U.S. analyzing Russian anti-satellite weapon intelligence

The United States is analyzing intelligence that Russia has the capability of an anti-satellite weapon.  The White House says there is no operational weapon and that such technology cannot directly cause “physical destruction” on Earth. But National Security Council spokesman John Kirby says the threat is still “troubling.” Kirby confirmed U-S intelligence after the Republican head of the House Intelligence Committee issued a vague security warning this week.

Russia’s Putin prefers Biden over Trump in 2024 race

President Biden has picked up an endorsement that he may not want. Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country would prefer to see Joe Biden win a second term, describing him as more experienced and predictable than Donald Trump. That’s even though Moscow strongly disagrees with the current administration’s policies. Mr. Biden is a fierce critic of the Russian leader, calling him a “killer” in 2021 and denouncing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Putin has frequently praised Trump, so his motives for saying President Biden is a better choice for Russia were unclear.

Biden to visit East Palestine, OH, year after toxic train derailment

President Biden will visit the Ohio town where there was a toxic train derailment. More than a year after a Norfolk Southern train derailed and spilled hazardous chemicals that caught fire in East Palestine, Ohio, the president will meet with residents and local officials. The White House defends the Biden administration’s response to the accident. But Donald Trump, who visited the town shortly after the derailment, wrote on social media that it’s an “insult” for the president to have waited so long.

Trump not backing down from controversial NATO comments

Former President Trump isn’t backing down from his controversial comments about NATO. For a second time in less than a week, Trump said he would not protect NATO members that don’t meet defense spending targets. That position runs counter to the longstanding agreement among countries in the alliance. Trump’s comments set off alarms among European leaders and, here at home, President Biden condemned the remarks, calling them “dangerous,” “un-American,” and “shocking.” The president said the U-S will continue to defend NATO members as long as he’s in office.

Fiery, combative testimony from D.A. in Trump’s Georgia case

The district attorney prosecuting Donald Trump’s Georgia election interference case delivered fiery testimony in court. Fulton County D-A Fani Willis took the witness stand to defend herself from efforts to remove her from Trump’s case, and she angrily pushed back against what she described as “lies” about her romantic relationship with a special prosecutor. During testimony Willis was often combative and defiant. Trump’s attorneys want Willis removed as the lead prosecutor in hopes that a trial could be delayed or abandoned altogether.

White House says Russia has obtained “troubling” weapon

The White House confirms that Russia has obtained a “troubling” emerging anti-satellite weapon. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby says U.S. intelligence officials have information about a potential security threat from Russia. However, he says that such a weapon is not currently operational. U-S officials are analyzing the information they have and have consulted with allies and partners on the matter.

Trump’s first criminal trial to begin March 25 in NY

Trump to attend hearing in New York criminal case

Donald Trump is expected in court for an important hearing in his New York hush-money criminal case. The judge is expected to rule on key pretrial issues and say for certain if the former president’s trial will begin as scheduled on March 25. If that happens, the New York case will be the first of Trump’s four criminal indictments to go to trial. His lawyers have asked the judge to dismiss the case entirely.

White House responds to congressman’s security threat warning

The White House is responding to a congressman’s warning of a serious national security threat. The head of the House Intelligence Committee said he has information about a serious national security threat. Republican Mike Turner of Ohio gave no details of the threat, but urged the Biden administration to declassify the information. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said he’s already scheduled to meet with top congressional intelligence leaders on Thursday.

Half of Americans say Biden got special treatment in docs case

About half of Americans think President Biden got off easy in the classified documents investigation. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that 53 percent of Americans agree with a statement that “Biden received special treatment because he is the…president.” Last week, federal prosecutors announced they would not prosecute Mr. Biden for mishandling classified documents. Nearly half of respondents said they were somewhat familiar with the special counsel’s description of the 81-year-old president as an “elderly man with a poor memory.”

Biden calls Trump’s NATO comments “dangerous,” “un-American”

President Biden says Donald Trump’s comments about Russia and NATO are “dangerous” and “un-American.” The president is disgusted with Trump for saying he would allow Russia to do whatever it wants to NATO member nations that he thinks aren’t paying enough in defense spending. “It’s dumb, it’s shameful, it’s dangerous, it’s un-American.” He condemned the former president’s remarks, saying “when America gives its word, it means something.” And he vowed to uphold America’s commitment to the alliance.

Biden urges House GOP to immediately pass Ukraine funding

President Biden is urging House Republicans to support a bill that would send 60-billion dollars in emergency aid to Ukraine. After the Senate passed the foreign aid legislation, the president called for an immediate House vote. He said the U-S must oppose Russian President Putin’s aggression toward Ukraine. And he warned Republicans that opposing the bill “plays into Putin’s hands.” The bill also includes funding for Israel and allies in the Indo Pacific.

U.S. welcomes progress in Israel-Hamas hostage negotiations

The United States is pointing to progress in negotiations aimed at freeing hostages held by Hamas. Talks are ongoing in Egypt and White House national security spokesman John Kirby is encouraged. President Biden favors a six-week pause in the fighting to release hostages and move more humanitarian aid into Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel is threatening to expand its military operation into southern Gaza, which is home now to more than one million Palestinian refugees.

VP Harris says she’s “ready to serve” amid Biden age concerns

Vice President Kamala Harris says she’s ready for the Oval Office if needed. Amid renewed concerns about President Biden’s age, the vice president said recently she’s “ready to serve.” She told the Wall Street Journal last week that there’s “no question” about her “capacity to lead.” Her interview took place a few days before a special counsel report called the 81-year-old Biden as an “elderly man with a poor memory.” The president and his team have pushed back against that description, calling it inaccurate and gratuitous.

Biden, Jordan’s king confer on Middle East violence, hostages

The United States and Jordan are pressing Israel for a pause in the Gaza conflict to win freedom for more hostages held by Hamas. President Biden hosted Jordan’s King Abdullah for talks and both leaders expressed deep concerns about an Israeli military operation in Rafah. The president said it “should not proceed without a credible plan” for ensuring the safety and support of more than one-million refugees. He also pushed for a 6-week pause in the fighting to free more hostages, while the king called for a lasting ceasefire.

Trump appeals immunity ruling to the Supreme Court

Former President Trump is asking the Supreme Court for immunity in his 2020 election interference case. Trump lawyers filed an emergency appeal with the high court asking for an extended delay in his trial. Ultimately, the former president wants justices to find him immune from prosecution on the 2020 plot charges. In the filing, his lawyers argued that “without immunity from criminal prosecution, the presidency as we know it will cease to exist.” Earlier this month, a federal appeals court panel ruled that Trump can be prosecuted for his role in the run-up to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Poll: 86% of Americans think Biden is too old to be president

An overwhelming majority of Americans think President Biden is too old for another term in office. The latest ABC News/Ipsos polls shows a whopping 86 percent of Americans think Joe Biden is too old to serve another four years as president. That includes 73 percent of Democrats. A majority of 62 percent also believe Donald Trump is too old to be president. These findings were released days after the special counsel’s report about President Biden’s mishandling of classified documents raised questions about the 81-year-old’s mental fitness.

Biden campaign joins TikTok despite government security concerns

The Biden campaign is now on TikTok despite government security concerns about the social media platform. Joe Biden’s 2024 campaign launched an account on TikTok in an effort to reach younger voters. The move comes even though the president has expressed national security concerns over the platform and banned it on federal devices. The FBI has warned that TikTok’s owner could share user data with China’s authoritarian government.

Trump’s NATO comments rattle world leaders

Donald Trump’s latest comments about NATO are rattling world leaders. At a weekend campaign rally, Trump said Russia should be able to do “whatever” it wants to NATO members who don’t meet their share of defense spending for the alliance. NATO’s leader warned that Trump is putting the safety of U-S troops and their allies at risk. Poland’s president denounced Trump’s comment, as did the White House. The former president said he would not protect a NATO ally if they were “delinquent” in payments and “encourage” Russia to do as it wishes.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hospitalized again

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is back in the hospital and has transferred authority to his deputy. Austin was transported to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Sunday afternoon with symptoms pointing to an “emergent bladder issue.” The secretary, who transferred authorities to deputy Kathleen Hicks, is recovering from prostate cancer surgery in December. He caused a controversy by keeping his diagnosis, treatment, and earlier hospital stay a secret from the White House. Austin returned to work at the Pentagon two weeks ago.

Trump criticizes Nikki Haley’s husband’s military service

Donald Trump is taking heat for criticizing Nikki Haley’s husband’s military service. Things got personal over the weekend when Trump questioned why Haley’s husband wasn’t on the campaign trail. At a South Carolina rally, the former president mocked Michael Haley’s absence, suggesting the Haleys had marital problems. Michael Haley is currently overseas on a one-year National Guard mission. Nikki Haley called Trump’s comments “insulting to military families” and former Trump Defense Secretary Mike Esper said such an attack “doesn’t make any sense.”

Biden’s advanced age back in spotlight after special counsel’s report

President Biden’s advanced age is back in the spotlight. Last week began with the president mixing up the names of two world leaders. At separate campaign fundraisers he recalled a 2021 conversation with G7 leaders, but named leaders who had died years earlier. Then on Friday, the special counsel’s bombshell report on classified documents described the 81-year-old Joe Biden’s memory as “hazy,” “fuzzy,” “faulty,” “poor” and having “significant limitations.” At a press conference, the president insisted his memory is “fine,” but soon mixed up the names of the Mexican and Egyptian presidents.

After last week’s primaries, Haley vows to stay in GOP race

Nikki Haley is vowing to stay in the presidential race after her showing in two primaries last week. In Nevada’s primary, Haley was the only candidate listed on the ballot and she finished in second place behind “none of these candidates.” It was largely a symbolic vote with no delegates at stake. It’s because Nevada’s Republican party held its own caucus on Thursday, which Donald Trump won. The former president also was victorious in the U-S Virgin Islands. But Haley said she’s “not going anywhere” and her campaign says it’s focused on South Carolina.

Biden to skip Super Bowl pre-game interview for 2nd straight year

For the second year in a row, President Biden is skipping an interview on Super Bowl Sunday. In recent years, American presidents have been interviewed by the TV network broadcasting the big game. The pre-game interview provides a large audience and it has become a tradition. But President Biden declined an interview with CBS News this weekend. He skipped last year, too, opting not to sit with Fox News. Joe Biden is not the first president to say no to a Super Bowl interview. In 2018, Donald Trump decided against an interview with NBC News.