International
McEnany Clarifies: Russia Bounty Reports Lack Consensus From Intel Community
During her Monday afternoon briefing, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany was asked several times about the Russian bounty story and President Trump’s briefing on the matter.
The Press Secretary repeatedly said the President was not briefed on the story as intelligence agencies had not reached a consensus on the situation and there were some intelligence officials with dissenting opinions.
President Trump has since been briefed and some lawmakers from the Committees of Jurisdiction — a bipartisan group, McEnany noted — are meeting at the White House today to receive a briefing on the Russian bounty.
Reporters were referencing a story alleging Russia paid Taliban fighters to kill Western soldiers, including American forces.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1277431695248183298?s=20
“The U.S. receives thousands of reports a day on intelligence and they are subject to strict scrutiny,” McEnany said. “There are dissenting opinions from some in the intelligence community with regards to the veracity of what’s being reported.”
She noted that intelligence wouldn’t be “elevated” to the President until the validity of the information was verified.
“There is no stronger advocate for our servicemen and women than President Trump,” McEnany added. “When our adversaries have directly targeted U.S. or coalition partners, the President has not hesitated to act.”
McEnany refused to speculate on the validity of the story as there is still a lack of consensus. She did note, however, that the President has been strong with actions against Russia in the past.
“This President has been extremely strong on Russia,” the Press Secretary said. “Imposing sanctions on hundreds of Russian individuals, expelling dozens of diplomats, closing two Russian counsulates, withdrawing from an INF treaty, and several other actions.”
Israel
Israel Defense Forces say coalition successfully intercepted over 99 percent of Iranian drones, missiles
The U.S., U.K, France, and Jordan came together with Israel to intercept the onslaught of Iranian drones targeting Israel, according to multiple reports.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded defiantly, saying his country is “strong” and prepared to defend itself from any threat.
“Our defense systems are deployed, and we are prepared for any scenario, both in defense and offense. The State of Israel is strong, the IDF is strong, the public is strong,” Netanyahu said.
“We appreciate the US for standing by Israel’s side as well as the support of the UK, France and many other countries,” he continued.
“I established a clear principle — whoever hurts us, we will hurt them. We will defend ourselves from any threat and we will do so calmly and with determination.”
In conjunction with the attack, Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei launched a tirade against Israel on Saturday and blamed the Jewish state for the recent attack on an Iranian compound in Damascus, Syria.
“The malicious regime has made a wrong move in this case. It should be punished and it will be punished,” he said of Israel.
National Review reports:
Iran typically targets Israel through its network of well-resourced regional proxies such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Israel continues to fights its war against Hamas sparked by the terrorist group’s mass civilian slaughter and rape on October 7.
Hamas rejected another temporary cease-fire proposal after negotiations began in Cairo, Egypt last weekend between U.S., Qatari, and Egyptian officials. The cease-fire proposal would have seen Israel exchange hundreds of Gazan prisoners for dozens of the hostages held in captivity by Hamas.
As for injuries, a seven-year-old girl suffered severe injuries from shrapnel that fell directly onto her home. She was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery for a head wound. An estimated 31 people in total were treated for stress and minor injuries.
IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Hagari: More than 200 drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles were fired from Iran. Most of the threats were intercepted outside Israeli airspace. A very small number of missiles hit Israeli territory with minor damages to a military base in…
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) April 14, 2024
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