The Justice Department has recommended that a Pennsylvania barber convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot face 20 years behind bars.

Ryan Samsel was found guilty in February 2024 on several charges, including assaulting federal officers, carrying out an act of physical violence on the Capitol grounds and obstruction of an official proceeding.

The DOJ proposed a sentence of 240 months in prison, three years of supervised release, $2,000 restitution and a fine, according to court documents.

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"A sentence of 240 months of incarceration reflects the gravity of Samsel’s conduct and provides sufficient deterrence given Samsel’s continued lack of remorse, active and public rehashing of false narratives, violent criminal history, and interest in assaulting the Capitol again," the DOJ wrote in a memorandum.

Samsel was the first rioter to breach the restricted perimeter of the Capitol with other supporters of now-President-elect Donald Trump in an effort to delay the certification of President Biden's 2020 election victory, according to the DOJ.

He was found guilty of verbally abusing officers, forcibly pushing and pulling on metal barricades, and assaulting an officer by lifting a metal barricade and striking him in the face with it.

Police subsequently became overwhelmed as "the floodgates opened" and "thousands of rioters poured onto the West Front of the U.S. Capitol grounds," the DOJ said in the document.

"Samsel spent the next hour and a half terrorizing the police on the West Front," the document said. "He assaulted the police with his flag, grabbed another officer’s shield, tore at scaffolding, flashed officers, grabbed a 2x4 plank and hurled it at the police line, and threw a pole at a different police line."

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"Samsel was proud of his actions on that day, taking the time to record a selfie video during the riot and announce with a smile that he had breached the Capitol," the DOJ wrote. "Samsel was still proud of his actions years later when he told an interviewer that his actions on January 6th were justified, because 'sometimes civil disorder is needed.'"

Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 will be an amazing, historic inaugural of the new president.

Only the 1789 inauguration of President George Washington and the deeply threatened first inaugural of President Abraham Lincoln in 1861 will remain more significant in historic terms. However, it will rival the 1933 inauguration of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt during the Great Depression.

This event will mark the second time a former president is inaugurated to return to the White House after a term out of office. Only President Grover Cleveland in 1892 was able to do that until now.

It is also an important milestone in the effort to Make America Great Again. The nine-year saga of then-candidate Donald J. Trump is amazing. He came out of nowhere in 2015 and beat 16 strong Republican candidates. He defeated establishment heir Hillary Clinton. He immediately went to war with the national establishment, including the fruitless two-year Robert Mueller investigation and two impeachment efforts. The 2020 election was rigged by a biased media and liberal billionaires. Despite this, President Trump recovered and completely dominated the GOP. He faced two assassination attempts and constant lawfare from Democratic attorneys nationwide. He then quickly adjusted after the collapse of President Biden’s candidacy – and the sudden establishment coronation of Vice President Kamala Harris. Despite Harris receiving $1.5 billion in donations in 107 days, Trump swept all seven key swing states. He won the electoral college by a decisive 312-226 and earned the support of more than 77 million Americans. President Trump’s path to this inauguration was a personal odyssey of historic proportions.

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President Trump will enter office with a specific reform program that mortally threatens the national establishment. Not since populist President Andrew Jackson entered office in 1829 with a plan to replace the Bank of the United States with a system of state banks has a reformer brought such a clear commitment to profound change.

Despite the last four years of decline, America remains the leading economic, military, and cultural power in the world. President Trump’s clear rejection of the establishment’s long war, deep foreign involvement approach represents a profound change in the United States’ role in world affairs.

President Trump admires President William McKinley (the most consistent advocate of high tariffs to develop the American economy). Like McKinley, Trump is eager to use tariffs to protect and develop American jobs and industry – and as a negotiating tool since the United States is the world’s largest market. This marks a profound shift in a 90-year preference for open borders and lopsided foreign trade disadvantages with no American response. It will shake up the entire world economic system.

In his first term, President Trump advocated civilian space development and a U.S. Space Force to ensure American control of space. His friendship with Elon Musk will allow him to enter office as the president most likely to establish Americans on the Moon, begin the colonization of Mars, and insure America is protected from threats on and beyond our planet. This will make him an historic figure for the entire future of mankind.

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He is committed to dreaming big, working hard, and persevering through any obstacles. This will allow President Trump to re-establish the concept of pursuing the American dream (Thomas Jefferson’s "pursuit of happiness" pledge in the Declaration of Independence) and renew the American work ethic.

Presiding over the 250th anniversary of the ratification of the Declaration of Independence in 2026 will be inherently historic. It will be a patriotic 250-year look back and a visionary 250-year look forward. This will enable President Trump to communicate to every American and the world about the past and future genius of our unique system of freedom and liberty. It could imprint a generation or more with a sense of American patriotism and promise of a better future.

Finally, this inauguration will be remembered because President Trump is an extraordinary American figure. We are not likely to see his equal again in our lifetime.

This is why this inauguration is historic.

Like many Americans, Harley Hurosky of Texas decided to take part in the "Dry January" movement and forgo alcohol for a month after overindulging during the holidays.

"Doing a lot of eating and drinking during the holiday season had me feeling less than stellar," Harley told Fox News Digital. "So, I figured kicking off the year with a goal of feeling physically better would be a smart move."

Hurosky, who lives in Houston, hoped she'd build a circle of supporters to not only encourage her but join her on her booze-free break. That didn't exactly happen.

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"Naturally, I assumed my friends and family would rally around me and join in for moral support," Hurosky said. "Turns out, the only thing they're committed to is staying comfortably on the sidelines with cocktails in hand."

Hurosky decided to record the reactions of those she asked and post their responses on social media. (See the video at the top of this article.)

"My parents made the list because, well, they're reliable when it comes to answering the phone and because I figured their reactions would be entertaining, which they absolutely were," she said. 

"I fully expected most of my loved ones to respond with a lighthearted 'no,' especially since asking them to give up alcohol for a whole month felt like a bold move," said Hurosky. "But their reactions – both the refusals and the laughs – were exactly what made the video so fun."

The viral video grabbed more than 743,000 views on TikTok as of early this weekend.

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Hurosky is a marketing manager and said she enjoys making social media posts.

"Honestly, I just love the process. It's so much fun to create and share moments that make people smile or laugh," she said. "My content usually focuses on relatable, funny situations because that is how I tend to connect with people."

Hurosky said most of those she asked are "pretty social and travel often," so she anticipated some hilarious reactions. 

"This is exactly why I recorded all the FaceTime," she continued. "What I did not expect was that the most entertaining responses would come from my parents. My dad, who is just as goofy as I am, absolutely stole the show. Sorry for doubting you, Dad. You really delivered."

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Hurosky is confident she can make it through January without any booze. 

"This isn't my first go at Dry January. My boyfriend and I successfully completed it last year," she told Fox News Digital. 

"The goal was to shed a few pounds and kickstart a healthier lifestyle."

Although they were able to cut out liquid calories last year, Hurosky said the couple "may have overcompensated with takeout and restaurant meals … Let's just say the calories we saved from skipping cocktails probably snuck back in via our delivery orders."

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But she noticed some other benefits to skipping alcohol. 

"We definitely felt less groggy and enjoyed life without the dreaded hangovers," Hurosky said. 

"Plus, we proved to ourselves that we could stick to the challenge and go an entire month without drinking, so I'd call it a win overall."

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In the end, Hurosky said she wasn't surprised by the rejections this year of her friends and family. 

"I have surrounded myself with people who love a good time and a good drink, and Dry January didn't really fit their vibe."

The cease-fire between Hamas and Israel is expected to go into effect on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. local time, according to Qatar’s foreign ministry.

Qatar’s foreign minister Majid al-Ansari urged people to exercise caution when the cease-fire goes into effect and to wait for instructions from officials. This is the second cease-fire achieved during the war.

Israel’s Cabinet approved the deal early Saturday morning for a cease-fire in Gaza that would include the release of dozens of hostages and pause the war with Hamas that began after the terror group's Oct. 7, 2023, attack on the Jewish State.

The deal would allow 33 hostages to be set free over the next six weeks, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The remaining hostages are set to be released in a second phase that will be negotiated during the first.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE HOSTAGES AND CEASE-FIRE DEAL BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS SET TO BEGIN SUNDAY

The IDF has been preparing to receive the hostages after their release from Hamas captivity and is operating to provide suitable physical and psychological support, with careful attention to every detail.

Alongside the agreement and our commitment to bringing home all the hostages, the IDF will continue to operate in order to ensure the security of all Israeli citizens, particularly those in communities near the Gaza Strip.

Hamas has said it will not release the remaining hostages without a lasting cease-fire and a full Israeli withdrawal.

But questions still remain about the cease-fire, including the identities of the 33 hostages who are set to be released during the first, six-week phase and which of them are still alive.

Hamas agreed to release three female hostages on the first day of the deal, four on Day seven and the remaining 26 over the next five weeks.

Israel’s justice ministry released a list of more than 700 Palestinian detainees who are set to be freed in the deal’s first phase. The justice ministry said the release would not begin before 4 p.m. local time Sunday.

This is the second cease-fire achieved during the war.

Israeli forces also announced Saturday morning that its Air Force had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, just ahead of the expected cease-fire. Sirens were sounded in accordance with protocol but – as of early Saturday – no injuries were reported. 

Gaza is expected to receive a surge in humanitarian aid. Trucks carrying aid were seen Friday lined up on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing into Gaza.

ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASE-FIRE, HOSTAGE RELEASE DEAL REACHED: 'AMERICANS WILL BE PART OF THAT'

The 15-month-long war in Gaza started when Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, in which roughly 1,200 people wer killed and about 250 others were abducted, prompting military retaliation from Israeli forces. Nearly 100 hostages remain captive in Gaza.

More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel's offensive, according to the Hamas-run government's local health officials, who do not distinguish between civilians and terrorists.

Fox News' Yael Kuriel and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Prince William is said to be making an unusual move as his father’s slimmed-down monarchy has backfired.

British royals expert Hilary Fordwich made the claim, believing all eyes are on King Charles’ heir as he attempts to figure out how to strengthen and unite his family after a series of scandals and health woes.

Fordwich told Fox News Digital that the father of three young children, who is "at a crossroads," may consider getting reinforcements from unlikely relatives.

PRINCE WILLIAM UNDER PRESSURE TO SAVE MONARCHY AS PRINCE HARRY, PRINCE ANDREW ‘WARY OF HIS WRATH’: EXPERT

"The success of William’s approach depends upon whether Prince Edward’s children, as well as other younger royals, are willing and able to step up to garner public interest," said Fordwich.

"Given their upbringing in a more private setting, they may not be properly equipped to follow the traditional path laid out for royals," she noted. "But increasing pressure for them to step into these roles means they may well need to put aside their personal desires."

Fordwich’s claims came after the Scottish Daily Express reported that William, 42, had been considering giving his cousins, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex, a chance at becoming working members of "The Firm."

According to the outlet, if Edward’s children were to take William’s offer, they would begin to receive public funding. That also means they would need to take on public duties to help represent the crown.

"Both of Edward’s children have been somewhat reluctant royals as teenagers," Fordwich explained. "Their parents strived to ensure their children experience a normal childhood out of the public spotlight, which means they don’t have a track record of experience. 

"Prince Edward expressed a preference for his children to have more autonomy, as opposed to a traditional path… However, Prince William knows the monarchy must strike a balance between efficiency and meeting the public desire for the presence of royals."

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Reports have long insisted that the king, 76, had always desired a slimmed-down monarchy, one that would focus on a core group of senior working royals. However, experts have pointed out that the monarchy has become too slim for comfort.

Charles’ plan became shaky in 2019 when his brother, Prince Andrew, announced that he was stepping away from royal duties "for the foreseeable future." In a statement, the Duke of York admitted that his association with Jeffrey Epstein, an American financier and convicted sex offender, was "a major disruption to my family’s work."

Then in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were stepping back as senior royals before moving to California. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said the unbearable intrusions and racist attitudes of the British press prompted them to make their royal exit. Since then, they have been estranged from the family.

Then in 2024, the royal family was rocked by an onslaught of health issues.

"We’ve got [Princess] Catherine announcing that she’s going to have an abdominal operation… Then you’ve got the king saying he’s having a prostate operation… Then you’ve got the king saying he [has] cancer," Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, previously told Fox News Digital.

"Then you’ve got Catherine saying she [has] cancer," said Seward. "And then you’ve got all the other problems coming just from life itself. I think it’s been very hard, because there [haven’t] been that many people as backup. 

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"You’ve got the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and you’ve got Princess Anne and her husband, Timothy Laurence. You’ve got [Queen] Camilla working really hard, but… you are missing everybody else… Charles’ slimmed-down monarchy has been a little bit too slimmed down."

In 2024, Princess Anne also sustained a concussion after a horse incident. The year ended with Queen Camilla suffering from a chest infection.

As William looks to the monarchy’s future, he’s seeking out ways to alleviate some of the pressure within the royal fold. He’s been faced with challenges along the way.

"There has been a degree of internal resistance to the ‘slimmed-down’ concept as some family members have felt threatened," Fordwich claimed. "The need to maintain support for extended family members such as Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, Andrew’s daughters, while also curbing the royal roster has created a degree of internal family friction."

"Prince William’s strategy of offering Prince Edward’s children opportunities for royal duties and the royal titles they previously turned down reflects his wise attempt to further modernize the monarchy with a broader base of younger royals to attend engagements," she shared. 

"Their mother’s combination of discretion, contrary to Meghan and Harry, as well as her dedication and a genuine desire to serve has helped the royal family remain relevant… which Prince William appreciates."

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams claimed to Fox News Digital that the Prince of Wales is feeling the pressure to beef up the monarchy quickly.

"The departure of Harry, Meghan and Andrew has caused this problem," said Fitzwilliams. "If the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh’s children took up royal duties, this would solve the issue. However, although it is a possibility, it is far from decided. Lady Louise is still a student."

"It may be a matter for Charles or William, but no decision on this has been taken," Fitzwilliams added.

Roya Nikkhah, royals editor for The Sunday Times, previously reported that it was "highly unlikely" that Louise or James would ever consider stepping up as working royals. She pointed out that their parents put extra focus on ensuring they had as normal of an upbringing as possible.

"We made the decision not to use HRH titles," their mother Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, told the outlet. "They have them and can decide to use them… but I think it’s highly unlikely."

Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital that when it comes to recruiting more relatives to take on royal duties, "all bets are off," noting that The Firm has been "stretched to the limit."

KING CHARLES HAUNTED BY PRINCE ANDREW AS 'GRUBBY' DUKE HUMILIATES MONARCHY IN 'YEAR FROM HELL': EXPERTS

"It goes to show that if Harry and Meghan had been allowed to remain taking up duties… it would have been much easier," he explained. "But then, of course, their popularity may have increased once more. That, from William’s perspective, may have been a risk too far… Greek tragedies seem to stalk the royal family in recent times."

"As for Andrew, it’s a sideshow," he said. "Although there are rumors that he would like to reinvent himself and work for charities."

Fordwich pointed out that currently, the royal family is "navigating a delicate balance," between the king’s idea of a slimmed-down monarchy and "preserving traditional values with public scrutiny and shifting preferences for the younger generation."

WATCH: KING CHARLES CAN'T GET INVOLVED IN PRINCE HARRY'S SECURITY WOES: AUTHOR

"It’s William’s job to ensure that they serve the next generation appropriately," she said. "Harry, Meghan and Andrew have negatively contributed to this challenging situation… Prince William simply isn’t going to put the family’s future in jeopardy by risking their involvement. 

"The entire family has been blindsided by… incidents and indiscretions by all three of them… Projecting an ideal image of family unity, one that the monarchy depends on for its public image, was undermined. It has been additional and unwanted pressure for William."

The royal experts agreed on one thing – William and his wife Kate Middleton represent a brighter future for the royal family.

"It’s like their favorite sport – horse racing," said Pelham Turner. "You have William and Kate in the lead with Charles and Camilla a few paces behind. Edward and Sophie are coming up fast on the inside as the dark horse bet. And then there’s Andrew swallowing dust at the back."

Millions of Americans already on tight grocery budgets are scrambling as food prices of household basics such as eggs continue to inch higher and higher. 

Egg prices rose 3.2% in Dec. 2024 and are up 36.8% compared with a year ago amid a bird flu outbreak that has impacted production, FOX Business reported this week. 

If the cost of eggs is pricing you out, Fox New Digital asked a food expert for some egg alternatives that won't break the budget.

DOES THE COLOR OF AN EGG'S YOLK MEAN ANYTHING?

Consider these actionable substitute ideas. 

If you generally start your day with eggs, try another protein for a change. 

"Greek yogurt is a great high-protein option," Carol Holland, a registered dietitian with JM Nutrition in Ontario, Canada, told Fox News Digital. 

She suggested pairing it with fruit and a bit of granola for a balanced breakfast. Or create layers in the yogurt by adding berries and nuts.

When making dense baked goods such as muffins or brownies, use ¼ cup of fully mashed banana or smooth applesauce for each egg, Holland suggested. 

"Banana especially will add a subtle sweetness to the final product, so this might not be the best choice for savory baking," she said. 

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Another method of skipping eggs while baking is to use flax or chia seeds. 

"Mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed or ground chia seed with three tablespoons of water," Holland said. 

To get the desired consistency with these seeds, use a clean coffee grinder, then mix one tablespoon of ground seeds with three tablespoons of water to replace each egg. 

"Let it sit for a few minutes, and it will form a thick gel that you can use instead of eggs," Holland noted.

Another way to bake these treats without eggs is to use yogurt or buttermilk. 

'I'M A HEART SURGEON, HERE'S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT EGGS, YOUR HEART AND YOUR HEALTH'

"This will help replace the moisture in baking that eggs would have provided, and ¼ cup of either one will replace one egg in baked goods," said Holland.

If you're making pancakes, cupcakes or cake, consider using a starchy powder like arrowroot powder or cornstarch, Holland suggested. 

Mix two tablespoons of the starch with three tablespoons of water to replace one egg, she said. 

"This will also act as a thickening agent in pudding or custard that's made without eggs," she added.

Another trick is to use pantry items to streamline an egg-free food prep. 

If you're using ground beef or pork, saltine crackers can help bind the meat, Holland said. 

5 EGG MYTHS DISPELLED BY AN EXPERT, PLUS TIPS FOR EVERY EGG LOVER

"Just put saltines in a Ziploc and run a rolling pin over them until they're powdery," she explained. 

Fine breadcrumbs will work, too. Holland suggested one cup for every egg. 

But poultry dishes won't fare well with this method. 

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"This won't work with ground chicken or turkey, though," Holland said. "There isn't enough fat in the meat to hold things together."

Making fried rice but can't add eggs? There are a few things to consider. 

Egg adds moisture to this dish during cooking and a savory flavor, which you can get from a cooking oil such as avocado oil, along with seasonings of choice, Holland pointed out. 

To create yummy fried rice, reach for a wok or other large pan so you can keep the food moving around over a high temperature, Holland said. 

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If you're looking for a protein boost without eggs, alternatives like finely diced meat or legumes such as navy beans or edamame are a smart swap, said Holland.

Though it sounds unusual, this omelet "is made with chickpea flour, oil and water," Holland said. 

"The end result is a bit like a savory pancake." 

Add your fillings of choice, fold the dish over and you've got a protein-rich meal that can be customized according to personal tastes, she said. 

The Babylon Bee CEO Seth Dillon applauded Meta's announcement that it was dropping its fact-checkers, calling the move a win for free speech that he only wished had come sooner.

"I think it's great that Mark Zuckerberg is following in Elon Musk's lead there," Dillon told Fox News Digital about Meta's move to bring a "community notes" feature to Instagram and Facebook instead.

"It's never too late to do the right thing. But the time for Zuckerberg to take a stand for free speech, in my view, was when the entire internet was de-platforming the sitting president," Dillon continued, referring to social media platforms that banned Trump in 2021.

"Is it better late than never? Sure. But he had an opportunity there and has not so far recognized his role in that mistake," he added. 

FLASHBACK: META'S ‘HISTORY OF CENSORSHIP,’ FACT-CHECKING WOES UNDER THE TRUMP, BIDEN ADMINISTRATIONS

Zuckerberg announced last week that sweeping changes would be coming to "restore free expression" on its social media platforms.

"We’re going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms," Zuckerberg said. "More specifically…we’re going to get rid of fact-checkers and replace them with Community Notes similar to X, starting in the U.S." 

Zuckerberg admitted that the third-party fact-checkers, who partnered with Meta after President-elect Trump's election in 2016, had proven to be "too politically biased" and had "destroyed more trust than they created."

The Babylon Bee, a Christian conservative-leaning satire site which publishes humorous fake news stories, often found itself in the crosshairs of these fact-checkers, particularly after making jokes about liberal media outlets or Democratic politicians.

META’S DECISION TO AX FACT-CHECKING SYSTEM, ADOPT MUSK-LIKE POLICY IS A BIG ‘WIN’ FOR FREE SPEECH: EXPERTS

"We said that CNN had purchased an industrial-sized washing machine to spin the news before publishing it," Dillon told Fox News Digital about one "silly joke" the Bee published in 2018 that was fact-checked by Snopes.

In another 2019 "report" on the satire site that was flagged, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., went on the gameshow, "The Price is Right," and guessed that everything was free.

No matter how outlandish the story, Dillon said their articles continued to be flagged by these third-party fact-checkers, leading Facebook to threaten that their account could be demonetized or banned.

"And we're like, wait a minute, there's got to be some carve out for satire here, because that's what satire is. It's funny, fake news," Dillon said. "We are literally making up fake stories and then publishing them on social media. That's the business model. And so, if we can't even make jokes that are fake funny stories, then satire is not allowed, comedy is not allowed on these platforms."

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While he initially believed these fact-checkers were just "humorless scolds" who didn't like their jokes, he came to believe that fact-checkers objected to the truth behind their jokes.

"Obviously, the stories that we tell are false. These are fabricated satirical news reports, but they're predicated in something true. The reason they're funny is because there's truth to them, even if the details of the story itself are false. And it's that truth that's threatening, because what it does is it threatens to poke holes in whatever the narrative is, or expose foolishness for what it is or highlight double standards that they don't want to highlight," Dillon said.

"So I think this fact-checking effort was part of the whole censorship apparatus, to shut down dissent, to use euphemisms like misinformation or hate speech, hateful conduct to categorize speech into these little buckets where they can enforce, their policies and deplatform and silence people who are simply saying things that they don't want to be said in a way that they don't want them to be said," he continued.

Over the years, the Bee has fought back against media fact-checkers who've accused the satire site of intentionally spreading misinformation to dupe people.

In 2021, after facing a legal threat, the New York Times issued a correction to a story which initially claimed the Bee "trafficked in misinformation."

Dillon sees Meta's new move as part of a larger cultural push for more free speech and less censorship since Elon Musk took over X, formerly Twitter, in 2022, and reinstated the Babylon Bee, Trump and several other accounts that had been suspended.

"The Twitter Files exposed a lot of what was going on behind the scenes. I think Americans are tired of not just being lied to by the cultural and institutional political power, but also tired of being controlled by them over what you're allowed to say, what you're allowed to think, what you're allowed to express. There's been a lot of pushback on that," he continued.

Whether Zuckerberg's motive was purely political or sincere, Dillon doesn't believe it matters as long as the changes result in more voices being heard on Meta's platforms.

"This is how you push back on bad ideas," he said. "We're tired of seeing bad ideas win."

"So, yes, I am optimistic, cautiously optimistic that that trend for more free speech will continue [in 2025]," Dillon said.

Meta did not return a request for comment.