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Thursday, June 5, 2025

President Trump Issues Travel Ban Restricting Entry of Foreign Nationals

From nations posing national security and public safety threats: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen. Partial ban: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela. From the Fact Sheet: It is the President’s sacred duty to take action to ensure that those seeking to enter our country will not harm the American people. After evaluating a report submitted by the Secretary of State, in coordination with other cabinet officials, President Trump has determined that the entry of nationals from certain countries must be restricted or limited to protect U.S. national security and public safety interests…. President Trump: “We will restore the travel ban, some people call it the Trump travel ban, and keep the radical Islamic terrorists out of our country that was upheld by the Supreme Court” (White House). New York Times: “The recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado has underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted, as well as those who come here as temporary visitors and overstay their visas. We don’t want them,” Mr. Trump said in a video message Wednesday evening posted on social media. Mr. Trump’s order comes just a few days after an Egyptian man in Colorado attacked a group honoring hostages being held in Gaza. Trump administration officials warned that they would crack down on migration in the wake of the attack (New York Times).

Iran Rejects U.S. Offer: “Who are you to tell us whether we should have nuclear program?”

Israel Hayom: “National independence means that the Iranian nation stands on its own feet,” the supreme leader said in speech commemorating the founder of the republic, adding that “a nuclear program without enrichment is useless.” Iran’s resolve to forge its own path without foreign interference defines its sovereignty, the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday, saying the recent US proposal to limit its nuclear program was against its national interest. Khamenei made the comments during a speech commemorating the founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Khomeini on his death anniversary. “Who are you to tell us whether we should have nuclear program,” Khamenei attacked (Israel Hayom). Adam Kredo: ‘Our response to America’s nonsense claims is clear: they cannot do a damn thing in this matter,’ says Ali Khamenei…. Khamenei lashed out at the Trump administration in a defiant Wednesday speech, calling the U.S. nuclear deal proposal “nonsense” and taking aim at “the rude and arrogant leaders of America….” The remarks threaten to further derail already fragile diplomatic talks surrounding Tehran’s contested nuclear weapons program (Free Beacon). Iran 360: Khamenei is in full panic as Hamas loses control, with Gazans now receiving aid directly from GHF. He repeats BBC and CNN lies that Israel killed Gazans who came to receive aid (X). Financial Times: Trump on Wednesday accused Iran of “slowwalking their decision”. “Time is running out on Iran’s decision pertaining to nuclear weapons, which must be made quickly,” he said on Truth Social (Financial Times).

Trump: Russia to Retaliate Over Drone Attack

Trump: President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields (The White House). Wall Street Journal: Trump has repeatedly called for peace and lamented the loss of lives on both sides, though in recent weeks he has expressed frustration with Russia’s continued attacks against Ukraine. Last week, when Trump was asked if he thought Putin wanted peace in the region, Trump told reporters he didn’t know. But Trump has privately told friends that ending the war was harder than he imagined. Trump is set to meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Washington on Thursday, and it is likely that Russia and Ukraine will be a topic of discussion. Germany announced last month that it will expand its support to Kyiv, including a partnership to develop long-range missiles… Earlier Wednesday, Putin lashed out at Ukraine for what he called a terrorist attack organized by Kyiv against Russian rail lines. The attacks, which killed seven and injured more than 100, took place over the weekend in the Russian regions of Kursk and Bryansk on the Ukrainian border. Ukraine hasn’t commented on the rail attacks and has previously denied targeting civilians. “Who would negotiate with those who rely on terror? With terrorists?” Putin said at a government meeting. He accused Ukraine of seeking a truce merely to rearm and regroup for new attacks similar to those in Kursk and Bryansk (Wall Street Journal).

Russia Plans Forced Deportation of at Least 30,000 Ukrainian Children

Institute for the Study of War: Russian occupation officials continue to articulate plans for the forced removal and deportation of Ukrainian children over the course of Summer 2025. Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) Head Leonid Pasechnik reported on June 2 that Luhansk Oblast occupation officials are planning to provide “full-fledged rest” for at least 30,000 children from occupied Luhansk Oblast at summer camps and programs in occupied Ukraine and Russia in the coming summer months … Russian federal-level youth programs are indoctrinating and militarizing Ukrainian children. The Russian youth civic activism initiative “Movement of the First” held its first festival in occupied Ukraine and in Russian on June 1, highlighting Russian efforts to massively indoctrinate Ukrainian children and instill in them pro-Russian views (ISW).

Trump Presses Congress to Give Him Leverage Over Putin by Passing Sanctions Legislation

By reposting a Marc Thiessen piece arguing for the same (X). Thiessen’s argument: It is clear that Putin does not want peace; he has to be forced to end the war. To do that, Trump needs greater leverage. Congress can give it to him by passing the Sanctioning Russia Act, a bipartisan effort led by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas). The bill, which has a whopping 82 co-sponsors in the Senate, would impose “bone-crushing” sanctions on Russia. Right now, Russia is suffering double-digit inflation, skyrocketing interest rates and catastrophic labor shortages. The only thing keeping the country’s economy from collapse is revenue from oil and gas exports. This legislation would shut off the most important source of cash for the Kremlin by barring energy transactions with sanctioned Russian banks (which President Joe Biden allowed to continue), and imposing a 500 percent secondary tariff on any country that purchases Russian-origin uranium, oil, natural gas, petroleum, or petroleum products and petrochemical products. This would give Trump the power to effectively drive Russian energy sales from the global market, which would crush the Russian economy and deny Putin the funds to continue his aggression against Ukraine…. Signing the bill does not mean Trump has to implement the sanctions immediately. The proposed sanctions take effect only after the president issues a formal determination that Putin is engaging in sanctionable acts as described in the bill, such as “refusing to negotiate a peace agreement with Ukraine” (Washington Post).

South Korea Has a New President—and He’s Hard Left

The winner: Lee Jae-myung, head of the progressive Democratic Party, known as the Minju Party. He won the snap election decisively—with 49.42 percent of the vote. And: he’s chummy with both North Korea and the CCP. Wall Street Journal: Lee, who once likened himself to Bernie Sanders, doesn’t want South Korea’s relations with the U.S. to exclude ties with China or Russia (Wall Street Journal). Nick Eberstadt: … there is no US national interest reason to cheer a Minju Party victory. These are the “Sunshine Policy” fanboys—seemingly always capable of coming up with an excuse for the abhorrent behavior of the regime across the DMZ, but barely capable of spitting out the words “human rights for North Koreans.” Minju has no trouble hating on neighbor and fellow US treaty ally Japan, though: One of the particulars in its initial impeachment charges against Yoon was his alleged “nomination of Japan-loving personnel to key government positions”! Minju is also a little too close for comfort to the Chinese Communist Party. As Lawrence Peck recently detailed, the Minju Party’s think-tank has signed a “cooperation and exchange” agreement with the CCP’s Central Party School. Peck also notes that Minju flew its party colors at the international ceremony in Beijing celebrating the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the CCP in 2021. Minju boss Lee, for his part, looks poorly suited to moderate his party’s worst international inclinations. At present he awaits trial on multiple separate charges. In one of them, he is accused of illegally funneling $8 million to North Korea in 2019 and 2020, when he was a provincial governor (AEI).

US Vetoes Ceasefire Resolution at UN on Israel-Hamas War

The U.S. was the sole vote against the ceasefire: Fourteen nations voted on Wednesday at the United Nations Security Council for a demand for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian terrorists Hamas and humanitarian access across Gaza, where aid has trickled amid chaos and bloodshed after Israel lifted an 11-week blockade on the enclave where famine looms. The United States vetoed the decision. “The US refusal of the resolution should not surprise you,” Acting Ambassador Dorothy Shea said. “The US made it clear that it would not support any effort that does not condemn Hamas. We cannot allow the Council to reward Hamas terrorism.” (Jerusalem Post). Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon: I thank the United States for demonstrating moral clarity and leadership at the UN Security Council by vetoing the one-sided resolution against Israel. The resolution that was brought to a vote called for a ceasefire in Gaza without conditioning such a ceasefire on the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages — a gift to Hamas. It sends a dangerous message to Hamas terrorists: reject every proposal and the international community will reward you; hold innocent civilians hostage and the UN will grant you legitimacy. This is not diplomacy — it is surrender to terror. As long as the hostages remain in Gaza, there will be no ceasefire. Israel will continue to apply military pressure and use all necessary means until every hostage is brought home (Danny Danon).

ICE Arrests Illegal Immigrant With Ties to Al Qaeda

Another reminder of the profound vulnerabilities left to us by the Biden administration. Daily Caller: Authorities apprehended a Tajikistan-born Russian national in the early morning hours of May 23 in Philadelphia, according to ICE. The individual — who the agency has not yet identified — illegally crossed into the U.S. in 2023 and was eventually released into the country by the Biden administration before his alleged connections to terrorism were known. “Arresting individuals linked to terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaida reaffirms our unwavering commitment to safeguard the homeland,” Enforcement and Removal Operations Philadelphia acting Field Office Director Brian McShane said in a prepared statement (Daily Caller). ICE: This individual was first encountered at San Ysidro Pedestrian West point of entry in California March 21, 2023, where he was charged as an inadmissible alien under the Immigration and Nationality Act because he didn’t have an immigrant visa. He was served a notice to appear before an immigration judge and paroled into the United States. Earlier this month, Tajikistan officials declared this individual a fugitive, wanted for organization of a criminal community. It is alleged that he is or was a member of Al-Qaeda. After his arrest, this individual was detained in ICE custody, where he will remain pending removal from the U.S. (ICE).

Supreme Court Takes Up Case on Counting Votes After Election Day

Perhaps making it more difficult to “win in overtime.” Politico: The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a Republican lawmaker’s challenge to an Illinois state law requiring election authorities to count mail-in ballots received up to two weeks after Election Day, as long as they are postmarked or certified by the voter as being cast by that date. The lawsuit brought by six-term Rep. Mike Bost is one of a series of cases President Donald Trump’s allies have filed seeking to exclude votes received after Election Day from official results (Politico). Capitol News Illinois: The Supreme Court said its ruling will focus on whether Bost, of Murphysboro, in his role as a political candidate has legal grounds to sue over a state’s election law, rather than if Illinois’ mail-in voting law is legal, because the appeal challenges lower court rulings that Bost did not legal grounds to sue. A favorable ruling for Bost by the Supreme Court could force lower courts to issue a ruling about Illinois’ law…. Under Illinois law, ballots postmarked by Election Day can be counted as late as 14 days after the election as they arrive at local election offices. Bost’s case argues this violates the federal law establishing Election Day by allowing votes to arrive and be counted for two weeks after the polls close. (Capitol News).

10.

Netanyahu Coalition at Risk as Orthodox Partners Threaten New Election

The precipitating cause is the forced conscription of ultra-Orthodox into the IDF. New York Sun: On Tuesday night, the rabbis who control Agudat Israel and Degel Hatorah, which are allied under a United Torah Judaism bloc, refused to take a call from Mr. Netanyahu. They then announced their support for dissolving the Knesset and forcing a new election. The third Haredi party, Shas, is for now mum. Led by a veteran politician, Arieh Deri, Shas might join the other Haredi parties. While Shas voters support the draft exemption, though, they’re also “very attached to Bibi,” a top political analyst, Mazal Muallem, tells Kann News, referring to Mr. Netanyahu. Either way, even if just one party of the Haredi bloc votes against the coalition, it could collapse. Together, that bloc controls 18 of the Knesset’s 120 seats. Mr. Netanyahu’s current coalition is supported by 64 Knesset members. The premier is torn between an unpopular move that would exempt the Orthodox and the need to maintain his coalition (New York Sun). If an election happens, what is a likely next? Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and his newly-registered party look strong: A Channel 12 poll published Wednesday found that the parties comprising Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government would only receive 48 seats if elections were held today, falling far short of the 60-seat minimum needed to form a government. In contrast, anti-Netanyahu parties, led by former prime minister Naftali Bennett and his newly registered party, would receive 72 seats, the survey indicated (Times of Israel). Netanyahu, however, is a “nine lives” sort of Prime Minister.

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