U.S. evacuates nonessential diplomats and families from Israel

The State Department has begun evacuating nonessential diplomats and their families from the U.S. embassy in Israel. The evacuations come as hostilities between Israel and Iran intensify and President Trump warns of the possibility of getting directly involved in the conflict. There’s confusion, however, over evacuation plans for private American citizens. U-S Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced that such plans were being made. But hours later, the State Department said there is “no announcement about assisting private U.S. citizens to depart at this time.” GC, Wash.

Fed leaves interest rates unchanged, angering Trump

Trump ‘not looking for a fight’ with Iran, but stands ready to act

President Trump says he doesn’t want to carry out a U-S strike on Iran, but he will if necessary. Donald Trump has long denounced American military intervention around the world. When it comes to Iran, he’s not itching to start a war, but says the U-S stands ready to act. The president is adamant about preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and says he remains undecided about ordering a military strike.

Trump won’t say whether he’ll order U.S. strike on Iran

President Trump says the United States “may or may not” hit Iran with a military strike. As he weighs possible U-S intervention in the Israeli-Iranian conflict, the president won’t say whether he has decided to order a strike on Iran. “I may do it, I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do,” he said. The president also said that it’s not “too late” for Iran to give up its nuclear program. So far, Iran’s supreme leader is refusing to submit to the president’s call for “unconditional surrender.”

Iran rejects Trump’s call for “unconditional surrender”

Iran is rejecting President Trump’s call for surrender. Iran’s supreme leader is warning that any military involvement by the Americans would cause “irreparable damage” to the United States. President Trump dismissed the warning, saying “good luck.” He claimed that “Iran’s got a lot of trouble and they want to negotiate.” And that war can still be avoided. Asked if he’s decided about ordering a military strike on Iran, the president said, “I may do it. I may not do it.”

Trump steps up Iran rhetoric, calls for “unconditional surrender”

President Trump has stepped up his rhetoric against Iran after pursuing a diplomatic solution. For the past couple of months, the president held out hope that negotiations with Iran would lead to a deal on its nuclear program. But now he supports Israel’s military strikes against Iran and is calling for the country’s “unconditional surrender.” In several social media posts, he boasted that “we” now control Iranian airspace, claimed “we” know the location of Iran’s supreme leader, and warned the U-S would come down hard on anyone who targets American troops.

Trump rejects U.S. intelligence assessment of Iran’s nuclear program

President Trump is dismissing a statement about Iran from one of his administration’s top intelligence officials. Three months ago, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard told lawmakers that U-S spy agencies did not believe Iran was building a nuclear weapon. When asked about that comment aboard Air Force One this week, the president rejected the assessment, saying “I don’t care what she said. I think they [Iran] were very close.” Meanwhile, the president is calling for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and threatening the country’s supreme leader, saying he’s an “easy target.”

In warning to Iran, Trump says “patience is wearing thin”

Americans’ view of the economy is improving

The American public’s view of the economy is improving. According to the Harvard Caps Harris poll, about 4 in 10 voters say the economy and the country are on the right track. While that’s an improvement, slightly more than half of those surveyed say the U-S is on the wrong track. Fifty-percent, though, say the U-S economy is strong. President Trump’s approval rating is largely steady, but he’s underwater with more Americans disapproving of how he’s handling his job.

Trump says calling MN Gov. Walz after shootings would “waste time”

Back in DC, Trump wants “better than a ceasefire” in Iran-Israel conflict

US and UK announce progress in new trade deal

Trump to Iran: Negotiate “before it’s too late”

Trump orders more deportations in Democrat-controlled cities

President Trump is stepping up deportations in Democratic-controlled cities. At the president’s direction, federal immigration officials will prioritize deportations from cities run by elected Democrats. Writing on social media, he called on ICE “to do all in their power to achieve the very important goal of delivering the single largest Mass Deportation Program in History.” Specifically, he called for expanded efforts in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York.

Appeals Court to hold hearing on Trump’s Nat’l Guard deployment

An appeals court will hold a hearing this week on President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles. Late last week, a federal judge ruled that the president illegally deployed the National Guard to help with LA protests, and said he must return control of the troops to California’s governor. But the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stepped in immediately and temporarily blocked that judge’s order. The court said it would hold a hearing on the matter on Tuesday. The order applied only to the National Guard troops and not Marines who were also deployed to Los Angeles.

Trump halts immigration arrests at farms, restaurants, and hotels

President Trump is halting immigration arrests at farms, restaurants and hotels. Admitting that his administration’s immigration crackdown is hurting farmers and the hospitality business, the president directed immigration officers to stop arresting some undocumented residents. He said many of those people are “great” workers, even though they’re not citizens. It’s a change of tone for the president who has promised the largest deportation operation in American history.

Judge blocks Trump’s firing of product safety commissioners

A judge has blocked President Trump’s firing of three Democrats on the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The judge ruled that the commissioners can resume their duties because their dismissals were unlawful. The five-member commission is best known for issuing recalls to help protect consumers from dangerous products. Trump administration attorneys argued that the president has constitutional authority to remove the individuals. But the federal statute says commissioners can only be fired “for neglect of duty or malfeasance”— allegations that have not been made.

Washington, DC to host Trump’s massive military parade

The U-S military is putting on a huge display to celebrate the Army’s 250th birthday. At the direction of President Trump, a massive parade will take place here in Washington, DC, featuring hundreds of military vehicles and aircraft and thousands of American soldiers. The occasion is the 250th birthday of the Army taking place on Flag Day, which is also the president’s 79th birthday. Army officials say the price tag of the event is up to an estimated 45 million dollars.

Trump urges Iran to make nuclear deal after Israeli strikes

President Trump is urging Iran to make a nuclear deal now that it has been struck by Israel. The president wrote on social media that Iran should make a deal “before there is nothing left,” saying “just do it before it’s too late.” He said he gave Iran a 60 day ultimatum to “make a deal” — two months ago. Despite fears of a wider regional conflict, the president is still hoping to reach a nuclear deal with Iran. He said “they have, perhaps, a second chance.”

Appeals Court allows Trump’s Nat’l Guard deployment for now

An appeals court is allowing President Trump to keep control over California’s National Guard troops until a hearing next week. On Thursday, a federal judge ruled that the president illegally deployed the National Guard to help with LA protests, and must return control of the troops to California’s governor. But hours later, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily blocked that judge’s order. The court said it would hold a hearing on the matter on Tuesday. The order applied only to the National Guard troops and not Marines who were also deployed to Los Angeles.

Trump to meet with National Security Council after Israeli strike

President Trump will meet with national security officials at the White House. In the aftermath of Israel’s military attack against Iran, the president will attend a National Security Council meeting in the White House Situation Room. The administration is working to protect American personnel and interests in the Mideast amid concerns of a widespread conflict in the region.

Final preparations being made for Trump’s military parade

Judge says Trump illegally deployed National Guard to LA

A federal judge says President Trump illegally deployed the National Guard to help with LA protests. In a temporary restraining order, the judge said the president must return control over National Guard troops to California Governor Gavin Newsom. The order said the deployment of the Guard was illegal, violated both the Tenth Amendment, and exceeded Donald Trump’s statutory authority. According to the judge, the protests in Los Angeles fall far short of the “rebellion” cited by the president. The Justice Department immediately filed an appeal.

U.S. says “not involved” in Israel’s strikes against Iran

The Trump administration is warning Iran not to target U-S interests or personnel. The State Department said the United States is “not involved” in Israel’s attack against the Iranian capital. And in a written statement Secretary of State Rubio said: “Let me be clear: Iran should not target U-S interests or personnel.” He said “Israel took unilateral action against Iran” and the administration’s “top priority is protecting American forces in the region.” President Trump had been urging Israel to hold off an attack as the U-S conducted nuclear talks with Iran.