ALL NEWS

Live Mic: Biden’s national security challenge to protect against enemies foreign and domestic

Jan 11, 2021, 5:02 PM | Updated: 5:08 pm

Pictures of people entering the capitol during the U.S capitol riots...

Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. A southern Utah man was sentenced Monday for his involvement in the U.S. Capitol riot. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

SALT LAKE CITY — Bringing Americans together to a place where they can disagree on policy without resorting to violence, on full display similar to the scene at the US Capitol last week, will be a challenge, said a Utah expert on national security.

Ryan Vogel, director of the Center for National Security Studies at Utah Valley University, joined Lee Lonsberry on Live Mic to discuss the security situation in Washington, D.C., after the armed assault on the Capitol.

Trump’s belated call for calm

President Donald Trump finally conceded the presidential race to President-elect Joe Biden — without mentioning his name — on Thursday after months of saying he would never concede.

“A new administration will be inaugurated on January 20th,” Mr. Trump acknowledged.

The president also added he will not attend Biden’s inauguration, breaking a tradition that has for centuries been a hallmark of the peaceful transfer of power in the United States.

A day after a deadly riot on the US Capitol by Trump supporters, the president said in a video: “My focus now turns to ensuring a smooth, orderly and seamless transition of power.”

After five people were killed in the chaos — including a Capitol Police officer — Mr. Trump announced: “Now tempers must be cooled, and calm restored. We must get on with the business of America.”

A  ‘real challenge’ for national security

“What are the things that you’re paying attention to most closely?” Lee asked national security expert Vogel.

Vogel said the most immediate concern right now is securing the environment from threats in Washington, D.C., and statehouses throughout the country from this wave of politically fueled attacks.

In the long term, “We’re going to have to pay closer attention to how to bring people back to a place where we can disagree on policy, disagree on issues but still not treat each other as the enemy and still see each other as Americans,” said Vogel. “I think it’s going to be a real challenge going forward.”

Lee mentioned Utah Sen. Mike Lee trying to stop Trump administration officials, such as national security adviser Robert O’Brien, from resigning en masse after the president’s supporters stormed past police to invade the Capitol.

“Is that important? What could happen should they not stay?” Lee asked. 

“It is important. I completely understand why someone would want to jump ship at this point because it seems to be sinking really, really hard right now,” Vogel said. 

Vogel said the reason Sen. Lee is “basically begging” Trump officials to stay on the job for nine more days is that they are more important than ever.

“If there’s going to be a steering the president in a more constructive direction, they need to be there,” he said. ” . . . Those people I think would be serving their country more if they stayed instead of jumping.”

Empowering US adversaries

The Biden team will most likely face a national security challenge from other countries. 

“What are the new challenges, or what are the unique challenges, faced by the Biden administration as they step into the circumstances of today?” Lee asked.

“It’s a complicated world that they’re coming into. I was there during the Bush-to-Obama transition. It’s always a complicated time because you’re trying to get the new team up to speed. You have to orient them to all the issues that are happening,” Vogel said.

He mentioned a power struggle with China and cyberattacks from Russia among others. 

“Are our would-be adversaries outside of this nation looking opportunistically at the circumstances playing out here in America today?” Lee asked.

“Oh, of course, of course. I think the Chinese, in particular,” Vogel said. “The Chinese are our major competitors for global influence and power. I think the Chinese are looking at this and thinking, man, it’s going to be a lot easier to persuade countries that are sort of on the fence between the democratic world and the more authoritarian world that we’re a more stable option. We’re a more reliable partner.

“So I am hoping that we can get through this period quickly so we can take a bit of that pervasiveness away from countries like the Chinese,” he said. “Anytime the United States is distracted, our enemies take advantage of it. Whether it’s the North Koreans building up their nuclear and missile programs or whether it’s the Russians continuing their cyber efforts or terrorist groups regrouping and training and preparing for attacks. Anytime the United States is focused on other distractions, We give them space to do those things.”

Live Mic with Lee Lonsberry can be heard weekdays from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on KSL NewsRadio. Users can find the show on the KSL NewsRadio website and app.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

All News

"Burn Book," by longtime Silicon Valley reporter Kara Swisher is seen, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Sa...

Jeff Caplan

Jeff Caplan’s Minute of News: Telling tales about tech bros

Kara Swisher’s new book paints an ugly picture of Silicon Valley.

43 minutes ago

pets...

Curt Gresseth

Don’t surrender pets to a shelter. Send in a pro to reverse bad behavior, says Utah trainer

An expert discusses controlling the unwanted behavior of pets.

49 minutes ago

Exclusive video obtained by KSL NewsRadio shows Salt Lake hit-and-run in the Avenues neighborhood. ...

Eric Cabrera

WATCH: Exclusive video shows woman survives Salt Lake City hit and run

KSL NewsRadio has exclusively obtained footage of a Salt Lake City hit-and-run, where a woman was struck while out for a run in the Avenues.

53 minutes ago

Defense attorney John Prior questions David Warwick during Chad Daybell's preliminary hearing in Fr...

Emma Keddington

Judge orders gag order for upcoming Chad Daybell case

Judge Steven Boyce has issued a gag order in the Chad Daybell case, after Daybell's attorney spoke with a media outlet.

1 hour ago

colorado river...

Adam Small

More than half of the Colorado River’s water is being used for farming, study finds

The Colorado River provides water to 40 million people in seven states, including Utah, as well as Mexico.

1 hour ago

12 year old driver shown driving erratically on freeway...

Sam Herrera

WATCH: Police release dash cam footage of 12-year-old driver

The Utah Highway Patrol said the 12-year-old driver stole her mom's car. The girl was briefly arrested before being released to her parents.

3 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Live Mic: Biden’s national security challenge to protect against enemies foreign and domestic