Tag: sanctions

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Iran: Trump White House Is ‘Mentally Retarded’

"Idiotic and outrageous" is how Iran's President Hassan Rouhani characterized Donald Trump's sanctions against Supreme Leader Aytollah Ali Khanenei. Rouhani also described the White House as “afflicted by mental retardation.”
Donald Trump

“Idiotic and outrageous” is how Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani characterized Donald Trump’s sanctions against Supreme Leader Aytollah Ali Khanenei.

Rouhani also described the White House as “afflicted by mental retardation.”

From USA Today:

Rouhani noted that Western banking restrictions are unlikely to affect Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, saying the 80-year-old leader of the Islamic Revolution isn’t getting rich off of Western bank accounts. Imposing sanctions on Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif doesn’t equate with Trump’s stated willingness to negotiate without preconditions, Rouhani added.

“You sanction the foreign minister simultaneously with a request for talks” he would lead, Rouhani said. “The White House is afflicted by mental retardation and does not know what to do.”

The sanctions, issued less than a week after Iran shot down a U.S. drone, will block transactions involving any property or other assets Iran’s leaders hold in the USA, the White House said.

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Trump Administration Finally Sanctions Russian Hackers

After months of inaction, the Trump administration has begrudgingly imposed sanctions on Russian actors who worked to interfere in the 2016 presidential election.

From The Washington Post:

The Trump administration on Thursday imposed fresh sanctions on Russian government hackers and spy agencies to punish Moscow for interfering in the 2016 presidential election and for a cyberattack against Ukraine and other countries last year that officials have characterized as “the most destructive and costly” in history.

Sanctions also were imposed on individuals known as “trolls” and the Russian organizations — including the Internet Research Agency — that supported their efforts to undermine the election. Additionally, the administration alerted the public that Russia is targeting the U.S. energy grid with computer malware that could sabotage its systems.

Taken together, the moves represent the administration’s most aggressive actions to date against Russia for its incursions against the United States, though analysts say their impact is mostly symbolic and noted that a number of the individuals and groups had already been subject to sanctions.

Nonetheless, officials hope the actions will help deter tampering with this year’s midterm elections while signaling to Russia that Washington will not allow its attacks to go unchallenged.

Most political experts are saying these sanctions will not any effect on any of the actual power players in Russia.

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Trump Signs Russian Sanctions Bill Calling Legislation “Flawed”

President Trump signed the bipartisan sanctions legislation passed in Congress today, but in doing so issued a signing statement explaining his thoughts on the bill.

Last week, Trump’s press secretary announced, “President Donald J. Trump read early drafts of the bill and negotiated regarding critical elements of it. He has now reviewed the final version and, based on its responsiveness to his negotiations, approves the bill and intends to sign it.”

But today, Trump says the legislation is “flawed.”

It’s worth noting the president really didn’t have a choice in signing the bill. The legislation was passed with a veto-proof bipartisan majority. Any veto would have easily been overridden, causing the Trump administration even further embarrassment.

He also offered remarks to reporters in a separate statement which, of course, takes a dig at the GOP-controlled Congress: “Congress could not even negotiate a health care bill after seven years of talking.”

And then there’s the last line: “I built a truly great company worth many billions of dollars. That is a big part of the reason I was elected. As President, I can make far better deals with foreign countries than Congress.”

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Donald Trump Responds To News Of Sanctions Against Russia For Cyber-Hacking During Election

Statement from President-elect Donald J. Trump regarding today’s announced sanctions by the U.S. government against Russia for cyber-attacks during the recent presidential election:

“It’s time for our country to move on to bigger and better things.

“Nevertheless, in the interest of our country and it’s great people, I will meet with leaders of the intelligence community next week in order to be updated on the facts of this situation.”

A couple of thoughts here:

1. The “time to move on” line sounds like Trump is so very afraid to admit he didn’t win the White House on his own. Pal, you get the White House. No one is taking it from you at this point. Chill.

2. Line 2’s “in the interest of our country” seems like he’s doing us a favor by doing his job. In light of all 17 U.S. intelligence agencies agreeing with certainty that Russia did indeed interfere with our election, he should at least appear to be concerned about this issue.

Also, saying he will meet with intelligence leaders next week in order to be “updated on the facts” sure seems like his not informed on the issue. Can you imagine President Reagan saying “I’ll get to the Russians hacking our systems some time next week….?”

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US to take further sanctions in response to anti-gay law in Uganda

Buzzfeed is reporting on new sanctions to be implemented by the Obama administration in reaction to Uganda’s criminalization of homosexuality:

Money will be shifted away from the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda, a group that has publicly come out in support of the anti-gay law and has received millions of dollars in grants from the United States to help fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Some $2.3 million will continue to go to the IRCU to continue treatment for some 50,000 current patients, but an additional $6.4 million intended for the IRCU will go to other organizations.

Second, because the law makes “promoting homosexuality” illegal, a U.S. funded study to help identify populations at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS has been suspended. The study, which was going to be conducted by a Ugandan university and the Center for Disease Control, has been suspended out of fear that both staff and survey respondents could be put in danger.

Third, because any LGBT person or LGBT ally who now enters Uganda is at risk, money intended for tourism programs will be redirected. “Therefore, approximately $3 million in funding designated for tourism and biodiversity promotion will be redirected to NGOs working on biodiversity protection,” Lalley said.

And finally, the Department of Defense had several events scheduled in the country later this spring and those will be moved to other locations. “Certain near-term invitational travel” for Ugandan military and police personnel has also been suspended or canceled.

The first steps in response to Uganda’s anti-gay law came last week as the CDC suspended funding for a program that supplied Uganda with anti-retroviral medications and HIV testing kits.

(via JMG)

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President Obama announces sanctions against officials in the Russia for ties to unrest in Crimea

President Obama today announced sanctions against specific officials in the Russian government for their support of Crimea’s vote to secede from Ukraine in the most comprehensive sanctions against Russia since the end of the Cold War:

The sanctions are some of the most comprehensive placed on Russia since the Cold War. While they do not target Putin directly, that are aimed at individuals in his inner circle in the Russian government.

The measures are directed against 11 individuals, including Vladislav Surkov, a close adviser to Putin, Dmitry Rogozin, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, a Valentina Matviyenko, a senior lawmaker and chair of the upper house of parliament, and Viktor Yanukovych, the ousted former president of Ukraine.

Following a “referendum” in the region of Crimea, which has been occupied by Russian troops, Obama warned Putin in a phone call that the results, which overwhelmingly went in favor of Crimea joining Russia, would “never be recognized by the United States and the international community.”

According to a senior US official there will be further sanctions if Russia acts to formally recognize the referendum and annex Ukraine.

The European Union has announced assets freezes and travel bans for 21 individuals linked to the unrest in Crimea.

(via ABC News)