US, China senior military leaders speak for first time in over a year

American and Chinese senior military leaders have spoken for the first time in a year-and-a-half. Gen. CQ Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with his Chinese counterpart in a video call Thursday. It was the first senior military communications between the U.S. and China since August 2022, when Beijing suspended all such contacts after former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. The Biden administration is working to thaw relations with Beijing and views military communications as critical to avoiding any missteps.

Biden say Trump supported insurrection, but declines comment on Colorado legal case

President Biden says it’s “self-evident” that Donald Trump is an insurrectionist for trying to overturn his 2020 election loss. After the Colorado Supreme Court cited the Constitution’s insurrection clause in kicking the former president off the primary ballot, President Biden told reporters that “there’s no question” Trump supported an insurrection. He said the former president “seems to be doubling down on it.” But Mr. Biden stopped short of commenting on the legal case. “Whether the 14th Amendment applies or not,” he said, “we’ll let the court make that decision,.” GC, Wash.

Colorado Supreme Court bars Trump from state’s presidential primary

Donald Trump has been disqualified from Colorado’s presidential primary because of his role in the January 6th, 2021, Capitol riot. The Colorado Supreme Court’s decision is the first of its kind — using the 14th Amendment to bar a presidential candidate. By a 4-3 vote, the court said Trump is disqualified from holding the office of president. The majority wrote: “We do not reach these conclusions lightly.” A spokesman for the Trump campaign described the lawsuit as “un-American” and expressed confidence that the U-S Supreme Court will “quickly rule” in favor of the former president.

U.S. leads multi-nation effort to counter Red Sea attacks

The United States is leading a multi-nation effort to counter attacks in the Red Sea. In response to Houthi rebel attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, the U-S and a host of other nations have created a new force to protect the ships. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby called it an important new initiative, given the seriousness of the attacks.

White House getting squeezed from both sides in border talks

President Biden is getting squeezed from both sides in negotiations over the southern border. The White House is getting an earful from both Republicans and Democrats as the Biden administration tries to secure emergency aid for Ukraine. Republicans, who have insisted on immigration changes in order to approve more money for Ukraine, are criticizing the president daily about increased border crossings. But the administration also is drawing outrage from Democrats and immigrant advocates who are unhappy the White House is considering a revival of Trump-like policies.

Biden, Justice Roberts to speak at O’Connor’s funeral

A private funeral will be held today [TUE 11am ET] for former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. The public paid their respects to O’Connor yesterday inside the Supreme Court’s Great Hall. She made history as the first woman justice when she was nominated by President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and confirmed to the nation’s highest court. Today, a private funeral will be held at the Washington National Cathedral. The service will feature tributes from President Biden and Chief Justice John Roberts.

Driver accidentally struck parked SUV in Biden’s motorcade

Charges have been filed against a man who plowed his car into President Biden’s motorcade. It happened Sunday night when the president and first lady were getting into their vehicle in Wilmington, Delaware. A man crashed his vehicle into a motorcade SUV about 200 feet away from them. The Bidens were unharmed in the incident. Police say the man has been charged with drunk driving and described the incident as an “accidental collision.”

Public pays respects to late Justice Sandra Day O’Connor

The late Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor is being remembered in Washington. Court members and staff, as well as the public, paid tribute to O’Connor, whose body lay in repose inside the Supreme Court’s Great Hall. O’Connor was the high court’s first female justice, appointed by President Ronald Reagan. She died on December 1st at age 93. A private funeral will be held for O’Connor at the Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday with remarks from President Biden and Chief Justice John Roberts.

Americans worried about 2024 election outcome for different reasons

Americans are worried about the outcome of the 2024 presidential election for different reasons. Even though the U-S is politically polarized, 62 percent of Americans agree that democracy could be at risk depending on who wins next November. That’s according to a new AP-NORC poll. Voters disagree over who poses the threat. Democrats are concerned about Donald Trump’s authoritarian tendencies, while Republicans are fearful of government overreach if Joe Biden is reelected. The poll’s findings continue a trend of Americans’ lackluster views about how democracy is functioning.

Biden staffers voice displeasure over support for Israel

Some workers in the Biden administration are unhappy with the president’s support of Israel in the war against Hamas. Earlier this week, Biden administration staffers held a vigil outside of the White House and called for a cease-fire in Gaza. After business hours on Wednesday, the staffers stood on Pennsylvania Avenue to protest ongoing support for Israel’s military offensive. CNN reported more than three dozen people participated in the vigil. Earlier this month there were media reports that
White House interns sent the president a letter describing the Gaza situation as a “genocide of the Palestinian people.”

U.S. says Russia has rejected “multiple” hostage release offers

The United States says Russia’s Vladimir Putin is not being honest about hostage negotiations. Putin said Moscow is in dialogue with the U-S on the issue of bringing home jailed Americans Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich. The White House said that much is true. However, a State Department spokesman said the U-S has “put multiple offers on the table, but they were “rejected every time by the Russian government.”

White House calls for greater Israeli military restraint

The White House continues to support Israel’s war with Hamas, even as it calls for greater restraint.  President Biden said he wants Israeli Defense Forces “to be more careful” after civilian deaths in Gaza as Israel goes after Hamas. And the National Security Council’s John Kirby said Hamas could end the conflict immediately. Israel’s defense minister said this week it will take months to destroy Hamas.

Fed employees told to go green on government travel

Federal employees are being told to go green on government travel. In its latest push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the White House said federal employees should rent electric vehicles and opt for rail trips when feasible. It said doing so would save money and the environment. Specifically, federal government workers were told to rent EVs when costs are less or equal to gas-powered vehicles, and to travel by train instead of flying on trips under 250 miles.

Biden wants Israel to “be more careful” in Gaza operations

President Biden wants Israel Defense Forces to be more precise in their military operations in Gaza.
Days after expressing concern about, what he called, Israel’s “indiscriminate bombing” in Gaza, the president explained what he hopes the Israeli military can accomplish. He said, “I want them to be focused on how to save civilian lives. Not stop going after Hamas, but be more careful.” Earlier, a national security council spokesman said the U-S discussed with Israeli officials the possibility of ratcheting down the intensity of fighting in Gaza in the “near future.”

US: Putin “doubling down” on conquering Ukraine

The United States says Russia’s Vladmir Putin is not backing away from his invasion of Ukraine. After Putin’s year-end news conference, National Security Advisor John Kirby said it’s clear that the Russian leader is doubling down on his “goal of conquering Ukraine.” Kirby chastised the Republican-led House for leaving for the holidays without passing more military aid for Ukraine.

Biden speaks out about impeachment effort against him

President Biden is speaking out about the impeachment effort against him. After the Republican-led House authorized a formal impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden, the president issued a rare statement about the matter. He said “instead of doing anything to help make Americans’ lives better, [Republicans] are focused on attacking me with lies.” The GOP investigation into Biden family business dealings has raised ethical questions, but so far no hard evidence of corruption.

White House considers GOP border policy to get Ukraine aid

The Biden administration is considering Republican border policies in order to secure new aid for Ukraine. Top administration officials are trying to reach a last-minute deal for Ukraine military assistance by agreeing to Senate GOP demands to bolster U.S.-Mexico border policies. The impasse over the border threatens to delay or detail aid for Ukraine. Members of Joe Biden’s own Democratic Party are expressing concern about the policies under discussion, while Republicans see an opening to address the border crisis.

Four GOP presidential candidates to square off in fourth debate

Four candidates have qualified for the fourth Republican presidential debate. It’ll be the smallest debate stage so far this year for the Republican party. The RNC says Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Chris Christie have qualified for this evening’s debate in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The candidates will be squaring off just under six weeks before the Iowa caucuses. As he’s done before, front-runner Donald Trump is skipping the debate. He’ll be holding a fundraiser in Florida instead.

White House continues push for more Ukraine aid

The Biden administration continues to make the case for additional aid to Ukraine. The White House warns Congress that the U-S will run out of funding to send weapons and assistance to Ukraine by the end of 2023. President Biden is requesting some 61-billion dollars in aid. But House Speaker Mike Johnson and Republicans insist on border policy changes in this country as part of any Ukraine assistance bill.

U.S. sends humanitarian supplies to Gaza

The United States has organized a second aid flight into Gaza. White House spokeswoman Olivia Dalton says the U-S provided 36-thousand pounds of food and medical supplies. An Air Force C-17 aircraft delivered the items to Egypt, where they were to be transported into Gaza and distributed by United Nations agencies.

Biden’s job approval hovers at 40 percent – RealClearPolitics

U.S. blames Iran for Yemen’s attacks on vessels in Red Sea

The United States is blaming Iran for weekend attacks by Yemen’s Houthis. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the U-S holds Iran responsible for Sunday’s attacks on civilian and military vessels in the Red Sea. Sullivan said U-S officials were discussing establishing military escorts for ships in the Red Sea to ensure safe passage.

U.S. urges Israeli, Hamas negotiators to restart ceasefire talks

The United States is urging Israeli and Hamas negotiators to restart ceasefire talks. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said efforts continue to get back to the bargaining table now that Israel has expanded its military offensive against Hamas. Sullivan said talks broke down when Hamas refused to release the remaining women hostages.

ND Gov. Burgum ends 2024 GOP bid for White House

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum has ended his Republican presidential campaign. Since launching his White House bid in June, Burgum touted his priorities of energy, the economy and national security, as well as his small-town roots. But he failed to gain enough support nationwide to qualify for the third GOP debate after participating in the first two. Burgum blamed the RNC’s debate qualifications, accusing the party of “taking the power of democracy away from the engaged, thoughtful citizens of Iowa and New Hampshire.”