Greenland‘s prime minister has slammed the Trump administration’s “highly aggressive” move to deploy a delegation of senior officials to the territory this week.
Tensions between Greenland and the U.S. are high following President Donald Trump‘s repeated threats to annex the Danish territory.
Relations worsened this weekend after it was reported that Trump’s national security adviser Mike Waltz and the energy secretary Chris Wright will visit Greenland, in addition to Second Lady Usha Vance arriving later in the week.
Greenland’s prime minister Mute B. Egede was quoted in a Greenlandic newspaper Sunday questioning why Waltz was visiting.
“We are now at a level where it can in no way be characterized as a harmless visit from a politician’s wife,” Egede said, according to Greenland’s Sermitsiaq newspaper. “What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us.”
“He is Trump’s confidential and closest advisor, and his presence in Greenland alone will certainly make the Americans believe in Trump’s mission, and the pressure will increase after the visit,” Egede added.
Vance’s visit was announced by the White House Sunday and said she would be accompanied by a United States delegation.
Questions swirl after Trump says he didn’t sign Aliens Enemies Act
President Donald Trump confused reporters after claiming he “didn’t sign” the presidential proclamation that invoked the controversial Alien and Enemies Act in order to quickly deport migrants the administration says are part of a Venezuelan gang.
When asked by a reporter about signing the proclamation “in the dark” – rather than at the Oval Office desk or in a public capacity as the president has done with other executive actions – the president denied signing it at all.
“I don’t know when it was signed because I didn’t sign it,” the president said. “Other people handled it. But Marco Rubio’s done a great job. And he wanted them out, and we go along with that. We want to get criminals out of our country.”
The White House later clarified that the president was referring to the original Alien Enemies Act, passed by Congress in 1798 and did sign the recent proclamation that invokes the highly controversial set of laws.
“President Trump was obviously referring to the original Aliens Enemies Act that was signed back in 1798,” White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said in a statement.
IRS braces for $500bn drop in revenue as taxpayers skip filings in wake of DOGE cuts at agency
The IRS is bracing for a $500 billion drop in revenue as an increasing number of taxpayers could skip submitting their filings in the wake of Department of Government Efficiency layoffs, according to a report.
IRS braces for $500bn drop in revenue as taxpayers skip filings in wake of DOGE cuts at agency.
Read more below.
Trump’s special envoy praises ‘super smart’ Putin ahead of Ukraine ceasefire talks
Speaking to far-right commentator Tucker Carlson in an interview broadcast on Friday, Mr Witkoff said he “liked” the Russian president, who he described as “gracious”. He added: “I don’t regard Putin as a bad guy. He’s super smart.”
Andy Gregory reports.
Vanessa Trump goes public with Tiger Woods
In other news…
Donald Trump’s former daughter-in-law Vanessa Trump has gone public with Tiger Woods.
Woods shared a loved-up Instagram post which Vanessa Trump shared on her stories.
“Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side! We look forward to our journey through life together,” Woods said.
One photo shows Woods and Vanessa Trump posing together, another with them lying in a hammock with her arm draped across his chest as he gazes skyward.
“At this time we would appreciate privacy for all those close to our hearts,” the post added.
Vanessa Trump was married to Donald Trump Jr and they have five children.
Ivanka Trump gave the relationship her blessing, commenting on the post: “So happy for you both!”
Read the full story.
Watch: What Trump has previously said on Greenland
Trump wants green card applicants already legally in the US to hand over social media profiles
The Trump administration’s proposal to vet social media profiles of green card applicants already legally in the U.S. has been condemned in initial public feedback as an attack on free speech.
Visa applicants living abroad already have to share their social media handles with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, but the proposal under President Donald Trump would expand the policy to those already legally in the country who are applying for permanent residency or seeking asylum.
USCIS said the vetting of social media accounts is necessary for “the enhanced identity verification, vetting and national security screening.”
Rhian Lubin reports.
Several Trump officials due to travel to Greenland this week as territory holds local elections
Several Trump officials are due to travel to Greenland this week as the territory holds local elections.
In addition to the Second Lady Usha Vance, it is the reported visit of Mike Waltz, Trump’s national security adviser, that has ruffled Greenland’s feathers.
The Financial Times reports that the army and energy secretaries are also scheduled to travel to Greenland in what is billed as a “private visit.”
The White House announced Vance’s trip Sunday.
It comes on the eve of local elections and weeks after Greenland held a parliamentary vote.
Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said the visit could not be “seen independently from the public statements” made by Trump about annexing the territory.
“In the Kingdom [of Denmark], we want to co-operate with the Americans. But it must and should be a co-operation based on the fundamental values of sovereignty and respect between countries and peoples. This is something we are looking at seriously,” she said, according to the FT.
NEW: Greenland PM furious at visits by US officials after Trump threatens takeover
President Donald Trump’s national security adviser Mike Waltz is visiting Greenland early this week with the U.S. energy secretary Chris Wright, according to reports, in addition to a separate trip by Second Lady Usha Vance on Thursday.
Read the full story below.
White House seeking corporate sponsor for annual Easter Egg Roll – report
The White House is reportedly planning to offer corporate sponsorships for its annual Easter Egg Roll in April, breaking decades of tradition that keep public office and private profits separate.
In a nine-page document, obtained by CNN, the White House and Harbinger, an event production company based in D.C., are offering sponsorships ranging from $75,000 to $200,000 with opportunities for branding and marketing for the annual event.
Prospective sponsors also have the chance to have their logos featured on event signage, “naming rights for key areas or elements,” custom-branded baskets, branded snacks or beverages, mentions in social media posts and press releases and can access an “invite-only brunch” hosted by First Lady Melania Trump, according to CNN.
Ariana Baio reports.
Watch: Bernie Sanders threatens to ditch ABC interview when asked if AOC should run for Senate
The Vermont Independent was speaking to ABC’s This Week Sunday when he abruptly got out of his chair and walked off camera. He accused Jonathan Karl of “doing nonsense” after he asked, “Would you like to see her joining the Senate?”
The interview comes as Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have gone on a speaking tour and targeted the nation’s ‘oligarchy.’
Ocasio-Cortez has been floated for Senate as some Democrats were angered by current New York Senator Chuck Schumer’s decision to not block a Republican spending bill.
Source: independent.co.uk