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--:-- Georgia Howe: This episode is brought to you by Cloaked. Sign up for Cloaked today by visiting cloaked.com and receive 20% off your subscription with code Daily Wire at checkout.
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--:-- Georgia Howe: If you're concerned your identity is exposed, check for free by calling 1-855-752-5625.
--:-- Georgia Howe: I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire editor-in-chief, John Bickley.
--:-- John Bickley: That's right, Georgia.
--:-- Georgia Howe: It's Wednesday, November 20th, and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update.
--:-- Georgia Howe: The Biden administration is again shifting its policy on Ukraine amid military escalation with Russia.
--:-- John Bickley: Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce has more.
--:-- Tim Pierce: Just days after authorizing the use of American-made long-range missiles in Russia, Biden reversed course and approved the use of anti-personnel mines.
--:-- Tim Pierce: Officials say the mines are equipped with electric fuses that deactivate after a short time.
--:-- Tim Pierce: But a number of anti-mine advocates say the risk they pose to civilians is unacceptably high.
--:-- Tim Pierce: Allies of Trump criticized the move, arguing that it risks further escalation ahead of his inauguration.
--:-- Tim Pierce: Meanwhile, Russia has updated its nuclear doctrine in response to these developments.
--:-- Tim Pierce: Ukrainian officials, however, seem to think the nuclear threat is a bluff.
--:-- Tim Pierce: Now, Biden's shift in policy also comes as the U.S. embassy in Kiev closed its doors this morning, warning of a significant Russian air attack.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Donald Trump has selected Linda McMahon to lead the education department.
--:-- Joel Needler: Daily Wire senior editor Joel Needler has the latest.
--:-- Joel Needler: McMahon is a former wrestling executive and was head of the Small Business Administration during Trump's first term.
--:-- Joel Needler: The president-elect praised McMahon as a leader in promoting school choice and pledged that she will spearhead efforts to return education control to the states.
--:-- Joel Needler: Critics highlight her lack of education policy experience and her role at America First Policy Institute, which has pushed for sweeping changes to public education.
--:-- Joel Needler: McMahon has been a longtime Trump ally, supporting his campaigns and serving on his transition team.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Trump also announced his pick for administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Dr. Mehmet Oz.
--:-- John Bickley: Trump praised his qualifications as a physician, heart surgeon, and health advocate.
--:-- John Bickley: The former talk show host will work alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the Department of Health and Human Services.
--:-- John Bickley: Trump says Oz will focus on preventing diseases, cutting waste and improving outcomes within the U.S. health care system, which he says is in crisis.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Texas has floated plans to expand its buoy border barrier in anticipation of a surge of illegal crossings.
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--:-- Georgia Howe: State officials say the additional buoys could be deployed as early as today.
--:-- Georgia Howe: The floating border barrier is part of Governor Greg Abbott's Operation Lone Star.
--:-- Georgia Howe: And the new additions come as state officials expect a rise in crossings ahead of Trump return to the White House.
--:-- Georgia Howe: The Texas Department of Public Safety says they want to stay proactive.
--:-- Georgia Howe: We want to be ready for anything for any possible surge.
--:-- Georgia Howe: And by having to show a force it sends a clear message to Mexico.
--:-- Georgia Howe: The floating barrier has faced several legal challenges, but remains in place after a federal court ruling in July.
--:-- Georgia Howe: This episode is brought to you by Ramp. Get $250 when you join Ramp. Just go to ramp.com slash wire.
--:-- Georgia Howe: That's ramp.com slash wire. Cards issued by Sutton Bank. Member FDIC. Terms and conditions apply.
--:-- Georgia Howe: In a House Homeland Security Committee hearing yesterday, human trafficking expert Allie Hopper shared alarming details, including the discovery of rape trees along migrant paths where children are coerced into sexual acts to fund their journey.
--:-- Allie Hopper: In one interview I conducted, a local resident whose property straddles the border told me about the screams of women and children he hears, including just two days before my visit.
--:-- Allie Hopper: I walked these very paths, and I found discarded clothing, personal belongings, and chilling evidence of brutal assaults all under the control of ruthless cartels like the Jalisco New Generation cartel.
--:-- Allie Hopper: No one passes through without their approval.
--:-- Allie Hopper: Among the discarded items I found IDs many belonging to children.
--:-- Allie Hopper: Witnesses also described fraudulent sponsors who exploit the U.S. system, with hundreds of thousands of children going missing after being placed with these so-called sponsors.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Representative Clay Higgins blamed the Biden administration for failing to protect these children, while Trump has vowed to prioritize locating and rescuing missing minors.
--:-- Georgia Howe: And The View co-host Sunny Hostin appeared frustrated after reading a legal disclaimer regarding allegations against Matt Gaetz.
--:-- Sunny Hostin: Matt Gaetz has long denied all allegations, calling the claims, quote, invented, and saying in a statement to ABC News that this false smear following a three-year criminal investigation should be viewed with great skepticism.
--:-- Sunny Hostin: That DOJ investigation was closed with no charges being brought.
--:-- Georgia Howe: We'll be right back.
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--:-- Georgia Howe: All right, there's your drive home updates this afternoon. To learn more about these stories, go to dailywire.com and for more in-depth reporting on the biggest stories of the day, tune in to our full episode of Morning Wire every morning.
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