Morning Wire: Senate GOP Leader Elected & Congressional FEMA Investigations | Afternoon Update | 11.13.24

Hosted by John Bickley and Georgia Howe of The Daily Wire

1. Senate GOP Leadership Election

John Bickley opens the afternoon update by announcing the election of Senator John Thune as the new leader of Senate Republicans. Thune, representing South Dakota, secured the position with a 29 to 24 vote over Texas Senator John Cornyn. Florida Senator Rick Scott was eliminated in the first ballot, garnering only 13 votes compared to Cornyn's 15 and Thune's 23.

John Thune delivered a compelling message from the podium post-election:

[01:01] John Thune: "We have a mandate from the American a mandate not only to clean up the mess left by the Biden Harris Schumer agenda, but also to deliver on President Trump's priorities. [...] We will have an ambitious agenda and will take each and every Republican working together to be successful."

Thune emphasized his commitment to uniting the Republican conference and advancing both the party's current objectives and former President Trump's priorities over the next two years.

2. Trump's Nomination of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense

John Bickley continues with an update on former President Donald Trump's nomination for Secretary of Defense. Trump has selected Pete Hegseth, an Army National Guard veteran and Fox News host, known for his staunch opposition to what he terms the military's "WOKE" ideology.

Hegseth, who authored a book criticizing the military's shift towards gender diversity and extremism under the Obama and Biden administrations, pledged to restore merit-based values within the armed forces. In an interview with Ben Shapiro, Hegseth stated:

[02:10] Pete Hegseth: "Every aspect of it is how good are you at your job and how quickly can you execute? [...] If you're a general officer inside the military, you raise your right hand to defend the Constitution."

Hegseth's remarks highlight his focus on competence and constitutional loyalty as cornerstones of his envisioned leadership for the Department of Defense.

3. Arrest Over Leaked Classified Documents

Georgia Howe reports a significant arrest involving William Rahman, a CIA official suspected of leaking classified documents concerning Israel's preparations for a potential attack on Iran. Rahman was apprehended by the FBI in Cambodia and subsequently extradited to Guam, where he faced charges.

The court filing details that Rahman has been indicted on two counts: willful retention and transmission of national defense information, marking a critical development in national security and intelligence integrity.

4. Congressional Investigation into FEMA's Alleged Political Bias

John Bickley brings attention to an ongoing investigation involving FEMA Director Deanne Criswell. Two House committees are set to question Criswell next week regarding allegations that FEMA relief workers in Florida were directed to avoid homes displaying Trump flags or signs during hurricane relief operations.

Amanda Prestigiacomo, a Daily Wire reporter, provides deeper insights:

[03:26] Amanda Prestigiacomo: "The House Subcommittee on Economic Development has now expanded its investigation into FEMA after the now fired supervisor Marnie Washington told workers to skip home homes with Trump flags or signs following recent hurricanes."

Washington asserted that this directive was not an isolated incident but indicative of a broader FEMA policy aimed at steering clear of politically hostile residences. Criswell is scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee, with investigations continuing at both federal and state levels.

5. Burglaries Targeting Kansas City Chiefs Stars

Georgia Howe reports unsettling news from the sports world: the homes of Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs were burglarized last month. Mahomes' luxury mansion in Belton, Missouri, was broken into on October 6, and Kelce's estate in Leawood was targeted the following day.

Authorities confirmed that $20,000 in cash was stolen from Kelce's property, although it remains unclear if any items were taken from Mahomes' residence. The FBI is now investigating these incidents, suggesting they may be part of a larger, interstate crime spree targeting affluent individuals.

6. Disney World's Tiana's Bayou Adventure Receives Mixed Reviews

John Bickley shifts focus to entertainment, discussing Disney World's new water ride, Tiana's Bayou Adventure. This attraction, which replaced the contentious Splash Mountain, has garnered feedback for leaving guests excessively soaked. Visitors report that water accumulates within the ride vehicles, leading to riders being drenched from head to toe.

Disneyland's iteration of the ride, slated to open this week, is expected to be even wetter, continuing the trend of high-intensity water experiences. This reaction highlights ongoing challenges Disney faces in balancing immersive experiences with guest comfort.

Closing Remarks

Georgia Howe wraps up the update, directing listeners to dailywire.com for more comprehensive coverage and encouraging them to tune into the full Morning Wire episodes for in-depth reporting on the day’s most significant stories.

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