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US set to seize tens of millions in Venezuelan oil after tanker interception, White House says
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. plans to take control of the oil currently on a tanker off the coast of Venezuela that was seized by U.S. forces Wednesday.
Trump "talks a lot about how he thinks the way to bring down prices for everything would be to bring down the cost of energy," Fox News Senior White House Correspondent Peter Doocy said Thursday. "Would he use this seized Venezuelan oil to try to help Americans with affordability here in the United States?"
Leavitt responded, "The vessel will go to a U.S. port, and the United States does intend to seize the oil. However, there is a legal process for the seizure of that oil and that legal process will be followed."
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the U.S. had seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, sharply escalating U.S. tensions with the nation. The tanker was seized for allegedly being used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
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"The vessel is currently undergoing a forfeiture process. Right now, the United States currently has a full investigative team on the ground, on the vessel, and individuals on board the vessel are being interviewed, and any relevant evidence is being seized," Leavitt continued, adding that the oil on the tanker will go through a legal process before the U.S. claims the energy source.
The tanker, called the Skipper, loaded an estimated 1.8 million barrels of oil earlier in December, before transferring an estimated 200,000 barrels just before its seizure, Reuters reported.
The oil on the tanker is likely worth $60 million to more than $100 million, based on current average oil prices. Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for any additional comment on the estimated price tag of the oil but did not immediately receive a reply.
The U.S. military has carried out strikes on suspected drug trafficking boats near Venezuela since September as part of Trump's mission to end the flow of drugs into the nation. There have been at least 22 strikes on suspected narcotraffickers near Venezuela, killing 87, since September.
Doocy pressed Leavitt during the press conference on whether the U.S.' strikes and heightened tensions with Venezuela, dubbed Operation Southern Spear, are "about drugs or is it about oil?"
"The Trump administration is focused on doing many things in the Western Hemisphere," Leavitt responded. "The president has taken a new approach that has not been taken by any administration for quite some time to actually focus on what's going on in our own backyard. And there are two things that are very important to this administration."
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The boat strikes are viewed as part of a U.S. pressure campaign on Venezuela likely aimed to not only curb the flow of drugs, but also to oust dictatorial President Nicolás Maduro as leader of the oil-rich nation.
"Number one, stopping the flow of illegal drugs into the United States of America, which we know has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans," she continued, before adding that Trump is "fully committed to effectuating this administration's sanction policy. And that's what you saw and the world saw take place yesterday."
TRUMP WARNS COLOMBIA’S PRESIDENT GUSTAVO PETRO HE WILL ‘BE NEXT’ AMID DRUG-TRAFFICKING RIFT
"With respect to the oil and what happened yesterday, the Department of Justice requested and was approved for a warrant to seize a vessel because it's a sanctioned shadow vessel known for carrying black market sanctioned oil to the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps), which, you know, is a sanctioned entity," she continued. Venezuela is already subject to extensive U.S. sanctions, but was historically a major crude-oil supplier for the U.S.
Leavitt added that the administration will remain committed to the "president's sanction policies and the sanction policies of the United States."
"We're not going to stand by and watch sanctioned vessels sail the seas with black market oil. The proceeds of which will fuel narco-terrorism of rogue and illegitimate regimes around the world," she said.
Fox News Digital's Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
Israel unveils 'Iron Beam' laser weapon while achieving record $15B arms sales
Israel isn’t the world’s most popular country, except when it comes to military hardware. A country the size of New Jersey is now the world’s 8th largest arms exporter with a record-breaking $15 billion in sales in 2024.
Behind Britain, but ahead of Turkey and South Korea in foreign arms sales, governments are flocking to Israel to buy battle-tested weapons, especially rockets from its vaunted Iron Dome missile defense system.
Europe accounts for most of the sales – Germany and Finland being the largest, but India, Thailand, and Greece are buyers as well. Even Muslim majority countries — Morocco, the UAE and Bahrain buy missiles, drones and cybersecurity systems from the Jewish state.
The record sales come as Israel unveils its latest weapon. The Iron Beam is a laser capable of knocking out incoming missiles, mortar rounds and drones up to six miles away for as little as $2 per interception. By contrast, interceptor missiles typically cost anywhere from $100,000 to $1 million apiece.
"With the laser, the only cost is electricity," says Yuval Steinitz, chairman of Rafael Defense Industries, manufacturer of the Iron Beam. "It is like between $1 and $2— less than the price of a hot dog in New York."
Unlike conventional missile interceptors, fast as they are, take time. A laser travels at the speed of light.
"We have already used it against UAVs launched by Hezbollah in the north and missiles from Iran. It works," says University of Tel Aviv professor Issac Ben-David. "The most important advantage is, once you see the target, it is intercepted at the speed of light. It takes a fraction of a second and the laser is already destroying it."
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After decades of failed tests by multiple nations, Israel is the first country to successfully use the weapon in war. One of those who oversaw development was Prof. Issac Ben-David, former head of research and development at Israel’s Ministry of Defense.
Israel will deploy the first Iron Beam systems in the north, where Hezbollah rockets fired in southern Lebanon take under a minute to cross the Israeli border. Applications will expand to include ships and specific air bases.
"This is just the beginning of a new era," says Steinitz. "In time, maybe five years, it will enable us to shoot down every hostile object in the air around Israel. It’s really a game changer."
Rafael developed the technology with U.S.-based Lockheed Martin and $1.2 billion from the Pentagon. Steinitz says the technology is already being shared with the U.S. Army’s own directed energy program.
"We cannot do without the United States," he said. "But sometimes in a partnership, even the dwarf can contribute to the giant."
Ex-NFL star reacts to Sherrone Moore's dismissal and fallout, names 'wild' pick for next Michigan coach
Sherrone Moore’s dismissal from the Michigan Wolverines football program and the ongoing controversy stemming from his jailing on Wednesday night has been a major point of discussion in the sports world.
Former NFL star pass rusher Shawne Merriman gave his initial reaction to Moore’s situation in an interview with Fox News Digital.
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"At first it just seemed like he was getting let go, which if what they said was true, then you would understand that. I think, for me personally, I don’t like to see people spiral," he said. "Unfortunate things happen, but I don’t like to see things spiral and it sounds like there’s something deeper and more serious mentally than we were all led on to believe initially. When the firing happened, I’m like, ‘OK, well, that’s policy, that’s part of it. Rules are rules and that’s what it is.’ Now, it just seems like, man, somebody’s maybe on the edge.
"I’m a true believer in mental health. I hope that things aren’t completely the way they’re coming out right now. But of course, when I first saw it, I said, ‘that seems about right, they got rules there.’ Now, it’s like, man, somebody might need some help and hopefully he gets that."
Moore was jailed hours after the program fired him for having an "inappropriate relationship" with a staffer. The school didn’t comment on his detention.
Michigan will now have to find the next man for the job, which might be trickier at this point of the year.
Merriman told Fox News Digital he believed a Super Bowl champion head coach could be in play.
"In my opinion, I think that, I know it’s kind of wild, but I believe that Jon Gruden could be (the next head coach)," he said. "I believe that if they were gonna pull the trigger this way and then really hit something big, I think Jon Gruden. I know he’s been back around the sport a lot. I know he’s been out there publicly wanting to coach. I think it’ll make a big splash, a big name, great coach. And as he’s getting more into the younger demographic of media, I think that he would mesh well.
"I can see Jon Gruden. They got the money. So, I think that would be a great move for them to make."
Moore will have a court appearance on Friday.
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Erika Kirk has ‘nothing to say’ to the man accused of killing her husband
Erika Kirk says she has no desire to ever meet the man accused of killing her husband, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
Kirk publicly forgave the suspected shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, at a memorial for her husband after his death, but says she has no plans to speak with him.
"I have no desire to meet that man. Why would I?" Kirk said on the "Will Cain Country" podcast Thursday.
Robinson made his first in-person court appearance Thursday. He surrendered to authorities in September after police say he fled the campus of Utah Valley University where Charlie Kirk was shot and killed.
Erika Kirk says she has forgiven the man accused of shooting her husband but feels she has nothing to say to him.
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"I have nothing to say to him. Forgiveness is not a weakness. Do I forget what he did? No. Do I let that absorb and consume me? No. But I have nothing to say to you. You murdered my husband," said Kirk.
Charlie Kirk left behind two young children and was the founder of Turning Point USA, a group aimed at spreading conservative values to young people. He was 31 years old when he died.
Kirk explained that she still needs to tell their daughter that "daddy’s not coming home" and says she doesn’t want to "waste her breath" speaking to Robinson.
CHARLIE KIRK'S SUSPECTED ASSASSIN WILL NOT SHOW FACE IN COURT, KEY HEARING POSTPONED
Nearly three months after being taken into custody, Robinson is now facing charges of aggravated murder and multiple felonies. Much of the case has unfolded behind closed doors.
Erika Kirk has called for more transparency, telling Fox News' Jesse Watters she wants cameras in the courtroom for the impending trial. She explained that she feels they have nothing to hide and accused her husband’s suspected killer of allowing evil to fester inside of him.
"I don’t need closure. I don’t need understanding. Evil is evil. I don’t have any questions for him," said Kirk.
"One day he decided to let the smallest seed of evil in his heart. He decided not to extinguish that evil. Instead, he decided to feed it. I don't need to ask him why he fed it," she added.
The full interview with Erika Kirk is available on the "Will Cain Country" podcast YouTube channel.
Leavitt accuses CNN reporter of trying to 'push narratives' during heated White House exchange
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clashed with reporters over inflation during Thursday's briefing, accusing CNN's Kaitlan Collins of trying to "push narratives."
Collins pressed Leavitt to explain President Donald Trump's apparent mixed messaging regarding the economy, saying at one time that it was booming while at other times recommending parents pare back on Christmas gifts.
"Inflation is down from where it was. As measured by the overall CPI, it has slowed to an average 2.5% pace," Leavitt said as Collins began to try to interject.
"This is down from what the president inherited. The president inherited 2.9% in January. Today, it's at about 2.5%, so we're trending in the right direction," Leavitt continued. "And I would remind you, when President Trump left office in his first term, inflation was 1.7%, and the previous administration jacked it up to a record-high 9%."
TRUMP APPROVAL CLIMBS AS REPUBLICANS RALLY BEHIND PRESIDENT'S AFFORDABILITY AGENDA: POLL
"In 10 months, the president has clawed us out of this hole, he's kept it low at 2.5%, and we believe that number is going to continue to decline," Leavitt added.
"Nobody is saying it wasn't high under Biden," Collins argued. "They're just saying virtually [unchanged]."
"Nobody reported it on being high under Biden. My predecessor was standing up here at this podium, but now you want to ask me a lot of questions about it, which I'm happy to answer, but I will just add, there's a lot more scrutiny on this issue from this press corps than there was," Leavitt said.
TRUMP INSISTS PRICES ARE ‘COMING DOWN,’ BLAMES BIDEN – BUT VOTERS SAY THEY'RE STILL GETTING SQUEEZED
"My predecessor stood up at this podium and she said inflation doesn't exist. She said the border was secure," Leavitt continued incredulously. "And people like you just took her at her word, and those were two utter lies. Everything I'm telling you is the truth backed by real factual data, and you just don't want to report on it because you want to push untrue narratives about the president."
Affordability has become a flashpoint heading into next year's midterms, with Republicans now fine-tuning their messaging on the economy after a slew of Democrats won elections in 2025 running on a platform focused on lowering costs.
Trump told Politico in an interview earlier this week that he would give his economy an "A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus" grade, but a November Fox News national survey found that some 76% of voters reported they view the economy negatively, up from the 67% who reported the same in July, and up from the 70% who said the same at the end of former President Joe Biden's term.
Fox News' Alex Schemmel contributed to this report.
Archaeologists uncover Jerusalem wall mysteriously destroyed in power struggle during biblical era
Archaeologists in Jerusalem recently uncovered the remains of a Hanukkah-era wall linked to a Hasmonean leader — and tied to an ancient power struggle.
The discovery, made in the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum earlier this month, was announced by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) on Dec. 8.
The wall is the longest, most intact segment of Jerusalem's Hasmonean-era city wall, measuring more than 130 feet long and about 16 feet wide.
ARCHAEOLOGIST UNCOVERS 'COMPELLING EVIDENCE' OF TRUE LOCATION WHERE JESUS TURNED WATER INTO WINE
The area was once a citadel complex in the time of King Herod, who ruled from 37 to 5 B.C. after he was appointed king of Judea by the Romans.
Built during the days of the Maccabees, the wall was completed in the late 2nd century B.C.
In a statement, excavation directors Amit Re’em and Marion Zindel said the wall remnants are "particularly impressive in both size and degree of preservation."
They added, "The wall is meticulously built of large, heavy stones, with a chiseled boss typical of this period."
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"Originally, the massive wall rose to a height of more than 10 meters! But today, only a stump remains."
Experts have relied on ancient sources to learn more about the wall. In the first century A.D., historian Josephus wrote that the wall was "impregnable" with its 60 towers.
"There is much more to this wall than meets the eye," said Re’em and Zindel. "It is clear that it was systematically destroyed and razed to the ground."
They continued, "This is predetermined destruction — not the result of the ravages of time, nor of a random enemy attack, but a deliberate execution of a well-planned action. This raises questions about who was responsible for the wall’s destruction."
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Why was the wall destroyed in the first place? After analyzing the site and its artifacts, which included ancient arrowheads, researchers have two different military-related theories.
In the first theory, the wall was dismantled by the Hasmoneans themselves after the group settled with Antiochus VII Sidetes, the Seleucid king who besieged the city between 134 and 132 B.C.
"Sidetes demanded that Jerusalem dismantle its fortifications as a precondition for lifting the siege," the IAA said. "Possibly, the destruction of this newly discovered wall is a testament to and a vestige of that agreement."
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The second theory suggests that King Herod himself ordered the wall’s destruction, the IAA said. That's evidenced by a sentiment that researchers attribute to Herod's agenda: "The days of the Hasmonean kings are over, and I am their successor."
The statement added, "Its systematic demolition could well fit this Herodian policy, evinced in other manners as well."
Eilat Lieber, director of the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum, said his organization is "committed to preserving this impressive and unique sight."
Said Lieber, "The archaeological excavation … was conducted in preparation for the creation of the new Schulich Wing of Archaeology, Art and Innovation."
"In the new wing, visitors will stand on a transparent floor above these ancient stones, and, together with [the] interpretations of contemporary artists, this wing will bring a new connection to the history and heritage of the city."
Noem confronts Democrats over NYC crime, asylum abuses as members hurl accusations
A Homeland Security hearing focused on America’s international threats turned into a shouting match on Thursday morning when Democrat lawmakers hurled accusations at DHS Secretary Kristi Noem of having abandoned America’s largest city and having violated asylum law.
Rep. Timothy Kennedy, D-N.Y., said Noem had decided to reduce New York City’s security funding for politically motivated reasons.
"It's unconscionable: $134 million in Urban Area Security Initiative funding for the City of New York. What compelled you to knowingly make our cities less safe with these funding cuts?" Kennedy said, referring to the Trump administration’s reductions to some of the city’s anti-terror transit security programs.
DEM REP OPENS HOUSE HEARING BY TELLING NOEM TO RESIGN IN FIERY STATEMENT
"What compels you, your mayor and your governor, to release thousands of criminals on the streets rather than to turn them over to ICE?" Noem retorted.
The House of Representatives’ hearing on Thursday, titled, "Worldwide Threats to the Homeland," provided lawmakers the opportunity to ask Noem and other administration officials about the country’s greatest security threats.
Instead, Kennedy argued that by focusing on other priorities and by trimming the urban area security fund, Noem and Trump had opened the city up to security vulnerabilities.
"You should resign immediately," Kennedy said.
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His attacks echoed the frustrations of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who earlier this year similarly blasted the reduction in the city's funds.
"The shocking actions of Washington Republicans to slash these funds and defund the police put New York City at risk," Hochul said in a press release.
"We will not tolerate these cuts; New York will take every action available to us — including the courts — to ensure the MTA gets this critical funding to keep millions of riders safe."
NOEM SAYS ZOHRAN MAMDANI COULD BE 'VIOLATING THE CONSTITUTION' WITH ADVICE ON EVADING ICE AGENTS
The funding referred to by Kennedy was reinstated when a Manhattan federal judge ordered the administration to unlock that funding in October.
The Trump administration had initially held up FEMA’s disbursement of the security funding as a larger effort to get cities around the country to cooperate with immigration-related security efforts.
Noem pushed back on the characterization that the Trump administration had cut the legs out of critical funding from New York, noting that New York City hadn’t utilized those funds at the time of their withholding.
"New York did not spend [the funds] — they did not spend," Noem said as Kennedy continued to shout over her.
Noem also sparred with Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., who accused Noem of having deported immigrants with pending applications for asylum — something Goldman contested wasn't permissible under current law.
"If your department then deports anyone with an ongoing asylum application, you are violating the law, correct?" Goldman asked Noem. "If you have an open asylum case, you are here lawfully. But the problem that we are seeing around the country is that you are not following the law. I think [the law] needs to be changed. But you can't just decide that you're not going to follow the law and deport people who have ongoing applications. Unfortunately, that is exactly what's happening."
Noem fired back at the New York congressman, claiming that the Biden administration had unlawfully disregarded immigration law regarding who it allowed into the country while pursuing asylum.
"The asylum program was broken under the last administration," Noem said. "Joe Biden left us with 1.5 million cases — backlogged asylum claims."
Noem, who has spearheaded DHS efforts to shore up the U.S. southern border, announced that the administration had removed as many as 2.5 million illegal immigrants as of Dec. 10. The agency did not detail how many of those, if any, had ongoing asylum claims.
NATO secretary general warns Russia could target alliance members next amid rising tensions
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned members of the transatlantic alliance on Thursday that they could be Russia’s next target.
Rutte, delivering a keynote address at the Bavarian State Representation, hosted by the Munich Security Conference in Germany, evoked the night the Berlin Wall fell as a reminder of the power of unity.
"The dark forces of oppression are on the march again. I'm here today to tell you where NATO stands and what we must do to stop a war before it starts. And to do that, we need to be crystal clear about the threat. We are Russia's next target. And we are already in harm's way," he said.
NATO members committed in June to increase defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product by 2035, heeding President Donald Trump’s calls to take more steps to bolster its security.
'PUTIN IS PUSHING THE LIMITS’: EASTERN ALLIES WARN TRUMP NOT TO PULL US TROOPS
Rutte told attendees that the move wasn’t a moment for self-congratulations as Russia continues its large-scale drone and missile attacks on Ukraine.
"I fear that too many are quietly complacent. Too many don't feel the urgency. And too many believe that time is on our side. It is not. The time for action is now," he said.
The NATO chief urged allies to boost defense spending and production, saying their armed forces must have the resources needed to protect their homelands, and cautioning that Moscow could be ready to use military force against NATO within five years.
PUTIN WARNS RUSSIA ‘READY’ IF EUROPE ‘SUDDENLY WANTS TO WAGE WAR WITH US’ AMID UKRAINE TALKS
"We must all accept that we must act to defend our way of life, now. Because this year, Russia has become even more brazen, reckless and ruthless towards NATO and towards Ukraine," Rutte added. "During the Cold War, President Reagan warned about the aggressive impulses of an evil empire. Today, President Putin is in the empire building business again."
TRUMP SAYS NATO COUNTRIES SHOULD SHOOT DOWN RUSSIAN JETS THAT VIOLATE AIRSPACE
Poland accused Russia of being responsible for a railway blast on its Warsaw-Lublin line in November.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk said an investigation into the incident found that Russian Secret Services "commissioned the blast of the Polish railway and recruited two Ukrainians to do it."
The railway blast was the latest in a string of security incidents in Eastern Europe, following airspace incursions in September that saw Russian drones enter Poland and three MiG-31 fighter jets cross into Estonia before being intercepted by NATO aircraft.
Google's new Call Reason feature marks calls as urgent
Sometimes you need someone to answer right away. Maybe you are locked out. Maybe those concert tickets are about to go on sale. Android users are about to get a helpful upgrade that gives their calls more context when time matters.
Google is rolling out a beta feature called Call Reason in the Phone by Google app that lets you mark a call as urgent before you dial.
When you use it, the person receiving your call sees the urgent label on their screen. If they miss it, the same note shows up in their call history. That quick hint can give your call priority without you needing to send a separate message.
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MANAGE ANDROID APPS WITH THE NEW 'UNINSTALL' BUTTON
Call Reason appears inside the Phone by Google app on Android devices. The feature only works when both people use Google's default calling app and the contact is saved in your phone. Many Android phones ship with Phone by Google preinstalled, especially Pixel models, while others like Samsung may use their own dialer instead. If your device does not use Phone by Google by default, you may not see the feature until you install or switch to the Google version. Once marked as urgent, your call displays a clear indicator that tells the other person the conversation should not wait.
This simple tool helps friends and family answer faster. It also gives them a reminder if they miss the call. Since the note stays in the call log, it nudges them to call back sooner.
Missed calls are common. Many people silence their phones while working or driving. Call Reason bridges that gap with a small but meaningful alert that adds context. You can give someone a heads-up that the call needs quick attention without creating extra steps or confusion.
Right now, Call Reason only supports the urgent label. Google has hinted that more options could come later, like short custom messages or emoji-style indicators. That could add even more clarity when your call is tied to a specific topic.
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Not every Android phone shows 'Phone by Google' in its settings. Some manufacturers, especially Samsung, use their own Phone app. Here is a quick way to confirm if you have the Google version on your device.
Open Google Play Store
Search for Phone by Google
If you see Open or Update, it is installed
If you see Install, your phone does not have it yet.
If the Install button appears, you can download it with one tap.
Once it is installed, your phone may prompt you to set it as your default calling app. If it does not, you can change it manually.
Once Phone by Google is installed, you need to make it your main calling app. Call Reason only works when Phone by Google is set as your default calling app. Installing it is not enough. You must switch your phone to use the Google dialer for the feature to appear. Here's how to enable it by following these steps.
On Pixel devices
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone's manufacturer.
Open Settings
Tap Apps
Tap Default apps
Tap Phone app
Select Phone by Google, which uses a blue icon with a white phone handset
On Samsung Galaxy phones
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone's manufacturer.
Open Settings
Tap Apps
Tap the three dots
Tap Choose default apps
Tap Phone app
Select Phone by Google if available. It uses a blue icon with a white phone handset, which looks different from Samsung's green Phone icon
Samsung may block or hide the Google Phone app on some carrier models. If you do not see it after installation, your device may not support switching.
Once you have Phone by Google set as your default calling app, using Call Reason is very simple. Both you and the person you are calling must use the Phone by Google app for the urgent label to appear.
When you are ready to call someone:
Open the Phone by Google app
Go to your Contacts or Recents
Tap the contact you want to call
Before you press the call button, look for the Call Reason option on the screen
Tap Urgent to attach the urgent label
Then tap the call button to place your call
The urgent badge is sent with your outgoing call so the person knows your call needs attention.
When your call reaches them, they will see:
Your name and number
A bold "Urgent" label under your name on the incoming call screen
If they miss the call:
The urgent label appears in their call history
They can tap your missed call to return it quickly
No extra steps are needed on their end. They do not need to press anything special to receive an urgent call. Their only requirement is that they also use Phone by Google as their default calling app.
For the urgent label to show:
Both people must use Phone by Google
Both devices must support the Call Reason beta rollout
The person must be saved in your Contacts
If any of those pieces are missing, the option will not appear.
5 PHONE SETTINGS TO CHANGE RIGHT NOW FOR A SAFER SMARTPHONE
Use the urgent label only for situations that need fast attention
Keep your contacts list updated so the feature works as intended
Encourage close friends or family to use the Phone by Google app for full compatibility
Check your call history for urgent notes if you miss an important call
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Call Reason feels like one of those small upgrades that can make everyday calling a little smoother. It gives your friends a quick sense of why you're reaching out and helps cut through the guesswork when timing matters. As the feature expands, it could turn into an even more helpful way to share context before someone taps Accept.
What situation in your life would make you use the urgent label first? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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23 Dems join House Republicans to kill progressive's Trump impeachment bid
A lone progressive's effort to impeach President Donald Trump failed Thursday, with nearly two dozen Democrats joining the House GOP to quash it.
Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, moved to get a vote on two articles of impeachment Wednesday night via a privileged resolution, a mechanism allowing lawmakers to force action on a bill within two legislative days.
Republicans called for a vote to table the measure on Thursday, a move that effectively kills consideration of the bill itself when a privileged resolution is called for.
Twenty-three Democrats joined Republicans in pushing the impeachment aside. A significant number of Democrats also voted "present," including all three senior leaders — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., and Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, D-Calif.
DEM LAWMAKER SETS LITMUS TEST FOR PARTY WITH 5TH TRUMP IMPEACHMENT EFFORT
"Impeachment is a sacred constitutional vehicle designed to hold a corrupt executive accountable for abuse of power, breaking the law and violating the public trust. The effort traditionally requires a comprehensive investigative process, the collection and review of thousands of documents, an exacting scrutiny of the facts, the examination of dozens of key witnesses, Congressional hearings, sustained public organizing and the marshaling of the forces of democracy to build a broad national consensus," the trio said in a statement explaining their vote.
"None of that serious work has been done, with the Republican majority focused solely on rubber stamping Donald Trump’s extreme agenda. Accordingly, we will be voting ‘present’ on today’s motion to table the impeachment resolution as we continue our fight to make life more affordable for everyday Americans."
The final vote fell 237 to 140, with 47 "present" votes.
Among the Democrats who voted to table the measure are Reps. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., Josh Riley, D-N.Y., Jared Golden, D-Maine, Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H., Sharice Davids, D-Kan., Don Davis, D-N.C., Shomari Figures, D-Ala., and others.
Green has filed articles of impeachment against Trump several times over the past year and notably was thrown out of the president's joint address to Congress in March for repeatedly interrupting his speech.
FOX NEWS POLITICS NEWSLETTER: AL GREEN'S PUSH TO IMPEACH TRUMP FLOPS
The latest impeachment push includes two articles charging abuse of power, according to legislative text viewed by Fox News Digital.
The first count accuses Trump of calling for the "execution" of six congressional Democrats. It was in response to Trump accusing those Democrats of "seditious behavior," which he said was "punishable by death" after they posted a video urging military service members to refuse illegal orders by the federal government.
The video caused a firestorm on the right, with the FBI opening an inquiry into those Democrats — who all defended their comments.
Green's second allegation of abuse of power charges Trump with having "fostered a political climate in which lawmakers and judges face threats of political violence and physical assault; and in this climate has made threats and vituperative comments against federal judges, putting at risk their safety and well-being, and undermining the independence of our judiciary."
But while the vast majority of Democrats have made no secret of their disdain and disagreements with Trump, it appears that few have the appetite to make a largely symbolic gesture toward impeachment.
Even Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., has side-stepped questions on supporting impeachment multiple times this year, including most recently on Dec. 1 when asked about the military's double-tap strikes on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat in September.
"Republicans will never allow articles of impeachment to be brought to the floor of the House of Representatives. And we know that's the case, because Donald Trump will order them not to do it. So what's on the table is a meaningful investigation, which we can hope would be bipartisan," Jeffries said at the time.
Even if the impeachment vote were to move forward, it's all but certain that the GOP majority in the Senate would quickly dispense of it.