Category: Foreign Policy

Trump DOJ Memo Claims President Above International Law

A classified 20-30 page Justice Department legal opinion presented to Congress on Tuesday argues that President Trump faced no constitutional or international legal constraints when he ordered the military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The Office of Legal Counsel memo asserts Trump’s authority as commander-in-chief under Article II of the Constitution permitted the operation, codenamed Absolute Resolve, without prior congressional approval.

The opinion builds directly on a 1989 legal memo authored by William Barr, Trump’s current Attorney General, which claimed presidents possess “inherent constitutional authority” to order law enforcement operations in foreign countries even when doing so violates international law. The new memo treats that premise as settled and argues the Maduro operation did not constitute war in the constitutional sense, therefore bypassing the War Powers Act requirement for congressional authorization. An unclassified version released simultaneously states that international law “does not restrict the president as a matter of domestic law” regarding rendition operations.

The memo conceded that Trump personally justified the operation by stating control of Venezuelan oil reserves was the objective, though the administration maintains it was solely a law enforcement action targeting Maduro as the leader of a narco-trafficking organization. A White House official stated the operation was lawful and that “the Department of Justice routinely executes federal arrest warrants abroad,” framing the military-backed seizure as standard law enforcement practice.

Democratic lawmakers directly contradicted this characterization, arguing that removing a foreign head of state by military force constitutes an act of war regardless of law enforcement justifications. The administration has also used success in the Maduro operation to embolden plans for military actions against other targets, with officials accelerating preparations that extend beyond Venezuela.

The memo stipulated that any military support must remain proportional to the law enforcement objective and acknowledged that military commanders had not assessed Maduro’s actions as a direct or imminent threat to U.S. forces. Nevertheless, the opinion concluded the likelihood of armed resistance justified deploying U.S. military assets. The opinion was provided to lawmakers after the operation had already been executed, establishing legal justification retroactively rather than constraining executive action beforehand.

(Source: https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/13/politics/memo-maduro-capture-olc)

Trump Imposes 25% Tariff on Iran Trading Nations

President Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on all nations conducting business with Iran, declaring the measure “final and conclusive” via Truth Social without providing legal justification or implementation details. The White House offered no official documentation of the policy, declined to clarify its legal authority, and did not respond to requests for comment regarding scope or enforcement mechanisms.

Iran’s major trading partners—including China, Turkey, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and India—would face the tariffs under Trump’s declaration. China’s embassy immediately rejected the measure, stating it opposes “indiscriminate imposition of tariffs” and warning it would take “all necessary measures” to protect its interests, noting that “tariff wars and trade wars have no winners.”

The announcement coincides with Iran’s largest anti-government demonstrations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, driven by economic collapse and calls for systemic change. The U.S.-based rights group HRANA documented 599 deaths—510 protesters and 89 security personnel—since protests began on December 28, with Iran experiencing its gravest challenge to clerical rule in decades.

Trump has threatened military action against Iran while claiming to maintain diplomatic channels with opposition figures and Tehran’s leadership. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated diplomacy remains “the first option,” though Trump authorized U.S. military airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June and supported Israeli military strikes on Iran in 2025.

Trump’s tariff authority faces legal scrutiny as the U.S. Supreme Court considers whether to overturn broad sections of his existing tariffs. Iran exported goods to 147 trading partners in 2022 according to World Bank data, suggesting the tariff threat would disrupt extensive global commerce networks.

(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-iran-tariffs-china-trade-b2899268.html)

Donald Trump Orders Army Chiefs to Draw Up Plan to Invade NATO Ally Greenland

President Trump has directed the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) to prepare an invasion plan for Greenland, according to sources cited by the Mail on Sunday. Political adviser Stephen Miller and other administration hawks have accelerated this effort following the operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, viewing the window of opportunity as closing before mid-term elections later in 2026.

Senior military officials, including the joint chiefs of staff, are resisting the directive on grounds that an invasion would be illegal and lack Congressional support. Military sources describe Trump’s demands as unrealistic, with one comparing the situation to “dealing with a five-year-old.” The generals have attempted deflection by proposing alternative military operations, such as intercepting Russian “ghost” ships or launching strikes on Iran.

British diplomats have war-gamed scenarios involving Trump using force or political coercion to sever Greenland’s ties to Denmark, including a “worst-case scenario” described as leading to “the destruction of NATO from the inside.” Diplomatic cables indicate that Trump could advance from escalatory demands to a “compromise scenario” in which Denmark grants full military access to Greenland and denies it to Russia and China, with a NATO summit in July identified as potential timing for such a deal.

Trump previously declared he would acquire Greenland “easy way” or “hard way” regardless of local consent or Danish sovereignty. The administration has also discussed direct cash payments to Greenland’s 57,000 residents, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per person, as a strategy to encourage secession from Denmark.

Diplomatic sources suspect that dismantling NATO may be Trump’s actual objective, with one cable stating: “If Trump wants to end NATO, this might be the most convenient way to do it.” European officials fear Trump will act before the summer mid-term window closes, making early 2026 the likely timeframe for escalatory moves. The UK’s alignment with European allies or breakaway support for Trump’s approach will be critical to the outcome.

(Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15452323/Donald-Trump-orders-army-chiefs-plan-invade-Greenland-President.html)

France changes its G7 schedule because Trump is busy with White House UFC fight on his birthday: report

French officials rescheduled the Group of 7 summit from June 14-16 to June 15-17 after Trump announced plans to host a UFC fight at the White House on June 14, his 80th birthday. A White House official stated the summit was moved to “accommodate” Trump’s schedule, claiming international partners “kindly shifted dates” because Trump’s attendance was “essential.” France’s government declined to explicitly confirm the UFC event prompted the change, attributing the rescheduling to “consultations with G7 partners.”

Trump announced the White House UFC event during an October rally in Norfolk, Virginia, stating he would host a “big UFC fight” on the White House grounds on June 14. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed logistical planning is underway and disclosed the event will accommodate approximately 5,000 spectators on the White House lawn, with large screens, a stage, and music scheduled throughout the day. White indicated that fighters will walk directly from the Oval Office to the venue.

Trump is a documented UFC enthusiast who has attended multiple fights, including one in November 2024 with his son and Elon Musk. The scheduling change demonstrates how Trump’s personal entertainment commitments now direct diplomatic calendars, with world leaders accommodating his birthday event over established international protocols.

Trump attended the previous G7 summit in Canada but departed early, citing Middle East tensions. His prioritization of a UFC event over the standard G7 schedule reflects his pattern of treating official duties as secondary to personal interests and entertainment.

(Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/france-changes-g7-schedule-because-003823827.html)

US quits global organisation dedicated to preventing violent extremism | Reuters

The Trump administration withdrew U.S. support from the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) on Wednesday as part of a broader pullout from 35 international agencies and 31 U.N. entities deemed misaligned with U.S. interests. GCERF, a Geneva-based organization supporting extremism prevention programs across dozens of vulnerable countries, was eliminated without explanation according to Dr. Khalid Koser, the fund’s director.

Koser stated the decision reflects an ideological shift toward security-focused counterterrorism over multilateral prevention strategies, telling Reuters: “I think it’s a mistake to take out that fundamental piece of prevention. But I don’t think this administration believes in prevention.” The withdrawal contradicts Trump’s stated “America First” foreign policy positioning, as the U.S. originally helped establish GCERF’s programs including reintegration efforts in northeast Syria for families from Islamic State militant circles.

The timing of the withdrawal undermines global security objectives, as extremist violence risks are at their highest level since the 2011 Arab Spring, with escalating attacks documented in Afghanistan, the Sahel region, and northeast Syria camps holding tens of thousands of Islamic State family members vulnerable to radicalization. The 2025 Global Terrorism Index recorded terrorist attacks in 66 countries in 2024, up from 58 in 2023, reversing a decade of improvement and marking a severe deterioration in global security conditions.

Simultaneous with the GCERF withdrawal, the Trump administration quit the 30-nation Global Counterterrorism Forum, further dismantling collaborative international security infrastructure. GCERF now carries the global prevention burden largely alone with a $50 million annual budget insufficient to address expanding gaps left by mass U.S. foreign aid cuts implemented last year.

Koser warned that abandoning prevention work compounds future threats, stating: “If you don’t work on prevention, then in 10 years time, you’re going to have lots of terrorists and lots of problems.” The White House did not respond to requests for comment on the decision.

(Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-quits-global-organisation-dedicated-preventing-violent-extremism-2026-01-09/?link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=69617cc5e2c00a000174139f&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwdGRleAPPyMFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe9L9Z_kiKuO10bQQLMkADhMMduDDDaLHmNyKckGNc8OUu6nQtboNAGfEIpIQ_aem_2qQIBLazr7EgIYpJqLB-RA)

US carries out strikes in Syria as part of ongoing retaliation against ISIS | CNN Politics

The US military launched extensive strikes against ISIS positions in Syria on January 10, 2026, as part of “Operation Hawkeye Strike,” an ongoing retaliatory campaign. US Central Command reported that forces fired over 90 precision munitions targeting more than 35 locations using more than two dozen aircraft at approximately 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Operation Hawkeye Strike began on December 19, 2025, in response to an ISIS attack in Palmyra, Syria that occurred on December 13, 2025, killing two US soldiers and one civilian interpreter. The soldiers were identified as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, Iowa, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, Iowa, both members of the Iowa National Guard. Three additional Iowa National Guard members were wounded in the attack.

The Iowa National Guard deployed approximately 1,800 troops to the Middle East earlier in 2025 as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the US mission to combat ISIS. US Central Command stated in its release: “Our message remains strong: if you harm our warfighters, we will find you and kill you anywhere in the world, no matter how hard you try to evade justice.”

Hundreds of American troops remain stationed in Syria supporting the longstanding US counterterrorism mission. The goal of Operation Hawkeye is to deliver significant damage to ISIS remnants in Syria and diminish their capacity to threaten US forces in the region.

(Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/10/politics/syria-strike-retaliatory-isis)

Trump Vows to Acquire Greenland ‘Easy Way’ or ‘Hard Way’

President Trump declared during a Friday meeting with oil executives that he will “do something” regarding Greenland “whether they like it or not,” explicitly threatening action through either an “easy way” or “hard way.” Trump rejected a reporter’s question about financial inducements to Greenland’s residents, stating he is considering unspecified action regardless of local consent or Danish sovereignty.

Trump justified forced acquisition by invoking geopolitical threats, claiming Russian and Chinese military assets near Greenland necessitate U.S. control to prevent rival powers from occupying the territory. He cited the presence of Russian destroyers, Chinese vessels, and submarines as rationale for his stated determination to act unilaterally, dismissing Denmark’s 500-year historical claim to the autonomous region.

The White House has previously confirmed that military intervention remains an option for acquiring Greenland, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt designating the acquisition as a “national security priority.” The administration has also discussed direct cash payments ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per resident as a coercive strategy, totaling approximately $6 billion if applied universally to Greenland’s 57,000 inhabitants.

Trump expressed purported admiration for Denmark while dismissing its legal authority over Greenland based on historical precedent. His framing of acquisition as inevitable—not conditional on Danish agreement or democratic consent from Greenland’s population—represents an explicit rejection of international law and the sovereignty of NATO ally Denmark.

These statements escalate Trump’s position that his authority is constrained only by “his own morality,” treating territorial acquisition as subject exclusively to his discretionary judgment rather than international legal frameworks or diplomatic protocol governing U.S.-allied relations.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/trump-promises-to-do-something-on-greenland-whether-they-like-it-or-not/)

Trump administration mulls payments to sway Greenlanders to join US

The Trump administration is discussing direct cash payments to Greenland’s 57,000 residents, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per person, as a strategy to persuade them to secede from Denmark and potentially join the United States, according to four sources familiar with internal deliberations. A $100,000-per-person payment would total approximately $6 billion. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged that Trump and his national security team were “looking at what a potential purchase would look like,” while the specific mechanics and conditions of such payments remain undefined.

Among the options under consideration is a Compact of Free Association (COFA), an arrangement previously extended only to Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau, under which the United States provides essential services including mail delivery and military protection while operating military facilities freely and establishing duty-free trade. Such an agreement would require Greenland to separate from Denmark first. Trump has claimed Greenland is strategically vital for national security and mineral resources needed for military applications, asserting that the White House is “discussing a range of options” to acquire Greenland, with military intervention explicitly stated as a possible tool.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen rejected the acquisition attempt on Sunday, writing “Enough is enough … No more fantasies about annexation” on Facebook. Denmark, a NATO ally bound to the United States by mutual defense agreement, has firmly stated Greenland is not for sale. On Tuesday, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain, and Denmark issued a joint statement asserting that only Greenland and Denmark can decide matters regarding their relations, underscoring Denmark’s demands for U.S. answers over alleged Trump operations in Greenland.

Internal discussions about acquiring Greenland intensified following Trump’s government’s capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro over the weekend, with White House aides reportedly seeking momentum to advance the President’s other long-standing geopolitical objectives. Sources indicate that while payment discussions are not entirely new, they have escalated in seriousness in recent days, with officials entertaining higher compensation figures. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet his Danish counterpart next week in Washington to address the matter.

Although polls show an overwhelming majority of Greenlanders desire independence from Denmark, surveys also demonstrate that most Greenlanders do not wish to become part of the United States. Economic concerns about separating from Denmark have prevented most Greenlandic legislators from calling for an independence referendum. The payment strategy risks being perceived as transactional and demeaning to a population with its own historical independence debate.

(Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/trump-administration-mulls-payments-sway-greenlanders-join-us-2026-01-08/?fbclid=IwdGRleAPNL_RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeuOInok69PUqliyuymFV_AN3L61-CrKKZHvXIXFRSzXxCVSvRn6eTLknE4B4_aem_MdSL1V900AKJKBGUc55xCw&utm_medium=Social&utm_social_handle_id=114050161948682&utm_social_post_id=646273254&utm_source=Facebook)

Trump Makes Sure Everyone Knows Why He Invaded Venezuela

President Trump publicly justified the U.S. invasion of Venezuela by stating the operation would secure control over Venezuelan oil reserves. Trump announced he would personally oversee the sale of 30 to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil at market price following Delta Force operatives’ capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, with the military action resulting in hundreds of deaths in Caracas and surrounding areas.

Trump’s original pretext that the invasion targeted drug trafficking has been abandoned despite continued repetition by right-wing media allies. The administration’s actual focus on Venezuelan oil became unmistakable when Trump suggested American taxpayers would reimburse oil companies for reconstructing Venezuela’s energy infrastructure, explicitly linking military intervention to corporate profit extraction.

The invasion violates international law by overthrowing a foreign government without lawful cause, establishing a precedent that powerful nations can unilaterally remove leaders they deem objectionable. This directly contradicts Trump’s stated support for a rules-based global order, as the administration simultaneously maintains close relationships with authoritarian regimes including Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman, whose government also oppresses its population and controls vast oil reserves.

Trump has installed Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s vice president from the previous regime, as successor rather than holding promised democratic elections. The administration demanded Rodríguez crack down on drugs, expel foreign operatives from U.S.-designated hostile countries, and cease oil sales to those nations, while explicitly postponing elections indefinitely—revealing the occupation prioritizes geopolitical control and resource extraction over democratic governance.

The military operation, which killed over 100 people in boat bombings designed to provoke Maduro into an aggressive response, demonstrates Trump’s disregard for the sovereignty of nations unable to defend themselves militarily. By stating “We’re going to keep the oil,” Trump discarded pretense and openly acknowledged the invasion as resource seizure justified by military dominance rather than law or humanitarian concern.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/opinion/trump-tells-everyone-why-he-illegally-invaded-venezuela-were-going-to-keep-the-oil/)

Trump Says Venezuela Oil ‘Money Will Be Controlled by Me’

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he would personally control revenues from Venezuelan oil sales following the U.S. invasion of Venezuela on Saturday, which resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. In a Truth Social post, Trump stated he would oversee the sale of 30 to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil at market price, declaring “that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America.” Trump instructed Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute the plan immediately, with oil to be transported by storage ships to U.S. unloading docks.

Trump explicitly tied the military invasion to resource extraction and corporate profit, stating the day after the operation that the administration’s priority was to “fix up the oil” and “have total access” to Venezuela’s resources. He indicated that oil companies had been alerted to his plans prior to the invasion, saying “They want to go in and they’re going to do a great job for the people of Venezuela and they’re going to represent us.” Trump acknowledged that major oil company investments would be required to rebuild Venezuelan infrastructure, positioning private corporations as the primary beneficiaries of military intervention. Trump has separately indicated that U.S. taxpayers may reimburse oil companies for reconstruction costs.

The announcement directly contradicts Trump’s stated rationale for the invasion—that military action was undertaken to benefit the Venezuelan people—by placing personal control of oil revenues in presidential hands rather than under Venezuelan governance or international oversight. Oil stocks surged immediately following Trump’s declaration that his administration would “run” Venezuela for the foreseeable future, signaling market confidence in corporate access to Venezuelan resources.

The Trump administration has simultaneously expanded U.S. military presence across Latin America and the Caribbean through security agreements, enabling armed operations under the pretext of counternarcotics efforts while simultaneously conducting resource extraction operations.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump-says-hes-selling-venezuelas-oil-and-that-the-money-will-be-controlled-by-me/)

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