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Chapter 1: What criticism did President Biden face regarding Hunter's pardon?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Many lawmakers on Capitol Hill are criticizing President Biden over his decision to sign a full and unconditional pardon for his son, Hunter, something he long insisted he would not do. San Pedro's Elena Moore reports the decision has gotten pushback from Republicans and Democrats.
Chapter 2: What do Republicans say about Biden's pardon decision?
In a statement on X, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson blamed the Biden family for eroding public trust in the justice system, adding that, quote, real reform cannot begin soon enough. Johnson is one of a handful of prominent Republicans who have spoken out about this, and some Democrats have also come out against the pardon.
Chapter 3: How do Democrats view Biden's pardon for Hunter?
Colorado Senator Michael Bennett wrote on X that Biden's decision puts, quote, personal interest ahead of duty, adding that it further erodes Americans' faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all. Elena Moore, NPR News.
Chapter 4: Who is Pete Hegseth and what are the allegations against him?
President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be the next Pentagon chief was on Capitol Hill meeting with lawmakers today. That included a meeting with Alabama Republican Tommy Tuberville, who said he supports Pete Hegseth to head the DOD, despite new allegations against him.
Obviously, if it's to a certain degree, people are not going to vote to confirm him. But what I know and what I've talked to him about, what I've read, what I've studied and been around him,
Today's meeting comes as more allegations of sexist behavior and alcohol problems are emerging. Hegseth was listed in the report by The New Yorker. Meanwhile, while never charged with a crime, according to his lawyer, Hegseth paid a woman who accused him of sexually assaulting her an undisclosed sum in order to protect his job as a Fox News anchor.
Chapter 5: What is happening with North Carolina's incoming Democratic governor?
Republican state senators in North Carolina voted today to strip power from the incoming Democratic governor. Lawmakers there overriding Governor Roy Cooper's veto of the measure. which now goes to the statehouse. Colin Campbell of member station WUNC has more on the power struggle resulting from last month's election.
Chapter 6: What are the implications of stripping power from the Democratic governor?
The bill from the Republican legislature would prevent incoming Democratic Governor Josh Stein from appointing the state's elections board, and it would take power away from other statewide offices won by Democrats. Current Democratic Governor Roy Cooper says the changes are unconstitutional and shouldn't have been attached to a Hurricane Helene relief bill.
Republican State Senator Ralph Heist defended the changes.
despite the spicy language the governor tried to throw in his little veto message. that's coming in. This is a good policy for the state of North Carolina.
The vetoed bill now goes to the state House, where three Republicans voted against it last month. For NPR News, I'm Colin Campbell in Raleigh.
As expected, Sunday was the busiest travel day of the Thanksgiving holiday, setting a new record according to the Transportation Security Administration. TSA says nearly 3.1 million travelers passed through checkpoints on Sunday. A mixed close on Wall Street today. The Dow was down 128 points. You're listening to NPR.
Artificial intelligence applications have a great deal of promise, but perhaps nowhere more than in drug development. Pharmaceutical industry execs are hoping AI can tackle some of the biggest challenges they currently face, including coming up with cheaper and faster ways to make new medicines.
Even with billions pouring into research by big pharma, it typically takes a decade or more to develop a new drug. Companies using AI to develop next-generation medicines hope the technology will allow that time to be significantly reduced.
After France's prime minister forced a budget bill through Parliament using an emergency clause because he did not have the votes to pass it, the far-left and far-right have come together in a vote of no confidence. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports today's no-confidence vote would likely lead to the collapse of the French government within days.
There was an uproar in the French parliament as Prime Minister Michel Barnier announced that he had no choice but to push the budget through using the emergency clause. The far left and far right, which have the largest voting blocs in parliament, are objecting.
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