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Greg Clugston
SRN Correspondent Greg Clugston keeps you informed about all the news coming from the White House.
Trump 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.”
Listen DownloadEx-Trump lawyer pleads guilty in Georgia election interference case
A former Donald Trump lawyer has pleaded guilty to aiding the former president’s efforts to overturn his election defeat in Georgia. Lawyer Sidney Powell reached a deal with prosecutors after being charged with violating the state’s anti-racketeering law. She pleaded guilty to six counts of conspiracy to commit intentional election interference in Georgia. As a result, she will pay a fine and serve six years of probation. Powell also agreed to testify against Trump and the other 16 co-defendants in the case if prosecutors ask her to.
Listen DownloadBiden’s approval rating drops to 37 percent in CNBC poll
President Biden’s approval rating has dropped to a near record-low in one public opinion poll. Heading into an election year, the president has a 37 percent overall approval rating in the latest CNBC All-America Economic Survey. it’s only one point higher than his record-low from July 2022. Americans continue to give Joe Biden low marks on the economy with only 32 percent approving. And six of 10 respondents disapprove of the president’s handling of foreign policy.
Listen DownloadBiden to discuss Israel, Ukraine in prime time Oval Office speech
President Biden will speak to the nation tonight [THU 8pm ET] in an Oval Office address. Having just returned from a whirlwind trip to Israel, the president will deliver a prime time speech to discuss two critical world events — the U-S response to Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel and Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. Mr. Biden said he would be asking Congress this week to approve supplemental funding for both Israel and Ukraine, along with some domestic needs. And White House officials are considering a package that could cost tens of billions of dollars.
Listen DownloadOn Israel trip, Biden offers support and secures Gaza aid
President Biden used a whirlwind visit to Israel to achieve two key objectives. After arriving in Tel Aviv, the president offered his unshakeable support for Israel. And on Air Force One during the flight home, he struck a deal to get limited humanitarian aid into Gaza from Egypt. The president also pleaded with Israelis not be consumed by rage over the brutal Hamas attacks.
Listen DownloadAlaska sues Biden administration over canceled oil, gas leases
Alaska is suing the Biden administration over canceled Arctic oil and gas leases. The lawsuit brought by an Alaska state agency, challenges the Biden administration’s decision in September to scrap seven oil and gas leases in Alaska’s 19 million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Officials in Alaska are asking a federal court in Washington, DC to restore the leases. They argue the federal government’s decision violates a clear congressional mandate in a 2017 tax bill to open up the Arctic to drilling.
Listen DownloadBiden: Israel agrees to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza
President Biden says Israel will allow humanitarian assistance into Gaza from Egypt. The president told Israeli officials in Tel Aviv that people in Gaza need food, water, medicine, and shelter. He said Israel agreed to allow the flow of humanitarian aid with the understanding that inspections must be allowed and that the aid should go to civilians and not Hamas. He said “if Hamas diverts or steals the assistance, they will have demonstrated once again that they have no concern for the welfare of the Palestinian people.”
Listen DownloadBiden pledges American solidarity during visit to Israel
President Biden used his visit to Israel to show U-S solidarity with the Jewish state in its war against Hamas. After arriving in Tel Aviv, the president met one on one with Prime Minister Netanyahu before gathering with Israel’s war cabinet. The president expressed horror over the atrocities carried out by Hamas terrorists, even as he spoke of the need to help innocent Palestinians caught in the middle of the conflict.
Listen DownloadIn Tel Aviv, Biden says Gaza hospital blast not done by Israel
President Biden is defending Israel following a deadly explosion at a Gaza hospital that killed hundreds of people. During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, the president said that deadly explosion apparently was not carried out by the Israeli military. Hamas blamed Israel for the hospital blast, while the Israelis accused the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The president is using his visit to Tel Aviv to reinforce America’s solidarity with the Jewish state.
Listen DownloadBiden leaves for Israel, but meeting with Arab leaders postponed
President Biden’s meeting with Arab leaders following his visit to Israel has been called off. Shortly before the president boarded Air Force One for the flight to Tel Aviv, a planned summit with Arab leaders was canceled. Palestinian leader Abbas withdrew from the scheduled meetings after a deadly explosion at a Gaza hospital killed hundreds. A White House official said the president decided to postpone his travel to Amman, Jordan, and the Arab summit after consulting with Jordan’s King Abdullah.
Listen DownloadTrump appeals partial gag order in federal 2020 election case
Donald Trump is appealing a partial gag order in the case charging him with trying to subvert the 2020 presidential election. A day after the federal judge in the case barred Trump from making statements attacking prosecutors, potential witnesses, and court staff, his lawyers said they will challenge the order. The former president’s team argues the order amounts to censorship, but the judge said defendants cannot mount a “smear campaign.” Meanwhile, Trump returned to a New York court on Tuesday for his civil fraud trial.
Listen DownloadU.S. cracks down on computer chip exports to China
The Biden administration is taking new steps to stop China from acquiring advanced computer chips. The Commerce Department has expanded its export controls aimed at stopping Beijing from getting cutting-edge U.S. technologies to strengthen its military. The update also introduces new requirements that make it more difficult for China to manufacture advanced chips abroad. The administration first took action a year ago to counter China’s use of the chips for military applications that include the development of hypersonic missiles and artificial intelligence.
Listen DownloadBiden to visit Israel on Wednesday in show of solidarity
President Biden will travel to Israel this week in a show of solidarity. The Wednesday visit to Israel will be a powerful symbol of sympathy and support, but there are risks involved. Mr. Biden’s travel to the Mideast comes as Israeli forces prepare for a possible ground attack against Gaza aimed at Hamas terrorists. After meeting with Israeli leadership, the president will go on to Jordan for talks with King Abdullah, as well as the Egyptian and Palestinian presidents, in a bid to prevent the war from becoming a larger regional conflict.
Listen DownloadBiden huddles with national security team on Mideast
President Biden spent the day focused on the Israeli-Hamas conflict. After canceling a day trip to Colorado to promote his economic message, the president met with his national security team here at the White House. He also spoke by phone with his counterparts in Egypt and Germany. Mr. Biden continues to offer Israel his full support following the Hamas attack, but he and administration officials are working to protect civilians in Gaza from ongoing Israeli air strikes and an expected ground invasion.
Listen DownloadJudge imposes partial gag order in Trump 2020 election case
A limited gag order has been imposed on Donald Trump in his 2020 election subversion case. The federal judge overseeing the case said she was barring the former president from making statements targeting prosecutors, possible witnesses, and the judge’s staff. U-S District Judge Tanya Chutkan said there would be no restrictions on statements criticizing the Justice Department generally or statements about Trump’s belief that the case is politically motivated. But she said he can’t mount a “smear campaign” against prosecutors and court personnel. The former president’s lawyer strongly opposed the gag order.
Listen DownloadBiden postpones Colorado visit to focus on Mideast conflict
President Biden postponed a day trip to Colorado to focus on the Middle East conflict. Instead of traveling to Colorado to discuss his economic agenda, the president remains here at the White House “to participate in national security meetings” concerning the Israel-Hamas war. The domestic trip was called off at the last minute, a rare move by the White House given the security and logistics involved in planning. Meanwhile, Mr. Biden is said to be weighing a decision to visit the Mideast in a sign of support for Israel.
Listen DownloadPoll indicates ethical uncertainty hanging over Biden
Americans have ethical concerns about President Biden and his son, Hunter. A new poll points to a cloud of ethical uncertainty hanging over the president as he runs for re-election. Thirty-five percent of U-S adults believe Mr. Biden has done something illegal, according to a new AP-NORC survey. Another third thinks the president behaved unethically, but not illegally. The findings come amid investigations into the president’s son, Hunter, and a Republican-led impeachment inquiry in Congress.
Listen DownloadBiden supports Israel’s defense, but opposes Gaza occupation
President Biden is urging Israel not to occupy Gaza. The president has been steadfast in his support of Israel since the surprise Hamas attack more than a week ago. He has denounced the terrorists and supported Israel’s right to defend. But Mr. Biden told CBS’s 60 Minutes that it would “be a big mistake” if Israeli troops occupied Gaza. He also called on Israel, Egypt, and other nations to allow for humanitarian aid and supplies into the worsening conflict zone.
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