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    Former Trump Campaign Manager Registers As Foreign Agent For Israel

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1

    President Trump’s former campaign manager Brad Parscale has registered as a foreign agent for Israel.

    Parscale was hired to create digital campaigns combating antisemitism and targeting young Americans in a contract worth $6 million.

    Parscale signed a Foreign Agents Registration Act form this month, informing the Department of Justice that he and his business Clock Tower X LLC were now representing Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs “to develop and execute a nationwide campaign in the United States to combat antisemitism.”

    In another registration form, Parscale also disclosed his partnership with Germany’s HAVAS Media Network as part of the arrangement.

    Asked whether the agency was “supervised by a foreign government, foreign political party, or other foreign principal,” Parscale ticked the box “Yes,” explaining that the agency was being “supervised” by the “State of Israel.”

    According to Parscale’s contract, his company is hired to create content where at least 80 percent “is tailored to Gen Z audiences across platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, podcasts, and other relevant digital and broadcast outlets.” 

    The contract also states that “Agency shall provide strategic communications, planning, and media services in support of Client’s engagement by the State of Israel to develop and execute a nationwide campaign in the United States to combat antisemitism.”

    Parscale will also reportedly work to influence AI models such as ChatGPT.

    Parscale served as the Trump campaign’s digital media director in 2016, before going on to become Trump’s campaign manager in 2020.

    Antisemitism has risen dramatically in the U.S. amid two years of Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, triggered by the U.S.-designated terrorist group’s attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The Anti-Defamation League recorded 9,354 antisemitic incidents across the U.S. in 2024, the highest number on record since the ADL began tracking incidents 46 years ago. 

    The ADL said that for the first time in the history of the audit, a majority (58 percent) of all incidents contained elements related to Israel or Zionism.

    Trump Says US Attempting Re-secure Bagram Airbase From Taliban

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    0

    President Donald Trump said Thursday he is seeking to reclaim control of Afghanistan’s Bagram Airfield, calling it a “little breaking news” and linking the move to U.S. leverage over China.

    “We gave it to them for nothing,” Trump said, repeating a campaign message on the Biden-era unconditional withdrawal from Afghanistan, during a joint news conference with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

    “We’re trying to get it back, by the way. OK, that could be a little breaking news. We’re trying to get it back because they need things from us.

    “We want that base back. But one of the reasons we want the base is, as you know, it’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons.

    “So a lot of things are happening.”

    While Trump did not mention specifics, the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan might seek U.S. concessions in exchange for returning control of Bagram. Potential demands could include increased foreign aid, economic investment, access to military or intelligence support, or diplomatic recognition.

    The historic Soviet-built airstrip was the main base for American forces in Afghanistan following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks up until their 2021 withdrawal led to an immediate takeover by the Islamist Taliban movement.

    Trump has long lamented the handover of Bagram Airfield because of its proximity to China. The Taliban leadership has rejected past Trump claims that China is moving in on taking Bagram as an important military air superiority hub in the region.

    “They should refrain from making emotional statements based on unsubstantiated information,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in March when asked for a response to Trump’s claims that China currently controls the air base, according to Voice of America.

    “Bagram is controlled by the Islamic Emirate [Taliban regime], not China. Chinese troops are not present here, nor do we have any such pact with any country.”

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    Report: Denmark Calls On US Envoy Over Alleged Covert Greenland Interference Operations

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    0
    By The White House - https://www.flickr.com/photos/202101414@N05/54581054338/, Public Domain,

    Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen summoned the top U.S. diplomat in Denmark over intelligence reports that Americans had conducted covert influence operations in Greenland. 

    Danish public broadcaster DR reported that at least three people with ties to the Trump administration were conducting the operations. The broadcaster cited unnamed security and government sources.

    “We are aware that foreign actors continue to show an interest in Greenland and its position in the Kingdom of Denmark. It is therefore not surprising if we experience outside attempts to influence the future of the Kingdom in the time ahead,” Rasmussen said in a statement sent to Fox News. 

    “Any attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the Kingdom will of course be unacceptable. In that light, I have asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the U.S. chargé d’affaires for a meeting at the ministry.”

    Rasmussen also emphasized that the ties between Denmark and Greenland are “close” and “based on mutual trust.”

    Earlier in his second term, President Donald Trump repeatedly spoke about seeking U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland, which is part of the Danish kingdom. In response to Trump’s remarks, both Denmark and Greenland have said that the island was not for sale.

    “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Trump said in the Truth Social post.

    In late 2019, Trump said that buying Greenland, which is owned by Denmark, was “strategically” interesting, triggering an angry response from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

    “Denmark essentially owns it. We’re very good allies with Denmark. We protect Denmark like we protect large portions of the world,” Trump said at the time.

    “Strategically, it’s interesting, and we’d be interested, but we’ll talk to them a little bit. It’s not number one on the burner,” he added.

    The U.S. does not currently have an ambassador to Denmark, leaving American diplomat Mark Stroh to serve as the chargé d’affaires. Stroh was summoned to the Foreign Ministry.

    One of the people suspected in the alleged influence operation reportedly compiled a list of U.S.-friendly Greenlanders, collected names of Trump opponents and allegedly encouraged locals to highlight cases portraying the Danish government negatively in U.S. media, according to reports. Additionally, two others are suspected of trying to create relationships with politicians, businesses and locals.

    DR cited eight sources who believe the goal was to weaken ties between Denmark and Greenland.

    The Danish Security and Intelligence Service allegedly told the outlet that it believes “particularly in the current situation, Greenland is a target for influence campaigns of various kinds.”

    In May, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said “you cannot spy against an ally” in response to reports that the U.S. was gathering intelligence on Greenland.

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    Mexico Agrees To Extradite 26 Cartel Leaders To US

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    2
    The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Mexico reached a deal with the United States to hand over 26 top cartel leaders.

    The cartel figures were scheduled to fly to the U.S. on Tuesday.

    “Today is the latest example of the Trump administration’s historic efforts to dismantle cartels and foreign terrorist organizations,” Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News. “These 26 men have all played a role in bringing violence and drugs to American shores — under this Department of Justice, they will face severe consequences for their crimes against this country. We are grateful to President Sheinbaum and the Mexican government for their collaboration in this matter.”

    Abigael González Valencia, a leader of the “Los Cuinis,” cartel, which is aligned with the notorious Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG) and Roberto Salazar, who is accused of participating in the 2008 killing of a Los Angeles sheriff’s deputy, are among those being handed over to the U.S. 

    Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office and Security Ministry confirmed the men were being handed over, saying the deal was made after the U.S. Justice Department said it wouldn’t seek the death penalty.

    President Donald Trump has also reportedly secretly authorized U.S. military force against cartels in Latin America designated by the U.S. as terrorist organizations, which would allow U.S. forces to engage with them.

    The move, reported by the New York Times, would give U.S. forces permission to engage the cartels, which traffic drugs like fentanyl across the US-Mexico border,

    “The president is determined to not just dismantle – but completely destroy – [Venezuelan dictator Nicolas] Maduro’s Cartel de Los Soles and obliterate their operations in the Western Hemisphere,” a source close to the White House said, the New York Post reported. 

    The anti-cartel effort is being coordinated among several departments, including the Department of Defense, Justice Department, Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Treasury, the source added.

    “President Trump’s top priority is protecting the homeland, which is why he took the bold step to designate several cartels and gangs as foreign terrorist organizations,” deputy White House press secretary Anna Kelly said in a statement to Fox News.

    It also comes ahead of 25% tariffs on Mexican goods coming into the U.S. imposed by Trump. 

    Mexico also extradited 29 cartel leaders in February, including Rafael Caro Quintero, who prosecutors say was behind the torture and murder of a DEA agent in 1985. 

    “The previous Administration allowed these criminals to run free and commit crimes all over the world. The Trump Administration is declaring these thugs as terrorists, because that is what they are, and demanding justice for the American people,” the White House said at the time. 

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    Trump Confirms Direct Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks To ‘Begin Immediately’

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    4
    Kremlin.ru, via Wikimedia Commons

    President Trump on Monday said that Russia and Ukraine will immediately begin negotiations on a ceasefire, following phone calls with the leaders of each country. He also noted the Vatican has offered to host the talks.

    The White House said Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin for about two hours, after speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier in the day. 

    Trump has been pushing for a 30-day ceasefire in the war, and the White House said before Monday’s calls that he was frustrated with both sides.

    The president called for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine before entering office, and more than two months of direct diplomacy has failed to get Putin to agree to even basic terms. 

    The announcement of direct negotiations comes after Putin last week skipped appearing at direct talks in Turkey that he proposed. 

    On Monday, Trump described the tone and spirit of his conversation with Putin as “excellent.”  

    “If it wasn’t, I would say so now, rather than later,” he wrote in a post on his social media site, Truth Social.

    Trump said he agreed with Putin that “largescale TRADE” can happen between Russia and the U.S. “when this catastrophic ‘bloodbath’ is ove

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

    Trump Announces Plan To Drop Sanctions On Syria

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    0
    By The White House from Washington, DC - President Trump and The First Lady Participate in an Abraham Accords Signing Ceremony, Public Domain,

    President Donald Trump announced the United States will soon drop sanctions against Syria.

    During lengthy remarks on Tuesday, Trump laid out his vision for the Middle East, sharing a major announcement: He intends to drop sanctions against Syria.

    “I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness,” Trump said in a speech in Saudi Arabia, his first stop on the first international tour of his second term in office. 

    “In Syria, which has seen so much misery and death, there is a new government that we must all hope will succeed in stabilizing the country and keeping peace,” he said. “So I say good luck, Syria.”

    The nation was cut off from the global financial system under ousted President Bashar al-Assad’s government, imposed during 14 years of civil war. 

    Trump called the sanctions “brutal and crippling” but “important” at the time.

    Trump said both Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Erdoğan had encouraged him to lift the sanctions. 

    “Oh, what I do for the crown prince,” Trump quipped. 

    U.S. sanctions had slapped financial penalties on any foreign individual or company that provided material support to the Syrian government and prohibited anyone in the U.S. from dealing in any Syrian entity, including oil and gas, and Syrian banks were effectively cut off from global financial systems. 

    Trump also revealed he has invited Saudi Arabia to join his historic Abraham Accords.

    “It has been an amazing thing, the Abraham Accords,” Trump said at a Saudi Arabia investment conference. “And it’s my fervent hope, wish, and even my dream that Saudi Arabia, a place I have so much respect for … will soon be joining the Abraham Accords. I think it will be a tremendous tribute to your country.”

    Trump negotiated the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, at the end of his first term in office. Now, he is hoping to see Saudi Arabia join it as well.

    During lengthy remarks, Trump laid out his vision for the Middle East. Minutes later, he made a second major announcement: He intends to drop sanctions against Syria.

    Special Envoy Reveals Ukraine Leader Apologized In Letter To Trump

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    5
    By President Of Ukraine - https://www.flickr.com/photos/165930373@N06/54169325552/, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=156221279

    President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky apologized to Trump in a letter.

    “Zelensky sent a letter to the president. He apologized for that whole incident that happened in the Oval Office,” Witkoff said Monday on Fox News. “I think that it was an important step and there’s been a lot of discussion between our teams and the Ukrainians and the Europeans who are relevant to this discussion as well.”

    U.S. and Ukrainian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia this week to pick back up on peace negotiations to end the war with Russia.

    Witkoff said he thought Zelensky sending Trump a letter to apologize for the fiery meeting was “progress.”

    Witkoff said it’s important for the officials to discuss security protocols for Ukrainians, territorial issues and a utility plan.

    “These are not complicated things, they just … need to be put on the table and everybody needs to be transparent about what their expectations are, then we can begin to have a discussion about how we compromise,” he said.

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

    US And Ukrainian Officials To Convene In Saudi Arabia For Peace Discussions

    By
    Patrick Houck
    -
    4
    By President Of Ukraine - https://www.flickr.com/photos/165930373@N06/54169325552/, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=156221279

    Senior officials from the United States and Ukraine are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia next Wednesday to discuss efforts to end the ongoing war with Russia. This meeting marks the first significant dialogue between the two nations following a public dispute between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Oval Office last week.

    The scheduling of the meeting was finalized during a phone call between White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Zelensky’s Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak. President Zelensky mentioned in Brussels that both nations have resumed talks and anticipates a productive meeting.

    Ukrainian officials remain open to signing the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal that was put on hold last week.

    The Hill reports:

    The meeting signals a thawing of relations between the U.S. and Ukraine that ruptured abruptly following an explosive Oval Office confrontation between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

    “We are now in discussion to coordinate a meeting with the Ukrainians in Riyadh or even potentially Jeddah,” Witkoff told reporters outside the White House.

    “So the city is moving around a little bit, but it will be Saudi Arabia. And I think the idea is to get down a framework for a peace agreement and an initial ceasefire as well.”

    The meeting comes on the heels of a previous similar U.S.-Russia meeting in Riyadh.

    Zelensky has sought to repair relations with Trump following the Oval Office debacle, the fallout including Trump halting military assistance to Ukraine and cutting off intelligence sharing with the Ukrainians, harming Kyiv’s ability to hit high-value Russian targets.

    The international community will be closely monitoring these discussions, hoping they lead to a sustainable resolution to the conflict.

    Article Published With The Permission of American Liberty News.

    © Great America News Desk 2022