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Today's Political News Compilation - Tuesday, January. 7, 2025
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Trump refuses to rule out use of military force to take control of Greenland and the Panama Canal
By WILL WEISSERT and ZEKE MILLERUpdated 7:11 PM CST, January 7, 2025
PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would not rule out the use of military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, as he declared U.S. control of both to be vital to American national security.
Speaking to reporters less than two weeks before he takes office on Jan. 20 and as a delegation of aides and advisers that includes Donald Trump Jr. is in Greenland, Trump left open the use of the American military to secure both territories. Trump’s intention marks a rejection of decades of U.S. policy that has prioritized self-determination over territorial expansion.
“I’m not going to commit to that,” Trump said, when asked if he would rule out the use of the military. “It might be that you’ll have to do something. The Panama Canal is vital to our country.” He added, “We need Greenland for national security purposes.”
Greenland, home to a large U.S. military base, is an autonomous territory of Denmark, a longtime U.S. ally and a founding member of NATO. Trump cast doubts on the legitimacy of Denmark’s claim to Greenland. ...
READ THE FULL STORY - AP
Republican-led January 6 investigation to be its own committee this Congress, GOP lawmaker says | CNN Politics
GOP Rep. Barry Loudermilk of Georgia posed with House Speaker Mike Johnson for a photograph to mark the start of the next Congress and left with a guarantee that his investigation into the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol will be formalized as a new committee.
www.cnn.comColorado governor walks a tightrope in approaching Trump. Deportations likely to be the first test
As Democratic governors across the country adapt to President-elect Donald Trump’s plans, some are trying to build a friendly relationship while others are strategizing ways to resist.
apnews.com
Medical debt banned from credit reports by new Biden administration rule
Unpaid medical bills will no longer appear on credit reports under a final rule announced by the Biden administration.
www.cbsnews.comMeta eliminates fact-checking in latest bow to Trump
Facebook and Instagram owner Meta says it’s scrapping its third-party fact-checking program and replacing it with “community notes” written by users similar to the model used by Elon Musk’s social platform X.
apnews.com
Trump says he wants to change Gulf of Mexico's name to "Gulf of America"
President-elect Donald Trump said renaming the gulf is "appropriate," blasting Mexico for the migrants crossing the southern border.
www.cbsnews.com
Trump team fires back after Dem senator declares 'The fight is just beginning'
Sen. Richard Blumenthal declared that the political battle is just starting after certification of President-elect Donald Trump's 2024 election victory.
Why Greenland? Remote but resource-rich island occupies a key position in a warming world
Greenland plays an outsized role in the daily weather experienced by billions of people and in the climate changes taking shape all over the planet.
apnews.com
Why Trump is likely so interested in Greenland - Washington Examiner
Donald Trump's push for acquiring Greenland may be motivated by a certain strategic calculus.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Trump says NATO countries are 'taking advantage' and should contribute 5% of GDP
The transatlantic alliance reached a milestone in 2024 when all non-U.S. NATO allies spent the 2% target on average for the first time.
www.usatoday.com
Trump warns ‘all hell will break out’ if Gaza hostages aren’t released before his inauguration | CNN Politics
President-elect Donald Trump warned that if the hostages whom Hamas is still holding in Gaza are not released by his inauguration on January 20, “all hell will break out in the Middle East” – offering one more stark indication of how much the incoming president would prefer to avoid inheriting...
www.cnn.com
Trudeau says 'not a snowball's chance in hell' Canada will join US
The comment follows Donald Trump's threat on Tuesday to use "economic force" to acquire its neighbour to the north.
www.bbc.com
Iran's nuclear program is nearing 'the point of no return,' France's Macron says
French President Emmanuel Macron is warning that Iran's nuclear program is approaching the "point of no return," calling it a top "security challenge."
Middle East latest: Israeli strikes kill 17 people in Gaza, nearly all of them women or kids
Gaza's Health Ministry says Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 17 Palestinians, nearly all of them women or children.
apnews.com
Johnson says no cuts to Social Security and Medicare to fund Trump's agenda
House Speaker Mike Johnson said cuts to Social Security and Medicare won't be part of the legislative plan being worked out to fund President-elect Donald Trump's agenda.
Biden administration asks court to block plea deal for alleged mastermind of 9/11 attacks
The Biden administration has asked a federal appeals court to block a plea agreement for accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed that would spare him the risk of the death penalty.
apnews.com
Where pivotal Trump Cabinet nominations stand - Washington Examiner
With less than two weeks to Inauguration Day, here's where some of Trump's most notable Cabinet nominees stand.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
LA fires latest updates: Fire chiefs warn death toll is likely to rise
Fivedeaths have been confirmed so far in the Los Angeles fires, which have been fanned by powerful winds.
www.bbc.com
Jimmy Carter lies in state at U.S. Capitol after eulogies by Kamala Harris and GOP leaders
A special service was held in the Capitol rotunda, with eulogies by Vice President Kamala Harris, Senate Republican leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
www.nbcnews.com[URL...
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