Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw US troops from Italy and Spain, following a similar consideration for Germany. This comes amid tensions over NATO allies' lack of support in the war on Iran.
Key points
Trump threatens troop withdrawal from Italy and Spain
Similar consideration for reducing troops in Germany
Criticism of NATO allies for lack of support in Iran conflict
Chancellor Merz's comments on US humiliation by Iran
The US president’s threat to Germany came after the country’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said America was being “humiliated” by Iran. Trump has severely criticised Nato allies for not sending their navies to help open the strait of Hormuz, a crucial commercial shipping corridor.
At an Oval Office event on Thursday, Trump was asked if he would consider withdrawing troops from bases in Spain and Italy over their unwillingness to get involved in his war on Iran.
“Yeah, probably,” the president replied. “Why shouldn’t I? Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible.”
What has Congress been saying about the war?A senior Democrat in the Senate grilled the US secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, on Thursday, accusing him of failing to give Trump an accurate picture of the war on Iran while resorting to “dangerously exaggerated” statements to create an inaccurate picture of a US military triumph.
Video shows moment shooter tried to storm White House dinner
A still from security footage with a white circle around one of the people in the frame
A still from the security camera footage of the incident at the White House dinner. Photograph: Jeanine Pirro via X
Federal prosecutors released footage on Thursday of the moment officials say Cole Tomas Allen tried to storm last week’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in an alleged attempt to kill Donald Trump.
Amid questions about whether or not Allenfired his weapon before being subdued, Jeanine Pirro, the top federal prosecutor in Washington DC, released edited security camera footage of the incident in a social media post.
Q&A
Why did Trump threaten to withdraw troops from Italy and Spain?
Trump threatened to withdraw troops due to Italy and Spain's lack of support for US actions in the war on Iran.
What did Germany's chancellor say that prompted Trump's comments?
Germany's chancellor, Friedrich Merz, stated that America was being 'humiliated' by Iran, which led to Trump's criticism of NATO allies.
What is the significance of the Strait of Hormuz in this context?
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial commercial shipping corridor, and Trump criticized NATO allies for not sending navies to help secure it.
What has been Trump's stance on NATO allies regarding the Iran conflict?
Trump has severely criticized NATO allies for not contributing to military efforts in the war on Iran, particularly regarding naval support.
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In a caption, Pirro claimed the video showed Allen casing the hotel location the night before Saturday’s dinner, and then shooting a Secret Service agent as he rushed through a metal detector at a checkpoint while officers were in the process of removing at least one of the two magnetometers used for screening guests.
What’s the latest on the suspect? The man accused of attempting to assassinate Trump agreed on Thursday to remain in custody while his federal criminal case moves forward.
60 Minutes journalist decries ‘spread of corporate meddling’ at CBS News
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Sharyn Alfonsi, left, with her 60 Minutes colleagues. Photograph: Jai Lennard/CBS via Getty Images
The veteran 60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi expressed concern about “the spread of corporate meddling and editorial fear” at CBS News and her uncertainty about whether she will keep her job after she pushed back on a directive to change her December segment on Venezuelans who were sent to the Cecot prison in El Salvador.
Alfonsi spoke about the incident for the first time on Thursday evening after receiving the Ridenhour prize for courage at the National Press Club in Washington. Her comments come as the Trump administration has piled pressure on US media, and follow the CBS News editor Bari Weiss’s decision to shelve the Cecot segment on the flagship news program.
Alfonsi had alleged at the time that Weiss had spiked the story for political purposes, a significant accusation of journalistic impropriety. Weiss argued that the segment was delayed because it did not sufficiently include the perspective of the Trump administration.
What did she say about her job? Alfonsi’s future at the network is said to be in jeopardy. She acknowledged that uncertainty in her remarks. “Thank you for this award. I didn’t know that the theme was hope. My hope recently has been that I still have a job,” she said.
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