February 12, 2024 - Daily Digest

Israel frees two hostages in late night operation, hopefully more to come

Today is February 12, 2024, and here are the critical stories that you may have missed from today. If you enjoy this content and want access to more, exclusive content or to support my work, then consider becoming a monthly subscriber below:

1) Israel Frees Two Hostages In Late Night Operation

Late last night, Israel successfully freed two hostages being held by a Hamas faction in the southern Gaza town of Rafah. The two hostages released are Fernando Merman, aged 67, and Luis Har, aged 70. Both were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists from the Kibbutz of Nir Iyshak on the morning of October 7th. According to IDF officials, the operation took place overnight at 1 AM with special operations units leading the way. The building in which the hostages were held was located in the heart of Rafah. Following the rescue mission, the hostages were then transferred via a helicopter to a local hospital and remain in good health. In advance of the hostage operation, the IDF conducted heavy airstrikes in Rafah as a diversion to allow for the hostage operation to move forward. 

As of this evening, the hostages have been reunited with their families. Hopefully more are soon. 

2) Donald Trump Files Petition For Writ Of Certiorari Seeking Stay Of D.C. Circuit Immunity Opinion

Donald Trump has officially filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the United States Supreme Court arguing that the Supreme Court should decide the issue of whether Trump is immune from criminal prosecution in Special Counsel Jack Smith's January 6-related prosecution filed in Washington, D.C. This petition follows the D.C. Circuit ruling denying Trump's motion to dismiss based on the immunity argument. If you recall, the D.C. Circuit ruling was unanimous, with a Republican-appointed judge siding with the two Democrat appointees in rejecting Trump's argument. The opinion required Trump to appeal the decision to the United States Supreme Court by today.

The Supreme Court will now meet in conference this week and next to decide whether to take up the merits of the case. It takes four justices to agree to take a case. A decision on this issue is expected by the end of this month. If the justices take the case, then oral argument will be set for this spring, and a decision will be rendered by the end of June of this year. If the justices decline to take the case, then the D.C. Circuit's decision will stand and the trial court will once again retain jurisdiction, meaning we could see Trump's trial move forward as early as this summer. 

3) NATO Officials Slam Donald Trump

NATO officials have come out in unison to slam Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump for his remarks this weekend concerning conversations he had with NATO leaders while serving as President. During a rally in South Carolina, Donald Trump stated that he spoke with a NATO leader who asked Trump what would happen if the country failed to pay its dues to the alliance, yet was attacked by Russia. In response, Trump asserted that he would not only not defend the NATO country from Russia's aggression, but that he would encourage Russia to do whatever it wanted to the country.

In response, NATO's Secretary General came out with a statement that slammed Trump and his rhetoric. Specifically, Jens Stoltenberg asserted, in pertinent part:

“Any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all of our security, including that of the US, and puts American and European soldiers at increased risk. I expect that regardless of who wins the presidential election the US will remain a strong and committed NATO Ally."

Once again, Donald Trump is attempting to isolate the United States on the international stage, while inviting authoritarians around the world to support his reelection bid so that he can continue to do their bidding while in office. 

4) RFK Jr. Apologizes To His Family For A Super Bowl Ad That Remains Pinned To His Profile

Independent candidate for President Robert F. Kennedy Jr. issued a half-baked apology to family members that do not support his candidacy for President after releasing an advertisement during the Super Bowl that featured family members. The Super Bowl ad leaned on the Kennedy name, along with his family's past political success as a reason to vote for Kennedy during this election. Specifically, Kennedy tweeted the following apology to family members:

"I'm so sorry if the Super Bowl advertisement caused anyone in my family pain. The ad was created and aired by the American Values Super PAC without any involvement or approval from my campaign. FEC rules prohibit Super PACs from consulting with me or my staff. I love you all. God bless you."

Despite this half-baked apology, the advertisement remains on his Twitter page. Not just that, Kennedy pinned the ad to the top of his page so that it is the first thing viewers see when looking at his Twitter page.

Not only is Kennedy promoting an ad made by a Super PAC that he says did not consult with him or his staff, but he is apologizing to his family members for an ad that he continues to prominently feature as part of his campaign strategy.