September 12, 2023 - Your Daily Digest

Impeachment inquiry launched, Trump seeks recusal, devastating natural disasters, and more

Today is September 12, 2023, and here are five stories that you need to know about. If you enjoy these daily digests and want to see them more often, then please consider becoming a monthly subscriber at the button below:

1) McCarthy Launches Impeachment Inquiry

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has announced that he will be launching an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. The impeachment inquiry will be led by the House Oversight Committee, whose chairman is Representative James Comer. Despite previously claiming that a vote is needed to authorize such an inquiry, today, McCarthy’s team has now claimed that a vote will not occur. This impeachment inquiry is expected to probe President Biden’s connection to his son’s business dealings in Ukraine and elsewhere. Prior to launching this impeachment inquiry, many House Republicans have already questioned the need for such an action. Even Congresswoman Nancy Mace, last night, admitted that House Republicans do not have any actual evidence of wrongdoing on the President’s part. It is clear, therefore, that this inquiry is yet another partisan attempt to smear the President in advance of the 2024 election. One prediction here, this inquiry will only increase the President’s poll numbers and he will have a successful 2024 because of it.

2) Kim Jong Un Arrives in Russia

Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un has officially begun his visit with Russian officials. He is expected to meet with Vladimir Putin as well. According to reports, Kim Jong Un's private train has crossed the country's northern border into Russia, which officially marks his first international visit in four years. The United States, and other western countries, have warned that Putin and Kim Jong Un are expected to increase their military cooperation, with North Korea pledging to provide additional military assistance to Russia for its war in Ukraine. Learn more about this visit and what to expect here.

3) Trump Seeks Recusal

Late last night, Donald Trump officially filed a motion to have Judge Tanya Chutkan recuse herself from the January 6th case filed in Washington, D.C. Trump's motion, as further laid out below, asserts that Judge Chutkan's prior statements, made primarily during sentencing hearings of other January 6th defendants, taint her ability to fairly and impartially oversee Trump's trial. This motion is likely not to be successful for two primary reasons. First, Judge Chutkan is the one that will decide whether or not to recuse from the case (and she likely will chose not to). Second, there needs to be some sort of bias or personal connection to the case present, none of which is evident here. Learn more about this motion and next steps here.

4) Catastrophic Flooding in Libya

We have devastating news coming out of Libya where more than 5,000 people are presumed dead and another over 10,000 missing after floods devastated towns in northeastern Libya. According to reports, the city of Derna has experienced the worst of the flooding. This latest disaster is due to a strong low pressure system that previously brought flooding to Greece last week and developed into a tropical-like cyclone in the Mediterranean Sea. Due to the climate crisis, natural disasters like these are becoming all too common, putting thousands of lives in danger. Learn more about the flooding and recovery efforts here.

5) Recovery Efforts Continue in Morocco

Days after a devastating 6.8 earthquake struck Morocco, over 2,900 individuals have now been presumed dead, with many more injured and missing. According to reports, over 300,000 individuals have been impacted by the earthquake, and search and rescue operations continue, even though they do remain grim. Learn more about recovery efforts and stay up to date on the latest here.