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Trump says strike against 'monster' Suleimani was retaliation – live updates Trump says strike against 'monster' Suleimani was retaliation – live updates
(32 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
California Representative Duncan Hunter posted his resignation letters to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and California’s governor Gavin Newsom.
Trump campaign plans to spend $10m on a Super Bowl ad
The president has bought 60 seconds of air time during what’s likely to be the most-watched television event of the year.
In a statement to The Guardian’s Daniel Strauss, the Trump reelection campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh confirmed that the president has reserved time:
The news was first reported by Politico.
Report: Pompeo tells diplomats not to meet with Iranian opposition groups amid escalating tensions
The US Secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, has ordered diplomats not to meet with Iranian opposition groups without approval, according to a cable obtained by CNN and Bloomberg.
“Many exiled Iranian opposition groups try to engage US officials regularly to gain at least the appearance of tacit support and enhance their visibility and clout. Direct US government engagement with these groups could prove counterproductive to our policy goal of seeking a comprehensive deal with the Iranian regime that addresses its destabilizing behavior,” Pompeo reportedly said.
Among the groups that Pompeo has said to avoid is Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, or MEK, which once hired Rudy Giuliani, and paid John Bolton to speak at its rallies.
Pompeo reportedly indicated that diplomats who met with opposition groups could jeopardize Trump’s diplomatic efforts in Iran.
That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours.That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
Trump said the strike that killed the Iranian general Qassem Suleimani was “retaliation” for his past actions against the US, but the president then repeated senior officials’ claims that Suleimani was planning an “imminent” attack on Americans.Trump said the strike that killed the Iranian general Qassem Suleimani was “retaliation” for his past actions against the US, but the president then repeated senior officials’ claims that Suleimani was planning an “imminent” attack on Americans.
The president brushed off concerns about John Bolton potentially testifying in a Senate impeachment trial, claiming his former national security adviser “would know nothing about what we’re talking about”. But Bolton was reportedly present for several key events in the Ukraine saga.The president brushed off concerns about John Bolton potentially testifying in a Senate impeachment trial, claiming his former national security adviser “would know nothing about what we’re talking about”. But Bolton was reportedly present for several key events in the Ukraine saga.
The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, announced he had the votes to establish rules for the impeachment trial without Democratic support and would model the proceedings on Bill Clinton’s 1999 trial.The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, announced he had the votes to establish rules for the impeachment trial without Democratic support and would model the proceedings on Bill Clinton’s 1999 trial.
The Republican congressman Duncan Hunter submitted his expected resignation after pleading guilty to misusing campaign funds last month.The Republican congressman Duncan Hunter submitted his expected resignation after pleading guilty to misusing campaign funds last month.
The US defense secretary, Mark Esper, said American forces were not leaving Iraq, despite the letter from the US military outlining an intention to withdraw from the country. Esper said yesterday that the letter was inaccurate.The US defense secretary, Mark Esper, said American forces were not leaving Iraq, despite the letter from the US military outlining an intention to withdraw from the country. Esper said yesterday that the letter was inaccurate.
Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Congressman Duncan Hunter, who pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy for misusing campaign funds last month, has officially submitted his resignation.Congressman Duncan Hunter, who pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy for misusing campaign funds last month, has officially submitted his resignation.
The California Republican’s departure had been expected, but the timing of the move remained unclear as lawmakers returned from the holiday recess. By waiting until after the first of the month to submit the resignation, Hunter will likely be able to collect one last paycheck, as well as his congressional pension.The California Republican’s departure had been expected, but the timing of the move remained unclear as lawmakers returned from the holiday recess. By waiting until after the first of the month to submit the resignation, Hunter will likely be able to collect one last paycheck, as well as his congressional pension.
Hunter told the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and the California governor, Gavin Newsom, that his resignation would be effective 13 January.Hunter told the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and the California governor, Gavin Newsom, that his resignation would be effective 13 January.
With Hunter out of the way, Republicans are expected to maintain control of the House seat. Although the district leans Republican, there had previously been speculation that Democrats could pick up the seat if Hunter remained on the ballot as he faced corruption allegations.With Hunter out of the way, Republicans are expected to maintain control of the House seat. Although the district leans Republican, there had previously been speculation that Democrats could pick up the seat if Hunter remained on the ballot as he faced corruption allegations.
Trump is reportedly planning to hold a campaign rally in Iowa days before the Democratic caucuses take place on 3 February.Trump is reportedly planning to hold a campaign rally in Iowa days before the Democratic caucuses take place on 3 February.
The Wall Street Journal reports:The Wall Street Journal reports:
Trump carried Iowa by 10 points in 2016, and his allies have expressed confidence he will win the Hawkeye State again this year.Trump carried Iowa by 10 points in 2016, and his allies have expressed confidence he will win the Hawkeye State again this year.
Depending on the timing of the rally, Trump might have to race back to Washington after the event because he’s scheduled to deliver his annual state of the union address on 4 February.Depending on the timing of the rally, Trump might have to race back to Washington after the event because he’s scheduled to deliver his annual state of the union address on 4 February.
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”.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.”“I don’t know anything about that letter,” Trump said. “I don’t know if that letter is a hoax.”
The 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.The 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.
The defense secretary Mark Esper said yesterday that the letter was inaccurate and repeated today, “The United States is not withdrawing from Iraq.”The defense secretary Mark Esper said yesterday that the letter was inaccurate and repeated today, “The United States is not withdrawing from Iraq.”
The 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”.The 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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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”.
“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 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.”
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.
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.”
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.
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.
“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.
“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.