Gaetz Withdraws Nomination & Russia-Ukraine Warpath | 11.22.24

Summary

Morning Wire Podcast Summary: "Gaetz Withdraws Nomination & Russia-Ukraine Warpath" (11.22.24)
Release Date: November 22, 2024
Hosts: John Bickley and Georgia Howe
Duration: 14 minutes and 38 seconds

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1. Matt Gaetz Withdraws from Attorney General Consideration

Key Developments: Congressman Matt Gaetz has officially withdrawn his name from consideration for the Attorney General position amidst a surge of damaging reports concerning his past actions. This withdrawal has significant implications for both Gaetz's political future and the Republican Party's strategic appointments.

Notable Quotes:

• John Bickley [00:03]: "Matt Gaetz withdraws his name from consideration for attorney general amid damaging reports about his past."
• Tim Pierce [01:43]: "He pulled out, saying on X, 'It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump Vance transition.'"
• Jon Bickley [02:53]: "As we've talked about before, Gates really prides himself on being a sort of rabble rouser on the right."

Discussion: John Bickley introduces the situation, highlighting Gaetz's withdrawal due to controversies. Tim Pierce elaborates on the internal Republican conflicts, citing Gaetz's confrontational style and ethical investigations as key deterrents for his confirmation. The conversation underscores the tension within the GOP regarding suitable candidates for high-profile positions.

2. Trump Appoints Pam Bondi as Attorney General

Key Developments: In swift response to Gaetz's withdrawal, President Donald Trump appointed former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his replacement. Bondi is recognized for her staunch conservative stance on immigration and crime, having served on Trump's legal team during his first impeachment trial.

Notable Quotes:

• Tim Pierce [03:40]: "Trump appointed former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to the position... 'Pam was a Prosecutor for nearly 20 years where she was very tough on violent criminals and made the streets safe for Florida families.'"
• Cabot Phillips [04:21]: "There are reports that we could see this kind of shift again to and even greater degree in Trump's second term."

Discussion: Cabot Phillips details Bondi's qualifications and Trump's rationale for her appointment, emphasizing a return to focusing on crime and safety. The appointment has been well-received by the GOP base, though the Senate's response remains to be seen. The segment also touches on potential future roles for Gaetz in Florida politics, although his return to Congress appears unlikely due to the pending ethics report.

3. Implications for Florida Politics

Key Developments: Gaetz's withdrawal opens various pathways within Florida's political landscape, including possible appointments to the open Senate seat left by Marco Rubio or even gubernatorial ambitions once Governor DeSantis is term-limited in 2026.

Notable Quotes:

• Tim Pierce [04:21]: "He could technically return to Congress in January as no special election has been held yet to replace him... There's a lot of possibilities here to track."
• Jon Bickley [04:52]: "Well, and it sounds like a lot of possibility for reshuffling in Florida specifically."

Discussion: The conversation explores the strategic moves within Florida's Republican ranks, considering Gaetz's potential future roles despite the ongoing ethics investigation. The segment highlights the dynamic nature of Florida politics and the opportunities arising from recent developments.

4. Escalation in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Key Developments: The Russia-Ukraine war continues to escalate with significant troop movements and strategic weapon deployments. Russia has received additional troops from North Korea, and President Biden has relaxed restrictions on Ukraine's use of U.S. arms, leading to heightened tensions and military actions.

Notable Quotes:

• Cabot Phillips [05:34]: "Russia receiving 10,000 additional troops from North Korea, with a possibility of up to 90,000 more on the way."
• Megan Basham [07:38]: "The Russian forces have carried out a combined strike on one of the military industrial facilities in Ukraine..."

Discussion: The hosts provide an in-depth analysis of recent developments, including Russia's troop augmentation from North Korea and Biden's strategic easing of military aid restrictions to Ukraine. The segment covers Russia's revised nuclear doctrine and the deployment of ICBMs, marking a significant escalation in the conflict. The potential for World War III is underscored by leaked German plans for troop readiness.

5. International and Domestic Reactions to the Conflict

Key Developments: Reactions to the escalating conflict vary internationally and within the United States. Allies express concerns over Biden's policies potentially limiting Trump's tenure, while Trump’s incoming national security advisor, Mike Waltz, outlines a more aggressive stance against Russia.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Waltz [08:57]: "Russia is essentially a gas station with nukes... Our economy and his war machine will dry up very quickly."
• Ari Fleischer [08:57]: "I think that will get Putin to the table. We have leverage, like taking the handcuffs off of the long range weapons we provided at Ukraine as well."

Discussion: The segment explores differing perspectives on handling the Russia-Ukraine war, highlighting Trump administration figures advocating for stringent measures against Russia. The hosts discuss the implications of these policies and the potential for Trump to influence future U.S. strategies once in office.

6. Trump’s Approach to Media Relations

Key Developments: President-elect Trump has expressed a commitment to ensuring a "free, fair, and open media" landscape. This includes potential shifts in White House press briefings to incorporate more conservative media outlets and reduce the dominance of legacy, left-leaning media.

Notable Quotes:

• Georgia Howe [10:12]: "Trump said this during an interview with Fox News... he hopes to have more contact with them."
• Ari Fleischer [12:52]: "The Trump White House should assign some of those seats to reporters from conservative media outlets..."
• Georgia Howe [11:53]: "He described this meeting as cordial... Some of those outlets have treated him, 'badly, beyond comprehension.'"

Discussion: The hosts delve into Trump's recent interactions with MSNBC hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, aiming to mend fences and improve media relations. They discuss the potential restructuring of White House briefings to favor conservative media, as advocated by figures like Ari Fleischer. The segment also touches on the challenges and potential repercussions Trump faces in balancing open communication with media outlets that have historically been critical of him.

7. Future of White House Press Briefings

Key Developments: There are speculations about how Trump will manage White House press briefings, especially regarding the inclusion of alternative media outlets that align more closely with his administration's perspectives.

Notable Quotes:

• Ari Fleischer [13:35]: "...they have much smaller audiences now, possibly due to a loss of audience trust, so that they no longer have the influence that they once did."
• Georgia Howe [13:35]: "There are reports that we could see this kind of shift again to and even greater degree in Trump's second term."

Discussion: The conversation highlights the potential for a more balanced press pool in Trump's administration, with increased representation from conservative and non-traditional media sources. The hosts speculate on the impact this could have on media coverage and public perception, advocating for a press environment that reflects current news consumption habits.

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Conclusion: The episode of Morning Wire provided a comprehensive analysis of significant political developments, including Matt Gaetz's withdrawal from the Attorney General race, Trump's swift appointment of Pam Bondi, escalating tensions in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and shifts in media relations under the incoming Trump administration. Through detailed discussions and notable quotes, the hosts offered listeners a clear understanding of the current political landscape and its future implications.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• John Bickley [00:03]: "Matt Gaetz withdraws his name from consideration for attorney general amid damaging reports about his past."
• Tim Pierce [01:43]: "...he pulled out, saying on X, 'It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump Vance transition.'"
• Tim Pierce [03:40]: "...Trump appointed former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to the position."
• Tim Pierce [05:34]: "Russia receiving 10,000 additional troops from North Korea..."
• Mike Waltz [08:57]: "Russia is essentially a gas station with nukes..."
• Ari Fleischer [08:57]: "...taking the handcuffs off of the long range weapons we provided at Ukraine as well."
• Georgia Howe [10:12]: "Trump said this during an interview with Fox News..."
• Ari Fleischer [13:35]: "...they have much smaller audiences now..."

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This summary aims to provide a thorough overview of the podcast episode for those who have not listened, capturing all key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions with proper attribution and structure.

Transcript

[Jon Bickley]

Matt Gaetz withdraws his name from consideration for attorney general amid damaging reports about his past.

[Georgia Howe]

Every single pick that Donald Trump makes.

[Cabot Phillips]

Is going to be a distraction.

[Tim Pierce]

They don't want to confirm any of these people.

[Jon Bickley]

Who did Trump pick to replace him?

[Megan Basham]

I'm Daily Weyer Editor in Chief Jon Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Friday, November 22nd, and this is Morning Wire. Europe worries about World War three as rockets fly between Russia and Ukraine.

[Jon Bickley]

And Trump vows to support a free and fair media as left wing audiences punish networks for mending fences with the former president.

[Mike Waltz]

For those asking why we would go speak to the president elect during such fraught times, especially between us, I guess I would ask back, why wouldn't we?

[Megan Basham]

Thanks for waking up with Morning Wire. Stay tuned. We have the news you need to know.

[Tim Pierce]

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[Megan Basham]

In a stunning development Thursday, Congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew himself from consideration for attorney general amid a flurry of controversies, and.

[Jon Bickley]

President Trump wasted no time in finding a replacement. Here with more is Daily Wire senior editor Cabot Phillips. So, Cabot, you've been saying all week that Gaetz was going to face an uphill battle. What ended up happening?

[Tim Pierce]

Yeah, the moment this pick was announced, Washington just went into a frenzy. While Trump's base and diehard MAGA lawmakers were ecstatic, saying Gates would bring historic reforms to the doj. There were plenty of Republican lawmakers who expressed immediate reservations. They feared his lack of experience in the courtroom or law enforcement and his checkered past made him unqualified to be the nation's top law enforcement official. Now Gates huddled with Republican senators the last two days to lobby support for his confirmation. But when it became clear that not enough support would materialize, he pulled out, saying on X, quote, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump Vance transition. For his part, Trump said, quote, I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz. He was doing very well, but did not want to be a distraction for which he has much respect.

[Jon Bickley]

Now you mentioned that there were some reservations. What were the main reasons why Republican senators weren't on board?

[Tim Pierce]

So, as we've talked about before, Gates really prides himself on being a sort of rabble rouser on the right. His podcast is called Firebrand, and that firebrand style has made him plenty of enemies in the gop, including those who were upset about his role in ousting former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and also single handedly holding up pieces of legislation in the House. But beyond that, there were also concerns over his personal life. Gates has been the subject of a long running House ethics investigation involving allegations that he had sex with a minor while in office. The findings of that report were going to be released to the public last week, but ultimately were kept private because he resigned from the House to try and become Attorney General.

[Jon Bickley]

So it sounds like Trump hit the ground running and found a replacement very quickly. Who did he end up picking?

[Tim Pierce]

That's right. On Thursday night, Trump appointed former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to the position. Bondi previously worked on Trump's legal team during his first impeachment trial and earned a reputation in Florida as a hardline conservative on immigration and crime. Specifically, in a statement announcing the pick, Trump said, quote, pam was a Prosecutor for nearly 20 years where she was very tough on violent criminals and made the streets safe for Florida families. He went on to say the Bondi will shift the, quote, partisan DOJ's focus back to its original mission, fighting crime and making America safe again. The move was cheered by the GOP base. Now we'll see how Senate Republicans respond.

[Jon Bickley]

So what does this mean now for Gates?

[Tim Pierce]

Well, he could technically return to Congress in January as no special election has been held yet to replace him. But again, that would open the possibility of that ethics report being made public. So that does seem unlikely. And remember, Florida has an open Senate seat left by Marco Rubio, who was tapped for Secretary of State. Some are already lobbying Governor DeSantis to appoint Gates for that position. And of course, there are rumblings that he could make a move for the governor's office once DeSantis is term limited out in 2026. So a lot of possibilities here to track.

[Jon Bickley]

Well, and it sounds like a lot of possibility for reshuffling in Florida specifically.

[Cabot Phillips]

Yeah.

[Jon Bickley]

Cabot, thanks for reporting.

[Tim Pierce]

Anytime.

[Georgia Howe]

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[Megan Basham]

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is on a path of escalation as the end of the year approaches. In recent days, President Biden has lifted restrictions on Ukraine's use of US Arms and Moscow has reformed its nuclear doctrine and fired the first ICBM of the Daily Wire. Reporter Tim Pierce is here to discuss hey Tim, so catch us up on the latest in this war.

[Cabot Phillips]

Sure. There's been some major changes in how the war is being fought on both sides recently. It started with Russia receiving 10,000 additional troops from North Korea, with a possibility of up to 90,000 more on the way. President Biden then relaxed some restrictions on Ukraine's use of U.S. assistance. Administration officials have said the move was calculated to deter further involvement from North Korea. For Ukraine, Biden approved the use of long range US Weapons inside Russia, the provision of landmines and for US Contractors to enter the country. Ukraine quickly took advantage of the new parameters with a missile strike on Russia's Kursk region that reportedly wounded a top North Korean general. Ukraine is trying to hold on to gains it made in Russia's Kursk region, while Moscow currently holds about 20% of Ukrainian territory, mainly in Crimea and the Donbas.

[Megan Basham]

And what about the fallout? How is Russia reacting to these changes?

[Cabot Phillips]

Moscow isn't happy. After Biden loosened Ukraine's use of long range weapons, Putin issued changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine. The new doctrine now says Moscow will consider any attack by a non nuclear state that is backed by a nuclear state to be a joint operation and one that could warrant a nuclear response. In addition to that, Russia appears to have launched a number of intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs which are capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Up to this point, ICBMs hadn't been used in the war in Ukraine. That changed on Thursday. According to Ukrainian officials, Russia sent some into the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Military experts told the Wall Street Journal that the use of the missiles for this strike didn't make much tactical sense, but were likely meant as a warning against further escalation. Putin put out his own statement on the attack. Here's what he said through an interpreter.

[Megan Basham]

The Russian forces have carried out a.

[Cabot Phillips]

Combined strike on one of the military industrial facilities in Ukraine and this included the test of a novel intermediate range a Russian missile system, a ballistic missile.

[Megan Basham]

With a non nuclear hypersonic payload was used.

[Cabot Phillips]

Recently. Leaked plans from Germany show that Berlin wants 800,000 troops ready in case World War 3 breaks out. Worth noting that the Germans are taking that risk seriously.

[Megan Basham]

Yeah, clearly. Now what's been the response in Washington to Aldous?

[Cabot Phillips]

Will allies of President elect Trump say that Biden is doing this to escalate the war and limit Trump's options for a negotiated peace? By now I say that the president is rushing aid to Ukraine because of concerns that Trump could scale it back once in office. Either way, it's about Trump. Of course, administration officials give a different account and say that Biden's changing stance is purely a response to what's happening on the ground in Ukraine. It's worth noting that we haven't heard much from Trump himself on this. His incoming national security advisor, Mike Waltz said earlier this month, though, that taking restrictions off Ukraine would be one tool he'd look at to pressure Russia to negotiate. Here's Waltz on NPR on how to get to a peace deal.

[Ari Fleischer]

First and foremost, you would enforce the actual energy sanctions on Russia. Russia is essentially a gas station with nukes. Putin is selling more oil and gas now than he did pre war through China and Russia. And you couple that with unleashing our energy, lifting our LNG band, and his economy and his war machine will dry up very quickly. I just spoke with the speaker of the Parliament of Lithuania. He buys 85% of their oil and gas from Texas and Louisiana. She said, what do you want me to do, go back to buying from Russia because we've constrained our energy supplies? So I think that will get Putin to the table. We have leverage, like taking the handcuffs off of the long range weapons we provided at Ukraine as well. And then of course, I think we have plenty of leverage with Zelensky to get them to the table.

[Cabot Phillips]

So responses to this have been all over the map. But it may be that we won't get a good view of how Trump views this until he takes office in January.

[Megan Basham]

Right. And he's the most important piece that's going to change here. Tim, thanks for reporting.

[Cabot Phillips]

Good to be on.

[Megan Basham]

President elect Donald Trump promised this week that he's committed to ensuring America has a free, fair and open media.

[Jon Bickley]

Here to tell us about the context and significance of Trump's remarks is Daily Wire culture reporter Megan Basham. So, Megan, there's been a lot of discussion about how Trump is going to handle the media this time around, just given how contentious his relationship has been with some of these outlets. What was the context of these remarks?

[Georgia Howe]

So Trump said this during an interview with Fox News, and it came up as a result of his meeting with MSNBC hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski. Now, the pair have long been known for being virulently anti Trump. But on Monday, one day, they announced that they went to Mar a Lago to meet with him, the first time they had spoken to him in seven years.

[Mike Waltz]

This meeting, President Trump was tearful. He was upbeat. He seemed interested in finding common ground with Democrats on some of the most divisive issues. We have been as clear as we know how in expressing our deep concerns about President Trump's actions and words in the coarsening of public debate. But for nearly 80 million Americans, election denialism, public trials, and January 6th were not as important as the issues that moved them to send Donald Trump back to the White House with their vote.

[Georgia Howe]

Now, Brzezinski and Scarborough framed this meeting as a journalistic effort to mend fences so that they're better able to report what's happening inside the new administration. But unnamed sources in MSNBC told CNN that that was not the whole story. These sources say the two hosts are concerned that they could face retribution from Trump.

[Jon Bickley]

Now, has Trump indicated that he would go after MSNBC in some way or another?

[Georgia Howe]

No, he hasn't. And that was what he told Fox. He described this meeting as cordial. He said that he appreciated the fact that they wanted to have open communication and that though Scarborough and Brzezinski disagreed with some of his CA Cabinet appointments, he hopes to have more contact with them. Of course, that said, Morning Joe could face retribution from their own fans. Viewership has reportedly dropped 12% since the news broke that they were trying to cozy up to Trump. But for Trump's part, he also said that he expects to have similar meetings with other legacy media outlets, including those he described as being very hostile to him in the past. In fact, he said he believes he has an obligation to the American public and to our country itself to be open and available to the press, even though, he added, some of those outlets have treated him, quote, badly, beyond comprehension. Now, that said, he added that if they continue to treat him unfairly, then their access may end.

[Jon Bickley]

Now, in that vein, do we know how Trump is going to handle things like White House briefings?

[Georgia Howe]

You know, that's a really good question, because there are only 49 seats in that briefing room. And typically, legacy outlets and wire services that tend to lean left have had priority access to those seats. But during his first term, Trump's administration provided press credentials to some conservative and religious outlets that had not traditionally been included before. In fact, I worked for the evangelical Christian outlet World magazine at that time. And I was one of those who was welcomed into some of those briefings. And that was very different from the Obama administration. So there are reports that we could see this kind of shift again to and even greater degree in Trump's second term. And there are some pretty well known Trump supporters, like Fox News contributor and former George W. Bush press secretary Ari Fleischer, who are openly pushing for him to do this. So Fleischer says that the major outlets like cnn, msnbc, the New York Times, all of those, he says that they have historically dominated the briefings, even though they have much smaller audiences now, possibly due to a loss of audience trust, so that they no longer have the influence that they once did. So Fleischer says the Trump White House should assign some of those seats to reporters from conservative media outlets, podcasters, the more respectable social media influencers, basically people who are, and I'm quoting here, more in tune with the news consuming habits of the country today because Fleischer says they're not part of an activist press corps that's out to damage Trump.

[Jon Bickley]

Well, it would be fantastic to have a more balanced press pool. Megan, thanks for reporting.

[Georgia Howe]

Anytime.

[Megan Basham]

Thanks for waking up with us. We'll be back this afternoon with more news you need to know.