Trump wants to have a say in Federal Reserve policy

White House blasts Israeli official over hostage deal comments

The White House is denouncing the comments of an Israeli official who opposes a hostage and ceasefire deal with Hamas. Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich does not support the deal being pushed by the United States and mediators from Egypt and Qatar. He said it amounts to surrender. At the White House, national security spokesman John Kirby didn’t hide his disgust with the Israeli official.
Kirby said the view held by Smotrich “would, in fact, sacrifice the lives of Israeli hostages, his own country, and American hostages as well.” Prime Minister Netanyahu has agreed to attend the talks next week.

Abortion not a “big factor” in elections anymore, says Trump

Donald Trump says the topic of abortion is not a “big factor” in this year’s elections. The former president told a news conference that, after the overturning of Roe v Wade, abortion “has become much less of an issue.” However, Vice President Harris has made access to abortion a central theme of her campaign. Trump claimed that “everybody” is happy that the issue is now being addressed by state governments.

Trump: Harris “not smart enough” to hold a news conference

Former President Trump is bashing Vice President Harris for avoiding the news media. In his first public appearance since the unveiling of the Harris-Walz Democratic ticket, Trump took questions from reporters for about an hour. Something he said the vice president is unwilling to do.  Not long after Trump’s news conference, Harris answered a few questions from reporters before boarding a plane in Michigan. And she hopes to schedule a major interview before the end of the month.

Trump says enthusiasm is with GOP, not Democrats

Former President Trump believes that election enthusiasm is on the side of Republicans. Responding to news reports of large, raucous rallies greeting Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, Trump said it’s the GOP that’s generating the most excitement. Trump complained to reporters that the press makes a big deal about Harris crowd size, but downplays the crowds that his rallies attract.

Trump, Harris agree to Sept 10 presidential debate on ABC

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have agreed to meet in a presidential debate on ABC next month.  Just a few days after saying there would be no debate on ABC, Trump has said yes to the September 10 face-off. And he’s proposing a total of three debates with Harris next month. Speaking at a news conference, Trump also said a vice presidential debate is planned on CBS.

White House calls Squad member’s language “inflammatory”

The White House is distancing itself from comments made by one of the members of the Democratic Squad. After losing her primary this week, Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush issued a warning to a top pro-Israel PAC that opposed her. She denounced The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, known as AIPAC, and said, “I’m coming to tear down your kingdom.” At the White House, press secretary Karine Jean Pierre took issue with the language, calling it “inflammatory” and “divisive.” Bush is the second member of the liberal squad to lose a reelection bid this year.

At Walz introduction, Harris emphasizes LGBT support

Kamala Harris emphasized homosexual rights at her first rally with her newly-announced running mate. When introducing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as a patriot and a fighter for the middle class, Harris also mentioned that he sponsored a gay-straight alliance for students when he was a high school teacher and football coach. And she explained what she means when she mentions freedom.

Harris introduces Walz as running mate at Philly rally

Kamala Harris has formally introduced her running mate — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. At a boisterous Philadelphia rally, Harris said Walz will be a vice president “America deserves.” The 60-year-old governor took jabs at the Republican ticket, calling Trump and Vance “creepy” and “weird,” and he welcomed the challenge of running for the White House with Harris. The crowd roared when Harris mentioned abortion and LGBT rights as a part of her freedom agenda.

White House: Gaza War cease-fire talks reach “final stage”

President Biden continues to work diplomatic channels in search of a Gaza War cease-fire. A day after talking with Jordan’s king, the president spoke with his Egyptian counterpart about their hopes of calming tensions in the Middle East through a cease-fire and hostage release deal. In a statement, the White House said negotiations “have now reached a final stage.” Meanwhile, the U-S military has sent a dozen fighter jets to a base in the Mideast to help protect Israel and American troops.

Trump campaign labels Walz a “dangerously liberal extremist”

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has picked a Midwest governor to be her running mate. After clinching her party’s nomination in online delegate voting, Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to join her on the ticket. He is a military veteran, a former member of Congress, and a champion for Democratic causes, including abortion rights. The Trump campaign quickly described Walz as a “dangerously liberal extremist” who “pretends to support Americans in the heartland.” Harris and Walz will make their first joint appearance at a campaign rally in Philadelphia late this afternoon.

Harris picks Minnesota Gov. Walz as running mate

Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate. Walz was said to be one of the vice president’s three finalists for the job, along with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona. He’s considered to be more politically liberal than the other top contenders for the VP slot. In Minnesota, the 60-year-old Walz signed into law sweeping protections for abortion and transgender rights. He is a military veteran, a former high school teacher and coach who served 12 years in Congress before becoming governor.

Harris and VP pick to tour battlegrounds after Philly rally

Kamala Harris and her running mate will travel the country after tonight’s rally in Philadelphia. After their first appearance together in Pennsylvania this evening, the new Democratic ticket will travel to a series of key battleground states: Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Arizona and Nevada. However, the Harris campaign is postponing a scheduled trip to Georgia amid the ongoing effects of Tropical Storm Debby.

Biden briefed on Mideast tensions, attack on Iraq base

President Biden met with his national security team [MON] amid rising tensions in the Middle East. The president was joined by the vice president in the Situation Room for a national security briefing on U.S. military efforts to support Israel and American troops in case of another attack by Iran and its proxies. The White House says the briefing included a discussion of diplomatic efforts to reduce regional tensions and finalize a possible agreement for a ceasefire and hostage release. Officials also provided details about a missile strike on a base housing U.S. troops in western Iraq.

U.S. and allies preparing for expected Iranian retaliation

The United States is preparing for any Iranian retaliation following last week’s killing of a top Hamas leader. Amid rising tensions in the Mideast, President Biden spoke by phone with the king of Jordan, whose foreign minister made a rare visit to Iran over the weekend. This afternoon, the president and vice president will consult with the White House national security team. Other administration members have been reaching out to Western and Middle East allies and partners about defending Israel from an expected Iranian counter strike.

Trump and Harris squabbling over presidential debate details

The debate over a Trump-Harris debate continues. There are new doubts about whether Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will face each other before the November election. The former president says he’s pulling out of a scheduled September 10th debate that he had with Joe Biden. Vice President Harris agreed to that ABC debate, but Trump now say he’ll appear on Fox News a week earlier. The Harris campaign says Trump “is running scared and trying to back out.”

Kamala Harris to visit battleground states with running mate

Once Kamala Harris chooses a running mate, the Democratic ticket will barnstorm the battleground states this week. Starting Tuesday, Harris and her vice presidential pick will kick off a week-long campaign trip visiting the states that likely will determine the outcome of the 2024 election. The Democratic ticket will debut in Philadelphia on Tuesday, where Pennsylvania is crucial to both campaigns. Then, they’ll visit Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada.

Freed Americans return to U.S. and emotional welcome

President Biden welcomed home three Americans who were freed from Russia in a multi-nation prisoner swap. After winning their freedom during a prisoner exchange in Turkey, Americans Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva and Paul Whelan were reunited with their families here at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington. One by one They were greeted and hugged by President Biden and Vice President Harris as they stepped off the plane late Thursday night. The long-awaited news of their release from Russia turned into a joyous family reunion here on the tarmac.

Biden on freed Americans: their brutal ordeal is over

President Biden is celebrating a prisoner swap that has freed four American hostages. Joined by relatives of the freed Americans in the White House State Dining Room, the president announced Russia’s release of Americans Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Vladimir Kara-Murza. Mr. Biden called the release an “incredible relief” for the families and a feat of diplomacy. He praised the cooperation of several countries, emphasizing the key role played by Germany.

Trump sends mixed signals about debate with Harris

Donald Trump is sending mixed signals about a presidential debate with Kamala Harris. It’s unclear if Trump will face Vice President Harris in a debate, although he said he “probably” will. He had agreed to a September 10 debate with Joe Biden before the president dropped out of the race, but is now questioning the terms of that agreement. Pressed during a Fox News interview if he will debate Harris, the former president said, “The answer is yes, but I can also make a case for not doing it.”

U.S. condemns Hezbollah attack on Israel, urges diplomacy

The United States is cautioning Israel about escalation with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah. The urging from U-S officials comes as Israel weighs its response to a weekend rocket attack from Lebanon that killed 12 young people in Israel. White House national security spokesman John Kirby says the attack was conducted by Lebanese Hezbollah. He says the U-S backs Israel’s security and continues to support efforts to reach a diplomatic solution.

No more Mr. Nice Guy on the 2024 campaign trail

It’s no more Mr. Nice Guy in the 2024 presidential race. At the GOP convention following the assassination attempt on his life, Donald Trump tried delivering a message of unity. But that has changed. He told a rally last week that he’s “not going to be nice” in this campaign. Trump describes Kamala Harris as an extreme liberal who’s weak on crime and the border. And the vice president is holding back either. She is calling Trump a predator, a fraud. and a cheater.

Trump campaign expected Harris “honeymoon”

The Trump campaign is bracing for a “Harris Honeymoon” in the newly defined presidential race. Vice President Harris has received lots of media attention, fundraising dollars, and a bump in the polls since becoming a candidate last week. And the Trump campaign is not surprised. Trump pollster Tony Fabrizio said he predicted a “Harris Honeymoon.” But in a memo to the former president’s team, he said the “‘honeymoon’ will end” soon and that changing candidates doesn’t change voter discontent over the economy, inflation, crime, and immigration.

Netanyahu holds White House talks on possible cease-fire

Israel’s prime minister met with both President Biden and Vice President Harris to discuss a possible cease-fire deal in the Gaza War. The talks centered on the war amid growing pressure in Israel and the U-S to stop the fighting after more than nine months, and to bring dozens of hostages home. White House national security spokesman John Kirby says Israel and Hamas are close to a deal, but gaps remain. After visits to Congress and the White House, Netanyahu will meet with Donald Trump on Friday.