Was Zbigniew Brzezinski America's most important foreign-policy guru?
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Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Trump official 'ordered New Jersey mayor's arrest' at immigration centre in new footage
The federal officer who arrested New Jersey mayor Ras Baraka and Rep. LaMonica McIver suggested he may have been ordered to do so by a Justice Department official In recent months, police officers and immigration enforcers have flooded into major US cities and made sweeping arrests of people they suspect of being undocumented migrants, often disregarding the legal process to do so. This shocking authoritarianism has also seen multiple elected officials detained, with at least one appearing to have been put behind bars after a major appointee of President Trump gave the order. Freshly released body cam footage has shown that the federal officer who detained New Jersey mayor Ras Baraka implied he might have been acting under instructions from the deputy attorney general. This comes as Donald Trump attempts to force a head-to-head meeting between Putin and Ukraine's President Zelensky. The footage emerged as part of a legal submission by Rep. LaMonica McIver, who was also taken into custody alongside Baraka during an oversight visit at an immigration centre, where they had a run-in with immigration officers. While Baraka faced trespassing charges that were later dropped, McIver was accused of assaulting federal agents. It appears she is pushing for the dismissal of her charges. Her legal team alleges that a Department of Homeland Security special agent, after concluding a phone call, informed fellow agents, "We are arresting the mayor right now, per the deputy attorney general of the United States. "Anyone that gets in our way, I need you guys to give me a perimeter so I can cuff him," the agent further instructed. The Mirror U.S. has not yet formally reviewed the footage. Although it has been submitted as evidence, the video has not been made available to the general public. Todd Blanche currently holds the position of deputy attorney general. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told the Mirror: "The American people can see with their own eyes a sitting member of Congress assaulting law enforcement," and she referenced a video of the altercation that DHS uploaded on X back in May. The apparent suggestion of Blanche's involvement is the latest in a series of moves where Justice Department officials have seemingly wielded their power to target Democrats and adversaries of President Trump. Since Trump resumed office, his DOJ has initiated multiple investigations into figures who oppose him, including Jack Smith, James Comey, and others. Moreover, it has been reported that federal law enforcement officers have apprehended New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and even placed California Sen. Alex Padilla in handcuffs. Suspicions are escalating as Politico disclosed that several Democrats are pondering whether agents at the Newark facility were directed to arrest Baraka. Witness statements and additional video evidence from the day depict the mayor standing calmly behind a fence with a guard for a significant period. Rep. Rob Menendez, also a Democrat, informed Politico that he saw an agent within the enclosed area on the phone receiving instructions to detain Baraka, who was outside the enclosure when the call occurred. Last week, McIver's lawyers submitted a description of the bodycam footage to the court, reinforcing this narrative. "Even though he stepped out, I am going to put him in cuffs," the special agent is purported to have declared. Following this, the agent mentioned arresting the mayor "per the deputy attorney general." Moments later, the mayor found himself in handcuffs, sparking off a brawl. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa described it as an "embarrassing retraction" that "suggests a failure to adequately investigate, to carefully gather facts and to thoughtfully consider the implications of your actions before wielding your immense power."
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Netflix Hostage star Julie Delpy's 'heartbreaking' admission about role in new thriller
Hostage promises to keep audiences glued to their seats Julie Delpy, one of the stars of Netflix 's forthcoming thriller Hostage, has given an insight into her role in the five-part series, reports the Manchester Evening News. The Hollywood actress portrays French President Vivienne Toussaint, a character who veers increasingly to the right in an attempt to placate her adversaries and maintain her grip on power in the brand-new series. Reflecting on the strains endured by actual politicians, the Before Sunset star confessed she would never venture into politics. At a recent London screening of Hostage, the 55 year old French-American star told media outlets including Reach Screen Time: "I guess there's a lot of pressure from outside, people who are pressuring [those] who believe in something." The accomplished actress, writer and director went on to say: "[Politicians] know a lot of stuff they want to do is influenced probably by big businesses. "In the US, it's definitely a lobbying system officially affecting politics, but I think for every president, things come into play that is more than what you as an individual would like to be, and I think the character of Toussaint has gone really far." Regarding politicians compromising their principles to hold onto power, Delpy remarked: "Also, I think if you have ethics as a human being and you become a powerful person, who has to do things that are against what they believe in, it must be heartbreaking sometimes. Get Netflix free with Sky from £15 Sky Get the deal here Product Description "You always have to disassociate the human being that you are and the powerful person, who has to also comply to maybe people above you. "It's such big businesses in play right now, and presidents have to comply to others probably. I would cry all the time." She said she would "hate" to be the president in real-life, explaining: "It's like the pressure of making decisions, of doing the right thing or the wrong thing." She added: "It's very interesting as someone who makes big decisions, how much you think of it." Hostage centres on a fictional British Prime Minister (portrayed by Suranne Jones), whose allegiance to her country faces the ultimate challenge when her spouse is abducted and her resignation is demanded. Meanwhile, French leader Toussaint finds herself caught up in a blackmail controversy. The pair will unite in an attempt to confront their shared adversary with everything at stake, including their political futures. Viewers will be kept on the edge of their seats right until the final moments with plenty of shocking revelations and unexpected developments throughout.
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Trump RULES OUT US troops patrolling Ukraine to police peace deal as he reveals role America would play when war is over
DONALD Trump today ruled out American troops patrolling Ukraine — but said he was looking at air cover for European boots on the ground. The US President publicly confirmed that Britain, France and Germany had committed manpower to police any deal with Russia but insisted his forces would play a back-seat role underwriting the peace. 6 Donald Trump has ruled out US troops patrolling Ukraine to police the peace deal with Russia Credit: The Mega Agency 6 Zelensky won concessions from Trump after turning up for a White House summit in a suit Credit: AFP 6 The White House did not deny claims Putin had suggested Moscow as a venue for face to face talks with Zelensky Credit: Reuters His comments came as the White House confirmed Mr Trump's team was negotiating a one-on-one showdown between Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin. Dashing Ukraine ambitions, Mr Trump warned the country 'is not going to be a part of Nato'. He said instead: 'We've got the European nations, and they'll front-load it. When it comes to security, the Europeans are willing to put people on the ground. 'We're willing to help them with things — especially, probably, talk about by air, because there's nobody who has the kind of stuff we have. I don't think it's going to be a problem.' The White House released a remarkable series of behind the scenes photographs of world leaders, including PM Sir Keir Starmer, negotiating plans for the so-called Coalition of the Willing of 30 nations signed up to protect Ukraine. Mr Trump was snapped showing them a collection of MAGA caps, while, hours after the meeting a new portrait of the President, unsmiling and striding between lines of US flags was also unveiled. The candid snaps of Monday's summit also showed leaders studying a map of Ukraine in the Oval Office as they discussed Ukraine ceding territory to bring about an end to the war with Russia. It was claimed leaders used the talks to convince Mr Trump to take a stand against the Kremlin's demands to turn over all of the Donbas — comparing it to the US losing his beloved Florida. And it was reported by the Wall Street Journal that they talked the President into supporting Ukraine keeping heavily fortified parts of the eastern region by describing it as a 'bastion against the Huns'. Speaking about the chances of a deal, Mr Trump said: 'I think Putin is tired of it. I think they're all tired of it. Trump caught on hot mic during Zelensky summit revealing whether he thinks peace in Ukraine can happen 'But you never know. We're going to find out about President Putin in the next couple of weeks. 'It's possible he does not want to make a deal.' He added: 'I hope that President Putin will be good, and if he is not, it is going to be a rough situation and I hope President Zelensky is going to show flexibility as well.' The Sun told how Mr Zelensky won concessions from Mr Trump after turning up for a White House summit in a suit — as opposed to the combat fatigues he wore when they rowed six months ago. The White House did not deny claims Putin had suggested Moscow as a venue for face to face talks with Mr Zelensky. But the Kremlin would not publicly confirm they had even agreed to sit down with the Ukrainians. Russian Foreign minister Sertgai Lavrov said Moscow was 'not rejecting any forms of work, neither bilateral nor trilateral' but said any talks would have to be 'prepared extremely carefully'. He did suggest they were open to meeting the Ukraine leader if it was prepared with the 'utmost thoroughness'. Mr Zelensky has reportedly rebuffed the offer from Putin to hold the meeting in Moscow. However, Mr Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted Putin was signed up for a meeting — and that the US was actively involved in the organisation of it. Geneva was being talked up as a more suitable location for the showdown. Switzerland, which remained neutral during both World Wars, has promised immunity to the Russian despot despite an International Criminal Court warrant out for his arrest. No knee bending is critical By Harry Cole AS the dust settles on that extraordinary White House gathering, what's left beyond some of the most astonishing pictures of world leaders in living memory? For Donald Trump's blowhard critics, even trying to seek an end to the bloody war is a new low, but that does not do the significance of Monday's meeting justice. The President pledged to continue to underwrite the safety of Ukraine with American might, in a huge U-turn on his campaign vows to withdraw from the world stage. Large swathes of his Maga base are going to hate that, but as British Ambassador Peter Mandelson said last night, Trump is a 'President with an appetite for risk that is enviable'. On territory — Ukraine is going to lose parts of the Donbas. Let's not sugarcoat it. For all the talk about 'not redrawing borders by force', that's exactly what is going to happen. Russia keeps 70 per cent of a region it's already flattened. But — and this is critical — Trump did not bend the knee to Moscow's Mad Vlad demand for the entire Donbas. He stated publicly negotiations must mirror current front lines. That matters. This isn't over. Not by a long shot. But here's the bottom line: if this ends with US planes patrolling the skies over Europe and Russia is forced to scale back its ambitions, that is not a win for Putin. And for Ukraine — beaten, bloodied, but still standing — it could be a far better deal than the disaster many feared. Although it is a signatory to the court, the Alpine nation said it could get around its obligations to handcuff Putin because of Geneva's role as the UN's European HQ. Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said: 'We have always signalled our willingness, but it naturally depends on the will of the major powers.' Both France and Italy have signalled their enthusiasm for Geneva as a host country. Sir Keir Starmer chaired a virtual call of the pro-Ukraine Coalition of the Willing countries from Scotland, where he is on holiday. Britain, France and Germany are all prepared to deploy peacekeeping troops in Ukraine in the event of a deal to end the war. A No10 spokesman said: 'The PM began by reflecting on the constructive meeting, saying it was clear there was a real sense of unity and shared goal of securing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.' At one awkward moment the PM was forced to tell other world leaders to 'mute themselves' so he could speak. 6 Sir Keir Starmer chaired a virtual call of the pro-Ukraine Coalition of the Willing countries from Scotland Credit: AFP 6 War in Ukraine is still ongoing after Russia's invasion on 24 February, 2022 Credit: Getty Meanwhile, despite the solidarity with President Zelensky, the Ukraine leader was told he would have to show 'flexibility' in negotiations — even if some supporters back home want him to refuse to budge. British ambassador to Washington Lord Mandelson said: 'He may go back to Kyiv and find he doesn't have the political support for the flexibility that he's got to show in order to help bring this to an end. 'So we've got to continue making sure that what Zelensky can take back is cast-iron assurance, so that if he does show flexibility, Ukraine can be safe.' European leaders continued to lavish praise on Mr Trump, with Emmanuel Macron saying his 'unpredictability' was a handy trait. The France President said: 'I think we have changed President Trump since he arrived in power in January. We rose up, united as Europeans, and he took it into account. He also brought a fundamental asset dealing with Russia — his unpredictability.' PREZ'S HEAVEN BID DONALD Trump has said he believes it will help pave his way into heaven if he can find an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine. The US President told the Fox & Friends chat show yesterday: 'I want to end it. You know, we're not losing American lives, we're not losing American soldiers. 'We're losing Russia and Ukrainian, mostly soldiers. Some people, as missiles hit wrong spots or get lobbed into cities. But if I can save 7,000 people a week from being killed, I think that's pretty — I want to try to get to heaven if possible. 'I'm hearing I'm not doing well. I hear I'm really at the bottom of the totem pole. But if I can get to heaven, this will be one of the reasons.' DON'S HAT TRICK 6 Trump flaunts his collection of MAGA memorabilia to Zelensky and Macron Credit: x DONALD Trump shows Volodymyr Zelensky and Emmanuel Macron the real feather in his cap — a shelf full of MAGA memorabilia. The US President was seen with a red 'Four More Years' hat in the White House with the Ukraine and France leaders after the peace talks on Monday. Trump previously flaunted the collection to Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev last week.
