Erdogan Defies Trump – After President Trump threatened Turkey with severe sanctions if they did not release American pastor Andrew Brunson, Turkish President Erdogan stood his ground, saying “the United States will lose a strong and sincere friend if it does not change this attitude”. On Wednesday, the Trump administration announced sanctions against the Turkish justice and interior ministers over the continued detainment of Brunson.
Trump Threatens Shutdown – In a Sunday morning tweet, President Trump threatened a government shutdown if Democrats continue in their refusal to vote in favor of a border security bill which would include funding for a wall.
New Missiles? – The Washington Post reported that U.S. intelligence agencies believe North Korea is working on developing a new ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) in a research facility on the outskirts of Pyongyang. The revelation comes as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo continues diplomatic talks with the North Korean regime. The intelligence seems to contradict President Trump when he tweeted several weeks ago that North Korean nukes are “no longer a threat”.
Trump Blasts Koch Brothers – In a Tuesday morning Twitter rant, President Trump went after noted Republican donors David and Charles Koch, calling them “globalist”, “a total joke”, and “against strong borders and security”. The verbal attack comes after the pair publicly criticized the president’s spending policies, and announced that they will not be supporting the Republican Senate candidate in North Dakota.
Trump Willing To Meet Iran – A week after lashing out in a tweet against Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, President Trump said he is willing to meet with Rouhani ‘any time’ without preconditions to discuss a possible alternative to the Obama-negotiated nuclear deal with the Iranian government. Trump’s surprising stance stands in stark contrast to the rest of his administration who have been adamantly demanding that countries reduce their imports of Iranian oil, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who has publicly encouraged protests by Iranian citizens against the current government.
California Wildfires – A wildfire raging in northern California has destroyed over 1000 homes and killed at least 6 people. The fire, just 35% contained as of this writing, has blazed through more than 200 square miles. More than 12,000 firefighters and 3,000 prison inmates are working to bring it under control.
Trump Escalates Trade War – President Trump on Wednesday ordered the White House to consider raising the tariff rate on $200 billion of Chinese products from 10% to 25%. The effort to raise the rate is believed to be led by hardline Trump trade advisor Peter Navarro.
Russia Interfering Again – National Security officials, including FBI Director Chris Wray and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, National Security Advisor John Bolton, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, and General Paul Nakasone warned that Russia is currently acting to interfere in the upcoming midterm elections, as well as the future 2020 elections. Wray said “Russia attempted to interfere in the last election and continues to engage in malign influence operations to this day”. Coats said Russia’s goal is to weaken and divide the United States. The officials said the White House is taking the intelligence seriously and have made countering the Russian influence a top priority.