What a Day – Episode Summary: "How Rebels Gained Control of Syria"

Host: Jane Coston
Produced by: Crooked Media
Release Date: December 9, 2024

1. Introduction

Jane Coston kicks off the episode by teasing the major stories of the day, including President-elect Donald Trump's recent interview on Meet the Press, the USDA's new mandates on milk testing for bird flu, and the dramatic shift in Syria's political landscape with rebels seizing Damascus.

2. Donald Trump's Meet the Press Interview

Key Highlights:

• Tariffs and Border Policies: Trump discussed his plans for implementing tariffs and tightening border security.
• Pardoning January 6th Rioters: A significant portion of the interview focused on Trump's promise to pardon those who stormed the Capitol on January 6th.

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump [00:14]: “I want to look at everything. We're going to look at individual cases every week.”
• Donald Trump [02:34]: “Everybody on that committee, we're going to. For what they did.”
• Kim Whaley [03:31]: “He certainly has the constitutional authority to do it, and if he did it, there wouldn't be any way to legally push back on it.”

Analysis: Jane delves into Trump's statements about the January 6th pardons, highlighting concerns from legal experts like Kim Whaley, a professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law. Whaley discusses the implications of such pardons, drawing parallels to historical instances like Gerald Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon. She emphasizes the potential risks to public safety and the erosion of democratic norms.

3. Presidential Pardons: Deep Dive with Kim Whaley

Discussion Points:

• Historical Context: Whaley traces the origins of the presidential pardon power to the framers' intentions, noting its roots in a monarchy's divine right.
• Modern Implications: She evaluates the ethical and democratic concerns surrounding the use of pardons, especially in politically charged contexts.
• Preemptive Pardons: The conversation touches on the controversial idea of preemptive pardons aimed at protecting individuals from potential future prosecutions under Trump’s administration.

Notable Quotes:

• Kim Whaley [05:46]: “It is a relic of an unlimited monarchy... Presidents should think about whether a pardon is going to make the public less safe.”
• Kim Whaley [07:47]: “Preemptive pardon is a new term that's kind of come up in the last week, and I think it's really misunderstood.”

Insights: Whaley critically examines the balance between mercy and justice, questioning the democratic legitimacy of unilateral pardon powers. She warns against setting dangerous precedents that could embolden future authoritarian actions, particularly by a president like Trump who has expressed divisive rhetoric.

4. USDA's Mandatory Milk Testing for Bird Flu

Overview: The USDA announced new regulations requiring dairy farmers, milk transporters, and processing centers to share raw milk samples for bird flu testing. This move comes in response to recent detections of the virus in dairy cows and products.

Details:

• Impact on Dairy Industry: The new mandates aim to prevent the spread of bird flu, which has already devastated poultry farms and affected millions of birds worldwide.
• Public Health Concerns: While the CDC reports low risk of human-to-human transmission, there is concern about the virus mutating into a more dangerous strain.

5. FDA Considers Banning Red 3 Food Dye

Key Points:

• Health Risks: Red 3, used in approximately 3,000 food products, is under scrutiny for its potential to cause cancer.
• Senate Hearing: During a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing, Senator Tommy Tuberville pressured FDA officials to revoke Red 3's authorization.

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Tommy Tuberville [17:18]: “Red 3 has been known to cause cancer in cosmetics, but we still allow it to be put in our food.”
• Tommy Vitor [17:26]: “We are hopeful that within the next few weeks we will be acting on that petition and a decision should be forthcoming.”

Analysis: The FDA is facing increased pressure to prioritize public health over marketing interests. The potential ban on Red 3 reflects a broader initiative to tackle the obesity and diabetes epidemics by regulating harmful food additives.

6. Historic Reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral

Event Highlights:

• Reconstruction Efforts: After a devastating fire in 2019, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris celebrated its first mass since restoration, marking the culmination of a five-year rebuilding project funded by nearly a billion dollars in donations.
• Notable Attendees: French President Emmanuel Macron, First Lady Joe Biden, and former President Donald Trump were present at the reopening ceremony.

Significance: The reopening symbolizes resilience and the global community's commitment to preserving cultural heritage. It also serves as a reminder of the collective efforts required to restore and maintain historic landmarks.

7. Rebels Seize Control of Syria's Capital

Breaking News: Rebel forces led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) captured Damascus, Syria’s capital, effectively toppling President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. This dramatic shift occurred after government troops withdrew, and Assad reportedly fled to Russia.

Notable Quotes:

• Tommy Vitor [19:02]: “With the help of God, the city of Damascus was liberated and the regime of the tyrant Bashar al-Assad was toppled.”
• Tommy Vitor [19:15]: “These rebels shocked the world when they launched a new offensive against Assad's government just two weeks ago.”

8. In-Depth Analysis with Tommy Vitor on Syria

Discussion Points:

• Assad’s Downfall: Vitor explains how Assad’s regime was weakened over the years due to diminishing resources and loss of key allies like Iran and Russia, who were preoccupied with conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
• Rise of HTS: The rapid surge of HTS was facilitated by support from Turkey, which armed various groups as a countermeasure against Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria.
• International Reactions: The international community is divided, with Russia and Iran losing a significant foothold, while Israel expresses concerns over potential instability on its borders.

Notable Quotes:

• Tommy Vitor [22:08]: “HTS is this kind of amalgam of opposition groups... we don't know if he's sincere about that.”
• Tommy Vitor [24:28]: “The U.S. is involved... the US has worked a lot with these Kurdish forces to combat ISIS.”

Insights: Vitor assesses the geopolitical ramifications of Assad’s ousting, highlighting the potential for increased instability in the Middle East and the importance of international support for Syria’s reconstruction. He emphasizes that while the immediate outcome is a Syrian-led overthrow, sustained international engagement is crucial for long-term stability.

9. Conclusion and Additional Segments

Jane wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with related content, such as the special episode of Pod Save the World and the Offline series, which explores bipartisan conversations. She reiterates the importance of staying informed through Crooked Media’s platforms.

10. Production Credits

What a Day is brought to you by Crooked Media, with production assistance from a dedicated team including Desmond Taylor, Raven Yamamoto, Michelle Eloy, Tyler Hill, Johanna Case, Joseph Dutra, Greg Walters, Julia Clare, Eric Morrison, and Executive Producer Adrian Hill. The theme music is composed by Colin Gilliard and Kashaka.

Conclusion

This episode of What a Day provides a comprehensive overview of significant political developments, public health initiatives, and international conflicts. Through insightful interviews with experts like Kim Whaley and Tommy Vitor, Jane Coston offers listeners nuanced perspectives on complex issues, ensuring they are well-informed about the events shaping the world today.