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Greg Clugston
SRN Correspondent Greg Clugston keeps you informed about all the news coming from the White House.
White House asks Congress for $56 billion dollars in disaster aid
The White House is asking Congress for tens of billions of dollars in new emergency spending. The 56-billion dollar funding request would help the government respond to natural disasters, shore up funding for child care centers, and keep high-speed Internet running for low-income families. Some 23 billion dollars in the package would go to communities hit by disasters this year, such as the August wildfires in Hawaii, hurricanes in Florida, and flooding in California and Vermont. This latest request is on top of the separate, nearly 106-billion dollar request for Ukraine and Israel.
Listen DownloadAfter Maine mass shooting, Biden offers “full federal support”
President Biden has been briefed on the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine. The White House says the president spoke to Maine Governor Janet Mills and the state’s congressional members, offering “full federal support.” The statement described the mass shooting as a “horrific attack.” Mr. Biden will continue to receive updates as federal officials monitor developments.
Listen DownloadBiden congratulates new House speaker while his campaign criticizes Johnson
President Biden placed a cordial phone call to the new House speaker, while his campaign unloaded Mike Johnson. The White House says Mr. Biden called Speaker of the House Mike Johnson “to congratulate him on his election, and expressed that he looks forward to working together to find common ground on behalf of the American people.” However, a separate statement from the Biden-Harris campaign had a much less conciliatory tone. It described Johnson as a “Trump lackey,” “one of Congress’s most extreme anti-abortion politicians,” and “one of the most forceful election deniers in the House.”
Listen DownloadTrump fined $10,000 for violating gag order in civil fraud trial
President Trump has been fined 10-thousand dollars for violating a gag order in his New York civil fraud trial. Judge Arthur Engoron slapped the penalty on the former president after Trump made a comment outside the courtroom about “a person who’s very partisan sitting alongside” the judge. Earlier this month, the judge imposed a narrow gag order on all participants after Trump made a social media post maligning the judge’s principal law clerk. It’s the second time Trump has violated the gag order and been fined.
Listen DownloadBiden doubts accuracy of Hamas death count in Gaza, still cautions Israel
President Biden has doubts about the accuracy of the Hamas death count, claiming more than 65-hundred Palestinians in Gaza have been killed by Israeli airstrikes. The president acknowledges that innocent civilians have been killed. He said that’s “the price of waging a war.” Yet, he cautioned the Israeli military. Mr. Biden also said it’s up to Israel’s prime minister to decide on the timing of a ground invasion and how that offensive could impact the fate of hostages.
Listen DownloadBiden condemns Israeli settler retaliatory strikes against Palestinians
President Biden is speaking out against retaliatory attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. The president said Israeli anger is understandable after the heinous Oct. 7 Hamas attacks. But he said the actions of settlers amounted to “pouring gasoline” on the already burning fires in the Mideast. Deadly violence has been surging in the West Bank as the Israeli military ramps up its war plans.
Listen DownloadPentagon says U.S. military will defend itself amid ongoing Iran-backed attacks
The Defense Department says it won’t stand idly by as Iranian-backed attacks against U-S targets increase. Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder says the U-S military is preparing for a likely escalation of hostilities in the Middle East. Ryder says Iranian-supported forces attacked U-S troops and installations in Iraq and Syria at least 13 times over the past week.
Listen DownloadWhite House warns of more civilian casualties in Israel-Hamas war
The White House is warning of more civilian casualties as Israel ramps up its war effort. The Israel-Hamas war is already the deadliest of five Gaza wars for both sides. And White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby warns that more lives will be lost. Kirby says he wishes that he say “something different…but it’s going to happen.”
Listen DownloadMark Meadows reportedly granted immunity in 2020 election interference case
Donald Trump’s former White House chief of staff apparently is talking with federal prosecutors in the 2020 election interference case. ABC News reports that Mark Meadows was granted immunity to testify under oath in Special Counsel Jack Smith’s case. The network cites unnamed sources, who say Meadows told prosecutors that he repeatedly told Trump following the election the allegations of significant voting fraud were baseless. According to the report, Meadows spoke with Smith’s investigators at least three times and appeared once before a federal grand jury.
Listen DownloadPentagon says Iranian-backed attacks against U.S. forces on the rise
The Pentagon says Iranian-backed attacks against U.S. troops in the Middle East are on the rise. There’s been an uptick in attacks aimed at U-S military targets, says Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder. It’s been a combination of one-way attack drones and rockets. Ryder says the U-S is bracing for more attacks and will respond appropriately.
Listen DownloadU.S. sends military advisers, gear to Israel ahead of ground war
The Pentagon is sending more military gear to the Middle East, as well as U-S advisers. In addition to troops being deployed to the region, the U-S is sending sophisticated air defense systems to the Middle East. The White House says the moves are aimed at preventing the war from spilling over. John Kirby with the National Security Council also said the Pentagon is dispatching some top military officials to Israel to help in its war planning.
Listen DownloadU.S. prepares for possible escalation of Israeli-Hamas war
The United States is preparing for a possible escalation of military conflict in the Middle East. John Kirby with the White House National Security Council says the Pentagon is sending additional military forces to the Mideast in case the Israeli-Hamas conflict spreads throughout the region. He also says the White House and State Department are conducting an “hour-by-hour effort” to find the roughly 10 unaccounted for Americans and get them home.
Listen DownloadWhite House wants safe passage out of Gaza for U.S. citizens
The Biden administration wants to ensure safe passage for people out of Gaza, especially for U-S citizens. President Biden has offered full-throated support for Israel’s right to defend itself and target Hamas terrorists. And he also wants to make it possible for Americans and others to leave Gaza. The National Security Council’s John Kirby says U-S and Israeli officials have had frank discussions about Israel’s pending Gaza ground invasion.
Listen DownloadAdministration announces 31 tech hubs to spur innovation
President Biden has announced more than 30 technology hubs across the country will boost American competitiveness. The administration says the 31 tech hubs will reach 32 states and Puerto Rico to help spur high-tech innovation — including biotechnology, quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing. The 500-million dollar grant to create the hubs is part of last year’s bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act.
Listen DownloadU.S. prepares for possible escalation of Israeli-Hamas conflict
Top Biden administration officials are preparing for a possible widening of the Israeli-Hamas conflict.
Secretary of State Blinken said the U-S believes “escalation” by Iranian-backed forces against American personnel in the Mideast is a likelihood. He told NBC’s Meet the Press “this is not what we want,” but if that happens, we’re ready for it.” Meanwhile, the State Department is moving embassy personnel out of Iraq because of escalating tensions , and warning American citizens not to travel to the country..
Biden confers with Western allies, Pope on Mideast conflict
President Biden spent the weekend conferring with world leaders about the Israeli-Hamas war. In addition to receiving briefings from his national security team, the president worked the phones. The White House said he spoke again with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. He then held a conference call with his counterparts in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and the UK. Mr. Biden also discussed the developments in Israel and Gaza with Pope Francis.
Listen DownloadPence presidential campaign is running short on cash
Former Vice President Pence’s campaign is running short on cash. The Pence campaign ended September with just one-point-one million dollars, a low number for a presidential contest and far less than his rivals. Furthermore, his campaign has 621-thousand dollars in debt — more than half the cash he has remaining. With dwindling funds and consistently low poll numbers, the former vice president isn’t just scrambling to qualify for the upcoming third GOP debate. He and his team are evaluating how to remain in the race for the White House.
Listen DownloadTrump suffered some legal setbacks this past week
Former President Trump suffered some legal setbacks this past week. Two of Trump’s former lawyers have flipped in the case charging Trump and 17 co-defendants with trying to overturn election results in Georgia. Attorneys Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro both pleaded guilty in federal court, agreeing to pay fines, serve probations, and, if necessary, testify at future trials. Meanwhile, Trump was fined five-thousand dollars by the judge in his New York civil trial for not removing a social media post from his campaign website that targeted a law clerk.
Listen DownloadJudge in NY civil trial fines Trump $5,000 for social media post
A judge has fined Donald Trump five-thousand dollars for not removing a disparaging social media post from his campaign website. Nearly three weeks ago, the judge in Trump’s civil fraud trial barred everyone in the case from smearing his court staff after the former president posted a photo of a law clerk on his social media platform. It was removed from Truth Social, but not Trump’s campaign website. On Friday, the judge issued a five-thousand dollar fine and warned of punishment –including the possibility of jail time– if there are future violations by the former president.
Listen DownloadBiden welcomes release of two Americans held hostage by Hamas
President Biden is celebrating the release of two Americans held hostage by Hamas. In a White House statement, the president said he is “overjoyed” that the American mother and her daughter have been released and are being reunited with their family. He thanked the Israeli and Qatari governments for their involvement in helping them regain their freedom. Mr. Biden said his administration continues working around-the-clock to free other American citizens who were taken hostage by Hamas.
Listen DownloadBiden says aid to Gaza should begin arriving this weekend
President Biden says the first round of humanitarian aid should be arriving in Gaza this weekend. The president says once part of a highway is repaved near the crossing between Egypt and Gaza, the first 20 trucks with aid will come across the border. He said the Israelis and the president of Egypt signed off on that agreement. Mr. Biden wants to provide help to innocent Palestinians caught in the fighting between Hamas terrorists and Israel.
Listen DownloadBiden requests $105 billion for Israel, Ukraine, the border and more
The White House has formally submitted to Congress a hefty funding request that includes aid for Israel and Ukraine. President Biden is asking lawmakers to approve more than 105 billion dollars to support Israel and Ukraine. The request also includes money for border security and countering China’s influence. However, the chances of progress on Capitol Hill are in doubt because of political resistance, as well as Republican infighting that has left the House without a speaker.
Listen DownloadCiting national security, Biden to ask Congress for Israel, Ukraine aid
President Biden will soon ask Congress to pass a large aid package to support Israel and Ukraine. The president told the nation in an Oval Office speech last night that he’ll be sending an “urgent” funding request to Congress. The proposal, which Mr. Biden calls a “smart investment,” will be unveiled later today. Officials indicate the request will be for tens of billions of dollars.
Listen DownloadIn Oval Office speech, Biden urges U.S. support for Israel, Ukraine
President Biden used an Oval Office address to rally America behind Israel and Ukraine. In his prime time speech, the president declared it is “vital for America’s national security” for Israel and Ukraine to succeed in their wars. He said Hamas terrorists and Russia’s Vladimir Putin represent different threats, but share a common goal. The president said he would send an urgent funding request to Congress, which could total 100-billion dollars. He described it as a “smart investment.”
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