February 14, 2024 - Daily Digest

Republicans send everyone home as America is flipped into chaos

Today is February 14, 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) Shooting At Chiefs’ Super Bowl Parade In Kansas City

Another shooting has occurred in America, this time in Kansas City during the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade. As it currently stands, reporters have noted that at least 9 people have been injured and 1 person has been killed. Among the victims are children who are currently being treated at a local hospital. Please keep the victims in your prayers, but prayers cannot be enough. We need action now, especially on the six year anniversary of the Parkland school shooting.

2) Threat Of Russian Nuclear Weapons In Space

Earlier today, Congressman Mike Turner, the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee released a statement asserting that the Committee has evidence of a serious national security threat, requesting that the Biden Administration release all information regarding the threat to the public as soon as possible. At the time of the release, the public had not been informed about what the threat was and where it was coming from. While news is moving rapidly, we now know more about the national security threat and next steps from Congress. 

According to reports, the national security threat relates to a Russian plan to move nuclear weapons into space to target other satellites. This was first reported by ABC News just minutes ago. In response to the statement made by Rep. Turner, Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor, stated that the Gang of Eight (the top members of the House and Senate) will be meeting tomorrow to address the issue and questioned the need for Rep. Turner to publicize the information prior to the meeting. In response to a question about whether Americans should be confirmed, Sullivan made the following comment:

"I think in a way that question it is impossible to answer with a straight yes, because Americans understand that there are a range of threats and challenges in the world that we're dealing with every single day. And those threats and challenges range from terrorism to state actors...I am confident that President Biden, in the decisions that he is taking, is going to ensure the security of the American people going forward." 

Neither the White House nor Congress has confirmed ABC's reporting about the information concerning a Russian nuclear weapon in space. 

3) House Republicans to Take 2-Week Vacation Amid National Security Threat, Mass Shooting

Senior House Republican leadership is sending members home for a vacation until February 28th, according to a new release issued by House Majority Leader Tom Emmer. This latest press release comes after House Republicans signaled the alarms earlier today about a possible threat to our national security from Russian nuclear weapons in space and as the United States is experiencing another act of gun violence in Kansas City during the Chiefs' Super Bowl parade.

In addition, the House was supposed to consider passing a bipartisan Senate bill to provide aid to our allies overseas, but instead of doing their job, they are taking a vacation (again). 

There is a March 1 deadline to avert another shutdown.

4) House Committee Has Texts Showing Matt Gaetz Set Up A Trip With Woman His Associate Paid For Sex: Report

ABC News is now reporting that House investigators have obtained text messages showing Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz asking a young woman, who later was paid for sex by Joel Greenberg, Gaetz's associate, to join Gaetz and Greenberg on a three-day trip to the Florida Keys. The text messages asked the young woman if she wanted to fly on a private jet for a three-day trip with three other woman and Greenberg. One of the texts state:

"Hey -- any interest in flying on a private plane to the keys May 19-21?"

Later in the conversation, Gaetz allegedly replied saying:

"Fantastic. As is true with all time you spend w me, it'll be fun and chill […] You have a passport?"

Previously, Joel Greenberg, Gaetz's former associate, told investigators that he had paid the woman for sex. At the time, the woman was over the age of 21, according to ABC's reporting. Greenberg later pled guilty to multiple federal criminal charges related to sex trafficking and has been sentenced to several years in prison. Prosecutors previously declined to pursue a criminal prosecution of Gaetz as part of their probe into Greenberg. 

Despite this, House investigators have been ramping up their investigation into Gaetz and will likely soon release a report detailing their findings. Even though criminal charges will not be brought, the Ethics Committee is able to continue investigating Gaetz to see whether he violated any ethical requirements as a member of Congress. Depending on the findings from the Committee, this could severely damage Gaetz's chances at remaining in Congress in the future.