Good morning and welcome to Fox News First. Here's what you need to know as you start your day ...
Exclusive: DOJ investigating 'familiar names' in Durham probe, Barr tells Fox News
Americans will recognize "some" of the names linked to U.S. Attorney John Durham's ongoing probe into federal surveillance abuses, Attorney General William Barr said Tuesday, adding he is "very troubled" by the findings so far.
The Durham team "has been working very aggressively to move forward," Barr told Fox News' Bret Baier in an exclusive interview on “Special Report,” and pledged there "will be public disclosure" of his findings.
"I think before the [2016] election, I think we're concerned about the motive force behind the very aggressive investigation that was launched into the Trump campaign without, you know, with a very thin, slender reed as a basis for it," Barr told Baier. "It seemed that the bureau was sort of spring-loaded at the end of July to drive in there and investigate a campaign."
The Justice Department's watchdog has identified critical errors in every FBI wiretap application that it audited as part of the fallout from the bureau's heavily flawed investigation into former Trump adviser Carter Page, who was surveiled during the 2016 campaign in part because of a largely discredited dossier funded by the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Click here for more on our top story.
Other related developments:
- Barr confirms 'focused investigations' of Antifa, hammers 'dangerous' push to defund police
- Barr claims social media platforms 'censoring particular viewpoints and putting their own content in there'
- Barr says FBI was 'spring-loaded' to investigate Trump campaign, ignored 'exculpatory evidence'
Messy Georgia primary raises alarms for November, as Ossoff edges closer to clinching Senate nomination
The Democratic Senate primary in Georgia was too early to call Wednesday, as Jon Ossoff held onto approximately 49 percent of the vote with more ballots coming in -- amid widespread reports of hourslong lines, voting machine malfunctions, provisional ballot shortages and absentee ballots failing to arrive in time.
Ossoff, whose defeat in a 2017 special election was a gut-punch to Democrats who flooded his campaign with money, was leading Sarah Riggs Amico and Teresa Tomlinson. They each have roughly 13 percent of the counted vote, and candidates need 50 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff.
One of the state’s largest counties, De Kalb in the metro Atlanta area, has yet to report any results as of early Wednesday.
As the night wound on, and races were also held in South Carolina, Nevada and West Virginia, it became evident that the long-standing nationwide wrangle over voting rights and election security had come to a head in Georgia -- where a messy primary and partisan finger-pointing offered an unsettling preview of a November contest when battleground states could face potentially record turnout. Click here for more.
Other related developments:
- Terry McAuliffe recorded saying Dems prefer Biden stay 'in the basement.'
- Sanders, AOC back Kentucky progressive, look to spoil centrist Dem's gains against McConnell.
Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) embraces Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh) in a famous scene from the 1939 epic film Gone with the Wind.
HBO Max pulls 'Gone With the Wind' from library amid racial tensions over Floyd death
HBO Max pulled the Oscar-winning 1939 Civil War epic "Gone With the Wind" from its library amid heightened racial tensions following the death of George Floyd.
ScreenRant and The Wall Street Journal were the first to report that the newly launched streaming service yanked the film, which takes place at an Atlanta plantation. Critics in the modern era have criticized "Gone With the Wind" for its depiction of black people.
- Floyd’s brother set to testify as Capitol Hill lawmakers consider police reform proposals
The film won eight Oscars including Best Picture and made history when Hattie McDaniel became the first black American to win an Oscar for her performance. The decision to pull "Gone With the Wind" from the streaming service sparked some backlash on social media. Click here for more.
Other related developments:
- Mourners say goodbye to Floyd in emotional funeral service ahead of private burial in Houston
- Trump to announce executive, legislative actions on police reform: sources
- George Floyd, Derek Chauvin had run-ins, former co-worker says
- 'Cops' won't ‘return’ after 32 seasons in wake of Floyd protests, network says
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
TODAY'S MUST-READS
Fauci: Coronavirus more complex than HIV, fight against pandemic far from over
LA homicides up by 250 percent over last week, LAPD reports.
Chicago alderman tells 'Ingraham Angle' he 'was pleading for help' on leaked conference call.
De Blasio: NYC will paint 'Black Lives Matter' on major streets in all 5 boroughs
Human remains found at Idaho home of Chad Daybell, husband of 'cult mom' Lori Vallow, police say.
THE LATEST FROM FOX BUSINESS
US employers laid off 7.7 million workers in April.
Stock futures move higher ahead of Fed meeting.
Dun & Bradstreet files for a $1B IPO.
AMC Theatres plans July global reopening.
#TheFlashback: CLICK HERE to find out what happened on "This Day in History."
SOME PARTING WORDS
Laura Ingraham rips Democrats for what she called "pathetic playacting" in the aftermath of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis police custody.
Not signed up yet for Fox News First? Click here to find out what you're missing.
Click here to find out what's on Fox News and Fox News Radio today!
Fox News First is compiled by Fox News' Bryan Robinson. Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! Stay safe, stay healthy and try to stay positive -- we will get through these crises together. We'll see you in your inbox first thing Thursday morning.
True Crime
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
