Biden's Pardon Backlash, Protests in Georgia, Offensive In Syria

Summary

Up First from NPR – Detailed Summary of December 3, 2024 Episode

NPR’s "Up First" podcast, hosted by Leila Fadel and A. Martinez, delivered a comprehensive update on the three major stories dominating the headlines on December 3, 2024: President Biden’s controversial pardon of his son Hunter Biden, escalating protests in Georgia over halted EU membership talks, and a significant rebel offensive in Syria that threatens to destabilize the region further.

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1. President Biden’s Pardon of Hunter Biden: A Political Storm

The episode opens with a deep dive into President Joe Biden’s recent decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, a move that has ignited widespread criticism across the political spectrum. Leila Fadel sets the stage by highlighting the dilemma Biden faces as both a father and a president:

Leila Fadel [03:07]: "President Biden came into office promising to respect the independence of the justice system."

This pledge appears to be undermined by his decision to issue an unconditional pardon to his son, an action that has been met with fierce backlash:

A. Martinez [03:13]: "But this week, he did something that his critics and even a few of his allies say undermines his arguments that no one is above the law. He pardoned his son Hunter, after saying many times he would not."

NPR White House correspondent Asma Khalid provides nuanced insights into the political ramifications of the pardon. She notes that while the decision wasn't entirely unexpected, the intensity of the reaction is noteworthy:

Asma Khalid [03:44]: "So it did not come as a complete surprise, but the reaction has been strong."

Former Republican Mona Charin expresses her concerns, emphasizing the impact on Biden’s legacy and trust in the justice system:

Mona Charin [04:02]: "President Biden don't pardon Hunter."

Critics argue that the pardon contradicts Biden’s campaign promises and threatens to erode public trust in the judiciary:

Leila Fadel [04:05]: "Look, you understand his feelings as a father, but he should have put those aside because this so discredits everything he had been saying about why he was different from Trump."

Democratic voices are split, with some defending Biden’s decision as a parental right, while others fear it sets a dangerous precedent. Senator Michael Bennett of Colorado voices apprehension about the broader implications:

Senator Michael Bennett [05:27]: "There's already this feeling in America that powerful people live by a different set of rules than normal folks, and this feeds into that."

The White House's defense of the pardon is scrutinized, particularly in light of the administration's credibility challenges:

Asma Khalid [06:28]: "We haven't heard from the president directly since he issued a press release about the pardon Sunday night."

The episode underscores the delicate balance Biden must maintain between personal loyalty and upholding the principle that no one is above the law, highlighting the potential long-term effects on his presidency and the Democratic Party's standing.

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2. Escalating Protests in Georgia Over EU Membership Talks

Shifting focus to international affairs, "Up First" covers the intensifying protests in Georgia resulting from the government's suspension of EU membership negotiations. NPR international correspondent Charles Maines provides a vivid account of the situation on the ground in Tbilisi:

Charles Maines [11:12]: "Every evening, mostly peaceful protesters now in the tens of thousands gather outside the parliament."

The protests have escalated into confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement, with significant casualties and mass arrests reported:

Charles Maines [12:19]: "There have been reports of injuries from both sides, including over 100 police. We don't have figures for the protesters, but they're clearly more. And at least 220 people have been arrested so far."

The origins of the unrest trace back to parliamentary elections in October, where allegations of vote-rigging by the ruling Georgian Dream Party have fueled public outrage. The European Parliament's call for election re-evaluation has only intensified tensions:

Charles Maines [12:22]: "The European Parliament agreed they were calling now for a do over. That's infuriated the Georgian Dream government, but of course also galvanized supporters of the opposition."

Protesters, including voices like sailor Bom Sikhaladze, express a profound sense of disenfranchisement and a determination to defend democratic processes:

Bom Sikhaladze [13:05]: "They stole our voice. They stole our future. We do not accept that."

The government's decision to halt EU talks until 2028 is seen by many as a pivot back towards Russian influence, raising concerns about Georgia's geopolitical alignment:

Charles Maines [13:23]: "Over the past year, Georgian Dream is legislation and positions that seem to echo Kremlin policies that have really been used to crack down on freedoms here in Russia."

International reactions have been swift, with the U.S. freezing a strategic partnership agreement with Georgia and Baltic nations imposing sanctions on Georgian Dream leadership. Despite this, the Georgian government remains steadfast, anticipating that incoming President Donald Trump’s administration might alter their trajectory:

Charles Maines [13:42]: "They argue things will quickly settle down once Donald Trump gets into office in January."

The episode paints a picture of a nation at a crossroads, grappling with internal divisions and external pressures that could redefine its future.

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3. Rebel Offensive in Syria Threatens Regional Stability

The third major story focuses on a significant rebel offensive in Syria that has disrupted a nearly 14-year-old civil war stalemate. NPR national security correspondent Greg Myri joins the conversation to shed light on the unfolding developments:

Greg Myri [07:28]: "This is part of a series of events in the Middle East that have been taking place for more than a year now."

Rebels, identified as the HTS group, have made substantial gains, capturing Aleppo and advancing towards Damascus. The pace of their takeover has left analysts surprised:

Leila Fadel [09:14]: "So the rebels saw Syria's allies weakened and distracted, and they launched this offensive against the Syrian government troops. And the speed of this rebel advance has really surprised most everyone."

The episode explores the broader regional dynamics, including the diminished capacity of traditional allies like Hezbollah, Russia, and Iran, due to prior conflicts and shifting priorities:

Charles Maines [09:23]: "Hezbollah in Lebanon, which was one of the main fighting forces that saved the Assad regime from collapse in 2015, are no longer really available to do that."

Despite initial successes, the sustainability of the rebel advance is uncertain. The HTS group, once linked to Al-Qaeda, seeks to establish an Islamist state but may lack the resources to maintain momentum against a regrouping Syrian army supported by limited aid from Russia and Iran:

Leila Fadel [09:46]: "The rebel force is known as HTS. It's an Islamist group once linked to Al Qaeda. It's cut those ties, but it still wants to establish an Islamist state."

As the Syrian government mobilizes countermeasures, including Russian airstrikes and potential reinforcements from allied militias, the situation remains fluid:

Charles Maines [10:04]: "Russian air forces are already pounding areas in what's called the rebel-held areas. Iran is already moving allied militia forces to Syria."

The conflict's resurgence threatens to redraw the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, with significant implications for regional security and international relations.

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Conclusion

The December 3, 2024 episode of "Up First" provides listeners with an in-depth analysis of pivotal events shaping both domestic and international arenas. From the contentious presidential pardon that could redefine political trust in the United States, to the fervent struggles for democracy in Georgia, and the volatile resurgence of civil war in Syria, the episode underscores the complex interplay of leadership decisions, public sentiment, and geopolitical maneuvering. By featuring expert correspondents and firsthand accounts, NPR ensures that its audience remains informed and engaged with the critical issues of the day.

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Notable Quotes:

• Leila Fadel [03:07]: "President Biden came into office promising to respect the independence of the justice system."
• Asma Khalid [04:52]: "Senator Gary Peters of Michigan said it erodes faith in government and described it as an improper use of power."
• Bom Sikhaladze [13:08]: "They stole our voice. They stole our future. We do not accept that."
• Charles Maines [12:19]: "At least 220 people have been arrested so far, some amid some pretty aggressive policing."
• Mona Charin [05:31]: "That the next president... will use President Biden's pardon of his son as a cudgel."

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This summary captures the essence of the "Up First" episode, providing a coherent and comprehensive overview for listeners seeking to stay informed about the day's most pressing news stories.

Transcript

[Leila Faudel]

Good morning. It's Leila Faudal here with a Martinez. A quick word before the show. Today is Giving Tuesday. It's a global day of generosity and the perfect day to support NPR and our work here on up first.

[A. Martinez]

Yeah, up first is also part of the NPR network of public radio stations across the country, which serves many places that have seen other news sources diminish big, small, rural or urban. NPR is there. And we're able to do this thanks to your support.

[Leila Faudel]

So thank you. If you already support us through NPR or by donating to your local station. And if you haven't heard of NPR before, it's a new way to support NPR with a tax deductible recurring donation that unlocks perks to more than 25 NPR podcasts, including sponsor free listening to this podcast Up First.

[A. Martinez]

You also get access to special bonus episodes from podcasts such as Fresh Air. Wait, wait, don't tell me. Planet Money and more. So join us on [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org okay.

[Leila Faudel]

Now let's get to the show.

[A. Martinez]

President Biden is getting blowback for his decision to pardon his son.

[Leila Faudel]

Look, you understand his feelings as a father, but he should have put those aside. Some critics think the choice could upend his legacy.

[A. Martinez]

Amy Martinez, that's Layla Fadel. And this is up first from NPR News. A nearly 14 year civil war in Syria was frozen in an unsettling stalemate. Then a rebel offensive in Syria against the government shook the status quo. How opposition forces are taking advantage of Syria's distracted allies, cut up in other conflicts.

[Leila Faudel]

And protesters in Georgia are calling for elections as the government suspends talks for membership to the European Union. They stole our voice.

[Charles Maines]

They stole our future, and we do not accept that.

[Leila Faudel]

Stay with us. We'll give you the news you need to start your day.

[Greg Myri]

This message comes from HubSpot. Growing a business means a lot of audience, attracting, lead scoring and long days. But with HubSpot, it's easier than ever for marketers to remix content, boost leads and score customers fast. Learn [e-mail] Marketers this message comes from BetterHelp Online Therapy.

[Charles Maines]

They want to make it easier for you to take a breather from the chaos this holiday season. Sign up for BetterHelp between December 3rd and 5th to get one free month of therapy. Then connect with a licensed therapist in as little as 48 hours from wherever you are. Visit betterhelp.com NPR between December 3rd and 5th for one free month of online therapy. That's betterhelp.com NPR valid for new U.S. customers only.

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[Leila Faudel]

President Biden came into office promising to respect the independence of the justice system.

[A. Martinez]

But this week, he did something that his critics and even a few of his allies say undermines his arguments that no one is above the law. He pardoned his son Hunter, after saying many times he would not.

[Leila Faudel]

To help us make sense of the politics of this moment and what it means for Biden's legacy, we're joined now by NPR White House correspondent Asma Khalid. Good morning, Asma.

[Asma Khalid]

Good morning, Leila.

[Leila Faudel]

Okay, so the president signed this full unconditional pardon for his son. Tell us more about how this is being received.

[Asma Khalid]

So it did not come as a complete surprise, but the reaction has been strong. Mona Charin is a former Republican who a couple of weeks ago worried about this possibility, wrote a piece for the anti Trump publication called the Bulwark saying President Biden don't pardon Hunter.

[Leila Faudel]

So?

[Asma Khalid]

So I asked her what she made of the president's decision.

[Leila Faudel]

Look, you understand his feelings as a father, but he should have put those aside because this so discredits everything he had been saying about why he was different from Trump.

[Asma Khalid]

Biden ran on preserving democracy and the rule of law, and he was a former chair in the Senate of the Judiciary Committee. Trump has long insisted the Justice Department is being weaponized against him and his supporters. And now Biden is saying his son was unfairly targeted by the justice system. As you can imagine, Republicans were quick to criticize the president. House Speaker Mike Johnson explicitly blamed Biden for damaging trust in the justice system.

[Leila Faudel]

Okay, so you mentioned that some Democrats are trying to argue that the other side is worse. What are other Democrats saying?

[Asma Khalid]

To be clear, Biden has many defenders in his party who say that he made the right move and reject that what Biden is doing is somehow equivalent to what Trump has done. But some Democrats are publicly frustrated by the president, President's pardon. They point out that the president's son Hunter was convicted by a jury of his peers. I spoke to Senator Michael Bennett of Colorado. He told me there's already this feeling in America that powerful people live by a different set of rules than normal folks, and this feeds into that. He also told me that he's worried about how this could embolden Trump.

[Charles Maines]

I am worried that one of the.

[Mona Charin]

Things that will come from this is.

[Charles Maines]

That the next president, who himself is not committed to the rule of law at all, will use President Biden's pardon of his son as a cudgel and.

[Mona Charin]

As a precedent to erode the rule of law.

[Asma Khalid]

And he's not alone. The governor of Colorado said it'll tarnish Biden's reputation. Senator Gary Peters of Michigan said it erodes faith in government and described it as an improper use of power. One reason why this is also top of mind to Demar is that Trump has said he'll pardon January 6th rioters on day one. And Trump's first response to the news of Hunter Biden's pardon was to again refer back to those January 6th rioters. He sees those as political prosecutions. This pardon could make it harder for Democrats to criticize Trump if he moves forward with that pledge.

[Leila Faudel]

And really quickly, how is the White House defending this decision?

[Asma Khalid]

We haven't heard from the president directly since he issued a press release about the pardon Sunday night. He's in the country of Angola for the next couple of days. White House press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre did tell reporters on that foreign trip that they feel that Hunter Biden was singled out because his last name was Biden. Over the last few months, she has told reporters that a pardon was not in the works. And so she's facing a lot of questions now about the administration's credibility over the issue.

[Leila Faudel]

NPR's Asma Khalid. Thank you, Asma.

[Asma Khalid]

Good to speak with you.

[Leila Faudel]

From afar, the rapid advance by rebel fighters in Syria seemed to come out of nowhere.

[A. Martinez]

Yep. This is part of a series of events in the Middle east that have been taking place for more than a year now. Collectively, they have destabilized the wider region and helped reignite a civil war in Syria that had settled into a years long stalemate.

[Leila Faudel]

For a closer look, we're now joined by NPR national security correspondent Greg Myri. Hi, Greg.

[Mona Charin]

Hi, Layla.

[Leila Faudel]

Okay, so let's start with a quick update on the latest fighting in Syria. After this rebel offensive began, where do things stand?

[Mona Charin]

Right. So the rebels have effectively captured Aleppo, Syria's second largest city, which is in the northwest. And they've been pushing south now for several days in the direction of the capital, Damascus, though that's still quite a distance away. Syria's government army is trying to regroup. Syria is getting at least some help from its traditional allies. Russia is carrying out air strikes. Iran is trying to rally diplomatic support. So right now we're watching to see if the rebels can continue to gain ground or if the Syrian army, along with its allies, can stop the advance and mount a counterattack.

[Leila Faudel]

Now, this isn't happening in a vacuum. Right. What other events are linked to what we're seeing in Syria?

[Mona Charin]

Yeah, Leila, I think we really need to begin with the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th last year. The very next day, the Lebanese group Hezbollah joined in firing rockets into north Israel as a show of support for Hamas in Gaza. And then the fighting kept spreading in the region. We saw the first ever direct confrontations between Israel and Iran. And despite all this fighting in Syria, President Bashar Assad tried to keep a low profile. He wasn't saying much. He didn't want to get involved in the surrounding conflicts. Now, Assad has been accused of widespread abuses and atrocities since Syria's civil war began in 2011. But the war has been on a low simmer for the past few years, and Assad wanted to keep it that way.

[Leila Faudel]

But what sparked this new round of fighting?

[Mona Charin]

So I put that question to Paul Salem. He's based in Beirut with the Middle East Institute. He drew a series of connections that followed the Hamas attack on Israel last year.

[Charles Maines]

In Israel's large scale retaliation, it has dealt a staggering blow to Hezbollah in Lebanon. And Hezbollah in Lebanon, which was one of the main fighting forces that saved the Assad regime From collapse in 2015, they are no longer really available to do that. Also, Iran itself, they really are on the back foot as well.

[Mona Charin]

So the rebels saw Syria's allies weakened and distracted, and they launched this offensive against the Syrian government troops. And the speed of this rebel advance has really surprised most everyone.

[Leila Faudel]

Yeah, I mean, this stunning takeover of Aleppo, can it keep going? Do the rebels have the firepower to keep going?

[Mona Charin]

You know, it's not clear. The rebel force is known as hts. It's an Islamist group once linked to Al Qaeda. It's cut those ties, but it still wants to establish an Islamist state. The group isn't claiming territory as fast as it was a few days ago. And it could become stretched too thin if the Syrian forces can regroup.

[Leila Faudel]

Okay, can the Syrian forces, the Syrian army, regroup and counterattack?

[Mona Charin]

That's really an open question. Paul Salem says Syria's allies are providing some help.

[Charles Maines]

Russian air forces are already pounding areas in what's called the rebel held areas. Iran is already moving allied militia forces to Syria. I wouldn't be surprised to read reports that Hezbollah is moving fighters from Lebanon to Syria as well.

[Mona Charin]

But he stresses that this help is expected to be Limited.

[Leila Faudel]

That's NPR's Greg Myri. Thank you, Greg.

[Mona Charin]

Sure thing, Leila.

[Leila Faudel]

A political crisis is deepening in the country of Georgia.

[Charles Maines]

Yeah.

[A. Martinez]

For much of the past week, thousands of protesters have taken to the streets. At issue is a government decision to suspend membership talks with the European Union. And as a former Soviet state, some fear the country could be slipping back into Russia's orbit.

[Leila Faudel]

NPR international correspondent Charles Maines is on the line from Moscow, but recently returned from reporting in Georgia. Good morning, Charles.

[Charles Maines]

Morning, Layla.

[Leila Faudel]

So what's the latest with the protests?

[Charles Maines]

Well, it was another tense night in the capital, Tbilisi, but there seems to be a pattern emerging. Every evening, mostly peaceful protesters now in the tens of thousands gather outside the parliament. And every evening we see heavy police presence, disperse them using tear gas and water cannons. And then things seem to devolve into more pitched battles between smaller groups of demonstrations who clearly came prepared. They're wearing gas masks, armed with pyrotechnics, in other words, fireworks that they shoot back at security forces. And there have been reports of injuries from both sides, including over 100 police. We don't have figures for the protesters, but they're clearly more. And at least 220 people have been arrested so far, some amid some pretty aggressive policing.

[Leila Faudel]

Remind us, how did this all start?

[Charles Maines]

Well, you know, you mentioned the decision to suspend talks with the European Union. The government indeed said it won't engage with the EU until 2028. As to why the answer lies in recent parliamentary elections. An October vote in Georgia saw the ruling Georgian Dream Party claim victory with some 54% of all ballots, a result that was certified, by the way, by the election commission. The opposition argues those results were rigged. And as of last week, the European Parliament agreed they were calling now for a do over. That's infuriated the Georgian Dream government, but of course also galvanized supporters of the opposition, people like Bom Sikhaladze, a sailor from the Georgian navy I met in an earlier rally. He, he told me he'd always hoped the crowds would come.

[Leila Faudel]

They stole our voice. They stole our future.

[Charles Maines]

And we do not accept that.

[Leila Faudel]

We will stand here how long much it takes. I will protect my country.

[Charles Maines]

I will protect my voice, and I'll.

[Leila Faudel]

Be glad if many, many people will join us. Was there a larger significance to the vote?

[Charles Maines]

Well, you know, it's important to point out that even before these protests, this election was seen by the opposition as a critical vote to get Georgia back on track with the EU and the west in general. Over the past year, Georgian Dr. Dream is legislation and positions that seem to echo Kremlin policies that have really been used to crack down on freedoms here in Russia.

[Leila Faudel]

Has that fed the impression of a Kremlin hand in a lot of this?

[Charles Maines]

Well, you know, clearly the opposition, and in particular the country's pro EU president, Salome Zoroashili, thinks so. Whether or not that's true, they've amped these claims in order to rally the west to their cause. And to a degree, it's working. The US Froze a strategic partnership agreement it had with Georgia. Baltic countries, of course, also former Soviet republics, have imposed sanctions on on Georgian Dream's leadership. But Georgian Dream is also digging in. The prime minister has vowed no negotiations with the opposition, and the government argues its problems with the west are overhyped and really temporary. They argue things will quickly settle down once Donald Trump gets into office in January.

[Leila Faudel]

That's NPR's Charles Maines in Moscow. Thank you, Charles.

[Charles Maines]

Thank you, Leila.

[Leila Faudel]

And that's up first for Tuesday, December 3rd.

[A. Martinez]

I'm Leila Faulden and I'm A. Martinez. For your next listen, how about Consider this from npr. We here at to first give you the three big stories of the day. Our Consider this colleagues take a different approach. They dive into a single news story and what it means to you in just 15 minutes. Listen now on the NPR app or wherever you get those podcasts.

[Leila Faudel]

Today's episode of up first was edited by Roberta Rampton, Andrew Sussman, Nick Spicer, Lisa Thompson and H.J. mai. It was produced by Ziad Butch, Nia Dumas and Katie Klein. We get engineering support from Nisha Hines, and our technical director is Carly Strange. Join us again tomorrow.

[Asma Khalid]

Hey, it's Anamaria Sayer, co host of Alt Latino from NPR Music. Today is giving Tuesday the perfect time to give back to NPR for all the news, music, stories and overall good vibes it brings to your life. Please give [e-mail] thanks. Thanks.

[Greg Myri]

This message comes from Bolin Branch. Bolin Branch's best sale of the year is right now. Try the organic cotton sheets loved by millions. Go to bolinbranch.com and use code NPR for 25% off everything. Limited time only exclusions apply. C site for details. This message comes from NPR sponsor Mint Mobile. From the gas pump to the grocery store, inflation is everywhere. So Mint Mobile is offering premium wireless starting at just $15 a month. To get your new phone plan for just $15, go to mintmobile.com switch.