Morning Wire XX
[0] Hundreds of thousands of Americans turned out on the national mall to pray and show support for Israel.
[1] The calls for a ceasefire are outrageous.
[2] I'm Daily Wire, editor -in -chief John Bickley, with Georgia Howe.
[3] It's Wednesday, November 15th, and this is Morning Wire.
[4] The FCC will vote today on the Biden administration's controversial digital equity plan, which critics say gives the agency untapped power over the internet.
[5] decision that an internet company now makes can be second -guessed by bureaucrats working here at the FCC.
[6] And cheating allegations against the University of Michigan prompts the suspension of a famous coach and a restraining order against the conference.
[7] Thanks for waking up with Morning Wire.
[8] Stay tuned.
[9] We have the news you need to know.
[10] Following days of anti -Israel protests in several major cities across the globe, a massive number of Americans descended on Washington on Tuesday to voice their support for Israel and fight back against rising anti -Semitism.
[11] Here with more on the massive demonstration and the latest from the ground in Israel is Daily Wire senior editor, Cabot Phillips.
[12] So Cabot, we've talked a lot about the large events in support of Palestinians, but this one was quite different.
[13] Yeah, you're absolutely right.
[14] So on Tuesday afternoon, more than 100 ,000 people joined together on Washington to express their support of Israel, remember the victims of last month's terror attack, pray for those who remain in captivity, and importantly, called on lawmakers to continue standing with the Jewish state in the war on Hamas.
[15] Also present were many of those lawmakers from both parties, including Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and even Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
[16] Here's Democrat Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who read off a list of times throughout history when Jews had been violently expelled from different countries.
[17] So we are here more than 100 ,000 people.
[18] people strong to unequivocally declare never again.
[19] And here's New House Speaker Mike Johnson addressing calls for a ceasefire.
[20] Israel will cease their counteroffensive when Hamas ceases to be a threat to the Jewish state.
[21] A recent Resmuse and polls show that 68 % of Americans agree with Prime Minister Netanyahu's statement that, quote, a ceasefire is tantamount to surrendering to Hamas, while just 21 % disagreed with that statement.
[22] But it's important to note, while the vast majority of the American people still appear to support Israel's effort to wipe out Hamas.
[23] We are seeing growing calls for a ceasefire from within the Biden administration.
[24] So tell us about that friction within the White House.
[25] Well, we've talked extensively about those demanding Israel lay down their weapons and end their war.
[26] While those calls initially were more isolated to a far -left faction of the Democrat Party, they have become increasingly vocal in recent weeks.
[27] For example, on Tuesday, around 400 political appointees and staff members representing nearly 40 federal agencies signed a letter to President Biden, calling on him to end his support of Israel's war on Hamas and, importantly, publicly demand an immediate ceasefire.
[28] While the president and top cabinet officials like Secretary of State Anthony Blinken have repeatedly said his ceasefire would only benefit terrorists in Gaza, there is undoubtedly growing support on the left for such a move.
[29] Now, for their part, though, Israel is insisting there will be no such deal struck.
[30] What's the latest on the ground there?
[31] Yeah, Israeli leaders have made clear that they will continue their war against Tamas with or without the support of their allies.
[32] Again, they view this conflict as an existential threat to their existence and say the time for diplomacy passed when Hamas broke the ceasefire in October and slaughtered more than a thousand people.
[33] On Tuesday, the Israeli military continued their ground operation in the northern part of Gaza, moving into Gaza City, where they captured Hamas's parliament building and other government facilities.
[34] Much of the fighting now is centered around the Al -Shefa Hospital.
[35] That's the largest medical facility in Gaza.
[36] Israeli forces have largely surrounded that building.
[37] They say Hamas has built a large military command center under the hospital in a clear effort to deter air strikes.
[38] To that point, the IDF captured a children's hospital in another part of Gaza this week and posted videos online showing large weapons caches inside with RPGs, grenades, and ammunition, alongside baby bottles and medical supplies.
[39] Other footage shared online by the IDF shows terrorists firing rockets from hospital entrances before fleeing back inside.
[40] Now, for their part, Hamas and pro -Palestinian activists in the West say those videos are propaganda, They still claim the terror group is not operating out of hospitals, mosques, and churches, despite all that evidence.
[41] The contrary, including reports from our own American intelligence community.
[42] Well, it's so important that the reality of what's happening on the ground keeps getting reported.
[43] Cabot, thanks for coming on.
[44] Any time.
[45] The Federal Communications Commission or FCC will vote today on a controversial plan related to the 2021 infrastructure bill.
[46] Supporters say President Biden's proposal, known as the Digital Equity Plan, will provide equal access to the internet and prevent digital discrimination, but critics are calling it an unlawful power grab.
[47] Here with more is Daily Wire Culture reporter, Megan Basham.
[48] So, Megan, I feel like this vote kind of flew under the radar until the last minute.
[49] Then just on Monday, we saw Senator Ted Cruz lead a group of Republicans pledging to oppose it.
[50] What is the digital equity plan?
[51] So it's a draft order that the FCC says is meant to prevent, as you said, digital discrimination.
[52] and it's being extrapolated from one page of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and that was passed on a bipartisan basis back in 2021.
[53] Now, I will say I have read the section.
[54] It's very short, and it seems pretty clearly written to prevent future discrimination and how new broadband infrastructure is put in place.
[55] Basically, it talks about internet companies not discriminating and providing access.
[56] So it wouldn't say allow AT &T to roll out new broadband in wealthier white neighborhoods, while ignoring poorer minority neighborhoods.
[57] But critics say the Biden administration is using this small section to give the federal government a whole new host of powers over the internet that Congress didn't intend when they passed this bill.
[58] So I spoke to FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, and he said the Democrat -controlled FCC is giving itself a roving mandate to regulate everything from internet pricing, promotional discounts, the equipment these companies give customers, customer service, credit checks, marketing, advertising.
[59] My list here is very long.
[60] Here's Carr.
[61] In the name of equity, the Biden administration has called on the FCC to regulate basically every single aspect of how the internet works.
[62] We're going to be sweeping into the FCC's jurisdiction for the very first time ever, numerous industries that we've never regulated before.
[63] We are reserving to ourselves a right to decide where internet infrastructure, can be built out, and we are effectively able to regulate prices of broadband as well.
[64] So I also texted with O .H. Skinner, who is the executive director of the Alliance for Consumers, and he told me this, I'm quoting, progressives and the Biden administration have had a consistent plan in recent years to impose mandates and bans to take away consumer choices, leaving only progressive lifestyle choices on the table for people.
[65] They have been doing this with cars, dishwashers, refrigerators, and countless other everyday items, and now they're seeking to do the same with mandates for the internet.
[66] But the White House says that the very broad application it's taking from that section is going to help ensure that low -income minority parents don't have to, quote, drive to a McDonald's parking lot so that their kid can do their homework online.
[67] Now, when I heard the name Digital Equity, my mind immediately jumped to censorship.
[68] Does this also govern the content of what's shared online?
[69] Not directly, as it doesn't address, say, social media or search engines or that kind of thing, but Carr did express some concern about the administration using regulatory overreach as a broad means of exerting control.
[70] This just goes to a broader view of seeking out control over every feature of the Internet, whether it's speech on the Internet, which they're doing right now through these cases where they're job -boning social media companies, or doing it here at the FCC with respect to the infrastructure of the Internet.
[71] internet itself.
[72] The one thread that connects all of these decisions is the Biden administration looking to exert influence and control over the internet.
[73] As we're talking about that, it's worth noting that New York Governor Kathy Hochel announced on Monday that her state has launched a quote -unquote social media analysis unit and they're collecting data and conducting surveillance efforts.
[74] So certainly we are seeing a trend of government officials looking to exert more control over the internet and how it's used.
[75] Now, when would this go into effect?
[76] Well, I believe immediately because Carr told me that he has no doubt that it is going to pass today.
[77] But as we so often end so many of our discussions lately, Georgia, when it comes to the internet and social media, he also told me he expects that it is very quickly going to end up before the courts.
[78] Right.
[79] Well, Megan, thanks so much for reporting.
[80] Anytime.
[81] time.
[82] A controversy that's been hanging over college football for half the season came to a head last week when Big Ten conference commissioner Tony Petetti suspended Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh for the remainder of the regular season.
[83] The announcement came just a day before Harbaugh's team faced off against Penn State in an attempt to stay undefeated and poised for a championship run.
[84] Here to tell us more as co -host of Crane & Company and former quarterback at Michigan, David Cohn.
[85] So, David, first, to acknowledge this up front, you're obviously coming into this conversation as a Michigan fan and alum.
[86] That is very true, though I hope to be objective and fair, John.
[87] I think you can be.
[88] So Jim Harbaugh's three -game suspension has been the biggest story in sports this week.
[89] First, catch us up here.
[90] How did we arrive at this moment and this punishment?
[91] Sure.
[92] So reports began surfacing three weeks ago that the NCAA was opening an investigation into the Michigan football program, specifically an analyst by the name of Connor Stallions, who is alleged to have scouted Michigan opponents in person prior to those games.
[93] Now, much of the media headlines have included the phrase sign stealing.
[94] However, the NCAA has no rules expressly forbidding observing another team's signals, but there is language in the bylaws against scouting your opponents in person.
[95] So the in -person aspect here is what's key for the NCAA.
[96] That's correct.
[97] but despite allegations and media reports, the NCAA has yet to issue an official notice of wrongdoing to the University of Michigan.
[98] If and when that does happen, the university will have 90 days to respond, which would be after this current football season ends.
[99] This is where the Big Ten comes into play.
[100] Conference Commissioner Tony Petetti elected to suspend Coach Jim Harbaugh last Friday as the team was on a plane en route to play Penn State, as you noted.
[101] The university's legal team immediately attempted to file a temporary restraining order, but was unable to do so due to it being a federal holiday.
[102] All right.
[103] So we have a ruling from the Big Ten conference, not the NCAA.
[104] Has the Big Ten conducted its own investigation?
[105] No. Not only has the Big Ten made this decision without conducting its own investigation, but in the letter presented to the school, Tony Potetti states, and I'm quoting here, this is not a sanction of Coach Harbaugh.
[106] It is a sanction against the university that under the extraordinary circumstance presented by this offensive conduct best fits the violation, unquote.
[107] So a few more things here to keep in mind.
[108] A court hearing is scheduled for this Friday where a judge will hear arguments on whether to grant a restraining order that would fully nullify the conference's suspension.
[109] Also, this move bans coach Harbaugh from games only, which means he can still be present during practices as Michigan prepares for the last two weeks of the season.
[110] So he can't be on the sidelines during games, but he can run practice.
[111] Exactly, which is obviously very important, particularly with what's coming up for Michigan.
[112] This week's game is on the road against Maryland.
[113] Michigan is projected to be favored in that.
[114] But the next week is the highly anticipated matchup versus Ohio State, where both teams could meet undefeated, and the winner will likely go to the Big Ten championship and have a shot at the college football playoff.
[115] Right.
[116] Now, before you leave us, there's some other big news in college football, including a certain former FSU catch.
[117] That is correct.
[118] Texas A &M has officially fired head coach Jimbo Fisher.
[119] He was hired back in December 2017 and only managed to go 45 and 25 and 6 seasons at Texas A &M.
[120] That was after spending eight seasons as the head coach at your alma mater, the Florida State Seminoles, where he did lead the NOLs to a national championship.
[121] I vaguely remember that.
[122] I bet you do.
[123] What's actually historic here is how much money Texas A &M is going to pay to fire him.
[124] The university University is paying Fisher $77 million over the next eight years.
[125] That's by far the biggest buyout in college football history.
[126] Well, a lot of money on the line in college football these days.
[127] Dave, thanks for joining us.
[128] Thank you.
[129] Another story we're tracking this week.
[130] The House passed a stopgap bill on Tuesday, likely averting Friday's government shutdown deadline.
[131] Speaker Mike Johnson's continuing resolution will now head to the Senate where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has indicated that he would bring it to the floor as soon as possible.
[132] Thanks for waking up with us.
[133] We'll be back later this afternoon with more news you need to know.