Ukraine Strike Russia & Tren De Aragua Expands | Afternoon Update | 11.19.24

Summary

Morning Wire: Ukraine Strike Russia & Tren De Aragua Expands | Afternoon Update | 11.19.24

Release Date: November 19, 2024

Hosts: John Bickley and Georgia Howe

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1. Donald Trump's Hush Money Case Stay Request

John Bickley opens the afternoon update by addressing the latest developments in the legal battles surrounding former President Donald Trump.

At [00:24], Tim Rice reports that New York prosecutors have requested a stay in Trump's hush money case, delaying his sentencing until at least 2020.

Andy McCarthy, a former Federal Prosecutor, provides deeper insights:

"While Justice Department guidance only covers the federal side, on the state side, the Constitution's supremacy clause still applies," [01:16] McCarthy explains. He emphasizes that state criminal actions remain subject to constitutional norms, potentially affecting Trump's case.

Trump was convicted in May for falsifying business records related to payments to an adult film star, a conviction that could have resulted in a four-year prison sentence. Following Trump's reelection, prosecutors seek additional time to evaluate the implications of his new status. Trump's defense is pushing to dismiss the case, citing a Supreme Court ruling that grants presidents presumptive immunity, challenging the admissibility of certain evidence.

2. Ukraine Launches American-Made Missiles into Russia

A significant escalation in the Ukraine-Russia conflict is reported as Ukrainian forces fired American-made long-range missiles into Russia for the first time.

John Bickley introduces the segment at [01:49]:

Tim Pearce details the strike:

"The missile struck an ammunition warehouse in the Bryansk region," [02:01] Pearce reports. Both American and Ukrainian officials confirm Kyiv's use of Army tactical missile systems, marking a pivotal shift in U.S. policy following President Biden's recent approval of their deployment.

Victoria Coats of the Heritage Foundation questions the timing:

"Why is this a good idea now? Why wasn't it two years ago when Ukraine had the advantage?" [02:22] Coats warns of drifting towards World War III, aligning with concerns voiced by President-elect and Don Jr.

In response, Vladimir Putin announced a significant decree lowering the threshold for nuclear weapon use:

"Aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state with the support of a nuclear state is proposed as a joint attack," [02:55] Putin states. The decree stipulates Russia's consideration of nuclear retaliation in response to massive aerospace attacks, including strategic and tactical aircraft, missiles, drones, and other delivery vehicles.

3. Matt Gaetz Ethics Investigation and Allegations

John Bickley shifts focus to the ongoing House ethics investigation into Congressman Matt Gaetz.

At [03:23], Mairead Elordi reports on attorney Joel Leopard representing two women who testified against Gaetz:

"Joel Leopard says his client testified that she saw Gaetz having sex with her friend at a party," [03:35] Elordi states. Gaetz denies the allegations, highlighting that the Department of Justice investigated and declined to press charges.

Alex Pfeiffer from the Trump transition team declares:

"Matt Gaetz will be the next Attorney General. He's the right man for the job and will end the weaponization of our justice system." [03:35] The statement dismisses the allegations as baseless attempts to derail Trump's anticipated second administration.

4. Poll Shows Majority Approve of Trump's Cabinet Picks

In a surprising political development, a new poll by Echelon Insights reveals:

At [04:03], the poll indicates that 53% of voters approve of Trump's transition efforts, with 58% optimistic about the country's direction into 2025. This positivity persists despite Trump's favorability rating being at 49%, suggesting that a majority of voters still support his leadership.

5. FEMA's Alleged Political Discrimination

John Bickley addresses the controversy surrounding FEMA's handling of disaster relief:

At [04:51], FEMA Director Deanne Criswell testifies before a House committee, agreeing to an independent investigation into claims of political discrimination. Criswell admits that workers were instructed by a supervisor to bypass homes supporting Trump but denies any broader directive.

FEMA official Marnie Washington counters:

"This is a colossal event of avoidance, not just in Florida, but also in the Carolinas," [05:37] Washington asserts. She alleges systemic avoidance and dishonesty within FEMA's senior leadership regarding the treatment of Trump-supporting areas.

The investigation, as Tim Rice reports, includes those directly involved:

"In this particular incident, we have found no evidence beyond this one employee's specific direction," [05:20] Rice states, though Washington maintains broader issues persist.

6. Expansion of Venezuelan Prison Gang Trende Aragua

The Department of Homeland Security reports an alarming expansion of the Venezuelan prison gang, Trende Aragua, now present in at least 16 states including California, Florida, New York, and Tennessee.

At [05:56], Tim Rice explains that the gang is involved in a spectrum of criminal activities such as theft, fraud, assaults, and human trafficking. Former President Donald Trump has pledged to prioritize the crackdown on Trende Aragua through measures like deportations and potential military action upon his return to office.

7. House Bill on Bathroom Usage Alignment with Biological Sex

A contentious bill introduced in the House mandates that members use bathrooms aligning with their biological sex.

John Bickley introduces the topic at [06:24], highlighting that the proposal comes as Democrats prepare to welcome Sarah McBride, the first transgender member of Congress.

Rep. Nancy Mace, the bill's proponent, defends it:

"I'm absolutely 100% going to stand in the way of any man who wants to be in a women's restroom, in our locker rooms, in our changing rooms," [07:00] Mace declares, emphasizing the bill's intent to protect women's safety and dignity in congressional facilities.

Critics, including Rep. Becca Balant and McBride herself, argue that the bill is cruel and divisive. While some Republicans show openness, the bill has ignited fierce debates over transgender rights and gender identity.

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This comprehensive update from Morning Wire encapsulates critical developments in U.S. politics, international conflicts, legal battles, and social issues, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of the day's most pressing stories.

Transcript

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[John Bickley]

I'm Daily Wire Editor in Chief John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's Tuesday, November 19th, and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update.

[Tim Rice]

New York prosecutors have requested a stay in the hush money case against Donald Trump, delaying sentencing until at least 2020. Daily Wire Deputy Managing Editor Tim Rice has more.

[Andy McCarthy]

Trump was convicted in May on charges of falsifying business records related to payments allegedly made to an adult film star, which could have landed him four years in prison. This latest request follows Trump's reelection, with prosecutors seeking time to assess the impact of his new status. Trump's defense team, which is moving to dismiss the case altogether, argues that certain evidence was inadmissible due to a Supreme Court ruling that grants presidents presumptive immunity, raising questions about how state convictions will be impacted. Former Federal Prosecutor Andy McCarthy joined Morning Wire to discuss these updates. He says that while Justice Department guidance only covers the federal side of things, on the state side, the Constitution's supremacy.

[Legal Expert]

Clause still applies, even though it's been held presumptively that federal courts won't interfere in state criminal proceedings. They make an exception for any state criminal action or any state procedure that could impede the federal government's opinion to carry out its constitutional functions. And obviously there's no more important constitutional function in our federal framework of government than the executive power which is reposed in one official, the president.

[John Bickley]

Ukraine fired American made long range missiles into Russia for the first time earlier today, prompting threats of a nuclear response from Russia. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pearce has the latest.

[Tim Pearce]

The missile struck an ammunition warehouse in the Bryansk region. American and Ukrainian officials confirmed Kyiv used Army tactical missile systems in the attack. This escalation comes just two days after President Biden approved their use. This was a significant shift in US Policy. Experts like Victoria Coats of the Heritage foundation questioned Biden's timing.

[Victoria Coats]

The question is, why is this a good idea now? Why wasn't it a good idea two years ago when Ukraine had the advantage? Now it looks like we're kind of drifting towards World War 3, as the President elect said and as Don Jr said in a kind of weird, incremental way.

[Tim Pearce]

Russia's Ministry of Defense Defense says six missiles were used in the attack. Russian President Vladimir Putin also signed a decree today lowering the threshold for use of nuclear weapons. He announced the plan in September, but the timing of his signing is significant. Here's Putin further explaining the decree in.

[Vladimir Putin]

The updated version of the document. Aggression against Russia by any non nuclear state but with the support of a nuclear state is proposed to be considered as their joint attack on Russia. Russia will also consider the possibility of using nuclear weapons when receiving reliable information about a massive launch of means of aerospace attack and their crossing of our state border. This includes strategic and tactical aircraft as well as cruise missiles and drones, hypersonic and other delivery vehicles.

[Tim Rice]

An attorney representing two women who testified in the House ethics investigation into Matt Gaetz is making the rounds on mainstream media. Daily Wire reporter Mairead Elordi has the latest.

[Victoria Coats]

Joel Leopard says his client testified that she saw Gaetz having sex with her friend at a party. Gaetz denies all the allegations and points out that the Department of Justice investigated the claims and declined to press charges. A statement from the Trump transition team's Alex Pfeiffer said, matt Gaetz will be the next attorney General. He's the right man for the job and will end the weaponization of our justice system. These are baseless allegations intended to derail the second Trump administration.

[John Bickley]

A new poll shows that a majority of Americans approve of Donald Trump's cabinet pick so far. Echelon Insights found that 53% of voters approve of Trump's transition efforts, with 58% optimistic about the direction of the country heading into 2025. The poll reflects a political paradox of sorts because despite Trump's favorability rating sitting at 49%, a majority of voters still want him to succeed.

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[John Bickley]

FEMA's director is being grilled on Capitol Hill today, and she's agreed to an independent investigation in into political discrimination by the agency. During testimony before a House committee today, Director Deanne Criswell confirmed that workers were indeed instructed by a supervisor to skip Trump supporting homes, but Criswell also insisted there was no broader directive.

[Sponsor Ad]

Does the investigation include her immediate supervisors and several steps above them?

[Legal Expert]

The investigation includes those that were deployed.

[Tim Rice]

In this particular incident, and we have found no evidence that there is anything beyond this one employee's specific direction.

[John Bickley]

FEMA official Marnie Washington has disputed that claim, saying this is not an isolated incident.

[FEMA Official]

This is a colossal event of avoidance, not just in the state of Florida, but you will find avoidance in the Carolinas. Senior leadership will lie to you and tell you that they do not know. But if you ask the DSA crew leads and specialists what they are experiencing in the field, they will tell you.

[Tim Rice]

The Venezuelan prison gang, known for violent crime and human trafficking, has expanded to at least 16 states, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Trende Aragua has extended its reach into the likes of California, Florida, New York and even Tennessee. Members are often involved in theft, fraud, assaults and human trafficking operations. Donald Trump has promised to prioritize cracking down on Trende Aragua through deportations and military action once he reassumes officers and.

[John Bickley]

A new bill introduced in the House this week would require members to use bathrooms that align with their biological sex. The proposal comes as Democrats Prepare for Sarah McBride that's the first trans identifying member of Congress. Critics, including Rep. Becca Balant and McBride, decried the bill as cruel and divisive, while some Republicans have expressed openness to it. The bill, which was introduced by South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace, seeks to shield women's restrooms, locker rooms and changing rooms, and aims to protect the safety and dignity of women in the House. Here's Mace defending the bill.

[Tim Rice]

I'm absolutely 100% going to 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. Those are your Drive Home updates this afternoon. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and for more in depth reporting on the biggest stories of the day, tune into our full episode of Morning Wire Every morning.

[Vladimir Putin]

M.