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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
The Guardian will have more updates soon.
Republican senators block a resolution to declare thar attacks on cultural sites are war crimes
Although Donald Trump has walked back threats to attack Iranian cultural sites, which are forbidden under international law, Democratic senators today tried to pass a resolution rebuking such attacks.
Senator Ed Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, tried to get unanimous consent to pass the resolution, but his efforts were blocked by the Senate armed services committee chair Jim Inhofe, a Republican from Oklahoma.
Inhofe said he appreciated “the spirit” of Markey’s resolution but criticized its lack of “specificity”.
California Representative Duncan Hunter posted his resignation letters to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and California’s governor Gavin Newsom.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 adTrump 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.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: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.The news was first reported by Politico.
Report: Pompeo tells diplomats not to meet with Iranian opposition groups amid escalating tensionsReport: 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.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.“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.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.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.