Biden staffers voice displeasure over support for Israel

Some workers in the Biden administration are unhappy with the president’s support of Israel in the war against Hamas. Earlier this week, Biden administration staffers held a vigil outside of the White House and called for a cease-fire in Gaza. After business hours on Wednesday, the staffers stood on Pennsylvania Avenue to protest ongoing support for Israel’s military offensive. CNN reported more than three dozen people participated in the vigil. Earlier this month there were media reports that
White House interns sent the president a letter describing the Gaza situation as a “genocide of the Palestinian people.”

U.S. says Russia has rejected “multiple” hostage release offers

The United States says Russia’s Vladimir Putin is not being honest about hostage negotiations. Putin said Moscow is in dialogue with the U-S on the issue of bringing home jailed Americans Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich. The White House said that much is true. However, a State Department spokesman said the U-S has “put multiple offers on the table, but they were “rejected every time by the Russian government.”

White House calls for greater Israeli military restraint

The White House continues to support Israel’s war with Hamas, even as it calls for greater restraint.  President Biden said he wants Israeli Defense Forces “to be more careful” after civilian deaths in Gaza as Israel goes after Hamas. And the National Security Council’s John Kirby said Hamas could end the conflict immediately. Israel’s defense minister said this week it will take months to destroy Hamas.

Fed employees told to go green on government travel

Federal employees are being told to go green on government travel. In its latest push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the White House said federal employees should rent electric vehicles and opt for rail trips when feasible. It said doing so would save money and the environment. Specifically, federal government workers were told to rent EVs when costs are less or equal to gas-powered vehicles, and to travel by train instead of flying on trips under 250 miles.

Biden wants Israel to “be more careful” in Gaza operations

President Biden wants Israel Defense Forces to be more precise in their military operations in Gaza.
Days after expressing concern about, what he called, Israel’s “indiscriminate bombing” in Gaza, the president explained what he hopes the Israeli military can accomplish. He said, “I want them to be focused on how to save civilian lives. Not stop going after Hamas, but be more careful.” Earlier, a national security council spokesman said the U-S discussed with Israeli officials the possibility of ratcheting down the intensity of fighting in Gaza in the “near future.”

US: Putin “doubling down” on conquering Ukraine

The United States says Russia’s Vladmir Putin is not backing away from his invasion of Ukraine. After Putin’s year-end news conference, National Security Advisor John Kirby said it’s clear that the Russian leader is doubling down on his “goal of conquering Ukraine.” Kirby chastised the Republican-led House for leaving for the holidays without passing more military aid for Ukraine.

Biden speaks out about impeachment effort against him

President Biden is speaking out about the impeachment effort against him. After the Republican-led House authorized a formal impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden, the president issued a rare statement about the matter. He said “instead of doing anything to help make Americans’ lives better, [Republicans] are focused on attacking me with lies.” The GOP investigation into Biden family business dealings has raised ethical questions, but so far no hard evidence of corruption.

White House considers GOP border policy to get Ukraine aid

The Biden administration is considering Republican border policies in order to secure new aid for Ukraine. Top administration officials are trying to reach a last-minute deal for Ukraine military assistance by agreeing to Senate GOP demands to bolster U.S.-Mexico border policies. The impasse over the border threatens to delay or detail aid for Ukraine. Members of Joe Biden’s own Democratic Party are expressing concern about the policies under discussion, while Republicans see an opening to address the border crisis.

Four GOP presidential candidates to square off in fourth debate

Four candidates have qualified for the fourth Republican presidential debate. It’ll be the smallest debate stage so far this year for the Republican party. The RNC says Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Chris Christie have qualified for this evening’s debate in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The candidates will be squaring off just under six weeks before the Iowa caucuses. As he’s done before, front-runner Donald Trump is skipping the debate. He’ll be holding a fundraiser in Florida instead.

White House continues push for more Ukraine aid

The Biden administration continues to make the case for additional aid to Ukraine. The White House warns Congress that the U-S will run out of funding to send weapons and assistance to Ukraine by the end of 2023. President Biden is requesting some 61-billion dollars in aid. But House Speaker Mike Johnson and Republicans insist on border policy changes in this country as part of any Ukraine assistance bill.

U.S. sends humanitarian supplies to Gaza

The United States has organized a second aid flight into Gaza. White House spokeswoman Olivia Dalton says the U-S provided 36-thousand pounds of food and medical supplies. An Air Force C-17 aircraft delivered the items to Egypt, where they were to be transported into Gaza and distributed by United Nations agencies.

Biden’s job approval hovers at 40 percent – RealClearPolitics

U.S. blames Iran for Yemen’s attacks on vessels in Red Sea

The United States is blaming Iran for weekend attacks by Yemen’s Houthis. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the U-S holds Iran responsible for Sunday’s attacks on civilian and military vessels in the Red Sea. Sullivan said U-S officials were discussing establishing military escorts for ships in the Red Sea to ensure safe passage.

U.S. urges Israeli, Hamas negotiators to restart ceasefire talks

The United States is urging Israeli and Hamas negotiators to restart ceasefire talks. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said efforts continue to get back to the bargaining table now that Israel has expanded its military offensive against Hamas. Sullivan said talks broke down when Hamas refused to release the remaining women hostages.

ND Gov. Burgum ends 2024 GOP bid for White House

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has ended his Republican presidential campaign. Since launching his White House bid in June, Burgum touted his priorities of energy, the economy and national security, as well as his small-town roots. But he failed to gain enough support nationwide to qualify for the third GOP debate after participating in the first two. Burgum blamed the RNC’s debate qualifications, accusing the party of “taking the power of democracy away from the engaged, thoughtful citizens of Iowa and New Hampshire.”

Biden faces Democrat pressure over Israel-Hamas war

Democrats in Congress are ramping up pressure on President Biden over the Israel-Hamas war. As the administration urges Israeli and Hamas negotiators to restart ceasefire talks, President Biden is getting an earful from allies on Capitol Hill. Senator Bernie Sanders and a group of Democratic senators say they’re done “asking nicely” for Israel to do more to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza. They’re demanding assurances from the Israeli government. At risk is the president’s request for 14-billion dollars in aid for the Jewish state.

White House warns U.S. money for Ukraine is running out

The Biden administration warns that the U-S is running out of money to help Ukraine fight against Russia. In a letter to Congress, White House budget director Shalanda Young said U-S military assistance to Ukraine will run out by the end of the month. She urged lawmakers to approve tens of billions of dollars in additional aid, claiming that a failure to do so would “kneecap” Ukraine on the battlefield. The administration’s 61-billion dollar request is being resisted by Republicans who are demanding security changes at the U.S.-Mexico border.

A ballot write-in campaign for Joe Biden is underway in New Hampshire

A ballot write-in campaign for Joe Biden is underway in New Hampshire

VERBATIM:

Even though President Biden is the incumbent, the write-in campaign is being organized because his name will not be on New Hampshire’s primary ballot. That’s because the president pushed for South Carolina to be the first-in-the-nation primary. So Democrats are organizing a low-budget, write-in campaign aimed at preventing an embarrassing loss for the president that might fuel concerns about the strength of his reelection bid. GC reporting.

Dems launch Biden write-in campaign in New Hampshire

A ballot write-in campaign for Joe Biden is underway in New Hampshire. Even though President Biden is the incumbent, the write-in campaign is being organized because his name will not be on New Hampshire’s primary ballot. That’s because the president pushed for South Carolina to be the first-in-the-nation primary. So Democrats are organizing a low-budget, write-in campaign aimed at preventing an embarrassing loss for the president that might fuel concerns about the strength of his reelection bid.

RNC sidesteps Trump’s legal issues in nominating rules

The Republican National Committee is sidestepping Donald Trump’s legal issues when it comes to next July’s nominating convention. The RNC’s rules for next year’s convention in Milwaukee have been released, but the party leaves a major question unaddressed. With Trump under four criminal indictments, the rules don’t include any provisions if the party’s presumptive nominee is convicted of a felony. It’s unclear if GOP delegates could vote for a different candidate under such a scenario. Trump’s first trial is scheduled to begin in Washington in early March on charges that he unlawfully sought to overturn the 2020 election.

Sandra Day O’Connor, first woman on Supreme Court, has died

The first woman to sit on the U-S Supreme Court has died. Sandra Day O’Connor made history as the first woman justice when she was nominated by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and confirmed to the nation’s highest court. She often was the swing vote in closely divided cases during her tenure. In a statement, the Supreme Court said O’Connor died of complications related to advanced dementia, probably Alzheimer’s, and a respiratory illness. O’Connor was 93.

Milwaukee offers first look at 2024 GOP convention site

Organizers of the 2024 Republican convention have reached a milestone in planning for next summer’s event. The GOP’s presidential nominating convention is more than seven months away. But hundreds of news media members got their first look at the convention site in downtown Milwaukee this week. Organizers met with the press to discuss logistics of covering the event to be held in July. Not only will Milwaukee be in the political spotlight next summer, the city is expected to see an estimated 200-million dollar impact for hosting the convention.

U.S. condemns deadly Hamas shooting in Jerusalem

The White House condemns the deadly shooting attack in Jerusalem [THU] that left at least three people dead. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the attack, which Hamas claimed responsibility for, “technically” didn’t violate the terms of the ongoing truce between Israel and Hamas, which only covers Gaza. But he said the shooting is a “stark reminder” of the enemy Israel is facing.Kirby also expressed hope that the Israel-Hamas truce can be extended several more days.

White House seeks extended Israel-Hamas cease-fire

The United States is pushing for the Israel-Hamas truce to be extended for several more days. The White House says negotiations to extend the cease-fire are taking place around the clock. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby also condemned the Hamas-claimed attack that killed at least three people along a highway entering Jerusalem.