Wednesday morning news: April 10, 2024

Japanese Prime Minister White House visit » President Biden is hosting the leader of one of America’s biggest and most important allies at the White House for an official state visit.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife had dinner with President Biden and the first lady last night.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says beginning today:

SULLIVAN: This official state visit will build on the immense progress between our two nations that we’ve made toward creating a safer and more secure Indo-Pacific.

Japan is a critical U.S. partner in countering China’s military buildup and its growing aggression in Asia.

The Japanese government is beefing up its own defenses at a pace not seen since World War II.

But Sullivan says the leaders will tackle a range of issues during Kashida’s visit.

SULLIVAN: Deepening our partnerships on space, technology, economic investment, fighting climate change, coordinating global diplomacy.

And Kishida will stick around Washington on Thursday to take part in a trilateral meeting with Biden and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The Philippines is another key strategic ally in the region. The country’s relationship with China has been repeatedly tested by skirmishes in the disputed South China Sea.

Mayorkas impeachment » House Republicans will likely wait till next week to deliver impeachment articles against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate.

Some senators had asked for more time to prepare. But there might not be a trial to prepare for.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says the impeachment is pure political theater, and 

SCHUMER: We’re going to try and resolve this issue as quickly as possible. Impeachment should never be used to settle policy disagreements.

Schumer hinting that Democrats will likely use procedural maneuvers to table the articles of impeachment, after he initially said the Senate would hold a trial.

At a news conference today, Sen. Marsha Blackburn turned Schumer’s own words back on him.

BLACKBURN: Prior to the impeachment of President Trump, he said—and I’m going to quote him—“We would do well to remember our constitutional duty to act as judge and jurors in a potential trial.”

Republicans note that this would be the first time in U.S. history for the Senate to refuse to hold a trial for an impeached executive who has not already resigned or died.

Rafah invasion plans » Despite White House objections, Israel is still planning a ground operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

NETANYAHU: [In Hebrew]

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday, “It will happen. There is a date.”

But he’s not tipping his hand on when that will be.

U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken:

BLINKEN: We do not have a date for any Rafah operation — at least one that’s been communicated to us by the Israelis. On the contrary, what we have is an ongoing conversation with Israel about any Rafah operation. The president has been very clear about our concerns, our deep concerns.

The White House says a ground invasion there could significantly worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. But Netanyahu says Rahah is the last remaining Hamas stronghold … and that there’s no way to win the war without rooting out the remaining terrorist commanders and battalions in the city.

Idaho man ISIS plot » Authorities have arrested an Idaho man who allegedly planned attacks on local churches in the name of ISIS. WORLD’s Christina Grube reports:

CHRISTINA GRUBE: Authorities say Alexander Scott Mercurio planned to attack local churches using explosives, knives, and fire.

The 18-year-old was reportedly outspoken in his support for terrorist groups and even shared a video pledging his support to ISIS just before his arrest.

Court documents show investigators found several different weapons in the suspect’s bedroom along with butane canisters and an ISIS flag.

The complaint also claims Mercurio planned to incapacitate his father and handcuff him in order to steal his firearms.

He now faces up to two decades in federal prison.

For WORLD, I’m Christina Grube.

Support for defense funding » Meantime, House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing a foreign funding bill that would provide funds to allies like Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine. More relief funds for Kyiv remains a contentious topic among House Republicans.

But GOP Congressman Greg Murphy says …

MURPHY: The funding that the speaker is asking for now I fully support. 90 percent of that is actually going toward our own military, recouping our supplies, restocking kind of things. It’s not going all for Ukraine.

Some Republicans say the bill wouldn't do enough to help secure the U.S. southern border.

The criticism comes as Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene continues to threaten to file a motion to vacate the speakership in an effort to oust Speaker Johnson.

Arizona Supreme Court ruling keeps unborn protections » The Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a state law protecting unborn children in almost all cases.

The majority of the court found that a pro-life law from 1863 is still enforceable. It prevents any person from assisting a woman in obtaining an abortion unless it’s necessary to save the mother’s life.

Planned Parenthood had filed suit arguing that the law was unenforceable … because it conflicted with a newer law that blocks abortions after 15 weeks.

NAIA new policy » The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is committing to a new policy that will bar male athletes from competing in women's sports. WORLD's Alex Carmenaty has more.

ALEX CARMENATY: The new NAIA policy states that only biological women can compete in female sports. The organization believes these rules will promote fairness and uphold Title IX, the 19-72 women's right law.

Several Christian colleges are members of the NAIA.

The decision stands in contrast to the NCAA’s policies which allow men who self-identify as women to compete in some women’s sports.

For WORLD, I'm Alex Carmenaty.

I’m Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: Donald Trump’s abortion policy for 2024…on Washington Wednesday. Plus, World Tour.

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