The President's Daily Brief - October 15th, 2024: Israeli Retaliation Imminent?, Russian Executions, & Venezuelan Gang’s Child Recruits

Episode Date: October 15, 2024

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: We're revisiting a critical story from yesterday about US troops being deployed to Israel. What does this signal? It could point to Israel preparing for an imminent response to Iran. A disturbing report from Russia—accusations are emerging that Russian forces have conducted the largest mass execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war since the start of the invasion 31 months ago. Alarming news about the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua operating in the US, with reports that they’re now allegedly recruiting children as young as 11 years old. And in today's Back of the Brief: An armed man with loaded firearms and fake passports was arrested near a Trump rally in Coachella, California. Authorities believe this may be the third foiled assassination attempt against the former president. 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]  Blackout Coffee: https://www.blackoutcoffee.com/PDB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Here's my advice for starting your day off right. First, take one empty coffee mug. All right, you're with me so far?

All right, then, and here's the important part, fill it with Blackout Coffee. Now, Blackout Coffee is a great American business. It's family-owned, and they are all about premium coffee, fresh-roasted, and shipped out within 48 hours of roasting. Go to blackout coffee.com promo code PDB for 20% off your first purchase. It's Tuesday, 15 October. Welcome to the President's Daily Brief. I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage. All right, let's get briefed.

Coming up on today's show, we're returning to a critical story that we covered yesterday to some degree. U.S. troops being sent to Israel. It begs the question, what does this move signal? Could it be a sign that Israel is preparing for an imminent response to Iran? Later in the program, a disturbing report out of Russia. Disturbing perhaps, but I suppose not necessarily surprising. Accusations are emerging that Russian forces have carried out the largest mass execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war since the invasion began over 31 months ago.

Think about that. This conflict started with Putin's invasion over 31 months ago. Plus, alarming news about the Venezuelan gang Trendaaragua operating in the U.S. with reports that they're now allegedly recruiting children as young as 11 into their ranks. And in today's back of the brief, an armed man with loaded firearms and fake passports and fake credentials and fake IDs was arrested near a Trump rally in Coachella, California. Authorities, at least local authorities, believe that this could be the third foiled assassination attempt against former President Trump.

But first, today's PDB spotline. I want to start by revisiting a situation that we touched on yesterday. The Pentagon announced on Sunday that U.S. troops will be heading to Israel, albeit in a limited support capacity, as the country comes under intensifying aerial attacks from Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies. The move may also suggest an Israeli retaliation against Iran is imminent. As we mentioned on yesterday's PDB, the Pentagon is sending Israel an advanced air defense system known as the terminal high-altitude area defense battery or THAAD because nobody loves an acronym like

the U.S. military loves an acronym. Along with, and here is an interesting part, roughly 100 American soldiers to operate it, and this is all at the instruction of the Biden administration. Officials at the Pentagon said the THADS. system will help provide Israel with a more comprehensive, multi-layered shield against potential missile and drone attacks. The system has six truck-mounted launchers, each holding eight interceptors, along with a very powerful radar. They're so advanced that the U.S. only has seven of these systems in their entire arsenal. Now, the significance of the decision can't be overstated. The U.S. last deployed a THAAD battery in Israel.

following last year's 7 October attacks, and they also sent one back in 2019 for training purposes. But neither involved the presence of U.S. troops. For context, the last time that U.S. soldiers were sent to defend Israel was back in 1991 during the first Gulf War when a small group was deployed to operate a U.S. provided Patriot Air Defense Battery. In addition to being a major story on its own, This could mean, I suppose, that an Israeli attack on Iran may be on the horizon. The former head of the Israeli air defense told NBC news that once Israel launches their retaliation over Iran's missile attack some two weeks ago, the Islamic regime could well respond with an even larger aerial bombardment.

He said the THAAD system would be needed in such a scenario, as their Iron Dome defense systems could become overwhelmed. But it's not just Sunday's announcement that suggests the countdown for an Israeli response has begun. U.S. officials, familiar with Israel's internal deliberations, said Saturday that leaders in Jerusalem have narrowed down their list of potential targets, their target packages, to strike inside Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu convened a security meeting Monday night in Tel Aviv,

reportedly to make final preparations for their return. retaliation, the unnamed U.S. official said that Israel has selected various targets related to the Iranian military, along with their energy infrastructure. These officials said there's no indication that Israel plans to target Iranian nuclear facilities or carry out targeted assassinations of Iranian leadership. But they stressed that Israel is still keeping details close to the vest and that a final decision about when and how to strike back has not been made, at least to their knowledge. Official reports suggest that Israel is deliberately keeping the Biden administration in the

dark regarding specifics of their planned response. President Biden spoke with Netanyahu last Wednesday, but reportedly obtained little insight into how Israel will proceed. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to his Israeli counterpart, Jove Gallant, on Friday, following a meeting of the Israeli Security Cabinet, but Gallant reportedly did not disclose specific targets under consideration to Austin. The Biden administration has been urging the Israeli government, of course, to exercise restraint and to launch a proportionate response that focuses solely on Iranian military targets. There are concerns among the Arab Gulf states, particularly

Saudi Arabia, that any attack on Iranian oil sites could trigger retaliatory strikes by Iranian proxy groups on their own oil facilities. Officials have also seen. cited geopolitical risks, arguing strikes on Iranian oil would rile China. Oh, we sure wouldn't want to get Xi Jinping upset about that, which is Iran's top oil buyer, and could cause oil prices to surge, oh, here we go, ahead of the U.S. presidential election. But it looks increasingly likely that energy infrastructure inside Iran will be in Israel's sites. Meanwhile, with Israel's response looming and fighting intensifying across Lebanon. The U.S. issued an alert through the U.S. embassy in Beirut on Monday calling on all remaining

American citizens in Lebanon to evacuate immediately. Yeah, it should probably heed that advice. All right. Coming up after the break, new reports from Ukraine accuse Russian forces of carrying out mass executions of Ukrainian BOWs. Plus, alarming news of the Venezuelan game. Trenda Agua or TDA, recruiting children as young as 11

in the U.S. I'll have those stories when we come back. Krispy chicken sandwich from 7-Eleven, people always call me loud. And I'm like, yeah, I know. I'm crispy. Did you expect me to whisper? If you want quiet, go eat some soup and reflect.

Like, I know I'm a handful. I'm bold, I'm juicy. Throw some pickles and barbecue sauce on me, and baby I'm a whole meal. And with seven rewards, I'm just $4. Quiet? No. Crispy,

Sossey and $4. Very. Only at 711. Valley through 62326, participating stores only while supplies lastly app for full terms. Fox News is now streaming live on Fox One. When it matters most,

turn to the voices you trust. We go beyond the headlines, bringing you the stories you won't hear anywhere else. Live coverage, sharp analysis, real perspective. At home or on the go. Stay connected when it counts. Stream Fox News on Fox One. Download today.

Welcome back to the BDB. I want to turn your attention to the battlefields of Ukraine, where we're hearing reports of alleged war crimes carried out by the Russian military against Ukrainian prisoners of war. Dron footage posted on Sunday by Ukrainian Analysis Group, Deep State, appears to confirm reports that Russian forces carried out a, quote, mass execution of nine Ukrainian people. drone operators who surrendered on October 10th in Russia's Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces have, of course, been holding territory since early August, and that's according to a report from Forbes. Reports circulating in Ukrainian media said that after being captured, the nine troops were forced to strip down to their underwear and lie face down on the ground. They were then executed by Russian troops who shot the men in the head one by one. The drone footage posted by Deep State backs up these grisly reports showing nine men stripped and lying face down in a wooded area

inside Kursk. Ukraine's human rights commissioner called the executions a gross violation of the Geneva Convention and accused Russia of violating, quote, all the rules and customs of war. Ukrainian officials have since written to the United Nations and the Red Cross over the allegations demanding a full inquiry. Well, that should do it. In a statement, Ukrainian human rights officials said, quote, these actions must not go unpunished, and the enemy must bear full responsibility. The international community should not turn a blind eye to such crimes, end quote. Unfortunately, it's just the latest evidence that Russian troops and field commanders have been sanctioning and carrying out war crimes against Ukrainian prisoners of war. Ukraine's

Prosecutor General's office started an investigation at the beginning of October into what appears to be the largest mass execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war since the start of this conflict. Officials said Russian forces executed 16 Ukrainian soldiers in the Eastern Densk region sometime in September. Unverified videos circulating on Ukrainian telegram channels allegedly show the soldiers being lined up before Russian troops opened fire. Russian troops, can then be seen shooting survivors at close range with machine guns. Officials are also investigating the alleged execution of three other Ukrainian prisoners of war in the Eastern Denezsk region.

Ukraine's Prosecutor General's office said that over the course of the war, Russian forces have murdered at least 93 Ukrainian POWs, and that was before the latest incidents that are under investigation now. Ukraine's Prosecutor General warned that these are not isolated incidents, but rather, quote, a deliberate policy of the Russian military and political leadership, end quote. Okay, moving over to the U.S., the Venezuelan gang, Trendoragua, or TDA, as they're being called, is expanding its influence in the U.S. by recruiting children into their criminal ranks, exploiting migrant shelters and schools as hunting grounds. These child

recruits are being groomed for crimes because, well, their age shields them from harsh legal consequences. As we've been tracking on the PDB, since the gang's rapid expansion into the U.S. in 2022, TDA infiltrated cities by blending in with waves of asylum seekers, taking advantage of the Biden-Harris administration's open border policy. In New York, a pack of nearly two dozen young TDA members, some as young as 11, call themselves Los D'Iblos de la 42, little devils of 42nd Street. Operating out of the Roosevelt Hotel, and that's a former high-end hotel now operating as a migrant shelter in Manhattan, these child recruits are guided by other older TDA members, so far committing more than 50 violent crimes. These crimes include gunpoint robberies and drug

trafficking in Times Square and other tourist attractions, often as part of their initiation into the gang. Despite their brazen crimes, not one of them has landed behind bars. Now, that may not shock those of you who have been watching the current state of the justice system here in the U.S. New York's lenient bail laws for minors make it nearly impossible to detain them. This allows the miners to operate with impunity, knowing that the worst consequence is a slap on the wrist. According to NYPD Detective Bureau Assistant Chief Jason Savino, the minor members communicate and flaunt their exploits on social media via government-issued phones, boasting about how easily they evade punishment. Beyond New York, the disturbing trend of TDA targeting children grows.

In Houston, 32-year-old TDA member Johannes Robertson Kovwa was arrested last week for attempting to recruit middle school students into a citywide shoplifting gang. Kovah, who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in 2022, has a history of using minors to carry out his operations, targeting them, well, because they face few legal consequences if caught, the same tactic as the gang's approach in New York. Kova's track record is, well, let's call it disturbing. His criminal record spans Houston, Dallas, and Arizona, where he orchestrated multiple thefts using minors. In one instance, he led a crew that included the child to steal thousands of dollars

worth of merchandise from a beauty store in Arizona. What an entrepreneur. Despite a long record and being arrested multiple times, COVA is repeatedly released on bond. That may not shock you either, only to continue his criminal activities. Well, I can certainly say why the Biden-Aris administration wouldn't want a deport a fine future citizen like that. Sources within Homeland Security warned the TDA's infiltration into schools is a sign of more widespread recruitment efforts, drawing troubling parallels to how cartels use minors to smuggle drugs across borders. All right, coming up in the back of the brief, an armed man with loaded firearms and fake documentation was arrested near a Trump rally in Coachella,

with authorities, at least local authorities, suspecting it could be the third foiled assassination attempt against the former president. I'll be right back. Choice hotels get you more of what you value. Here's a little tune to help you remember. Same drive, different day. Don't you wish you were getting away? Pack your beds and come on through.

Texas, Ohio, Alaska, we're up there too. Comfort Inn. It's calling your name. Save on the stay. Oh, and free waffles are yours to claim. Well, I hope you like my little song, book direct. at source philtails.com. Ryan Reynolds here for MintMobil,

with a message for everyone paying big wireless way too much. Please, for the love of everything good in this world, stop. With Mint, you can get premium wireless for just $15 a month. Of course, if you enjoy overpaying, no judgments, but that's weird. Okay, one judgment. Anyway, give it a try 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. In today's back of the brief, a man carrying loaded firearms and fake IDs was arrested near former President Trump's rally in Coachella, California on Saturday in what local law enforcement described as a potential third assassination attempt. However, the suspect, who's a self-identified Trump supporter, denies the allegations. Well, I'll bet he does. The Riverside County Sheriff's office reports the suspect, 49-year-old Van Miller from Nevada, approached an inner security checkpoint in a black SUV,

attempting to gain access to the rally by presenting a fake VIP pass. While stopped, deputies became suspicious when they discovered his SUV was unregistered and that he had homemade license plates. Ah, clues. Well done. Upon searching the vehicle, officials found the loaded firearms, along with evidence that Miller might be affiliated with the anti-government sovereign citizen movement, which Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco referred to as, quote, extremists.

Deputies also discovered several passports and driver's licenses bearing different names. Hmm. More clues. In a press conference on Sunday, Sheriff Bianco believes his department prevented, quote, another assassination attempt on Trump. Miller, on the other hand, maintained his innocence. and, and this won't shock you, was released on $5,000 bail after being charged solely with weapons violations. Miller insists that he was invited to the rally and posed no threat.

In an interview with the Southern California News Group on Sunday, he was, quote, shocked by his arrest, calling the claims made by Sheriff Bianco, quote, complete bullshit. Well, that's his quote. Miller added that he previously attended multiple Trump rallies with firearms in his car. Federal agencies, including the Secret Service and the FBI, also do not share the sheriff's view. They believe Miller's weapons were likely for personal defense, tied to his association with the anti-government movement rather than a plan to target Trump. According to the Secret Service, Trump was never in danger and the incident did not disrupt their protective operations.

As the investigation continues, no federal charges have been filed. For now, the sheriff stands by his claim of preventing a possible assassination, while federal authorities remain unconvinced. Now, look, regardless of his intentions, am I the only one who's wondering what you have to do nowadays to actually be detained for any period of time? I mean, let's look at the situation. He had an unregistered vehicle. fake license plates, several fake passports and other documentation, attempted to enter our political

rally with loaded weapons, and appears to be a member of what law enforcement refers to as an extremist group. And then, he was released on $5,000 bail. We are living in supremely stupid times. And that, my friends, is the president's daily brief for Tuesday, 15 October. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me at PDB at thefirsttv.com. And as you probably saw while scrolling through TikTok, if you want to listen to the show ad-free, simply become a premium member of the president's daily brief by visiting PDB premium.com. It couldn't be any easier. I'm Mike Baker, and I'll be back later today with the PDB afternoon bulletin. Until then, stay informed. Stay safe. Stay cool.

Some follow the noise. Bloomberg follows the money, whether it's the funds fueling AI or crypto's trillion-dollar swings. There's a money side to every story. Get the money side of the story. Subscribe now at Bloomberg.com.