President-elect Trump is considering invoking the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) to justify widespread tariffs on both allies and adversaries, aiming to reshape global trade. This action would grant him broad authority to implement tariffs without needing to demonstrate national security concerns, a feature appealing to Trump. Alternative legal avenues, including sections 338 and 301 of US trade law, are also under consideration, but IEEPA offers a faster route to implementing tariffs. While no final decision has been made, the potential for a national economic emergency declaration is actively being discussed.
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The Justice Department intends to release special counsel Jack Smith’s report on Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, but will withhold the section concerning classified documents at Mar-a-Lago while charges against Trump co-defendants remain pending. This decision follows a judge’s temporary block on the report’s release. The department argues the release of the election interference portion is justified and will be shared with congressional leaders, while the classified documents section will remain confidential to protect the co-defendants’ interests. The Justice Department is appealing the judge’s order, seeking to release the election interference findings completely.
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President Trump’s proposed renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” while symbolically significant, faces international hurdles. This action, along with his threats of coercion to acquire Greenland and regain control of the Panama Canal, are viewed as nationalistic gestures rather than practical policy solutions. These proposals, coupled with his past campaign promises, highlight a potential contradiction between his stated desire for reduced foreign involvement and his actions suggesting a renewed focus on territorial expansion and control of global waterways. His rhetoric raises concerns about the erosion of U.S. credibility and the potential for unnecessary conflict.
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Judge Aileen Cannon blocked the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report investigating President-elect Trump, halting a process that would typically involve Attorney General Merrick Garland’s oversight. This action follows Trump’s legal victories, including a ruling deeming Smith’s appointment unconstitutional and a Supreme Court decision granting broad presidential immunity. Trump’s former co-defendants, Nauta and De Oliveira, successfully argued that the report’s release would prejudice their ongoing cases, prompting the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to review Cannon’s order. The report’s public release is now delayed pending the appeals court’s decision.
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Following President Trump’s refusal to rule out military action to acquire Greenland, France and Germany issued strong warnings against any threats to sovereign borders. French officials labeled Trump’s comments as exhibiting a “form of imperialism,” emphasizing the need for Europe to strengthen its military and economic position. Germany, while declining to directly assess the threat, reiterated the principle that borders cannot be altered by force. This incident underscores rising concerns in Europe regarding the potential for unilateral actions by the United States and the need for a stronger European response.
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Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Denmark over Greenland is, to put it mildly, perplexing. The very idea of using tariffs as leverage in this situation demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of how tariffs actually function. It’s not as if Denmark is going to suddenly feel the pinch of reduced exports to the US; their share is minimal. Furthermore, targeting Denmark specifically would be incredibly foolish, given its membership in the European Union. This would essentially mean a trade war with the entire EU, a far more significant and damaging conflict than any minor trade friction with Denmark alone.
The notion that imposing tariffs on Danish goods would somehow pressure Denmark to cede Greenland to the US is completely unrealistic.… Continue reading
Greenland’s leader is set to meet with the Danish King, a meeting imbued with heightened significance given former President Trump’s past attempts to purchase the territory. This isn’t just a routine diplomatic encounter; it’s a pivotal moment shaped by a history of strained relations between Greenland and Denmark, fueled by allegations of colonial-era mistreatment. The shadow of Trump’s audacious proposal hangs heavy over the proceedings.
The sheer audacity of Trump’s bid to acquire Greenland, a semi-sovereign territory with a population of just 57,000, has understandably drawn considerable attention. His purported motivations remain unclear, ranging from speculation about exploiting Greenland’s natural resources to a more cynical assessment of it as a mere headline-grabbing maneuver.… Continue reading
Following President Trump’s refusal to rule out using force to acquire Greenland, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot asserted that the EU will not tolerate attacks on its sovereign borders. While Barrot indicated he doesn’t believe the US will invade, he stressed the EU’s resolve against intimidation. Trump cited Greenland’s strategic importance for national and economic security, particularly in tracking Chinese and Russian ships. Both Denmark and Greenland’s prime minister have firmly rejected any sale of the territory.
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President-elect Trump expressed understanding of Russia’s concerns regarding Ukraine’s NATO aspirations, blaming the Biden administration for provoking the conflict. He aims to meet with Vladimir Putin within six months to negotiate an end to the war, a goal he believes he could achieve swiftly. Trump’s approach reportedly favors a peace deal involving Ukrainian territorial concessions, a stance potentially contributing to the resignation of a senior Pentagon official overseeing Ukraine aid. This policy shift prioritizes a rapid resolution, even if it necessitates significant Ukrainian territorial losses.
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Trump’s return to power represents a profound failure of American civil society. It’s not simply a matter of a flawed electoral system or a divided electorate; it points to a much deeper societal rot that has been festering for decades. The fact that a man with such a blatant disregard for the rule of law, a history of demonstrably unethical behavior, and an openly authoritarian inclination could be elected not once, but twice, speaks volumes about the erosion of fundamental societal values.
The ease with which Trump’s repeated transgressions were normalized, even celebrated by a significant portion of the population, highlights a critical breakdown in the mechanisms that should ensure accountability and uphold democratic principles.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood