Tuesday, December 12th, 2023

Today’s Headlines: In a series of legal developments involving former President Donald Trump, he backed out of testifying at his civil fraud trial in New York, claiming election interference. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice's Special Counsel seeks to expedite a trial in DC on election interference, asking the Supreme Court to rule on Trump's immunity as a former president. The Court has already set a deadline for Trump's response. The Supreme Court also declined to hear a case challenging Washington's ban on conversion therapy for minors, leaving the ban intact. In Texas, a pregnant woman targeted by the state's Attorney General for an abortion is leaving the state. Ukrainian President Zelensky visits the White House amid a funding dispute for Ukraine's military, and Putin's opposition leader Navalny goes missing. Lastly, the Air National Guard takes action against 15 service members for failing to stop a National Guard officer from posting classified information on a Discord group linked to Russian channels. The officials, ranging from sergeants to colonels, faced consequences, including dismissals and administrative punishments, raising concerns about inaction and accountability within the military ranks. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: NBC News: In a reversal, Donald Trump says he won't testify in his own defense in New York fraud trial CBS News: Special counsel asks Supreme Court to decide whether Trump is immune from federal prosecution - CBS News NPR: High Court, in declining to weigh conversion therapy ban, allows law to stand : NPR  NY Times: Texas Supreme Court Overturns Order Allowing Woman’s Abortion - The New York Times WA Post: Biden invites Zelensky to Washington amid Ukraine funding fight BBC: Alexei Navalny: Russian opposition leader 'removed from penal colony' NPR: The Air National Guard disciplines 15 members in wake of Discord intel leak 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