Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
Pilots assigned to an aviation brigade with the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command sit in the cockpit of a J-10 fighter jet during a round-the-clock flight training exercise in late February, 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Xiao Rui)
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Source: Bank for International Settlements
In the late 1980s, as the Iron Curtain fell, the US Army War College threw away its old Cold War playbook. In its place, trainee strategists were taught to see the world as Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous: or ‘VUCA’ for short. The implications were far-reaching. Out went the old certainties. And in came a new approach that stressed the importance of approaching problems from different angles, drawing on multiple perspectives and scenarios, learning from mistakes, making robust decisions, and communicating openly about the uncertainties.
Where the military began, the business world followed: VUCA begat a million Harvard Business Review articles. Inevitably perhaps, it lost some of its shine in the decades that followed. But today it’s back – with a vengeance. The rules of global trade have been turned on their head. New geopolitical realities are dawning. Artificial intelligence, the energy transition, demographic change and the long shadow of COVID-19 are fundamentally changing our concepts of economic activity and work. And Australia, like elsewhere, is seeking new sources of productivity growth. With the world in flux, companies, households and governments must change how they think, act and plan – just like those army cadets of the 1980s.
Monetary policy cannot affect these profound changes. But it does have one key job – and that is to ensure that, of all the things people do have to worry about, inflation is not one. High inflation hurts everyone. It hits living standards, particularly for those on low and fixed incomes. And it disrupts households and companies’ plans. The past few years have been a vivid reminder of that. Around the world, core inflation reached multi-decade highs (Graph 1).
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The Committee for Physical Culture and Sports of St. Petersburg summed up the results of student competitions among universities. More than 18 thousand athletes competed for awards in 65 sports. Representatives of 69 educational organizations of the city and Leningrad Region took part in the competitions.
The sports results were summed up in the absolute team championship, as well as in five categories depending on the contingent of students. The award ceremony took place on March 4 in the assembly hall of the NSU of Physical Education, Sports and Health named after P. F. Lesgaft. It was attended by the chairman of the Committee on Physical Education and Sports of St. Petersburg, Honored Master of Russia Anton Shantyr and acting rector of the university Vadim Grishkov.
In the overall team standings, the first place was taken by the NSU of Physical Education, Sports and Health named after P. F. Lesgaft. The second place was taken by the Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, and the third place was taken by the Baltic State Technical University “VOENMEKH” named after D. F. Ustinov.
In the comprehensive standings of the championship of universities for students with a contingent of over ten thousand students, the victory was won by Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, second place went to the National Research University ITMO, and third place went to the A. I. Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia.
The Baltic State Technical University took the lead in the team championship for students with a contingent of five to ten thousand students. The second place in this category went to the Saint Petersburg Mining University, and the third place went to the Saint Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design.
In the category for students with fewer than one thousand students, the Military Institute of Physical Culture won. The second place went to the St. Petersburg State Institute of Psychology and Social Work, and the bronze went to the St. Petersburg University of the Federal Penitentiary Service.
“I sincerely thank the rectors of St. Petersburg universities for their active position,” Anton Shantyr emphasized. “Together we are doing one important thing – we are taking care of the health of the nation. Eighteen thousand students who took part in the competition are a huge army of athletes, people who lead an active lifestyle and play sports at the call of their hearts.”
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China to increase defense budget by 7.2 percent in 2025, marking single-digit growth for 10th year
BEIJING, March 5 — China on Wednesday announced a 7.2-percent increase in its 2025 national defense budget, marking the 10th consecutive year of single-digit growth.
The country’s planned defense expenditure this year will be 1.784665 trillion yuan (about 249 billion U.S. dollars), according to a draft budget report submitted to the national legislature for deliberation.
The 7.2-percent increase is the same as the previous two years.
China’s defense expenditure as a percentage of GDP has been below 1.5 percent for many years, lower than the world average, Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the third session of the 14th National People’s Congress, told reporters Tuesday.
Amid prolonged conflicts as well as rising international and regional tensions, global defense spending in 2024 surged to an all-time high of about 2.43 trillion U.S. dollars.
The United States, which possesses the world’s largest nuclear arsenal, remained the world’s top military spender in 2024, accounting for 40 percent of the total.
Wu Qian, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, recently accused the high military outlay of the United States of being “concerning” to the international community.
“I believe that the United States should be the first to cut its nuclear arsenal and military expenditure, and put into practice ‘America First’ in this regard,” Wu said.
China’s military spending has long been a focal point of Western scrutiny, with the so-called “China threat” narrative being amplified almost every year.
However, the United States has pledged to spend no less than 3 percent of its GDP on national defense, and pushed all NATO members to increase their defense spending to 5 percent of their GDP.
In per-capita terms, China’s defense spending has been far less than that of Washington, too.
China upholds a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, with its military spending mainly focusing on protecting its sovereignty, security and development interests. China’s development strengthens the world’s forces for peace, and the country will never seek hegemony or engage in expansionism no matter what stage of development it reaches.
As China continues to play an increasingly important role on the global stage, its military has taken on greater responsibility in providing the international community with more public security goods.
Over the years, Chinese military personnel have frequently joined in international humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts, contributing significantly to global stability.
Moreover, China has sent over 50,000 peacekeepers to more than 20 countries and regions worldwide over the past 30-plus years, contributing the largest number of peacekeepers among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The Polytechnic University has become the venue for the All-Russian scientific and practical conference “Ensuring the security of important state and socially significant facilities of the Russian Federation in modern conditions”. The conference is held jointly with the Military Order of Zhukov Academy of the National Guard Troops of the Russian Federation within the framework of the agreement on cooperation in the field of research, educational and project work.
The welcoming speech was given by the SPbPU security projector Alexander Airapetyan and the deputy head of the academy for academic work Andrey Mertvishchev.
The conference was attended by students of SPbPU and cadets of the Academy of the National Guard Troops, representatives of the Central Office and the North-Western District of the National Guard Troops, teachers of the Polytechnic University, the Military Academy of the National Guard Troops, the St. Petersburg University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, and participants of the SVO.
Deputy Head of the Research and Development Department of the Main Directorate of Education and Science of the National Guard Troops Nikolai Ivchenko highlighted the main tasks of ensuring the security of important Russian state facilities that are subject to mandatory protection during a special military operation.
A teacher at the Higher School of Technosphere Security, retired Colonel General Anatoly Zaitsev, revealed the main threats and features of modern terrorism.
Roman Anokhin, a lecturer at the Department of Daily Activity Management at the Military Academy of the National Guard Troops, listed the adjusted tasks for ensuring the security of important state facilities based on the experience of the SVO.
Nikolay Voropaev, Head of the Technical Department of FLT Service LLC, presented advanced approaches to the construction of special protective structures.
The conference continued in the sections “Ensuring the safety of important state and socially significant facilities of the Russian Federation from natural and man-made emergencies” and “Protection of state and socially significant facilities of the Russian Federation from external and internal threats”.
The presentations were made by cadets of the Academy of the National Guard Troops Ilya Samozhnev, Alexander Ogurtsov, Danil Dainis, Vitaly Kaluzhnikov, Pavel Dogadin, Leonid Belikov, as well as students of the Higher School of Technosphere Safety Alisa Bakhareva, Kristina Mumdzhyan, Yulia Vasenina, Vadim Kurmyshov, Zoya Merkulova.
The participation of participants in the special military operation gave the conference special significance.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Republic of China Taiwan 3
MOFA expresses serious concern regarding Chinese PLA helicopter converging on Philippine government aircraft over South China Sea
Date：2025-02-20
Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
February 20, 2025No. 044On February 18, a Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) navy helicopter conducted dangerous maneuvers in airspace above Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal) in the South China Sea, converging on a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources aircraft on routine patrol. At one point, the two planes were only three meters apart, causing a hazardous situation for the Philippine aircraft. This follows another recent incident in which a Chinese PLA aircraft in the South China Sea dropped flares at close range, endangering an Australian Defence Force reconnaissance aircraft. China has once again interfered with and put at risk the aircraft of other countries in the South China Sea. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) condemns China’s unsafe, irresponsible, reckless, and provocative behavior, which threatens navigation and overflight safety.MOFA expresses serious concern regarding disputes in the South China Sea and calls on all parties to exercise restraint; abide by international law and relevant international norms; avoid taking any actions that could impact regional peace and stability; and continue working to resolve South China Sea issues in a peaceful and noncoercive manner through multilateral dialogues and dispute settlement mechanisms.MOFA reiterates the position of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on South China Sea issues below.(1) The South China Sea Islands are part of the territory of the ROC (Taiwan). That the ROC enjoys all rights over the South China Sea Islands and their relevant waters in accordance with international law and the law of the sea is beyond dispute.(2) The ROC (Taiwan) supports freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea and insists on the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law and the law of the sea, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Relevant multilateral dialogues and dispute settlement mechanisms should not exclude the participation of the ROC (Taiwan).(3) In line with the government’s four principles and five actions, the ROC (Taiwan) is willing to work with relevant countries to set aside differences and promote joint development to maintain and advance peace and stability in the South China Sea, as well as to protect and develop resources in the region. (E)
Source: US State of North Dakota
Note: View the affidavit and complaint here.
On March 2, 2025, the United States charged Mohammad Sharifullah, also known as “Jafar,” a member of the terrorist organization the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), with providing and conspiring to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2339B. Sharifullah has been arrested and is expected to appear in the Eastern District of Virginia on March 5, 2025.
“This evil ISIS-K terrorist orchestrated the brutal murder of 13 heroic Marines,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Under President Trump’s strong leadership on the world stage, this Department of Justice will ensure that terrorists like Mohammad Sharifullah have no safe haven, no second chances, and no worse enemy than the United States of America.”
“The lethal attack that killed 13 American service members and Afghan civilians during the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan was an act of terrorism,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “ISIS-K brazenly claimed responsibility for the carnage. Now thanks to the assistance of the FBI, Department of Justice, and the CIA, we have secured Sharifullah’s apprehension and transport to the U.S. to face American justice. The FBI will never forget the loss of these American heroes, we will continue to hunt down those who viciously murdered our warriors, we will find all responsible and bring them to justice.”
“The charges announced today carry an unmistakable message: the commitment of the United States to hold accountable all who facilitate and carry out acts of terror against us will never waver,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Our message to those who have been impacted by these horrific crimes is that you are not forgotten. We will continue to pursue justice no matter how long or how far it takes us.”
On Aug. 26, 2021, American and other Coalition military forces were conducting an evacuation operation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. Abbey Gate was the main entry point for the operation. Thousands of civilians were at Abbey Gate for evacuation.
At approximately 5:36 p.m., ISIS-K member Abdul Rahman al-Logari detonated a body-worn suicide bomb at Abbey Gate, killing 13 U.S. military service members and approximately 160 civilians.
During an interview with FBI Special Agents on March 2, 2025, after waiving his Miranda rights, Sharifullah admitted to helping prepare for the Abbey Gate attack, including scouting a route near the airport for an attacker. Sharifullah specifically checked for law enforcement and American or Taliban checkpoints; he then communicated to other ISIS-K members that he believed the route was clear and that the attacker would not be detected. Sharifullah also admitted to recognizing al-Logari as an ISIS-K operative he had previously known.
During his interview with the FBI, Sharifullah also admitted to supporting and conducting activities on behalf of ISIS-K in multiple other lethal attacks.
On June 20, 2016, a suicide bomber acting for ISIS-K detonated a bomb that killed over ten embassy guards and multiple civilians and wounded other soldiers guarding the Canadian embassy in Kabul. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack. As alleged in the complaint, prior to the attack, Sharifullah conducted surveillance to prepare the suicide bomber and later transported the bomber to the attack area.
On March 22, 2024, a group of ISIS-K gunmen attacked Crocus City Hall near Moscow, Russia. The attack killed approximately 130 people and injured numerous others. Russian authorities arrested four gunmen in connection with the attack. During his interview with the FBI, Sharifullah admitted that, on behalf of ISIS-K, he had shared instructions on how to use AK-style rifles and other weapons to would-be attackers. Sharifullah also admitted to recognizing two of the four arrested gunmen as those he had previously instructed.
If convicted, Sharifullah faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael P. Ben’Ary and Troy A. Edwards, Jr., for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorneys Alicia Cook, Charles Kovats, and Ryan White for the Department of Justice’s National Security Division are prosecuting the case.
The details described above are allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
February 20, 2025
No. 044
On February 18, a Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) navy helicopter conducted dangerous maneuvers in airspace above Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal) in the South China Sea, converging on a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources aircraft on routine patrol. At one point, the two planes were only three meters apart, causing a hazardous situation for the Philippine aircraft. This follows another recent incident in which a Chinese PLA aircraft in the South China Sea dropped flares at close range, endangering an Australian Defence Force reconnaissance aircraft. China has once again interfered with and put at risk the aircraft of other countries in the South China Sea. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) condemns China’s unsafe, irresponsible, reckless, and provocative behavior, which threatens navigation and overflight safety.
MOFA expresses serious concern regarding disputes in the South China Sea and calls on all parties to exercise restraint; abide by international law and relevant international norms; avoid taking any actions that could impact regional peace and stability; and continue working to resolve South China Sea issues in a peaceful and noncoercive manner through multilateral dialogues and dispute settlement mechanisms.
MOFA reiterates the position of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on South China Sea issues below.
(1) The South China Sea Islands are part of the territory of the ROC (Taiwan). That the ROC enjoys all rights over the South China Sea Islands and their relevant waters in accordance with international law and the law of the sea is beyond dispute.
(2) The ROC (Taiwan) supports freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea and insists on the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law and the law of the sea, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Relevant multilateral dialogues and dispute settlement mechanisms should not exclude the participation of the ROC (Taiwan).
(3) In line with the government’s four principles and five actions, the ROC (Taiwan) is willing to work with relevant countries to set aside differences and promote joint development to maintain and advance peace and stability in the South China Sea, as well as to protect and develop resources in the region. (E)
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
WASHINGTON—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) today released the following video and statement in response to President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress:
Remarks as prepared for delivery:
“Good evening. A few moments ago, President Donald Trump concluded his first address to Congress as our nation’s 47th president.
“After hearing from our President, I walked out of that Chamber beaming with optimism, pride, and hope for the future of our nation. The golden age of America is here in full swing.
“The contrast between what we experienced together the last four years under Joe Biden and now could not be clearer.
“We witnessed the greatest political comeback in history during the 2024 election of President Trump. Now we are seeing our nation on a comeback and, as President Trump said tonight, the renewal of the American Dream. Never have I been more excited about being part of a movement like this.
“The success of the Trump Administration in just the first six weeks has been nothing short of remarkable.
“In fact, this Administration has done so much in such a short time that many people have likely had a tough time keeping up with all of the wins.
“Within hours of taking office, President Trump began the critical mission to secure our southern border. Under his instruction, Immigration and Customs Enforcement began apprehending and deporting illegal gang members, rapists, and murderers, and he immediately put an end to the Biden-era tidal wave of immigration. Over 20,000 illegal immigrants were arrested by ICE in a single month — that’s almost as many as Biden’s entire last year in office.
“Since that decisive and needed action, we have seen a 94 percent drop in attempted illegal crossings year over year across our southern border—let me remind you, Donald Trump has been in office just six weeks.
“American sovereignty is back.
“President Trump’s agenda is spurring action across the board. The Biden Administration’s ‘America Last’ approach is over.
“Putting ‘America First’ is back.
“Under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the State Department is now standing up for our nation against our adversaries and standing with our ally Israel, getting it the security assistance that it needs to defend itself against Hamas terrorists, and reversing the anti-Israel and pro-Iran policies of the Biden Administration.
“American leadership on the world stage is back.
“The same is happening at the Department of Defense under the leadership of Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“The days of prioritizing DEI initiatives and pronouns are in the past. Military readiness, lethality, and strength are back.
“Under Joe Biden and his Administration, respect for America across the globe had deteriorated. Just look at the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021, or Communist China flying a spy balloon over our country for 10 days. Look at Biden destroying our energy independence and enriching and emboldening Russia to invade Ukraine in 2022, or the horrific and evil attack by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists against Israel on October 7, 2023. For every Biden diplomacy disaster, our adversaries were further empowered.
“But things have changed under President Trump. Foreign nations are no longer taking advantage of us, our President is standing up for our country, and decisions are being made in the best interest of the American taxpayer. You need only to look at President Trump and Vice President Vance’s meeting with President Zelensky last week.
“America’s worldwide respect is back.
“Another thing Americans deeply care about that has been a top priority for this Administration is ending the weaponization of our justice system.
“Thanks to President Trump, Freedom of Speech has prevailed over censorship, and intelligence officials who abused their position to influence an election are finally being held accountable. And I’m confident that this much-needed reform will continue under the leadership of Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi.
“Americans’ trust in our Justice system is on its way back.
“In addition to our foreign policy, our economy is turning around because of President Trump’s pro-growth and pro-business mindset and de-regulatory approach.
“One of the most critical ways he is already spurring economic growth is by unleashing digital assets innovation and unburdening the industry from predatory, confusing, and often contradictory regulations.
“And in a broader move, his executive order on regulation states that ten regulations will be repealed for every new regulation proposed. Because of this, many unnecessary, bloated, and burdensome regulations will be repealed in order to restore economic dynamism in America. Optimism is climbing across the country.
“Economic growth is back.
“Americans last November overwhelmingly declared that they wanted to see change in Washington. In just six weeks, President Trump is delivering on their mandate.
“Because of the efforts of the Department of Government Efficiency, we are cutting wasteful, abusive, and fraudulent spending across our federal government—saving millions of hardworking Americans’ tax dollars.
“Transparency is back.
“All of these wins, all of this restoration and revitalization, are just the start of a new golden age in America. There is so much more to get done in order to deliver on the promises that were made to the American people—and I look forward to working with President Trump to deliver.
“These six weeks under the Trump Administration and the President’s address tonight make me incredibly optimistic for what’s to come in the next four years, and I think the American people feel the same way.
“The State of our Nation—the greatest nation the world has ever seen—is already stronger than it was the last four years, and getting stronger by the day.
“As your Senator, I will work with President Trump to do everything I can in the United States Senate to place the America people first, making our economy the most competitive it can be, our military as lethal as it can be, and our diplomacy as effective as it can be to advance America’s interests.
“Thank you, and may God bless.”
Source: United States Attorneys General 9
Note: View the affidavit and complaint here.
On March 2, 2025, the United States charged Mohammad Sharifullah, also known as “Jafar,” a member of the terrorist organization the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), with providing and conspiring to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2339B. Sharifullah has been arrested and is expected to appear in the Eastern District of Virginia on March 5, 2025.
“This evil ISIS-K terrorist orchestrated the brutal murder of 13 heroic Marines,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Under President Trump’s strong leadership on the world stage, this Department of Justice will ensure that terrorists like Mohammad Sharifullah have no safe haven, no second chances, and no worse enemy than the United States of America.”
“The lethal attack that killed 13 American service members and Afghan civilians during the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan was an act of terrorism,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “ISIS-K brazenly claimed responsibility for the carnage. Now thanks to the assistance of the FBI, Department of Justice, and the CIA, we have secured Sharifullah’s apprehension and transport to the U.S. to face American justice. The FBI will never forget the loss of these American heroes, we will continue to hunt down those who viciously murdered our warriors, we will find all responsible and bring them to justice.”
“The charges announced today carry an unmistakable message: the commitment of the United States to hold accountable all who facilitate and carry out acts of terror against us will never waver,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Our message to those who have been impacted by these horrific crimes is that you are not forgotten. We will continue to pursue justice no matter how long or how far it takes us.”
On Aug. 26, 2021, American and other Coalition military forces were conducting an evacuation operation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. Abbey Gate was the main entry point for the operation. Thousands of civilians were at Abbey Gate for evacuation.
At approximately 5:36 p.m., ISIS-K member Abdul Rahman al-Logari detonated a body-worn suicide bomb at Abbey Gate, killing 13 U.S. military service members and approximately 160 civilians.
During an interview with FBI Special Agents on March 2, 2025, after waiving his Miranda rights, Sharifullah admitted to helping prepare for the Abbey Gate attack, including scouting a route near the airport for an attacker. Sharifullah specifically checked for law enforcement and American or Taliban checkpoints; he then communicated to other ISIS-K members that he believed the route was clear and that the attacker would not be detected. Sharifullah also admitted to recognizing al-Logari as an ISIS-K operative he had previously known.
During his interview with the FBI, Sharifullah also admitted to supporting and conducting activities on behalf of ISIS-K in multiple other lethal attacks.
On June 20, 2016, a suicide bomber acting for ISIS-K detonated a bomb that killed over ten embassy guards and multiple civilians and wounded other soldiers guarding the Canadian embassy in Kabul. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack. As alleged in the complaint, prior to the attack, Sharifullah conducted surveillance to prepare the suicide bomber and later transported the bomber to the attack area.
On March 22, 2024, a group of ISIS-K gunmen attacked Crocus City Hall near Moscow, Russia. The attack killed approximately 130 people and injured numerous others. Russian authorities arrested four gunmen in connection with the attack. During his interview with the FBI, Sharifullah admitted that, on behalf of ISIS-K, he had shared instructions on how to use AK-style rifles and other weapons to would-be attackers. Sharifullah also admitted to recognizing two of the four arrested gunmen as those he had previously instructed.
If convicted, Sharifullah faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael P. Ben’Ary and Troy A. Edwards, Jr., for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorneys Alicia Cook, Charles Kovats, and Ryan White for the Department of Justice’s National Security Division are prosecuting the case.
The details described above are allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: United States Department of Justice 2
Note: View the affidavit and complaint here.
On March 2, 2025, the United States charged Mohammad Sharifullah, also known as “Jafar,” a member of the terrorist organization the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), with providing and conspiring to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2339B. Sharifullah has been arrested and is expected to appear in the Eastern District of Virginia on March 5, 2025.
“This evil ISIS-K terrorist orchestrated the brutal murder of 13 heroic Marines,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Under President Trump’s strong leadership on the world stage, this Department of Justice will ensure that terrorists like Mohammad Sharifullah have no safe haven, no second chances, and no worse enemy than the United States of America.”
“The lethal attack that killed 13 American service members and Afghan civilians during the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan was an act of terrorism,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “ISIS-K brazenly claimed responsibility for the carnage. Now thanks to the assistance of the FBI, Department of Justice, and the CIA, we have secured Sharifullah’s apprehension and transport to the U.S. to face American justice. The FBI will never forget the loss of these American heroes, we will continue to hunt down those who viciously murdered our warriors, we will find all responsible and bring them to justice.”
“The charges announced today carry an unmistakable message: the commitment of the United States to hold accountable all who facilitate and carry out acts of terror against us will never waver,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Our message to those who have been impacted by these horrific crimes is that you are not forgotten. We will continue to pursue justice no matter how long or how far it takes us.”
On Aug. 26, 2021, American and other Coalition military forces were conducting an evacuation operation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. Abbey Gate was the main entry point for the operation. Thousands of civilians were at Abbey Gate for evacuation.
At approximately 5:36 p.m., ISIS-K member Abdul Rahman al-Logari detonated a body-worn suicide bomb at Abbey Gate, killing 13 U.S. military service members and approximately 160 civilians.
During an interview with FBI Special Agents on March 2, 2025, after waiving his Miranda rights, Sharifullah admitted to helping prepare for the Abbey Gate attack, including scouting a route near the airport for an attacker. Sharifullah specifically checked for law enforcement and American or Taliban checkpoints; he then communicated to other ISIS-K members that he believed the route was clear and that the attacker would not be detected. Sharifullah also admitted to recognizing al-Logari as an ISIS-K operative he had previously known.
During his interview with the FBI, Sharifullah also admitted to supporting and conducting activities on behalf of ISIS-K in multiple other lethal attacks.
On June 20, 2016, a suicide bomber acting for ISIS-K detonated a bomb that killed over ten embassy guards and multiple civilians and wounded other soldiers guarding the Canadian embassy in Kabul. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack. As alleged in the complaint, prior to the attack, Sharifullah conducted surveillance to prepare the suicide bomber and later transported the bomber to the attack area.
On March 22, 2024, a group of ISIS-K gunmen attacked Crocus City Hall near Moscow, Russia. The attack killed approximately 130 people and injured numerous others. Russian authorities arrested four gunmen in connection with the attack. During his interview with the FBI, Sharifullah admitted that, on behalf of ISIS-K, he had shared instructions on how to use AK-style rifles and other weapons to would-be attackers. Sharifullah also admitted to recognizing two of the four arrested gunmen as those he had previously instructed.
If convicted, Sharifullah faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael P. Ben’Ary and Troy A. Edwards, Jr., for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorneys Alicia Cook, Charles Kovats, and Ryan White for the Department of Justice’s National Security Division are prosecuting the case.
The details described above are allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: The White House
The address received widespread acclaim. 76% of Americans approved of the speech, according to a CBS poll, while a CNN poll showed 69% of Americans had a positive reaction.
Praise immediately poured in:
Speaker Mike Johnson: “Tonight, President Trump made his triumphant return to Congress to share his bold, optimistic vision for renewing the American Dream.”
Sen. Ted Cruz: “This is the fifth State of the Union address I’ve seen Trump give — it was by far his best.”
Fox News’s Bret Baier: “The best moment — emotional moment, was DJ, who’s battling cancer. He wanted to be a police officer and during the speech, the president said the Secret Service has made him an agent.”
Fox News’s Brit Hume: “If you ever doubted that Donald Trump is the political colossus of our time and our nation, this night and this speech should have put that to rest.”
Geraldo Rivera: “Trump was strong, defiant and entertaining.”
Clay Travis: “This is the best speech of Donald Trump’s career. Just a phenomenal litany of common sense and rational leadership. Great and heartwarming guests. It’s a grand slam.”
Chris Cillizza: “That was a very effective speech. You can hate it or him. But that speech was aimed squarely at issues where the public is with Trump — and filled with made-for-sharing moments. A master image-maker at work (and you can hate him and acknowledge that’s true!)”
Riley Gaines: “I am just left feeling inspired and hopeful and there’s so much to look forward to.”
Amber Rose: “Donald Trump just gave the greatest presidential speech of all-time.”
Reince Priebus: “I thought it was extremely strong. When he talked about… common sense revolution, giving the government back to The People… I thought was really insightful.”
Breitbart’s Matthew Boyle: “This speech is one of Trump’s best ever, and the Democrat behavior during it has been not only despicable but also colossally politically stupid. Whoever is advising these idiots just steered their party into an even deeper ditch than Joe Biden and Kamala Harris left them in.”
Pennsylvania resident: “I thought it was very positive… We used to be a country that would just let everything happen… I think now, we’re taking back things that should’ve never been given away. So, I think doing those tariffs… it’s well overdue.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio: “An inspiring and momentous speech. @POTUS returned to the White House with a clear mandate from the American people to renew the American Dream. His address tonight laid out exactly how he is keeping those promises with a vision of peace through strength, and a stronger, safer, and more prosperous United States.”
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem: “Tonight, President Trump laid out his vision to renew the American dream. In just a few short weeks, President Trump’s immigration and border security policies have led to an all-time-low in illegal crossings at the southern border. The message is clear: America’s borders are closed to lawbreakers.”
Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent: “Strength. Prosperity. Peace. Tonight, President Trump shared his historic vision for our nation in renewing the American dream. He has done more in the past six weeks for the American people, than the previous administration in four years.”
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum: “The previous administration used a whole-of-government approach to oppose reliable, affordable U.S. energy production in favor of unreliable, unaffordable intermittent sources. The Trump administration is working overtime to undo all the damage done during the Biden years and we are fast-tracking America’s path to a New Golden Age through Energy Dominance!”
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth: “Thank you @POTUS it is the honor of my life to serve the American warfighter.”
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins: “@POTUS spoke loud and clear on American agriculture. He loves America’s farmers, and they have no more faithful friend nor more powerful champion. He will defend them, and if anyone doubted it — they don’t after tonight.”
Secretary of Energy Chris Wright: “President Trump is renewing the American Dream, and we here @Energy are with him every step of the way to unleash American energy dominance!”
UN Ambassador-designate Elise Stefanik: “In just one month under President Trump, Americans have experienced record results and the renewal of the American Dream with the triumphant return of strong leadership to the Oval Office. From securing the border, to cutting wasteful spending of our hard earned taxpayer dollars, to reasserting America First peace through strength leadership to the world stage, President Trump has delivered the most exceptional first month of an American presidency in history. Promises made, promises kept. The American Golden Age is here.”
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner: “The American people sent President Trump to enact generational change in Washington. What @POTUS has accomplished in less than two months is nothing short of remarkable. This is what America first feels like.”
Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler: “This was a tour de force of a President who, in 42 days, has more accomplishments than Joe Biden had in four years — It is a new day in America and people at home had to have loved what they’ve seen from this great President.”
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon: “Tremendous address by President Trump tonight. America is back, & the work is only beginning. I will work hard to make @POTUS’ vision for education a reality — preparing our students for the workforce & empowering their parents will be vital to our nation’s future success.”
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin: “This vision of President Trump will usher in the greatest four years in American history. Honored to be a part of this amazing Cabinet working hard to restore our nation to glory. Will continue to do my part @EPA to Power the Great American Comeback.”
Sen. Bernie Moreno: “An inspiring, emotional address from @realDonaldTrump!! But crazed partisan Dems refused to applaud even a brave young man like DJ. Appalling!”
Sen. Rick Scott: “Under President Trump’s strong leadership, our allies respect us, our adversaries fear us, and the world respects us again!”
Sen. Marsha Blackburn: “What a great night! President Trump gave a fantastic address and laid out the many accomplishments he and his administration have made during these first six weeks back in office for the American people.”
Sen. Markwayne Mullin: “@POTUS commanded the podium for TWO hours. He’s restoring the American Dream with relentless determination. “The Golden Age of America has only just begun.”
Sen. John Cornyn: “One of the best lines from President Trump tonight during his state of the union speech: to secure the border we didn’t need any new laws, what we needed was a new president! Amen.”
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito: “@POTUS delivered a strong vision for our country—one that prioritizes border security, unleashing American energy, strengthening our military, and providing tax relief for families.”
Sen. Ted Budd: “Tonight was about promises made, promises kept.”
Sen. Jim Risch: “Excellent speech, Mr. President! I am proud to work with my Republican colleagues to support President Trump’s renewal of the American Dream. @POTUS is the strong leader America needs!”
Sen. Pete Ricketts: “It’s time to get our economy back on track. Under @POTUS’ first administration, America’s economy was strong. Tonight, we heard him commit to restoring prosperity and supporting American families. Relief is on its way—and not a minute too soon.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley: “Pres Trump delivered a strong state of the union address He’s working w Congress to make America safer + stronger + restore common sense in govt After an impactful start to his presidency there’s a lot more work 2do”
Sen. Jon Husted: “Tonight, the president outlined what he’s doing to make our country secure, strong, and prosperous.”
Sen. Katie Britt: “Tonight @POTUS made it clear: We’re putting Americans first—securing our nation, making streets safe, growing our prosperity, and unleashing our energy potential.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham: “My take on President @realDonaldTrump’s address tonight: Inspiring, funny, compelling and the Democrats’ worst nightmare.”
Chairwoman Lisa McClain: “President Trump’s message to the American people is clear: America is BACK.”
Rep. Claudia Tenney: “This was one of the most tremendous experiences of my life. Donald Trump hit it out of the park.”
Rep. Brandon Gill: “Help is here. Hope is here. President Trump is here.”
Rep. Mark Alford: “What a speech and what a time to be in America.”
Rep. Stephanie Bice: “President Trump’s speech was a testament to the vision of the American people which was suppressed under President Biden.”
Rep. Gary Palmer: “President Trump’s speech tonight was the embodiment of ‘promises made, promises kept.’”
Rep. Troy Downing: “What a speech. It’s never been so clear that a new golden age is upon us. From securing our border, to unleashing American energy, to rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse, @POTUS is delivering on the promises that he ran on. A great night to be an American!”
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna: “Tonight was historic. President Trump said he was saved by God to Make America Great Again- and THAT is our mandate.”
Rep. Nancy Mace: “Best speech ever.”
Rep. Jim Jordan: “Incredible speech by President Trump! Confident. Empowering. Leadership.”
Rep. Blake Moore: “It was an honor to attend President Trump’s Joint Session tonight. He and his administration have swiftly responded to the call of Americans to secure our border, unleash domestic energy production, address rampant crime, tackle the difficult task to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in our government, and more. There is much to do legislatively in the coming months to ensure a strong economy and defense, and I look forward to working with the Trump administration to accomplish this agenda.”
Rep. Mike Kennedy: “President Trump has emerged as the leader the United States needs right now. I look forward to working alongside him to advance our nation’s prosperity.”
Rep. Victoria Spartz: “Great speech by President Trump! The State of the Union is strong!”
Rep. Julia Letlow: “President Trump delivered a strong message emphasizing the promises he is keeping to secure our border, increase energy production, fix the Biden economy, and reassert American leadership.”
Rep. Dan Meuser: “Tonight, President Trump reaffirmed his commitment to the Renewal of the American Dream and made clear that Promises Made, Promises Kept is not just a slogan—it’s a reality.”
Rep. Ron Estes: “It was great to welcome President Trump back to Congress and I look forward to continuing to work with him to advance the America First policy agenda that will restore our nation.”
Rep. Mike Flood: “President @realDonaldTrump’s speech to Congress was a celebration of America and the renewal our country is experiencing.”
Rep. Sam Graves: “The Golden Age of America has ARRIVED. Thank you, President Trump!”
Rep. Beth Van Duyne: “In just six weeks, President Trump has made incredible progress for America: the most secure borders in our lifetime without any new money or legislation; through DOGE, he has exposed the massive fraud and money laundering of billions of dollars in the federal government; brought in more manufacturing investments (Apple, TSMC, Honda) than the entire Biden presidency; and he is working with Congress to deliver long term reforms to lower costs and expand opportunities for our hard working families.”
Rep. Brad Finstad: “Tonight, @POTUS made clear he is putting the American people first. Since taking office, he has begun reining in an oversized, inefficient government, brought safety and security back to our communities, and restored common sense to the @WhiteHouse.”
Rep. Rudy Yakym: “America is back! I look forward to working with President Trump to continue delivering for Hoosiers and all Americans.”
Rep. Ben Cline: “President Trump just delivered a bold, positive vision to secure our border, revive our economy, and restore American strength. Leadership is back, our enemies are on notice, and we’re making America great again.”
Rep. Doug LaMalfa: “Tonight, President Trump delivered a strong and optimistic message about the renewal of the American Dream. He highlighted the progress made in rebuilding our economy, securing our border, and restoring America’s leadership on the world stage.”
Rep. Dale Strong: “President Trump is delivering on his promises. He has secured our borders and is working to revitalize our economy. The United States is seen as a symbol of strength across the globe once again, and tonight’s address proves that this administration is ready and willing to help hardworking American families.”
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
On the eve of International Women’s Day, most social institutions in the capital will maintain their operating hours. However, registry offices, some medical organizations, Moscow Longevity Centers, and My Documents offices will switch to a special schedule. This was reported by Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Social Development.
“In anticipation of March 8, the capital has planned many pleasant surprises for Muscovites, including concerts, exhibitions and, of course, flowers. At the same time, we are trying to do everything so that residents continue to receive the necessary assistance and services during the holiday weekend. Therefore, most social institutions, including clinics, milk distribution points, emergency rooms, veterinary clinics, will fully maintain their usual schedule or will work in a reduced mode. At the same time, some organizations, such as government service centers and registry offices, will be closed on March 8,” the deputy mayor said.
Adult clinics will be open from 09:00 to 16:00 on March 8 and 9. Home care will be provided at the same time. ARVI offices will also accept patients from 09:00 to 16:00. 24-hour emergency rooms will continue to operate without changes. Children’s clinics will provide home care from 09:00 to 15:00. Of the antenatal clinics, only those with 10 or more sites will be open on holiday weekends. You can go there from 09:00 to 16:00. Milk distribution points will maintain their previous working hours – from 06:30 to 15:00.
Moscow Longevity Centers will be closed on March 8. The working hours of the Unified Support Center for Participants in the Special Military Operation and their Families will not change on Saturday. 24-hour psychological assistance is available by phone: 051 (from a landline) or 7 495 051 (from a mobile). State veterinary clinics, employment centers, family and rehabilitation centers will maintain their normal working hours.
All wedding palaces will be open until 17:00 on March 7. Civil registry offices (including wedding palaces No. 1 and 4) will be closed on March 8.
Educational institutions and reading rooms of the Main Archives will operate as usual on Saturday and Sunday.
The My Documents government service centers will not accept applicants on March 8. District centers will resume work on March 9 and will be open from 08:00 to 20:00, and flagship offices and the Palace of Government Services at VDNKh – from 10:00 to 22:00.
The capital has prepared a festive program for International Women’s Day. From March 5 to 9, postcards with masterpieces from the Pushkin Museum will be available at the My Documents government service centers. Each postcard contains a compliment and information about the heroines of the paintings and the artists. The Main Archives exhibitions dedicated to representatives of different eras and professions will open on the streets. The Sistema Gallery art space in the capital will host an exhibition of photographs telling about the inspiring path of women to success. And visitors to women’s health centers and government service centers will be presented with flowers on the eve of the holiday.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/150941073/
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Press release
Atos reports full year 2024 results
Recovery of the commercial activity in Q4 2024
FY 2024 revenue: €9,577 million, down -5.4% organically, impacted by previously-established contract terminations or scope reductions and by market softness in key geographies
Operating margin of 2.1% at €199m, with Eviden at 2.0% and Tech Foundations at 2.2%
Free cash flow at €-2,233 million reflecting the end of one-off working capital optimization actions and higher capex linked to High Performance Computing contracts
Net income group share of €248 million, including notably:
Paris, March 5, 2025 – Atos, a global leader in digital transformation, high-performance computing and information technology infrastructure, today announces its 2024 financial results.
Philippe Salle, Atos Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, declared:
“It was with great enthusiasm and conviction that I have joined the Atos Group in October 2024. Now that our financial restructuring has been successfully completed in December, the Group can focus on its transformation journey and on providing the highest level of support to our customers through innovation and quality of service. I will present my vision for Atos and our mid-term strategy during a Capital Markets Day on May 14.
During the fourth quarter, our commercial activity recovered thanks to the positive change of perception of our clients, who took note of the improvement of our credit rating. This positive commercial momentum materialized in renewals or extensions of large strategic multi-year contracts.
I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the teams involved for their outstanding contribution to the financial structuring of the company and to our employees, customers and partners for their continued support.”
FY 2024 performance highlights
| In € million | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | Var. | FY 2023* | Organic Var. | |
| Revenue | 9,577 | 10,693 | -10.4% | 10,124 | -5.4% | |
| Operating Margin | 199 | 467 | -268 | 423 | -224 | |
| In % of revenue | 2.1% | 4.4% | -230bps | 4.2% | -210bps | |
| OMDA | 722 | 1,026 | -304 | |||
| In % of revenue | 7.6% | 9.6% | -200bps | |||
| Net income | 248 | -3,441 | 3,689 | |||
| Free Cash Flow | -2,233 | -1,078 | -1,154 | |||
| Net debt excl. IFRS 9 fair value treatment | -1,238 | -2,230 | 992 | |||
| Net debt | -275 | -2,230 | 1,955 |
*: at constant scope and December 2024 average exchange rates
FY 2024 performance by Business
| In € million | FY 2024 Revenue |
FY 2023 revenue |
FY 2023 revenue* |
Organic variation* |
| Eviden | 4,604 | 5,089 | 4,937 | -6.7% |
| Tech Foundations | 4,972 | 5,604 | 5,187 | -4.1% |
| Total | 9,577 | 10,693 | 10,124 | -5.4% |
| In € million | FY 2024 Operating margin |
FY 2023 Operating margin | FY 2023 Operating margin* |
FY 2024 Operating margin % |
FY 2023 Operating margin% | FY 2023 Operating margin%* | Organic variation* | |
| Eviden | 90 | 294 | 272 | 2.0% | 5.8% | 5.5% | -350 bps | |
| Tech Foundations | 109 | 172 | 151 | 2.2% | 3.1% | 2.9% | -70 bps | |
| Total | 199 | 467 | 423 | 2.1% | 4.4% | 4.2% | -210 bps |
*: at constant scope and December 2024 average exchange rates
Group revenue was €9,577 million, down -5.4% organically compared with FY 2023. Overall, Group revenue evolution in 2024 reflects previously-established contract terminations or scope reductions and market softness in key geographies
Eviden revenue was €4,604 million, down -6.7% organically.
Tech Foundations revenue was €4,972 million, down -4.1% organically.
Group operating margin was €199 million representing 2.1% of revenue, down -210 basis points organically compared with 2023:
FY 2024 performance by Regional Business Unit
| In € million | FY 2024 Revenue |
FY 2023 revenue |
FY 2023 revenue* |
Organic variation* |
| North America | 1,909 | 2,280 | 2,177 | -12.3% |
| UK / IR | 1,500 | 1,770 | 1,763 | -14.9% |
| Benelux and the Nordics (BTN) | 946 | 911 | 905 | +4.6% |
| Central Europe | 2,207 | 2,506 | 2,253 | -2.1% |
| Southern Europe | 2,080 | 2,284 | 2,119 | -1.9% |
| Growing markets | 924 | 930 | 893 | +3.4% |
| Others & Global structures | 11 | 12 | 13 | -16.3% |
| Total | 9,577 | 10,693 | 10,124 | -5.4% |
| In € million | FY 2024 Operating margin |
FY 2023 Operating margin | FY 2023 Operating margin* |
FY 2024 Operating margin % |
FY 2023 Operating margin% | FY 2023 Operating margin%* | Organic variation* | |
| North America | 161 | 244 | 229 | 8.5% | 10.7% | 10.5% | -200 bps | |
| UK / IR | 72 | 75 | 77 | 4.8% | 4.2% | 4.3% | +40 bps | |
| Benelux and the Nordics (BTN) | 7 | 23 | 23 | 0.8% | 2.5% | 2.5% | -170 bps | |
| Central Europe | 10 | 31 | 23 | 0.5% | 1.3% | 1.0% | -60 bps | |
| Southern Europe | 80 | 99 | 82 | 3.9% | 4.3% | 3.9% | +0 bps | |
| Growing markets | 31 | 92 | 88 | 3.4% | 9.9% | 9.9% | -650 bps | |
| Others & Global structures | -163 | -97 | -98 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Total | 199 | 467 | 423 | 2.1% | 4.4% | 4.2% | -210 bps |
*: at constant scope and December 2024 average exchange rates
North America revenue was €1,909 million, down -12.3% organically, impacted by contract terminations and general slowdown in market conditions.
Operating margin was €161 million or 8.5% of revenue, down -200 basis points organically.
UK & Ireland revenue was €1,500 million, down -14.9% organically.
Operating margin was €72 million, or 4.8% of revenue, up +40 basis points organically. Tech Foundations margin benefited from the extension of a large multi-year contract renewed at better financial terms, while Eviden margin was impacted by revenue decline and lower utilization of resources in Digital.
Benelux and the Nordics revenue was € 946 million, up +4.6% organically
Operating margin was €7 million, or 0.8% of revenue, down -170 basis points organically. Profitability was impacted by project overruns and lower utilization of resources in Digital.
Central Europe revenue was € 2,207 million, down -2.1% organically.
Operating margin was €10 million or 0.5% of revenue, down -60 basis points organically. Tech Foundations’ margin improvement was offset by Eviden’s profitability decrease.
Southern Europe revenue was €2,080 million, down -1.9% organically.
Operating margin was €80 million or 3.9% of revenue, broadly stable organically. BDS’ margin improvement driven by ongoing contracts deliveries was partially offset by Eviden profitability decrease due to lower utilization of resources in Digital.
Growing Market revenue was €924 million, up +3.4% organically, reflecting stronger contributions related to the Paris Olympic & Paralympic Games and the UEFA contract.
Operating margin was €31 million or 3.4% of revenue, down -650 basis points reflecting higher marketing expenses for Major Events.
Others and Global Structures encompass the Group’s global delivery centers and global structures:
Order entry and backlog
FY 2024 commercial activity
Order entry reached €7.9 billion in 2024. Eviden order entry was €4.1 billion and Tech Foundations order entry was €3.8 billion.
Book-to-bill ratio for the Group was 82% in 2024, down from 94% in 2023.
Q4 2024 commercial activity
Order entry reached €2.7 billion in Q4 2024 bringing book to bill ratio to 117% for the quarter, benefitting from renewed client confidence thanks to the completion of the financial restructuring.
Eviden reported a book-to-bill ratio of 111% for the fourth quarter, increasing strongly by +12 points compared with Q4 2023, notably led by a strong performance of Digital with a book to bill at 127%.
Main contract signatures in the fourth quarter included an application management services contract with a Ministry of Economy, contract renewals in application management and cybersecurity services with a large American retail company and with a large health provider, as well as a High-Performance Computer (HPC) upgrade with a European scientific community.
Tech Foundations reported a book-to-bill ratio of 122% for the fourth quarter, increasing by +6 points compared with Q4 2023.
Main contract signatures in the fourth quarter included a 4-years contract extension for IT and digital transformation services with a state-owned savings bank. Several multi-year strategic contracts were renewed, in particular to provide Digital Workplace and Hybrid Cloud & Infrastructure services for North American and UK & Ireland customers in Financial Services, Public Sector, and Transport & Logistic.
Backlog & commercial pipeline
At the end of December 2024, the full backlog reached €13.0 billion representing 1.3 years of revenue.
The full qualified pipeline amounted to €4.3 billion at the end of December 2024, representing 5.1 months of revenue.
Human resources
The total headcount was 78,112 at the end of December 2024, decreasing by -17.9% compared with the end of December 2023 and includes:
During the year, the Group hired 9,388 staff (of which 93.3% were Direct employees).
Employe attrition rate remained in line with historical levels, increasing slightly from 14.5% in 2023 to 15.6% in 2024. FY 2024 retention rate for key employees remained high at 92%.
Net income
Net income group share was €248 million, primarily due to a €3,520 million financial gain related to the financial restructuring of the Group and a €2,858 million cost recorded in Other Operating Income and Expenses, which included a €2,357 million impairment charges on goodwill and non-current assets.
Free cash flow
Free cash flow was €-2,233 million in 2024 reflecting primarily the end of one-off working capital optimization actions resulting in a negative change in working capital requirement for €1,498 million and higher capex linked to HPC contracts for €239 million.
Net debt and debt covenants
At December 31, 2024, net debt was €1,238 million (€275 million including IFRS 9 debt fair value treatment), compared to € 2,230 million as of December 31, 2023. and consisted of:
The new credit documentation requires the Group to maintain:
As at December 31, 2024, the Group financial leverage (as defined above and pre IFRS 9 debt fair value treatment) was 3.16x.
Going concern and liquidity
The consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended December 31, 2024 have been prepared on a going concern basis.
The Group’s cash forecasts for the twelve months following the approval of the 2024 consolidated financial statements by the Board of Directors, result in a cash situation that meets its liquidity needs over that period.
The cash forecasts, which take into account the latest business forecasts, have been prepared based on the assumptions which were in line with the Group updated business plan communicated on September 2, 2024.
It is reminded that as part of its financial restructuring and following the completion on 18 December 2024 of the final steps of the Accelerated Safeguard Plan approved by the specialized Commercial Court of Nanterre on 24 October 2024, which resulted in:
(i) a €2.1 billion gross debt reduction through the equitization of €2.9 billion of existing financial debts and the repayment of €0.8 billion interim financings with the new money debt provided to the Company;
(ii) €1.6 billion of new money debt and €0.1 billion of new money equity from the rights issue and the additional reserved capital increase and
(iii) no debt maturities before the end of 2029,
the Group now has the resources and flexibility to execute its midterm strategy.
Operating margin to Operating income
| In € million | 2024 | 2023 |
| Operating margin | 199 | 467 |
| Reorganization | -119 | -696 |
| Rationalization and associated costs | -37 | -38 |
| Integration and acquisition costs | 3 | 4 |
| Amortization of intangible assets (PPA from acquisitions) | -57 | -108 |
| Equity based compensation | -2 | -19 |
| Impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets | -2 357 | -2 546 |
| Other items | -288 | -169 |
| Operating (loss) | -2 659 | -3 106 |
Non recurring items were a net expense of €2,858 million.
Reorganization costs amounted to € 119 million.
Rationalization and associated costs amounted to € 37 million compared to € 38 million in 2023, mainly corresponding to the continuation of the data centers consolidation program.
Integration and acquisition costs amounted to € 3 million as certain earn-out and retention schemes did not materialize and were thus released to the income statement.
Amortization of intangible assets recognized in the purchase price allocation amounted to €57 million and was mainly composed of Syntel customer relationships and technologies.
Impairment of goodwill and other non-current assets amounted to € 2,357 million and mostly related:
In 2024, Other items were a net expense of €288 million compared with €169 million in 2023 and included:
As a result, operating loss was at €-2,659 million, compared with a loss of €-3,106 million in 2023, reflecting primarily the €2,357 million impairment charge.
Operating Income to Net income Group Share
| In € million | 2024 | 2023 |
| Operating (loss) | -2,659 | -3,106 |
| Net financial income (expense) | 3,121 | -227 |
| Tax charge | -214 | -112 |
| Non-Controlling interests | – | -1 |
| Share of net profit of equity-accounted investments | – | 5 |
| Net income (loss) Group Share | 248 | -3,441 |
| Basic earning per share | 0.034 | -31.04 |
| Diluted earning per share | 0.031 | -31.04 |
Net financial income was €3,121 million and was composed of:
| In € million | 2024 |
| Fair value gain on the debt converted into equity | 2,766 |
| Fair value gain on the new debt | 965 |
| Fair value of the issued warrants | -45 |
| Subtotal at financial restructuring date | 3,686 |
| Costs and fees reported in the income statement | -165 |
| Impact reported under the other financial income | 3,520 |
The tax charge for 2024 was €214 million, compared with €112 million in 2023. This €+102 million increase was mainly due to:
Net income group share was €248 million, primarily due to a €3,520 million financial gain related to the financial restructuring of the Group and a €2,858 million cost recorded in Other Operating Income and Expenses, which included a €2,357 million impairment charges on goodwill and non-current assets.
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share were €0.034. per share in 2024 and diluted earnings per share were €0.031 per share.
Free cash flow and net cash
| In € million | 2024 | 2023 |
| Operating Margin before Depreciation and Amortization (OMDA) | 722 | 1,026 |
| Capital expenditures | -444 | -205 |
| Lease payments | -301 | -358 |
| Change in working capital requirement* | -1,192 | -391 |
| Cash from operations (CFO)* | -1,214 | 73 |
| Tax paid | -81 | -77 |
| Net cost of financial debt paid | -178 | -102 |
| Reorganization in other operating income | -245 | -605 |
| Rationalization & associated costs in other operating income | -9 | -47 |
| Integration and acquisition costs in other operating income | -3 | -8 |
| Other changes** | -504 | -312 |
| Free Cash Flow (FCF) | -2,233 | -1,078 |
| Net (acquisitions) disposals | 162 | 411 |
| Capital increase | 3,049 | – |
| Share buy-back | -2 | -3 |
| Dividends paid | -18 | -35 |
| Change in net (debt) | 958 | -705 |
| Opening net cash (debt) | -2,230 | -1,450 |
| Change in net cash (debt) | 958 | -705 |
| Foreign exchange rate fluctuation on net cash (debt) | 34 | -75 |
| Closing net (debt) excl. IFRS fair value treatment | -1,238 | -2,230 |
| IFRS Debt fair value treatment | 963 | – |
| Closing net (debt) | -275 | -2,230 |
* Change in working capital requirement excluding the working capital requirement change related to items reported in other operating income and expense.
** “Other changes” include other operating income and expense with cash impact (excluding staff reorganization, rationalization and associated costs, integration and acquisition costs) and other financial items with cash impact, net long term financial investments excluding acquisitions and disposals, and profit sharing amounts payable transferred to debt
Free cash flow was €-2,233 million in 2024 reflecting primarily the end of one-off working capital optimization actions resulting in a negative change in working capital requirement for €1,498 million and higher capex linked to HPC contracts for €239 million.
Capital expenditures and lease payments totaled €745 million, up €182 million from the prior year reflecting a significant investment in the energy-efficient Exascale technology.
Change in working capital requirement was €-1,192 million, primarily from €-1,498 million lower working capital optimization compared with end of fiscal 2023. As at December 2024, working capital benefited from invoices paid in advance by customers for € 319 million, without any discount and on a pure voluntary basis. As at December 31, 2023, total specific optimization carried out by the Group to optimize its working capital amounted to € 1,817 million.
Cash out related to taxes paid increased by € 4 million and amounted to € 81 million in 2024, including € 6 million of taxes paid in connection with carve-out transactions completed in 2024.
Net cost of financial debt was €178 million as explained above.
The total of reorganization, rationalization & associated costs and integration & acquisition costs reached €256 million compared with €660 million in 2023 and included:
Cash out related to Other changes was €-504 million compared to € -312 million in 2023, and included:
As a result of the above impacts mainly driven by the change in the working capital requirement, the Group Free Cash Flow was € -2,233 million in 2024, compared to € -1,078 million in 2023.
The net cash impact resulting from disposals was €162 million mainly related to the net cash proceeds from the Worldgrid disposal of €232 million, partly offset by the write-off of a receivable on a past disposal.
Capital increase amounted to €3,049 million and were made of :
In the context of the financial restructuring process of the Group.
No dividends were paid to Atos SE shareholders in 2024. The €18 million cash out (€35 million in 2023) corresponded to taxes withheld on internal dividend distributions and to dividends paid to minority interests.
Foreign exchange rate fluctuation determined on debt or cash exposure by country represented a decrease in net debt of €34 million.
As a result, the Group net debt position as of December 31, 2024 was €275 million (€1,238 million excluding the IFRS 9 debt fair value treatment), compared to €2,230 million as of December 31, 2023.
Consolidated financial statements
Atos consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, were approved by the Board of Directors on March 4, 2025. Audit procedures on the consolidated financial statements have been completed and the audit report will be issued after the review of the 2024 Universal Registration Document.
Advance Computing sales process update
On November 25, 2024, Atos announced that it has received a non-binding offer from the French State for the potential acquisition of 100% of the Advanced Computing activities of its BDS division, based on an enterprise value of €500 million, to be potentially increased to €625 million including earn-outs.
The offer received from the French State provides for an exclusivity period until May 31, 2025. If the exclusive negotiations lead to an agreement and subject to obtaining the customary commercial, employee and administrative authorizations, a Share Purchase Agreement, subject to work councils’, opinion may be signed by that date. An initial payment of €150 million is expected to be made available to Atos upon signing of the Share Purchase Agreement.
In addition, Atos has engaged into a sale process for its Mission Critical Systems business.
Capital Markets Day
Atos will present an update of its strategy and organization during a Capital Markets Day that will be held in Paris on May 14, 2025.
Dividend
Atos Board of Directors decided, in its meeting held on March 4, 2025, not to propose a dividend payment to the next Annual General Meeting.
Conference call
Atos’ Management invites you to an international conference call on the Group 2024 results, on Wednesday, March 5th, 2025 at 08:00 am (CET – Paris).
You can join the webcast of the conference:
https://register.vevent.com/register/BIa3f9570d64b4412c8f5192ad4ad6d30b
Upon registration, you will be provided with Participant Dial In Numbers, a Direct Event Passcode and a unique Registrant ID. Call reminders will also be sent via email the day prior to the event.
During the 10 minutes prior to the beginning of the call, you will need to use the conference access information provided in the email received upon registration.
After the conference, a replay of the webcast will be available on atos.net, in the Investors section.
Forthcoming events
| April 25, 2025 (Before Market Opening) | First quarter 2025 revenue |
| May 14, 2025 | Capital Markets Day |
| June 13, 2025 | Annual General Meeting |
| August 1st, 2025 (Before Market Opening) | First semester 2025 results |
APPENDIX
Q4 2024 revenue
| In € million | Q4 2024 Revenue |
Q4 2023 Revenue* |
Organic variation* |
| Eviden | 1,126 | 1,280 | -12.0% |
| Tech Foundations | 1,182 | 1,329 | -11.0% |
| Total | 2,309 | 2,608 | -11.5% |
| In € million | Q4 2024 Revenue |
Q4 2023 Revenue* |
Organic variation* |
| North America | 410 | 528 | -22.3% |
| UK / IR | 322 | 447 | -28.1% |
| Benelux and the Nordics (BTN) | 218 | 232 | -6.1% |
| Central Europe | 586 | 580 | +1.1% |
| Southern Europe | 519 | 556 | -6.6% |
| Growing markets | 251 | 261 | -3.9% |
| Others & Global structures | 2 | 4 | -34.6% |
| Total | 2,309 | 2,608 | -11.5% |
*: at constant scope and December 2024 average exchange rates
Group revenue was €2,309 million in Q4, down -11.5% organically compared with Q4 2023.
Eviden revenue was €1,126 million, down -12.0% organically.
Tech Foundations revenue was €1,182.0 million, down -11.0% organically.
FY 2023 revenue and operating margin at constant scope and exchange rates reconciliation
For the analysis of the Group’s performance, revenue and OM for FY 2024 is compared with FY 2023 revenue and OM at constant scope and foreign exchange rates. Reconciliation between the FY 2023 reported revenue and OM, and the FY 2023 revenue and OM at constant scope and foreign exchange rates is presented below, by Business Lines and Regional Business Units.
| FY 2023 revenue In € million |
FY 2023 published |
Internal transfers | Scope effects | Exchange rates effects | FY 2023* |
| Eviden | 5,089 | 33 | -192 | 7 | 4,937 |
| Tech Foundations | 5,604 | -33 | -401 | 17 | 5,187 |
| Total | 10,693 | 0 | -592 | 24 | 10,124 |
| FY 2023 revenue In € million |
FY 2023 published |
Internal transfers | Scope effects | Exchange rates effects | FY 2023* |
| North America | 2,280 | -1 | -96 | -6 | 2,177 |
| Benelux and the Nordics (BTN) | 911 | 0 | -7 | 0 | 905 |
| UK / IR | 1,770 | 0 | -53 | 47 | 1,763 |
| Central Europe | 2,506 | 0 | -254 | 2 | 2,253 |
| Southern Europe | 2,284 | 0 | -164 | 0 | 2,119 |
| Growing Markets | 930 | 0 | -18 | -19 | 893 |
| Others & Global structures | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Total | 10,693 | 0 | -592 | 24 | 10,124 |
*: at constant scope and December 2024 average exchange rates
| FY 2023 Operating margin In € million |
FY 2023 published |
Internal transfers | Scope effects | Exchange rates effects | FY 2023* |
| Eviden | 294 | 0 | -25 | 2 | 272 |
| Tech Foundations | 172 | 0 | -20 | -1 | 151 |
| Total | 467 | 0 | -45 | 1 | 423 |
| FY 2023 Operating margin In € million |
FY 2023 published |
Internal transfers | Scope effects | Exchange rates effects | FY 2023* |
| North America | 244 | 1 | -15 | -1 | 229 |
| Benelux and the Nordics (BTN) | 23 | 0 | -1 | 0 | 23 |
| UK / IR | 75 | 4 | -5 | 2 | 77 |
| Central Europe | 31 | -3 | -6 | 0 | 23 |
| Southern Europe | 99 | -2 | -16 | 0 | 82 |
| Growing Markets | 92 | 0 | -3 | -1 | 88 |
| Others & Global structures | -97 | -1 | 0 | 0 | -98 |
| Total | 467 | 0 | -45 | 1 | 423 |
*: at constant scope and December 2024 average exchange rates
Scope effects on revenue amounted to €-592 million and €-45 million on operating margin. They mainly related to the divesture of UCC, EcoAct, Italy, State Street JV, and Worldgrid.
Currency effects positively contributed to revenue for €+24 million and €+1 million on operating margin. They mostly came from the appreciation of the British pound, partially compensated by the depreciation of the Brazilian real, the US dollar, the Argentinian peso and the Turkish lira.
Q4 2023 revenue at constant scope and exchange rates reconciliation
For the analysis of the Group’s performance, revenue for Q4 2024 is compared with 2023 revenue at constant scope and foreign exchange rates.
In 2023, the Group reviewed the accounting treatment of certain third-party standard software resale transactions following the decision published by ESMA in October 2023 that illustrated the IFRS IC decision and enacted a restrictive position on the assessment of Principal vs. Agent under IFRS 15 for such transactions. The Q4 2023 revenue is therefore restated by € +48 million. The impact affected Eviden in North America RBU.
Reconciliation between the 2023 reported fourth quarter revenue and the 2023 fourth quarter revenue at constant scope and foreign exchange rates is presented below, by Business Lines and Regional Business Units:
| Q4 2023 revenue In € million |
Q4 2023 published | Restatement | Q4 2023 restated | Internal transfers | Scope effects | Exchange rates effects | Q4 2023* |
| Eviden | 1,247 | 48 | 1,295 | -1 | -22 | 8 | 1,280 |
| Tech Foundations | 1,308 | – | 1,308 | 1 | -1 | 21 | 1,329 |
| Total | 2,555 | 48 | 2,602 | 0 | -23 | 29 | 2,608 |
| Q4 2023 revenue In € million |
Q4 2023 published | Restatement | Q4 2023 restated | Internal transfers | Scope effects | Exchange rates effects | Q4 2023* |
| North America | 483 | 48 | 531 | -1 | -1 | -1 | 528 |
| Benelux and the Nordics | 233 | 0 | 233 | 0 | -1 | 0 | 232 |
| UK / IR | 433 | 0 | 433 | 0 | -3 | 18 | 447 |
| Central Europe | 582 | 0 | 582 | 0 | -2 | 0 | 580 |
| Southern Europe | 571 | 0 | 571 | 0 | -16 | 0 | 556 |
| Growing markets | 250 | 0 | 250 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 261 |
| Others & Global structures | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Total | 2,555 | 48 | 2,602 | 0 | -23 | 29 | 2,608 |
*: at constant scope and December 2024 average exchange rates
Disclaimer
This document contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including references, concerning the Group’s expected growth and profitability in the future which may significantly impact the expected performance indicated in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are linked to factors out of the control of the Company and not precisely estimated, such as market conditions or competitors’ behaviors. Any forward-looking statements made in this document are statements about Atos’s beliefs and expectations and should be evaluated as such. Forward-looking statements include statements that may relate to Atos’s plans, objectives, strategies, goals, future events, future revenues or synergies, or performance, and other information that is not historical information. Actual events or results may differ from those described in this document due to a number of risks and uncertainties that are described within the 2023 Universal Registration Document filed with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) on May 24, 2024 under the registration number D.24-0429, as updated by chapter 2 “Risk factors” of the first amendment to Atos’ 2023 universal registration document filed with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) on November 7, 2024 under the registration number D.24-0429-A01 and by chapter 2 “Risk factors” of the second amendment to Atos’ 2023 universal registration document filed with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) on December 11, 2024 under the registration number D.24-0429-A02, and the half-year report filed published on August 6, 2024. Atos does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation or responsibility to update or amend any of the information above except as otherwise required by law.
This document does not contain or constitute an offer of Atos’s shares for sale or an invitation or inducement to invest in Atos’s shares in France, the United States of America or any other jurisdiction. This document includes information on specific transactions that shall be considered as projects only. In particular, any decision relating to the information or projects mentioned in this document and their terms and conditions will only be made after the ongoing in-depth analysis considering tax, legal, operational, finance, HR and all other relevant aspects have been completed and will be subject to general market conditions and other customary conditions, including governance bodies and shareholders’ approval as well as appropriate processes with the relevant employee representative bodies in accordance with applicable laws.
About Atos
Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with circa 78,000 employees and annual revenue of circa €10 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 68 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea) and listed on Euronext Paris.
The purpose of Atos is to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space.
Contacts
Investor relations:
David Pierre-Kahn | investors@atos.net | +33 6 28 51 45 96
Sofiane El Amri | investors@atos.net | +33 6 29 34 85 67
Individual shareholders: +33 8 05 65 00 75
Press contact: globalprteam@atos.net
Attachment
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
ICYMI: Senator Murray statement on why she won’t be attending Trump’s Joint Address
Murray has been a leading voice raising the alarm on Trump and Musk’s indiscriminate mass firings that are hurting people in Washington state and across the country— holding multiple press calls with WA federal workers, releasing fact sheets, and speaking out at every opportunity
***WATCH VIDEO HERE; DOWNLOAD HERE***
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a virtual press conference with federal workers in Washington state who worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), U.S. Forest Service, and National Park Service before being recently fired—through no fault of their own and with zero justification—as part of Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s unprecedented assault on the federal workforce. Joining Senator Murray for the press conference today were: Scott Olson, a disabled veteran in Seattle who previously worked at the VA helping homeless veterans; Jordan Lewis from Seattle, a former landscape architect designing projects for the National Parks Service across Washington state; Ray Beaupre, a former seasonal worker with the U.S. Forest Service in the Methow Valley; and Ambrose Dieringer, an analyst in the supervision division of the CFPB who lives in West Seattle.
Ahead of President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress, Senator Murray is lifting up the stories of real people in Washington state who are being hurt by Donald Trump’s reckless and illegal moves—from his indiscriminate mass firings across the federal workforce that will undermine services we all rely on and put lives at risk, to his illegal funding freezes that are seriously harming businesses and organizations across Washington state and putting them in financial jeopardy. Senator Murray’s statement on why she won’t be attending the Joint Address tonight is HERE.
“President Trump is coming here to the Capitol… this evening to give what he is calling the State of the Union. But I expect that he will give his own fantasy version of an update on how he and Elon Musk are running the country. Because it is pretty painfully clear to me… that these two out-of-touch billionaires really have no idea what they are doing… In short, they really have no sense at all of the actual state of our union. Because they have never really taken the time to listen to the people on the frontlines who are serving our communities before they fired them!” Senator Murray said on the press call today. “Elon and Trump may not care about what these workers did; they may not get that it matters—probably because they don’t take commercial flights, or rely on Social Security benefits, or send their kids to public schools, or struggle to get health care, or have to worry about being scammed by predatory lenders. But you know what? Regular people get it. Regular people understand their work has value, it has dignity, and it makes our lives better. And regular people also understand that mass firing people, like the workers we’ll hear from right now, will make their lives worse.”
“That may not be the narrative Elon Musk and Donald Trump try and spin tonight. But it is the truth, and the people need to hear it,” Murray continued. “I am going to keep doing what I can to lift up federal workers who can share their stories, warn everyone about what is happening, and what it’s going to mean for our country, and push to reverse as much of this damage as possible as fast as possible.”
“Working at the VA gave me purpose. I understood the struggles veterans faced, whether physical, mental, or emotional. I took pride in being part of something bigger than myself, in continuing to serve even after taking off the uniform,” said Scott Olson, a disabled veteran who served for eight years in the Army, including time in combat, and was diagnosed with cancer twice after serving in Iraq for 15 months. Scott worked at the VA in Seattle in Program Support for VA’s Community Housing Program—helping homeless veterans—before he was suddenly fired without cause last Monday, as part of Trump and Elon Musk’s mass layoffs at VA. “The next chapter in my service led me to working with unhoused Veterans. My role was to serve as the initial contact when they came in looking for help with resources. I supported the social workers ensuring they had the ability to transport Veterans in the community. Limiting roles like mine, means other VA employees will have to take on more and cutting into valuable clinical time directly serving veterans. That’s why it was so devastating when, without warning, without cause, I was terminated. No explanation, no justification just a cold dismissal from a role that meant everything to me. It felt like a betrayal, not just of my dedication but of the values I thought the VA stood for. I had fought through war, through cancer, and through every challenge life had thrown at me only to be cast aside by the very system I had believed in.”
“The CFPB has been open for less than 14 years, but in that time has returned over $21 billion dollars to harmed consumers in the form of compensation, principal reduction, canceled debts, and other relief. Fo every $1 spent, about $2.85 has been returned to consumers. How is that inefficient?,” said Ambrose Dieringer, an analyst in the supervision division of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) who resides in Seattle. Ambrose and many of his colleagues were suddenly put on administrative leave last month and ordered to cease working after Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought took over as Acting Director of the CFPB, where he is working with Trump and Elon Musk to cripple the nation’s leading agency protecting consumers from financial fraud—raising serious conflict of interest concerns.
“These recent firings are a disaster for public lands, we are already suffering from years of backlog maintenance and the effects of heavy wildfire damage across the landscape. If we do not act now to save these recreation programs, they will be lost forever along with our beloved trails,” said Ray Beaupre, who was a permanent seasonal volunteer coordinator and trails lead with the U.S. Forest Service in the Methow Valley Ranger District, before being recently laid off without cause by Trump and Musk.
“In my role with the NPS, I was responsible for planning and implementing critical repair and upgrade projects across national park sites in the Pacific West Region, including Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Hawaii and the Pacific Islands. My work included renovating campgrounds impacted by wildfires, upgrades to picnic areas and outdoor restroom facilities, implementing trail projects, and much needed visitor center improvements for accessibility,” said Jordan Lewis from Seattle, a former landscape architect with the National Park Service who worked on several important projects across Washington state including: a trail project at San Juan Island National Historical Park to protect endangered Marble Butterfly habitat, a roadway safety project for bicyclists and pedestrians also at San Juan Island National Historic Park, critical upgrades to aging visitor facilities at Ross Lake Overlook and Cascade Pass in North Cascades National Park, and needed accessibility improvements at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site to meet compliance with ADA laws. “On February 14th at 4:50 PM, without warning, I received a generic email terminating me immediately. The letter stated that my skills and abilities did not meet the needs of the Department and that my position was no longer required—despite an exceptional performance review and a backlog of urgent repair projects I was hired to implement. Overnight, my dream job was taken from me and my life has been turned upside down by people I have never met. But beyond my personal loss, these mass firings of probationary employees are already having serious consequences for our national parks. On February 14th, more than 1,000 probationary employees were fired from NPS alone, creating staffing shortages that are now affecting park units nationwide. Our division has been forced to indefinitely suspend several critical projects due to the indiscriminate removal of dedicated NPS employees.”
Senator Murray has been raising the alarm nonstop about how mass firings at all manner of federal agencies will hurt families, veterans, small businesses, farmers, and so many others in Washington state and across the country. Senator Murray has spoken out on the Senate floor against this administration’s attacks on federal workers and held multiple press conferences to call attention to how Trump and Musk’s mass layoffs are hurting federal workers in Washington state and undermining services for everyone. Earlier this month, she released both a national fact sheet and a Washington state fact sheet detailing what we know about the mass layoffs so far. Senator Murray also sent an open letter to federal workers and a newsletter to her constituents in Washington state outlining her concerns with the administration’s so-called “Fork in the Road” offer.
Senator Murray has also sent a flurry of recent oversight letters demanding answers about indiscriminate staffing reductions across federal agencies—including letters to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on mass firings across HHS as well as a letter focused specifically on firings at FDA, Energy Secretary Chris Wright on indiscriminate firings at BPA, HUD Secretary Scott Turner on reports of massive staff cuts at HUD, Interior Secretary Doug Burham on National Parks Service staffing cuts, and Acting USDA Secretary Gary Washington on the universal hiring pause for USDA firefighters, among others.
Senator Murray’s full remarks, as delivered on today’s press call, are below and video is HERE:
“Thank you to all of you for joining us today. I think as everybody knows, President Trump is coming here to the Capitol, where I am, this evening, to give what he is calling the State of the Union. But I expect that he will give his own fantasy version of an update on how he and Elon Musk are running the country.
“Because it is pretty painfully clear to me, from all of the contacts we are getting from around our state and everywhere, that it’s pretty clear that these two out-of-touch billionaires really have no idea what they are doing. They have no idea how painful cuts and mass firings they have gone on with such glee—how that’s hurting our families, and in short, they really have no sense at all of the actual state of our union.
“Because they have never really taken the time to listen to the people on the frontlines who are serving our communities before they fired them.
“So on this call, today, I am going to make sure we hear from some real people, real federal workers who were actually doing the work of the American people, and know what the damaging effects have been over the last few weeks.
“Because the truth is: the state of the union is that Trump fired forest rangers. The state of the union is that he fired cancer researchers. He fired people who keep Social Security running. And he fired thousands upon thousands of veterans who work to serve all of our communities.
“And at risk of saying the obvious—that will make our country weaker, it will make life a lot worse for folks back home. It is going to mean less safe conditions, longer lines at our National Parks and forests, places like Mt. Rainer, and North Cascades, and Olympic National Park, and Mount St. Helens. […]
“It’s going to mean longer wait times to get help with Social Security benefits. It is going to mean clinical trials at the Fred Hutch getting canceled, and promising cures will not happen, they’ll just get tossed in the shredder. It is going to mean slower response to disease outbreaks, and slower recalls of contaminated food. It is going to mean less help for people trying to get health insurance, or find child care. Fewer workers supporting air traffic control that keeps our skies safe at SeaTac.
“And despite what we might hear from Trump tonight, we know it’s not about saving money. Because we actually saw them fire Bonneville Power Administration workers—they are not paid by taxpayers, they are paid by ratepayers in the Pacific Northwest.
“We also know this is not about merit, because they mass fired so many people who had recently been promoted for doing a good job!
“Right here in Washington state, they even fired a NOAA employee of the year—someone who worked on saving orcas, and salmon, and wildlife from oil spills.
“I don’t know who Trump and Musk think they are fooling, but it doesn’t take a lot of common sense to realize: you don’t make the government work better by giving the richest man in the world a baseball bat and letting him smash it to pieces. This has been just heartbreaking, and infuriating.
“I have spoken to so many federal workers, public servants—who took so much pride in the work they do to strengthen our country, building our communities, supporting families, helping our neighbors.
“As you will hear this evening, the work they do is because they care. Because they know it’s important. And that’s why they were federal employees.
“Elon and Trump may not care about what these workers did; they may not get that it matters—probably because they don’t take commercial flights, or rely on Social Security benefits, or send their kids to public schools, or struggle to get health care, or have to worry about being scammed by predatory lenders.
“But you know what? Regular people get it. Regular people understand their work has value, it has dignity, and it makes our lives better. And regular people also understand that mass firing people, like the workers we’ll hear from right now, will make their lives worse.
“That may not be the narrative that Elon Musk and Donald Trump try to spin tonight for everybody. But it’s the truth, and it’s really important that people hear it.
“And I am going to keep doing what I can to lift up our federal workers, help share their stories, warn people about what’s happening, what it will mean for our communities and our country, and really work hard to reverse the damage that’s happening so fast.
“So I really appreciate the workers who are on here tonight to share their personal stories. I know it’s been really traumatic and difficult for all of you, so thank you for coming on this evening.”
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
March 04, 2025
Dr. Sokol, whose medical research on neuroblastoma has been jeopardized by Trump’s funding freeze, is a practicing oncologist and researcher from Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with his guest for President Trump’s address to the joint session of Congress, Dr. Elizabeth Sokol, a practicing oncologist and medical researcher at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Dr. Sokol specializes in treating children with neuroblastoma, the leading cause of cancer death for children aged one to five. Dr. Sokol is in the midst of conducting federally-supported clinical trials that are now being endangered by the Trump Administration’s devastating, and illegal, cuts to funding and resources at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Like Dr. Sokol, many NIH-funded researchers and institutions are facing an uncertain future because of President Trump and Elon Musk’s move to shut off critical research funding. Illinois universities and hospitals receive approximately $1.2 billion annually in NIH funding—which supports 14,000 jobs in the state and $3.5 billion in economic activity. Reports indicate that 1,200 NIH employees have been fired so far under President Trump and Musk’s direction—from experienced vaccine researchers and the next generation of scientists, to the Acting Director of the NIH’s Alzheimer’s and dementia program. Further, President Trump and Musk have reportedly ended a popular trainee program that brought 1,600 young scientists just out of college to the NIH’s world-renowned campus in Maryland to help run labs.
“President Trump and Elon Musk are carrying out an unprecedented and devastating campaign to cut research funding for cancers, ALS, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and infectious disease. NIH funding is why people are beating cancer, why babies are being spared from preventable illnesses, why HIV is no longer a death sentence, and why progress is being made on neurodegenerative diseases. There are millions of Americans impacted by these diseases, and any move to slash medical research funding will have long-term consequences for the health of our country,” Durbin said.
Durbin continued, “These haphazard decisions by President Trump have real, serious repercussions. Dr. Sokol, a pediatric oncologist and researcher at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, has dedicated more than a decade to the research and treatment of children suffering from neuroblastoma. Today, her research, which helps kids lead healthier lives after surviving cancer, is in jeopardy because of Donald Trump.”
Durbin concluded, “Additionally, plans by Congressional Republicans to slash Medicaid funding to pay for tax breaks for billionaires like Elon Musk mean that Lurie’s in Chicago and other children’s hospitals nationwide are facing devastating cuts to their lifesaving treatment for critically ill kids.”
“It’s an honor to be here representing pediatric researchers from Illinois,” said Dr. Sokol. “ As a physician-scientist at the bedside at one of our nation’s premier children’s research hospitals, I have witnessed firsthand how federally funded research—including the essential indirect costs that support it—has allowed for remarkable breakthroughs that help children faced with devastating diagnoses including childhood cancer. It is critically important to have congressional leaders such as Senator Durbin working hard to protect NIH funding including indirect costs, which are vital for sustaining the scientific and clinical research infrastructure. These costs help researchers translate basic discoveries into new treatments and cures for children, who have their whole lives ahead of them.”
Photos of the meeting can be found here.
B-roll for TV stations can be found here.
Last week, Durbin asked for unanimous consent (UC) to pass a resolution he introduced with U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), as well as 21 other Senators, that would pledge support for NIH. The resolution simply said that the work of NIH should not be subject to interruption, delay, or funding disruptions in violation of the law, and it reaffirmed that the NIH workforce is essential to sustaining medical progress. U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) rejected Durbin’s UC request.
Durbin has long been a strong advocate for robust medical research. His legislation, the American Cures Act, would provide annual budget increases of five percent plus inflation at America’s top four biomedical research agencies: NIH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Defense Health Program, and the Veterans Medical and Prosthetics Research Program. Thanks to Durbin’s efforts to increase medical research funding, Congress has provided NIH with a 60 percent funding increase over the past decade.
Congressional Republicans have proposed deep cuts to Medicaid to fund their budget reconciliation bill, with the House Republican budget resolution calling for $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid. Cuts of this magnitude would fundamentally alter the Medicaid program, likely reducing coverage or slashing benefits for millions of working families across the United States. In Illinois, 3.4 million individuals are enrolled in Medicaid, including nearly 1.5 million children. Further, in Illinois, Medicaid covers nearly half of all births, two-thirds of nursing home residents, the majority of patients with behavioral health needs, and is a lifeline for children’s and rural hospitals.
Dr. Elizabeth Sokol’s Bio:
Dr. Sokol received her medical degree from the University of Illinois School of Medicine in 2007, prior to completing her Pediatrics residency at the University of Chicago/Comer Children’s Hospital. She completed a fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology in 2017 before completing a post-doctoral program in clinical pharmacology and pharmacogenomics in 2018 at University of Chicago. Dr. Sokol subsequently became a member of the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology division at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago in September 2018.
Dr. Sokol’s research interests involve the study of pediatric patients with neuroblastoma. As a member of the Children’s Oncology Group’s Neuroblastoma Committee, she participates in the development of new therapeutic clinical trials for patients with high-risk disease. She serves as the Children’s Oncology Group Pediatric Early Phase Clinical Trial Network site PI, bringing early phase trial opportunities to patients with relapsed or refractory disease. In addition, Dr. Sokol has worked with the Lurie Children’s pharmacogenomic steering committee to increase utilization of pharmacogenomic testing to optimize drug utilization for patients with complex pharmacology needs.
Dr. Sokol’s clinical focus centers on the treatment of pediatric solid tumor patients, including those with neuroblastoma, sarcomas, rare tumors, renal tumors, liver tumors, and germ cell tumors. Through her work with the Children’s Oncology Group’s Neuroblastoma Committee, she participates in the development of new therapeutic clinical trials for neuroblastoma patients.
-30-
US Senate News:
Source: The White House
President Donald J. Trump will always put the American people first — and through restoring the U.S. military’s mission of lethality and leading with peace through strength in his foreign policy, President Trump is making good on his commitment to restore safety and security around the world.
President Trump is leading with Peace through Strength.
President Trump secured the release of six American hostages in Venezuela, two Americans in Afghanistan, an American-Israeli citizen in Hamas captivity, a Pennsylvania teacher in Russian captivity, and an American citizen in Belarus — bringing the total number of American hostages released under President Trump to 11.
President Trump began negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in pursuit of finally securing peace in Ukraine.
President Trump made clear to the Ukrainian president that America, which has funded the largest share of Ukraine’s defense, will not be taken advantage of — and the only long-term solution is PEACE.
President Trump has taken decisive action to eliminate radical Islamic terrorists who threaten American citizens, including a senior ISIS attack planner.
Since President Trump took office, the U.S. military has carried out strikes that have eliminated 23 radical Islamic jihadists.
President Trump restored maximum pressure on Iran, “sanctioning an international network for facilitating the shipment of millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the People’s Republic of China.”
President Trump redesignated the Iran-backed Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
President Trump banned funding to UNRWA — a United Nations agency that employed hundreds of Hamas and jihadi operatives.
President Trump imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court, which has illegitimately asserted jurisdiction over internal U.S. matters and baselessly targeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
President Trump reinstated the Mexico City Policy to ensure no taxpayer dollars support foreign organizations that perform, or actively promote, abortion in other nations.
President Trump declared all foreign policy must be conducted under the President’s direction, ensuring career diplomats reflect the foreign policy of the United States at all times.
President Trump has committed to regaining control of the Panama Canal to combat Chinese influence in the region.
Bloomberg: CK Hutchison Sells Panama Ports to BlackRock Amid Trump Pressure
Following a visit from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino agreed to withdraw from China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a debt-trap diplomacy scheme the Chinese Communist Party uses to gain influence over developing nations.
The U.S. rejoined the Geneva Consensus Declaration, which promotes and strengthens opportunities for women and girls around the world, and protects the family as the fundamental unit of society.
The Department of State ordered embassies worldwide to only fly the American flag — not activist flags.
President Trump cracked down on anti-Semitism by canceling visas for foreign students who are Hamas sympathizers.
President Trump initiated a process to build a next-generation missile defense shield over the United States.
President Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a visit where he proposed a bold vision for securing lasting peace in Gaza.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman described the proposal as “brilliant, historic and the only idea I have heard in 50 years that has a chance of bringing security, peace and prosperity to this troubled region.”
President Trump hosted Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who announced his intention to “elevate Japan’s investment in the United States to an unprecedented amount of $1 trillion,” import “historic” quantities of LNG from Alaska, and open new auto plants in the U.S.
President Trump hosted Jordan’s King Abdullah II, who announced that the Kingdom will accept 2,000 sick children from Gaza “as quickly as possible.”
President Trump hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a visit where they announced new deals between the two countries on immigration, trade, energy, and artificial intelligence.
President Trump is re-establishing the U.S. military as the strongest, most powerful fighting force in the world.
The U.S. military is seeing its highest recruitment numbers in modern history.
The U.S. Army saw its highest recruitment numbers in 15 years following President Trump’s victory.
The U.S. Navy is on track for its highest recruitment numbers in two decades.
The U.S. Air Force saw its highest recruitment numbers in 15 years in December, January, and February — while the number of recruits in its Delayed Entry Program is the most in nearly a decade.
President Trump selected Lt. Gen. Dan ‘Razin’ Caine to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Caine’s resumé includes two tours in Iraq, protecting the nation’s capital after 9/11, and serving as a deputy commanding general during President Trump’s successful effort at eliminating ISIS.
President Trump reinstated, with backpay, U.S. service members who were discharged under the military’s nonsensical COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
The U.S. Army barred transgender people from enlisting and stopped using taxpayer funds on sex change surgeries for service members.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth restored Fort Liberty, North Carolina, to “Fort Bragg,” in honor of a World War II hero, and restored Fort Moore to “Fort Benning” in honor of World War I hero Army Cpl. Fred G. Benning.
President Trump ordered the immediate dismissal of the Board of Visitors for the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard following years of woke ideologies infiltrating U.S. service academies.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Sussex, Associate Professor (Adj), Griffith Asia Institute; and Fellow, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University
What does an ideal world look like for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump? In a word: ugly.
Trump’s embrace of Russia’s dictator, his bullying of a weakened Ukraine, his musings about new US territorial conquests, and his dismantling of US democratic institutions would, in any other age, have resulted in his immediate removal from office.
And yet he has succeeded in beating his political opponents into submission, while his cultish following applauds every fresh outrage he visits on America’s friends, and every undeserved boon he grants its enemies.
When discussing foreign policy, we typically use the term “national interests” to frame our understanding of what countries want, and the enablers and constraints that affect their chances of achieving it. Essentially, we to try to identify some parameters about what countries can, can’t, and might do.
It assumes that factors such as economic heft, military capability, natural resources, alliance networks and geopolitical position all create a kind of baseline unique to each nation. It also assumes a fair amount of continuity in foreign policy, as new governments invariably face the same kinds of challenges and opportunities as past ones.
And crucially, it assumes leaders will recognise it: that in democracies, for instance, elected public servants will continue acting in the broader public good.
Not so for Trump. His behaviour is far more reminiscent of Putin’s. Like the Russian autocrat he idolises, Trump’s main domestic and foreign agendas revolve around his personal fortune, cementing his political power, and creating a narrative that existential forces – as well as internal enemies – are to blame for America’s problems.
By presenting himself as the nation’s only possible saviour, Trump is directly plagiarising the Putin playbook.
Like Russia’s tsar in all but name, Trump is creating an image of the state in which regime security and national security are innately linked. In that way, America First and Trump First are not just compatible, but actually synonymous.
Where the two differ, though, is that Putin’s recipe for dominating Russian politics has tended to increase his country’s raw national power, rather than diminishing it.
Certainly, Putin’s renationalisation of Russia’s energy sector helped turn Russia into a petro-giant. That Putin has remained at the top of Russian politics for so long has been at least partly because he has distributed Russian wealth beyond a clique of oligarchs.
The result was a larger middle class, apathetic to politics and tolerant of dictatorship, as long as living standards were improving.
At the same time, Putin’s erosion of freedoms created powerful disincentives to express any opposition to his regime. After all, when criticising Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine can lead to beatings, ostracism from society, being sent to the front, or a prison sentence of up to 15 years, where’s the value in speaking out?
There are plenty of signs that Trump would like to emulate Putin’s progress. From installing loyalists in the military and the ostensibly independent Department of Justice and FBI, coupled with threats against freedom of the press, his subversion of US democracy looks eerily familiar.
But Trump’s recipe for success looks almost certain to weaken the US, not strengthen it.
He has surrounded himself with completely unqualified supplicants in key roles, chosen on the basis of loyalty rather than competence.
Purges at the CIA are weakening America’s vaunted intelligence-gathering capabilities. Orders to stop cyber operations against Russia are an extraordinary own-goal.
Trump’s punishment of partners via tariffs – along with continued suggestions about annexing Canada, and his belittling of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by calling him “governor” – are costing America friendships built on decades of trust.
These schisms are becoming evident across the Atlantic too. In France, for instance, even the far-right nationalist Marine Le Pen has criticised Trump’s standover tactics in suspending military aid to Ukraine. A recent French poll found that fully 73% of respondents believed Trump’s US was no longer an ally.
The recent – and historically breathtaking – statement by Putin’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, that Russian and US worldviews now largely align speaks volumes about the kind of world both regimes now agree on.
It is, put simply, a new Age of Empires. This has long been a central theme of Russian geopolitical propaganda: that all major decisions affecting the world should be taken in only three of its capitals: Moscow, Beijing and Washington.
In this brutal order, the strong do as they will, and the weak do as they must. It envisages a world cleaved into spheres of influence, with Russia permitted to run rampant over Eastern Europe, the US dominating the Americas and the East Pacific, and China as a hybrid maritime and continental power exerting hegemony in Asia.
So how worried should we be? When we think of past global dangers, events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis come to mind. This is, of course, not the same: there isn’t the potential imminence of nuclear war.
But there should nonetheless be not just deep concern but also immediate action to inoculate ourselves, as best we can, from the slow-burn effect of a world made safe for autocracy rather than democracy.
There is also a legitimate counterargument that Trump’s bark is worse than his bite; that he will be a lame duck after the mid-term elections in 2026; and that all US allies need do is to keep a low profile until then.
That may have been an appropriately soothing sentiment during Trump’s first term, but in his second one it rings increasingly hollow.
For one thing, the goalposts have shifted. Trump has shown he will act with near-total impunity. He will doubtless try to manipulate elections, and he has shown before that he is perfectly prepared to reject their outcomes. For another, this time he will have not just a pliant legislature and cabinet, but also a loyal bureaucracy, and key supporters in law enforcement and military posts.
Given that, it is one thing to hope for the best. But it makes sense also to plan for the worst. If the past few weeks have taught us anything, it is to be prepared for virtually daily episodes of disappointment. Or, to put it bluntly: things will get worse before they get better.
Matthew Sussex has received funding from the Australian Research Council, the Atlantic Council, the Fulbright Foundation, the Carnegie Foundation, the Lowy Institute and various Australian government departments and agencies.
– ref. Safe for autocracy: the world according to Putin and Trump – https://theconversation.com/safe-for-autocracy-the-world-according-to-putin-and-trump-251246
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Maurizio Valsania, Professor of American History, Università di Torino
If there are any limits to a president’s power, it wasn’t evident from Donald Trump’s speech before a joint session of Congress on March 4, 2025.
In that speech, the first before lawmakers of Trump’s second term, the president declared vast accomplishments during the brief six weeks of his presidency. He claimed to have “brought back free speech” to the country. He declared that there were only two sexes, “male and female.” He reminded the audience that he had unilaterally renamed an international body of water as well as the country’s tallest mountain.
“Our country is on the verge of a comeback the likes of which the world has never witnessed, and perhaps will never witness again,” Trump asserted.
The extravagant claims appear to match Trump’s view of the presidency – one virtually kinglike in its unilateral power.
It’s true that the U.S. Constitution’s crucial section about the executive branch, Article 2, does not grant the president unlimited power. But it does make this figure the sole “Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States.”
This monopoly on the use of force is one way Trump could support his 2019 claim that he can do “whatever I want as President.”
Before Trump’s speech, protesters outside had taken issue with Trump’s wielding of such unchecked power. One protester’s sign said, “We the People don’t want false kings in our house.”
With those words, she echoed a concern about presidential power that originated more than 200 years ago.
When the Constitution was written, many people – from those who drafted the document to those who read it – believed that endowing the president with such powers was dangerous.
Ratified after a lot of huffing and puffing, on May 29, 1790, by rather nervous citizens, the text of the Constitution had stirred many controversies.
It wasn’t just the oftentimes vague language, which includes head-scratchers such as the very preamble, “We the People of the United States.” Nor was the discomfort due solely to the document’s jarring brevity – at 4,543 words, the U.S. Constitution is the shortest written Constitution of any major nation in the world.
No, what made that document especially problematic, to borrow from John Adams, was that it provided for “a monarchical Republick, or if you will a limited Monarchy.”
Adams would eventually become the nation’s second president in 1797. Even though he was a staunch supporter of the Constitution, he was honest enough to take a hard look over the political layout of the new nation. And what he found were remnants of the British monarchy and traces of a king whose unchecked abuses had led the Colonists to demand their independence in the first place.
“The Name of President,” Adams couldn’t help concluding in a letter to prominent Massachusetts lawyer William Tudor, “does not alter the Nature of his office nor diminish the Regal Authorities and Powers which appear clearly in the Writing.”
While Adams was only somewhat uncomfortable, as a historian of the early republic I can stress that other observers at the time were downright appalled.
In a 1787 article published in the Philadelphia Independent Gazetteer, “An Old Whig” – identity unknown – wrote, “The office of President of the United States appears to me to be clothed with such powers as are dangerous.”
As the commander in chief of the Army, the American president “is in reality to be a king as much a King as the King of Great Britain, and a King too of the worst kind – an elective King.”
Consequently, as the author of this article resolved, “I shall despair of any happiness in the United States” until this office is “reduced to a lower pitch of power.”
Concern over a commander in chief declaring martial law, no matter the legality of the measure, was similarly on the minds of the Americans who had read the Constitution.
In 1788, a patriot who went under the pseudonym of “Philadelphiensis” – real name, Benjamin Workman – issued a sweeping warning. Should the president decide to impose martial law, “your character of free citizens” would be “changed to that of the subjects of a military king.”
A president turned military king could “wantonly inflict the most disgraceful punishment on a peaceable citizen,” the piece continued, “under pretence of disobedience, or the smallest neglect of militia duty.”
Another power given to the president was also universally considered extremely dangerous: that of granting pardons to individuals guilty of treason.
Maryland Attorney General Luther Martin reasoned that the treason most likely to take place was “that in which the president himself might be engaged.” What the president would do, Martin wrote, would be “to secure from punishment the creatures of his ambition, the associates and abettors of his treasonable practices, by granting them pardons.”
George Mason, who participated in the Constitutional Convention and also drafted Virginia’s state Constitution, foresaw a gloomy scenario. He shivered at the idea of a president who would “screen from punishment those whom he had secretly instigated to commit the crime, and thereby prevent a discovery of his own guilt.”
The framers did limit executive power in one significant way: The president of the United States is subject to impeachment and, upon conviction of treason or other high crimes, removal from office.
But in the meantime, the president may enact irreparable damage.
The Constitution was finally ratified – but only begrudgingly by the American citizens, who feared a president’s abuse of power. More persuasive than the legal restraints placed on the office, the belief that the people would choose their leader wisely tipped the scale toward approval.
Delegate John Dickinson asked a rhetorical question: “Will a virtuous and sensible people chuse villains or fools for their officers?”
Also, 18th-century common sense deemed it improbable that a person without virtue and magnanimity would run for the nation’s highest office. Americans’ faith in their first president, the upstanding George Washington, helped convince them that all would end well and their Constitution would be sufficient to protect the republic.
The Federalist Papers, the 85 essays written to persuade voters to support ratification, were suffused with this optimism.
People “of the character marked out for that of the President of the United States” were widely available, said the Federalist #67.
“It will not be too strong to say,” reads Federalist #68, “that there will be a constant probability of seeing the station filled by characters pre-eminent for ability and virtue.”
Adams wasn’t so optimistic. He wavered. And then he flipped the issue on its head.
“There must be a positive Passion for the public good … established in the Minds of the People,” he had written in a 1776 letter, “or there can be no Republican Government, nor any real liberty.”
After almost 250 years of uninterrupted republican life, Americans are used to thinking that their nation is secured by checks and balances. As Adams kept repeating, America aims at becoming “a government of laws, and not of men.”
Americans, in other words, have long believed it is their institutions that make the nation. But the opposite is true: The people are the soul and the conscience of the republic.
Everything, in the end, boils down to the character of these people and the control they assert over who becomes their most important leader.
Maurizio Valsania does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Trump is the kinglike president many feared when arguing over the US Constitution in 1789 – and his address to Congress showed it – https://theconversation.com/trump-is-the-kinglike-president-many-feared-when-arguing-over-the-us-constitution-in-1789-and-his-address-to-congress-showed-it-251294
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
In alignment with President Trump’s Executive Orders and Secretary Hegseth’s directives, this memorandum mandates a digital content refresh across all DoD public platforms. By March 5, 2025, all Components must remove and archive DoD news articles, photos, and videos promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), including content related to critical race theory, gender ideology, and identity-based programs. The Defense Media Activity (DMA) will support systematic content removal from DVIDS and AFPIMS platforms, but Components remain responsible for ensuring compliance across all digital properties. A blanket public acknowledgment of content removal should be posted on social media and other platforms. Exceptions or extension requests must be submitted before noon on March 5, 2025. A link to the memorandum can be found here.
Source: New Zealand Government
New Zealand will support Niue with the design and construction of a new justice building in the capital Alofi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced.
Niue’s Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi is in New Zealand this week for a number of high-level meetings – including with Prime Minister Luxon, Minister Peters, Defence Minister Judith Collins and Associate Defence Minister Chris Penk – that build on the special and enduring free association relationship between the countries.
“Niue’s future is interconnected with the Pacific region and New Zealand remains steadfast in supporting its Realm partner’s development across a range of sectors,” Mr Peters says.
“We are proud of the partnership we have built with Niue, and we look forward to continuing to work together to realise our shared goals of resilience, prosperity and sustainability.”
New Zealand will work in partnership with Niue to deliver a new building for Niue’s justice sector services.
“This is another example of practical support, on the ground, for Niue. The new Justice Building ensures access to judicial services for all Niueans, for years to come,” Mr Peters says.
New Zealand has also announced it will support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Niue through a partnership between Business Link Pacific (BLP) and the Niue Development Bank (NDB). This partnership will offer eligible SMEs loans at reduced interest rates, along with subsidised advisory support to assist with their loan applications.
Funding for this initiative and the justice building project will come from New Zealand’s International Development Cooperation programme, with the size of our financial contribution to be determined.
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Details
2025-03-04
President Lai attends opening ceremony of GCTF Workshop on Whole-of-Society Resilience Building, Preparation, and Response
On the morning of March 4, President Lai Ching-te attended the opening ceremony of the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF) Workshop on Whole-of-Society Resilience Building, Preparation, and Response. In remarks, President Lai stated that global challenges such as extreme weather, pandemics, and energy crises continue to emerge, and growing authoritarianism presents a grave threat to freedom-loving countries. These challenges have no borders, he said, and absolutely no single country can face them alone. The president said that as a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan is both willing and able to contribute even more to the democracy, peace, and prosperity of the world, and that the GCTF is an important platform where Taiwan can make those contributions by sharing its experiences with the rest of the world. President Lai indicated that Taiwan will join the forces of the central and local governments to enhance social resilience across the board, enhance disaster response capabilities in the community, and leverage its strengths to make contributions to the international community. He said that we are demonstrating to the world our determination to create an even more resilient Taiwan, and expressed hope to advance mutual assistance and exchanges with all the countries involved, so that we can together promote stability and prosperity around the world. A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows: To begin, I would like to welcome more than 60 distinguished guests from 30 countries, as well as experts from Taiwan. You are all here for this GCTF workshop to discuss whole-of-society resilience building, preparation, and response. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan is both willing and able to contribute even more to the democracy, peace, and prosperity of the world. The GCTF is an important platform where Taiwan can make those contributions by sharing its experiences with the rest of the world. I want to thank our full GCTF partners, the United States, Japan, Australia, and Canada. Over the past several years, we have worked with even more countries through this framework and have expanded our exchanges into even more fields. Together, we have met all kinds of new challenges. I am confident that as our cooperation grows stronger, so will our ability to promote global progress. Each of today’s guests is contributing a vital force in that regard. I extend my sincere thanks to you all. Global challenges such as extreme weather, pandemics, and energy crises continue to emerge. And growing authoritarianism presents a grave threat to freedom-loving countries. These challenges have no borders, and absolutely no single country can face them alone. Taiwan holds a key position on the first island chain, and stands at the very frontline of the defense of democracy. With this joint workshop, we are demonstrating to the world our determination to create an even more resilient Taiwan. We are also aiming to advance our mutual assistance and exchanges with all the countries involved, so that we can make our societies more resilient and together promote stability and prosperity around the world. Moving forward, we will continue advancing the following three initiatives: First, we will join the forces of the central and local governments to enhance social resilience across the board. Just last year, I established the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee at the Presidential Office. Civilian force training, strategic material preparation, and critical infrastructure operation and maintenance are all key discussion areas for our committee. These aim to enhance Taiwan’s resilience in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy. They are also items on the agenda for this GCTF workshop. To cover all the bases, Taiwan must unite and cooperate as a team. Last year, our committee held the very first cross-sector tabletop exercise at the Presidential Office which included central and local government officials as well as civilian observers. We aim to test the government’s emergency response capabilities in high-intensity gray-zone operations and near-conflict situations. We will continue to hold exercises to help the central and local governments work together more efficiently, and strengthen Taiwan’s overall disaster response capabilities. Second is to enhance disaster response capabilities in the community. We fully understand that to build whole-of-society resilience, we must help people increase risk awareness, know how to respond to disasters, and develop abilities to help themselves, help one another, and work together. We are grateful to the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) for collaborating with the Taiwan Development Association for Disaster Medical Teams to host “Take Action” workshops around the country since 2021. A 2.0 version is already in practice, and continues to train the public in first aid skills. Director of the AIT Taipei Office Raymond Greene and I took part in a Take Action event in New Taipei City last year and personally saw the positive outcomes of the training. In addition to the Take Action workshops, the government is also providing Disaster Relief Volunteer training for ages 11 to 89, and is continuing to expand its target audience. We have also set up Taiwan Community Emergency Response Teams at key facilities nationwide, enhancing the ability of these important facilities to respond independently to disasters. Civilian training will continue to be refined and expanded so that members of the public can serve as important partners in government-led disaster prevention and relief. Third, we will leverage Taiwan’s strengths to make contributions to the international community. The inspiration for our Disaster Relief Volunteer training comes from a similar program run by The Nippon Care-Fit Education Institute in Japan. I am confident that through exchanges like this workshop, Taiwan and other countries can also inspire one another in many areas, and enhance whole-of-society resilience in multiple ways. Taiwan also excels in information and communications and advanced technology. We will set up even more robust cybersecurity systems, expand usage of emerging technologies, and improve the ways we maintain domestic security. We hope that by leveraging our capabilities and sharing our experiences, Taiwan can contribute even more to the international community. I want to welcome all our partners once again, and thank AIT for co-hosting this event. Let’s continue down the path of advancing global security and developing resilience together. Because together, we can travel farther, and we can travel longer. Also in attendance at the event were Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Deputy Representative Takaba Yo, Australian Office in Taipei Representative Robert Fergusson, and Canadian Trade Office in Taipei Executive Director Jim Nickel.
Details
2025-02-24
President Lai meets Japanese House of Representatives Member Tamaki Yuichiro
On the afternoon of February 24, President Lai Ching-te met with Japanese House of Representatives Member Tamaki Yuichiro. In remarks, President Lai noted that Taiwan and Japan are important trading partners. The president expressed hope that, in addition to semiconductors, Taiwan and Japan can also bolster cooperation in the fields of hydrogen energy and drones and build non-red supply chains, thus creating economic win-win situations and maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and globally. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I would like to start by warmly welcoming Representative Tamaki on his first trip to Taiwan. Now is a key moment for the cooperative ties between Taiwan and Japan, and the fact that Representative Tamaki has chosen to take time out of his busy schedule to make this trip demonstrates his especially meaningful support for Taiwan. For this I want to express my deepest gratitude. At the beginning of this month, Japan and the United States held a summit meeting. In the post-summit joint leaders’ statement the government of Japan reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion, and expressed support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. I would like to thank the government of Japan for these statements. Taiwan and Japan are both responsible members of the international community. I welcome an even firmer friendship between Japan and the US and hope to see cooperation among Taiwan, Japan, and the US become a solid force in consolidating peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. In addition to complex international conditions, we now also face the threat of China’s red supply chain. More and more countries are becoming increasingly concerned about such issues as economic security and supply chain resilience. As authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must also come closer in solidarity. Taiwan and Japan are important trading partners. I hope that, in addition to semiconductors, Taiwan and Japan can also bolster cooperation in the fields of hydrogen energy and drones, and that we can build non-red supply chains, thus creating economic win-win situations and maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and globally. Lastly, I would like once again to welcome Representative Tamaki to Taiwan and wish him a successful visit. I hope he departs Taiwan with a deep impression and that he will visit again. Representative Tamaki then delivered remarks, noting that this was his first visit to Taiwan and thanking President Lai and officials of the Taiwan government for their warm welcome. Pointing out that Taiwan-Japan ties are closer than ever thanks to the major efforts made on this front by President Lai since taking office, Representative Tamaki expressed his admiration and gratitude. Representative Tamaki pointed out that in a changing global landscape, Taiwan, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific region all face major changes, but he firmly believes that Taiwan-Japan relations will develop even further. Recalling President Lai’s previous remarks, the representative said that Japan and the US recently held a summit meeting that yielded important results. In the joint leaders’ statement, he noted, the two sides made a clear commitment regarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and firmly opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion. Representative Tamaki said that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Komeito did not win a majority in last year’s House of Representatives general elections, while the number of seats held by his own Democratic Party for the People quadrupled. This result, he said, has filled him with a feeling of great responsibility. Moving forward, he intends to continue promoting Taiwan-Japan cooperation and strengthening relations. Also in attendance at the meeting was Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.
Details
2025-02-21
President Lai meets Abe Akie, wife of late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan
On the morning of February 21, President Lai Ching-te met with Abe Akie, the wife of late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan. In remarks, President Lai thanked Mrs. Abe for carrying on the legacy of former Prime Minister Abe, being a benevolent and determined force for regional peace and prosperity, and calling on all parties to continue to place attention on peace in the Taiwan Strait. The president stated that Taiwan will carry on the legacy and spirit of former President Lee Teng-hui and former Prime Minister Abe, safeguard the values of freedom and democracy, and deepen the Taiwan-Japan friendship. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: Last May, Mrs. Abe came to Taiwan to attend the inauguration ceremony for myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, and we reminisced about the past here at the Presidential Office. I would like to warmly welcome her back today. I am also delighted to be meeting with all guests in attendance. Yesterday, Mrs. Abe and I attended the opening of the very first Halifax Taipei forum, for which Mrs. Abe also delivered a keynote speech earlier today. In her speech, she offered valuable input on global security and democratic development. I would like to thank Mrs. Abe for making this special trip to Taiwan to take part, showing her strong support for Taiwan. Former Prime Minister Abe pioneered the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and called on the international community to pay attention to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific. These have become common strategic goals of democratic countries around the world and will have a far-reaching influence over international developments and Taiwan’s security. They were important contributions that former Prime Minister Abe made in regard to the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region. Recently, current Prime Minister of Japan Ishiba Shigeru and United States President Donald Trump held a meeting and jointly reiterated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, as well as opposed unilateral changes to the status quo by force or coercion. They also expressed support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. This shows that Prime Minister Ishiba is furthering the legacy of former Prime Minister Abe. We are very grateful for the former prime minister’s friendship toward Taiwan, and to Mrs. Abe for carrying on his legacy. Mrs. Abe is a benevolent and determined force for regional peace and prosperity, and has called on all parties at numerous public venues to continue to place attention on peace in the Taiwan Strait. Last December, for instance, she traveled at the invitation of President Trump and his wife to the US, where she addressed cross-strait issues and spoke up for Taiwan. We were deeply moved by this. As authoritarian states continue to expand, Taiwan will keep working alongside like-minded nations such as Japan and the US, as well as the European Union, to jointly contribute to regional and global peace and prosperity. I look forward to continued advancement of regional peace and prosperity with the help of Mrs. Abe’s efforts. Mrs. Abe will also be meeting with daughter of former President Lee and Lee Teng-hui Foundation Chairperson Annie Lee (李安妮) tomorrow. Former President Lee and former Prime Minister Abe were both fully devoted to promoting Taiwan-Japan relations. We will carry on their legacy and spirit, safeguard the values of freedom and democracy, and deepen the Taiwan-Japan friendship. In closing, I wish you all a smooth and successful visit. Mrs. Abe then delivered remarks, first expressing her sincere thanks to President Lai for taking the time to meet. She said that former Prime Minister Abe hailed from Yamaguchi Prefecture, and that accompanying her that day were House of Councillors Member Kitamura Tsuneo, Yamaguchi Prefecture Governor Muraoka Tsugumasa, Yamaguchi Prefectural Assembly Deputy Speaker Shimata Noriaki, and many other important figures from Yamaguchi. If former Prime Minister Abe’s spirit could look upon this scene, she said, he would certainly be very pleased. Mrs. Abe recalled that when the former prime minister passed away, then-Vice President Lai traveled to their official residence to express his condolences and pay tribute. She said that she will never forget such a gesture of deep friendship, heartfelt condolences, and care. The year before last, she indicated, a memorial photo exhibition for former Prime Minister Abe was held in Taiwan, and many Taiwanese people from all walks of life came to view it. Last year, Mrs. Abe continued, she had the privilege of attending President Lai’s inauguration ceremony, where she met with many friends from Taiwan and personally felt the close and beautiful ties that Taiwan and Japan share. Mrs. Abe stated that she will carry out the wishes of former Prime Minister Abe and do her utmost to help raise Taiwan-Japan relations to new heights, saying that she looks forward to hearing the advice that President Lai and all those present have to offer. The delegation also included Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.
Details
2025-02-20
President Lai attends opening of 2025 Halifax Taipei forum
On the afternoon of February 20, President Lai Ching-te attended the opening of the 2025 Halifax Taipei forum. In remarks, President Lai thanked the Halifax International Security Forum for their strong support for Taiwan, and for having chosen Taiwan as the first location outside North America to hold a forum. Noting that we face a complex global landscape, the president called on the international community to take action. He said that as authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must also come closer in solidarity, and called on the international community to create non-red global supply chains, as well as unite to usher in peace. President Lai emphasized that Taiwan will work toward maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and collaborate with democratic partners to form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and together greet a bright, new era. A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows: To begin, I want to give a warm welcome to all the distinguished guests here at the very first Halifax Taipei forum. The Halifax International Security Forum, held every year in Canada, has been an important gathering for freedom-loving nations worldwide. I would like to thank Halifax and President [Peter] Van Praagh for their strong support for Taiwan. Every year since 2018, Taiwan has been invited to participate in the forum. Last year, former President Tsai Ing-wen was invited to speak, and this year, Halifax has chosen Taiwan as the first location outside North America to hold a forum. As President Van Praagh has said, “While the security challenges ahead are too big for any single country to solve alone, there is no challenge that can’t be met when the world’s democracies work together.” Today, we have world leaders and experts who traveled from afar to be here, showing that they value and support Taiwan. It demonstrates solidarity among democracies and the determination to take on challenges as one. I would like to express my gratitude and admiration to all of you for serving as defenders of freedom. At this very moment, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is still ongoing. Authoritarian regimes including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran continue to consolidate. China is hurting economies around the world through its dumping practices. We face grave challenges to global economic order, democracy, freedom, peace, and stability. Taiwan holds a key position on the first island chain, directly facing an authoritarian threat. But we will not be intimidated. We will stand firm and safeguard our national sovereignty, maintain our free and democratic way of life, and uphold peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan cherishes peace, but we also have no delusions about peace. We will uphold the spirit of peace through strength, using concrete actions to build a stronger Taiwan and bolster the free and democratic community. I sincerely thank the international community for continuing to attach importance to the situation in the Taiwan Strait. Recently, US President Donald Trump and Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru issued a joint leaders’ statement expressing their firm support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and for Taiwan’s participation in international affairs. As we face a complex global landscape, I call on the international community to take the following actions: First, as authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must also come closer in solidarity. Just a few days ago, the top diplomats of the US, Japan, and South Korea held talks, underlining the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They also conveyed their stance against “any effort to destabilize democratic institutions, economic independence, and global security.” On these issues, Taiwan will also continue to contribute its utmost. I recently announced that we will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. Soon after I assumed office last year, I formed the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee at the Presidential Office. This committee aims to combine the strengths of government and civil society to enhance our resilience in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy. We will also deepen our strategic partnerships in the democratic community to mutually increase defense resilience, demonstrate deterrence, and achieve our goal of peace throughout the world. Second, let’s create non-red global supply chains. For the democratic community to deter the expansion of authoritarianism, it must have strong technological capabilities. These can serve as the backbone of national defense, promote industrial development, and enhance economic resilience. So, in addressing China’s red supply chain and the impact of its dumping, Taiwan is willing and able to work with global democracies to maintain the technological strengths among our partners and build resilient non-red supply chains. As a major semiconductor manufacturing nation, Taiwan will introduce an initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships for global democracies. We will collaborate with our democratic partners to form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and establish democratic supply chains for industries connected to high-end chips. The achievements of today’s semiconductor industry in Taiwan can be attributed to our collective efforts. Government, industry, academia, and research institutions had to overcome various challenges over the last 50 years for us to secure this position. We hope Taiwan can serve as a base for linking the capabilities of our democratic partners so that each can play a suitable role in the semiconductor industry chain and develop its own strengths, deepening our mutually beneficial cooperation in technology. This benefits all of us. Moreover, it allows us to further enhance deterrence and maintain global security. Third, let’s unite to usher in peace. China has not stopped intimidating Taiwan politically and militarily. Last year, China launched several large-scale military exercises in the Taiwan Strait. Its escalation of gray-zone aggression now poses a grave threat to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will maintain the status quo. We will not seek conflict. Rather, we are willing to engage in dialogue with China, under the principles of parity and dignity, and work toward maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. As the agenda of this forum suggests, democracy and freedom create more than just opportunities; they also bring resilience, justice, partnerships, and security. Taiwan will continue working alongside its democratic partners to greet a bright, new era. Once again, a warm welcome to all of you. I wish this forum every success. Thank you. Also in attendance at the event were Mrs. Abe Akie, wife of the late former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan, and Halifax International Security Forum President Van Praagh.
Details
2025-02-18
President Lai meets British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group delegation
On the morning of February 18, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). In remarks, President Lai thanked the delegation members, the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and the UK government for continuing to demonstrate support for Taiwan through a variety of means. He also stated that Taiwan-UK relations have advanced significantly in recent years, noting that the Taiwan-UK Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) is the first institutionalized economic and trade framework signed between Taiwan and any European country. The president said he looks forward to continuing to deepen Taiwan-UK relations and jointly maintaining regional and global peace and stability, and indicated that together, we can create win-win developments for both Taiwan and the UK and Taiwan and European nations. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: This is the first UK parliamentary delegation of the current session to visit Taiwan. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend my sincerest welcome to you all. APPG Chair Sarah Champion visited Taiwan last May to attend the inauguration ceremony of myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao. In July, she also attended the annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), which was held in Taipei. I am delighted that we are meeting once again. Taiwan-UK relations have advanced significantly in recent years. I would especially like to thank our distinguished guests, as well as the UK Parliament and government, for continuing to demonstrate support for Taiwan through a variety of means. For example, the House of Commons held a debate on Taiwan’s international status last November. After the debate, a motion was unanimously passed affirming that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 does not mention Taiwan. Responding to the motion, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Catherine West stated that the UK opposes any attempt to broaden the interpretation of the resolution to rewrite history. This highlighted concrete progress in Taiwan-UK bilateral relations. I would also like to thank the UK Parliament and government for openly opposing on multiple occasions any unilateral change to the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, and for emphasizing that the security of the Indo-Pacific and transatlantic regions is closely intertwined. We look forward to continuing to deepen Taiwan-UK relations and jointly maintaining regional and global peace and stability. Together, we can create win-win developments for both Taiwan and the UK and Taiwan and European nations. For example, the Taiwan-UK ETP is the first institutionalized economic and trade framework signed between Taiwan and any European country. We hope to swiftly conclude negotiations on signing sub-arrangements on investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero transition. This will facilitate even more exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and the UK. We also hope that the UK will continue to support Taiwan’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Together, we can build even more resilient global supply chains and further contribute to global prosperity and development. I believe that this visit adds to a strong and solid foundation for future Taiwan-UK cooperation. Thank you once again for backing Taiwan. I wish you a fruitful and successful visit. Chair Champion then delivered remarks, thanking President Lai for his warm welcome and for the hospitality he has shown to her and the delegation, and thanking Taiwan’s excellent team of officials for their care and attention. Chair Champion expressed that she thinks the IPAC conference held in Taiwan at the end of July last year was very significant, with legislators from 23 countries coming to show support for Taiwan, adding that that is something they have built on since the conference. She stated that she is also very proud that the UK Parliament supported the motion which made very clear that UNGA Resolution 2758 is specific to China and only to China, expressing that it was important and powerful that they recognize that. The chair went on to say that after the UK’s general election, more than half of the members of parliament are now new. She said she is very proud that there are new MPs as part of the delegation, and that she hopes it gives President Lai reassurance that their commitment to Taiwan is still there. Chair Champion emphasized that the all-party group is important because it is indeed all-party, and that they work together for their common interests, stating that the common interest for the UK and for the world is to maintain Taiwan’s sovereignty. She also noted that the United States has now come out very much in support of Taiwan, which she said she hopes encourages other countries around the world to do the same. Chair Champion said that the UK will be going into the 27th trade negotiation with Taiwan, and that they hope the partnership that develops is very fruitful. The chair closed by saying that it is wonderful for the delegation to be meeting President Lai, as well as legislators and ministers, and to be understanding more about the culture of Taiwan so that they can build a deeper, longer-lasting friendship. The delegation also included Lord Purvis of Tweed of the House of Lords and Members of Parliament Ben Spencer, Helena Dollimore, Noah Law, and David Reed. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Political and Communications Director at the British Office in Taipei Natasha Harrington.
Details
2025-02-14
President Lai holds press conference following high-level national security meeting
On the morning of February 14, President Lai Ching-te convened the first high-level national security meeting of the year, following which he held a press conference. In remarks, President Lai announced that in this new year, the government will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that Taiwan’s defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. He stated that the government will also continue to reform national defense, reform our legal framework for national security, and advance our economic and trade strategy of being rooted in Taiwan while expanding globally. The president also proposed clear-cut national strategies for Taiwan-US relations, semiconductor industry development, and cross-strait relations. President Lai indicated that he instructed the national security and administrative teams to take swift action and deliver results, working within a stable strategic framework and according to the various policies and approaches outlined. He also instructed them to keep a close watch on changes in the international situation, seize opportunities whenever they arise, and address the concerns and hope of the citizens with concrete actions. He expressed hope that as long as citizens remain steadfast in their convictions, are willing to work hand in hand, stand firm amidst uncertainty, and look for ways to win within changing circumstances, Taiwan is certain to prevail in the test of time yet again. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: First, I would like to convey my condolences for the tragic incident which occurred at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung, which resulted in numerous casualties. I have instructed Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) to lead the relevant central government agencies in assisting Taichung’s municipal government with actively resolving various issues regarding the incident. It is my hope that these issues can be resolved efficiently. Earlier today, I convened this year’s first high-level national security meeting. I will now report on the discussions from the meeting to all citizens. 2025 is a year full of challenges, but also a year full of hope. In today’s global landscape, the democratic world faces common threats posed by the convergence of authoritarian regimes, while dumping and unfair competition from China undermine the global economic order. A new United States administration was formed at the beginning of the year, adopting all-new strategies and policies to address challenges both domestic and from overseas. Every nation worldwide, including ours, is facing a new phase of changes and challenges. In face of such changes, ensuring national security, ensuring Taiwan’s indispensability in global supply chains, and ensuring that our nation continues to make progress amidst challenges are our top priorities this year. They are also why we convened a high-level national security meeting today. At the meeting, the national security team, the administrative team led by Premier Cho, and I held an in-depth discussion based on the overall state of affairs at home and abroad and the strategies the teams had prepared in response. We summed up the following points as an overall strategy for the next stage of advancing national security and development. First, for overall national security, so that we can ensure the freedom, democracy, and human rights of the Taiwanese people, as well as the progress and development of the nation as we face various threats from authoritarian regimes, Taiwan must resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, strengthen self-sufficiency in national defense, and consolidate national defense. Taiwan must enhance economic resilience, maintain economic autonomy, and stand firm with other democracies as we deepen our strategic partnerships with like-minded countries. As I have said, “As authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must come closer in solidarity!” And so, in this new year, we will focus on the following three priorities: First, to demonstrate our resolve for national defense, we will continue to reform national defense, implement whole-of-society defense resilience, and prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. Second, to counter the threats to our national security from China’s united front tactics, attempts at infiltration, and cognitive warfare, we will continue with the reform of our legal framework for national security and expand the national security framework to boost societal resilience and foster unity within. Third, to seize opportunities in the restructuring of global supply chains and realignment of the economic order, we will continue advancing our economic and trade strategy of being rooted in Taiwan while expanding globally, strengthening protections for high-tech, and collaborating with our friends and allies to build supply chains for global democracies. Everyone shares concern regarding Taiwan-US relations, semiconductor industry development, and cross-strait relations. For these issues, I am proposing clear-cut national strategies. First, I will touch on Taiwan-US relations. Taiwan and the US have shared ideals and values, and are staunch partners within the democratic, free community. We are very grateful to President Donald Trump’s administration for their continued support for Taiwan after taking office. We are especially grateful for the US and Japan’s joint leaders’ statement reiterating “the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity for the international community,” as well as their high level of concern regarding China’s threat to regional security. In fact, the Democratic Progressive Party government has worked very closely with President Trump ever since his first term in office, and has remained an international partner. The procurement of numerous key advanced arms, freedom of navigation critical for security and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and many assisted breakthroughs in international diplomacy were made possible during this time. Positioned in the first island chain and on the democratic world’s frontline countering authoritarianism, Taiwan is willing and will continue to work with the US at all levels as we pursue regional stability and prosperity, helping realize our vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Although changes in policy may occur these next few years, the mutual trust and close cooperation between Taiwan and Washington will steadfastly endure. On that, our citizens can rest assured. In accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, the US announced a total of 48 military sales to Taiwan over the past eight years amounting to US$26.265 billion. During President Trump’s first term, 22 sales were announced totaling US$18.763 billion. This greatly supported Taiwan’s defensive capabilities. On the foundation of our close cooperation with the past eight years’ two US administrations, Taiwan will continue to demonstrate our determination for self-defense, accelerate the bolstering of our national defense, and keep enhancing the depth and breadth of Taiwan-US security cooperation, along with all manner of institutional cooperation. In terms of bilateral economic cooperation, Taiwan has always been one of the US’s most reliable trade partners, as well as one of the most important cooperative partners of US companies in the global semiconductor industry. In the past few years, Taiwan has greatly increased both direct and indirect investment in the US. By 2024, investment surpassed US$100 billion, creating nearly 400,000 job opportunities. In 2023 and 2024, investment in the US accounted for over 40 percent of Taiwan’s overall foreign investment, far surpassing our investment in China. In fact, in 2023 and 2024, Taiwanese investment in China fell to 11 percent and 8 percent, respectively. The US is now Taiwan’s biggest investment target. Our government is now launching relevant plans in accordance with national development needs and the need to establish secure supply systems, and the Executive Yuan is taking comprehensive inventory of opportunities for Taiwan-US economic and trade cooperation. Moving forward, close bilateral cooperation will allow us to expand US investment and procurement, facilitating balanced trade. Our government will also strengthen guidance and support for Taiwanese enterprises on increasing US investment, and promote the global expansion and growth of Taiwan’s industries. We will also boost Taiwan-US cooperation in tech development and manufacturing for AI and advanced semiconductors, and work together to maintain order in the semiconductor market, shaping a new era for our strategic economic partnership. Second, the development of our semiconductor industry. I want to emphasize that Taiwan, as one of the world’s most capable semiconductor manufacturing nations, is both willing and able to address new situations. With respect to President Trump’s concerns about our semiconductor industry, the government will act prudently, strengthen communications between Taiwan and the US, and promote greater mutual understanding. We will pay attention to the challenges arising from the situation and assist businesses in navigating them. In addition, we will introduce an initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships for global democracies. We are willing to collaborate with the US and our other democratic partners to develop more resilient and diversified semiconductor supply chains. Leveraging our strengths in cutting-edge semiconductors, we will form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and establish democratic supply chains for industries connected to high-end chips. Through international cooperation, we will open up an entirely new era of growth in the semiconductor industry. As we face the various new policies of the Trump administration, we will continue to uphold a spirit of mutual benefit, and we will continue to communicate and negotiate closely with the US government. This will help the new administration’s team to better understand how Taiwan is an indispensable partner in the process of rebuilding American manufacturing and consolidating its leadership in high-tech, and that Taiwan-US cooperation will benefit us both. Third, cross-strait relations. Regarding the regional and cross-strait situation, Taiwan-US relations, US-China relations, and interactions among Taiwan, the US, and China are a focus of global attention. As a member of the international democratic community and a responsible member of the region, Taiwan hopes to see Taiwan-US relations continue to strengthen and, alongside US-China relations, form a virtuous cycle rather than a zero-sum game where one side’s gain is another side’s loss. In facing China, Taiwan will always be a responsible actor. We will neither yield nor provoke. We will remain resilient and composed, maintaining our consistent position on cross-strait relations: Our determination to safeguard our national sovereignty and protect our free and democratic way of life remains unchanged. Our efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, as well as our willingness to work alongside China in the pursuit of peace and mutual prosperity across the strait, remain unchanged. Our commitment to promoting healthy and orderly exchanges across the strait, choosing dialogue over confrontation, and advancing well-being for the peoples on both sides of the strait, under the principles of parity and dignity, remains unchanged. Regarding the matters I reported to the public today, I have instructed our national security and administrative teams to take swift action and deliver results, working within a stable strategic framework and according to the various policies and approaches I just outlined. I have also instructed them to keep a close watch on changes in the international situation, seize opportunities whenever they arise, and address the concerns and hope of the citizens with concrete actions. My fellow citizens, over the past several years, Taiwan has weathered a global pandemic and faced global challenges, both political and economic, arising from the US-China trade war and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Through it all, Taiwan has persevered; we have continued to develop our economy, bolster our national strength, and raise our international profile while garnering more support – all unprecedented achievements. This is all because Taiwan’s fate has never been decided by the external environment, but by the unity of the Taiwanese people and the resolve to never give up. A one-of-a-kind global situation is creating new strategic opportunities for our one-of-a-kind Taiwanese people, bringing new hope. Taiwan’s foundation is solid; its strength is great. So as long as everyone remains steadfast in their convictions, is willing to work hand in hand, stands firm amidst uncertainty, and looks for ways to win within changing circumstances, Taiwan is certain to prevail in the test of our time yet again, for I am confident that there are no difficulties that Taiwan cannot overcome. Thank you.
The Paris-based global watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has expressed support for Gaza’s media professionals and called on Israel to urgently lift the blockade on the territory.
It said the humanitarian catastrophe was continuing in Gaza and hampering journalists’ work on a daily basis.
The Israeli army had killed their colleagues and destroyed their homes and newsrooms, said RSF in a statement.
Gaza’s remaining journalists, who had survived 15 months of intensive bombardment, continued to face immense challenges despite the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that came into effect on 19 January 2025 with the first stage expiring last weekend.
Humanitarian aid, filtered by the Israeli authorities, is merely trickling into the blockaded territory, and Israel continues to deny entry access to foreign journalists, forbidding independent outlets from covering the aftermath of the war and the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.
Exiled Palestinian journalists are also prevented from returning to the Gaza Strip.
“We urgently call for the blockade that is suffocating the press in Gaza to be lifted,” said RSF editorial director Anne Bocandé.
“Reporters need multimedia and security equipment, internet and electricity.
“Foreign reporters need access to the territory, and exiled Palestinian journalists need to be able to return.
“While the ceasefire in Gaza has put an end to an unprecedented massacre of journalists, media infrastructure remains devastated.
“RSF continues to campaign for justice and provide all necessary support to these journalists, to defend a free, pluralist and independent press in Palestine.”
Reporters face the shock of a humanitarian catastrophe
“The scale of the destruction is immense, terrifying,” said Islam al-Zaanoun of Palestine TV.
“Life seems to have disappeared. The streets have become open-air rubbish dumps. With no place to work, no internet or electricity, I was forced to stop working for several days.”
Journalists must also contend with a severe fuel shortage, making travel within the country difficult and expensive. Like the rest of Gaza’s population, reporters have to spend long hours in queues every day to obtain water and food.
“Entire areas are unreachable,” Al Jazeera correspondent Hani al-Shaer told RSF.
“The situation remains dangerous. We came under Israeli fire in Rafah.”
The journalist explained that due to an unrelenting series of crises, he was forced to choose which stories he covered.
“The destroyed infrastructure? The humanitarian crisis? Abandoned orphans?” he wondered.
With at least 180 media professionals killed by the Israeli army in the course of 15 months of war, including at least 42 killed on the job, according to RSF figures, surviving journalists must face their trauma while continuing their news mission.
Gaza media sources put the journalist death toll at more than 200.
“We covered this tragedy, but we were also part of it. Often, we were the target,” stressed Islam al-Zaanoun.
“We still can’t rest or sleep. We’re still terrified that the war will start again,” adds Hani al-Shaer.
From Egypt to Qatar, journalists who managed to escape the horror continue to live with the consequences, unable to return to their loved ones and homes.
“My greatest hope is to return home and see my loved ones again. But the border is closed and my house is destroyed, like those of most journalists,” lamented Ola al-Zaanoun, RSF Gaza correspondent, now based in Egypt.
The Gaza bureau chief of The New Arab, Diaa al-Kahlout is one of many who watched the Israeli Army destroy his house.
“When they arrested me, they bombed and set fire to my house and car. I’ve lost everything I’ve earned in my career as a journalist, and I’m starting all over again,” he told RSF.
A refugee in Doha, Qatar, he is still haunted by the abuse inflicted by Israeli forces during his month-long detention in December 2023, following his arbitrary arrest at his home in Beit Lahya, a city in the north of the Gaza Strip.
“No matter how many times I tell myself that I’m safe here, that I’m lucky enough to have my wife and children with me, I have trouble sleeping, working, making decisions,” confided the journalist, whose brother was killed in the war.
“I’m scared all the time,” he added.
Asia Pacific Media Network’s Pacific Media Watch project collaborates with Reporters Without Borders.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to speak with President Donald J. Trump’s nominee for Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Elbridge Colby. During the hearing, Senator Tuberville and Mr. Colby discussed the Trump administration’s plan to counter our foreign adversaries and the importance of selecting locations of military installations based on merit and not politics.
Read the transcript below or watch the full interaction on YouTube or Rumble.
ON COUNTERING CHINESE AGGRESSION IN PANAMA CANAL:
TUBERVILLE: “Good to see you and your family and thank you for wanting to take on this job. It’s going to be very difficult, but we think you can handle it. Mr. Colby, you advocate for a strategy of denial in military and geopolitical context. How does this concept translate to Central and South American places like Panama and the troubling amount of influence that China is starting to have and has had in that area? And by the way, they just announced that one of our major corporations is purchasing both ports at the Panama Canal, which is very good news.”
MR. COLBY: “Well, thanks very much, Senator. And I think the President’s early initiatives on our hemisphere in places like Panama are very encouraging. I think this is part of an overall strategy, both to secure our own interests directly, secure the territorial integrity of our homeland from unchecked migration and lethal fentanyl flows that are killing hundreds of thousands of Americans. But also, as you said, Senator, to ensure that China does not gain a foothold or beyond a dominant position in critical areas of Latin America, which I think was happening. I think that’s a big part of the strategy now. I think part of that is up to the military, but a lot of it’s part of the other agencies of government, the State Department. I know former ambassador in Mexico, Chris Landau, Ambassador Chris Landau, is going through his hearing downstairs. I believe he’s up for the Deputy Secretary of State. You know, I think that’s a kind of relationship between DOD and State Department where you have a clear picture that we’ve got to have a handle on our hemisphere. We’re pursuing our own strategies and we’re also empowering countries in the hemisphere and in the region to contribute more, you know, through development, through better governance themselves, through alignment with the kind of common-sense approaches that I think that we’re following here. That can result in better outcomes for all of us.”
TUBERVILLE: “Yeah, I think you’ll find the new administration in Panama is very receptive […] once you get in your position, you’ll find that out. Been down there several times, and they need help as we need more access to the canal. So, thank you for that.”
ON IMPORTANCE OF BRINGING SPACECOM TO BEST LOCATION:
TUBERVILLE: “In 2023, President Biden overrode President Trump, the Department of Air Force, and the findings of multiple studies, including an inspector general review and directed that the headquarters of Space Command remain in Colorado instead of moving to its selected location at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. My State. Mr. Colby, if confirmed, you will be the senior DOD official in charge of space policy, […] as well as strategy plans and capabilities for the entire department. Do you agree with me that, as a matter of policy, it is in our nation’s best interest to make basing decisions on merit and not on political agendas?”
MR. COLBY: “I do, Senator.”
TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. Mr. Colby, much of your work is about prioritizing our defense policy towards deterring aggression with China our pacing challenge. What do you make of the progress made over past few years by our adversaries toward integrating with their militaries. I’m talking about since Ukraine, Russia have had their conflict, all the people in the east basically that are running to China. What’s your thought on that?”
MR. COLBY: “Well, I think it’s really, really disturbing Senator. I think there has been this kind of, think of it as like a counter coalition. China, Russia, Iran, North Korea. China’s kind of the cornerstone of that coalition. It’s by far the largest economy. Their support has made the Russian war effort in Ukraine sustainable. They’re helping the Iranians. The Iranians are helping them. The Russians are helping the North Koreans. So, I think there’s a couple of things to be done about that.
On the defense side, I think it’s important for us to work with our allies to kind of plug the gaps in our perimeter. A lot of that is getting our forces in a better state of readiness, putting them in the right place, getting our defense industrial base back in a good shape, robust defense funding, and then getting our allies to step up. I think a big part of this is we have some allies—Israel, I’ve mentioned, India, South Korea, Poland— they’re really pulling their weight. You could add Finland up there, is doing a pretty good job. But a lot of the biggest economies in our alliance network really aren’t pulling their weight. They’re starting now. So, I think there’s a real opportunity to capitalize on that because together, we are much wealthier than this counter coalition, but we’ve got to turn that into real military capability.”
ON BRICS:
TUBERVILLE: “Your quick thoughts on BRICS.”
MR. COLBY: “I think, you know, BRICS are sort of a representation of the changing world dynamic. I think Secretary Rubio put it very well. We’re no longer in Charles Krauthammer’s unipolar world. We’re in a world—United States is still, I think, the strongest country out there, but China is the biggest, most powerful rival we face in probably a hundred and fifty years, and other countries are making their decisions. Obviously, the Indians who I think our relationship there is golden going forward, and we should really deepen that. And if confirmed, I would make a big priority of that. They’re part of it, so it’s complicated. But people are going to be moving around talking to, you know, the Saudis are talking to Russians and they’re talking to us. That’s very common. That’s how the world’s going to be. That’s the reality of the world system as it is now, I think.”
TUBERVILLE: “Thank you.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
In floor speech, Murray slams yearlong CR proposal, calls for transparency from DOGE so Congress can do its job, and reiterates call for Musk to come before Congress
Murray: “No one wants a shutdown—well, no one except Elon Musk, who recently said that ‘sounds great.’”
Murray: “Elon Musk is, apparently, in charge of his own conflicts of interest—we’re just supposed to trust him. Has he recused himself from a single decision? We haven’t heard a single update about that.”
***WATCH: Senator Murray’s floor speech***
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations, took to the Senate floor and delivered the following remarks on government funding talks, House Republican leadership’s yearlong CR plan, DOGE’s utter lack of transparency, and Elon Musk’s glaring conflicts of interest that are going completely unaddressed by the Trump administration:
[ON GOVERNMENT FUNDING TALKS]
“No one wants a shutdown. Well, actually, no one except Elon Musk, who recently said that ‘sounds great,’ or Donald Trump or Russ Vought.
“That’s why I have been at the table this entire time, ready to pass bills that protect key investments and ensure Congress—not Donald Trump or Elon Musk—decides whether or not our public schools or lifesaving cancer research get funded.
“Unfortunately, Republican leadership told their members last week to walk away from the negotiating table—which raises the risk of a shutdown—in an attempt to pass a clean yearlong continuing resolution that would actually give Trump and Musk exactly what they want: fewer restraints, and more power over federal spending so they can pick winners and losers as they see fit, which would hurt all of our constituents.
“Nonetheless, I am urging Republican leadership to come back to the table, if they are willing to do that, and work with us on full-year funding bills—the type of work we do together every year—and prevent a shutdown while we do that.
[ON REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP’S FULL-YEAR CR]
“We cannot stand by and accept a yearlong power grab CR that would help Elon take a chainsaw to programs that families rely on and agencies that keep our communities safe.
“We actually have a job to do—Republicans and Democrats—to be a voice for our constituents, to advocate for the funding they need, and to get support back to our communities.
“I have heard my House Republican colleagues say they will not restrict a Republican President’s powers. I want to be clear: what I am asking for is to work together to make sure that as we write and negotiate these full-year spending bills, our laws get followed. I welcome, and I want everyone to know, I am open to any and all ideas on how we can work together to do that.
“I am confident we can get this done. I am ready to pass a short-term CR immediately to take down the risk of a shutdown so that we can finish our negotiations and write full-year spending bills.
[ON UTTER LACK OF TRANSPARENCY FROM TRUMP ADMIN, DOGE]
“Now, on a topic I believe appropriators on both sides would agree with: we need far more information and transparency and accountability from the Trump administration to write these bills.
“Because, here’s one big problem—among many: how are we supposed to fund the government when many agencies are not responding to any of our questions, and when we have no clear picture of who is actually in charge of many of our agencies?
“It’s clear as day there have been a lot of dramatic changes made across the government.
“Agencies are being illegally shuttered. Workers are being fired by the thousands—again, often in direct violation of laws we have passed. And hundreds of billions of dollars in federal programs and grants have been frozen, unfrozen, and frozen again. We’ve had contracts that have recklessly cancelled, some accidentally and then restarted—not to mention the workers who have fired and rehired.
“It is incredibly chaotic—and it makes it much harder to write legislation that actually responds to the latest developments, when programs are switching on and off again like a two-year-old is playing with a light switch—and when the number of people and programs illegally terminated remains unclear.
“It is much more difficult to write funding bills for Department programs when we have no idea what the Department is actually doing, or what the actual plan is for the next year, or if it’s actually them or perhaps DOGE making the plans in the first place.
“When we are seeing decisions made and reversed, or made and ignored, or made by people who have no authority making them—and yet seemingly being implemented. And it’s not just the whirlwind of decisions that are causing chaos. It is the complete lack of transparency and accountability surrounding these decisions from Trump and Musk that makes it all but impossible to get a straight answer.
“When we have questions that urgently need answers—like why has this energy program been frozen, or when will the NIH grants start up again, or which VA contracts have actually been scrapped or how many workers are being pushed out—then it helps if we know who is actually in charge.
“When our constituents have problems that require solutions quickly or they will have to close a business, or lay people off, or lose the family farm—then it matters that we can get the right person on the phone to get things resolved.
“And yet, when there is information we urgently need so we can write funding bills and avoid a shutdown like agency priorities or unexpected challenges or just the basic nuts and bolts stuff—to say nothing of the information we need to address the very extraordinary circumstances and decisions of the past few weeks—it is totally unclear who we should actually be talking to if we want answers that actually reflect the reality of what is happening.
“It is totally unclear who is actually making decisions—and who is actually in charge.
“Appropriators have now sent over thirty letters to agencies since January 20th asking to just understand agency actions—and that’s to say nothing of the efforts from me and my staff to get answers to our emails and our calls. But the answers have been few and very far between.
“And what’s more, just because we hear something from someone who should know, just because we hear from someone who should be in charge—we have found that does not mean it’s actually true.
“There is more than one time in the past few weeks, where we’ve been told one thing, only to see the reality is entirely different.
“Like, for example, when the OMB funding freeze was implemented and we were told it won’t affect Head Start—except that it did affect Head Start. Providers in my state were locked out of the payment system for days—even after the funding freeze itself was rescinded.
“It seems like the only thing that has been consistent about the last few weeks is that every time there has been chaos, every time I’ve seen actions that fly in the face of laws we have passed—not to mention common sense—or contradict what I’ve heard from agency leaders, DOGE has been at the center of it.
“We have seen DOGE absolutely trample the authority of Congress, and other federal agencies—including officials Congress confirmed.
“For example, while Secretary Rubio instituted a recklessly broad and illegal freeze of all foreign assistance funding, he publicly announced exceptions for a limited set of programs—including lifesaving aid—the basic idea being that we probably shouldn’t let HIV spread rampant and we probably shouldn’t let food grown right here in America rot in ports while children starve.
“Causing mass death through pointless negligence is not really a good strategy for bolstering our global reputation. It is cruel and self-defeating. So, as Secretary of State he made the exception. But DOGE had other plans. Because on the rare occasion that what was left of USAID staff who hadn’t been sidelined, was able to clear these payments through the agency’s interim leadership—surprise! DOGE staffers would veto the payments anyways.
“Keep in mind: we don’t know about this because DOGE disclosed it or State disclosed it—we know only because of reporting.
“That should not be how this works. Congress—and the American people—should not be out of the loop.
“Especially given the serious stakes here—and the serious questions that remain, like: on what authority did they veto these payments? Whose orders did they overrule the Secretary? I would very much like to know.
“Because while the Secretary is guilty of plenty of the attacks on his workforce and programs, it certainly seems like the Secretary of State got steamrolled on numerous occasions, without even knowing it.
“And if that’s the case: who are we supposed to talk to with questions about State’s funding needs? The Secretary, or the two DOGE minions who actually have their hands directly on the levers of power here?
“And let’s not forget about what happened at Treasury. DOGE wanted access to our most secure systems. Agency officials told them no. And then the agency officials were told ‘you’re fired.’
“That sent a chilling message to our federal workers: you stand up to DOGE at your own peril.
“And it’s not just Treasury—DOGE has been worming its way into Department after Department, making a beeline for the most sensitive systems, including ones storing my constituents’ sensitive financial data, and bulldozing over anyone who stands in their way, for any reason.
“We don’t even know who all of these people are or whether they even have security clearances.
“They even had people fired for denying them access to classified material beyond their security levels. That is how completely unchecked their power has become. And we have incredibly little insight into what they are actually doing with those sensitive systems.
“We’ve seen DOGE claim they only can view some data—that’s already deeply concerning—but there are also plenty of indications they have been given more power at times.
“And they are interested in tinkering around with some of these systems too or unaccountably blocking payments like we saw at USAID
“And let’s talk about the Defense Department, because first Secretary Hegseth was saying he wanted to revive the quote, ‘warrior spirit’ at the Department, but now he’s telling employees to reply to DOGE’s weekly emails. He is firing thousands of defense personnel, and he’s asking every corner of DOD to propose major cuts.
“So, as an appropriator, trying to write full-year bills that fund our military, which is it? Major increases? Or major cuts?
“And who do I ask about the Department’s needs? Is this up to the Secretary? Or up to DOGE? And who at DOGE is even steering this ship?
“We need to know this kind of thing—and we really needed to know yesterday. Because we have a deadline coming up for funding the military, and we have some serious questions for whoever is in charge about how the administration is approaching things.
“And when I say whoever is in charge, I don’t mean who is in charge on paper—because it seems like there is a big disconnect.
“I mean who is actually making the decisions and driving actions at our agencies—and at DOGE for that matter.
“Because, look: first Elon was running DOGE with Vivek, then it was just Elon, then it supposedly wasn’t Elon at all.
“But then, Elon kept right on posting about hiring decisions like someone in charge and rehiring an individual who resigned after their blatant racism came to light.
“And he kept right on doing press availabilities with the President—in the Oval Office—to discuss his work at DOGE, like someone in charge. So it sure looks like Elon is still the head of DOGE.
“And even after we were all finally told, with great supposed certainty, that DOGE is actually being run by another person no one had even mentioned, we then promptly learned: oh, she’s on vacation. And the very next day we saw Elon briefing the Cabinet on what he is doing at DOGE.
“If that seems at all confusing, or contradictory, I don’t think it’s an accident, so much as a smokescreen—one that seems designed to hide the obvious fact that Elon Musk is the one calling the shots at DOGE.
[ON ELON MUSK’S GLARING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST]
“All of us here in Congress really need to know that—because this is the richest man in the world with billions in government contracts on the line.
“Elon Musk is, apparently, in charge of his own conflicts of interest. We’re just supposed to trust him. Has he recused himself from a single decision? We haven’t heard a single update about that.
“As a steward of taxpayer dollars who wants to make sure the bills we write are implemented to help my constituents—not Elon Musk’s bottom line—I would like to know:
Did the owner of Space X recuse himself from decisions gutting NASA?
Did the owner of Tesla interfere at all in funding freezes that will hurt his competition in the electric vehicle market?Does the guy who posted criticizing Verizon’s work for FAA and pitching his own company Starlink as an alternative have anything to do with reports the government may reverse course now on the Verizon contract?
Did the guy selling satellite internet have any role in halting funds that were helping connect my constituents to broadband?
Or what about all the watchdogs that have been fired? People reviewing Neuralink devices at FDA? People at the agency that reviews the safety of Tesla’s self-driving cars? Or the Inspector General looking into Elon’s connections to foreign governments?
“Despite what Musk likes to pretend, it is not in the slightest bit transparent for him alone to be deciding what he hides, and what he shares about his role in government.
“Nor is it transparent when DOGE is posting updates that are often completely inaccurate from getting basic math wrong, to getting wrong basic timelines of what Trump did versus Biden did, to not understanding how contracts work—and counting the same ‘cuts’ over and over and over again.
“They aren’t being transparent—they are muddying up the waters with falsehoods and disinformation and making it that much harder for us to write meaningful funding bills in the next few days.
“I mean—if DOGE doesn’t even know what programs they’ve cut and how much they’ve cut—how are we supposed to understand how these decisions could hurt our constituents? How are we supposed to write legislation that rejects the cuts we find harmful or even aligns if there are areas of agreement?
[ON MUSK NEEDING TO COME BEFORE CONGRESS]
“We need real answers from DOGE—and we need them as soon as possible. And so, I am once again requesting that Elon Musk come before Congress for a hearing and be held accountable to the American people.
“Tell us: what exactly are you doing? Why are you firing federal employees whose salaries are covered by fees, not taxpayer dollars? Why are you firing veterans—by the thousands—who are doing work to support our communities? Why are you planning to fire the people who make sure seniors get their Social Security checks? Who are the people who work for you? How were they vetted? What are your long-term plans for the agencies? And based on what authority are you overruling Secretaries, directing federal workers, and ignoring the laws we pass in Congress?
“America is waiting—but we are losing valuable time. Congress—and the American people—deserve answers. And we need them to do our jobs.”
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
Murray has been a leading voice calling out the Trump administration for illegally freezing hundreds of billions of dollars owed to communities across the country, including hundreds of millions of dollars for Washington state
***WATCH VIDEO HERE; DOWNLOAD HERE***
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a virtual press conference with businesses and organizations across Washington state—from Bremerton, to Skagit County, to Vancouver, to Okanogan—who are being harmed by Trump’s ongoing illegal freezes on vast swaths of federal funding owed to Washington state and communities across the country, putting critical projects, jobs, and entire businesses at risk. Senator Murray has been raising the alarm nonstop and working to get out information on what Trump’s illegal funding freezes mean for people across the country since his Day One Executive Orders went into effect—these illegal Executive Orders are right now blocking hundreds of billions of dollars in funding from going out the door.
Joining Senator Murray for the press conference today were: Michael Frazier, Executive Director of Viva Farms in Skagit County; Rena Shawver, Executive Director of Okanogan County Community Action Council in Okanogan; Richard Schwarz, the CEO of Safe Boats in Bremerton; and Greg Franks, President of Manor Management Services, the management agency for Smith Tower in Vancouver. All four speakers represent businesses and organizations that have had federal funding they are owed frozen, cut off, or thrown into uncertainty because of the illegal actions of this administration.
Ahead of President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress, Senator Murray is lifting up the stories of real people in Washington state who are being hurt by Donald Trump’s reckless and illegal moves—from his indiscriminate mass firings across the federal workforce that will undermine services we all rely on and put lives at risk, to his illegal funding freezes that are seriously harming businesses and organizations across Washington state and putting them in financial jeopardy. Senator Murray’s statement on why she won’t be attending the Joint Address tonight is HERE.
“Despite what we may hear later tonight—the true state of our union is that Musk and Trump have ground it to a halt, by blocking important funding in total disregard of the law and total lack of concern over how their actions put American jobs at risk,” Senator Murray said on the press call today. “You won’t hear that from Trump tonight. But I can tell you—we are hearing it at my office, where the phones are still ringing off the hook with calls from business owners, farmers, workers, cities, Tribes, nonprofits, and so many other people who are seeing what this funding freeze means for the work they do, for the people they serve, and are desperate to raise the alarm. Trump and Musk may not want to hear about the damage they are causing—but I am not going to let them ignore it.”
“Viva Farms is a Skagit and King County based nonprofit farm-business training organization and incubator farm with a 15-year history of success growing the next generation of farmers. Our main focus is economic development: supporting farmers on their path to viability while supporting the larger food and agricultural economy. And, as a training program, we are concerned with the next generation of farmers; who will grow our food for the future? Including Viva’s Team, dozens of farm owners and their employees, over 100 people earn their livelihoods directly through our work, and all of this is at risk because of the current funding freeze,” said Michael Frazier, Executive Director of Viva Farms, based in Skagit County. Right now, because of Trump’s Executive Orders and subsequent actions to recall contracted federal funding, Viva Farms’ future is uncertain—they are unable to access a total of about $5 million awarded, multi-year federal grants, $1 million of which was to be spent this year. The loss of these funds could be catastrophic to the future of Viva Farms and many of the farmers they serve.
“Rural safety net programs for disaster relief, emergency assistance for basic needs, and job support are essential to the economic health of our entire community. The kind of programming that will run out of these facilities provide a safety net for working families and people in crisis. We hope to see the funding for these resiliency hubs come through soon,” said Rena Shawver, Executive Director of Okanogan County Community Action Council (OCCAC) in Okanogan, which supports working families and low-income residents with lifeline emergency services that help them get back on their feet. Right now, Trump’s Day One Executive Orders are blocking a $20 million Community Change Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for OCCAC from moving forward—this funding will create a Food Hub to store the county’s food for assistance programs, and a multipurpose Community Center in Omak that would house job-training, daycare, energy assistance, and other programs to help the community become more resilient to the effects of poverty and disasters. The award was announced in December 2024 and the facility has been in design and development for over a decade. EPA was working on the contract with OCCAC for the funds when the freeze occurred; OCCAC now has not heard from the EPA since January 24th.
“We design and manufacture aluminum boats for coast guards, militaries, first responders. We’re a 100 percent employee-owned small business… Following the Executive Order that paused foreign assistance programs, we received stop work orders for all of our foreign military and security cooperation contracts that were issued through the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL). The majority of those boats were already in production and partially completed. Then we received additional stop work orders for the Mark VI patrol boats that we’re currently building for Ukraine, as well as for all the weapons systems for the Island-class Coast Guard cutters that are being refurbished for Ukraine by another shipyard. The Ukraine contract was stopped even though we have four boats completely done, two more in production, and have ordered most of the long lead materials for the remaining two. And now we’re being asked questions that lead us to at least fear that it’s possible that that contract could be cancelled in its entirety… In total, about 90 employees out of our total of 300 have been affected by these stop work orders. And then probably the most serious immediate concern is that late last month, we were also notified that we were not going to be paid for the work that we had completed on these programs—our invoices were issued after the Executive Order, but prior to the stop work orders on these contracts. That policy affects several millions of dollars worth of invoices and is clearly contrary to the terms of our contracts,” said Richard Schwarz, CEO of Bremerton-based Safe Boats International. SAFE Boats’ operations have been significantly disrupted since Trump took office—the company was told to stop building ships for partnered countries and wait for a 90-day review before it can restore the manufacturing or before contracts are canceled. Six SAFE Boats contracts awarded by the Navy, State Department, and Coast Guard have been placed on hold.
“After nearly 60 years of local organized labor leaders coming together and providing 170 affordable rental homes in Vancouver, Washington, to low- and extremely-low-income seniors, Smith Tower is in need of improvements to preserve the affordability and the structure for the next 60 years or more. Our government must ensure the predictable and timely delivery of funding commitments already made by HUD and EPA in order to avoid additional costs which could derail the project entirely and put at risk the stability and safety of these seniors’ homes and hundreds of jobs,” said Greg Franks, President of Manor Management Services, the management agency for Smith Tower in Vancouver, Washington. Smith Tower was awarded a $10 million loan through HUD’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program in 2024, as well as an $11.5 million loan from EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund—this funding, although already awarded, is currently frozen by the Trump administration and at risk.
Senator Murray’s full remarks, as delivered on today’s press call, are below and video is HERE:
“Thank you so much for coming on today and sharing your stories; it is so important that people hear what is happening to all of you.
“As we all know, President Trump is coming to Congress tonight to give what is called the State of the Union, but I don’t think it’s right to call it a State of the Union because he’s going to be really ignoring the state of emergency that he and Elon have created through a very reckless and illegal funding freeze, and massive cuts.
“We have seen Trump put on this show before, and he is going to blow by the facts and reality of the harm that’s been caused, regardless of what’s actually happening—regardless of what’s actually happening, he’ll probably say that the state of the union is strong.
“Maybe for billionaires like him and Elon Musk—but I will tell you, for families across the country, for our small businesses, for our farms and people in Washington state who are just trying to get by, he has made life harder and made things a lot worse.
“He gave the richest man in the world the keys to the kingdom. And now, they’re cutting off funding that Congress, all of us, passed—and they’re doing it left and right.
“This is not making us safer. It is not making us stronger. It’s causing chaos, and it is costing us jobs.
“The illegal funding freeze is choking off funding for infrastructure and energy projects, investments to lower people’s electric bills.
“It is grinding cancer research to a halt, as researchers now are being cut off from the funds that they need to do things like replenish their basic lab supplies.
“It is putting our family farms and businesses in jeopardy, as farmers who took steps like installing solar panels, or upgrading their greenhouses—helping them save money while counting on federal assistance they were promised—they’re suddenly being stiffed by the billionaires who are now running the government.
“The freeze is hurting our forests and our parks. It is endangering our families, as groups like the Northwest Youth Corp have to suspend their crews and interns because their funds have been frozen—even funds for work they had already completed!
“It is hurting organizations like Safe Boats, which you will hear from in a minute. And they do the work that is critical to our national security—they will tell you about that—and now the Trump administration is really putting them in financial straits.
“Not to mention Tribes across our state who are still waiting on funding they were owed.
“Or in Waitsburg, Washington, where the frozen funding is risking their water main bursting—they can’t now get access a grant for a project to protect drinking water from flooding and earthquakes, wildfires and more. It is frozen; they can’t get to it.
“So, despite what we are going to hear tonight here, the true state of our nation is that Musk and Trump have ground it to a halt because they are blocking important funding—in total disregard of the law, by the way—and total lack of concern over how their actions put Americans and American jobs at risk.
“Probably won’t hear that from Trump tonight—but I can tell you, we are hearing it in my office. The phones are still ringing off the hook with calls from business owners, farmers, workers, cities, Tribes, nonprofits, so many people who are seeing what this funding freeze means for the work they are doing, for the people that they serve, and they are desperate to raise the alarm.
“You know, this is not like turning a light switch on and off, no harm is done. This is like fighting a fire, one President Trump himself set—and as long as they ignore this problem, or worse, keep fanning the flames—the worse it is going to get.
“Now, we have seen the impact we can have by speaking out. When everybody raising their voices and saying ‘we don’t want our country to be behaving like this.’ We have seen that if we raise the alarm, and raise our voices, and bring enough shame down on their heads—it is possible to get this administration to reverse the course.
“But we also know, we’ve got to be loud. We’ve got to be clear about what is at stake.
“They may not want to hear about the damage they are causing—but I am not going to let them ignore it.
“That is why tonight I am holding this call, so we can lift up the stories of people who actually are on the receiving end of Trump and Musk’s devastating freeze and who can say a bit, tell us about what is at stake for them, their communities, our country, if we don’t get things back on track.
“So I really appreciate all of you in coming on this today and sharing your stories so people understand what’s at stake and what’s happening to you.”
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato
The aftermath of one of the most undiplomatic – and notorious – White House meetings in recent history reveals a changed world.
Having berated Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky for supposedly not wanting peace with Russia and failing to show sufficient gratitude to the United States, President Donald Trump has now paused all military aid to Ukraine.
This equates to about 40% of the beleaguered nation’s military support. If the gap is not quickly covered by other countries, Ukraine will be severely compromised in its defence against the Russian invasion.
This has happened while the Russian army is making slow but costly gains along the front in eastern Ukraine. Trump’s goal appears to be to force Zelensky to accept a deal he does not want, and which may be illegal under international law.
New Zealand is a long way from that front line, but the implications of Trump’s unilateral abandonment of Ukraine still create a serious foreign policy problem.
Aside from its unequivocal condemnation of Russia’s actions, New Zealand has provided Defence Force personnel for training, intelligence, logistics and liaison to the tune of nearly NZ$35 million. The government has also given an additional $32 million in humanitarian assistance.
At the same time, New Zealand has supported global legal efforts to hold Russia to account at both the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. With Trump undermining these collective actions, New Zealand faces some stark choices.
While a genuine ceasefire and eventual peace in Ukraine are the right aims, Trump’s one-sided proposal has involved direct talks between Russia and the US, excluding all other parties, including the actual victims of Russian aggression.
With eery parallels to the Munich Agreement of 1938 between Nazi Germany, Britain, France and Italy, peace terms could be dictated to the innocent party. Ukraine may have to sacrifice part of its territory in the hope a wider peace prevails.
In exchange, Ukraine may be given some type of “security assurance”. But what that arrangement would look like, and what kind of peacekeeping force might be acceptable to Russia, remains unclear.
If the current UK and European ceasefire proposals fail, Europe could be pulled more directly into the conflict. Since the Trump rebuff, European leaders are embracing Zelenskyy more tightly, wary of an emboldened Russia threatening other states with substantial Russian populations such as in Estonia and Latvia.
European boots on the ground in Ukraine could escalate the existing war into a much larger and more dangerous conflict. The complexities of this new reality are now spilling over in the United Nations.
While the Security Council finally agreed on a broad statement in favour of a lasting peace, just what that might look like has seen opposing resolutions in the General Assembly.
On February 18, 53 countries, including New Zealand, voted in favour of a resolution condemning Russian aggression and calling for the return of Ukrainian territory. The resolution passed, but the US, Russia, Belarus and North Korea voted against it.
The US then put up its own resolution calling for peace, without recognising Russian aggression or the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory. New Zealand supported this, too.
Those two votes clearly signal a fork-in-the-road moment for New Zealand.
As well as the wider consequences and potential precedents of any Ukraine peace settlement for security in Europe and the Pacific region, there is the immediate problem of supporting Ukraine.
With the US and Europe – both traditional allies of New Zealand – now deeply divided, whatever path the government chooses will directly affect present and future security arrangements – including any possible “pillar two” membership of AUKUS.
Potentially complicating matters further, Trump’s civilian lieutenant Elon Musk has publicly advocated for the US leaving the UN and NATO. Whether or not that happens, the threat alone underscores the gravity of the current situation.
Ultimately, if Trump decides to force Zelensky to the negotiating table against his will, and Europe continues urging and supporting him to fight on, New Zealand will have to take sides. It cannot take both.
The National-led coalition government will either have to abandon the stance New Zealand has taken on the Russian invasion over the past three years, or wait for Europe’s response and align with efforts to support a rules-based international order.
The first option would mean stepping back from that traditional foreign policy position, cutting military support for Ukraine (and trusting the Trump process), and probably ending sanctions against Russia and diplomatic efforts for legal accountability.
The other path would mean spending more on military aid, and possibly deploying more defence personnel to help fill the gap Trump has created.
No option is without risk. But, on balance, the European approach to international affairs seems closer to New Zealand’s worldview than the one currently articulated by the Trump administration.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. America or Europe? Why Trump’s Ukraine U-turn is a fork in the road for New Zealand – https://theconversation.com/america-or-europe-why-trumps-ukraine-u-turn-is-a-fork-in-the-road-for-new-zealand-251459
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
March 04, 2025
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee—criticized President Trump’s dangerous decision to halt all military aid to Ukraine, abandoning our democratic partner as they defend themselves against Putin’s unjustified war of choice and undermining U.S. interests at home and abroad. Additionally, Duckworth pressed Trump’s Under Secretary of Defense for Policy nominee, Elbridge Colby, on whether he would state clearly that Russia invaded Ukraine. Mr. Colby refused to answer. Duckworth’s full remarks can be found on the Senator’s YouTube.
“Donald Trump’s decision to pause all military aid to Ukraine is a shameful abandonment of our democratic partners, our interests and our fundamental American values,” said Duckworth. “As this Administration continues to surrender to Putin and weaken our national security, I pushed Mr. Colby to state clearly that Russia invaded Ukraine. His inability to acknowledge basic, public facts about Russia’s unjustified war against Ukraine demonstrated that he is unfit to lead our brave men and women in uniform and make policy decisions at the Pentagon.”
Duckworth has repeatedly spoken out in response to President Trump’s capitulation to Vladimir Putin and Russia. Last week, Duckworth joined her fellow Democratic colleagues on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee in issuing a statement condemning Trump and Vice President Vance’s rhetoric during their meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Duckworth has repeatedly pressed Trump’s nominees to clearly state that Russia invaded Ukraine. Last week, Duckworth pressed Deputy Secretary of Defense nominee Stephen Feinberg to admit that Russia was the one who started the war. Ultimately, Mr. Feinberg refused to answer. Trump’s nominees’ inability to plainly state that Russia invaded Ukraine emboldens Russia and our foreign adversaries while weakening relationships with our democratic partners and allies.
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US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), U.S. Senator Angus King challenged Elbridge Colby, the nominee to serve as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, to answer if Russia was responsible for starting the war in Ukraine. Over the course of King’s time in the Senate, he has consistently asked nominees whether they will tell the truth to the President despite the political pressures of any moment in time. Today’s exchange was consistent with the Senator’s track record, but Colby’s responses fell short of expectations.
During the line of questioning, Mr. Colby declined to answer Senator King’s direct questions and refused to condemn Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine or acknowledge the looming threat to national security if the U.S. withdraws its support of Ukraine. The exchange comes the morning after President Trump announced a pause on aid to Ukraine following a contentious meeting with Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenksyy last week in the Oval Office.
“Mr. Colby, the Vice President characterized you as a truth teller — someone who would tell the truth to power. Yet today you have not told the truth about who started the war in Ukraine. I will give you one more chance: who started the war in Ukraine,” asked Senator King.
“Well, Senator to tell the truth I don’t think I am saying anything untrue but it is important to be discreet and say things at the appropriate time and place,” replied Colby.
“The problem is you tell us you’re going to tell the tell truth to power and the most obvious truth is that Russia invaded Ukraine. Everybody in the world knows that and you will not say it here today because it appears that you don’t want to offend the President but that is the whole point of the Vice President’s testimony that you will say truth to power, but you will not do it here today on the record. This is an obvious truth. It reminds me of the old country song, ‘who will you believe? Me or your own lying eyes?’ We all saw it,” said Senator King.
“The way I see it is diplomacy especially during a delicate period where I am hoping things that get back on track and head toward peace,” responded Colby.
“Shouldn’t diplomacy be based on the truth? Well, you have made non-point I suppose,” said Senator King.
Later in the hearing, Senator King provided Colby another opportunity to defend support for Ukraine, asking him whether or not the recent announcement to cut aid to Ukraine was a smart policy decision. Again, Mr. Colby failed to answer King’s questions directly.
“One more truth to power question. Last week the United States ceased supporting the restoration and protection of the electric grid in Ukraine which the Russians have continuously targeted. Yesterday the administration announced the cut off of military aid to Ukraine. Do you believe that those two things together undermining the security of Ukraine in this critical moment are good ideas,” questioned Senator King.
“As I said I think the critical thing at this point is for advancing the peace process and for us and Kyiv to cooperate,” said Colby.
“You are all about policy. Do you think the cut off of aid Ukraine is good policy,” asked Senator King.
“I am only seeing the recent reports but the President has a plan for us to end this war and a sustainable model for a sovereign Ukraine and a Europe that can be more defensible. That is the route we should all take,” replied Colby.
Senator King, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and the Select Senate Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), has been a vocal supporter for Ukraine, voting in support of bipartisan bill last spring that would help Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan defend themselves. In the days prior to that vote, he spoke on the Senate floor to his colleague that Ukraine’s fight is a “battle for the soul of Democracy in the world.” In January 2023, Senator King travelled with Armed Services Chairmen Jack Reed (D-R) in a visit to meet Ukraine President Vladimir Zelenskyy in Kiev. Most recently, he joined CBS’ 60 Minutes to explain why walking away from Ukraine would be the nation’s greatest geopolitical mistake since World War II.
Source: US State of Georgia
ATLANTA (March 4, 2025) — On Wednesday, March 5, Senate Minority Leader Sen. Harold Jones II (D–Augusta) will hold a press conference with the NAACP Defense Legal Fund, the Georgia State Conference of NAACP, the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, the ACLU of Georgia and the League of Women Voters on Senate Bill 120. SB 120 would prevent public schools, local education agencies and public postsecondary institutions from promoting, supporting, or maintaining programs or activities that advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion.
EVENT DETAILS:
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting Jantz Womack at SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.
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Sen. Harold V. Jones II serves as the Democratic Leader. He represents the 22nd Senate District, which includes portions of Richmond County. He may be reached at 404.656.0036 or via email at harold.jones@senate.ga.gov
