Biden’s major shift on Ukraine
And more headlines to know.
Good morning! It’s Monday, November 18, 2024. Inauguration Day is 63 days away.
Let’s dive into today’s top headlines…
THE TRUMP TRANSITION
In his first 100 days, President-elect Donald Trump is expected to revoke a Biden-era memo prioritizing people who threaten national security and public safety when deciding which undocumented immigrants to deport, per Politico. It is set to be a first step in laying the groundwork for Trump’s promised mass deportations.
In a Truth Social post this morning, Trump appeared to confirm that he plans to declare a national emergency — and use military personnel — to carry out the deportations.
Trump is reportedly eyeing new candidates for Treasury Secretary amid an increasingly public fight between allies of the two initial finalists, hedge fund manager Scott Bessent and Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick. Per the New York Times, former Fed governor Kevin Warsh and investor Marc Rowan are now being considered for the post. Fox Business Network has also named Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) as a dark-horse candidate.
Elon Musk has taken to X, the social media platform he owns, to push for Lutnick, who also serves as a co-chair of the transition. “Bessent is a business-as-usual choice,” Musk wrote, “whereas [Lutnick] will actually enact change.”
Speaking of Musk: Axios reports that he has been clashing with Boris Epshteyn, one of Trump’s closest advisers, a sign of potential friction as the world’s richest man attempts to ingratiate himself into the president-elect’s inner circle.
The latest personnel announcements: Trump announced last night that he will name Brendan Carr as the next chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Carr, a current FCC commissioner, is a leading critic of Big Tech who wrote a chapter of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 playbook. “We must dismantle the censorship cartel and restore free speech rights for everyday Americans,” Carr wrote on X after his selection was announced.
Other weekend announcements included fracking executive Chris Wright — who has previously said, “there is no climate crisis” — as Energy Secretary, campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary, and Trump lawyer Will Scharf as White House staff secretary.
THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION
President Biden initiated a major shift in U.S. policy towards Ukraine on Sunday as he authorized Ukraine to use American long-range missiles, known as the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), for limited strikes inside Russia. For months, Biden has resisted such requests from Ukraine, fearing that an ATACMS strike inside Russian territory would escalate the conflict. The president’s mind was reportedly changed by Russia’s decision to bring North Korean troops into the war.
ELECTIONS
The 2025 elections are already heating up. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) announced a run for New Jersey’s governorship on Friday, while his colleague Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) launched a bid for the post this morning. Both lawmakers are running to succeed term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ). New Jersey is one of two states that will hold gubernatorial elections next year, along with Virginia.
Democratic election officials in four Pennsylvania counties are violating a state Supreme Court ruling by counting mail ballots without a date (or with the wrong date) on the outer envelope. The state’s Democratic senator, Bob Casey, has refused to concede his re-election race, even as Republican Bob McCormick leads by 17,000 votes — a slim margin, but one unlikely to be made up by a recount.
More news to know
WaPo: Biden visits Amazon rainforest, a first for an American president
AP: Russia grinds deeper into Ukraine after 1,000 days of grueling war
NYT: Trump Stands by Defense Pick Who Says Encounter With Woman Was Not Sexual Assault
Politico: ‘Trump Dance’ sweeps American sports
The day ahead
President Biden is in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, for the Group of 20 (G20) summit, potentially his last international conference after decades on the world stage. Biden will participate in the first session of the G20 summit, attend a reception with other leaders at the summit, and attend an event launching a new Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.
Vice President Harris has nothing on her public schedule.
The House is set to vote on seven pieces of legislation.
The Senate will vote to confirm a nominee to the U.S. appeals court for the 11th Circuit.
The Supreme Court has no oral arguments this week.
Excellent article this morning ☕ Gabe and will reStack ASAP 💯👍