The allegations that could sink Matt Gaetz’s AG nomination

Summary

Apple News Today: The Allegations That Could Sink Matt Gaetz’s AG Nomination

Release Date: November 20, 2024
Host: Sumita Basu
Source: Apple News Today Podcast

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Introduction

In the latest episode of Apple News Today, host Sumita Basu delves into a series of compelling news stories shaping the national conversation. The episode primarily focuses on the serious allegations against former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz and his nomination by President Elect Donald Trump to lead the Justice Department. Alongside this, the show covers significant developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, debates over religion in public schools, international concerns regarding the Gaza conflict, Trump's controversial nomination of Dr. Mehmet Oz, legislative moves affecting transgender rights, and notable shifts in the social media landscape.

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1. Matt Gaetz’s AG Nomination and Sexual Misconduct Allegations

The episode opens with a deep dive into the contentious nomination of Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, amidst grave allegations of sexual misconduct.

Allegations and Investigations

In a pivotal revelation, documents obtained by an unidentified hacker reveal sworn testimonies alleging that Gaetz engaged in sexual activities with a minor and was involved in a broader scheme of sex trafficking.

• Shumita Basu explains, “[...] an unidentified hacker got access to documents shared among lawyers whose client said in sworn testimony that Gaetz paid her for sex when she was 17 years old” (00:00).

• Liz Goodwin of The Washington Post adds context, stating, “Republicans have been under a lot of pressure from Trump supporters and activists not to release it, given it's expected to be pretty damaging to Matt Gaetz” (01:42).

Investigation History

The scandal traces back to a 2019 public corruption investigation into Joel Greenberg, a tax collector, who implicated Gaetz in illicit activities involving underage girls.

• Shumita Basu recaps, “In 2019, the federal government opened a public corruption investigation into a tax collector named Joel Greenberg. As part of the investigation, authorities learned that he had repeatedly paid young women, at least one who was underage, to come to parties with him and his friends where they used drugs and had sex” (02:00).

Committee Deliberations and Political Implications

The House Ethics Committee, evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, is deliberating over whether to release these damning findings. The outcome is pivotal for Gaetz's confirmation process.

• Liz Goodwin notes, “The committee is evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, so it would take at least one Republican voting to release it” (01:42).

• Lawrence Norman, Deputy Bureau Chief for The Wall Street Journal, comments on the broader political ramifications, highlighting the tense atmosphere within Republican ranks striving to support Gaetz despite the allegations (03:30).

Gaetz’s Defense and Potential Confirmation

Gaetz is actively seeking to mitigate the impact of the allegations by reaching out to members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, expressing confidence in clearing his name during the confirmation hearings.

• Liz Goodwin shares insights from Capitol Hill, where Republican Senator John Cornyn suggests that the Judicial Committee might subpoena the accusers to testify, adding pressure on the confirmation process (03:50).

• Shumita Basu reports Gaetz’s strategic communications efforts, “Gaetz has been making calls to members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to shore up support, and he's saying he'll be able to clear his name during the confirmation hearing” (03:50).

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2. Developments in the Russia-Ukraine War

Marking the 1,000th day of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the episode examines significant policy shifts and their implications.

US Policy Changes and Ukrainian Counteroffensives

The Biden administration has made strategic decisions to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities by allowing the use of US-made long-range missiles and supplying landmines.

• Shumita Basu outlines these changes, noting Ukraine’s subsequent use of ballistic missiles against Russian infrastructure (04:00).

Russian Military Doctrine and European Concerns

In retaliation, Russian President Vladimir Putin has altered military doctrine to lower the threshold for nuclear weapon use, escalating global tensions.

• Lawrence Norman emphasizes the urgency, stating, “Time is not on Ukraine's side. They're not winning this war. In recent times, they've been losing this war” (05:44).

European Perspectives on US Support and Future Peace Deals

With President Biden’s term nearing its end, European officials are anxious about continued US support, fearing potential shifts in policy under a Trump administration that could undermine Ukraine’s position.

• Lawrence Norman discusses European fears, “A lot of European governments were absolutely dreading the prospect of Trump coming back to the White House ... they were very, very fear that he would come back, force Ukraine to the negotiating table, and cut a deal with Putin at Ukraine's expense” (06:02).

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3. Religion in Public Schools: A Cultural Conflict

The podcast addresses the escalating debate over the role of religion in public education, highlighting recent legislative and judicial actions.

Oklahoma’s Religious Liberty Initiatives

Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters has implemented policies promoting religious liberty, including mandatory student prayers for President Elect Trump.

• Liz Goodwin conveys the nature of these initiatives, emphasizing the voluntary aspect of the prayers: “We should note that students were not required to pray” (07:53).

Louisiana’s Ten Commandments Law Struck Down

A Louisiana judge has invalidated a state law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, citing constitutional violations.

• Shumita Basu reports on the judicial decision, “The judge called it, quote, unconstitutional on its face” (08:00).

Texas’s Proposed Bible-Infused Curriculum

Texas is considering a curriculum that integrates Biblical stories into language arts and reading lessons, aiming to teach moral concepts like the Golden Rule.

• Lawrence Norman voices concerns from minority religious communities, “If you're a Muslim student, a Jewish student, a Hindu student in Texas public schools, you already stick out and now you're going to have your teacher at the front of your classroom preaching Christianity as the one true and only religion” (08:54).

• Jonathan Covey from Texas Values defends the initiative, asserting its protection under the First Amendment (09:10).

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4. Additional News Highlights

UN Report on Gaza and Accusations of Genocide

A UN Special Committee has labeled Israel's actions in Gaza as consistent with genocide, a claim strongly denied by Israeli officials and countered by Pope Francis, who has called for investigations into potential genocidal actions.

• Shumita Basu summarizes the report, noting, “the committee said that includes, quote, intentionally causing death, starvation and serious injury, using starvation as a method of war” (07:53).

Trump Nominates Dr. Mehmet Oz for CMS Leadership

President Trump has nominated Dr. Mehmet Oz to oversee the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, despite Oz’s controversial history of promoting unverified medical practices and products.

• Shumita Basu critiques Oz’s suitability, highlighting past congressional scrutiny and misinformation spread, “He falsely suggested astrology could be used as a legitimate medical tool and saying apple juice contains dangerous levels of arsenic, which is not true” (10:00).

Legislative Moves Against Transgender Rights in Bathrooms

Republican Representative Nancy Mace has introduced proposals to ban transgender women from using women’s restrooms, a move she frames as protecting privacy and safety.

• Liz Goodwin quotes Mace’s staunch opposition, “I'm absolutely, 100% gonna stand in the way of any man who wants to be in a women's restroom, in our locker rooms, in our changing rooms. I will be there fighting you every step of the way” (11:43).

• Shumita Basu notes Representative Sarah McBride’s rebuttal, labeling the proposal a distraction (11:55).

Social Media Shake-Up Post-Election

Following the recent election, X (formerly Twitter) has experienced its largest-ever user exodus, losing over 115,000 users, while competitor platform BlueSky sees a surge in daily usage by approximately 500%.

• Shumita Basu reports, “X...lost more than 115,000 users the day after the election. [...] traffic on Blue Sky, a competitor platform, skyrocketed, with daily usage up around 500%” (11:55).

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Conclusion

Sumita Basu wraps up the episode by highlighting upcoming stories in the Apple News app, including a narrated article from Scientific American on hypochondria and ongoing coverage of critical national and international issues.

Final Note

For those eager to stay informed, Apple News Today provides a comprehensive overview of today’s most pressing news stories, ensuring listeners are well-equipped with knowledge and insights into the ever-evolving landscape of current events.

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This summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented in the November 20, 2024 episode of Apple News Today. For an in-depth understanding, listening to the full episode is recommended.

Transcript

[Shamitha]

Hey there, it's Shamitha. I've got a quick request for you. If Apple News Today is an essential part of your morning routine, follow the show in Apple Podcasts. And if you have another 30 seconds, leave us a rating and a review, too. It helps other people find our show, and it helps us know what you like about it. Thanks. Good morning. It's Wednesday, November 20th. I'm Sumita Basu. This is Apple News Today. On today's show, Texas weighs bringing the Bible into public Schools, Trump taps Dr. Oz to manage healthcare for millions of Americans, and how x lost more than 100,000 users the day after the election. But first, what we know about the allegations of sexual misconduct against former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, who's been tapped by President Elect Trump to become the next head of the Justice Department. Yesterday, we learned that an unidentified hacker got access to documents shared among lawyers whose client said in sworn testimony that Gates paid her for sex when she was 17 years old. Also in the documents is testimony by a second woman corroborating that story, saying she witnessed it. Gates has denied having sex with anyone underage or paying for sex. The documents include other information, too, that's under seal with both the DOJ and the House Ethics Committee, whose members are scheduled to meet today to decide whether to release their findings ahead of a Senate confirmation hearing for Gaetz. Washington Post reporter Liz Goodwin spoke to us from Capitol Hill.

[Liz Goodwin]

Republicans have been under a lot of pressure from Trump supporters and activists not to release it, given it's expected to be pretty damaging to Matt Gaetz. The committee is evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, so it would take at least one Republican voting to release it.

[Shamitha]

For it to get out, whether that report comes out or not. Let's recap what is publicly known about these allegations. In 2019, the federal government opened a public corruption investigation into a tax collector named Joel Greenberg. As part of the investigation, authorities learned that he had repeatedly paid young women, at least one who was underage, to come to parties with him and his friends where they used drugs and had sex.

[Liz Goodwin]

And Greenberg cooperated with the Justice Department in order to try to get a reduced sentence, which included, you know, saying, who else was at these parties?

[Shamitha]

One of those people, he said, was Matt Gaetz. Greenberg alleged Gates had sex with a girl who was 17 and that gates knew she was being paid.

[Liz Goodwin]

And that's kind of how he initially got dragged into this.

[Shamitha]

The Justice Department spent two years investigating Gates, but never brought charges. The House Ethics Committee was also investigating him, looking into just whether Gaetz had sex with an underage girl, but also other allegations like did Gaetz use illegal drugs? Did he show members of Congress on the House floor nude photos of women? And did he misuse campaign funds for personal purposes? Then last week, on the same day when Trump tapped Gates to take over the doj, Gates resigned from the House, ending the Ethics Committee's investigation. If Gates is confirmed as ag, he'll be in charge of the department that investigated him for the possible sex trafficking of an underage Trump's been very clear.

[Liz Goodwin]

He wants to make unconventional picks that are going to shake up Washington. But this one was still a big surprise. Just because, you know me coming from the Hill and just knowing how Republicans feel about Matt Gaetz, I just immediately couldn't really believe it because it just he's a very hard person to get Republicans to rally around.

[Shamitha]

According to the Post, Gaetz has been making calls to members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to shore up support, and he's saying he'll be able to clear his name during the confirmation hear. As for how the House Ethics Committee will vote today, many Republicans, including Senator Chuck Grassley, the incoming chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, say they want to see their findings. But Republican Senator John Cornyn said it might not matter either way. Earlier this week, he said the Judiciary Committee could decide to call the women who alleged this misconduct to come and testify at Gates confirmation hearing. Let's turn now to the war between Russia and Ukraine, which just passed its 1,000th day. This week, the Biden administration announced two major changes in its policy. The first was to allow Ukraine to use US Made long range missiles and the second was to agree to supply Ukraine with landmines for the first time. On Tuesday, Ukraine's military used those long range ballistic missiles to strike inside Russia. Ukrainian officials say they hit an ammunition depot. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin changed Russia's military doctrine to lower the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons. At the same time, President Biden's time in office is coming to a close and the future of US Support for Ukraine is uncertain, which is why the Wall Street Journal reports more European officials are looking for an off ramp to the war. Here's Lawrence Norman, deputy bureau chief for the Journal, based in Brussels.

[Lawrence Norman]

There is clearly going to be a lot less money coming from Congress for Ukraine. Can Europe replace the amount of money and in particular the amount of military equipment that was coming from the U.S. probably not entirely, and that is a problem.

[Shamitha]

Another problem, in recent months, Russia has been gaining ground.

[Lawrence Norman]

Time is not on Ukraine's side They're not winning this war. In recent times, they've been losing this war.

[Shamitha]

And Norman says many European officials worry about what a negotiated peace deal might look like under a Trump administration.

[Lawrence Norman]

I think we should be frank here. A lot of European governments were absolutely dreading the prospect of Trump coming back to the White House, given the kind of things he was saying about Ukraine and Russia. He's talked repeatedly about his friendship with Putin. He gave the impression that he wasn't greatly concerned about Ukraine's future. He was pretty negative about Zelensky himself. So they were very, very fear that he would come back, force Ukraine to the negotiating table, and cut a deal with Putin at Ukraine's expense.

[Shamitha]

Norman says that dread among European leaders has somewhat eased. They saw Trump's recent meeting with Zelensky, for example, as a positive sign. But still, negotiating a peace deal will be complicated. Putin says he wants Russia to keep all the Ukrainian territory it's occupied. Zelensky says he wants that territory back. According to recent polling in Ukraine, the majority of people agree with their president. But Putin's position appears to be gaining traction with time. About a third of Ukrainians polled, that's double the number compared to last year, said they are open to giving up territory if it means ending the war. There's a new twist on an oldest time sticking point in our culture wars that's been bubbling up in recent months. What role should religion play in public schools? The US Constitution says none. But conservative lawmakers across the country are pushing the limits of this foundational idea. Last week in Oklahoma, for example, State Superintendent Ryan Walters mandated that all schools play a video of him announcing a new Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism. He then invited students to pray for President Elect Trump.

[Liz Goodwin]

I pray for our leaders to make the right decisions. I pray in particular for President Donald Trump and his team.

[Shamitha]

We should note that students were not required to pray. Meanwhile, in Louisiana, a judge recently struck down a state law that would have required public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom. The judge called it, quote, unconstitutional on its face. And now Texas, which already allows religious chaplains to be school counselors, is on the verge of taking things a step further. On Tuesday, a majority of the state's Board of Education signaled they would support a new elementary school curriculum that infuses stories from the Bible into language arts and reading lessons. They argue they can be used to teach concepts like the Golden Rule. But as you might expect, these proposed changes are facing heavy scrutiny from some parents, activists, and lawmakers who say it risks alienating kids who aren't Christian. Here's Texas State Representative James Talarico, a Democrat and a former public school teacher.

[Lawrence Norman]

If you're a Muslim student, a Jewish student, a Hindu student in Texas public schools, you already stick out and now you're going to have your teacher at the front of your classroom preaching Christianity as the one true and only religion.

[Shamitha]

Jonathan Covey, the policy director for Texas Values, a group that advocates for Judeo Christian values, is defending the Christian themed curriculum, saying it is protected by the First Amendment.

[Liz Goodwin]

Government cannot violate religious liberty by establishing a religion of secularism by giving preference to those who believe in no religion over those who have religious beliefs.

[Shamitha]

A full vote on the new curriculum is expected on Friday, and while schools are not required to use it, the state is offering a financial incentive. About $60 per student will go to districts who choose to adopt the new stand. Before we let you go, a few other stories being featured in the Apple News app starting in Gaza, where a UN Special committee recently released a report that found Israel's war is, quote, consistent with the characteristics of genocide. The committee said that includes, quote, intentionally causing death, starvation and serious injury, using starvation as a method of war. Israeli officials denied that accusation and argued inconsistent UN Distribution of aid is to blame for the widespread hunger in Gaza. Pope Francis, meanwhile, who has defended Israel for much of his tenure, has also come out to say Israel should be investigated for genocide. Last November, he said the conflict had, quote, gone beyond war, saying this is terrorism next to US politics. Yesterday, Trump nominated Dr. Mehmet Oz to oversee the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services, which manages healthcare for over 150 million Americans, STAT reports. The heart surgeon turned TV doctor has used his platform to tout private Medicare plans. In 2014, he was questioned by Congress for promoting weight loss products on his show without scientific evidence. And he has also spread misinformation like falsely suggesting astrology could be used as a legitimate medical tool and saying apple juice contains dangerous levels of arsenic, which is not true. Meanwhile, in Congress, Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, is proposing rules that would ban transgender women from using the women's bathrooms. On Capitol Hill, she told reporters this proposal is a direct response to the election of representative Sarah McBride, who will be the first openly trans member of Congress.

[Liz Goodwin]

I'm absolutely, 100% gonna stand in the way of any man who wants to be in a women's restroom, in our locker rooms, in our changing rooms. I will be there fighting you every step of the way.

[Shamitha]

In a statement, McBride called Mesa's proposal a distraction. And finally, NPR reports that we're seeing a shake up in the social media ecosystem. According to data they reviewed the day after the election, X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, lost more than 115,000 users. That's the largest ever mass exit from the platform. At the same time, traffic on Blue Sky, a competitor platform, skyrocketed, with daily usage up around 500%. But the app is still extremely tiny compared to other platforms. BlueSky has just over 20 million accounts. There are hundreds of millions of accounts on X and threads and billions on Instagram. You can find all these stories and more in the Apple News app. And if you're already listening in the News app right now, we've got a narrated article coming up next. It comes to us from Scientific American and examines hypochondria, a disorder that makes people have anxiety about their health that's often been treated like a punchline and in the more serious ways it's being managed. Now. If you're listening in the podcast app, follow Apple News Narrated to find that story. And I'll be back with the news tomorrow.