This article is adapted from today’s Morning Wire Afternoon Update. To listen to the podcast version, click here.
Macron Survives No Confidence Votes
French President Emmanuel Macron survived a crucial vote of no confidence today. The vote came as the embattled leader found himself with some of the worst approval ratings in his presidency and the subject of mass protests after he reformed the nation’s pension system, including raising the retirement age by two years.
Xi Goes To Russia
Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Monday to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin — on what Beijing labeled a “mission of peace.” Daily Wire reporter Amanda Prestigiacomo joined Afternoon Update for more:
Xi’s visit underscores strengthening ties between the two powerful nations and comes as the Chinese leader is trying to negotiate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. The U.S. opposes any deal, expressing concerns that a Beijing-brokered peace pact would be one-sided in favor of Russia. On Monday, Xi said he is sure his visit will be “fruitful.” The meeting comes a day after Putin made a surprise visit to Mariupol, a Russian-occupied city in southern Ukraine where he spoke briefly with supporters.
Border Crisis Continues
Sixteen people on the FBI’s terror watch list were stopped along the southern border in February, according to new data. Daily Wire writer Tim Meads joined the podcast with more details:
A total of 69 individuals on the terror watchlist have been arrested at the U.S. Southern border in fiscal year 2023 — and authorities say the U.S. is already on pace to shatter last year’s 98 encounters. Immigration officials also report that the agency has encountered at least 214 people combined on the Terrorist Screening Database at both the northern and southern U.S. borders.
DeSantis Responds
In an update to our lead story from this morning’s episode, potential 2024 GOP candidate Florida Governor Ron DeSantis weighed in on former President Donald Trump’s claim that he was going to be arrested Tuesday on charges brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg:
The response can be seen here:
"manufactured circus by some Soros DA"
Brilliant response from DeSantis. pic.twitter.com/XAh5ro7eSc
— (AD) Deo Non Fortuna (@_labour_first) March 20, 2023
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Congress Goes After Soros-Backed Prosecutor
At the federal level, a trio of Republican committee chairmen announced a probe into Alvin Bragg. Judiciary Committee chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), Oversight committee chairman James Comer (R-KY), and House Administration committee chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI) wrote to Bragg’s office on Monday and accused the Manhattan prosecutor of “unprecedented abuse” of authority.
The House lawmakers sought records and communications related to Bragg’s investigation of Trump, as well as a transcribed interview with the prosecutor. The lawmakers’ letter comes days after Trump said Bragg intends to charge him in what would be the first-ever indictment of a former U.S. president.
Bragg has investigated Trump for more than a year now over alleged hush money Trump paid porn star Stormy Daniels to cover up an affair prior to the 2016 election.
American Hostage Freed
An American hostage kept in Niger for six years has been freed from captivity, the State Department announced Monday. Jeff Woodke was a Christian humanitarian aid worker stationed in West Africa when he was taken hostage by a terrorist group. Secretary of State Antony Blinken thanked the government of Niger for their help in securing his release.
Spring Break Mayhem
The mayor of Miami Beach has called for canceling Spring Break after two men were shot and killed over the weekend amidst wild partying on the streets of the city. In a statement, Democratic Mayor Dan Gelber said, “It’s too rowdy, brings too much disorder, and is simply too difficult to police.”
Miami Beach residents and business owners say out-of-control crowds and extensive property damage have become the norm in recent years. A midnight curfew was implemented Sunday night by Gelber:
Miami Beach officials have imposed a curfew during spring break after two fatal shootings and rowdy, chaotic crowds that police have had difficulty controlling. pic.twitter.com/iNNiR4SkFL
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 19, 2023
20th Anniversary Of Iraq War
Today marks the 20th Anniversary of the start of the Iraq War. Roughly 2,500 U.S. ground troops still remain stationed scattered throughout the country.
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