In this episode, Jon Decker breaks down the latest developments shaping U.S. foreign policy and domestic politics. Decker explores new diplomatic pushes to end the war in Ukraine, questions surrounding recent U.S. military actions in the Caribbean, and the political ramifications of a shooting involving National Guard members. The episode also includes an important health update on President Trump.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome to the White House Briefing Room for Tuesday, December second.
I'm John Decker.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
US negotiators meeting tuesday in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin,
and the White House says there's a sense that there
could be positive developments aimed at ending the war in
Ukraine by.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
The administration feels very optimistic.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
The White House says a second strike on an alleged
drug boat in the Caribbean was justified.
Speaker 4 (00:30):
The strike, conducted on September second, was conducted in self
defense to protect Americans in vital United States interests. The
strike was conducted in international waters and in accordance with
the law of armed conflicts.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
And blame is aimed at the Biden administration for poorly
vetting the alleged shooter of two National guardsmen last week.
Speaker 4 (00:50):
We continue to live with the deadly consequences of Joe
Biden's horrific leadership. Nearly one hundred thousand Afghans were recklessly
released into the United States with little to no vetting.
There was no regard for the disorder in violence that
this would unleash on American communities and American culture.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
But we begin this Tuesday with peace talks in Russia
aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Tuesday is a
pivotal day in terms of ending the war in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with US Special Envoy Steve Wikoff,
and he'll also meet with President Trump's son in law,
Jared Kushner. Jared Kushner is the author of that original
(01:31):
twenty eight point peace plan proposal unveiled by President Trump
just last week aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
On Monday, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenski visited Paris. This is
all a part of a diplomatic push to end the
nearly four year war. While President Zelenski was in Paris,
(01:54):
he said that the priorities for Ukraine remain security guarantees,
sovereignty and territorial integrity, and he insisted that Russia must
not get rewarded for its aggression on Ukraine. He said
he hoped to have talks with President Trump soon to
discuss next steps after Steve Whitkoff and Jared Kushner finish
(02:19):
their meeting with President Putin on Monday, at the White
House Press Briefing, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt previewed
the US talks that will occur with President Putin in Moscow.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
It had very good talks with the Ukrainians in Florida,
and now, of course specially Lungway Whitcoff is on his
way to Russia. This is sort of the shuttle diplomacy
that you've seen from this administration play out, where we
speak equally with both sides. We've put points on paper.
Those points have been very much refined, but as for
the details, I will lead the negotiators negotiate. But we
do feel quite good and we're hopeful that this war
(02:53):
can finally come to an now now.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
President Zelensky said that the revisions to the peace plan
that's circulating between Ukraine, Russia and the White House looks
better than the original plan and that work will continue.
And the Ukrainian negotiator, who is in Florida for a
second round of peace talks with US negotiators, said those
(03:15):
talks achieved significant progress, but he also said that some
issues remain unresolved. One issue that remains a sticking point
is what Ukraine insists is its territorial sovereignty. President Zelensky
has refused time and time again US back calls for
(03:36):
Ukraine to give up some of the territory that Russia
has not been able to seize during this long war.
The White House says the talks that will take place
in Moscow, involving Jared Kushner and Steve Whitkoff, will determine
what the next steps will be aimed at ending the
war in Ukraine. Also on Monday, at the White House
(03:58):
Press briefings about the role that defend Secretary Pete Hegseth
had in an operation that led to the killing of
two survivors of strikes on an alleged drug vote in
the Caribbean in September, The White House on Monday placed
the decision to launch a second, follow up September second
(04:20):
strike on an alleged drug vote in the Caribbean at
the feet of the commander overseeing the operation, that's Navy
Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley. On Monday and the White House
Press Briefing, Caroline Levick gave the administration's position on that
second strike.
Speaker 4 (04:38):
President Trump and Secretary Hegseth have made it clear that
presidentially designated narco terrorist groups are subject to lethal targeting
in accordance with the laws of war with respect to
the strikes in question. On September second, Secretary Hegseth authorized
Admiral Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes. Admiral Bradley worked
(04:58):
well within his authority, AI and the law, directing the
engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat
to the United States of America was eliminated.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Now.
Speaker 1 (05:07):
According to a report from the Washington Post, Secretary of
Defense Pete Hegseth gave a spoken directive to quote kill
everybody shortly before the first missile strike. That missile struck
the boat, set it on fire, and commanders watched from
a live drone feet and then, according to the Washington Post,
(05:28):
officers discovered that there were two survivors clinging to the
wreckage after the smoke clear. Now, according to the Post reporting,
using a secure conference call, Admiral Bradley ordered a second
strike to comply with Pete Hegseth's order to leave no survivors.
(05:49):
On Monday, at the press briefing, Caroline Levitt explained that
this was the proper action to take given the circumstances.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
Ro Browley worked well within his authority and law.
Speaker 4 (06:00):
He directed the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed
and the threat of Narco terrorists to the United States
was completely eliminated.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
On Monday night, Pete Hagseth took to social media and
he posted that the September second attacks were Bradley's decisions.
He wrote, Let's make one thing crystal clear. Admiral Mitch
Bradley is an American hero, a true professional, and has
my one hundred percent support. He went on to write,
(06:28):
I stand by him and the combat decisions he has
made on the September second mission and all others. Since
Congress has already said that it will be investigating this incident,
both the House Armed Services Committee and the Senate Armed
Services Committee put out joint bipartisan statements indicating that an
(06:50):
investigation has begun. One reason is because the Pentagon's Law
of War manual bars attacks on shipwrecks where alleged combatants
are unable to fight. And it's not just Democrats who
are concerned over this strike, it's also Republicans. Senator Jim Justice,
Republican from West Virginia, said that if there is a
(07:12):
second strike, that seems way over the edge to me.
He went on to say, I don't see how that's acceptable.
And Senator Roger Wicker, he's a Republican who chairs the
Arms Services Committee. He said on Monday night that he
is planning vigorous oversight over the allegations concerning Pete Hegsith.
(07:32):
Also on Monday, more fallout concerning that shooting of two
National Guard members from West Virginia. White House Press Secretary
Caroline Levitt pointed the finger at Joe Biden's administration for
poorly vetting the Afghan shooter, Ramanala Lackinwall, the.
Speaker 4 (07:50):
Terrorist who is gunned down, who gunned down American soldiers
blocks away from the White House and in Anbush was
an Afghan national who has flown into our country by
Joe Biden's administration in September twenty twenty one in the
chaotic wake of their botched withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
Now, while Caroline Levitt blamed the lack of vetting for
the deadly shooting, both Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland
Security Secretary Christinome over the weekend on two separate Sunday shows,
said the twenty nine year old shooter was, in their words,
radicalized since immigrating to the US. Meanwhile, Caroline Levitt says
(08:28):
the Trump administration is already taking steps to prevent similar
targeted shootings in the future.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
Trump administration is now actively re examining all of the
Afghans imported into the country by Joe Biden. Any individual
who threatens our national security or our citizenry will be
subject to removal.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
And Levitt also ticked off further actions that have been
taken by the administration since last week's deadly shooting.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
Trump administration issued a travel ban for nineteen countries, including
Afghan Yannistan. Special immigrant visas, which is a legal pathway
to get here, which we know many Afghans have utilized
to come into the country, have now been paused since
the tragic shooting last week.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
As for that alleged shooter, he worked with the CIA
during the war in Afghanistan, and federal prosecutors planned to
charge Loch and Wall with first degree murder over the
death of National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom. Finally, some health
news regarding the president. A memo was released from President
(09:30):
Trump's physician and White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt on
Monday in the briefing room explain why President Trump underwent
an MRI during his recent physical.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
As part of President Trump's comprehensive executive physical Advanced imaging
was performed because men in his age group benefit from
a thorough evaluation of cardiovascular and abdominal health. The purpose
of this imaging is preventative to identify any issues early,
confirm overall health, and ensure the President maintains long term
(10:03):
vitality and function.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
Levitt in the briefing room continued to read from that memo,
which gave a readout of the President's MRII results.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
President Trump's cardiovascular imaging was perfectly normal, no evidence of
arterial narrowing and pairing, blood flow, or abnormalities in the
heart or major vessels.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
The heart chambers are normal in.
Speaker 4 (10:24):
Size, the vessel walls appear smooth and healthy, and there
are no signs of inflammation or clouding.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
Now.
Speaker 1 (10:30):
Up until Monday, the White House had been reluctant to
release additional details about that MRI, and the public only
found out because of an off the cuff re mark
that President Trump had made to reporters on Air Force
One back in October. As for the President's schedule for Tuesday,
the President holds his ninth Cabinet meeting. That will be
(10:52):
at eleven thirty am in the Cabinet Room. The White
House Press Pool will be on hand for that, and
then at two o'clock in the Roosevelt Room, the President
set to make an announcement. No further details concerning what
that announcement pertains to. That's the White House Briefing Room
for Tuesday, December two. I'm John Decker. Have a good one.
Welcome to the White House Briefing Room for Tuesday, December second.
I'm John Decker.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
US negotiators meeting tuesday in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin,
and the White House says there's a sense that there
could be positive developments aimed at ending the war in
Ukraine by.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
The administration feels very optimistic.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
The White House says a second strike on an alleged
drug boat in the Caribbean was justified.
Speaker 4 (00:30):
The strike, conducted on September second, was conducted in self
defense to protect Americans in vital United States interests. The
strike was conducted in international waters and in accordance with
the law of armed conflicts.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
And blame is aimed at the Biden administration for poorly
vetting the alleged shooter of two National guardsmen last week.
Speaker 4 (00:50):
We continue to live with the deadly consequences of Joe
Biden's horrific leadership. Nearly one hundred thousand Afghans were recklessly
released into the United States with little to no vetting.
There was no regard for the disorder in violence that
this would unleash on American communities and American culture.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
But we begin this Tuesday with peace talks in Russia
aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Tuesday is a
pivotal day in terms of ending the war in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with US Special Envoy Steve Wikoff,
and he'll also meet with President Trump's son in law,
Jared Kushner. Jared Kushner is the author of that original
(01:31):
twenty eight point peace plan proposal unveiled by President Trump
just last week aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
On Monday, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenski visited Paris. This is
all a part of a diplomatic push to end the
nearly four year war. While President Zelenski was in Paris,
(01:54):
he said that the priorities for Ukraine remain security guarantees,
sovereignty and territorial integrity, and he insisted that Russia must
not get rewarded for its aggression on Ukraine. He said
he hoped to have talks with President Trump soon to
discuss next steps after Steve Whitkoff and Jared Kushner finish
(02:19):
their meeting with President Putin on Monday, at the White
House Press Briefing, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt previewed
the US talks that will occur with President Putin in Moscow.
Speaker 4 (02:32):
It had very good talks with the Ukrainians in Florida,
and now, of course specially Lungway Whitcoff is on his
way to Russia. This is sort of the shuttle diplomacy
that you've seen from this administration play out, where we
speak equally with both sides. We've put points on paper.
Those points have been very much refined, but as for
the details, I will lead the negotiators negotiate. But we
do feel quite good and we're hopeful that this war
(02:53):
can finally come to an now now.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
President Zelensky said that the revisions to the peace plan
that's circulating between Ukraine, Russia and the White House looks
better than the original plan and that work will continue.
And the Ukrainian negotiator, who is in Florida for a
second round of peace talks with US negotiators, said those
(03:15):
talks achieved significant progress, but he also said that some
issues remain unresolved. One issue that remains a sticking point
is what Ukraine insists is its territorial sovereignty. President Zelensky
has refused time and time again US back calls for
(03:36):
Ukraine to give up some of the territory that Russia
has not been able to seize during this long war.
The White House says the talks that will take place
in Moscow, involving Jared Kushner and Steve Whitkoff, will determine
what the next steps will be aimed at ending the
war in Ukraine. Also on Monday, at the White House
(03:58):
Press briefings about the role that defend Secretary Pete Hegseth
had in an operation that led to the killing of
two survivors of strikes on an alleged drug vote in
the Caribbean in September, The White House on Monday placed
the decision to launch a second, follow up September second
(04:20):
strike on an alleged drug vote in the Caribbean at
the feet of the commander overseeing the operation, that's Navy
Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley. On Monday and the White House
Press Briefing, Caroline Levick gave the administration's position on that
second strike.
Speaker 4 (04:38):
President Trump and Secretary Hegseth have made it clear that
presidentially designated narco terrorist groups are subject to lethal targeting
in accordance with the laws of war with respect to
the strikes in question. On September second, Secretary Hegseth authorized
Admiral Bradley to conduct these kinetic strikes. Admiral Bradley worked
(04:58):
well within his authority, AI and the law, directing the
engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat
to the United States of America was eliminated.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Now.
Speaker 1 (05:07):
According to a report from the Washington Post, Secretary of
Defense Pete Hegseth gave a spoken directive to quote kill
everybody shortly before the first missile strike. That missile struck
the boat, set it on fire, and commanders watched from
a live drone feet and then, according to the Washington Post,
(05:28):
officers discovered that there were two survivors clinging to the
wreckage after the smoke clear. Now, according to the Post reporting,
using a secure conference call, Admiral Bradley ordered a second
strike to comply with Pete Hegseth's order to leave no survivors.
(05:49):
On Monday, at the press briefing, Caroline Levitt explained that
this was the proper action to take given the circumstances.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
Ro Browley worked well within his authority and law.
Speaker 4 (06:00):
He directed the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed
and the threat of Narco terrorists to the United States
was completely eliminated.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
On Monday night, Pete Hagseth took to social media and
he posted that the September second attacks were Bradley's decisions.
He wrote, Let's make one thing crystal clear. Admiral Mitch
Bradley is an American hero, a true professional, and has
my one hundred percent support. He went on to write,
(06:28):
I stand by him and the combat decisions he has
made on the September second mission and all others. Since
Congress has already said that it will be investigating this incident,
both the House Armed Services Committee and the Senate Armed
Services Committee put out joint bipartisan statements indicating that an
(06:50):
investigation has begun. One reason is because the Pentagon's Law
of War manual bars attacks on shipwrecks where alleged combatants
are unable to fight. And it's not just Democrats who
are concerned over this strike, it's also Republicans. Senator Jim Justice,
Republican from West Virginia, said that if there is a
(07:12):
second strike, that seems way over the edge to me.
He went on to say, I don't see how that's acceptable.
And Senator Roger Wicker, he's a Republican who chairs the
Arms Services Committee. He said on Monday night that he
is planning vigorous oversight over the allegations concerning Pete Hegsith.
(07:32):
Also on Monday, more fallout concerning that shooting of two
National Guard members from West Virginia. White House Press Secretary
Caroline Levitt pointed the finger at Joe Biden's administration for
poorly vetting the Afghan shooter, Ramanala Lackinwall, the.
Speaker 4 (07:50):
Terrorist who is gunned down, who gunned down American soldiers
blocks away from the White House and in Anbush was
an Afghan national who has flown into our country by
Joe Biden's administration in September twenty twenty one in the
chaotic wake of their botched withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
Now, while Caroline Levitt blamed the lack of vetting for
the deadly shooting, both Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland
Security Secretary Christinome over the weekend on two separate Sunday shows,
said the twenty nine year old shooter was, in their words,
radicalized since immigrating to the US. Meanwhile, Caroline Levitt says
(08:28):
the Trump administration is already taking steps to prevent similar
targeted shootings in the future.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
Trump administration is now actively re examining all of the
Afghans imported into the country by Joe Biden. Any individual
who threatens our national security or our citizenry will be
subject to removal.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
And Levitt also ticked off further actions that have been
taken by the administration since last week's deadly shooting.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
Trump administration issued a travel ban for nineteen countries, including
Afghan Yannistan. Special immigrant visas, which is a legal pathway
to get here, which we know many Afghans have utilized
to come into the country, have now been paused since
the tragic shooting last week.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
As for that alleged shooter, he worked with the CIA
during the war in Afghanistan, and federal prosecutors planned to
charge Loch and Wall with first degree murder over the
death of National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom. Finally, some health
news regarding the president. A memo was released from President
(09:30):
Trump's physician and White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt on
Monday in the briefing room explain why President Trump underwent
an MRI during his recent physical.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
As part of President Trump's comprehensive executive physical Advanced imaging
was performed because men in his age group benefit from
a thorough evaluation of cardiovascular and abdominal health. The purpose
of this imaging is preventative to identify any issues early,
confirm overall health, and ensure the President maintains long term
(10:03):
vitality and function.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
Levitt in the briefing room continued to read from that memo,
which gave a readout of the President's MRII results.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
President Trump's cardiovascular imaging was perfectly normal, no evidence of
arterial narrowing and pairing, blood flow, or abnormalities in the
heart or major vessels.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
The heart chambers are normal in.
Speaker 4 (10:24):
Size, the vessel walls appear smooth and healthy, and there
are no signs of inflammation or clouding.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
Now.
Speaker 1 (10:30):
Up until Monday, the White House had been reluctant to
release additional details about that MRI, and the public only
found out because of an off the cuff re mark
that President Trump had made to reporters on Air Force
One back in October. As for the President's schedule for Tuesday,
the President holds his ninth Cabinet meeting. That will be
(10:52):
at eleven thirty am in the Cabinet Room. The White
House Press Pool will be on hand for that, and
then at two o'clock in the Roosevelt Room, the President
set to make an announcement. No further details concerning what
that announcement pertains to. That's the White House Briefing Room
for Tuesday, December two. I'm John Decker. Have a good one.
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