Good morning and welcome to Fox News First. Here's what you need to know as you start your day …

Trump fires back after Biden's Jan. 6 speech, claims Democrat 'has completely and totally failed'
Former President Donald Trump responded to President Biden's sharp criticism in a Jan. 6 speech, claiming his Democratic successor was trying to distract the public from his abysmal record.

Biden "used my name today to try to further divide America," Trump said in a statement. "This political theater is all just a distraction for the fact Biden has completely and totally failed."

"Our Country no longer has Borders, has totally and completely lost control of Covid (record numbers!), is no longer Energy Independent, Inflation is rampant, our Military is in chaos, and our exit, or surrender, from Afghanistan was perhaps the most embarrassing day in the long and distinguished history of the United States — and so much more," Trump continued.

Biden, in a speech delivered Thursday morning, took several shots at Trump, claiming the Republican "created and spread a web of lies about the 2020 election," and that he did this "because he values power over principle; he sees his own interest as more important than America’s interest; his bruised ego matters more to him than our democracy or our Constitution."

In his response, Trump also took a shot at the House committee investigating the events of Jan. 6, 2021, repeating his claim that the 2020 presidential election was "rigged." CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON OUR TOP STORY.

In other developments:
- 'The Five' rips Kamala Capitol riot-Pearl Harbor comparison: 'That was amateur hour'
- CBS News buries poll result showing strong bipartisan agreement Jan. 6 was 'a protest that went too far'
- Liz Cheney: Jan 6 Committee goal isn't to prevent ‘Trump 2024’; probe should transcend partisanship
- Ted Cruz backtracks on calling Jan. 6 'violent terrorist attack,' says it was 'a mistake'
- CBS News buries poll result showing strong bipartisan agreement Jan. 6 was 'a protest that went too far'
- Biden groups killing of Capitol Police officer by Farrakhan follower with Jan. 6 deaths

Chicago Public Schools cancel classes for third straight day as battle with teachers union continues
The Chicago Public Schools have canceled Friday's classes, marking the third straight day that the district has canceled classes due to an ongoing feud with the teachers union over coronavirus safety measures and remote learning.

Pedro Martinez, chief executive for the Chicago Public Schools, told parents Thursday evening to plan for another day without classes unless they hear otherwise from their child's principal.

The latest announcement came after Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot blasted the Chicago Teachers Union, accusing it of attempting to hold students' education "hostage."

"I will not allow [the Chicago Teachers Union] to take our children hostage. I will not allow them to compromise the future of this generation of CPS students. That is not going to happen," Lightfoot told reporters Wednesday. CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

In other developments:
- Obama Education Secretary Arne Duncan hints at run against Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot
- 'The View' puts up all-out defense of Chicago teachers refusing to return to in-person instruction
- Chicago public health commissioner blasts school closures brought on by teachers union: 'I'm disappointed'
- Thiessen slams COVID class cancellations: 'Any teacher that refuses to teach should not be teaching'

Biden admin plans to have Postal Service mail 500M coronavirus at-home test kits amid surge
The White House plans to work with the U.S. Postal Service to mail out 500 million at-home coronavirus tests to Americans in the coming weeks to address a testing-kit shortage amid the recent omicron surge, according to a report. 

Officials hope to start shipping tests within the month; they will be sent to people who request them on a yet-to-be-launched government website, the Washington Post reported, citing four sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity as the program is formalized. 

The plan has yet to be officially announced. Confirmation could come as soon as next week, a source told the newspaper. The Biden administration awarded its first testing contract to a manufacturer Thursday, but the name of the company wasn’t reported. 

The Postal Service may ask its 40,000 seasonal holiday workers to stay on to help distribute the tests, according to the Post. CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

In other developments:
- Harris draws comparisons to Jimmy Carter over ‘malaise’ comment
- FDA ordered to speed up release of approval data for COVID-19 vaccine
- Former advisers press Biden to change COVID-19 strategy: live with it, not shut it down
- MSNBC's Chris Hayes asks what happened to COVID preparedness funds for schools

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

TODAY'S MUST-READS:
- WaPo fact-checker backtracks after Cotton correctly predicted Boston bomber would receive COVID stimulus check
- California dine-and-dash suspects allegedly ran over café manager who approached them in parking lot: video
- Colorado judge slams Gov. Polis' lack of 'respect' in reducing truck driver's sentence by 100 years
- Texas school superintendent placed on leave amid misconduct investigation
- Alaska cold-case child killing probe reopened after man's arrest in Alabama for 5-year-old's strangling

THE LATEST FROM FOX BUSINESS:
- Apple CEO Tim Cook received nearly $100 million in compensation in 2021
- New York Times buys sports site The Athletic for $550M
- QVC files notice of nearly 2,000 layoffs after facility fire
- Change your car's color with an app: BMW unveils color-changing car
- GameStop entering NFT and cryptocurrency markets as part of turnaround plan

SOME PARTING WORDS

Sean Hannity pointed out Democrats' continued hypocrisy as they investigate last year's Capitol riot while ignoring more than 500 other riots that left hundreds of blocks of American communities burned or looted.

The Democrats and their media allies failed to show the same level of concern or consideration when left-wing rioters besieged a federal courthouse in Oregon last year for weeks on end, the "Hannity" host claimed.

"The gaslighting from the Democrats and the mob and the media is reaching record levels," he said."We have fake hysteria, crocodile tears, analogies now to 9/11, Pearl Harbor, and even the Holocaust – complete with a special performance and the cast of 'Hamilton.'"

Not signed up yet for Fox News First? Click here to find out what you're missing.

Fox News’ Go Watch page is now available, providing visitors with Pay TV provider options in their area carrying Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network.

This edition of Fox News First was compiled by Fox News' Jack Durschlag. Thank you for making us your first choice in the morning! Have a great weekend, stay safe and we’ll see you in your inbox first thing Monday.