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    Republican Senator To Vote ‘No’ On Trump Defense Pick

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    10

    Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Ak.) said on Thursday she can’t support Pete Hegseth to be President Donald Trump’s secretary of Defense. 

    “Given the global security environment we’re operating in, it is critical that we confirm a Secretary of Defense, however, I regret that I am unable to support Mr. Hegseth,” she concluded in a lengthy statement posted to X. 

    In her reasoning, Murkowski cited infidelity, “allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking” and Hegseth’s previous comments on women serving in the military. 

    The behaviors that he has admitted to alone, she said, show “a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces.”

    While Hegseth has admitted to past infidelity, he has denied claims of excessive drinking and sexual assault.

    This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

    Trump Reverses Iran Strike Orders Hours After Threatening ‘Total Decimation’

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    President Donald Trump on Monday announced a temporary pause in planned military strikes against Iran, just hours after escalating rhetoric in which he warned the country would face “total decimation.”

    The shift came after what Trump described as “very good and productive conversations” between U.S. and Iranian officials over the past two days, raising the possibility of a broader de-escalation in the ongoing conflict.

    In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had ordered a five-day halt to attacks targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure while negotiations continue.

    “I AM PLEASE TO REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN, HAVE HAD, OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST,” Trump wrote. “BASED ON THE TENOR AND TONE OF THESE IN DEPTH, DETAILED, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS, WITCH WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD, SUBJECT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ONGOING MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS.”

    The announcement marked a notable reversal from Trump’s earlier statements. On Sunday, during a phone interview with Channel 13 reporter Neria Kraus of Israel, the president warned that Iran would soon face overwhelming military action if it failed to comply with U.S. demands.

    “You’re gonna find out soon. It’s gonna be very good. Total decimation of Iran,” Trump said. “It’s gonna work out very good.”

    Trump also criticized Iran’s leadership, saying the country had been “very bad for 47 years” in reference to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, adding, “Now they’re getting their comeuppance.”

    A day earlier, Trump had issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Iran to “FULLY OPEN” the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. He warned that failure to do so would trigger immediate U.S. strikes on Iranian infrastructure.

    “If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” he wrote.

    The ultimatum followed weeks of escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, including joint U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and intensified regional tensions.

    Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has declined sharply since the conflict began on February 28. According to the BBC, maritime traffic dropped as much as 95% in March, with daily vessel counts falling from a typical 138 ships to around 100. The disruption has contributed to a surge in global oil prices, which rose to $98.09 per barrel on Friday—an increase of 47% since before the war began.

    Despite earlier predictions that the conflict was progressing quickly and nearing resolution, Trump’s latest comments suggest a potential shift toward diplomacy, at least in the short term, as negotiations continue.

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    Outgoing Representative Successfully Sabotages Gaetz, Violates Oath: Report

    By
    Patrick Houck
    -
    9
    Governor Tom Wolf from Harrisburg, PA, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

    The top Democrat on the House Ethics Committee…

    Outgoing Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.), the top Democrat on the House Ethics Committee, has admitted to leaking confidential details of the panel’s investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to the press, a move that violated her sworn oath of office.

    The leaks played an integral role in disrupting Gaetz’s path to becoming the Trump administration‘s attorney general. According to multiple sources, Wild was absent from the Ethics Committee’s meeting last week, after being identified as the source of the leaks that underpinned press reports on the investigation.

    The Hill continues:

    It remains unclear if Wild voluntarily skipped the Thursday gathering or was asked not to attend, what information she leaked and to whom, and how the panel tracked her back as being the leaker. Two sources said Wild ultimately acknowledged to the panel that she had leaked information.

    Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) served as acting ranking member during Thursday’s meeting, according to a source, who noted that any time a member of the panel is absent, there is an acting ranking member in their place.

    It also remains unclear if the Pennsylvania Democrat, who is leaving Congress at the end of the year, will be present at Ethics Committee meetings in the future. Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.), the chair of the panel, told reporters that Thursday’s meeting was not the last for the group.

    In a statement to The Hill, Wild’s chief of staff, Jed Ober, said the congresswoman skipped last week’s meeting because she was “frustrated” with how the Gaetz report had been handled, and said characterizing her absence as anything more was “inaccurate.”

    “Rep. Wild was frustrated by the manner in which the report was handled and didn’t feel it was fruitful to participate in any further meetings on its ‘potential’ release. Characterizing it as anything more is inaccurate. There will be no further statement,” Ober said in curt, precise sentences.

    A Leak with Consequences

    The situation first came to light when The New York Times reported that an anonymous hacker had obtained transcripts containing sensitive testimony that cast aspersions on Gaetz, then President-elect Donald Trump‘s nominee for attorney general.

    Amid growing scrutiny and political fallout, Gaetz voluntarily withdrew his name from attorney general consideration on Nov. 21. The decision was made in part to avoid controversy for Trump ahead of his administration’s transition to power. Gaetz later announced he would not seek a return to Congress in 2025, despite being reelected to his seat.

    The fallout from the leaks coincided with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) urging Senate Republicans to expedite the confirmation process for Trump’s cabinet picks. “I trust, we trust, and hope that Senate Republicans and the whole Senate will perform their constitutional responsibility to advise and consent on President Trump’s nominees and to do that in a speedy, expeditious manner,” Johnson stated.

    Following Gaetz’s withdrawal, Trump nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to serve as attorney general.

    Wild’s Legacy and Exit

    Wild, who has represented Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District since 2019, will leave office in January 2025 after losing her reelection bid to Republican Ryan Mackenzie. The district, a political bellwether encompassing Allentown and Bethlehem, has consistently been a pivotal battleground in presidential elections.

    Notably, as the ranking member of the Ethics Committee, she would be acutely aware that all members and their staff are required to take an oath stating:

    “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will not disclose, to any person or entity outside the Committee on Ethics, any information received in the course of my service with the Committee, except as authorized by the Committee or in accordance with its rules.”

    Gaetz’s Next Chapter

    Meanwhile, Gaetz is poised to transition to a new role in the media. He is set to launch The Matt Gaetz Show on One America News (OAN) in January 2025, where he will host a nightly program airing at 9 p.m.

    This article originally appeared on American Liberty News. It is republished with permission.

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    Trump Warns Massive Armada Has Been Sent To Iran

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2
    Competitors in the 2024 Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition run a 1-kilometer route as part of the competition’s biathlon event at Ethan Allen Firing Range, Vermont, Aug. 6, 2024. The Best Warrior Competition is a physically and mentally challenging five-day event that tests Soldiers on a variety of tactical and technical skills. Winners are named the Army Guard Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and move on to compete in the Department of the Army Best Squad Competition, with other Soldiers from the Best Warrior Competition filling out the ranks of their squad. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy)

    Former President Donald Trump confirmed Thursday that the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and its accompanying strike group are being deployed to the Middle East as a direct signal to the Iranian regime, saying the United States is prepared to take decisive action if Tehran does not negotiate.

    In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump described a “massive Armada” heading toward Iran and warned that time is running out for the Islamic Republic to return to the negotiating table on terms that would bar it from obtaining nuclear weapons. “It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose. It is a larger fleet, headed by the great Aircraft Carrier Abraham Lincoln, than that sent to Venezuela,” Trump wrote. “Like with Venezuela, it is ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary.”

    “Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal — NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS — one that is good for all parties,” Trump added. “Time is running out, it is truly of the essence! As I told Iran once before, MAKE A DEAL! They didn’t, and there was ‘Operation Midnight Hammer,’ a major destruction of Iran. The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again.”

    The Navy’s deployment — which includes the Abraham Lincoln and supporting warships — is part of an expanding U.S. military presence in the region intended to deter Iranian aggression and signal Washington’s readiness to act if necessary. According to U.S. military statements, the carrier strike group has entered the Middle East under U.S. Central Command and is positioned to promote regional security and stability amid heightened tensions.

    Trump has also insisted that there is willingness on the Iranian side to discuss a deal. In a Monday interview with Axios, he said Tehran had reached out “on numerous occasions” and “want[s] to make a deal.” “They want to make a deal. I know so. They called on numerous occasions. They want to talk,” he told the outlet.

    But U.S. officials cited by Axios said that any agreement would require Iran to remove all enriched uranium, cap its long-range missile stockpile, curb support for proxy forces, and cease independent uranium enrichment — conditions Iranian leaders have not accepted.

    Iran’s mission to the United Nations responded to Trump’s posts within hours, warning that Tehran would defend itself if attacked. “Last time the U.S. blundered into wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, it squandered over $7 trillion and lost more than 7,000 American lives. Iran stands ready for dialogue based on mutual respect and interests — BUT IF PUSHED, IT WILL DEFEND ITSELF AND RESPOND LIKE NEVER BEFORE!” the statement read.

    The military buildup comes amid widespread unrest inside Iran following protests that began in late December. Activist groups have reported thousands of deaths in the crackdown, and recent coverage says Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been sheltering in a fortified underground facility as tensions escalate.

    Trump is expected to hold further consultations in coming days, and White House officials continue to say that military action remains on the table if diplomacy fails to produce results acceptable to U.S. interests.

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    Trump Says He Left Orders To Bomb Iran If Tehran Assassinates Him

    By
    Patrick Houck
    -
    3
    The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    President Donald Trump said he has left instructions for the United States to launch an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran if Tehran succeeds in assassinating him.

    “I’ve been on their list for a long time. That’s what we’re dealing with,” the president told the New York Post Friday. “I’ve left instructions — if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before.”

    Trump did not explain whom he gave the instructions to, which targets would be included or how such an order would be carried out after his death.

    Trump calls himself Iran’s top target

    The president’s comments followed remarks he made during the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, where he said Iran may be seeking to kill him.

    “I’m their No. 1 target,” Trump said.

    Iran has threatened retaliation against Trump and other former administration officials over the January 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani. American authorities have also previously accused Iranian operatives of pursuing plots against Trump.

    The latest concern arose after Israel reportedly shared intelligence with the United States before Trump landed in Washington indicating that Iran was considering another plot to assassinate the president.

    Mediaite’s Tom Durante has additional details:

    On the way back to the States, the president was forced to switch planes after the Secret Service reportedly voiced concerns about the new Air Force One, a $400 million jet gifted to him from the Qatari government.

    After that, Israel claimed it had shared intelligence with the president that the Islamic regime was “considering” a new plan to assassinate the president.

    In his interview with The Post, Trump denied those claims.

    “No, no. Israel came up with nothing. No, no,” he said. “I’ve been No. 1 [on Iran’s kill list] for a long time, and it’s the way life is, you know.”

    “I hope you’ll miss me,” he quipped.

    According to reporting cited by Mediaite, Israeli intelligence had not determined how far the alleged plot had progressed or whether Tehran had taken any concrete steps to carry it out.

    Trump nevertheless delivered an unmistakable warning: Any successful attack against him would bring an overwhelming American response.

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    Special Envoy Steve Witkoff Accuses CNN’s Anonymous Sources of ‘Treason’

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    5
    CNN Headquarters via Wikimedia Commons

    U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff accused several anonymous CNN sources of “treason” on Tuesday.

    In an exclusive report from CNN, three sources briefed on intelligence of the operation claimed that the damage done to Iran’s nuclear program “likely only set it back by months” despite Trump’s claims to have “completely and totally obliterated” it by U.S. bombing.

    “This leaked intel assessment, it’s an early look at what was actually accomplished on the ground,” said Fox News host Laura Ingraham during an interview with Witkoff. “But it was leaked. Somebody decided to leak this from the DIA and it’s being used in the media, and it’s all over today, that, ‘Aha, Trump said it obliterated, but it’s not obliterated. It’s set back months, but it’s not over.’”

    Witkoff replied, “Well, it goes without saying that leaking that type of information, whatever the information, whatever site it comes out on, is outrageous. It’s treasonous. So it ought to be investigated, and whoever did it, whoever’s responsible for it should be held accountable.”

    He concluded, “It could hurt lives in the future. This leaking is a completely unacceptable thing.”

    CNN spoke to seven anonymous sources in total, who described the Defense Intelligence Agency’s (DIA) assessment of the Trump administration’s strikes. Two of the sources “said Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium was not destroyed,” according to the CNN report, while “one of the people said the centrifuges are largely ‘intact.’”

    “Another source said that the intelligence assessed enriched uranium was moved out of the sites prior to the US strikes,” CNN reported.

    White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth lashed out at CNN’s report, calling it “flat-out wrong.”

    “This alleged assessment is flat-out wrong and was classified as ‘top secret’ but was still leaked to CNN by an anonymous, low-level loser in the intelligence community,” Leavitt said. “The leaking of this alleged assessment is a clear attempt to demean President Trump, and discredit the brave fighter pilots who conducted a perfectly executed mission to obliterate Iran’s nuclear program. Everyone knows what happens when you drop fourteen 30,000 pound bombs perfectly on their targets: total obliteration.”

    While Leavitt tried to pin the leak on a single source, CNN — in its report — cited “three people briefed” on the U.S. intelligence assessment.

    Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, in a separate statement, likewise claimed the sites were leveled in the blasts:

    Based on everything we have seen and I’ve seen it all, our bombing campaign obliterated Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons. Our massive bombs hit exactly the right spot at each target and worked perfectly. The impact of those bombs is buried under a mountain of rubble in Iran. So anyone who says the bombs were not devastating is just trying to undermine the president and the successful mission.

    In a statement to Mediaite, a CNN spokesperson said, “CNN stands by our thorough reporting on an early intelligence assessment of the recent strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, which has since been confirmed by other news organizations. The White House has acknowledged the existence of the assessment, and their statement is included in our story.”

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    Joni Ernst Backs Hegseth For Defense Secretary After Pressure From Team Trump

    By
    Patrick Houck
    -
    4
    By Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America - Pete Hegseth, CC BY-SA 2.0

    Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) announced her support for Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense Monday evening, marking a reversal from her earlier reluctance to back the embattled nominee. Ernst’s decision came just days after she indicated skepticism about Hegseth’s qualifications for the role.

    According to Politico, Ernst’s shift followed a concerted effort by President-elect Trump’s allies to persuade her. The report describes an intense pressure campaign that reportedly left the senator’s political life “extremely uncomfortable.”

    Mediaite further reports:

    Last Thursday, after meeting with Hegseth, who has been accused of sexual assault and alcohol abuse, Ernst, a veteran and sexual assault survivor, told Fox News’ Bill Hemmer that she was undecided on his nomination.

    “I think for a number of our senators, they want to make sure that any allegations have been cleared, and that’s why we have to have a very thorough vetting process,” she said at the time.

    On Monday, after another meeting with Hegseth, Ernst changed her tune in a statement:

    I appreciate Pete Hegseth’s responsiveness and respect for the process. Following our encouraging conversations, Pete committed to completing a full audit of the Pentagon and selecting a senior official who will uphold the roles and value of our servicemen and women — based on quality and standards, not quotas — and who will prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks. As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources.

    However, sources close to the matter strongly implied Ernst’s change of heart went beyond a productive discussion with Hegseth. One Trump ally, speaking to Politico, emphasized the role of grassroots activism, saying Ernst faced “an onslaught of criticism from MAGA activists” and “got the message loud and clear.”

    In recent days, allies of Trump adopted an approach that is not novel for the president-elect and his followers: Make life extremely uncomfortable for anyone who dares to oppose him. The swarm of MAGA attacks that Sen. Joni Ernst has experienced is a warning of what’s in store for others who express skepticism of his personnel choices.

    Days after signaling she continued to have serious concerns about confirming Hegseth, Ernst on Monday sounded a different note. She described their conversation Monday afternoon as “encouraging,” said she would “support” Hegseth through the process, touted some of the commitments he made to her about what he would do in the role, and suggested she would only take allegations against him seriously if they come from named accusers.

    The change in tune followed an aggressive push for Hegseth by top Trump allies and supporters, as well as a defiant performance by the Defense secretary nominee that has Trump’s team bullish on him getting confirmed. But it’s not just Hegseth. Trump allies believe his choice to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, and his nominee for director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, are in a stronger position as well.

    With a narrow Senate majority, endorsements from key Republican senators like Ernst are critical to the prospects of Trump’s nominees.

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    Trump Secures Landmark Deal Between Israel And Hamas

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2
    President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands during their joint press conference, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Leslie N. Emory)

    The Trump administration is being praised for its efforts in securing a landmark peace deal between Israel and Hamas that will see all remaining hostages brought home on Monday.

    Under the first phase of the agreement, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for all remaining hostages, both living and dead. Israel will also withdraw its troops from most of Gaza, removing themselves behind a “yellow line” during a 24-hour ceasefire that has already begun.

    At the end of the ceasefire, a 72-hour clock will begin, during which Hamas must release all remaining hostages. Only 20 remaining hostages are believed to be alive, along with the 28 who are deceased and their bodies “scattered across Gaza” according to negotiators.

    Fox News noted it remains unclear if Hamas will be able to adhere to this timeframe after it flagged over the weekend the improbability that it will be able to quickly locate all deceased bodies, some of which are allegedly buried under rubble.

    Jerusalem will also authorize the release of some 1,700 Gazans arrested after the October 2023 attacks, along with roughly 250 Palestinians serving life sentences, under the first phase of the plan presented by President Donald Trump late last month.

    President Donald Trump announced the deal on Wednesday night, hailing assistance from Qatar, Egypt and Turkey.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Shosh Bedrosian said this is only the first phase of the peace agreement. Details of later phases have not been announced.

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio handed President Donald Trump a note on Wednesday telling him that a Middle East peace deal was “very close” and was awaiting Trump’s approval for “a Truth Social post.”

    As Trump spoke to reporters, Rubio walked up to the president, whispered in his ear, and handed him a note

    “Very close. We need you to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce deal first,” the note read.

    Watch the moment:

    After being handed the note, Trump told reporters, “I was just given a note by the Secretary of State saying that we’re very close to a deal in the Middle East and they’re gonna need me pretty quickly.”

    Just over an hour later, Trump published a Truth Social post announcing “that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan.”

    “This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace. All Parties will be treated fairly!” he wrote. “This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!”

    Earlier on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that Trump was “considering going to the Middle East shortly” after his routine, annual medical checkup at Walter Reed Medical Center.

    “I may go there sometime toward the end of the week, maybe on Sunday, actually, and we’ll see,” Trump told reporters. “But there’s a very good chance. Negotiations are going along very well. We’re dealing with Hamas and many of the countries. As you know, we have a Muslim, all of the Muslim countries are included. All of the Arab countries are included. Very rich countries and some that are not so rich, but just about everybody is included.”

    Families of Israeli hostages erupted in cheers after President Donald Trump called to tell them their loved ones would return home in days after what he described as a “historic peace deal” between Israel and Hamas.

    In a video released by the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, the president spoke to relatives by phone late Wednesday, promising all captives would be back by Monday.

    The clip shows Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on a call with Trump and standing with hostage families before they chant: “Thank you!”

    “This is amazing,” one said. Another added, “Mr. President, we believe in you, we know you’ve done so much for us in the past, since you became president, even before that. And we trust you’ll fulfill the mission until every hostage, until all 48 of the hostages are home. Thank you so much. Blessed be the peacemakers!”

    Watch:

    Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar offered new details on Israel’s peace agreement with Hamas in an interview with Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin on Thursday.

    Griffin pressed Sa’ar about Hamas’ role in Gaza moving forward as well as Israel’s plans for a military withdrawal.

    Sa’ar said Israel is already moving to withdraw its troops behind the “yellow line,” ceding 53% of Gaza’s territory amid Thursday’s ceasefire. He said further withdrawals will be negotiated in later phases of the peace agreement.

    He went on to say that, in the meantime, Gaza will be governed by a council of local Palestinians along with input from President Donald Trump. He said the existing Palestinian Authority may also play a role, but only if it adopts certain reforms.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for Trump to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in the peace deal.

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    Report: US Military Seizes Two Sanctioned Tankers In Atlantic Ocean

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    4

    Just in…

    On Wednesday, U.S. forces seized two sanctioned tankers in the Atlantic Ocean.

    First, U.S. European Command (EUCOM) announced the seizure of the Russian-flagged Marinera oil tanker in the North Atlantic Sea.

    “The @TheJusticeDept & @DHSgov, in coordination with the @DeptofWar today announced the seizure of the M/V Bella 1 for violations of U.S. sanctions,” read a post from EUCOM on X. “The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro.”

    “This seizure supports @POTUS Proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere,” EUCOM added. “The operation was executed by DHS components with support from  @DeptofWar, showcasing a whole-of-government approach to protect the homeland.”

    Fox News previously reported that U.S. forces were attempting to board the Marinera tanker, which previously operated under the name Bella 1, in the North Atlantic earlier Wednesday morning.

    Fox News reports:

    The development comes after the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Russia had sent a submarine and other naval assets to escort the tanker.

    The vessel had spent more than two weeks attempting to slip past U.S. enforcement efforts targeting sanctioned oil shipments near Venezuela, the outlet reported.

    “The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT — anywhere in the world,” said Secretary of War Pete Hegseth after the tanker was seized.

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    Trump Issues Blistering Response After Israel, Iran Violate Ceasefire Deal

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    President Trump is not happy…

    President Donald Trump expressed deep frustration with both Israel and Iran on Tuesday, saying the two countries “don’t know what the **** they’re doing.”

    Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran on Monday night, dubbing the conflict a “12-day war.”

    Trump made the comments while departing from the White House for a NATO summit Tuesday morning. Both Israel and Iran fired missiles at one another following the imposition of a ceasefire on Monday night.

    “I’m not happy with Israel. You know, when I say, okay, now you have 12 hours, you don’t go out in the first hour and just drop everything you have on them. So I’m not happy with them. I’m not happy with Iran either, but I’m really unhappy if Israel is going out this morning,” Trump said.

    He continued, “We basically have two countries that have been fighting for so long and so hard that they don’t know what the **** they’re doing.” 

    “I’m gonna see if I can stop it,” he added.

    “ISRAEL. DO NOT DROP THOSE BOMBS. IF YOU DO IT IS A MAJOR VIOLATION. BRING YOUR PILOTS HOME, NOW!” Trump wrote on Truth Social shortly after boarding Marine One.

    Minutes later, he announced that Israel was canceling its plans for an attack Tuesday morning.

    President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands during their joint press conference, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Leslie N. Emory)

    “ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly ‘Plane Wave’ to Iran. Nobody will be hurt, the Ceasefire is in effect! Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he wrote.

    He then topped it off with a post stating: “IRAN WILL NEVER REBUILD THEIR NUCLEAR FACILITIES!”

    A senior Israeli official told Fox News on Tuesday that Iran had launched two missiles toward Israel following the announcement of the ceasefire, “and we believe they are trying to fire more in the next couple of hours.”

    “Unfortunately, the Iranians have decided to continue to fire toward Israel,” the official said to Fox News Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst after Trump unveiled the deal Monday.

    “Now we will have to retaliate, this will happen of course,” the official added. “It could end within several hours, but they [the Iranians] need to make a decision.” 

    The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that the Israel Defense Forces carried out a small airstrike on Iranian radar equipment before backing down from further attacks. 

    “At 7:06 a.m., Iran launched one missile toward Israeli territory, and at 10:25 a.m., two more missiles. The missiles were intercepted or landed in open areas without causing casualties or damage,” the office said. “In response to Iran’s violations, the Israeli Air Force destroyed a radar array near Tehran. Following President Trump’s conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israel refrained from further strikes.” 

    “In the call, President Trump expressed his deep appreciation for Israel — which achieved all the objectives of the war. He also expressed his confidence in the stability of the ceasefire,” the office added. 

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