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.

Trump admits deportation effort is hurting farming, leisure industries

President Trump admits that his immigration crackdown is hurting farmers and the hospitality industry.
In a change of tone, the president acknowledges that immigration raids are having a direct impact on farmers who often hire undocumented workers. “They’re not citizens, but they’ve turned out, you know, to be great.” And he says “changes are coming,” promising to protect the farming and leisure sectors of the economy. But press secretary Karoline Leavitt tells the Salem Radio Network that the administration remains committed to worksite enforcement.

Trump calls Fed chair a “numbskull,” but no plans to fire him

President Trump scorches the chairman of the Federal Reserve again, but has no plans to fire him. The president continues to slam Fed chair Jerome Powell for not cutting interest rates. Despite calling Powell a “numbskull,” the president said he’s not going to fire him. But he went on to say he “may have to force something” as part of his ongoing push for the central bank to lower rates.

Trump: Israeli attack on Iran “not imminent” but could happen

President Trump is concerned about a possible Israeli attack against Iran. The president said he continues to urge Israel to hold off from taking military action against Iran. He said the U-S goal in ongoing talks with Iran is straightforward. The president said he’s concerned a “massive conflict” could occur in the Middle East if no agreement is reached.

Trump revokes California’s EV and emissions rules

President Trump has killed California’s electric vehicle and emissions rules. In a White House signing ceremony, the president blocked California’s first-in-the-nation rule banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, which he called a “disaster.”  He also approved measures to overturn state policies curbing emissions from certain vehicles. By eliminating different emissions standards in different states, the president said new cars will cost less.