When last week Mika Brzezinski said that she and Joe Scarborough would like to have a face-to-face meeting with Trump, I wrote: "As for scoring an interview with Trump himself any time soon, don't bet the rent money at Polymarkets on it, Mika!" Oy, was I wrong! On today's Morning Joe, Mika announced that this past Friday, she and Joe did indeed meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. She described Trump as being "cheerful, upbeat, and interested in finding common ground with Democrats on some of the most divisive issues." Mika and Joe apparently suffer from an exaggerated sense of self-importance. Mika said that whereas they and Trump disagreed on many issues,  "We did agree to restart communications. My father often spoke with world leaders with whom he and the United States profoundly disagreed." Mika, two TV talking heads speaking with Trump ain't exactly Nixon goes to China!   Mika and Scarborough seemed intent on preserving their liberal-media street cred. Mika assured viewers that she and Joe would "will continue to speak truth to power, and push back hard when called for." And Scarborough similarly said: "Don't be mistaken. We're not here to defend or normalize Donald Trump. We're here to report on him." Mika also proclaimed: "We have been as clear as we know how in expressing our deep concerns about President Trump's actions and words in the coarsening of public debate." Oh, so, MSNBC hasn't "coarsened" the debate with their incessant wild talk about Trump being a fascist who's going to end democracy? Mika uncorked this talk of America's "final hours" on The View just a month ago.  Mika did admit that her "hair on fire" approach to attacking Trump hasn't worked. And if Mika's hair has been on fire, Scarborough's entire head has been exploding for years. We'll see if the pair continue to restrain themselves. Here's the transcript. MSNBC Morning Joe 11/18/24 6:04 am ET MIKA BRZEZINSKI: So here is where we are. Over past week, Joe and I have heard from so many people, from political leaders to regular citizens, deeply dismayed by several of President-elect Trump's cabinet selections. And they are scared. Last Thursday, we expressed our own concerns on this broadcast, and even said we would appreciate the opportunity to speak with the President-elect himself. On Friday, we were given the opportunity to do just that. Joe and I went to Mar-a-Lago to meet personally with President-elect Trump. It was the first time we have seen him in seven years. JOE SCARBOROUGH: We talked about a lot of issues, including abortion, mass deportation, threats of political retribution against political opponents and media outlets. We talked about that a good bit. And it's going to come as no surprise to anybody [chuckles] who watches this show, who's watched it over the past year or over the past decade, that we didn't see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues, and we told him so. MIKA: What we did agree on was to restart communications. My father often spoke with world leaders with whom he and the United States profoundly disagreed. That's a task shared by reporters and commentators alike.  We had not spoken to President Trrump since March of 2020, other than a personal call Joe made to Trump on the morning after the attempt on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania. In this meeting, president Trump was cheerful, he was upbeat, he seemed interested in finding common ground with Democrats on some of the most divisive issues.  And for those asking why we would go speak to the President-elect during such fraught times, especially between us, I guess I would ask back -- why wouldn't we?  Five years of political warfare has deeply divided Washington and the country. We have been as clear as we know how in expressing our deep concerns about President Trump's actions and words in the coarsening of public debate.  But for nearly 80 million Americans, election denialism, public trials, January 6th, were not as important as the issues that moved them to send Donald Trump back to the White House with their vote. Joe and I realized it's time to do something different, and that starts with not only talking about Donald Trump, but also talking with him. SCARBOROUGH: As somebody close to Donald Trump told me this past weekend, this is a president who's not seeking re-election. So maybe, just maybe, now could be the time for both parties to get to work.  I know. Given the jarring headlines that we read every day, that may seem like a stretch. But think about this. Of the 150 million votes cast, Donald Trump got 50%. Kamala Harris got about 49%. So, I don't know, it seems to make sense for leaders of both parties to seek common ground, if it's possible at all. And I will tell you, a lot of Democratic leaders we've talked to this past week, since the election, have told Mika and me, it's time for a new approach. And when I say top Democrats, I mean top Democrats. They said we're open -- and this was before we talked to Donald Trump -- they said, listen. We're open to working with the incoming president if the incoming president is open to working with us. MIKA: Yeah. The question is, though, how do we get there? Hyperbole and personal attacks will not work. My hair on fire doesn't work. We've all seen that!  What also does not work is threatening political opponents with arrest, harassment, and even jail. That is a failed path. Recent history has proven that impeachments and trials turn those on trial into political martyrs, and only make them more popular with the American people. Just ask Bill Clinton and Donald Trump! We know this will be a consequential presidency. The question is whether it will be constructive. It will take a new approach from all sides, from both parties, and a leader who can bring them together. And only time will tell if Donald Trump isthat leader. As for us, we also let him know that we will continue to speak truth to power, and push back hard when called for, as we have with all presidents. SCARBOROUGH: Don't be mistaken. We're not here to defend or normalize Donald Trump. We're here to report on him, and to hopefully provide you insights that are going to better equip all of us in understanding these deeply unsettling times. And I am reminded of what Marty Baron, legendary editor told his Washington Post reporters back in the first term. We're not going to war, we're going to work.

A man working as an election judge in Minnesota — home of failed Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz — has been accused of allowing nearly a dozen people to cast ballots even though they were not registered to do so.Shortly after Election Day, Timothy Michael Scouton, 64, of Nevis, was arrested after auditor Kay Rave could not find voter registrations for 11 new voters who had cast ballots in the Badoura Township Precinct in Hubbard County, about 175 miles north of Minneapolis.According to one election judge, Scouton told the registrants not to use the forms. According to the other, Scouton insisted to the registrants that they need only sign the back of a book.Minnesota is one of 23 states that allow same-day voter registration — so long as the prospective voters provide proof of residence, take an oath, and complete an application, according to Bring Me the News. As Scouton was serving as the head election judge for the precinct, he should have had voter registration materials for each of those new voters.When questioned, Scouton allegedly said he could not locate the proper forms. When Rave found them, Scouton allegedly said he did not use them.Two days after the election, Rave sent an email to the county attorney, prompting an investigation from the county sheriff's office.Investigators then spoke with two other election judges familiar with the situation. According to one of them, Scouton told the registrants not to use the forms. According to the other, Scouton insisted to the registrants that they need only sign the back of a book, the AP reported.One of those two election judges further claimed that Scouton's son was also working as an election official involved in same-day voter registration in the same precinct, according to KSTP. The outlet did not indicate that Scouton's son has been accused of involvement in any of his father's alleged schemes.Officials confirmed that Scouton completed required trainings to become a head election judge back in July.Scouton was later questioned at the sheriff's office, where he was apprised of his rights but declined to make a statement. He was subsequently arrested and charged with two felonies: accepting the vote of an unregistered voter and neglect of duty by an election official.The criminal complaint did not offer a possible motive.Scouton appeared in court on Friday and is now out without bond pending another hearing on January 6, per Minnesota Public Radio News. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.The office of Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, a member of the state's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, demanded a thorough investigation into the allegations, which he described as "extremely serious.""Election judges take an oath to administer elections in accordance with the law. A deliberate failure to do so is unlawful and a betrayal of the public trust," Simon's office said in a statement, according to the AP.Scouton did not respond to the outlet's request for comment, and his attorney declined the request on Saturday.Legacy media outlets have frequently reported that instances of voter fraud are "rare."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Jessica Rosenworcel, the Democrat presently running the Federal Communications Commission, has been antagonistic to President-elect Donald Trump and dismissive of conservatives' concerns in recent years, particularly regarding rogue liberal broadcasters, the foreign-funded takeover of hundreds of American radio stations, and other pressing issues pertaining to the regulation of wire, television, radio, cable, and satellite communications in the homeland. Trump announced his nominee to replace Rosenworcel Sunday evening: Brendan Carr, currently the senior Republican commissioner on the five-member, Democrat-controlled FCC. After highlighting that he first nominated Carr to the commission in 2017 and that Carr has been confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate thrice, Trump noted, "Commissioner Carr is a warrior for Free Speech, and has fought against the regulatory Lawfare that has stifled Americans' Freedoms, and held back our Economy. He will end the regulatory onslaught that has been crippling America's Job Creators and Innovators, and ensure that the FCC delivers for rural America." 'We must dismantle the censorship cartel.' Prior to serving the independent federal agency as commissioner, the father of three was the FCC's general counsel, an attorney at Wiley Rein LLP, a clerk for Jude Dennis Shedd on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and an editor for the Catholic University Law Review. "Thank you, President Trump!" Carr responded on X. "I am humbled and honored to serve as Chairman of the FCC. Now we get to work." Carr, a lead-bellied critic of tech censorship and identity politics, immediately made clear that he was ready to make waves. "We must dismantle the censorship cartel and restore free speech rights for everyday Americans," wrote Carr. Insinuating that the FCC as currently led and composed has failed in its duties, the commissioner noted further, "Broadcast media have had the privilege of using a scarce and valuable public resource — our airwaves. In turn, they are required by law to operate in the public interest. When the transition is complete, the FCC will enforce this public interest obligation." A FCC under Carr would likely take another look at leftist billionaire George Soros' takeover of over 200 American radio stations with cash from unvetted foreign nationals. After all, he was a vociferous critic of the takeover while his Democratic peers were virtually silent. Carr previously told Blaze Media co-founder Glenn Beck, "Foreign company ownership of U.S. radio stations is not supposed to exceed 25%. But Soros took foreign investment to make his bid, and then he asked the FCC to make an exception to the usual review process." The three Democratic appointees on the FCC signed off on both approving the assignment of licenses under the control of a Texas bankruptcy court to the Soros-controlled company Audacy and to sparing the company from complying with Section 310(b)(4) of the Communications Act, which prohibits foreign owners from having a stake in a radio station license exceeding 25%. "Never before has the Commission voted to approve the transfer of a broadcast license — let alone the transfer of broadcast licenses for over 200 radio stations across more than 40 markets — without following the requirements and procedures codified in federal law," Carr said in his dissenting statement. "Not once." A Carr-led FCC might not be so willing to look the other way. On Sunday, Carr indicated that in addition to fulfilling its obligations to the public, his FCC would give the boot to the racist ideology that has taken hold at the institution in recent years. "The FCC's most recent budget request said that promoting DEI was the agency's second highest strategic goal," wrote Carr. "Starting next year, the FCC will end its promotion of DEI." — (@) Rather than obsessing over Americans' immutable characteristics, Carr indicated in Project 2025's "Mandate for Leadership" what the commission should instead be focused on: "Reining in Big Tech, Promoting national security, Unleashing economic prosperity, and Ensuring FCC accountability and good governance." According to Carr, reining in Big Tech would require the elimination of its immunities that courts added to Section 230; the imposition of transparency rules on tech giants like Google and Facebook; support for legislation that ensures internet companies "no longer have carte blanche to censor protected speech while maintaining their Section 230 protections"; and Big Tech companies to pay their "fair share" into the Universal Service Fund. Tackling tech censorship appears to be a matter of critical importance to Carr. 'Carr will be an outstanding FCC Chairman.' Days prior to Trump's announcement, Carr penned a letter to the top executives at several social media companies, putting them on notice for their collusion with the "Orwellian" organization NewsGuard, which he noted leveraged its partnerships with advertising agencies "to effectively censor targeted outlets" — including Blaze Media. "Facebook, Google, Apple, Microsoft & others have played central roles in the censorship cartel. The Orwellian named NewsGuard along with 'fact checking' groups & ad agencies helped enforce one-sided narratives. The censorship cartel must be dismantled," tweeted the commissioner. Where national security is concerned, Carr seeks to curb foreign influence, subterfuge, and sabotage through and on various communications systems and social media platforms, especially TikTok. He appears to be focused primarily on countering the threats posed by communist China. Carr, who has in recent days and months echoed Argentine President Javier Milei and Trump's proposed Department of Government Efficiency leaders, also stressed the importance of ending the wasteful spending policies pursued by the Biden-Harris administration and of maximizing efficiency. Following Trump's landslide re-election earlier this month, Patrick Yoes, president of the National Fraternal Order of Police, insisted that Carr was the best choice for the job, writing: Mr. Carr has more than 20 years of private and public sector expertise in communications and technology policy as well as a deep institutional knowledge of the FCC. As Commissioner, he is known as 'Mr. 5G' for his passionate commitment to cutting through the bureaucratic red tape to get 5G technology into the marketplace. He was instrumental in the FCC's recent action to authorize the use of the 4.9 GHz spectrum within the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) and granting a nationwide license to the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) to administer it. Yoes added that "Carr will be an outstanding FCC Chairman." The chairman nominated by the previous president customarily resigns when a new commander in chief of a different political party takes power; however, this is apparently not required by law. Time will see whether Rosenworcel will leave the position kicking and screaming. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

It’s a four-letter word. It’s so powerful that our Founders had to weaken its authority from the original design, yet it remains rarely challenged. It’s the president’s most powerful leverage tool: the veto. If Trump wants to succeed in shrinking government where he failed in his first term, he must make this pen his constant companion — and let everyone in Congress know he’s ready to use it.While a president doesn’t pass legislation or craft the actual budget signed into law, he controls all must-pass legislation by wielding the veto. He can block any budget or program reauthorization bill that lacks spending cuts and structural reforms. Since Reagan left office, only seven presidential vetoes have been successfully overridden. It’s rare for a critical number of a president’s own party — especially if they hold the majority — to defy their leader. That’s where Trump’s leverage lies and why the veto pen matters more than any Cabinet position.Trump can simply make it clear that any reauthorization or appropriation bill lacking sufficient spending cuts and reforms will be vetoed.Trump’s veto pen saw little action during his first administration, contributing to runaway spending. In fact, he used his veto pen less frequently than any president in the past 100 years. None of his 10 vetoes came in his first two years, when Republicans controlled Congress. This points to the problem and offers a framework for a more effective term.The history behind the vetoIf we had asked the framers of the Constitution, they would likely have admitted that their master plan might unravel for various reasons. However, they probably didn’t foresee the presidential veto pen becoming a weak tool for achieving Madison’s goal of “ambition ... made to counteract ambition,” meant to balance Congress' strong power.Before proposing the veto override balance, the Founders worried that giving the president an absolute veto could shift too much power to the executive branch. During the June 4, 1787, debate, James Wilson and Alexander Hamilton proposed a veto power, but Benjamin Franklin argued that governors with veto power often used it for extortion. “No good law whatever could be passed without a private bargain with him,” Franklin complained. Roger Sherman also warned against “enabling any one man to stop the will of the whole,” doubting that “any one man could be found so far above all the rest in wisdom.”The Convention debated the need for a veto override at length. Initially, framers passed a motion to set the override threshold at three-fourths of both houses of Congress. However, after Roger Sherman, Charles Pinckney, Hugh Williamson, and Elbridge Gerry raised concerns that this high threshold could grant too much power to the president and a small number of allies, the delegates agreed on a two-thirds threshold. They also rejected Madison’s proposal for a “council of revision,” which would have placed the veto in the hands of a joint council of the president and Supreme Court justices, choosing instead to vest this power solely in the president.The Founders clearly saw the presidential veto as a potent tool, and many feared its abuse. They never anticipated that a president might be reluctant to use it.Trump’s mandate — and leverageLet’s be honest: Getting Trump’s priorities through the legislative process will be tedious without leveraging must-pass bills against a veto threat. Republicans will hold a slim three-seat majority in the House, built largely on liberal Republicans from California and New York.Transformational policies, such as reducing legal immigration, downsizing government programs, overturning the vaccine liability shield, and ending birthright citizenship, would struggle to pass the House. Each targeted program has a constituency of Republicans likely to join Democrats in opposing cuts.And that’s before facing the Senate, which is filled with RINOs who make House Republicans look like the Founding Fathers. Even on issues that unite Republicans, they’ll fall far short of the 60 votes needed to break a Democratic filibuster.This is where “must-pass” bills come in. There will be a budget bill in the spring to complete this year’s appropriations and another next fall for fiscal year 2025. A debt ceiling bill will likely come up in late spring. The annual budget reconciliation bill, which can bypass the filibuster for budgetary items, offers a major opportunity. Additionally, an array of reauthorization bills will expire during Trump’s term.Trump can simply make it clear that any reauthorization or appropriation bill lacking sufficient spending cuts and reforms will be vetoed. That leverage should be wielded and communicated early in the process. During the June 4, 1787, debate over the president’s check on Congress, James Wilson predicted the veto’s power would ensure it was “seldom” used, not because of its weakness but because Congress would avoid passing laws members knew the president would veto.Benjamin Franklin disdained the veto power, seeing it as a form of extortion. Nevertheless, that’s the power a president holds. If Trump wields the veto pen, the success or failure of his two terms may hinge on this four-letter word that the Founders, with much trepidation, vested in one man.

The U.S. military has faced declining standards and an overemphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion under the Biden-Harris administration. A 2022 “Woke Warfighters” report, compiled by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), highlighted some of the most egregious examples of how woke ideology has infiltrated and co-opted the military.The Biden administration’s 2022 National Security Strategy listed “promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion” as a top priority for the U.S. military, placing it above other traditional objectives. Recruitment videos now focus on diversity over service. One particularly controversial animated ad featured a young woman raised by lesbian parents who joins the Army — a sharp departure from the “Be All You Can Be” messaging of the past.While partisans focus on discrediting a decorated war veteran and strong advocate for service members, the military faces recruitment, retention, and morale crises.Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley testified before Congress that he wanted to understand “white rage.” A 2021 diversity and inclusion strategic plan for the Special Forces stated that “SOCOM will implement a ‘Joint Special Operations University Diversity and Inclusion Curriculum’ to emphasize what makes ‘diversity in [Special Operations Forces] an operational imperative.’”The 18-page report, which received surprisingly little media coverage upon its release, details numerous examples of how such ideology has permeated the military. Pete Hegseth has emerged as a vocal opponent of this approach, vowing to end the Pentagon’s DEI insanity. Naturally, he has become a target of mainstream media outlets and influential Democrats.Hegseth, a decorated war veteran with years of military service and advocacy for service members, transitioned to media as a popular Fox News host. Despite his credentials, critics dismiss him as merely a “TV host,” relying on audiences not to investigate his distinguished background. Agenda-driven partisans have resurrected unfounded and discredited sexual assault accusations that were resolved years ago. His enemies mischaracterize his tattoos, which reflect his deep Christian faith, as white nationalist symbols.Hegseth has been vocal for years in opposing the DEI push in the military, arguing that it undermines military effectiveness, weakens the armed forces, and jeopardizes American safety. His stance, along with his comments about combat roles being unsuitable for women, has made him a prime target of the identitarian feminist left. As we approach the post-inauguration confirmation hearings, the smear campaign against Hegseth will undoubtedly escalate.While partisans focus on discrediting a decorated war veteran and strong advocate for service members, the military faces recruitment, retention, and morale crises. As a decorated Iraq War veteran with a significant social media following, I receive frequent messages from active-duty soldiers. They express frustration with the Biden-Harris administration’s military policies, citing lowered standards that produce weaker troops, DEI initiatives that harm unit cohesion, and a hesitancy among pro-America young men — traditionally the military’s strongest recruits — to enlist.Hegseth plans to reverse these trends. Partisan Democrat smear campaigns must step aside to allow him to restore the strength and greatness of America’s military.

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With Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth already in our rearview mirror, fans can now set their sights on the third and concluding game in the series. This game still has no official title or release date. However, there is some good news, as the story of Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 has been finalized.

Monday Morning Minute