Trump's New AG Pick, Ukraine Turning Point, West Coast Storm

Summary

Up First from NPR – November 22, 2024

NPR's "Up First" delivers the most important stories to start your day. In this episode, hosts Michelle Martin and A. Martinez cover a significant shakeup in Trump's Attorney General nomination, Vladimir Putin's escalating threats towards NATO countries supporting Ukraine, and a powerful West Coast storm with climate change implications. Additionally, an international development involving the International Criminal Court (ICC) and Israeli officials is discussed.

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1. Trump's Attorney General Nomination Shakeup

Overview: President Elect Donald Trump swiftly changed his nominee for Attorney General, replacing the controversial Matt Gaetz with longtime ally Pam Bondi. This move comes amid significant scrutiny surrounding Gaetz's nomination.

Details:

• Matt Gaetz Withdrawal: Initially nominated by Trump, Gaetz faced severe backlash due to ongoing investigations into alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. “There wasn't any time to waste on what he called a drawn-out fight over his confirmation,” explains NPR Justice Correspondent Ryan Lucas (04:15).

• Pam Bondi's Introduction: Bondi, the former Florida Attorney General, is the first woman to hold that position in Florida. Trump praised her toughness and commitment to fighting crime. “She's smart, she's tough, and that she will focus the Justice Department on fighting crime,” Trump stated during the announcement (04:09).

Implications: Bondi's confirmation is pivotal for Trump's second-term agenda. As the head of the Justice Department, she oversees agencies like the FBI and DEA, playing a crucial role in enforcing federal laws and national security. However, there's concern about whether she will use her position to further Trump's agenda of seeking retribution against political adversaries.

Notable Quote: "The Attorney General is one of the most important jobs in his incoming administration." – Michael Kaufman, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (05:51)

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2. Russia's Escalating Threats to NATO Amid Ukraine Conflict

Overview: Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Russia's intent to retaliate against any NATO country that supplies weapons to Ukraine, signaling a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.

Key Developments:

• Aggressive Stance: Putin stated, “Russia is prepared to escalate and NATO could become a target,” directly challenging the US and European allies (07:00).

• Advanced Missile Strikes: A recent missile hit in Dnipro featured a new type of missile releasing multiple warheads, classified as an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of delivering conventional or nuclear payloads (07:34).

• Military Momentum: Over the past few months, Russian forces have advanced swiftly in Eastern Ukraine, the fastest pace since the war began. “Momentum could accumulate behind the Russian war effort,” warns Greg Myhrey, NPR National Security Correspondent (09:00).

Implications for Ukraine and the West: The intensified Russian offensive poses severe challenges for Ukraine's defense efforts and heightens tensions with NATO allies. While Russian casualties are mounting, their current advantage could persist if Ukraine cannot effectively counteract the advances.

Notable Quote: "Everyone I spoke to still has a strong will to fight, but there's a general sense of pessimism." – Greg Myhrey, NPR National Security Correspondent (09:42)

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3. West Coast Storm: A Closer Look at Climate Change Impact

Overview: A formidable atmospheric river, enhanced by a bomb cyclone, has battered Northern California and Oregon, raising questions about the role of climate change in exacerbating such weather events.

Storm Details:

• Intensity and Impact: Described as looking like a “fire hose” pointed at the West Coast, the storm brought heavy rainfall, high winds, and flood risks. Some areas are expected to receive up to 16 inches of rain (11:05).

• Bomb Cyclone Explained: “It's basically when there's a rapid drop in air pressure in a short period of time,” Scott Simon explains, leading to intensified storms with higher winds and more precipitation (11:43).

Climate Change Connection: While atmospheric rivers are typical for the West Coast, climate change is influencing their severity. Warmer air holds more moisture, potentially leading to more intense rainfall events. However, current circulation patterns have diverted some moisture away from California. “By the second half of this century, that will probably change if the planet heats up even more,” notes Scott Simon (13:02).

Preparation and Infrastructure: Despite uncertainties about immediate climate impacts, experts advocate for preparedness as future storms are expected to become more intense. “Our infrastructure... already gets overwhelmed in certain years,” warns Michael Kaufman (13:24).

Notable Quote: "It's a really intense storm, and it's slow-moving, so that means a lot of rain." – Scott Simon, NPR Climate Desk (11:05)

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4. International Criminal Court Issues Arrest Warrants

Overview: The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif on charges of alleged war crimes.

Key Points:

• Charges Against Israeli Officials: Prosecutors accuse Netanyahu and Gallant of war crimes related to indiscriminate attacks on civilians and withholding vital aid during military operations in Gaza.

• Reactions:

  • Netanyahu: Dismissed the warrants as “antisemitic.”
  • President Biden: Criticized the ICC’s decision, labeling it “outrageous.”
  • US Senators: Some have threatened sanctions against the ICC, though action remains uncertain as the Senate's control may shift next year (14:12).

• Hamas Commander Deif: The warrant for Mohammed Deif remains uncertain due to ongoing conflicts in Gaza and unclear information about his status.

Implications: These developments could strain US-Israel relations and impact international legal proceedings related to the conflict in Gaza. The potential for US sanctions against the ICC remains a critical factor to watch in the coming months.

Notable Quote: "It's unclear if the Democratic-led Senate will take up those sanctions in the couple of months it has left, but it is something to watch for when Republicans take control next year." – A. Martinez (14:12)

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Conclusion: This episode of "Up First" provides an in-depth look at pivotal political shifts, international tensions, and environmental challenges shaping our world. From the ramifications of Trump's Attorney General selection to the gravity of Russia's threats and the pressing concerns of climate-induced storms, listeners are equipped with comprehensive insights to navigate current events.

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For more detailed reporting and analysis, subscribe to NPR's "Up First" and support your local NPR station at donate.npr.org.

Transcript

[Michelle Martin]

Good morning.

[A. Martinez]

A. Hello.

[Michelle Martin]

Ready for the weekend?

[A. Martinez]

Yeah, I mean I already got a list of chores ahead of me, so it's not that I'm that ready for it, but. Honey, do I make the list out for myself?

[Michelle Martin]

Do you really?

[A. Martinez]

Yeah, yeah. Mrs. A. Mrs. A has her own list.

[Michelle Martin]

Maybe you could trade lists.

[A. Martinez]

Oh, no, no. See, that's the thing. No, because if she does them not the way I want them to be done, then I'll have to just do. So I'm gonna add, you know, that's why I do the laundry, because that's funny.

[Michelle Martin]

My son in law does the laundry because he's so picky about it.

[A. Martinez]

Mrs.

[Michelle Martin]

Which I find hilarious.

[A. Martinez]

Has no idea how to clean clothes properly.

[Michelle Martin]

Or maybe she pretends not to know so that.

[A. Martinez]

No, she's tried. She's in the other room, so I can't do.

[Michelle Martin]

Okay, I'll just be quiet. Okay.

[A. Martinez]

But if we want fresh smelling clean clothes, I have to do it.

[Michelle Martin]

That's hilarious. President Elect Trump moved quickly to replace his nominee for attorney general after his controversial pick, Matt Gaetz.

[A. Martinez]

Withdre his new pick, longtime ally Pam Bondi. What does a shakeup mean for the Justice Department?

[Michelle Martin]

I am Michelle Martin. That's a Martinez. And this is up first from NPR News. Russian President Vladimir Putin claims the right to strike NATO countries arming Ukraine.

[Greg Myhrey]

In the last three to four months, the Russian military has been advancing at the fastest pace it has since the early part of the war.

[Michelle Martin]

How far might Putin go in his efforts to menace the west as he escalates his attacks on Ukraine?

[A. Martinez]

And a massive storm is flooding the West Coast. Could climate change be making these weather events worse? Stay with us. So we've got all the news you need to start your day.

[Ryan Lucas]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Saatva founder and CEO Ron Rudsen shares why Saatva sales associates are focused on finding the perfect mattress for their customers at.

[A. Martinez]

Saatva to have a 365 day home trial. Why would we want to rush you or try to push you into something that's not right for you? We want to make sure that we guide you to the right mattress. Our team is always available to be helpful to make sure you make the.

[Ryan Lucas]

Right choice, visit saatva.com NPR and save up to $600. This message comes from our sponsor, Grainger. This is the story of the one As a maintenance engineer, he hears things differently. To the untrained ear, everything on his shop floor might sound fine, but he can hear gears grinding or a belt slipping. So he steps in to fix the problem at hand before it gets out of hand. And he knows Granger's got the right product he needs to get the job done, which is music to his ears. Call clickgrainger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Lauren Sommer]

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 President elect Donald Trump's.

[A. Martinez]

Controversial pick for attorney general is officially out of the running.

[Michelle Martin]

Trump started the day yesterday with former Representative Matt Gaetz as his nominee to become the next attorney general. By the time the day was over, Gaetz was out and Trump had a new nominee, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

[A. Martinez]

NPR justice correspondent Ryan Lucas is following all of this. So Ryan, who is Pam Bondi?

[Michael Kaufman]

Well, to start with, she's a former attorney general for the state of Florida, the first woman to hold that position. She served in that job for about eight years, and her office during that time unsuccessfully challenged the Affordable Care act, among other actions that she took. Before that, she worked for nearly two decades as a local prosecutor in Florida. In a statement in which Trump announced his decision, the president elect said that as a prosecutor, Bondi was very tough on violent criminals. And as a state attorney general, he says that she worked to stop the flow of deadly drugs into Florida. Trump has known Bondi for years. He says she's smart, she's tough, and that she will focus the Justice Department on fighting crime.

[A. Martinez]

Now, Michelle mentioned that Bondi is replacing Matt Gaetz. Walk us through what happened with Gaetz's nomination.

[Michael Kaufman]

Well, look, Gates was a huge surprise when Trump picked him, and it was clear from the outset that he was going to face a difficult climb to confirmation. The reasons were pretty clear. He'd been the subject of a federal sex trafficking investigation, one that ended without charges, it has to be said. But also the House Ethics Committee was investigating him over allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. Gates has denied any wrongdoing, but all of that baggage was put front and center the minute that Trump picked him for attorney general. Gates said in a statement yesterday that it was clear to him that his confirmation was, as he put it, unfairly becoming a distraction to the Trump Vance transition. He said there wasn't any time to waste on what he called a drawn out fight over his confirmation, and so he withdrew his name from consideration for attorney general.

[A. Martinez]

You mentioned that Trump has known Bondi for years. What do we know about their history?

[Michael Kaufman]

They have known each other for years. In fact, they face questions over a political donation that Trump made to support Bondi's reelection campaign when she was Florida Attorney General and a decision that her office made not to pursue legal action against Trump University. They have denied there was anything improper with that. But Bondi has long been a supporter of Trump. She spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention when Trump was running for president. Then she was an attorney on Trump's legal team during his first impeachment trial. She now leads the legal arm of the America First Policy Institute. That's a right wing think tank that's led by some former Trump administration staffers. So Bondi is very much a Trump supporter and someone who's very much rooted in Trump world.

[A. Martinez]

All right, so assuming Bondi is confirmed, how important could she be to Trump's second term agenda?

[Michael Kaufman]

Well, look, this is a really big, really important job. It's an important job in every administration because the Attorney General is in charge of the 100,000 plus people who work for the Justice Department. The job oversees the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Attorney General prosecutes federal crimes. They enforce civil rights laws. They play a big role in national security. They, at root, are responsible for upholding the rule of law. But Trump and his team, we know, view Attorney General as one of the most important jobs in his incoming administration. In part, that's because Trump had a rocky relationship with the Justice Department in his first term. But it's also because Trump has claimed that the Justice Department was weaponized against him. And during the campaign, he repeatedly talked about seeking vengeance against his perceived political enemies, including folks at the Justice Department. And so a big question for Bondi, if she's confirmed, is whether she will use the powers of the Justice Department to pursue Trump's stated desire for retribution.

[A. Martinez]

That's NPR's justice correspondent, Ryan Lucas. Ryan, thanks.

[Michael Kaufman]

Thank you.

[Michelle Martin]

Russian leader Vladimir Putin says his country has the right to retaliate against NATO countries that arm Ukraine.

[A. Martinez]

Yeah. Putin made this direct challenge to the west in televised remarks yesterday. There he is saying Russia will respond accordingly to any NATO country that allows its weapons to be used to strike Russian facilities. It's the latest instance of Putin taking an even more aggressive posture toward Ukraine and the West.

[Michelle Martin]

To hear more about what this could mean, we're joined by NPR national security correspondent Greg Myhrey. Greg, good morning.

[Ayesha Roscoe]

Hi, Michelle.

[Michelle Martin]

So Russian missile strikes are a daily occurrence in Ukraine, but one yesterday was particularly Significant. Why was this different?

[Ayesha Roscoe]

Yeah, Michelle. Shortly after the missile hit the central city of Dnipro on Thursday, the Ukrainians said this was a missile they hadn't seen before, one that releases multiple warheads as it approaches the target. Now, here in Washington, the National Security Council described this as an experimental intermediate range ballistic missile. It said the warheads carried conventional explosives, though they could deliver a nuclear weapon. And this was a very calculated move by Russia. The Pentagon said Russia did give the US a heads up shortly before the missile was launched.

[Michelle Martin]

What message is Putin trying to send here?

[Ayesha Roscoe]

That Russia is prepared to escalate and NATO could become a target. Putin linked the Russian missile strike directly, directly to Ukrainian attacks earlier this week when Ukraine fired American and British missiles into Russia for the first time. Putin went on to say that Russia has the right to strike these NATO countries that allow their weapons to be used against Russia. So a very direct challenge to the US And European allies that are arming Ukraine. We should also note that Putin this week lowered the threshold for Russia to use nuclear weapons, saying they could be employed when the country faces a critical threat, which is obviously a very subjective term.

[Michelle Martin]

It does feel like every day this week has brought some kind of significant and even ominous development. Are we at a particularly dangerous moment?

[Ayesha Roscoe]

So that's what Michael Kaufman says. He's with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He recently returned from Ukraine, where he's been visiting regularly since Russia's 2022 invasion. He says the events this week come as Ukraine is still struggling to halt a Russian offensive in the eastern part of the country.

[Greg Myhrey]

In the last three to four months, the Russian military has been advancing at the fastest pace it has since the early part of the war. Without effectively stabilizing the front and exhausting the Russian offensive. Momentum could accumulate behind the Russian war effort.

[Ayesha Roscoe]

So he noted the Russians are suffering massive casualties and can't sustain this pace indefinitely. But right now, they do have the upper hand.

[Michelle Martin]

Okay, but how about the Ukrainians? How are they coping?

[Ayesha Roscoe]

Yeah. Kaufman says the war is taking a cumulative toll on soldiers and civilians. Here's how he put it.

[Greg Myhrey]

Everyone I spoke to still has a strong will to fight, but there's a general sense of pessimism, which is difficult to avoid looking at the situation Ukraine finds itself in and the current trajectory of the war.

[Ayesha Roscoe]

And as Ukrainians look ahead, Michelle, they see additional challenges. President elect Trump takes over in two months. He wants negotiations to end the war. But Kaufman said we shouldn't assume put will negotiate. He doesn't think Putin will negotiate seriously if he believes he's gaining ground. And also, Ukrainian civilians are expecting another long, hard winner with their electricity grid under Russian attack.

[Michelle Martin]

That is NPR's Greg. My Greg. Thank you.

[Ayesha Roscoe]

Sure thing, Michelle.

[A. Martinez]

A powerful storm has been soaking Northern California and Oregon this week, bringing high winds and flood risks that continue today.

[Michelle Martin]

It's known as an atmospheric river. A big question is whether climate change is making these storms worse.

[A. Martinez]

Lauren Summer from NPR's Climate Desk is here to explain. So, Lauren, put this storm into perspective for us. I mean, what are the impacts the west coast is seeing now?

[Scott Simon]

Yeah, it's a really intense storm, and it's slow moving, so that means a lot of rain. You know, atmospheric rivers are basically these plumes of moisture that move across the Pacific Ocean. And if you look at a weather map, it actually kind of looks like a fire hose is pointed at the West Coast. It's pretty narrow, so it doesn't affect the whole coast. These storms are important. They're how California gets as much as half of its rainfall every year. So they carry a lot of moisture. And this one has been affected by another weather system nearby, which is a bomb cyclone.

[A. Martinez]

Bomb cyclone. Love the term. I don't know if I like what happens after a bomb cyclone. What is the actual term for a bomb cyclone, though?

[Scott Simon]

Yeah, okay, so technically, it's bombogenesis.

[A. Martinez]

That's better.

[Michael Kaufman]

That's a better name.

[Michelle Martin]

Yeah.

[Scott Simon]

It's basically when there's a rapid drop in air pressure in a short period of time, and that means the storm is intensifying. So higher winds and more rain. And some parts of the west coast are expected to see up to 16 inches of rain. When this storm is finally done, it's causing flood warnings on some rivers, although it is pretty early in the season. So rivers are low for the most part, and that means there's more room to absorb that water.

[A. Martinez]

All right, so climate change is influencing storms like hurricanes. Is it making atmospheric rivers like this one worse?

[Scott Simon]

Yeah. So atmospheric rivers are a regular thing on the West Coast. Right. But the role climate change is playing is actually a really big question that scientists are trying to sort out, because as the planet warms up, it does make rainfall more intense. There's more evaporation, and warmer air can hold more moisture. So storms just have more to work with. That's very clear in the Midwest and the Northeast, where rainstorms are already dropping more rain on average. But I talked to a scientist who has analyzed storms on the West Coast, Park Williams, who is a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, and He found so far, storms are not dropping more rain than they used to in California.

[A. Martinez]

Not dropping more rain? Why is that?

[Scott Simon]

Yeah. He says while there is more water vapor that can fuel those storms, there's been this circulation pattern in the atmosphere that swept a lot of it to other places. So it hasn't resulted in heavier rainfall on the west coast overall. But, you know, by the second half of this century, that will probably change if the planet heats up even more with climate change.

[Michael Kaufman]

It's important to be mindful that we expect precipitation events in the western US to get more intense in the future. We should be planning for that. And so the fact that we haven't seen it yet doesn't mean that we shouldn't be preparing for it to occur.

[Scott Simon]

You know, even today's storms can already cause dangerous levels of flooding that happened in California in 2023. And so our infrastructure, you know, roads and storm drains and flood channels, it already gets overwhelmed in certain years. So there's a lot to address here even when you take climate change out of the picture.

[A. Martinez]

All right. That's Lauren Sommer from NPR's Climate Desk. Lauren, thanks.

[Scott Simon]

Yeah, thank you.

[A. Martinez]

Before we go, we have an update on an international development the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. There's also an arrest warrant for Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, although it's unclear if he is still alive as the war in Gaza continues. He's wanted for alleged war crimes, including attacks on civilians during Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7. The International Criminal Court's charges against the Israeli officials include alleged war crimes related to Israel's military actions in Gaza. Prosecutors cite reports of indiscriminate attacks on civilians and withholding vital aid. Netanyahu dismissed the the warrants as antisemitic. And President Biden also criticized the ICC's decision, calling it outrageous. Meanwhile, some US senators threatened sanctions against the court. Now it's unclear if the Democratic led Senate will take up those sanctions in the couple of months it has left, but it is something to watch for when Republicans take control next year. And that's up first for Friday, November 22nd. I'm A. Martinez.

[Michelle Martin]

And I'm Michelle Martin. And don't forget, up first airs on the weekends, too. Ayesha Roscoe and Scott Simon have the news. It will be here in this feed or wherever you get your podcasts.

[A. Martinez]

Today's episode of up first was edited by Jason Breslow, Andrew Sussman, Neela Banerjee, Mohamed El Bardisi, Ali Schweitzer was produced by Ziad Butch, Nia Dumas and Milton Guevara. We got engineering support from Robert Rodriguez, and our technical director is Zach Holman joining us again on Monday.

[Lauren Sommer]

Want to hear this podcast without sponsor breaks? Amazon prime members can listen to Up First Sponsor free through Amazon Music, or you can also support NPR's vital journalism and get up first [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org this message comes from NPR sponsor Shopify, the global commerce platform that helps you sell and show up exactly the way you want to customize your online store to your style. Sign up for a $1 per month trial period at shopify.com NPR 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 bolandbranch.com and use code NPR for 25% off everything. Limited time only exclusions apply. See site for details.