Monday, September 18th, 2023

Today’s Headlines: DOJ Special Counsel Jack Smith has requested a gag order on Donald Trump regarding his public comments on the federal indictments related to election interference in 2020, aiming to prevent disparaging and inflammatory remarks about witnesses, parties, and others involved. The proposed restrictions are meant to prevent disinformation and threats while allowing Trump to quote public court documents or proclaim his innocence. Meanwhile, Representative Lauren Boebert faced scrutiny for her disruptive behavior and public displays of affection at a theater production of Beetlejuice, issuing apologies for her actions. The Biden administration has proposed an executive rule to protect federal workers from efforts to undermine the nonpartisan civil service, responding to the Trump administration's attempt to remove job protections for policy role employees with Schedule F. Lastly, a significant lithium deposit was discovered in the McDermitt Caldera along the Nevada-Oregon border, potentially meeting global demand for decades, but it faces opposition from Native Americans who consider the area sacred. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: BBC: US special counsel Jack Smith asks judge to place gag order on Donald Trump The Guardian: Lauren Boebert apologizes again for ‘maybe overtly animated’ behavior at theater  WA Post: Biden administration proposes new rule that would limit Trump purge  Business Insider: Scientists found a massive lithium deposit inside an ancient US volcano that could be a game-changer for American clean energy but spell disaster for Native Americans  Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage alongside Amanda Duberman and Bridget Schwartz Edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices