country over the past 40 years or more. Thats no comfort for republican critics. These are the only ones we know, right . There are others that we probably dont know because they have left that border wide open. White house extending restrictions on asylum. Sings june, nobody has been granted asylum if Border Crossings reach 2500 day until crossings fall to 1500 a day for a week. Now Restrictions Wont be lifted until crossings fall to 1500 a day for a month. Vice president Harris Claims she goal even further than President Biden. While we understand that many people are desperate to migrant to the united states, our system must be orderly and secure. White house officials dont see that as a slight against their handling of the border. The Vice President was going to build upon what we have been able to do. And thats how democrats are starting to explain why Vice President harris hasnt done more on immigration in three and a half years as Vice President. Its not that now she iS Proposing something entirely new. She is just proposing something that will build on what biden did. John . John all right. Peter doocy for us. Parsing the words at the White House. Peter, thank you. Up next, Port Workers from across the country, preparing to strike as businesses brace for Supply Chain shortages. First, here is what some of our Fox Affiliates around the country are covering tonight. Fox 32 in chicago, as verizon says it is making progress on a Network Issue and service has started to be restored for some users. More than 100,000 users reported issues earlier today. Saying they were unable to send messages or place calls. Fox 4 in billings, montana, where a man is sentenced for cloning giant sheep. Yes, you heard that right. For trophy hunting. 81yearold Arthur Jack Shoe bart pleaded guilty in march charges he conspired to clone a Marco Polo Sheep brought illegally into the united states breed the animals to create larger hybrid species. This is a live look Los Angeles from fox 11. One of the big stories there tonight, direct tv says it will require dish as it seeks to compete against streaming services. The Debt Exchange Deal includeS Payment of 1 and the assumption of around 9. 8 billion in debt. The federal Communications Commission blocked an effort to merge the two companies more than two decades ago. Increase in supreming services make it likely lawmakers will approve the pairing this time around. That is tonights live look outside the beltway from special report. Well be right back like a relentless weed, moderate to severe Ulcerative Colitis symptoms can keep coming back. Start to break away from uc with tremfya. With rapid relief at 4 weeks. Tremfya blocks a key source of inflammation. At one year, many people experienced remission. And some saw 100 visible healing of their intestinal lining. Serious allergic reactions and increased risk of infections may occur. Before treatment, your doctor should check you for infections and tb. Tell your doctor if you have an infection, flulike symptoms or if you need a vaccine. Healing iS Possible with tremfya. Ask your doctor about tremfya today. Heres to getting better with age. Heres to beating these two every thursday. Help Fuel Today with boost high protein, complete nutrition you need, and the flavor you love. So, heres to now. Now available Boost Max John Retailers and businesses on edge ahead of possible Supply Chain disruptions. Union workers are prepared to go on strike at ports across the country tomorrow. Fox Business Correspondent Grady trimble is at the Port Of Baltimore and explains what the impact could look for like for consumers. Good evening, grady. Good evening. Sources tell Fox Business The Union rejected the latest offer from the Employer Group representing the ports with less than six hours to spare, that means that the likelihood of a mask and costly strike is increasing tonight at ports from texas all the way up to maine. The international Longshoremens Association is threatening its nearly 45,000 members could walk off the job if the Employer Group doesnt meet its demands. The union iS Pushing for a 77 Pay Increase over the next six years. The use of automated equipment at ports is also a sticking point. We spoke to a florida business owner, his company imports fresh produce that are sold at grocery stores. And that company is already flying some of itS Product into the u. S. Instead of putting it on cargo ships. He says that could lead to higher prices at the store. I hope that both sides understand the ramifications to a strike like this. And would agree to continue to negotiate rather than hold the economy hostage. Today the u. S. Chamber of Commerce Taft Hartley act to force workers to stay on the job while negotiations continue but President Biden has said he doesnt want to invoke that law. Some democrats are down playing the political consequences of a work stoppage. The election is in a matter of weeks. I dont anticipate that people have a sense that this is disrupting their lives. I have an incredible team that will make sure that this does not bleed over into Peoples Lice and therefore i do not believe will have a political impact either. EconomistS Predict port Workers Strike could cost the u. S. Economy up to 2 Billion in a single week. Thats on the low end. There are some estimates that suggest it could cost 4. 5 billion every single day that thiS Potential strike lasts. Joan . Well, the cargo stops moving, i dont know how the new York Governor makes good on her pledge. We will see. Maybe she has got an ace up her sleeve. Grady, thank you very much. Appreciate it. Tonight we take a look at the senate race. Slotkin and Mike Rogers are running to fill Democrat Debby Stab nows seat after she opted not to run for reelection. The current Balance Of Power in the u. S. Senate is 51 democrats and those who caucus with them to 49 republicans. Rogers comes to the race after serving in the house for 14 years. Four of those chairing the house intelligence committee. He also heads The Endorsement of former President Trump. Slotkin first elected to the house in 2018 as serving as a middle East Analyst with the cia and the director for iraq with the national security council. New york times Siena Poll has slotkin leading rogers by five points among likely voters. The late latest Power Rankings says this race is leaning towards the democrats but slotkin and her supporters are taking nothing for granted after she warned donors that her internal polling Vice President harris under water in michigan. According to fec reports, as of june the 30th, slotkin has raised 24. 1 million compared to rogers 5. 4 million. Republican Vice President ial nominee j. D. Vance has arrived in New York ahead of tomorrows debate. He held several events in pennsylvania over the weekend. Democrat Vice President ial nominee Tim Walz was in Michigan Today and meeting with voters in between debate prep. Alexis mcadams has a preview of how they plan to appeal to voters across the country. We are now just over 24 hours away from the first and likely only Vice President ial debate between ohio senator j. D. Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. J. D. IS Prepared on all of the terrible decisions that Kamala Harris has made throughout her dwyer career. Trump team says vance will wipe the floor with walz who is according to Media Reports very nervous for this debate. The Walz Team hesitate he is ready. I think he is looking forward to debating j. D. Vance. Both know how pivotal this debate could be as the polls show the race is tight. Its a good reminder this is going to be a really close race. I think when we look at the fact we had only 36 days or so left until the election. The candidates are going to have to be throughout earning peoples support. Republican Minnesota Congressman Tom imsummer helping vance with debate plant. Role playing walz who ehmer says basically just california Governor Gavin Newsom in a flannel shirt. When you first meet him and he has these smiles. Is he likeable until you start to get to know Tim Walz and hiS Policies. So whats walz planning to do on stage . Be himself. And former President Trump says this is going to come down to the economy and immigration. Whats the difference between your plan for the economy and for americans versus kamala harriS Plan for the economy . Well, there are a lot of them. One is that we are bringing companies back but a Big One is that he would lowering taxes very simply and she is raising taxes. So, john, this debate is going to be different here in New York city. Cbs news says the candidates will be responsible for factchecking each other. But, former President Trump saying today that debate will be rigged. So we will have to see exactly what happens ton that debate stage, john. John going to be a Smack Down in New York. Alex mcadams for us. At least a dozen Veterans Affair staffers accused of accessing the medical records of both of the Vice President ial nominees. The Washington Post Reports Investigators notified the Trumpvance And Harriswalz campaigns. The employees are under criminal investigation for potentially violating federal Health Privacy laws. Up next, a preview of a new film shining a light on human Trafficking And Child labor. But as we head to break, Basketball Hall of famer has died. The nba announced his death from brain cancer. Is he remembered as one of the best defensive players in Nba History an a long time global ambassador for the game. Dikembe mutombo has died. Christopher kristofferson has died. He starred along Barbra Streisand in the 1976 film a star is born. The family says he died peacefully at his home in mayy, he was 88 years old. Being good was good enough for me good enough for me and Bobby Mcgee have you ever thought of getting a walkin tub for you or someone you love . Now is a great time to take a look at getting a Safe Step walkin tub. With Safe Steps standard heated seat and new fast fill faucet, you can enjoy a nice Warm Bath up to 20 faster. Safe step walkin tubs are built to maximize safety. So you can stay in your home and enjoy the comforts of bathing again. This is carvana. And this is how you can sell us your car. Visit carvana, answer a few questions. Well give you a real offer. Then set A Time For Us to pick it up and pay you on the spot. Sell your car the easy way with carvana. Being described as gripping tale of Resilience And Hope they use on jesse watterS Primetime prime Video And Apple tv is called city of dreams. And its about child trafficking. The film follows one boy want harrowing journey as he is sent from mexico to a Sweat Shop in Los Angeles. Author and speak speaker Tony Robbins is executive producer. The writer and director, thank you both for being here. Tony, just give us the Elevator Pitch on this movie because i think its really compelling, just even looking at the trailer. Its really a movie you want to see just because its a thriller. It will keep you on the edge of your seat. Based on a series of True Stories that have been combined together. Its about a boy that gets trafficked. He thinks he is coming to go to a Soccer Camp and maybe play for the galaxy in l. A. And he getS Put into a Sweat Shop and so its about slave labor. But its hard to describe. Its beyond your imagination what these kids go through. And on the other side of it though its a heros journey. Because this young man finds a way Against All Odds to free himself and others. In The End its really called action. There are 12 Million children in the world that are enslaved. Fastest growing criminal Ernesto Prize in the world. 150 billion. People have no idea what is happening when they hear 10 or 11 Million people come across the border and the government tells us we have lost 325,000 children where they are. This is where some are ending up. The film has the power to move people emotionally. We have slavery in this country forever. What changed it uncle Toms Cabin it made people say no more. Even Abraham Lincoln read the book. Think about the impact that had to change slavery. I think that film is in that direction. Bret let me play a clip from the Film City of dreams. [speaking spanish] what kind of business are you in. The busy kind. Bret real life. It is gripping. But it transitions over to what is really happening today. Yeah. I mean, it was very shocking for me. Im originally from india. You know this stuff is happening in India And China and Third World countries. But i read a case 10 years ago. 72 trapped in a residential location in el monte, california. And i couldnt believe it. What has been even more shocking is as i was making the movie between 2019, 2020, 2021. Cases just got worse. I connected with a guy they Labor Department who runs the Wage And Hour division for the entire West Coast he started sending me cases. Eventually the New York times last year did an expose about 300,000 children are gone missing in our country and many of them have ended up in the Supply Chains of some of the largest corporations in america. Bret i want to play some of the movie testimonials, some of the people you know, tony, take a listen. Every now and then you come across a film that is actually truly important. Exposes in no uncertain terms the harsh, brutal and devastating reality for numerous, innocent victims of human Trafficking Right here in the united states. Its a masterpiece about one of the most insidiouS Problems that we have in the world and in our country. Its not a partisan thing, tony. It gets characterized as somehow left and right. But it really isnt. I think this is focusing on the issues around the Border Today and its not about that. Its about our children. Our children are not a left and right thing. You know, we need to know what is going on. The first step is awareness and emotion, this film will impact you, its an incredible film on its own but a film with a mission. Im showing you from a boyS Point of view what happens when you are trapped across the border and sold into slavery. When i was making the film, it wasnt a big political issue. I mean, i started this journey in 2019. Somebody said to me i know you tried to make this Slumdog Millionaire story. You have to be pointing at the biggest vulnerability of one of the two Political Parties in Merge Today in a year they are trying to get elected. That wasnt my intention. My intention was to tell a heroic story of a kid who didnt have a voice and by The End of the movie he gets his voice back and shows us what we need to do in order to clean up our country. People love it see the film and hopefully inspired to participate to put an end to this. Our children need our help. This is really insane. Bret it iS Pretty crazy. It does crosS Party lines. It shouldnt be a one way or the other. The movie talks for itself. It is really powerful. It tracks real time. Here is the House Judiciary Committee hearing on human trafficking. Children are not for sale. Many children, especially those crossing the border as unaccompanied minors are not safe Child Labor and Sex Trafficking to the Production And Distribution of child sexual abuse materials online, harassment, and sextortion. Perpetrators of these repulsive crimes hide within our society. Bret thats democrats and republicans, tony, its real time and its happening now. The movie is current. Yeah. I think so, too. I just hope people will get a chance to see it, let themself be moved. Show it to their family and friends he. See it now. Its available on Amazon And Apple so you dont have to go to the Movie Theater to see it. Its an important film to see. My wife and i have personally been involved in this Trafficking Issue for almost 8 years. And with myself and some of our friends, we have saved over 71,000 children. And many of these kids by the way become social workers to go help other kids get out of this situation. Can you imagine the trauma they have been through. Turning this around is such an important issue and i appreciate, bret, you having us on. Bret tony, mo, we appreciate the time. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Bret john, we will send it back to you. John all right, bret. A very important movie indeed. Up next the panel on the political storm over the response to Hurricane Helene and is there another political Storm Brewing over a looming port Workers Strike . And then its a long way to take a dip and stand at the top of the podium. my back got injured very bad. I was off work for about a year. I heard about Relief Factor from my wife. I took it every day, three times a day, for three weeks. Look at her and i said, the pain is gone. And she said, im glad it helped. I said, no, you dont understand. Its gone. You, too, can feel better every day with Relief Factor, a daily supplement that fightS Pain naturally. Call or go online now for our 3week quickstart, just 19. 95. I wanna hold you forever hey Little Bear bear. Im gonna love you forever cmon, bear. You dont. You dont have to worry. Be by your side. Ill be there. With my arms wrapped around. This is catastrophic situation that we have in asheville, an unprecedented storm event. The federal government is not being responsive. The Vice President , she is out some place campaigning, the governor is doing a good job but he is having a hard time getting the president on the phone. My first responsibility to get all the help needed to the impacted areas. I plan to be on the ground as soon aS Possible. It could flip an election. If People Cant get out to vote they are looking for shelter, food and medicine. Tragic situation White House Homeland Security Adviser says could result in the deaths of some 600 people simply because its in two very important swing stayS Prohibition Inevidence Continuably creeps in this disaster. Guy benson. Josh kraushaar is a fox newS Political Radio Analyst and Francesca Chambers is here with us. Fran Chess Carrasco start us off here. Because it is georgia and North Carolina and a Disaster And Everybody wants to get the upper hands on this. Politics, again, inevitably creeps in. White house is trying to keep politics out of it they said. President biden does say he will go to North Carolina later this week as you were noting in the intro he didnt want to go and be on the ground. White house didnt want him to be in the way. It is always the debate for president s how quickly do you go to a disaster area. You dont want to be accused of not going quickly enough but dont want to put a strain on local resources you basically heard the same thing from the Vice President Today Trump said he wanted to go to North Carolina logistically it wasnt the right time. Thats why he went to valdosta. Biden and harris come under criticism. He was Hat Rehoboth and she was out west doing fundraisers when all of this went down. Peter doocy asked Karine Jeanpierre at the White House briefing. Listen here. People in western North Carolina were drowning in their houses this weekend. Others were losing everything, President Biden is at his Beach House and Vice President harris was hosting political fundraisers on the West Coast. Is there a reason they could not be here . The president did exactly what a president in this moment needs to do which is directing his team to take action. John he pushed back against that saying look i was on the phone the entire time which he likely wasnt do you have to be at the White House. He first said two hours and then the entire time. He was on the beach. Republican president would be getting a lot of scrutiny about the president being yet again at the beach for yet another weekend have some very horrible things happening to americans whether you care about the politics. These are people in need of help. I think it would be some criticism of this more i would say correct and high Decibel Criticism if the parties were reversed and look, the Vice President who is now the party runner, glitzy fundraiser. Demi lovato, Pete Wellington and Lobster Rolls im told. AS Peter asked peter were drowning optics do matter in politics. John she had a Military Lunch on the way back Air Force 2. The White House put a picture of her talking to chriswell the fema director. A photo slightly reminiscent of The One on the right. George bush taking a look at Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. Optics matter. Perception matters when you have natural disasters. Look, the Scope And Scale of the destruction of Hurricane Helene, i think, was much worse than the White House realized. It took a little and frankly a lot of folks were slow on the uptick to understand how damaging this hurricane was images matter and showing have you Empathy And Care about their wellbeing and the politics of the moment is significant. Look, if it turns out that the recovery is slow, these are two of the most important Swing States on the map, Kamala Harris running Neck And Neck in North Carolina and georgia. Every constituency matters. This could make a difference in a close election. John Something Else that could potentially lynn Der Commerce in all of the Swing States if we go into a Port Strike tonight. Biden asked invoke Taft Hartley to stop the strike from happening. Watch this exchange. Mr. President would you intervene in a Dock Worker Strike if they go on strike on tuesday. No. Why not . Because its collective bargaining, and i dont believe in Taft Hartley. John obviously is he concerned about The Unions but there are millions of other folks may not be able to get particularly in time for christmas. And the White House actually backed him up on that today. Karine jeanpierre saying from the podium he would not intervene and collective bargaining again raised the issue he has been the most prounion president in history from the White House podium. Wanted to take politics out. With the economy being the number one issue in poll after poll, it is certainly something that were to to happen and that still quite speculative at thiS Point could definitely be something that could have an effect on the election. How many longshoremen are there compared to how many consumers are there at large . Thats a fair question. And i think im sure the Harris Campaign just purely politics, they want no part of a protracted strike. This could be problematic for the economy. They want to resolved. They are trying to sort of bring back some of the labor vote. Because we have seen that hemorrhaging and the Trump Campaign gaining support there. They are in a bit of a bine. Resolved yet. Didnt the biden real problems with Supply Chain . A lot of political risk. Relationship with unions. The major theme of hiS Presidency. But he didnt get the teamsters or harris didnt get the teamsters endorsement. It sounds he is not willing to work the phones and actually try to cut a Lastminute Deal given his close relationships with the at love these blue collar unions. A lot of political ramifications for harris if the economy takes a Hit Right before the election would not be a good signal. It is important to note other senior White House officials were on the phone. They are on the phones with both sides at thiS Point. John i want to go over this real quick because we understand that israel has began a limited Ground Incursion into southern lebanon. This is what they said about the take out of nasrallah. The strike against Hassan Nasrallah justified Defensive Act against an enemy backed by Iran And Bent on the jewish states destruction. Its also a lesson for the biden administration in how to deter an enemy using Military Force instead of hopelesS Pleading for Restraint And Deescalation guy, is israel showing the way here . Yes, through strength. Its what people in that neighborhood understand. They have brought a world of hurt down on a lot of their enemies and frankly our enemies. Watching this wishy Washy Tinking coming out of the Bidenharris Administration is frankly embarrassing. What america should be saying to israel thank you, well done. Keep going and we will help as we can because the people they are taking out. Not only want to destroy the jewish state, they are stained with blood of americans. So this is a great service central iS Performing for the world. Biden was asked what do you think about what israel is doing. He says im looking forward to a ceasefire. Michael oren a former ambassador to the u. S. Was on my show earlier today. Opportunity to completely change the whole face of the middle east. Why stop now . Its something of a muddled message from both biden and Harris Campaign. Look, this is a moment of celebration. And, if you look at the statements by both the president and Vice President they celebrated Hassan Nasrallah the israel leader. We dont want you to go too far. We dont want you to finish the job against hezbollah. We have interviewed at Love Republicans and democrats who have cheered israels operation. And its a little bit unusual for the White House not to take not to get behind it fully. Its a real political opportunity to show that theyre fully behind the israelis. John all right. Well, we will see where this goes as this operation begins. Francesca, great to see you again. Its been a long time. All right. John finally tonight, a special day. Yeah. Its the crowd was definitely loud for me. I could feel them behind me. It was fun. John Cliff Divers from around the world gathered in turkey to showcase the beth stunts. Women jumped 69 feet. Men from 89 into the mediterranean see at the top Cliff Diving World series. A woman from great Britain And Man from australia. Somehow, i dont know how they do it but they all made it look very, very easy. Tomorrow on special report. A preview of the Vice President ial debate between democratic nominee Tim Walz and republican j. D. Vance. You can watch the Debate Simulcast on fox news. We will also have special conch before and after the debate. Remember, if you cant catch us live, set your dvr 6 00 p. M. , 3 p. M. On the West Coast. Thank you for watching. Im John Roberts. The Ingraham Angle is next. Laura good evening, everyone im laura ingraham. This is the Ingraham Angle from washington tonight