Audio
Greg Clugston
SRN Correspondent Greg Clugston keeps you informed about all the news coming from the White House.
Trump marks first year back in office at marathon press briefing
President Trump marked his first year back in office with a marathon press briefing. In a one hour-21-minute monologue, the president listed his administration’s actions over the past year — from executive orders to healthcare and tariffs. The president summed it up by saying he took a “mess and made it really good.” On his desire to seize Greenland –the pressing news issue of the day, the president insisted that he will work something out with NATO allies, all of whom stiffly oppose an American takeover of Greenland.
Listen DownloadTrump stirs pot with Europe over Greenland demands
President Trump is stirring the pot with Europe over his demand to seize Greenland. European leaders are reacting to Donald Trump’s latest threats with concern and dismay. The EU’s top official has described planned new tariffs over Greenland as “a mistake” among allies, and Ursula von der Leyen called into question Trump’s trustworthiness. The president said he would slap a 10 percent import tax on goods from eight European allies who oppose an American takeover of the Danish territory. Von der Leyen warned of “a downward spiral” in relations with the U.S.
Listen DownloadCanada and China announce a tariff reduction deal
Breaking with the United States, Canada has reached a tariff reduction deal with China. During a visit to Beijing, Canadian Prime Minister Carney announced that his country has agreed to cut its 100 percent tariff on Chinese electric cars in return for lower tariffs on Canadian farm products. Both countries are pursuing improved relations with each other after their economies have been hit by U-S tariffs imposed by President Trump.
Listen DownloadCubans protest in Havana over U.S. attack on Venezuela
Tens of thousands of Cubans are demonstrating in the streets of Havana. The crowd gathered near the U-S Embassy to protest the killing of 32 Cuban officers in Venezuela. Demonstrators demanded the release of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, who was arrested by the U-S earlier this month. The protest follows President Trump’s recent demands for Cuba to negotiate with him amid tightened sanctions and economic struggles.
Listen DownloadHHS causes confusion in cutting, then reinstating health grants
Trump threatens to invoke Insurrection Act in Minneapolis
Trump to meet with Venezuela’s opposition leader
Venezuela’s opposition leader pays a visit to President Trump at the White House. After ousting Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, President Trump agreed to meet with Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado. However, he has opted not to endorse her. Instead, he is backing acting President Delcy Rodriguez. Ahead of Machado’s White House visit, the president spoke with Rodriguez yesterday, describing it as a “great conversation.”
Senate Republicans block war powers act after Trump pressure
Senate Republicans have blocked a war powers resolution that was opposed by President Trump. Two GOP senators reversed their earlier votes of supporting the legislation, which would have limited President Trump’s ability to conduct further attacks on Venezuela. After Senators Josh Hawley and Todd Young flipped, Vice President Vance cast the tie-breaking vote to defeat the resolution. Hawley and Young heard directly from the president and top administration officials, who they say offered assurances of seeking congressional approval before any military action in Venezuela.
Trump says Iran’s killings of protesters has stopped
President Trump claims the killing of Iranian protesters “has stopped.” The president said he has received on good authority that killings in Iran’s crackdown on nationwide protests were ending and that there would be no executions. Despite the claim, tensions remain high between the U-S and Iran. The president had warned that the United States would take “very strong action” if Iran’s authorities went ahead with executing protesters.
US-Danish talks over Greenland end in “fundamental disagreement”
A “fundamental disagreement” over Greenland remains after U-S and Danish officials held talks in Washington. After meeting with Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Rubio, Denmark’s foreign minister said they remain at odds over who should control Greenland. But the two sides did agree to create a working group to discuss ways to work through differences as President Trump threatens a U-S takeover of the territory for national security reasons.
U.S. withdrawing some personnel from military base in Qatar
GOP lawmakers prepare to hold Clintons in contempt of Congress
FBI searches home, devices of Washington Post reporter
Trump: Anything less than U.S. control of Greenland “is unacceptable”
Several GOP senators object to DOJ probe of Fed Chair Powell
Trump threatens tariffs on countries doing business with Iran
Minnesota, Twin Cities sue federal gov’t to stop ICE surge
Sen. Mark Kelly sues Pentagon over attempts to punish him
White House says DOJ to determine if Fed chair Powell is a criminal
Judge orders Trump admin to restore $12 million in pediatrics funding
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore nearly $12 million in pediatrics funding.
The U-S District judge said evidence shows the Department of Health and Human Services likely had a “retaliatory motive” when it ended grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The 12-million dollars in funding includes money for rural health care and the early identification of disabilities in young children. Judge Beryl Howell wrote that “this is a case about whether the federal government has exercised power in a manner designed to chill public health policy debate.” HHS has denied allegations of retaliation.
Trump says Iran seeks negotiations after U.S. military threat
President Trump says Iran reached out to the U-S about proposed negotiations. The president said his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Iranian officials after he threatened action in response to a crackdown on protesters in Iran. Donald Trump said “Iran wants to negotiate.” But he also said the U-S military is looking at “some very strong options.” He promised to hit Iran hard if they killed protesters. And activists say the death toll has reached several hundred.
Listen DownloadFed Chair Powell facing criminal indictment from DOJ
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell says he’s facing a criminal indictment from the Justice Department. Powell issued a video statement about the central bank being served with subpoenas and facing threats from the Trump administration. The subpoena relates to Powell’s congressional testimony last June. But the fed chair says it’s about the president’s unhappiness with interest rate policy. Powell warned that the Fed’s independence is at stake and that he will continue to serve in the face of political intimidation.
Listen DownloadNat’l Portrait Gallery removes Trump’s impeachment references
A display at one of the Smithsonian museums no longer includes a reference to Donald Trump’s two impeachments. Changes have been made at President Trump’s photo portrait display at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery here in Washington. References to his two impeachments have been removed, while references to the Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton impeachments remain. There’s also a new Trump photograph on display. Since taking office nearly a year ago, the president has accused the Smithsonian of bias.
Listen Download