--:-- Georgia Howe: This episode is brought to you by LifeLock. Between two-factor authentication, strong passwords, and a VPN, you try to be in control of how your info is protected. But many other places also have it, and they might not be as careful. That's why LifeLock monitors hundreds of millions of data points a second for threats. If your identity is stolen, they'll fix it. Guaranteed or your money back. Save up to 40% your first year. Visit LifeLock.com slash podcast for 40% off. Terms apply.
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--:-- Georgia Howe: I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley. It's Monday, December 23rd, and this is your Morning Wire afternoon update.
--:-- John Bickley: Daily Wire Senior Editor Ash Short has more on a story we're following.
--:-- Ash Short: The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson faces first-degree murder and terrorism-related charges, along with weapons charges that could lead to life in prison without parole. Prosecutors allege Mangione's actions were intended to intimidate and coerce, targeting both the public and government. The case has drawn national attention with some viewing Mangione as a symbol of frustration over the U health care system. Mangione also faces federal charges including a potential death penalty and Pennsylvania charges related to his arrest.
--:-- John Bickley: Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce explains President Joe Biden's decision to commute the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates.
--:-- Tim Pierce: Biden took the action on behalf of the convicted criminals just weeks before Donald Trump's return to the White House. Those commuted will serve life without parole, while three men convicted of mass killings, including the Boston Marathon bomber and the Charleston church shooter, remain on death row. President-elect Trump has pledged to resume federal executions when he takes office. Biden had campaigned on ending the federal death penalty and said he acted to prevent executions by the next administration.
--:-- John Bickley: The move sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing the president of demonstrating a glaring double standard on the sanctity of life and a lack of concern for the victims of the violent criminals.
--:-- Amanda Presta-Giacomo: Daily Wire reporter Amanda Presta-Giacomo has the story on Robert Kennedy Jr. calling for a ban on pharmaceutical ads on TV.
--:-- Amanda Presta-Giacomo: The pharmaceutical industry's multi-billion dollar spending on TV ads faces new scrutiny from incoming Trump administration officials, including health secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy argues that the drug ads distort health priorities and they lead to biased media coverage. Brendan Carr, who has been tapped to lead the FCC, says that the agency could enforce a ban, which would face legal challenges. The U and New Zealand are the only wealthy nations that allow such ads which generate billions for networks and pharmaceutical companies.
--:-- John Bickley: This episode is brought to you by Balance of Nature. Go to balanceofnature.com and use promo code WIRE for 35% off your first order as a preferred customer. Plus, get a free bottle of fiber and spice. That's balanceofnature.com, promo code WIRE.
--:-- John Bickley: Pressed on allegations that the Biden administration has lost hundreds of thousands of unaccompanied minors, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said keeping track of them is not his responsibility.
--:-- Alejandro Mayorkas: In an interview with Face the Nation, Mayorkas tried to downplay the scandal by saying that all of the lost children aren't necessarily being abused.
--:-- Margaret Brennan: The incoming border czar, Tom Homan says these children are being exploited and trafficked. Is that true? Well, Margaret, we certainly have received reports of children being trafficked, even those as to whom we know where they are. That is outside the responsibility of the Department of Homeland Security. What we do is we turn children over within 72 hours, as the law requires, to the Department of Health and Human Services. And then HHS places those children.
--:-- John Bickley: Former Congressman Matt Gaetz has filed a lawsuit against the House Ethics Committee seeking to stop the release of its investigation into him.
--:-- Tim Rice: Daily Wire Deputy Managing Editor Tim Rice has the details. Gates filed an emergency temporary restraining order Monday after forcefully denying the allegations in the report, a leaked draft of which details alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use by the former congressman.
--:-- Matt Gaetz: Gates slammed the committee for moving to release the report despite, quote, explicitly acknowledging it lacks jurisdiction over former members. Gates added, It's embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank, and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. He noted that he lives a different life now and stressed that, quote, These allegations were investigated by the Department of Justice and the investigation was completely dropped.
--:-- John Bickley: And finally, the darkest, shortest days of the year are finally behind us. Saturday was the winter solstice, which marks the official start of winter. So we can now begin to look forward to gradually longer days and later sunsets.
--:-- John Bickley: While Earth's tilt brings some seasonal gloom, daylight savings time artificially makes the sunset come an hour earlier. But President Trump has suggested making standard time permanent, calling daylight savings inconvenient and costly. His pledge has reignited a national debate about whether we should stop changing clocks altogether.
--:-- John Bickley: For now, the days are getting longer, and that's something we can all celebrate.
--:-- Georgia Howe: All right, those are 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 into our full episode of Morning Wire every morning.
