Report on extremism in military kept from the public for 18 months reveals little
The U.S. Department of Defense is investigating extremism within its ranks in response to revelations of some current and former members’ involvement in the Jan. 6 riots. Experts express hope that the inquiry will be instrumental in addressing internal threats within the military.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered an analysis of extremist activity within the military in June of 2022. The results were kept from the public until the recent release, however, the information from the Pentagon may be disappointing to those looking for insight.
In July, a USA Today investigation found little being done to weed out extremists in the military. The 2022 report was released for the first time on Dec. 26, 2023, but it offers almost nothing new in terms of data on the vastness of extremists in the armed forces, according to the USA Today’s investigation.
Instead, the report combines existing data from various sources including the military’s inspector general.
While the authors of the report did examine court-martial judgments to uncover data on extremists, identifying 10 cases, they argue that court-martials only represent a small portion of extremist instances as many cases do not end up in a court-martial.
“Nearly all of these cases were addressed through administrative action, non-judicial punishment, or referral to command for appropriate action,” the report said.
The USA Today reached out to the Institute for Defense Analyses, which conducted the study, but the institute had not responded to requests for comment as of Tuesday, Dec. 27.
While the findings may not be what were initially expected, there are still some conclusions from the research.
Researchers found no evidence that the number of violent extremists in the military is disproportionate to the number in the U.S. population as a whole.
The report also noted that anecdotal accounts of military members’ involvement in extremist events, like the Jan. 6 riots, can create the impression that the military has an extremism problem.
The authors also warned that the Defense Department needs to take care in how it addresses accusations of extremism.
“As the department responds to such events, it should remain cognizant of the fact that violent extremism does not appear to be more prevalent among servicemembers than it is in American society as a whole, and avoid steps that risk unnecessary polarization or division in the ranks,” the report said.
However, the authors did note that “participation in extremist events for former servicemembers appears to be growing.”
The report also recommends the DOD updates the process for managing security clearances, noting that the system is outdated and inadequate.
“DOD’s processes for awarding security clearances, assessing suitability, and granting access to facilities still focus on a significant extent on Cold War threats and threats related to global terrorism rather than the threat of home-grown extremism.”
Additionally, the researchers recommend updating and standardizing security, and suitability questions to ask directly about prohibited extremist activities.
Military security clearance is under intense scrutiny after former Air National Guardsmen Jack Teixeira was charged with posting hundreds of classified documents from an internal server onto Discord.
Also, three active-duty U.S. Marines were charged for their roles in the Jan. 6 riots. All three Marines worked in intelligence, and one was assigned to the National Security Agency headquarters.
Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside Biden officials’ homes Christmas morning
Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the homes of two top Biden officials on Christmas morning. The crowds organized in the neighborhoods of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and National Security adviser Jake Sullivan by sunrise.
According to pro-Palestinian groups online, the protests were organized in an effort to “cancel” Christmas amid the Israel-Hamas war.
Similar protests were seen in New York City, with crowds calling for a cease-fire. New York police arrested at least six people after a clash with officers near Grand Central Terminal. One police officer was reported injured.
We condemn the NYPD’s violent assaults today against protesters marching for a free Palestine. The NYPD protects the interests of Israel, the wealthy & white supremacy. An attack against any of us is an attack against all of us. The movement for Palestine will only grow stronger! pic.twitter.com/9QjJmiqzEb
In the holy city of Bethlehem, the usual festivities did not take place. Instead of the traditional Christmas tree, a nativity scene was presented inside rubble and barbed wire to symbolize the destruction of the ongoing war and recognize the loss from within the Gaza Strip.
A potential deal for a second temporary cease-fire and hostage talks appears to have stalled. Hamas officials are saying they will not release the hostages until Israel calls off the war, and Israel is urging troops not to stop until Hamas is eliminated.
Close advisers to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with White House and State Department officials on Wednesday, Dec. 27.
US strikes Iran-backed groups after drone attack on servicemembers in Iraq: The Morning Rundown, Dec. 26, 2023
America retaliates against Iran-backed militant groups following an attack on U.S. servicemembers in Iraq. And, as of today, Dec. 26, some of Apple’s most popular watches are no longer for sale. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023.
US strikes Iran-backed groups after attack injures 3 US servicemembers in Iraq
The United States has fired retaliatory strikes against Iranian-backed militia groups in Iraq following a drone attack hours earlier that injured three U.S. servicemembers at an airbase in northern Iraq. One of the servicemembers was critically injured.
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The strikes were carried out around 4:45 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26, local time, less than 13 hours after the attack on U.S. personnel. National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said President Joe Biden was alerted of the attack on the air base and ordered the Pentagon and top security aids to prepare response options.
According to a statement by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the strikes targeted three facilities used by Kataib Hezbollah, who claimed credit for the drone attack, and affiliated groups. The U.S. Central Command said “a number of Kataib Hezbollah militants” were likely killed.
…the president and I will not hesitate to take necessary action to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests. There is no higher priority
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
U.S. troops in the Middle East have come under dozens of attacks since the war between Israel and Hamas began on Oct. 7. Austin said in addition to the drone incident, the strikes were in response to the series of attacks against U.S. servicemembers in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-sponsored militias.
“And let me be clear – the president and I will not hesitate to take necessary action to defend the United States, our troops, and our interests. There is no higher priority,” Austin said. “While we do not seek to escalate conflict in the region, we are committed and fully prepared to take further necessary measures to protect our people and our facilities.”
Egypt proposes a plan to end Israel-Hamas war
Egypt is proposing a plan to end the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, with both sides not yet rejecting the idea. Israel’s war cabinet met on Monday night, Dec. 25, to discuss the multi-step plan, according to Israeli officials.
According to reports, the proposal calls for a pause in the fighting of up to two weeks to allow for the release of more Israeli hostages, including children, women, and the elderly, in exchange for the release of approximately 140 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.
The pause would be followed by the creation of a transitional government for the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, consisting of several Palestinian factions, including Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. Israel and Hamas would then negotiate an “all-for-all” deal that would see the release of all remaining hostages in return for all Palestinian prisoners, as well as Israel’s military withdrawing from Gaza and Palestinian militant groups halting rocket attacks at Israel.
The Egyptian plan was shared with Israel, Hamas, Qatar, and the U.S. last week. Though a proposal may be in discussion, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave no sign of a possible deal in the works, telling troops in Northern Gaza on Monday, Dec. 25, “We’re not stopping, the war continues until the end.”
In an op-ed piece published in The Wall Street Journal later in the day, Netanyahu outlined three things he sees are needed to be accomplished for peace, “Hamas must be destroyed, Gaza must be demilitarized, and Palestinian society must be deradicalized.”
Congress consistently works 3 to 4 days in Washington
Congress is currently on holiday break, and members won’t be back in Washington D.C. until Jan. 8, for what will surely be a busy start to their year with debates over Ukraine and Israel aid, border security, and keeping the government running still to be settled. Straight Arrow News’ political correspondent Ray Bogan looked at the typical workweek of members of Congress, who consistently work three to four days a week in D.C., with travel days on Mondays and Thursdays.
Some lawmakers tell Straight Arrow News that consistently leaving has a negative impact on getting work done and building bipartisanship. You can find Ray’s full report, including reactions from members of Congress, here.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was the target of swatting on Christmas Day
A swatting attempt targeting Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene’s home on Christmas Day was sniffed out by local authorities. According to law enforcement, a man from New York called the suicide prevention hotline claiming he had shot his girlfriend and was going to kill himself at the congresswoman’s Georgia home.
“I was just swatted. This is like the 8th time. On Christmas with my family here. My local police are the GREATEST and shouldn’t have to deal with this,” Greene wrote.
Law enforcement also confirmed that Greene has been the target of swatting in the past, where callers report fake emergencies to draw a large armed police response to her home. Congressman Brandon Williams of New York also posted on social media that he was a target of swatting on Christmas, too. Williams said police were investigating.
Judge rules bonuses lawsuit against X will move forward
A federal judge has ruled that another lawsuit brought against the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, will move forward and head to trial. Elon Musk’s company is accused of not paying out more than $5 million in bonuses to staff after his takeover in October 2022.
X argued in court that an oral promise should not be binding and Texas law should apply to the case since that is where the employee lives. But the judge ruled against the social media giant and said the case could move forward based on California law — as the company is based in San Francisco.
Latest Apple watch no longer sold in stores over patent dispute
If you found the latest Apple watch under your Christmas tree yesterday, Dec. 25, you may have one of the last ones to be sold. As of today, Dec. 26, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are no longer available in Apple stores.
While Apple has pulled the disputed watches from the market, it said it is “pursuing a range of legal and technical options to ensure that Apple Watch is available to customers.” But if you’re still looking to buy an Apple Watch, the ruling does not affect older models, like the Apple Watch SE, which are still available.
US Navy leads international coalition to protect Red Sea shipping
After two months of attacks on ships in the Red Sea — attacks which included ballistic missiles and suicide drones — the United States said the U.S. Navy is going to lead an international coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea from the Houthis responsible for the attacks. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the formation of Operation Prosperity Guardian while traveling through the Middle East.
Iranian-backed Houthi militants started attacking the Red Sea trade route on Oct. 7 in solidarity with the Hamas terrorists fighting against Israel in Gaza. The Red Sea trade route carries more than 10% of global trade, and Austin said every nation has the right to roam freely and lawfully in international waters.
“But that foundational global right is under new threat today from the totally unacceptable attacks on merchant vessels by the Houthis in Yemen,” Austin said Tuesday, Dec. 19, while speaking in Bahrain.
Initial Operation "Prosperity Guardian" Takeaways: 1. Godawful operational name. 2. Militarily unnecessary coalition, given US assets already on station relative to the threat. 3. Some noticeably absent NATO nations not participating – Turkey is the obvious one, but Greece isn't… pic.twitter.com/NVNtdjY2bP
Aside from the U.S., the countries involved with OPG include Canada, the U.K., France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Spain.
Bahrain — home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet — is the only real regional partner. The sprawling island nation of Seychelles will also take part in the operation. Notable absences include Egypt, India and NATO allies Turkey and Greece.
The lack of Middle East partners in Operation Prosperity Guardian may be concerning, but it shouldn’t be surprising. Many countries in the area don’t want to be seen as siding with Israel over Iran in the Gaza war. The Times of Israel reported some nations are secretly participating in the coalition based on this reasoning.
However many countries eventually sign on to Prosperity Guardian, either publicly or privately, the coalition will operate under the existing Combined Task Force 153 — also based in Bahrain.
CTF 153 is already tasked with Red Sea security and has been commanded by both U.S. and Egyptian naval forces. Austin did not mention why Egypt would be a part of CTF 153 but not Operation Prosperity Guardians. Nor did Austin lay out the roles each member nation would play in the coalition; like which ships each nation is sending.
The United States already had a wealth of assets in the region. There were three guided missile destroyers: the USS Carney, USS Mason and USS Thomas Hudner.
The British and French also had naval vessels in the Red Sea, and all of these ships took part in intercepting guided missiles and Shahed suicide drones launched from Yemen. The U.K. and France said their ships came under direct attack. The U.S. said the Houthis were just targeting merchant ships, and the Navy vessels only intercepted the threats and did not target the Houthis directly.
For their part, the Houthis said as long as the war in Gaza is ongoing, any ship in the Red Sea is worthy of confrontation.
The tension over its ships being targeted was enough to make British Petroleum and around 10 other major international shipping conglomerates seek alternative routes to the Red Sea; namely sailing around Africa instead of transiting the Suez Canal.
#Breaking: The Ike carrier strike group has been shifted from the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Aden, near Yemen, to address heightened Iran-backed Houthi attacks targeting shipping in the Red Sea. pic.twitter.com/6mrtWZwnkP
While the exact details over Operation Prosperity Guardian continue to be ironed out, the U.S. Navy did move the USS Eisenhower aircraft carrier, along with its substantial strike group, to the Gulf of Aden off Yemen’s southern coast. Just for good measure, another guided missile destroyer, the USS Laboon, entered the Red Sea around the same time.
Reuters contributed to this report.
US readies Navy to secure Red Sea shipping routes against Houthi attacks
The U.S. is deploying naval ships to the Red Sea amid increasing Houthi rebel attacks. While U.S. Central Command holds a 36-0 record against Houthi threats, most recently intercepting a hail of drone attacks, major shipping companies have temporarily halted Suez Canal transport — a route handling 9% of global oil.
While in the Middle East this week, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will announce Operation Prosperity Guardian, an international effort to protect shipping companies from Houthi attacks and secure commercial shipping routes in the Red Sea. Led by the U.S., the operation will involve assistance from British and French vessels actively thwarting attacks in the region.
“And so we’re taking action to build an international coalition to address this threat,” Austin told press in Tel Aviv. “And I would remind you that this is not just a U.S. issue. This is an international problem, and it deserves an international response. The straits are pretty important, as we know. As you know, a large amount of commerce flows through there. International commerce flows through there on a daily basis.”
Reuters
London’s oil giant, British Petroleum, joined 10 other major shipping and energy groups in pausing shipments in the Red Sea due to ongoing Houthi attacks. A tanker navigating from the Middle East to Europe would typically take 17 days via the Suez Canal. The journey takes 41 days if circumventing Africa.
The announcement led to a hike in oil and gas prices Monday, Dec. 18. Combined with expected increases in shipping prices, the pause in the Red Sea will have at least a short-term impact on consumers in Europe and North America.
Senate briefing on Ukraine aid becomes heated as Republicans demand border policy change: The Morning Rundown, Dec. 6, 2023
Senate Republicans seeking border changes walk out of a classified briefing on Ukraine aid. And, Panera faces another wrongful death lawsuit over its caffeinated lemonade. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023.
Republican senators walk out of classified briefing
The briefing was held to allow senators time to ask senior Biden administration officials questions, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Charles Q. Brown Jr.
The talks, however, fell apart, with senators from both parties saying the group of Republicans walked out after wanting answers on border security, while the Democrats were looking to keep the focus on Ukraine, as the White House said the funding would run out by the end of the year.
Republican Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., criticized his Democratic colleagues, saying, “Their lack of preparedness to discuss border security policy…was not just an oversight, but a political decision.”
After leaving the briefing, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., accused minority leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., of “hijacking” the meeting and trying to steer the conversation to border negotiations. Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said some senators walked out because Democrats were unwilling to discuss the border to get the deal done.
Dems want $106B—GOP wants a closed border. That’s the trade. But clueless Dems want to negotiate the border bill. Not going to happen. Is an open border more important to Dems than Ukraine and Israel?
Sen. Tuberville had been blocking the votes in protest of the Pentagon’s abortion policy, which allows military members time and reimbursement for travel out of state to seek an abortion. The block delayed promotions for hundreds of military personnel, creating a backlog.
Tuberville faced increased pressure to drop his hold from senators on both sides of the aisle, citing the threat to military readiness and national security as some officials were forced to take on multiple roles with promotions stalled.
Tuberville said he still has holds on about a dozen four-star officers. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby expressed the importance of the Senate pushing those confirmations through so they can lead troops in “critical military missions.”
Trump responds to ‘dictator’ reports during Fox News town hall
Hannity: “Under no circumstances, you are promising America tonight you would never abuse power as retribution against anybody?”
Trump: “Except for day one,” Trump said. “I want to close the border, and I want to drill, drill, drill.”
Hannity: “That’s not retribution.”
Trump: “I love this guy; he says, ‘You’re not going to be a dictator, are you?’ I said no, no, no, other than day one. We’re closing the border, and we’re drilling, drilling, drilling. After that, I’m not a dictator.”
Former President Trump said during a Fox News town hall that he would not be a dictator "except for Day One" if he is elected president next year. https://t.co/gfTULftZeD
Earlier in the day, President Biden, speaking at a fundraising event outside Boston, told supporters if Trump wasn’t running, he wasn’t sure if he’d be running for re-election. Trump addressed those comments during the town hall, saying someone must have given the president talking points.
As for the fourth GOP primary debate, it will air tonight at 8pm EST on NewsNation.
Panera faces second wrongful death suit over caffeinated lemonade
Panera Bread is facing a second wrongful death suit related to its “Charged Lemonade” as a Florida family says the caffeinated drink led 46-year-old Dennis Brown to go into cardiac arrest as he walked home from the restaurant in early October. The lawsuit claims that the ‘charged lemonade’ was not advertised as an energy drink, and there were no warning labels.
A new lawsuit claiming Panera Bread's "Charged Lemonades" lead to someone's death has raised questions about the amount of caffeine in some popular drinks. Here's what consumers should know about the potential health effects. https://t.co/8TW1vRl0AA
According to the suit, Brown, who avoided energy drinks due to his high blood pressure, had ordered several “Charged Lemonades”‘ in the days leading up to his death. In late October, the company issued warnings about its caffeinated lemonade following a similar lawsuit claiming that a 21-year-old woman died after drinking one of the beverages.
According to Panera’s menu at the time of the first lawsuit, a 30-ounce glass of the “Charged Lemonade” contained 390 milligrams of caffeine, which is 10 milligrams less than the daily amount recommended by the USDA for “healthy adults.”
In a statement to ABC News, Panera said it expressed sympathy for Brown’s family but added following an investigation, it does not believe his death was caused by its “Charged Lemonade” and that, like the first lawsuit, it found it to be “without merit.”
After reaching a tentative deal about a month ago, SAG-AFTRA allowed its approximately 160,000 members to return to work, suspending its strike after 118 days. The agreement provides a 7% increase in minimum rates in the first year of the deal and the first-ever protection against the use of artificial intelligence, where actors must consent to being replicated.
Today we close out one of the most important chapters in recent entertainment industry history. The 2023 TV/Theatrical Contracts have officially been ratified by SAG-AFTRA members by a vote of 78.33% to 21.67% with a turnout of 38.15%. (1/8) pic.twitter.com/nYg38AkmGA
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the studios, congratulated SAG-AFTRA on the ratification of the deal, saying in a statement that the industry and the jobs it supports can now “return in full force.”
ChatGPT tops list of most popular Wikipedia articles of 2023
Wikipedia says it received over 84 billion page views over the past 12 months; that’s a lot of online searching! But what were the most popular subjects being looked up?
Wikipedia has the answers. On Tuesday, Dec. 5, it released its list of the most popular articles of the year. The most popular topic was ChatGPT. Wikipedia says the AI chatbot, launched just over a year ago and dominated headlines worldwide, registered over 50 million pages on the English version of its site.
Barbenheimer is happening. People are booking the Barbie-Oppenheimer double feature, according to data from cinema chains https://t.co/9JhIHoa3QI
The second most-read article in 2023 was Wikipedia’s annual list of deaths of notable and public figures, which sees high traffic each year. Entries about the sport of cricket made the list for the first time, taking four spots in the top 25, including number three.
That dynamic Hollywood duo known as Barbenheimer – the films “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” – were popular searches this year, coming in at number five and 13, respectively. And, with a tour, an album, a film, and a new romance, Taylor Swift constantly made headlines throughout 2023. The singer added one more accolade this year, having the 12th most popular entry on Wikipedia.
You can always tell when soldiers in Ukraine really like weapons systems, because they usually write a song about them. There’s at least one song about Bayraktar drones, and a little ditty dropped in the summer of 2022, praising the U.S.-made M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). Based on the most recent U.S. aid package to Ukraine, it might be time for a remix.
On Nov. 20, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced trip to Ukraine. Austin used the opportunity to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to the Ukrainian war effort and announce a $100 million aid package including more TOW and Stinger missiles, some winter gear and precisely one HIMARS launcher with additional ammunition.
Austin told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, “The message that I bring you today, Mr. President, is that the United States of America is with you. We will remain with you for the long haul.”
Ukraine already has 38 HIMARS systems, as well as 23 M270 tracked launchers that fire the same ammo.
According to some analysts, the one new launcher may have been modified to shoot a type of munition first promised to Ukraine back in February: The Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB).
The product of partnership between Saab and Boeing, GLSDBs combine air-dropped glide bombs with ground-launched rocket boosters. The result is essentially a precision-guided bomb that militaries can launch from the ground, closing a capability gap an air force would usually fill.
Most traditional artillery and many guided rockets take typical ballistic paths. If a target is on the other side of a hill or building, it can be difficult to hit with ground launched weapons. The GLSDBs give commanders the ability to hit targets on the back side of hills and buildings, what’s known as the “reverse slope.”
Using its glide wings, GLSDBs can hit the reverse slope on a target around 100 miles away. It can fly in any weather condition, day or night, and its multi-purpose warhead comes with a programmable fuse. So, the warhead can be flown deeper into a building, cave or other fortified structure before fully detonating.
In February, when President Joe Biden originally said the U.S. would send GLSDBs to Ukraine, he did caution it would take months for the weapons to reach the frontlines. Boeing said in early October it was on track to deliver the weapons according to the government’s timeline.
If Ukraine now has its hands on the GLSDBs and a launcher that can fire them, it shouldn’t take too long to modify its other launchers to do the same. The ability to shoot bombs that can go backwards should give Ukraine’s commanders on the ground more flexibility while also letting the country’s small air force focus on targets better suited for air-launched missiles.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin makes unannounced visit to Ukraine
In an unannounced trip, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Kyiv on Monday, Nov. 20, to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and two other ranking officials. It marks the second time Austin has visited Ukraine since the Russian invasion nearly two years ago.
It is one of the smaller installments of support as a Pentagon spokesperson recently said there is a need to “parse these out” as the timeline for Congress to pass another aid package for Ukraine is unclear. Still, the package marks the Biden administration’s 51st equipment installment being sent to Ukraine.
The package includes:
Stinger anti-aircraft missiles
One High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and additional ammunition
More than 3 million rounds of small arms ammunition
Demolitions munitions for obstacle clearing
Cold weather gear
Spare parts, maintenance, and other ancillary equipment
The meeting comes as outlets report congressional aspirations to pass a supplemental package for Ukraine and Israel before Christmas; but as the end of the year deadline creeps ever closer, Republicans and Democrats are still negotiating what exactly will be in the package.
Republicans want border security included in any aid package, and recently the Republican-led House passed an aid bill for Israel which included cuts to IRS funding, a non-starter for Senate Democrats and the White House.
NBC News reported that Senate leaders on both sides of the aisle agree that in order for any legislation in regards to support for Ukraine and Israel to pass, it would need to originate in the Senate.
The Associated Press reported that Zelenskyy called the meeting a “very important signal” for Ukraine in its fight for freedom. Senior defense officials say Austin’s meeting with Zelenskyy sent the message that the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine, even as the country focuses on additional challenges like the conflict in the Middle East.
US appellate court rules on Voting Rights Act: The Morning Rundown, Nov. 21, 2023
A federal court issues a ruling concerning the Voting Rights Act in a case that could end up at the Supreme Court. And the CDC is warning consumers about a listeria outbreak in fruit which has led to at least one death. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023.
U.S. appeals court makes ruling on suits filed under Voting Rights Act
In its two-to-one ruling, the appellate court found that only the U.S. Attorney General has the power to file lawsuits under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits racially discriminatory voting laws, not private citizens or groups like the NAACP.
The decision upheld a 2022 ruling by a U.S. district judge who dismissed a lawsuit challenging Arkansas’s new district map, saying the Justice Department needed to join the suit to move forward.
The voting rights group that filed the lawsuit claimed a new map of congressional districts was weakening the voting power of Black Americans in the area.
Though the appellate court decided only the U.S. government could file section 2 lawsuits, most cases brought under the Voting Rights Act come from private citizens.
In their decision, which only affects the states in the court’s jurisdiction, the judges noted that over the past 40 years, at least 182 successful Section 2 cases were filed, and only 15 were brought solely by the U.S. Attorney General.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit gave an opposite decision from the 8th Circuit, ruling individuals have the right to sue under section 2. In June, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of private individuals in a section 2 case, ordering the state of Alabama to redraw its congressional map.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin makes surprise visit to Ukraine
It is one of the smaller installments of support as a Pentagon spokesperson recently said there is a need to “parse these out” as the timeline for Congress to pass another aid package for Ukraine is unclear. Still, the package marks the Biden administration’s 51st equipment installment being sent to Ukraine.
The package includes:
Stinger anti-aircraft missiles
One High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and additional ammunition
More than 3 million rounds of small arms ammunition
Demolitions munitions for obstacle clearing
Cold weather gear; and
Spare parts, maintenance, and other ancillary equipment
The Associated Press reported that Zelenskyy called the meeting a “very important signal” for Ukraine in its fight for freedom. Senior defense officials say Austin’s meeting with Zelenskyy sent the message that the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine, even as the country focuses on additional challenges like the conflict in the Middle East.
Navy plane overshoots runway, lands in the ocean in Hawaii
A Navy plane overshot its landing on a Marine Corps base in Hawaii on Monday, Nov. 20, and ended up in Kaneohe Bay. Officials said all nine passengers on the plane escaped unscathed.
The plane missed the runway and landed in the water, similar to the 2009 “Miracle on the Hudson,” when pilot Chelsey “Sully” Sullenberger made an emergency landing in the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 passengers on board.
The Hawaii Coast Guard launched a rescue team, but the effort was quickly called off as all passengers made it safely to shore. No further information was given on a cause for what led the P-8A plane to overshoot its mark, but a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Honolulu said that at the time of the incident visibility was about one mile.
2024 presidential debate dates and locations announced
Sept. 16 at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX
Oct. 1 at Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA – the first Historically Black College or University ever to host a general election debate.
Oct. 9 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT
The commission also announced a vice presidential debate for Sept. 25 at Lafayette College in Easton, PA.
It remains to be seen if the Republican frontrunner for the presidential election, former President Donald Trump, would agree to appear in these debates as he has not participated in any of the Republican primary debates so far, citing high poll numbers. However, he did tell Fox News in June that he wanted to debate President Biden.
Last year, the Republican National Committee cut ties with the Commission on Presidential Debates, citing bias against the GOP, but the decision to participate would come down to the nominee. Meanwhile, the Biden campaign has not yet confirmed if the president plans to participate in these debates.
1 death, 10 hospitalizations linked to listeria outbreak in fruit
According to the CDC, the outbreak has led to 10 hospitalizations and one death across seven states. The CDC said the fruit linked to the outbreak was distributed and sold at stores nationwide, including Walmart and Publix, under the brands “HMC Farms” and “Signature Farms.”
HMC has voluntarily recalled the affected produce, including fruit sold between May 1 and Nov. 15 of 2022 and the same dates this year. The CDC recommends checking your freezer and throwing away or returning food that meets the recall criteria.
According to the CDC, Listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness.
Overdue library book returned after more than a century
Reacting to the finding, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter joked on “X” that there would not be a late fee. St. Paul Public Library said the book most likely won’t go back into circulation due to its condition. A spokesperson added that, at this point, it’s not just an old book but an artifact.
The big takeaways from the 3rd Republican primary presidential debate: The Morning Rundown, Nov. 9, 2023
Five Republican candidates took the stage Wednesday night, Nov. 8, making their case to be the next president in the third GOP primary debate. And Hollywood actors reach a tentative deal with the studios to put an end to the nearly four-month strike. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Nov. 9.
Recapping 3rd GOP presidential primary debate
For the third time, Republican candidates for the 2024 presidential election faced off in a primary debate; this time, the field was down to five.
We’ve become a party of losers. At the end of the day, there is a cancer in the Republican establishment.
Vivek Ramaswamy
From the stage in Miami on Wednesday night, Nov. 8, the candidates spoke on a variety of issues, from China to funding Israel and Ukraine and their views on abortion. All while sparring with one another and even criticizing the Republican National Committee after the GOP lost key races the night before.
The candidates were also not shy this time to call out the Republican frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, for not showing up to the debate.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) said Donald Trump is much different than in 2016.
“He owes it to you to be on this stage and explain why he should get another chance. He should explain why he didn’t have Mexico pay for the border wall. He should explain why he racked up so much debt. He should explain why he didn’t drain the swamp,” DeSantis said. “And he said Republicans were going to get tired of winning. Well, we saw last night, I’m sick of Republicans losing.”
Tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy aimed his anger at the election results at Ronna McDaniel, the chair of the RNC.
“I think there’s something deeper going on in the Republican party here, and I am upset about what happened last night,” Ramaswamy said. “We’ve become a party of losers. At the end of the day, there is a cancer in the Republican establishment.”
At times throughout the night, Ramaswamy focused on former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley, who was almost at center stage, a reflection of her standings in the polls. While all candidates declared their support for Israel, Ramaswamy took issue with Haley’s foreign policy views.
“Do you want a leader from a different generation who’s going to put this country first,” Ramaswamy said. “Or do you want Dick Cheney in three-inch heels?”
“Yes, I’d first like to say they’re five-inch heels, and I don’t wear them unless you can run in ’em,” Haley said. “The second thing that I will say is I wear heels; they’re not for a fashion statement; they’re for ammunition.”
The candidates were divided when it came to supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said supporting Ukraine is “not a choice,” saying, “It’s the price we pay for being leaders of the free world.” DeSantis was skeptical of some of the funding sent to Ukraine, saying, “We need the war to end” so the U.S. can focus on border security instead.
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The presidential hopefuls were also asked about the social media app TikTok, owned by the China-based company ByteDance. Christie said he’d ban the app in his first week as president. The issue turned personal when Ramaswamy brought up Haley’s daughter.
“In the last debate, she made fun of me for actually joining TikTok while her own daughter was actually using the app for a long time,” Ramaswamy said. “So you might want to take care of your family first.” “Leave my daughter out of your voice,” Haley said.
“The next generation of Americans are using it, and that’s actually the point,” Ramaswamy said as the audience booed. “You have her supporters propping her up.”
After Ohio residents voted in favor of abortion access Tuesday night, Nov. 8, the GOP candidates were asked about their stance on the issue. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott said he’d commit to a 15-week national ban. Haley said no Republican president will be able to find the votes to pass any kind of federal abortion ban.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump held a rally a half hour away during the debate. A senior Trump adviser said the debate was “a complete waste of time and money.”
Ivanka Trump testifies; Hunter Biden subpoenaed
Based on polling numbers, as of Thursday, Nov. 9, the 2024 presidential election looks like it would be a rematch of 2020 between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. However, on Wednesday, Nov. 8, the focus was not on them but their family members.
The New York attorney general has accused Trump, his adult sons, and his organization of inflating his net worth on financial statements to banks and insurers in order to gain more favorable loans.
Ivanka told prosecutors she was not privy to her father’s personal financial statements.
When asked specifically by the state lawyer if she had any role in preparing Donald Trump’s statements of financial condition, Ivanka replied, “Not that I’m aware of.”
Following Ivanka’s five-hour testimony, the New York attorney rested her case. The defense is expected to begin theirs on Monday, Nov. 13.
Meanwhile, the House Oversight Committee investigating President Biden and his connection to his family’s foreign business dealings subpoenaed Hunter and James Biden, the president’s son and brother, on Wednesday, Nov. 8, marking the first time that members of the Biden family have been subpoenaed since the impeachment inquiry was opened in September.
A representative for Hunter Biden responded, calling it a “political stunt,” but said, “Hunter is eager to have the opportunity, in a public forum, at the right time, to discuss these matters with the committee.”
US strikes Syria weapons warehouse in response to attacks on troops
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, calling it a self-defense strike, said the weapons facility in Eastern Syria was used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps along with affiliated groups.
Two F-15 fighter jets dropped bombs on the target on Wednesday, Nov. 8, in what Austin called a “precision self-defense strike,” adding that the safety of American troops is paramount.
“The president has no higher priority than the safety of U.S. personnel, and he directed today’s action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests,” Austin said in a statement.”
