Mike Waltz UN Hearing, Cornell Civil Rights Complaint, NBC Autopen Scoop: AM Update

Mike Waltz's UN Ambassador Confirmation Hearing

• 🏛️ Mike Waltz faced scrutiny from Senate Democrats during his confirmation hearing for UN Ambassador, particularly regarding the "signal gate" controversy.
• ⚠️ Critics accused Waltz of mishandling classified information by inadvertently adding an editor to a signal group chat discussing air strike plans.
• 🛡️ Waltz defended his actions, asserting that no classified information was shared in the chat and highlighting his military service record.
• 🇺🇳 He outlined his vision for the role, pledging to counter Chinese influence at the UN and push for reforms like a 20% staff cut.
• 🗣️ Waltz also addressed anti-Semitism at the UN, condemning anti-Israel bias and blaming Hamas for perpetuating the conflict in Gaza.

Cornell University Civil Rights Complaint

• ⚖️ The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) filed a civil rights complaint against Cornell University, alleging systemic discrimination in hiring practices.
• 📧 Internal emails suggest Cornell bypassed its standard open search process to pre-select "diversity candidates" for a faculty position, excluding white men.
• 🔬 Evolutionary biologist Colin Wright stated he was never given the opportunity to apply for a position due to his race, despite having a superior publication record.
• 🎯 AFPI's Jessica Hart Steinmann argued that Cornell violated federal law by using diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates to filter candidates, including requiring diversity statements.
• 💰 Cornell received significant federal funding, and AFPI contends this funding is being used for unconstitutional discriminatory practices.

NBC News Autopen Scoop Mocked

• 📰 NBC News faced widespread ridicule for a report highlighting that the lead investigator into Biden's autopen use, Congressman James Comer, also used a digital signature on letters and subpoenas.
• ❓ Critics argued the report attempted to draw a false equivalence between a routine digital signature and the Biden White House's alleged misuse of the autopen for presidential documents, potentially masking mental decline.
• 📢 Social media users and commentators mocked the scoop as a desperate and corrupt attempt to defend the Biden administration.
• ✍️ Congressman Comer clarified that while autopens are used for general correspondence, they are not used for legal documents like subpoenas, which require a personal signature.