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Skip next section Trump threatens to withhold California disaster funding amid wildfiresJanuary 23, 2025
Trump threatens to withhold California disaster funding amid wildfiresAround 4,000 firefighting personnel, backed up by aircraft and bulldozers, were deployed to fight a new blazeImage: Ethan Swope/AP Photo/picture allianceDonald Trump threatened to withhold disaster funding for California following devastating wildfires in Los Angeles.
“I don’t think we should give California anything until they let water flow down,” he told Fox News’s Sean Hannity in his first television interview since taking office.
Trump previously criticized Gavin Newsom for the wildfire crisis, stating the California governor “refused to sign the water restoration declaration” that could have directed water from excess rain and snow melt to fire-affected areas.
Newsom has never refused to sign a water restoration declaration, as no such document exists.
Meanwhile a new wildfire that broke out north of Los Angeles on Wednesday forcing mandatory evacuation orders for more than
31,000 people.
The Hughes fire about 50 miles (80 km) north of Los Angeles further taxed firefighters in the region who have managed to bring two major fires in the metropolitan area largely under control.
Trump was scheduled to visit California on Friday to assess the damage.
https://p.dw.com/p/4pUcO
Skip next section Trump nominates Sean Curran to lead US Secret ServiceJanuary 23, 2025
Trump nominates Sean Curran to lead US Secret ServiceCurran (right) was part of the security detail for Trump during the rally in Pennsylvania, when he was shot last year.Image: REUTERSDonald Trump has nominated Sean Curran, who was part of his security detail during an attempted assassination in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year, to head the US Secret Service.
“He proved his fearless courage when he risked his own life to help save mine from an assassin’s bullet in Butler, Pennsylvania,” the president said.
“I have complete and total confidence in Sean to make the United States Secret Service stronger than ever before.”
Curran’s career at the Secret Service began in 2001. He served as a special agent in the Newark Field Office, where he conducted protection, intelligence, investigations, recruitment, and logistics support for the district, Trump said.
He will replace current acting director Ron Rowe. Rowe has held the position since the July assassination attempt, when Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned amid harsh scrutiny over the failure to stop the shooter from wounding Trump.
https://p.dw.com/p/4pUZ6
Skip next section Trump taps Andrew Puzder for EU ambassador postJanuary 23, 2025
Trump taps Andrew Puzder for EU ambassador postTrump has nominated former fast food executive Andrew Puzder for the position of US ambassador to the European Union (EU).
“Andy will do an excellent job representing our nation’s interests in this important region,” Trump said.
Puzder previously managed CKE Restaurants, the parent company of Hardee’s. Trump had nominated him for the Labor Secretary position during his first term in office, but Puzder withdrew when it became clear that securing enough Senate votes to support the nomination would be challenging.
The withdrawal occurred amid questions about his business practices and private life. He admitted to employing an undocumented migrant and failing to pay taxes for her employment.
https://p.dw.com/p/4pUYw
Skip next section Trump designates Yemen’s Houthi rebel movement as ‘terror’ groupJanuary 23, 2025
Trump designates Yemen’s Houthi rebel movement as ‘terror’ groupPresident Donald Trump has designated Yemen’s Houthi rebel movement as a “foreign terrorist organization,” the White House said.
His predecessor Joe Biden lifted the designation in 2021 because of concerns about UN and humanitarian organizations’ ability to deliver aid to Yemeni civilians. But Biden directed several strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen aimed at halting ongoing attacks by the group against Israel and in response to the Red Sea shipping attacks.
He also put the group back on the list of “specially designated global terrorist”
The Trump administration’s move aims to reimpose the more restrictive label of foreign terrorist organization.
“The Houthis’ activities threaten the security of American civilians and personnel in the Middle East, the safety of our closest regional partners, and the stability of global maritime trade,” the White House said.
It added that US policy would require working alongside regional partners to eliminate their “capabilities and operations, deprive it of resources, and thereby end its attacks on US personnel and civilians, US partners, and maritime shipping in the Red Sea.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4pUY0
Skip next section US halts refugee admissionsJanuary 23, 2025
US halts refugee admissionsThe Trump administration has ordered a halt to the arrival of refugees who were already approved to enter the United States. This move is part of the new presidents effort to tighten immigration policies.
The State Department notified groups assisting with new arrivals that “all previously scheduled travel of refugees to the United States is being canceled.”
It meant refugees fleeing war and persecution are stranded worldwide, including over 1,600 Afghans who supported the US war effort and relatives of active-duty military personnel.
The US asked the UN International Organization for Migration not to move refugees to transit centers and said that all processing on cases has also been suspended.
https://p.dw.com/p/4pUWF
Skip next section Rubio speaks to Israeli PM, promises US support for IsraelJanuary 22, 2025
Rubio speaks to Israeli PM, promises US support for IsraelUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and promised “steadfast support” for Israel.
Rubio also congratulated Netanyahu on “Israel’s success against Hamas and Hezbollah,” and pledged to help in freeing the remaining hostages held by militant groups in Gaza.
Last week, Israel and Hamas agreed to a multi-phase ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, following months of mediation by the US, Qatar, and Egypt.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said support for Israel is “a top priority” for US President Donald Trump.
https://p.dw.com/p/4pUVB
Skip next section German Defense Minister emphasizes Europe’s increased role amid US policy shiftJanuary 22, 2025
German Defense Minister emphasizes Europe’s increased role amid US policy shiftGerman Defense Minister Boris Pistorius spoke with DW’s Chief Political Correspondent, Nina Haase, during his trip to Lithuania. In 2023, Pistorius signed a roadmap for the permanent deployment of a Bundeswehr brigade to the Baltic nation. The German brigade in Lithuania is set to be combat-ready by 2027.
The defense minister visited Lithuania during the first week of Donald Trump’s second term as US president. When asked if this visit was part of a strategy to demonstrate Europe’s proactive stance, Pistorius said that Europeans now have a bigger responsibility for Europe’s security than ever before, regardless of any US administration. He also revealed that he had reached out to his US counterpart to discuss a possible visit in the first week of February.
Pistorius emphasized that any new American administration would likely shift its focus toward the Indo-Pacific region: “We can’t expect the Americans to do more in the Indo-Pacific for the sake of our prosperity and security, and at the same time to do the same like they have that they used to do in the past in Europe.”
NATO remains backbone of European security: Boris PistoriusTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
He also told DW, that he is “not really worried” about NATO’s future: “The Americans know what they have in the tradition of the Euro-transatlantic partnership. We are sitting on the same page,” Boris Pistorius said.
On the subject of potential negotiation talks between Ukraine and Russia, Pistorius added: “We have to talk about a ceasefire and then sustainable peace for Ukraine, and this means Ukraine needs security guarantees by all the other countries. Otherwise, it would take only a couple of years, maybe, until Russia attacks again.”
Addressing the ongoing debate about supporting Ukraine during Germany’s election campaign, Pistorius backed the plan proposed by the German Chancellor. He said, “The proposal of the Chancellor is the best way to finance it because it’s the most transparent way.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4pUTX
Skip next section 1,500 more US soldiers to be sent to Mexican borderJanuary 22, 2025
1,500 more US soldiers to be sent to Mexican borderThe United States Department of Defense is set to deploy 1,500 more troops to country’s border with Mexico to support border guards and bolster protection.
In an executive order signed on Monday, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency on the southern border and said: “America’s sovereignty is under attack.”
A Trump administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said there had been informal discussions about sending as many as 10,000 troops over time.
The order claimed the border is “overrun by cartels, criminal gangs, known terrorists, human traffickers, smugglers, unvetted military-age males from foreign adversaries, and illicit narcotics that harm Americans.”
Trump has repeatedly equated migrants, many of whom cross the border illegally, with criminals.
https://p.dw.com/p/4pUKU
Skip next section Trump Middle East envoy says he will be in Gaza for ceasefire inspectionsJanuary 22, 2025
Trump Middle East envoy says he will be in Gaza for ceasefire inspectionsUS President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy said on Wednesday that he would be part of a team of “outside overseers” deployed to the Gaza Strip to monitor the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
“I’m actually going to be going over to Israel. I’m going to be part of an inspection team at the Netzarim corridor, and also at the Philadelphi corridor,” said Steve Witkoff on Fox News, referring to two narrow Israeli-controlled strips of land along the Egypt-Gaza border and bisecting the Gaza Strip itself.
“That’s where you have outside overseers, sort of making sure that people are safe and people who are entering are not armed and no one has bad motivations,” he explained.
Witkoff said he was focused on ensuring the deal moves from its initial six-week phase to its second phase, which mediators say is expected to include the release of all remaining hostages and a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
Witkoff’s comments represented the first public suggestion of the deployment of international inspectors in Gaza or of an official US presence on the ground.
Witkoff did not say who else might be part of the inspection team but a source familiar with the ceasefire deal told the Reuters news agency that he is expected to be in Israel frequently, saying:
“He intends to be here and monitor, especially toward the second phase of the agreement.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4pUH7
Skip next section Russia UN envoy: What does Trump think a ‘deal’ means?January 22, 2025
Russia UN envoy: What does Trump think a ‘deal’ means?Russia needs to understand what US President Donald Trump thinks a “deal” would look like before entering into any negotiations over an end to its war in Ukraine, according to Moscow’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations.
“We have to see what ‘deal’ means in President Trump’s understanding,” said Dmitry Polyanskiy on Wednesday after the president threatened Russia with further sanctions and tariffs if it does not end its “ridiculous” war.
“It’s not merely the question of ending the war,” Polyanskiy told the Reuters news agency. “It’s first and foremost the question of addressing [the] root causes of Ukrainian crisis.”
Polyanskiy said Trump was not responsible for what he called an “anti-Russia” stance and “preparing for war” against Russia, “but it is in his power now to stop this malicious policy.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4pUFQ
Skip next section Trumps calls on Putin to end war in Ukraine, threatens sanctionsJanuary 22, 2025
Trumps calls on Putin to end war in Ukraine, threatens sanctionsNew US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose “tariffs and sanctions” on Russia if Vladimir Putin does not agree to a deal to end the “ridiculous” war in Ukraine.
“Settle now and STOP this ridiculous war! IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE,” he wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, his first words on the war since taking office.
“If we don’t make a ‘deal,’ and soon, I have no other choice but to put high levels of taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States, and various other participating countries,” he said.
“Let’s get this war, which never would have started if I were President, over with! We can do it the easy way, or the hard way – and the easy way is always better. It’s time to ‘MAKE A DEAL.’ NO MORE LIVES SHOULD BE LOST!!!”
During his election campaign, Trump claimed that he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours by talking to Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but has offered no clue as to exactly what he would propose.
It’s unclear what further sanctions Trump would want to impose on Russia in addition to those already imposed by the United States, the European Union and others.
It’s also unclear whether he intends to maintain the billions of dollars of military aid provided to Kyiv by Washington.
Trump didn’t mention Ukraine at all in his inauguration speech.
https://p.dw.com/p/4pUE8
Skip next section Orders to investigate officials impeding enforcement of immigration laws — reportJanuary 22, 2025
Orders to investigate officials impeding enforcement of immigration laws — reportThe US Justice Department is directing federal prosecutors to investigate local officials who hamper the enforcement of immigration under the Trump administration, AP news agency reported, citing a memo.
The memo, written by acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, instructed the Justice Department’s civil division to help identify state and local laws and policies that “threaten to impede” the Trump administration’s immigration initiatives and potentially challenge them in court.
Prosecutors shall “take all steps necessary to protect the public and secure the American border by removing illegal aliens from the country and prosecuting illegal aliens for crimes” committed in US jurisdiction, AP quoted the memo as stating.
“Federal law prohibits state and local actors from resisting, obstructing and otherwise failing to comply with lawful immigration-related commands and requests,” the memo said.
Trump has promised an aggressive approach to irregular immigration, with promises to deport millions of people who entered the country illegally while declaring a “national emergency at our southern border.”
Mexico braces for influx of migrants deported from the USTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
https://p.dw.com/p/4pTZI
Skip next section UN nuclear watchdog chief calls for US-Iran dialogueJanuary 22, 2025
UN nuclear watchdog chief calls for US-Iran dialogueRafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has called on the Trump administration and Iran to hold talks.
“Without that dialogue, there’s not going to be any progress,” Grossi said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Grossi said comments from President Donald Trump and members of the new administration showed that “there is a disposition” to have a “conversation and perhaps move into some form of an agreement.”
He said Iran’s nuclear program had grown “dramatically” in terms of capabilities, facilities and inventory of nuclear material since the end of Trump’s previous term, in 2021.
In 2018, the president pulled the United States out of the 2015 international accord to curb Iran’s nuclear program and went on to impose severe economic sanctions on Tehran.
Trump at the time lambasted the deal as “defective at its very core” and said the US would no longer make “empty threats.”
Iran and Russia look to forge stronger ties against WestTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
https://p.dw.com/p/4pTDX
Skip next section Bishop who asked for mercy for the vulnerable ‘not very good at her job,’ Trump saysJanuary 22, 2025
Bishop who asked for mercy for the vulnerable ‘not very good at her job,’ Trump saysBishop Mariann Budde had called on Trump to have mercy on immigrants and LGBTQ childrenImage: Jim Watson/AFPUS President Donald Trump criticized the Episcopal bishop who called on his administration to show compassion to vulnerable people, including immigrants and transgender youth.
“The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater. She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart,” he wrote.
“Apart from her inappropriate statements, the service was a very boring and uninspiring one. She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology,” Trump wrote in a post on his media platform Truth Social.
Reverend Mariann Budde said there were “gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives.”
She also asked him to consider the children of undocumented immigrants who “fear that their parents will be taken away” due to Trump’s policies.
“In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy on the people in our country who are scared now,” Budde said to the president.
During his first administration, Trump enacted a policy that separated many migrant children from their parents and held them in prison-like detention facilities.
https://p.dw.com/p/4pSyf
Skip next section EU’s top diplomat says Trump’s demand on defense spending needs to be heededJanuary 22, 2025
EU’s top diplomat says Trump’s demand on defense spending needs to be heededNATO members have boosted their defense spending and preparedness since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 [FILE: November 2024]Image: DWEuropean Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc should take note of Trump’s demand for more to be spent on defense.
“President Trump is right to say that we don’t spend enough. It’s time to invest,” Kallas said in a speech in Brussels. “The United States, they are our strongest ally and must remain so.
“The EU’s message to the US is clear, we must do more for our own defense and shoulder a fair share of responsibility for Europe’s security,” Kallas said.
Europe’s top diplomat also said that Russia posed “an existential threat to our security today, tomorrow and for as long as we under-invest in our defense.”
Trump has strongly criticized NATO member states for the state of defense spending and floated the idea of NATO calling for 5% of members’ annual gross domestic product to be spent on defense. That would be more than double the current target and be more than any member currently spends on defense, including the United States.
Currently, at least two-thirds of NATO members spend 2% or more on defense. Poland was the only country in the alliance to pass the 4% mark.
https://p.dw.com/p/4pSk9
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