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Greg Clugston
SRN Correspondent Greg Clugston keeps you informed about all the news coming from the White House.
Ghislaine Maxwell appeals for clemency as she declines lawmaker questions
Congress debates masks in homeland security funding showdown
DOJ allows Congress to review unredacted Epstein files
Trump administration appeals ruling on releasing NYC tunnel funds
Trump criticizes U.S. Olympians and Super Bowl Halftime show
Clintons want their Epstein depositions held in public
Trump says U.S.-Iran talks were “very good” with more planned
President Trump says the U-S held “very good” talks with Iran. Officials from both countries participated in the indirect talks held in Oman. The president described them as “very good” and said more were planned for early next week. But he kept up the pressure, warning that if the country didn’t make a deal over its nuclear program, “the consequences are very steep.” Meanwhile, he signed an executive order that may impose a 25% tariff on countries that do business with Iran
Listen DownloadTrump removes racist social media post after backlash
President Trump deleted a racist social media post after a backlash from some Republican allies in Congress. The president posted a video portraying former President Obama and his wife as apes in a jungle. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the meme, telling critics to “stop the fake outrage.” But the video, which has since been removed, was denounced by Democrats and Republicans alike. Among them was Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, a Trump ally and the only Black Republican in the Senate, who called the video “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.”
Listen DownloadTrump wants “modernized” nuclear pact with Russia and China
U-S and Russian negotiators have discussed their expired nuclear pact. The START treaty, dating back to the Cold War, expired this week, leaving no caps on the two largest atomic arsenals for the first time in decades. The lack of an agreement has fueled fears of an unconstrained nuclear arms race. President Trump says he wants a “modernized” pact, instead of extending the old one, which he claims was “badly negotiated” by the United States. And he wants China to be a part of a new agreement, again accusing Beijing of covert nuclear tests. GC, Wash.
Listen DownloadGOP Sen. Scott says Trump should remove a racist post
One of President Trump’s allies in the Senate is urging him to delete a racist social media post. GOP Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina said the president should remove a video meme that he posted on his social media site. Scott, who is the only Black Republican in the Senate, called the video “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.” The video portrays former President Obama and his wife as apes. White House press secretary Karoline Leaviitt rejected criticism of the meme, which she said was based on the Disney film “The Lion King.”
Listen DownloadTrump backs Secretary Noem after missteps in Minneapolis
President Trump is voicing confidence in his secretary of Homeland Security. The president defended Kristi Noem, even though she was removed from leading the immigration operation in Minneapolis, which included the shooting deaths of two protesters. He said “no” when asked if he was going to relieve Noem of here duties. He said the border is secure under Noem’s leadership. The president also used his National Prayer Breakfast speech to express confidence in Attorney General Pam Bondi and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
Listen DownloadWhite House unveils website offering Rx discounts
The Trump administration has launched a new website it says will help patients buy prescription drugs at significantly lower prices. President Trump unveiled the website, which will allow Americans to buy prescription drugs directly from manufacturers at a discounted rate. He said pharmaceutical companies have agreed to match the lowest price offered in other countries. Weight-loss drugs, insulin, inhalers, and fertility drugs are among the more than 40 medications currently available.
Listen DownloadU.S. and Russia reestablish military-to-military dialogue
The U.S. and Russia have agreed to reestablish high-level, military-to-military dialogue for the first time in more than four years. It’s seen as a sign of warming relations between the two countries since President Trump took office and sought to end the war in Ukraine. The agreement emerged from a meeting between senior Russian and American military officials in the UAE. Meanwhile, the last remaining nuclear arms pact between Russia and the U.S. expired Thursday. The START treaty dates back more than half a century to the Cold War and set limits on each country’s missiles, launchers and strategic warheads.
Listen DownloadTrump touts religion in unusual prayer breakfast speech
President Trump delivered an unusual speech at the 74th annual National Prayer Breakfast. The president spoke at the annual gathering of political and religious leaders, boasting he has “done more for religion than any other president.” During his speech, Donald Trump questioned how a person of faith can be a Democrat, he cursed several times, and called one Republican lawmaker a “moron.” He concluded by listing his administration’s religion-related accomplishments and said “prayer is America’s super power.”
Listen DownloadTrump says federal agents can use “softer touch” in enforcement
President Trump says federal agents engaged in immigration enforcement need to use a “softer touch.” In response to the ongoing unrest in Minnesota and cooperation from state and local officials, the administration is drawing down the number of ICE and Border Patrol officers. President Trump told NBC News that ordered the removal of 700 federal agents from the state. Asked about lessons learned from Minnesota, the president said he learned that “we can use a little bit of a softer touch. But,” he added, “you still have to be tough.”
Listen DownloadMan convicted of trying to assassinate Trump gets life in prison
A man convicted of trying to assassinate President Trump in Florida in 2024 has been sentenced to life in prison. Ryan Routh was sentenced to life without parole after being convicted on several charges, including trying to assassinate a major presidential candidate. In September 2024, he aimed a rifle through shrubbery as Donald Trump played golf at his West Palm Beach country club. In a sentencing memo, the federal judge wrote that Routh remains unrepentant and that his crimes “undeniably warrant a life sentence.”
Listen DownloadTrump administration withrdrawing 700 federal agents from Minn.
The Trump administration is immediately withdrawing 700 federal agents from Minnesota. Border Czar Tom Homan said cooperation from state and local officials led to the administration’s decision to reduce the number of immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota. He said about 700 of the roughly 3-thousand federal officers will be withdrawn. The announcement came after President Trump seemed to signal a willingness to ease tensions in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area, especially since the second fatal shooting of a U-S citizen by federal officers.
Listen DownloadGov’t shutdown is over, but debate continues over homeland security
The partial government shutdown is over, but difficult negotiations over homeland security funding continue on Capitol Hill. When Congress approved the final government funding bills, it passed a temporary, two-week extension for homeland security. Democrats are demanding changes to how ICE enforces the nation’s immigration laws. The two parties have until next Friday to reach an agreement. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned that Democrats would not support any more stopgap funding without substantial change. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he expects an agreement to be made.
Clintons finalize agreement to testify in House Epstein probe
Trump holds Oval Office talks with “terrific” Colombian president
President Trump said he and Colombian President Gusatvo Petro held friendly talks in the Oval Office. Just a few weeks after calling Petro “a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States,” Donald Trump welcomed his counterpart to the White House. After two hours of talks focused on drug trafficking, the president said he thought Petro was “terrific” and the Colombian leader said they both came away “with a positive and optimistic view.”
Trump signs funding package to reopen federal government
President Trump has signed legislation to fund the government and end the partial federal shutdown. The president moved quickly to sign the bill soon after the House narrowly approved the roughly 1-point-2 trillion dollar funding package. Lawmakers have until next Friday to finalize homeland security funding — the result of a deal the president made with Democrats.
