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President Biden on Counterterrorism Operation in Syria
Feb 3, 2022
Feb 3, 2022
ISIS Loses Its Leader as Biden Navigates Global Crises
Hajji Abdullah is the latest jihadi leader eliminated in a U.S. raid, but the President still faces challenges in Russia, China, and Iran, as well as the pandemic.
Feb. 3 - The elusive leader of isis blew up himself, his wife, and their children during a risky predawn raid by helicopter-borne U.S. FeSpecial Operations Forces in northwest Syria on Thursday. The attack on the leader of what remains the world’s most dangerous terrorist movement, which was carried out after months of secret planning, led to the death of the third major jihadi leader in a confrontation with U.S. forces in the past decade or so. President Joe Biden said the operation that killed Hajji Abdullah, also known as Abu Ibrahim al-Qurayshi, was “testament to America’s reach and capability to take out terrorist threats no matter where they hide around the world.” President Barack Obama oversaw the operation that killed the Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden at his hideaway in Pakistan, in 2011. President Donald Trump approved plans that led to the death of the isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Syria, in 2019. isis is estimated to have as many as twenty thousand jihadis in underground cells still proliferating across the globe, decades after the emergence of jihadism in the nineteen-seventies... more
02/02/22: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki
Feb 3, 2022
Feb 3, 2022
Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jen Psaki
FEBRUARY 03, 2022•SPEECHES AND REMARKSAboard Air Force One
En Route New York, New York
MS. PSAKI: I know this is a short flight, so I thought I would just start. And I know we’ve done a number of briefings, but just giving you all just a couple of key points on the President’s engagement in the operation that happened overnight last night.
The operation has been months in — was months in planning. The President was first briefed on this operation in depth over a month ago by the actual operational commanders. He was regularly updated by the national security team on the planning details of this operation, to include a briefing in the Oval Office on Monday.
Last night, the President monitored key aspects of the operation in real time in the White House Situation Room. I think you all saw the photo that we released on that.
I also want to stress that the President directed the Department of Defense to take every precaution to minimize noncombatant casualties in the operation, hence how they proceeded with their — the operation.
Unfortunately, as we know and we saw, ISIS once again revealed its barbarity in a final act of cowardice, and displaying a never-ending — ended — disregard for innocent lives. Hajji Abdullah detonated an explosive device shortly after U.S. forces arrived on site, killing himself, a woman, and three children... more
FEBRUARY 03, 2022•SPEECHES AND REMARKSAboard Air Force One
En Route New York, New York
MS. PSAKI: I know this is a short flight, so I thought I would just start. And I know we’ve done a number of briefings, but just giving you all just a couple of key points on the President’s engagement in the operation that happened overnight last night.
The operation has been months in — was months in planning. The President was first briefed on this operation in depth over a month ago by the actual operational commanders. He was regularly updated by the national security team on the planning details of this operation, to include a briefing in the Oval Office on Monday.
Last night, the President monitored key aspects of the operation in real time in the White House Situation Room. I think you all saw the photo that we released on that.
I also want to stress that the President directed the Department of Defense to take every precaution to minimize noncombatant casualties in the operation, hence how they proceeded with their — the operation.
Unfortunately, as we know and we saw, ISIS once again revealed its barbarity in a final act of cowardice, and displaying a never-ending — ended — disregard for innocent lives. Hajji Abdullah detonated an explosive device shortly after U.S. forces arrived on site, killing himself, a woman, and three children... more
FEBRUARY 3, 2022
President Biden Holds Gun Violence Strategies Meeting in New York
President Biden discussed gun crime and what his administration is doing to reduce gun violence during a visit to police headquarters in New York City. Six NYPD officers have been shot, two fatally, so far in 2022. President Biden was joined at the event by Attorney General Merrick Garland, New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D), New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Rep. Nadia Velazquez (D-NY).
President Biden Holds Gun Violence Strategies Meeting in New York
President Biden discussed gun crime and what his administration is doing to reduce gun violence during a visit to police headquarters in New York City. Six NYPD officers have been shot, two fatally, so far in 2022. President Biden was joined at the event by Attorney General Merrick Garland, New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D), New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Rep. Nadia Velazquez (D-NY).
President Biden visits the NYPD to address crime and gun violence | USA TODAY
Feb 4, 2022
Feb 4, 2022
Remarks by President Biden at a Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Meeting
FEBRUARY 03, 2022•SPEECHES AND REMARKSOne Police Plaza
New York, New York
THE PRESIDENT: Okay. Well, General Garland; Governor; Mr. Mayor; Representative Jeffers [sic] — Jeffries, excuse me; Representative Velázquez — they rode up on the flight with me — and other members of Congress that are here: Thank you.
And I just want to thank Mayor Adams and Commissioner Sewell and the law — all the law enforcements here today for — not having me, for what you do every single day.
It’s — and let me start by saying Detective Wilbert Mora and Jason Rivera are the “who” and “what” law enforcement ought to be. And the — Senator Gillibrand and I have talked about that on the way up as well.
I’ve spoken to their families, and — and their loss for the city is also a loss for the nation. You know, the future is cut short by a man with a stolen Glock with 40 rounds — a magazine with 40 rounds. And it’s really a weapon of war.
One of the things I was proudest of years ago, when I was in the Senate — I was able to get these weapons and the size of magazines outlawed. That got changed. It got overruled. But I don’t see any rationale to why there should be such a weapon able to be purchased. It doesn’t violate anybody’s Second Amendment rights to deny that... more
FEBRUARY 03, 2022•SPEECHES AND REMARKSOne Police Plaza
New York, New York
THE PRESIDENT: Okay. Well, General Garland; Governor; Mr. Mayor; Representative Jeffers [sic] — Jeffries, excuse me; Representative Velázquez — they rode up on the flight with me — and other members of Congress that are here: Thank you.
And I just want to thank Mayor Adams and Commissioner Sewell and the law — all the law enforcements here today for — not having me, for what you do every single day.
It’s — and let me start by saying Detective Wilbert Mora and Jason Rivera are the “who” and “what” law enforcement ought to be. And the — Senator Gillibrand and I have talked about that on the way up as well.
I’ve spoken to their families, and — and their loss for the city is also a loss for the nation. You know, the future is cut short by a man with a stolen Glock with 40 rounds — a magazine with 40 rounds. And it’s really a weapon of war.
One of the things I was proudest of years ago, when I was in the Senate — I was able to get these weapons and the size of magazines outlawed. That got changed. It got overruled. But I don’t see any rationale to why there should be such a weapon able to be purchased. It doesn’t violate anybody’s Second Amendment rights to deny that... more
aFEBRUARY 3, 2022
'China, US should cooperate to contain Taiwan'
Jan. 31 - WASHINGTON, D.C.: China and the United States should "work together to contain the separatist forces of Taiwan," Chinese Ambassador to the United States Qin Gang said.
The one-China principle is the most important foundation of China-US relations in the past decades, said Qin in an interview with US National Public Radio aired on Friday, adding that the United States has been walking away from this commitment "bit by bit."
Speaking of the recent escalation of tension in the situation across the Taiwan Strait, Qin said, "This is because the Taiwanese authority is trying to seek an independence agenda by borrowing support and encouragement from the United States and the US is playing Taiwan card."
"We have taken notice of President (Joe) Biden's words that the United States does not support Taiwan independence and the United States wants to see peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the United States will adhere to its one-China policy, but so far, we haven't seen many actions to honor his words," he said. more
Related Articles:
White House and Justice Department commit to combating violent crime at local level
Feb. 3 - At a summit on public safety Thursday, President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland announced new efforts to fight violent crime at the local level. This is part of the administration’s comprehensive strategy to prevent and respond to gun crime, announced in May 2021. Hours after Biden told every US Attorney’s Office in the country to direct funds toward fighting violent crime, Garland announced how the Department of Justice (DOJ) would help its local partners.
Garland spoke on the new federal actions to support this local work. Among these efforts is a national ghost gun enforcement initiative to train prosecutors on bringing charges for unregistered firearms that are assembled at home. The DOJ claims they are also “strengthening…firearms trafficking strike forces” to prevent violent criminals from obtaining firearms through illegal gun pipelines.
The DOJ’s mix of local and federal strategy is “designed to address violent crime from all angles:”
It includes targeted enforcement, data-driven approaches, and programming that reach every aspect of the problem, from the earliest prevention strategies and violence interruption approaches to post-conviction reentry services. The strategy recognizes that we are most successful when we work closely with state, local, Tribal, and territorial counterparts—and when we serve as a force multiplier for their frontline efforts, including with critical grant funding.
The Biden Administration and DOJ’s plan to keep direct actions primarily in the hands of local authorities, who allegedly have a better understanding of their communities, but seek to work cooperatively across local and federal lines. The summit was hosted by New York City mayor Eric Adams at a New York Gun Violence Strategic Partnership meeting, seen as a model of working across jurisdictions to remedy violent crime and gun trafficking. Source from JURIST
Speaker Pelosi Holds News Conference
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said she favors sanctions on Russia if they were to invade Ukraine and not before. The speaker told reporters during her weekly briefing, “I think its really important for us to use the sanctions if the Russians strike. it is important because it’s where our leverage is at maximum if they do this, then we strike. It is where also most of our allies are on this. In response to Sen. Joe Manchin, D-WVA, calling the so-called Build Back Better agenda "dead,” the speaker said: “I’m never giving up on BBB.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said she favors sanctions on Russia if they were to invade Ukraine and not before. The speaker told reporters during her weekly briefing, “I think its really important for us to use the sanctions if the Russians strike. it is important because it’s where our leverage is at maximum if they do this, then we strike. It is where also most of our allies are on this. In response to Sen. Joe Manchin, D-WVA, calling the so-called Build Back Better agenda "dead,” the speaker said: “I’m never giving up on BBB.”
Pelosi urges US Olympians not to anger ‘ruthless’ Chinese government
Feb. 3 - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday urged US athletes competing in the Beijing Winter Olympics to keep mum on China’s human rights abuses because the country’s government is “ruthless.”
Pelosi issued the warning during testimony at a Congressional-Executive Commission on China. She acknowledged the US has a moral obligation to condemn the rights violations – but insisted the Olympic games were not the proper venue for athletes to voice their concerns.
“
If we do not speak out against human rights violations in China, because of commercial interests, we lose all moral authority to speak out against human rights violations anywhere,” Pelosi said.
But addressing athletes, she added: “Do not risk incurring the anger of the Chinese government because they are ruthless.”
Pelosi slammed the International Olympic Committee – saying the group “turns a blind eye” to Beijing’s rights violations.
Rights groups have long criticized the IOC for awarding the Games to China, citing its treatment of Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups.
The US has deemed the treatment of the minority groups genocide. China has denied allegations of human rights abuses. source from nypost
Feb. 3 - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday urged US athletes competing in the Beijing Winter Olympics to keep mum on China’s human rights abuses because the country’s government is “ruthless.”
Pelosi issued the warning during testimony at a Congressional-Executive Commission on China. She acknowledged the US has a moral obligation to condemn the rights violations – but insisted the Olympic games were not the proper venue for athletes to voice their concerns.
“
If we do not speak out against human rights violations in China, because of commercial interests, we lose all moral authority to speak out against human rights violations anywhere,” Pelosi said.
But addressing athletes, she added: “Do not risk incurring the anger of the Chinese government because they are ruthless.”
Pelosi slammed the International Olympic Committee – saying the group “turns a blind eye” to Beijing’s rights violations.
Rights groups have long criticized the IOC for awarding the Games to China, citing its treatment of Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups.
The US has deemed the treatment of the minority groups genocide. China has denied allegations of human rights abuses. source from nypost
'China, US should cooperate to contain Taiwan'
Jan. 31 - WASHINGTON, D.C.: China and the United States should "work together to contain the separatist forces of Taiwan," Chinese Ambassador to the United States Qin Gang said.
The one-China principle is the most important foundation of China-US relations in the past decades, said Qin in an interview with US National Public Radio aired on Friday, adding that the United States has been walking away from this commitment "bit by bit."
Speaking of the recent escalation of tension in the situation across the Taiwan Strait, Qin said, "This is because the Taiwanese authority is trying to seek an independence agenda by borrowing support and encouragement from the United States and the US is playing Taiwan card."
"We have taken notice of President (Joe) Biden's words that the United States does not support Taiwan independence and the United States wants to see peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, the United States will adhere to its one-China policy, but so far, we haven't seen many actions to honor his words," he said. more
Related Articles:
White House and Justice Department commit to combating violent crime at local level
Feb. 3 - At a summit on public safety Thursday, President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland announced new efforts to fight violent crime at the local level. This is part of the administration’s comprehensive strategy to prevent and respond to gun crime, announced in May 2021. Hours after Biden told every US Attorney’s Office in the country to direct funds toward fighting violent crime, Garland announced how the Department of Justice (DOJ) would help its local partners.
Garland spoke on the new federal actions to support this local work. Among these efforts is a national ghost gun enforcement initiative to train prosecutors on bringing charges for unregistered firearms that are assembled at home. The DOJ claims they are also “strengthening…firearms trafficking strike forces” to prevent violent criminals from obtaining firearms through illegal gun pipelines.
The DOJ’s mix of local and federal strategy is “designed to address violent crime from all angles:”
It includes targeted enforcement, data-driven approaches, and programming that reach every aspect of the problem, from the earliest prevention strategies and violence interruption approaches to post-conviction reentry services. The strategy recognizes that we are most successful when we work closely with state, local, Tribal, and territorial counterparts—and when we serve as a force multiplier for their frontline efforts, including with critical grant funding.
The Biden Administration and DOJ’s plan to keep direct actions primarily in the hands of local authorities, who allegedly have a better understanding of their communities, but seek to work cooperatively across local and federal lines. The summit was hosted by New York City mayor Eric Adams at a New York Gun Violence Strategic Partnership meeting, seen as a model of working across jurisdictions to remedy violent crime and gun trafficking. Source from JURIST
