The President's Daily Brief - July 16th, 2024: Secret Service Scrutiny, Syrian Strikes, & Socialist Sinks

Episode Date: July 16, 2024

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:   We dive into the unfolding investigation of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. As more information emerges about the critical failures leading up to the incident, the Secret Service, and its Director, Kimberly Cheatle, are facing heightened scrutiny. Later in the show, we’ll have the latest from the war in Gaza with news that the IDF has struck Syrian Army facilities, amid tinderbox tensions in the nation’s north. Plus, we’ll turn our attention to South America, where the upcoming elections in Venezuela could potentially unseat a longtime antagonist of the United States. And in today’s Back of the Brief, we’ll discuss the newly announced running mate of Donald Trump, JD Vance. We’ll explore his positions on international and national security issues.   To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President’s Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com.   Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief.   Email: [e-mail] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking for a protein shake that tastes as good as it performs? Meet Rockin' Protein' Max. Packed with 50 grams of fuel, it'll help you keep up when your day won't slow down. And because it's always creamy and never chalky, every sip tastes great. Even better, it's lactose-free and has zero added sugar. It's not every day you find a protein shake you actually want to finish. Catch Rock and Protein in the dairy cooler at a store near you. Rock and Protein and Shamrock Farms are registered trademarks of Shamrock Foods Company.

This episode is brought to you by Patriot Gold Group. Protect your retirement assets and protect your future. Patriot Gold has been the top-rated gold IRA dealer for seven years in a row. Think about that. Seven years in a row, they've been the top-rated gold IRA dealer. Go to PatriotGold Group.com or call 1-888-6-2-1-3856 for a free investor guide. It's Tuesday, 16 July. Welcome to the President's Daily Brief. I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage. Let's get briefed. In today's spotlight, we dive into the unfolding investigation of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. As more information emerges about what led up to the incident, the Secret Service and its director, Kimberly Cheathel, are facing heightened scrutiny.

Later in the show, we'll have the latest from the war in Gaza with news that the IDF has struck Syrian army facilities, as tensions continue to build all. also in the nation's north with Hezbollah. Plus, we'll turn our attention to South America, where the upcoming elections in Venezuela could potentially unseat a longtime antagonist of the United States. And finally, in today's back of the brief, Donald Trump announced his VP pick yesterday at the Republican National Convention.

We'll look at where he stands on international and national security issues. But first, today's PDB spotlight. We'll kick things off today with a look at the U.S. Secret Service and including a focus on the current director, Kimberly Cheedle. In the aftermath of the assassination attempt on President Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, the Secret Service has, obviously, come under intense scrutiny, with many questioning everything from the security procedures on the ground and apparent breakdowns at the rally to whether Secret Service leadership provided former President Trump. detail with the adequate resources necessary to secure the event. That's according to a CNN report. As we discussed yesterday, the shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Crooks, was able to climb a rooftop with a clear line of sight to former President Trump, despite attendees warning authorities

about a suspicious man in the crowd, and then warning authorities about a suspicious man on the roof, and then warning authorities about a suspicious man on the roof with a gun. Now, those should all be considered clues. That rooftop was reportedly identified as a major security vulnerability days before the rally, but the Secret Service did not post any personnel on the rooftop in question, which was only about 148 yards from the stage. While the Secret Service has said that the building and rooftop used by the shooter was under the jurisdiction of local law enforcement, local officials have said Secret Service was ultimately responsible for security around the venue. Former Secret Service agents have speculated that Trump's team was stretched thin and had to rely too much on local law enforcement.

In an Oval Office address on Sunday evening, President Biden said he had ordered Secret Service Director Cheedell to organize an independent review of the rally and to reassess security measures for this week's Republican National Convention. Cheadle said the agency will fully participate in the independent review and pledge to cooperate with Congress on any oversight action. Many, frankly, are unimpressed with a response to the shooting, however, and calls for her resignation have begun to mount. Investigators are sure to pick apart every detail of Secret Service Protocol at the rally, including whether procedures were followed regarding security sweeps of the buildings ahead of Trump's speech.

Again, they will also be looking to see if the Secret Service had provided Trump's team with enough resources to protect the former president. We should note, the Secret Service has denied allegations that they refused a request from Trump's team to increase security at the rally. But the Washington Post reported that an agent on the detail told us, colleague that a lack of resources directly led to the security blunders. Now, imagining that a lack of resources is a problem is not a stretch to believe, given that independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., whose father and uncle were, of course, both assassinated, has long been denied secret service protection by the Biden administration. Following the assassination attempt on Trump, though, the administration relented and announced RFK Jr. would be given a Secret Service detail.

I mean, frankly, how was that a tough decision for the administration? Unless, of course, they simply didn't want to legitimize Kennedy's campaign by giving him Secret Service protection. Regardless. Let's take a look quickly at who's leading the Secret Service. Who is Kimberly Cheedle? Appointed to lead the Secret Service by President Biden in 2020. 22, Cheetah became the second woman in history to head the agency. She's a 27-year veteran of the Secret Service, having previously served on Biden's Secret Service detail when he was vice president. Before being named head of the agency,

Cheeto was working as the senior director of global security at PepsiCo, and that's according to Axios. Cheedle immediately stirred controversy when she took over at the Secret Service, forcefully championing diversity and equity initiatives within the agency. She committed to having at least 30% of the Secret Service made up of female agents by the year 2030. For an agency responsible for protecting lives, now, I don't know, how about you champion picking the best candidates, rather than sucking up to DEI grifters? That's just simply a thought on my part.

To entice more females, she even floated the idea of, of hiring the YouTube influencer, Michelle Kerr, to train with agents. Apparently, I'm not making that up, bringing in YouTube influencers to entice women to join the Secret Service. Now, not to be, I don't know, indelicate, but these issues are worth discussing, given the criticism level at the perceived slow response by some female agents on Trump's detail on Saturday. These criticisms also pointed out the height and weight differential between Trump and these agents, with many questioning whether they could adequately shield the 6'4-3 former president. A statement from Megan McCain is indicative of the widespread criticism that Cheadle is facing for her prioritization of DEI policies at the agency.

McCain said, quote, This is why the notion that men and women are the same is just absurd. you need to be taller than the candidate to protect them with your body. Why do they have these short women, one who can't holster a gun, apparently, guarding Trump? This is embarrassing and dangerous, she said, end quote. While we will have to wait to learn more about Saturday's security failures, members of Congress are taking matters into their own hands. A bipartisan group of lawmakers is preparing to introduce a bill to enhance secret service protections for President Biden, former President Trump, and Trump, now RFK Jr. as our fractured nation barrels towards November. Okay, before moving on, just a quick reminder. If you're enjoying the show and you want to listen without commercial interruptions, sign up for a premium membership at PDB Premium.com. Along with an ad-free experience, you'll receive our weekly newsletter, the PDB intelligence checklist, and have access to our monthly Ask Me Anything sessions. And once a week, I'll stop by

your home and mix up a batch of martinis. Again, you can check that out at PDB Premium.com. All right, coming up next, we'll bring you the latest from the war in Gaza, including news of the idea of striking Syrian army facilities. And then we'll turn to South America, where a longtime antagonist of the United States, Nicholas Maduro, is in danger of losing the upcoming election later this month, assuming, of course, he allows a fair election. And by that, I mean, there won't be a fair election. We'll have those stories when we come back. USAA knows dynamic duos can save the day,

like superheroes and sidekicks or auto and home insurance. With USAA, you can bundle your auto and home and save up to 10%. Tap the banner to learn more and get a quote at usa.com slash bundle. Restrictions apply. Looking to see what's happening around your home? Rings battery doorbell helps you track packages and see who's at your door in real time. The outdoor cam plus protects your, yard at night with a wide field of view and clearer retinal 2K video or upgrade to 4K cameras and

doorbells with retinal vision for ultra clear zoom in detail your door your yard your home with ring it's protected shop cameras doorbells and more at ring dot com now welcome back to the PDB i want to shift our focus to the middle east where is increasing the pressure on hamas terrorists amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations Israel executed several strikes along the Gaza Strip on Monday, hitting a UN-run school building in central Gaza being used as a base of operations by Hamas militants. In the south, IDF troops neutralized a cell attempting to ambush Israeli soldiers in Rafah, while they eliminated several Hamas fighters and smaller skirmishes in northern Gaza. IDF troops also reportedly took out a cell of Hamas forces in Gaza City,

who were trying to lay an improvised explosive device on a road used by the IDF, and that's according to Reuters. Analysts say that the scattered activity seems to indicate that Israel is winding down operations in parts of northern Gaza as they shift to a more targeted strategy when it comes to dealing with Hamas' reconstituted battalions. Such a strategy would allow the Israeli military to operate a little more fluidly and would target threats where they emerge, and that's according to a report from the Jerusalem Post. Amid the flurry of activity in Gaza, Israel also continues to keep resources focused on Iran's

network of proxies, particularly Hezbollah in Lebanon and their allies in Syria. The IDF revealed Monday that their forces had carried out air strikes against Syrian military facilities linked to drone attacks on Israel. It came after an Israeli air strike in Syria last week against Hezbollah militants who were attempting to use Syrian army sites to launch surprise attacks on Israel. In Israeli airstrike in Lebanon, on Monday, also killed two Hezbollah fighters, as the conflict along Israel's northern border continues to intensify. Now, whether fighting with Hezbollah explodes into a wider war, as many fear, well, that seems to hinge on the outcome of the latest ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, which have shown promise. As we reported Monday,

those negotiations remain ongoing, even after a deadly Israeli airstrike in Gaza on Saturday that is thought to have killed Mohamed Dief, the elusive military leader of Hamas. Hamas officials have accused Israel of attempting to disrupt the ceasefire negotiation with the strike, but said they would remain at the table, at least for now. While there are still reportedly gaps between the parties, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken struck an optimistic note on Monday, saying, quote, there are a few remaining sticking points and were working to try and resolve those, were committed, he said, to trying to do that, end quote. All right, shifting attention to South

America, where for the first time since its election in 2013, President Nicholas Maduro's government in Venezuela, well, it appears genuinely threatened. A recent survey shows that two-thirds of Venezuelans hope for political change in the 28 July presidential election. If that polling deficit holds stealing this election, well, it won't be as easy for Maduro as it has been in previous years. The October 23 Barbados Agreement, in which Maduro committed to electoral guarantees, has played a crucial role in driving this potential tipping point. The agreement was part of a process of sanctions relief, coordinated by the Biden administration and international partners, and it marked a significant step towards the goal of free elections. Okay, let's not overagged the

pudding, a significant step toward free elections, at least theoretically. After signing the agreement, the U.S. announced an easing of sanctions on Venezuela's oil and gas sector, contingent on Maduro's adherence to holding fair elections. Of course, the Venezuelan government, has a history of undermining such agreements, and Maduro is making concerted efforts to manipulate the election in his favor. Despite the initial optimism, Maduro's government quickly violated the spirit of the Barbados Agreement. In January 2024, the pro-government Supreme Court upheld the disqualification of opposition candidate Marina Karina Makado. Additionally, Maduro's government designed a ballot favoring the precedent in which he appears

as a candidate, 13 times, and they move polling sites to pro-government locations. So, you ask yourself, and it's a good question to ask yourself, who is the man behind the growing threat to Maduro? Well, he's a little-known, retired diplomat named Edmundo Gonzales Oruccia. He is leading Maduro by 20 to 30 points in recent polls, despite never having sought elected office and until recently, well, being virtually unknown to voters. The only reason he's running is that he agreed to be the stand-in presidential candidate for the Venezuelan opposition following Macado's forced disqualification. Despite the low profile, Gonzalez has decades of experience in international diplomacy, having served as Venezuela's ambassador to both Algeria and

Argentina. According to statements made on the campaign trail, he aims to govern inclusive addressing the needs of all citizens, including supporters of his rival. Sensing the growing threat of Gonzalez's challenge, Maduro has stepped up verbal attacks on the low-key career diplomat. During a recent rally, Maduro described his opponent as, quote, a decrepit old man who wants to take power in Venezuela. Hmm. Gonzales has avoided taking the bait, responding, quote, we are going to build a country where the president doesn't insult people. Wait, what kind of political nonsense is that? Despite the opposition's enthusiasm, much could change before the vote, which many view as Venezuela's last chance to rescue its democracy and economy

from one of the most severe peacetime depressions in decades. Concerns linger that Maduro, who blames U.S. sanctions for the economic collapse, might undermine Gonzalez's candidacy or create a security crisis to justify suspending the vote. even if the election happens and the opposition wins, well, many observers are skeptical that Maduro will accept the result in relinquish power, fearing imprisonment or political oblivion. All right, coming up, Donald Trump has chosen Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate. We'll explore where the senator stands on the issues in today's back of the brief. I'll be right back.

Fox News is now streaming live on Fox One. breaks, we don't just report it. We go beyond the headlines to get the full story. Get live coverage, in-depth analysis, and perspectives from the voices you trust, all in one place. Whether you're at home or on the go, stay connected to the stories shaping our world. Stream Fox News on Fox One. Download today. This is Euphoria Calvin Klein, the new Elixir Collection, featuring three perfume intense scents, inspired by a unique orchid accord paired with vanilla, each with its own distinct attitude, each with its own universe, bold elixir, sensual, woody, addictive, magnetic elixir, sweet and romantic like a lingering touch, solar elixir, a radiant expression of joy, ultra-concentrated

for amplified impact and lasting power. Find your euphoria. Discover the euphoria elixir collection by Calvin Klein. In today's back of the brief, well, the pick is in, and if you had J.D. Vance, on your bingo card, well, congratulations. Former President Donald Trump has named the Ohio Senator as his running mate for the upcoming presidential election. The announcement came during the Republican National Convention on Monday in Milwaukee, with Trump keeping the world guessing until the last possible moment. And there's a fun fact.

The last time Republicans waited this long for a VP candidate was when George H.W. Bush chose Dan Quayle as his running mate, and that was back in 1988. ancient history. Vance is a relatively new figure in politics, first gaining national attention with his best-selling memoir, Hillbilly Elegie, in 2016. The same year, by the way, that Trump was elected president. Since becoming a senator in the state of Ohio in 2022, Vance has been a staunch supporter of Trump's policies, particularly in areas of foreign policy, immigration, and trade. The announcement was made on truth social, just as delegates were rubber-stamping Trump's nomination as the Republican presidential candidate.

Trump praised Vance's military service as successful career in technology and finance and his dedication to American workers and farmers in crucial battleground states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed strong support for the choice, emphasizing Vance's innovative ideas and ability to connect with younger voters.

Johnson stated, quote, it is time to unite our nation, and we are eager to grow our House majority and get to work with his ticket to restore America's greatness once again, end quote. Now, in the Senate, Vance aligned closely with the former president. On topics like Ukraine, Vance emerged as one of the most prominent critics of U.S. support, where he led an unsuccessful effort to block a $60 billion military aid package for Ukraine. In an opinion piece for the New York Times, Vance criticized President Biden's approach, saying, quote, Mr. Biden has failed to articulate even basic facts about what Ukraine needs and

how this aid will change the reality on the ground, end quote. Fance's Senate campaign emphasized strict border control and a merit-based immigration system, with the construction of the border wall a priority. He staunchly opposes any form of amnesty for undocumented immigrants, aligning with the broader Republican agenda aimed at tightening immigration laws. Regarding tariffs, Vance supports Trump's proposal of a 10% across-the-board tariff on imported goods, framing it as a moral stance against exploitative labor practices in China. He believes that these tariffs will incentivize domestic production, particularly in the Rust Belt. And that, my friends, is the president's daily brief for Tuesday, 16 July.

If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me at pdb at thefirsttv.com. Now, to listen to the show ad-free, I'll become a premium member of the President's Daily Brief by visiting pdbpremium.com. It's very, very simple. And remember, the PDB is available on all podcast platforms, as well as our YouTube channel at President's Daily Brief. I'm Mike Baker. I'll be back later today with the PDB afternoon bulletin. Until then, stay informed. Stay safe.

Stay cool. Ryan Reynolds here from MintMobil. I don't know if you knew this. but anyone can get the same premium wireless for $15 a month plan that I've been enjoying. It's not just for celebrities, so do like I did and have one of your assistants' assistants to switch you to MintMobile today. I'm told it's super easy to do at mintmobile.com slash switch. Up front payment of $45 for three-month plan equivalent to $15 per month required. Intro rate first three months only, then full price plan options available.

Taxes and fees extra. See full terms at mintmobile.com.