The United States military conducted strikes against two facilities in eastern Syria on Thursday in response to recent attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria, which have injured 19 U.S. service members. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the strikes were intended to send a message that the U.S. does not seek conflict and will not tolerate attacks on its personnel. The Pentagon has reported 16 such attacks since October 17, and the action is intended to protect U.S. personnel and interests in the region.
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The Middle East is facing escalating tensions due to the Israel-Hamas war, prompting the US to send additional air defense systems and redeploy the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. This morning, Israeli airstrikes targeted the international airports of Damascus and Aleppo in Syria, leading to the martyrdom of a civilian worker and the wounding of another. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has placed additional US forces on "prepare to deploy orders" in response to Iran and its proxy forces.
Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) announced Thursday that she will not seek election to a full term in the U.S. Senate in 2024, despite being seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party. In a statement, Butler said she had “spent the past 16 days pursuing my own clarity” and that “knowing you can win a campaign doesn't always mean you should run a campaign.” This decision opens up the race for the U.S. Senate seat in California, with a number of candidates expected to enter the race in the coming months.
Kaitlin Armstrong, a 35-year-old Texas woman charged with the murder of an elite cyclist, attempted to escape custody while being escorted to a correctional vehicle following an off-site medical appointment. She was apprehended by two corrections officers and transported back to the Travis County Correctional Complex. An investigation is underway to determine any disciplinary action against the officers involved, and Armstrong is currently being held on a $1 million bond with her next court appearance scheduled for June 2022.
The United States Department of Defense has ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to move closer to the Eastern Mediterranean in response to the attack by Hamas on Israel. The Ford carrier strike group is accompanied by the USS Normandy and four Arleigh-Burke-class guided missile destroyers and is part of the U.S. effort to bolster regional deterrence efforts and support Israel in its fight against Hamas. Secretary Austin said the move was done following detailed discussions with President Biden and the strike group is expected to arrive in the region in the coming days.
Laphonza Butler Sworn In as 12th Black Senator in U.S. History, Third Black Woman to Serve in Senate
Laphonza Butler Sworn In as 12th Black Senator in U.S. History, Third Black Woman to Serve in Senate
Vice President Kamala Harris swore in Laphonza Butler as the newest U.S. Senator from California, making her the first Black, openly LGBTQ+ woman to serve in either chamber of Congress. Butler was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to finish out the late Senator Dianne Feinstein's term, and her swearing-in ceremony was met with applause. Her appointment marks a historic moment for the U.S. Senate and a testament to the progress made in the fight for equality and representation.
Laphonza Butler has been appointed to the U.S. Senate by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, making her the first out Black LGBTQ+ U.S. senator. She is the president of EMILYs List, a Democratic group dedicated to electing women who support abortion rights, and is ready to serve. Her appointment is a testament to the progress that can be made when women are given the opportunity to lead, and will continue the legacy of Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Laphonza Butler, the president of EMILY's List, to fill the late Senator Dianne Feinstein's seat. Butler will be the first openly LGBTQ person to represent California in the Senate and the third Black woman to ever serve in the chamber. She is expected to be sworn-in to the seat on Wednesday by Vice President Kamala Harris and will serve until the next senator is elected in the November 2024 election.