Trump to George Washington and reaction as Trump nominates vaccine skeptic Robert Kennedy Jr for health secretary. The Democratic lawmaker who says he's excited by Kennedy's nomination.
Tense moments in Kentucky A worker trapped beneath the rubble at this construction site for nearly nine hours. Cameras rolling when rescuers finally reached him.
Scare in the Sky an American Airlines flight forced to take quick action to avoid a mountain while leaving Hawaii.
The FBI on alert. The new way criminals are breaking into banks.
Mom under arrest.
I didn't really even know what I was being arrested for.
She allowed her ten year old son to walk one mile alone into town and was arrested for reckless conduct. How? She's fighting back.
Extreme drought impacting millions this fall. Now, the new concern about Christmas tree shortages.
And a government protest like we've never seen. What prompted these lawmakers to take a stand.
From ABC news. This is good morning America. First look.
Good Friday morning everyone. I'm Andrew Dymburt and I'm.
Rhiannon ally good morning to you. We begin with president elect Trump giving his first public speech since winning the election.
It came hours after he nominated Robert Kennedy Jr to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, has vowed to shake up the public health agencies, but his beliefs could complicate his confirmation in the Senate.
Meanwhile, at Trump's Mar a Lago resort last night, actor Sylvester Stallone was among the speakers calling Trump the second George Washington. ABC's Christiane Cordero has all the latest. Christiane good morning.
Hey there. Good morning to you. So president elect Trump spoke at Mar a Lago last night as he faces multiple nomination fights here in Washington over his cabinet choices.
Nobody knew we were going to win it the way we won it.
President elect Trump at a mar a Lago gala last night took the stage after Hollywood heavyweight Sylvester Stallone fired up the crowd.
When George Washington defended his country, he had no idea that he was going to change the world because without him, you can imagine what the world would look like. Guess what? We got the second George Washington.
Also in the crowd, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy recently tapped by Trump to cut government spending.
What a job. What a job he does. He's a great. And he happens to be a really good guy.
Robert F Kennedy Jr. Trump's nominee for health secretary. Also in attendance.
People like you, Bobby, don't get too popular, Bobby.
If confirmed, Kennedy would lead one of the biggest departments in the government, which includes the CDC and FDA and oversees Medicare and Obamacare. Kennedy recently said if given the opportunity, he would shake things up and potentially fire top employees.
Some categories of workers. There are entire departments, like the nutrition departments at FDA, that are that have to go, that are not doing their job. They're not protecting our kids.
Kennedy, who has no medical training, has endorsed conspiracy theories urging people not to get the Covid 19 vaccine and claiming no vaccine is safe and effective. Doctor Ashish Jha, the former white House Covid response coordinator, saying I hope that he wouldn't actually be in a position of power. Surprise and disappointment is what I hear from most of my colleagues as I'm talking to them. Kennedy denies being anti-vaccine, saying he wants stricter trials.
I had all my children vaccinated. I was fully vaccinated. And what I would do is say, let's do the trials. Let's find out what the risk profile is, what the benefit profile is, and then allow parents to make up their minds.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, said he's excited at Rfk's nomination, adding, Kennedy helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will help make America wealthy again by shaking up HHS and FDA. Kennedy's nomination came the same day the CDC warned of a surge in measles cases 277 reported cases in 30 states, four times the number from last year, most involving unvaccinated children. A new study also shows obesity rates have doubled in the last three decades. Kennedy recently said this about obesity.
120 years ago, when somebody was obese, they were they were sent to the circus. They were literally there were case reports done about them. Obesity was almost unknown.
Trump last night did not mention former Congressman Matt Gaetz, his pick for attorney general, setting up gates to run the Justice Department, which investigated him for sex trafficking and obstruction of justice. Gaetz denies the claims and the department did not bring charges. But lawmakers are demanding to see a report from the House Ethics Committee, which investigated Gaetz for the same allegations. The committee's report, set to possibly be made public this week, will now not be released due to Gaetz resigning from Congress.
So you want to see it?
Absolutely.
Sources say the woman at the center of the investigation testified Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17 years old. Gates says the allegations are invented and would constitute false testimony to Congress.
Look, Gaetz won't get confirmed. Everybody knows that.
I know he's going to have an uphill battle.
And one more announcement from Trump last night. He's picking North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, known as a champion of the oil industry, to lead the Department of the interior. Rhiannon.
Christiane, thank you so much for that. Elon Musk has reportedly met with Iran's ambassador to the UN. The New York Times says the meeting focused on how to lower the tensions between Iran and the U.S.. Officials recently said Iran was plotting to assassinate Donald Trump over sanctions and the 2020 killing of an Iranian general.
A Texas man is under arrest, accused of plotting or supporting ISIS and plotting a mass casualty terror attack on U.S. soil. 28 year old Anas Shaheed was taken into custody in Houston. Officials say he wanted to plan a 911 style attack. He allegedly explored potential targets and looked up how to make an explosive belt.
He allegedly researched and investigated means of conducting attacks in the United States, including scouting, potential military recruitment centers, and identifying military members in the area.
Authorities say Saeed has been on the FBI's radar since 2017.
We turn now to Kentucky and the rescue in the rubble of a construction site. The tense and at times tedious rescue played out in Louisville over the course of nine hours.
We've seen a lot of trench rescues over the 24 years that I've been doing this, I've never seen anything like this.
The fire chief says a man working at this construction site fell into a void, plunging 10 to 12ft down, instantly becoming buried by gravel and large chunks of concrete. The rescue team had to dig him out by hand.
We are moving tons and tons of debris by hand, by buckets. And you've got, like I said, you imagine a person at the bottom of the funnel. You have to shore up everything else that's going to keep cascading down to create a safe space, and then continue to dig this person out.
The rescue operation drama playing out live on local TV. As the man was finally pulled to safety around 830 last night.
It's it's been a week. It has been.
The fire chief calling it a tempered celebration after the successful rescue. Many rescuers, still exhausted after responding to an explosion earlier this week which tore apart a nearby chemical factory, killing two people.
This is why we took this job. We want to help people and it's not like the movies. You're not always successful. So when you have a success like this, it is a tremendous feeling.
We thank those first responders. The man buried in the rubble was talking throughout the rescue operation and then was treated at the hospital.
The FAA is investigating a flight scare over Hawaii. The agency says an American Airlines plane had to make an expedited climb to avoid a mountain while taking off from Honolulu.
And the exponential climb through terrain and then turn right, heading 1 to 0.
The plane avoided the mountain and flew safely to Los Angeles. Experts say departure instructions mandate a right turn that would have avoided the problem. But American says the crew followed instructions from air traffic control. And overnight, new video of this Alaska Airlines plane making an emergency landing in LA. Passengers were told to brace. The plane suffered a tire failure leaving DC but landed safely. Debris was reportedly found on the runway at Dulles Airport, possibly from the tire.
Warm weather and severe drought conditions this fall are taking a toll on Christmas trees. Farmers say mature trees are about to hit the market are in decent condition, but those recently planted younger trees are not growing. Many of them are dying. That could cause a shortage for years to come.
Time now for your Friday weather.
Good morning. Yes, some of you in parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley saw a little rain recently. It's not enough. Look at the drought that has developed here. We're looking at severe and extreme drought in some parts of the northeast here. South Jersey especially in it. We're going to have a dry, gusty breeze again this afternoon, leading to more wildfire danger in the same spots where we've seen it time and time again. Tropical Storm Sara formed at midday yesterday. This could be a tropical depression near the Florida coast next week with some wind and rain. For AccuWeather. Jeff Cornish for ABC news.
Coming up, a new way to stop phone scams.
But first, a mother is arrested after her ten year old son is found walking alone one mile from their house. She is speaking out about the charges against her.
And the FBI on alert. The sophisticated way criminals are breaking into banks.
Whenever news breaks.
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2020. You think the shooter was parked over here?
Why would somebody ever.
Put a wig on and gun somebody down in a parking lot?
A young father of senselessly murdered.
Twists and turns. Bombshells galore. He got shot.
For one of three things greed, revenge or love.
It was becoming more and more clear that there was a lot more to the story. And then.
Bingo. Fatal disguise all.
New 2020 tonight on ABC.
They were 150ft down in the dark, in the cold, with just a dwindling supply of oxygen.
An unbelievable mystery. How does the ultimate status symbol end up on the bottom of the sea? How could they be gone in 16 minutes?
It just doesn't happen. Desperate efforts to find six missing people after a luxury yacht sank down to the sea floor.
We were just praying.
I think about the last few moments for them is terrifying.
Sinking of the superyacht now streaming on Hulu.
Reporting from inside Buckingham Palace. I'm Maggie Rulli. Wherever the story is, we'll take you there. You're streaming ABC News Live.
A dash cam captured the moment this big rig suddenly veered off Interstate 84 in Idaho, and then tipped over drivers who stopped to help say the trucker climbed out on his own and walked away unharmed.
The FBI wants to track down banks that may have been hit by a brazen crew of burglars. They dressed up like construction workers, using jackhammers and blowtorches to gain access to vaults and ATMs. Investigators say the sophisticated gang from South America stole more than $4 million before finally being arrested.
Now to a story sparking debate among parents. A Georgia mother is facing jail time after her ten year old son walked to town by himself. She says he was never in any danger, but police say otherwise. Here's ABC's Andrea Fujii.
This morning, police body camera video shows the moment Brittany Patterson was arrested for letting her ten year old son walk into town by himself.
What am I under arrest for? For reckless.
Endangerment.
And how was I recklessly endangering my child?
Talking about it on October 30th, Patterson said she took one of her children to the doctor. In the meantime, her son Sean, who has since turned 11, decided to walk less than a mile into town from their home in rural Mineral Bluff, Georgia. While out, Patterson got a call from the sheriff's department worried that Sean was walking alone.
I wasn't concerned, I wasn't, you know, panicking or concerned because it's just a short walk from our house. He knows how to get home. He knows how to get there.
Authorities dropped Soren off at home, and five hours later, they returned.
Come on in and tell him they're taking you to jail because you decided to walk down the street. Let go with your hands.
That's not his fault.
Yeah.
You're the mother. That's your responsibility. Any time I.
Checked, it wasn't illegal for a kid to walk to the store.
So it is when they're ten years old.
Patterson was booked on suspicion of reckless conduct, a charge that could carry one year in jail. The warrant claiming she willingly and knowingly did endanger the bodily safety of her juvenile son.
Our criminal justice system is built on the fact that you did something or you were negligent. You did something criminally negligent. So what is it she did?
Authorities have offered to drop the charge. If Patterson signs a safety plan that includes the use of a GPS tracker on her son's phone, but she refuses to sign it or admit bit doing anything wrong.
I just felt like I couldn't sign that, and that in doing so would be agreeing that there was something unsafe about my home or something unsafe about my parental decisions. And I just don't believe that.
Brittany Patterson is out on bail, awaiting to see if prosecutors will indict her on the reckless conduct charge. Rhiannon.
Andrew, our thanks to Andrew Fujii there. Just ahead, mixing up a lawsuit the bar sued over a flaming cocktail.
Also Mike Tyson, Jake Paul brawling before tonight's big fight. The big money at stake.
They were 150ft down in the dark. In the cold, with just a dwindling supply of oxygen.
An unbelievable mystery. How does the ultimate status symbol end up on the bottom of the sea? How could they be gone in 16 minutes?
It just doesn't happen. Desperate efforts to find six missing people after a luxury yacht sank down to the sea floor.
We were just praying.
I think about the last few moments for them is terrifying.
Sinking of the superyacht now streaming on Hulu.
Whenever, wherever news breaks, it's so important to always remember that lives are changed here in London, in Buffalo. Uvalde, Texas. Edinburgh, Scotland. Reporting from Rolling Fork, Mississippi. Ukrainian refugees here in Warsaw. We're heading to a small community outside of Mexico City, getting you behind the stories as they happen. ABC News Live Prime. We'll take you there.
Stream ABC news live weeknights wherever you stream your news, only on ABC News Live.
Three. Two one.
It's a 24 over seven live together.
It's not about the fear.
Or the risk. It's about the love of flying. Three. Two. One. It's for the last time to be able to say anything. But we all know bloody well the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. So now it's time to run. Ain't no time patrol. How many of these poachers have you caught? Appreciate.
The news never stops. We are here in Israel. A nation at war.
Hurricane Helene screaming across the state. And that's why.
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Well, a close call for these pedestrians in Boston. Heavy winds sent a large piece of scaffolding falling from the roof of South Station. Several people were nearly hit, but no one was hurt.
A fiery cocktail has landed a Texas bar in legal trouble. A Dallas couple is suing, saying the drink, which was garnished with a flaming lime, exploded when the bartender added more alcohol, causing third degree burns. They say they are facing years of medical bills. The bar's owner denied the allegations, saying the couple has failed to provide evidence to make their case.
We turn now to a battle of the ages, the legend versus the relative newcomer, Mike Tyson versus Jake Paul. We are just hours away from Mike Tyson squaring off against Jake Paul. But the fight has already begun. Ladies and gentlemen, the 58 year old Tyson, slapping the 27 year old YouTuber turned boxer at last night's weigh in. It's personal now. He must die. Paul shaking off Tyson's slap but showing off the precautions he's taken to not end up like Evander Holyfield, who had part of his ear bitten off by Tyson back in 1996.
I'm not getting my bet off on Friday night. So I got my diamond spiked ear covers right there.
Tonight's showdown is the first ever live boxing match on Netflix. Tyson's first professional bout in nearly 20 years. The rules will be slightly different from a typical match, with shorter rounds and heavier boxing gloves lowering the chances of a knockout. Despite a 31 year age gap and being a major underdog, sports books report 90% of all bets are being placed on the Hall of Famer Tyson, the most popular bet Tyson winning in the first round.
We got 1 million here, 1 million here.
Paul is betting big on himself, taking multiple million dollar bets from fellow fighters, even staking his claimed $40 million payout.
On a bet your purse.
Yeah, let's bet the purse deal.
But Tyson, demonstrating his skills during a recent workout and last night showing he can still pack on the muscle.
I am not going to lose. Did you hear what I said?
The main fight card kicks off at 8 p.m. eastern in front of 80,000 fans in Arlington, Texas.
Should be interesting. Coming up, how often you really need to restart your computer.
Plus, a discovery in the ocean unlike anything seen before.
Tonight, with the transition choices in full swing, the questions around what government agencies and programs may face. Key takeaways in this transfer of power. World News Tonight with David Muir is the most watched newscast in America. The president elect is wasting no time on his cabinet picks, and they have everyone talking in the Capitol and across the nation. Now, Sunday morning, the Trump transition and policy expectations. The powerhouse roundtable Sunday morning on ABC's This Week.
They were 150ft down in the dark, in the cold, with just a dwindling supply of oxygen.
An unbelievable mystery. How does the ultimate status symbol end up on the bottom of the sea? How could they be gone in 16 minutes?
It just doesn't happen.
Desperate efforts to find six missing people after a luxury yacht sank down to the sea floor.
We were just praying.
I think about the last few moments for them.
It's terrifying. Sinking of the superyacht now streaming on Hulu.
I love this version of me.
America's number one most watched daytime talk show is ABC's The View. You all heard it here first, I love it, I'm there for it. Hot topics, political views that's what we're about. Voices that matter. It all goes down right here.
That's why it's called the what?
Love you. I love it, I'm all in. I second that. Beautiful.
This is going to be.
Must see TV. And so much could happen.
I think it's for the last time to be able to say anything. But we all know how lucky we are. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now it's time to go. I know Time patrol. How many of these poachers have you caught?
Traveling with the president in Paris. I'm Mary Bruce. Wherever the story is, we'll take you there. You're streaming ABC news live.
Time to check the pulse. And we begin with a very unusual government protest.
Take a look at what happened in New Zealand's parliament, where it was lawmakers doing the protesting as well.
Oh come on, come on, come on, come on.
They were protesting a bill that impacts the native community. They even performed a traditional dance. Two lawmakers were ejected and parliament was suspended. Next, we pay a visit to the Lion Lodge.
It's a wildlife park in the UK that lives up to its name. One visitor was in the hot tub and a lion started scratching at the glass. The lodge promises a chance to see lions up close and they are not kidding. Okay, next, a wild discovery deep in the South Pacific.
Researchers just discovered the world's largest coral. It's 112ft wide and 18ft high. It is in the waters of the Solomon Islands. It's so big it can be seen from space. It was believed to be the remnants of a shipwreck until a team from National Geographic paid it a visit next. How often do you really need to restart your computer? Experts are sounding the alarm.
Apparently, most of us aren't allowing our computers to reboot. Experts say you should shut it down at least once a week to maintain performance and security. A reboot can also catch malware hiding in the memory. They're spreading the word after Apple pushed the restart button on the bottom of its Mac mini, saying people hardly use it.
A new way to stop phone scammers who target the elderly. A British company used artificial intelligence to develop a so-called grandma bot named Daisy. That actually sounds like a woman, but it's just a computer. The company adds phone numbers for Daisy onto easy target lists for scammers, and Daisy is designed to talk in circles and keep the fraudsters on the line for as long as possible while giving fake personal information and bank data. Finally, Thanksgiving travel is expected to break records this year.
That it is. American Airlines is getting the. Cookies ready. It's preparing to serve 6.8 million Biscoff cookies on flights between November 21st and December 3rd.
Those Biscoff said they were all lined up the cookies. Get this. They would stretch from New York to North Carolina. I'd say much better than peanuts.
Yeah, definitely. When I'm on a flight, I got to take some of these home off the plane. Top headlines next.
This ship is heaven. There should be no guilt on a pleasure cruise. Doctor, it's your job to keep everybody alive.
No pulse. She's in v-fib. One. Two. Three. Clear. I have a pulse. You're going to be okay.
Why do so many.
People start their day here?
From ABC news. This is start here to be in the know.
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Listen now to the daily news podcast honored with four Edward R Murrow Awards, and see why the New York Times calls it a news podcast worth listening to. Start here ABC news. Make it your daily first listen.
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It's one hot topic women taking testosterone sharing their stories on TikTok.
I didn't even know that women could benefit from testosterone.
Could it work for you? I feel a.
World of difference this.
Morning.
It's changed my life so much.
On Good Morning America tonight.
With the transition choices in full swing, the questions around what government agencies and programs may face. Key takeaways in this transfer of power. World News Tonight with David Muir is the most watched newscast in America.
There were 150ft down in the dark, in the cold, with just a dwindling supply of oxygen.
An unbelievable mystery. How does the ultimate status symbol end up on the bottom of the sea? How could they be gone in 16 minutes?
It just doesn't happen.
Desperate efforts to find six missing people after a luxury yacht sank down to the sea floor.
We were just praying.
I think about the last few moments for them is terrifying.
Sinking of the superyacht now streaming on Hulu.
More top stories now. President elect Trump continued to praise RFK Jr, even as he faces a tough confirmation fight to become the nation's health secretary. Kennedy is a longtime vaccine skeptic with no medical training. If confirmed, he would oversee a sprawling department that includes the CDC, the FDA, Medicare and Obamacare.
Overseas aides to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are under investigation for allegedly doctoring his phone records from October 7th, just before the Hamas attack. It calls into question what Netanyahu was told by a general before the attack.
A Scandinavian Airlines flight descended 8000ft over Greenland after hitting severe turbulence on its way from Sweden to Miami. It turned around and landed safely.
Advance Auto Parts is shutting down more than 700 stores. The chain says consumers have cut back on car repairs.
Today's weather rain from for Southern California. Showers in the Carolinas. Gusty winds in the northeast. Increasing the risk there for fires.
And finally, the dog joining the staff of a basketball team.
Danny News spoke to the director of positivity.
Who's that leading the charge during sprints.
She's usually in front of us, so you know it's a good target.
Why? That would be Charlie, an official member of the Montclair State women's basketball support staff. No, really. She's listed on their website as the director of positivity. And it says her responsibilities include bringing joy to team practices. Also, she brings bones. And as these hoopers in new Jersey kicked off their season this week with back to back wins, you kind of had to wonder if Charlie's newly created position had something to do with it.
She always brings us good vibes, especially before a game, and we bring her in just to like, run with us, just to have her as a figure and a mascot there. We love it. Wait.
Technically, Charlie belongs to Courtney Cunningham Jones here, who is the special assistant to head coach Karen Harvey. When Jones started bringing Charlie to practices about two years ago, Coach Harvey saw the impact that she had on the team's demeanor. So this year she got a promotion.
Everyone was just it just everybody smiled. Then.
Of course, we brought you stories about dogs involved in college sports before, like Ripken here. He retrieves the T that kickers used during NC state football games. And at the professional level, there's Layla, who, before her recent retirement, retrieved bats for a minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Her sister Lucy has since taken over, but that's still a work in progress. But meanwhile, here in northern new Jersey, as the RedHawks get ready for the 30 plus games still on their schedule, it sounds like having a professional like Charlie is going to make that task a little easier.
It relaxes them and it takes some of the stress away.
In her coaching profile on the website guys, it says Charlie enjoys long hikes, belly rubs, swimming, collecting sticks and treats.
Oh, we love Charlie. That's your good morning America first.
Have a great weekend.
America's number one news ABC news now streaming 24 over seven on Disney Plus.
Right now on Good Morning America. First look president elect Trump's first public speech since winning the election.
Nobody knew we were going to win it the way we wanted his announcement.
Plus, the speaker who compared Trump to George Washington and reaction as Trump nominates vaccine skeptic Robert Kennedy Jr. For health secretary. The Democratic lawmaker who says he's excited by Kennedy's nomination.
Tense moments in Kentucky A worker trapped beneath the rubble at this construction site for nearly nine hours. Cameras rolling when rescuers finally reached him.
Scare in the Sky an American Airlines flight forced to take quick action to avoid a mountain while leaving Hawaii.
The FBI on alert. The new way criminals are breaking into banks.
Mom under arrest.
I didn't really even know what I was being arrested for.
She allowed her ten year old son to walk one mile alone into town and was arrested for reckless conduct. How? She's fighting back.
Extreme drought impacting millions this fall. Now, the new concern about Christmas tree shortages.
And a government protest like we've never seen. What prompted these lawmakers to take a stand?
From ABC news. This is good morning America. First look.
Good Friday morning, everyone. I'm Andrew Dymburt and I'm Rhiannon ally.
Good morning to you. We begin with president elect Trump giving his first public speech since winning the election.
It came hours after he nominated Robert Kennedy Jr to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, has vowed to shake up the public health agencies, but his beliefs could complicate his confirmation in the Senate.
Meanwhile, at Trump's Mar a Lago resort last night, actor Sylvester Stallone was among the speakers calling Trump the second George Washington. ABC's Christiane Cordero has all the latest. Christiane good morning.
Hey there. Good morning to you. So president elect Trump spoke at Mar a Lago last night as he faces multiple nomination fights here in Washington over his cabinet choices.
Nobody knew we were going to win it the way we won it.
President elect Trump at a Mar-A-Lago gala last night took the stage after Hollywood heavyweight Sylvester Stallone fired up the crowd.
When George Washington defended his country, he had no idea that he was going to change the world because without him, you can imagine what the world would look like. Guess what? We got the second George Washington.
Also in the crowd, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy recently tapped by Trump to cut government spending.
What a job. What a job he does. He's a great. And he happens to be a really good guy.
Robert F Kennedy Jr, Trump's nominee for health secretary. Also in attendance.
People like you, Bobby, don't get too popular, Bobby.
If confirmed, Kennedy would lead one of the biggest departments in the government, which includes the CDC and FDA and oversees Medicare and Obamacare. Kennedy recently said if given the opportunity, he would shake things up and potentially fire top employees.
Some categories of worker. There are entire departments, like the nutrition departments at FDA, that are that have to go, that are not doing their job. They're not protecting our kids.
Kennedy, who has no medical training, has endorsed conspiracy theories urging people not to get the Covid 19 vaccine and claiming no vaccine is safe and effective. Doctor Ashish Jha, the former white House Covid response coordinator, saying I hope that he wouldn't actually be in a position of power. Surprise and disappointment is what I hear from most of my colleagues as I'm talking to them. Kennedy denies being anti-vaccine, saying he wants stricter trials.
I had all my children vaccinated. I was fully vaccinated. And what I would do is say, let's do the trials. Let's find out what the risk profile is, what the benefit profile is, and then allow parents to make up their minds.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, said he's excited at Rfk's nomination, adding Kennedy helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will help make America wealthy again by shaking up HHS and FDA. Kennedy's nomination came the same day the CDC warned of a surge in measles cases 277 reported cases in 30 states, four times the number from last year, most involving unvaccinated children. A new study also shows obesity rates have doubled in the last three decades. Kennedy recently said this about obesity.
120 years ago, when somebody was obese, they were they were sent to the circus. They were literally there were case reports done about them. Obesity was almost unknown.
Trump last night did not mention former Congressman Matt Gaetz, his pick for attorney general, setting up Gaetz to run the Justice Department, which investigated him for sex trafficking and obstruction of justice. Gaetz denies the claims and the department did not bring bringing charges, but lawmakers are demanding to see a report from the House Ethics Committee, which investigated Gaetz for the same allegations. The committee's report, set to possibly be made public this week, will now not be released due to Gaetz resigning from Congress.
Do you want to see it?
Absolutely.
Sources say the woman at the center of the investigation testified Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17 years old. Gates says the allegations are invented and would constitute false testimony to Congress.
Look, gates won't get confirmed. Everybody knows that.
I know he's going to have an uphill battle.
And one more announcement from Trump last night. He's picking North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, known as a champion of the oil industry, to lead the Department of the interior. Rhiannon.
Christiane, thank you so much for that. Elon Musk has reportedly met with Iran's ambassador to the UN. The New York Times says the meeting focused on how to lower the tensions between Iran and the U.S.. Officials recently said Iran was plotting to assassinate Donald Trump over sanctions and the 2020 killing of an Iranian general.
A Texas man is under arrest, accused of plotting or supporting ISIS and plotting a mass casualty terror attack on U.S. soil. 28 year old Anas Shaheed was taken into custody in Houston. Officials say he wanted to plan a 911 style attack. He allegedly explored potential targets and looked up how to make an explosive belt.
He allegedly researched and investigated means of conducting attacks in the United States, including scouting, potential military recruitment centers, and identifying military members in the area.
Authorities say Saeed has been on the FBI's radar since 2017.
We turn now to Kentucky and the rescue in the rubble of a construction site. The tense and at times tedious rescue played out in Louisville over the course of nine hours.
We've seen a lot of trench rescues over the 24 years that I've been doing this, I've never seen anything like this.
The fire chief says a man working at this construction site fell into a void, plunging 10 to 12ft down, instantly becoming buried by gravel and large chunks of concrete. The rescue team had to dig him out by hand.
We are moving tons and tons of debris by hand, by buckets. And you've got, like I said, you imagine a person at the bottom of the funnel. You have to shore up everything else that's going to keep cascading down to create a safe space, and then continue to dig this person out.
The rescue operation drama playing out live on local TV. As the man was finally pulled to safety around 830 last night.
It's it's been a week. It has been.
The fire chief calling it a tempered celebration after the successful rescue. Many rescuers, still exhausted after responding to an explosion earlier this week which tore apart a nearby chemical factory, killing two people.
This is why we took this job. We want to help people. And it's not like the movies. You're not always successful. So when you have a success like this, it is a tremendous feeling.
We thank those first responders. The man buried in the rubble was talking throughout the rescue operation and then was treated at the hospital.
The FAA is investigating a flight scare over Hawaii. The agency says an American Airlines plane had to make an expedited climb to avoid a mountain while taking off from Honolulu.
Duration. And expedite your climb through terrain and then turn right, heading one two, zero.
The plane avoided the mountain and flew safely to Los Angeles, experts say. Departure instructions mandate a right turn that would have avoided the problem. But American says the crew followed instructions from air traffic control. And overnight, new video of this Alaska Airlines plane making an emergency landing in LA. Passengers were told to brace. The plane suffered a tire failure leaving DC but landed safely. Debris was reportedly found on the runway at Dulles Airport, possibly from the tire.
Warm weather and severe. Drought conditions this fall are taking a toll on Christmas trees. Farmers say mature trees are about to hit the market are in decent condition, but those recently planted younger trees are not growing. Many of them are dying. That could cause a shortage for years to come.
Time now for your Friday weather.
Good morning. Yes, some of you in parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley saw a little rain recently. It's not enough. Look at the drought that has developed here. We're looking at severe and extreme drought in some parts of the northeast here, South Jersey especially in it. We're going to have a dry, gusty breeze again this afternoon, leading to more wildfire danger in the same spots where we've seen it time and time again. Tropical Storm Sara formed at midday yesterday. This could be a tropical depression near the Florida coast next week with some wind and rain. For AccuWeather. Jeff Cornish for ABC news.
Coming up, a new way to stop phone scams.
But first, a mother is arrested after her ten year old son is found walking alone one mile from their house. She is speaking out about the charges against.
Her and the FBI on alert. The sophisticated way criminals are breaking into banks.
Attention, teachers! No child is to be sent to the principal's office today.
Kids, if you want to do a crime, now's the time. Happy first day of school. The game. You better bring your good friend back. Yes.
Wonder like four more of these? Yeah. We were robbed. Hey!
Buy three, get one free.
I'm gonna call your mother on you. Bring the rest back here, boy.
Yes. Hey. Good morning America. Every day of your life brings.
Good morning America. Good morning America. Are you ready?
They are Already covering the biggest.
Events in the country right now. There's a lot going on here.
Every day of your life. You don't just see it, you feel it. I'm in, I'm in.
I'm in, I'm in. To be here. I am here and so happy I'm in.
I'm in two Michaels. Gorgeous.
Ginger up your life.
Whenever, wherever news breaks. It's so important to always remember that lives are changed here in London, in Buffalo. Uvalde, Texas. Edinburgh, Scotland. Reporting from Rolling Fork, Mississippi. Ukrainian refugees here in Warsaw. We're heading to a small community outside of Mexico City, getting you behind the stories as they happen. ABC News Live Prime. We'll take you there.
Stream ABC news live weeknights wherever you stream your news, only on ABC News Live. Tonight. Why would somebody ever put a.
Wig on and gun somebody down in a parking lot? He got shot for one, two, three, 1233.
Revenge and then. Bingo.
All new 2020 tonight on ABC.
The president elect is wasting no time on his cabinet picks. And they have everyone talking in the Capitol and across the nation. Now Sunday morning, the Trump transition and policy expectations. The powerhouse roundtable Sunday morning on ABC's This Week.
Reporting from Dallas, Texas on Election day. I'm John Quinones. Wherever the story is, we'll take you there. You're streaming ABC news live.
A dash cam captured the moment this big rig suddenly veered off Interstate 84 in Idaho, and then tipped over drivers who stopped to help say the trucker climbed out on his own and walked away unharmed.
The FBI wants to track down banks that may have been hit by a brazen crew of burglars. They dressed up like construction workers, using jackhammers and blowtorches to gain access to vaults and ATMs. Investigators say the sophisticated gang from South America stole more than $4 million before finally being arrested.
Now to a story sparking debate among parents. A Georgia mother is facing jail time after her ten year old son walked to town by himself. She says he was never in any danger, but police say otherwise. Here's ABC's Andrea Fujii.
This morning, police body camera video shows the moment Brittany Patterson was arrested for letting her ten year old son walk into town by himself.
What am I under arrest for?
For reckless endangerment.
How was I recklessly endangering my child?
On October 30th, Patterson said she took one of her children to the doctor. In the meantime, her son Sean, who has since turned 11, decided to walk less than a mile into town from their home in rural Mineral Bluff, Georgia. While out, Patterson got a call from the sheriff's department worried that Sean was walking alone.
I wasn't concerned, I wasn't, you know, panicking or concerned because it's just a short walk from our house. He knows how to get home. He knows how to get there.
Authorities dropped sawn off at home, and five hours later, they returned.
Come on in and tell him they're taking me to jail because you decided to walk down the street. Let go with your hands.
That's not his fault.
Yeah.
You're the mother. That's your responsibility. I need time, I.
Checked it wasn't illegal for a kid to walk to the store.
So it is when they're ten years old.
Patterson was booked on suspicion of reckless conduct, a charge that could carry one year in jail. The warrant claiming she willingly and knowingly did endanger the bodily safety of her juvenile son.
Our criminal justice system is built on the fact that you did something or you were negligent. You did something criminally negligent. So what is it she did?
Authorities have offered to drop the charge. If Patterson signs a safety plan that includes the use of a GPS tracker on her son's phone, but she refuses to sign it or admit doing anything wrong.
I just felt like I couldn't sign that, and that in doing so would be agreeing that there was something unsafe about my home or something unsafe about my parental decisions. And I just don't believe that.
Brittany Patterson is out on bail, awaiting to see if prosecutors will indict her on the reckless conduct charge. Rhiannon.
Andrew, our thanks to Andrea Fujii there. Just ahead, mixing up a lawsuit. The bar sued over a flaming cocktail.
Also Mike Tyson, Jake Paul brawling before tonight's big fight. The big money at stake.
Tonight, with the transition choices in full swing, the questions around what government agencies and programs may face. Key takeaways in this transfer of power. World News Tonight with David Muir is the most watched newscast in America.
With so much at stake, so much on the line, more Americans turn here than any other newscast. ABC News World News Tonight with David Muir, America's number one most watched newscast across all of television.
They were 150ft down in the dark, in the cold, with just a dwindling supply of oxygen.
An unbelievable mystery. How does the ultimate status symbol end up on the bottom of the sea? How could they be gone in 16 minutes?
It just doesn't happen.
Desperate efforts to find six missing people after a luxury yacht sank down to the sea floor. We were.
Just praying.
I think about the last few moments for them is terrifying.
Sinking of the superyacht now streaming on Hulu. What does it take to be the most watched newscast in America?
We are part of an operation. This is our combat operation center.
We're approaching the gate militants came in from.
I appreciate you. Thank you. Ismail. David.
David.
ABC's world news tonight with David Muir is America's most watched newscast. ABC's David Muir, the most watched newscast in America. More Americans watch World News Tonight with David Muir than any other newscast.
Whenever, wherever news breaks, it's so important to always remember that lives are changed here in London, in Buffalo. Uvalde, Texas. Edinburgh, Scotland. Reporting from Rolling Fork, Mississippi. Ukrainian refugees here in Warsaw. We're heading to a small community outside of Mexico City, getting you behind the stories as they happen. ABC News Live Prime. We'll take you there.
Stream ABC news live weeknights wherever you stream your news, only on ABC News Live.
Deadpool and Wolverine now streaming on Disney Plus.
That's the whole package right there.
It's the biggest R-rated film of all time. Come again? It's action packed.
Us a team next level. Glorious fun.
Marvel's biggest triumph. This is what I'm talking about. Hilarious. Something funny and verified. Hot on Rotten Tomatoes.
You really are a god's perfect idiot, aren't you?
Deadpool and Wolverine now streaming on Disney+.
Well, a close call for these pedestrians in Boston. Heavy winds sent a large piece of scaffolding falling from the roof of South Station. Several people were nearly hit, but no one was hurt.
A fiery cocktail has landed a Texas bar in legal trouble. A Dallas couple is suing, saying the drink, which was garnished with a flaming lime, exploded when the bartender added more alcohol, causing third degree burns. They say they are facing years of medical bills. The bar's owner denied the allegations, saying the couple has failed to provide evidence to make their case.
We turn now to a battle of the ages, the legend versus the relative newcomer, Mike Tyson versus Jake Paul. We are just hours away from Mike Tyson squaring off against Jake Paul, but the fight has already begun. Ladies and gentlemen, the 58 year old Tyson slapping the 27 year old YouTuber turned boxer at last night's weigh in. It's personal now. He must die. Paul shaking off Tyson's slap but showing off the precautions he's taken to not end up like Evander Holyfield, who had part of his ear bitten off by Tyson back in 1996.
I'm not getting my bet off on Friday night. So I got my diamond spiked ear covers right there.
Tonight's showdown is the first ever live boxing match on Netflix. Tyson's first professional bout in nearly 20 years. The rules will be slightly different from a typical match, with shorter rounds and heavier boxing gloves, lowering the chances of a knockout. Despite a 31 year age gap and being a major underdog, sportsbooks report 90% of all bets are being placed on the Hall of Famer Tyson, the most popular bet, Tyson winning in the first round.
We got 1 million here, 1 million here.
Paul is betting big on himself, taking multiple million dollar bets from fellow fighters, even staking his claim. $40 million payout on.
A bet your purse.
Yeah, let's bet the purse deal.
But Tyson demonstrating his skills during a recent workout and last night showing he can still pack on the muscle.
I am not going to lose. Did you hear what I said?
The main fight card kicks off at 8 p.m. eastern in front of 80,000 fans in Arlington, Texas.
Should be interesting coming up, how often you really need to restart your computer.
Plus, a discovery in the ocean unlike anything seen before. Neighbors and I are cousins.
Our grandma is from here, so Dave arranged for us to join this Polish tour with you people.
A Real Pain is one of the.
Best films of the.
Year. We're not at the right station. And you didn't wake me up. Oh, you were having such a good nap, dude. I just didn't have the heart to wake you up.
Kieran Culkin.
Is a force of.
Nature.
Has he always been like this?
I love him and I hate him, and I want to be him.
It's a masterpiece of a movie.
Thank you so much, man.
A Real Pain, written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, rated R. Why do so.
Many people start their day here?
From ABC news. This is start here to be in the know.
And get a different take on the day's top stories.
A lot of news today, so let's get into it.
Listen now to the daily news podcast honored with four Edward R Murrow Awards, and see why the New York Times calls it a news podcast worth listening to. Start here ABC news. Make it your daily first listen.
Now that's a part of the story I bet you didn't see coming. Wherever you get.
Your podcasts, start here tonight.
With the transition choices in full swing, the questions around what government agencies and programs may face. Key takeaways in this transfer of power. World News Tonight with David Muir is the most watched newscast in America.
What you get to watch read. Where can I get a great deal on what I'm just dying to buy? Oh, it's all right here. GMA Life Get the latest celebrity buzz deals and steals and the coolest lifestyle tips from GMA.
I love that so much.
Streaming weekends on ABC News Live.
They were 150ft down in the dark. In the cold, with just a dwindling supply of oxygen.
An unbelievable mystery. How does the ultimate status symbol end up on the bottom of the sea? How could they be gone in 16 minutes?
It just doesn't happen.
Desperate efforts to find six missing people after a luxury yacht sank down to the sea floor.
We were just praying.
I think about the last few moments for them is terrifying.
Sinking of the superyacht now streaming on Hulu.
I'm Whit Johnson, reporting from Maui. Wherever the story is, we'll take you there. You're streaming ABC News Live.
Time to check the pulse. We begin with a very unusual government protest.
Take a look at what happened in New Zealand's parliament, where it was lawmakers doing the protesting as well.
Oh come on. Come on. Come on.
They were protesting a bill that impacts the native community. They even performed a traditional dance. Two lawmakers were ejected and Parliament was suspended. Next, we pay a visit to the Lion Lodge.
It's a wildlife park in the UK that lives up to its name. One visitor was in the hot tub and a lion started scratching at the glass. The lodge promises a chance to see lions up close and they are not kidding. Okay, next, a wild discovery deep in the South Pacific.
Researchers just discovered the world's largest coral. It's 112ft wide and 18ft high. It is in the waters of the Solomon Islands. It's so big, it can be seen from space. It was believed to be the remnants of a shipwreck until a team from National Geographic paid a visit. Next. How often do you really need to restart your computer? Experts are sounding the alarm.
Apparently, most of us aren't allowing our computers to reboot. Experts say you should shut it down at least once a week to maintain performance and security. A reboot can also catch malware hiding in the memory. They're spreading the word after Apple pushed the restart button on the bottom of its Mac mini, saying people hardly use it.
A new way to stop phone scammers who target the elderly. A British company used artificial intelligence to develop a so-called grandma bot named Daisy. That actually sounds like a woman, but it's just a computer. The company adds phone numbers for Daisy onto easy target lists for scammers, and Daisy is designed to talk in circles and keep the fraudsters on the line for as long as possible while giving fake personal information and bank data. Finally, Thanksgiving travel is expected to break records this year.
That it is. American Airlines is getting the cookies ready. It's preparing to serve 6.8 million Biscoff cookies on flights between November 21st and December 3rd. Of those.
Biscoff said they were all lined up the cookies. Get this they would stretch from New York to North Carolina. I'd say much better than peanuts.
Yeah, definitely. When I'm on a flight, I got to take some of these home off the plane. Top headlines next.
Tonight. Why would somebody ever.
Put a wig on and gun somebody down in a parking lot? He got shot for 1 to 3. Three revenge.
And then. Bingo.
All new 2020 tonight on ABC. Why do so many people start their day here.
From ABC news. This is start here to be in the know.
And get a different take on the day's top stories.
A lot of news today, so let's get into it.
Listen now to the daily news podcast honored with four Edward R Murrow Awards, and see why. The New York Times calls it a news podcast worth listening to. Start here. ABC News make it your daily first listen.
Now that's a part of the story I bet you didn't see coming. Wherever you get.
Your podcasts, start here.
Hollywood Studios wants to make a movie of our podcast.
It's a fabulous cast.
Action. I'm nervous playing you.
The fearlessness.
The complexity.
Oh, stop.
Unless you had more to say.
No, I don't need an algorithm to tell me that this is box office gold.
Only murders in the building streaming on Hulu and for bundle subscribers on Disney Plus.
There were 150ft down in the dark, in the cold, with just a dwindling supply of oxygen.
An unbelievable mystery. How does the ultimate status symbol end up on the bottom of the sea. How could they be gone in 16 minutes?
It just doesn't happen.
Desperate efforts to find six missing people after a luxury yacht sank down to the sea floor. We were.
Just praying.
I think about the last few moments for them.
It's terrifying. Sinking of the superyacht now streaming on Hulu. What's up.
Vegas? How you feeling Tuesday night? Just an electric town.
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas this time. That's next level. Here we go. It's Vegas.
Vegas lights and country nights.
Tuesday night on ABC.
More top stories now. President elect Trump continued to praise RFK Jr, even as he faces a tough confirmation fight to become the nation's health secretary. Kennedy is a longtime vaccine skeptic with no medical training. If confirmed, he would oversee a sprawling department that includes the CDC, the FDA, Medicare and Obamacare.
Oversees aides to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are under investigation for allegedly doctoring his phone records from October 7th, just before the Hamas attack. It calls into question what Netanyahu was told by a general before the attack.
A Scandinavian Airlines flight descended 8000ft over Greenland after hitting severe turbulence on its way from Sweden to Miami. It turned around and landed safely.
Advance Auto Parts is shutting down more than 700 stores. The chain says consumers have cut back on car repairs.
Today's weather rain from for Southern California. Showers in the Carolinas. Gusty winds in the northeast. Increasing the risk there for fires.
And finally, the dog joining the staff of a basketball team.
Danny News spoke to the director of positivity.
Who's that leading the charge during sprints.
She's usually in front of us, so you know it's a good target.
Why? That would be Charlie, an official member of the Montclair State women's basketball support staff. No, really. She's listed on their website as the director of positivity. And it says her responsibilities include bringing joy to team practices. Also, she brings bones. And as these hoopers in new Jersey kicked off their season this week with back to back wins. You kind of had to wonder if Charlie's newly created position had something to do with it.
She always brings us good vibes, especially before a game, and we bring her in just to like, run with us, just to have her as a figure and a mascot there. We love it. Wait.
Technically, Charlie belongs to Courtney Cunningham Jones here, who is the special assistant to head coach Karen Harvey. When Jones started bringing Charlie to practices about two years ago, Coach Harvey saw the impact that she had on the team's demeanor. So this year she got a promotion.
Everyone was just it just everybody smiled.
Of course, we've brought you stories about dogs involved in college sports before, like Ripken here. He retrieves the T that kickers used during NC state football games. And at the professional level. There's Laila, who, before her recent retirement, retrieved bats for a minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Her sister Lucy has since taken over, but that's still a work in progress. But meanwhile, here in northern new Jersey, as the RedHawks get ready for the 30 plus games still on their schedule, it sounds like having a professional like Charlie is going to make that task a little easier.
It relaxes them and it takes some of the stress away.
In her coaching profile on the website guys, it says Charlie enjoys long hikes, belly rubs, swimming, collecting sticks and treats.
Oh, we love Charlie. That's your good morning America.
Have a great weekend.
America's number one news ABC news now streaming 24 over seven on Disney Plus.
Right now on Good Morning America. First look, president elect Trump's first public speech since winning the election.
Nobody knew we were going to win it the way we won it.
His announcement. Plus, the speaker who compared Trump to George Washington and reaction as Trump nominates vaccine skeptic Robert Kennedy Jr. For health secretary. The Democratic lawmaker who says he's excited by Kennedy's nomination.
Tense moments in Kentucky. A worker trapped beneath the rubble at this construction site for nearly nine hours. Cameras rolling when rescuers finally reached him.
Scare in the Sky an American Airlines flight forced to take quick action to avoid a mountain while leaving Hawaii.
The FBI on alert the new way criminals are breaking into banks.
Mom under arrest.
I didn't really even know what I was being arrested for.
She allowed her ten year old son to walk one mile alone into town and was arrested for reckless conduct. How? She's fighting back.
Extreme drought impacting millions this fall. Now, the new concern about Christmas tree shortages.
And a government protest like we've never seen. What prompted these lawmakers to take a stand?
From ABC news. This is good morning America. First look.
Good Friday morning, everyone. I'm Andrew Dymburt and I'm Rhiannon ally.
Good morning to you. We begin with president elect Trump giving his first public speech since winning the election.
It came hours after he nominated Robert Kennedy Junior to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, has vowed to shake up the public health agencies, but his beliefs could complicate his confirmation in the Senate.
Meanwhile, at Trump's Mar a Lago resort last night, actor Sylvester Stallone was among the speakers calling Trump the second George Washington. ABC's Christiane Cordero has all the latest. Christiane. Good morning.
Hey there Brianna. Good morning to you. So president elect Trump spoke at Mar a Lago last night as he faces multiple nomination fights here in Washington over his cabinet choices.
Nobody knew we were going to win it the way we won it.
President elect Trump at a Mar-A-Lago gala last night took the stage after Hollywood heavyweight Sylvester Stallone fired up the crowd.
When George Washington defended his country, he had no idea that he was going to change the world because without him, you can imagine what the world would look like. Guess what? We got the second George Washington.
Also in the crowd, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy recently tapped by Trump to cut government spending.
What a job. What a job he does. He's a great. And he happens to be a really good guy.
Robert F Kennedy Jr. Trump's nominee for health secretary. Also in attendance.
People like you, Bobby, don't get too popular, Bobby.
If confirmed, Kennedy would lead one of the biggest departments in the government, which includes the CDC and FDA and oversees Medicare and Obamacare. Kennedy recently said if given the opportunity, he would shake things up and potentially fire top employees.
Some categories of worker. There are entire departments, like the nutrition departments at FDA that are that have to go, um, that are not doing their job. They're not protecting our kids.
Kennedy, who has no medical training, has endorsed conspiracy theories urging people not to get the Covid 19 vaccine and claiming no vaccine is safe and effective. Doctor Ashish Jha, the former white House Covid response coordinator, saying I hope that he wouldn't actually be in a position of power. Surprise and disappointment is what I hear from most of my colleagues as I'm talking to them. Kennedy denies being anti-vaccine, saying he wants stricter trials.
I had all my children vaccinated. I was fully vaccinated. And what I would do is say, let's do the trials. Let's find out what the risk profile is, what the benefit profile is, and then allow parents to make up their minds.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, said he's excited at Rfk's nomination, adding Kennedy helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will help make America wealthy again by shaking up HHS and FDA. Kennedy's nomination came the same day the CDC warned of a surge in measles cases 277 reported cases in 30 states, four times the number from last year, most involving unvaccinated children. A new study also shows obesity rates have doubled in the last three decades. Kennedy recently said this about obesity.
120 years ago, when somebody was obese, they were they were sent to the circus. They were literally they were case reports done about them. Obesity was almost unknown.
Trump last night did not mention former Congressman Matt Gaetz, his pick for attorney general, setting up Gaetz to run the Justice Department, which investigated him for sex trafficking and obstruction of justice. Gaetz denies the claims and the department did not bring charges, but lawmakers are demanding to see a report from the House Ethics Committee, which investigated Gaetz for the same allegations. The committee's report, set to possibly be made public this week, will now not be released due to Gaetz resigning from Congress.
Do you want to see it?
Absolutely.
Sources say the woman at the center of the investigation testified Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17 years old. Gaetz says the allegations are invented and would constitute false testimony to Congress.
Look, Gaetz won't get confirmed. Everybody knows that.
I know he's going to have an uphill battle.
And one more announcement from Trump last night. He's picking North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, known as a champion of the oil industry, to lead the Department of the interior. Rhiannon.
Christiane, thank you so much for that. Elon Musk has reportedly met with Iran's ambassador to the UN. The New York Times says the meeting focused on how to lower the tensions between Iran and the U.S.. Officials recently said Iran was plotting to assassinate Donald Trump over sanctions and the 2020 killing of an Iranian general.
A Texas man is under arrest, accused of plotting or supporting ISIS and plotting a mass casualty terror attack on U.S. soil. 28 year old Anas Shaheed was taken into custody in Houston. Officials say he wanted to plan a 911 style attack. He allegedly explored potential targets and looked up how to make an explosive belt.
He allegedly researched and investigated means of conducting attacks in the United States, including scouting, potential military recruitment centers, and identifying military members in the area.
Authorities say Saeed has been on the FBI's radar since 2017.
We turn now to Kentucky and the rescue in the rubble of a construction site. The tense and at times tedious rescue played out in Louisville over the course of nine hours.
We've seen a lot of trench rescues over the 24 years that I've been doing this, I've never seen anything like this.
The fire chief says a man working at this construction site fell into a void, plunging 10 to 12ft down, instantly becoming buried by gravel and large chunks of concrete. The rescue team had to dig him out by hand.
We are moving tons and tons of debris by hand, by buckets. And you've got, like I said, you imagine a person at the bottom of the funnel. You have to shore up everything else that's going to keep cascading down to create a safe space, and then continue to dig this person out.
The rescue operation drama playing out live on local TV as the man was finally pulled to safety around 830 last night.
It's it's been a week. It has been.
The fire chief calling it a tempered celebration after the successful rescue. Many rescuers, still exhausted after responding to an explosion earlier this week which tore apart a nearby chemical factory, killing two people.
This is why we took this job. We want to help people and it's not like the movies. You're not always successful. So when you have a success like this, it is a tremendous feeling.
We thank those first responders. The man buried in the rubble was talking throughout the rescue operation and then was treated at the hospital.
The FAA is investigating a flight scare over Hawaii. The agency says an American Airlines plane had to make an expedited climb to avoid a mountain while taking off from Honolulu.
And the exponential climb through terrain and then turn right, heading one, two, zero.
The plane avoided the mountain and flew safely to Los Angeles, experts say. Departure instructions mandate a right turn that would have avoided the problem. But American says the crew followed instructions from air traffic control. And overnight, new video of this Alaska Airlines plane making an emergency landing in LA. Passengers were told to brace. The plane suffered a tire failure leaving DC but landed safely. Debris was reportedly found on the runway at Dulles Airport, possibly from the tire.
Warm weather and severe drought conditions this fall are taking a toll on Christmas trees. Farmers say mature trees are about to hit the market are in decent condition, but those recently planted younger trees are not growing. Many of them are dying. That could cause a shortage for years to come.
Time now for your Friday weather.
Good morning. Yes, some of you in parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley saw a little rain recently. It's not enough. Look at the drought that has developed here. We're looking at severe and extreme drought in some parts of the northeast here, South Jersey especially in it. We're going to have a dry, gusty breeze again this afternoon, leading to more wildfire danger in the same spots where we've seen it time and time again. Tropical Storm Sara formed at midday yesterday. This could be a tropical depression near the Florida coast next week with some wind and rain. For AccuWeather. Jeff Cornish for ABC news.
Coming up, a new way to stop phone scams.
But first, a mother is arrested after her ten year old son is found walking alone one mile from their house. She is speaking out about the charges against.
Her and the FBI on alert. The sophisticated way criminals are breaking into banks.
Willis Wu, you.
Know my name.
Oh. For decades, Chinatown has been the epicenter of crime in the city. I need someone on the inside.
Follow me.
She's a detective and a waiter. Partners. Freeze solving cases, catching bad guys.
Can I place an order to go, please? Well, close.
The president elect is wasting no time on his cabinet picks. And they have everyone talking in the Capitol and across the nation. Now, Sunday morning, the Trump transition and policy expectations. The powerhouse roundtable Sunday morning on ABC's This Week.
Hollywood studios wanted to make a movie of our podcast.
It's a fabulous cast.
Actually, I'm nervous playing you. The fearlessness.
The complexity.
Oh, stop.
Unless you had more to say.
No, I don't need an algorithm to tell me that this is box office gold.
Only murders in the building streaming on Hulu and for bundle subscribers on Disney Plus.
David Muir, ABC's World News Tonight, the most watched newscast in America and honored with the Emmy Award winner for outstanding Live News Program. More Americans watch World News Tonight with David Muir than any other newscast.
Deadpool and Wolverine now streaming on Disney Plus.
That's the whole package right there.
It's the biggest R-rated film of all time.
Come again? It's action packed us a team.
Next level. Glorious fun.
Marvel's biggest triumph.
This is what I'm talking about.
Hilarious. Something funny, buff and verified. Hot on Rotten Tomatoes.
You really are a god's perfect idiot, aren't you?
Deadpool and Wolverine now streaming on Disney Plus.
Reporting from Capitol Hill. I'm gio benitez. Wherever the story is, we'll take you there.
You're streaming ABC news live.
A dash cam captured the moment this big rig suddenly veered off Interstate 84 in Idaho, and then tipped over drivers who stopped to help say the trucker climbed out on his own and walked away unharmed.
The FBI wants to track down banks that may have been hit by a brazen crew of burglars. They dressed up like construction workers, using jackhammers and blowtorches to gain access to vaults and ATMs. Investigators say the sophisticated gang from South America stole more than $4 million before finally being arrested.
Now to a story sparking debate among parents. A Georgia mother is facing jail time after her ten year old son walked to town by himself. She says he was never in any danger, but police say otherwise. Here's ABC's Andrea Fujii.
This morning, police body camera video shows the moment Brittany Patterson was arrested for letting her ten year old son walk into town by himself.
What am I under arrest for?
For reckless endangerment.
And how was I recklessly endangering my child?
On October 30th, Patterson said she took one of her children to the doctor. In the meantime, her son Sean, who has since turned 11, decided to walk less than a mile into town from their home in rural Mineral Bluff, Georgia. While out, Patterson got a call from the sheriff's department worried that Sean was walking alone.
I wasn't concerned. I wasn't, you know, panicking or concerned because it's just a short walk from our house. He knows how to get home. He knows how to get there.
Authorities dropped sawn off at home, and five hours later, they returned.
Come on in and tell them they're taking me to jail. Because you decided to walk down the street with your hands.
That's not his fault. Yeah, you're the mother. That's your responsibility. I need time, I.
Checked it wasn't illegal for a kid to walk to the store.
It is when they're ten years old.
Patterson was booked on suspicion of reckless conduct, a charge that could carry one year in jail. The warrant claiming she willingly and knowingly did endanger the bodily safety of her juvenile son.
Our criminal justice system is built on the fact that you did something or you were negligent. You did something criminally negligent. So what is it she did?
Authorities have offered to drop the charge. If Patterson signs a safety plan that includes the use of a GPS tracker on her son's phone, but she refuses to sign it or admit doing anything wrong.
I just felt like I couldn't sign that, and that in doing so, would be agreeing that there was something unsafe about my home or something unsafe about my parental decisions. And I just don't believe that.
Brittany Patterson is out on bail, awaiting to see if prosecutors will indict her on the reckless conduct charge. Rhiannon.
Andrew, our thanks to Andrea Fujii there. Just ahead, mixing up a lawsuit. The bar sued over a flaming cocktail.
Also Mike Tyson, Jake Paul brawling before tonight's big fight. The big money at stake.
This ship is heaven. There should be no guilt on a pleasure cruise. Doctor, it's your job to keep everybody alive.
No pulse. She's in v-fib. One.
Two. Three. Clear. I have a pulse.
You're gonna be okay.
It's the last time you'll be able to say anything, but the night belonged to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now it's time to run. No time patrol. How many of these poachers have you caught?
Attention, teachers.
No child is to be sent to the principal's office today.
Kid, if you want to do crime, now's the time. Happy first day of school. You better bring your big bear. Yes.
Wonder like four.
More of these? Yeah, we were robbed.
Hey!
Buy three, get one free.
I'm gonna call your mother on you. Bring the rest back here, boy.
They were 150ft down in the dark. In the cold, with just a dwindling supply of oxygen.
An unbelievable mystery. How does the ultimate status symbol end up on the bottom of the sea? How could they be gone in 16 minutes?
It just doesn't happen.
Desperate efforts to find six missing people after a luxury yacht sank down to the sea floor. We were.
Just praying.
I think about the last few moments for them.
It's terrifying. Sinking of the superyacht now streaming on Hulu tonight. All new 2020.
You think the shooter.
Was parked over here?
Why would somebody ever.
Put a wig on and gun somebody down in a parking lot?
A young father of senselessly murdered.
Twists and turns. Bombshells galore.
He got shot for 1 to 3 rooms. Greed, revenge or lust?
It was becoming more and more clear that there was a lot more to the story.
And then. Bingo!
Fatal disguise all new 2020 tonight on ABC.
Well, a close call for.
These pedestrians in Boston. Heavy winds sent a large piece of scaffolding falling from the roof of South Station. Several people were nearly hit, but no one was hurt.
A fiery cocktail has landed a Texas bar in legal trouble. A Dallas couple is suing, saying the drink, which was garnished with a flaming lime, exploded when the bartender added more alcohol causing third degree burns. They say they are facing years of medical bills. The bar's owner denied the allegations, saying the couple has failed to provide evidence to make their case.
We turn now to a battle of the ages. The legend versus the relative newcomer, Mike Tyson versus Jake Paul. We are just hours away from Mike Tyson squaring off against Jake Paul. But the fight has already begun. Ladies and gentlemen, the 58 year old Tyson, slapping the 27 year old YouTuber turned boxer at last night's weigh in. It's personal now. He must die. Paul shaking off Tyson's slap but showing off the precautions he's taken to not end up like Evander Holyfield, who had part of his ear bitten off by Tyson back in 1996.
I'm not getting my bet off on Friday night, so I got my diamond spiked ear covers right there.
Tonight's showdown is the first ever live boxing match on Netflix. Tyson's first professional bout in nearly 20 years. The rules will be slightly different from a typical match, with shorter rounds and heavier boxing gloves, lowering the chances of a knockout. Despite a 31 year age gap and being a major underdog, sportsbooks report 90% of all bets are being placed on the Hall of Famer Tyson, the most popular bet. Tyson winning in the first round.
We got 1 million here, 1 million here.
Paul is betting big on himself, taking multiple million dollar bets from fellow fighters, even staking his claim. $40 million payout to.
Bet your purse.
Yeah, let's bet the purse deal.
But Tyson demonstrating his skills during a recent workout and last night showing he can still pack on the muscle.
I am not going to lose. Did you hear what I said?
The main fight card kicks off at 8 p.m. eastern in front of 80,000 fans in Arlington, Texas.
Should be interesting coming up, how often you really need to restart your computer.
Plus, a discovery in the ocean unlike anything seen before.
Hollywood studios want to make a movie of our podcast.
It's a fabulous cast action.
I'm nervous playing you. The fearlessness.
The complexity. Oh, stop.
Unless you had more to say.
No, I don't need an algorithm to tell me that this is box office gold.
Only murders in the building streaming on Hulu and for bundle subscribers on Disney+.
It seems everyone has something to say about him. New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Now, later this morning, he comes to the view, facing all the tough questions and speaking out for himself. Plus, Billy Bob Thornton on ABC's The View.
Neighbors and I are cousins. We used to be joined at the hip. Critics are.
Raving. A real pain is a knockout.
I love him and I hate him.
It's one of the best films of the year.
She's so sorry you do that. You're like red. You slapped me in the face.
A real pain rated R now playing everywhere.
Behind every country song is a human story. And I'm here to find those stories.
At that time, guys like me were not artists.
People didn't respect me because I didn't do it the traditional way.
I got banned at the only retailer that carried music at that time.
The label called and said she's just not the right fit.
My world started to spin and I thought, I've got 30s.
And you just have to say, hell with it, hell.
With it.
The news never stops. We are here in Israel, a nation at war.
Hurricane Helene screaming across the state. And that's why ABC News.
Live never stops.
Taking you to the center of the story.
As news breaks live.
ABC News Live is there for you all morning live right.
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Because the news never stops reporting on Hurricane Helene from Tampa Bay. I'm Whit Johnson. Wherever the story is, we'll take you there. You're streaming ABC news live.
Time to check the pulse. We begin with a very unusual government protest.
Take a look at what happened in New Zealand's parliament, where it was lawmakers doing the protesting.
Who have come and they come and they come.
They were protesting a bill that impacts the native community. They even performed a traditional dance. Two lawmakers were ejected and parliament was suspended. Next, we pay a visit to the Lion Lodge.
It's a wildlife park in the UK that lives up to its name. One visitor was in the hot tub and a lion started scratching at the glass. The lodge promises a chance to see lions up close and they are not kidding. Okay, next, a wild discovery deep in the South Pacific.
Researchers just discovered the world's largest coral. It's 112ft wide and 18ft high. It is in the waters of the Solomon Islands. It's so big, it can be seen from space. It was believed to be the remnants of a shipwreck until a team from National Geographic paid a visit next. How often do you really need to restart your computer? Experts are sounding the alarm.
Apparently, most of us aren't allowing our computers to reboot. Experts say you should shut it down at least once a week to maintain performance and security. A reboot can also catch malware hiding in the memory. They're spreading the word after Apple put the restart button on the bottom of its Mac mini, saying people hardly use it.
A new way to stop phone scammers who target the elderly. A British company used artificial intelligence to develop a so-called grandma bot named Daisy. That actually sounds like a woman, but it's just a computer. The company adds phone numbers for Daisy onto easy target lists for scammers, and Daisy is designed to talk in circles and keep the fraudsters on the line for as long as possible while giving fake personal information and bank data. Finally, Thanksgiving travel is expected to break records this year.
That it is. American Airlines is getting the cookies ready. It's preparing to serve 6.8 million Biscoff cookies on flights between November 21st and December 3rd.
Those Biscoff, if they were all lined up the cookies. Get this, they would stretch from New York to North Carolina. I'd say much better than peanuts.
Yeah, definitely. When I'm on a flight, I got to take some of these home. Off the plane. Top headlines. Next.
It seems everyone has something to say about him. New York City mayor Eric Adams. Now, later this morning, he comes to the view, facing all the tough questions and speaking out for himself. Plus, Billy Bob Thornton on ABC's The View.
Three. Two one.
It's a 24 over seven life together.
It's not about the fear or the risk. It's about the love of flying. Three. Two. One.
One. Great idea can change your life.
That's what Shark Tank does. That's the American dream right there.
This calling is for my kids.
What you've done is remarkable.
One of the most innovative things I've seen in my life.
This could be our biggest deal ever. Oh.
I want to be on a team with you.
Shark Tank.
New Fridays on.
ABC and.
Stream on Hulu.
Attention, teachers. No child is to be sent to the principal's office today.
Kids, if you want to do a crime, now's the time. Happy first day of school. You better bring your bass.
What are like, four.
More of these? Yeah, we were robbed.
Hey! Buy three, get one free.
I'm gonna call your mother on you. Bring the rest back here, boy.
Hey. Better dance. Tonight.
Why would somebody.
Ever put a wig on and gun somebody down in a parking lot? He got shot from 1 to 3. Three. Revenge.
Lost, and then. Bingo.
All new 2020 tonight on ABC.
More top stories. Now. President elect Trump continued to praise RFK Jr, even as he faces a tough confirmation fight to become the nation's health secretary. Kennedy is a longtime vaccine skeptic with no medical training. If confirmed, he would oversee a sprawling department that includes the CDC, the FDA, Medicare and Obamacare.
Overseas aides to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are under investigation for allegedly doctoring his phone records from October 7th, just before the Hamas attack. It calls into question what Netanyahu was told by a general before the attack.
A Scandinavian Airlines flight descended 8000ft over Greenland after hitting severe turbulence on its way from Sweden to Miami. It turned around and landed safely.
Advance Auto Parts is shutting down more than 700 stores. The chain says consumers have cut back on car repairs.
Today's weather reigned from for Southern California. Showers in the Carolinas. Gusty winds in the northeast. Increasing the risk there for fires.
And finally, the dog joining the staff of a basketball team.
Danny News spoke to the director of positivity.
Who's that leading the charge during sprints.
She's usually in front of us, so you know it's a good target.
Why? That would be Charlie, an official.
Member of the Montclair State women's basketball support staff. No, really. She's listed on.
Their website as the director of.
Positivity, and.
It says her responsibilities include bringing joy to team.
Practices. Also, she brings bones. And as these hoopers in new Jersey kicked off their season this week with back to back wins. You kind of had to wonder if Charlie's newly created position had something to do with it.
She always brings us good vibes, especially before a game, and we bring her in just to like, run with us, just to have her as a figure and a mascot there. We love it.
Wait.
Technically, Charlie belongs to Courtney Cunningham Jones here, who is the special assistant to head coach Karen Harvey. When Jones started bringing Charlie to practices about two years ago, Coach Harvey saw the impact that she had on the team's demeanor. So this year she got a promotion.
Everyone was just it just everybody smiled.
Of course, we brought you stories about dogs involved in college sports before, like Ripken here. He retrieves the T that kickers used during NC state football games. And at the professional level, there's Laila, who, before her recent retirement, Retrieved bats for a minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Her sister Lucy has since taken over, but that's still a work in progress. But meanwhile, here in northern new Jersey, as the RedHawks get ready for the 30 plus games still on their schedule, it sounds like having a professional like Charlie is going to make that task a little easier.
It relaxes them and it takes some of the stress away.
In her coaching profile on the website guys, it says Charlie enjoys long hikes, belly rubs, swimming, collecting sticks and treats.
Oh, we love Charlie. That's your good morning America first.
Have a great weekend.
Vegas Lights and Country Nights countdown to the CMA Awards.
Tuesday night on ABC.
It's Friday, November 15th and this is sure to raise the temperature. We start here. Robert F Kennedy Jr is set to be nominated to lead this nation's health department.
The prominent vaccine skeptic spreading misinformation.
It's the latest norm shattering pick from president elect Trump. So what would this mean for your next doctor's visit? Speaking of conspiracy, theorist Alex Jones website is now a parody of itself. There are pills in boxes somewhere. We don't even know where they are, but we are trying to figure that out right now. Now, this is not satire. We will talk to the new CEO, and they expected insurers to just grin and bear it.
Whoever's inside that vehicle is not moving like a bear.
The bizarre allegations of a scam that has been paused by police. From ABC news. This is start here. I'm Brad Mielke. Earlier this year on the campaign trail, Donald Trump called Robert F Kennedy Jr, quote, one of the most liberal lunatics to ever run for office, end quote. He called him a radical left fool, and you could see why Trump might have felt threatened at the time. In a race between Trump and President Joe Biden, the son of Robert F Kennedy, the former attorney general had launched an independent bid of his own, focused specifically on people who rarely trust politics libertarians, leftists, anti-government conspiracy theorists.
On my first day in office, I'm going to pardon Edward Snowden, and I'm going to drop charges, all charges against Julian Assange.
He was advocating for Covid treatments that had been debunked by scientific studies. He was casting doubt on commonly accepted health treatments. He drinks raw milk, which can be dangerous, and champions dietary supplements whose benefits are unproven. And he's bragged about offering fake vaccine certificates to his kids. These are the folks who Trump had been appealing to for years, but now RFK Jr was getting their attention. Well, we know what happened next. RFK Jr dropped out of the race and endorsed Trump. The assumption by many was that Trump probably promised Kennedy a role in his future government if he won. In fact, Kennedy told Fox News, that's exactly what was happening.
I want to be in the white House, and he's assured me that I'm going to have that.
In fact, in his final day on the trail, Trump assured supporters that wherever Kennedy landed, he'd have free reign. Let me tell.
You, he's a great guy. RFK, and he's going to do pretty much what he wants as far as I'm concerned.
The question remained, though, what kind of role would Kennedy have? Would he be placed near the FDA, the CDC, or would that be so out of step with scientists that you'd see mass resignations? Maybe he'd just have an advisory role, kind of like an alternative medicine health czar. Well, yesterday, president elect Donald Trump announced that RFK Jr is his pick to lead the department that oversees it all. He has been tapped to lead the Health and Human Services department, along with its 80,000 employees. So let's forget about politics for a second, and let's ask what this will mean for Americans health. ABC Sony Salzman is with our medical unit Sony. First off, can you put this pic in context for us? How radical of a selection is this?
Well, it is seen by many in the public health field, many doctors as very radical and just as some background context RFK Jr. You know, we know he's an environmental lawyer, but he also made a name for himself as a prominent vaccine skeptic spreading misinformation. So this is the cause of some alarm amongst public health officials when it comes to this nomination.
There's no vaccine that is, you know, safe and effective. So, Brad.
I mean, let's unpack all of this here. RFK Jr. Has made a lot of proposals, a lot of statements. He has had a long career, right, in talking about these things publicly. And I just want to be clear that some of the things that he talks about, like getting some chemicals out of food, packaged food, that sort of thing, some of those have some level of support within the medical community. But the biggest concern that health officials, doctors that we talked to have is regarding the erosion of public trust. A lot of the statements that he makes are completely overblown. They're not based. In fact, for example, he has said previously that, you know, one third of children have diabetes in America, which is not true. Or, you know, more than 70% of kids wouldn't qualify for the military, which is also not true. It is true. You know, for example, that we have a growing issue of chronic disease amongst children in this country.
But when you're not operating on a basis of fact, then it creates an erosion of public trust. So in addition to his vaccine skepticism, which we can get into the Covid vaccine misinformation, he was named among a dirty dozen in terms of his efforts on social media spreading misinformation. That is where the concern lies, is that this nomination could contribute to an erosion in public trust of of vaccines and of medicine generally, people not trusting their doctors, not trusting the institutions that are tasked with trying to keep them safe.
Well, and so let's talk about like what? As the head of HHS, he would have the power to do. Like, for example, you mentioned vaccines. Can he reshape vaccine rules? Would he reshape vaccine rules?
Well, I just want to be clear that as the head of HHS, this is an incredibly powerful position. You mentioned it, but he would be in charge of more than a dozen different agencies, the director of the FDA and the CDC, they would report to him it's $1.7 trillion. And so when it comes to these agencies, for example, the CDC provides recommendations. They recommend pediatric vaccines. They recommend your annual Covid shot, right. They recommend the flu vaccine. There's a lot that he could do with this platform in terms of mistrust, but we have yet to see whether or not he would push the CDC, for example, to change its current recommendations, which are based on tons of evidence and guidance. And in fact, in recent days, he's suggested that he's going to leave vaccines alone. You know, he has mentioned this to NBC and to other outlets that he doesn't want to prevent anyone from getting vaccines.
If somebody if vaccines are working for somebody. I'm not going to take them away. People ought to have choice, and that choice ought to be informed by the best information. I think it.
Remains to be seen what he actually will do. We will have to wait and see. But certainly, as the head of HHS is an incredibly powerful platform.
Well, and he's also said in the past that he would want to remove fluoride from drinking water. Like, why is that? And can he do something like that?
Well, buckle up, because that one is complicated. So fluoride in drinking water has been considered one of the greatest public health successes. That's because fluoride helps prevent cavities in tooth decay. So it keeps your teeth strong. Right now, these days, fluoride is in a lot of toothpaste, so why would we need to keep it in the drinking water? Because the reason, the answer that a lot of public health officials give is because this could be especially important for maybe kids who don't have access to regular toothbrushing. Right. And the risks have been considered small. So what you hear him talk about a lot is studies that have shown that for pregnant women who live in communities where fluoride is above the recommended limit in water, those studies have linked that to lower IQ in kids. The problem is, is that those studies only show a link, not a cause and effect. That means there might be other things that are happening in that community, maybe broadly water mismanagement generally, or maybe there's pollution in the area that could cause that, or that could explain that effect.
So more research is definitely needed here. But, you know, again, something that he has raised, something that some people in the health community have said, you know, is worth looking at further, but it has not been considered one of the major kind of threats or dangers that are out there. I think there's a lot of people who are more worried about lead in the water in Flint, Michigan, still.
It almost sounds like the through line is there are things out there that have not yet been proven, but that sound so convincing to him that he's like, yeah, let's just go for it, or let's ban that thing, or let's approve that thing without waiting for like a scientific consensus or proof. He's also said Sony, he wants to clean up dietary regulations. I mean, can you walk me through that and what that would mean for especially for kids? Yeah.
I mean, this is another complicated one, Brad. So, you know, again, I think what you're speaking to is that there's science and health. It's big, it's messy. There's always the need for more research. We never have perfect information. Right. And that is part of the kind of complexity of this whole landscape. But when it comes to food in America, something that RFK Jr. Has talked about a lot is some of these chemicals that are in packaged and processed food, you know, red dye, for example.
Why do we have Fruit Loops in this country that have 18 or 19 ingredients? And you go to Canada and it's got 2 or 3, and.
There are legitimate concerns. There are studies that again show a link between red dye and for example, attention issues in kids. These studies are have their limits. We again don't have that evidence to show the direct cause and effect. But for that topic in particular, there's enough there there that there has been some, uh, efforts, some legislative efforts to remove some of those ingredients in other countries and even here in this country. So this is something that, again, has has more general support, I think, amongst the medical community. There's a sense that, you know, why risk it? I think when it comes to some of this broad statements that he's made about the need to tear down and reform the food industry, that need to tear down and reform the drug industry. A lot of experts will point out that the U.S. has one of the safest and most robust regulatory systems in the world when it comes to the safety and quality of the drugs and food that we have on our tables.
Right. And one of the things you keep hearing from people is because these are such large agencies, FDA, CDC, I mean, Medicaid and Medicare are part of this. These are such vast enterprises that even with one person at the top, it would take a long time to change a lot of these rules. But that is why you're hearing this concern immediately is just the megaphone that RFK Jr will now have nationally, with real government power behind him. All right, Sony Salzman from our medical unit. Thank you so much.
Yeah. Thank you Brad.
Next up on Start Here. One of the website's most known for spreading some of these conspiracy theories is not going to be taken seriously by anyone anymore. We'll explain after the break.
This is a world.
That is changing very quickly. This was just filled with forests.
There, there there there, there.
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This election will be remembered as the election in which Donald Trump shifted the game plan on how to speak to media, rather than sitting for traditional interviews with mainstream media outlets, he favored podcasts, informal chats with charismatic hosts, huge followings, particularly young men for years. Of course, these spaces have been growing, but perhaps none have experienced the dramatic rise and fall of Alex Jones and his website, Infowars.
To start with Hillary, start with Obama. Start with all of it. Just destroy them.
For years, Alex Jones was the model for far right rage bait. Infowars started as a website and public access TV program, then transitioned to live streams. It's centered around far right conspiracy theories and was funded by ads for dietary supplements and alternative medicine. When a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School took the lives of 21st graders and six adults. Jones told a shocked, grieving nation that this massacre was actually a hoax. He claimed, without any evidence that lawmakers were in on it, that the Obamas were in on it, and even that the parents of these children who were clearly going through the worst moment anyone could imagine, he claimed they were in on it, too.
But I legitimately thought it might have been staged, and I stand by that, and I don't apologize for it.
And don't apologize, Mr. Jones. Please don't.
Apologize. I've already apologized to the parents over and over again. No, I don't apologize to you. Don't apologize to you.
After years of demanding he retract his false statements, parents finally sued him for defamation.
Random death or.
Rape threats would come in.
They spoke in court about the impact Jones's lies had had on their lives.
This person demanded to see Ben. I know he's here. I know he's alive. Emily is alive, isn't she?
She's alive. Huh? Son of a bitch. She's alive!
Telling us that evil didn't exist and that we were just trying to. To get money.
From the public.
Those parents won more than $1 billion in damages. This, they said, was the only way to shut him down.
Ain't going to be happening. Ain't no money.
Jones was actually live streaming on Infowars as the verdict was read.
They want to shut down. That's why the ambulance chasers did this. Why they use these families. So save Infowars.com. We're fighting Goliath.
Well, smash cut to yesterday. Jones has been ordered to hand over nearly everything he owns and auction off the very website he built. Yesterday morning, we learned it has been bought by The Onion, the satirical newspaper and website that's famous for jokes. But this is not a joke. The onion is now the owner of Infowars, and it was purchased with the approval of Sandy hook parents and the applause of one of the most prominent gun control groups in the country, Everytown for Gun Safety. We are joined now by Ben Collins, the CEO at The Onion, and John Feinblatt, the president of Everytown. Ben, you bought Infowars? Why?
Because it would be very funny. I think we all agree. This is really funny. Don't you agree? This is really funny. I think this is the funniest thing in the world. I think when we, you know, when we initially thought about it in June, when we read in the newspaper that it was for sale, we all had the same reaction. We'd be like, it'd be really funny if The Onion bought it. And then we really thought about it. We're like, but actually, how could we do this? Um, and I, from a previous life, I used to be a disinformation reporter. I knew the San Diego family's lawyers, and I gave them a ring, and I was like, what does this look like? Is this really for sale and all this stuff? And, um, you know, over the next few months, it became real. And, like, we started talking to every town about this. Every town was founded after Sandy hook happened, and we we wanted a good launch partner for this.
That made sense. And this is obviously the thing that makes the most sense. And then we started talking to like, Onion Hall of Famers like the the Hall of Fame comedy writers, uh, that have come through the halls of The Onion over the last few years. And when you NDA them and tell them this is happening, they get pretty excited. So we built up this whole universe and this whole world that we're excited to show everybody in a couple months. But, uh, you know, first, just bathe in this. This is a really funny moment. Uh, you're allowed to laugh at it, I hope when you hope if you got a push alert or something, or if this is the first time you're hearing of it. Uh, when you heard that this happened. I hope you hope you laughed really hard. Because it's a funny moment.
John, what was your reaction when The Onion came to you guys with this idea? Well, I.
Think most people would think at first blush, sort of strange bedfellows, but we thought the opposite. Uh, for years, uh, The Onion has been really highlighting the crisis of gun violence in America. And obviously that's what we've been doing. And we thought that there was perfect synergy here. You know, at our fingertips. We've got facts and we've got stories and we've got research, but they've got the creativity to really cut through misinformation and to reach new audiences. I was going to.
Say The Onion has always been every time there's a big mass shooting, The Onion has this famous headline of no way to prevent this says the only country where this regularly happens.
Without a doubt, and we've known them and admired them for years. And what we know is that when you've got hate filled misinformation, humor is sometimes the way to really get a reset and to really shine a spotlight on the fact that misinformation is really fueling irrational thinking.
But how will this actually work? Because is it just the website, like Alex Jones had a number of platforms that were part of the company that was is Infowars, right? So what do you guys acquire and what do you do with it?
Yeah, we we acquire everything. In fact, we we acquire all of his broadcasting equipment. Uh, we acquire his whole supplement empire, which we are at this moment, still trying to figure out what to do with. So we.
Like, literally wait, like, are there, like, pills in boxes somewhere?
There are pills in boxes somewhere. We don't even know where they are, but we are trying to figure that out right now. And like that's the thing here is that we it was important to the families that we really tried to take him off the air for a couple days and see what happens, and that's that's important to us too. We want to be able to wipe the slate clean with this thing and, you know, in a couple of years. But we want to be able to say is, uh, if you think of Infowars, you either think of this hilarious joke that we pulled off or, you know, even better that we've built something on top of it that's big and flourishing and crazy. And, uh, is the funniest website that you.
Know, right? That's my question. Is it like, does a website supplant it now or like, what does that actually look like?
Yeah, we will take over Infowars.com I believe right now is down and we will take that over once that is transferred over to us. And uh, then we'll start, we'll start building a whole new world there.
So I just want to be clear, though. What does that mean? Like a whole new world. Is it like The onion now also has a different domain that's called Infowars? Or is it a totally different thing?
Yeah. No, we're we're building a whole new website with, uh, you know, our own. So basically what we want to do is there is a sub economy of alt media, people who've gone, Uh, you know, unmarked for too long. And, uh, we those people, we call them alt media. It kind of, like, took over everything. Like quietly, you know, the the podcast. People selling you supplements, the people, uh, getting you addicted to fear and anger and all that stuff. And it's not just Alex Jones types, it's it's all sorts of, uh, weird guys that you see on your TikTok and Instagram feeds. We're going to create a world where that is, you know, appropriately, the appropriate amount ritually mocked.
And, you know, when you think about the the pain and the suffering that Alex Jones visited on the Sandy hook families, the fact that every town and The Onion are painting the new chapter, there's no other way to describe this than poetic justice. It's, uh, it's almost karmic justice.
How much did you guys pay for it?
Uh, at $1.1 trillion.
I don't think that's true. I think that is parody.
No, it's, uh. Look, it's. I agree with you. It's a small price to pay, but we decided that, uh, look, in our vast empire of puppy mills and other things that global tetrahedron funds. Uh, just.
Just to be clear with our listeners, that is the parent company you set up with the same name as The Onion's fictional corporate overlords. Your company does not do all those things. Um.
That's that's up for you to decide, first of all. Okay. Second of all, yeah, it was it was it's just, you know, it's a small price to pay for, for a good, a public good. Okay.
But if so, if you're not going to tell me and that's fine that you guys are not going to tell me how much you actually paid for this. I guess the reason I, the thing I want to get at is, is this an expensive way to troll people? Is it a way for The Onion to effectively donate money to Everytown? Because I know every town is going to have an exclusive advertising deal with you guys? Or is this something is this like a way to have an impact on the conversation around conspiracy theories? Does this last beyond that push alert that you just mentioned that made people laugh?
Oh, yeah. Absolutely. Like, our goal is to make this a, uh, like I keep saying, a whole universe, a whole new universe for people to understand. And and I just want to make it clear the money goes to the families. The families are owed $1 billion from Alex Jones and all. Like all of this money will go for the sale of Infowars and goes directly to the families. And we are going to make, uh, something better. We're going to pave this over and give give some people a good place in the internet to go to, because that's very rare now. That's a big part of why we want to do this. We want, uh, the media ecosystem is just filled with, like, lies and hate and garbage, and we want to give people a place to at least laugh at it. John, does.
This take Alex Jones out of the equation entirely? He's already responded to this, saying that this is all rigged, that Infowars is stronger than ever, that his empire is stronger than ever. What's your response?
We're putting Alex Jones in the rear view mirror. Yeah, we're painting a new chapter and we're going to reach new audiences. And I think that's what's most important here, uh, for both, uh, Everytown and for The Onion to talk about this in. Yes, in a humorous way, but to really expose the damage misinformation does and talk to people that are beyond just talking to ourselves, talking to conservative people, talking to young people and reaching them and really, really exposing how misinformation distorts reality.
That's the thing. Because I keep wondering if, like, I doubt the average Infowars listener or consumer sticks around and goes like, oh, I got to check out this website or this Twitter account or whatever it is you're saying you're not you're not assuming you'll get those people tuning in every day, but you do think you'll reach what regular people at some point?
I think we will reach all Americans and and probably some of the people who have been following Infowars, because, look, when it comes to gun safety, we know where the American public stands, but we also know the damage that Alex Jones has visited, not just on the Sandy hook families, but on on people all across the country. In thinking about it, his currency is fear, and we're ending that chapter.
All right. Ben Collins, John Feinblatt, thank you both so much.
Thank you.
Okay, one more quick break when we come back. This is going to sound unbelievable, but bear with me. One last thing is next.
Tonight. All new 2020.
You think the shooter.
Was parked over here?
Why would somebody ever.
Put a wig on and gun somebody down in a parking lot? A young.
Father of.
Senselessly murdered.
Twists and turns. Bombshells galore.
He got shot for one of three things greed, revenge or lust.
It was becoming more and more clear that there was a lot more to the story.
And then. Bingo. Fatal disguise all.
New 2020 tonight on ABC.
Deadpool and Wolverine now streaming on Disney Plus.
That's the whole package right there.
It's the biggest R-rated film of all time. Come again? It's action packed.
Us a team.
Next level.
Glorious fun. Marvel's biggest triumph.
This is what I'm talking about.
Hilarious. Something funny and verified. Hot on Rotten Tomatoes.
You really are a god's perfect idiot, aren't you?
Deadpool and Wolverine now streaming on Disney Plus.
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Is, we'll take you there.
You're streaming to.
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And one last thing. Would people ever try to scam their insurance company? I don't know, does a bear open car doors in the woods? Yesterday, California authorities revealed footage of what appeared to be a series of bear attacks on expensive cars. In one video, you see this hairy, lumbering figure pawing open a car door near Lake Arrowhead, then rummaging around inside a Rolls Royce. Then another grisly scene, this time in a Mercedes Benz. The owner showed the aftermath to their insurers claw scratches all over the upholstery. Altogether, the insurers paid out $140,000. But when you look closer, you realize those scratch marks look awfully tidy. Like, why is the bear's thumb the same length as his pinky claw? Then, if you take a second look at the surveillance footage, whoever's.
Inside that vehicle is not moving like a bear.
This is Harry Kazak, and yes, his real name is Harry, and he's a licensed insurance fraud investigator. He reviewed the tapes and said they're barely believable.
Opening the door and getting inside the vehicle. That is highly suspect and questionable. Well, sure.
Enough, this week in an investigation dubbed Operation Bear Claw, police arrested four men in their homes and charged them with conspiracy and insurance fraud. This man lives next to two of the suspects.
I never would have never thought of that. I mean, you know, whatever works. But I mean, if they found the bear suit.
They did allegedly have a bear costume. Police took photos of a costume in one of these houses with furry arms, legs, a bear head and some very tidy metal Freddy Krueger like claws. Now, in recent years, more bears have been breaking into homes and trash cans in some of these mountainside towns. Some are even known to take dips in pools and hot tubs. But the last piece of positive evidence was the police department brought in a biologist from the state Fish and Wildlife Department who watched all this and concluded, quote, clearly a human in a bear suit. They say the suspects were caught with their hands in the honey pot. No police entered yet. We will keep you updated with the very latest start. Here is produced by Kelly Terez, Jen Newman, Vika Aronson, Aaronson, Anthony. Ali. Mora. Milwaukee. Cameron Chertavian and Amara Williams. Ariel Chester is our social media producer. Josh Cohen is director of podcast programming. I'm our managing editor. Laura Mayer is our executive producer.
Thanks to John Newman, Tara Gimbel and Liz Alessi. Special thanks this week to Chris Howell, Will McDuffie, Eric Strauss, Katherine Faulders, Will Steakin, and Aaron Katersky, I'm Brad Mielke. See you next week.
The president elect is wasting no time on his cabinet picks, and they have everyone talking in the Capitol and across the nation. Now Sunday morning, the Trump transition and policy expectations. The powerhouse roundtable Sunday morning on ABC's This Week.
It seems everyone has something to say about him. New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Now, later this morning, he comes to the view, facing all the tough questions and speaking out for himself. Plus, Billy Bob Thornton on ABC's The View.
This is a world that is changing very quickly. This was just filled with forests.
There there there there there.
There were 150ft down in the dark. In the cold, with just a dwindling supply of oxygen.
An unbelievable mystery. How does the ultimate status symbol end up on the bottom of the sea? How could they be gone in 16 minutes?
It just doesn't happen.
Desperate efforts to find six missing people after a luxury yacht sank down to the sea floor. We were.
Just praying.
I think about the last few moments for them.
It's terrifying. Sinking of the superyacht now streaming on Hulu.
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Now streaming 911 is delightfully wild.
You ever seen anything like this before?
It's a bonito.
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You managed to get a.
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911 Thursdays on ABC and stream on Hulu.
What does it take to be the most watched newscast in America?
We are part of an operation. This is our combat operation center. We're approaching the gate militants came in from.
I appreciate you. Thank you. Ismail. David.
David.
ABC's World News Tonight with David Muir is America's most watched newscast tonight. Why would somebody ever put a wig.
On and gun somebody down in a parking lot? He got shot for one and three. Three revenge.
And then. Bingo.
All new 2020 tonight on ABC Nightline. The stories that shape your world, that shape your life. Dramatic. Stunning. Empowering. Jaw dropping. The most powerful stories of our time.
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Right now on Good Morning America. First look, president elect Trump's first public speech since winning the election.
Nobody knew we were going to win it the way we wanted his announcement.
Plus the speaker who compared Trump to George Washington and reaction as Trump nominates vaccine skeptic Robert Kennedy Jr. For health secretary. The Democratic lawmaker who says he's excited by Kennedy's nomination.
Tense moments in Kentucky. A worker trapped beneath the rubble at this construction site for nearly nine hours. Cameras rolling when rescuers finally reached him.
Scare in the Sky an American Airlines flight forced to take quick action to avoid a mountain while leaving Hawaii.
The FBI on alert. The new way criminals are breaking into banks.
Mom under arrest.
I didn't really even know what I was being arrested for.
She allowed her ten year old son to walk one mile alone into town and was arrested for reckless conduct. How? She's fighting back.
Extreme drought impacting millions this fall. Now, the new concern about Christmas tree shortages.
And a government protest like we've never seen. what prompted these lawmakers to take a stand.
From ABC news. This is good morning America. First look.
Good Friday morning everyone. I'm Andrew Dymburt and I'm Rhiannon.
Ally. Good morning to you. We begin with president elect Trump giving his first public speech since winning the election.
It came hours after he nominated Robert Kennedy Jr to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, has vowed to shake up the public health agencies, but his beliefs could complicate his confirmation in the Senate.
Meanwhile, at Trump's Mar a Lago resort last night, actor Sylvester Stallone was among the speakers calling Trump the second George Washington. ABC's Christiane Cordero has all the latest. Christiane good morning.
Hey there. Good morning to you. So president elect Trump spoke at Mar a Lago last night as he faces multiple nomination fights here in Washington over his cabinet choices.
Nobody knew we were going to win it the way we want it.
President elect Trump at a mar a Lago gala last night took the stage after Hollywood heavyweight Sylvester Stallone fired up the crowd.
When George Washington defended his country, he had no idea that he was going to change the world because without him, you could imagine what the world would look like. Guess what? We got the second George Washington.
Also in the crowd, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy recently tapped by Trump to cut government spending.
What a job. What a job he does. He's a great. And he happens to be a really good guy.
Robert F Kennedy Jr. Trump's nominee for health secretary. Also in attendance.
People like you, Bobby, don't get too popular, Bobby.
If confirmed, Kennedy would lead one of the biggest departments in the government, which includes the CDC and FDA and oversees Medicare and Obamacare. Kennedy recently said if given the opportunity, he would shake things up and potentially fire top employees.
Some categories of worker. There are entire departments, like the nutrition departments at FDA, that are that have to go, that are not doing their job, they're not protecting our kids.
Kennedy, who has no medical training, has endorsed conspiracy theories urging people not to get the Covid 19 vaccine and claiming no vaccine is safe and effective. Doctor Ashish Jha, the former white House Covid response coordinator, saying I hope that he wouldn't actually be in a position of power. Surprise and disappointment is what I hear from most of my colleagues as I'm talking to them. Kennedy denies being anti-vaccine, saying he wants stricter trials.
I had all my children vaccinated. I was fully vaccinated. And what I would do is say, let's do the trials. Let's find out what the risk profile is, what the benefit profile is, and then allow parents to make up their minds.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, said he's excited at Rfk's nomination, adding Kennedy helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will help make America wealthy again by shaking up HHS and FDA. Kennedy's nomination came the same day the CDC warned of a surge in measles cases 277 reported cases in 30 states, four times the number from last year, most involving unvaccinated children. A new study also shows obesity rates have doubled in the last three decades. Kennedy recently said this about obesity.
120 years ago, when somebody was obese, they were they were sent to the circus. They were literally there were case reports done about them. Obesity was almost unknown.
Trump last night did not mention former Congressman Matt Gaetz, his pick for attorney general, setting up gates to run the Justice Department, which investigated him for sex trafficking and obstruction of justice. Gaetz denies the claims and the department did not bring charges. But lawmakers are demanding to see a report from the House Ethics Committee, which investigated gates for the same allegations. The committee's report, set to possibly be made public this week, will now not be released due to gates resigning from Congress.
Do you want to see it?
Absolutely.
Sources say the woman at the center of the investigation testified gates had sex with her when she was 17 years old. Gates says the allegations are invented and would constitute false testimony to Congress.
Look, gates won't get confirmed. Everybody knows that.
I know he's going to have an uphill battle.
And one more announcement from Trump last night. He's picking North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, known as a champion of the oil industry, to lead the Department of the interior. Brianna.
Christiane, thank you so much for that. Elon Musk has reportedly met with Iran's ambassador to the UN. The New York Times says the meeting focused on how to lower the tensions between Iran and the U.S.. Officials recently said Iran was plotting to assassinate Donald Trump over sanctions and the 2020 killing of an Iranian general.
A Texas man is under arrest, accused of plotting or supporting ISIS and plotting a mass casualty terror attack on U.S. soil. 28 year old Anas Shaheed was taken into custody in Houston. Officials say he wanted to plan a 911 style attack. He allegedly explored potential targets and looked up how to make an explosive belt.
Saeed allegedly researched and investigated means of conducting attacks in the United States, including scouting, potential military recruitment centers and identifying military members in the area.
Authorities say Saeed has been on the FBI's radar since 2017.
We turn now to Kentucky and the rescue in the rubble of a construction site. The tense and at times tedious rescue played out in Louisville over the course of nine hours.
We've seen a lot of trench rescues over the 24 years that I've been doing this. I've never seen anything like this.
The fire chief says a man working at this construction site fell into a void, plunging 10 to 12ft down, instantly becoming buried by gravel and large chunks of concrete. The rescue team had to dig him out by hand.
We are moving tons and tons of debris by hand, by buckets. And you've got, like I said, you imagine a person at the bottom of the funnel. You have to shore up everything else that's going to keep cascading down to create a safe space, and then continue to dig this person out.
The rescue operation drama playing out live on local TV. As the man was finally pulled to safety around 830 last night.
It's it's been a week. It has been.
The fire chief calling it a tempered celebration after the successful rescue. Many rescuers, still exhausted after responding to an explosion earlier this week which tore apart a nearby chemical factory, killing two people.
This is why we took this job. We want to help people. And it's not like the movies. You're not always successful. So when you have a success like this, it is a tremendous feeling.
We thank those first responders. The man buried in the rubble was talking throughout the rescue operation and then was treated at the hospital.
The FAA is investigating a flight scare over Hawaii. The agency says an American Airlines plane had to make an expedited climb to avoid a mountain while taking off from Honolulu.
And the exponential climb through terrain and then turn right, heading one, two, zero.
The plane avoided the mountain and flew safely to Los Angeles, experts say. Departure instructions mandate a right turn that would have avoided the problem. But American says the crew followed instructions from air traffic control. And overnight, new video of this Alaska Airlines plane making an emergency landing in LA. Passengers were told to brace. The plane suffered a tire failure leaving DC but landed safely. Debris was reportedly found on the runway at Dulles Airport, possibly from the tire.
Warm weather and severe drought conditions this fall are taking a toll on Christmas trees. Farmers say mature trees are about to hit the market are in decent condition, but those recently planted younger trees are not growing. Many of them are dying. That could cause a shortage for years to come.
Time now for your Friday weather.
Good morning.
Yes, some of you in.
Parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio.
Valley saw a little rain recently. It's not enough.
Look at the drought that.
Has developed here.
We're looking at severe and extreme drought in some.
Parts of the.
Northeast here, South Jersey especially in it. We're going to have a dry, gusty breeze again this.
Afternoon, leading to more.
Wildfire danger in the same spots where we've seen it time and time again. Tropical Storm Sara formed at midday yesterday. This could be a tropical depression near the Florida coast next week with some wind and rain. For AccuWeather. Jeff Cornish for ABC news reporter.
Coming up, a new way to stop phone scams.
But first, a mother is arrested after her ten year old son is found walking alone one mile from their house. She is speaking out about the charges against.
Her and the FBI on alert. The sophisticated way criminals are breaking into banks.
Hollywood Studios wants to make a movie of our podcast.
It's a fabulous cast.
Actually, I'm nervous playing you. The fearlessness.
The complexity.
Oh, stop.
Unless you had more to say.
No, I don't need an algorithm to tell me that this is box office gold.
Only murders in the.
Building, streaming on Hulu and for bundle.
Subscribers on Disney.
Plus.
It seems everyone has something to say about him. New York City mayor Eric Adams. Now, later this morning, he comes to the view, facing all the tough questions and speaking out for himself. Plus, Billy Bob Thornton on ABC's The View.
Neighbors and I are cousins. We used to be joined at the hip.
Critics are raving. Real pain is a knockout.
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It's one of the best films of the year.
How did you do that? You're like red.
You slapped me in the face.
A real pain rated R now playing everywhere.
One great idea can change your life.
That's what Shark Tank does.
That's the American dream right there.
This calling is for my kids.
What you've done is remarkable.
One of the most innovative things I've seen in my life.
This could be our biggest deal ever. Oh.
I want to be on a team with you.
Shark Tank New Fridays on ABC and stream on Hulu whenever.
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It's so important to always remember that lives are changed here in London, in Buffalo. Uvalde, Texas. Edinburgh, Scotland.
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A dash cam captured the moment this big rig suddenly veered off Interstate 84 and tipped over drivers who stopped to help say the trucker climbed out on his own and walked away unharmed.
The FBI wants to track down banks that may have been hit by a brazen crew of burglars. They dressed up like construction workers, using jackhammers and blowtorches to gain access to vaults and ATMs. Investigators say the sophisticated gang from South America stole more than $4 million before finally being arrested.
Now to a story sparking debate among parents. A Georgia mother is facing jail time after her ten year old son walked to town by himself. She says he was never in any danger, but police say otherwise. Here's ABC's Andrea Fujii.
This morning, police body camera video shows the moment Brittany Patterson was arrested for letting her ten year old son walk into town by himself.
What am I under arrest for?
For reckless endangerment.
And how was I recklessly endangering my child?
On October 30th, Patterson said she took one of her children to the doctor. In the meantime, her son Sean, who's since turned 11, decided to walk less than a mile into town from their home in rural Mineral Bluff, Georgia. While out, Patterson got a call from the sheriff's department worried that Sean was walking alone.
I wasn't concerned. I wasn't, you know, panicking or concerned because it's just a short walk from our house. He knows how to get home. He knows how to get there.
Authorities dropped Sauron off at home, and five hours later, they returned.
Come on in and tell him they're taking you to jail because you decided to walk down the street. Let go of your hand.
That's not his fault. Yeah, you're the mother. That's your responsibility. Any time I.
Checked, it wasn't illegal for a kid to walk to the store.
So it is when they're ten years old.
Patterson was booked on suspicion of reckless conduct, a charge that could carry one year in jail. The warrant claiming she willingly and knowingly did endanger the bodily safety of her juvenile son.
Our criminal justice system is built on the fact that you did something or you were negligent. You did something criminally negligent. So what is it she did?
Authorities have offered to drop the charge. If Patterson signs a safety plan that includes the use of a GPS tracker on her son's phone, but she refuses to sign it or admit doing anything wrong.
I just felt like I couldn't sign that, and that in doing so, would be agreeing that there was something unsafe about my home or something unsafe about my parental decisions. And I just don't believe that.
Brittany Patterson is out on bail, awaiting to see if prosecutors will indict her on the reckless conduct charge. Rhiannon.
Andrew, our thanks to Andrea Fujii there. Just ahead, mixing up a lawsuit. The bar sued over a flaming cocktail.
Also Mike Tyson, Jake Paul brawling before tonight's big fight. The big money at stake.
Tonight. All new.
2020.
You think the shooter.
Was parked over here?
Why would somebody ever put.
A wig on and gun somebody down in a parking lot?
A young father of senselessly murdered.
Twists and turns. Bombshells galore.
He got shot for one of three things.
Greed, revenge or lust. It was becoming more and more clear that there was a lot more to the story. And then.
Bingo!
Fatal disguise all new 2020 tonight on ABC.
Wait a second, wait a minute. Looks like there's three people coming down the river. These are the last lands. What is this? This is plosives. These are these dynamite blasts down here. We have.
To go.
What is the gas? The national parks around the world.
This area is all right now. Cartel run.
Gold mine that have to be saved.
Behind every country song is a human story. And I'm here to find those stories.
At that time, guys like me were not artists.
People didn't respect me because I didn't do it the traditional way.
I got banned at the only retailer that carried music at that time.
The label called said she's just not the right fit.
My world started to spin and I thought, I've got 30s.
And you just have to say, hell with it, hell.
With it.
They were 150ft down in the dark, in the cold, with just a dwindling supply of oxygen.
An unbelievable mystery. How does the ultimate status symbol end up on the bottom of the sea? How could they be gone in 16 minutes?
It just doesn't happen.
Desperate efforts to find six missing people after a luxury yacht sank down to the sea floor. We were.
Just praying.
I think about the last few moments for them is terrifying.
Sinking of the superyacht now streaming on Hulu. The news.
Never stops. We are here in Israel, a nation at war.
Hurricane Helene screaming across the state. And that's why.
ABC News.
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Well, a close call for these pedestrians in Boston. Heavy winds sent a large piece of scaffolding falling from the roof of South Station. Several people were nearly hit, but no one was hurt.
A fiery cocktail has landed a Texas bar in legal trouble. A Dallas couple is suing, saying the drink, which was garnished with a flaming lime, exploded when the bartender added more alcohol, causing third degree burns. They say they are facing years of medical bills. The bar's owner denied the allegations, saying the couple has failed to provide evidence to make their case.
We turn now to a battle of the ages. The legend versus the relative newcomer, Mike Tyson versus Jake Paul. We are just hours away from Mike Tyson squaring off against Jake Paul, but the fight has already begun, ladies and gentlemen. The 58 year old Tyson, slapping the 27 year old YouTuber turned boxer at last night's weigh in. It's personal now. He must die. Paul shaking off Tyson's slap but showing off the precautions he's taken to not end up like Evander Holyfield, who had part of his ear bitten off by Tyson back in 1996.
I'm not getting my bet off on Friday night. So I got my diamond spiked ear covers right there.
Tonight's showdown is the first ever live boxing match on Netflix. Tyson's first professional bout in nearly 20 years. The rules will be slightly different from a typical match, with shorter rounds and heavier boxing gloves, lowering the chances of a knockout. Despite a 31 year age gap and being a major underdog, sportsbooks report 90% of all bets are being placed on the Hall of Famer Tyson, the most popular bet Tyson winning in the first round.
We got 1 million here, 1 million here.
Paul is betting big on himself, taking multiple million dollar bets from fellow fighters, even staking his claim. $40 million payout to.
Bet your purse.
Yeah, let's bet the purse deal.
But Tyson demonstrating his skills during a recent workout and last night showing he can still pack on the muscle.
I am not going to lose. Did you hear what I said?
The main fight card kicks off at 8 p.m. eastern in front of 80,000 fans in Arlington, Texas.
Should be interesting coming up, how often you really need to restart your computer.
Plus, a discovery in the ocean unlike anything seen before.
Three. Two one.
It's a 24 over seven. Live Life together.
It's not about the fear or the risk. It's about the love of flying. Three. Two. One.
911 is one of the most compelling and explosive shows on television.
I love you.
Tell me in person.
911 Thursdays on ABC.
It seems everyone has something to say about him. New York City mayor Eric Adams. Now, later this morning, he comes to the view, facing all the tough questions and speaking out for himself. Plus, Billy Bob Thornton on ABC's The View. What's up, Las Vegas?
How you feeling?
It's amazing.
Why are so many of country music's biggest stars now racing to Vegas? Make some noise for.
Some, Boosie is just an electric town.
It's unlike anything.
Else. Why should.
What happens in Vegas.
Just stay here?
What happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas this time. That's next.
Level. Here we go.
It's Vegas.
Vegas lights and country nights. Countdown to the CMA Awards Tuesday.
Night on ABC and stream on Hulu.
Attention, teachers. No child is to be sent to the principal's office today.
Kids, if you want to do crime, now's the time. Happy first day of school. Gavin, you better put on your big girl. Yes.
Wonder like four.
More of these. Yeah. We were robbed. Hey!
Buy three, get one free.
I'm gonna call your mother on you. Bring the rest back here, boy.
Good. Better. Best.
I'm Erielle Reshef in Norwalk, Connecticut. Wherever the story is we'll take you there. You're streaming ABC News live.
Time to check the pulse. And we begin with a very unusual government protest.
Take a look at what happened in New Zealand's parliament, where it was lawmakers doing the protesting.
Well, who are they? Come on. Come on.
They were protesting a bill that impacts the native community. They even performed a traditional dance. Two lawmakers were ejected and parliament was suspended. Next, we pay a visit to the Lion Lodge.
It's a wildlife park in the UK that lives up to its name. One visitor was in the hot tub and a lion started scratching at the glass. The lodge promises a chance to see lions up close and they are not kidding. Okay, next, a wild discovery deep in the South Pacific.
Researchers just discovered the world's largest coral. It's 112ft wide and 18ft high. It is in the waters of the Solomon Islands. It's so big it can be seen from space. It was believed to be the remnants of a shipwreck until a team from National Geographic paid a visit. Next. How often do you really need to restart your computer? Experts are sounding the alarm.
Apparently, most of us aren't allowing our computers to reboot. Experts say you should shut it down at least once a week to maintain performance and security. A reboot can also catch malware hiding in the memory. They're spreading the word after Apple pushed the restart button on the bottom of its Mac mini, saying people hardly use it.
A new way to stop phone scammers who target the elderly. A British company used artificial intelligence to develop a so-called grandma bot named Daisy. That actually sounds like a woman, but it's just a computer. The company adds phone numbers for Daisy onto easy target lists for scammers, and Daisy is designed to talk in circles and keep the fraudsters on the line for as long as possible while giving fake personal information and bank data. Finally, Thanksgiving travel is expected to break records this year.
That it is. American Airlines is getting the cookies ready. It's preparing to serve 6.8 million Biscoff cookies on flights between November 21st and December 3rd.
Those Biscoff said they were all lined up the cookies. Get this they would stretch from New York to North Carolina. I say much better than peanuts.
Yeah, definitely. When I'm on a flight, I got to take some of these home off the plane. Top headlines. Next.
Will, this. Will.
You know my name?
Oh. For decades, Chinatown has been the epicenter of crime in the city. I need someone on the inside.
Follow me. She's a detective and a waiter. Partners, freeze solving cases, catching bad guys. Can I place an order to go, please? Well, close.
321. It's a 24 over seven life together.
It's not about the fear or the risk. It's about the love of flying. Three. Two. One.
One. Great idea can change your life.
That's what Shark Tank does.
That's the American dream right there.
This calling is for my kids.
What you've done is remarkable.
One of the most innovative things I've seen in my life.
This could be our biggest deal ever. Oh.
I want to be on a team with you.
Shark Tank New Fridays on ABC and stream on Hulu.
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Checking more top stories now. President elect Trump continued to praise RFK Jr, even as he faces a tough confirmation fight to become the nation's health secretary. Kennedy is a longtime vaccine skeptic with no medical training. If confirmed, he would oversee a sprawling department that includes the CDC, the FDA, Medicare and Obamacare Overseas.
Aides to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are under investigation for allegedly doctoring his phone records from October 7th, just before the Hamas attack. It calls into question what Netanyahu was told by a general before the attack.
A Scandinavian Airlines flight descended 8000ft over Greenland after hitting severe turbulence on its way from Sweden to Miami. It turned around and landed safely.
Advance Auto Parts is shutting down more than 700 stores. The chain says consumers have cut back on car repairs.
Today's weather reigned from for Southern California. Showers in the Carolinas. Gusty winds in the northeast. Increasing the risk there for fires.
And finally, the dog joining the staff of a basketball team.
Danny News spoke to the director of positivity.
Who's that leading the charge during sprints.
She's usually in front of us, so you know it's a good target.
Why? That would be Charlie, an official member of the Montclair State women's basketball support staff. No, really. She's listed on their website as the Director of Positivity, and it says her responsibilities include bringing joy to team practices. Also, she brings bones. And as these hoopers in new Jersey kicked off their season this week with back to back wins, you kind of had to wonder if Charlie's newly created position had something to do with it.
She always brings us good vibes, especially before a game, and we bring her in just to like, run with us, just to have her as a figure and a mascot there. We love it.
Wait.
Technically, Charlie belongs to Courtney Cunningham Jones here, who is the special assistant to head coach Karen Harvey. When Jones started bringing Charlie to practices about two years ago, Coach Harvey saw the impact that she had on the team's demeanor. So this year she got a promotion.
Everyone was just it just everybody smiled.
Of course, we brought you stories about dogs involved in college sports before, like Ripken here. He retrieves the T that kickers used during NC state football games. And at the professional level, there's Layla, who before her recent retirement, retrieved bats for a minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Her sister Lucy has since taken over, but that's still a work in progress. But meanwhile, here in northern new Jersey, as the RedHawks get ready for the 30 plus games still on their schedule, it sounds like having a professional like Charlie is going to make that task a little easier.
It relaxes them and it takes some of the stress away.
In her coaching profile on the website. Guys, it says Charlie enjoys long hikes, belly rubs, swimming, collecting sticks and treats.
Oh, we love Charlie. That's your good morning America first.
Have a great weekend.
Vegas Lights and country Night countdown to the CMA Awards Tuesday.
Night on ABC.
It's Friday, November 15th and this is sure to raise the temperature. We start here. Robert F Kennedy Jr is set to be nominated to lead this nation's health department.
The prominent vaccine skeptic spreading misinformation.
It's the latest norm shattering pick from president elect Trump. So what would this mean for your next doctor's visit? Speaking of conspiracy, theorist Alex Jones website is now a parody of itself. There are pills.
In boxes somewhere. We don't even know where they are, but we are trying to figure that out right now. Now, this.
Is not satire. We will talk to the new CEO, and they expected insurers to just grin and bear it.
Whoever is inside that vehicle is not moving like a bear.
The bizarre allegations of a scam that has been paused by police. From ABC news. This is start here I'm Brad Mielke. Earlier this year on the campaign trail, Donald Trump called Robert F Kennedy Jr. Quote, one of the most liberal lunatics to ever run for office. End quote. He called him a radical left fool, and you could see why Trump might have felt threatened at the time. In a race between Trump and President Joe Biden, the son of Robert F Kennedy, the former attorney general had launched an independent bid of his own, focused specifically on people who rarely trust politics libertarians, leftists, anti-government conspiracy theorists.
On my first day in office, I'm going to pardon Edward Snowden, and I'm going to drop charges, all charges against Julian Assange.
He was advocating for Covid treatments that have been debunked by scientific studies. He was casting doubt on commonly accepted health treatments. He drinks raw milk, which can be dangerous, and champions dietary supplements whose benefits are unproven. And he's bragged about offering fake vaccine certificates to his kids. These are the folks who Trump had been appealing to for years, but now RFK Jr was getting their attention. Well, we know what happened next. RFK Jr dropped out of the race and endorsed Trump. The assumption by many was that Trump probably promised Kennedy a role in his future government if he won. In fact, Kennedy told Fox News, that's exactly what was happening.
I want to be in the white House, and he's assured me that I'm going to have that.
In fact, in his final day on the trail, Trump assured supporters that wherever Kennedy landed, he'd have free reign.
Let me tell you, he's a great guy, RFK. And he's going to do pretty much what he wants as far as I'm concerned.
The question remained, though, what kind of role would Kennedy have? Would he be placed near the FDA, the CDC, or would that be so out of step with scientists that you'd see mass resignations? Maybe he'd just have an advisory role, kind of like an alternative medicine health czar. Well, yesterday, president elect Donald Trump announced that RFK Jr is his pick to lead the department that oversees it all. He has been tapped to lead the Health and Human Services department, along with its 80,000 employees. So let's forget about politics for a second and let's ask what this will mean for Americans health. ABC Sony Salzman is with our medical unit, Sony. First off, can you put this pic in context for us? How radical of a selection is this?
Well, it is seen by many in the public health field, many doctors as very radical and just as some background context RFK Jr. You know, we know he's an environmental lawyer, but he also made a name for himself as a prominent vaccine skeptic spreading misinformation. So this is the cause of some alarm amongst public health officials when it comes to this nomination.
There's no vaccine that is, you know, safe and effective.
So, Brad, I mean, let's unpack all of this here. RFK Jr. Has made a lot of proposals, a lot of statements. He has had a long career, right, in talking about these things publicly. And I just want to be clear that some of the things that he talks about, like getting some chemicals out of food, packaged food, that sort of thing, some of those have some level of support within the medical community. But the biggest concern that health officials, doctors that we talked to have is regarding the erosion of public trust. A lot of the statements that he makes are completely overblown. They're not based in fact, for example, he has said previously that, you know, one third of children have diabetes in America, which is not true. Or, you know, more than 70% of kids wouldn't qualify for the military, which is also not true. It is true. You know, for example, that we have a growing issue of chronic disease amongst children in this country.
But when you're not operating on a basis of fact, then it creates an erosion of public trust. So in addition to his vaccine skepticism, which we can get into the Covid vaccine misinformation, he was named among a dirty dozen in terms of his efforts on social media spreading misinformation. That is where the concern lies, is that this nomination could contribute to an erosion in public trust of of vaccines and of medicine generally, people not trusting their doctors, not trusting the institutions that are tasked with trying to keep them safe.
Well, and so let's talk about like what? As the head of HHS, he would have the power to do. Like, for example, you mentioned vaccines. Can he reshape vaccine rules? Would he reshape vaccine rules?
Well, I just want to be clear that as the head of HHS, this is an incredibly powerful position. You mentioned it, but he would be in charge of more than a dozen different agencies, the director of the FDA and the CDC, they would report to him it's $1.7 trillion. And so when it comes to these agencies, for example, the CDC provides recommendations. They recommend pediatric vaccines. They recommend your annual Covid shot, right. They recommend the flu vaccine. There's a lot that he could do with this platform in terms of mistrust, but we have yet to see whether or not he would push the CDC, for example, to change its current recommendations, which are based on tons of evidence and guidance. And in fact, in recent days, he's suggested that he's going to leave vaccines alone. You know, he has mentioned this to NBC and to other outlets that he doesn't want to prevent anyone from getting vaccines.
If somebody if vaccines are working for somebody. I'm not going to take them away. People ought to have choice, and that choice ought to be informed by the best information. I think it.
Remains to be seen what he actually will do. We will have to wait and see. But certainly, as the head of HHS is an incredibly powerful platform.
Well, and he's also said in the past that he would want to remove fluoride from drinking water. Like, why is that? And can he do something like that?
Well, buckle up, because that one is complicated. So fluoride in drinking water has been considered one of the greatest public health successes. That's because fluoride helps prevent cavities in tooth decay. So it keeps your teeth strong. Right now, these days, fluoride is in a lot of toothpaste, so why would we need to keep it in the drinking water? Because the reason, the answer that a lot of public health officials give is because this could be especially important for maybe kids who don't have access to regular toothbrushing. Right. And the risks have been considered small. So what you hear him talk about a lot is studies that have shown that for pregnant women who live in communities where fluoride is above the recommended limit in water, those studies have linked that to lower IQ in kids. The problem is, is that those studies only show a link, not a cause and effect. That means there might be other things that are happening in that community, maybe broadly water mismanagement generally, or maybe there's pollution in the area that could cause that, or that could explain that effect.
So more research is definitely needed here. But, you know, again, something that he has raised, something that some people in the health community have said, you know, is worth looking at Further, but is not been considered one of the major kind of threats or dangers that are out there. I think there's a lot of people who are more worried about lead in the water and in Flint, Michigan. Still, it almost.
Sounds like the through line is there are things out there that have not yet been proven, but that sound so convincing to him that he's like, yeah, let's just go for it, or let's ban that thing, or let's approve that thing without waiting for like a scientific consensus or proof. He's also said Sony, he wants to clean up dietary regulations. I mean, can you walk me through that and what that would mean for especially for kids?
Yeah. I mean, this is another complicated one, Brad. So, you know, again, I think what you're speaking to is that there's science and health. It's big, it's messy. There's always the need for more research. We never have perfect information. Right. And that is part of the kind of complexity of this whole landscape. But when it comes to food in America, something that RFK Jr. Has talked about a lot is some of these chemicals that are in packaged and processed food, you know, red dye, for example.
Why do we have Fruit Loops in this country that have 18 or 19 ingredients and you go to Canada and it's got 2 or 3, and.
There are legitimate concerns. There are studies that again show a link between red dye and for example, attention issues in kids. These studies are have their limits. We again don't have that evidence to show the direct cause and effect. But for that topic in particular, there's enough there there that there has been some, uh, efforts, some legislative efforts to remove some of those ingredients in other countries and even here in this country. So this is something that, again, has has more general support, I think, amongst the medical community. There's a sense that, you know, why risk it? I think when it comes to some of this broad statements that he's made about the need to tear down and reform the food industry, that need to tear down and reform the drug industry. A lot of experts will point out that the US has one of the safest and most robust regulatory systems in the world when it comes to the safety and quality of the drugs and food that we have on our tables.
Right. And one of the things you keep hearing from people is because these are such large agencies, FDA, CDC, I mean, Medicaid and Medicare are part of this. These are such vast enterprises that even with one person at the top, it would take a long time to change a lot of these rules. But that is why you're hearing this concern immediately is just the megaphone that RFK Jr will now have nationally, with real government power behind him. All right, Sony Salzman from our medical unit. Thank you so much.
Yeah. Thank you Brad.
Next up on Start Here. One of the website's most known for spreading some of these conspiracy theories is not going to be taken seriously by anyone anymore. We'll explain after the break.
It seems everyone has something to say about him. New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Now, later this morning, he comes to the view, facing all the tough questions and speaking out for himself. Plus, Billy Bob Thornton on ABC's The View.
A detective and a waiter. Partners. Follow me. She's solving cases, catching bad guys. Can I place an order to go, please? We'll close.
Tonight. Why would somebody ever put a wig.
On and gun somebody down in a parking lot? He got shot for one, two, three, three.
Revenge or lost. And then. Bingo.
All new 2020 tonight on ABC. What's up, Las Vegas?
How you feeling Tuesday night? Just an electric town.
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas this time.
That's next level.
Here we go.
It's Vegas, Vegas lights and country nights.
Tuesday night on ABC.
The president elect is wasting no time on his cabinet picks. And they have everyone talking. Now Sunday morning the Trump transition on ABC's This Week.
This election will be remembered as the election in which Donald Trump shifted the game plan on how to speak to media, rather than sitting for traditional interviews with mainstream media outlets. He favored podcasts, informal chats with charismatic hosts, huge followings, particularly young men for years. Of course, these spaces have been growing, but perhaps none have experienced the dramatic rise and fall of Alex Jones and his website, Infowars.
To start with Hillary, start with Obama. Start with all of it. Just destroy them.
For years, Alex Jones was the model for far right rage bait. Infowars started as a website and public access TV program, then transitioned to live streams. It centered around far right conspiracy theories and was funded by ads for dietary supplements and alternative medicine. When a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School took the lives of 21st graders and six adults. Jones told a shocked, grieving nation that this massacre was actually a hoax. He claimed, without any evidence that lawmakers were in on it, that the Obamas were in on it, and even that the parents of these children who were clearly going through the worst moment anyone could imagine, he claimed they were in on it, too.
But I legitimately thought it might have been staged, and I stand by that, and I don't apologize for it.
And don't apologize, Mr. Jones. Please don't apologize.
I've already apologized to the parents over and over again. No, I don't apologize to you. Don't apologize to you.
After years of demanding he retract his false statements, parents finally sued him for defamation.
Random death or.
Rape threats would come in.
They spoke in court about the impact Jones's lies had had on their lives.
This person demanded to see Ben. I know he's here. I know he's alive.
Emily is alive, isn't she? She's alive. Huh? Son of a bitch.
She's alive!
Telling us that evil.
Didn't exist.
And that we.
Were just.
Trying to. To get money.
From.
The public.
Those parents won more than $1 billion in damages. This, they said, was the only way to shut him down.
Ain't going to be happening. Ain't no money.
Jones was actually live streaming on Infowars as the verdict was read.
They want to shut down. That's why the ambulance chasers did this. Why they use these families. So save Infowars.com. We're fighting Goliath.
We'll smash cut to yesterday. Jones has been ordered to hand over nearly everything he owns and auction off the very website he built. Yesterday morning, we learned it has been bought by The Onion, the satirical newspaper and website that's famous for jokes. But this is not a joke. The onion is now the owner of Infowars, and it was purchased with the approval of Sandy hook parents and the applause of one of the most prominent gun control groups in the country, Everytown for Gun Safety. We are joined now by Ben Collins, the CEO at The Onion, and John Feinblatt, the president of Everytown. Ben, you bought Infowars. Why?
Because it would be very funny. I think we all agree. This is really funny. Don't you agree? This is really funny. I think this is the funniest thing in the world. I think when we, you know, when we initially thought about it in June, when we read in the newspaper that it was for sale, we all had the same reaction. We'd be like, it'd be really funny if The Onion bought it. And then we really thought about it. We're like, but actually, how could we do this? Um, and I, from a previous life, I used to be a disinformation reporter. I knew the San Diego family's lawyers, and I gave them a ring, and I was like, what does this look like? Is this really for sale and all this stuff? And, um, you know, over the next few months, it became real. And, like, we started talking to every town about this. Every town was founded after Sandy hook happened, and we we wanted a good launch partner for this.
That made sense. And this is obviously the thing that makes the most sense. Then we started talking to like, Onion Hall of Famers like the the Hall of Fame comedy writers, uh, that have come through the halls of The Onion over the last few years. And when you NDA them and tell them this is happening, they get pretty excited. So we built up this whole universe and this whole world that we're excited to show everybody in a couple of months. But, uh, you know, first, just bathe in this. This is a really funny moment. Uh, you're allowed to laugh at it, I hope when you hope if you got a push alert or something, or if this is the first time you're hearing of it. Uh, when you heard this happened. I hope you hope you laughed really hard, because it's a funny moment.
John, what was your reaction when The Onion came to you guys with this idea?
Well, I think most people would think at first blush, sort of strange bedfellows, but we thought the opposite. Uh, for years, uh, The Onion has been really highlighting the crisis of gun violence in America. And obviously that's what we've been doing. And we thought that there was perfect synergy here. You know, at our fingertips. We've got facts and we've got stories and we've got research, but they've got the creativity to really cut through misinformation and to reach new audiences. I was going to.
Say The Onion has always been every time there's a big mass shooting, The onion has this famous headline of no way to prevent this says the only country where this regularly happens without.
A doubt, and we've known them and admired them for years. And what we know is that when you've got hate filled misinformation, humor is sometimes the way to really get a reset and to really shine a spotlight on the fact that misinformation is really fueling irrational thinking.
But how will this actually work? Because is it just the website, like Alex Jones had a number of platforms that were part of the company that was. Is Infowars right? So what do you guys acquire and what do you do with it?
Yeah, we we acquire everything. In fact, we we acquire all of his broadcasting equipment. Uh, we acquire his whole supplement empire, which we are at this moment, still trying to figure out what to do with. So we.
Like, literally wait, like, are there, like, pills in boxes somewhere?
There are pills in boxes somewhere. We don't even know where they are, but we are trying to figure that out right now. And like, that's the thing here is that we it was important to the families is that we really tried to take him off the air for a couple days and see what happens, and that's that's important to us, too. We want to be able to wipe the slate clean with this thing and, you know, in a couple of years. But we want to be able to say is, uh, if you think of Infowars, you think of this hilarious joke that we pulled off or, you know, even better that we've built something on top of it that's big and flourishing and crazy and, uh, is the funniest website that you know, right?
That's my question. Is it like, does a website supplant it now or like, what does that actually look like?
Yeah, we will take over Infowars.com I believe right now is down and we will take that over once that is transferred over to us. And uh, then we'll start, we'll start building a whole new world there. Sorry.
I just want to be clear, though. What does that mean? Like a whole new world. Is it like the onion now also has a different domain that's called Infowars? Or is it a totally different thing? Yeah.
No, we're we're building a whole new website with, uh, you know, our own. So basically what we want to do is there is a sub economy of alt media, people who've gone, uh, you know, unmarked for too long. And, uh, we those people, we call them alt media. They kind of, like, took over everything, like, quietly, you know, the, the podcast, people selling you supplements, the people, uh, getting you addicted to fear and anger and all that stuff. And it's not just Alex Jones types, it's it's all sorts of, uh, weird guys that you see on your TikTok and Instagram feeds. We're going to create a world where that is, you know, appropriately, the appropriate amount ritually mocked.
And, you know, when you think about the the pain and the suffering that Alex Jones visited on the Sandy hook families, the fact that every town and The Onion are painting the new chapter, there's no other way to describe this than poetic justice. It's, uh, it's almost karmic justice.
How much did you guys pay for it? Uh, at $1.1 trillion?
I don't think that's true. I think that is parody.
No, it's, uh. Look, it's. I agree with you. It's a small price to pay. But we decided that, uh, look, in our vast empire of puppy mills and other things that Global Tetrahedron funds.
Uh, just to be clear with our listeners, that is the parent company you set up with the same name as The Onion's fictional corporate overlords. Your company does not do all those things. Um.
That's that's up for you to decide, first of all. Okay. Second of all, yeah, it was it was it's just, you know, it's a small price to pay for, for a good, a public good. Okay.
But if so, if you're not going to tell me and that's fine that you guys are not going to tell me how much you actually paid for this. I guess the reason I, the thing I want to get at is, is this an expensive way to troll people? Is it a way for The Onion to effectively donate money to Everytown? Because I know every town is going to have an exclusive advertising deal with you guys? Or is this something is this like a way to have an impact on the conversation around conspiracy theories? Does this last beyond that push alert that you just mentioned that made people laugh?
Oh, yeah. Absolutely. Like, our goal is to make this a, uh, like I keep saying, a whole universe, a whole new universe for people to understand. And I just want to make it clear the money goes to the families. The families are owed $1 billion from Alex Jones and all. Like all of this money will go for the sale of Infowars and goes directly to the families. And we are going to make, uh, something better. We're going to pay this over and give give some people a good place in the internet to go to, because that's very rare now. That's a big part of why we want to do this. We want, uh, the media ecosystem is just filled with, like, lies and hate and garbage, and we want to give people a place to at least laugh at it. John, does.
This take Alex Jones out of the equation entirely? He's already responded to this, saying that this is all rigged, that Infowars is stronger than ever, that his empire is stronger than ever. What's your response?
We're putting Alex Jones in the rear view mirror. Yeah, we're painting a new chapter and we're going to reach new audiences. And I think that's what's most important here, uh, for both, uh, Everytown and for The Onion to talk about this in. Yes, in a humorous way. But to really expose the damage misinformation does. And talk to people that are beyond just talking to ourselves, talking to conservative people, talking to young people and reaching them and really, really exposing how misinformation distorts reality.
That's the thing. Because I keep wondering if, like, I doubt the average Infowars listener or consumer sticks around and goes like, oh, I got to check out this website or this Twitter account or whatever it is you're saying you're not you're not assuming you'll get those people tuning in every day, but you do think you'll reach what regular people at some point?
I think we will reach all Americans and and probably some of the people who have been following Infowars, because, look, when it comes to gun safety, we know where the American public stands, but we also know the damage that Alex Jones has visited, not just on the Sandy hook families, but on on people all across the country. In thinking about it, his currency is fear. And we're ending that chapter.
All right. Ben Collins, John Feinblatt, thank you both so much.
Thank you.
Okay, one more quick break when we come back. This is going to sound unbelievable, but bear with me. One last thing is next.
Tonight, all new 2020.
You think the shooter.
Was parked over here?
Why would somebody ever.
Put a wig on and gun somebody down in a parking lot?
A young father is senselessly murdered.
Twists and turns.
Bombshells galore. He got shot for one of three reasons greed, revenge or love.
It was becoming more and more clear that there was a lot more to the story.
And then bingo.
Fatal disguise all new 2020 tonight on ABC. David Muir, ABC's World News Tonight, the most watched newscast in America and honored with the Emmy Award winner for outstanding live news Program. More Americans watch World News Tonight with David Muir than any other newscast. Nightline. The stories that shape your world, that shape your life. Dramatic. Stunning. Empowering. Jaw dropping. The most powerful stories of our time. Nightline on right after Kimmel and streaming on Hulu. You're watching America's number one streaming news. Live reporting, breaking news exclusives. Keep streaming with ABC News Live.
Reporting from San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the path of Tropical Storm Ernesto. I'm Micah. And wherever the story is, we'll take you there. You're now streaming ABC News live.
And one last thing. Would people ever try to scam their insurance company? I don't know, does a bear open car doors in the woods? Yesterday, California authorities revealed footage of what appeared to be a series of bear attacks on expensive cars. In one video, you see this hairy, lumbering figure pawing open a car door near Lake Arrowhead, then rummaging around inside a Rolls Royce. Then another grisly scene, this time in a Mercedes Benz. The owner showed the aftermath to their insurers claw scratches all over the upholstery. Altogether, the insurers paid out $140,000. But when you look closer, you realize those scratch marks look awfully tidy. Like, why is the bear's thumb the same length as his pinky claw? Then, if you take a second look at the surveillance footage.
Whoever's inside that vehicle is not moving like a bear.
This is Harry Kesakhian. Yes. His real name is Harry, and he's a licensed insurance fraud investigator. He reviewed the tapes and said they're barely believable.
Opening the door and getting inside the vehicle. That is highly suspect and questionable. Sure enough.
This week in an investigation dubbed Operation Bear Claw, police arrested four men in their homes and charged them with conspiracy and insurance fraud. This man lives next to two of the suspects.
I never would have never thought of that. I mean, you know, whatever works. But I mean, if they found the bear suit.
They did allegedly have a bear costume. Police took photos of a costume in one of these houses with furry arms, legs, a bear head and some very tidy metal Freddy Krueger like claws. Now, in recent years, more bears have been breaking into homes and trash cans in some of these mountainside towns. Some are even known to take dips in pools and hot tubs. But the last piece of positive evidence was the police department brought in a biologist from the state Fish and Wildlife Department who watched all this and concluded, quote, clearly a human in a bear suit. They say the suspects were caught with their hands in the honey pot. No police entered yet. We will keep you updated with the very latest start. Here is produced by Kelly Terez, Jen Newman, Vika Aronson, Anthony Ali, Mara Milwaukee, Cameron Chertavian, and Amara Williams. Ariel Chester is our social media producer. Josh Cohan is director of podcast programming. I'm our managing editor. Laura Mayer is our executive producer. Thanks to John Newman, Tara Gimbel and Liz Alessi.
Special thanks this week to Chris Howell, Will McDuffie, Eric Strauss, Katherine Faulders, Will Steakin, and Aaron Katersky, I'm Brad Mielke. See you next week.
They were 150ft down in the dark, in the cold, with just a dwindling supply of oxygen.
An unbelievable mystery. How does the ultimate status symbol end up on the bottom of the sea? How could they be gone in 16 minutes?
It just doesn't happen.
Desperate efforts to find six missing people after a luxury yacht sank down to the sea floor. We were.
Just praying.
I think about the last few moments for them is terrifying.
Sinking of the superyacht now streaming on Hulu.
Behind every country song is a human story, and I'm here to find those stories.
At that time, guys like me were not artists.
People didn't respect me because I didn't do it the traditional way.
I got banned at the only retailer that carried music at that time.
The label called and said she's just not the right fit.
My world started to spin and I thought, I've got 30s.
And you just have to say, hell with it.
Hell with it.
It seems everyone has something to say about him. New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Now, later this morning, he comes to the view, facing all the tough questions and speaking out for himself. Plus, Billy Bob Thornton on ABC's The view tonight.
Why would somebody ever put.
A wig on and gun somebody down in a parking lot? He got shot for one, two, three, three.
Revenge or lost. And then. Bingo.
All new 2020 tonight on ABC.
This is ABC News Live.
The crushing families.
On the ground in Ukraine.
ABC News Live. America's number one streaming news. Anytime, anywhere. Streaming 24 over seven. Straight to you for free.
Thank you for making ABC News Live America's number one streaming news.
I'm Will Reeve reporting from Panda Ridge at the San Diego Zoo. Wherever the story is, we'll take you there. You're streaming ABC news Live.
Hi, I'm Diane Macedo today on ABC News Live. First, president elect Trump chooses RFK Jr for secretary of Health and Human Services. Now, Kennedy is promising to free health agencies from what he calls the smothering cloud of corporate capture. We'll break down his record on promoting anti-vaccine views, his promise to remove processed food and synthetic dyes from school meals, and how some of the nation's leading doctors are reacting to the pic. Plus, the GOP pushback over Trump's pick for Matt Gaetz as attorney general. New Israeli strikes on Beirut the IDF says warplanes have hit more than 120 terrorist targets throughout Lebanon in just the past 24 hours. The Hezbollah sites being targeted and why? Aides to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are under investigation. And trouble in the tropics the new weather threat. Taking aim at Central America and the impact it could have on the Gulf Coast. But first, many public health specialists are raising concerns over president elect Trump picking Robert F Kennedy Jr for Health and Human Services secretary. The former white House Covid response coordinator, Doctor Ashish Jha, calls it a very bad choice, and the former acting CDC director, Doctor Richard Besser, says it would be, quote, extremely dangerous.
But others, including Colorado's Democratic governor Jared Polis, are celebrating the news. In a post on X, Polis says RFK Jr. Helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will help make America wealthy again by shaking up HHS and FDA. Meanwhile, Trump touted his decision as well as his other cabinet picks at an event last night at Mar a Lago. ABC News Chief White House correspondent Mary Bruce is live from West Palm Beach. Mary.
Diane. Good morning. Well, overnight.
Here at Mar a Lago.
Donald Trump was in his element celebrating his victory and his new team praising his cabinet picks, even as many of them are now sparking controversy.
At a mar a Lago gala, president elect Donald Trump taking a victory lap.
We won the popular vote. Oh, I love that.
There in the room, many of his new and controversial cabinet.
Picks the.
President elect touting his team, praising Robert F Kennedy Jr after naming him to be Secretary of Health and Human Services.
I guess if you like health and if you like people that live a long time, it's the most important position.
Trump, now hoping to put a noted vaccine skeptic in charge of the nation's health system.
Now we want you to come up with things and ideas and what you've been talking about for a long time, and I think you're going to do some unbelievable things.
Kennedy has endorsed a host of debunked conspiracy theories, including falsely claiming that childhood vaccines cause autism, although the fraudulent study that introduced the concept was retracted long ago and numerous high quality studies have since shown that is not true. There is no link between vaccines and autism. Most of the vaccines used today have been used safely for decades, though Kennedy claims otherwise.
There's no vaccine that is, you know, safe and effective.
In fact, vaccines are considered one of the greatest life saving public health accomplishments of modern medicine, even eliminating some diseases on the trail. Trump harshly criticized Kennedy, then running his own independent campaign.
He's got no policy on anything. He's radical left. He always has been.
Now he's looking to put Kennedy in charge of one of the biggest departments in the federal government. HHS includes agencies that touch every aspect of American life, from the foods you eat to the medicine you take. I'm going to.
Let him go wild on health. I'm going to let him go wild on the food. I'm going to let him go wild on medicines.
Kennedy has already said the Trump administration will advise local water systems to remove fluoride from drinking water, though experts say it helps fight tooth decay at the low levels currently recommended. He's also said he wants to replace 600 people who currently work at HHS.
And he wants to make people healthy. It's driven them pretty wild over the last number of years.
But many public health experts are alarmed. The former acting director of the centers for Disease Control, Doctor Richard Besser, said Kennedy, as HHS secretary, would pose incredible risks to the health of the nation and that he's worsening mistrust in the public health system, telling ABC news he has consistently spread doubt and concerns about our public health system. He has led an organization that has undermined confidence in our vaccine system, which is the safest vaccine system in the world.
It's very anxiety provoking for many.
Of my public health colleagues right now. Part of the goal of public health officials is to reinforce trust when there is public.
Skepticism, and when you put someone in a leadership role that has a history of skepticism, especially around vaccines, that is going to cause a lot of misinformation.
And at that event last night, Donald Trump unveiling yet another pick, announcing that he is choosing North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to be the interior secretary overseeing U.S. lands and Resources. Burgum, of course, was a rival. Now another loyal Trump supporter.
Diane and Mary talk me through what happens now, because some are raising real questions about whether Matt Gaetz and whether RFK Jr. Would actually be confirmed by the Senate. So what are you watching for on that front?
Yeah, there are a lot of questions about whether Gaetz, Kennedy and some of Trump's other picks will actually gain enough support in the Senate. Reminder, you need a majority of backing from the U.S. Senate in order to be confirmed. But if they can't reach that level of support, there are still remaining questions about whether Donald Trump would push the Senate to essentially waive their vetting responsibilities, waive the confirmation process to allow Trump to push through some of these appointments through what's known as recess appointments. So there are ways that Donald Trump could try and get around a lack of support in the Senate. But there's a real uphill battle for a lot of these picks that Trump has put out there.
And, Mary, what else did you learn about the direction of the incoming Trump administration during this event at Mar-A-Lago?
Well, look, the president was clearly in a very. The president elect was clearly in a very good mood last night. And he really did call out, you know, naming out giving shout outs to several of these, these picks, several of his controversial picks who were there in the room, though it is notable he didn't actually call out Matt Gaetz, who was there in the room as well. He also, you know, recognized Elon Musk, who has become this increasingly influential confidante of his, though actually kind of joking that he can't seem to shake the billionaire, that he just seems to always be around him at this point. So a little bit of a glimpse into the president. The president elect's mood, and also how he's thinking about this team as he builds out who's going to be around him when he comes into office. All right.
ABC News Chief white House correspondent Mary Bruce. Mary. Thank you. And RFK Jr is thanking president elect Trump on social media for nominating him and promising to free health agencies from what he calls the smothering cloud of corporate capture. I want to bring in ABC news medical contributor and An epidemiologist. John Brownstein, for more. John, what are you hearing from your colleagues in medical and public health professions about this pick? Yeah.
Well, good morning, Diane. There is widespread concern among my colleagues, both in medical practice and public health, because of RFK Jr's history of promoting vaccine misinformation, that it really is the top conversation because, you know, of course, these kinds of misinformation and rumors around vaccines can undermine trust in public health measures, and these controversies could overshadow evidence based practices. And so there's a lot of distress and apprehension about how this leadership can impact national health policies and overall public health confidence in our vaccine systems.
Is it just about messaging and potential doubt, or is it about the actual power that he would hold as HHS secretary if he's confirmed?
Right. It's well beyond misinformation. Kennedy would oversee agencies like CDC, FDA, and NIH and have direct impact on public health policy that includes the nation's vaccination programs, drug approvals, research priorities. This is a $1.7 trillion budget that can have direct impact on the lives of Americans. And so this has a lot of influence on regulations and public health campaigns. So, of course, among these public health professionals that I'm close with, there is a lot of stress.
Now, Kennedy says that he's not anti-vaccine, that he's not for taking vaccines away, but that people ought to have a choice and that he wants to provide Americans with transparency with the data so they can make the best choices for themselves and their family. What's your response to that?
Well, you know, at face value, supporting choice makes sense. But the problem is that public health experts worry that it's promoting vaccine hesitancy and also lowering immunization rates. So the problem is and we've talked about this so many times during Covid, you need herd immunity. You need enough people getting vaccinated to reduce the risk of outbreaks like measles or mumps in communities. And so when you reduce the numbers of people getting vaccinated, that puts everyone at risk, especially our most vulnerable. And this is why we really need accurate and science based information that is prioritized as we make our public health decisions.
Now, Kennedy has also advocated for stricter regulations on ingredients used in processed foods like synthetic dyes, and he's garnered a lot of support on social media for that. What's your take on that?
Well, I think there's actually a lot of alignment around this. The idea around regulating dyes and harmful food ingredients I think we can all get behind. We know that we have epidemics of chronic diseases in this country. So bringing back effective change in this domain is something that there is a lot of backing for. The problem is we need to be careful and with a lot of oversight and again with evidence as we make some of these important changes.
So what are the experts you're talking to most worried about with this pick. And where do you think he could bring about good change.
Right. So I think to the point of of impacting policy without evidence is where we're the most concerned, right? Unproven theories. A move away from traditional medical practice. The reduction in vaccination campaigns, you know, destabilizing public health programs. This is all a concern. On the flip side, there is a lot of support and sort of enthusiasm around changing the ways in which we are transparently putting out information from public health and reducing corporate influence. But we have to remember these health policies as we we put we have concern as rumors and misinformation comes that will reduce trust in our health systems. And that ultimately is what people are very worried about with the confirmation of RFK Jr.
And John, I'm low on time, but why is that such a concern if people are skeptical about certain health related matters?
Overall, skeptical skepticism is fine. But we have to remember that public health is really for supporting evidence. And so as long as we're putting out the right evidence, we're communicating all the right information to the public to make decisions for themselves. That is what we are trying to achieve. It's totally fine to be, you know, to challenge data, but as long as the data is presented with context and that is what we're especially worried about, that it will just be data transparent without the, the the information behind it that can help people make the right decisions for themselves. All right.
ABC News medical contributor epidemiologist John Brownstein. We appreciate it, John. Thank you.
Thank you.
And president elect Trump's pick for attorney general, Matt Gaetz, is facing some major pushback on Capitol Hill. The House Ethics Committee had been conducting an investigation into Gaetz before he resigned from Congress earlier this week. Now, pressure is mounting on the bipartisan committee to release their findings, including from some senators. ABC News Senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott has the latest.
Reporter Republican senators signaling.
The confirmation of Matt Gaetz as the nation's top law.
Enforcement officer is far.
From a done.
Deal.
Well, we'll talk about it for certain. I know he's going to have an uphill battle.
Senate Democrats and Republicans.
Calling on the.
Bipartisan House Ethics Committee to release their findings from a months long investigation into Gaetz for alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use allegations. Gaetz has long claimed are false. How critical is it, then, to have access to what the House Ethics Committee has found in their investigation?
I think there should.
Not be any limitation on the Senate Judiciary Committee's investigation, including whatever the House Ethics Committee has generated. So you want to see it? Absolutely.
Sources say the committee was preparing to vote to release that report as early as this week. But after Trump announced his nomination, Gaetz abruptly resigned from Congress. The move immediately ending the investigation. Can you still release the report?
No.
I sure can't. Sources tell ABC news the committee heard from a young woman who said Gaetz had sex with her when she was just 17 years old, while he was still in Congress. It's a claim Gaetz denies, saying in a statement this false smear following a three year criminal investigation should be viewed with great skepticism. The lawyer representing that woman calling Gates's nomination a perverse development, saying she was a high school student and there were witnesses. The Justice Department gates could soon lead was actually investigating him for obstruction of justice and sex trafficking. Gates denies those allegations, too. And even though the DOJ closed their investigation without bringing charges, the allegations alone raising doubts.
A lot of people.
Will spend a lot of political capital on something that even if they got done, you'd have to wonder if it was worth.
It. Sources tell us Trump's decision to nominate gates came together within just 24 hours. Trump, not impressed by a handful of other candidates, ultimately persuaded during his flight back from D.C.. Gates, who is a fierce defender of Trump, at one point suggested he should be up for the job.
I'd fire every little kicker at the J. Edgar Hoover Building and send them all packing.
Threatening to take an ax to the Justice Department.
We either get this government back on our side, or we defund and get rid of, abolish the FBI, CDC, ATF.
DOJ, every last one of them if they do not come to heel.
And Vice President elect JD Vance has been reaching out to senators trying to gage their support. I'm told that Matt Gaetz has also been making calls as well, but I have talked to at least five Republicans here on Capitol Hill in the Senate who acknowledge this one could be an uphill battle, Diane. All right.
Senior congressional correspondent Rachel Scott, thank you. And we will have much more on president elect Trump's picks for his incoming administration throughout the day. And later this afternoon on This Week live at 4:00 eastern right here on ABC News Live. Meanwhile, President Biden is in Peru for the APEC summit and what's likely his final lap on the world stage as president. He's also set to meet with Chinese President XI Jinping before traveling to Brazil for the G20 summit. ABC's Alex Presha is in Lima, Peru with more. Alex, what's on the agenda at the APEC summit today? And how significant is this moment for President Biden?
Hey, Diane. Well, this is really his final tour.
On the.
World stage amongst all these world leaders. The president today having meetings with the Prime minister of Japan, the president of South Korea, and then also with the president of the host country here, Peru, Dina Duarte. And really, his role today is to reassure so many of these world economies of the US's commitment, specifically in the Indo-Pacific region. The white House saying that the relationship between the U.S. and these trade partners has never been stronger, and also saying that they're handing off a a very robust and and healthy relationship to the incoming administration. But again, all eyes are going to be on tomorrow's meeting with President XI. The two are set to talk about three main things, including military to military communication. Also these counter-narcotics efforts and then also I safety. But Diane, I will tell you that here at apex specifically, there is a lot of concern about what a change in the administration would mean. We've all heard about these tariffs. And so that is something that President Biden is trying to reassure this week.
Alex Presha in Lima, Peru. Thank you. And Tropical Storm Sarah is on the move and could impact the Gulf Coast as early as next week. Sarah is bringing catastrophic rainfall to Honduras today with life threatening flooding and mudslides. ABC's chief meteorologist Ginger Zee is tracking that storm for us. Hi, Ginger.
Diane, there's been a lot.
Online about.
Sarah.
Which has now formed.
A tropical storm.
It's hanging out near the northern coast there of Honduras. It's going to hang.
There through the weekend.
Before making it into the Yucatan Peninsula. So through Mexico.
And then kind of petering out.
But it will still have tropical moisture as it heads back into the Gulf. And that's why we're still watching for impacts for Florida, especially.
As that cold front and the trough kind of picks it up. After the high gets out of the way and what it looks like now.
Most of the modeling.
Coming together to have a pretty.
Heavy rain. A lot of tropical moisture, say Orlando.
Up through.
Gainesville over to Jacksonville. But we'll keep an eye on this because we're still.
Now, you know.
Five, six days away from this kind of making its way through.
And just a note, that same.
Front is.
First of all, going to bring some of the deepest.
Coldest air for.
Much of the nation so.
Far this fall.
But then also.
The.
Potential for some rain.
Which we so desperately need.
Here in the northeast.
Diane. Ginger Zee. Thank you. The. Israeli Defense Forces say their warplanes have hit more than 120 terrorist targets across Lebanon in the past 24 hours. The IDF says the strikes include Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure sites and Hezbollah Special Operations Forces command centers. It comes as top Iranian official, a top Iranian official says vow is vowing his support for Lebanon after talks with Lebanese leaders about the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Foreign correspondent joins me from Tel Aviv, Israel, with more on that. Brit. Beirut has been hit by Israeli strikes for the fourth day in a row. Now civilians are being told to evacuate new locations the IDF says it will target. So what's the latest on the fighting there? Lebanon?
Yeah, Diane. Over a dozen killed across Lebanon in Israeli strikes. That's according to the health ministry there. And yes, we've seen the Lebanese capital targeted once again, Diane. Huge plumes of black smoke rising into the air after Israel says it continues to hit Hezbollah infrastructure. Now, it's worth remembering that there are reports of potential ceasefire deals on the table. Hezbollah continuing to fire into Israel's territory. One of the aims of this ground operation, of course, is to allow Israelis who are displaced from their homes in the north by that rocket fire to to be able to return home. But despite the damage to Hezbollah infrastructure and those top assassinations, they do continue to fire into Israeli territory. Announcing 12 attacks today. Diane.
So, Brit, what more are you learning about these talks between this top Iranian official and Lebanese leaders?
Yeah. So the main relationship here is between Iran and its proxy, Hezbollah. That's been under a lot of scrutiny. It's something we've talked a lot about. The Lebanese government really aren't expected to have much of a role in any ceasefire agreement going forward. Hezbollah, however, has a massive role in Lebanese society. You know, it's backed by Iran. It's it's designated as a terror group by the US. But it is not just a military force, but a political and social organization, too. So it's really difficult, Diane, to see a path forward without their involvement being quite key to the process. And another one of those aims of the Israeli operation has been to kind of decouple the Gaza front of this war from the Gaza front. And and so far, we've seen no indication that Hezbollah is actually willing to stop firing into Israeli territory without a wider regional ceasefire. So it does seem like Iran is continuing to back its interests in Lebanon. Diane.
All right. Foreign correspondent Britt Clennett in Tel Aviv, Israel. Thanks, Britt. Coming up, a scare in the sky. What led to the emergency landing for an Alaskan Airlines flight carrying dozens of middle school students?
To its for the last time. The owners say anything that the owner blocked further down the hallway. But now it's time to go on a nighttime patrol. How many of these poachers have you caught this year?
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Welcome back to ABC News Live. First, the FAA is investigating an emergency landing after an Alaska Airlines plane lost a tire on takeoff. That plane was traveling from Washington, DC to Los Angeles. When passengers say they heard a loud pop and then felt the plane shake shortly after takeoff. ABC's Stephanie Ramos has the latest. Please head.
Against surface in front of you and grasp your lower legs.
Overnight. Alaska Airlines Flight 309 making an emergency landing in LA after reporting an issue with one of their landing gears. Passengers told to brace.
Brace, brace, brace.
The shaky landing caught on camera. Met with a round of applause from relieved passengers.
We just came.
To a nice smooth stop.
And I think everybody.
Unclenched they.
All we.
All got out of our.
Emergency positions.
And everybody just let out a big breath and everyone started to clap.
And there were.
Some, you know, hoots and.
Hollers.
I think we were all just really relieved.
The Boeing plane sustaining tire damage on takeoff. Dulles Airport reported finding debris that may have been from the tire of the plane, making an emergency landing in Los Angeles, the left tire visibly damaged. Alaska Airlines saying in a statement while this incident is a rare occurrence, our flight crews train extensively to safely manage through many scenarios. We understand this might have been a concerning moment for our guests on board, and we apologize for what they experienced. The company said it would investigate what caused the tire on that Boeing to malfunction. The aircraft will not be in service during that investigation. Diane.
Stephanie Ramos, thank you. And a Kentucky construction worker is recovering after a daring rescue caught on camera. Fire officials say the man fell more than ten feet through a floor and debris then fell on top of him. Rescue crews say it took nearly nine hours to get him out. ABC's Lara Spencer has the latest. Reporter.
An incredible rescue played out in Louisville over the course of nine hours.
We've seen a lot of trench rescues over the 24 years that I've been doing this. I've never seen anything like this.
A man working at a construction site, falling into a void, completely buried by gravel and large chunks of concrete.
They have one.
Victim that's down approximately like a ten foot hole that's covered with rubble.
That's when a rescue team responded, digging him out by hand.
We are moving tons and tons of debris by hand, by buckets. And you've got, like I said, you imagine a person at the bottom of the funnel. You have to shore up everything else that's going to keep cascading down to create a safe space, and then continue to dig this person out.
The rescue operation, shown live on local television stations as crews worked into the night with painstaking care to save the man's life, eventually bringing in a giant vacuum to remove some of the debris, and finally a sigh of relief as the man was brought to the surface and carried away on a stretcher.
This is why we took this job. We want to help people. And it's not like the movies. You're not always successful. So when you have a success like this, it is a tremendous feeling.
I'm glad to see he's doing okay. Lara Spencer, thanks for that. Coming up, the FBI on alert, the sophisticated way. Police say some criminals are now breaking into banks.
Will this will you know my name?
Oh, for decades, Chinatown's.
Been the epicenter of crime in the city. I need someone on the inside.
Follow me. She's a detective and a waiter. Partners. Freeze solving cases, catching bad guys.
Can I place an order to go, please? Well, close.
It seems everyone has something to say about him. New York City mayor Eric Adams. Now, later this morning, he comes to the view, facing all the tough questions and speaking out for himself. Plus, Billy Bob Thornton on ABC's The View.
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Welcome back to ABC News Live. First, here are some of the top headlines we're following right now. The northeast is on alert for increased fire danger with gusty winds and low humidity in the weekend forecast. Red flag warnings are in place from Connecticut to New Hampshire, while New York, new Jersey and Pennsylvania are under fire. Weather watches. Meanwhile, authorities say the Jennings Creek Fire on the border of New York and New Jersey is now 75% contained. Badly needed rain is not in the forecast until the middle of next week. A group of pedestrians in Boston are safe after a close call with some airborne construction equipment. Heavy winds ripped off a large piece of scaffolding from the roof of South Station, the city's main transit hub. Several people were nearly hit, but thankfully no one was hurt. And the FBI is working to track down banks that may have been hit by a brazen crew of burglars. Investigators say the thieves dressed up like construction workers and used jackhammers and blowtorches to gain access to bank vaults and ATMs.
Investigators say the sophisticated crew from several South American countries stole more than $4 million from banks in California, Oregon and Washington before they were arrested. And we now know who will host the next Oscars. Conan O'Brien has just been named. It will be the long time late night hosts first time hosting Hollywood's biggest night. Taking over for Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted the past two years, the Oscars will air Sunday, March 2nd on ABC. And we are just hours away from one of the most highly anticipated boxing matches in recent memory. Heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson is taking on YouTube star Jake Paul, who started his professional boxing career just six years ago. ABC's Andrew Dymburt has more.
Reporter we are just hours away from Mike Tyson squaring off against Jake Paul, but the fight has already begun. Ladies and gentlemen, the 58 year old Tyson slapping the 27 year old YouTuber turned boxer at last night's weigh in. It's personal now. He must die. Paul shaking off Tyson's slap but showing off the precautions he's taken to not end up like Evander Holyfield, who had part of his ear bitten off by Tyson back in 1996.
I'm not getting my bet off on Friday night, so I got my diamond spiked ear covers right there.
Tonight's showdown is the first ever live boxing match on Netflix. Tyson's first professional bout in nearly 20 years. The rules will be slightly different from a typical match, with shorter rounds and heavier boxing gloves, lowering the chances of a knockout. Despite a 31 year age gap and being a major underdog, sportsbooks report 90% of all bets are being placed on the Hall of Famer Tyson, the most popular bet. Tyson winning in the first round. We got 1.
Million here, 1 million here.
Paul is betting.
Big on himself, taking multiple million dollar bets from fellow fighters, even staking his claimed $40 million payout.
To bet your purse.
Yeah, let's bet the purse deal.
But Tyson, demonstrating his skills during a recent workout and last night showing he can still pack on the muscle.
I am not going to lose. Did you hear what I said?
All right, Andrew Dymburt. Thank you. Coming up, new details about the Menendez brothers case, what new documents are revealing about their decades behind bars. Also ahead, a mother arrested after her ten year old son was found walking alone near their home. What she is saying about the charges she's now facing. Plus, a health alert linked to more than 10 million people this year alone. The warning from the World Health Organization about a surge in measles cases.
It seems everyone has something to say about him. New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Now, later this morning, he comes to the view, facing all the tough questions and speaking out for himself. Plus, Billy Bob Thornton on ABC's The View.
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Welcome back to ABC News Live. First you are looking at Boston on this Friday, November 15th. President elect Trump's pick for attorney general, Matt Gaetz, is facing major pushback on Capitol Hill. The House Ethics Committee had been investigating Gaetz before he resigned from Congress earlier this week. Now, pressure is mounting for the bipartisan committee to release their findings, including from some senators who could be voting whether or not to confirm him. ABC news correspondent Jay O'Brien has this report.
By now, you've probably heard the name Matt Gaetz.
A self-described conservative firebrand, a deeply loyal Trump supporter.
He's a great guy. He's a great, really a great person. And he's on the controversial side. But that's not.
Bad. And now the president elect's pick for attorney general.
Maybe I should serve as attorney general of the United States. I'd be easy on marijuana and tough on Big Tech.
But the controversial pick of the now former Florida congressman is sending shockwaves across Washington, D.C..
Clearly, it's just kind of like a god tier kind of trolling just to trigger a meltdown.
It's going to have an uphill battle.
I can name between 5 and 10 Republicans.
Who are seriously considering voting.
Against.
This nomination.
And it's not just Gates's reputation as a conservative bomb thrower that's stirring some backlash to his nomination to the top law enforcement job in the country. It's also allegations about Gates's past. The Florida congressman was facing a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sex trafficking, specifically that he paid for and engaged in sexual relations with an underage girl. And sources telling ABC news that woman testified before the House Ethics Committee that gates had sex with her when she was 17 years old, and he was a member of Congress. In a statement to ABC news, gates says these allegations are invented and would constitute false testimony to Congress. This false smear following a three year criminal investigation should be viewed with great skepticism. Gates has denied all allegations against him, and now that gates has resigned from Congress to potentially join Trump's cabinet, that House investigation into him will end.
I served with some real scumbags like Matt Gates. He paid minors to have sex with him.
The Department of Justice investigated similar claims for years and ultimately did not bring any charges.
Word is I now have problems with the ethics Committee, which seems really odd to me because I'm the one screaming loudest for actual ethics reforms.
Sources tell ABC news the House Ethics Committee was in the final stages of its probe into gates and preparing to decide this week whether to release a final report. But gates resignation preempted that. Gates earned a law degree from William and Mary in 2007, before working at a law firm in Florida. He then followed his father's footsteps into Florida politics, serving in the state House from 2010 to 2016 and then winning a seat in Congress in the Republican stronghold of the Florida Panhandle. The same year, Donald Trump won the white House. Gaetz quickly grew close to Trump and has a penchant for political clashes.
I'm glad that we've got a president that's willing to take the slings and arrows, and it's willing to go out there and say that there are things that we got to do to be able to reform the very institution of this place.
In 2018, he received bipartisan condemnation for inviting a Holocaust denier to Trump's State of the Union. A year later, he hired a speechwriter who had been fired by the Trump White House after speaking at a white nationalist conference. But it was Gaetz's opposition to Kevin McCarthy's bid to become speaker of the House in 2023. That made him a household name.
That was easy, huh?
I never thought we'd.
Get up here.
Months later, gates was back again, triggering a motion to vacate, starting the process to oust Kevin McCarthy from his job and flinging the House of Representatives into weeks of political chaos.
If this House of Representatives has exceeded all expectations, then we definitely need higher expectations.
When the dust settled and McCarthy was gone, the former speaker held gates personally responsible and even funded an unsuccessful primary challenger against the congressman. McCarthy believes gates will not be confirmed as attorney general. As Attorney general, gates would be in a commanding position directing the entire law enforcement apparatus of the federal government. The top law enforcement job a focus for Donald Trump, who has said he wants to change the entire Justice Department and even on the campaign trail, suggested he could prosecute his political opponents. I think the.
Bigger problem are the people from within. We have some very bad people. We have some sick people, radical left lunatics, and I think they're the and it should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard or if really necessary by the military.
And sources tell ABC news rank and file Department of Justice employees are concerned. One telling ABC news, quote, this can't be real, and another predicting mass resignations if gates gets sworn in.
ABC News correspondent Jay O'Brien. Thank you. Let's bring in former Republican Congressman Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania for more. Congressman, thank you for coming on. I know you were the chair of the House Ethics Committee. So what do you make of this controversy over whether or not the committee should share this report on Matt Gates with the Senate?
Well, ordinarily, if a member of Congress resigns from the House, the House Ethics Committee loses jurisdiction over the investigation. But in this case it appears that the investigation was complete and all that had to happen was for the committee to vote on the report and then to release it to the public. And so I suspect the committee will be under tremendous pressure. I know they are under tremendous pressure to release this report. I believe precedent would allow them to do so again. Ordinarily, they wouldn't do it. But I would also recommend to you that if when this report is released, you will see that it is damning. They are. The committee is probably likely to recommend some sort of sanction against Matt Gaetz, whether it's a reprimand, censure or even an expulsion, although that's moot at this point since he resigned. They can do all those things. But you also have, you know, the United States Senate that is, you know, now vetting Matt Gaetz as part of its nomination process for attorney general.
And they will want this report as part of their record as they look into his candidacy for this position. So it suggests to me that the committee will probably convene, and I hope they do release it. But at this point, it's hard to say. They typically wouldn't do it. And I was involved with many of these types of investigations over the years. And these are thorough professional investigations. And there are these are these are really serious people who do these things on a nonpartisan basis. And by the way, that ethics committee is evenly divided. Five Republican, five Democrats. So whatever this report, what's in this report, if it's agreed to, it will be done probably on a unanimous basis.
What do you make of the other picks Trump has made for key positions so far?
Well, you know okay. Waltz. Congressman Waltz I think is a solid pick. You know, Marco Rubio is a solid pick. And there are some others. You know, Zeldin is a good pick. Although I was surprised they put him at EPA. I didn't strike me as his expertise. But what I guess. But like everybody, the Matt Gaetz Gates selection is simply gobsmacking. I mean, how could he? And then there was, of course, you know, there's Tulsi Gabbard. Uh, you know, again, you know, she's going to come under great scrutiny because of her ties to Syrian President Assad and or some of the statements she's made about Russia. Uh, and, and I think that's really going to be a challenge for her. Same thing, too, of course, with RFK Jr. Who's, you know, kind of a conspiracy theorist, you know, engages in quackery and anti-vaxxer. Uh, that's also probably after gates. The most serious problem is RFK Jr.
I mean, you know, we're trying to talk about protecting the public. And if if we're going to do away with vaccines or ignore vaccine science, I don't think I can't think of anything that would be more harmful to the health and safety of many of our citizens.
Do you think some of these more controversial picks, like gates, like RFK Jr. Will have a difficult time getting confirmed by the Senate?
Yeah. In the case of.
Say, Matt Gates, I believe that that nomination will have to be withdrawn at some point. I just can't see his nomination getting through. I suspect there'll be plenty of folks who will be prepared to vote against him on the Republican side. RFK Jr I would hope there would be plenty of votes against him as well, but we'll see. And I am one who is skeptical that the US Senate will use this recess appointment process on some of these very controversial or unqualified nominees. John Thune, Senator Thune is a good man. He is an institutionalist. And and I suspect, you know, that that recess appointment process should be used very sparingly. You know, maybe for a qualified candidate. But isn't some political difficulty you might remember? John Bolton, I believe, secured his position after after after a recess appointment. I mean, you could say what you will about John Bolton, but he's very smart. He's qualified. But obviously politically, you know, challenging for many. But but that's not what we're talking about with Matt Gaetz or RFK Jr.
We're talking about people who simply seem to be unfit or unqualified.
All right. Former congressman Charlie Dent. We appreciate your time today. Thank you.
Thank you.
And we're getting a closer look at what life behind bars has been like for the Menendez brothers. The outgoing D.A. has released documents that appear to show Eric and Lyle's effort at rehabilitation and community building during their three decades in prison. Chief national correspondent Matt Gutman has the details.
As the resentencing hearing for Eric and Lyle Menendez nears a trove of new documents giving us our deepest look into their life behind bars. Outgoing L.A. Da District Attorney George Gascon filing more than 600 pages of documents showing the brothers to be, quote, model prisoners, with one corrections coordinator testifying. In my 26 years at the prison, I have not met an inmate who has been this innately committed to helping others.
In 1996, the brothers were.
Sentenced to life in prison without parole.
For the brutal shotgun murders of their parents.
Now, the Da is calling for the siblings.
To.
Be.
Released on good behavior. The document offering exhaustive lists of groups and organizations the brothers have either founded or participated in, including mindfulness groups, hospice and addiction care programs, a no violence challenge, prison, green spaces, and art projects. Lyle, seen here in front of a mural he recently painted with his art group. The book length submission also has letters from family, friends and staff, with one officer writing of Eric that his quote, notorious public image is starkly different from the inmate who he says is a rehabilitated man who humbly strives towards helping those in need. Multiple Netflix productions coupled with social media sparking a new generational interest in the case. The brothers claims of sexual abuse galvanizing many to call for their freedom.
The case is a unicorn.
Because.
Despite all that.
Very significant evidence, the jury found him guilty.
Of double murder.
For.
Financial gain. That is.
Premeditated.
Gascon, telling me last month it was the rehabilitation in prison that convinced him.
Those were brutal murders that were premeditated, and that's why they got life without the possibility.
You are recommending that they be released essentially immediately.
I am recommending that they be released because I believe that the people that they were is not the same people that we're seeing 35 years later.
But now, some uncertainty. With Gascon unseated and newly elected D.A. Nathan Hochman taking over the infamous case, soon telling Akana Whitworth he will thoroughly review everything.
Well, as for the.
Minimal amount.
Of time necessary.
To do this.
Work.
Because we owe it to the Menendez brothers, we owe.
It to the public to get this.
Decision right.
It's worth noting that in their 35 years in the system, the brothers have had a handful of rules violations, but not for a single infraction for violence. Now, sources close to the case tell me the defense intends to make the unusual move of calling at least four corrections officers to the stand at the resentencing hearing next month to testify to the brothers rehabilitation and their readiness to be back in society. Diane.
Chief national correspondent Matt gutman. Thank you. And a Georgia mother is facing potential jail time after leaving her ten year old son home alone. And he then took a walk less than a mile into town. Police say she knowingly put her son in harm's way, but she argues he was never in danger. ABC's Andrea Fujii has the details.
Police body camera video shows the moment Brittany Patterson was arrested for letting her ten year old son walk into town by himself.
What am I under arrest for?
For reckless endangerment.
And how was I recklessly endangering my child?
On October 30th, Patterson said she took one of her children to the doctor. In the meantime, her son Sean, who has since turned 11, decided to walk less than a mile into town from their home in rural Mineral Bluff, Georgia. While out, Patterson got a call from the sheriff's department worried that Sean was walking alone. I wasn't.
Concerned. I wasn't, you know, panicking or concerned because it's just a short walk from our house. He knows how to get home. He knows how to get there.
Authorities dropped Soren off at home, and five hours later, they returned.
Call mommy and tell him they're taking me to jail because you decided to walk down the street with your hands.
That's not his fault. Yeah, mommy. You're the mother. That's your responsibility. Anytime I checked.
It wasn't illegal for a kid to walk to the store.
So it is when they're ten years old.
Patterson was booked on suspicion of reckless conduct, a charge that could carry one year in jail. The warrant claiming she willingly and knowingly did endanger the bodily safety of her juvenile son.
Our criminal justice system is built on the fact that you did something or you were negligent. You did something criminally negligent. So what is it she did?
Authorities have offered to drop the charge. If Patterson signs a safety plan that includes the use of a GPS tracker on her son's phone, but she refuses to sign it or admit doing anything wrong.
I just felt like I couldn't sign that, and that in doing so would be agreeing that there was something unsafe about my home or something unsafe about my parental decisions. And I just don't believe that.
Andrea Fujii Thank you. And Brittany Patterson is out on bail. She's waiting to see if prosecutors will indict her on the reckless conduct charge. Coming up, a health alert linked to more than 10 million people this year alone. The warning from the World Health Organization about a surge in measles cases.
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Welcome back to ABC News Live. First it is time for our weekly segment Tell It Like It Is, where ABC news contributor Doctor Loke Patel shares health advice on the topics that matter most to you. And today he is answering some of your questions. Doctor Patel, I want to start first with this new report on measles, because the World Health Organization says cases are surging worldwide, infecting 10.3 million people just in 2023. So what should people know?
Well, there's a couple other numbers people should know, Diane, is that in 2023, there were about 107,000 deaths from the measles, mostly in children under the age of five. And that number of cases is up 20% from 2022. And across the world, 22 million children missed their first dose of the MMR vaccine, which can prevent all of this. So measles is a virus, but some children who get it can be left with permanent disabilities such as blindness, severe respiratory infections, swelling from the brain. And we have a huge issue with those vaccination rates dropping not only because of access but because of misinformation. People getting the wrong information. So the measles vaccine is safe, effective. Make sure your children are covered. This should not be a headline.
An anonymous viewer in Texas also writes, how are rules changing about getting emergency contraception pills? What about abortion pills by mail?
It's a lot to talk about here, and I and I respect this question because it really differs per state. What I want to say is that there's a difference between these two pills. The emergency contraception is really referring to either plan B or a copper IUD, which are highly effective at preventing pregnancy if taken soon after sex. The book says 120 hours, but it's best if you take it right away. Now, these are currently legal in all 50 states, but it may vary depending on how you're able to access it over-the-counter a pharmacy, a pharmacist needing to approve it. In some states, a pharmacy can actually deny it now. Abortion, medical abortion such as that pill. Now that is usually taken in the first trimester. It's what's called the medication abortion. It's actually the the majority of abortions in the United States are done by taking this pill, which is usually a combination of two. Now, what's important to note is that even though there are abortion bans in a few states, people are actually able to access this via telehealth thanks to shield laws, but it really does depend on your state.
And for people out there who don't know their laws or may be afraid to talk to a healthcare professional, I'm sorry that reality exists because it can be confusing. It can be scary, but there is legal help that people can get by going online to reproductive legal hotlines so you can better understand your options in the state you live to make the right decision for you.
And Ben in Seattle, Doctor Patel writes, why is it we can only sign up for health insurance once a year? Why not all the time?
Ben, I feel you because a lot of people wonder, like, what is this small open enrollment window? Now, depending on your employer or the health care marketplace, there is a small time frame where they want you to enroll, and this is likely to make sure that there's a steady pool of premiums being paid and a mix of people who may have pre-existing conditions or those who don't. So for people out there, make sure that if you get a new job, you are looking at that window. When to sign up and for the open marketplace HealthCare.gov. That window opened November 1st and it closes January 15th for February 1st coverage. Now, one important thing to note that on healthcare.gov, every single plan, according to the Affordable Care Act, must cover essential health benefits, free preventive care, and cover you regardless if you have pre-existing conditions. So sign up today if you don't have health insurance.
And lastly, a new study that analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found beer drinkers may have worse diets and liver health compared to wine or liquor drinkers. Why is that? What's your reaction to this study?
You know, all.
Alcohol is probably not great for your diet, and it's all terrible for your liver. Now, Diane, this is one shot in time looking at 1900 adult alcohol consumers. They looked at people who just drank beer, wine, liquor or a mix of all of it and found that beer drinkers were most likely to have poor diets and increased risk of liver disease, and were more likely to smoke. So, like I said, this is just one snapshot in time. But it just goes to show you that how much all of this plays in to your liver health. So alcohol and moderation make sure you're eating a healthy diet. Move and take it easy every now and then. Your brain, your heart and your liver will thank you.
All right. Doctor Patel, thank you. And if you have questions for Doctor Patel, just leave him a message on our Instagram feed. He might answer your question right here on Friday. Coming up, Nicki Minaj is dropping new music, how she's keeping late rapper Juice Wrld's legacy alive. That and more music headlines in the drop with Megan Wright when we come back.
It seems everyone has something to say about him. New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Now, later this morning, he comes to the view, facing all the tough questions and speaking out for himself. Plus, Billy Bob Thornton on ABC's The View.
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Why would somebody ever put a.
Wig on and.
Gun somebody down in a parking lot?
He got shot for one, two, three, three.
Revenge or lost. And then. Bingo.
All new 2020 tonight on ABC. America's number one news. ABC news now streaming 24 over seven on Disney+. Reporting from Hurricane Milton.
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It is time now for The Drop, where we talk about the big music headlines of the week. ABC news contributor, DJ and radio personality Megan Wright is here to break it down for us. Megan, what do we need to know this week? Good morning Diane.
I got some news in the nominees for the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame are in. And it's going to be a very tough decision. All right. A songwriter with a catalog becomes qualified 20 years after their first big commercial song release. 26 incredible songwriters have been nominated, but only six, just six will make it into the Hall of Fame. Now the nominees include both performing and non-performing songwriters. Okay, so on the performing side, we have some big names like Eminem, Janet Jackson, Boy George, N.W.A and Sheryl Crow. And then on the non-performing side, some other big names Rodney Darkchild Jerkins, Mike Chapman, Sonny Curtis and Tom Douglas. Now the winners will be honored next year at the Induction and Awards gala in NYC. Now let's get into some stats and talk music trends in the YouTube space. It is the holiday season, so you know Mariah Carey is entering the chat. All I want for Christmas re-enters the US top songs at number 23. And then another popular Christmas song is wham's Last Christmas, which resurfaces at number 62.
Now moving on to a hit song that is officially entered the Billy club, I love When Songs reach 1 Billion on YouTube. The video for Rihanna and Selena Gomez's 2022 single Calm Down has officially surpassed 1 billion views, but congratulations to them. Now, this is Rama's first video to reach that milestone. While this is Selena's third and Tyler, the creator's Chromophobia is shaking up the charts with seven entries on the US top songs, and he also takes the number seven spot on the US Top Artist charts. Now in new music news, you know it's Friday, so let's talk about these new music drops. Lady Gaga has dropped an incredible acoustic version of her song disease. Let's take a listen.
I could play the doctor. I can cure your disease. If you were are a sinner I could make you believe. Lie you down, love. One. Two. Three.
Yeah. I love seeing Lady Gaga on the piano. Definitely giving classic vibes. The original was dropped just a few weeks ago on October 25th. And now we already have a new version. Disease is the first single from her forthcoming album, dubbed LG seven, which is set to come out in February 2025. Now you know, Lady Gaga has been super busy. Okay. We've seen her on the silver screen and the Joker two and the 13 time Grammy winner. Yes. 13 times has also been nominated alongside Bruno Mars for the song of the Year and Best Pop Duo Group performance at next year's Grammys for their hit Die With a smile. Now I gotta hit you with some other new music news again, because it is Friday. Nicki Minaj teased this week that she would be dropping some new music, and it has officially arrived. Yes, there we go. All Girls are the Same two is a sequel to the late artist Juice World's 2018 track. Nikki joins him on this one with backup vocals from Halsey.
Check it out. Is there any way you can be mindful of what we say? Is there any way? Is there any way.
That you book a different plane? Say you'll stay here.
I love it. That's a lot of new music to listen to into the weekend, Diane.
A lot for us to listen to into the weekend. Megan. That's why we love having you on on Fridays. Megan. Thank you.
You're welcome.
And thank you for watching. I'm Diane Macedo. The news never stops, and neither do we. We have a lot more news for you right after the break. Stick around.
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Hi, I'm Diane Macedo. Let's get right to our top story. Many public health specialists are raising concerns over president elect Trump picking Robert F Kennedy Jr for Health and Human Services secretary. The former white House Covid response coordinator, Doctor Ashish Jha, calls it a very bad choice, and the former acting CDC director, Richard Besser, says it would be, quote, extremely dangerous. But others, including Colorado's Democratic governor Jared Polis, are celebrating the news. In a post on X, Polis says RFK Jr. Quote, helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will help make America Healthy again by shaking up HHS and FDA. Let's bring in ABC News White House correspondent Karen Travers and ABC correspondent Jay O'Brien for more. Karen, how much power would Kennedy have to shape public health if he is confirmed?
Diane. I mean, if he is confirmed.
To lead the Department of Health and Human.
Services, this is a massive.
Sweeping position for Robert F Kennedy.
Jr. And, you know, look, when you think.
Back to what Donald Trump was saying on the campaign trail, he made it very clear he wanted to put him in charge of all of these agencies. He promised him something big. He said, I'm going to let him go wild on health. Let him go wild on the food, let him go wild on medicines. But just to give you a sense of what HHS has underneath this, there are 13 significant divisions, including the CDC, where they make recommendations on vaccines and they track global diseases. We obviously know how important that was during the Covid pandemic. The NIH is there. They do research studies into cancer and other important things like that that so many people in this country are relying on for their treatments. The FDA is also under HHS, and that's where you have prescription drugs and dietary supplements, food and medical devices. They also do inspections of facilities. Remember the baby food issue, the baby milk issue that we had. The FDA is involved in that. And then the centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, so many people in this country are enrolled in those programs.
That is important too. So when you look at it like this, obviously we heard from the president elect last night talking about how this is such an important role. We heard from the campaign trail saying, you know, he was going to give him something big. And this is a major, major position.
Jay, what are you hearing about Kennedy's nomination from lawmakers on Capitol Hill? Does it seem likely that he could make it through the confirmation process?
Yeah, a confirmation process through the Senate for Kennedy. Because, remember, typically for cabinet level nominees, they've got to go through confirmation hearings. And then they got to clear a vote on the Senate floor and get a simple majority. That might be a rocky process for Robert F Kennedy Jr. We haven't seen as many moderate Republicans come out against his nomination publicly as have, for instance, other controversial cabinet picks like Matt Gaetz for attorney general. But we are hearing some rumblings from Republicans, including, by the way, over in the House, Republicans who don't have a dog in this fight. They're not involved in the confirmation process, but just say generally, they're concerned. There's one, for instance, John Duarte. I want to read to you exactly what he told our team yesterday from the transcript. He said to our team, he said, quote, all my kids are vaccinated and I hope he he being Kennedy is not going to move against one of the most life saving technologies in the history of the world.
And look, there are other Republicans in Congress who have said that they are friends of Bobby Kennedy's, that they like his position on various aspects of public health, etc.. But this is not a done deal, this confirmation process. And again, if Donald Trump wants to go through the traditional confirmation process with Bobby Kennedy, submit him to the Senate, the Senate holds hearings and there is that vote. That could be a very rocky process.
Karen Trump celebrated his nomination of Kennedy, as well as his other cabinet picks, during an event last night at Mar a Lago. So what stuck out to you about his comments about his incoming administration?
You know, Diane, I think last night was sort of a return to what we remember from eight years ago when then president elect Donald Trump was doing his picks in a much more public way, bringing people to his golf resorts and putting them in front of cameras as they were kind of campaigning for positions in the cabinet early on that first couple of days, when he was announcing some of his more conventional picks for his cabinet, it was through social media posts and press releases. Now we're seeing Donald Trump doing it in front of a big audience, trying to make a big, more splashy display of this. And last night he announced to great fanfare that he's going to pick North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, a big loyalist of Donald Trump's, to be the secretary of interior. He also teased that he would be having a pick soon for the energy secretary position. And as you noted, he talked at length about his pick of RFK Jr to lead HHS. Also, we saw yesterday those loyalists again, that's a word we're going to keep using now over the coming weeks.
People on his legal defense team who are now going to be in big positions within the West Wing and also at the Justice Department and.
Officials in Monterey, California, now say Pete Hegseth, Trump's pick for defense secretary was part of an investigation into alleged sexual assault in 2017. A source tells ABC news Trump's transition team was made aware of that earlier this week, and his attorney tells ABC that this incident was fully investigated and Mr. Hegseth was cleared of any wrongdoing. He says it should have no effect on the confirmation process. So will it likely play into his confirmation process, or do you think this is a non-issue on Capitol Hill?
I mean, it's very much unclear at this hour, Dianne. Certainly, Pete Hegseth, his attorney, has that denial, and he says that this was investigated and no wrongdoing was found. But the reality here is this does underscore the fact that these nominees, particularly the more controversial ones, and this nomination is considered controversial because he doesn't have any kind of senior leadership experience in the national security space. Those nominees will get a lot of scrutiny. Matt Gaetz will as well. There is, of course, as we have long discussed, that ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sex trafficking made against Matt Gaetz, allegations that Gaetz has long denied and the Department of Justice investigated and didn't bring any criminal charges. Point being, this is going to be a long confirmation process for a lot of these nominees, especially those that have been in the public eye, like Matt Gaetz, like Pete Hegseth, like Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for director of national intelligence for quite some time.
All right. Karen Travers, Jay O'Brien, thank you both. And RFK Jr is thanking president elect Trump on social media for nominating him and promising to free health agencies from what he calls the smothering cloud of corporate capture. Let's bring in South Shore Hospital chief of infectious disease doctor Todd Ellerin for more on that. Doctor Todd, good to see you. So what's your reaction to Trump picking RFK Jr as secretary of Health and Human Services?
Right. So I mean, this is the most important position for the health of Americans. When you think of the future vision of of what it means to be healthy in the United States, this is a position that shapes policy from everything from vaccines to food safety. Pandemic response. As you know, we obviously just got over, you know, a once in a 100 year pandemic. Cancer research, even even insurance like Medicare and Medicaid. So it's such an important position. We need to make sure that whoever fills this position is serious, can communicate. They're responsible for 13 agencies FDA, CDC, NIH. You just heard that before. There are 85,000 people, you know, within Health and Human Services. So it's just such a key position and, you know, it needs to be taken seriously.
Now, Kennedy has endorsed a host of debunked conspiracy theories, including falsely claiming childhood vaccines cause autism. But he now says that he's not anti-vaccine, and instead in favor of giving people data and letting them decide what's best for themselves and their families. What's your take on that?
I'm really glad you mentioned that, because back in the 1900s, when you looked at mortality in the United States, 30% of that mortality was in children less than five. A lot of that was because of infections, was because of inadequate sanitation, poor nutrition. But the bottom line is we know that vaccines have have been such an important development, crucial, really life saving. Sometimes we lose what I'd call like we have historic amnesia because we haven't lived in a time when we've seen outbreaks of measles and things like polio. You can only imagine these diseases in the mid 1900s were really running wild across the United States. We have to make sure that that doesn't happen again. So I'm really happy to hear that there's a change of heart because vaccines have been such an important milestone, to say the least.
My dad had polio as a kid and he still suffers the consequence of it. So I know for many families it's personal in that respect. That said, Doctor Ellerin Democratic Colorado Governor Jared Polis has come out in support of RFK Jr. And he's saying he's concerned about the impact of pesticides. Agricultural policy. High prescription drug costs. And he says institutions like the FDA have been barriers to lowering drug costs and promoting healthy food choices. So he's for a major shakeup here. What do you make of that?
You know.
I think that there is part of our health care system that's broken. There is no question access to health care is a problem. When you talk about health inequity, something I'm sure you're aware of. Is that how healthy we are, how long we live is more correlated with our zip code than our genetic code. So there's a lot that has to be changed. And I'm all in favor of disruption. But there's a major. But here there's a lot in our health care system that works. And a lot of it is some of the best health care in the world. So we don't want to throw away the things that we know that work. So I think we can do both at the same time.
All right. Doctor Todd Ellerin, we appreciate you coming on. Thank you.
You too. Diane.
Meanwhile, President Biden is in Peru for the APEC summit and what is likely his final lap on the world stage as president. He's also set to meet with Chinese President XI Jinping before traveling to Brazil for the G20 summit. ABC's Alex Presha is in Lima, Peru with more on that. Alex, what are the president's goals in these meetings, especially this meeting with XI Jinping tomorrow?
Hey, Diane. Well, President Biden here on the ground in Peru for this APEC summit and really his his chief goal, as the white House has outlined to us, is to ensure a peaceful transition now that this incoming administration has been elected. And so, look, a lot of that involves reassuring many of these APEC member economies, if you will. Certainly, the former president, now president elect Trump, has touted the idea of levying tariffs on on many of our trade partners. And that has certainly sparked concerns globally. President Biden here specifically reiterating to this, this, this, this, this summit and this contingent, the importance of our trade partners in the Indo-Pacific. And then you mentioned that meeting with President XI tomorrow, again, ensuring a peaceful transition, a smooth transition is something that the white House says is paramount. They're going to be talking about three main things military to military communication, which they think is imperative in order to prevent escalations in that region. Also these counter-narcotic efforts. And then also air safety is going to be on the agenda tomorrow.
All right. Alex Presha in Lima, Peru. Alex. Thank you.
Thank you. The.
Israeli Defense Forces say their warplanes have hit more than 120 terrorist targets across Lebanon in the past 24 hours. The IDF says the strikes include Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure sites and Hezbollah Special Operations Forces command centers. This comes as top Iranian officials, or rather a top Iranian official, is vowing support for Lebanon after talks with Lebanese leaders about the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Foreign correspondent Brit Bennett joins me now live from Tel Aviv, Israel, with more on all of that. But what's the latest on these strikes in Lebanon?
Yes, certainly no letup to the fighting there. Over a dozen killed across the country in Israeli strikes. That's according to the Health Ministry. And yet, you know, we've been seeing the Lebanese capital targeted once again. Fourth day in a row now. Huge plumes of black smoke seen rising into the air after Israel says it continues to hit Hezbollah infrastructure. Now, it's worth remembering that there are reports of potential cease fire deals on the table. But Hezbollah continues to fire into Israeli territory to one of the aims of this ground operation, of course, is to allow Israelis displaced from their homes in the north of Israel by that rocket fire to return home. But despite the damage to Hezbollah infrastructure and those top assassinations, they really do continue to fire into Israeli territory, announcing 12 attacks today. Now, it's also worth noting regionally, as this crisis looms, you know, that potentially, you know, Iran and and Israel, that tension is still brewing. The Lebanese government really unexpected to have much of a role in any ceasefire agreement coming forward.
But Hezbollah has a massive role in Lebanese society. We do know that it is backed by Iran. This has often been called a shadow war, and it's designated Hezbollah as a terror group by the U.S. but it is not just a military force, but a political and social organization as well. So it's difficult to see a path forward without their involvement.
Diane Barrett. Meanwhile, the Gaza Strip's government media office says, quote, the situation in northern Gaza is catastrophic in every sense of the word. The Hamas run office accuses Israel of, quote, preventing the entry of goods and commodities into northern Gaza for the 200th consecutive day. So how is Israel responding to that? Them saying that they're preventing aid from getting in?
Yeah. Look, Israel has time and time again said that this renewed ground offensive in the north is to prevent Hamas from regrouping. We know the situation there as you've described. You know, for people, it's just getting worse with these repeated warnings as well from NGOs, including from the UN, which warns of imminent famine in the north. Now, earlier this week, as we've been reporting that 30 day deadline set by the Biden administration to improve the humanitarian situation, it came and it went. And so far, quite frankly, it doesn't look like the State Department is satisfied. It does look like they are quite satisfied with the steps Israel is taking on the humanitarian front. And it doesn't look like there will be any suspensions of weapons shipments to Israel, as far as we can see so far. Diane.
Foreign correspondent Britt Clennett in Tel Aviv, Israel. Thank you. A new video shows the FBI arresting a Texas man suspected of aiding ISIS. He is accused of plotting an attack on U.S. soil, and the FBI says he scouted potential targets. ABC justice reporter Alex Mallin joins me for more on that. Alex, this suspect was on the FBI's watch list before the arrest. So what's the latest on this investigation? Reporter. Cool. Perfect, perfect.
That was just a minute about. He doesn't want to. He doesn't want to relay.
Of his life in Lebanon.
And he actually.
Came to the FBI's radar back in.
2017 because they found out that he was regularly consuming.
ISIS propaganda. Now, that's not unlawful. But they say.
In recent months he actually turned more.
Of a penchant towards violence.
Carrying out an act of violence, maybe.
Even specifically citing, um.
You know, attacks on Jewish centers in the.
Houston area. And they say.
That he.
Grew.
Really, according.
To, you know.
Testimony from his family members.
They really worried that he was about to.
Carry out a potential attack. He researched things.
Like wearing.
An.
Explosive.
Belt. He attempted to buy a gun recently. And so they said that that.
Basically led.
Them to believe that he was going to finally move forward with potentially carrying out a mass style attack. He actually said that he hoped to carry out an attack that would be reminiscent of nine over 11. Diane.
What more are you learning about any specific sites that he scouted for a potential attack.
Yeah. I mean, the detention memo really indicates that he became more inclined to violence following the October 7th attack on Israel, and that he really supported the idea of carrying out attacks on Israeli or Jewish supporting sites in the Houston area that he actually specifically researched the Israeli consulate in Houston. And, you know, prosecutors say that he really became dangerous and that his own family actually reported their concerns and that at one point, his mother called 911 on him. And as a reaction to that, he actually threw a knife at her face and he expressed no remorse afterwards. Diane.
All right, Alex Mallin, thank you. And Tropical Storm Sarah is on the move and could impact the Gulf Coast as early as next week. Sarah is bringing catastrophic rainfall to Honduras today with life threatening flooding and mudslides. Meteorologist Brittany Bell of our ABC station in New York City is tracking that storm. Brittany, what's the latest on where this thing is moving and how strong it is and what we need to know?
Well, Diane, right now, it's still a tropical storm. It has maximum sustained winds near 50mph. The track hasn't changed much. It's still expected to move west along the Honduran coastline, moving towards Belize Saturday into early Sunday. At this time, it could bring 10 to 15in of rain on average. Some isolated areas can expect over 20in of rain that could lead to catastrophic flooding and mudslides. Now Monday, it weakens over the Yucatan Peninsula because of the land interaction, and beyond that, it dissipates, moving into the Gulf of Mexico. So that means it's not going to impact Florida as a tropical storm or a hurricane. But the remnants, even some of this tropical moisture that could interact with the cold front and that interaction will lead to round after round of soaking rainfall for Florida Tuesday into early Wednesday. All of that tropical moisture, some of that could even interact farther north along the same system, bringing more showers, some much needed rain to the northeast, even wrapping around an area of low pressure, bringing snow to portions of Ohio and West Virginia.
Now, looking ahead, this is some much needed rainfall because we have a rainfall deficit for the northeast that's ranging around 8 to 9in. Diane.
Meteorologist Brittany Bell, thank you. Coming up, the major automaker laying off roughly 1000 workers. Alexis Christoforous has that and more. Next in business headlines.
Neighbors and I are cousins.
Our grandma is from here.
So Dave arranged for.
Us to join this Polish tour with you people.
A Real Pain is one of the best films of the year.
We're not at the right station.
And you didn't wake me up.
Oh, you're having such a good nap. Dude.
I didn't have the heart to wake you up.
Kieran Culkin is a force of nature.
Has he always been like this?
I love him.
And I hate him.
And I want to be him.
It's a masterpiece of a movie.
Thank you so much, man.
A Real Pain, written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, rated R.
Tonight.
All new 2020.
You think the shooter was parked over here?
Why would somebody ever.
Put a wig on and gun somebody down in a parking lot?
A young father of senselessly murdered.
Twists and turns. Bombshells galore. He got shot.
For one of three things. Greed, revenge or lust?
It was becoming more and more clear that there was a lot more to the story.
And then. Bingo. Fatal disguise, all.
New 2020 tonight on ABC.
Welcome back. General Motors is laying off 1000 of its employees, and Adidas has just signed one of its youngest female athletes. ABC news business reporter Alexis Christoforous has more on that. And your other business headlines. Alexis, what are you watching today?
Hey there Diane, we're.
Watching mortgage.
Rates.
But first want to get to General Motors because it's laying off about 1000 workers or 2.5% of its corporate staff around the world. The automaker says it's trying to cut costs and be more competitive in a crowded market. Some welcome news for homebuyers mortgage rates lower for the first time in six weeks, the average rate on a 30 year fixed mortgage is now 6.78%. That is down just slightly from last week, and better than this time last year, when the average rate was 7.44%. Fed Chief Jerome Powell throwing some cold water on hopes for multiple rate cuts next year. In a speech yesterday before Texas business leaders, Powell said the central bank is not in a rush to lower borrowing costs given the strong economy. A major question for the fed is how president elect Trump's policies, like tariffs and tax cuts, could possibly fuel inflation, and investors are dumping shares of vaccine makers like Moderna and Pfizer. After Trump nominated Robert F Kennedy Jr to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy, as we know, we've been talking about all morning, has been a vocal vaccine skeptic.
And health policy experts say he could deter more Americans from receiving Covid shots and routine immunizations that have for decades saved millions of lives and prevented debilitating illnesses. Diane. Also, Adidas has just signed its first ever female high school basketball player to a name, image and likeness deal. This is 16 year old Kaleena Smith, and she's going to represent Adidas on the court during her games with Ontario Christian High School, and no word on how much that nil deal is worth, but really exciting to see her play. I know.
Amazing.
The youngest female athlete on the roster.
All right Alexis. Thank you. Sure. And if you have any finance questions for Alexis, just leave a message on our Instagram feed at ABC News Live. She might answer your question right here on Thursday. Coming up, GMA lifestyle contributor Lori Bergamotto joins us for The Right Stuff with the best travel accessories you will need this holiday season. It's time for the right stuff when we come back.
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Hey, good morning America. Good morning America. Good morning America. Good morning America. Good morning America. Every day of your life.
Reporting from West Palm Beach, Florida. Covering Donald Trump's planning for a second term. I'm Jay O'Brien. Wherever the story is, we'll take you there. You're streaming ABC news live.
Three. Two. One.
It's a 24 over seven live together.
It's not about the fear or the risk. It's about the love of flying. Three. Two. One. Can't live without love. Can't live without music. Music. Turn it up so loud.
Welcome back to ABC News Live. First it is time now for The Right Stuff with our friend, GMA lifestyle contributor Lori Bergamotto. Now, every Friday, Lori brings us some of her favorite products. And this week we're talking best travel accessories. Lori, I'm going to need all of this for the holiday travel season. And remember, you can shop these products in whatever Lori shared on Good Morning America by scanning that QR code in the bottom left corner of your screen. So, Lori, you say this is the best travel app. Talk to me. I'm listening.
We've both flown on.
Planes and there's.
No blanket.
For anybody anymore, right? Like, that's the way it works.
It is.
It's. Yeah. It's not. It's not enough.
That's not what you want.
Feel this. This is.
From Queens.
It's Mongolian.
Cashmere, you guys, it's so soft. Yeah. Go ahead and.
Play with it. I'm going to play.
They say it is three times as warm as wool. So you're going to be nice and toasty on the plane. But what I love about it is that it eliminates the need for a lot of things. First of all, you don't need to. It's like a scarf. It's a scarf. So you.
And a blanket.
And what? What? Wait, what is going on here? There's a little cutout.
There are some that you can put over yourself. There are some that you can use totally as a wrap.
Wait, so do I do.
This with it? You could.
And you could do sort of like poncho style. What we love about this from Quince, though, is that this is $99. If you were to try to get this cashmere in a different brand, it would cost you over $200. Diane's just playing dress up over here. We're doing, like, a cosplay situation. I love how, yes, it's very chic. Bundle up. Very warm and great for traveling, so definitely check that out from Quince, which is a brand and a site that we love. Okay. Okay. Now when you pack, are you packing for your whole family or does your husband pack for himself? Like, how does it work?
He packs for himself. I pack for me and the kids.
Okay, so this is something that you may want to say. Honey. Here. This is for you. This is from the team. It has 5005 star reviews on Amazon. It is inexpensive. It's under $40. What men seem to love about this. It has a shoe compartment for their shoes. So my husband only usually travels with two pairs. The one he wears and then whatever the activity is, like sneakers or dress shoes. Me too. Yeah, I know women. It's a little bit different. I think it also has a USB port. So if you want to charge your tablet, your phone, whatever, it's water resistant. You can fit four days worth of clothing in this. Really? Yes. So it's a great thing to check out. I mean, women can use it too, of course. I just can't ever fit as much as I want in there. Okay. But speaking of being able to fit things, I'm obsessed with this memo bottle. You can play with it.
It's a water bottle. So what is different? I don't know if they're all. Are they? Oh, they're all glued down.
They know I like to.
Play, but this is as you can see, it's slim. It's 12oz so that you can have that reusable water bottle situation. I don't know about you. I always fill mine, like 72oz. And then I'm lugging it through the airport, and then I drink, like, four sips.
And then you're trying to figure out how to stuff it in your.
I also love that this is transparent. Like you can translucent. You can see right through it because then you don't you don't have to wonder, like what's lurking in there. It fits in any bag. It's $30. It's a great gift for anybody who loves to travel and can pick it up at Amazon. Very cool. Love, guys.
Love that. Lori. Always love your stuff. Thanks and remember to shop these products in more of the right stuff. You can scan that QR code on the bottom left corner of your screen for the weekly roundup of the best lifestyle content from Lori and GMA. Catch GMA life. That's weekends 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. eastern, right here on ABC News Live and streaming on Hulu. I'm Diane Macedo. The news never stops, and neither do we. We have a lot more news after the break. I feel like you could get in here too. Cozy.
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Welcome back to ABC News Live. First you are looking at Boston on this Friday, November 15th. President elect Trump's pick for Attorney general, Matt Gaetz, is facing major pushback on Capitol Hill. The House Ethics Committee had been investigating Gaetz before he resigned from Congress earlier this week. Now, pressure is mounting for the bipartisan committee to release their findings, including from some senators who could be voting whether or not to confirm him. ABC news correspondent Jay O'Brien has this report.
By now, you've.
Probably heard the name Matt Gaetz. A self-described conservative firebrand, a deeply loyal Trump supporter.
He's a great guy. He's a great, really a great person, and he's on the controversial side. But that's not.
Bad. And now the president elect's pick for attorney general.
Maybe I should serve as attorney general of the United States. I'd be easy on marijuana and tough on Big Tech.
But the controversial pick of the now former Florida congressman is sending shock waves across Washington, D.C..
Clearly, it's just kind of like a god tier kind of trolling just to trigger a meltdown.
It's going to have an uphill battle.
I can name.
Between 5 and 10 Republicans.
Who are seriously considering voting.
Against.
This nomination.
And it's not just Gates's reputation as a conservative bomb thrower that's stirring some backlash to his nomination to the top law enforcement job in the country. It's also allegations about Gates's past. The Florida congressman was facing a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sex trafficking, specifically that he paid for and engaged in sexual relations with an underage girl, and sources telling ABC news that woman testified before the House Ethics Committee that Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17 years old, and he was a member of Congress. In a statement to ABC news, Gaetz says these allegations are invented and would constitute false testimony to Congress. This false smear following a three year criminal investigation should be viewed with great skepticism. Gaetz has denied all allegations against him, and now that Gaetz has resigned from Congress to potentially join Trump's cabinet, that House investigation into him will end.
I served with some real scumbags like Matt Gaetz. He paid minors to have sex with him.
The Department of Justice investigated similar claims for years and ultimately did not bring any charges.
Word is I now have problems with the Ethics Committee, which seems really odd to me because I'm the one screaming loudest for actual ethics reforms.
Sources tell ABC news the House Ethics Committee was in the final stages of its probe into gates and preparing to decide this week whether to release a final report, but Gates's resignation preempted that. Gates earned a law degree from William and Mary in 2007, before working at a law firm in Florida. He then followed his father's footsteps into Florida politics, serving in the state House from 2010 to 2016 and then winning a seat in Congress in the Republican stronghold of the Florida Panhandle. The same year Donald Trump won the white House. Gates quickly grew close to Trump and has a penchant for political clashes.
I'm glad that we've got a president that's willing to take the slings and arrows, and it's willing to go out there and say that.
There are things that we got to do to be able to.
Reform the very institution of this place.
In 2018, he received bipartisan condemnation for inviting a Holocaust denier to Trump's State of the Union. A year later, he hired a speechwriter who had been fired by the Trump White House after speaking at a white nationalist conference. But it was Gates's opposition to Kevin McCarthy's bid to become speaker of the House in 2023. That made him a household name.
That was easy, huh?
I never thought.
We'd get up here.
Months later, gates was back again, triggering a motion to vacate, starting the process to oust Kevin McCarthy from his job and flinging the House of Representatives into weeks of political chaos.
If this House of Representatives has exceeded all expectations, then we definitely need higher expectations.
When the dust settled and McCarthy was gone, the former speaker held gates personally responsible and even funded an unsuccessful primary challenger against the congressman. McCarthy believes gates will not be confirmed as attorney General. As Attorney General, gates would be in a commanding position directing the entire law enforcement apparatus of the federal government. The top law enforcement job a focus for Donald Trump, who has said he wants to change the entire Justice Department and even on the campaign trail, suggested he could prosecute his political opponents.
I think the bigger problem are the people from within. We have some very bad people. We have some sick people, radical left lunatics, and I think they're the and it should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard or if really necessary by the military.
And sources tell ABC news rank and file Department of Justice employees are concerned. One telling ABC news, quote, this can't be real, and another predicting mass resignations if gates gets sworn in.
ABC News correspondent Jay O'Brien. Thank you. Let's bring in former Republican Congressman Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania for more. Congressman, thank you for coming on. I know you were the chair of the House Ethics Committee. So what do you make of this controversy over whether or not the committee should share this report on Matt Gaetz with the Senate?
Well, ordinarily, if a member of Congress resigns from the House, the House Ethics Committee loses jurisdiction over the investigation. But in this case, it appears that the investigation was complete. And all that had to happen was for the committee to vote on the report and then to release it to the public. And so I suspect the committee will be under tremendous pressure. I know they are under tremendous pressure to release this report. I believe precedent would allow them to do so again. Ordinarily, they wouldn't do it. But I would also recommend to you that if when this report is released, you will see that it is damning. They are. The committee is probably likely to recommend some sort of sanction against Matt Gaetz, whether it's a reprimand, censure or even an expulsion, although that's moot at this point since he resigned. They can do all those things. But you also have, you know, the United States Senate, that is, you know, now vetting, uh, Matt Gaetz as part of its nomination process for attorney general.
And they will want this report as part of their record as they look into his candidacy for this position. So it suggests to me that the committee will probably convene, and I hope they do release it. But at this point, it's hard to say. They typically wouldn't do it. And I was involved with many of these types of investigations over the years. And these are thorough professional investigations. And there are these are these are really serious people who do these things on a nonpartisan basis. And by the way, that ethics committee is evenly divided. Five Republican, five Democrats. So whatever this report, what's in this report, if it's agreed to, it will be done probably on a unanimous basis.
What do you make of the other picks Trump has made for key positions so far?
Well, you know okay, Waltz, Congressman Waltz I think is a solid pick. You know, Marco Rubio is a solid pick. And there are some others. You know, Zeldin is a good pick. Although I was surprised they put him at EPA. I didn't strike me as his expertise. But what I guess. But like everybody, the Matt Gaetz selection is simply gobsmacking. I mean, how could he? And then there was, of course, you know, there's Tulsi Gabbard. You know, again, you know, she's going to come under great scrutiny because of her ties to Syrian President Assad and some of the statements she's made about Russia. And and I think that's really going to be a challenge for her. Same thing too, of course, with RFK Jr. Who's, you know, kind of a conspiracy theorist, you know, engages in quackery and anti-vaxxer. That's also probably after gates. The most serious problem is RFK Jr. I mean, you know, we're trying to talk about protecting the public.
And if if we're going to do away with vaccines or ignore vaccine science, I don't think I can't think of anything that would be more harmful to the health and safety of many of our citizens.
Do you think some of these more controversial picks, like gates, like RFK Jr, will have a difficult time getting confirmed by the Senate?
Yeah. In the case of, say, Matt Gates, I believe that that nomination will have to be withdrawn at some point. I just can't see his nomination getting through. I suspect there'll be plenty of folks who will be prepared to vote against him on the Republican side. RFK Jr I would hope there would be plenty of votes against him as well, but we'll see. And I am one who is skeptical that the US Senate will use this recess appointment process on some of these very controversial or unqualified nominees. John Thune, Senator Thune is a good man. He is an institutionalist. And and I suspect, you know, that that recess appointment process should be used very sparingly. You know, maybe for a qualified candidate, but is in some political difficulty. You might remember John Bolton, I believe, secured his position after, uh, after after a recess appointment. I mean, you could say what you will about John Bolton, but he's very smart. He's qualified. But obviously politically, you know, challenging for many.
But but that's not what we're talking about with Matt Gates or RFK Jr. We're talking about people who simply seem to be unfit or unqualified.
All right. Former Congressman Charlie Dent, we appreciate your time today. Thank you.
Thank you.
And we're getting a closer look at what life behind bars has been like for the Menendez brothers. The outgoing Da has released documents that appear to show Eric and Lyle's effort at rehabilitation and community building during their three decades in prison. Chief national correspondent Matt Gutman has the details.
As the resentencing hearing for Eric and Lyle Menendez nears a trove of new documents giving us our deepest look into their life behind bars. Outgoing L.A. Da District Attorney George Gascon, filing more than 600 pages of documents showing the brothers to be, quote, model prisoners, with one corrections coordinator testifying. In my 26 years at the prison, I have not met an inmate who has been this innately committed to helping others. In 1996, the brothers were sentenced to life in prison without parole for the brutal shotgun murders of their parents. Now, the Da is calling for the siblings to be released on good behavior. The document offering exhaustive lists of groups and organizations the brothers have either founded or participated in, including mindfulness groups, hospice and addiction care programs, a no violence challenge, prison, green spaces, and art projects. Lyle, seen here in front of a mural he recently painted with his art group. The book length submission also has letters from family, friends and staff, with one officer writing of Eric that his quote, notorious public image is starkly different from the inmate who he says is a rehabilitated man who humbly strives towards helping those in need.
Multiple Netflix productions coupled with social media sparking a new generational interest in the case. The brothers claims of sexual abuse galvanizing many to call for their freedom.
The case is a unicorn.
Because.
Despite all that.
Very significant.
Evidence.
The jury found him guilty.
Of double murder.
For.
Financial gain. That is.
Premeditated.
Gascon told me last month. It was the rehabilitation in prison that convinced him.
Those were brutal murders that were premeditated, and that's why they got life without the possibility. You are.
Recommending that they be released.
Immediately. I am recommending that they be released because I believe that the people that they were is not the same people that we're seeing 35 years later.
But now, some uncertainty. With Gascon unseated and newly elected D.A. Nathan Hochman taking over the infamous case, soon telling Akana Whitworth he will thoroughly review everything.
We'll ask for the minimal amount of time necessary to do this work.
Because we owe it to the Menendez.
Brothers. We owe it to the public to get this decision right.
It's worth noting that in their 35 years in the system, the brothers have had a handful of rules violations, but not for a single infraction for violence. Now, sources close to the case tell me the defense intends to make the unusual move of calling at least four corrections officers to the stand at the resentencing hearing next month to testify to the brothers rehabilitation and their readiness to be back in society. Diane.
Chief national correspondent Matt Gutman. Thank you. And a Georgia mother is facing potential jail time after leaving her ten year old son home alone. And he then took a walk less than a mile into town. Police say she knowingly put her son in harm's way, but she argues he was never in danger. ABC's Andrea Fujii has the details.
Police body camera video shows the moment Brittany Patterson was arrested for letting her ten year old son walk into town by himself.
What am I under arrest for?
For reckless endangerment.
And how was I recklessly endangering my child?
Talking about it on October 30th. Patterson said she took one of her children to the doctor. In the meantime, her son Sean, who has since turned 11, decided to walk less than a mile into town from their home in rural Mineral Bluff, Georgia. While out, Patterson got a call from the sheriff's department worried that Sean was walking alone.
I wasn't concerned, I wasn't, you know, panicking or concerned because it's just a short walk from our house. He knows how to get home. He knows how to get there.
Authorities dropped sawn off at home, and five hours later, they returned.
Come on in and tell him they're taking you to jail because you decided to walk down the street.
Let go with your hands. That's not his fault. Yeah, you're the mother. That's your responsibility.
Anytime I checked, it wasn't illegal for a kid to walk to the store.
So it is when they're ten years old.
Patterson was booked on suspicion of reckless conduct, a charge that could carry one year in jail. The warrant, claiming she willingly and knowingly did endanger the bodily safety of her juvenile son.
Our criminal justice system is built on the fact that you did something or you were negligent. You did something criminally negligent. So what is it she did?
Authorities have offered to drop the charge. If Patterson signs a safety plan that includes the use of a GPS tracker on her son's phone, but she refuses to sign it or admit doing anything wrong.
I just felt like I couldn't sign that, and that in doing so, would be agreeing that there was something unsafe about my home or something unsafe about my parental decisions. And I just don't believe that.
Andrea Fujii Thank you. And Brittany Patterson is out on bail. She's waiting to see if prosecutors will indict her on the reckless conduct charge. Coming up, a health alert linked to more than 10 million people this year alone. The warning from the World Health Organization about a surge in measles cases.
Neighbors and I are cousins. Our grandma is from here, so.
Dave arranged for.
Us to join this Polish tour with you people.
A Real Pain is one of the best films of the year.
We're not at the right station.
And you didn't wake me up.
Oh, you were having such a good nap, dude, you didn't have the heart to wake you up.
Kieran Culkin is a force of nature.
Has he always been like this?
I love him.
And I hate him and I want to be him.
It's a masterpiece of a movie.
Thank you so much, man.
A Real Pain, written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, rated R.
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The news never stops from Tampa.
We are here tonight as Hurricane Milton has just made landfall.
The surge just.
Keeps coming up right on the border.
Between Ukraine and Russia in.
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ABC News Live everywhere. We're not.
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The president elect is wasting no time on his cabinet picks, and they have everyone talking now Sunday morning the Trump transition on ABC's This Week.
Welcome back to ABC News Live. First it is time for our weekly segment Tell It Like It Is, where ABC contributor Doctor Loke Patel shares health advice on the topics that matter most to you. And today he is answering some of your questions. Doctor Patel, I want to start first with this new report on measles, because the World Health Organization says cases are surging worldwide, infecting 10.3 million people just in 2023. So what should people know?
Well, there is a couple of other numbers people should know, Diane, is that in 2023, there were about 107,000 deaths from the measles, mostly in children under the age of five. And that number of cases is up 20% from 2022. And across the world, 22 million children missed their first dose of the MMR vaccine, which can prevent all of this. So measles is a virus, but some children who get it can be left with permanent disabilities such as blindness, severe respiratory infections, swelling from the brain. And we have a huge issue with those vaccination rates dropping not only because of access but because of misinformation. People getting the wrong information. So the measles vaccine is safe, effective. Make sure your children are covered. This should not be a headline.
An anonymous viewer in Texas also writes, how are rules changing about getting emergency contraception pills? What about abortion pills by mail?
Do we have to talk about here? And I and I respect this question because it really differs per state. What I want to say is that there's a difference between these two pills. The emergency contraception is really referring to either plan B or a copper IUD, which are highly effective at preventing pregnancy if taken soon after sex. The book says 120 hours, but it's best if you take it right away. Now, these are currently legal in all 50 states, but it may vary depending on how you're able to access it over-the-counter, a pharmacy, a pharmacist needing to approve it. In some states, a pharmacy can actually deny it now. Abortion, medical abortion such as that pill. Now that is usually taken in the first trimester. It's what's called the medication abortion. It's actually the the majority of abortions in the United States are done by taking this pill, which is usually a combination of two. Now, what's important to note is that even though there are abortion bans in a few states, people are actually able to access this via telehealth thanks to shield laws.
But it really does depend on your state. And for people out there who don't know their laws or may be afraid to talk to a healthcare professional, I'm sorry that reality exists because it can be confusing. It can be scary, but there is legal help that people can get by going online to reproductive legal hotlines so you can better understand your options in the state you live to make the right decision for you.
And Ben in Seattle, Doctor Patel writes, why is it we can only sign up for health insurance once a year? Why not all the time?
Ben, I feel you because a lot of people wonder, like, what is this small open enrollment window? Now, depending on your employer or the health care marketplace, there is a small time frame where they want you to enroll, and this is likely to make sure that there's a steady pool of premiums being paid and a mix of people who may have pre-existing conditions or those who don't. So for people out there, make sure that if you get a new job, you are looking at that window. When to sign up and for the open marketplace healthcare.gov. That window opened November 1st and it closes January 15th for February 1st coverage. Now, one important thing to note that on healthcare.gov, every single plan, according to the Affordable Care Act, must cover essential health benefits, free preventive care, and cover you regardless if you have pre-existing conditions. So sign up today if you don't have health insurance.
And lastly, a new study that analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found beer drinkers may have worse diets and liver health compared to wine or liquor drinkers. Why is that? What's your reaction to this study?
You know, all.
Alcohol is probably not great for your diet and it's all terrible for your liver. Now, Diane, this is one shot in time looking at 1900 adult alcohol consumers. They looked at people who just drank beer, wine, liquor or a mix of all of it and found that beer drinkers were most likely to have poor diets and increased risk of liver disease and we're more likely to smoke. So like I said, this is just one snapshot in time. But it just goes to show you that how much all of this plays in to your liver health. So alcohol and moderation make sure you're eating a healthy diet. Move and take it easy every now and then. Your brain, your heart and your liver will thank you.
All right. Doctor Patel, thank you. And if you have questions for Doctor Patel, just leave him a message on our Instagram feed. He might answer your question right here on Friday. Coming up, Nicki Minaj is dropping new music, how she's keeping late rapper Juice Wrld's legacy alive. That and more music headlines in the drop with Megan Wright when we come back.
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It is time now for The Drop, where we talk about the big music headlines of the week. ABC news contributor, DJ and radio personality Megan Wright is here to break it down for us. Megan. What do we need to know this week?
Good morning. Diane. I got some news in the nominees for the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame are in. And it's going to be a very tough decision. All right. A songwriter with a catalog becomes qualified 20 years after their first big commercial song release. 26 incredible songwriters have been nominated, but only six, just six will make it into the Hall of Fame. Now the nominees include both performing and non-performing songwriters. Okay, so on the performing side, we have some big names like Eminem, Janet Jackson, Boy George, N.W.A and Sheryl Crow. And then on the non-performing side, some other big names Rodney Darkchild Jerkins, Mike Chapman, Sonny Curtis and Tom Douglas. Now the winners will be honored next year at the Induction and Awards gala in NYC. Now let's get into some stats and talk music trends in the YouTube space. It is the holiday season, so you know Mariah Carey is entering the chat. All I want for Christmas re-enters the US top songs at number 23. And then another popular Christmas song is wham's Last Christmas, which resurfaces at number 62.
Now moving on to a hit song that is officially entered the Billy club, I love When Songs reach 1 Billion on YouTube. The video for Rihanna and Selena Gomez's 2022 single Calm Down has officially surpassed 1 billion views. But congratulations to them. Now, this is Rama's first video to reach that milestone. While this is Selena's third and Tyler, the creator's Chromophobia is shaking up the charts with seven entries on the US top songs, and he also takes the number seven spot on the US Top Artist charts. Now in new music news, you know it's Friday, so let's talk about these new music drops. Lady Gaga has dropped an incredible acoustic version of her song disease. Let's take a listen.
I could play the doctor. I can cure your If you were a sinner, I could make you believe. Lie you down, love. One. Two. Three.
Yeah. I love seeing Lady Gaga on the piano. It's definitely giving classic vibes. The original was dropped just a few weeks ago on October 25th. And now we already have a new version. Disease is the first single from her forthcoming album, dubbed LG seven, which is set to come out in February 2025. Now you know, Lady Gaga has been super busy. Okay. We've seen her on the silver screen and the Joker two and the 13 time Grammy winner. Yes. 13 times has also been nominated alongside Bruno Mars for the song of the Year and Best Pop Duo Group performance at next year's Grammys for their hit Sigh With a Smile. Now I gotta hit you with some other new music news again, because it is Friday. Nicki Minaj teased this week that she would be dropping some new music, and it has officially arrived. Yes, there we go. All Girls are the Same two is a sequel to the late artist Juice World's 2018 track. Nikki joins him on this one with backup vocals from Halsey.
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I love it. That's a lot of new music to listen to into the weekend, Diane.
A lot for us to listen to into the weekend. Megan. That's why we love having you on on Fridays. Megan. Thank you.
You're welcome.
And thank you for watching. I'm Diane Macedo. The news never stops, and neither do we. We have a lot more news for you right after the break. Stick around.
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Hi, I'm Diane Macedo. Let's get right to our top story. President elect Trump is touting his new cabinet picks, including his choice for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. Here's what he told supporters at a gala event at Mar a Lago last night.
I guess if you like health and if you like people that live a long time, it's the most important position. We want you to come up with things and ideas and what you've been talking about for a long time, and I think you're going to do some unbelievable things.
Now, many public health specialists are raising concerns over Kennedy's lack of experience and his endorsement of debunked conspiracy theories. Let's bring in ABC News White House correspondent Karen Travers and ABC correspondent Jay O'Brien for more. Jay, what are you hearing about Kennedy's nomination from lawmakers and the likelihood that he can make it through the confirmation process?
Look, it would likely be a rocky road in the United States Senate, Diane, and not necessarily as much vocal opposition at this hour to Kennedy as there has been Matt Gaetz's nomination as attorney general, but nonetheless some vocal opposition from Republicans as well. And if he were to go through the Senate, get voted on in the Senate floor, as is typical for cabinet level nominees, you could expect some moderate Republicans to balk at that. We've been asking members of the House and the Senate, just what are your opinions on Kennedy's public health stances in general? And I've heard from kind of lawmakers over the spectrum. There are some who have said that their kids are vaccinated and they don't want Robert F Kennedy Jr. If he were to take control of HHS to get rid of vaccines as a necessary aspect of public health. And then I've talked to some Republicans who say that they're not concerned about Kennedy's stances on vaccines because they believe a there are checks and balances in the United States Congress that could rein him in if he were to overstep, and b, he will be enacting President Trump's agenda.
So what President Trump wants after his big victory last week, he will get it's really unclear as to what Kennedy would be able to do in that role and what levers of power he would be able to pull. But Republicans here on Capitol Hill relatively split about how much they support him in that key role, with control over various public health agencies?
Karen, what do Trump's picks tell you about the direction his administration is heading?
Loyalty, Diane, is a very important thing, and that he's making good on promises that he made when he was a candidate. I mean, you think back to what he said about RFK Jr. At a rally in late October. He said, quote, I'm going to let him go wild on health. I'm going to let him go wild on the food. I'm going to let him go wild on medicines. So this isn't exactly a surprise that he's putting somebody like Kennedy into a position like this. You know, I think when you look at some of these picks, Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, Tulsi Gabbard for the director of National intelligence, these are people that were out there campaigning for him, fiercely loyal to him. That is important to Donald Trump. He also has people who are on his own legal team who are now going to serve in senior positions in his administration, except for that Matt Gaetz pick to be the nominee for attorney General. Otherwise, we have seen some pretty unsurprising choices from the president elect.
Things that he was certainly signaling out there on the campaign trail. And, Diane, that word loyalist and, you know, commitment to Donald Trump, very important as he's been making these announcements.
Jay, what are you hearing from lawmakers about some of the other picks? Is anyone else likely to face a lot of opposition in the Senate and any more on potential recess appointments?
Yeah, there's one name that stands out as someone who is likely to face a lot of opposition in the Senate. Matt Gaetz, as we were talking about earlier, there are already moderate Republican senators, really Republican senators across the board who have privately said they would oppose Matt Gaetz. And some have even come out and said it publicly, which is stepping to Donald Trump, who just won that significant victory again last week and helped deliver Senate Republicans the majority in that chamber. So Matt Gaetz expected to have a very rocky road to confirmation. A couple other names that you've heard lawmakers express concerned about not to the degree of Matt Gaetz, but Tulsi Gabbard, because she would be the director of national intelligence. She's had a long history of statements on foreign policy that are favorable to Russia, things of that nature. So a lot of skepticism at this hour as to some of these picks.
All right. Karen Travers, Jay O'Brien. Thank you. And RFK Jr is thanking president elect Trump on social media for nominating him and promising free health agencies, or promising two free health agencies from what he calls the smothering cloud of corporate capture. Let's bring in South Shore Hospital chief of infectious disease doctor Todd Ellerin for more on that. Doctor Ellerin, how much power would RFK Jr have as HHS secretary to shape public health? And what do you think about it?
Well, Diane, you've used the key words shaping public health. This is the most important position that's going to shape policy, from everything from vaccines to food safety, pandemic response. I don't have to tell you, we He just came out of a once in 100 year, you know, type of pandemic that we had never seen before, shapes policy on cancer research and is really administers Medicare and Medicaid for millions of people around the country and so much more. Remember, this position has 13 agencies under it, including Federal Drug Administration, the FDA, the NIH, National Institutes of Health. It's key for basic research and and clinical research. And, you know, the CDC, which is the key organization responsive to to public health crises. So it's such a critical position. We want to make sure we have a strong leader, a good communicator, someone who hires, you know, the right people, thoughtful people in those types of positions. There are 85,000 people employees under this person. So it's important.
Now, measles cases have surged worldwide with an estimated 10.3 million cases. That's an increase of 20% from the year before. Routine vaccination rates have also declined since the pandemic. So how concerned are you about RFK Jr. Being the HHS secretary, given his stance on vaccines and things he said about them in the past?
Look, I'm glad you mentioned vaccines because perhaps secondary to clean water, this has had the greatest impact on lives saved. Um, just a reminder, back in the early 1900s, when you look at mortality overall, 30% were in children under five years of age. Infant mortality was skyrocketing. And some of that was because of, uh, poor sanitation, poor access to health care. But some of that was because we didn't have vaccines. So vaccines have changed the landscape. Remember, in the 1950s, measles was running rampant across the United States. It's the single most contagious infection. And the vaccines we have are so effective. So I think listen, there are of course, a lot of things broken about our health care system, but it's important that we know what works and what doesn't. Make sure the things that work, we really, you know, continue to promulgate.
So talk to me about the part that's broken, what needs to change, and how do you see RFK Jr implementing those changes? Are there aspects of what you hear from him that you think is good?
Look, Diane, you know, I'm seeing patients every day. I work in a in a large and very busy system. There are things that are broken across the country with health care, like access to care, for instance, health care equity. What do I mean by that? You know, when you look at someone's life expectancy that's more closely related to your zip code than your genetic code? So that's something that we really have to work on. So I think that there are definitely things where a disruptor can come in and help fix things that are broken. But remember, there's so much that works. Our health care system is second to none when you look at things globally. So we want to make sure that the things that work, you know, that we don't just lose sight of that and just, you know, throw away the baby with the bathwater.
And doctor that time. But I quickly want to ask you about nutrition, because he's garnered a lot of support on social media for talking about things like processed foods and the need to regulate things like synthetic dyes and differences in ingredients here versus other countries. What's your take on that?
Yeah, nutrition is so important. And I do think that there are aspects of nutrition that need to be improved. Specifically. Just recently we've heard about, you know, increased risk, for instance, of listeria in in certain deli meat. And we've had one of the largest outbreaks we've had before. So we want to. Food safety is really important, and I do think there's a lot that we need to think about here. And we do have to improve in this in this aspect. So I think there's there's definite room for improvement. And I think that I'm looking forward to the next five years about how we sort of tackle this problem.
All right doctor Todd Allen always great to have you. Thank you. And we will have much more on president elect Trump's picks for his incoming administration throughout the day. And later this afternoon on This week live at 4:00 eastern right here on ABC News Live. Israeli Defense Forces say their warplanes have hit more than 120 terrorist targets across Lebanon in the past 24 hours. The IDF says the strikes include Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure sites and Hezbollah Special Operations Forces command centers. It comes as a top Iranian official is vowing support for Lebanon, after talks with Lebanese leaders about the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Foreign correspondent Eric joins me live now from Tel Aviv, Israel, with the latest. Brit. Beirut has been hit by Israeli strikes for the fourth day in a row, and now civilians are being told to evacuate new locations the IDF says it will target. So what are you seeing and hearing about that?
Yeah, Diane, this intense aerial bombardment, seeing no signs of slowing down. Over a dozen killed across Lebanon in Israeli strikes. That's according to the health ministry. And, you know, we've seen the Lebanese capital targeted once again. Now for a fourth day in a row. Huge plumes of black smoke rising into the air after Israel says it continues to to hit Hezbollah infrastructure. 2600 people have been killed in Lebanon since the Israeli military launched its offensive about six weeks ago, and another 1.2 million people displaced. Now, it's worth remembering, Diane, that there are reports of potential ceasefire deals on the table, but it's not clear if there's been any breakthrough or or any progress in that. Hezbollah continues to fire into Israel's territory. One of the aims of this ground operation, of course, is to allow Israelis displaced from their homes in the north by that rocket fire to actually return home. But despite the damage to Hezbollah infrastructure and those top assassinations, they really do continue to fire into Israeli territory.
Announcing 12 attacks today, Diane.
Britt According to a Wall Street Journal report, Iran is denying allegations from the Justice Department that it was plotting to assassinate president elect Trump. What do you make of that, and what does it say about Iran-us relations right now?
Yeah. So, Diane, we've actually received a response from Iran's mission to the UN, telling ABC news, quote, we do not issue public statements on the details of official messages exchanged between the two countries and reiterating that they are committed to responding to the assassination of General Soleimani through, quote, legal and judicial avenues. Now, you'll remember, of course, that high profile assassination of the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards under Trump, sparking really major tensions between the US and Iran and the plot to assassinate Trump was allegedly linked to that. But I think there's a lot we don't know about how Iran and the Trump administration will deal with each other. Trump had a policy of maximum pressure with heavy sanctions and the pulling out of the nuclear agreement. So at this stage, it's too early to say.
Foreign correspondent Britt Clennett in Tel Aviv, Israel. Thank you. A new video shows the FBI arresting a Texas man suspected of aiding ISIS. He's accused of plotting an attack on U.S. soil, and the FBI says he scouted potential targets. ABC justice reporter Alex Mallin joins me now for more. Alex, what do you know about this suspect so far and what this investigation is revealing?
Yeah. So we're learning.
All about this man in a detention memo filed by prosecutors this week. They say that this man, 28 year old Anas, said he lived the first 18 years of his life in Lebanon and later emigrated to the United States, but he first came on the FBI's radar in 2017 because he was starting to, you know, they basically got a tip that he was starting to consume regularly ISIS propaganda and actually sought to buy an ISIS flag. They interviewed him four times in connection with that investigation, but he came again on the FBI's radar recently because his family had reported him as growing increasingly violent in his fantasies about carrying out an attack on U.S. soil and one one word, he said that he wanted to carry out a 911 style attack on U.S. soil. He also researched things like how to make an explosive belt, how to research detonators. He also researched specific explosive materials. So when he crossed over into that line of really, you know, getting towards carrying out a potential attack, that is when the FBI moved in to arrest him last week.
Diane.
So what more are you learning about any specific sites he scouted for a potential attack and what's next in this case?
Yeah, according to this detention memo, he really started to grow more violent in his beliefs after the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel. Obviously, he wanted to kind of target, you know, Jewish supporting centers in Houston and specifically researched military recruitment centers. And one of the sites that he also allegedly searched was the Israeli consulate in Houston. So really, it was more motivated on carrying out an Israeli style or an attack on Israelis or people who are supporters of Israel. Diane.
All right. Alex Mallin Thank you. Coming up, a scare in the sky. What led to the emergency landing for an Alaskan Airlines flight carrying dozens of middle school students?
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Welcome back to ABC News Live. First, the FAA is investigating an emergency landing after an Alaska Airlines plane lost a tire on takeoff. The plane was traveling from Washington, DC to Los Angeles when passengers say they heard a loud pop and felt the plane shake shortly after takeoff. ABC's Stephanie Ramos has the latest. Please head against the surface.
In front of you and grasp your lower legs. Overnight, Alaska Airlines Flight 309 making an emergency landing in LA after reporting an issue with one of their landing gears. Passengers told to brace.
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The Boeing plane sustaining tire damage on takeoff. Dulles Airport reported finding debris that may have been from the tire of the plane, making an emergency landing in Los Angeles. The left tire visibly damaged. Alaska Airlines saying in a statement while this incident is a rare occurrence, our flight crews train extensively to safely manage through many scenarios. We understand this might have been a concerning moment for our guests on board. We apologize for what they experienced. The company said it would investigate what caused the tire on that Boeing to malfunction. The aircraft will not be in service during that investigation. Diane.
Stephanie Ramos, thank you. And the northeast is on alert for increased fire danger with gusty winds and low humidity in the weekend forecast. Red flag warnings are in place from Connecticut to New Hampshire, while New York, new Jersey and Pennsylvania are under fire. Weather watches. Meanwhile, authorities say the Jennings Creek Fire on the border of New York and New Jersey is now 75% contained. Badly needed rain is not in the forecast until the middle of next week. Coming up, five continents, 54 cities, and one very special Swiftie how one fan is getting the experience of a lifetime as the Eras tour comes to a close.
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Welcome back to ABC News Live. First, we are just hours away from one of the most highly anticipated boxing matches in recent memory. 58 year old heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson is taking on YouTube star Jake Paul, who's more than 30 years younger and started his professional boxing career just six years ago. ABC's Andrew Dymburt has more.
Reporter we are just hours away from Mike Tyson squaring off against Jake Paul, but the fight has already begun. Ladies and gentlemen, the 58 year old Tyson, slapping the 27 year old YouTuber turned boxer at last night's weigh in. It's personal now. He must die. Paul shaking off Tyson's slap but showing off the precautions he's taken to not end up like Evander Holyfield, who had part of his ear bitten off by Tyson back in 1996.
I'm not getting my bet off on Friday night. So I got my diamond spiked ear covers right there.
Tonight's showdown is the first ever live boxing match on Netflix. Tyson's first professional bout in nearly 20 years. The rules will be slightly different from a typical match, with shorter rounds and heavier boxing gloves lowering the chances of a knockout. Despite a 31 year age gap and being a major underdog, sportsbooks report 90% of all bets are being placed on the Hall of Famer Tyson, the most popular bet Bette Tyson winning in the first round.
We got 1 million here, 1 million here.
Paul is betting big on himself, taking multiple million dollar bets from fellow fighters, even staking his claimed $40 million payout to.
Bet your purse.
Yeah, let's bet the purse deal.
But Tyson, demonstrating his skills during a recent workout and last night showing he can still pack on the muscle.
I am not going to lose. Did you hear what I said?
Andrew Dymburt. Thank you. That main fight card kicks off at 8 p.m. eastern in front of 80,000 fans in Arlington, Texas, just outside Dallas. And Taylor Swift is in Toronto for a six show stretch in the final leg of the Eras Tour. Swifties everywhere are cherishing these final days of trading friendship bracelets and watching live streams, and one superfan is going viral, even getting the attention of Taylor's team for his creativity and kindness. Our will Ganz is here with that story. Hi, Will.
Hi. This has got Feel Good Friday written all over it. Good morning Diane. Good morning to all of you. Henry Henson and his mom, Erin, have always made a big deal out of Halloween, incorporating his wheelchair into some epic costumes over the years, from an astronaut to an ice cream truck, complete with music. And this year, his costume caught the eye not only of the entire internet, but of the world's biggest pop star.
Just like Taylor Swift herself.
Hi super Swifty. Henry Henson's moment in the spotlight has been a long time coming. It's been a.
Long time coming, but the 11 year old has been a fan forever.
Following in mom's footsteps.
He's been listening to Taylor Swift's music really since before he.
Was born.
When the Henson's couldn't snag any accessible seats to the Eras Tour. Henry embarked on a Halloween tour of his own, dressing as one of Taylor's backup dancers.
The Big Pink Thing.
Clamshell looking thing racking up more than 5 million views on TikTok and catching the eye of Taylor's team, who sent Henry a surprise.
They are giving.
Us.
Two tickets.
To one of the shows in.
Indianapolis. So you are going. You're going to the heiress tour.
Henry and Aaron making the trip to Indianapolis, where Henry was launched into a superstar era, trading bracelets and posing for photos with fellow Swifties.
It was amazing to see.
Henry being.
Celebrated for who he is.
And he is.
A kid with a disability, but that is not all. He is.
Right and that so.
Many people recognize that and it was just amazing.
Did you feel like a like a celebrity?
Uh, yeah.
Henry and Aaron even getting a visit from Taylor's mom, Andrea, during the show. She said Taylor's thinking about me and.
Gave lots of hugs. We gave her a gift, too. Yeah, a bracelet that says Henry's version. And she loved it.
Andrea gifting the duo some special merch and some kind words.
She gave me the tightest hug and she said, you are an amazing mom. I don't know, it just felt different hearing it from her, I guess.
And then the show continued. What was your favorite part of the concert, Henry?
Bad luck for sure. Cause, baby, now we got bad blood. You know, we used to be mad love.
And as Taylor wraps up the tour, Henry hopes his story of showing up authentically and enthusiastically himself might inspire an era of kindness. All of these things that I think are kind of brave for anybody to do, let alone an 11 year old. What do you hope people learn when they see this story?
Just. Just be kind. Just be willing.
Loving.
Don't be nasty. Just be kind. Joy is a choice. And I think Henry is incredibly brave because he chooses it every single day.
So on top of their life changing trip to Indianapolis, Erin tells me her DMs have been full of parents who have said Henry inspired them to move their Halloween candy station from the front porch to the street side end of their walkway, so that trick or treating is accessible to every kid, whether their costume is as iconic as Henry's or not. And I.
And it really was. What a creative idea, let alone the execution, then.
I can't believe it. They also said that they've been planning that since before last Halloween. So he saw the movie and said, I want to be that. And it's taken a year and some change, but look at him now and.
Just goes to show how successful that tour was, that it's still happening, still happening, even though it took them that long to plan.
We're still talking about it. And now Henry is an unofficial member of Taylor Swift's team.
Very cool. Good for them. Well, thanks for that story. Thanks, Diane, and thank you for watching. I'm Diane Macedo. The news never stops and neither do we. We have a lot more news after the break. Stay with us.
Will. This. Will.
You know my name?
Oh, for decades, Chinatown's been the epicenter.
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With so much at stake, so much on the line, more Americans turn here than any other newscast. ABC News World News Tonight with David Muir, America's number one most watched newscast across all of television.
Hi, I'm Diane Macedo. Let's get right to our top story. Many public health specialists are raising concerns over president elect Trump picking Robert F Kennedy Jr for Health and Human Services secretary. The former white House Covid response coordinator, Doctor Ashish Jha, calls it a very bad choice, and the former acting CDC director, Richard Besser, says it would be, quote, extremely dangerous. But others, including Colorado's Democratic governor Jared Polis, are celebrating the news. In a post on X, Polis says RFK Jr. Quote, helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will help make America healthy again by shaking up HHS and FDA. Let's bring in ABC News White House correspondent Karen Travers and ABC correspondent Jay O'Brien for more. Karen, how much power would Kennedy have to shape public health if he is confirmed?
Diane. I mean, if he is confirmed to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, this is a massive, sweeping position for Robert F Kennedy Jr. And, you know, look, when you think back to what Donald Trump was saying on the campaign trail, he made it very clear he wanted to put him in charge of all of these agencies. He promised him something big. He said, I'm going to let him go wild on health. Let him go wild on the food. Let him go wild on medicines. But just to give you a sense of what HHS has underneath this, there are 13 significant divisions, including the CDC, where they make recommendations on vaccines and they track global diseases. We obviously know how important that was during the Covid pandemic. The NIH is there. They do research studies into cancer and other important things like that that so many people in this country are relying on for their treatments. The FDA is also under HHS, and that's where you have prescription drugs and dietary supplements, food and medical devices.
They also do inspections of facilities. Remember the baby food issue, the baby milk issue that we had. The FDA is involved in that. And then the centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, so many people in this country are enrolled in those programs. That is important too. So when you look at it like this. Obviously, we heard from the president elect last night talking about how this is such an important role. We heard from the campaign trail saying, you know, he was going to give him something big. And this is a major, major position.
Jay, what are you hearing about Kennedy's nomination from lawmakers on Capitol Hill? Does it seem likely that he could make it through the confirmation process?
Yeah, a confirmation process through the Senate for Kennedy. Because, remember, typically for cabinet level nominees, they've got to go through confirmation hearings. And then they got to clear a vote on the Senate floor and get a simple majority. That might be a rocky process for Robert F Kennedy Jr. We haven't seen as many moderate Republicans come out against his nomination publicly as have, for instance, other controversial cabinet picks like Matt Gaetz for attorney general. But we are hearing some rumblings from Republicans, including, by the way, over in the House, Republicans who don't have a dog in this fight. They're not involved in the confirmation process, but just say generally they're concerned. There's one. For instance, John Duarte, I want to read to you exactly what he told our team yesterday from the transcript. He said to our team, he said, quote, all my kids are vaccinated and I hope he he being Kennedy is not going to move against one of the most life saving technologies in the history of the world.
And look, there are other Republicans in Congress who have said that they are friends of Bobby Kennedy's, that they like his position on various aspects of public health, etc. but this is not a done deal, this confirmation process. And again, if Donald Trump wants to go through the traditional confirmation process with Bobby Kennedy, submit him to the Senate, the Senate holds hearings and there is that vote. That could be a very rocky process.
Karen Trump celebrated his nomination of Kennedy, as well as his other cabinet picks, during an event last night at Mar a Lago. So what stuck out to you about his comments about his incoming administration? You know.
Diane, I think last night was sort of a return to what we remember from eight years ago when then president elect Donald Trump was doing his picks in a much more public way, bringing people to his golf resorts and putting them in front of cameras as they were kind of campaigning for positions in the cabinet early on that first couple of days, when he was announcing some of his more conventional picks for his cabinet, it was through social media posts and press releases. Now we're seeing Donald Trump doing it in front of a big audience, trying to make a big, more splashy display of this. And last night he announced to great fanfare that he's going to pick North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, a big loyalist of Donald Trump's, to be the secretary of interior. He also teased that he would be having a pick soon for the energy secretary position. And as you noted, he talked at length about his pick of RFK Jr to lead HHS. Also, we saw yesterday those loyalists again, that's a word we're going to keep using now over the coming weeks.
People on his legal defense team who are now going to be in big positions within the West Wing and also at the Justice Department.
And officials in Monterey, California, now say Pete Hegseth, Trump's pick for defense secretary, was part of an investigation into alleged sexual assault in 2017. A source tells ABC news Trump's transition team was made aware of that earlier this week. And s attorney tells ABC that this incident was fully investigated and Mr. Hegseth was cleared of any wrongdoing. He says it should have no effect on the confirmation process. So will it likely play into his confirmation process, or do you think this is a non-issue on Capitol Hill?
I mean, it's very much unclear at this hour, Dianne. Certainly, Pete Higgs, his attorney, has that denial, and he says that this was investigated and no wrongdoing was found. But the reality here is this does underscore the fact that these nominees, particularly the more controversial ones, and this nomination is considered controversial because he doesn't have any kind of senior leadership experience in the national security space. Those nominees will get a lot of scrutiny. Matt Gaetz will as well. There is, of course, as we have long discussed, that ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sex trafficking made against Matt Gaetz, allegations that Gaetz has long denied, and the Department of Justice investigated and didn't bring any criminal charges. Point being, this is going to be a long confirmation process for a lot of these nominees, especially those that have been in the public eye, like Matt Gaetz, like Pete Hegseth, like Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for director of national intelligence for quite some time.
All right, Karen Travers, Jay O'Brien, thank you both. And RFK Jr is thanking president elect Trump on social media for nominating him and promising to free health agencies from what he calls the smothering cloud of corporate capture. Let's bring in South Shore Hospital chief of infectious disease doctor Todd Ellerin for more on that. Doctor Todd, good to see you. So what's your reaction to Trump picking RFK Jr as secretary of Health and Human Services?
Right. So I mean this is the most important position for the health of Americans. When you think of the future vision of of what it means to be healthy in the United States, this is a position that shapes policy from everything from vaccines to food safety. Pandemic response. As you know, we obviously just got over, you know, a once in 100 year pandemic cancer research, even even insurance like Medicare and Medicaid. So it's such an important position. We need to make sure that whoever fills this position is serious, can communicate. They're responsible for 13 agencies FDA, CDC, NIH. You just heard that before. There are 85,000 people, you know, within Health and Human Services. So it's just such a key position and, you know, it needs to be taken seriously.
Now, Kennedy has endorsed a host of debunked conspiracy theories, including falsely claiming that childhood vaccines cause autism, but he now says that he's not anti-vaccine and instead in favor of giving people data and letting them decide what's best for themselves and their families. What's your take on that?
I'm really glad you mentioned that, because back in the 1900s, when you looked at mortality in the United States, 30% of that mortality was in children less than five. A lot of that was because of infections, was because of inadequate sanitation, poor nutrition. But the bottom line is we know that vaccines have have been such an important development, crucial, really life saving. Sometimes we lose what I'd call like we have historic amnesia because we haven't lived in a time when we've seen outbreaks of measles and things like polio. You can only imagine these diseases in the mid 1900s were really running wild across the United States. We have to make sure that that doesn't happen again. So I'm really happy to hear that there's a change of heart, because vaccines have been such an important milestone, to say the least.
And my dad had polio as a kid and he still suffers the consequence of it. So I know for many families it's personal in that respect. Um, that said, Doctor Ellerin Democratic Colorado Governor Jared Polis has come out in support of RFK Jr. And he's saying he's concerned about the impact of pesticides, agricultural policy, high prescription drug costs. And he says institutions like the FDA have been barriers to lowering drug costs and promoting healthy food choices. So he's for a major shakeup here. What do you make of that?
You know.
I think that there is part of our health care system that's broken. There is no question access to health care is a problem. When you talk about health inequity, something I'm sure you're aware of. Is that How healthy we are. How long we live is more correlated with our zip code than our genetic code. So there's a lot that has to be changed. And I'm all in favor of disruption. But there's a major. But here there's a lot in our health care system that works. And a lot of it is some of the best health care in the world. So we don't want to throw away the things that we know that work. So I think we can do both at the same time.
All right. Doctor Todd Ellerin, we appreciate you coming on. Thank you.
You too. Diane.
Meanwhile, President Biden is in Peru for the APEC summit and what is likely his final lap on the world stage as president. He's also set to meet with Chinese President XI Jinping before traveling to Brazil for the G20 summit. ABC's Alex Presha is in Lima, Peru with more on that. Alex, what are the president's goals in these meetings, especially this meeting with XI Jinping tomorrow?
Hey, Diane. Well, President Biden here on the ground in Peru for this APEC apex summit. And really his his chief goal, as the white House has outlined to us, is to ensure a peaceful transition now that this incoming administration has been elected. And so, look, a lot of that involves reassuring many of these APEC member economies, if you will. Certainly, the former president, now president elect Trump, has touted the idea of levying tariffs on on many of our trade partners. And that has certainly sparked concerns globally. President Biden here specifically reiterating to this, this, this, this, this summit and this contingent, the importance of our trade partners in the Indo-Pacific. And then you mentioned that meeting with President XI tomorrow, again, ensuring a peaceful transition, a smooth transition is something that the white House says is paramount. You're going to be talking about three main things military to military communication, which they think is imperative in order to prevent Escalations in that region also. These counter-narcotic efforts and then also I safety is going to be on the agenda tomorrow.
All right. Alex Presha in Lima, Peru. Alex. Thank you.
Thank you. The.
Israeli Defense Forces say their warplanes have hit more than 120 terrorist targets across Lebanon in the past 24 hours. The IDF says the strikes include Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure sites and Hezbollah Special Operations Forces command centers. This comes as top Iranian officials, or rather a top Iranian official, is vowing support for Lebanon after talks with Lebanese leaders about the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Foreign correspondent Brit Bennett joins me now live from Tel Aviv, Israel, with more on all of that. But what's the latest on these strikes in Lebanon?
Yeah, certainly no letup to the fighting there. Over a dozen killed across the country in Israeli strikes. That's according to the Health Ministry. And yet, you know, we've been seeing the Lebanese capital targeted once again. Fourth day in a row now, huge plumes of black smoke seen rising into the air after Israel says it continues to hit Hezbollah infrastructure. Now, it's worth remembering that there are reports of potential ceasefire deals on the table. But Hezbollah continues to fire into Israeli territory to one of the aims of this ground operation, of course, is to allow Israelis displaced from their homes in the north of Israel by that rocket fire to return home. But despite the damage to Hezbollah infrastructure and those top assassinations, they really do continue to fire into Israeli territory, announcing 12 attacks today. Now, it's also worth noting regionally, as this crisis looms, you know, that potentially, you know, Iran and and Israel, that tension is still brewing. The Lebanese government really unexpected to have much of a role in any ceasefire agreement coming forward.
But Hezbollah has a massive role in Lebanese society. We do know that it is backed by Iran. This has often been called a shadow war, and it's designated Hezbollah as a terror group by the US. But it is not just a military force, but a political and social organization as well. So it's difficult to see a path forward without their involvement, Diane.
Meanwhile, the Gaza Strip's government media office says, quote, the situation in northern Gaza is catastrophic in every sense of the word. The Hamas run office accuses Israel of, quote, preventing the entry of goods and commodities into northern Gaza for the 200th consecutive day. So how is Israel responding to that? Them saying that they're preventing aid from getting in?
Yeah. Look, Israel has time and time again said that this renewed ground offensive in the north is to prevent Hamas from regrouping. We know the situation there as you've described. You know, for people, it's just getting worse with these repeated warnings as well from NGOs, including from the UN, which warns of imminent famine in the north. Now, earlier this week, as we've been reporting that 30 day deadline set by the Biden administration to improve the humanitarian situation, it came and it went. And so far, quite frankly, it doesn't look like the State Department is. It does look like they are quite satisfied with the steps Israel is taking on the humanitarian front. And it doesn't look like there will be any suspensions of weapons shipments to Israel, as far as we can see so far. Diane.
Foreign correspondent Britt Clennett in Tel Aviv, Israel. Thank you. A new video shows the FBI arresting a Texas man suspected of aiding ISIS. He is accused of plotting an attack on U.S. soil, and the FBI says he scouted potential targets. ABC justice reporter Alex Mallin joins me for more on that. Alex, this suspect is on the FBI's watch list before the arrest. So what's the latest on this investigation?
Yeah, we're really learning all these details in a detention memo filed this week by prosecutors, said a 28 year old man from Lebanon who actually lived the first 18 years of his life in Lebanon, and he actually came to the FBI's radar back in 2017 because they found that he was regularly consuming ISIS propaganda. Now, that's not unlawful. But they say in recent months, he actually turned more of a penchant towards violence, carrying out an act of violence, maybe even specifically citing, um, you know, attacks on Jewish centers in the Houston area. And they say that he grew really, according to testimony from his family members, they really worried that he was about to carry out a potential attack. He researched things like wearing an explosive belt. He attempted to buy a gun recently, and so they said that that basically led them to believe that he was going to finally move forward with potentially carrying out a mass style attack. He actually said that he hoped to carry out an attack that would be reminiscent of nine over 11.
Diane.
What more are you learning about any specific sites that he scouted for a potential attack.
Yeah. I mean, the detention memo really indicates that he became more inclined to violence following the October 7th attack on Israel, and that he really supported the idea of carrying out attacks on Israeli or Jewish supporting sites in the Houston area that he actually specifically researched the Israeli consulate in Houston. And, you know, prosecutors say that he really became dangerous and that his own family actually reported their concerns and that at one point, his mother called 911 on him. And his reaction to that, he actually threw a knife at her face and he expressed no remorse afterwards. Diane.
All right, Alex Mallin thank you. And Tropical Storm Sarah is on the move and could impact the Gulf Coast as early as next week. Sarah is bringing catastrophic rainfall to Honduras today with life threatening flooding and mudslides. Meteorologist Brittany Bell of our ABC station in New York City is tracking that storm. Brittany, what's the latest on where this thing is moving and how strong it is and what we need to know.
Well, Diane, right now, it's still a tropical storm. It has maximum sustained winds near 50mph. The track hasn't changed much. It's still expected to move west along the Honduran coastline, moving towards Belize Saturday into early Sunday. At this time, it could bring 10 to 15in of rain on average. Some isolated areas can expect over 20in of rain that could lead to catastrophic flooding and mudslides. Now Monday, it weakens over the Yucatan Peninsula because of the land interaction, and beyond that, it dissipates, moving into the Gulf of Mexico. So that means it's not going to impact Florida as a tropical storm or a hurricane. But the remnants, even some of this tropical moisture that could interact with the cold front and that interaction will lead to a round after round of soaking rainfall for Florida Tuesday into early Wednesday. All of that tropical moisture, some of that could even interact farther north along the same system, bringing more showers, some much needed rain to the northeast, even wrapping around an area of low pressure, bringing snow to portions of Ohio and West Virginia.
Now looking ahead, this is some much needed rainfall because we have a rainfall deficit for the northeast that's ranging around 8 to 9in. Diane.
Meteorologist Brittany Bell, thank you. Coming up, the major automaker laying off roughly 1000 workers. Alexis Christoforous has that and more next in business headlines.
What you get to watch read. Where can I get a great deal on what I'm just dying to buy. Oh, it's all right here. GMA Life Get the latest celebrity buzz deals and steals and the coolest lifestyle tips from GMA.
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Tonight all new 2020.
You think the shooter.
Was parked over here?
Why would somebody ever.
Put a wig on and gun somebody down in a parking lot?
A young father of senselessly murdered.
Twists and turns, bombshells galore.
He got shot for one of three reasons. Greed.
Revenge or lust? It was becoming more and more clear that there was a lot more to the story. And then.
Bingo!
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Welcome back. General Motors is laying off 1000 of its employees, and Adidas has just signed one of its youngest female athletes yet. ABC news business reporter Alexis Christoforous has more on that. And your other business headlines. Alexis, what are you watching today? I want to start.
With that belt tightening over at GM, because the automaker said this morning it's laying off about 1000 workers. That's 2.5% of its corporate staff around the world. The automaker says it's trying to cut costs and be more competitive in a crowded market. Some welcome news today for home buyers, mortgage rates are lower. For the first time in six weeks, the average rate on a 30 year fixed mortgage now at 6.78%. That's down just slightly from last week, but a lot better than where it was this time last year, when the rate averaged 7.44%. Fed Chief Jerome Powell throwing some cold water on hopes for multiple rate cuts next year. In a speech yesterday before Texas business leaders, Powell said the central bank is not in a rush to lower borrowing costs given the strong economy. Of course, a major question for the fed is how president elect Trump's policies, like tariffs and tax cuts, could fuel inflation. Investors are dumping shares of vaccine makers like Moderna and Pfizer after Trump nominated Robert F Kennedy Jr to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Kennedy has been a vocal vaccine skeptic, and health policy experts say he could deter more Americans from receiving Covid shots and routine immunizations that have for decades saved millions of lives and prevented debilitating illnesses.
And Adidas has just signed its first ever female high school basketball player to a name, image and likeness deal. 16 year old Kaleena Smith. There she is. She's going to represent Adidas on the court during her games with Ontario Christian High School. No word on how much that deal is worth, but super exciting for her.
Just 16 years old. Good for her. Thanks, Alexis. You bet. And thank you for watching. Remember, if you have any finance questions for Alexis, you can leave a message on our Instagram feed at ABC News Live. And she might answer your question right here on Thursday. Coming up, GMA lifestyle contributor Lori Bergamotto joins us for The Right Stuff with the best travel accessories you will need this holiday season. It's time for the right stuff when we come back.
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An operation to capture ISIS fighters.
Since their combat operations center.
We're approaching the gate now.
Militants came in from 4 or 5 different directions. Operational nuclear.
Reactor. So you have a couple loaded and.
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The house is destroyed.
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How important is this label right here? Made the USA. Look at your smile. You're proud of.
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Tonight. All new 2020.
You think the shooter.
Was parked over here?
Why would somebody ever.
Put a wig on and gun somebody down in a parking lot?
A young father of senselessly murdered.
Twists and turns. Bombshells galore.
He got shot for one, two, three.
Greed, revenge or lust? It was becoming more and more clear that there was a lot more to the story.
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Welcome back to ABC News Live. First it is time now for The Right Stuff with our friend, GMA lifestyle contributor Lori Bergamotto. Now, every Friday, Lori brings us some of her favorite products. And this week we're talking best travel accessories. Lori, I'm going to need all of this for the holiday travel season. And remember you can shop these products in whatever Lori shared on Good Morning America by scanning that QR code in the bottom left corner of your screen. So, Lori, you say this is the best travel wrap. Talk to me. I'm listening.
We've both flown on planes and there's no blanket for anybody anymore, right? Like, that's the way it works. It is.
It's. Yeah. It's not. It's not.
Enough. That's not what you want. Feel this. This is from Queens. It's Mongolian cashmere, you guys, it's so soft. Yeah. Go ahead and.
Play with it. I'm going to play.
They say it is three times as warm as wool. So you're going to be nice and toasty on the plane. But what I love about it is that it eliminates the need for a lot of things. First of all, you don't need to. It's like a scarf. It's a scarf.
So you and a blanket.
And what? What? Wait. What is going on here? There's a little cut out.
There are some that you can put over yourself. There are some that you can use totally as a wrap. Wait.
So do I do.
This with it? You could.
And you could do sort of like, poncho style. What we love about this from Quince, though, is this is $99. If you were to try to get this cashmere in a different brand, it would cost you over $200. Diane's just playing dress up over here. We're doing, like, a cosplay situation. Yes, it's very chic. Bundle up. Very warm and great for traveling, so definitely check that out from Quince, which is a brand and a site that we love. Okay. Okay. Now when you pack, are you packing for your whole family or does your husband pack for himself? Like, how does it work?
He packs for himself. I pack for me and the kids.
Okay, so this is something that you may want to say. Honey. Here. This is for you. This is from the team. It has 5005 star reviews on Amazon. It is inexpensive. It's under $40. What men seem to love about this. It has a shoe compartment for their shoes. So my husband only usually travels with two pairs, the one he wears and then whatever the activity is, like sneakers or dress shoes. Me too. Yeah I know. Women. It's a little bit different, I think. It also has a USB port, so if you want to charge your tablet, your phone, whatever, it's water resistant. You can fit four days worth of clothing in this. Really? Yes. So it's a great thing to check out. I mean, women can use it too, of course. I just can't ever fit as much as I want in there. Okay, but speaking of being able to fit things, I'm obsessed with this memo bottle. You can play with it.
It's a water bottle. So what is different? I don't know if they're all. Are they all? They're all glued.
Down. They know I like to play.
But this is as you can see, it's slim. It's 12oz so that you can have that reusable water bottle situation. I don't know about you. I always fill mine like 72oz. And then I'm lugging it through the airport, and then I drink, like, four sips, and then.
You're trying to figure out how to stuff it in your.
I also love that this is transparent. Like you can translucent. You can see right through it. Because then you don't you don't have to wonder, like what's lurking in there. It fits in any bag. It's $30. It's a great gift for anybody who loves to travel and pick it up at Amazon. What's not to love, guys?
Love that Lori. Always love your stuff. Thanks. And remember to shop these products in more of the right stuff. You can scan that QR code on the bottom left corner of your screen for the weekly roundup of the best lifestyle content from Lori and GMA. Catch GMA life. That's weekends 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. eastern, right here on ABC News Live and streaming on Hulu. I'm Diane Macedo. The news never stops, and neither do we. We have a lot more news after the break. I feel like you could get in here too. Cozy.
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We are part of an operation. This is our combat operation center. We're approaching the gate.
Militants came in from different directions.
So you have a.
Couple loaded and ready to.
Go. The house.
Is destroyed, but.
The flag, not.
A tear in it. How important it made the USA. Great work.
I appreciate you.
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Hi, I'm Diane Macedo. Let's get right to our top story. President elect Trump is touting his new cabinet picks, including his choice for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. Here's what he told supporters at a gala at Mar a Lago last night.
I guess if you like health and if you like people that live a long time, it's the most important position. We want you to come up with things and ideas and what you've been talking about for a long time, and I think you're going to do some unbelievable things.
Now, many public health specialists are raising concerns over Kennedy's lack of experience and his endorsement of debunked conspiracy theories. Let's bring in ABC News White House correspondent Karen Travers and ABC correspondent Jay O'Brien for more. Jay Trump's former vice president Mike pence says he opposes RFK Jr. S nomination, saying Kennedy supported abortion on demand during all nine months of pregnancy. So what are you hearing from lawmakers about that? And whether Kennedy's position on abortion could help or hurt him in a confirmation process?
Look, there is this split ongoing right now in the Republican Party, this desire to make sure that president elect Trump has exactly what he wants, because there are a series of lawmakers, really across the board who say because of the size of Donald Trump's electoral victory, because of his win in the popular vote, his ability to help Republicans secure control of the Senate, hold on to control of the House, that he should get exactly what he wants. And so I haven't heard many Republicans mention these Mike pence comments as something that's a deal breaker for them because it's Donald Trump's party. But on the flip side, there are concerns about what RFK Jr. Has said are his day one priorities for the Department of Health and Human Services. If he were to make it through a Senate confirmation, there are some Republicans who, like some of his ideas, like completely gutting the various staffing of that department because RFK Jr. Believes it's too tied to Big Pharma. And then I've heard concerns from Republicans who don't like RFK Jr's stances on things like vaccines and pushing debunked conspiracy theories That vaccines are linked to autism.
Ultimately, if he goes through the confirmation process, it's going to be in the Senate's hands and there are some moderate senators rumbling about maybe not liking this nomination. But certainly it's not the level of outspoken criticism that we've seen for other controversial nominees at this hour, like, for instance, Matt Gaetz for Attorney General. Diane.
Karen, we've heard a lot about Trump's incoming administration, but what role will Vice President elect Vance play?
Likely a different role than what we saw him play out there on the campaign trail, where he was really an aggressive attack dog on policy issues and going after the Harris Wallace ticket on very big things. Now, I think what you can expect him to do is play a key role for the Trump administration up on Capitol Hill, where he has served for the last two years as a senator. Not a very long time, but still enough time for him to build some relationships. He's been described as potentially being the eyes and ears of the white House up on Capitol Hill, where he can leverage some of those relationships to try and push through priorities of the incoming administration. Diane, I think you can also expect him to potentially focus on a policy portfolio that has things like immigration and the economy in there, and those things will be important, obviously, as top priorities for the administration. But it will be notable if he is seen as a leading voice on things that are so important for President Trump than President Trump, because think about this.
You know, he is somebody that could run for president himself in a couple of years. And the portfolio that he has given over the next couple of years will matter very much about what he could potentially run on. Think about what Vice President Harris was called as the Biden administration border czar, and some of the other things that she was given while she was vice president. That made it difficult in some ways for her to run against and away from when she was running herself for president.
J. Officials in Monterey, California, now say Pete Hegseth, Trump's pick for defense secretary, was part of an investigation into alleged sexual assault in 2017. Now, Hicks's attorney tells ABC that, quote, this incident was fully investigated and Mr. Hegseth was cleared of any wrongdoing. It should have no effect on the confirmation process. So what are you hearing from lawmakers about that.
Currently at this hour? Diane, the main criticism of Pete Hegseth typically resides in the fact that he has not had any kind of senior leadership role in the national security space. I've talked to Republicans who say that they do believe he is qualified, though, because a he's Donald Trump's pick, and B, he does have that service in the Army National Guard and deployed overseas. ET cetera. But that also that story about Pete Hegseth, it is a demonstration of the fact that these cabinet picks will go through this rigorous vetting process in the Senate. If Donald Trump doesn't try to circumvent that process through recess appointments and things of that nature, they're going to go through this rigorous Senate vetting process where these things are going to come out. And when you talk about Matt Gaetz as another controversial nominee, there was the possibility that that House Ethics Committee report that has been long compiled over the course of that investigation, which we now know is an open question as to whether or not it gets released because Gaetz has resigned from the House, and the House Ethics Committee doesn't continue investigations into people that are no longer in the House.
There's an open question as to if that report sees the light of day. Over the course of what is expected to be a tense confirmation process. Again, ultimately, this is going to hinge on the Senate. And if there are Senate Republicans who are willing to step to who the desired nominees of the president elect are.
Karen, what will you be watching for now in terms of new nominations to the incoming cabinet?
I think if the pace.
Continues, that will be notable. Diane, because these announcements so far about cabinet picks by the president elect have been coming fast and furious. You know, at a much quicker pace than what we saw from him eight years ago. But there are still some very big positions that he has not yet announced his nominees for places like energy, Treasury, Commerce and the Education Department. And we know that as a candidate, he was promising big shakeups at education, even, you know, out there talking about getting rid of the education department. So who he chooses for those positions will be very critical. And just to piggyback on what Jay was saying, you know, you also have those announcements that he has already made about Hegseth for the Defense Department and Gates Attorney general, whether or not those nominations continue and whether he sticks with them, given the swirling controversies they have right now.
All right. Karen Travers, Jay O'Brien. Thank you. And RFK Jr is thanking president elect Trump on social media for nominating him and promising to free health agencies from what he calls the smothering cloud of corporate capture. Let's bring in the director of Brown University's Pandemic center, epidemiologist Professor Jennifer Nuzzo, for more. Professor, thanks for coming on. You know, Kennedy has been a vaccine skeptic and has aggressively questioned the intentions and integrity of our regulatory and public health scientists. So what's your reaction to this pick, and what are you hearing from your colleagues about this?
Yeah, this is exactly the wrong pick.
I don't even think it's correct.
To call him a skeptic. I mean, listen, all of us should be skeptical about any.
New public.
Health intervention.
We want to look at the evidence and make sure the evidence says that not only.
Does it work, but that it's not going to harm people. Unfortunately, RFK Jr has made a career out of.
Basically just.
Making up falsehoods and.
Spreading.
Them.
Probably for personal.
Gain, but certainly to the impact of of harming.
Public health. So that is really, really worrisome.
It's also worrisome that.
HHS is an incredibly.
Large and important government institution. It deals with many issues, not just the fringe interests that RFK has had. And so really, what we need is someone who is committed.
To.
Leading that agency.
Who.
Has an experience track record of leading on important health policy issues and.
Can do so.
By looking clear eyed at the evidence, not trying to cherry pick random conspiracy theories on the internet in order to personally profit.
Now. On vaccines, Kennedy says he's not going to take vaccines away, but that he wants to provide Americans with access to all the data so they can make informed choices for themselves and their families. What's your response to that?
Yeah. So first of.
All, we don't have to take away vaccines to do harm. And certainly just raising unsupported claims about vaccine does harm because it scares people off from what are, you know, well established, well supported public health and medical interventions. So you don't have to take it away to do harm. Secondly, you know, I think there may be a tendency to want to look at this as increasing personal freedom. And this is very much not that there are points in which we can have fair debates, I will tell you. During the Covid 19 vaccination campaign, I was someone who didn't think that vaccine mandates, for instance, were the best way to get Americans vaccinated. There are points on which we can disagree, but what we can't do is is willfully throw out many decades worth of research showing that things like measles vaccine are life saving, and unfortunately, we've seen that happen. So there was a very large outbreak of measles in American Samoa. That outbreak occurred after, um, Robert F Kennedy Jr visited Samoa.
When we saw a real erosion in vaccine uptake. And unfortunately, 83 people died during that outbreak, most of which are children. So what we can't do is just willfully ignore evidence and promote falsehoods.
Now, Kennedy also advocated for stricter regulations on ingredients used in processed foods like synthetic dyes, and he's garnered a lot of support on social media for that. What's your take on that?
Sure. I mean, I would love to see fewer processed ingredients in our food. That said, you know, it's going to be a really difficult thing to do in this economic climate when, you know, Americans, probably one of the biggest things that sent them to the polls is the cost of their grocery bill. There's a reason that food manufacturers use these ingredients, and part of it is that they are less costly. I think doing things that make food more costly is going to be a really tough thing to do. And so, you know, I think I wouldn't put pin too much hope on any real progress on that.
All right. Brown University pandemic Center director Jennifer Nuzzo. Jennifer thank you.
Thanks so much.
And we will have much more on president elect Trump's picks for his incoming administration throughout the day. And later this afternoon on This Week live at 4:00 eastern right here on ABC News Live. Meanwhile, President Biden is in Peru for the APEC summit and what is likely his final lap on the world stage as president. He's also set to meet with Chinese President XI Jinping before traveling to Brazil for the G20 summit. ABC's Alex Presha has the latest from Lima, Peru.
Hey, Diane. So, yes, President Biden on the ground here in Lima, Peru. He's got meetings today with the prime minister of Japan and also the president of South Korea and of Peru. And a big goal, as the white House has outlined, is reassuring members of this APEC summit. The 21 member economies of the U.S. commitment specifically to the Indo-Pacific. Obviously, with the incoming administration, there has been a lot of fear globally about increased tariffs. Biden really wanting to reiterate the importance of this region to the United States, both economically and with national security. And then, obviously, all eyes are on his meeting with President XI tomorrow. The white House telling us that the two are really going to be discussing three main things the importance of military to military communication. These counter-narcotics efforts and then also I safety. But more than anything, Biden trying to reassure XI of a smooth transition as this new administration takes office in January. Diane.
Alex Presha in Lima, Peru. Thank you. Coming up, Daniel Penny, in his own words, what he told police moments after the subway chokehold that left a man dead.
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Welcome back to ABC News Live. First, the Texas Supreme Court has ruled the execution of death row inmate Robert Robertson can move forward. He's the first person in the U.S. sentenced to death for a murder linked to shaken baby syndrome, lawmakers and medical experts say. The jury convicted Robertson of killing his two year old daughter on faulty evidence. Officials had scheduled Robertson's Execution by lethal injection for October 17th, but lawmakers issued a subpoena to have him testify at the Texas Capitol. Days after that planned execution, the Texas Supreme Court had ruled in Robertson's favor temporarily before today's decision to let the execution move forward, and trial is underway for the man accused of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley. Body camera video played in court today shows the moment officers found the 22 year old's body. The killing added fuel to the national debate over immigration when authorities announced suspect Jose Ibarra was in the U.S. illegally. ABC's Morgan Norwood is following that trial for us. And, Morgan, let's start with this body cam video. What did it show?
And what other testimony have you heard so far today?
Hi, Diane.
Good to be with you. Yeah, we know that court just.
Broke for recess.
Just a short time ago, but I.
Want to give you a run through or a rundown rather of what we've heard throughout the day.
Beginning with opening statements, because.
I think those are really poignant moments in the beginning of this trial.
The prosecution.
Told.
The.
Judge in painting this picture to the judge, saying that Jose Ibarra had this all planned out right. They say that he essentially went hunting for women to sexually assault at UGA back in February, and then found Laken Riley on her morning jog. It was routine for her, brutally beat her to death, and then strangled her, allegedly when she tried to get away back in February. So in terms of the evidence presented today and the testimony, we do hear that body camera video to point out it was too graphic to be shown, but it essentially details the moment that authorities found Laken Riley's body on that trail. The officer who found her can be heard frantically calling for backup, starting several rounds of CPR, but to no avail. We did see Jose Ibarra listening in. He had on headphones and we also saw that officer as well. And you could tell at times it was really difficult for him to listen back to that moment. That officer also testifying and telling the judge that Lincoln's clothing had been partially removed and describing how she had been found, really graphic details there.
We also heard the 911 calls. Diane, I mean, this is just a build up of evidence. As they try, the prosecution rather tries to illustrate this tragedy to the judge.
Where is the defense trying to raise reasonable doubt so far?
Yeah. So the defense, of course, is calling this a tragedy. Right. They say that the evidence that the prosecution has raised so far and will show, uh, says that Ibarra says that this evidence here is circumstantial. And they also accuse them of exploiting this tragedy. Right. Amid the national immigration debate that you pointed out at the top of the show, in which, of course, we know Republicans and Democrats have leaned heavily into in the months before the November election. We expect them to really refute and lean into how this evidence was gathered. Diane. They also claim that there was little biological or physical evidence to tie Ibarra to the scene. So it will be really interesting to see how they navigate and how they litigate this case over the next two days.
And Morgan, we know Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial, so this will be up to the judge. Walk us through what you're expecting from the rest of this trial as they lead up to the judge making that decision.
Yeah, it's a good question. So it's going to look a little bit different from your typical trial, right. This is not a jury trial. It's what we call a bench trial. So going to be a little bit different. So rather than having your prosecution, your counsel, your defense, you know, present evidence to a jury, a panel here, there's going to be fewer formalities with the bench trial because the judge here is the sole fact finder. He knows the law. And with that said, there's a there's a chance that this case could even move a little bit quicker than what we would normally see with a jury trial. So of course we're going to be following it and we'll see how this all plays out.
Diane Morgan Norwood, thank you. And the jury in The trial of Daniel Penny is hearing from Penny in his own words. And Penny has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide charges in the chokehold death of Jordan Nealy on the New York City subway. Witnesses say Nealy had been acting erratically. On Thursday, prosecutors showed police interrogation video of Penny demonstrating the chokehold to detectives.
And I kind of came like this. Okay.
Did you apply pressure, Daniel?
No, I did.
I wasn't. I just wanted.
To keep him from getting to people. Some guy came in. He's, like, whipped his jacket off, and he's like, I'm gonna kill everybody. I'm gonna. I'm gonna. I can go to prison forever. I don't care, I don't do this. At that point, I looked to the person next to me like, hey, just hang on to this phone for me. I had my headphones in, took it off, and just kind of, like, grabbed him from behind because he came in just to, like, cause he was acting like a lunatic, like a crazy person. Because it looked like a sleeper.
Hold to me.
Like. Right.
Yeah. Similar to.
Like, I'm not trying to, like, I'm not trying to, like, kill the guy. Right? I'm just trying to make, like, de-escalate the situation. I'm not. I wasn't trying to, like, injure him. Right. I'm just trying to keep him from hurting anybody else. He's threatening people.
ABC news contributor and trial attorney Brian Buchmeyer joins me now for more. Brian, so much of this video to unpack, but how important will those words be from Daniel Pennie himself telling the officers, I wasn't trying to kill the guy. He also says I wasn't trying to hurt him. I was just trying to deescalate the situation.
It helps in the sense that he's trying to prove the fact that he didn't intend to harm Jordan Nealy, but unfortunately for him, the charges are not necessarily intent. It's more about reckless or negligence. And so when you take his statement there and then you put it next to what the prosecution has presented by putting on his marine trainer, explaining the differences of chokeholds and how he was using a blood choke hold rather than an air choke hold. And he continued with that choke hold past the point of Jordan Nealy passing out it. It veers its way into into the lane of recklessness and negligence, which is exactly what the prosecution is accusing him of.
How much is his training as a marine going to play into that, this sense that he should have known?
Yeah, it's really everything in the case right here, right? Because if it's just an ordinary person who doesn't know the difference between an air chokehold, which is the blocking of the trachea and the air here, or a blood chokehold where you're blocking the arteries or the veins in the side, which would cause a person to pass out. But if you continue to do so, a person would die. Jordan Nealy knows that better than anyone else based on his training. And so to say that he has his training, he understands what he's supposed to do. And sorry, Daniel Penny, that he has his training, he understands what he's supposed to do, but continued going. That leads you into the criminal negligent homicide that leads you to the recklessness.
The combat instructor who trained Penny said that he warned his trainees of the dangers of this kind of a chokehold. So how is the defense going to counter that?
So I think the defense is going to try to avoid the fact that the chokehold is actually the cause of the death here. We've heard in the cross-examinations of various witnesses, especially of the medical forensic pathologist, are saying, well, Jordan, Eli may have had substances in his system that might have caused him to to die rather than the actual hold on his neck, because as you heard from Daniel Penny, he said that he was just trying to restrain him. He did not put pressure on his neck. So I think the defense is going to try to put forward in their case, probably starting next week, medical examiners that are going to combat the argument that Jordan Nealy died from asphyxiation or pressure to his neck, rather than some substance in his body.
Would that be countering the autopsy report?
Exactly. Which is going to be very difficult, because you've already had people testify multiple times, and you have the video, which is very hard to kind of disagree with, to say that that pressure on his neck is what caused his death.
All right. Brian Buchmeyer, I know you'll be watching. Thank you. My pleasure. Coming up, is your inbox flooded with thousands of unread emails? Well, stay tuned for tips on how to detox your inbox in today's Macedo methods after this.
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Welcome back to ABC News Live. First, it is time for Mosquito Methods, where I show you some of my favorite hacks to make life a little easier. And today I'm showing you how to declutter your email inbox using a feature you've probably been ignoring for years. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the number of emails flooding your inbox? If so, you're not alone. How many emails do you have in your inbox?
91,000.
91,000. I have.
181,000 emails.
Those are my producers, Shannon and Cynthia. And believe it or not, my inbox used to be even worse. I reached.
Nearly.
200,000 unread emails in my personal account, and another 140,000 in my work email. Missing important messages in the chaos. Sorry for my delayed response, but now I've transformed my email using what I call the inbox. Detox and Shannon and Cynthia are about to test it out. Why do you think it's so hard to stay on top of email?
They just keep coming in like. I don't know how to like.
It's like once you fall behind, I'm like, I can't keep up.
Step one here.
Is pretty dramatic.
Are you ready?
Yeah, I.
Yes, I think so.
Pretty much every major email platform has an archive feature, and we're going to use it like a storage unit for emails you don't need handy. We're going to archive every single email that is more than two weeks old. Collect all conversations that match this search. And now you're going to hit.
Archive right there. That's fine. Yep.
Confirm bulk action. The beauty of this method is unlike deleting emails, archived emails are still accessible in the archive folder or by search. On the off chance you need them later. Also note if you have a lot of emails, this step can take the system some time, so don't be alarmed if you don't see that number drop right away. As you log in, you're going to start seeing your inbox number. Just get lower and lower and lower and lower. While we wait for this to do its thing, we can start on the next part of the process. Step two. Customize your inbox settings if you're on outlook, you'll want to sort your emails by flag status. Gmail users hit that gear icon in the top right corner and scroll down to choose multiple inboxes from the Quick Settings menu, then hit Customize Set section one to. Is starred and leave the rest blank. So now what we've done is all your starred emails, which means you have selected and starred them are now going to show up at the top of your inbox.
Always. Step three star or flag? What matters? Go through your remaining emails. Anything that needs your attention gets a star or a flag, which, thanks to step two, will move them above your inbox. Send everything else on that inbox page to the archives. Instead of having to delete everything you want to get rid of, you're actually just going through and keeping the things you want, which is so much easier. Repeat this process. You just deleted 40,000 emails in like 20 minutes. Wow. Until you have no emails left in your inbox. Are you ready for your big day? Are you ready for.
Oh my gosh.
I just went through two tears it up even more. So we're at zero. Oh my.
Really? Zero?
Yes. Oh, sorry. Of course.
Oh, I'm so proud of you. Yeah I.
Am. Or just continue that process for all new emails. And two weeks later, repeat step one. Cynthia has gotten rid of 3000 emails. 4000 emails now about four minutes. And just like that. And we're done. Inbox zero. I am. But we're not done yet. Step four. Treat your star or flag section like a to do list. Unstring and archiving every email as you resolve it, even as new emails come in. These will stay at the top, making it harder to forget about them. Step five maintenance. From now on, treat each new email with the same strategy. You can also unsubscribe from unwanted email lists or set of filters, so certain emails go straight to the archive. Skipping the inbox altogether. Check this out. Inbox zero baby. Oh wait, is that 236 messages? Leave me alone. And now I want to create a method for you. So let me know what problem you want hacked. Just message me on Instagram at Diane Macedo and we just might tackle it in another mosquito methods.
Thanks for watching. I'm Diane Macedo. The news never stops and neither do we. We have a lot more news for you right after the break. Stay with us.
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Welcome back to ABC News Live. First you are looking at Boston on this Friday, November 15th. President elect Trump's pick for attorney general, Matt Gaetz, is facing major pushback on Capitol Hill. The House Ethics Committee had been investigating Gaetz before he resigned from Congress earlier this week. Now, pressure is mounting for the bipartisan committee to release their findings, including from some senators who could be voting whether or not to confirm him. ABC news correspondent Jay O'Brien has this report.
By now.
You've.
Probably heard the name Matt Gaetz. A self-described conservative firebrand, a deeply loyal Trump supporter.
He's a great guy. He's a great, really a great person, and he's on the controversial side. But that's not.
Bad. And now the president elect's pick for attorney general.
Maybe I should serve as attorney general of the United States. I'd be easy on marijuana and tough on Big Tech.
But the controversial pick of the now former Florida congressman is sending shock waves across Washington, DC.
Clearly, it's just kind of like a god tier kind of trolling just to trigger a meltdown.
It's going to have an uphill battle.
I can name between 5 and 10.
Republicans.
Who are.
Seriously.
Considering voting.
Against this nomination.
And it's not just Gates's reputation as a conservative bomb thrower that's stirring some backlash to his nomination to the top law enforcement job in the country. It's also allegations about Gates's past. The Florida congressman was facing a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sex trafficking, specifically that he paid for and engaged in sexual relations with an underage girl. And sources telling ABC news that woman testified before the House Ethics Committee that gates had sex with her when she was 17 years old, and he was a member of Congress. In a statement to ABC news, gates says these allegations are invented and would constitute false testimony to Congress. This false smear following a three year criminal investigation should be viewed with great skepticism. Gates has denied all allegations against him, and now that gates has resigned from Congress to potentially join Trump's cabinet. That House investigation into him will end.
I served with some real scumbags like Matt Gates. He paid minors to have sex with him.
The Department of Justice investigated similar claims for years and ultimately did not bring any charges.
Word is I now have problems with the Ethics Committee, which seems really odd to me because I'm the one screaming loudest for actual ethics reforms.
Sources tell ABC news the House Ethics Committee was in the final stages of its probe into gates and preparing to decide this week whether to release a final report. But gates resignation preempted that. Gates earned a law degree from William and Mary in 2007, before working at a law firm in Florida. He then followed his father's footsteps into Florida politics, serving in the state House from 2010 to 2016, and then winning a seat in Congress in the Republican stronghold of the Florida Panhandle. The same year, Donald Trump won the white House. Gaetz quickly grew close to Trump and has a penchant for political clashes.
I'm glad that we've got a president that's willing.
To take the slings and arrows, and it's willing to go out there and say that there are things that we got to do to be able to reform the very institution of this place.
In 2018, he received bipartisan condemnation for inviting a Holocaust denier to Trump's State of the Union. A year later, he hired a speechwriter who had been fired by the Trump White House after speaking at a white nationalist conference. But it was Gaetz's opposition to Kevin McCarthy's bid to become speaker of the House in 2023. That made him a household name.
That was easy, huh?
I never thought we'd.
Get up here.
Months later, Gaetz was back again, triggering a motion to vacate, starting the process to oust Kevin McCarthy from his job and flinging the House of Representatives into weeks of political chaos.
If this House of Representatives has exceeded all expectations, then we definitely need higher expectations.
When the dust settled and McCarthy was gone, the former speaker held gates personally responsible and even funded an unsuccessful primary challenger against the congressman. McCarthy believes gates will not be confirmed as attorney general. As Attorney general, gates would be in a commanding position directing the entire law enforcement apparatus of the federal government, the top law enforcement job a focus for Donald Trump, who has said he wants to change the entire Justice Department and even on the campaign trail, suggested he could prosecute his political opponents.
I think the bigger problem are the people from within. We have some very bad people. We have some sick people, radical left lunatics, and I think they're the and it should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard or if really necessary by the military.
And sources tell ABC news. Rank and file Department of Justice employees are concerned. One telling ABC news, quote, this can't be real. And another predicting mass resignations if gates gets sworn in.
ABC news correspondent Jay O'Brien. Thank you. Let's bring in former Republican Congressman Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania for more. Congressman, thank you for coming on. I know you were the chair of the House Ethics Committee. So what do you make of this controversy over whether or not the committee should share this report on Matt Gates with the Senate?
Well, ordinarily, if a member of Congress resigns from the House, the House Ethics Committee loses jurisdiction over the investigation. But in this case, it appears that the investigation was complete. And all that had to happen was for the committee to vote on the report and then to release it to the public. And so I suspect the committee will be under tremendous pressure. I know they are under tremendous pressure to release this report. I believe precedent would allow them to do so again. Ordinarily, they wouldn't do it. But I would also recommend to you that if when this report is released, you will see that it is damning. They are. The committee is probably likely to recommend some sort of sanction against Matt Gaetz, whether it's a reprimand, censure or even an expulsion, although that's moot at this point since he resigned. They can do all those things. But you also have, you know, the United States Senate, that is, you know, now vetting Matt Gaetz as part of its nomination process for attorney general.
And they will want this report as part of their record as they look into his candidacy for this position. So it suggests to me that the committee will probably convene, and I hope they do release it. But I at this point, it's hard to say. They typically wouldn't do it. And I was involved with many of these types of investigations over the years. And these are thorough professional investigations. And there are these are these are really serious people who do these things on a nonpartisan basis. And by the way, that ethics committee is evenly divided. Five Republican, five Democrats. So whatever this report, what's in this report, if it's agreed to, it will be done probably on a unanimous basis.
What do you make of the other picks Trump has made for key positions so far?
Well, you know okay. Waltz. Congressman Waltz I think is a solid pick. You know, Marco Rubio is a solid pick. And there are some others. You know, Zeldin is a good pick. Although I was surprised they put him at EPA. I didn't strike me as his expertise. But what I guess I like everybody. The Matt Gaetz, uh, selection is simply gobsmacking. I mean, how could he uh, and then there was, of course, you know, there's Tulsi Gabbard, uh, you know, again, you know, she's going to come under great scrutiny because of her ties to Syrian President Assad and some of the statements she's made about Russia. And I think that's really going to be a challenge for her. Same thing to, of course, RFK Jr. Who's, you know, kind of a conspiracy theorist, you know, engages in quackery and anti-vaxxer. That's also probably after gates. The most serious problem is RFK Jr. I mean, you know, we're trying to talk about protecting the public.
And if if we're going to do away with vaccines or ignore vaccine science, I don't think I can't think of anything that would be more harmful to the health and safety of many of our citizens.
Do you think some of these more controversial picks, like gates, like RFK Jr, will have a difficult time getting confirmed by the Senate?
Yeah. In the case of.
Say, Matt Gaetz, I believe that that nomination will have to be withdrawn at some point. I just can't see his nomination getting through. I suspect there'll be plenty of folks who will be prepared to vote against him on the Republican side. RFK Jr. I would hope there would be plenty of votes against him as well, but we'll see. And I am one who is skeptical that the US Senate will use this recess appointment process on some of these very controversial or unqualified nominees. John Thune, Senator Thune is a good man. He is an institutionalist. And and I suspect, you know, that that recess appointment process should be used very sparingly, you know, maybe for a qualified candidate, but is in some political difficulty. You might remember John Bolton, I believe, secured his position after after after a recess appointment. I mean, you could say what you will about John Bolton, but he's very smart. He's qualified. But obviously politically, you know, challenging for many. But but that's not what we're talking about with Matt Gaetz or RFK Jr.
We're talking about people who simply seem to be unfit or unqualified.
All right. Former Congressman Charlie Dent, we appreciate your time today. Thank you.
Thank you.
And we're getting a closer look at what life behind bars has been like for the Menendez brothers. The outgoing Da has released documents that appear to show Eric and Lyle's effort at rehabilitation and community building during their three decades in prison. Chief national correspondent Matt Gutman has the details.
As the resentencing hearing for Eric and Lyle Menendez nears a trove of new documents giving us our deepest look into their life behind bars. Outgoing L.A. Da District Attorney George Gascon filing more than 600 pages of documents showing the brothers to be, quote, model prisoners, with one corrections coordinator testifying. In my 26 years at the prison, I have not met an inmate who has been this innately committed to helping others. In 1996, the brothers were sentenced to life in prison without parole for the brutal shotgun murders of their parents. Now, the Da is calling for the siblings to be released on good behavior. The document offering exhaustive lists of groups and organizations the brothers have either founded or participated in, including. Mindfulness groups. Hospice and addiction care programs. A no violence challenge. Prison, green spaces and art projects. Lyle, seen here in front of a mural he recently painted with his art group. The book length submission also has letters from family, friends and staff, with one officer writing of Eric that his quote, notorious public image is starkly different from the inmate who he says is a rehabilitated man who humbly strives towards helping those in need.
Multiple Netflix productions coupled with social media sparking a new generational interest in the case. The brothers claims of sexual abuse galvanizing many to call for their freedom.
The case is a unicorn.
Because.
Despite all that.
Very significant.
Evidence.
The jury found.
Him guilty of double murder.
For.
Financial gain. That is.
Premeditated.
Gascon told me last month. It was the rehabilitation in prison that convinced him.
Those were brutal murders that were premeditated, and that's why they got life without the possibility.
You are recommending that they be released immediately.
I am recommending that they be released because I believe that the people that they were is not the same people that we're seeing 35 years later.
But now, some uncertainty. With Gascon unseated and newly elected Da Nathan Hochman taking over the infamous case, soon telling Akana Whitworth he will thoroughly review everything.
Well, as for the minimal amount of time necessary to do this work, because we owe it to the Menendez brothers, we owe.
It to the public to get.
This decision right.
It's worth noting that in their 35 years in the system, the brothers have had a handful of rules violations, but not for a single infraction for violence. Now, sources close to the case tell me the defense intends to make the unusual move of calling at least four corrections officers to the stand at the resentencing hearing next month to testify to the brothers rehabilitation and their readiness to be back in society. Diane.
Chief national correspondent Matt gutman. Thank you. And a Georgia mother is facing potential jail time after leaving her ten year old son home alone. And he then took a walk less than a mile into town. Police say she knowingly put her son in harm's way, but she argues he was never in danger. ABC's Andrea Fujii has the details.
Police body camera video shows the moment Brittany Patterson was arrested for letting her ten year old son walk into town by himself.
What am I under arrest for?
For reckless endangerment.
And how was I recklessly endangering my child?
On October 30th, Patterson said she took one of her children to the doctor. In the meantime, her son Sean, who has since turned 11, decided to walk less than a mile into town from their home in rural Mineral Bluff, Georgia. While out, Patterson got a call from the sheriff's department worried that Sean was walking alone.
I wasn't concerned, I wasn't, you know, panicking or concerned because it's just a short walk from our house. He knows how to get home. He knows how to get there.
Authorities dropped sawn off at home and five hours later they returned.
Come on in and tell them they're taking me to jail because you decided to walk down the street. Let go of your hands.
That's not his fault.
Yeah.
You're the mother. That's your responsibility.
Anytime I checked, it wasn't illegal for a kid to walk to the store.
So it is when they're ten years old.
Patterson was booked on suspicion of reckless conduct, a charge that could carry one year in jail. The warrant claiming she willingly and knowingly did endanger the bodily safety of her juvenile son.
Our criminal justice system is built on the fact that you did something or you were negligent. You did something criminally negligent. So what is it she did?
Authorities have offered to drop the charge. If Patterson signs a safety plan that includes the use of a GPS tracker on her son's phone, but she refuses to sign it or admit doing anything wrong.
I just felt like I couldn't sign that, and that in doing so, would be agreeing that there was something unsafe about my home or something unsafe about my parental decisions, and I just don't believe that.
Andrea Fujii Thank you. And Brittany Patterson is out on bail. She's waiting to see if prosecutors will indict her on the reckless conduct charge. Coming up, a health alert linked to more than 10 million people this year alone. The warning from the World Health Organization about a surge in measles cases.
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Welcome back to ABC News Live. First, it is time for our weekly segment Tell It Like It Is, where ABC contributor Doctor Loke Patel shares health advice on the topics that matter most to you. And today he is answering some of your questions. Doctor Patel, I want to start first with this new report on measles because the World Health Organization says cases are surging worldwide, infecting 10.3 million people just in 2023. So what should people know?
Well, here's a couple of other numbers people should know, Diane, is that in 2023, there were about 107,000 deaths from the measles, mostly in children under the age of five. And that number of cases is up 20% from 2022. And across the world, 22 million children missed their first dose of the MMR vaccine, which can prevent all of this. So measles is a virus, but some children who get it can be left with permanent disabilities, such as blindness, severe respiratory infections, swelling from the brain. And we have a huge issue with those vaccination rates dropping not only because of access but because of misinformation, people getting the wrong information. So the measles vaccine is safe, effective. Make sure your children are covered. This should not be a headline.
On anonymous viewer in Texas also writes how are rules changing about getting emergency contraception pills? What about abortion pills by mail?
The law to talk about here and I and I respect this question because it really differs per state. What I want to say is that there's a difference between these two pills. The emergency contraception is really referring to either plan B or a copper IUD, which are highly effective at preventing pregnancy if taken soon after sex. The book says 120 hours, but it's best if you take it right away. Now, these are currently legal in all 50 states, but it may vary depending on how you're able to access it over-the-counter a pharmacy, a pharmacist needing to approve it. In some states, a pharmacy can actually deny it now. abortion, medical abortion such as that pill. Now that is usually taken in the first trimester. It's what's called the medication abortion. It's actually the the majority of abortions in the United States are done by taking this pill, which is usually a combination of two. Now, what's important to note is that even though there are abortion bans in a few states, people are actually able to access this via telehealth thanks to shield laws.
But it really does depend on your state. And for people out there who don't know their laws or may be afraid to talk to a healthcare professional, I'm sorry that reality exists because it can be confusing. It can be scary, but there is legal help that people can get by going online to reproductive legal hotlines so you can better understand your options in the state you live to make the right decision for you.
And Ben in Seattle, Doctor Patel writes, why is it we can only sign up for health insurance once a year? Why not all the time?
Ben, I feel you because a lot of people wonder, like, what is this small open enrollment window now, depending on your employer or the health care marketplace. There is a small time frame where they want you to enroll, and this is likely to make sure that there's a steady pool of premiums being paid and a mix of people who may have pre-existing conditions or those who don't. So for people out there, make sure that if you get a new job, you are looking at that window. When to sign up and for the open marketplace healthcare.gov. That window opened November 1st and it closes January 15th for February 1st coverage. Now, one important thing to note that on healthcare.gov, every single plan, according to the Affordable Care Act, must cover essential health benefits, free preventive care, and cover you regardless if you have pre-existing conditions. So sign up today if you don't have health insurance.
And lastly, a new study that analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found beer drinkers may have worse diets and liver health compared to wine or liquor drinkers. Why is that? What's your reaction to this study?
You know, all alcohol is probably not great for your diet and it's all terrible for your liver. Now, Diane, this is one shot in time looking at 1900 adult alcohol consumers. They looked at people who just drank beer, wine, liquor or a mix of all of it and found that beer drinkers were most likely to have poor diets and increased risk of liver disease and were more likely to smoke. So, like I said, this is just one snapshot in time. But it just goes to show you that how much all of this plays in to your liver health. So alcohol and moderation. Make sure you're eating a healthy diet. Move and take it easy every now and then. Your brain, your heart and your liver will thank you.
All right. Doctor Patel, thank you. And if you have questions for Doctor Patel, just leave him a message on our Instagram feed. He might answer your question right here on Friday. Coming up, Nicki Minaj is dropping new music, how she's keeping late rapper Juice Wrld's legacy alive. That and more music headlines in the drop with Megan Wright when we come back.
Tonight, with the transition choices in full swing, the questions around what government agencies and programs may face. Key takeaways in this transfer of power. World News Tonight with David Muir is the most watched newscast in America.
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It is time now for The Drop, where we talk about the big music headlines of the week. ABC news contributor, DJ and radio personality Megan Wright is here to break it down for us. Megan, what do we need to know this week?
Good morning. Diane. I got some news, and the nominees for the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame are in, and it's going to be a very tough decision. All right. A songwriter with a catalog becomes qualified 20 years after their first big commercial song release. 26 incredible songwriters have been nominated, but only six, just six will make it into the Hall of Fame. Now the nominees include both performing and non-performing songwriters. Okay, so on the performing side, we have some big names like Eminem, Janet Jackson, Boy George, N.W.A and Sheryl Crow. And then on the non-performing side, some other big names Rodney Darkchild Jerkins, Mike Chapman, Sonny Curtis and Tom Douglas. Now the winners will be honored next year at the Induction and Awards Gala in NYC. Now let's get into some stats and talk music trends in the YouTube space. It is the holiday season, so you know Mariah Carey is entering the chat. All I want for Christmas re-enters the US top songs at number 23, and then another popular Christmas song is wham's Last Christmas, which resurfaces at number 62.
Now moving on to a hit song that has officially entered the Billy club, I love When songs reach 1 billion. On YouTube, the video for Emma and Selena Gomez's 2022 single Calm Down has officially surpassed 1 billion views. Congratulations to them. Now, this is Roma's first video to reach that milestone. While this is Selena's third and Tyler, the creator's Chromophobia is shaking up the charts with seven entries on the US top songs, and he also takes the number seven spot on the US Top Artist charts. Now in new music news, you know it's Friday, so let's talk about these new music drops. Lady Gaga has dropped an incredible acoustic version of her song disease. Let's take a listen.
I could play the doctor I can cure your disease if you are a sinner. I could make you believe. Lie you down, love. One. Two. Three.
I love seeing Lady Gaga on the piano. Definitely giving classic vibes. The original was dropped just a few weeks ago on October 25th, and now we already have a new version. Disease is the first single from her forthcoming album dubbed LG seven, which is set to come out in February 2025. Now you know, Lady Gaga has been super busy. Okay. We've seen her on the silver screen and the Joker two and the 13 time Grammy winner, yes, 13 times has also been nominated alongside Bruno Mars for the song of the Year and Best Pop Duo Group performance at next year's Grammys for their hits die with a smile, now I Got You with some other new music news again, because it is Friday. Nicki Minaj teased this week that she would be dropping some new music, and it has officially arrived. Yes, there we go. All Girls Are the Same two is a sequel to the late artist Juice World's 2018 track. Nikki joins him on this one with backup vocals from Halsey. Check it out.
Is there any way you can be mindful of what we say? Is there any way? Is there any way that.
You book a different plane? Say you say.
I love it. That's a lot of new music to listen to into the weekend. Diane.
A lot for us to listen to into the weekend. Megan. That's why we love having you on on Fridays. Megan. Thank you.
You're welcome.
And thank you for watching. I'm Diane Macedo. The news never stops and neither do we. We have a lot more news for you right after the break. Stick around.
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He says vaccines cause autism and Covid was programmed to not infect Jewish and Chinese people.
Now, president elect Trump.
Taps rebel RFK Jr as secretary of health and Human Services. He's accused of having sex with a 17 year old girl. Now he could be America's top prosecutor. Lawmakers put on the pressure to release the findings in that House ethics investigation. And the never ending hurricane season, where a new tropical storm is headed and who may be impacted the most.
Do you remember.
When he said Covid vaccines were the deadliest shots ever created? Well, now he's been picked to oversee vaccines in America. Good afternoon everyone. I'm Kyra Phillips, president elect Donald Trump taps former presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr to be his next Health and Human services secretary.
He wants to make people healthy. It's driven them pretty wild over the last number of years. Now he's with us all the way. And today I nominated him for. I guess if you like health and if you like people that live a long time, it's the most important position. RFK Jr. Bobby.
Well, here's the facts. Kennedy has been one of the nation's most prominent anti-vax conspiracy theorists for years, while also spreading false information about the safety and efficiency of vaccines. And now Kennedy is already hinting as to what he would do with control of America's health agencies.
In some categories of workers, there are entire departments, like the nutrition departments at FDA, that are that have to go, that are not doing their job, they're not protecting our kids. Why do we have Fruit Loops in this country that have 18 or 19 ingredients? And you go to Canada and it's got 2 or 3.
And while some of you may still be sitting there gobsmacked president elect, Trump delivered his first public speech since his convincing victory and praising all his cabinet picks.
They would say he didn't win the popular vote and we won the popular vote by records now, so nobody can say that anymore about us.
White House correspondent MaryAlice parks. Joining me now for more. MaryAlice this is vintage Trump. Go with his loyalists no matter what the cost.
Exactly Kyra. But I would.
Say actually even.
More than what we saw in the first.
Administration, it.
Seems that with these nominations, Trump.
Is weighing.
Loyalty.
Over experience.
Over potential qualifications, even over past potential scandal, and whether or not someone will actually be able to be confirmed by the Senate. What he is prioritizing, what he is putting a premium on, above all else, are those who have been closest to.
Him, those who have been.
Loyal to.
Him.
Obviously today, Washington talking so much about that pic of RFK Jr. Not necessarily one of his staunchest loyal sort of Supporters. He, of course ran.
Against.
Trump, but someone that he made a deal with. I mean, the reality is, when RFK ended his own independent bid for the white House, he said that he did it because Trump promised him a role, promised him a role in the administration. Trump, of course, making good on that promise.
So we're still waiting on energy. Treasury. Transportation. Right. These secretary picks. Are you hearing any names being floated this hour?
There's still a lot of names out there.
People that have been close to.
President elect Trump.
People like Doug.
Burgum is a name that's been floated around a lot. He sort of is assuming, I think, that at this point that he will get some kind of pick. But look, I think it is it is. All of us are here in Washington are very scared to talk about any names until we know, until the announcement comes out. We know that president elect Trump makes these decisions himself, sometimes very fast. Sometimes these decisions come together quickly, and not even everyone inside his own team, his own transition team, his own staff is aware of exactly where his head is, but it's been interesting over the last few days to watch even members of his own party. Of course, on Capitol Hill, surprised by some of these as well as members of his staff. Kyra.
Well, Trump also tapped three of his defense lawyers to top roles at the Department of Justice. What more do we know there?
Yeah, interesting people that have, like you said, sort of defended him over the last few years. Two attorneys who defended him in that hush money case in New York, Todd Blanche, Emil Bouvet. They will be they've been nominated to the deputy attorney general position, the principal associate deputy attorney general position. And then this one, I think most interesting, probably John Sauer has been nominated to be the Solicitor General. He was a former solicitor general in Missouri. Obviously, the solicitor general, an incredibly powerful position here in Washington, sort of argues on behalf of the white House, on behalf of the U.S. government in front of the Supreme Court. And he argued on behalf of president elect Trump in that immunity case. He sort of famously argued in front of the Supreme Court Justice that depending on the circumstance, he believes and sort of won out in this argument that he believes, that interprets the Constitution, that a president, even a former president, should be immune from criminal prosecution. Even if they say, for example, that he was pressed on, ordered the assassination of a political rival.
He really argued, sort of a maximalist position on that case. Of course, Trump won largely on that case, and now he's been nominated for this top position. Kara.
So Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is now speaking up, saying he believes the war will finally end faster with the Trump administration. What makes him so sure?
You know, the working knowledge sort of here in Washington is that Trump is going to try to cut aid. I mean, he campaigned on that aggressively. People close to him campaigned on that. I think that Zelensky is looking at a very real possibility that U.S. dollars are not going to come to Ukraine in the same way, and that that will really limit Ukraine's ability to to fight this war, to push back. I think that that might drive peace talks. I think that Zelensky is aware of that. You know, it's interesting, though, listening to Zelensky's words, he hit on this idea over and over again in that in that interview today, he said that it is important that no decisions are made about Ukraine without Ukraine, that the people of Ukraine will decide when they come to the negotiating table, if they come to the negotiating table. And he said that he thinks it is so important for his people, for his countrymen, to believe that people didn't lose their lives in vain. I mean, this is a country that does not want to give up part of their sovereign territory, does not want to surrender territory that Russia already holds.
This is a really tricky time for that. NATO for that, for that, for the entire NATO alliance, a really tricky time for Ukraine, as it sort of looks at what a potential Trump administration might look like.
MaryAlice parks there at the white House for us, MaryAlice thank you. Well, it looks like things could be a repeat if you remember back to Donald Trump's first term as president, there were a handful of cabinet officials that either quit or were forced out in disgrace, or they were mired in ethical conundrums. So do all these controversial picks for a second Trump presidency really surprise you? Let's head over to The Hill and our Jay O'Brien to talk about just the fate of some of these cabinet picks. So, Jay, we're just getting word that House speaker Mike Johnson is urging the House Ethics Committee not to release its report on Trump's attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz. What do we know this hour?
Yeah. Remember, Kyra, this is a report that they have been compiling over months of investigation into Matt Gaetz after the Department of Justice declined to bring criminal charges after allegations of sex trafficking against gates. Gates is a sitting member of Congress. Or was so the ethics committee in the House picked up this investigation, went from there and was preparing this report, finalizing it, sources told us, right before gates resigned in order to take this role as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general. Now, no one knows if this report is going to see the light of day. House speaker Mike Johnson just moments ago, weighing in on that, telling reporters that he believes that the House Ethics Committee should not release the report because, in his view, it would break precedent, because the committee doesn't have jurisdiction. Jurisdiction is the word Johnson used over a member of Congress. If they're no longer a member of Congress anymore, he says they have jurisdiction in investigating gates when he was in the House. But because he's no longer in the House, the committee has to wash its hands of all of this and not turn over the report.
Nonetheless, we know that there are senators on both sides of the aisle, including some high profile Republicans who say they want this report. We know that Democrats in the Senate Judiciary Committee have already told the House Ethics Committee to hold on to this report. It's really unclear if the Senate could compel this House committee to give them the report. If Matt Gates were to go before the Senate and actually face confirmation hearings and a potential confirmation vote, it could set up a clash between the House and the Senate. One more thing to keep in mind here, Kyra, Speaker Johnson saying that he does not want this report out, saying that he has advised that the Ethics Committee not release this report. And he's doing that just hours after being with Donald Trump at Mar a Lago for an event last night.
Well, the dust was still settling on Trump's nomination of gates when he rolled out RFK Jr as health secretary. And then the dust started spinning again. What are you hearing from lawmakers today about these picks overall?
And look, when you talk about gates putting aside this ethics report, there are still moderate Republican senators who have come out and said they don't want Matt Gates to be the attorney general just because they don't like his worldview or they don't like his politics or they don't believe that he's qualified. We've heard some Republican pushback to RFK. To your point, concerns about the misinformation he's propagated, for instance, about saying that vaccines are linked to autism. But we haven't seen this kind of groundswell of opposition that we're currently seeing to Matt Gaetz. So it's unclear what kind of confirmation process RFK Jr. Would have. I've talked to Republicans who say they don't like RFK Jr. S position on vaccines, and so they're skeptical of his nomination. And then I've also talked to some Republicans who say they like the fact that RFK Jr. Wants to shake up the various federal health agencies, got them in some instances, let hundreds, potentially thousands of employees of those agencies go because RFK Jr completely wants to rework the dynamics of those agencies.
So there are some Republicans who are on board with that. Again, unclear if he would have an equally rocky road to Matt Gaetz, for instance, through confirmation. But it's certainly not a done deal for RFK Jr, either.
Well, that's what I wanted to ask you next is what you think of the chances, you know, that these controversial nominees actually get confirmed.
I think you've got to look at two things. You've got to keep an eye on those moderate and even not very moderate, but maybe middle of the road Republican senators as to how they come out, if they're publicly saying, in the case of Matt Gaetz, for instance, some of them, that they don't support this nomination, that's a red flag. And Donald Trump or Matt Gaetz would have to work on getting those votes back. There are some senators that are holding their powder dry and saying that they support Donald Trump's ability and right to name the nominees that he wants, and that it's those nominees job in the case of Matt Gaetz, for example, to go before the Senate, make their case, sit for confirmation hearings and then sit for a confirmation vote and see if they get the requisite votes necessary. There's one more thing to keep an eye on, though. Does Donald Trump try to end run the confirmation process and push all this through through recess appointments, something that you and I have been talking about over the last few days?
And do Senate Republicans allow him to do that and essentially acquiesce to Donald Trump's will there?
Jay O'Brien, appreciate it. All right. Well, Jay mentioned the whole confirmation process. Right. And what this could look like. Let's talk about the vaccine skeptic and promoter of conspiracy theories, RFK Jr. A little bit more now. As you know, he's the president elect's picks to become Health and Human Services secretary. And if it well, if it hasn't just rattled you believe me, it's setting off anxieties across our medical community. Now joining me now, former acting director of the CDC, doctor Richard Besser. Great to see you again, Richard. Just your reaction to the possibility of a Secretary Kennedy leading HHS.
Kyra. I think it is absolutely.
Chilling and could.
Have a really.
Profound.
Negative impact.
On people's health. Health in America. When you look.
At the Department of.
Health and Human.
Services, it it touches on.
Every single life.
In our country. You know, I focus in a big way on on public health and the.
Public health system and.
Have real concerns that we.
Would have someone in that position who has been one.
Of the leaders.
In creating mistrust.
Trust.
In our vaccine.
System.
And in our public health system.
I practiced.
Pediatrics for more than 30 years.
And I.
Can tell you there is nothing that I did for my patients that had.
More proven.
Value for their health than.
Making sure they were vaccinated fully and on time. And Mr. Kennedy has done more than just.
About anybody.
In.
In.
Shaking the.
Confidence that.
Parents have in the vaccines.
That are, that.
Are given to.
Children.
But that's just one small piece of what HHS is responsible for.
When you think about.
What what.
Is important.
For people's lives.
And health.
Access to health care, health care coverage. He hasn't talked about that.
But there are 27 million people in America without health insurance.
What would it mean to.
Have.
A mr. Kennedy in that.
Role in terms.
Of of those issues?
These are things that.
Have to be addressed in a confirmation hearing. So senators can make a choice as to whether this is the person they want in that role.
He's also pushed for stricter regulations on ingredients used in processed foods. He's actually garnered a lot of support on social media for that as well. Um, is there a little positive light here within a little, you know, within all the craziness?
Well, you know, one.
Of the big.
Challenges with, with individuals who spread misinformation is that mixed in with the misinformation are bits of truth and fact. And you see those bits and you hold on to them and you say, well, I guess everything that's being said is true. I think it would be terrific if the new administration decides to have a big initiative, a big focus on chronic diseases in children, and really looks to say, what are the big drivers behind this and what can we can we do about it? I think looking at our nutrition system is really important. What would it take for this administration to say we are going to make the school lunch program the best school lunch ever possible? There's a lot that would have to go into that. Yes. You want to get processed food out of out of the school lunch. But one of the big reasons so many schools serve processed food is that we haven't invested in the school kitchens so that they can they can make real food, healthy food if the next secretary of health decides to take that on, that's terrific.
But mixed in with with the the issues that are being lifted up are a lot of solutions that are not based on science. They're not they're based on falsehood. And that makes it very, very confusing for for the individual to decide, well, what here is true and what is not.
All right then, let me follow up on that. He really hasn't said a lot. If you think of RFK Jr, the first thing people really go to are sort of the the wild things that he has said. So we've talked about the misinformation, we've talked about the myths, but let's focus on the truth for a second. Have you heard anything come out of his mouth that you sat back and went, oh, that's true. That sounds good. All right, let's focus on that.
Yeah. When? When I hear him say, let's reduce the the influence of private corporations and government health decisions. I think that's absolutely terrific. You know, the next time the school lunch program is up for reauthorization, let's make sure that that big business doesn't have a role in terms of what foods are included there. That's that would be terrific. If you look at the menthol ban that the FDA, the Food and Drug Administration has been trying to put forward around smoking for so many administrations. Let's keep big business out of there and truly protect everyone in America from the harms of smoking. That would go a long way to to reduce chronic disease. Given the role that tobacco plays in heart disease and stroke and lung disease, those things are really important and I would love to see that go forward.
Doctor Richard Besser, always appreciate your time. Thank you so much. And while president elect Trump dominates the headlines, President Biden is still trying to have a last hurrah at the APEC summit in Lima, Peru, in what's likely to be his final moments on the world stage. And amid heightened tensions between the United States and China, President Biden will meet with Chinese President XI Jinping tomorrow. All of this as world leaders eyes are firmly affixed on president elect Trump's return to the white House. Our Alex Presha is traveling with the president. He's in Lima, Peru. So, Alex, what are the president's goals in this meeting with XI Jinping tomorrow?
Well, Kyra, a big part of this meeting tomorrow is ensuring a smooth transition. And that's something that the white House has told us. We had a briefing with the national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, yesterday, and he said that that was the primary goal and other function they were going to be talking about common ground that the two countries have, which is primarily that military to military communication, a commitment to that to prevent any increased provocations in the region. Also these counter-narcotics efforts and then also air safety, which is a big thing. But, you know, this is an opportunity for, as you mentioned, Biden to have a little bit of a swan song on this world stage. Today, he's also meeting with the president of South Korea, President Yoon. And then also he's got a trilat in that in that meeting as well with the prime minister of Japan. Ishiba. And what's interesting about this is while the US is going through a period of transition, so is the rest of the world.
This is the first time President Biden and the president of, excuse me, the Prime minister of Japan are getting to have a face to face since he took office. And so, you know, one of the big focuses is going to be North Korea. Certainly them sending troops to, to, to Russia. And then also any possible provocations that the DPRK tends to lean into during these periods of transitions, possible missile tests and also possible nuclear tests.
So President Biden is going to be traveling to Brazil for the G20 summit after this meeting, right? So let's talk about that trip and what's on tap for the president there. What does he hope to accomplish?
Well, so a lot of this, Kyra, is is assuring our allies their importance during this period of transition. I mean, I think there is a global understanding that, you know, there aren't going to be a ton of of of policy initiatives that are worked out and able to be implemented in the next couple of months. And certainly Biden's philosophy globally is is different than, than, than Trump's, but reassuring. A lot of our allies and many of the conversations that we've heard from not just leaders here, but also businesses that are present at APEC and that will be represented at the G20 as concerns over tariffs and how that will impact their relationship with the United States. Biden really trying to to to reassure the world stage during this trip. I note that another piece of this before Biden gets to the G20, he's also going to be in Manaus, and that is an opportunity for him. It's the first time that a president has been to the Amazon. It's a an opportunity for him to really kind of stamp his, his, his perspective on climate as well.
All right. Alex Presha there in Lima, Peru, traveling with President Biden. Thank you. And coming up, smoke in the skies over the northeast with a threat of fires on the rise and Tropical Storm Sara targeting the Gulf. Your cross country forecast next.
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And we're glad you're joining us on this Friday. Well look out. Tropical Storm Sarah will be moving through the Caribbean overnight. Sarah bringing catastrophic rainfall to Honduras today. And Belize is now issuing tropical storm warnings for the country's coast. All of this happening as the fire danger continues to increase in the northeast, with gusty winds and low humidity all forecast for the weekend. Meteorologist Dani Beckstrom from our ABC station in New York is tracking it all for us. Hey, Danny.
Hey, Kira. It's two extremes, right? Portions of Central America seeing way too much rain with Tropical Storm Sarah. We're here in the northeast United States. We are seeing such a deficit after months of dry conditions, we'll start first with Tropical Storm Sarah. Right now, sustained maximum wind at 50mph. This is primarily a rain event. Not that those gusty winds can't do damage, but when we're talking rainfall expectations between 15 and 25in with isolated spots seeing 30 to 35in of rain, that is going to produce the catastrophic flooding, especially considering it's honduras's northern coastline, which is fairly mountainous. We do see tropical storm warnings for the northern coast of Honduras over through the Caribbean coast of Guatemala, up through Belize. That is where Sara takes aim. The core of this storm staying just offshore, which means a little bit of additional strengthening is possible while it continues to whip winds on the northern coast of Honduras and drop that rain as it moves inland. It does. It is expected to weaken very rapidly with that land interaction.
So as it crosses Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula becoming a remnant low, then that moisture moves out into the Gulf. At this point, it doesn't look like conditions are conducive for restrengthening, but it does mean that that tropical moisture has to go somewhere, right? Right now it looks like forecast models showing that it gets swept up in a front that will bring some flooding downpours to portions of the Florida peninsula as we move into the middle of this coming week here.
All right. Let's talk about the wildfires. The Jennings Creek fire, apparently 75% contained now. We need rain. What do you think? Are we going to see it?
Desperate for Kiera, it looks like our next best chance actually has to do with the remnant moisture from Tropical Storm Sarah. We just showed you that it could bring portions of the Florida peninsula some flooding downpours into the middle of the week. But by the end of the week, we're thinking Thursday and Friday, some of that moisture we could actually tap into here in the northeast, that would give our next best chance for a more widespread rainfall event, which is what we desperately need. Seeing so many spots around up the northeast that are 8 to 9in below normal in terms of fall rainfall, and that's why we're seeing these drought conditions expand and become a little bit worse, right. We're now seeing that severe drought spread into the lower Hudson Valley. Move on to Long Island and of course, in New York City. As for this weekend, fire danger is a main is the main concern. We actually see our wind speeds pick up today and tomorrow, Kyra, which will keep the fire threat in play through the weekend.
Send it back to you.
Danny. Thanks. Straight ahead. What does Ben and Jerry's have to do with Palestinian refugees? We'll explain next.
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Right now on ABC News Live. He says vaccines cause autism and Covid was programmed to not infect Jewish and Chinese people. Now, president elect Trump taps rebel RFK Jr as secretary of health and Human Services. He's accused of having sex with a 17 year old girl. Now he could be America's top prosecutor. Lawmakers put on the pressure to release the findings in that House ethics investigation and the never ending hurricane season, where a new tropical storm is headed and who may be impacted the most. Do you remember when he said Covid vaccines were the deadliest shots ever created? Well, now he's been picked to oversee vaccines in America. Good afternoon everyone. I'm Kyra Phillips, president elect Donald Trump taps former presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr to be his next Health and Human services secretary.
He wants to make people healthy. It's driven them pretty wild over the last number of years. Now he's with us all the way. And today I nominated him for. I guess if you like health and if you like people that live a long time, it's the most important position. RFK Jr. Bobby.
Well, here's the facts. Kennedy has been one of the nation's most prominent anti-vax conspiracy theorists for years, while also spreading false information about the safety and efficiency of vaccines. And now Kennedy is already hinting as to what he would do with control of America's health agencies.
In some categories of workers, there are entire departments, like the nutrition departments at FDA, that are that have to go, that are not doing their job, they're not protecting our kids. Why do we have Fruit Loops in this country that have 18 or 19 ingredients? And you go to Canada and it's got 2 or 3.
And while some of you may still be sitting there gobsmacked, president elect Trump delivered his first public speech since his convincing victory and praising all his cabinet picks.
They would say he didn't win the popular vote and we won the popular vote by records now. So nobody can say that anymore about us.
White House correspondent MaryAlice parks. Joining me now for more. MaryAlice this is vintage Trump. Go with his loyalists no matter what the cost.
Exactly Kyra. But I would say actually even more than what we saw in the first administration, it seems that with these nominations, Trump is weighing loyalty over experience, over potential qualifications, even over past potential scandal, and whether or not someone will actually be able to be confirmed by the Senate. What he is prioritizing, what he is putting a premium on, above all else, are those who have been closest to him, those who have been loyal to him. Obviously today, Washington talking so much about that pic of RFK Jr. Not necessarily one of his staunchest loyal sort of supporters. He, of course ran against Trump, but someone that he made a deal with. I mean, the reality is, when RFK ended his own independent bid for the white House, he said that he did it because Trump promised him a role and promised him a role in the administration. Trump, of course, making good on that promise.
So we're still waiting on energy. Treasury. Transportation. Right. These secretary picks. Are you hearing any names being floated this hour?
There's still a lot of names out there. People that have been close to president elect Trump. People like Doug Burgum is a name that's been floated around a lot. He sort of is assuming, I think that at this point that he will get some kind of pick. But look, I think it is it is. All of us are here in Washington are very scared to talk about any names until we know until the announcement comes out. But we know that president elect Trump makes these decisions himself, sometimes very fast. Sometimes these decisions come together quickly, and not even everyone inside his own team, his own transition team, his own staff is aware of exactly where his head is, but it's been interesting over the last few days to watch even members of his own party. Of course, on Capitol Hill, surprised by some of these as well as members of his staff here.
Well, Trump also tapped three of his defense lawyers to top roles at the Department of Justice. What more do we know there?
Yeah, interesting people that have, like you said, sort of defended him over the last few years. Two attorneys who defended him in that hush money case in New York, Todd Blanche, Emile Beauvais. They will be they've been nominated to the deputy attorney general position, the principal associate deputy attorney general position. And then this one, I think most interesting, probably John Sauer has been nominated to be the Solicitor General. He was a former solicitor general in Missouri. Obviously, the solicitor general, an incredibly powerful position here in Washington, sort of argues on behalf of the white House, on behalf of the U.S. government in front of the Supreme Court. And he argued on behalf of president elect Trump in that immunity case. He sort of famously argued in front of the Supreme Court justice that depending on the circumstance, he believes and sort of won out in this argument that he believes, that interprets the Constitution, that a president, even a former president, should be immune from criminal prosecution. Even if they say, for example, that he was pressed on, ordered the assassination of a political rival.
He really argued, sort of a maximalist position on that case. Of course, Trump won largely on that case, and now he's been nominated for this top position. Kara.
So Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is now speaking up, saying he believes the war will finally end faster with the Trump administration. What makes him so sure.
You know, the working knowledge sort of here in Washington is that Trump is going to try to cut aid. I mean, he campaigned on that aggressively. People close to him campaigned on that. I think that Zelensky is looking at a very real possibility that U.S. dollars are not going to come to Ukraine in the same way, and that that will really limit Ukraine's ability to. To fight this war, to push back. I think that that might drive peace talks, I think. That Zelensky is aware of that. You know, it's interesting though, listening to. Zelensky's words, he he hit on this idea over and over again in that in that interview today, he said that it is important that no decisions are made about Ukraine without Ukraine, that the people of Ukraine will decide when they come to the negotiating table, if they come to the negotiating table. And he said that he thinks it is so important for his people, for his countrymen, to believe that people didn't lose their lives in vain.
I mean, this is a country that does not want to give up part of their sovereign territory, does not want to surrender territory that Russia already holds. This is a really tricky time for that. NATO for that, for that, for the entire NATO alliance, a really tricky time for Ukraine, as it sort of looks at what a potential Trump administration might look like.
MaryAlice parks there at the white House for us. MaryAlice thank you. Well it looks like things could be a repeat if you remember back to Donald Trump's first term as president, there were a handful of cabinet officials that either quit or were forced out in disgrace, or they were mired in ethical conundrums. So do all these controversial picks for a second Trump presidency really surprise you? Let's head over to The Hill and our Jay O'Brien to talk about just the fate of some of these cabinet picks. So, Jay, we're just getting word that House speaker Mike Johnson is urging the House Ethics Committee not to release its report on Trump's attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz. What do we know this hour?
Yeah. Remember, Kyra, this is a report that they have been compiling over months of investigation into Matt Gaetz after the Department of Justice declined to bring criminal charges after allegations of sex trafficking against gates. Gates is a sitting member of Congress. Or was so the ethics committee in the House picked up this investigation, went from there and was preparing this report, finalizing it. Sources told us, right before gates resigned in order to take this role as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general. Now, no one knows if this report is going to see the light of day. House speaker Mike Johnson just moments ago, weighing in on that, telling reporters that he believes that the House Ethics Committee should not release the report because, in his view, it would break precedent, because the committee doesn't have jurisdiction. Jurisdiction is the word Johnson used over a member of Congress. If they're no longer a member of Congress anymore, he says they have jurisdiction in investigating gates when he was in the House. But because he's no longer in the House, the committee has to wash its hands of all of this and not turn over the report.
Nonetheless, we know that there are senators on both sides of the aisle, including some high profile Republicans who say they want this report. We know that Democrats in the Senate Judiciary Committee have already told the House Ethics Committee to hold on to this report. It's really unclear if the Senate could compel this House committee to give them the report. If Matt Gates were to go before the Senate and actually face confirmation hearings and a potential confirmation vote, it could set up a clash between the House and the Senate. One more thing to keep in mind here, Kyra, Speaker Johnson saying that he does not want this report out, saying that he has advised that the Ethics Committee not release this report, and he's doing that just hours after being with Donald Trump at Mar a Lago for an event last night.
Well, the dust was still settling on Trump's nomination of gates when he rolled out RFK Jr as health secretary. And then the dust started spinning again. What are you hearing from lawmakers today about these picks overall?
And look, when you talk about gates putting aside this ethics report, there are still moderate Republican senators who have come out and said they don't want Matt Gates to be the attorney general just because they don't like his worldview or they don't like his politics or they don't believe that he's qualified. We've heard some Republican pushback to RFK. To your point, concerns about the misinformation he's propagated, for instance, about saying that vaccines are linked to autism. But we haven't seen this kind of groundswell of opposition that we're currently seeing to Matt Gaetz. So it's unclear what kind of confirmation process RFK Jr. Would have. I've talked to Republicans who say they don't like RFK Jr. S position on vaccines, and so they're skeptical of his nomination. And then I've also talked to some Republicans who say they like the fact that RFK Jr. Wants to shake up the various federal health agencies, got them in some instances, let hundreds, potentially thousands of employees of those agencies go because RFK Jr completely wants to rework the dynamics of those agencies.
So there are some Republicans who are on board with that. Again, unclear if he would have an equally rocky road to Matt Gaetz, for instance, through confirmation. But it's certainly not a done deal for RFK Jr, either.
Well, that's what I wanted to ask you next is what you think of the chances, you know, that these controversial nominees actually get confirmed.
I think you've got to look at two things. You've got to keep an eye on those moderate and even not very moderate, but maybe middle of the road Republican senators as to how they come out. If they're publicly saying, in the case of Matt Gaetz, for instance, some of them, that they don't support this nomination, that's a red flag. And Donald Trump or Matt Gaetz would have to work on getting those votes back. There are some senators that are holding their powder dry and saying that they support Donald Trump's ability and right to name the nominees that he wants, and that it's those nominees job in the case of Matt Gaetz, for example, to go before the Senate, make their case, sit for confirmation hearings and then sit for a confirmation vote and see if they get the requisite votes necessary. There's one more thing to keep an eye on, though. Does Donald Trump try to end run the confirmation process and push all this through through recess appointments, something that you and I have been talking about over the last few days?
And do Senate Republicans allow him to do that and essentially acquiesce to Donald Trump's will there?
Jay O'Brien, appreciate it. All right. Well, Jay mentioned the whole confirmation process. Right. And what this could look like. Let's talk about the vaccine skeptic and promoter of conspiracy theories, RFK Jr a little bit more now. As you know, he's the president elect's picks to become Health and Human Services secretary. And if it well, if it hasn't just rattled you believe me, it's setting off anxieties across our medical community. Now joining me now, former acting director of the CDC, doctor Richard Besser. Great to see you again, Richard. Just your reaction to the possibility of a Secretary Kennedy leading HHS.
Kyra. I think it is absolutely chilling and could have a really profound negative impact on people's health. Health in America. When you look at the Department of Health and Human Services, it it touches on every single life in our country. You know, I focus in a big way on on public health and the public health system and have real concerns that we would have someone in that position who has been one of the leaders in creating mistrust in our vaccine system and in our public health system. You know, I practiced pediatrics for more than 30 years. And I can tell you there is nothing that I did for my patients that had more proven value for their health than making sure they were vaccinated fully and on time. And Mr. Kennedy has done more than just about anybody in in shaking the confidence that parents have in the vaccines that are, that are given to children. But that's just one small piece of what HHS is responsible for. When you think about what what is important for people's lives and health, access to health care, health care coverage, he hasn't talked about that.
But there are 27 million people in America without health insurance. What would it mean to have a mr. Kennedy in that role in terms of of those issues? These are things that have to be addressed in a confirmation hearing. So senators can make a choice as to whether this is the person they want in that role.
He's also pushed for stricter regulations on ingredients used in processed foods. He's actually garnered a lot of support on social media for that as well. Um, is there a little positive light here within a little, you know, within all the craziness?
Well, you know, one of the big challenges with, with individuals who spread misinformation is that mixed in with the misinformation are bits of truth and fact. And you see those bits and you hold on to them and you say, well, I guess everything that's being said is true. I think it would be terrific if the new administration decides to have a big initiative, a big focus on chronic diseases in children, and really looks to say, what are the big drivers behind this and what can we can we do about it? I think looking at our nutrition system is really important. What would it take for this administration to say we are going to make the school lunch program the best school lunch ever possible? There's a lot that would have to go into that. Yes. You want to get processed food out of the out of the school lunch. But one of the big reasons so many schools serve processed food is that we haven't invested in the school kitchens so that they can they can make real food, healthy food.
If the next secretary of health decides to take that on, that's terrific. But mixed in with with the the issues that are being lifted up are a lot of solutions that are not based on science. They're not they're based on falsehood. And that makes it very, very confusing for for the individual to decide, well, what here is true and what is not.
All right then let me follow up on that. He really hasn't said a lot. If you think of RFK Jr, the first thing people really go to are sort of the the wild things that he has said. So we've talked about the misinformation, we've talked about the myths, but let's focus on the truth for a second. Have you heard anything come out of his mouth that you sat back and went, oh, that's true. That sounds good. All right, let's focus on that.
Yeah. When? When I hear him say, let's reduce the the influence of private corporations and government health decisions, I think that's absolutely terrific. You know, the next time the school lunch program is up for reauthorization, let's make sure that that big business doesn't have a role in terms of what foods are included there. That's that would be terrific. If you look at the menthol ban that the FDA, the Food and Drug Administration has been trying to put forward around smoking for so many administrations. Let's keep big business out of there and truly protect everyone in America from the harms of smoking. That would go a long way to to reduce chronic disease. Given the role that tobacco plays in heart disease and stroke and lung disease, those things are really important and I would love to see that go forward.
Doctor Richard Besser, always appreciate your time. Thank you so much. And while president elect Trump dominates the headlines, President Biden is still trying to have a last hurrah at the APEC summit in Lima, Peru, in what's likely to be his final moments on the world stage and amid heightened tensions between the United States and China. President Biden will meet with Chinese President XI Jinping tomorrow. All of this as world leaders eyes are firmly affixed on president elect Trump's return to the white House. Our Alex Presha is traveling with the president. He's in Lima, Peru. So, Alex, what are the president's goals in this meeting with XI Jinping tomorrow?
Well, Kyra, a big part of this meeting tomorrow is ensuring a smooth transition. And that's something that the white House has told us. We had a briefing with the national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, yesterday, and he said that that was the primary goal and other function they were going to be talking about common ground that the two countries have, which is primarily that military to military communication, a commitment to that to prevent any increased provocations in the region. Also, these current counter-narcotics efforts and then also air safety, which is a big thing. But you know, this is an opportunity for, as you mentioned, Biden to have a little bit of a swan song on this world stage. Today, he's also meeting with the president of South Korea, President Yoon. And then also he's got a trilat in that in that meeting as well with the prime minister of Japan. Ishiba. And what's interesting about this is while the U.S. is going through a period of transition, so is the rest of the world.
This is the first time President Biden and the president of, excuse me, the prime minister of Japan are getting to have a face to face since he took office. And so, you know, one of the big focuses is going to be North Korea. Certainly them sending troops to, to, to Russia. And then also any possible provocations that the DPRK tends to lean into during these periods of transitions, possible missile tests and also possible nuclear tests.
So President Biden is going to be traveling to Brazil for the G20 summit after this meeting, right? So let's talk about that trip and what's on tap for the president there. What does he hope to accomplish?
Well, so a lot of this, Kyra, is is assuring our allies their importance during this period of transition. I mean, I think there is a global understanding that, you know, there aren't going to be a ton of of of policy initiatives that are worked out and able to be implemented in the next couple of months. And certainly Biden's philosophy globally is different than, than, than Trump's, but reassuring. A lot of our allies and many of the conversations that we've heard from not just leaders here, but also businesses that are present at APEC and that will be represented at the G20 as concerns over tariffs and how that will impact their relationship with the United States. Biden really trying to to to reassure the world stage during this trip. I note that another piece of this before Biden gets to the G20, he's also going to be in Manaus, and that is an opportunity for him. It's the first time that a president has been to the Amazon. It's an opportunity for him to really kind of stamp his his his perspective on climate as well.
All right. Alex Presha there in Lima, Peru, traveling with President Biden. Thank you. And coming up, smoke in the skies over the northeast. With the threat of fires on the rise and Tropical Storm Sara targeting the Gulf, your cross country forecast next.
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And we're glad you're joining us on this Friday. Well. Look out. Tropical Storm Sara Sarah will be moving through the Caribbean overnight. Sarah bringing catastrophic rainfall to Honduras today. And Belize is now issuing tropical storm warnings for the country's coast. All of this happening as the fire danger continues to increase in the northeast, with gusty winds and low humidity all forecast for the weekend. Meteorologist Dani Beckstrom from our ABC station in New York is tracking it all for us. Hey, Danny.
Hey, Kira. It's two extremes, right? Portions of Central America seeing way too much rain with Tropical Storm Sarah. We're here in the northeast United States. We are seeing such a deficit. After months of dry conditions, we'll start first with Tropical Storm Sarah. Right now, sustained maximum wind at 50mph. This is primarily a rain event. Not that those gusty winds can't do damage, but when we're talking rainfall expectations between 15 and 25in, with isolated spots seeing 30 to 35in of rain, that is going to produce the catastrophic flooding, especially considering it's honduras's northern coastline, which is fairly mountainous. We do see tropical storm warnings for the northern coast of Honduras over through the Caribbean coast of Guatemala, up through Belize. That is where Sara takes aim. The core of this storm staying just offshore, which means a little bit of additional strengthening is possible while it continues to whip winds on the northern coast of Honduras and drop that rain as it moves inland. It does. It is expected to weaken very rapidly with that land interaction.
So as it crosses Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula becoming a remnant low, then that moisture moves out into the Gulf. At this point, it doesn't look like conditions are conducive for restrengthening, but it does mean that that tropical moisture has to go somewhere, right? Right now it looks like forecast models showing that it gets swept up in a front that will bring some flooding downpours to portions of the Florida peninsula as we move into the middle of this coming week here.
All right. Let's talk about the wildfires. The Jennings Creek fire, apparently 75% contained. Now we need rain. What do you think? Are we going to see it?
Desperate for.
It here. It looks like our next best chance actually has to do with the remnant moisture from Tropical Storm Sarah. We just showed you that it could bring portions of the Florida peninsula, some flooding downpours into the middle of the week, but by the end of the week, we're thinking Thursday, Friday, some of that moisture we could actually tap into here in the northeast, that would give our next best chance for a more widespread rainfall event, which is what we desperately need. Seeing so many spots around up the northeast that are 8 to 9in below normal in terms of fall rainfall, and that's why we're seeing these drought conditions expand and become a little bit worse, right? We're now seeing that severe drought spread into the lower Hudson Valley. Move on to Long Island and of course, in New York City. As for this weekend, fire danger is a main is the main concern. We actually see our wind speeds pick up today and tomorrow, Kyra, which will keep the fire threat in play through the weekend.
Send it back to you.
Danny. Thanks. Straight ahead. What does Ben and Jerry's have to do with Palestinian refugees? We'll explain next.
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Glad you're streaming with us. Some of the other top headlines we're tracking for you this hour. North Korean state media saying the country is testing exploding drones designed to crash into targets, and is calling for the mass production of the weapons. This comes as the U.S., South Korea and Japan engaged in their combined military exercises displaying a defensive posture against North Korea. State media also releasing photos showing Kim Jong un talking with officials near at least two different types of weapons. And things aren't so sweet in the land of ice cream. Ben and Jerry's says its parent company, Unilever, has has silenced their attempts to express support for Palestinian refugees in a lawsuit filed this week. The ice cream company says that the company has threatened to dismantle its board and sue its members over the issue. Ben and Jerry's claiming it tried to speak publicly for four separate times in support of peace and human rights, but was silenced. Unilever denies these claims. The news never stops. You can find us anywhere. You stream live news and if you're on the go, we're on the ABC news app and abcnews.com to I'm Kyra Phillips.
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Right now on ABC News Live. Vaccines cause autism and Covid was programmed not to infect Jewish and Chinese people. Now, president elect Trump taps RFK Jr as secretary of health and Human Services. He's accused of having sex with a 17 year old girl. Now he could be America's top prosecutor. Former GOP congressman and Ethics Committee chair Charlie Dent joins me live on Matt Gaetz. He's the undocumented worker charged with killing a Georgia nursing student and fueling an outpouring of America's anti-immigration hostility. His trial underway this hour. So do you remember when he said Covid vaccines were the deadliest shots ever created? Now he's been picked to oversee vaccines in America. Good afternoon, everyone. I'm Kyra Phillips, president elect Donald Trump taps former presidential candidate Robert Kennedy Jr to be the next Health and Human services secretary.
He wants to make people healthy. It's driven them pretty wild over the last number of years. Now he's with us all the way. And today I nominated him for. I guess if you like health and if you like people that live a long time, it's the most important position. RFK Jr.
Bobby Kennedy has been one of the nation's most prominent anti-vax conspiracy theorists for years, while also spreading false information about the safety and efficiency of vaccines. And now Kennedy is already hinting as to what he would do with control of America's health agencies.
Yes, that's something that the administration will do. Now we have fluoride in toothpaste, and countries like Austria and Germany that have removed fluoride from their water supplies, have eaten the same or lower cavity issues. And Americans. We don't need fluoride in our water, and it's a very bad way to deliver it because it's delivered through the blood system.
And, well, some of you may still be sitting there bit gobsmacked. While president elect Trump delivered his first public speech since his landslide victory, and he's praising all his cabinet picks.
They would say he didn't win the popular vote. And we won the popular vote by records now. So nobody can say that anymore about us.
White House correspondent MaryAlice parks. Joining me now for more. Mary Alice Trump's fiery and controversial campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung becoming the white House communications director. Do tell. What do you know?
Yeah, not a big surprise there, Kyra. He was the communications director on the campaign. Obviously a successful campaign. He had been at the white House during Trump's first term as well. But like you said, he is a controversial figure, largely because he is quick with an insult, sometimes sort of over the top insults. Sometimes his language on the campaign trail was so brash that he even caught other Republicans by surprise. There were other Republicans that sometimes said he should tone it down, who worried that his language was sometimes hyper masculine. It's been described to me. Obviously, we remember during the campaign that concerned that the campaign at times was maybe alienating women. So I think that he is a controversial figure, but he is someone obviously close to Trump. Obviously a big part of this winning campaign, and he's coming back to the white House.
Oh, boy, here we go. And just six months ago, Trump was referring to RFK Jr as a phony, radical left fool. But now he's part of Trump's next administration. How did we get here?
I mean, the two made a deal. If fundamentally that's what they both said. And we remember that RFK Jr was running against former now president elect, former President Trump on the campaign, launched an independent bid to try to challenge him, took on Trump. But when he dropped out, he said that part of the reason he did so was because Trump promised him a role in a future Trump administration. And it seems like Trump, you know, is making good on this deal. We heard on the campaign trail, Trump say that he thought RFK should be able to run wild. That was his phrase, run wild with health care. And wow, what a role. I mean, to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, not only tens of thousands of employees, but those agencies that are under that umbrella that are really focused on science. I mean, agencies like the NIH, the National Institutes of Health, the CDC, of course, FDA. And it's just catching a lot of folks in Washington off guard when we know that a big part of our brand is, frankly, being sort of anti-science, anti scientists and of course, anti-vax.
All right. Well, we're still waiting for a number of other nominations. Are you hearing any names that might be added to the list?
Yes. But I was telling you earlier, we're always nervous to talk about which names because we know that no one really knows until Trump says it himself. I mean, some of these picks have come together very quickly. They even caught some members of his own staff by surprise. But look, they've been coming fast and furious. Most of these nominations so far have been focused in sort of the DOJ space and then the national security space. That's traditional, really important for continuity of government that that that there is someone in place at the Pentagon, at DOJ, as you can imagine. So those are sort of a traditional place for a president elect to start. But so many other big roles still to be sort of filled and nominated. Places like Commerce, energy, we're still waiting for a lot of names, Kyra.
All right. MaryAlice parks at the white House for us. MaryAlice. Thank you. Well it looks like things could be a repeat a repeat. Because if you remember back to Donald Trump's first term as president, there were a handful of cabinet officials that either quit or were forced out in disgrace or even mired in ethical conundrums. So do all these controversial picks for a second Trump presidency really surprised you? Let's head over to the Hill and our R.J. O'Brien. We're going to talk about the fate of some of these cabinet picks. All right. House speaker Mike Johnson urging the House Ethics Committee not to release its report on Trump's attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz. Now, what more can you tell us?
Yeah. Remember, Kyra, this report is the product of a lengthy investigation that was wrapping up, sources told us, right. As Matt Gaetz announced his resignation to take this appointment by Donald Trump to be his nominee for attorney general, and because that investigation was wrapping up and Matt Gaetz resigned before it could be finished. The House rules say that the House Ethics Committee doesn't have jurisdiction essentially over someone who's not a member of Congress. They can't just investigate anyone. They have to investigate members of Congress. So what Speaker Johnson is saying in his advising the ethics committee, which is controlled by Republicans to do, is not release this report because Matt Gaetz is no longer a member and the committee has no jurisdiction over him. It's worth noting, by the way, Speaker Johnson coming forward with this. Just a day after he was at Mar-A-Lago with Donald Trump at an event last night, he told reporters he wouldn't talk about what he and Trump spoke about. But point being is, if the Ethics committee holds to this guidance from the speaker, then this report, it's rare.
If it would see the light of day, it could get leaked. The Senate could try to get it as part of the confirmation process when there are no doubt hearings. And then, of course, a confirmation vote about Matt Gaetz. But a lot of people in the Senate on both sides of the aisle, including some high profile Republicans saying they want this report if they're going to vote on confirming Matt Gaetz for attorney general.
Perfect segue for our next interview. Jay O'Brien on The Hill for us. Thank you. There are a lot of us right now along with lawmakers, and that includes Republicans who want to see what exactly the House Ethics Committee discovered about Congressman Matt Gaetz and his alleged behavior that could morally taint his ability to be our nation's top prosecutor. We've already laid out the allegations, which Gaetz denies, of sleeping with underage girls and illicit drug use. And now the pressure is on to release those findings. Because gates resigned from his seat to accept Trump's nomination for attorney general. Normal operating procedure tells us, though, that this probe is now technically outside of its jurisdiction. Well, not necessarily. There is precedent here. And on top of that, a letter has now been sent to the committee by crew citizens for Responsibility and Ethics right here in Washington, demanding the release of the gates investigation to the public. Joining me now, former chairman of the Ethics committee, Republican Charlie Dent, who just today called the choice of gates gobsmackingly bad.
Charlie, it's really good to see you. I appreciate you joining me for this conversation. You know, there is precedent for the House and Senate ethics committees to not only continue investigations, but also release findings after a member resigns in scandal. And I know you've talked about this. There's Representative Eric Massa, where the committee kept investigating him for sexually inappropriate behavior after he resigned from Congress. And the Senate Ethics Committee also publicly released its report into Senator John Ensign days after his resignation. And that was even forwarded to the DOJ. So what we keep talking about this gates report possibly being leaked. Could it just be released under the right amount of pressure? What do you think?
I think the answer to that is, is yes. As you pointed out, there is precedent for for reports to be released after a member has resigned. You mentioned Senator Ensign, and I know there have been at least a couple cases in the House of Representatives, but this this is an unprecedented case. Ordinarily, if a member resigns, you leave them alone. You let them go off and live their lives because usually they've resigned in disgrace. In the case of Matt Gates, though, he has been nominated to become the top law enforcement officer of the United States of America. The Senate Judiciary Committee will want that report as part of their official record, as they conduct their review of his credentials during the during the nomination process. So there is a reason to release this report if for no other reason than to assist the Senate. I would also argue that the American people probably have a right to see this report. They would like to know if there's anything in here about an attorney general nominee that they should know.
I mean, this isn't particularly difficult as far as I'm concerned. By the way, a report like this, the investigation is completed. Apparently it's completed. The issue only was whether or not they were going to vote to adopt it and then release it publicly. So they're really not investigating him any further. That is the House Ethics Committee. So I don't understand why this should be such a difficult move. And by the way, the speaker of the House, when I was chairman, the speaker of the House, both Speaker Boehner and Ryan Never interfered with anything we did on the committee. There are a couple of times when I've actually briefed them on matters along with my ranking member, because it's an even committee. We only did we always did things together. But that's usually the way it works that frankly, the the only thing that John Boehner ever asked me to do when he made me chairman of the Ethics committee, was to make sure the committee functioned. That's all he ever asked. And that's what we did.
He didn't involve himself in anything that we did, and nor should he. It wouldn't have been appropriate. But bottom line is this can be released, and I think it should.
Gates resigned just days before this report was about to drop. That wasn't just coincidence, was it?
No, of course not. I mean, I think I'm sure the committee staff shared with his lawyers that report. And then gates decided to get out of town, thinking that he would be safe from the release. But he's not necessarily safe from the release. Again, It appears that investigation was completed. It was already completed and gates resigned to evade accountability from the House. And by the way, when you look at those reports, they're usually pretty nasty. Um, I'm assuming that they found some reason to sanction him there. Could I don't know if there is, but there could be a referral to the Department of Justice. There are a few occasions when I was involved with cases where we actually referred matters to the Department of Justice. I even recall one individual being sentenced to a felony because of his bad interactions with our committee and lying to the committee and other things that he did inappropriately. So the Justice Department actually does look at these reports and the committee can make a referral. I'm not saying they've done that in the gates matter.
I don't know. I haven't seen the report, but I think there's a lot here that the American people should know about. A man who might become the top law enforcement officer of the country. And Senator Cornyn has asked for this, too. And he's a very fair minded guy, as is Senator Durbin. And they're going to be probably two of the leaders of this nomination nominating process.
So if the committee doesn't release this report, but you believe it's going to have to. Wouldn't that be a huge and dangerous breach of public trust? And couldn't that hurt the reputation of this committee?
Well, the people who serve on the committee, they're good, honorable people. It's the only committee in Congress that's evenly divided. Five Republican, five Democrat. I think I found my time there. People really do try to work together. Look at the facts of the case and then make decisions. Try to make them as free from politics as possible. But I think these members of the committee, they do understand the precedence of the committee. There have been some circumstances, rare circumstances, where reports have been released after members have resigned. And so the committee, they're there to exercise good judgment. And that's what this is about. Again, ordinarily you wouldn't release a report of somebody or continue a matter after a member has left. But this is an extraordinary circumstance where it was clear Matt Gaetz resigned to avoid the release of this report, and now he's been nominated to be attorney general of the United States. So I think this is an unprecedented situation that requires some discretion here by the committee.
So, as former chairman of the ethics committee and a Republican Trump critic, you know you're a dying breed. The amount of GOP members standing up to Trump is diminishing. Is this Trump's attempt to kill off all his party doubters? You think once and for all?
Well, I don't know. It just seems like, you know, Trump just wants to torch the federal government with this, with this nomination. But make no mistake about it, um, there are a lot of if to say that Matt Gaetz is disliked by his former House Republican colleagues would be a wild understatement. I mean, Kevin McCarthy, I believe, appointed all these members of the Republican members of the House Ethics Committee. Somebody should ask Kevin McCarthy if he thinks this report should be released. I think we know the answer to that question. So I would just end this by saying that, yes, he should. This this is such a such a clear case. Trump is out there. I'm sure he doesn't want it released. But but I bet if you asked most of these Republican members behind closed doors, if they think it should be released, they'd like nothing more for this to be released, because Matt Gaetz caused them a lot of headache and heartburn over the last few years. They're furious with him over his role in having speaker McCarthy ejected from his position.
So, you know, I look, I'm a Trump critic. I'm part of a group, our Republican legacy. We are trying to get this party refocused on principles, core principles that sustain the party for 170 years, long before MAGA came along. We believe in the Constitution, the rule of law. We believe in the Union. We believe in, you know, free markets. We believe in all sorts of things. Peace through strength and a responsible foreign policy that embraces allies, rejects, uh, rejects tyrants like, uh, Putin and Kim Jong un. There are a lot of us out there. I get the you know, I get it. We're in the minority right now, but there the party is divided, but it may not be evenly divided, but there's still a lot of us out there who are part of the party, and we want a better direction.
Point well made. And just real quickly, I thought of something you said that when this report will be released, that it could be recommended to go to the DOJ for yet another investigation because the DOJ already investigated Gaetz and they dropped the charges. So is there a scenario here where this could go to the DOJ? And then he's heading the DOJ and there's another investigation that's existing.
Look, all I know is I was involved with a number of committee investigations, and there were circumstances in these reports where we found criminal wrongdoing. Remember, the ethics Committee is investigating violations of standards and House House rules. It's not a criminal Investigation, but during the course of their investigations, they may uncover. Uh, crimes that have occurred, laws that have been broken. And then the committee will refer those matters or those issues to the Department of Justice for their consideration, so that that that does happen from time to time. So again, this is not a criminal investigation that the House Ethics Committee is conducting, but they may uncover crimes in, in, in due course. And so they refer. And I was part of that when I was on the committee saw it happen. As I mentioned earlier, you know, I saw an individual, you know, plead guilty to felonies because of the things that he had said to our committee.
Former chairman of the Ethics Committee and Republican Congressman Charlie Dent. Great to have you. Appreciate you, Charlie. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Let's get back to the choice now of RFK Jr. As HHS secretary. It elevates one of the country's loudest anti-vaccine voices as the president's main adviser on health issues. And it's a choice that's fueling a code red in the medical world right now. Our medical contributor, John Brownstein, joins me now with his thoughts. All right. Let's start with just your reaction to the possibility of a Secretary Kennedy leading HHS, John.
Well, Kyra, there is a lot of anxiety among my colleagues now, both in the medical community and the public health community. He has some very strong views that often are not accepted by the scientific community. As you know, he's been a skeptic of vaccines, questioning safety, suggesting links between autism and chronic disease and vaccines. And we know that these studies and research has been debunked, yet that still continues to to be pervasive. And so the concern really is around public health response and the ability to respond to, say, the next pandemic. When you have someone in charge that really is a skeptic of public health and will challenge vaccination programs, and that could lead to lower immunization efforts and the ability for public health and science to do its job, which is to enact science based, evidence based policies across this country.
So Kennedy is known for pushing debunked research that claims vaccines cause autism. So are you concerned about what health policies he could actually change? I mean, where would you be worried the most?
Well, yeah, I mean, he has going to have broad ability to impact the FDA, the NIH, CDC. So our ability to approve drugs and vaccines, our ability to do research on those drugs and vaccines, and the ability to disseminate important interventions. And we know that in some ways, he may make claims that have some scientific background but don't have the underlying context. So think about the fluoride causes IQ link loss link. Well, of course, at very high levels there is that concern. But the amounts in our drinking water do not have any link to lower IQ. So the ability to say certain things without science scientifically backing up those comments could cause real problems for our ability to truly promote public health in this country.
And he keeps talking about the fluoride. John Brownstein, appreciate you. Thank you so much.
Thanks, Gary.
Coming up, the murder trial of a Georgia nursing student. The jury sees camera footage of the moment Lincoln Riley's body was found. We're taking you to the courtroom next.
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So the murder trial is underway for the man accused of killing Georgia nursing student Laken Riley. A Georgia courtroom heard graphic testimony and viewed body camera footage showing the moment the 22 year old's body was found. As you may remember, it was Riley's death that sparked a national debate over the Biden administration's immigration policies. Once it was learned that the suspect, Jose Ibarra, was undocumented. Our Morgan Norwood is following the trial and joins us now. So, Morgan, how did the judge or the jury react to the body cam video? The graphic testimony?
Yeah. You know, Kyra, in terms of the evidence presented today and the testimony, you know, prosecutors we heard are really zeroing in to the scene. Right. They start with the body camera video. Of course, it was too graphic to show, but it essentially goes through the moments that authorities found the body of Blake and Riley. The officer in that video can be heard frantically calling for backup, calling for help. He started several rounds of CPR, but of course, to no avail. A bar listening in. We saw him as well. Stoic didn't have any sort of reaction, but that officer, you can tell, was also it was difficult for him to listen to as well. Also tough for the family of Lake and Riley, because we're getting reports that at one point, her mom also breaking down as that video was played out. The officer, you know, testifying that Leighton's clothing was partially removed, also describing the condition in which her body was found. We also heard 911 calls, hearing from forensics and even seeing the clothing that Lincoln Riley had on at the time that was shown in court.
So again, we talk about the build up of evidence as prosecutors try to illustrate just the level of tragedy to the judge here.
Yeah.
Tragic indeed. And what's the defense arguing here?
You know, it's really interesting in terms of the defense's strategy. I mean, they're calling this, of course, a tragedy, saying the evidence that the prosecution says shows a bar murdered Lincoln is circumstantial. They also accused them of exploiting this tragedy amid the national immigration debate that you just pointed out here, in which we've heard Republicans and Democrats lean heavily into in the months before the recent election, we do expect them to really refute and lean into how this evidence was gathered. They also claim that there was little biological or physical evidence linking Ibarra to the scene. But that's not what we heard from forensics experts who, again are still on the stand as we speak. So it will be really interesting to see how they navigate this as all of this testimony continues to come out.
All right. Morgan Norwood, we'll follow it. Morgan. Thank you. And coming up, a world leader urges Russia to negotiate with Ukraine. What Putin is saying next.
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Glad you're streaming with us. Some other top headlines we're tracking for you this hour. In his first call with Russian President Vladimir Putin in almost two years. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is urging Russia to negotiate with Ukraine. Scholz condemned Russia's war of aggression during the call, telling Putin to withdraw troops from Ukraine. The Kremlin now saying Moscow remains open to new talks and the Oscar goes to Conan O'Brien. The late night comedian will be the next host at the Academy Awards. This will be O'Brien's first time as the Oscar host, but he's emceed other high profile award shows like the Emmys and the white House Correspondents Dinner. The Oscars will air live on ABC March 2nd. The news never stops. Neither do we. You can always find us anywhere you stream live news if you're on the go. We are on the ABC news app and ABC news.com I'm Kyra Phillips. Glad you're streaming with us. A lot more news up next.
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Right now on ABC News Live. He says vaccines cause autism and Covid was programmed to not infect Jewish and Chinese people. Now, president elect Trump taps RFK Jr as secretary of health and human Services. He's accused of having sex with a 17 year old girl. Now he could be America's top prosecutor. Lawmakers put on the pressure to release the findings in that House ethics investigation. And the never ending hurricane season where a new tropical storm is headed and who may be impacted the most. Do you remember when he said Covid vaccines were the deadliest shots ever created? Well, now he's been picked to oversee vaccines in America. Good afternoon everyone. I'm Kyra Phillips, president elect Donald Trump taps former presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr to be his next Health and Human services secretary.
He wants to make people healthy. It's driven them pretty wild over the last number of years. Now he's with us all the way. And today I nominated him for. I guess if you like health and if you like people that live a long time, it's the most important position. RFK Jr. Bobby.
Well, here's the facts. Kennedy has been one of the nation's most prominent anti-vax conspiracy theorists for years, while also spreading false information about the safety and efficiency of vaccines. And now Kennedy is already hinting as to what he would do with control of America's health agencies.
In some categories of workers, there are entire departments, like the nutrition departments at FDA, that are that have to go, that are not doing their job, they're not protecting our kids. Why do we have Fruit Loops in this country that have 18 or 19 ingredients? And you go to Canada and it's got 2 or 3.
And while some of you may still be sitting there gobsmacked. President elect Trump delivered his first public speech since his convincing victory and praising all his cabinet picks.
They would say he didn't win the popular vote and we won the popular vote by records now, so nobody can say that anymore about us.
White House correspondent MaryAlice parks. Joining me now for more MaryAlice this is vintage Trump. Go with his loyalists no matter what the cost.
Exactly Kyra. But I would say actually even more than what we saw in the first administration, it seems that with these nominations, Trump is weighing loyalty over experience, over potential qualifications, even over past potential scandal, and whether or not someone will actually be able to be confirmed by the Senate. What he is prioritizing, what he is putting a premium on, above all else, are those who have been closest to him, those who have been loyal to him. Obviously today, Washington talking so much about that pic of RFK Jr. Not necessarily one of his staunchest loyal supporters. He, of course, ran against Trump, but someone that he made a deal with. I mean, the reality is, when RFK ended his own independent bid for the white House, he said that he did it because Trump promised him a role and promised him a role in the administration. Trump, of course, making good on that promise.
So we're still waiting on energy. Treasury. Transportation. Right. These secretary picks. Are you hearing any names being floated this hour?
There's still a lot of names out there. People that have been close to president elect Trump. People like Doug Burgum is a name that's been floated around a lot. He sort of is assuming, I think, that at this point that he will get some kind of pick. But look, I think it is it is. All of us are here in Washington are very scared to talk about any names until we know, until the announcement comes out. We know that president elect Trump makes these decisions himself, sometimes very fast. Sometimes these decisions come together quickly, and not even everyone inside his own team, his own transition team. His own staff is aware of exactly where his head is. But it's been interesting over the last few days to watch even members of his own party. Of course, on Capitol Hill, surprised by some of these as well as members of his staff here.
Well, Trump also tapped three of his defense lawyers to top roles at the Department of Justice. What more do we know there?
Yeah, interesting people that have, like you said, sort of defended him over the last few years. Two attorneys who defended him in that hush money case in New York, Todd Blanche, Emile Beauvais. They will be they've been nominated to the deputy attorney general position, the principal associate deputy attorney general position. And then this one, I think most interesting, probably John Sauer has been nominated to be the Solicitor General. He was a former solicitor general in Missouri. Obviously, the solicitor general, an incredibly powerful position here in Washington, sort of argues on behalf of the white House, on behalf of the U.S. government in front of the Supreme Court. And he argued on behalf of president elect Trump in that immunity case. He sort of famously argued in front of the Supreme Court justice that depending on the circumstance, he believes and sort of won out in this argument, that he believes, that interprets the Constitution, that a president, even a former president, should be immune from criminal prosecution. Even if they say, for example, that he was pressed on, ordered the assassination of a political rival.
He really argued, sort of a maximalist position on that case. Of course, Trump won largely on that case, and now he's been nominated for this top position. Kara.
So Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is now speaking up, saying he believes the war will finally end faster with the Trump administration. What makes him so sure?
You know, the working knowledge sort of here in Washington is that Trump is going to try to cut aid. I mean, he campaigned on that aggressively. People close to him campaigned on that. I think that Zelensky is looking at a very real possibility that U.S. US dollars are not going to come to Ukraine in the same way, and that that will really limit Ukraine's ability to to fight this war, to push back. I think that that might drive peace talks. I think that Zelensky is aware of that. You know, it's interesting, though, listening to Zelensky's words, he hit on this idea over and over again in that in that interview today, he said that it is important that no decisions are made about Ukraine without Ukraine, that the people of Ukraine will decide when they come to the negotiating table, if they come to the negotiating table. And he said that he thinks it is so important for his people, for his countrymen, to believe that people didn't lose their lives in vain. I mean, this is a country that does not want to give up part of their sovereign territory, does not want to surrender territory that Russia already holds.
This is a really tricky time for that. NATO for that, for that, for the entire NATO alliance, a really tricky time for Ukraine, as it sort of looks at what a potential Trump administration might look like.
MaryAlice parks there at the white House for us, MaryAlice thank you. Well it looks like things could be a repeat. If you remember back to Donald Trump's first term as president, there were a handful of cabinet officials that either quit or were forced out in disgrace, or they were mired in ethical conundrums. So do all these controversial picks for a second Trump presidency really surprise you? Let's head over to The Hill and our Jay O'Brien to talk about just the fate of some of these cabinet picks. So, Jay, we're just getting word that House speaker Mike Johnson is urging the House Ethics Committee not to release its report on Trump's attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz. What do we know this hour?
Yeah. Remember, Kyra, this is a report that they have been compiling over months of investigation into Matt Gaetz after the Department of Justice declined to bring criminal charges after allegations of sex trafficking against gates. Gates is a sitting member of Congress. Or was so the ethics committee in the House picked up this investigation, went from there and was preparing this report, finalizing it. Sources told us, right before gates resigned in order to take this role as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general. Now, no one knows if this report is going to see the light of day. House speaker Mike Johnson, though, just moments ago, weighing in on that, telling reporters that he believes that the House Ethics Committee should not release the report because, in his view, it would break precedent, because the committee doesn't have jurisdiction. Jurisdiction is the word Johnson used over a member of Congress. If they're no longer a member of Congress anymore, he says they have jurisdiction in investigating gates when he was in the House. But because he's no longer in the House, the committee has to wash its hands of all of this and not turn over the report.
Nonetheless, we know that there are senators on both sides of the aisle, including some high profile Republicans who say they want this report. We know that Democrats in the Senate Judiciary Committee have already told the House Ethics Committee to hold on to this report. It's really unclear if the Senate could compel this House committee to give them the report. If Matt Gates were to go before the Senate and actually face confirmation hearings and a potential confirmation vote, it could set up a clash between the House and the Senate. One more thing to keep in mind here, Kyra. Speaker Johnson saying that he does not want this report out, saying that he has advised that the Ethics committee not release this report. And he's doing that just hours after being with Donald Trump at Mar a Lago for an event last night.
Well, the dust was still settling on Trump's nomination of gates when he rolled out RFK Jr as health secretary. And then the dust started spinning again. What are you hearing from lawmakers today about these picks overall?
And look, when you talk about gates putting aside this ethics report, there are still moderate Republican senators who have come out and said they don't want Matt Gates to be the attorney general just because they don't like his worldview or they don't like his politics or they don't believe that he's qualified. We've heard some Republican pushback to RFK. To your point, concerns about the misinformation he's propagated, for instance, about saying that vaccines are linked to autism. But we haven't seen this kind of groundswell of opposition that we're currently seeing to Matt Gaetz. So it's unclear what kind of confirmation process RFK Jr. Would have. I've talked to Republicans who say they don't like RFK Jr. S position on vaccines. And so they're skeptical of his nomination. And then I've also talked to some Republicans who say they like the fact that RFK Jr. Wants to shake up the various federal health agencies, got them in some instances, let hundreds, potentially thousands of employees of those agencies go because RFK Jr completely wants to rework the dynamics of those agencies.
So there are some Republicans who are on board with that. Again, unclear if he would have an equally rocky road to Matt Gaetz, for instance, through confirmation. But it's certainly not a done deal for RFK Jr, either.
Well, that's what I wanted to ask you next is what you think of the chances, you know, that these controversial nominees actually get confirmed.
I think you've got to look at two things. You've got to keep an eye on those moderate and even not very moderate, but maybe middle of the road Republican senators as to how they come out. If they're publicly saying, in the case of Matt Gaetz, for instance, some of them, that they don't support this nomination, that's a red flag. And Donald Trump or Matt Gaetz would have to work on getting those votes back. There are some senators that are holding their powder dry and saying that they support Donald Trump's ability and right to name the nominees that he wants, and that it's those nominees job in the case of Matt Gaetz, for example, to go before the Senate, make their case, sit for confirmation hearings and then sit for a confirmation vote and see if they get the requisite votes necessary. There's one more thing to keep an eye on, though. Does Donald Trump try to end run the confirmation process and push all this through through recess appointments, something that you and I have been talking about over the last few days?
And do Senate Republicans allow him to do that and essentially acquiesce to Donald Trump's will there?
Jay O'Brien, appreciate it. All right. Well, Jay mentioned the whole confirmation process. Right. And what this could look like. Let's talk about the vaccine skeptic and promoter of conspiracy theories, RFK Jr. A little bit more now. As you know, he's the president elect's picks to become Health and Human Services secretary. And if it well, if it hasn't just rattled you believe me, it's setting off anxieties across our medical community. Now joining me now, former acting director of the CDC, doctor Richard Besser. Great to see you again, Richard. Just your reaction to the possibility of a Secretary Kennedy leading HHS.
Kyra. I think it is absolutely chilling and could have a really profound negative impact on people's health. Health in America. When you look at the Department of Health and Human Services, it it touches on every single life in our country. You know, I focus in a big way on on public health and the public health system and have real concerns that we would have someone in that position who has been one of the leaders in creating mistrust in our vaccine system and in our public health system. You know, I practiced pediatrics for more than 30 years, and I can tell you, there's nothing that I did for my patients that had more proven value for their health than making sure they were vaccinated fully and on time. And Mr. Kennedy has done more than just about anybody in in shaking the confidence that parents have in the vaccines that are, that are given to children. But that's just one small piece of what HHS is responsible for. When you think about what what is important for people's lives and health, access to health care, health care coverage.
He hasn't talked about that. But there are 27 million people in America without health insurance. What would it mean to have a mr. Kennedy in that role in terms of of those issues? These are things that have to be addressed in a confirmation hearing. So senators can make a choice as to whether this is the person they want in that role.
He's also pushed for stricter regulations on ingredients used in processed foods. He's actually garnered a lot of support on social media for that as well. Um, is there a little positive light here within a little, you know, within all the craziness?
Well, you know, one of the big challenges with, with individuals who spread misinformation is that mixed in with the misinformation are bits of truth and fact. And you see those bits and you hold on to them and you say, well, I guess everything that's being said is true. I think it would be terrific if the new administration decides to have a big initiative, a big focus on chronic diseases in children, and really looks to say, what are the big drivers behind this and what can we can we do about it? I think looking at our nutrition system is really important. What would it take for this administration to say we are going to make the school lunch program the best school lunch ever possible. There's a lot that would have to go into that. Yes. You want to get processed food out of the out of the school lunch. But one of the big reasons so many schools serve processed food is that we haven't invested in the school kitchens so that they can they can make real food, healthy food.
If the next secretary of health decides to take that on, that's terrific. But mixed in with with the the issues that are being lifted up are a lot of solutions that are not based on science. They're not they're based on falsehood. And that makes it very, very confusing for for the individual to decide, well, what here is true and what is not.
All right then, let me follow up on that. He really hasn't said a lot. If you think of RFK Jr, the first thing people really go to are sort of the the wild things that he has said. So we've talked about the misinformation, we've talked about the myths, but let's focus on the truth for a second. Have you heard anything come out of his mouth that you sat back and went, oh, that's true. That sounds good. All right, let's focus on that.
Yeah. When when I hear him say, let's reduce the the influence of private corporations and government health decisions, I think that's absolutely terrific. You know, the next time the school lunch program is up for reauthorization, let's make sure that that big business doesn't have a role in terms of what foods are included there. That's that would be terrific. If you look at the menthol ban that the FDA, the Food and Drug Administration has been trying to put forward around smoking for so many administrations. Let's keep big business out of there and truly protect everyone in America from the harms of smoking. That would go a long way to to reduce chronic disease. Given the role that tobacco plays in heart disease and stroke and lung disease, those things are really important and I would love to see that go forward.
Doctor Richard Besser, always appreciate your time. Thank you so much. Well, president elect Trump dominates the headlines. President Biden is still trying to have a last hurrah at the APEC summit in Lima, Peru, in what's likely to be his final moments on the world stage. And amid heightened tensions between the United States and China. President Biden will meet with Chinese President XI Jinping tomorrow. All of this as world leaders eyes are firmly affixed on president elect Trump's return to the white House. Our Alex Presha is traveling with the president. He's in Lima, Peru. So, Alex, what are the president's goals in this meeting with XI Jinping tomorrow?
Well, Kyra, a big part of this meeting tomorrow is ensuring a smooth transition. And that's something that the white House has told us. We had a briefing with the national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, yesterday, and he said that that was the primary goal, another function they were going to be talking about common ground that the two countries have, which is primarily that military to military communication, a commitment to that to prevent any increased provocations in the region. Also, these counter-narcotics efforts and then also air safety, which is a big thing. But, you know, this is an opportunity for, as you mentioned, Biden to have a little bit of a swan song on this world stage today. He's also meeting with the president of South Korea, President Yoon. And then also he's got a trilat in that in that meeting as well with the prime minister of Japan, a shiba. And what's interesting about this is while the US is going through a period of transition, so is the rest of the world.
This is the first time President Biden and the president of, excuse me, the Prime minister of Japan are getting to have a face to face since he took office. And so, you know, one of the big focuses is going to be North Korea. Certainly them sending troops to, to, to Russia. And then also any possible provocations that the DPRK tends to lean into during these periods of transitions, possible missile tests and also possible nuclear tests.
So President Biden is going to be traveling to Brazil for the G20 summit after this meeting, right? So let's talk about that trip and what's on tap for the president there. What does he hope to accomplish?
Well, so a lot of this is is assuring our allies their importance during this period of transition. I mean, I think there is a global understanding that, you know, there aren't going to be a ton of of of policy initiatives that are worked out and able to be implemented in the next couple of months. And certainly Biden's philosophy globally is, is is different than, than, than Trump's, but reassuring. A lot of our allies and many of the conversations that we've heard from not just leaders here, but also businesses that are present at APEC and that will be represented at the G20 as concerns over tariffs and how that will impact their relationship with the United States. Biden really trying to to to reassure the world stage during this trip. I note that another piece of this before Biden gets to the G20, he's also going to be in Manaus, and that is an opportunity for him. It's the first time that a president has been to the Amazon. It's a an opportunity for him to really kind of stamp his, his, his perspective on climate as well.
All right. Alex Presha there in Lima, Peru, traveling with President Biden. Thank you. And coming up, smoke in the skies over the northeast with a threat of fires on the rise and Tropical Storm Sara targeting the Gulf. Your cross country forecast next.
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And we're glad you're joining us on this Friday. Well, look out. Storm Ciara will be moving through the Caribbean overnight. Sarah bringing catastrophic rainfall to Honduras today. And Belize is now issuing tropical storm warnings for the country's coast. All of this happening as the fire danger continues to increase in the northeast with gusty winds and low humidity, all forecast for the weekend. Meteorologist Dani Beckstrom from our ABC station in New York is tracking it all for us. Hey, Danny.
Hey, Kira. It's two extremes, right? Portions of Central America seeing way too much rain with Tropical Storm Sarah. We're here in the northeast United States. We are seeing such a deficit. After months of dry conditions, we'll start first with Tropical Storm Sarah. Right now, sustained maximum wind at 50mph. This is primarily a rain event. Not that those gusty winds can't do damage, but when we're talking rainfall expectations between 15 and 25in, with isolated spots seeing 30 to 35in of rain, that is going to produce the catastrophic flooding, especially considering it's honduras's northern coastline, which is fairly mountainous. We do see tropical storm warnings for the northern coast of Honduras over through the Caribbean coast of Guatemala, up through Belize. That is where Sarah takes aim, the core of this storm staying just offshore, which means a little bit of additional strengthening is possible while it continues to whip winds on the northern coast of Honduras and drop that rain as it moves inland. It does. It is expected to weaken very rapidly with that land interaction.
So as it crosses Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula becoming a remnant low, then that moisture moves out into the Gulf. At this point, it doesn't look like conditions are conducive for restrengthening, but it does mean that that tropical moisture has to go somewhere, right? Right now it looks like forecast models showing that it gets swept up in a front that will bring some flooding downpours to portions of the Florida peninsula as we move into the middle of this coming week here.
All right. Let's talk about the wildfires. The Jennings Creek fire, apparently 75% contained now. Uh, we need rain. What do you think? Are we going to see it?
Desperate for Kyra. It looks like our next best chance actually has to do with the remnant moisture from Tropical Storm Sara. We just showed you that it could bring portions of the Florida peninsula, some flooding downpours into the middle of the week. But by the end of the week, we're thinking Thursday, Friday, some of that moisture we could actually tap into here in the northeast. That would give our next best chance for a more widespread rainfall event, which is what we desperately need. Seeing so many spots around up the northeast that are 8 to 9in below normal in terms of fall rainfall, and that's why we're seeing these drought conditions expand and become a little bit worse, right. We're now seeing that severe drought spread into the lower Hudson Valley. Move on to Long Island and of course, in New York City. As for this weekend, fire danger is a main is the main concern. We actually see our wind speeds pick up today and tomorrow, Kyra, which will keep the fire threat in play through the weekend.
Send it back to you.
Danny. Thanks. Straight ahead. What does Ben and Jerry's have to do with Palestinian refugees? We'll explain next.
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Glad you're streaming with us. Some of the other top headlines we're tracking for you this hour. North Korean state media saying the country is testing exploding drones designed to crash into targets, and is calling for the mass production of the weapons. This comes as the U.S., South Korea and Japan engaged in their combined military exercises displaying a defensive posture against North Korea. State media also releasing photos showing Kim Jong un talking with officials near at least two different types of weapons and things aren't so sweet in the land of ice cream, Ben and Jerry's says its parent company, Unilever, has has silenced their attempts to express support for Palestinian refugees in a lawsuit filed this week. The ice cream company says that the company has threatened to dismantle its board and sue its members over the issue. Ben and Jerry's claiming it tried to speak publicly for four separate times in support of peace and human rights, but was silenced. Unilever denies these claims. The news never stops. You can find us anywhere you stream live news and if you're on the go, we're on the ABC news app and abcnews.com to I'm Kyra Phillips.
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Right now on ABC News Live. He says vaccines cause autism and Covid was programmed not to infect Jewish and Chinese people. Now, president elect Trump has named rebel RFK Jr. As secretary of health and Human Services.
He's accused of having sex with a 17 year old girl. Now he could be America's top prosecutor. Majority Whip Leader Tom Emmer joining us to talk about Matt Gaetz and other controversial Trump picks.
Plus, the never ending hurricane season where a tropical storm is headed and who may be impacted the most by it.
So do you remember when he said Covid vaccines were the deadliest shots ever created? Now he's been picked to oversee vaccines in America. Good afternoon everyone I'm Kyra Phillips.
And I'm Terry Moran. President elect Donald Trump has named former presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr to be his next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
He wants to make people healthy. It's driven them pretty wild over the last number of years. Now he's with us all the way. And today I nominated him for I guess if you like health and if you like people that live a long time, it's the most important position. RFK Jr. Bobby.
Kennedy has been one of the most or one of the nation's most prominent anti-vax conspiracy theorists for years, while also spreading false information about the safety and efficiency of vaccines. And now Kennedy is already hinting as to what he would do with control of America's health agencies.
In some categories of workers. There are entire departments, like the nutrition departments at FDA, that are, that have to go, that are not doing their job, they're not protecting our kids. Why do we have Fruit Loops in this country that have 18 or 19 ingredients? And you go to Canada and it's got 2 or 3.
Meanwhile, president elect Trump delivered his first public speech since his landslide victory, and he's praising all of his cabinet picks.
They would say he didn't win the popular vote, and we won the popular vote by records now. So nobody can say that anymore about us.
By a record. It's like.
White House correspondent MaryAlice parks joins us now for more. Mary Alice Trump is staying true to his loyalists despite all this fallout. I guess we shouldn't be surprised.
No, I don't think surprised. I mean, he said that he was going to do exactly this, but you're exactly right to point out that this seems to be what's mattering the most. Someone's perceived loyalty to him more than experience, more than potentially qualifications, more than some sort of baggage and potential scandal around some of these picks. What matters most to president elect Trump is whether people are seen to be in his inner circle. People that would, in theory, go along with anything he asks them to do and who have been loyal to him. I do think what is catching some in Washington? Even some Republicans by surprise, aren't necessarily these names. People like Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbard, people that even even Pete Hegseth, people that that everyone understood would be close to this white House or in this white House. But the scope of the roles that they have been nominated for, I think, has caught even some Republicans by surprise. The idea that Hegseth would be involved in national security, that's one thing.
But to lead the entire Department of Defense. Same with Matt Gaetz, of course, to lead the entire Department of Justice. I think the scope of these roles has caught Republicans by surprise. But but this is what the president elect says that he wants he wants his closest friends, his most loyal supporters in these top posts.
Right. That elections have.
Consequences, as they say. And they're loyal to Trump. But the base Trump's base loves these these appointments too. And that's what happens with elections. So Trump is making some new announcements today. What do we know about that.
These aren't surprising. These are people close to his campaign. Steven Cheung, his communications director on the campaign, will come back to the white House in that role. He is someone who was in Trump's first white House. He is sort of a controversial figure, especially with reporters. He's quick with an insult, sometimes very loose with facts and numbers. I think he can be a lot at times. He's been accused of being brash in his language, to say the least, as similar to the language. Frankly, we hear from president elect Trump on the campaign trail. But so he'll come back to this role and then surgery Sergio Gore. He will have sort of an interesting role, not only as an assistant to the president, but as the director of personnel at the white House. That could sound very bureaucratic, but we're talking about Trump sort of putting a loyalty test in place. And so I think that that role for one of his close friends, Sergio, has been in charge of of one of Trump's leading PACs, sort of set up a publishing company to publish some of Trump's books.
He's sort of a close personal friend to president elect Trump and him in that role of managing future personnel decisions or playing a key part in future personnel decisions is interesting. And I think also sort of sheds light on that idea of what Trump is putting a premium on.
So Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he believes the war will end faster with the Trump administration. What makes him so sure?
I don't know if he's so sure, but reading between the lines, it seemed that he was hinting that he is very aware that president elect Trump made threats on the campaign trail about wanting to cut off aid to Ukraine. And I think that this is Zelenskyy sort of signaling to his country, to the world that he understands that could have real impacts on their effort to fight Russian aggression. I mean, the reality is they have relied on billions of dollars in aid from the United States, from other NATO partners in actual literal equipment that they have used, ammunition that they have used on the battlefield. So if Trump does have, you know, change course in a really dramatic way that will have impacts on the battlefield, but interesting in the rest of that interview. We don't have all. We're only getting snippets of that interview. It will come out this weekend. Zelenskyy goes on to talk about how he fundamentally believes in needing to defend the entire sort of original, sovereign territory of Ukraine. Of course, this is a president who does not want to surrender territory that Russia has control of right now, that Russia has invaded.
And and a lot of questions about what it's going to take to get him to the negotiating table.
MaryAlice Parks, thank you.
So things are already feeling a little bit like Trump's first term. If you remember, there were a handful of cabinet officials that either quit or they were forced out in disgrace or even mired in ethical conundrums. So do all these controversial picks for a second Trump presidency really surprise you?
So for that question, let's head over to the Hill, our Jay O'Brien. He can talk about what he thinks. Game out. The fate of some of these cabinet picks. So Jay the dust was still settling on Trump's nomination of Matt Gaetz, Congressman Florida to become Attorney General. And then out comes Robert F Kennedy Jr to be health secretary. How you know, it's kind of for a lot of lawmakers. My hunch is for a fair number of Republicans to their heads are spinning.
Yeah. And you kind of have to to to separate those because it demonstrates the different variety of how rocky a road some of these cabinet picks will have. First you got Matt Gaetz, who a number of Republican senators have already come out publicly and said is a nonstarter for them. They do not want him to be the attorney general. Even more will tell it to you privately. So that's a very rocky confirmation road for Matt Gaetz. If in just hours of him being named as the potential nominee, there are already Republican senators whose votes he would need, saying he's a nonstarter. And then you've got Robert F Kennedy Jr, who's another controversial pick. But you don't hear the kind of lockstep opposition among some Republicans to RFK Jr, as you do Matt Gaetz, for instance, there are Republicans at this hour. Some of them are in the House rather than in the Senate, who have said they have concerns about RFK Jr. S misinformation, for example, on vaccines. There are others in the House who say that they're longtime supporters of RFK Jr.
By the way, so the jury is a little out as to what the senator the Senate would do potentially for him, although his impact on the day to day lives of millions of Americans, if he were to get into that job, could be widespread because public health touches everybody's lives. But there's not that kind of already emerging vocal opposition to the likes of RFK Jr. As we've seen for Matt Gaetz, for instance, guys.
Well, Democrats are licking their wounds after losing the white House and Senate and failing to recapture the House. Now we're hearing from the man, actually, you're hearing from the man who had hoped to be the new speaker. What did Hakeem Jeffries tell you?
Yeah. And you got to put Jeffrey's comments in context. You got to think of how optimistic Democrats were going into election night about the map that they had in the House. They always knew that they were going to have a really tough job in the Senate holding on to power there. But there were Democrats I talked to who were really bullish on potentially taking back the House of Representatives. And then, of course, that didn't materialize. Republicans held on to their slim majority. And now you've got Donald Trump in the white House and a Republican Senate. Here was Hakeem Jeffries in a press conference earlier today, reacting to that serious level of disappointment in his caucus. Guys.
House Democrats in the new Congress.
Will work to find bipartisan common ground whenever and wherever possible with the incoming administration in a manner consistent with our values, but at the same time, always push back whenever necessary against far right extremism that will hurt the American people.
But look, that loss is still a gut punch for Democrats. And Jeffries acknowledging that earlier on in his remarks. And the other thing facing Democrats is here, the fact that they're in the minority, the fact that they don't have control of either chamber, puts them in a difficult position. If they do want to try to check some of these Trump policies that they object to, because Donald Trump has unified Republican control over this government, guys.
Jay O'Brien, appreciate you and your reporting. It's been quite a busy week for House Republicans. They've chosen their leader, won the majority, and had one of their members resign to join the Trump administration under a cloud of scandal.
So Congressman Tom Emmer of Minnesota is the Republican whip in the House, just reelected to that post this week. He's going to be resuming his role as the number three Republican in Congress, in charge of whipping those votes in a slim and potentially unruly majority. At least it was last time around. And we're happy he joins us now. So, Congressman, thanks for being with us. I want to ask about that slim majority. According to FiveThirtyEight, Republicans have so far won 218 seats, eight races left to be decided so the majority is likely to go up. So Matt Gaetz has resigned to become President Trump's attorney general if convicted. If sorry. If confirmed, Trump has already chosen two more members of the House to serve in his administration. Speaker Johnson said he was begging and pleading Trump to stop choosing more House members. You're the whip. You got to count those votes. Are you concerned that Trump is stealing the majority at all?
No.
I trust the president and the people around him. They know exactly what they're doing.
And look.
Everybody wants to complain about whether you have two 2221 222 that's what we started with in the last Congress was 222 and we've done some historic things like passing the strongest border bill in 20 years, passing a bill to unleash American energy production and deal with inflation, and the list goes on and on. Now that that agenda, which is Trump's agenda, which has been sitting on Chuck Schumer's desk, collecting dust for the better part of a year and a half is going to be back in the house, and we're going to do our part to move the Trump agenda forward so that Donald Trump can make the changes that the American public told him last week. We want what you've got and we want.
You to do it.
All right, Congressman, let's talk about one of those departing members, Matt Gaetz. You might have heard of him. He's been in the news lately. He's up for attorney general. He's a lawyer, but he's only practiced law for two years, never as a prosecutor. And most of his experience with the criminal justice system has been to be the subject of an investigation, first by the DOJ, which declined to prosecute, and then later by the Ethics Committee for alleged sexual misconduct with minors and obstruction claims. He has denied all of that. But you still say he'd make a great AG. Why?
Well, I absolutely do.
And by the way, before we get there, let's remember that the Biden attorney general, Merrick Garland, Literally. I used the office to prosecute their political opponents, Biden's political opponents, and to go after parents who were peacefully protesting at school board meetings. And I would question that background as well when it comes to Matt Gaetz. Everybody wants to point at this other stuff. Matt's going to make a great attorney general. He's been fighting for the American people. He's been the American public has watched him do this for several years. Now. They know that an attorney general that is under Donald J. Trump is going to work for the American people instead of for the bureaucracy, which it seems like that's what the DOJ has been doing for a while.
And as I said earlier, the President Trump's base, that's that's what they want. But I do want to follow up on Gaetz and the challenges that he faces getting confirmed. Gaetz was the subject of this House ethics investigation before his departure, and Speaker Johnson has urged the ethics committee not to release that report on their investigation. I want you to listen to what Johnson said just a little while ago.
I believe it is very important to.
Maintain the House's tradition of not issuing ethics.
Reports on people who are no longer members of Congress. I think it would open a Pandora's box. What I am saying.
Is, if someone is no longer a member of Congress, you're not in the business of investigating and publishing reports on people.
Who are not part of this institution.
Okay. So, Congressman, you've been around Congress for a while. Both the House and Senate ethics committees have released reports in the past after the subject resigned from Congress. And generally, the speakers, the people at your level and higher. In other words, the leaders of the party, of the parties in Congress. It's hands off with the Ethics Committee. And here's Speaker Johnson kind of trying to muscle him, it sounds like. Why is this one different?
Well, first off, I love the fact that you refer to the Trump base. I wish you guys would emphasize the fact that it is almost the entire country. He won the popular vote by an enormous margin. He increased Republican votes. Listen to this. In every county in the United States. I it this the base that you're talking about. You guys try to make it sound like the base is this narrow group of people. America. Regardless, Congressman.
He's going to end up with less Congressman. He's going to Congressman. He is he is Trump. It was an impressive victory. No question. The Democrats got thumped. But it is one of the smallest. It is one of the smallest margins in the past 30 years. He's probably not going to end up with 50% of the vote. He'll win by a point or two. That's you know, but the the verdict was clear. So please, on gates and the Ethics committee and Speaker Johnson.
Well, first off, I the DOJ, does anybody really believe that the Biden DOJ, which uses the FBI to investigate if they would have found evidence of a crime that Matt Gates had committed. Does anyone believe that they would not have prosecuted him? This has been fully vetted. The FBI closed their file because clearly they didn't find a crime to charge Matt Gates with. When it comes to the ethics committee, that is a committee that is nonpartisan. It has the same number of Republicans and Democrats on it. They will make that decision. And it doesn't matter what the speaker says or what I say, the Ethics Committee will make whatever decision. And my understanding is House rules, which they operate under, say that once a member is no longer a member, then they cease to do anything unless that person would just release.
Why not just release the report then?
I guess, Kerry, you got to ask the ethics committee that.
Well, I think the pressure is on to get the ethics committee to to release that report. And I think if it's not released, it's high probability that it will be leaked. I think at some point we're going to find out what's in that in that report. Don't you agree?
Kira, go ahead and go to the FBI. get their file. I mean, you can do that. I mean, this is all a bunch of distraction. Bottom line is, a Biden Department of Justice fully investigated this individual and found no crime. So they closed their file. That's just as accessible. Probably more accessible than any ethics committee. And we don't even know if there's a report. Everybody keeps talking about it. Nobody's seen it. Nobody knows that except the Ethics Committee.
All right. ABC has reported that a woman testified to the ethics committee that Gaetz had sex with her when she was just 17 years old. He said those claims were false. Can our nation's top prosecutor work effectively after those kinds of claims have been made?
Well, we've had the same type of partisan attacks on Justice Kavanaugh, on Donald Trump. I mean, it just doesn't end. This is a new political Tool. Matt Gaetz. First off, Donald Trump was elected to shake up Washington, D.C. and he's going to do that. And you can't fix what's broken here with people who are part of the problem. You've got to go outside. In this case, there couldn't be a bigger outsider that understands this better than anyone else than Matt Gaetz. I think he'd make an excellent attorney general, and I think he would start to peel back the layers of bureaucracy within the Department of Justice and make sure that it gets back to working for the American people, not for political partisans that are using it for their agenda.
All right, Congressman, last question. You're the whip. You're going to have to whip those votes and count them. And it is no secret that that Matt Gaetz isn't hugely popular in the caucus for whatever reason. And some of these other some of these other cabinet selections, that's a big ask. And some of those Republican senators are already talking about it. What's the message that these cabinet selections send to your caucus and to the country in a wider sense.
Well, I think these selections tell not only our caucus, but the country that Donald Trump is going to do exactly what he campaigned on. He is going to go into Washington, DC. He's going to go back into the white House, and he's going to start making sure that we rightsize government, that we make sure government employees are coming to work, that they're doing their job on behalf of the American people. He's going to get rid of waste, fraud and abuse, and he's going to try and make sure, again, that the government we have is the government that we need. And I think this is why his message played all across this country. It's an overwhelming mandate. And you can play whatever you want with with numbers. But he won the popular vote and he also won the electoral college. And he increased Republican votes in every county in this country. If that doesn't give you the biggest statement you've ever had, well, then you're not going to believe anything.
That's a mandate for sure.
Before we let you go, I want to get you on record, Congressman Tom Emmer, that you're going to come back and talk to us because the former head of the ethics committee, Charlie Dent, said that the findings in that investigation into Matt Gaetz will be released at some point, and he doesn't think it's going to look good. So once we have all the details, I want you to come back and let's have a conversation. Will you come back?
I'll always come back here. We're always here. Love to love talking with you.
See you then.
Thank you Congressman.
Bye bye. We'll be right back.
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Glad you're streaming with us. Well, while president elect Trump dominates the headlines, President Biden is still trying to have one last hurrah at the APEC summit in Lima, Peru, in what's likely to be his final moments on the world stage.
And amid heightened tensions between the United States and China. President Biden will meet with Chinese President XI Jinping tomorrow. And ABC's Alex Presha is traveling with the president. He is in Lima, Peru with more. So, Alex, President Biden, I guess, just met with the South Korean and Japanese leaders, key allies in that part of the world. Tell us about it.
Hey, so Kyra and Terry, the president currently in that trilateral with the president of South Korea, President Yoon, and then also Prime Minister Ishiba from Japan, this is actually Biden and Ochiba's first time meeting in person since the prime Minister was elected. So, listen, transition has been a big theme at this APEC summit. But one of the big topics of conversation, specifically in this trilateral is North Korea, the the three nations really trying to to to get on the same page when it comes to how to deal with North Korea, testing the boundaries during this period of transition, what happens if they decide to launch another missile test or another nuclear test. And the also the the the use of North Korean troops in Russia is something else that's being discussed this afternoon.
Alex Presha traveling with the president there in Lima. Appreciate it. Thank you. Straight ahead. Smoke in the skies over the northeast. With the threat of fires on the rise.
And Tropical Storm Sara targets the Gulf. Your cross-country forecast coming up next.
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All right, look out. Tropical Storm Sara will be moving through the Caribbean overnight, bringing catastrophic rainfall to Honduras today. Already. And now Belize issuing tropical storm warnings for the country's coast.
All this as the fire danger increases in the northeast. Today of our country with gusty winds and low humidity in the weekend forecast, meteorologist Dani Beckstrom from our ABC news station in New York is tracking it all. Danny.
Hey, Kira and Terry, we'll start with Tropical Storm Sara. Max wind of 50mph. But this is really a rainmaker. That's the primary concern with Sara, especially for the northern coast of Honduras, where the rainfall expectations are between 15 and 25in in some isolated areas, up to 35in of rain that is going to produce catastrophic flooding and could produce mudslides, especially considering this is a fairly mountainous area. We do have tropical storm warnings in effect for the northern coast of Honduras, the Bay Islands right here, as well as the Caribbean coast of Guatemala up through Belize. And that's where Sara is headed next with wind. Of course, that could cause some trouble for the immediate coastline here, and it will still be gusty as Sarah is expected to make landfall in Belize as we move towards Saturday night. But it does weaken fairly quickly after that as it crosses the Yucatan Peninsula from there, heading back out into the the Gulf of Mexico here with wind generally around 30mph. At that point it will be a remnant low, but the moisture has to go somewhere, right.
And it looks like that tropical moisture will get caught up in a front that crosses the United States, and that will bring the flooding downpours to the Florida peninsula as we move into the middle of the week. At this point, it doesn't look like there will be the chance for a strong storm to restrengthen, but still plenty of tropical moisture to tap into. Now, the hope for the northeast is is that we'll actually be able to tap into some of that same tropical moisture and slide that rain up to the northeast by the end of next week. Florida doesn't necessarily need the rain, but we desperately do here in the northeast. So we're hoping that that holds together. And Thursday, Friday, Saturday could eventually bring some relief from the drought that is ongoing across the northeast. We're looking at so many highly populated areas that are running 8 to 9in below normal in terms of average rainfall for the the fall months here. That's leading to an expanding drought and a worsening drought. As severe drought works its way into the lower Hudson Valley and the Tri-State area along Long Island, and as well as South Jersey dealing with that extreme drought for the first time in about two decades.
So we need the rain. What we'll get for the immediate future here is the wind. Unfortunately, gusty conditions picking up both Friday and Saturday leading to that exacerbated fire situation as well. Looks like temperatures are warming up. That doesn't help the firefighting efforts either. The only thing that will is the rain, and we're hoping by the end of next week we see some of that guys.
All right Danny, thanks so much. Have a great weekend. And we're going to hopefully have a good weekend too. Hopefully all of you are going to have a great weekend. You can find us anywhere you stream live news by the way, and if you're on the go, we are on the ABC news app and ABC news.com I'm Kyra Phillips.
And I'm Terry Moran. Thanks for streaming with us. Remember there's more news and it's coming up next.
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Right now on ABC News Live. He says vaccines cause autism and Covid was programmed not to infect Jewish and Chinese people. Now, president elect Trump has named rebel RFK Jr. As secretary of health and Human Services.
He's accused of having sex with a 17 year old girl. Now he could be America's top prosecutor. Majority Whip Leader Tom Emmer joining us to talk about Matt Gaetz and other controversial Trump picks.
Plus, the never ending hurricane season where a tropical storm is headed and who may be impacted the most by it.
So you remember when he said Covid vaccines were the deadliest shots ever created? Now he's been picked to oversee vaccines in America. Good afternoon everyone I'm Kyra Phillips.
And I'm Terry Moran. President elect Donald Trump has named former presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr to be his next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
He wants to make people healthy. It's driven them pretty wild over the last number of years. Now he's with us all the way. And today I nominated him for I guess if you like health and if you like people that live a long time, it's the most important position. RFK Jr.
Bobby Kennedy has been one of the most or one of the nation's most prominent anti-vax conspiracy theorists for years, while also spreading false information about the safety and efficiency of vaccines. And now Kennedy is already hinting as to what he would do with control of America's health agencies.
In some categories of worker. There are entire departments, like the nutrition departments at FDA, that are that have to go, that are not doing their job, they're not protecting our kids. Why do we have Fruit Loops in this country that have 18 or 19 ingredients? And you go to Canada and it's got 2 or 3.
Meanwhile, president elect Trump delivered his first public speech since his landslide victory, and he's praising all of his cabinet picks.
They would say he didn't win the popular vote. And we won the popular vote by records now. So nobody can say that anymore about us.
By a record.
It's like white House correspondent MaryAlice parks joins us now for more. Mary Alice Trump is staying true to his loyalists despite all this fallout. I guess we shouldn't be surprised.
No, I don't think surprised. I mean, he said that he was going to do exactly this. But you're exactly right to point out that this seems to be what's mattering the most. Someone's perceived loyalty to him more than experience, more than potentially qualifications, more than some sort of baggage and potential scandal around some of these picks. What matters most to president elect Trump is whether people are seen to be in his inner circle. People that would, in theory, go along with anything he asks them to do and who have been loyal to him. I do think what is catching some in Washington, even some Republicans by surprise, aren't necessarily these names. People like Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbard, people that even even Pete Hegseth, people that that everyone understood would be close to this white House or in this white House. But the scope of the roles that they've been nominated for, I think, has caught even some Republicans by surprise. The idea that Hegseth would be involved in national security, that's one thing.
But to lead the entire Department of Defense. Same with Matt Gaetz, of course, to lead the entire Department of Justice. I think the scope of these roles has caught Republicans by surprise. But but this is what the president elect says that he wants he wants his closest friends, his most loyal supporters in these top posts.
Right. That elections have consequences, as they say. And they're loyal to Trump. But the base Trump's base loves these these appointments too. And that's what happens with elections. So Trump is making some new announcements today. What do we know about that.
These aren't surprising. These are people close to his campaign. Steven Cheung, his communications director on the campaign, will come back to the white House. In that role, he is someone who was in Trump's first white House. Look, he is sort of a controversial figure, especially with reporters. He's quick with an insult, sometimes very loose with facts and numbers. I think he can be a lot. At times he's been accused of being brash in his language, to say the least, as similar to the language. Frankly, we hear from president elect Trump on the campaign trail, but so he'll come back to this role and then surgery Sergio Gore, he will have sort of an interesting role, not only as an assistant to the president, but as the director of personnel at the white House. That can sound very bureaucratic, but we're talking about Trump sort of putting a loyalty test in place. And so I think that that role for one of his close friends, Sergio, has been in charge of of one of Trump's leading packs, sort of set up a publishing company to publish some of Trump's books.
He's sort of a close personal friend to president elect Trump and him in that role, sort of managing future personnel decisions or playing a key part in future personnel decisions is interesting. And I think also sort of sheds light on that idea of what Trump is putting a premium on.
So Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he believes the war will end faster with the Trump administration. What makes him so sure?
I don't know if he's so sure, but reading between the lines, it seemed that he was hinting that he is very aware that president elect Trump made threats on the campaign trail about wanting to cut off aid to Ukraine. And I think that this is Zelensky sort of signaling to his country, to the world that he understands that could have real Impacts on their effort to fight Russian aggression. I mean, the reality is they have relied on billions of dollars in aid from the United States, from other NATO partners in actual literal equipment that they have used, ammunition that they have used on the battlefield. So if Trump does have, you know, change course in a really dramatic way that will have impacts on the battlefield, but interesting in the rest of that interview. We don't have all. We're only getting snippets of that interview. It will come out this weekend. Zelensky goes on to talk about how he fundamentally believes in needing to defend the entire sort of original, sovereign territory of Ukraine. Of course, this is a president who does not want to surrender territory that Russia has control of right now, that Russia has invaded.
And and a lot of questions about what it's going to take to get him to the negotiating table.
MaryAlice Parks, thank you. So things are already feeling a little bit like Trump's first term. If you remember, there were a handful of cabinet officials that either quit or they were forced out in disgrace or even mired in ethical conundrum. So do all these controversial picks for a second Trump presidency really surprise you?
So for that question, let's head over to the Hill, our Jay O'Brien. He can talk about what he thinks came out, the fate of some of these cabinet picks. So, Jay, the dust was still settling on Trump's nomination of Matt Gaetz, congressman of Florida, to become attorney general. And then out comes Robert F Kennedy Jr, to be health secretary. How, you know, it's kind of for a lot of lawmakers. My hunch is for a fair number of Republicans to their heads are spinning.
Yeah. And you kind of have to to to separate those because it demonstrates the different variety of how rocky a road some of these cabinet picks will have. First you got Matt Gaetz, who a number of Republican senators have already come out publicly and said is a nonstarter for them. They do not want him to be the attorney general. Even more will tell it to you privately. So that's a very rocky confirmation road for Matt Gaetz. If in just hours of him being named as the potential nominee. There are already Republican senators whose votes he would need. Saying he's a non-starter. And then you've got Robert F Kennedy Jr. Who's another controversial pick. But you don't hear the kind of lockstep opposition among some Republicans to RFK Jr. As you do. Matt Gaetz, for instance, there are Republicans at this hour. Some of them are in the House rather than in the Senate, who have said they have concerns about RFK Jr. S misinformation, for example, on vaccines. There are others in the House who say that they're longtime supporters of RFK Jr.
By the way, so the jury's a little out as to what the senator the Senate would do potentially for him, although his impact on the day to day lives of millions of Americans, if he were to get into that job, could be widespread because public health touches everybody's lives. But there's not that kind of already emerging vocal opposition to the likes of RFK Jr. As we've seen for Matt Gaetz, for instance, guys.
Well, Democrats are licking their wounds after losing the white House and Senate and failing to recapture the House. Now we're hearing from the man. Actually, you're hearing from the man who had hoped to be the new speaker. What did Hakeem Jeffries tell you?
Yeah. And you got to put Jeffrey's comments in context. You got to think of how optimistic Democrats were going into election night about the map that they had in the House. They always knew that they were going to have a really tough job in the Senate holding on to power there. But there were Democrats I talked to who were really bullish on potentially taking back the House of Representatives. And then, of course, that didn't materialize. Republicans held on to their slim majority. And now you've got Donald Trump in the white House and a Republican Senate. Here was Hakeem Jeffries in a press conference earlier today, reacting to that serious level of disappointment in his caucus. Guys.
House Democrats in the new Congress will work to find bipartisan common ground whenever and wherever possible with the incoming administration in a manner consistent with our values, but at the same time always push back whenever necessary against far right extremism that will hurt the American people.
But look, that loss still a gut punch for Democrats. And Jeffries acknowledging that earlier on in his remarks. And the other thing facing Democrats is here, the fact that they're in the minority, the fact that they don't have control of either chamber, puts them in a difficult position. If they do want to try to check some of these Trump policies that they object to, because Donald Trump has unified Republican control over this government, guys.
Jay O'Brien, appreciate you and your reporting. It's been quite a busy week for House Republicans. They've chosen their leader, won the majority, and had one of their members resign to join the Trump administration under a cloud of scandal.
So Congressman Tom Emmer of Minnesota is the Republican whip in the House, just reelected to that post this week. He's going to be resuming his role as the number three Republican in Congress, in charge of whipping those votes in a slim and potentially unruly majority. At least it was last time around, and we're happy he joins us now. So, Congressman, thanks for being with us. I want to ask about that slim majority. According to FiveThirtyEight, Republicans have so far won 218 seats, eight races left to be decided. So your majority is likely to go up. So Matt Gaetz has resigned to become the president Trump's attorney general if convicted. If sorry. If confirmed, Trump has already chosen two more members of the House to serve in his administration. Speaker Johnson said he would go begging and pleading Trump to stop choosing more House members. You're the whip. You got to count those votes. Are you concerned that Trump is stealing the majority at all?
No. I trust the president and the people around him. They know exactly what they're doing. And look, everybody wants to complain about whether you have two 2221, 222 That's what we started with in the last Congress was 222. And we've done some historic things, like passing the strongest border bill in 20 years, passing a bill to unleash American energy production and deal with inflation, and the list goes on and on. Now that that agenda, which is Trump's agenda, which has been sitting on Chuck Schumer's desk collecting dust for the better part of a year and a half is going to be back in the House, and we're going to do our part to move the Trump agenda forward so that Donald Trump can make the changes that the American public told him last week. We want. What you've got and we want you to do it.
All right, Congressman, let's talk about one of those departing members, Matt Gaetz. You might have heard of him. He's been in the news lately. He's up for attorney general. He's a lawyer, but he's only practiced law for two years, never as a prosecutor. And most of his experience with the criminal justice system has been to be the subject of an investigation, first by the DOJ, which declined to prosecute and then later by the Ethics Committee for alleged sexual misconduct with minors and obstruction claims. He has denied all of that. But you still say he'd make a great A.G.. Why?
Well, I absolutely do. And by the way, before we get there, let's remember that the Biden attorney general, Merrick Garland, I literally I used the office to prosecute their political opponents, Biden's political opponents, and to go after parents who were peacefully protesting at school board meetings. And I would question that background as well when it comes to Matt Gaetz. Everybody wants to point at this other stuff. Matt's going to make a great attorney general. He's been fighting for the American people. He's been the American public has watched him do this for several years now. They know that an attorney general that is under Donald J. Trump is going to work for the American people instead of for the bureaucracy, which it seems like that's what the DOJ has been doing for a while.
And as I said earlier, the President Trump's base, that's that's what they want. But I do want to follow up on gates and the challenges that he faces getting confirmed. Gates was the subject of this House ethics investigation before his departure, and Speaker Johnson has urged the ethics committee not to release that report on their investigation. I want you to listen to what Johnson said just a little while ago.
I believe it is very important to maintain the.
House's tradition of not.
Issuing ethics reports on people who are no longer members of Congress. I think it would open a Pandora's box. What I am saying is, if someone is no longer a member of Congress, you're not in the business of investigating and publishing reports on people who are not part of this institution.
Okay. So, Congressman, you've been around Congress for a while. Both the House and Senate ethics committees have released reports in the past after the subject resigned from Congress, and generally the speakers, the people at your level and higher. In other words, the leaders of the party, of the parties in Congress. It's hands off with the Ethics Committee. And here's Speaker Johnson kind of trying to muscle him, it sounds like. Why is this one different?
Well, first off, I love the fact that you referred to the Trump base. I wish you guys would emphasize the fact that it is almost the entire country. He won the popular vote by an enormous margin. He increased Republican votes. Listen to this. In every county in the United States, if this the base that you're talking about, you guys try to make it sound like the base is this narrow group of people. America.
Regardless, Congressman, he's going to end up with less congressmen. He's going to Congressman.
He is he'll.
Trump. It was an impressive victory. No question. The Democrats got thumped. But it is one of the smallest. It is one of the smallest margins in the past 30 years. He's probably not going to end up with 50% of the vote. He'll win by a point or two. That's you know, but the the verdict was clear. So please on gates and the Ethics committee and Speaker Johnson.
Well first off I the DOJ does anybody really believe that the Biden DOJ which uses the FBI to investigate. I if they would have found evidence of a crime that Matt Gates had committed, does anyone believe that they would not have prosecuted him? This has been fully vetted. The FBI closed their file because clearly they didn't find a crime to charge Matt Gates with. When it comes to the ethics committee, that is a committee that is nonpartisan. It has the same number of Republicans and Democrats on it. They will make that decision. And it doesn't matter what the speaker says or what I say. The Ethics committee will make whatever decision. And my understanding is House rules, which they operate under, say that once a member is no longer a member, then they cease to do anything unless that person returns release.
Why not just release the report then?
I guess, Kerry, you got to ask the ethics committee that.
Well, I think the pressure is on to get the ethics committee to to release that report. And I think if it's not released, it's high probability that it will be leaked. I think at some point we're going to find out what's in that in that report. Don't you agree?
Kira, go ahead and go to the FBI. Get their file. I mean, you can do that. I mean, this is all a bunch of distraction. Bottom line is, a Biden Department of Justice fully investigated this individual and found no crime. So they closed their file. That's just as accessible. Probably more accessible than any ethics committee. And we don't even know if there's a report. Everybody keeps talking about it. Nobody's seen it. Nobody knows that except the Ethics committee.
All right. ABC has reported that a woman testified to the ethics committee that gates had sex with her when she was just 17 years old. He said those claims were false. Can our nation's top prosecutor work effectively after those kinds of claims have been made?
Well, we've had these same type of partisan attacks on Justice Kavanaugh, on Donald Trump. I mean, it just doesn't end. This is a new political tool. Matt Gaetz I. First off, Donald Trump was elected to shake up Washington, D.C., and he's going to do that. And you can't fix what's broken here with people who are part of the problem. You got to go outside. In this case, there couldn't be a bigger outsider that understands this better than anyone else than Matt Gaetz. I think he'd make an excellent attorney general, and I think he would start to peel back the layers of bureaucracy within the Department of Justice and make sure that it gets back to working for the American people, not for political partisans that are using it for their agenda.
All right, Congressman, last question. You're the whip. You're going to have to whip those votes and count them. And it is no secret that that Matt Gaetz isn't hugely popular in the caucus for whatever reason. And some of these other some of these other cabinet selections, that's a big ask. And some of those Republican senators are already talking about it. What's the message that these cabinet selections say, send to your caucus and to the country in a wider sense?
Well, I think these selections tell not only our caucus, but the country that Donald Trump is going to do exactly what he campaigned on. He is going to go into Washington, DC. He's going to go back into the white House, and he's going to start making sure that we rightsize government, that we make sure government employees are coming to work, that they're doing their job on behalf of the American people. He's going to get rid of waste, fraud and abuse, and he's going to try and make sure, again, that the government we have is the government that we need. And I think this is why his message played all across this country. It's an overwhelming mandate and you can play whatever you want with with numbers. But he won the popular vote and he also won the Electoral college. And he increased Republican votes in every county in this country. If that doesn't give you the biggest statement you've ever had, well, then you're not going to believe anything.
That's a mandate for sure.
Before we let you go, I want to get you on record, Congressman Tom Emmer, that you're going to come back and talk to us because the former head of the ethics committee, Charlie Dent, said that the findings in that investigation into Matt Gaetz will be released at some point, and he doesn't think it's going to look good. So once we have all the details, I want you to come back and let's have a conversation. Will you come back?
I'll always come back here. We're always here. Love to love talking with you.
See you then.
Thank you. Congressman.
Bye bye. We'll be right back.
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Tonight, with the transition choices in full swing, the questions around what government agencies and programs may face. Key takeaways in this transfer of power. World News Tonight with David Muir is the most watched newscast in America.
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Glad you're streaming with us. Well, while president elect Trump dominated the headlines, President Biden is still trying to have one last hurrah at the APEC summit in Lima, Peru, in what's likely to be his final moments on the world stage.
And amid heightened tensions between the United States and China, President Biden will meet with Chinese President XI Jinping tomorrow. And ABC's Alex Presha is traveling with the president. He is in Lima, Peru with more. So, Alex, President Biden, I guess, just met with the South Korean and Japanese leaders, key allies in that part of the world. Tell us about it.
Hey, so Kyra and Terry, the president currently in that trilateral with the president of South Korea, President Yoon, and then also Prime Minister Ishiba from Japan. This is actually Biden and Ochiba's first time meeting in person since the prime Minister was elected. So listen, transition has been a big theme at this apex summit. But one of the big topics of conversation, specifically in this trilateral is North Korea, the the three nations really trying to to to get on the same page when it comes to how to deal with North Korea, testing the boundaries during this period of transition, what happens if they decide to launch another missile test or another nuclear test? And the also the the the use of North Korean troops in Russia is something else that's being discussed this afternoon.
Alex Presha traveling with the president there in Lima. Appreciate it. Thank you. Straight ahead, smoke in the skies over the northeast. With the threat of fires on the rise.
And Tropical Storm Sara targets the Gulf. Your cross-country forecast coming up next.
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All right. Look out. Tropical Storm Sara will be moving through the Caribbean overnight, bringing catastrophic rainfall to Honduras today. Already. And now Belize issuing tropical storm warnings for the country's coast.
All this as the fire danger increases in the northeast today of our country, with gusty winds and low humidity in the weekend forecast meteorologist Dani Beckstrom from our ABC news station in New York is tracking it all. Danny.
Hey, Kira and Terry, we'll start with Tropical Storm Sara. Max wind of 50mph. But this is really a rainmaker. That's the primary concern with Sara, especially for the northern coast of Honduras, where the rainfall expectations are between 15 and 25in in some isolated areas, up to 35in of rain that is going to produce catastrophic flooding and could produce mudslides, especially considering this is a fairly mountainous area. We do have tropical storm warnings in effect for the northern coast of Honduras, the Bay Islands right here, as well as the Caribbean coast of Guatemala up through Belize. And that's where Sara is headed next with wind. Of course, that could cause some trouble for the immediate coastline here, and it will still be gusty as Sara is expected to make landfall in Belize as we move towards Saturday night. But it does weaken fairly quickly after that as it crosses the Yucatan Peninsula from there, heading back out into the the Gulf of Mexico here with wind generally around 30mph. At that point it will be a remnant low, but the moisture has to go somewhere, right.
And it looks like that tropical moisture will get caught up in a front that crosses the United States, and that will bring the flooding downpours to the Florida peninsula as we move into the middle of the week. At this point, it doesn't look like there will be the chance for a strong storm to restrengthen, but still plenty of tropical moisture to tap into. Now, the hope for the northeast is is that we'll actually be able to tap into some of that same tropical moisture and slide that rain up to the northeast by the end of next week. Florida doesn't necessarily need the rain, but we desperately do here in the northeast. So we're hoping that that holds together. And Thursday, Friday, Saturday could eventually bring some relief from the drought that is ongoing across the northeast. We're looking at so many highly populated areas that are running 8 to 9in below normal in terms of average rainfall for the the fall months here. That's leading to an expanding drought and a worsening drought. As severe drought works its way into the lower Hudson Valley and the Tri-State area.
Long Island, Long Island, and as well as South Jersey dealing with that extreme drought for the first time in about two decades. So we need the rain. What we'll get for the immediate future here is the wind. Unfortunately, gusty conditions picking up both Friday and Saturday leading to that exacerbated fire situation as well. Looks like temperatures are warming up. That doesn't help the firefighting efforts either. The only thing that will is the rain, and we're hoping by the end of next week we see some of that guys.
All right Danny, thanks so much. Have a great weekend. And we're going to hopefully have a good weekend too. Hopefully all of you are going to have a great weekend. You can find us anywhere you stream live news by the way, and if you're on the go, we are on the ABC news app and ABC news.com I'm Kyra Phillips.
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The Trump transition is.
Already.
Unlike any.
We have ever.
Seen.
This Week Live starts right now.
From ABC news. It's this week live. Here now.
Jonathan Karl.
Welcome to This Week Live.
Our look at the.
Week in politics here on ABC News Live I'm Jonathan.
Karl.
Thank you for streaming with us. It has been ten days since the election. And president elect Trump is carrying out his transition in his unorthodox way as he ran his campaign. The past week has been a flurry of personnel announcements from Mar-A-Lago. Some of the cabinet nominees.
Are both.
Unsurprising and widely respected. Marco Rubio, for example, is Trump's choice for secretary of state. He's been in the Senate for nearly 14 years. He served on the Foreign Affairs Committee and is currently the top Republican on the Intelligence Committee for Secretary of Interior. Trump has tapped North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum. Nominees like Rubio and Burgum are both loyal Trump supporters, but also people who have experience and have earned respect across party lines. They are likely to be easily confirmed. But Trump has rocked Washington this week with his choices for some of the most important jobs and most powerful jobs in all of government Secretary of defense, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Director of National intelligence, and attorney general. The choices Trump has made for those jobs are unconventional, and they are controversial.
And Donald Trump.
Is going to have to wage a serious battle to get them confirmed. We're going to check in with Mary Bruce and Katherine Faulders for the latest from Mar-A-Lago in just a few minutes. But let's begin with ABC news political director and Washington bureau chief Rick Klein.
Rick, first of all, I mean.
We.
Knew.
That.
Trump was going to make some outside the box nominations. But when you look at people like Pete Hegseth, when you look at somebody like Matt Gaetz for attorney general, when you look at Tulsi Gabbard for the director of National intelligence, these are not just outside the box. They are there outside of the universe.
Yeah. And they weren't on anyone's bingo card.
And I think you could.
Look at this in two.
Ways. You could look at this as Trump putting exactly the kind of people.
He said he would put in, and moving very quickly to do that more quickly than any nominee has or any.
President elect has.
In in history.
More quickly than he did last time. Remember, he didn't make his first cabinet nominee last time until December.
That's right.
And you could look at these names.
And say, well, these are people that.
Went to Trump rallies. These are the people that.
That supported him and that he'd like.
To hang.
Hang around. And they in many.
Cases, lobbied him very directly.
You can also.
Look at this as more of a of a strategic play.
Where Donald Trump.
Is going to be testing his real sway in.
Washington, because if he is able to get.
These.
Individuals.
Confirmed.
Even most of them confirmed. That is.
A major statement in.
And of itself.
He's talked about end arounds, the.
Senate that hasn't.
Been met with serious resistance.
The test is going.
To be in the United States Senate.
Where they have a brand.
New majority.
Leader. Which ones of these can you actually get.
Through, Jonathan? Okay. All right. All right. So let me you're good. You're our political director. You're good at kind of interpreting what's going on and translate. So first I want to start with a series of statements that have been made by, by senators over the last couple of days, at least one of which refers to Matt Gaetz, who of course, was, um, had had been accused of an improper relationship with an underage girl. It was the subject of a and drug use and several other things. It was subject of an ethics committee investigation. The ethics committee report has not been released. It was basically mothballed now that he has, uh, stepped out of Congress. But with that context, I want you to listen to what some of the Republican these are all Republican senators have had to say.
Well, we'll talk about it for certain. I know he's going to have an uphill battle.
A lot of people will spend a lot of political capital.
And that's something that even if they.
Got done, you'd have to wonder if it was worth it. I think there should not be any limitation on the Senate Judiciary Committee's investigation, including whatever the House Ethics Committee has generated.
So you want to see it?
Absolutely.
Okay, so first of all, just a quick, quick question because I want to see how carefully you were listening. What's what's one thing you did not hear in any of those were all three senators, two that were making it clear that they're they're far from convinced that they're going to vote for Matt Gaetz. And one just saying he wants to see the this report, which Matt Gaetz doesn't want anybody to see. What did you not hear them say?
I did not.
Hear them say the.
President gets the president elect, gets to choose the people around him that he.
Wants, which is.
Kind of the stock Republican answer.
Did I get that quiz right, John? What did I. You got it. They didn't say that. You got it.
Wrong. I mean, it's correct. It wasn't the answer I was looking for, so I wouldn't say he got it wrong. What you didn't hear is you didn't hear anything to say that they are not going to vote for Matt Gaetz. Okay.
That too.
That too. But look.
You see them laying.
The groundwork for it.
I think. I think the Gaetz example is.
Probably the cleanest.
Test.
Of all of.
Them because.
Because of the timeline of the resignation.
The ethics committee, the fact that.
You have such wide reporting, including our reporting at ABC, about some of the.
Allegations that are.
Likely to surface out of that. What's on the public record already? Not to mention his reputation as a bomb thrower politically. I mean.
That's I mean.
He's talked about going in and firing prosecutors and, you know, using DOJ to go after those that went after Donald Trump. I mean, yeah, I mean, in the.
Way that Donald Trump has.
Operated this week, Hegseth was the big story until that was the big bill. Gates was the big story. And then Bobby Kennedy Jr became the big story. And I think overloading the system like.
That, it's going to mean that senators have to.
Choose their battles. Because realistically, John, you've covered a lot of these. I've covered a lot of these. There's always a nominee or two.
Who doesn't make it to the finish line.
Either get either drop out or worst case scenario.
They get defeated on the.
Senate floor. You can imagine 1 or 2.
Of these.
Of these nominees not making it. It's hard to imagine.
4 or.
5 not making it with the.
53.
Or 53 or so.
Republican majority.
We're going to go to Mary Bruce in a second. But before we do that, Mary Bruce, of course, our chief white House correspondent, who is down there outside of Mar-A-Lago, is going to tell us what's really going on and what the expectation here is. But one of the things before going into this, Donald Trump was insisting that John Thune or anybody running to be Senate majority leader, but Thune won the race, agree that if his nominees can't get through that, they would do what's called a recess appointment or put Congress into recess so that Donald Trump could confirm them, confirm them, place them into power without confirmation. So Jonathan was asked about this with Bret Baier on Fox News last night. And I want you to listen again with an idea with an ear towards interpreting what he is actually saying. Take a listen. If that is.
Is a problem, and your onus for.
You is to try to get the president.
Who he wants to be in the.
Cabinet.
Do you then punt to a recess and try to recess the Senate.
For ten days.
And get.
Those appointments in? Well, it's an.
Option, but.
Obviously it.
Takes you know.
You have to have all Republicans vote.
To recess as well.
So the same Republicans that you mentioned, that might have a problem voting for somebody under regular order, probably also have a problem voting to put the Senate into recess.
Okay. So so just so we're clear, because it is a little complicated here, but it's massively consequential. Donald Trump wants to be able to bypass Senate confirmation if he has to. And the way he can do that is if under a Supreme Court ruling from ten years ago, Congress has to be in recess for a full ten days, and then he's allowed to do a so-called recess appointment. What I mean, what did you make of what Thune said about that? So I think.
For all of the appointments this week, the elevation of John Thune might actually have been the.
Most consequential.
Because the Republican.
Senators and senators elect had an opportunity to go with the MAGA choice, with the Trump.
Choice in in.
Senator Rick.
Scott. He didn't even make it.
Past the first ballot.
He didn't even split the vote.
Sufficiently.
To to to be one of the last two candidates standing. The second candidate was John Cornyn, who we saw a moment ago expressing some skepticism about. Gates wants to see that ethics reform. John Thune is the closest thing to an establishment figure who was left standing.
Not to say he's a Mitch McConnell protege. That's right.
Not to say he's not. He's not very much a believer of the Trump agenda, but he's not the same kind of card carrying Trump supporter. MAGA would not be a label that he uses for himself at this point, and I think he's already staking out the ground by which Republicans and Democrats will debate in committee. And then on the Senate floor whether these individuals belong in the cabinet. They will make a judgment. The consent part of advice and consent is still real in John Thune's mind. We'll see whether that stands and whether that holds. But I think that's a really interesting and nuanced answer.
Yeah. And and I think that the other thing that's key in what he said there. So John Thune had said that he was open to this idea of recess appointments. Donald Trump insisted that all the candidates say they were open to this idea. But he pointed out something very important, which is to go into recess. The Senate has to vote to go into recess, has to vote to adjourn. And that vote requires a majority. It requires 50 votes. So what senator is going to be voting against the nominee and then be willing to vote to go into into recess. So this is a very interesting thing to follow. And we'll see. And I want to go I think we have do we have Mary Bruce there in in Palm Beach. Excellent. Mary. It's the weather looks good. It's good to see you. Um, what what is what is your sense down there? You've been down there for for a little bit. Do you? Does Donald Trump expect that he is going to get these most controversial nominees, beginning with Matt Gaetz confirmed the old fashioned way.
Yeah, I think he tends to get them confirmed one way or another. Look, he wouldn't have named them if that wasn't his intention. And, you know, yes, he knew that they were going to get this pushback. He knew there was going to be this level of criticism. You know, while so many in Washington, as you've been discussed, are discussing, are maybe shocked, certainly these picks, you know, were not surprising given their loyalty to Trump and given, you know, the promises that were made on the campaign trail. But yeah, Donald Trump and his team do think they're going to be able to get them through. The question is how much political capital does Donald Trump want to spend on these fights? And who does he want to spend the most political capital on? You know, as you noted, a lot can change. Certainly, you know, new information can come out. It is not unusual to have some picks, you know, be put out there and then and then have the nominees themselves withdraw their names.
But a lot of this is you were also discussing is really just a test for Republicans. How loyal is the Republican Senate going to be to Donald Trump? How much is he going to get them to be able to fall in line behind him? And based on what you heard from John Thune there, he is not ruling out recess appointments. In fact, that's exactly how he described it when he was pressed by our Rachel Scott saying he's not ruling anything out. And as for whether you know what Republicans might be willing to to vote against someone in the confirmation process, but then be willing to vote to, to go into recess? Well, you know, there is a fine line here. And we know that Washington likes to walk fine lines. And it certainly would give a senator, a Republican senator, a bit of a back door, a bit of an out to say, well, look, you know, I didn't I didn't go on the record. I didn't support this controversial pick. But, you know, voting to, to to go on recess.
Maybe that's another thing.
This is why it's good to have a chief white House correspondent that also spent years as the chief congressional correspondent. You know how this works. Let me get your sense, though, from talking to the transition team, those around Trump. Is he surprised by the ferocity of the blowback to these picks?
Are they surprised? Yes and no. I mean, no, I don't think so. I think they knew. He knew. He knows. He knows what he's doing here. You know that. Well, John. You know, he knows that when he picks someone like Matt Gaetz and did it, you know, really in a way that that I think shocked many, even within Trump's inner circle, even some on his own team didn't necessarily see this coming. He knows that this is going to to to make a lot of waves. And he knows the kind of criticism it's going to get. So I don't think they are surprised by how many Republicans are coming out and questioning this. I think they certainly don't want that that Ethics Committee report to be made public. We'll see what ends up happening there. But no, I don't think they are. I think he knows well what he's doing by putting out these these names by by by announcing these cabinet picks, many of whom are controversial. This is a fight that I think Donald Trump welcomes and in some ways relishes.
And the recess appointment. Talk to the do they expect they're going to have to go there and as Trump I mean I know I know it's the option they have. It's the nuclear option. Do they think they're going to have to pull that trigger.
They're willing to go there? I think, you know, do they have to it remains to be seen. But I think that it is a card they are willing to to play if they have to. But again, so much comes down to John Thune, who certainly didn't get much of a honeymoon in this new leadership role at all. And what Republicans, you know, who are they willing to get on their side? There are some who they know they simply will never be able to get on board. But is there some wiggle room, you know, with some of the others? Uh, we'll have to wait and see. And again, I think that is part of this that is really a test for the Republican Party and a test that that the Trump team and Donald Trump himself is, is happy to put Republicans through. They want this.
He likes to make fellow Republicans feel uncomfortable. Hey, before you go, when do you expect we'll see more cabinet picks? We're still waiting on Treasury and some other big ones.
Yeah, well, at the pace that they've been coming and given the hour, John, I wouldn't be surprised if I picked up my phone here and saw some more, because this is sort of the witching hour that we've seen over the last several days. They are moving at this breakneck pace. They're really on track, actually, to get most of the cabinet named before Thanksgiving. If they keep this rate up, there are still some several big names left out there. Of course. Doug Burgum was announced today for for for Interior Secretary, though Trump got ahead of himself by by announcing that last night. But he officially put out the announcement just a little while ago. I think you're going to continue to see them keep up this pace, John.
All right, Mary, we're going to be on the air for another 46, 47 minutes. If you hear more, will you please yell out a scream? We'll bring you right back on. We will bring you right back on. All right. We're going to get to Katherine Faulders in a second. But first, Rick, I thought Mary made a very interesting point, which is, you know, first of all, members of Congress like to find ways to avoid difficult votes. so maybe the vote to go into to adjourn is not as difficult as the vote to confirm a Matt gates or a Bobby Kennedy.
That's possible. There's also possible in John. I know you know your Constitution on this. There is a clause in the Constitution that gives the president the opportunity. Article two. Article yes. Article two.
Section right.
That says that the president, if there's a disagreement between the branches of of.
Congress, between the House and the Senate.
Can deem the Congress to be in recess. And this doesn't have a lot of precedent. But you can imagine a scenario, if you want to play this out, where maybe the Senate doesn't agree to do it, but the House does it, and the House is much more likely to go along with, with with Trump on this. And the president can make that declaration by the time it would even get to the courts. Yeah, right. You can.
Imagine people are in.
Place. They're ready. They're they're.
In jobs. Yeah. And then he's going to say, what are you going to do, take my attorney general out of the office? All right, I think do we have Katherine Faulders if if we do, that was a very quick switch because it looks like it looks to me, Katherine, like you are in precisely, Exactly the same place that we just saw, Mary Bruce. Is that correct?
That's what you call TV magic, John. Carl.
You know it well. UN un. Unbelievable. Okay, so you you told me, I think I think we can tell everybody this now, but you told me something a few weeks ago and which I think has been quite prescient. You said that the. I'm paraphrasing, but you said that this the Trump transition story. And at this point, the Trump transition was a theoretical thing because he hadn't won, was going to be one of the stories of our lifetime. So you've been ahead of everybody on this story. You have been reporting tirelessly, tirelessly on this, even as they were before they won. They were preparing for this moment. So let me ask you, as I read, as I hear these nominees, as I see the blowback, as I see the stuff that's come out, just how thorough has that vetting been of these, of these, of these cabinet picks?
Well, here's the problem, John.
When you have a list and a long list of potential picks for each one of these posts, but then the person who's ultimately announced or nominated ends up not being on that original list. That means that they aren't vetted. So look, on the one hand, you could say that vetting has been thorough. On the other hand, when you have these picks like Pete Hegseth.
And.
Matt Gaetz, of course we know about RFK, but people who weren't on vetting lists, they don't have they don't have packets. They weren't asked by the president elect or his team to go over. Then there is no vetting. And that's problematic and has become obviously problematic as Trump has decided to announce some of these picks. So in theory, what's supposed to happen over there at Mar-A-Lago, they have these standing transition meetings on their calendar every day. Trump will get some of these presentations. As you know, you've been reporting on this too. It's a list of three names, a couple names. He'll go through them with the clicker. There will be videos of of their appearances on on various different news channels. And then he'll say, I want that guy. Or in the case of Attorney General, he'll say, I don't really want any of them, and I'm just going to pick Matt Gaetz and not tell my team until I'm flying back to Florida and going to announce him in a few minutes.
So it's organized in a sense, but also disorganized. So yes, once he announces these people and then his team says, did we vet them? Do we have vetting packets? You can't really have a vetting packet from somebody who wasn't on a list to be vetted. So if that makes any sense. That's how it's really kind of going on over there at Mar-A-Lago.
And usually, uh, something that starts happening before the election as a transition team is preparing for a possible victory. Uh, top candidates are vetted through what is known as an FBI background check. Um, I you've reported that these are not happening. There have not been any FBI background checks. Is that still correct?
There haven't been any FBI background checks there for for any of these candidates. And, and this becomes actually a bigger problem when they're going into the administration. And they have to be, at least for the Senate confirmed spots. Uh, spots that are confirmed by the Senate. The Senate, I don't think really ever in history has one dealt with a situation where a candidate wouldn't have an FBI background check to go along with their confirmation hearing, so it's unclear what exactly they're going to do. And all of this, John, is because the Trump team, at least according to sources close to them, believe that DOJ is against them. They don't want to use the FBI because they have in their head that it's equated to special Counsel Jack Smith and that Jack Smith would be doing the background checks. That's not true, but that is what Trump is thinking. So with him thinking that it does create a big hiccup and a problem. Now, what.
They have discussed.
Is doing some sort of executive order on day one that would give people background checks in mass. Essentially, that means that potentially thousands of political appointees would just automatically have access to classified information. I don't really know how that will ultimately work, but that is something that's on the table.
At the same time.
I'm told that there that they could reverse course and actually use the FBI because this.
Is now becoming a.
Problem and it's going to get messy. But right now, at least all of these picks that have been announced for these top positions, cabinet level positions, none of them have.
Gone through.
The FBI database. None of them have background checks. And that's also because they haven't signed those agreements with the government to use their services in the transition.
It's fascinating. He does it the way Trump looks at it. This is asking the FBI, the same FBI that, in his mind, raided my home to get those classified documents to to vet my nominees. No way. I'm not doing it. It's fascinating. I've got much more to ask you, but I'm out of time. So, Catherine, thank you very much for joining us. And let us know what else you find out down there. Rick. We're going to have to take a quick break, but before we do and we let you go, I know you know Jared Polis well, the the governor of Colorado. I thought it was notable that for all the controversy surrounding Robert F Kennedy and blowback from Republicans and Democrats and health officials, Democratic governor of Colorado says he's excited about.
Yeah, he came out in support of the of the Bobby Kennedy pick for for HHS. And what I think is interesting about this is you've got people like, like Mike pence who are taking the opposite point of view. But Polis is pointing out that what he's talking about are kind of common sense ideas for the idea of health and human services. What you want a department like that to do? And it might be that Kennedy, if we talked about all of these months and months and months, is he a spoiler candidate? A third party candidate? What it could mean you could imagine an odd kind of coalition. Maybe there's a Democrat or two in the Senate who wants him to be a member of the cabinet, because of the way that he might attack issues in a different way.
Fascinating. All right, Rick, thank you for joining us. Still ahead on This Week Live. Trump's seek security, national security cabinet picks are raising alarm bells and his plans for a massive deportation operation when he takes office. We'll discuss all of that with Martha Raddatz. When we come back.
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Welcome back to This Week Live. I am joined here in the studio by my This Week co-anchor, Martha Raddatz. Martha, thank you for being here. Jon, great to be with you. Okay, so I've been dying to talk to you, and we haven't had a chance to really talk since these these these pics have come out. I want to start with Pete Hegseth. You know, a little bit about the Pentagon over the years. Um, and one of the really controversial things about Hegseth already is what he has said about women in combat. So I want to play you the full, with full context of what he has said about his position on women in combat. Take a listen.
Everybody knows.
Between bone density and lung capacity and muscle strength, men and women are just.
Different.
And so if you want to, I'm okay with the idea that you maintain the standards where they are for everybody. And if.
There's some, you.
Know, hard charging female that meets that standard, great, cool. Join the infantry battalion. But that is not what's happened.
What has happened.
Is the standards have lowered because they.
The.
General comes by and asks a question. You know what questions are. When generals ask questions, they're just a command lieutenant or captain or major. Why aren't there more women in your unit? That means get some more women in your unit now. And that moves all the way through the training pipeline. And so I. I'm surprised there hasn't been more blowback on that already in the book, because I'm straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles. It hasn't made.
Us more effective.
Hasn't made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated.
I mean, how is that going over well?
How would you like to be a woman in the in the.
Infantry.
After passing, which.
Are very high.
Standards and they all have to pass.
That standard.
So it.
I keep.
Thinking about the women.
In the Pentagon, in the Army who have gone through.
Those courses and are serving.
Honorably.
I don't know what's made.
The Army more effective or more lethal, but those women have certainly done their part. And in fact.
The attrition rate.
And other things.
Is.
Not as bad for females who are in those.
Units.
This is something.
I.
Covered women in combat from the very beginning and women trying to.
Get into those roles. It has everything to do with with wanting to serve the country in that kind of role.
Nobody's forcing these women into the infantry.
It's also.
Promotion. I mean, if you look at it, John.
And you know this well too, there's.
There's not.
Been a chairman.
Of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who is female because it's.
Sort of catching.
Up with that.
Because they.
Didn't have.
Either combat experience or these other things that would put them in that rank. And eventually, certainly, they hope to achieve that kind of rate kind of rank on merit.
And this is an interview that was just this was like a week old. This is not something you said a long time ago.
This is not.
An.
Old.
Interview. And so so that is something that's very relevant.
Whether that will.
Matter in the.
Confirmation hearing.
We'll have to see. But I have heard all kinds of rumblings and.
Not just from.
Women, by the way. Yeah. It's you know, I've asked over the years the standard question, you know, what do you think about having your commander.
As a female? And they're like.
Look, we just don't think about it. You know, she's a soldier. She's she's the Air Force. Or if she does her job, that's all they care about. I am reading her book, and it's very much about how men have prevailed and how men have fought wars. There is an enormous contribution by women in the air, on the ground, overseas, everywhere.
Absolutely. Including a woman winning the Silver Star just just this week. Exactly. Um, so, but but more broadly, he's somebody who has been for the last eight years, an anchor on cable television on the weekend. Now he is 20 year, you know, a veteran.
He served honorably. He served in combat. He has the Bronze Star. I you know, that is great for him. He was a company. He was a company commander. I believe that's 5150, 100. About 130 to 150 in in a company. Now he's going to if he gets this nomination, 2.5 million. I mean, that's how many people you lead. You wrote about in in your book about Chris Miller, who was, I think, a battalion commander or a brigade commander, lots more people. Not that many more. And now it's it's a company commander has very strong opinions about the military. This would be a, a big change. I mean, he's also criticized very vocally, some of the generals who are already there. He's criticized diversity within the ranks. And, you know, you have the chairman of the Joint Chiefs right now, CQ Brown, who is an African-American and who, after the George Floyd murder, gave a very emotional tape, put out a tape to the troops talking about his own experiences with, as he said, racial injustice and what it had been like for an African American general.
Are they going to look at him and say, this is a guy who's woke, he's out of here.
Okay. And let me I mean, we can talk about this for a yes, we could, but but but let me know. You were just out in California. You were talking to to, uh, to farm workers in California about these plans for mass deportations.
What did you know? This is this is huge. Like, clearly, immigration is a big issue. And clearly there was a crisis at the border. And it's something they really do have to solve. But when you talk to farmers who are out there, and I talked to a farmer named Joe Del Bosque, and he owns a medium sized farm. They have melons and he has a whole crew. He said he never asks them whether they're documented or not. But we spoke to one of those undocumented workers, and he said he's been in the country for 40 years, and he's raised his family there, and that provides him income. The farmer said he could not do it without undocumented workers, which, of course, I said, look, America, are you taking American jobs? He said, no, I cannot find anybody but these workers to to pick these melons. And he felt like he might even miss crops that it would, that it would really affect what he could sell, what Americans may get.
He was very worried about it. Look, he's one of the brave people who will talk about it, right? And seem to have no problem saying, you know, a lot of these guys are undocumented. But he said, look, they've been terrific workers, and I don't know how we'll do it without him. So that's something we've looked at this week.
Any sense of the fear of the that this deportation.
Oh, yeah. And and the undocumented workers are like, I, I don't know what I'll do. I mean, finding finding people who would talk to us very difficult because they're very afraid they will there will be a raid and they will be sent back to wherever they came from.
But but you did. And we're going to see this on this week. On Sunday, you will be able to see Martha's report on the potential impact of Trump's immigration plan Sunday morning on This Week. And Martha also spoke with Democratic senators Senator elect Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Congressman Republican Congressman Tony Gonzalez, who represents the largest border district in Texas. Still ahead here on this week live our insiders on whether Trump's nominees can actually get confirmed. Sarah Isgur and former Senator Heidi Heitkamp. Join me next.
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Welcome back. I'm joined now by former Trump Justice Department official Sarah Isgur. Sarah, thank you for joining us.
Thanks for having me.
Okay. So you're just the person I want to talk to because as I said in your intro, you worked you were the spokesperson for the Trump Justice Department during the first Trump administration. You worked for a guy named Senator Sessions, soon to be attorney General Sessions and soon to be at odds with Donald Trump. So, Matt Gaetz, what was your initial reaction when you heard that Matt Gaetz was the pick to be attorney general?
It wasn't on my bingo card. I'll be really honest with you.
I was looking at Mike Lee. I was looking at Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general, some of those Missouri guys, but no, didn't have Matt Gates.
How do you how do you think the the the Justice Department, you worked over there, you know, you knew the career officials, you knew the political appointees. Obviously you worked with them. Uh, did a guy like Matt Gaetz, who has spent so much of the last several years attacking the Justice Department and saying he wanted to basically root out the career employees over there? How do you think this will be received if he actually becomes attorney general?
Well, I'll tell you, there's certainly been a lot of conversation about whether career attorneys at the Department of Justice will resign en masse and things like that. But, you know, the timing of this announcement was interesting because the Federalist Society National conference kicked off this week. And so you had several thousand of the top lawyers, conservative lawyers in the country convening in one place. And this was a hot topic of conversation. Obviously, I was surprised by how many of those Trump supporting lawyers who had planned to go into the Department of Justice, said, you know what? I think I'll stay at my law firm. This will simply be too rocky. If it had been a mike Lee, I was planning to quit and go for a few years and serve. But now I just don't think this is the type of stability that will work for my family and will allow me potentially to even go back to my law firm afterward.
All right, now, the big question beyond all of that, before we get to that is can he be confirmed? And you're hearing a lot of Republicans, mostly House Republicans, don't actually have a vote on this, saying there's no way he'll be confirmed. And former House Republicans like Kevin McCarthy are saying that, you know, gates is not going to be confirmed. I'm not so sure about that. But, look, I mean, it's a it's a very steep climb. Can Trump, if he can't get him confirmed, do what he has talked about, which is have Congress go into recess and then make a recess appointment, bypassing Senate confirmation? Can he really do that on something like an attorney general pick?
Well, let me explain what the Constitution says about it. It basically says the president has the power to adjourn Congress if the two houses can't agree. Now, of course, we've all been like, well, then they have to agree not to agree so that Trump has that power. Except, of course, if they do agree to adjourn, then they're adjourned. So it's heads you win, tails I lose. So there will be a recess, no doubt. Now the question is, what is the president's power in a recess? The Constitution in article two says that the president shall have the power to fill such vacancies as may arise during such a recess. Of course, this was back when Congress, um, you know, was gone and I mean gone back home. They would take days on a horse to get back. There weren't phones. There wasn't internet. And so if those vacancies happen, then it gave the president that recess appointment power so that he didn't have to go through the advise and consent process.
Now, in 2014, the Supreme Court 5 to 4 held look, yes, the president has that power. If the recess is for three or more days, we don't quite know what the number is. But President Obama like that fake recess. That was basically a long weekend that you tried to use. No. Congress was obviously in session. So you can't do that. But the four justices, led by Justice Scalia, who concurred only in the judgment that Obama couldn't do that, said, no, the vacancy itself has to arise during this recess. And that's what this is all going to be about if Donald Trump tries to use this.
Sir, let me let me just pause for a second because you're saying some very important stuff. But but it is a little bit complicated. So you're saying this whole, this power of the recess appointment that you had four justices on the Supreme Court who basically said that the president doesn't have this power unless it's the old fashioned kind of recess where Congress is out of town. They're done for the session. Not like now, not like a fake recession, where Scalia.
Said it was an anachronism of a constitutional power.
Now, wait a minute, because I know you know the person I know, you know the law, and I know you know the people. So there were four justices who voted this way saying, look, you really can't make these recess appointments like this. One of them is Scalia. Scalia is no longer with us. R.I.P.. Who were the other three?
It was the conservatives on the court. And that's why I really emphasize what that concurrence in the judgment only happened to say. It was Alito. It was Thomas. Um, it was Roberts.
So those three are still on the court? Yes. Okay, so if this goes back to the Supreme Court again, it'll be very interesting. The conservatives would not be on Trump's side unless they've had a change of heart in the last ten years. Fascinating.
And that itself wouldn't be unusual. The first Trump administration had the lowest success rate at the Supreme Court of any modern presidential administration lower than Obama, lower than Biden.
So the bottom line and we're out of time here. But the bottom line, it's not clear that this would work. Trump would try to do these recess appointments. It's not clear it would work.
But it takes a while for something to get to the Supreme Court. John.
So all right, Sarah Isgur, thank you for joining us. Talk to you again soon. Still ahead here on This Week Live, former Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp responds, we will be right back.
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All right, let's turn to former North Dakota senator Heidi Heitkamp. Senator Heitkamp, thank you for joining us.
Thanks for having me, John.
All right. Dying to talk to you about the Senate confirmation process coming up. Because if I'm right, you were there for the confirmations of Trump's first cabinet. Am I correct?
I was.
Okay. Uh, I there were some controversy surrounding some of his nominees. How much different did these pics look than those?
Oh, I don't even think there's a comparison.
Um, you know, the comparison.
Between, uh, Gates.
And Jeff.
Sessions.
Number one, Jeff Sessions had a lot of friends in the Senate. He was a very conservative, served as attorney general and U.S. attorney.
In his state.
And then, you know.
So clearly highly qualified, but not somebody that people would ideologically agree on. And I think what Trump discovered with those early picks where.
You know, they seem to be more.
Mainstream Republican.
They.
Weren't going to be loyal to him. Jeff Sessions was fairly loyal to the Department of Justice and the rule of law. And so Trump looks at that and says, I'm not going with one of these safe picks. I'm going to go with somebody who I know will do what I ask them to do. And that should terrify everyone, especially limited qualifications. Never mind all the investigations, but think.
About.
Qualifications of this candidate versus the even Bill Barr, um, people who served in the Justice Department for Trump in the first term.
I mean, Bill Barr and all kinds of experience. He was a former attorney general, for God's sake. It's, uh, it's quite it's quite a difference. Uh, so what is your sense? I mean, you were there. As you know, it took a while to get the rest of his cabinet in place the last time, even though it was, by these standards, far more mainstream. Do you think that the likes of Gates and Hegseth and Tulsi Gabbard and Bobby Kennedy get confirmed and if so, how long does that process take?
Well, let's just play this out, John. When you look at the process that they're going.
To go through.
The Democrats want nothing.
More than a confirmation process for these.
Folks, because in the first 100 days, it's all going to be about their lack of qualifications, suspicion regarding.
Relationships.
To Russia.
You know, just.
Just, you know, you.
Had the earlier.
Segment with Martha talking about somebody who is going to.
Really.
Put a crimp on recruitment. These are all really tough questions for people to answer. And then put yourself in a fellow South Dakotans position, John Thune, he's going to put his his caucus out there, and they're going to have to either say no to Trump and yes to the rule of law, or they're going to have to, you know, kind of be responsible for these appointments. And so, you know, whether John Thune basically does the recess and allows these appointments to go forward, I think is a litmus test for Trump, and it's also a litmus test for Thune. But you can understand why he doesn't want that distraction of these, really, I think, horrific picks for the cabinet to evaporate. Any opportunity you have in the first 100 days.
It's going to be wild. And if they try to move for a recess to do this, I can only imagine what goes down on the on the floor of the United States Senate. Look, Senator Heitkamp, always great to talk to you. One of those Democrats in the Senate who had a a very good relationship with the Republicans. Uh, it's going to be it's going to be interesting to watch.
I actually think I yeah, you bet.
You actually think what?
Well, I actually think I voted for every one of his appointments because I figured he's entitled to his team, and that should be the attitude. But at some point you do have advise and consent for a reason. And the question is, is, is if Thune does decide he's going to go to a recess appointment, does he have the votes? Given given how controversial these appointments are.
It takes 50 votes to go into recess. It'd be hard to imagine any Democrat and maybe a few Republicans who would vote for every single one of these nominees, like like you did. Thank you very much, Senator Heitkamp. We'll talk to you again soon.
You bet. Take care.
Still ahead here on this week, we'll break down how Capitol Hill was reacting to Trump's nominees. We are back in just a moment.
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Welcome back. Many of Trump's nominees are sure to face an uphill battle in Congress. So let's bring in Politico playbook co-author Rachael Bade, who is the expert on all things Capitol Hill. Rachael, thank you for being here. Thanks for having.
Me, John.
Bottom line, do these nominees get through? Do they all get through? Does gates get through? Does Hegseth get through? Does Tulsi Gabbard get through?
You know, I kind of agree with.
You, John. I've been hearing you say throughout the week that, you know, when everybody expresses.
This.
Skepticism that people like Matt Gaetz are going to get confirmed, they're sort of ignoring the fact that, you know, Donald Trump had this decisive victory on Election Day, and a lot of these Senate Republicans, they're going to feel pressure to vote for one of these nominees or multiple of these nominees. I think that, you know, the fact that Donald Trump has sort of flooded the zone right now with all these controversial picks has sort of sent this signal to Senate Republicans that if they're going to take out one, they're going to feel even more pressure to fall in line, you know, with with the rest of them. And so, I think Senate Republicans, I would not envy their position right now. They don't want to be out there going against the leader of their party, who, frankly, is the reason why they hold the majority right now. They don't want to see the MAGA wing of the party come after them and troll them on Twitter, as was happening during the leadership race just about a week ago.
But look.
They have concerns about each one of these, John, and we could go through them. And this is not a a predicament that they want to find themselves in.
I mean, if there were a secret ballot, I think that maybe there could be four, maybe five nominees that would go down, not just Matt Gaetz, but I I tell you, I think that it's going to be very hard for the reasons you just enumerated for these Republicans to say, Mr.. Donald Trump, after winning the popular vote, after helping us regain the majority. I'm going to say no to your pick for attorney general. I think that's going to be tough. But let me ask you about one that we've talked less about who is very controversial. And that's Tulsi Gabbard, of course, a lifelong Democrat, former member of the House, also a combat veteran, but somebody who went to see Assad in Syria at a time when when the United States was was was saying Assad had used chemical weapons on his own people. Somebody who has had very controversial views on Russia. I want to play for you something that Tulsi Gabbard said before she went MAGA. This is just four years ago, so it's not ancient history.
For four and a half years ago, 2020, this is what she said after the U.S. attack, led by ordered by Donald Trump on Iranian leader Qasem Soleimani, seen as as the primary tool for exporting terror from Iran. Many see it as a as a highlight of Trump's term in terms of national security. This is how Tulsi Gabbard responded to it.
We've heard Trump.
Supporters and.
President Trump.
Basically say, look, no.
American casualties.
And we took out.
A bad guy, Soleimani, a terrorist leader. What would your.
Response to that be?
Well, first, you know.
I just came from.
The intelligence briefing that the administration.
Came and brought to.
Congress. Really, they provided vague comments, no justification whatsoever for this illegal and unconstitutional act of war that President Trump took. You don't.
Buy the imminence of.
An imminent.
Attack against Americans.
They failed to provide any compelling information to.
Prove their point of imminence. And really, it brings us to the central question here, which is, is our country's national security better off because of Donald Trump's actions and decisions? The answer to that is no.
So I just want to underline the words no justification whatsoever for this illegal and unconstitutional act of war that President Trump took. Now, you're old enough to remember that Tulsi Gabbard was a supporter, maybe a co-chair of Bernie Sanders presidential campaign. Does she I mean, could we see her actually get Democratic votes and then Republicans voting no.
That's actually a good question, John. Uh, Democrats obviously are not happy that she has moved over to the Trump wing of the party to support Donald Trump, so I would be skeptical of that. But she could certainly pick up a few, perhaps even Bernie Sanders. But look, I think the fact that we're not even hearing or seeing, you know, headlines about Tulsi Gabbard, this just really underscores just how controversial all these picks are. I mean, at any other time with any other president, you know, somebody a president having a selection like this, this would be top of mind, especially for Republicans who, you know, say they've often been sort of Russia hawks. And she's somebody who is now very much pro Russia.
Look, I.
Just to step back here, though. I mean, Heidi Heitkamp made a point in the last segment that I think is really critical for Donald Trump. I think obviously he's sending a signal to Washington right now that he wants to bend Republicans to his will, and that he thinks he has the.
Right to do.
It. He has the mandate to do it. But look, if he's doing this and having these confirmation battles, he's not going to be able to sort of get Congress to sort of pass legislation and work on, like the sausage making of actually moving an agenda through Congress. I mean, if they're having these high profile hearings, you can already see a situation where Democrats are pushing for, for instance, with Pete Hegseth, this girl who alleged she had a sexual he sexually assaulted her, calling up to Capitol Hill, you can already see a situation where the witnesses who have come forward to the House Ethics Committee, um, you know, want to come to testify. This is going to suck up all the oxygen in Washington. And that means no time for.
A Trump hunter.
De agenda to get.
Things passed. Yeah. All right. Rachel. Babe, we didn't get a chance to talk about Mitch McConnell, which is what I really wanted to talk to you about. So we'll talk to you again soon. We're out of time. We'll be right back.
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Washington, and right now on ABC News Live. Turmoil over some of president elect Trump's controversial cabinet picks.
House speaker.
Mike Johnson.
Comes to the defense of Matt.
Gaetz, saying he will.
Strongly request that the findings of a.
Bipartisan investigation into Trump's choice for attorney general are not released. And President Biden is set to meet with Chinese President XI Jinping on.
The sidelines.
Of a major summit in.
Peru.
What's at stake as Beijing prepares for Trump's return to the white.
House and.
The bench trial getting underway for the man accused of murdering 22 year old nursing student Laken Riley, the latest in the case that the president.
Elect and.
Others have used as a rallying cry for immigration reform. But we begin with president elect Donald Trump announcing more staffing decisions, as his transition to a second term moves at a breakneck pace. Today, he officially announced he picked North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to lead the Department of the interior.
And a newly.
Formed National Energy Council. Steven Chung was tapped to be white House communications director and Sergio Gore for director of the Presidential Personnel Office. Both had been advisors to the president elect since 2016.
This is as concerns.
Grow among some Republicans on Capitol Hill over some of Trump's more controversial decisions. A source telling ABC News the Trump transition team was aware of a 2017 sexual assault claim against defense secretary nominee and Fox News anchor Pete Hegseth. His attorneys tell us he was cleared of any wrongdoing, and the House Ethics Committee is facing mounting pressure to release its report on sexual misconduct and illicit drug use claims against Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz. Those claims include accusations he had sex with a woman when she was just 17 years old. Gaetz has denied the allegations. Let's bring in ABC News Jay O'Brien, along with ABC News White House correspondent MaryAlice parks, who is live at the white House. Jay, I'll start with you, because we did hear Republican House speaker Mike Johnson urging the Ethics committee not to release this report on Gaetz. What's he saying about that decision?
Yeah. His argument, Elizabeth, is that the Ethics Committee investigates members of the House. And because Matt Gaetz has resigned his role as a member of the House of Representatives in order to become Donald Trump's attorney general, nominee Mike Johnson says that they have no jurisdiction over Matt Gaetz anymore. And this report, which we've learned from sources, was in the final stages of being compiled in this investigation, wrapping up just before Gaetz resigned. Johnson says this report should stay with the committee. Should not be released. Here's a little bit of what he told reporters earlier today.
The rules of the House have always been.
That a former member is beyond the jurisdiction of the ethics committee, and so I, I don't think that's relevant now.
And look, there is at least one example where a former member was within the jurisdiction of the ethics committee. And a report like this was released after that individual left Congress. It's also worth pointing out here, Elizabeth, we don't know what they talked about, but we do know that Speaker Johnson was with Donald Trump at an event at Mar a Lago last night. Johnson told reporters he wouldn't say what was discussed between the two men.
Notable. We, of course, have Republicans on the Hill. They have been scratching their heads at some of the other picks, including Trump's nomination of Fox News anchor Pete Hegseth for defense secretary. Any signs he could face hurdles on the Hill when it comes to his confirmation?
It's very possible. We've heard from some who have questioned his level of experience, particularly because he's never served in a senior national security type role. We haven't seen the kind of opposition to Pete Hegseth that we've seen for other controversial nominees, namely Matt Gaetz. I mean, there are moderate Republican senators at this hour who have gone on the record in public and said that they are opposed to this Matt Gaetz nomination. There are others who are saying it behind closed doors. Pete Hegseth has not gotten that level of opposition at this hour. I've even talked to some Republicans who say they like the fact that he doesn't have senior level national security experience because they believe he could go into the Pentagon and shake things up. It's unclear if that sentiment is pervasive across the Senate, but he could face hurdles, particularly this thing hanging around his neck, about his experience.
Got to wonder which of these nominees is the one if if any who Republicans do take a stand on. MaryAlice let's talk about Trump's pick of RFK Jr. For Health and Human Services Secretary. A lot of controversy there as well. Today we're hearing from both sides of the abortion debate when it comes to this choice.
Yeah, this is interesting. I mean, leading medical organizations have been speaking out against this nomination or at least expressing concern. I think there's a lot of concern that he has a record of spreading debunked claims about science. He's on the record bashing science scientists, medical professionals. It's been a cornerstone of his brand. So yeah, we're having medical professionals across the board sort of express concern. But so interesting on abortion. I mean, on the campaign trail, he was really all over the place when it came to his stance on reproductive health access to abortion. He often flip flopped on the issue. So now you have groups sort of on the left anti. Sorry. Excuse me. On the right, sort of anti-abortion groups like the Susan B Anthony Pro-Life for America group, saying that they are concerned that he is not conservative enough on this issue. On the other hand, you have groups on the left that are sort of proponents of of reproductive health care, want to make sure there continues to be access to abortion, that the federal government isn't doing more to, to stamp stomp, access to abortion that are saying that they are concerned.
So he is definitely taking incoming and criticism from both sides of this debate.
No question about that. And more to come I'm sure. Jay O'Brien and MaryAlice parks, thank you both so much. Let's take a deeper dive into Trump's nomination of RFK Jr to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Here's what he said about vaccines back in July 2023.
There's no vaccine that is, you know, safe and Ineffective.
He has never been anti-vaccine, and he's not going to take vaccines away from people. People ought to have a choice. Joining us now is chief of infectious diseases at South Shore Health, doctor Todd Ellerin. Doctor Todd Ellerin, thank you so much for being here. Really great to have you on this Friday. Let's let's talk a little bit about what exactly RFK Jr would be doing as the head of HHS. This is a huge government agency, but not one that a lot of households might feel like they're really interacting with day to day.
Right. I mean, you can think of the secretary of HHS as really the key health care leader in the United States. It's the person that's really going to lead America's health care into the future. This position is responsible for 13 agencies under it, 85,000 employees. These include agencies like the FDA, who's responsible for food safety and authorizing drugs and vaccines, and and novel medical equipment. The National Institutes of Health. Where do our research dollars go? Do they go into cancer research, obesity research, diabetes, things like that? Both basic research, clinical research like clinical trials and translational research, which is sort of the in between how you get something from in the lab to actually, you know, a medication that we take, not just that, but also the CDC. Think about the CDC. There really are most important public health agencies. So you can think of our pandemic response. Let's face it, Elizabeth, we just a few years ago, we met with a once in a century type of pandemic.
So these are really the agencies that HHS looks over, in addition to the fact that this person oversees Medicare and Medicaid, which is responsible for ensuring a millions of people, both elderly and vulnerable people in the United States. So it's a really important position.
Let's talk a little bit about his position on vaccines. You know, we have seen vaccine skepticism, especially by parents for children on the rise since the Covid pandemic. What contributed to this rise in Covid 19 skepticism? And and, Doctor Ellen, is there a difference between Covid 19 vaccines compared to some of those for measles or mumps that have been around for decades?
I just want to preface this by saying there was a really important study published just this past May in The Lancet, and it looked at vaccines over the past 50 years. These were vaccines against 14 preventable infections, bacterial and viral infections. And what it showed is that there has been 150 million lives saved over the past 50 years. That's six lives every minute because of vaccination. I think one of the things that's important, though, is that we sometimes have what's called historical amnesia. See, we haven't necessarily lived in the 1940s or the 1950s, when things like polio and measles were running rampant. Those didn't just magically go away. It was the vaccines that have made those become essentially illnesses that we haven't seen. Again, the eradication of smallpox. And the hope is that we haven't had to see these. And if we continue to vaccinate that our children and our children's children, there will be more illnesses that really disappear. So I think you brought up a good point, though the Covid 19 pandemic has certainly brought with it the increases in vaccine hesitancy.
Vaccine hesitancy has always been there. I think what's important, though, is these agencies that the Health and Human Services lead, like the centers for Disease Control, FDA, NIH, these all work together to make sure that vaccine development are safe and effective and that it can be distributed to the masses. So to answer your question, there's really no difference between Covid vaccines and other vaccines. Of course, there are differences in effectiveness overall. Some are better than others, but you know they are safe and they're effective. Otherwise they would not be ultimately approved by agencies like the FDA.
Really great context for us, and we have seen a lot of high quality studies debunk that theory, especially among childhood, that childhood vaccines could cause autism. You alluded to this a little bit, Doctor Ellerin, but what happens when this hesitancy, this skepticism translates into fewer people actually getting their shots? And like you say, we are seeing the consequences of that with outbreaks of diseases like measles.
Absolutely. Elizabeth, if you go back into the early 1900s, 30% of the mortality was in children under the age of five. Most of those were infants under the age of one. Now, why was that? It's not all because of lack of vaccinations. Some of it was lack of sanitation, lack of clean water, lack of access to health care, lack of nutrition. But some of that was the fact that we didn't have vaccines back then. Since the 1970s, there has been a 40% reduction in infant mortality. Coincidence coincident with our adopting increasing vaccination with childhood vaccines. So I think it's I can't understate the fact of how important vaccination is as a public health initiative. It's one of the biggest initiatives that have saved more lives than other things right up there with clean water.
Doctor Todd Allen, really great context for us. Thanks so much for joining us tonight. You too. Take care. President Biden is in Peru this week for a summit with world leaders. And on the agenda tomorrow is a high stakes meeting with Chinese President XI Jinping. It will be their third meeting since Biden took office, and comes at a time of tense relations between the U.S. and China. ABC's Alex Presha is traveling with the president. He is in Lima, Peru with more. Alex. Talk a little bit about what President Biden's goal is here with this meeting with XI. You know, so many world leaders right now not really focused on Biden, but on president elect Trump about to take office.
Well, Elizabeth, you're absolutely right. This is a period of transition, not just for the United States, but for for for many countries that have newly elected leaders, Biden meeting a number of them for the first time at this APEC summit. But looking ahead to tomorrow, as Biden is really kind of taking his final lap on the world stage, this is an opportunity to reassure President XI of a smooth transition between the administration. That is going to be a focus, according to the white House. Something else that the two leaders are going to drill down on are the things that they actually have in common, primarily the importance of the military to military communication between the two countries. Also, these counter-narcotic efforts that they have and then also air safety is something that they're going to going to talk about tomorrow.
So we have seen President Biden criticize North Korea's aggression for their role in helping Russia with the war in Ukraine. How big of a focus will that be when you think about key U.S. allies in that region? And obviously the ongoing questions over what happens to Ukraine in a Trump presidency?
Yeah. Well, so it's interesting that you bring that up, Elizabeth, because the president just wrapped a trilateral meeting with the president of South Korea and also the new prime minister, Ishiba of Japan, specifically focusing on this, the DPRK, North Korea and their involvement with Russia. It's something that concerns all three countries, especially with the aggression in that South China Sea. The use of those 10,000 North Korean troops for Russia's war with Ukraine. The three countries talking about how they might have to, might have to start looking at different military posturing in the region or potential sanctions going forward. North Korea, though, dominated that conversation, which lasted about 40 minutes. The one thing that did not come up, though, Donald Trump, the white House telling us this afternoon that this was very much a conversation about the here and now.
Notable absence there. Alex Presha in Lima, Peru. Thanks so much for being with us. Alex, coming up, the bench trial getting underway for the man accused of murdering 22 year old nursing student Laken Riley. The latest on that just ahead.
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2020.
You think the shooter.
Was parked over here?
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Wig on.
And gun somebody.
Down in a parking.
Lot? A young.
Father of.
Senselessly murdered.
Twists and turns. Bombshells galore. He got.
Shot for one of three things greed.
Revenge or lust. It was becoming more and more clear that there was a lot more to the story. And then.
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New 2020 tonight on ABC.
Testimony began today in the trial of the man prosecutors say killed 22 year old Georgia nursing student Laken Riley. Jose Ibarra is charged with felony murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault with intent to rape, among other charges. He's pleaded not guilty to those crimes. Riley's death became a rallying cry for immigration reform from many conservatives, including president elect Donald Trump. ABC's Morgan Norwood is following it all.
The bench trial against Jose Ibarra, the undocumented migrant charged in the brutal murder of nursing student getting underway in an Athens, Georgia, courtroom. Ibarra listening intently during opening statements. Prosecutors telling the judge Ibarra was on a hunt for women to sexually assault when he allegedly ventured onto a University of Georgia running trail in February, saying the victim, Lincoln Riley, fought for her life and when.
Laken Riley refused.
To be his rape.
Victim.
He bashed.
Her skull in.
With a.
Rock.
Repeatedly.
Ibarra facing ten criminal counts, including murder, aggravated assault and kidnapping and what prosecutors described as a crime of opportunity. The defense questioning the evidence early on the.
Evidence.
That.
Jose Ibarra killed Laken Riley.
Is circumstantial.
The evidence that anyone had any intent or certainly.
Committed.
Any sexual assault is speculation.
The prosecution questioning one of the officers who found Laken Riley's body on that UGA trail, playing the body camera video, where he can be heard frantically calling for backup and performing CPR.
Ma'am. Ma'am, ma'am, I need EMS.
It's a case that stoked the national immigration debate ahead of the November election, when federal authorities said Ibarra came to this country illegally from Venezuela in 2022.
He represents more.
Than just the crime of murder, which is being charged with. He represents a poor border policy. He represents immigration policies.
Ibarra, who has pleaded not guilty, waived his right to a jury trial. So this case is being heard and decided by the judge. If convicted, Ibarra could spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Elizabeth Morgan Norwood. Thank you. Coming up, the Pentagon's new report on UFOs after a high profile hearing on Capitol Hill. What it shows about hundreds of sightings, including those that defense officials say cannot be explained.
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Welcome back to ABC News Live. A new report from the Pentagon says UFO sightings are on the rise. The Department of Defense says hundreds of new sightings have been reported within the last year, including several that it says can't be explained. Chief global affairs correspondent Martha Raddatz has the details.
Reporter Navy pilots have seen them.
My gosh. They're all going against the wind. The wind's 120 knots from the west.
More than 1600 unidentified flying objects have been reviewed by the government's Anomaly Resolution Office, or Ero, over the years. 98% of them eventually found to be debris, drones or even large birds. But new numbers this morning from May of 2023 to June of 2024 show 757 new sightings, with 21 of them that cannot be explained, and all 21 mysterious objects were seen near national security sites, witnessed by multiple people, or captured on sensors or videos. While the Pentagon does not know what they were, they are quick to steer the public away from little green men.
To date, the.
Department has.
Discovered no verifiable evidence of extraterrestrial beings activity or technology.
But at a hearing this week, the former head of the Pentagon program investigating these objects says nothing should be ruled out as.
The government conducted secret UAP.
Crash retrieval programs. Yes or no? Yes. Were they designed to identify and reverse engineer alien craft? Yes or no? Yes.
Let me be clear. Advanced technologies not made by our government or any other government are monitoring sensitive military installations.
Martha Raddatz, thank you for that. Much more news ahead here on ABC News Live. And today's big story. Growing concerns from some Republicans over president elect Donald Trump's more controversial staffing decisions. What his transition team is now saying about a sexual assault claim against his defense secretary pick, Pete Hegseth. In our spotlight, President Biden is set to meet with Chinese President XI Jinping tomorrow on the sidelines of a major summit. What's at stake as Beijing prepares for Trump's return to the white House?
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Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are grappling with some of president elect Donald Trump's controversial staffing decisions. I'm Elizabeth Schultz in Washington in today's big story. Pressure growing on the House Ethics Committee to release its report on Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz. House speaker Mike Johnson now weighing in, plus what the president elect's transition team is saying about a sexual assault claim against his defense secretary pick, Pete Hegseth. And in our spotlight, President Biden is set to meet with Chinese President XI Jinping tomorrow on the sidelines of a major summit in Peru. What's at stake as Beijing prepares for Trump's return to the white House? And what about that looming ban on TikTok? We begin with our big story president elect Donald Trump announcing more staffing decisions as his transition to a second term moves at a breakneck pace. Today, he officially announced he picked North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum to lead the Department of the interior and a newly formed National Energy Council. Stephen Chung was tapped to be white House communications director and Sergio Gore for director of the Presidential Personnel Office.
Both had been advisers to the president elect since 2016. This is as concerns among some Republicans grow over some of Trump's more controversial decisions. A source telling ABC News the Trump transition team was aware of a 2017 sexual assault claim against defense secretary nominee and Fox News anchor Pete Hegseth. His attorneys tell us he was cleared of any wrongdoing, and the House Ethics Committee is facing mounting pressure to release its report on sexual misconduct and illicit drug use claims against Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz. Those claims include allegations he had sex with a woman when she was just 17 years old. Gaetz has denied the allegations. Let's bring the big story to our panel. Joining us today is ABC news contributor and Sirius XM radio host. Mike Muse, ABC news contributor and editor at The National Review Ramesh Ponnuru. Former Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Department of Homeland Security Marcia Espinoza and Trump White House deputy director of Communications Ramon Darabi. Thank you all so much for being here on our panel tonight. I'll start with you. My sources tell us that the bipartisan House Ethics Committee was preparing to release this report on Matt Gaetz as early as this week.
House Speaker Johnson is saying now that he will strongly recommend that recommend that that report is not released. So should the public and the Senate know about these findings about Matt Gaetz ahead of a confirmation hearing?
Well, look, the speaker was very clear on his reasoning why he chose not to release this information. It would set a.
Very dangerous.
Precedent for the future of Congress.
And at the same time, it's.
Important to remember that the DOJ.
Has dropped this case, that there was no there.
There there was.
No.
Substance.
To back up these claims.
Enough to.
Actually bring a legal case. So the fact that Congress is, you know, having their own investigation and chose to to not release.
These details.
Is actually in line with what the DOJ chose to do here. So I'm.
Not sure that it's.
Something that really.
Needs to be focused on this much.
The president has made a.
Lot of announcements this week for really important cabinet positions.
Including.
The State Department, including national director of intelligence. You know, all of these things are going to be critical.
In order to.
Find a way to.
Really secure America and find.
A way to get the entire world in a in a place of peace. Again, as we've seen over the last few years, war is truly raging. That's not an overstatement, and it takes good leadership.
I think we're going to see a whole.
Cabinet panel of new leadership. You could call them rebels if you want, but it's going to be.
A new era for.
America.
Of course, for now, they are still nominees. Ramesh, we have heard some criticisms, whether it's against Matt Gaetz or Pete Hegseth or Tulsi Gabbard from some Republicans already in the Senate who will ultimately be deciding if these are approved. How do you see this playing out? A little bit of a loyalty test early on here when it comes to Senate Republicans.
Right.
The question of whether they're being loyal to Donald Trump, although, of course, they don't take an.
Oath to Donald.
Trump. They take an oath to the Constitution, which gives the Senate advice and consent role. And traditionally, it.
Has been.
Thought that.
The standards for making somebody attorney.
General.
Should be a little higher than simply no charges were brought against him for having.
Sex with a.
Minor.
I think it is incumbent on the Senate to get hold of as much.
Evidence as it.
Can and.
To really fully.
Evaluate all of.
These nominees, including Mr..
Gaetz.
What does it say to you, Marcia, when you think about these cabinet picks, when you look at them, what does it say to you about Trump's priorities in his second term?
It says that his priorities are rewarding his.
Friends, people.
That have been loyal to him or frankly, some rich people. A lot.
Of these cabinet.
Picks have raised serious.
Concerns, actually, on both.
Sides of the aisle.
You have, you know.
Like you were talking about Matt Gaetz, who allegedly engaged in some inappropriate behavior with a teenager. We've got an anti-vaxxer to to possibly head up HHS. Someone who believes in conspiracy theories. Another who is a possibly a Russian asset. Just so many questions about the moral character, about these people who seem to actually loathe the very departments that they've been picked to lead. So, you know, an alarmingly, it seems like they are sidestepping the process to have background checks on some of these Individuals. So, you know, I went through two background checks, pretty serious ones, before I was allowed to look at any national security matters. And I strongly believe that that these folks coming in need to have that these processes are in place for a reason. And these civil servants that work at these departments deserve to be working with the best of the best people that have been vetted and are experts in their fields. And right now, it just doesn't seem to to be that way. I just, you know, what is coming next is, is he going to appoint El Chapo to lead the the DEA?
I mean, it just seems like it is a it's it's it's opposite day.
I mean, to be clear, I mean, president elect Trump did make very clear on the campaign trail that he intended to make, for example, RFK Jr. Part of his cabinet. Mike Muse, I know you talked to a lot of listeners from across the country. We know that Trump won overwhelmingly and that Republicans want both chambers was his promise of some of these picks part of his appeal? What? What do they make of these names that are being out? Thrown out?
Elizabeth. Absolutely. I think there's a there's something is happening in America that Trump has been able to tap into into the electorate. There's a lot of things that are going unspoken in the electorate that doesn't show up in exit polls, where individuals, the voting public, possibly don't feel comfortable saying to to pollsters or to journalists as they're leaving the booth. My thoughts on this, Elizabeth, was last night. I was having dinner in New York City. We've really been leaning into the white male vote who overwhelmingly voted for president elect Trump, as well as the non-college educated white male. Well, last night in New York, I was having dinner with a group of three white men. Um, all three of them were college educated. One was a former leader in the military, who is probably somewhere between 30 and 45. I asked them what their thoughts were particular around death, and resoundingly they supported this pick. They really leaned into Seth's background at Princeton. They leaned into his background as a former veteran.
And the things that Seth have said on Fox News, the ideology that he's laid out in his book, his POV on his reimagining of the Defense Department, his reimagining of the military, his reimagining of military leadership, his thoughts on on wokeism within the military had no impact on these individuals. They thought that the American public should give him a chance. They really leaned into his Princeton background. And so, Elizabeth, there is this there's a there there that is going unspoken in the American electorate that Trump has been able to tap into. And there's a disconnect into the sentiment that we in the media believe and possibly even those in on in Congress, but some of the American public are thinking much differently than we have been able to really unpack.
I saw you shaking your head a little bit there for a moment.
Yeah. I mean, I agree with Mike. I think.
That what President.
Trump was able to accomplish is very similar to what he did in 2016, giving a voice to people that truly feel like they've been forgotten in this country. It's not just white men that went towards him. It was minorities in volumes as well. You look at the ratio between President Joe Biden and what Kamala Harris was not able to accomplish during this race, and those margins are massive. I mean, the loss went directly to President Trump. It was it was a direct flip. And I don't think any American went to the polls last week not knowing what they were voting for. If they cast their vote for President Trump. You can't necessarily say the same for Kamala Harris. She was very back and forth on a lot of different issues, and I do believe that that actually did not help her. If she had made a choice, maybe she could have split the difference on some of those undecided voters, but it definitely hurt her in the end. So the people that did end up coming out for President Trump, giving him that overwhelming majority in the House, the Senate and the white House, you know, the popular vote that we talked about all all week that is going to make a huge difference in these cabinet picks.
So no one should really be surprised by the dynamic that they're seeing of the different types of people that are being represented for his cabinet. He said that he was going to make massive change. That means draining the swamp, and that's exactly what he's trying to do.
I guess the question is, Ramesh said, is do any of the senators who will be ultimately approving these nominations agree with that or disagree? Were the jury's still out on that one, I guess.
They were elected to.
And that's what it made for some exciting confirmation hearings in the months ahead. All right, guys, we're going to leave it there. We have more ahead here. Mike Muse really interesting insight, too on that conversation about Pete Hegseth. Great context there. We'll come back. Mike. Muse. Ramesh. Martin Rama. Stick around. Because coming up, we'll talk about President Biden. Yes. There is a president of the United States right now in Peru meeting with world leaders. What we can expect out of his big meeting tomorrow with China's President XI Jinping.
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An operation to capture ISIS fighters.
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In today's spotlight, President Biden is in Peru this week for a summit with world leaders. On the agenda is a high stakes meeting tomorrow with Chinese President XI Jinping. This will be their third meeting since Biden took office. Comes at a time of tense relations between the U.S. and China. Let's bring back our panel. Mike, Ramesh, Marcia and Roma. Ramesh, I'll go to you first. We know that obviously, President Biden only has about two months left here in office. What goals, realistically can he accomplish when he's on the world stage, having this meeting with XI Jinping? And is this really more of a swan song for Biden here?
Well, what the administration has been saying is that they're trying to orchestrate a kind of stable transition, which is very important actually, given that this is probably the most important bilateral relationship in the world that between the US and China. And I think there is some hope for success insofar as there has been a bipartisan shift on US-China relations in the United States, where there's a much more skepticism, much more toughness. I don't know that either party has figured out a way to effectively deter bad behavior from China and either the economic or geopolitical sphere. But I do think there's going to be more continuity. And there has been from Trump to Biden. And I think now there's going to be some from Biden to Trump.
And, well, of course, Trump's first term was marked by a contentious relationship with China. He has not made it any secret. He wants to up tariffs on China, up to 60% on Chinese imports. How soon do you expect him to follow through on some of those threats from the campaign trail.
Well, it depends on China's posture here.
And we've all seen President Trump's relation with China in the past. We actually were able to accomplish a really, honestly tremendous trade deal that is no longer spoken about because of the disaster that came of Covid directly following that agreement. So, you know, it's not that no relationship with China is possible in a positive manner. It certainly is. But at the end of the day, everybody on this panel would agree with me. I hope when I say that China is the biggest national security threat to America, that remains regardless of the the wars that are raging overseas. China is a somewhat of a sleepy snake. It comes in through the grass and bites you when you're not looking. We saw a couple of years ago the China spy balloon that everybody talked about, you know, that they said was a total accident. But this is going to be interesting to see what happens. We already know that President Trump is assembling a team of what the media is calling China hawks. So there is going to be this tough on China stance.
But it comes at an interesting time when you do have this this meeting with multiple Asia countries and President Biden just as he's leaving office. So what you'll see is the strength coming from the top. Again, like I mentioned in the last segment, those are going to be the officials that are supporting President Trump America First agenda. And President XI said just today, I believe that that is what he's most concerned about. That America First agenda is potentially going to threaten their country, and it should, because we need to have that America First posture in order to protect ourselves, our people and our national security.
Yeah, people that Trump has nominated, like his secretary of state nominee, Senator Marco Rubio. No secret he is a self-described almost China hawk. Marcia, do you agree that China is the biggest threat geopolitically to the US. And what about the position to. If I could get your view on Taiwan, which we know is clearly, you know, caught in the middle of the escalating tensions here?
Yeah, all of these relationships are so important. And one thing President Biden has done well was keep a steady relationship with China. And we know that he's going to bring up some controversial issues, like China's support of Russia and the war against Ukraine, some of the recent cybersecurity attacks that we've seen on both Trump and Harris campaigns. And important to DHS, there's the the precursor chemicals that come from China to make fentanyl. That's a that's a huge, huge issue. A lot of them are are shipped over there. So but yeah, you're right. Looming over all of this is what Trump plans to do when he takes office. So this is a transitional meeting but one that I think is is important to have as we keep that, you know, peaceful order of transfer going.
Mike Muse you know, I wasn't going to let an entire segment between the US and China go by, go by without asking about TikTok, because, of course, that TikTok ban is set to take effect just one day before Trump takes office. He has said he does not want that to go into place. He's a fan of TikTok. How do you see that all playing out?
I'm laughing because you and I both report on technology and and the idea, and I've been sitting back listening to the panel and really been thinking about this meeting tomorrow as what all of us policy wonks do is we think about policy meetings the next day. But I think this is very interesting. Uh, president elect Trump has had a very interesting and complicated friendship with President XI. And I do think a complicated friendship is different than a complicated relationship that Biden and the US has with China. Oftentimes, president elect has spoke very lovingly of President XI. And so I think tomorrow we're going to be able to witness, really, what it means to be a lame duck because of the fact of President XI is not thinking about the present as he is thinking about two months from now, when president elect Trump takes the oath of office and where they can find common ground. President elect Trump has a different world view of geopolitics. President XI is very aware of that that differs from President Biden. President elect Trump has a different world view when it comes to American capitalism, entrepreneurship, American first tariffs, but also to President XI has an understanding of relationships and really looking at that relationship and dynamic between President XI and President Putin, where president elect Trump has spoken very lovingly about both of those leaders.
And so those individuals make strange bedfellows which make strange alliances, which makes unique and interesting policies to which President XI is very familiar with president elect Trump. And so all that to say, I think it is going to be fascinating to see the reaction the president is going to have with President Biden, but he's really focusing on on president elect Trump. And I don't see TikTok going anywhere. I've always said that from day one of this is that TikTok isn't going anywhere. The American public loves, uh, the way that it does.
And Trump knows the American public loves it. And he is popular on that platform, too. Mike. Ramesh, Marcia Roma, thank you so much. Coming up in our last call, one of them is a 27 year old YouTube star. The other is a 58 year old and the former baddest man on the planet. The absurdity and appeal of Jake Paul versus Mike Tyson. We're going to talk about it coming up next.
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We are part of an operation. This is our combat operation center.
We're approaching the gate. Militants came in from.
I appreciate you. Thank you. Ismail. David. David.
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Reporting from Des Moines, Iowa. I'm Alex Presha. Wherever the story is, we'll take you there. You're streaming ABC news live.
It is time now for our last call. And it's part sport, part spectacle. How much of each depends on who you ask. Later tonight, Mike Tyson will square off against Jake Paul in a boxing event unlike anything we have ever seen. Tyson is 58. He dominated the sport in the 80s and 90s. Paul is 27. Former Disney and YouTube star who started boxing just six years ago. The two have yet to step in the ring but have already come to blows, iron Mike slapping Paul across the face at their final staredown. Critics are calling it a gimmick fight, but the interest here is undeniable. A crowd of 80,000 is expected at the stadium in Dallas. Netflix is, of course, streaming it live. Let's bring back Mike, Martha, Roma and Ramesh. Mike, what are you going to watch? Should this fight even be happening?
Elizabeth Schulze am I going to watch? I'm here in Dallas, Texas right now, about to head to the fight as soon as we wrap. Of course you are. You know, I was not missing this fight, Elizabeth, but it's going to be fascinating. I can't believe it's happening. I thought Tyson had it, but looking at that weigh in yesterday, Jake Paul looks a little bit more thicker and bigger than I imagined. Tyson looks a little more leaner, but more muscular. Um, and so it's going to be interesting. Pound for pound, the dynamic of this thicker, bigger, younger or does muscular quicker. Tyson has been really quick with his hands and with speed during training, so we're very curious to see what the results are going to be.
Sounds like you're ready to make bets, but we actually know some states aren't even allowing betting on this because they just see this as an exhibition. What do you think?
Well, I'm glad I gave part of my time to Mike because he's the expert on this. I tend to stick with more gentle entertainment, like classical ballet. So I'm not the expert here. But I did like the bell at the beginning of this segment. I thought it was very fitting for the boxing match.
Footwork is important, as we say. Ramesh, what about you?
Uh, well, you know, um, I just think time is an unbeaten foe and he's 58. He was a legend in the ring. But, uh, but, you know, in this case, time. Time will tell.
He. Mike left prison in 1995. Paul was born in 1997. After that, the age gap there. Undeniable. Martha or Marsha? I'm sorry. Last call over to you.
Yeah, I was confused about this. Why would Mike Tyson, as you mentioned, almost 60 years old, come back to to fight this really young guy who also happens to be a Covid denier and.
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