Tag Archives: Washington DC

Daily Express: US spies ‘collected names of Greenlanders opposed to Donald Trump’

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At least three Americans with connections to Trump have reportedly been carrying out covert influence operations in the territory

At least three Americans with connections to President Donald Trump have reportedly been carrying out covert influence operations in Greenland, prompting Denmark to summon a top US diplomat to the country.

Danish public broadcaster DR reported on Wednesday that unnamed government and security sources in Greenland and the U.S. believe that at least three people with ties to Trump have been carrying out covert influence operations in the territory.

It comes after Trump’s repeated threats to annex the territory via military force.

Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, a NATO ally of the U.S., strongly rejects Trump’s proposal to take over the strategically located, mineral-rich Arctic island, making clear that the land is not for sale.

At least eight sources within Greenland’s government and security apparatus believe that a handful of Americans with ties to Trump are conducting covert intelligence operations, DR reported.

One of those people allegedly compiled a list of U.S.-friendly Greenlanders, collected names of people opposed to Trump and got locals to point out cases that could be used to cast Denmark in a negative light in in U.S. media. Two others have tried to nurture contacts with politicians, businesspeople and locals, DR reported.

An influence operation is an organized effort to shape how people in a society think in order to achieve certain political, military or other objectives.

The local sources told DR about the alleged American operation believe that the U.S. is attempting to weaken relations between Denmark and Greenland.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said “any attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the Kingdom will of course be unacceptable.”

“We are aware that foreign actors continue to show an interest in Greenland and its position in the Kingdom of Denmark,” Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said in a statement. “It is therefore not surprising if we experience outside attempts to influence the future of the Kingdom in the time ahead.”

“In that light, I have asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the U.S. chargé d’affaires for a meeting at the Ministry,” he added.

Cooperation between the governments of Denmark and Greenland “is close and based on mutual trust,” he added.

US spies ‘collected names of Greenlanders opposed to Donald Trump’
At least three Americans with connections to Trump have reportedly been carrying out covert influence operations in the territory

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2101032/greenland-trump-Denmark-influence-spies

MSNBC: Maddow Blog | As Trump militarizes the nation’s capital, his ‘proof’ of success falls apart

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The president claims to have evidence that his deployments in Washington, D.C., are working. A closer look suggests his proof is entirely made up.

The week after Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops to the streets of Washington, D.C., and placed local police officers under federal control, the president has expressed delight over the effects of his controversial power-grab. In fact, the Republican has already convinced himself that the militarization of the nation’s capital has been a great success.

“I’ve made Washington, D.C., just an incredible place in literally four days,” he boasted during his latest Fox News appearance. The comments came the day after the president wrote on his social media platform, “People are flocking to D.C. again,” pointing to a trend he appears to have made up.

Trump has even presented proof — or at least, something he perceives as proof — of his triumph. During an Oval Office event on Monday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Republican told reporters, “The restaurants [in D.C.] the last two days were busier than they’ve been in a long time.” A day later, he repeated the claim on Fox News.

“Did you see what’s happening with the restaurants?” he asked rhetorically. “They’re bursting.”

It’s worth emphasizing that some might see room for a debate about the tradeoffs. Perhaps, some might argue, it’s worth tolerating authoritarian tactics and the militarization of the nation’s capital if it creates conditions for a more robust local economy.

But before that debate happens, it’s important to grapple with the fact that Trump’s boast is ridiculously untrue. The Washington Post reported:

Since President Donald Trump announced his takeover of the D.C. police force last week, restaurant reservations have dropped in the city by as much as 31 percent year over year for a single day, according to restaurant booking data. Business owners are concerned that the continued surge in law enforcement could impact their revenue during a vital period of the summer.

The Post spoke to Mauricio Fraga-Rosenfeld, co-owner of El Secreto de Rosita, which is about a mile and a half north of the White House, and across the street from a police station where he said federal troops have often assembled.

“Reservations are low, low, low” compared to last year,” Fraga-Rosenfeld said, adding, “The city is dead. … People are scared.”

WUSA, the local CBS affiliate, ran a related report, noting data that showed “reservations at restaurants in the district dropped by more than 30% just two days after Trump announced he would take emergency control of police.” WTOP, a local radio station, highlighted similar statistical evidence.

So why did the president claim the opposite? It likely has something to do with the fact that he routinely struggles to the tell the difference between what’s real and what he thinks ought to be real.

But, some might say, maybe it’s all worth it if the streets of D.C. really are significantly safer. Sure, the president is engaging in authoritarian tactics, and sure, local businesses are struggling, but if crime rates have shown a sharp improvement, maybe it’s worth paying the cost?

That’s a tough argument to take seriously for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that recent crime data for D.C. found only marginal differences from before and after the federal takeover.

So let’s take stock. Despite the fact that Trump has peddled some absurd claims, we’re left with a legally dubious deployment that (a) is hurting the local community’s economy; (b) isn’t making much of a difference on crime rates; and (c) is wildly unpopular with local residents.

This isn’t a triumph; it’s the latest in a series of fiascos.

As Trump militarizes the nation’s capital, his ‘proof’ of success falls apart
The president claims to have evidence that his deployments in Washington, D.C., are working. A closer look suggests his proof is entirely made up.

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-militarizes-nations-capital-proof-success-falls-apart-rcna226025

Daily Express: Fox News abruptly ends Donald Trump’s call in after he rants about ‘loving couple’

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Donald Trump called into Fox and Friends to discuss his summit with Vladimir Putin and his ongoing strategy in the Russo-Ukraine war, but he couldn’t resist talking about one host’s relationship

Fox News, known for its support of Donald Trump and happily accepting calls from the president during broadcasts, had to make a swift about-face during an episode of Fox and Friends after he repeatedly brought up Aisnley Earhardt’s off-screen relationship with Sean Hannity.

The president dialed into the Tuesday, August 19 episode of the show to discuss his ongoing strategy to try and bring an end to the Russo-Ukrainian war, after his summit with Vladimir Putin failed to deliver an immediate ceasefire, although he hailed the “great progress” that was made.

However, despite Earhardt being open about her unique relationship arrangement with fellow Fox News host Hannity, she and her co-hosts were left scrambling as Trump made her relationship a major focus of his call-in to the show. It comes after a lip exposed the 3-word promise that Trump whispered into Putin’s ear before their Alaska summit.

Covering a range of topics, from the war to his takeover of the Washington, D. C. police force last week, the president veered off on one of his infamous tangents, shifting the topic to focus solely on Earhardt and Hannity’s romance, reports the Irish Star.

And despite the hosts’ numerous attempts to steer him back on track, he continued to discuss it.

“A guy named Sean Hannity, he might take a very lovely young lady that he knows very, very well, to dinner in Washington, and they don’t have to–and she’s sitting right next to you by the way-I don’t want to get her in trouble, so I better explain exactly, we don’t want any secrets here, but that’s the greatest relationship,” he said as Lawrence Jones tried to interrupt.

Nevertheless, Trump persisted with his line of thinking despite Jones’ efforts to divert him from discussing Earhardt.

“Hey, this could be the most important thing I’ve said, but those two are great. Ainsley and Sean, great people, and when they go out to dinner, I don’t want to see them get mugged,” he continued.

“Now they can go out, they can hold hands, and then they can both walk down the street. They’re both superstars.”

He then strangely pondered about their respective salaries at the network before Jones managed to steer the conversation back to the conflict in Ukraine.

Yet, it proved to be only a brief reprieve. As the phone call concluded, the President once more referenced their romance, clearly making Earhardt feel uneasy.

“And Aisnley, I hope I didn’t get you in trouble with Sean,” he said, which earned her a reply in which she thanked him for the support.

“I’ll say it, you know, I like this, it’s a great couple, we love ’em,” he said again, as Earhardt let out an awkward chuckle, before the call was officially cut off. The incident was swiftly picked up on social media, with numerous users commenting and drawing comparisons to various awkward everyday situations.

“Like an embarrassing great grandparent at dinner-only it’s 8 am,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter), while another remarked “The lesson…DON’T INVITE YOUR CRAZY UNCLE TO LUNCH,” and a third commented “it’s like when your dog won’t stop trying to hump your company and you have to put them on the back porch.”

Additional observers suggested the digression indicated he was either experiencing mental decline or focusing too heavily on trivial matters rather than his presidential duties-with some joking that he was attempting to divert attention from the failed Putin meeting.

“Dementia Don let it slip. Trump is clearly going through cognitive decline,” one individual stated.

“Why is he always paying attention to things that don’t matter…” one questioned, while another remarked “like all alpha macho men, Trump just loves him some celebrity gossip.

“His summit with Putin and meeting with Zelenskyy went so poorly he retreated to his safe space over at Faux Spews, then proceeded to show how nuts he is and even they couldn’t cover for it,” another user quipped.

Nevertheless, some noted that the President hadn’t actually revealed any confidential information, since the romance has been public knowledge, with the couple announcing their engagement in December.

“They’re engaged? I’m not sure he ‘outed’ them. Lol,” one social media user commented, while another chimed in with “I thought everybody knew,” and a third added “it’s gross and everything but didn’t everyone already know those two were fooling around? They haven’t exactly been keeping it a secret.”

It comes after Earhardt posted a candid photo as she shared an ultra-rare personal update.

Fox News abruptly ends Donald Trump’s call in after he outs hosts relationship
Donald Trump called into Fox and Friends to discuss his summit with Vladimir Putin and his ongoing strategy in the Russo-Ukraine war, but he couldn’t resist talking about one host’s relationship

https://www.the-express.com/entertainment/tv/180857/fox-news-donald-trump-cut-off

Slingshot News: ‘We Won’t Change’: Gov. Bob Ferguson Stands Tall Against AG Pam Bondi After Her Baseless Threats Are Exposed In Presser

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‘We Won’t Change’: Gov. Bob Ferguson Stands Tall Against AG Pam Bondi After Her Baseless Threats Are Exposed In Presser
Governor Bob Ferguson stood tall against President Donald Trump in a recent press conference, saying that he would refuse to change his policies on immigration in the face of her letter threatening him with arrest over sanctuary city policies.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/we-won-t-change-gov-bob-ferguson-stands-tall-against-ag-pam-bondi-after-her-baseless-threats-are-exposed-in-presser/vi-AA1KRILe

Independent: War-torn Ukraine’s Zelensky reacts as Trump calls DC ‘the most unsafe place anywhere’

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The president of war-torn Ukraine looked shocked when Donald Trump described Washington DC as “the most unsafe place anywhere” during a meeting at the White House.

Volodymyr Zelensky was in the Oval Office for talks about bringing an end to Russia’s brutal invasion of his country which has seen civilians bombed on a near-daily basis.

During questions from the press, President Trump began discussing his federal takeover of the capital which he described as “the most unsafe place anywhere” before his unprecedented deployment of the National Guard.

Zelensky looked surprised and shocked by Trump’s words as the Commander-in-Chief began telling a story about a friend whose golfer son now felt “safe” to go out for dinner.

Trump went on to claim restaurants are now booming thanks to his actions. Statistics show restaurants have suffered as much as a 30% drop since troops were deployed.

Zelensky reacts as Trump calls DC ‘the most unsafe place anywhere’
The president of war-torn Ukraine looked shocked when Donald Trump described Washington DC as “the most unsafe place anywhere” during a meeting at the White House. Volodymyr Zelensky was in the Oval Office for talks about bringing an end to Russia’s brutal invasion of his country which has seen civilians bombed on a near-daily basis. During questions from the press, President Trump began discussing his federal takeover of the capital which he described as “the most unsafe place anywhere” before his unprecedented deployment of the National Guard. Zelensky looked surprised and shocked by Trump’s words as the Commander-in-Chief began telling a story about a friend whose golfer son now felt “safe” to go out for dinner. Trump went on to claim restaurants are now booming thanks to his actions. Statistics show restaurants have suffered as much as a 30% drop since troops were deployed.

https://www.the-independent.com/tv/news/zelensky-trump-ukraine-washington-dc-unsafe-video-b2810466.html

New York Post: White House mocks ‘unserious’ NJ Dem Rep. LaMonica McIver after she claims ‘Liberation Day’ is ‘racist’ and code for ‘white power’

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The White House slammed New Jersey Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver on Monday after she argued that President Trump’s “Liberation Day” mantra is code for “white power.” 

McIver — who was hit with federal charges in June accusing her of assaulting and interfering with immigration officers outside a New Jersey detention center — leveled the accusation as she railed against Trump’s crime crackdown in Washington, DC, which she fears “will start a civil war” if he tries it in other Democrat-run cities. 

“I think there’s an ultimate agenda of this administration to do these types of things,” the congresswoman said of the president’s decision to take control of DC’s police department and deploy federal law enforcement and National Guard troops in the nation’s capital, during an interview on the “Defending Democracy with Marc Elias” podcast last week.

“Sic the military on the very people that they’re supposed to be protecting in these cities and then expect a certain response so that it can escalate — I truly believe that that’s what the president hopes for,” McIver argued, before calling the effort — and Trump’s “Liberation Day” for DC label — “racist.”  

“When he says, ‘Oh,’ you know, ‘it’s Liberation Day,’ and all of these things, those are, you know, ways of him saying, ‘Oh, it’s white power,’” McIver said.  

“Those are racist remarks,” she argued. “His number one targets are cities that are led by black mayors.” 

McIver went on to moan that Trump’s “number one targets are sanctuary cities that, you know, support immigration.” 

The New Jersey Democrat charged that Trump’s push to clean up DC and end sanctuary city policies “show us each and every day how much of a bigot he is.” 

The White House brushed off McIver’s allegations, mocking her “attempted catfight” outside the Newark ICE facility that landed her in trouble with the feds. 

“LaMonica McIver, whose claim to fame was assaulting federal agents, is an unserious person whose comments are nothing more than a political stunt, much like her attempted catfight in front of an ICE facility,” White House spokesman Harrison Fields told The Post.  

“Congress would be better off if she left, and the people of New Jersey would benefit greatly if she pursued her apparent passion for street fighting,” he added. 

McIver’s office did not respond to a request for comment. 

The congresswoman has pleaded not guilty to three counts of assaulting, resisting, impeding and interfering with federal officials related to her alleged role in the ICE facility dustup.

White House mocks ‘unserious’ NJ Dem Rep. LaMonica McIver after she claims ‘Liberation Day’ is ‘racist’ and code for ‘white power’
The New Jersey Democrat charged that Trump’s push to clean up DC and end sanctuary city policies “show us each and every day how much of a bigot he is.”

https://nypost.com/2025/08/19/us-news/white-house-mocks-unserious-nj-dem-rep-lamonica-mciver-after-she-claims-liberation-day-is-racist-and-code-for-white-power

Miami Herald: FEMA’s $64 Million Cut to NYC Sparks Fury

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Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has condemned the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s $64 million cut to New York City’s security funding following a Manhattan shooting. Washington, D.C. has experienced a 44% reduction in funding, as cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles are also facing funding cuts. NYC Mayor Eric Adams is reportedly working to maximize federal resources amid the Trump administration’s widespread cuts to federal agency budgets.

Schumer stated that President Donald Trump “treats NY like his personal punching bag in an attempt to settle political scores — and failing to release NY’s critical anti-terrorism funds is stooping to a new low.”

New York Mayor Eric Adams’ spokesperson Liz Garcia said, “We are committed to securing every federal dollar that New Yorkers deserve.”

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) plans to question Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, warning that political motives may risk public safety. She stated, “I would ask Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the funding cuts, adding that it is possible the agency is risking New Yorkers’ safety as a political power move.”

Amid the fight for security funding, NYC Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has come under fire for reportedly spending over $33,000 on private security throughout his campaign. Critics condemned the spending, citing his 2020 calls to defund the police.

In 2020, Mamdani wrote, “We don’t need an investigation to know that the NYPD is racist, anti‑queer & a major threat to public safety. What we need is to #DefundTheNYPD. But your compromise uses budget tricks to keep as many cops as possible on the beat. NO to fake cuts – defund the police.” He added, “We need a socialist city council to defund the police.”

Mamdani added, “The New York City Council tried to make the NYPD reduce its overtime budget by half. They simply refused. There is no negotiating with an institution this wicked & corrupt. Defund it. Dismantle it. End the cycle of violence.”

FEMA’s $64 Million Cut to NYC Sparks Fury

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/fema-s-64-million-cut-to-nyc-sparks-fury/ss-AA1KyL6W

Rolling Stone: Trump’s ICE Spent Half a Million on Tricked-Out Trucks for a Hype Video

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The vehicles, purchased for “recruitment purposes,” were styled to look like Trump’s private jet — another big expense

Donald Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is flush with cash after the president signed his so-called Big Beautiful Bill, so it should probably come as no surprise that the agency has decided to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on new trucks to showcase in social media posts. 

The Department of Homeland Security posted a video Thursday on X featuring music by rapper DaBaby and footage of a Ford Raptor pickup truck and GMC Yukon SUV traveling the streets of Washington, D.C., and parked outside the White House and the U.S. Capitol. The trucks, which have the same color scheme as Trump’s private jet, sport ICE’s logo and the phrase: “Defend the Homeland.” The words “President Donald J. Trump” appear on the back window of at least one of the vehicles.

The Homeland Security Department’s thread directs users to ICE’s job recruiting website, as it works toward hiring 10,000 officers. Another post with images of the trucks declares: “We will have our country back.”

In the past two weeks, Trump’s administration spent $384,000 on new Ford Raptors and GMC Yukons for “recruitment purposes,” according to federal procurement data. The administration also spent $182,000 this week on “graphic wrap design and application for law enforcement vehicles.” 

Under the Big Beautiful Bill, Trump’s legislation to slash taxes for the rich and health care for the poor, the administration received tens of billions of dollars to hire thousands of new ICE agents. Trump officials are now seeking to recruit agents all over the country, from coast to coast, border to border, to supercharge the president’s militarized immigration crackdown.

The decision to parade new ICE trucks around the nation’s capital comes as Trump has troops in the streets and is leading a federal takeover of Washington because a group of teenagers allegedly beat up a Trump administration staffer known as “Big Balls.”

A $560,000 expense on trucks and wraps the administration can use in social media posts looks downright frugal compared to the $200 million that DHS is spending on ads thanking Trump for deporting immigrants. (Those ad buys are being placed by the firm that bought most of the ads for Trump’s 2024 campaign.)

The Trump administration also spent up to $45 million on a military parade through D.C. on the president’s birthday.

Trump’s ICE Spent Half a Million on Tricked-Out Trucks for a Hype Video
It should probably come as no surprise that Trump’s admin would spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on new trucks to showcase on social media.

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-ice-spent-tricked-out-trucks-hype-video-social-media-1235408281

Rolling Stone: Trump’s Occupation of D.C. Is Hurting Local Businesses Too

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As fewer customers visit restaurants and bars, the president considers escalation by arming members of the National Guard in the capital city

Donald Trump‘s deployment of National Guard troops to the nation’s capital and forcing a federal law enforcement takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department is not only terrorizing residents and workers, it’s also harming local businesses. Washington, D.C., restaurants are experiencing significant drops in reservations, and bars are seeing fewer customers.

Online reservations for D.C. restaurants plunged more than 25 percent in the days immediately after Trump announced the takeover of D.C. police for the first time in the country’s history, according to OpenTable data, WUSA 9’s Jordan Fischer reported.

Trump announced the authoritarian occupation on Monday, and OpenTable reservations decreased by 16 percent compared to the same day last year. By Tuesday, reservations were down 27 percent. By Wednesday, that number rose to 31 percent.

This is not part of a national trend. Nationally, restaurants saw 12 percent gains in OpenTable reservations.

D.C. bar owners are noticing a similar disturbing decline in business, The Advocate reported. Crush Dance Bar, a LGBTQ+ inclusive business, saw a 75 percent drop in business this past Thursday. On Friday, business was just half of what they usually see.

“Washingtonians leaving the city to avoid the chaos on top of a reduction of tourism is crippling small businesses,” Crush’s co-owner, Mark Rutstein, told The Advocate.

Dave Perruzza, who owns gay D.C. sports bars Pitchers and A League of Her Own, said he lost an estimated $7,000 in just one night and noticed fewer people came from out of town.

“Thursdays are all local, but Fridays and Saturdays we get people from out of town, and we just had none of them. It was awful,” he told The Advocate.

People may be avoiding D.C. streets due to a rise in law enforcement presence, including immigration checkpoints, which have been met with protesters screams of “Go home, fascists.” One officer at a checkpoint said they were looking at drivers’ “driving eligibility” and “status.”

According to Attorney General Pam Bondi, federal and local law enforcement have arrested 300 people during the crackdown on D.C. Law enforcement has also targeted numerous homeless encampments since the federal takeover, destroying the belongings of countless unhoused people. Trump has said he wants to ship unhoused people to locations “FAR” outside the district.

Sadly, it looks like conditions in the capital will only get worse, and the possibility of military violence against civilians will increase.

More troops — approximately 700, nearly doubling the current number of troops in D.C. to around 1500 — are on the way from Ohio, West Virginia, and South Carolina. The Wall Street Journal first reported Saturday that National Guard members were preparing to carry weapons, and a National Guard spokesperson told CBS News that deployed Guard members “may be armed consistent with their mission and training.”

Despite Trump’s insistence that the occupation is in response to crime and his claim that D.C. is facing “the worst violent crime ever,” the statistics show that violent crime in the capital is down 26 percent compared to last year. Last year, violent offenses reached their lowest levels in three decades.

“We are not experiencing spikes in crime,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said last Sunday on MSNBC. “In fact, we’re watching our crime numbers go down.”

Blue cities and states are hurting in other ways, thanks to Trump’s immigration policies, CNN reported. The number of private sector workers in California decreased by 750,000 from May to July, with Hispanic and Asian Americans making up the majority of losses. In New York City as well, fewer Hispanic men are participating in the labor force.

The occupation may not end with D.C. The capital and Los Angeles are testing grounds for the administration to prepare to militarize law enforcement in other Democratically-led cities. As Rolling Stone reported, the administration is already drawing up plans to do so.

Trump’s Occupation of D.C. Is Hurting Local Businesses Too
As fewer customers visit restaurants and bars, the president considers escalation by arming members of the National Guard in the capital city.

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/trump-occupation-dc-local-businesses-1235410277

MSNBC: Fanone to ICE officers: silence is complicity – ‘quit your job’

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Fanone to ICE officers: silence is complicity – ‘quit your job’
Retired DC Metropolitan police officer Michael Fanone was attacked by rioters on January 6th, a violent day that President Trump does not connect to DC’s alleged crime problem. Fanone joins Ali Velshi to react to the disproportionate response from the White House on what they deem a “dire public safety crisis” that requires a federal police force, warning “ICE is Donald Trump’s police department.”