1/23/2024

2024 ELECTION/NATIONAL SECURITY: “After breezing through his usual lines about wanting to build a border wall and to ‘drill baby, drill’ for oil, former President Donald Trump has been adding a new refrain to his speeches — a promise to build something like Israel’s Iron Dome, but better and over the entire U.S. ‘We’ll build […]

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1/19/2021

NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDERS: “I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, find that additional steps must be taken to deal with the national emergency related to significant malicious cyber-enabled activities… Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) shall propose for notice and comment regulations […]

Read More… from 1/19/2021

12/28/2020

NATIONAL SECURITY: “And the truth is: many of the agencies that are critical to our security have incurred enormous damage. They’ve been hollowed out. In personnel. In capacity. In morale. In policy processes that have atrophied or been sidelined. In the disrepair of our alliances. In our absence from key institutions that matter to the […]

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12/28/2020

BIDEN TRANSITION/JOE BIDEN/KAMALA HARRIS/NATIONAL SECURITY: “Vice President-elect Harris and I, along with our nominees to lead our national security institutions, have just been briefed by some of the professionals who have been conducting agency reviews as part of our transition. This is a long-standing part of the orderly transition of power in American democracy… From […]

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12/23/2020

DEFENSE/NATIONAL SECURITY/VETO: “I am returning, without my approval, H.R. 6395, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (the ‘Act’). My Administration recognizes the importance of the Act to our national security. Unfortunately, the Act fails to include critical national security measures, includes provisions that fail to respect our veterans and our military’s history, […]

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12/17/2020

JOE BIDEN/NATIONAL SECURITY/TECHNOLOGY: “We have learned in recent days of what appears to be a massive cybersecurity breach affecting potentially thousands of victims, including U.S. companies and federal government entities. There’s a lot we don’t yet know, but what we do know is a matter of great concern… I want to be clear: my administration […]

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12/8/2020

COVID-19/NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR/TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDERS: “Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to ensure every American has priority access to free, safe, and effective COVID-19 vaccines. As part of the Executive Order, President Trump directed his Administration to develop a strategy for giving other nations access to United States Government COVID-19 Vaccines. After […]

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12/8/2020

GOP/HOUSE OF REPS/MILITARY/NATIONAL SECURITY/SOCIAL MEDIA/VETO: “I hope House Republicans will vote against the very weak National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which I will VETO. Must include a termination of Section 230 (for National Security purposes), preserve our National Monuments, & allow for 5G & troop reductions in foreign lands!“ ––Donald Trump, Twitter.com, December 8, 2020 […]

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12/3/2020

NATIONAL SECURITY/SOCIAL MEDIA/TECHNOLOGY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “@JimInhofe What good is having a very expensive National Defense Authorization Act if Big Tech can run circles around you and the security of our Country? End Section 230 now! #NDAA“ ––Donald Trump, Twitter.com, December 3, 2020 7:04 pm […]

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12/3/2020

MILITARY/NATIONAL SECURITY/SOCIAL MEDIA/TECHNOLOGY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/VETO: “But doesn’t get rid of Big Tech’s windfall, Section 230, a grave threat to National Security. I will VETO! RT @JimInhofe Proud to announce the completion of the 60th Annual National Defense Authorization Act — a bill that champions our troops, supports our military families, and strengthens our national defense. […]

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12/3/2020

NATIONAL SECURITY/SOCIAL MEDIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/VETO: “Very sadly for our Nation, it looks like Senator @JimInhofe will not be putting the Section 230 termination clause into the Defense Bill. So bad for our National Security and Election Integrity. Last chance to ever get it done. I will VETO!“ ––Donald Trump, Twitter.com, December 3, 2020 5:37 pm […]

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12/3/2020

GOP/NATIONAL SECURITY/SENATE/SOCIAL MEDIA/TECHNOLOGY: “Looks like certain Republican Senators are getting cold feet with respect to the termination of Big Tech’s Section 230, a National Security and Election Integrity MUST. For years, all talk, no action. Termination must be put in Defense Bill!!!“ ––Donald Trump, Twitter.com, December 3, 2020 4:17 am […]

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12/1/2020

NATIONAL SECURITY/SOCIAL MEDIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/VETO: “Section 230, which is a liability shielding gift from the U.S. to ‘Big Tech’ (the only companies in America that have it – corporate welfare!), is a serious threat to our National Security & Election Integrity. Our Country can never be safe & secure if we allow it to stand….. […]

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11/24/2020

BIDEN-HARRIS ADMIN/FOREIGN POLICY/NATIONAL SECURITY: “Today, I’m pleased to announce nominations and staff for critical foreign policy national security positions in my administration… And while this team has unmatched experience and accomplishments, they also reflect the idea that we can not meet these challenges with old thinking and unchanged habits. For example, we’re going to have […]

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11/24/2020

JAMES MATTIS/MILITARY/NATIONAL SECURITY/OBAMA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “That says it all about [former Secretary of Defense James] Mattis. Obama fired him. I should have fired him sooner. Did best work after he was gone. World’s most overrated general! RT @FoxNews Mattis says he hopes Joe Biden takes ‘America First’ out of national security strategy“ ––Donald Trump, Twitter.com, […]

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11/23/2020

2020 ELECTION/GOP/NATIONAL SECURITY: “A group of leading GOP national security experts — including former homeland security secretary Tom Ridge — urged congressional Republicans on Monday [Nov. 23, 2020] to demand President Trump concede the election and immediately begin the transition to the incoming Biden administration… The message called on ‘Republican leaders — especially those in […]

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11/23/2020

BIDEN PEOPLE/FOREIGN POLICY/JOE BIDEN/NATIONAL SECURITY: “Today, I’m announcing the first members of my national security and foreign policy team. They will rally the world to take on our challenges like no other—challenges that no one nation can face alone. It’s time to restore American leadership. I trust this group to do just that. https://twitter.com/i/status/1330967606585593857″ ––Joe […]

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11/17/2020

BIDEN TRANSITION/NATIONAL SECURITY: “The president-elect and vice president-elect appreciated the opportunity to hear from some of our country’s most experienced national security experts about the challenges facing our country and our institutions. The experts briefed them on the diplomatic, defense, and intelligence challenges the administration will inherit on day one, focusing on both the strategic […]

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11/17/2020

BIDEN TRANSITION/JOE BIDEN/KAMALA HARRIS/NATIONAL SECURITY: “Today, @KamalaHarris and I met with some of our country’s most experienced national security experts to discuss the challenges facing our nation, our institutions, and the world. We’re ready to tackle the challenges our administration will inherit on day one.“ ––Joe Biden, Twitter.com, November 17, 2020 12:10 pm […]

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11/15/2020

JOHN BOLTON/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/WAR: “John Bolton was one of the dumbest people in government that I’ve had the ‘pleasure’ to work with. A sullen, dull and quiet guy, he added nothing to National Security except, ‘Gee, let’s go to war.’ Also, illegally released much Classified Information. A real dope!“ ––Donald Trump, Twitter.com, November 15, […]

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10/31/2020

2020 ELECTION/2A/CONGRESS/ECONOMY/EDUCATION/ENDORSEMENT/JOBS/NATIONAL SECURITY/TEXAS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “We need Genevieve Collins (@GCForCongress) in Congress for Texas! She is Strong on Jobs & the Economy, National Security and Education, and she will always Defend your Second Amendment. Genevieve has my Complete and Total Endorsement! #TX32“ ––Donald Trump, Twitter.com, October 31, 2020 5:08 am […]

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10/25/2020

MIKE POMPEO/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Congratulations to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who just agreed to adhere to a cease fire effective at midnight. Many lives will be saved. Proud of my team @SecPompeo & Steve Biegun & @WHNSC for getting the deal done!“ ––Donald Trump, Twitter.com, October 25, 2020 11:44 am […]

Read More… from 10/25/2020

9/18/2020

2020 ELECTION/CONGRESS/ECONOMY/ENDORSEMENT/NATIONAL SECURITY/POLICE/VETS: “Tyler Kistner (@KistnerCongress) will be an incredible Congressman for Minnesota. A Marine Special Forces Veteran, he is Strong on National Security, the Economy, Law Enforcement & our America First agenda. Tyler has my Complete & Total Endorsement! #MN02“ ––Donald Trump, Twitter.com, September 18, 2020 10:21 am […]

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9/14/2020

IRAN/JOE BIDEN/NATIONAL SECURITY/NUKES/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “The fact is, Iran is closer to a nuclear bomb today than it was when Donald Trump took office. Every day he’s in charge of our national security is another day our enemies are emboldened and the American people are at risk.“ ––Joe Biden, Twitter.com, September 14, 2020 3:30 pm […]

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8/20/2020

GOP/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Over 70 former Republican national security officials including ex-CIA and FBI chiefs will endorse Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Friday while launching a scathing indictment of President Donald Trump, calling him corrupt and unfit to serve. The group lays out a detailed charge sheet against Trump, including accusations that he […]

Read More… from 8/20/2020

3/26/2020

ENERGY/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Our great Oil & Gas industry is under under seige after having one of the best years in recorded history. It will get better than ever as soon as our Country starts up again. Vital that it does for our National Security!” –Donald Trump, Twitter.com, March 26, 2020 6:06 pm […]

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2/21/2020

NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “When President Trump’s national security adviser, Robert C. O’Brien, convenes meetings with top National Security Council officials at the White House, he sometimes opens by distributing printouts of Mr. Trump’s latest tweets on the subject at hand. The gesture amounts to an implicit challenge for those present. Their job is […]

Read More… from 2/21/2020

2/17/2020

JOHN BOLTON/MEDIA/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “John Bolton, the former national security adviser to President Donald Trump, raised concern on Monday [2-17-20] about his unpublished book being ‘suppressed’ by the White House and suggested he should be able to respond to the president’s tweets about him…Asked about the president’s criticism of him on Twitter, Bolton said: […]

Read More… from 2/17/2020

2/14/2020

IMPEACHMENT/INVESTIGATIONS/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “Army Sec. Ryan McCarthy said Friday [2-14-20] that Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the former National Security Council staffer who testified in President Donald Trump’s impeachment inquiry, is not under investigation, a stance seemingly at odds with the White House. Trump directed his wrath at Vindman after the Ukraine expert testified before Congress about concerns […]

Read More… from 2/14/2020

2/13/2020

NATIONAL SECURITY/NEW YORK/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “I’m seeing Governor Cuomo today at The White House. He must understand that National Security far exceeds politics. New York must stop all of its unnecessary lawsuits & harrassment, start cleaning itself up, and lowering taxes. Build relationships, but don’t bring Fredo!” –Donald Trump, Twitter.com, February 13, 2020 1:30 pm […]

Read More… from 2/13/2020

2/5/2020

ENERGY/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP PEOPLE: “Victoria Coates, one of President Donald Trump’s longest-serving national security aides, is leaving the White House soon to become a senior adviser at the Energy Department, the White House said on Thursday. Coates has been at the Trump White House since he took office three years ago and has been a key […]

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1/29/2020

JOHN BOLTON/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “….many more mistakes of judgement, gets fired because frankly, if I listened to him, we would be in World War Six by now, and goes out and IMMEDIATELY writes a nasty & untrue book. All Classified National Security. Who would do this?” –Donald Trump, Twitter.com, January 29, 2020 7:28 am […]

Read More… from 1/29/2020

12/9/2019

JOE BIDEN/NATIONAL SECURITY/NATO: “If we don’t figure out how to bring the world together again, reassure our allies, making sure that our, that those who are opponents know we understand what they’re about and we’re gonna do something about it. Where do we go? What happens in five years if this, if the president’s reelected? […]

Read More… from 12/9/2019

11/19/2019

IMPEACHMENT/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/UKRAINE: “Two top national security officials offered new details about President Trump’s pressure campaign on Ukraine as they appeared for testimony during the second week of public hearings in House Democrats’ impeachment inquiry. At issue is whether Mr. Trump abused his power by holding out security aid and a coveted White House […]

Read More… from 11/19/2019

11/18/2019

NATIONAL SECURITY/NUCLEAR/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “Turnover in President Donald Trump’s national security staff may be having a little-noticed side effect: Worries about nuclear weapons zapping America’s electric grid will return to the fringe. Warnings about electromagnetic pulse attacks have long inspired eye-rolls or outright guffaws among national security experts, but advocates of the issue briefly […]

Read More… from 11/18/2019

10/30/2019

HOUSE OF REPS/IMPEACHMENT/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “House impeachment investigators on Wednesday [10-30-19] summoned John R. Bolton, President Trump’s former national security adviser, and two top White House lawyers to testify next week in their inquiry into Mr. Trump’s pressure campaign on Ukraine, closing in on critical witnesses as they prepare to go public with […]

Read More… from 10/30/2019

10/28/2019

IMPEACHMENT/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/UKRAINE: “A senior White House official told House impeachment investigators on Tuesday that he believed President Donald Trump undermined national security when he appealed to Ukraine’s president to investigate his political rivals, according to a copy of his opening statement obtained by POLITICO. Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman spent more than 10 hours […]

Read More… from 10/28/2019

10/22/2019

ECONOMY/EDUCATION/NATIONAL SECURITY/TECHNOLOGY/TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDERS: “In every age of our Nation’s history, American ingenuity has driven technological progress and the promise of the American Dream. Scientific advancement has improved the lives of our citizens, created jobs and better futures for American workers, and kept the American people safe at home and abroad.  American thinkers, inventors, and […]

Read More… from 10/22/2019

10/18/2019

NATIONAL SECURITY/OBAMA/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Susan Rice, who was a disaster to President Obama as National Security Advisor, is now telling us her opinion on what to do in Syria. Remember RED LINE IN THE SAND? That was Obama. Millions killed! No thanks Susan, you were a disaster.” –Donald Trump, Twitter.com, October 18, 2019 9:59 pm […]

Read More… from 10/18/2019

10/16/2019

AMBASSADOR/FOREIGN POLICY/HOUSE OF REPS/IMPEACHMENT/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “A former top White House foreign policy adviser told House impeachment investigators this week that she viewed Gordon D. Sondland, the United States ambassador to the European Union, as a potential national security risk because he was so unprepared for his job, according to two people familiar with […]

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10/16/2019

AMBASSADOR/FOREIGN POLICY/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “A former top White House foreign policy adviser told House impeachment investigators this week that she viewed Gordon D. Sondland, the United States ambassador to the European Union, as a potential national security risk because he was so unprepared for his job, according to two people familiar with her […]

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10/14/2019

FOREIGN POLICY/IMMIGRATION/ISIS/NATIONAL SECURITY/SANCTIONS/SECRETARY OF STATE/SYRIA/TERRORISM/TREASURY/TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDERS/TURKEY: “I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, find that the situation in and in relation to Syria, and in particular the recent actions by the Government of Turkey to conduct a military offensive into northeast Syria, undermines the campaign to defeat the Islamic State […]

Read More… from 10/14/2019

10/7/2019

DEFENSE/FOREIGN AID/IMPEACHMENT/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/UKRAINE: “The House on Monday [10-7-19] expanded its sprawling impeachment inquiry, issuing subpoenas to the Defense Department and the Office of Management and Budget for documents that could solve lingering mysteries about whether President Trump’s decision to withhold security aid for Ukraine was tied to his efforts to pressure the government […]

Read More… from 10/7/2019

9/24/2019

IMPEACHMENT/JOE BIDEN/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/UKRAINE: “Joe Biden on Tuesday [9-24-19] said Congress has ‘no choice but to initiate impeachment’ if President Donald Trump keeps stonewalling investigations, including into Ukraine…Biden, speaking in Delaware, said if the allegations now facing Trump are true, it is an abuse of power, it undermines national security and violates Trump’s oath […]

Read More… from 9/24/2019

9/24/2019

IMPEACHMENT/NANCY PELOSI/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced on Tuesday [9-24-19] that the House would initiate a formal impeachment inquiry against President Trump, charging him with betraying his oath of office and the nation’s security by seeking to enlist a foreign power to tarnish a rival for his own political gain. Ms. Pelosi’s declaration, […]

Read More… from 9/24/2019

9/19/2019

NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDERS/VACCINES: “Influenza viruses are constantly changing as they circulate globally in humans and animals. Relatively minor changes in these viruses cause annual seasonal influenza outbreaks, which result in millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, and tens of thousands of deaths each year in the United States. Periodically, new influenza A […]

Read More… from 9/19/2019

9/18/2019

IRAN/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “In the space of seven minutes on an airport tarmac on Wednesday [9-18-19], President Trump captured the thorny decision he faces as he once again straddles the edge of war and peace. One moment, he threatened to order ‘the ultimate option’ of a strike on Iran in retaliation for attacks on […]

Read More… from 9/18/2019

9/18/2019

FOREIGN POLICY/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “John Bolton, President Donald Trump’s fired national security adviser, harshly criticized Trump’s foreign policy on Wednesday [9-18-19] at a private lunch, saying that inviting the Taliban to Camp David sent a ‘terrible signal’ and that it was ‘disrespectful’ to the victims of 9/11 because the Taliban had harbored al […]

Read More… from 9/18/2019

9/18/2019

NATIONAL SECURITY/STATE/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “I am pleased to announce that I will name Robert C. O’Brien, currently serving as the very successful Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs at the State Department, as our new National Security Advisor. I have worked long & hard with Robert. He will do a great job!” –Donald Trump, […]

Read More… from 9/18/2019

9/12/2019

NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE/VENEZUELA: “President Donald Trump on Thursday [9-12-19] again claimed former national security adviser John Bolton, well-known for his hawkish impulses and inclination toward military intervention, was in fact ‘holding me back’ on certain matters of foreign policy…The president’s post was in response to a message from Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who […]

Read More… from 9/12/2019

8/8/2019

MILITARY/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “….career in the military, retiring from the U.S. Navy in 2010. He commanded at every level, including the Naval Special Warfare Command. He has also served as a National Security Fellow at Harvard University. I have no doubt he will do a great job!”  –Donald Trump, Twitter.com, August 8, 2019 6:12 […]

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8/2/2019

INTELLIGENCE/NATIONAL SECURITY/NOMINATIONS/TRUMP PEOPLE: “President Donald Trump said Friday [8-2-19] that Rep. John Ratcliffe is withdrawing his bid to become Director of National Intelligence, days after the president floated his name. The announcement comes after Democrats and some Republicans have raised questions about whether the Texas congressman exaggerated his work as federal prosecutor of terrorism cases. Others questioned […]

Read More… from 8/2/2019

8/2/2019

CONGRESS/INTELLIGENCE/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Trump on Friday [8-2-19] abruptly dropped his plan to nominate Representative John Ratcliffe, Republican of Texas, as the nation’s top intelligence official after questions by Republicans and Democrats about his qualifications and concern over whether he had exaggerated his résumé. Mr. Ratcliffe, a vocal supporter of Mr. Trump, had come […]

Read More… from 8/2/2019

7/30/2019

INTELLIGENCE/NATIONAL SECURITY/NOMINATIONS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “Aides to the congressman chosen by President Trump to lead the nation’s intelligence agencies were forced on Tuesday [7-30-19] to clarify his claims that he had won terrorism convictions as a federal prosecutor, as his background came under new scrutiny. Mr. Trump’s pick, Representative John Ratcliffe, Republican of Texas, had […]

Read More… from 7/30/2019

7/29/2019

INTELLIGENCE/NATIONAL SECURITY/NOMINATIONS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Republicans hesitated on Monday [7-29-19] to embrace President Trump’s choice for the director of national intelligence, and some privately expressed doubts about his potential confirmation, echoing concerns of experts and Democrats that he was too inexperienced and too partisan. Mr. Trump’s pick, Representative John Ratcliffe of Texas, could face an uphill […]

Read More… from 7/29/2019

7/26/2019

DRUGS/HUMAN RIGHTS/IMMIGRATION/NATIONAL SECURITY/TERRORISM/TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDERS/UN: “I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, find that the situation in Mali, including repeated violations of ceasefire arrangements made pursuant to the 2015 Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali; the expansion of terrorist activities into southern and central Mali; the intensification of drug trafficking and trafficking […]

Read More… from 7/26/2019

7/25/2019

CYBERWAR/INTELLIGENCE/NATIONAL SECURITY/RUSSIA/SENATE/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “The Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday [7-25-19] released a wide-ranging report that detailed Russia’s attempts to hack US election infrastructure during the 2016 election, urging states and the federal government to do more to prevent election cyberattacks in the future. The report included a host of recommendations to both the federal […]

Read More… from 7/25/2019

7/23/2019

CAMPAIGN/CRIME/LEGAL/LOBBYING/MICHAEL FLYNN/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP PEOPLE: “A federal jury on Tuesday [7-22-19] convicted Bijan Rafiekian, a former business partner of Michael Flynn, on a pair of foreign-agent felony charges stemming from work the two men did for Turkish interests during the final months of the Trump presidential campaign in 2016. The verdicts, returned by jurors in Alexandria, […]

Read More… from 7/23/2019

7/1/2019

NATIONAL SECURITY/NORTH KOREA/NUCLEAR/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “As President Trump reveled in his historic weekend stroll into North Korea, administration officials were sharply at odds on Monday [7-1-19] over what demands to make of Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, while preparing to restart negotiations on a nuclear deal. Pushing an internal debate into the open, John […]

Read More… from 7/1/2019

6/29/2019

AGRICULTURE/CHINA/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “….amounts of agricultural product from our great Farmers. At the request of our High Tech companies, and President Xi, I agreed to allow Chinese company Huawei to buy product from them which will not impact our National Security. Importantly, we have opened up negotiations…” –Donald Trump, Twitter.com, June 29, 2019 5:32 […]

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6/27/2019

IRAN/NATIONAL SECURITY/NUCLEAR/OBAMA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: ”For President Donald Trump, it’s déjà vu all over again on Iran. Iran’s expected breach on Thursday [6-27-19] of the uranium stockpile limits set by the 2015 nuclear deal is reviving a fierce debate within the Trump administration and on Capitol Hill about just how hard Trump should go to undermine […]

Read More… from 6/27/2019

6/25/2019

IRAN/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE/WAR: “Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton of plotting for war against Iran in a tweet on Tuesday [6-25-19]. ‘Wanna know why those with proven record of detesting diplomacy are suddenly interested in talks? Just read @AmbJohnBolton’s 2017 recipe for destroying the #JCPOA,’ Zarif […]

Read More… from 6/25/2019

6/7/2019

ELECTION/LEGISLATION/MITCH MCCONNELL/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP PEOPLE: “A raft of legislation intended to better secure United States election systems after what the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, called a ‘sweeping and systematic’ Russian attack in 2016 is running into a one-man roadblock in the form of the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. The bills include […]

Read More… from 6/7/2019

6/6/2019

MICHAEL FLYNN/NATIONAL SECURITY/ROBERT MUELLER/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Prosecutors released audio on Thursday [6-6-19] of a voice mail message that President Trump’s personal lawyer left for a lawyer for Michael T. Flynn, the former national security adviser, shortly after Mr. Flynn agreed in 2017 to cooperate with the special counsel’s investigation. The message and its tone offer […]

Read More… from 6/6/2019

5/29/2019

INTELLIGENCE/IRAN/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “John R. Bolton, President Trump’s national security adviser, on Wednesday [5-29-19] accused Iran of playing a key role in recent attacks on ships off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, the latest instance in which he has articulated a more hawkish view than his boss toward Iran. Ratcheting up his […]

Read More… from 5/29/2019

5/21/2019

CONGRESS/DEMS/IRAN/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Top American national security officials sought to convince a divided Congress on Tuesday [5-21-19] about the seriousness of new threats from Iran as they defended intelligence that has prompted military deployments aimed at deterring attacks by Tehran. Democrats emerged from the classified briefings on Capitol Hill with sharp questions about whose […]

Read More… from 5/21/2019

5/17/2019

AUTO INDUSTRY/EU/JAPAN/NATIONAL SECURITY/TARIFFS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump on Friday [5-17-19] delayed by six months a series of tariffs on foreign cars from Europe and Japan, pushing back the aggressive move to give negotiators more time to reach broad trade agreements. Trump administration officials have determined that auto imports ‘threaten to impair the national security of the United […]

Read More… from 5/17/2019

5/15/2019

CHINA/NATIONAL SECURITY/TECHNOLOGY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Trump moved on Wednesday [5-15-19] to ban American telecommunications firms from installing foreign-made equipment that could pose a threat to national security, White House officials said, stepping up a battle against China by effectively barring sales by Huawei, the country’s leading networking company. Mr. Trump issued an executive order instructing […]

Read More… from 5/15/2019

5/15/2019

ATTORNEY GENERAL/COMMERCE/DEFENSE/DHS/DNI/ECONOMY/FCC/INFRASTRUCTURE/NATIONAL SECURITY/SECRETARY OF STATE/TECHNOLOGY/TREASURY/TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDERS: “I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, find that foreign adversaries are increasingly creating and exploiting vulnerabilities in information and communications technology and services, which store and communicate vast amounts of sensitive information, facilitate the digital economy, and support critical infrastructure and vital emergency services, […]

Read More… from 5/15/2019

5/9/2019

IRAN/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE/VENEZUELA: “U.S. President Donald Trump, facing the possibility of military confrontations with both Iran and Venezuela, said on Thursday [5-9-19] that he sometimes serves as a counterbalance to his hard-charging national security adviser, John Bolton. Bolton has been a key player in current U.S. standoffs with Iran and Venezuela, both instances […]

Read More… from 5/9/2019

5/3/2019

MIKE POMPEO/MILITARY/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/VENEZUELA: “Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday [5-2-19] that the Trump administration ‘will simply not rule out’ military action in Venezuela. And on Friday [5-3-19], Trump administration officials met for the second day in a row at the Pentagon to discuss options for toppling the country’s embattled autocratic leader. […]

Read More… from 5/3/2019

5/2/2019

DHS/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDERS: “By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and to better ensure continued American economic prosperity and national security, it is hereby ordered as follows… America’s cybersecurity workforce is a strategic asset that protects the American people, the homeland, […]

Read More… from 5/2/2019

5/1/2019

DEMS/ELECTION/GOP/LEGISLATION/NATIONAL SECURITY/SENATE/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Senate Democrats and Republicans can agree on perhaps just one thing about special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation — that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election. But bipartisan legislation to address foreign intrusions is all but dead amid a distinct lack of enthusiasm from Senate GOP leadership and the Trump White […]

Read More… from 5/1/2019

4/26/2019

GOP/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “Rep. Jim Jordan, the top Republican on the House Oversight Committee, is seeking to resolve a tense dispute between Democrats and the White House as part of the panel’s review of the Trump administration’s security clearance process. In a letter obtained by CNN and dated Friday [4-26-19], Jordan is asking […]

Read More… from 4/26/2019

4/2/2019

BORDER/ECONOMY/MEXICO/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump acknowledged Tuesday [4-2-19] that shutting down the U.S.-Mexico border could have a dire impact on the economy, but contended that the move was about national security, and ‘that’s more important than trade.’ Trump threatened last week to close the southern border if Mexico did not do more to […]

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4/1/2019

NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE/WHITE HOUSE STAFF: “A White House staff member has told House investigators that senior officials have overruled concerns raised about 25 individuals whose security clearances were initially denied over a range of disqualifying issues — such as fears about foreign influence and potential conflicts-of-interests — warning of the grave implications to […]

Read More… from 4/1/2019

4/1/2019

CONGRESS/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/WHITE HOUSE STAFF: “A whistle-blower working inside the White House has told a House committee that senior Trump administration officials granted security clearances to at least 25 individuals whose applications had been denied by career employees for ‘disqualifying issues’ that could put national security at risk, the committee’s Democratic staff said Monday […]

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3/14/2019

BORDER/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/VETO/WALL: “A big National Emergency vote today by The United States Senate on Border Security & the Wall (which is already under major construction). I am prepared to veto, if necessary. The Southern Border is a National Security and Humanitarian Nightmare, but it can be easily fixed!” –Donald Trump, Twitter.com, March 14, […]

Read More… from 3/14/2019

3/7/2019

JARED KUSHNER/JOHN KELLY/NATIONAL SECURITY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “The former White House chief of staff, John F. Kelly, on Wednesday [3-6-19] declined to answer questions about the existence of a memo he wrote saying that President Trump had ordered officials to give his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, a security clearance in May 2018. Mr. Kelly also broke with […]

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3/6/2019

INTELLIGENCE/MILITARY/NATIONAL SECURITY/OBAMA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump on Wednesday [3-6-19] revoked an Obama-era requirement for reporting civilian casualties that resulted from U.S. intelligence operations in non-combat areas across the globe. Trump struck a section of an executive order issued by former President Barack Obama that required both the Pentagon and the intelligence agencies to report […]

Read More… from 3/6/2019

3/6/2019

INTELLIGENCE/MILITARY/NATIONAL SECURITY/OBAMA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “US intelligence officials will no longer be required to publicly disclose the number of civilians killed in airstrikes against terrorist targets ‘outside areas of active hostilities’ due to a new executive order issued by President Donald Trump on Wednesday [3-6-19]. However, given the secrecy surrounding counterterrorism strikes conducted by US intelligence […]

Read More… from 3/6/2019