T

The Gazette

February 2025

European leaders pledge to stand by Ukraine after confrontational Oval Office meeting with Trump

European leaders have pledged to stand by Ukraine in the wake of the contentious Oval Office meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

The prime minister will use the summit to drive forward European action on Ukraine — signalling our collective unwavering support to securing a just and enduring peace, and a lasting deal, that ensures Ukraine's future sovereignty and security,
Ulf Kristerssonswedish Prime Minister
You are not only fighting for your freedom but also for all of Europe’s,
JD VanceuS Vice President
Have you said ‘thank you’ once?”
Friedrich MerzcDU leader
Dear Volodymyr @zelenskyyua, we stand with #Ukraine in good and in testing times. We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war.”

JD Vance tag-teams with Trump for Zelensky takedown in latest flex of influence

JD Vancevice president
Mr. President, with respect, I think it's disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of the American media.
I don't know the last time we've seen a vice president that out in public in the way that Trump allows JD Vance to be,
JD Vancevice president
We’re not going to do the negotiation in public with the American media,
JD Vancevice president
I said what I said, which is that we do have, of course, a special relationship with our friends in the U.K. and also with some of our European allies,
Ford O'Connellrepublican strategist and fellow Newsmax contributor
Vance is showing himself to be a truly reliable and competent number two. And I think we've seen this ever since the debate with Tim Walz,
This is going to be great television, I will say that
JD Vancevice president
Have you said ‘thank you’ once?”
Brian Seitchikrepublican strategist
You really have to think back to Dick Cheney when you think about vice presidents with such a voice,
President Trump clearly trusts the Vice President to take on challenging tasks,
You're gambling with World War 3.

Lawmakers question Musk influence over Verizon FAA contract

Musk, a senior adviser to President Donald Trump who owns satellite company Starlink, has sharply criticized the current FAA telecom system

Maria Cantwellsenator
Elon Musk’s tweets suggest he’s trying to interfere in the Air Traffic Control system — including trying to cancel FAA's $2.4 billon competitively awarded telecommunications upgrade contract in favor of a sole source installation of his Starlink services — and sure seem to raise serious red flags,

European leaders show support for Zelenskiy after Trump clash

Within a short time, prime ministers and presidents from the north, south, east and west of the continent posted on social media in support of Zelenskiy and Ukraine in the war against Russia's invasion, following the extraordinary clash

Emmanuel Macronfrench President
Respect to those who, since the beginning, have been fighting. Because they are fighting for their dignity, their independence, for their children and for the security of Europe,
Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians do."
Donald Tuskpolish PRIME MINISTER
You are not alone."
Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.”
Friedrich Merzchancellor
We stand with #Ukraine in good and in testing times. We must never confuse aggressor and victim in this terrible war."
Ursula von dereuropean Commission President
Your dignity honours the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You will never be alone, dear President @ZelenskyyUa. We will continue working with you for a just and lasting peace."

Mexico has proposed matching US tariffs on China, Bessent says

The Mexican and Canadian governments did not immediately respond to requests for comment

I think it would be a nice gesture if the Canadians did it also so in a way we could have fortress North America from the flood of Chinese imports that's coming out of the most unbalanced economy in the history of modern times,

Iowa's governor signs a bill removing gender identity protections from the state’s civil rights code

Kim Reynolds signed the bill into law Friday, a day after the Republican-controlled Legislature approved the measure

Trump's top prosecutor in DC demotes several supervisors who handled politically sensitive cases

Several senior leaders in Washington’s federal prosecutors office have been demoted to jobs handling misdemeanors or other low-level matters