Pentagon chief Hegseth visits Guantanamo as Trump clamps down on illegal migration
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth toured Guantanamo Bay on Tuesday to see detention facilities set up to house undocumented migrants. The base is best known for jailing suspected militants swept up in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks but President Donald Trump last month announced that Guantanamo would hold up to 30,000 undocumented migrants as part of his sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration. 'Arrived at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay on the front lines of the war against America's southern border,' Mr Hegseth wrote in a post on X that included a video of him saluting and shaking hands with troops at the base in south-eastern Cuba, where he once served as a military officer. He later posted that he had toured the detention facilities at the base, saying it is 'a critical temporary stop in processing these dangerous illegal aliens for eventual removal from our country.' A Pentagon announcement on Mr Hegseth's trip said it 'underscores the department's commitment to ensuring the security and operational effectiveness' of the base and 'provides an opportunity to engage with the dedicated service members and personnel who play a vital role in the base's mission.' The United States began flying migrants to Guantanamo earlier this month, more than 170 of whom were repatriated to Venezuela last week. US Southern Command said Tuesday there were '17 high threat illegal aliens' who arrived at the base over the weekend and are being held there. The Trump administration has launched what it cast as a major effort to combat illegal migration that has included immigration raids, arrests and deportations, including via Guantanamo. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other advocacy groups said earlier this month that they had filed a suit seeking access to migrants held at the base.
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The National
11 hours ago
- The National
Donald Trump's military parade takes over Washington
US President Donald Trump on Saturday presided over a military parade in Washington to mark the 250th anniversary of the US Army and Flag Day – both of which happened to fall on his 79th birthday. Tanks and troops made the journey down Constitution Avenue in the US capital, while jets soared in the skies above. Cannon were fired, military marching bands played and patriotic songs were sung. Mr Trump watched from the stands, flanked by his wife, first lady Melania Trump, and Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth. 'Thanks to their [the army's] extraordinary service and devotion, 250 years later, America stands tall, America stands proud and America stands free,' Mr Trump said, recounting famed military exploits throughout US history. 'We're the hottest country in the world, right now.' The streets were packed, with many wearing shirts and hats showing their support for Mr Trump. Some also wore attire disparaging Democrats. Right outside the fenced-off parade venue, Trump merchandise sellers were plentiful. 'We've got a beautiful pink hat, too,' shouted one of the merchants trying to sell hats embroidered with the President's name to parade attendees queuing before the event began. Streets along the parade route were shut down, and security checkpoints were set up for those attending the ceremony. 'If you have anything that's in a bottle or can you're not getting through that security gate,' shouted one of the security workers, talking to visitors queuing outside the security gates. 'These things [full can] could be used as weapons, that's why we're taking them, but please enjoy yourself.' Bottles of water and cans of an energy drink called 'Phorm Energy' were passed out to visitors on entering. The flavour of the energy drink was 'Screamin' Freedom'. In the US capital, large-scale military parades are rare. The last time a similar parade took place was in 1991 shortly after the US liberated Kuwait from Saddam Hussein. Yet Mr Trump, going back to his first term in office, has always wanted to hold one. This parade has not been without controversy. Critics have called it ostentatious, drawing comparisons to dictatorships like North Korea. 'Military parades are about honouring those who have served, not praising a president who only thinks about himself,' Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly posted on X. Even some Republicans have expressed reservations. Senator Rand Paul said that he did not think the parade was appropriate. 'Never been a big fan of goose-stepping soldiers and big tanks and missiles rolling down the street,' he told reporters. 'So, if you ask me, I wouldn't have done it.' The timing of the US military parade amid the deadly air strikes exchanged between Israel and Iran and coupled with the deteriorating situation in Gaza, also proved to be problematic juxtaposition. In addition, the Trump administration has made slashing government spending one of its central policy goals. Most estimates indicated that the planning and logistics for the parade cost US taxpayers as much as $45 million About six in 10 Americans have said the parade is 'not a good use' of government spending, according to a Thursday poll conducted by the Associated Press-Norc Centre for Public Affairs Research. There were concerns from local elected officials in Washington that the large, heavy would damage to the streets in the US capital. But for those in attendance, many of whom queued for hours before it started to get a prime spot, the critics, concerns and worries about the parade seemed to melt on contact. 'Well, other countries celebrate and have military parades, in France, everybody celebrates it, why can't we?' said Jeanette, who told The National that she had travelled from Indiana to see the event. 'I'm here to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Army, and also it's Trump's birthday today.' There were protests outside the parade as well, though Mr Trump had said in recent days that any demonstration would be met with 'very big force'. About 400 people, organised by a group called marched through Washington and gathered for a rally in a park opposite the White House. Large protests against the Trump administration, called 'No Kings' demonstrations, drew thousands of participants in various other cities throughout the country. 'I did see a few protesters on my way here, near the metro station,' said Joseph Casaretto, who travelled from Texas to watch the event. 'But the protests were small, absolutely nothing like you're seeing in Los Angeles.' Another Washington parade visitor, US Army veteran Zachary Lambidakis urged critics of the parade and Mr Trump's decision to hold the parade, to focus their energies elsewhere. 'Enjoy the whole process,' he said. 'Yes, there's going to be some issues or some conflicts but that's perfectly normal and not everybody is going to agree, but we can agree to disagree.' Mr Lambidakis said he could not remember a similar event taking place in Washington for his entire adult life, and that it was long overdue. 'We're being blessed with the opportunity to appreciate our veterans and the active-duty people,' he said.
The National
20 hours ago
- The National
Trump's military parade takes over Washington
US President Donald Trump on Saturday presided over a military parade in Washington to mark the 250th anniversary of the US Army and Flag Day - both of which happened to fall on his 79th birthday. Tanks and troops made the journey down Constitution Avenue in the US capital, while jets soared in the skies above. Cannon were fired, military marching bands played and patriotic songs were sung. Mr Trump watched from bleachers, flanked by his wife, first lady Melania Trump, and Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth. The streets were packed, with many wearing shirts and hats showing their support for Mr Trump. Some also wore attire disparaging Democrats. Right outside the fenced-off parade venue, Trump merchandise venders were plentiful. 'We've got a beautiful pink hat, too,' shouted one of the merchants trying to sell hats embroidered with the President's name to parade attendees queuing before the event began. Streets along the parade route were shut down, and security checkpoints were set up for those attending the ceremony. 'If you have anything that's in a bottle or can you're not getting through that security gate," shouted one of the security workers, talking to attendees queuing outside the security gates. 'These things [full can] could be used as weapons, that's why we're taking them, but please enjoy yourself.' Bottles of water and cans of an energy drink called "Phorm Energy" were passed out to attendees upon entering. The flavour of the energy drink was "Screamin' Freedom". In the US capital, large-scale military parades are rare. The last time a similar parade took place was in 1991 shortly after the US liberated Kuwait from Saddam Hussein. Yet Mr Trump, going back to his first term in office, has always wanted to hold one. This parade has not been without controversy. Critics have called it ostentatious, drawing comparisons to dictatorships like North Korea. 'Military parades are about honouring those who have served, not praising a president who only thinks about himself,' Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly posted on X. Even some Republicans have expressed reservations. Senator Rand Paul said that he didn't think the parade was appropriate. "Never been a big fan of goose-stepping soldiers and big tanks and missiles rolling down the street," he told reporters. "So, if you ask me, I wouldn't have done it." The timing of the US military parade amid the deadly air-strikes exchanged between Israel and Iran and coupled with the deteriorating situation in Gaza, also proved to be problematic juxtaposition. In addition, the Trump administration has made slashing government spending one of its central policy goals. Most estimates indicated that the planning and logistics for the parade cost US taxpayers as much as $45 million dollars. About six in 10 Americans have said the parade is 'not a good use' of government spending, according to a Thursday poll conducted by the Associated Press-Norc Centre for Public Affairs Research. There were concerns from local elected officials in Washington that the large, heavy would damage to the streets in the US capital. But for those in attendance, many of whom queued for hours before it started to get a prime spot, the critics, concerns and worries about the parade seemed to melt on contact. "Well, other countries celebrate and have military parades, in France, everybody celebrates it, why can't we?' said Jeanette, who told The National that she had travelled from Indiana to see the event. "I'm here to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Army, and also it's Trump's birthday today." There were protests outside the parade as well, though Mr Trump had said in recent days that any demonstration would be met with "very big force". About 400 people, organised by a group called marched through Washington and gathered for a rally in a park opposite the White House. Large protests against the Trump administration, called "No Kings" demonstrations, drew thousands of participants in various other cities throughout the country. "I did see a few protesters on my way here, near the metro station," said Joseph Casaretto, who travelled from Texas to watch the event. "But the protests were small, absolutely nothing like you're seeing in Los Angeles." Another Washington parade attendee, US Army veteran Zachary Lambidakis urged critics of the parade and Mr Trump's decision to hold the parade, to focus their energies elsewhere. "Enjoy the whole process," he said. "Yes, there's going to be some issues or some conflicts but that's perfectly normal and not everybody is going to agree, but we can agree to disagree.' Mr Lambidakis said he could not remember a similar event taking place in Washington for his entire adult life, and that it was long overdue.
Middle East Eye
3 days ago
- Middle East Eye
US Senate permits arms sales to Qatar, UAE amidst controversy over jet gifted to Trump
Arms sales to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have been given the go-ahead after a Democratic Party-led effort to halt them failed in a US Senate vote on Wednesday. The resolutions failed 39-56, allowing the deal to proceed. Democrats had introduced legislation in the Republican-controlled Senate to block weapons sales to the two Gulf states over allegations of corruption. Lawmakers alleged that the Pentagon's acceptance of a $400m Qatari jet and an Emirati firm's recent investment in a Trump-affiliated cryptocurrency had compromised the integrity of the sales. The resolutions sought to stymie a $1.9bn weapons sale to Qatar and a $1.3bn weapons sale to the UAE. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The Qatar sale consisted of eight MQ-9 Reaper drones, a model previously employed by the US in Gaza and Yemen, along with Hellfire II missiles and 227-kg bombs. The second resolution opposed the sale of six Chinook helicopters to the UAE. Arms sales to the UAE have previously faced criticism over the UAE's support for the Rapid Support Forces, a Sudanese faction accused by some, including the US State Department, of committing acts of genocide. Corruption accusations Democrats say the weapons sales are tainted with corruption. Qatar recently gifted the Pentagon a $400m jet, which will be refurbished to serve as Air Force One before being retired to US President Donald Trump's presidential library. The jet had become the centre of political controversy after Democrats likened the gift to a bribe. How Turkey and Qatar are playing an outsized role in Trump's new Middle East Read More » Additionally, last month, an Emirati firm invested $2bn in a Trump-affiliated cryptocurrency. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, who backed the resolution opposing the arms sales, alleged that these deals compromised the integrity of the sales. 'My case is that so long as the relationship is corrupted by the gifts to Trump, we can't move forward on these arms sales… there are legitimate underlying policy debates on the two sales, but my case here is you should look beyond the merits of the sale and really focus on the corruption,' Murphy stated earlier this week. The resolutions to block the arms sales failed, however, with five Democrats joining Republicans to support the sales. Senate Republicans dismissed the resolutions as political theatre, with Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair Jim Risch saying they 'make arms sales to some of our closest allies in the Middle East about partisan politics'. Republican Senator Rand Paul voted "present" on the resolutions.
