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The Hill
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Bolton on Trump ‘white genocide' claim: ‘It's just not true'
Former national security adviser John Bolton said President Trump's allegations of white genocide in South Africa were unfounded during a Friday appearance on CNN's 'CNN News Central.' Trump engaged in a heated back-and-forth on Wednesday with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa over the claims. 'I don't profess to be an expert on South Africa, so I asked experts on the staff of the NSC [National Security Council], what's up with this killing of white farmers, displacement, seizure of their lands? And they came back and said, there's nothing. It's just not true,' Bolton said during his CNN appearance. 'South Africa has a high crime rate in urban areas and rural areas. It's a big problem, black and white. It's a big problem,' he added. The Trump administration has agreed to admit white South African farmers to the United States as refugees amid claims of genocide. During the Oval Office visit, Trump showed footage he falsely claimed was filmed in South Africa while those on tape shouted 'kill the farmer' and chanted about shooting Afrikaners. The clip grabbed from Reuters was actually captured in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, over a thousand miles away from South Africa. Bolton questioned who vetted the video prior to the president presenting it to Ramaphosa in front of cameras. 'The films the president showed, the articles that he handed President Ramaphosa, was any of that run by the American intelligence community or our experts in the State Department, the Defense Department and elsewhere? Did anybody vet that information?' Bolton asked on air. Despite proof that the video was not captured in South Africa, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt doubled down on the video during Thursday's press briefing. 'It's unsubstantiated that that's the case,' NBC News' Yamiche Alcindor told Leavitt. 'No, it's true that the video showed image of crosses in South Africa about white farmers that have been killed and politically persecuted because of the color of their skin,' Leavitt responded. 'Those crosses are representing their lives, and the fact that they are now dead, and the government did nothing about it,' she continued. Bolton said the Trump administration's false claims will impact the country's global standing with other heads of state after a series of contentious meetings with world figures, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. 'It's a real blow to American credibility even leaving aside the theater in the Oval Office with Ramaphosa, with Zelensky, with Macron, with Carney. After a while, people would rather go sea shipping than meet with Donald Trump,' he told CNN.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democratic congresswoman says federal charges in ICE facility scuffle are ‘absurd'
Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver said Tuesday that the federal assault charges filed against her a day earlier related to a chaotic melee outside an Immigration Customs and Enforcement detention facility are 'absurd.' 'I think the charges are absurd. You know, it's ridiculous. I was there to do my job, along with my other colleagues. We have done this before. This is our obligation to do. It's in our job description to have oversight over facility, and the entire situation was escalated by ICE,' the New Jersey lawmaker said on CNN's 'News Central' in her first interview since being charged with assaulting federal law enforcement. Lawmakers faced off with Homeland Security Department officers earlier this month as they tried to visit a Newark, New Jersey, ICE facility, despite Congress' oversight authority of federal facilities. The incident started as officers attempted to arrest the Democratic mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, after he tried to join the lawmakers inside the facility. Prosecutors said Monday that they will drop the federal trespassing charge against Baraka, but acting US Attorney Alina Habba accused McIver of assaulting, impeding and interfering with law enforcement. The Democratic congresswoman said she's still trying to get more information on next steps, but so far, it's 'business as usual.' 'So, we are still trying to get more information on what the next steps are. My attorneys are in contact with the federal courts in New Jersey, and North New Jersey, so we're just waiting on direction for now, it's business as usual. I'm going to do my job,' she said. CNN's Holmes Lybrand contributed to this report.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Axios reporter pushes back on Biden's denial of mental decline, saying White House insiders disagree
Axios reporter Alex Thompson remarked Thursday that members of the Biden White House would "disagree" with President Joe Biden's assertion that claims about his mental decline were false. During an interview on "The View," President Joe Biden and his wife Jill were asked about new books from Democratic sources that claimed there was a "dramatic decline" in the president's mental faculties during the later part of his term. "They are wrong," Joe Biden responded. "There's nothing to sustain that." Jill Biden added, "One of the things, I think, is that the people who wrote those books were not in the White House with us. And they didn't see how hard Joe worked every single day. I mean, he'd get up. He'd put in a full day, and then at night he would — I'd be in bed, you know, reading my book, and he was still on the phone, reading his briefings. Working with staff. I mean, it was nonstop." Axios Reporter Shoots Down Excuses For Biden's Debate Performance: 'I'm Not Sure If There's A Good One' CNN host Boris Sanchez asked Thompson on "CNN News Central" later that day to respond to Biden's comments, leading the Axios reporter to insist there was not only a decline but a cover-up as well. Read On The Fox News App "Well, I'd say, our reporting shows that many people inside the Biden White House disagree, and they do believe that there was a significant decline and a cover-up of that, especially in 2023 and 2024," Thompson said. Thompson recently accepted the White House Correspondents' Association's Aldo Beckman Award for Overall Excellence in White House Coverage. His reporting closely documented Biden's disastrous debate performance against President Donald Trump, the events leading up to it, and Biden's eventual decision to exit the race. During his acceptance speech, he called out the mainstream media for largely ignoring signs of Biden's decline until it couldn't be denied anymore. Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture "President Biden's decline and its cover-up by the people around him is a reminder that every White House, regardless of party, is capable of deception," Thompson said. "Some people trust [the media] less because of it," he said. "We bear some responsibility for faith in the media being at such lows. I say this because acknowledging errors builds trust, and being defensive about them further erodes it." Thompson concluded, "We should have done better."Original article source: Axios reporter pushes back on Biden's denial of mental decline, saying White House insiders disagree
CNN
22-04-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Why Hegseth looks safe – for now – despite new group chat crisis
CNN — Pete Hegseth didn't become defense secretary because he had the resume of a great statesman. But President Donald Trump spent huge political capital getting Hegseth confirmed because the Pentagon chief mirrors Trump's own riotous political identity and instincts. The point of his selection was to show the conventions and traits that normally define top national security officials don't apply in the president's tear-it-down second term. This is why Hegseth seems safe for now despite stunning new revelations that he shared sensitive military plans in a group chat that included his wife and brother, among others, following an earlier scandal over his communicating details about strikes on Yemen in a chat with top officials. It's not entirely surprising that the former Fox News anchor isn't acting like the kind of national security official who guards sensitive information with their life. 'It's what you get when you don't really care about qualifications for jobs like that, when you're not picking people who are experienced, when your major qualification is personal fealty to Donald Trump,' Trump first-term national security adviser John Bolton said Monday on 'CNN News Central.' 'That's what he's got in Hegseth. That's why he's sticking with him. But it's not what you need to do the job.' Everyone in a Trump Cabinet operates on borrowed time. The phrase 'serving at the pleasure of the president' feels particularly apt given the capricious nature of this commander in chief. But firing Hegseth three months into a tenure that started with national security experts warning he was dangerously unprepared to lead the Pentagon would force an embarrassed Trump to admit he'd made a mistake. And, critically, Hegseth has not yet committed the unpardonable transgression that led to the departure of two Trump first-term defense secretaries – trying to thwart the president. The first, retired Marine Gen. James Mattis, fought a long battle to rein in the president's 'America first' foreign policy instincts. The final straw came when Trump demanded the withdrawal of US troops from Syria. Another former defense secretary, Mark Esper, wrote his resignation letter months before a departure that was made inevitable when he publicly said he'd oppose the use of troops to quell domestic political protests. Fresh drama around Hegseth is another reminder that 47th president's orbit doesn't follow the rules of normal administrations, in which the breach of sensitive information would be a career-ending disgrace. Those ejected from the chaotic Trump political inner circle, by contrast, usually committed a transgression that offends or contradicts the president himself. New questions raised about Hegseth's approach The latest controversy concerns detailed plans about a military operation against the Houthis in Yemen that were shared on a second Signal group chat. This one was on the former Fox News anchor's personal phone and included his wife, lawyer and brother, three people familiar with the chat told CNN. The chat was set up during Hegseth's confirmation hearing process, two of those familiar with the matter said. But Hegseth continued using the chat to communicate after he was confirmed, the sources said. As a national security matter, Hegseth's lack of discretion mocks the standards and laws that his civilian and military subordinates must follow. It's even possible that active-duty US personnel engaged in strikes against the Iran-backed militants in Yemen might have been put at risk. If Hegseth's alarmingly cavalier approach – which could leave conversations about military operations sensitive to penetration by hostile intelligence agencies – had caused a military disaster, Trump would have no option but to act. That point has not yet been reached. But if his stewardship of the military as a whole reflects his carelessness so far, alarm will mount about the quality of advice reaching the president. There will also be questions of morale and the defense secretary's authority, since lower-level staffers or military personnel would almost certainly face discipline, dismissal or even prosecution for such lax handling of sensitive material. News of the second Signal chat came as some of Hegseth's closest former advisers issued warnings about turmoil at the Pentagon. They included his former spokesman John Ullyot and three former senior officials Hegseth fired last week – top adviser Dan Caldwell; deputy chief of staff Darin Selnick; and Colin Carroll, who was chief of staff to the deputy secretary of defense. 'It's been a month of total chaos at the Pentagon. From leaks of sensitive operational plans to mass firings, the dysfunction is now a major distraction for the president — who deserves better from his senior leadership,' Ullyot said in a statement obtained by CNN. Ullyot also wrote a Politico op-ed. Signs of disorder at the Pentagon are especially worrying, since they are building at a moment when sober, careful leadership of the world's most lethal military seems more important than ever. The administration's effort – for example – to try to end the war provoked when Russia, the world's largest nuclear power, invaded Ukraine appear to be reaching a make-or-break point and could cause unpredictable geopolitical consequences. Trump's team is in the middle of critical nuclear talks with Iran. If they fail, the president will face a fateful choice over whether to launch risky military strikes to thwart the Islamic Republic's alleged pursuit of a nuclear weapon. And the president's wild tariff war sharpened an already simmering standoff with China. Even a minor incident between forces in close quarters in tense East Asian waters could trigger a superpower conflict. A classic case of Trumpian politics As is often the case, the dynamics at play in the new Hegseth crisis were laid bare in the administration's public statements. The secretary of defense displayed the pugilism that convinced Trump he was the man to carry out an 'anti-woke' purge at the Pentagon in the incongruous setting of the White House South Lawn, where hundreds and kids and families enjoyed the annual Easter Egg Roll. Hegseth slammed the 'fake news' media, anonymous sources and 'hoaxsters,' who he claimed concocted the new story to distract from his MAGA revolution across the river at US military headquarters to put 'the Pentagon back in the hands of war fighters.' Looking directly into the camera, like he once did on 'Fox and Friends,' he complained, 'This is what the media does. They take anonymous sources, disgruntled former employees and they try to slash and burn people and ruin their reputations.' This is classic Trumpian practice: deflecting a damaging controversy by creating a new fight with forces despised by the MAGA base and claiming any criticism is motivated by swampy forces opposed to the revolution. Trump came to Hegseth's aid at the same event, having spoken with the defense secretary after the story was first reported by The New York Times on Sunday. 'Pete's doing a great job. Everybody's happy with him,' Trump said. 'It's just fake news. They just make up stories. I guess it's – sounds like disgruntled employees. He was put there to get rid of a lot of bad people, and that's what he's doing. You don't always have friends when you do that.' Trump's stance showed he is loath to hand what his staffers would regard as a victory to journalists, whom they regard as adversaries in a bitter struggle. This was not the first time the president has rescued Hegseth's nascent political career. Trump strongly backed his then-nominee when his confirmation prospects were rocked by allegations related to drinking and sexual misconduct, which Hegseth denied, late last year. Many Washington pundits thought the nomination was toast. But the president's refusal to lose Hegseth, an Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran, was picked up by conservative media and activists who launched a fierce support campaign. The pressure forced several Republican senators who had reservations about Hegseth to move into line. There's no sign yet that support for Hegseth is beginning to crack again on Capitol Hill. But Republican senators were no doubt grateful for the Easter recess that had them back in their districts and away from Washington media. There were some signs of disquiet, however. Florida GOP Rep. Carlos Giménez told CNN's Pamela Brown that the new allegations around Hegseth 'should be a lesson to everybody' in the administration. 'A lot of the federal agencies use Signal because it's supposed to be an encrypted, very secure application. The fact that these things are being leaked now call into question how secure Signal really is,' Giminez said. But he did not weigh in on Hegseth's fate. In Trump's world, everything revolves around leverage and loyalty. And the latest Hegseth scandal suggests he will be left in even greater debt to the president. He will presumably be even more keen to do whatever the president wants. So Trump may enjoy having him around a bit longer. But even Trump might be forced to rethink if it emerged that Hegseth continued to post sensitive military details on messaging apps after the first Signal storm was reported by the Atlantic. There's one other rule from the president's first term that might apply. Every under-fire subordinate has Trump's confidence – right up until the moment they don't.
Morocco World
21-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Kano, Nigeria Seeks to Attract Multi-Billion-Dollar Energy Investment from Morocco
Rabat – Nigeria and Morocco are stepping up efforts to strengthen bilateral ties through cooperation at all levels, including energy. The Kano state government announced plans to attract over $10 billion in investments from Morocco within the coming five years. The investments focus on renewable energy and solid minerals development, News Central reported today, quoting a statement from the Kano government. The statement quoted the spokesperson for the governor, Sunusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, who announced that Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed between the two countries, encompassing different sectors on renewable energy, trade, and several other fields. 'According to Dawakin-Tofa, OCP proposed initiatives that include the establishment of fertiliser blending plants, modernised agricultural supply chains, and support programmes for smallholder farmers using advanced technology,' News Central reported. Morocco and Nigeria are already forging good bilateral ties, as the two countries are working on a mega gas pipeline project that would serve over 13 countries. The pipeline aims to benefit over 340 million people, with Morocco hosting 1,672 kilometers of the route. Several countries have signed agreements with Morocco, endorsing the project. Morocco's Hydrocarbons and Mines Authority ONHYM, signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and petroleum operators in different countries, including the Republic of Guinea, Liberia, Benin, and Cote d'Ivoire. The agreements endorse the project, which is also supported by Mauritania and Senegal, as well as The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Ghana, who also shared a commitment to the realization of this strategic project. Morocco's government, as well as King Mohammed VI, have long celebrated the gas pipeline project, emphasizing its goal in bid to support accelerating socio-economic development across the continent. The monarch highlighted the project's potential in several speeches, including during the 47th anniversary of the Green March. 'This is a project for peace for African economic integration and for co-development: a project for the present and for the future generations,' King Mohammed VI said. The 5,600-kilometer-long pipeline project will span over 13 countries along the Atlantic coast, with the ambition of benefiting over 340 million inhabitants. The pipeline, of which Morocco will be home to 1,672 kilometers of, will connect the Nigerian gas to Europe through Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, and Benin. Investors contributing to the project are set to put in a budget of $25 billion to carry out the gas pipeline.
