The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 2:

• Earlier this week, in a 5 to 4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that the Biden Administration has the authority to remove concertina wire erected by Texas officials along the U.S. Southern border—designed to prevent the unlawful border crossings that continue to plague the state. According to reports, Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) has continued to place “razor wire” along the border—arguing that the Supreme Court may have authorized the federal government to remove the wiring, but he remains legally permitted to use the wire when he deems it necessary. In response to Abbott’s actions, several Democrat congressmembers have publicly called on the Biden Administration to “federalize” the Texas National Guard, ultimately preventing Abbott from securing his state’s border. While speaking with Tucker Carlson on the social media platform X, Gov. Abbott said he is not seeking a conflict with federal authorities over the border, but he will continue to protect his state from unlawful migration.
• While appearing on a podcast, Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake encouraged Texas Governor Greg Abbott to secure the border and dare the Biden Administration to “arrest a sitting governor.” However, as Rich notes, Gov. Abbott is not violating the Supreme Court’s decision nor is he violating federal law. What could he even be arrested for?
• Dr. Victoria Coates— Former Deputy National Security Advisor & the Vice President of the Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy at The Heritage Foundation—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss the revelation that United Nations workers may have helped Hamas execute their October 7th, 2023 attack against Israel which left an estimated 1,400 Israeli citizens dead. In response, the U.N. has fired 12 workers and has initiated an investigation. The U.S. has temporarily ended aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Plus, the Biden Administration has announced a pause on liquified natural gas exports. Dr. Coates is the author of “David’s Sling: A History of Democracy in Ten Works of Art.” You can find her book here: https://www.amazon.com/Davids-Sling-History-Democracy-Works/dp/1594037213
• The New York Times writes: “A Manhattan jury on Friday ordered former President Donald J. Trump to pay $83.3 million to the writer E. Jean Carroll for defaming her in social media posts, news conferences and even on the campaign trail… The award included $65 million in punitive damages, which the nine-member jury assessed after finding Mr. Trump, 77, had acted maliciously.” You can read more about this breaking story here: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/01/26/nyregion/trump-carroll-defamation-trial