The ACTUAL NEWS: Friday, November 8th 2024 Recap

President Biden Proclaims November 9th as World Freedom Day, Appoints New Justices; Governor Walz Speaks Out, Nancy Pelosi Talks to NYT, and More Actual News.

Welcome to a newsletter with news, not clickbait.

It is my pleasure to inform you.

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President Biden Announces 56th Round of Judicial Nominees

President Biden has nominated two highly qualified individuals for federal district court positions as part of his fifty-sixth round of judicial appointments. The nominations continue his commitment to ensuring a diverse and well-rounded judiciary.

1. Tali Farhadian Weinstein is nominated for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. With experience as General Counsel for the Kings County District Attorney’s Office and as a former U.S. Assistant Attorney, Weinstein brings extensive legal expertise and has held notable academic roles at NYU and Columbia Law Schools. She is a Yale Law School graduate and former clerk for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

2. Chief Judge Frances Marie Tydingco-Gatewood is nominated for the U.S. District Court of Guam. Having served as a federal district judge since 2006, and with a background as an associate justice on the Guam Supreme Court, Tydingco-Gatewood has decades of experience in both trial and appellate courts. She holds a J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law.

These nominations bring the total number of federal judicial nominees announced by President Biden to 261.

President Biden Proclaims November 9, 2024, as World Freedom Day

“Today marks 35 years since the Berlin Wall came down.  Its fall was one of the greatest advances in human dignity in my lifetime.  As we celebrate this anniversary, may we all remember that what brought the Berlin Wall down and lifted the Iron Curtain is what keeps the flame of liberty shining bright around the world:  the determination of free people everywhere who never fail to stand up for their freedoms and their democracy.”

“I call upon the people of the United States of America to remember the hope symbolized by the fall of the Berlin Wall and reaffirm our dedication to freedom and democracy.”

Governor Tim Walz Addresses Minnesota in His First Remarks After the Election

Walz thanked all voters, donors, volunteers, and his team for their support throughout the joyful campaign. He reflected on the election and the months spent on the campaign trail.

Looking ahead, Governor Walz promised to stand against the Trump administration’s influence within Minnesota, ensuring that hateful rhetoric does not permeate the state or its communities.

Governor Walz’s daughter, Hope, took to social media to share her thoughts on the election outcome.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore Promises Security and Safety for His Constituents

Nancy Pelosi Reflects on Kamala Harris' Election Loss and Democratic Challenges

In a recent interview with The New York Times podcast, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi discussed the impact of President Joe Biden’s decision to remain in the 2020 presidential race on Vice President Kamala Harris' election prospects. Pelosi suggested that had Biden stepped aside earlier, there could have been an open primary that might have helped Harris' campaign.

"The anticipation was that, if the president were to step aside, that there would be an open primary," Pelosi said.

"And as I say, Kamala may have, I think she would have done well in that and been stronger going forward. But we don't know that. That didn't happen. We live with what happened. And because the president endorsed Kamala Harris immediately, that really made it almost impossible to have a primary at that time. If it had been much earlier, it would have been different," she added.

Pelosi also discussed broader challenges for Democrats, noting that cultural issues, such as debates over guns, LGBTQ+ rights, and abortion, have led to losses among working-class voters.

"Guns, God and gays — that's the way they say it," she reportedly said. "Guns, that's an issue; gays, that's an issue, and now they're making the trans issue such an important issue in their priorities; and in certain communities, what they call God, what we call a woman's right to choose."

Pelosi further stated that had Biden exited the race sooner, other candidates might have entered the race, potentially altering the course of the 2024 election. The full interview is set to be released on Saturday.

I shared my take on this during the recent livestream.

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Kash Patel, the next possible Director of Central Intelligence under Trump:

“We’re going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections. We’re going to come after you.”

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President-Elect Trump’s First-Day Plans: Border Closure, Deportation, and Policy Overhaul

According to NPR, President-elect Donald Trump has outlined vicious actions for his first day in office. He intends to close the border and initiate "the largest deportation program of criminals in the history of America." His agenda includes dismantling President Biden's climate policies and increasing energy exploration. Additionally, he plans to revise the Affordable Care Act, impose new tariffs on imports, ban transgender women from sports, and remove critical race theory from school curricula.

Trump Media Shares Rise And Speculation of Potential Merger with X

Shares of Trump Media & Technology Group gained on Friday after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump stated he had no intention of selling his shares in the company, which owns the Truth Social media platform.

In tech circles, there is speculation that X may merge with Truth Social, though such reports remain unconfirmed. As with many recent developments, this news should be regarded as speculative, as circumstances can shift quickly.

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Joe Rogan shared on his podcast that Elon Musk allegedly created an app that allowed him to receive immediate updates, enabling him to know the election results four hours before they were officially called.

Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway of the PIVOT Podcast discussed Elon Musk’s involvement in the election and Peter Thiel’s role in influencing the Oval Office.

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Shifting U.S. Strategies in Ukraine

On Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk held a 25-minute conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during which Musk assured Zelenskyy of his commitment to keeping the Starlink satellite network operational in Ukraine. Zelenskyy noted that the exchange did not elevate his anxiety levels. Trump, meanwhile, offered a reassuring tone, stating, “you will be happy with me.” As reported in the previous newsletter, the Wall Street Journal noted that Trump’s aides have suggested a strategy for Ukraine’s NATO path that would delay its membership invitation by more than 20 years. This approach also involves recognizing Russian occupation of Ukrainian territories as a concession for continued support from Washington.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration recently lifted a restriction on American military contractors in Ukraine. This shift enables contractors to maintain and repair U.S.-supplied weapons, including F-16 fighter jets and Patriot air defense systems, within Ukrainian territory. The administration has stipulated that these contractors will be based far from the frontlines, focusing exclusively on technical tasks.

Secretary of Defense Austin Reaffirms U.S. Commitment to Israel During Call with New Israeli Minister of Defense

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III held an introductory call today with Israel’s new Minister of Defense, Israel Katz, congratulating him on his recent appointment. During the call, Secretary Austin reaffirmed the United States' ironclad commitment to Israel’s security and its right to defend itself.

The Secretary also reiterated U.S. support for a diplomatic solution in Lebanon that ensures both Israeli and Lebanese civilians can safely return to their homes on both sides of the border. Additionally, Austin emphasized the U.S. commitment to securing the release of all hostages, including American citizens, and stressed the need to address the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

Secretary Austin expressed deep concern and extended his sympathies regarding the attacks on Israeli citizens in Amsterdam yesterday, offering any necessary assistance to support the Israeli government.

Blinken and Baerbock Discuss Ukraine Support and Regional Security

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held a call with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to coordinate next steps in supporting Ukraine. During the conversation, Secretary Blinken thanked Germany for its continued assistance to Ukraine and highlighted the critical need to support Ukraine's efforts to defend its freedom and achieve victory.

They also addressed the escalating threat posed by Russia’s decision to introduce North Korean troops into the war against Ukraine. Additionally, Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Baerbock discussed the importance of finding a diplomatic resolution to the conflict in Lebanon, one that ensures civilians on both sides of the Blue Line can safely return to their homes. The two leaders also focused on ongoing efforts to end the war in Gaza, secure the release of all hostages, and enhance humanitarian assistance.

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For more Actual News, please watch the latest livestream on X and YouTube

That’s it from me for now. Thank you so much for reading. Have a peaceful weekend!

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