Tag: Trump

Trump Welcomes Released American Detainees

By Nick Baum

THURSDAY – 5/10/18

In the early hours of Thursday, the plane carrying three American detainees in North Korea had touched down at Joint Base Andrews right outside of Washington D.C. Following the survivors’ plane was another plane carrying CIA Director Mike Pompeo, whom travelled to North Korea to discuss a time and location for a later summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

During Pompeo’s visit, he also made a quick appointment to negotiate the release of three American prisoners in North Korea, Kim Dong-chul, Tony Kim and Kim Hak-song. Due to continuing peace talks, the country decided to release the three prisoners, and with the US offering plane rides back to their home country.

Despite news of continuing talks regarding the three prisoners, Join Base Andrews was quickly prepared for their arrival, and no family members of the detainees were allowed due to “protocol”. Also, all three of the prisoners were interviewed and met with intelligence officials before returning to the US.

Sources: CNN, The Washington Post

 

Trump Pulls US out of Iran Nuclear Deal

By Nick Baum

WEDNESDAY – 5/9/18

Yesterday, US President Donald Trump announced that the US will be pulling out of the Iran Nuclear Deal, a deal created in 2015 that in return for the US and other allies to pay Iran, Iran has to delay and stop progress on building nuclear weapons.

However, countries in the past have shared their skepticism of Iran’s promise, while others still believed they were keeping it. Just last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Israel and brought evidence from Iran that they were building nuclear weapons, and encouraging Trump to pull out of the deal.

Despite Netanyahu’s plea, Trump’s decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal was because of his campaign promise to do so, and has before encouraged the United States to pull out of it, calling the deal “stupid” and “horrid”.

Sources: CBS News, CNN, Fox News

Trump Meets with French President Macron

By Nick Baum

TUESDAY – 4/24/18

Yesterday, French President Emmanuel Macron visited US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the White House for the afternoon. At the meeting, the two Presidents exchanged a variety of different ideas as well as participating in different activities.

The meeting was also in an effort to connect policy gaps between the two presidents, as Macron was elected as more liberal than Trump. The meeting was also the first state visit of Trump, and had proved overall well as personal chemistry between the two increased.

Many argue that Macron needs Trump and the US as France rebuilds into a better country, while others just argue that they are softening up and being friendlier with each other, despite the differences they have in terms of foreign policy with Iran, as well as climate change.

Sources: CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Fox News

Trump Urges North Korea to Dismantle Nuclear Arsenal

By Nick Baum

MONDAY-4/23/18

US President Donald Trump announced that when he meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, that he will tell him to act quick on the country’s nuclear arsenal. Recent reports confirmed that Trump will urge Kim Jong Un to dismantle the country’s nuclear arsenal.

This decision has come after North Korea announced that they will stop all nuclear tests, and that they are satisfied with their arsenal. Trump will also say that just because North Korea has stopped nuclear tests, doesn’t mean they will be provided with substantial sanction relief, meaning that Trump is still able to put sanctions on them.

Due to the rapidly changing climate in Pyongyang, as well as the demands by the US, proves to be a difficult yet interesting summit. Details so far are still being worked out. The summit is likely to be in May or June, with locations either on the DMZ, a US Battleship, or a neutral place such as Singapore or Sweden.

Sources: Fox News, Wall Street Journal

Former Mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani, Joins Trump’s Legal Team

By Nick Baum

FRIDAY – 4/20/18

Former mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani, has joined US President Donald Trump’s legal team, representing the President in the Russia probe as well as the Stormy Daniels accusations. Giuliani was accepted by Trump in an effort to close down the investigation and bring it to a conclusion.

Giuliani, aside from being mayor of New York, was also an attorney for the southern district of New York, and helped Trump’s 2016 election campaign. Giuliani also has had a long relationship with Robert Mueller, the head of the Russia probe and investigation. Hiring Giuliani could ease tensions between Trump and Mueller.

Aside from hiring Giuliani, two other federal prosecutors were hired to his personal legal team as well. All three of the members were thought to be chosen by Trump to end the Russia probe after more than a year of conducting investigations, especially as other members of the team have left recently.

Sources: Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, The Weekly Standard

US Prepares New Arab Force in Syria

By Nick Baum

TUESDAY – 4/17/18

The Trump Administration is seeking a new alternative in the fight against ISIS. Currently, scouts are underway for a new task group in Northern Syria, with Arabs making up the entire group. The group will conduct special raids and fighting against ISIS in an effort to defeat ISIS without too many US casualties.

The US also asked other middle eastern governments, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, if they are willing to contribute billions of dollars and troops to the cause in Syria. So far, it is unclear what the response was, but the US plans to launch the initiative as soon as possible.

The decision has come after US missiles were directed at suspected Syrian chemical facilities, and after US President Donald Trump called for the withdrawal of over 2,000 US troops currently serving in Syria. It is still unclear when the new initiative will exactly take effect.

Sources: The Wall Street Journal, CBS News

Sean Hannity Was a Client of Michael Cohen, Trump Lawyer

By Nick Baum

TUESDAY – 4/17/18

Sean Hannity, reporter and talk show host on Fox News, was announced as a client of Michael Cohen, Trump’s leading attorney, in a federal court on Monday. Michael Cohen’s home was recently raided by the FBI on suspicions that he carried illegal documents and records from Russia.

Three people were named at the federal court in lower Manhattan for being a former client of Michael Cohen. Hannity, GOP Fundraiser Elliott Broidy, and an unnamed third person. The names were announced in suspicion that they could’ve also been colluding with Russia.

So far, no direct evidence has been made of Russian collusion with the three names, but Michael Cohen is currently already under the investigation of a possible collusion and cover up with Russian authorities.

Sources: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal