First Thing Newsletter: Nikki Haley’s Vote for Trump and Other Top Stories – May 23, 2024
Nikki Haley, the former US ambassador to the UN and South Carolina governor, made headlines yesterday when she announced her intention to vote for former President Donald Trump in the upcoming November election. Despite being a vocal critic of Trump during the Republican primary elections, Haley stated that she believes Trump would do a better job on national security issues compared to Joe Biden.
Speaking at the Hudson Institute thinktank in Washington, Haley outlined her priorities when choosing a president, emphasizing the importance of backing allies, holding enemies accountable, supporting capitalism and freedom, and reducing the national debt. While acknowledging that Trump has not been perfect on these policies, Haley expressed her belief that Biden has been a “catastrophe,” leading her to support Trump in the upcoming election.
Haley’s decision to support Trump adds her to the list of one-time Trump foes who have come out in support of the former president, including US Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, former attorney general William Barr, and New Hampshire governor Chris Sununu.
In other news, the US has expressed concern over Israel’s growing diplomatic isolation among countries that have traditionally supported it. Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, highlighted the recent decisions by Ireland, Spain, and Norway to formally recognize a Palestinian state, as well as the international criminal court’s move to seek an arrest warrant for Israeli leaders over actions in Gaza.
Additionally, powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa on Tuesday, resulting in five deaths and multiple injuries. The severe weather event left a path of destruction in the town of Greenfield, underscoring the heightened severity of storms due to the climate crisis.
These developments, along with other global news stories, continue to shape the political and environmental landscape, prompting discussions and actions on various fronts.
