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Here Are Trump’s Options For Dealing With An Imminent Nuclear Threat That Festered Under Biden

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Iran has largely been left unchecked by the Biden administration in its goal to become a nuclear power, presenting President-elect Donald Trump with a significant foreign policy challenge that has few easy solutions.

Iran, with its current stockpiles, can make a nuclear weapon with 60% enriched uranium in just one week, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a November bulletin. The president-elect will have to choose a path quickly upon assuming office, such as renegotiating a deal to halt or slow Iran’s progress, military intervention or re-tooling sanctions that have so far been ineffective.

“The United States needs another Middle East war like it needs a hole in the head,” Justin Logan, director of defense and foreign policy studies at the Cato Institute, told the DCNF. “There are all kinds of angles from which escalation could happen, and Trump openly campaigned as a Peace Through Strength leader, not a warmonger. With that said, a lot turns on what Trump’s closest advisers will do to shape the president’s understanding of the options. Unfortunately, we’re heading to a fork in the road.”

The first, and perhaps most direct option, is a military strike from the U.S. on Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump advisers have reportedly expressed concern that Iran’s progress may be too far in, and a military strike may be the only option, according to Axios. Israel would be a prime candidate to assist with a strike, as it has conducted similar operations in the past.

“The Trump Administration is committed to reestablishing peace & stability in the Middle East. President Trump will keep all options on the table as it relates to the Iran Regime including Maximum Pressure,” Brian Hughes, Trump-Vance transition spokesperson, told the DCNF. (Read more from “Here Are Trump’s Options For Dealing With An Imminent Nuclear Threat That Festered Under Biden” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Trump Trolls Harris by Posting Parody Conversation Between Him and Obama at Jimmy Carter’s Funeral Mocking VP

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President-elect Donald Trump trolled Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday by posting an online parody conversation based on a viral video of him chatting up former President Barack Obama during Jimmy Carter’s funeral.

The seemingly friendly chat between Trump and Obama on Thursday raised eyebrows and left observers wondering what the pair discussed leading up to the 39th president’s memorial service at the National Cathedral.

Trump jokingly filled in the gaps when he posted a parody video on Truth Social with fake audio dubbed into the real video.

“I knew you’d win,” a dubbed Obama told Trump after sitting down.

“Oh really? Come on,” a faux Trump replied. “Anyone could beat her.” (Read more from “Trump Trolls Harris by Posting Parody Conversation Between Him and Obama at Jimmy Carter’s Funeral Mocking VP” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Fiscal Hawks Draw Red Lines on Trump’s First Big Bill, Risking GOP Support

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Rep. Tim Burchett has never voted to increase the US borrowing limit in his life. And that might not change just because Donald Trump is the one to ask for his vote.

“I don’t know that I ever will,” Burchett told CNN when asked if he could support Trump’s plans for a debt limit hike.

Burchett, along with several other GOP hardliners, are drawing a clear red line when it comes to Trump’s first big policy package. They say the measure — which is expected to include a raise in the nation’s debt limit in addition to billions of dollars in spending on border security, energy projects and tax extensions — must be fully paid for, and not with accounting gimmicks that even Republicans have used in the past.

“You have to show me some reductions in spending. Some real reductions in spending. Not this stuff, ‘Oh we’re going to do this.’” Burchett said, dismissing past GOP attempts at budget reform that ultimately fizzle out. (Read more from “Fiscal Hawks Draw Red Lines on Trump’s First Big Bill, Risking GOP Support” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Denmark Frantically Messages Trump About Security Concessions on Greenland After He Threatened to Take It Over: Report

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Danish leaders have sent private messages to President-elect Donald Trump’s team in recent days in a bid to pacify his ambitions for taking over Greenland, according to a new report.

Copenhagen is allegedly open to allowing US military presence on the autonomous island to boost security and appease Trump, who claimed “military coercion” could be deployed to bring Greenland under US rule, sources familiar with the talks told Axios.

The Danish government, which is responsible for Greenland’s defense, wants to avoid clashing with the US and hopes to assure Trump that Greenland will be safe from Russia and China without the need for American annexation, the sources added.

Copenhagen has also asked Trump’s team to clarify the incoming president’s comments after he shocked the world by suggesting that the US could invade the longstanding NATO ally.

One European diplomat told Axios that Denmark was widely seen as America’s closest ally in the European Union, and that no one could have imagined it’d be the first Trump would pick a fight with. (Read more from “Denmark Frantically Messages Trump About Security Concessions on Greenland After He Threatened to Take It Over: Report” HERE)

Donald Trump Sentenced in ‘Hush Money’ Case

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President-elect Donald Trump has been sentenced in the “hush money” case in which he was convicted for falsifying business records. . .

Judge Juan Merchan sentenced him to an unconditional discharge, which means the president-elect will have a conviction on his record, but he will not face jail time or any other punishment.

Merchan told the court that unconditional discharge is “the only lawful sentence, without encroaching upon the highest office in the land.”

He then told the president-elect, “I wish you godspeed as you assume your second term in office.”

The proceedings lasted about 45 minutes as the prosecution and defense gave statements to the court. Merchan repeatedly referred to the president-elect as “Mr. Trump” instead of “President Trump,” which only supports claims that he was biased against the Trump throughout the trial. (Read more from “Donald Trump Sentenced in ‘Hush Money’ Case” HERE)

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Lip Reader Reveals What Trump and Obama Discussed at Jimmy Carter’s Funeral

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Former President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump had what appeared to be a warm conversation Thursday ahead of former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral, but a professional lip reader told The Post their smiles and laughter belied more serious substance.

Trump, 78, possibly wary of cameras facing the pair as they sat shoulder to shoulder, cautioned Obama, 63, that they would have to “find a quiet place” later in the day to discuss a “matter of importance,” according to forensic lip reader Jeremy Freeman.

It’s unclear what precisely that conversation would entail, but Freeman’s translation indicated that Obama and Trump may have been discussing international agreements.

At one point, Trump leaned toward Obama and said, “I’ve pulled out of that. It’s the conditions. Can you imagine that?” . . .

Obama laughed as Trump added, “and after, I will,” before the pooled TV camera feed cut away from the men, who were bracketed by former first lady Laura Bush and Trump’s wife Melania. (Read more from “Lip Reader Reveals What Trump and Obama Discussed at Jimmy Carter’s Funeral” HERE)

Mexican President Suggests Renaming the United States After Trump’s Gulf of America Threat

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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum clapped back Wednesday at President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to rename the Gulf of Mexico — saying the US should actually be called “Mexican America.”

Trump, 78, announced Tuesday during a Mar-a-Lago press conference he had ambitions to rebrand the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America.”

In response, Sheinbaum, 62, showed off a 1607 map with the Gulf of Mexico being identified as such and North America labeled as Mexican America.

“Why don’t we call it Mexican America? It sounds nice, no?” asked the Mexican leader, apparently in jest.

Sheinbaum added, “with all due respect,” that Trump was wrong to state that violent drug cartels are running Mexico, rather than “the people.” (Read more from “Mexican President Suggests Renaming the United States After Trump’s Gulf of America Threat” HERE)

Trump Says Don Jr. Will Visit Greenland in Preparation for It Becoming ‘Part of Our Nation’

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By Mediaite. President-elect Donald Trump announced on Monday that his son Donald Trump Jr. would visit Greenland in preparation for the territory becoming “part of our nation.”

“I am hearing that the people of Greenland are ‘MAGA,’” wrote Trump in a post to Truth Social:

My son, Don Jr, and various representatives, will be traveling there to visit some of the most magnificent areas and sights. Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!

Trump also posted a video of a Greenland man in a red “Make America Great Again” hat encouraging the president-elect to buy the country.

“Buy us. Buy Greenland, because we don’t want to be colonized by Danish government anymore,” said the man in the video. “We are the richest nation in the world and we don’t get to use it. Denmark’s using us too much. I love America.” (Read more from “Trump Says Don Jr. Will Visit Greenland in Preparation for It Becoming ‘Part of Our Nation’” HERE)

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Trump Plants MAGA Flag on World Stage, Puts Denmark, Panama, Canada on Notice

By Washington Times. President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday outlined an ambitious plan for U.S. expansion by seizing control of Greenland, the Panama Canal and maybe even Canada.

He refused to rule out military action to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal but said he would rely solely on economic force to make Canada part of the United States.

He questioned Denmark’s legal claim to Greenland, criticized China’s role in operating the Panama Canal and the late President Jimmy Carter for transferring the canal to Panama in 1979, and said Canada gets far more than it gives in its dealings with the U.S.

“I’m talking about protecting the free world,” he said at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.

His remarks set a muscular foreign policy tone less than two weeks before his Jan. 20 inauguration. (Read more from “Trump Plants MAGA Flag on World Stage, Puts Denmark, Panama, Canada on Notice” HERE)

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Republicans Grapple With Trump’s Position on Package for Tax Cuts and Spending

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Republicans are divided on a strategy to move the Trump administration’s agenda, and some want more input from President-elect Donald Trump, while others are fine to hash it out on their own.

Before Republicans can knuckle down and fully develop what will and won’t move through the filibuster-proof budget reconciliation process, they need to know whether they have one colossal bill to work with, or if they can divide Mr. Trump’s agenda between two bills.

Congressional leaders are split on which approach to take. Mr. Trump has waded into the congressional back and forth over the last few days, but has not taken a firm position with either side.

“I like one big, beautiful bill and I always have, I always will,” Mr. Trump said on Tuesday. “If two is more certain, it does go a little bit quicker because you can do the immigration stuff early.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, South Dakota Republican, and some in his conference want to take the two-bill track, which could move key items in Mr. Trump’s agenda, like border security funding, much faster. (Read more from “Republicans Grapple With Trump’s Position on Package for Tax Cuts and Spending” HERE)

Pope Appointed Divisive Cardinal As Roadblock To Trump

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Pope Francis’ decision to appoint a liberal cardinal to the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. was reportedly done in response to the person President-elect Donald Trump selected as Vatican ambassador.

The Pope on Monday announced his appointment of Cardinal Robert McElroy of San Diego, who has been an outspoken critic of Trump’s immigration stance and who has also advocated for the “radical inclusion” of women and “LGBT” people in the Church. The decision was apparently made to counter to Trump’s selection of Brian Burch, the president of the advocacy organization CatholicVote and a supporter of the president-elect’s immigration and pro-life policies, The Pillar reported.

Several members of the Church leadership had reportedly signed off on Jefferson City’s Bishop Sean McKnight to replace the outgoing Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, who had reached the age of retirement in 2022, but the Pope reversed the decision upon hearing the news of Burch’s nomination, sources told The Pillar. McElroy had previously been ruled out as an option to fill the position due to fears he would be seen as a “provocative” choice due to his conflicting politics with Trump.

“It was considered settled [in favor of McKnight], ready to make the call, and then it suddenly wasn’t,” an unnamed source told the outlet.

The Vatican apparently perceived Trump’s decision as “aggressive” and “undiplomatic” and decided to respond in kind, The Pillar said. (Read more from “Pope Appointed Divisive Cardinal As Roadblock To Trump” HERE)