Biden Shifts Ukraine Policy & Texas Buoy Barrier Plans | Afternoon Update | 11.20.24
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The Biden administration is again shifting its policy on Ukraine amid military escalation with Russia. Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce has more.

Just days after authorizing the use of American-made long-range missiles in Russia, Biden reversed course and approved the use of anti-personnel mines. Officials say the mines are equipped with electric fuses that deactivate after a short time. But a number of anti-mine advocates say the risk they pose to civilians is unacceptably high. Allies of Trump criticized the move, arguing that it risks further escalation ahead of his inauguration. Meanwhile, Russia has updated its nuclear doctrine in response to these developments.

Ukrainian officials, however, seem to think the nuclear threat is a bluff. Now, Biden's shift in policy also comes as the U.S. Embassy in Kiev closed its doors this morning, warning of a significant Russian air attack. Donald Trump has selected Linda McMahon to lead the education department. Daily Wire senior editor Joel Needler has the latest. McMahon is a former wrestling executive and was head of the Small Business Administration during Trump's first term.

The president-elect praised McMahon as a leader in promoting school choice and pledged that she will spearhead efforts to return education control to the states. Critics highlight her lack of education policy experience and her role at America First Policy Institute, which has pushed for sweeping changes to public education. McMahon has been a longtime Trump ally, supporting his campaigns and serving on his transition team.

Trump also announced his pick for administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Dr. Mehmet Oz. Trump praised his qualifications as a physician, heart surgeon, and health advocate. The former talk show host will work alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the Department of Health and Human Services. Trump says Oz will focus on preventing diseases, cutting waste, and improving outcomes within the U.S. healthcare system, which he says is in crisis.

Texas has floated plans to expand its buoy border barrier in anticipation of a surge of illegal crossings. State officials say the additional buoys could be deployed as early as today. The floating border barrier is part of Governor Greg Abbott's Operation Lone Star. And the new additions come as state officials expect a rise in crossings ahead of Trump's return to the White House. The Texas Department of Public Safety says they want to stay proactive.

We don't want to be reactive. We want to be ready for anything, for any possible surge. And by having to show a force, it sends a clear message to Mexico. The floating barrier has faced several legal challenges, but remains in place after a federal court ruling in July. This episode is brought to you by Ramp. Get $250 when you join Ramp. Just go to ramp.com slash wire. That's ramp.com slash wire. Cards issued by Sutton Bank. Member FDIC. Terms and conditions apply.

In a House Homeland Security Committee hearing yesterday, human trafficking expert Allie Hopper shared alarming details, including the discovery of rape trees along migrant paths where children are coerced into sexual acts to fund their journey. Here's Hopper. In one interview I conducted, a local resident whose property straddles the border told me about the screams of women and children he hears, including just two days before my visit.

I walked these very paths and I found discarded clothing, personal belongings, and chilling evidence of brutal assaults. All under the control of ruthless cartels like the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. No one passes through without their approval. Among the discarded items, I found IDs, many belonging to children.

Witnesses also described fraudulent sponsors who exploit the U.S. system, with hundreds of thousands of children going missing after being placed with these so-called sponsors. Rep. Clay Higgins blamed the Biden administration for failing to protect these children, while Trump has vowed to prioritize locating and rescuing missing minors.

And The View co-host Sunny Hostin appeared frustrated after reading a legal disclaimer regarding allegations against Matt Gaetz. Here's what she said. Matt Gaetz has long denied all allegations, calling the claims, quote, invented, and saying in a statement to ABC News that this false smear following a three-year criminal investigation should be viewed with great skepticism, that DOJ investigation was closed with no charges being brought. We'll be right back.

Hostin had previously criticized the attorney general nominee over accusations of sex trafficking and alleged relations with a minor. All right, there's your drive home updates this afternoon. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com. And for more in-depth reporting on the biggest stories of the day, tune in to our full episode of Morning Wire every morning.