Conservatives’ new line of attack on Kamala Harris centers on ‘DEI’ criticisms. A U.S. military investigation finds failures leading up to a mass shooting by an Army reservist. And Israel’s prime minister will try to shore up U.S. support in his address to Congress.
Here’s what to know today.
‘Dumb’ and a ‘DEI’ candidate: Republicans launch attacks on Harris based on race and gender
As leading Democrats mobilize support for Kamala Harris in the wake of President Joe Biden dropping his re-election bid, conservative attacks on Harris’ gender and race have illuminated the drastic difference in this campaign. She would make history as the first woman of color to be president if she is elected. But criticisms about her as a “DEI” candidate, referencing work policies that promote diversity, equity and inclusion, are already talking points for some on the right.
“Her skin color is the correct DEI color,” said Sebastian Gorka, a host of the conservative network Newsmax and former member of the Trump administration.
Though battles over DEI have been elevated to political debate in recent years, the criticisms echo 2016 attacks on Hilary Clinton. Former President Donald Trump often centered his retorts on Clinton’s strength, appearance and questioned her qualifications. Harris has faced similar comments from Trump in 2020, namely his promotion of the baseless “birther” conspiracy — which he also pushed against former President Barack Obama and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.
More coverage:
- Biden will give a White House address tonight on his decision to exit the race.
- Why Harris may have just two weeks to pick a VP candidate.
- Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries have joined a list of top Democrats to back Harris’ bid.
- Why Harris’ campaign could bring undecided voters off the fence — in both directions.
Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s first Congressional address since Oct. 7 attacks
In his first speech to Congress since the Oct. 7 attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to emphasize bipartisan support for Israel. While he is expected receive a warm welcome from Republicans, more than 20 House and Senate Democrats have said they plan to boycott the speech over his handling of the war in Gaza. Protests are also expected on Capitol Hill, with about 200 people arrested last night during a demonstration against the war.
Several former senior officials from Israel’s security establishment have also expressed opposition to Netanyahu speaking in front of Congress, saying they have “grave concerns” about the “damage” his visit will do to joint U.S. and Israeli objectives. Harris is expected to skip the speech as she continues her fledgling presidential campaign, but will meet with Netanyahu privately. Biden and Netanyahu are also expected to meet at the White House tomorrow with relatives of the American hostages still held in Gaza, a source familiar with the matter said. On Friday morning, Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, his residence in Palm Beach, Florida.
The Biden administration has continued working behind the scenes to try to reach a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas. Secretary of State Antony Blinken appeared to express some optimism late last week when he said the negotiators were “driving toward the goal line.”
More on the Israel-Hamas war:
- The Israeli military is destroying medical facilities in Gaza and debilitating the health care system there, 14 doctors and two nurses told NBC News.
Army finds multiple ‘failures’ in its handling of Maine reservist prior to deadly mass shooting
A U.S. military report found “multiple errors” following an investigation into Army reservist Robert Card and his unit’s response to incidents surrounding his mental state. Card was found dead by suicide after killing 18 people at a bowling alley and bar in October. After a shoving incident with a fellow soldier, Card was hospitalized in a psychiatric unit for two weeks when his reported symptoms included psychosis, homicidal ideation and a “hit list,” according to the report. After his release, a follow-up investigation was never conducted and he was allowed to still privately own firearms.
The investigation found three officers in his unit “derelict in their duties” and acknowledged several communication missteps between medical agencies, local law enforcement and a soldier’s chain of command. “If Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) had fully executed their health and welfare check on SFC Card in September 2023, then the mass shooting and suicide may have been avoided,” one Army investigator wrote.
Card’s family says his mental struggles were strained by service-related blast injuries and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center is now aiding in research on the motivation behind the mass shooting.
Yellowstone eruption sends geysers of boiling water, and mud through the air
A hydrothermal explosion sent rock and steam flying into the air north of the Old Faithful geyser at Yellowstone National Park yesterday morning. Video shows a towering, gray, column erupting from the ground as visitors ran for cover.
The type of explosion that rocked Yellowstone happens when boiling water beneath the ground rapidly turns into steam because of a drop in pressure, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. In Yellowstone, which is famed for its thermal features and hot pools, these explosions are “relatively common,” the USGS said.
Photos posted on social media show the boardwalk covered in dirt and rocks after the explosion. No injuries were reported, but affected areas were closed due to safety concerns.
‘Twisters’ highlights Oklahomans’ solidarity after storms
Movie theaters in “Tornado Alley” have been packed for the release of ‘Twisters.’ A standalone sequel to the 1996 film, it follows storm chasers as they are tasked with taming a catastrophic outbreak of tornadoes across Oklahoma. One such theater was severely damaged 11 years ago after a massive EF5 tornado — and was filled with watchers who said that it ‘’felt like our movie.’’ “This sense of solidarity and hope is something that we Oklahomans deeply identify with,” said one moviegoer.
The film, which already collected a massive $80.5 million in its opening weekend, “was big everywhere, but specifically in Oklahoma,” said Jim Orr, president of domestic distribution for Universal Pictures, which released the film.
13 years after JimmerMania, a former college star aims for Olympic gold
Jimmy Fredette, a first-round 2011 NBA draft, pick played six seasons with the Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks and the Phoenix Suns. He went on to dominate the Chinese Basketball Association and averaged nearly 40 points for the Shanghai Sharks in his first three years. Now Jimmermania returns, but this time in Paris. As the unquestioned leader of Team USA’s 3×3 men’s basketball team, an Olympic gold medal is the next goal for this former BYU guard.
- The Winter Games will make a return visit to Salt Lake City in 2034 while the 2030 Olympics were tentatively set for the French Alps, officials said this morning.
Politics in Brief
Trump campaign: Trump plans to stop holding outdoor rallies after he was shot during an assassination attempt. Indoor rallies will continue, sources tell NBC.
Stepping down: Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., will resign next month after being found guilty on all 16 counts in a federal bribery and corruption trial.
Abortion ban: Iowa’s ban on abortions after six weeks will go into effect next week, nearly a year after being signed into law.
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Staff Pick: A deputy constable’s white whale: Indicting librarians over ‘obscene’ books
As reporters, we’ve seen lots of police body camera footage over the years — but never any quite like this. For our story about a Texas lawman’s two-year quest to criminally charge school librarians over the books on their shelves, Tyler Kingkade and I obtained the officer’s 821-page investigative file and videos of his attempts to question librarians.
The footage of an officer searching school libraries in search of evidence of crime shocked free-speech advocates and offers a visceral image of how far some authorities are willing to go to punish educators for allowing children to access books dealing with sex, sexuality and gender.
— Mike Hixenbaugh, senior investigative reporter
In Case You Missed It
- Two boaters were flung into the ocean in New Hampshire after a whale capsized their 23-foot boat. They were rescued by nearby boaters and sustained no injuries, according to the Coast Guard.
- The northern lights might be visible across several northern states, from New York to Idaho this week
NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified
If retail therapy is your way to get through a Wednesday, NBC Select’s editors rounded up the best sales to shop this week, from REI to The Home Depot, and some cool new launches from Beats, Ninja, Hoka and more.
Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown. Today’s newsletter was curated for you by Kaylah Jackson and Annie Hill.
