By LOLITA C. BALDOR and FATIMA HUSSEIN WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has chosen Keith Kellogg, a highly decorated retired three-star general, to serve as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, who is one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book that lays out an “America First” national security agenda for the incoming administration, will come into the role as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third year in February. Trump, making the announcement on his Truth Social account, said, “He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!” Kellogg, an 80-year-old retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence , was chief of staff of the National Security Council and then stepped in as an acting security adviser for Trump after Michael Flynn resigned. As special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Kellogg will have to navigate an increasingly untenable war between the two nations. The Biden administration has begun urging Ukraine to quickly increase the size of its military by drafting more troops and revamping its mobilization laws to allow for the conscription of those as young as 18. The White House has pushed more than $56 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s February 2022 invasion and expects to send billions more before Biden leaves office in less than two months. The U.S. has recently stepped up weapons shipments and has forgiven billions in loans provided to Kyiv. Trump has criticized the billions the Biden administration has spent in supporting Ukraine and has said he could end the war in 24 hours, comments that appear to suggest he would press Ukraine to surrender territory that Russia now occupies. As a co-chairman of the American First Policy Institute’s Center for American Security, Kellogg wrote several of the chapters in the group’s policy book. The book, like the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025,” is designed to lay out a Trump national security agenda and avoid the mistakes of 2016 when he entered the White House largely unprepared. Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” Trump’s proposed national security adviser , U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida, tweeted Wednesday that “Keith has dedicated his life to defending our great country and is committed to bringing the war in Ukraine to a peaceful resolution.” Kellogg featured in multiple Trump investigations dating to his first term. He was among the administration officials who listened in on the July 2019 call between Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which Trump prodded his Ukrainian counterpart to pursue investigations into the Bidens. The call, which Kellogg would later say did not raise any concerns on his end, was at the center of the first of two House impeachment cases against Trump, who was acquitted by the Senate both times. On Jan. 6, 2021, hours before pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, Kellogg, who was then Pence’s national security adviser, listened in on a heated call in which Trump told his vice president to object or delay the certification in Congress of President Joe Biden ’s victory. He later told House investigators that he recalled Trump saying to Pence words to the effect of: “You’re not tough enough to make the call.” Baldor reported from Washington. AP writer Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report.During his first presidency and in his campaign leading up to the 2024 election, Donald Trump repeatedly pledged to crack down on illegal immigration. As president-elect, Trump posted on Truth Social on Nov. 18 confirming his plans to declare a national emergency and use the U.S. military for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. Trump commented “TRUE!!!” with a repost of a Truth Social post from Tom Fitton, who runs the conservative group Judicial Watch . Fitton’s post reads, “GOOD NEWS: Reports are incoming @RealDonaldTrump administration prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program.” Several VERIFY readers, including Debbie, Jacq and Matty, asked us whether Trump can use the military to carry out mass deportations. THE QUESTION Can the president use the military to carry out mass deportations? THE SOURCES David Bier , director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute Peter Margulies , law professor at Roger Williams University Elizabeth Goitein , senior director of the Brennan Center for Justice’s Liberty & National Security Program Brennan Center for Justice President Joe Biden’s Executive Order #14097 Department of Homeland Security The Posse Comitatus Act U.S. Section 502(f) National Defense Authorization Act of 2016 Lawfare , a nonprofit organization THE ANSWER Yes, it's legal for the president to use the military to help carry out mass deportations and other immigration enforcement actions. The National Guard, with approval from a state's governor, can detain individuals, but the other branches of the military can offer mostly logistical support. WHAT WE FOUND A president has the executive power to deploy the military to assist with immigration enforcement, but there are legal limits on the role the military can play. The Posse Comitatus Act, a 143-year-old law, prohibits the president from using active-duty, full-time service members, such as soldiers or Marines, as a police force, according to the Brennan Center for Justice . That means federal military branches like the U.S. Army or Air Force can’t perform tasks such as detaining individuals or making arrests on U.S. soil, even under a national emergency declaration. David Bier, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, explained that active-duty service members, barred from acting like police under Posse Comitatus, would likely focus on non-law enforcement tasks. That could include building infrastructure, like temporary detention facilities, transporting detainees and providing armed backup for domestic law enforcement. The Posse Comitatus Act, however, does not apply to the National Guard, Peter Margulies, a law professor at Roger Williams University, told VERIFY. “The National Guard is a state militia and can be called out by the president with the cooperation of the state governors, and so you could have the National Guard from, let's say, Texas, be used for apprehension. That would not create Posse Comitatus issues,” Margulies said. Trump's post on Truth Social mentioned declaring a national emergency, but the president can request National Guard assistance or federal military assistance with or without declaring a national emergency , according to Chris Mirasola, a contributor for non-profit Lawfare. The Brennan Center for Justice explains that declaring a national emergency grants a president with swift authority during times of crises without waiting for Congressional approval, including diverting federal funds or resources. Both Bier and Margulies told VERIFY Trump's deportation agenda would likely face significant legal challenges and be subject to congressional oversight. And if he declares a national emergency, Congress has the ability to eventually terminate that declaration , but it would require passing a law with a veto-proof supermajority, “which is increasingly difficult in our polarized political environment,” Goitein told VERIFY. Military involvement in immigration enforcement is not unprecedented. In 2019, then-President Trump declared a national emergency to redirect military funds to construct the U.S.-Mexico border wall. More recently, President Joe Biden used a national emergency declaration to deploy the National Guard to the southern border to assist with processing and facility operations tied to drug enforcement. According to Google Trends data , online searches about mass deportation have spiked, with some appearing to link the military's involvement to martial law. Martial law involves the suspension of ordinary law and government functions, with military authorities assuming control. Margulies said even if Trump uses the military in his administration’s deportation efforts, it would not equate to declaring martial law. Margulies explained that martial law hasn’t been used since the Civil War and is “profoundly unlikely” to happen as part of Trump’s proposed initiative because he doesn’t need martial law to execute his deportation plans. Related Articles What we can VERIFY about Trump’s plan to close the U.S. Department of Education Yes, president-elect Donald Trump is legally required to sign an ethics agreement No, the president cannot change Social Security The VERIFY team works to separate fact from fiction so that you can understand what is true and false. Please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter , text alerts and our YouTube channel . You can also follow us on Snapchat , Instagram , Facebook and TikTok . Learn More » Follow Us YouTube Snapchat Instagram Facebook TikTok Want something VERIFIED? Text: 202-410-8808Hunter Biden's Pardon Was Predicted Back In June - By Norstaramaswamy
The UK will continue to trade arms with Israel during its war in Gaza despite a ceasefire in Lebanon , Keir Starmer has said. The prime minister reiterated that Israel had the right “to defend itself” from attacks, including from Iran. More than a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon was suspended for 60 days due to the ceasefire deal , with both sides withdrawing from southern Lebanon, in the early hours of Wednesday morning. In response, Sir Keir called for a wider ceasefire in the Middle East region to lead to an end to hostilities. He told MPs: “We must seize this opportunity to build trust, de-escalate tensions and push for a wider ceasefire.” The halt to fighting in Lebanon was “long overdue, but demonstrates that diplomacy can succeed even in the most challenging of circumstances”, he added. But challenged by SNP MP Brendan O’Hara on what he called the UK’s “morally repugnant” arms sales to Israel, Sir Keir said: “I have set out my position very clearly in relation to the sale of capability to Israel to defend itself against attacks, such as those from Iran, and I am very clear that we will continue to do so.” In September, foreign secretary David Lammy did suspend arms export licences to Israel - around 30 of 350 export licences - for use in military operations in Gaza following a review of Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law. Last month the world held its breath as Israel launched three waves of air strikes on Iranian military targets, explicitly linking them to missile strikes from Tehran weeks earlier. Israel had made no secret of its plans to hit back against Iran, which it also blames for backing Hamas in Gaza. At the time Sir Keir called for restraint, saying: "I am clear that Israel has the right to defend itself against Iranian aggression and I am equally clear that we need to avoid further regional escalation and urge all sides to show restraint.” Meanwhile, Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, said she “cautiously” welcomed the deal for a ceasefire while “recognising there is a long road ahead”. She added: “A huge international effort will be needed if this agreement is to endure. If it works, it could bring long awaited relief for many and potentially a pathway to sustainable peace.... The key to a sustainable end to the conflict in Gaza remains the release of the hostages. Hamas should release all remaining hostages immediately and unconditionally.” Mr Lammy said the ceasefire announcement “offers hope”. He added: “We strongly urge all parties to use this agreement to open a pathway to a lasting peace.” “We must seize this moment. It must be a turning point that builds momentum towards a lasting peace across the Middle East. In Gaza, we need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all the hostages and an end to Israeli restrictions on aid. The intolerable suffering must end.” He also indicated that British troops could train and support the Lebanese armed forces to secure the ceasefire agreed between Israel and Hezbollah. He told the chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Emily Thornberry that the UK had previously given "training and support" to the Lebanese army and said “yes” when asked if that would be renewed as part of the peace deal. The Board of Deputies of British Jews welcomed the ceasefire and expressed gratitude “to the USA, France, and others who helped facilitate the agreement”. “We hope that in due course communities on both sides of the border will be able to return safely to their homes and livelihoods,” Mr Rosenberg said. “We pray that this breakthrough leads quickly to a wider cessation of hostilities in the region, including in Gaza, with the release of the hostages, aid and relief to Gazan civilians, and moves towards lasting peace and security between Israel, the Palestinians and the wider region”.Georgia quarterback Carson Beck on Saturday announced his plans to enter the NFL draft, five days after having season-ending elbow surgery . Beck, a fifth-year senior, made his NFL plans official on social media. He suffered a right elbow injury in the first half of the Bulldogs’ 22-19 overtime win over Texas in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Dec. 7 in Atlanta. Beck had surgery on Monday to repair his ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. The procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. Beck is expected to begin throwing next spring. He could have returned for a sixth season but instead will enter the NFL draft. Beck posted on Instagram: “The past five years at the University of Georgia have been nothing short of a dream come true and I will forever cherish the memories that have been made.” Gunner Stockton, who took over for Beck in the second half against Texas, will make his first start for Georgia on Wednesday in the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Beck has started every game of the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He was 24-3 as a starter. Beck passed for 3,941 yards with 24 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 2023 but had more difficulties with turnovers this season as he passed for 28 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He completed 7 of 13 passes for 56 yards before his injury in the SEC championship game. Georgia coach Kirby Smart stuck with Beck despite a midseason string of eight interceptions in three games. “Obviously, you look at the stats and they aren’t the same stats as the year before,” offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said Saturday when reflecting on Beck's career. “The goal in this league is to win the SEC championship. And he was the quarterback of that team that got us to that game and put us in that position.” Added offensive guard Tate Ratledge: “I think Carson should be remembered as a great player. He’s who got us to this point of the season.” Stockton, a sophomore, completed 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards with one interception against Texas. He signed with Georgia as a highly recruited in-state player from Rabun County High School, where he broke Trevor Lawrence's state high school record for most career touchdown passes and Deshaun Watson's state record for combined rushing and passing touchdowns in a career. “Obviously when he was in high school, he was one of the best to ever do it in Georgia,” Bulldogs linebacker Chaz Chambliss said of Stockton before adding that he “just has that fire in him.” Georgia was preparing to start Stockton before announcing Beck's season-ending injury. Stockton will attempt to join a short list of quarterbacks who have been promoted from backup jobs to win national championships. The list includes Georgia's Stetson Bennett, who began the 2021 season as the backup to JT Daniels before taking over the starting job in October. Lawrence took over for Kelly Bryant during Clemson's 2018 championship season. The best comparison to Stockton's challenge during the CFP era may be Cardale Jones on the 2014 Ohio State national championship team. Jones' first start was the Big Ten championship game following an injury to J.T. Barrett, who began the preseason as the expected backup before Braxton Miller's injury. Stockton led Georgia to a touchdown on his first drive against Texas and has had extra practice time during the Bulldogs' break after receiving a first-round bye in the playoff. “To see his growth since he’s been here, he’s been waiting patiently, he’s been sitting and putting his time in and he’s been working while he was waiting,” Georgia safety Malaki Starks said Friday. “And now he gets a chance to go out there and prove what he can do. And, you know, I believe in him 100%.” Starks, who is from Jefferson, Ga., often faced Stockton's Rabun County teams in high school. “He’s always been, you know, that guy, you know, since I’ve been growing up,” Starks said. “He’s an easy guy to follow. I mean, Gunner is a great guy, you know, very respectful, great parents. I mean, he’s the guy that you want to lead. And a lot of guys have confidence in him. And I think you saw it during games in the SEC (championship game), how much the guys believed in him.” ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football Charles Odum, The Associated PressUnited States 7-Year Note Auction: 4.183% vs previous 4.215%
Jammu, Dec 28: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakina Itoo Saturday did not mince words while censuring “pathetic state of affairs of patient care and hygiene in the main emergency of GMC, hospital Jammu.” While expressing her dissatisfaction, the Health Minister asserted that the robust infrastructure and facilities in premier government health institutions was the priority of the J&K government as they (institutions) catered to the needs of poor masses. She was speaking to the media after conducting a surprise visit to Government Medical College (GMC) hospital, Jammu. “This is your main emergency. Situation is pathetic. See, you doctors are coming now in the ambulance and the patients are standing outside, suffering,” she told the GMC Principal and Dean Dr Ashutosh Gupta, as he tried to explain the situation vis-a-vis poor hygiene in the emergency and absence of few doctors. “As per roster, doctors were not there. Number was less. They are arriving now. Hygiene or sanitation standards are pathetic. Hospitals should be neat and clean so that patients can be treated well. But given the scenario, I feel their (patients) condition would not improve but deteriorate. Even a healthy person can turn sick. It is a pitiable state of affairs in the hospital,” she told media persons, in response to their queries. Itoo stated, “Patient were there in the emergency as paint exercise was underway. Smell of paint is not good for patients. It can add to their health woes. System is not up to the mark in this hospital. We will see what can be done to improve the situation. Doctors have been available here. But some were found absent. Action will be taken against absent doctors.” “See the government hospitals, whether they are in Kashmir, Jammu, Rajouri or elsewhere, are very important because they cater to the poor masses. Rich and affluent people can go anywhere to avail medical services in top notch private hospitals but poor cannot. So they should get the best of the treatment here. There is an army of doctors deployed here but still I’ve found several doctors, as per roster, absent from duty. This is not correct,” the Minister said. Later, the GMC Principal said, “Construction is going on in the Emergency wing. Due to Friday’s showers, there was some issue of hygiene. As far as the absence of doctors is concerned, I’ll check the roster. Many doctors were on duty in different wards. We will check and apprise the Minister of the exact status.”
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Raiders will start O'Connell at quarterback when they visit the ChiefsThe U.N. Integrated Office in Haiti said in a report published on Monday that between Dec. 6 and 11 more than 207 people were killed by the Wharf Jeremie gang. The gang took people from their homes and from a place of worship, interrogated them and then executed them with bullets and machetes. Earlier this month, human rights groups in Haiti had estimated that more than 100 people were killed in the massacre, but the new U.N. investigation doubles the number of victims. “We cannot pretend that nothing happened” said María Isabel Salvador, the U.N. secretary-general’s special representative in Haiti. “I call on the Haitian justice system to thoroughly investigate these horrific crimes and arrest and punish the perpetrators, as well as those who support them," she said in a statement. Human rights groups in Haiti said the massacre began after the son of Micanor Altès, the leader of the Wharf Jeremie gang, died from an illness. The Cooperative for Peace and Development, a human rights group, said that according to information circulating in the community, Altès accused people in the neighborhood of causing his son’s illness. “He decided to cruelly punish all elderly people and (Vodou) practitioners who, in his imagination, would be capable of casting a bad spell on his son,” the group said in a statement released shortly after news of the massacre emerged. In Monday's report, the United Nations said that people were tracked down in their homes and in a place of worship by Altès’ gang, where they were first interrogated and then taken to an execution site. The United Nations said that the gang tried to erase evidence of the killings by burning bodies, or by dismembering them and throwing them into the sea. The massacre is the latest humanitarian tragedy in Haiti, where gang violence has intensified since the nation’s president was killed in a 2021 coup attempt . Haiti has struggled to organize an election that will fill the power vacuum and restore democratic rule. The Caribbean nation is currently governed by a transitional council that includes representatives from the business community, civil society and political parties, but its government has no control over many areas of the capital city, and gangs are constantly fighting over ports, highways and neighborhoods. According to the United Nations, more than 5,350 people have been killed in Haiti’s gang wars this year. The Haitian government acknowledged the massacre against older people in a statement issued earlier this month, and promised to persecute those responsible for this act of “unspeakable carnage.”
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Nicaraguan activist who fled to Costa Rica after taking part in the 2018 anti-government protests against Daniel Ortega’s regime, now faces an uncertain future. Detained since 2023, Picado’s case raises pressing questions about Costa Rica’s role as a refuge for those escaping political persecution. Picado, accused by the Nicaraguan government of aggravated murder and organized crime, claims he is the target of political persecution. Fearing extradition, he warns of the severe risks, including torture, he would face if returned to Nicaragua. His initial refugee application was denied by Costa Rican authorities, but he filed a new appeal in 2023 with the Migratory Administrative Tribunal. Despite his legal battles, Picado’s situation has drawn the attention of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights ( ), which issued precautionary measures on his behalf. The IACHR warned of the “serious and urgent” risks to Picado’s life and personal integrity, urging Costa Rica to refrain from deporting, expelling, or extraditing him to Nicaragua. Costa Rica has become a vital refuge for thousands of Nicaraguans fleeing Ortega’s repressive regime. The IACHR commended the country’s efforts to support forced migrants but emphasized the need for a thorough review of Picado’s case, given Nicaragua’s documented human rights abuses. The Commission pointed to Nicaragua’s ongoing crisis as a critical factor. the IACHR stated, calling for a careful evaluation of his case by Costa Rican authorities. Picado’s story is one of resilience and risk. After joining the mass protests against Ortega in 2018, he left behind his life in Nicaragua to seek safety in Costa Rica. His case highlights the plight of many Nicaraguans who have crossed the border to escape violence, political persecution, and systemic repression. Detained at the Gerardo Rodríguez Echeverría Center since 2023, Picado continues to fight for his right to safety. Meanwhile, Costa Rica faces the challenge of balancing its reputation as a human rights leader with its legal obligations in extradition cases. The IACHR has urged Costa Rica to safeguard Picado’s rights to life and personal integrity while considering the potential harm he could face if extradited. Though the Commission cannot mandate Costa Rica to grant refugee status, it emphasized the importance of protecting individuals at risk of irreparable harm. Picado’s case underscores the critical role Costa Rica plays in addressing the fallout of Nicaragua’s political crisis. As Costa Rican authorities deliberate, they carry the weight of a decision that could set a precedent for how the country handles cases of political asylum amid growing regional instability.
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