U.S. defends offering condolences after Iranian president’s death

The White House is defending the U-S decision to send official condolences after the death of Iran’s president. National Security spokesman John Kirby says it’s common for the United States to offer official condolences, even to adversarial governments. But Kirby makes clear the former Iranian president was a bad actor “with a lot of blood on his hands.” The State Department emphasized American “support for the Iranian people and their struggle for human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

Biden on ICC seeking Netanyahu arrest warrant: “Outrageous”

The United States is harshly condemning efforts by the International Criminal Court to seek arrest warrants for Israeli officials. In a strongly worded statement, President Biden said it’s “outrageous” for the ICC to seek arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, in connection with the war in Gaza. He said “there is no equivalence — none — between Israel and Hamas.” And Mr. Biden reaffirmed that America “will always stand with Israel against threats to its security.”

Dem senator urges Biden to replace FDIC chairman

There’s growing political pressure to remove the chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. FDIC Chair Martin Gruenberg’s job is in jeopardy following a report about the agency’s toxic workplace culture and growing calls from Congress for a change in leadership. Senator Sherrod Brown, who chairs the Senate Banking Committee, became the first Democrat to call on President Biden to replace Greunberg. Last week, a White House spokesperson said there were no personnel decisions to announce at the FDIC, which is one of several banking system regulators.

U.S. pursues new security agreement with Saudi Arabia

The United States is pursuing a wide-ranging security agreement with Saudi Arabia. President Biden’s national security adviser met with the Saudi crown prince to discuss a new strategic deal between the two countries. The White House did not offer many details, but said Jake Sullivan held “constructive meetings” with Saudi leaders. A similar agreement was nearly finalized last fall, but was upended after the deadly Hamas attack on Israel.

Biden, Trump used social media to hash out TV debates deal

President Biden and Donald Trump agreed to participate in two debates during a fast-moving few hours on social media. In online videos and social media messages, Trump had challenged the president to a debate. And in a video released Wednesday, Mr. Biden accepted. In their back-and-forth virtual messages, both candidates and campaigns posted snarky comments before agreeing to a pair of televised debates in June and September.

Trump and allies won’t commit to accepting election results

Former President Trump and his top surrogates are not committing to accepting the 2024 election results. Months before voters go to the polls, Trump is stoking doubts about the election’s legitimacy. In recent interviews, he has refused to commit to accepting the results and has refused to rule out the potential for violence after November’s election. President Biden called Trump’s comments “dangerous.” The former president’s allies are non-committal. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum declined in TV interviews to commit to accepting the election outcome.

Biden wants to keep special counsel interview audio private

Biden cheers Supreme Court ruling on consumer agency

President Biden is cheering the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In a 7-2 ruling, the high court said the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded does not violate the Constitution. The CFPB is a federal agency that was created after the 2008 financial crisis. President Biden welcomed the ruling, calling it “an unmistakable win for American consumers.” Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the majority opinion, splitting from his fellow conservative allies.

VP Harris accepts TV debate invitation with Trump’s running mate

Vice President Kamala Harris has accepted an invitation for a televised debate with Donald Trump’s running mate this summer. The Biden campaign says the vice president accepted the invitation from CBS News, telling the network she would debate in-studio on July 23 or August 13. Harris encouraged the Trump campaign to agree to one of the dates for his eventual vice presidential pick. The former president is expected to announce a running mate shortly before the Republican National Convention begins in Milwaukee in mid-July.

Biden blocks release of audio interview with special counsel

The White House is blocking the release of President Biden’s special counsel interview audio. The president has asserted executive privilege over the audio recording of his interview with special counsel Robert Hur about the handling of classified documents. In a letter to GOP lawmakers, the White House counsel says there’s no legitimate purpose for Congress to obtain the audio. The special counsel decided against prosecuting the president for keeping sensitive files, but he also embarrassed the 81-year-old Biden by portraying him as an “elderly man with poor memory.”

Two Biden-Trump presidential debates are on the calendar

Two presidential debates are now on the calendar. After trading challenges and barbs on social media, President Biden and former President Trump agreed to hold a pair of general election debates. The first one will be on June 27 hosted by CNN. It’ll be at the network’s Atlanta studios with no audience. On September 10th, ABC will host the other debate. The Trump campaign also proposed additional debates in July and August.

Biden, Harris release annual financial disclosure statements

President Biden and Vice President Harris have released their financial disclosure statements. The president’s personal financial situation was little changed last year. According to an Office of Government Ethics form, he and his wife reported total assets between roughly one and two-and-a-half million dollars. The first family’s liabilities include a mortgage on their personal home. Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband have financial holdings of at least two-point-9 million dollars. Harris reported being gifted tickets valued at more than 16-hundred dollars to a Beyonce concert.

At Peace Officers Memorial, Biden honors law enforcement

President Biden paid tribute to law enforcement at the annual Peace Officers Memorial service. Speaking at the event held on the grounds of the U-S Capitol, the president honored men and women police officers across the nation. He also paid tribute to the more than 200 officers killed in the line of duty over the past year, describing them as heroes and offering condolences to their families.

Trump and Biden agree to debates in June and September

President Biden and Donald Trump have agreed to debate each other in June and September. In a move that bypasses the nonpartisan commission on debates, the Biden and Trump campaigns have scheduled televised debates on CNN in June and on ABC in September. Trump not only accepted the president’s proposal of two earlier debates, he also offered a counter-proposal — additional one-on-one debates in July and August, plus a debate for the vice presidential nominees.

Biden proposes two debates with Trump in June, September

President Biden is proposing two debates with Donald Trump in a move that bypasses the nonpartisan debates commission. Earlier this month, Trump challenged the president to a debate before the fall. In a new video, Mr. Biden accepted. The Biden campaign now says it won’t participate in the three traditional debates sponsored by the commission. Instead, it proposes a pair of televised debates in June and September.

Biden to honor police at Peace Officers Memorial Service

President Biden to pay tribute to the nation’s law enforcement and remember fallen police officers. The event at the U-S Capitol is the annual Peace Officers Memorial service, where the president will praise the courage of the nation’s police officers and honor those killed in the line of duty. In his Police Week proclamation, Mr. Biden said “being a police officer is more than what they do — it is who they are.” And he said we “will never forget their sacrifice.”

White House defends VP Harris’s use of profanity

The White House is defending Vice President Harris’s use of profane language. During a public appearance this week, the vice president used profanity while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers. Asked about the appropriateness of the language, White House press secretary Karine Jean Pierre described the vice president as “passionate.” Profanity in politics is nothing new, though. For example, Donald Trump’s rallies often feature coarse language.

More tariffs could be imposed if Chinese EV makers move to Mexico

The Biden administration is suggesting that additional tariffs could be imposed if China tries to create a loophole by producing electric vehicles in Mexico. The Chinese EV company BYD is exploring factory sites in Mexico and it’s seen as a move to avoid newly announced import taxes by the U-S. Asked if there might be additional tariffs should Chinese companies launch production in Mexico, U-S Trade Representative Katherine Tai said, “Stay tuned.” She also said that tariffs with Mexico was something the administration is talking about with industry leaders, workers, and partners.

Biden slaps tariffs on China imports, including EVs, semiconductors

President Biden is imposing new tariffs on imports from China. The president is raising tariffs on a range of Chinese-made goods, including semiconductors, solar equipment, medical supplies, and electric vehicles. In a Rose Garden speech, the president accused Beijing of unfair trade practices by subsidizing industries and flooding foreign markets. China responded by accusing the U-S of bullying.

House GOP upset with Biden over paused arms shipment to Israel

House Republicans are condemning the Biden administration’s decision to pause shipments to Israel.
After the U-S paused a shipment of bombs to Israel earlier this month and President Biden threatened to withhold offensive weapons if Israeli forces invaded Rafah, House Republicans took notice. They’re pushing a bill that calls for the “expeditious delivery” of arms shipments to Israel. A White House spokesperson said the administration is strongly opposed to any effort to constrain the president’s ability to deploy security assistance. A House vote is expected this week.

Airlines sue Transportation Dept over fee disclosure rule

Major U-S airlines are suing the Transportation Department over a new rule about disclosing fees. Airlines including American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Hawaiian, and Alaska, filed suit against the department after being told they must disclose all airline fees upfront. The airlines argue that such a regulation is outside of the government’s authority and would confuse travelers. The Biden administration touted the new rule, saying it would help consumers avoid unneeded or unexpected fees.

Biden administration to impose new tariffs on China imports

The Biden administration plans to impose major new tariffs on a range of imports from China. According to a U-S official familiar with the plan, new tariffs would be slapped on Chinese electric vehicles, semiconductors, solar equipment and medical supplies. China’s EVs present a problem for President Biden, who has pushed for electric vehicles in his climate agenda. But China’s low-priced vehicles could pose a threat to U-S manufacturing jobs. As the 2024 campaign wears on, both the president and Donald Trump are vowing to be tough on China.

Biden faces blowback on weapons ultimatum to Israel

More U.S. aid heads to Ukraine as Russia steps up attacks