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--:-- Georgia Howe: Good morning, I'm Georgia Howe with Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley. It's Wednesday, August 4th, and this is Morning Wire.
--:-- John Bickley: Good morning, Georgia. Thanks for joining me today.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Thanks for having me, John. New York's Attorney General has found that Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women. We'll look at the details of the report and the governor's response to the findings.
--:-- John Bickley: That's right. And we'll also be discussing New York City's new proof-of-vaccination mandate and the latest developments at the southern border.
--:-- Georgia Howe: New York City has issued a citywide mandate to provide proof of vaccination for many indoor venues. Now, patrons to bars, restaurants, gyms, and dance venues will be required to provide proof that they've been vaccinated.
--:-- John Bickley: If you want to participate in our society fully, you've got to get vaccinated. You've got to get vaccinated. It's time.
--:-- Georgia Howe: How will this mandate be enforced, and how are businesses responding? And new whistleblower complaints highlight more problems at the southern border as thousands of unaccompanied minors fill already strained government facilities.
--:-- John Bickley: With record numbers of border crossings, what's the plan for addressing the child migrant crisis?
--:-- Georgia Howe: Thanks for waking up with Morning Wire. Stay tuned. We have the news you need to know.
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--:-- John Bickley: Today's episode is sponsored by WyoTech. WyoTech, one of the nation's leading auto and diesel training schools, sees the trades as America's front lines.
--:-- Georgia Howe: WyoTech is shaping young men, women, and veterans to build careers and businesses. America is built on the trades, and WyoTech is leading the way in training. Visit wyoTech.edu to subscribe and donate to the future technicians of America.
--:-- John Bickley: The report speaks for itself. And right now I think we should all be focused on the courageous and bravery of the women who came forward.
--:-- Georgia Howe: That's Letitia James, Attorney General for New York, talking about her office's bombshell report on Governor Andrew Cuomo.
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--:-- Letitia James: The AG's report found that Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, though James declined to reach a conclusion on whether the governor's behavior should be criminally prosecuted.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Daily Wire investigative reporter Maraid McArdle joins to discuss.
--:-- Maraid McArdle: Thanks for having me on the show.
--:-- Georgia Howe: So the AG's investigation concluded that Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women. What's he being accused of exactly?
--:-- Maraid McArdle: According to the Attorney General's report, Cuomo sexually harassed current and former New York state employees, as well as several women outside of state government, including members of the public.
--:-- Georgia Howe: This included Cuomo touching their intimate body parts without consent, and engaging in unwanted groping, kissing, hugging, as well as numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature.
--:-- Maraid McArdle: So they found evidence that this was a pattern?
--:-- Georgia Howe: Yes, one of the women was actually a state trooper assigned to his protective detail. Cuomo touched her inappropriately several times, including while they were in an elevator together.
--:-- Maraid McArdle: On top of that, the report found the governor created a hostile and toxic work environment, and Cuomo and his staff even took unlawful retaliation against some victims.
--:-- Georgia Howe: But the AG did not recommend a criminal investigation.
--:-- Maraid McArdle: Correct. This information was actually tucked into a footnote of the report, which says that the report does not reach a conclusion on whether the conduct amounts to or should be the subject of criminal prosecution.
--:-- Georgia Howe: During her press conference Tuesday, James called it a sad day for New York, but she declined to recommend that Cuomo be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
--:-- Maraid McArdle: James reminded the public that her office's independent investigation is civil, not criminal. She does not have legal jurisdiction to bring criminal charges against Cuomo herself but she does have the authority to recommend such charges.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Instead she opted to leave that decision to local authorities Cuomo has repeatedly denied the accusations.
--:-- Maraid McArdle: What has he said about this report?
--:-- Georgia Howe: Shortly after the AG released the report, Governor Cuomo gave another statement flatly denying the allegations.
--:-- Maraid McArdle: I want you to know directly from me that I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances. That is just not who I am. And that's not who I have ever been.
--:-- Georgia Howe: He has also encouraged people to read his version of events on his website.
--:-- Maraid McArdle: However, investigators interviewed 179 individuals and looked at tens of thousands of pieces of evidence over the five months this investigation took.
--:-- Georgia Howe: They said that they found Cuomo's denials to lack credibility and to be inconsistent with the weight of evidence obtained during their investigation.
--:-- Maraid McArdle: One of the lead investigators said that the pattern of conduct they found is, quote, not just old-fashioned affectionate behavior, as Cuomo and some of his staff members would have it, but, quote, unlawful sex-based harassment.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Well, there's bound to be more fallout from this investigation. We'll be watching.
--:-- Maraid McArdle: Thanks, Georgia. Thanks, John.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Investigative reporter, Maraid McArdle.
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--:-- John Bickley: Up next, New York City imposes a proof of vaccination mandate.
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--:-- John Bickley: There's zero obligation. Text the word WIRE to 989898 to protect your savings today.
--:-- Georgia Howe: A first-of-its-kind proof of vaccine mandate was announced for New York City on Tuesday.
--:-- John Bickley: Here to discuss what this could mean for residents is Daily Wire's Charlotte Pence-Bahn.
--:-- Charlotte Pence-Bahn: Thanks for having me on the show.
--:-- Georgia Howe: So tell us about this. New York City has effectively issued a vaccine mandate?
--:-- Charlotte Pence-Bahn: Yes, at least for businesses. On Tuesday, Mayor de Blasio announced that the city will be mandating that businesses require proof of vaccination, and they will be held accountable for enforcement.
--:-- Georgia Howe: So while it isn't a direct mandate on citizens, effectively this is a vaccine mandate for anyone who wants to go indoors in certain venues.
--:-- Charlotte Pence-Bahn: Got it. This includes eating at restaurants, going to gyms, and attending indoor entertainment and performances.
--:-- Georgia Howe: The policy is still being finalized and will launch on August 16th with enforcement beginning in mid-September.
--:-- Charlotte Pence-Bahn: So still a few weeks out before it launches.
--:-- Georgia Howe: What are the vaccination rates in New York?
--:-- Charlotte Pence-Bahn: Well, according to New York City data, 72% of adults have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine, and 66% are fully vaccinated.
--:-- Georgia Howe: So this means about 30% of New Yorkers won't be able to fully participate in city life unless they get vaccinated.
--:-- Charlotte Pence-Bahn: Yeah. Almost a third of New Yorkers.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Have any other states done this?
--:-- Charlotte Pence-Bahn: No. This is the first mandate of its kind in the U.S. France and Italy recently created similar requirements, but up to now, Americans have mostly pushed back against this kind of thing.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Right. Politically, this is a delicate topic. How is de Blasio framing all of this?
--:-- Charlotte Pence-Bahn: He said there will be a smart mix of mandates and incentives. Last week, the mayor announced a cash incentive, but on Tuesday, he added in the mandate part.
--:-- Georgia Howe: It's time for people to see vaccination as literally necessary to living a good and full and healthy life.
--:-- Charlotte Pence-Bahn: In France and Italy they have a digital system that shows people are vaccinated. Is New York City doing something like that?
--:-- Georgia Howe: Yeah, they are. It's part of the Key to NYC Pass program.
--:-- Charlotte Pence-Bahn: Some businesses were already requiring proof of vaccination on their own, though.
--:-- Georgia Howe: For example, SoulCycle and theaters on Broadway will be requiring vaccines for most people soon.
--:-- Charlotte Pence-Bahn: New York State actually already had a vaccination passport system that was available to participating organizations.
--:-- Georgia Howe: So people could decide to opt in.
--:-- Charlotte Pence-Bahn: Right. It was just a voluntary system that made it easier for businesses to see if you had a negative COVID test or were vaccinated in case they wanted to require that.
--:-- Georgia Howe: How are businesses reacting?
--:-- Charlotte Pence-Bahn: Some are pushing back. It's certainly going to be a lift for them.
--:-- Georgia Howe: The National Restaurant Association issued a statement after the announcement saying that it supports vaccination, but it will be a burden on the workforce and lead to significant changes in restaurants in the city.
--:-- Charlotte Pence-Bahn: The New York City Hospitality Alliance also issued a statement, calling it a difficult step, but saying it could hold off shutdowns and be better for restaurants if the government is involved.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Okay, so what would you say are some of the broader implications for this?
--:-- Charlotte Pence-Bahn: Americans will be watching to see if other states and cities make similar requirements.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Traditionally, we've had strict HIPAA laws that protected personal medical information.
--:-- Charlotte Pence-Bahn: So requiring a medical disclosure to eat at a restaurant, for example, is a pretty radical departure from that standard.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Certainly there are concerns about medical civil liberties as well.
--:-- Charlotte Pence-Bahn: This is uncharted territory. We'll be watching New York.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Thanks, Charlotte. Thanks for having me.
--:-- Charlotte Pence-Bahn: Daily Wire's Charlotte Pence-Bahn.
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--:-- John Bickley: After crossing the southern border, thousands of unaccompanied minors remain in government facilities.
--:-- Georgia Howe: The number of children crossing alone has surged in the past year, with government facilities struggling to keep up.
--:-- John Bickley: Here to discuss the situation is Daily Wire editor Ash Short.
--:-- Ash Short: Thanks for having me on the show.
--:-- Georgia Howe: So a lot of kids are still in facilities at the border. What are the latest numbers?
--:-- Ash Short: Well, we're not at record numbers like April, but we're still extremely high.
--:-- Georgia Howe: The most recent data we have from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Homeland Security say we have more than 15,000 kids still being held in various government facilities.
--:-- Ash Short: And of those, more than 13,000 are in HHS custody.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Beyond that, Border Patrol is still apprehending hundreds of minors almost every day.
--:-- Ash Short: So a lot of kids.
--:-- Georgia Howe: How do these numbers compare to previous years?
--:-- Ash Short: We're seeing record numbers this year. In the fiscal year 2020, which runs from October 1 to September 30th, more than 76,000 unaccompanied minors entered the U.S.
--:-- Georgia Howe: So far in fiscal year 2021, more than 93,000 unaccompanied minors have already entered the country, and there's still three months left.
--:-- Ash Short: I will note, though, that the number currently in HHS care is down from a high of 22,000 in late April.
--:-- Georgia Howe: What's the process? What happens to these kids when they attempt to cross into the country?
--:-- Ash Short: They're first detained by Customs and Border Patrol and must then be transferred to the Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement within 72 hours.
--:-- Georgia Howe: They'll then be sent to government-run shelters or detention centers.
--:-- Ash Short: From there, they'll either be reunited with family living in the U.S. or sent to foster homes.
--:-- Georgia Howe: But because the shelters are overcrowded, kids are being kept for far longer than they should be.
--:-- Ash Short: This is obviously really dangerous. I mean, some of these kids are just 13, 14 years old.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Is the government doing anything to deter this?
--:-- Ash Short: Not much. The surge has created a bed shortage causing the government to set up tent cities at various military bases along the border.
--:-- Georgia Howe: And even though Biden administration officials have told migrants not to come to the U.S., a steady stream of illegal border crossings are still happening every day.
--:-- Ash Short: What do we know about the facilities?
--:-- Georgia Howe: We've seen some concerning reports about unsafe conditions.
--:-- Ash Short: That's actually been a major issue. Federal whistleblowers and immigration activists have filed official complaints alleging poor health care, crowded conditions, lack of clean clothes, even spoiled food.
--:-- Georgia Howe: The conditions are reportedly causing physical, mental, and emotional harm to many kids, some of whom are kept in the facilities for months.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Yeah. A 13-year-old girl from Honduras said in an official complaint that she had been in a shelter for two months after getting separated from her father while crossing a river into the U.S.
--:-- Ash Short: She also said she had been placed on a suicide watch list.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Another teen girl from Guatemala said kids had to drink expired milk after running out of water and were often thirsty.
--:-- Ash Short: She also said numerous kids fainted due to the heat.
--:-- Georgia Howe: And two more whistleblowers came forward last week about the spread of COVID among kids and staff, which they blame on the overcrowding.
--:-- Ash Short: According to a federal complaint from whistleblowers Arthur Pearlstein and Laura Reinhold, they were told by HHS to downplay the details about the COVID cases and to make everything sound positive while trying to play down anything negative.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Do we know what happens to these kids once they leave the facilities?
--:-- Ash Short: Most of the time, no.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Once a child leaves a facility to live with a relative, the government effectively stops tracking them.
--:-- Ash Short: The Office of Refugee Resettlement doesn't do much to ensure the child is enrolled in school, receiving proper medical care, or hiring an immigration attorney.
--:-- Georgia Howe: So they're kind of left on their own.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Have you seen any signals from the Biden administration about how they plan to address this issue?
--:-- Ash Short: Not really. With the pandemic and economic recovery, the border situation has not been the top priority.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Really a complex and concerning situation.
--:-- Ash Short: Thanks for joining us today, Ash.
--:-- Ash Short: Anytime. Daily Wire editor, Ash Short.
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--:-- John Bickley: Other big developments that we're tracking this week.
--:-- Georgia Howe: On Tuesday, China suspended flights, trains, and professional sporting events, and ordered mass COVID testing in Wuhan.
--:-- John Bickley: The lockdown measures come in response to an outbreak of a few hundred cases of the Delta variant.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Gymnast Simone Biles returned to earn a bronze medal on Tuesday after withdrawing from numerous prior events due to concerns about her ability to compete safely.
--:-- John Bickley: A triumphant Biles stated, it means more than all of the golds because they have pushed through so much in the last five years and the last week.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Team USA, in Tokyo and at home, is thrilled to have Biles back.
--:-- John Bickley: And former President Obama celebrates his 60th birthday this week and will be hosting a star-studded event at his 30-acre home in Martha's Vineyard.
--:-- Georgia Howe: An expected 200 staff will be on hand to serve over 400 guests.
--:-- John Bickley: The outdoor event will utilize a COVID coordinator to manage the safety of the guests.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Guests have been asked to be vaccinated and receive a negative test prior to attending the event.
--:-- John Bickley: If you liked this episode and are interested in hearing more, subscribe to Morning Wire on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you're listening, and give us a five-star review.
--:-- Georgia Howe: That's all the time we've got this morning. Thanks for waking up with us.
--:-- John Bickley: We'll be back tomorrow with the news you need to know.
--:-- Georgia Howe: If you like this podcast, subscribe to our Morning Wire newsletter, available exclusively to Daily Wire members.
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--:-- John Bickley: Thanks for listening to Morning Wire.
