Thursday, Jan. 23 | By Jonathan Easley |
Trump takes 'America First' to the world stage
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PRESIDENT TRUMP TOOK HIS "AMERICA FIRST" DOCTRINE to the world leaders gathered in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum on Thursday, where he spoke by video and promised to use U.S. economic leverage to extract steep concessions from countries that fail to meet his terms. In his video message, Trump said that any country that doesn't bring its business to the U.S. will face steep tariffs. "My message to every business in the world is very simple: come make your product in America and we will give you among the lowest taxes of any nation on earth ... but if you don't make your product in America … then very simply, you will have to pay a tariff … which will direct hundreds of billions, even trillions into our treasury." Trump also called on the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to lower oil prices, while blaming OPEC for the war between Russia and Ukraine. "If the price [of oil] came down the Russia-Ukraine war would end immediately … you gotta end that war. You should have done it long ago. They're responsible for millions of lives being lost." Trump said he'd be willing to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to "get that war ended" as soon as possible. The president also slammed the European Union's fines against major tech firms, calling it a "form of taxation," as he defended the Silicon Valley executives that have gravitated toward his new administration. Trump has never shown an interest in the social niceties involved in foreign diplomacy, and in his first term he often seemed like an outsider at global gatherings. But Trump's Thursday speech drew so many spectators that it was nearly standing-room only. A global electoral backlash against inflation and COVID-era policies led to the rise of more right-wing leaders abroad, some of whom have fashioned themselves after Trump. Argentinian President Javier Milei on Thursday took aim at the "global hegemony" of left-wing politics. "What once seemed like a global hegemony of the 'woke' left in politics, educational institutions, in the media, in supranational organizations or even in forums like Davos, has begun to crumble," he said. |
TRUMP BOASTS OF FOREIGN INVESTMENTS |
Trump on Wednesday spoke with controversial Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, his first official call with a foreign leader since being sworn in for a second term. Trump announced to the Davos crowd that the Saudi crown prince, whose country has a poor human rights record, pledged $600 billion in investments in the U.S., although Trump said he'd pressure him to "round it out to around $1 trillion." |
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will make his first foreign trip to Central America, including a stop in Panama, which could happen next week. Trump has threatened to reclaim the Panama Canal, accusing the country of treating the U.S. poorly and being too cozy with Russia and China. |
Trump is confident he'll reach a deal with the Chinese-based owners of TikTok to divest so the social media app can continue to operate in the U.S. In an interview with Fox News Channel's Sean Hannity, Trump downplayed concerns of Chinese spying through TikTok, arguing that the data they harvest isn't of critical importance because it's just "young people watching crazy videos and things." Trump signed an executive order giving ByteDance more time to divest from TikTok after Congress passed a bipartisan divest-or-ban bill that former President Biden signed into law. The bill was driven by national security concerns over Chinese spying and social influence campaigns. ByteDance board member Bill Ford said at Davos that he believes TikTok will reach a deal to remain in the U.S. "It's in everybody's interest," Ford said an Axios event. |
Trump will travel Friday to two regions hit hard by natural disasters. The president will visit California to take an air tour of the devastation caused by the wildfires in Los Angeles, which continue to burn in parts of the city. It's unclear whether Trump will meet with Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), as the two feud over forest and water management policies. Trump and Republican lawmakers have threatened to withhold aid from California unless changes are made to how the state is run. Trump will also visit North Carolina, as it continues to recover from Hurricane Helene. The president has been critical of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, telling Hannity that a "big discussion" is coming on its future. "I'd rather see states take care of their own problems," Trump said. "FEMA is getting in the way of everything, and the Democrats actually used FEMA not to help North Carolina," he added, referencing a FEMA worker who was fired for saying she directed her team to avoid houses with pro-Trump signs. Vice President Vance will address the annual March for Life event at the National Mall on Friday, while Trump will appear by video. |
💡Perspectives: • The Hill: It's Donald Trump's world now to win or lose. • The Hill: Where Donald Trump's executive orders rank historically. • The Nation: Automation in retail is worse than you though. • Slate: Joe Biden clearly thinks Donald Trump isn't bluffing. • Salon: Trump ends federal diversity efforts. Is the private sector next? • The Atlantic: Maybe we do need DOGE. |
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Firefighters are battling to maintain the upper hand against a huge blaze north of Los Angeles. - President Trump signed an executive order to release all federal government documents surrounding the assassinations of former president John F. Kennedy, former attorney general Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.
- Purdue Pharma and the members of the Sackler family who own the company agreed to pay a $7.4 billion settlement to resolve thousands of lawsuits over their alleged role in the opioid crisis.
CNN is cutting jobs and changing its line-up.
"Emilia Pérez" leads the Oscars with 13 nominations, followed by "The Brutalist" and "Wicked" with 10 each.
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© Dario Lopez-Mills, Associated Press |
Court blocks Trump's birthright citizenship order
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A FEDERAL JUDGE Thursday temporarily blocked President Trump's order to end birthright citizenship. U.S. District Court Judge John Coughenour, who was appointed by Ronald Reagan, called the order "blatantly unconstitutional" as he agreed to the request brought by four states to delay the order from taking effect for 14 days. Via The Hill's Rebecca Beitsch: "The broad order didn't just apply to the children of those who may not be lawfully present in the country, as it applies to anyone in the U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa, something that would impact the children of those living in the U.S. on an employment visa." Trump said in the Oval Office that "obviously we will appeal it." Another of Trump's executive orders to broaden expedited deportations is also facing a court challenge. |
The military is headed to the Southern border, and arrests of immigrants in the country illegally are underway. The Pentagon is sending 1,500 active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, and that number could grow to 10,000. The Department of Defense will also support deportation flights and construct new barriers along the border. Mexico has begun building migrant shelters. Fox News has photos of the arrests carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of immigrants in the country illegally who are accused of crimes. Hundreds have already taken into custody since Trump was sworn in for a second term earlier this week. Trump told Hannity on Wednesday that he "might have to" cut off funds to Sanctuary Cities. Some Democrats, fresh off a tough election cycle, are finding areas of agreement with Trump on border security. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), whose district borders Mexico, told NewsNation's "The Hill" that he supports a military presence along the border if it's done "the right way." And 46 House Democrats, including Cuellar, voted Thursday to pass the Laken Riley Act, giving Trump his first major legislative win. In the Senate, 12 Democrats joined all Republicans in passing the bill, which would require immigrants in the country illegally to be detained if they're accused of theft-related crimes. |
Hegseth loses 2 GOP senators; stage set for marquee Cabinet hearings
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The Senate voted Thursday to advance Pete Hegseth's nomination to lead the Department of Defense, although he suffered two GOP defections. The Senate voted 51-49 to end debate on Hegseth's nomination, with GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) joining all Democrats in voting against him. Hegseth's final confirmation vote is expected Friday, and he's likely to have the 50 votes he needs to be confirmed, although it will be close. Murkowski posted on X that the leader of the Pentagon "requires vast experience and expertise," and that Hegseth's prior career roles "do not demonstrate to me that he is prepared for such immense responsibility." Murkowski also nodded to the allegations of drinking and sexual impropriety, which Hegseth denies, as well as his multiple marriages and admitted infidelities. "These behaviors starkly contrast the values and discipline expected of servicemembers," she said. Collins said she appreciates Hegseth's military service, but that he has only "limited managerial experience involving running two small non-profit organizations that had decidedly mixed results." The GOP has a 53-47 majority in the Senate, so Hegseth can only afford to lose three GOP senators for Vice President Vance to be able to break the tie in his favor. Murkowski and Collins are two GOP swing votes in the Senate to watch in next week's confirmation hearings for: • Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick to be director of national intelligence. • Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Trump's pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. • Kash Patel, Trump's pick to head the FBI. Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and John Curtis (R-Utah) are also potential wildcards. Curtis is backing Hegseth but undecided on Gabbard. Kennedy is suddenly facing opposition on the right over his pro-abortion positions, led by a group with ties to former Vice President Mike Pence. The Senate on Thursday confirmed John Ratcliffe to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency. |
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