Good Morning DC,
Russian President Putin expressed his dissatisfaction with his recent two-hour interview with Tucker Carlson, as revealed in a televised interview he gave on Wednesday in Russia, now the headline news in America’s most trusted media hubs.
“I honestly thought he would be aggressive and ask tough questions. I wasn’t only ready for that, I wanted that, because it would give me the opportunity to give tough answers back,” stated Putin.
“To be frank, I didn’t fully enjoy that interview,” he added.
Putin said that he would prefer Biden over Trump winning the 2024 election because “he is a more experienced person, he is predictable, he is a politician of an old formation.”
Do you believe him?
Well, let’s just say, in the game of international politics, trust is a rare commodity, and everyone’s playing to win.
Let’s get you caught up with the news of the day.
THE WHITE HOUSE
President Biden renewed his push for gun control laws following a shooting at the Super Bowl victory parade.
He has nothing on his public schedule today.
2024 ELECTION
Donald Trump reiterated his warning to NATO allies regarding the 2% of GDP spending targets during his speech in South Carolina on Wednesday, emphasizing, “Does that mean that if we don’t pay the bills that you’re not going to protect us? I said that’s exactly what it means. Exactly. I’m not going to protect you.”
Since his initial remarks, Trump has amplified his NATO agenda, expressing on social media:
“Could somebody please inform our uninformable President that NATO has to pay their bills!”, Trump wrote on TruthSocial.
“They should equalize with the U.S. – FAST! The European Nations, when combined, have approximately the same size Economy as we do. They have the money. PAY UP!”
President Biden called Trump’s comment “dumb,” “shameful,” “dangerous,” and “un-American.” He said that as long as he is president of the United States, if Putin attacks, America will defend NATO territory.
“When he looks at NATO, he doesn’t see the alliance that protects America and the world. He sees a protection racket. He doesn’t understand that NATO’s built on a fundamental principles of freedom, security and national sovereignty, because for Trump, principles never matter. Everything is transactional,” said Biden.
ON THE HILL
The House is scheduled to adjourn today at 2:30 p.m. for a 13-day recess in observance of Presidents’ Day. Upon their return to the Hill, we are looking at another potential shutdown drama to take center stage in the news cycle.
Amidst this uncertainty, the fate of the Senate’s $95 billion foreign aid package hangs in the balance. Senator Johnson has signaled that the bill is not currently a priority.
On Wednesday, Speaker Mike Johnson hosted King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan at the US Capitol
“We discussed our shared desire for safety and prosperity in the region, and I thanked King Abdullah II for his efforts to promote peace. We are grateful for this bond and will continue to discuss ways in which the U.S. and Jordan can strengthen our alliance,” said Johnson.
GLOBAL AFFAIRS
Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Munich, Germany for the Munich Security Conference, where she received a warm welcome upon disembarking from AF2. German and US officials greeted her on the tarmac, presenting a grand red-carpet welcome and a giant heart-shaped cookie cake bearing the words “Welcome to Germany.”
Prior to takeoff from Andrews, Harris made a thoughtful gesture by visiting the back of the plane to distribute heart-shaped Valentine’s Day cookies to staff, Secret Service members, and journalists. During this time, she engaged in informal off-the-record chats for a couple of minutes.
Secretary Blinken has conveyed his congratulations to the people of Serbia on their Statehood Day. In recognition of Serbia’s steadfast support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity amidst Russia’s aggression, Blinken emphasized Serbia’s significant contributions to peace and security. These contributions include active participation in UN and EU peacekeeping missions, as well as joint deployment with U.S. forces in the Multinational Forces and Observers mission in the Sinai.
The UK has slipped into recession.
THE BALKAN VOICE NEWSLETTER
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And that’s a wrap for this Thursday morning February 15, 2024. Good Morning DC will be back tomorrow to provide you with a front-row seat to the ever-evolving landscape of American politics under President Joe Biden.
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