All articles tagged with #whitehouse
Two U.S. prosecutors have been put on leave after filing a sentencing memo seeking 27 months in prison for a Jan. 6 rioter who brought illegal guns to Obama's house, with the memo later revised to omit references to the attack and Trump’s social media posts, amid controversy over the case and its handling.
The White House criticized the Nobel Committee for not awarding President Trump the Nobel Peace Prize, accusing them of politicizing the award, while Trump continues to seek recognition for his efforts to end conflicts. Meanwhile, National Guard troops are set to patrol Memphis following a federal judge's ruling blocking deployment in Chicago, amid ongoing debates over crime and federal authority in U.S. cities.
A man was arrested near the White House for burning an American flag in protest after Trump signed an executive order aimed at cracking down on flag desecration, which does not criminalize flag burning but seeks to limit incitement to violence; the man identified as a combat veteran was detained for violating park fire regulations.
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed three new members to his White House team, including James Braid as director of the Office of Legislative Affairs, Matt Brasseaux as director of the Office of Political Affairs, and Alex Latcham as director of the Office of Public Liaison. These appointments are part of Trump's efforts to push his administration's agenda, including tax cuts and defense spending. Meanwhile, Elon Musk criticized the F-35 fighter jet program, advocating for drone technology, which may create tension with Trump, who has supported the F-35 program.
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Sebastian Gorka as deputy assistant to the president and senior director for counterterrorism within the National Security Council. Gorka, known for his hardline views on terrorism and immigration, previously served in the Trump administration and is a strong advocate of the America First Agenda. His return has sparked controversy, with some former Trump officials, like John Bolton, criticizing the decision. Alongside Gorka, Alex Wong has been named principal deputy national security adviser.
Michael Anton and Sebastian Gorka are contenders for the role of deputy national security adviser in President-elect Donald Trump's administration. Both are known for their controversial views and loyalty to Trump, with Anton being favored for the position. This move signals a potentially combative foreign policy approach in Trump's second term. The selection does not require Senate confirmation but is expected to provoke significant backlash in Washington.
President-elect Donald Trump plans to reinstate several executive orders from his previous administration that were revoked by President Joe Biden, according to his incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles. Speaking at a private event for Republican donors, Wiles indicated that Trump will issue numerous executive orders in his first week, reversing Biden's policies. This move is seen as an attempt to leverage executive power, with potential implications for federal employee rights and abortion access. The strategy may be influenced by the possibility of losing congressional control in the 2026 midterms.
Melania Trump is expected to skip a traditional White House meeting with First Lady Jill Biden, citing a scheduling conflict related to her memoir. This decision highlights Melania's tendency to break from tradition as she prepares for a potential second term as First Lady, emphasizing her autonomy. The meeting, a customary gesture to symbolize a peaceful transition of power, was extended by Jill Biden, contrasting with Donald Trump's refusal to meet Joe Biden in 2020.
The Pentagon delayed for three days before informing the White House that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was hospitalized in the ICU. This delay has raised concerns and prompted discussions about the implications for national security and the communication protocols within the U.S. government. Former Representative Denver Riggleman referred to the situation as "baffling," highlighting the unusual nature of such a significant delay in communication regarding the health of a high-ranking official.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin acknowledged he should have better informed the public and the White House about his hospitalization following a minor medical procedure. The White House was unaware of his condition until three days after his hospitalization. Austin, who was treated in the ICU, resumed his duties while still in the hospital and did not delegate his authority as Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks was automatically tasked with that responsibility. The late disclosure has prompted criticism regarding transparency and adherence to protocol, with Senator Roger Wicker expressing concern over the Department of Defense's handling of the situation.
The White House, through comments made by Brett McGurk, the National Security Council's top Middle East official, has indicated uncertainty regarding the timeline for Israel's transition to less intense military operations in Gaza. Despite some positive signs, such as the withdrawal of Israeli brigades, the U.S. lacks concrete evidence of a tactical shift and anticipates the conflict could extend into 2024. The ongoing war has already resulted in significant Palestinian casualties and displacement, with potential regional escalation risks. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's upcoming Middle East visit aims to address these issues and prevent further escalation.
House Speaker Mike Johnson is refuting White House accusations that Republicans are anti-border security and responsible for proposed cuts to Border Patrol staffing amidst a significant migrant crisis. Johnson claims Republicans have consistently voted for increased funding for border security, contrary to the administration's assertions. The White House maintains that Republicans have obstructed President Biden's comprehensive immigration reform and border security funding, including efforts to combat fentanyl smuggling. Fact-checkers have challenged the White House's claims about staffing cuts, and negotiations continue over border security funding and policy.
President Joe Biden met with prominent historians at the White House to discuss the state of democracy and the challenges it faces both in the U.S. and globally. The scholars encouraged Biden to more forcefully address these issues. This meeting precedes a speech Biden will give at Valley Forge, marking the third anniversary of the January 6 Capitol attack, where he is expected to frame the upcoming election as a crucial moment for democracy. Biden has a history of consulting with historians on matters of national importance and legacy throughout his presidency.
The White House has accused Republicans of worsening the border crisis by opposing President Biden's border security funding and immigration reform proposals. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates criticized the GOP for not supporting Biden's supplemental funding package and for their "anti-border security record." In response, Speaker Mike Johnson accused Biden of neglecting his duty to secure the border and criticized his immigration policies. The debate intensifies as migrant numbers rise and Republicans plan to visit the border to draw attention to the issue, which is becoming a central topic for the 2024 election.