Monday, November 18th, 2024 - Trump 2.0 & racist texts update; Ukraine-Russia conflict; Israel strikes nuclear facility
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Today’s Headlines: The Trump transition continues with bold cabinet picks: fracking CEO Chris Wright for Energy Secretary and Doug Burgum for Interior, alongside former press aide Karoline Leavitt as press secretary. Pete Hegseth’s Defense Secretary nomination faces scrutiny over past allegations. House Speaker Mike Johnson suggests possible recess appointments to bypass Senate delays. Meanwhile, Trump’s team is eyeing military leaders involved in the Afghanistan withdrawal for potential court-martials. The FBI investigates racist and threatening texts sent to Black, Latino, and LGBTQ individuals post-election. On the international front, Biden approved Ukraine’s use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles against Russia, while U.S. and Israeli officials confirmed Israel's strike on a covert Iranian nuclear facility.

Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode:

• CNN: Trump picks fracking company CEO Chris Wright as next Department of Energy secretary)

• Axios: Trump taps Karoline Leavitt for White House press secretary)

• WA Post: Defense pick Pete Hegseth paid woman but denies sexual assault, attorney says)

• Axios: Johnson doesn't rule out use of recess appointments)

• Axios: Johnson argues Gaetz report should stay sealed as ex-Rep a "private citizen")

• NBC News: Trump transition team compiling list of current and former U.S. military officers for possible courts-martial)

• Axios: FBI: Racist post-election texts also reported in Hispanic and LGBTQ+ communities)

• AP News: Biden OKs Ukraine's use of US-supplied long-range missiles in Russia)

• Axios: Scoop: Israel destroyed active nuclear weapons research facility in Iran, officials say)

Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Bridget Schwartz and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson

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