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Trump says strike against 'monster' Suleimani was retaliation – live updates Trump says strike against 'monster' Suleimani was retaliation – live updates
(30 minutes later)
US president also claimed strike was carried out due to an imminent threat, echoing senior officialsUS president also claimed strike was carried out due to an imminent threat, echoing senior officials
While speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump suggested the letter from the US military indicating an imminent withdrawal of US troops from Iraq was a “hoax.”
“I don’t know anything about that letter,” Trump said. “I don’t know if that letter is a hoax.”
Secretary of state Mike Pompeo, who was sitting next to the president, then jumped in to say the drafting of the letter had been a mistake.
Defense secretary Mark Esper said yesterday that the letter was inaccurate and repeated today, “The United States is not withdrawing from Iraq.”
Former national security adviser John Bolton was actually present for a number of key events in the Ukraine saga that ultimately led to Trump’s impeachment, despite the president’s claim that Bolton “would know nothing about what we’re talking about.”Former national security adviser John Bolton was actually present for a number of key events in the Ukraine saga that ultimately led to Trump’s impeachment, despite the president’s claim that Bolton “would know nothing about what we’re talking about.”
Taking questions from reporters in the Oval Office, Trump brushed off concerns about John Bolton, his former national security adviser, potentially testifying in a Senate impeachment trial.Taking questions from reporters in the Oval Office, Trump brushed off concerns about John Bolton, his former national security adviser, potentially testifying in a Senate impeachment trial.
Bolton said yesterday he would testify in the trial if he were subpoenaed, but it’s unclear whether the Republican-controlled Senate would approve a subpoena.Bolton said yesterday he would testify in the trial if he were subpoenaed, but it’s unclear whether the Republican-controlled Senate would approve a subpoena.
“That’s going to be up to the lawyers,” Trump said of Bolton’s testimony. “It’ll be up to the Senate, and we’ll see how they feel. He would know nothing about what we’re talking about.”“That’s going to be up to the lawyers,” Trump said of Bolton’s testimony. “It’ll be up to the Senate, and we’ll see how they feel. He would know nothing about what we’re talking about.”
But reports have indicated the former official had firsthand knowledge of the freeze on Ukraine’s military assistance and advised Trump to release the funds.But reports have indicated the former official had firsthand knowledge of the freeze on Ukraine’s military assistance and advised Trump to release the funds.
Although Trump said he would obey international laws forbidding attacks on cultural sites, the president seemed to complain about the necessity for such restraint.Although Trump said he would obey international laws forbidding attacks on cultural sites, the president seemed to complain about the necessity for such restraint.
“They kill our people, they blow up our people and then we have to be very gentle with their cultural institutions,” Trump told reporters gathered in the Oval Office.“They kill our people, they blow up our people and then we have to be very gentle with their cultural institutions,” Trump told reporters gathered in the Oval Office.
“But I’m OK with it. It’s OK with me. I will say this, if Iran does anything that they shouldn’t be doing, they’re going to be suffering the consequences and very strongly.”“But I’m OK with it. It’s OK with me. I will say this, if Iran does anything that they shouldn’t be doing, they’re going to be suffering the consequences and very strongly.”
Trump initially said the strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani was “retaliation,” but the president then claimed the strike was carried out due to an imminent threat on Americans, echoing senior officials.Trump initially said the strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani was “retaliation,” but the president then claimed the strike was carried out due to an imminent threat on Americans, echoing senior officials.
“We saved a lot of lives by terminating his life, a lot of lives were saved,” Trump said. “They were planning something and you’re going to be hearing about it or at least various people in Congress are going to be hearing about it tomorrow.”“We saved a lot of lives by terminating his life, a lot of lives were saved,” Trump said. “They were planning something and you’re going to be hearing about it or at least various people in Congress are going to be hearing about it tomorrow.”
Defense officials have so far dodged questions about the specific nature of the threat Suleimani posed.Defense officials have so far dodged questions about the specific nature of the threat Suleimani posed.
Trump appeared to back off of his earlier threat to target Iranian cultural sites, which would violate international law.Trump appeared to back off of his earlier threat to target Iranian cultural sites, which would violate international law.
“If that’s what the law is, I like to obey the law,” the president told reporters gathered in the Oval Office.“If that’s what the law is, I like to obey the law,” the president told reporters gathered in the Oval Office.
Senior administration officials, including secretary of state Mike Pompeo and defense secretary Mark Esper, have vowed that any American military effort would comply with international laws of warfare.Senior administration officials, including secretary of state Mike Pompeo and defense secretary Mark Esper, have vowed that any American military effort would comply with international laws of warfare.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office alongside the Greek prime minister, Trump claimed the US strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani was “retaliation.”Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office alongside the Greek prime minister, Trump claimed the US strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Suleimani was “retaliation.”
“He was a monster. And he’s no longer a monster. He’s dead,” Trump said, according to the White House pool report.“He was a monster. And he’s no longer a monster. He’s dead,” Trump said, according to the White House pool report.
But senior US officials have previously said the strike was meant to prevent an “imminent” attack on Americans, although they have refused to provide further details on the threat.But senior US officials have previously said the strike was meant to prevent an “imminent” attack on Americans, although they have refused to provide further details on the threat.
While speaking to reporters, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell also said Trump’s threat to strike Iranian cultural sites was “not appropirate,” marking a rare rebuke from the Republican leader.While speaking to reporters, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell also said Trump’s threat to strike Iranian cultural sites was “not appropirate,” marking a rare rebuke from the Republican leader.
Senior officials, including secretary of state Mike Pompeo and defense secretary Mark Esper, have tried to downplay Trump’s threat by emphasizing they would act within the confines of international law, which would obviously rule out striking cultural sites.Senior officials, including secretary of state Mike Pompeo and defense secretary Mark Esper, have tried to downplay Trump’s threat by emphasizing they would act within the confines of international law, which would obviously rule out striking cultural sites.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell informed his Republican caucus about the planned rules for an eventual impeachment trial during a meeting today.Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell informed his Republican caucus about the planned rules for an eventual impeachment trial during a meeting today.
The New York Times reports:The New York Times reports:
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has just confirmed earlier reports that he has the votes to set rules for the looming impeachment trial without Democratic support.Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has just confirmed earlier reports that he has the votes to set rules for the looming impeachment trial without Democratic support.
The Kentucky Republican has said he intends to follow the same framework established during Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial in 1999.The Kentucky Republican has said he intends to follow the same framework established during Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial in 1999.
Trump said in a tweet that he had a “very good meeting” with Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi deputy defense minister and brother of the crown prince, after the foreign official shared a photo of the pair in the Oval Office yesterday.Trump said in a tweet that he had a “very good meeting” with Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi deputy defense minister and brother of the crown prince, after the foreign official shared a photo of the pair in the Oval Office yesterday.
The meeting did not appear on Trump’s official schedule yesterday, and the White House did not release a readout, as is standard procedure.The meeting did not appear on Trump’s official schedule yesterday, and the White House did not release a readout, as is standard procedure.
In a statement, the president of the White House Correspondents’ Association critcized the president and his team for not disclosing the meeting sooner:In a statement, the president of the White House Correspondents’ Association critcized the president and his team for not disclosing the meeting sooner:
Following a campaign event in New York City this morning, Democratic 2020 candidate Joe Biden slammed Donald Trump’s assassination of Iran’s top general, Qassem Suleimani, last week, Joanna Walters writes.Following a campaign event in New York City this morning, Democratic 2020 candidate Joe Biden slammed Donald Trump’s assassination of Iran’s top general, Qassem Suleimani, last week, Joanna Walters writes.
The former US vice president lamented the lack of “level-headed words” from the Trump administration to explain the aggressive action, nor signals that would “take us off the path of conflict”.The former US vice president lamented the lack of “level-headed words” from the Trump administration to explain the aggressive action, nor signals that would “take us off the path of conflict”.
“All we’ve heard are shifting explanations, evasive answers and repeated assertions of an imminent threat, without the necessary evidence to support that conclusion,” Biden added.“All we’ve heard are shifting explanations, evasive answers and repeated assertions of an imminent threat, without the necessary evidence to support that conclusion,” Biden added.
Then he decried the president’s adherence to the truthThen he decried the president’s adherence to the truth
“This is a president with a history of lying about virtually everything and has destroyed his own credibility as well as that of the US on the global stage...no-one around the world seems to be taking his word for it.”“This is a president with a history of lying about virtually everything and has destroyed his own credibility as well as that of the US on the global stage...no-one around the world seems to be taking his word for it.”
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
Prosecutors recommended 0 to 6 months of prison time for Michael Flynn, Trump’s former national security adviser who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in 2017.Prosecutors recommended 0 to 6 months of prison time for Michael Flynn, Trump’s former national security adviser who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI in 2017.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell reportedly has the votes to adopt rules for the impeachment trial without Democratic support. The Kentucky Republican hopes to model the proceedings on Bill Clinton’s trial.Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell reportedly has the votes to adopt rules for the impeachment trial without Democratic support. The Kentucky Republican hopes to model the proceedings on Bill Clinton’s trial.
Defense secretary Mark Esper said the US is not leaving Iraq after a draft memo from the US military seemed to indicate a withdrawal was imminent. Esper also told CNN, “We are not looking to start a war with Iran, but we are prepared to finish one.”Defense secretary Mark Esper said the US is not leaving Iraq after a draft memo from the US military seemed to indicate a withdrawal was imminent. Esper also told CNN, “We are not looking to start a war with Iran, but we are prepared to finish one.”
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
In his CNN interview, secretary of defense Mark Esper also said the “imminent” threat that Iranian general Qassem Suleimani posed to Americans could be measured in days.In his CNN interview, secretary of defense Mark Esper also said the “imminent” threat that Iranian general Qassem Suleimani posed to Americans could be measured in days.
Trump administration officials have previously dodged questions about the specific threat that Suleimani posed, raising questions about the planning of the attack.Trump administration officials have previously dodged questions about the specific threat that Suleimani posed, raising questions about the planning of the attack.
Speaking to CNN, secretary of defense Mark Esper said the US is not leaving Iraq, after a draft memo from the US military seemed to indicate a withdrawal was imminent.Speaking to CNN, secretary of defense Mark Esper said the US is not leaving Iraq, after a draft memo from the US military seemed to indicate a withdrawal was imminent.
“The United States is not withdrawing from Iraq,” Esper said, saying the US was committed to continuing “the important ‘defeat ISIS’ mission.”“The United States is not withdrawing from Iraq,” Esper said, saying the US was committed to continuing “the important ‘defeat ISIS’ mission.”
The cabinet secretary echoed the president’s comments about not looking to start a war with Iran by killing the country’s top general, Qassem Suleimani.The cabinet secretary echoed the president’s comments about not looking to start a war with Iran by killing the country’s top general, Qassem Suleimani.
“We are not looking to start a war with Iran, but we are prepared to finish one,” Esper said.“We are not looking to start a war with Iran, but we are prepared to finish one,” Esper said.
He also deflected a question about Trump’s threat to strike Iranian cultural sites. “We do not violate the laws of armed conflict,” Esper said.He also deflected a question about Trump’s threat to strike Iranian cultural sites. “We do not violate the laws of armed conflict,” Esper said.