LA protests: how far will Donald Trump push the limits of presidential power?
But how far is Trump willing to go? American historian and academic Daniel Geary of Trinity College Dublin joins Hugh Linehan to talk about the events in LA and the pressure Trump 2.0 is putting on the American system.
Daniel Geary is Mark Pigott Professor of U.S. History at Trinity College Dublin.
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RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Netanyahu meets Trump at White House amid Gaza ceasefire talks
US President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for White House talks, while Israeli officials held indirect negotiations with Hamas aimed at securing a US-brokered Gaza ceasefire and hostage-release deal. Mr Netanyahu's visit follows Mr Trump's prediction, on the eve of their meeting, that such an agreement could be reached this week. Before heading to Washington, the Israeli leader said his discussions with Mr Trump could help advance negotiations underway in Qatar between Israel and the Palestinian militant group. It was President Trump's third face-to-face encounter with Mr Netanyahu since returning to office in January, and came just over two weeks after the president ordered the bombing of Iranian nuclear sites in support of Israeli air strikes. Mr Trump then helped arrange a ceasefire in the 12-day Israel-Iran war. He said he also wants to discuss with Mr Netanyahu the prospects for a "permanent deal" with Iran, Israel's regional arch-foe. It comes as Mr Netanyahu said he has nominated Mr Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, presenting the US president with a letter he sent to the prize committee. "He's forging peace as we speak, in one country, in one region after the other," Mr Netanyahu said. The two leaders were scheduled to have a private dinner instead of formal talks in the Oval Office, where the president usually greets visiting dignitaries. It was not immediately clear why Mr Trump was taking a lower-key approach with Mr Netanyahu this time. After arriving overnight in Washington, Mr Netanyahu met earlier with Mr Trump's Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in preparation for his talks with the president. He planned to visit the US Capitol today to see congressional leaders. Ahead of the visit, Mr Netanyahu told reporters he would thank Mr Trump for the US air strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, and said Israeli negotiators were driving for a deal on Gaza in Doha, Qatar's capital. Israeli officials also hope the outcome of the conflict with Iran will pave the way for normalisation of relations with more of its neighbours such as Lebanon, Syria and Saudi Arabia, another issue expected to be on the agenda with Mr Trump. Second day of Qatar talks Mr Witkoff, who played a major role in crafting the 60-day ceasefire proposal at the centre of the Qatar negotiations, will travel to Doha this week to join discussions there, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. In a sign of continued gaps between the two sides, Palestinian sources said Israel's refusal to allow the free and safe entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza remains the main obstacle to progress in the indirect talks. Israel insists it is taking steps to get food into Gaza but seeks to prevent militants from diverting supplies. On the second day of negotiations, mediators hosted one round and talks were expected to resume in the evening, the Palestinian sources told Reuters. The US-backed proposal envisages a phased release of hostages, Israeli troop withdrawals from parts of Gaza and discussions on ending the war entirely. Hamas has long demanded a final end to the war before it would free remaining hostages; Israel has insisted it would not agree to halt fighting until all hostages are released and Hamas dismantled. Mr Trump told reporters last week that he would be "very firm" with Mr Netanyahu on the need for a speedy Gaza deal and that the Israeli leader also wanted to end the war. Some of Mr Netanyahu's hard line coalition partners oppose halting military operations but, with Israelis having become increasingly weary of the Gaza war, his government is expected to back a ceasefire if he can secure acceptable terms. A ceasefire at the start of this year collapsed in March, and talks to revive it have so far been fruitless. Meanwhile, Israel has intensified its military campaign in Gaza and sharply restricted food distribution. Gazans were watching closely for any sign of a breakthrough. "I ask God almighty that the negotiating delegation or the mediators pressure with all their strength to solve this issue, because it has totally become unbearable," said Abu Suleiman Qadoum, a displaced resident of Gaza city. The Gaza war erupted when Hamas attacked southern Israel in October 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Some 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with 20 believed to be alive. Israel's retaliatory war in Gaza has killed over 57,000 Palestinians, according to the enclave's health ministry. Most of Gaza's population has been displaced by the war and nearly half a million people are facing famine within months, according to United Nations estimates. Mr Trump has been strongly supportive of Mr Netanyahu, even wading into domestic Israeli politics last month by lashing out at prosecutors over a corruption trial against the Israeli leader on bribery, fraud and breach-of-trust charges that Mr Netanyahu denies.
The Journal
3 hours ago
- The Journal
US Justice Department and FBI say Jeffrey Epstein did not have a 'client list'
THE US JUSTICE Department and the FBI have said Jeffrey Epstein was not murdered, did not blackmail prominent figures and did not keep a 'client list'. The conclusions came after an 'exhaustive review' of the evidence amassed against Epstein, who died by suicide in a New York prison in 2019 after being charged with sex trafficking, the agencies said in a joint memorandum. Six years later, questions continue to swirl around Epstein's life and death and the multi-millionaire hedge fund manager's connections to wealthy and powerful people. The memo, first reported by Axios, squarely rejected one of the leading conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein – that he did not commit suicide but was murdered while being held in jail. 'After a thorough investigation, FBI investigators concluded that Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide in his cell,' the memo said. Video footage from the area where he was being held did not show anyone entering or attempting to enter his cell from the time at night when he was locked in till when his body was found the next morning, it said. Extensive digital and physical searches turned up a large volume of images and videos of Epstein's victims, many of them underage girls, the memo said. 'This review confirmed that Epstein harmed over one thousand victims,' it said, but did not reveal any illegal wrongdoing by 'third-parties.' 'This systematic review revealed no incriminating 'client list,'' the memo said. 'There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions.' U-turn Trump's FBI director Kash Patel and deputy director Dan Bongino had been among the most prominent peddlers of conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein. But they recently U-turned on those ideas in a joint interview and said Epstein did die by suicide, which angered many on the conspiracy-theory-driven members of the MAGA movement. In May, Trump's Attorney General Pam Bondi released what she called the 'first phase' of files detailing 'Epstein's extensive network'. Advertisement That collection of documents, which were given to right-wing influencers in a publicised stunt at the White House, ended up containing no information that had not already been in the public domain. Supporters on the conspiratorial end of Trump's 'Make America Great Again' base allege that Epstein's associates had their roles in his crimes covered up by government officials and others. They point the finger at Democrats and Hollywood celebrities, although not at Trump, who himself had a close relationship with Epstein . Elon Musk, a former member of Trump's cabinet, accused the president on X last month of being in the 'Epstein files' after the pair had a falling out. He later deleted his posts. Today, however, Musk posted a meme making fun of the Trump administration's inconsitent messaging about Epstein. Trump was named in a trove of depositions and statements linked to Epstein that were unsealed by a New York judge in early 2024, but the president has not been accused of any wrongdoing. MAGA influencers with folders containing what the White House called the 'Epstein Files in February Source: Alamy Stock Photo Epstein's former assistant, Ghislaine Maxwell, is the only former associate of his who has been criminally charged in connection with his activities. Maxwell, the daughter of British media baron Robert Maxwell, is serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted in New York in 2021 of child sex trafficking and other crimes. Among those with connections to Epstein was Britain's Prince Andrew, who settled a US civil case in February 2022 brought by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed he sexually assaulted her when she was 17. Giuffre, who accused Epstein of using her as a sex slave, died by suicide at her home in Australia in April. With reporting from © AFP 2025 Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Israel bombs hijacked Brit ship Galaxy Leader seized by Houthis in devastating wave of airstrikes against terror group
ISRAEL has bombed the hijacked Brit ship Galaxy Leader seized by Houthis in devastating wave of airstrikes. The car carrier was Advertisement 7 Israel has bombed the hijacked Brit ship Galaxy Leader Credit: AP 7 Houthi followers hold a cutout banner portraying the Galaxy Leader cargo ship which was seized by Houthis Credit: Reuters 7 An Israeli fighter jet getting prepared for airstrikes targeting Yemen Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 7 The Galaxy Leader is owned by a British company, which is partially owned by Israeli tycoon Abraham Ungar. The militants had celebrated its capture as a war trophy - with The brutal attack on Sunday night involved around a whopping 50 missiles and bombs, according to the IDF. The Force added the attack was in response to relentless Houthi attacks on Israel. Advertisement read more news The IDF said: "The Houthi terrorist regime's forces installed a radar system on the ship, and are using it to track vessels in international maritime space in order to promote the Houthi terrorist regime's activities." The strikes were also said to have hit the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa and Salif, alongside the Ras Qantib power plant on the coast. A mere few hours later, two retaliation missiles were launched from Yemen, Israel said. Attempts were made to intercept them but the results were still under review . Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive Exclusive The Houthi group has continued to fire ballistic missiles at Israel since the tense ceasefire with Iran was reached. But the firing attempts are - most of the time - blasted singly, meaning Israel's Iron Dome is usually able to down them. Trump boasts 'Oops, there will be no attack' after US bombs Houthi terror soldiers 'preparing to fight' in drone strike In October, Houthi rebels Footage shared on Yemen TV channels shows the captives watching a traditional knife dance as the guests of honour on the ship where they are being held hostage. Advertisement Exclusive images provided to The Sun also showed the boat being brought back and forth from the shore by the Satellite pics taken by company Maxar show the ship tied with its back to shore last April. The condition of the crew is dire as they face 'significant health issues" including malaria, a Most of the crew are from the Philippines, with three from Ukraine, two each from Bulgaria and Mexico, and one from Romania. Advertisement The Houthis have sought to portray themselves as treating the hostages generously and have welcomed visits from the Red Cross and a top naval commander. But Filipino diplomatic sources have previously said they do not expect the captives to be released until Israel's war in Gaza is over. 7 Houthi military helicopter flies over the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in the Red Sea Credit: Reuters 7 The Galaxy Leader was covered in Green lights for the celebration Advertisement 7 The crew was shown on local TV sitting on the boat watching a performance Credit: Twitter For about a dollar per trip, male-only groups of visitors can board wooden boats five times a week to marvel at the hijacked carrier. The Houthis, designated a "global terrorist" group by Washington , have previously draped it in Yemeni and They have continued their campaign to disrupt trade in the Red Sea for almost a year now. Advertisement Footage from earlier this month shows them sending an They shared the clip of a big explosion near the side of the Cordelia Moon, which damaged its port side tank and covered it in clouds of smoke. Around 12 per cent of all global trade normally passes through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the now-under-attack 20-mile-wide stretch of the Red Sea also known as the "Gate of Tears". Who are the Houthis? THE Houthi rebels have spent months terrorising the Red Sea by launching persistent missile and drone attacks on vessels and warships - but who are they? The Shia militant group who now controls large swaths of Yemen spent over a decade being largely ignored by the world. However, since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, they sprung from relative obscurity to Their warped battle cry is 'Death to America, Death to Israel, curse the Jews and victory to Islam'. Why are they attacking ships? Last October, the rebel group began launching relentless drone and missile attacks on any ships - including warships - they deem to be connected with Israel in solidarity with their ally Hamas. In reality, they targeted The sea assaults added to the carnage in the Middle East tinderbox as intense ripples from Israel's war in Gaza were felt across the region - with Iran accused of stoking the chaos. The Houthi chiefs pledged their Red Sea attacks would continue until Israel stopped its offensive in Gaza. The group's chiefs have previously said their main targets are Israel, and its allies the US and Britain. And despite repeated threats from the West and joint US and UK strikes blitzing their strongholds in Yemen - Iran's terror proxy appears undeterred. The UK and US have hit Houthi bases as recently as this month after the terror group once again targeted boats in the shipping lane. Israel has also hammered the group with airstrikes, reportedly hitting oil storage tanks at the port in Al Hudaydah
