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Greg Clugston
SRN Correspondent Greg Clugston keeps you informed about all the news coming from the White House.
President Biden’s handling of the economy continues to drag down his approval rating
President Biden’s handling of the economy continues to drag down his approval rating
VERBATIM:
More than two-thirds of Americans surveyed disapprove of Joe Biden’s stewardship of the national economy. A new AP-NORC poll puts the president’s overall job approval at just 38 percent. Most Republicans give Mr. Biden low marks on the economy, while only about a quarter of all Americans say the national economy is good or that the country is headed in the right direction. GC, Wash.
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Economy continues to drag down Biden’s job approval
President Biden’s handling of the economy continues to drag down his approval rating. More than two-thirds of Americans surveyed disapprove of Joe Biden’s stewardship of the national economy. A new AP-NORC poll puts the president’s overall job approval at just 38 percent. Most Republicans give Mr. Biden low marks on the economy, while only about a quarter of all Americans say the national economy is good or that the country is headed in the right direction.
Listen DownloadPresident Biden to address Parliament in Canada
Biden makes long-delayed visit to Canada
President Biden is making a long-delayed visit to Canada. American presidents traditionally make their first international trip to Canada. but delays – in part caused by COVID-19 – mean that Joe Biden has already visited almost 20 other nations. While in Ottawa, the president will meet with Prime Minister Trudeau and address the Canadian Parliament on Friday.
Listen DownloadBiden’s job approval is nearing its lowest point: AP poll
President Biden’s job approval rating has dropped to near its lowest point. After reaching 45 percent approval last month, Joe Biden’s job performance review has dropped to 38 percent. That’s according to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The president’s ratings hit their lowest point of his presidency last July, at 36 percent. His handling of the economy continues to be a weak point, with just 31 percent approval.
Listen DownloadTrump team balancing campaign and legal process
The Trump political team is facing the possibility of running a presidential campaign and dealing with a criminal trial at the same time. If the grand jury and DA here in Manhattan decide to indict the former president, Trump aides will have their hands full. The president writes in an email to supporters that “no matter what happens,” the 2024 campaign “will go on.” He’s already trying to turn a possible indictment into a political advantage, but the campaign could face some logistical challenges as it navigates the political calendar and a legal process at the same time.
Listen DownloadScene is quiet outside Trump grand jury court building
With no meeting of the Trump grand jury in New York on Wednesday, things have quieted down in lower Manhattan. There’s a large news media presence here outside the Manhattan Criminal Court building, but not much activity. Some metal barricades are in place, but expected protests earlier this week —for and against Donald Trump—didn’t amount to much. And now it’s a matter of waiting to see what, if any, action prosecutors decide to take.
Listen DownloadTrump grand jury not meeting in NYC today
There will be no indictment decision today in the investigation involving former President Trump. The Manhattan grand jury typically meets on Wednesdays, but panel members were told to stay home. According to people familiar with the matter, the grand jury was told to be on standby for Thursday. Whatever the reason for the postponement, any vote on whether or not to invite, Trump will be at least temporarily pushed back.
Listen DownloadTrump quotes NYT as he awaits Manhattan DA decision
Former President Trump is pointing to The New York Times as he awaits possible indictment. Trump has had a love-hate relationship with the New York Times over the years, including calling it “fake news.” But ahead of a possible indictment by the Manhattan DA, the former president is quoting the newspaper in his defense. According to a review by the Times and interviews with election law experts, the paper says New York prosecutors are “bringing an untested case” and doing it against a former U-S president.
Listen DownloadLegal, political worlds awaiting possible Trump indictment
Tuesday came and went without any indictment against former President Trump. Tuesday was the focus of the legal and political world because it was the day Trump predicted he would be arrested. But there were no such developments. The grand jury’s work here in New York is pushing toward a conclusion following Monday’s testimony from a lawyer with close ties to key Trump aides. Robert Costello went before the grand jury to undercut the credibility of Michael Cohen, the one time fixer for Trump, who later turned against him.
Listen DownloadNo protests at Trump Tower on predicted day of arrest
NYC braces for possible Trump indictment protests
All eyes are on the District Attorney of Manhattan for the potential indictment of former President Donald Trump. Today is the day that Trump predicted that he would face criminal charges and be arrested. While a grand jury here in New York appears close to finishing its work on whether business records were falsified to cover up hush money payments, the next steps in the legal process remain unclear. Meanwhile, the city is preparing for possible demonstrations after the former president urged his supporters to protest. Metal barricades were dropped off to safeguard streets and sidewalks from any possible unrest.
Listen DownloadNYC prepares for possible criminal indictment of Trump
Former President Trump could soon face criminal charges in New York’s hush money payment investigation. Prosecutors have not said when their work might conclude or when charges could come. But law enforcement in New York has been making preparations for any unrest, should Trump face charges. Many Republicans are denouncing the probe as politically motivated and the GOP-led House is demanding documents and testimony from the Manhattan district attorney.
Listen DownloadBiden issues first veto of his presidency
President Biden has issued the first veto of his administration. With the stroke of his pen, the president rejected a Republican measure that bans environmental or social considerations in investments by the government when making decisions for Americans’ retirement plans. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said the veto makes clear that Mr. Biden wants to use taxpayers’ retirement savings “to fund his far-left political causes.” The president’s veto is likely to prevail. Just three Democrats in Congress supported the GOP bill.
Listen DownloadWhite House urges China’s Xi to press Putin on Ukraine
The White House is closely watching the Chinese president’s visit to Moscow this week. The Biden administration is urging China’s Xi Jinping to tell Russia’s Vladimir Putin to end the war against Ukraine. John Kirby with the National Security Council says the U-S is concerned that Xi will reiterate calls for a ceasefire that ignores Ukrainian rights. He encourages Xi to also speak with Ukraine’s president.
Listen DownloadUS aid worker and French journalist freed in West Africa
An American aid worker has been released from his captives in West Africa. President Biden welcomed the news of an American Jeffery Woodke being freed. White House officials say the U-S did not pay ransom for Woodke’s release. Woodke was held by Islamic extremists after being kidnapped from his home at gunpoint in Niger in October 2016. A French journalist was also released.
Listen DownloadNo confirmation yet about a possible Donald Trump arrest (AUDIO)
There’s no confirmation yet about Donald Trump’s prediction that he’ll be arrested this week. The District Attorney’s Office in Manhattan has not said when it expects to conclude its work or when or if Trump might be charged in the hush money payment investigation. Over the weekend, the former president claimed that he would be arrested on Tuesday, though people close to him later said that he had been given no updates from New York prosecutors.
Listen DownloadSpeaker McCarthy pledges cooperation with Biden
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is pledging cooperation with President Biden. At the annual Friends of Ireland luncheon on Capitol Hill on St. Patrick’s Day, McCarthy recalled that President Ronald Reagan and House Speaker Tip O’Neill worked together even though they were in different political parties. He told President Biden that he wants to live up to their example. For his part, the president told the luncheon he agrees with McCarthy, saying “there’s no reason” why they can’t find common ground.
Listen DownloadBiden’s Alaska oil decision angers liberal allies
President Biden has angered liberal Democrats by approving an oil-drilling project in Alaska. The president touts his climate change agenda, but his approval of Alaska’s Willow project has infuriated environmental activists. White House officials are quick to defend Mr. Biden’s climate achievements, but some of his allies feel betrayed. The president’s decision, along with his decision to override a DC crime law overhaul, is viewed by some analysts as a move to the political center ahead of his expected re-election campaign.
Listen DownloadBiden calls for tougher penalties for execs of failed banks
President Biden is calling on Congress to crack down on executives of failed banks. The president wants to allow regulators to impose tougher penalties. For example, Mr. Biden proposes that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation be able to force the return of compensation paid to executives at a broader range of banks should they fail. Currently, the FDIC can only take back the compensation of executives at the nation’s largest banks. He also wants lawmakers to lower the threshold for regulators to impose fines and bar executives from working at another bank.
Listen DownloadSlovakia joins Poland in sending fighter jets to Ukraine
Pentagon: Russia likely trying to recover drone debris
DOD releases video of Russian jet altercation with drone
U.S. condemns North Korea’s latest missile launch
The United States is condemning North Korea’s latest launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile test. In denouncing the missile test, the White House National Security Council said the launch “needlessly raises tensions and risks” in the region. It was North Korea’s third weapons test this week and it came hours before a summit meeting between the leaders of South Korea and Japan.
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