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Greg Clugston
SRN Correspondent Greg Clugston keeps you informed about all the news coming from the White House.
White House disputes U.S. counterterrorism director’s Iran claims
The White House is pushing back on the counterterrorism director’s reasons for resigning. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the resignation letter from Joe Kent, the outgoing director of the U-S National Counterterrorism Center, was “filled with falsehoods.” Kent had said that Iran did not pose an imminent threat, which Leavitt argued flew in the face of “strong and compelling evidence.”
Listen DownloadU.S. Intelligence: Iran’s government degraded, but appears intact
The nation’s top intelligence official says Iran’s government appears to still be intact after nearly three weeks of war. In testimony before Congress, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said the U-S-Israeli military campaign has taken on a toll on the Iranian regime. But she also told members of the Senate Intelligence Committee that “Iran and its proxies continue to attack U.S. and allied interests in the Middle East.” Gabbard said if a hostile regime survives, Iran “will seek to begin a years-long effort to rebuild its missiles and [drone] forces.”
Listen DownloadTrump counterterrorism official resigns over Iran war
A top counterterrorism official is resigning over the Trump administration’s war against Iran. Joe Kent, the director of the U-S National Counterterrorism Center, is stepping down, saying he “cannot in good conscience” support the war. In a statement announcing his resignation, Kent said that Iran “posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel.” His resignation reflects unease among some of Donald Trump’s MAGA supporters about the war.
Listen DownloadTrump issues warning as GOP senators begin voter ID talkathon
Senate Republicans have kicked off a talkathon on a voter ID bill that President Trump supports. For the next several days, GOP senators will hold the Senate floor and debate a bill that Republican leader John Thune has repeatedly said doesn’t have enough support for passage. But Republicans are moving ahead with the talkathon because of President Trump’s insistence. The legislation would require proof of citizenship to vote and eliminate mail-in ballots. And the president warns he’ll “never ever” endorse anyone who votes against the bill.
Listen DownloadStryker has contained a disruptive cyberattack
Medical device maker Stryker says it has contained a cyberattack that cause widespread disruption to its businesses. Last week’s cyberattack affected Stryker’s operations, including systems that support customers, ordering, and shipping. An Iran-linked hacking group claimed responsibility, claiming it was in retaliation for a strike on a girls’ school in southern Iran. Michigan-based Stryker has 56-thousand employees and operates in 61 countries.
Listen DownloadWhite House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has breast cancer
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. Announcing the news in a social media post, the president described Wiles as “one of the strongest people” he knows and one of his closest and most important advisors. He said that she will “take on this challenge immediately. The president said her prognosis is “excellent” and that Wiles will be remaining “virtually full time” at the White House during her treatment.
Listen DownloadTrump vents online about Supreme Court, war media coverage
President Trump has been venting on his social media website. In several lengthy, late-night posts, the president expressed anger and frustration about several subjects and people. He raged against the U-S Supreme Court for its decision last month overturning his tariffs, writing that Chief Justice John Roberts is “completely inept.” He also complained about the federal judge who blocked a probe of the Fed chair calling him “wacky and nasty,” and proclaimed that media outlets should face charges of “treason” for their coverage of the Iran war.
Listen DownloadChina warns that Trump tariff moves could damage trade ties
China is warning that President Trump’s latest tariff moves could damage trade ties. After holding talks with a U-S delegation in Paris, China’s international trade representative expressed serious concern about trade investigations into manufacturing in foreign countries. He warned that the possible results “may interfere with or damage” economic and trade relations between the U-S and China. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the Paris meeting as “constructive” and said the purpose is “to prevent any retaliation.”
Listen DownloadU.S. pauses Russian oil sanctions, upsetting Ukraine
The United States is pausing sanctions on Russian oil shipments. In a bid to stabilize global energy markets during the war against Iran, the Trump administration has announced a 30-day waiver on Russian oil sanctions. European leaders said now was not the time to relax sanctions against Moscow. And Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said the waiver was “not the right decision” and won’t help bring a stop to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Listen DownloadStates seek solutions to nationwide penny shortage
Now that the U.S. Mint has stopped making pennies, states are setting new rules for cash purchases.
Some states are considering legislation to allow, or require, businesses to round purchase totals to the nearest nickel. Indiana already requires rounding for cash sales that do not end in zero or 5 cents. Experts call the common method “symmetrical rounding.” A federal bill that would apply the symmetrical rounding standard across the country is stalled in Congress.
Iran’s national team still expected to play in World Cup
It looks like Iran’s soccer team will be competing in the World Cup. FIFA expects Iran’s national team will be allowed to come to the United States to compete in the World Cup this summer. There’s been some doubt about Iran’s participation because of the war. The head of FIFA spoke with President Trump this week and received assurances that the Iranian team would be permitted to come to the U-S. Iran is scheduled to play its first game in California on June 15th.
Listen DownloadCongress nears passage of a more affordable housing bill
Congress is getting closer to passing bipartisan legislation to encourage more affordable housing. The bill, which has broad support from industry groups, would overhaul regulations to make it faster and cheaper to build new housing. It would also modernize rules for factory-built housing and ban large investment groups from buying more single-family homes. The Senate bill is co-sponsored by Republican Tim Scott and Democrat Elizabeth Warren, and is backed by President Trump.
Listen DownloadPentagon says 140 U.S. troops wounded in Iran war, 8 “severely”
More than 100 U-S troops have been injured so far in the Iran war. We’re learning more about the broader toll of injuries sustained by U-S service members as the military carries out major combat operations against Iran. In addition to the American soldiers who have been killed, the Pentagon says about 140 U-S troops have been injured in the war. A spokesman says the “vast majority” have been minor injuries. However, eight are currently “severely injured.”
Listen DownloadHegseth: U.S. is “winning” the war against Iran, vows more intensity
The Pentagon proclaims that the United States is “crushing” Iran with its military might. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the results of the war against Iran are clear after 10 days of fighting. Hegseth said Tuesday will be the “most intense day of strikes inside Iran. Also speaking at a Pentagon news briefing, Joint Chiefs chairman General Dan Caine said Iran’s missile attacks have fallen 90 percent since the start of the military campaign.
Listen DownloadUpset with UK, Trump slams PM Starmer and rejects military support
President Trump is upset with the British prime minister over the war against Iran. The United States and Great Britain have long enjoyed a “special relationship.” But over the past few days, the president complained that the U-K was “uncooperative” and he slammed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, saying he was no Winston Churchill. Over the weekend, the president accused the UK of attempting to join the war too late. He wrote on social media that the U-S doesn’t need Britain’s two aircraft carriers. GC, Wash.
Listen DownloadTrump vows not sign any bills until Congress passes voter ID legislation
President Trump is vowing not to sign any other legislation until Congress approves a voter ID bill. Writing on social media, the president proclaimed that passing the SAVE America Act is “all people care about” and that the legislation “supersedes everything else.” He went on say that he “will not sign other bills until this is passed.” The SAVE America Act would require proof of citizenship when registering to vote. Democrats believe the bill would disenfranchise some voters. The House already passed the legislation, but it faces an uphill battle in the Senate.
Listen DownloadSurge in gas prices hurts Trump’s economic promise
Rising gasoline prices are cutting against President Trump’s promise to keep costs down. For much of the past year, the president has taken credit for falling oil prices. But oil prices have spiked since the start of the war with Iran and that has led to sticker shock at the gas pump. Triple-A says a gallon of regular gasoline rose to a national average of $3.45 on Sunday — up almost 50 cents a gallon from a week ago. President Trump says he’s not concerned and predicts prices will drop when the war is over.
Listen DownloadTrump “not looking to settle” with Iran, promises to hit harder
President Trump says the U-S is “not looking to settle” with Iran. The president said the U-S has no plans to negotiate with Iran’s remaining leadership. Earlier, the president declared that he would not accept anything less than “unconditional surrender.” The Iranian president responded by saying the U-S demand for surrender is a ‘dream that they should to take to their grave,” and he threatened more strikes on American targets in the Middle East.
Listen DownloadJudge rules that dismantling of Voice of America was illegal
A federal judge says the Trump administration’s dismantling of the Voice of America is illegal. U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that Kari Lake did not have authority under the law to take her actions. Lake was President Trump’s choice to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which includes the Voice of America, but was never confirmed by the Senate. As a result, the judge said she lacked the authority to lay off most of VOA’s employees. Lake called it a bogus ruling by an activist judge that will be appealed. GC, Wash.
Listen DownloadFor Trump, March has brought war, a fired Cabinet secretary, and more
The opening days of March have delivered some major news and political developments. “In like a lion, out like a lamb” refers to stormy weather at the beginning of March. For President Trump, the first week of March was like a lion politically. Over the past few days, he launched a war against Iran which led to a spike in oil prices, he fired controversial Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and he received a Labor Department report that saw the economy lose tens of thousands of jobs in February. The flurry of activity came as the president tries to convince voters to keep Republicans in the majority in Congress.
Listen DownloadTrump says Congress needs to “save” college sports from NIL
President Trump says he and Congress need to address the expensive problem of paying college athletes.
The president brought together lawmakers, coaches, college presidents, and TV executives for a White House roundtable discussion. He warned that the soaring costs of paying college athletes is harming schools and the problem is getting worse. The president said Congress needed to approve legislation to modify the use of name, image and likeness contracts for students. He also said he might sign an executive order.
White House downplays intel that Russia is assisting Iran
Russia reportedly has provided Iran with information that could help Tehran strike American warships, aircraft and other assets in the region. The information comes from two officials familiar with U-S intelligence on the matter. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt downplayed reports that Russia was sharing intelligence with Iran about U.S. targets. Leavitt declined to say if President Trump had spoken to Russia’s Vladimir Putin about the intelligence.
Listen DownloadTrump says no deal with Iran except “unconditional surrender”
President Trump says there will be no deal struck with Iran except “unconditional surrender.” In response to the Iranian president’s statement that “some countries have begun mediation efforts” to end the war, President Trump said Iran’s surrender will be the only acceptable outcome. He wrote online that after a new leader is selected, the United States and its allies “will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction.” And he promised that Iran will be “economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before.”
Listen DownloadGOP Rep. Gonzales ends re-election bid amid ethics probe
A GOP Congressman facing an ethics investigation is withdrawing from his re-election race. The decision by Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales of Texas to end his re-election bid came after he admitted an affair with a former staff member who later died by suicide. But Gonzales vowed to finish out his term in Congress. This week, the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into his conduct, prompting calls from GOP leadership to end his reelection bid, and from others in Congress to resign.
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