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Trump's border czar to target sanctuary cities in US: ‘We're gonna flood the zone'

Trump's border czar to target sanctuary cities in US: ‘We're gonna flood the zone'

The Guardian6 days ago
The Trump administration is targeting sanctuary cities in the next phase of its deportation drive after labelling them 'sanctuaries for criminals' following the shooting of an off-duty law enforcement officer in New York City, allegedly by an undocumented person with a criminal record.
Tom Homan, Donald Trump's hardline border czar, vowed to 'flood the zone' with Immigration, Customs and Enforcement (Ice) agents in an all-out bid to overcome the lack of cooperation he said the government faced from Democrat-run municipalities in its quest to arrest and detain undocumented people.
His pledge followed the arrest of two undocumented men from the Dominican Republic after a Customs and Border Protection officer suffered gunshot wounds to the arm and face in an apparent robbery attempt in New York's Riverside park on Saturday night.
New York is one of several self-designated 'sanctuary cities' across the US, called so because the mayors and local councils have prevented law officers under their control from collaborating with federal immigration officers working on Trump's mass deportation scheme.
Homan – who has previously threatened to arrest mayors if they impede Ice's arrest efforts – said: 'Every sanctuary city is unsafe. Sanctuary cities are sanctuaries for criminals and President Trump's not going to tolerate it.
'I'm going to work very hard … to keep President Trump's promise and his commitment several weeks ago that sanctuary cities are now our priority. We're going to flood the zone.
'What we're going to do [is deploy] more agents in New York City to look for that bad guy so sanctuary cities get exactly what they don't want – more agents in the community and more agents in the worksite.
'If we can't arrest that bad guy in the safety and security of the county jail, we'll arrest him in the community. And when we arrest him in the community, if he's with others that are in the country illegally, they are coming too.'
Homan's comments came at a news conference fronted by Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, focusing on the incident in New York, which left the unnamed customs and border protection officer in hospital.
The 42-year-old agent was off duty and sitting with a female companion when he was reportedly approached by two men on a scooter shortly before midnight. The officer was not in uniform and police said there was no indication that he was targeted because of his occupation.
An exchange of gunfire ensued when the officer withdrew his service weapon, apparently in self-defense.
A suspect, Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez, was later taken in to custody after turning up at a hospital in the Bronx with gunshot wounds to the leg and groin.
Noem said the episode was a direct result of the sanctuary city policy adopted by New York's mayor, Eric Adams, as well as the approach to border security adopted during Joe Biden's presidency.
'Make no mistake, this officer is in the hospital today, fighting for his life, because of the policies of the mayor of the city and the city council and the people that were in charge of keeping the public safe, they refused to do so,' she said.
The criticism of Adams came despite widespread reports of a deal made between him and the Trump administration that involved New York giving greater cooperation than before on immigration. The agreement was reached as the justice department moved to dismiss federal corruption charges against Adams, although the mayor has insisted there was no quid pro quo.
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Chicago, Boston and Los Angeles have also suffered crime waves through sanctuary city policies, according to Noem.
'We look at Mayor [Michelle] Wu in Boston and what has happened there under her watch,' she said. 'What's happened in LA with the riots and the violence and the protest that have gone on because of Mayor [Karen] Bass and what she has perpetuated.
'When you look at Mayor [Brandon] Johnson in Chicago, and how devastating it is to live in that city and some of those poorest communities, how they suffer every single day with the violence that's in front of them. Just because these individuals are protecting criminals.'
She also highlighted Nunez – who she said had been arrested four times since entering the US illegally in 2023 – as well as his accomplice, Christhian Aybar-Berroa, saying he had 'entered the country illegally in 2022 under the Biden administration and was ordered for final removal in 2023 by an immigration judge.
'There's absolutely zero reason that someone who is scum of the earth like this should be running loose on the streets of New York City,' Noem said, referring to Nunez. 'Arrested four different times in New York City and because of the mayor's policies and was released back to do harm to people and to individuals living in the city.'
Homan criticised media reports suggesting that the majority of those detained were not criminals.
'I look at the numbers every day,' he said. 'The numbers I looked at [are] 130,000 arrests and 90,000 criminals. Do the math. That's 70%. Others are those who have final orders, who had due process at great taxpayer expense. A federal judge ordered them removed. Ice's job is to remove them.'
Others were national security threats, he said. 'Under Secretary Noem's leadership, they've arrested several hundred Iranian nationals, national security threats. They may not have a criminal conviction, but they need to be detained. They need to be arrested and taken off the streets of this country.'
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Donald Trump LIVE: President to meet Keir Starmer as meeting agenda revealed
Donald Trump LIVE: President to meet Keir Starmer as meeting agenda revealed

Daily Mirror

timea few seconds ago

  • Daily Mirror

Donald Trump LIVE: President to meet Keir Starmer as meeting agenda revealed

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Read the full story here. 22:44Ethan Blackshaw 'Biggest ever deal made' Donald Trump said the US and EU had agreed the 'biggest deal ever made' after a high-stakes meeting with Ursula von der Leyen on the second full day of his private visit to Scotland. The bloc is set to face 15% tariffs on most of its goods including cars, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals entering America rather than a 30% levy previously threatened by the US President. The agreement will include 'zero for zero' tariffs on a number of products including aircraft, some agricultural goods and certain chemicals, as well as EU purchases of US energy worth 750 billion dollars (£558 billion) over three years. 21:39Mikey Smith 3 things Donald Trump and Keir Starmer will discuss at Scotland meeting Donald Trump and Keir Starmer will sit down for a cosy chat at his golf course in Scotland on Monday - as the US President continues his golf holiday. 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Golf can never be bad… But no, I think I look forward to this meeting. You know, we've had a hard time with trade with Europe, very hard time, and I'd like to see it resolved. But if it isn't we'll, you know, have tariffs.' He said 'we'll probably know in about an hour' whether a deal can be struck. 15:50Anders Anglesey Man arrested for calling Trump offensive word A man was arrested at Prestwick Airport for allegedly carrying a placard calling Donald Trump an offensive word. The man, aged 20, was arrested on Friday next to the military airport in Ayrshire where Air Force One landed. Police Scotland said the man was arrested 'for abusive behaviour and refusing to stop' and issued with a recorded police warning. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'A 20-year-old man was arrested next to Prestwick Airport on Friday for abusive behaviour and refusing to stop. 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Tom English, 37, who made the four-and-a-half hour journey with some other Trump supporters, explained: 'We rushed up here hoping to get a glimpse of him. And that's happened this morning when we've got to interact with him a little bit. 'We couldn't really hear him because he was trying to shout to us in this wind, in the Scottish wind on the coast. So it was kind of hard to hear what he said. 'But he blew a kiss to the girls. Gave us a little wave. Trump junior gave us a little wave. And that's what it was about. We just wanted to see him in the flesh, and to get that interaction was an added bonus.' When asked what he and the other supporters had said to the president, Mr English recounted: 'Just that we love him, basically. The UK loves Trump. Don't believe the mainstream media.' 14:14Mikey Smith Trump gives cryptic response as tiny group of fans shout 'we love you' at golf course Donald Trump waved to a tiny group of supporters shouting "we love Trump" and "don't trust Starmer" at his Scottish golf course this morning. The US President was back out on the course this morning for a chilly second morning of his golf holiday in Scotland. He was seen on his Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire, being transported between holes in a motorcade of 26 golf carts and one small secret service vehicle. His son Eric was with him on the course. Later this afternoon he'll meet with European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen to discuss the trading relationship between the US and Europe. Asked by reporters shouting over the fence if he'll get a deal with the EU, Mr Trump said cryptically: "50-50." 13:38Tim Hanlon Trump to meet Von der Leyen this evening for trade talks after golf Donald Trump will meet European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen for talks this evening on the trading relationship between Europe and the US. Little detail has been given about the meeting that is due to take place with the US President which is expected to be behind closed doors. But after being asked by reporters shouting over the fence if he'll get a deal with the EU, Trump replied: "50-50." The meeting comes after another day of golf for Trump at Turnberry. The Republican leader arrived around 11am at the coastal course in Ayrshire and played golf with his son, Eric. Police were seen patrolling the golf course as associates played earlier in the morning before a huge motorcade of golf caddies arrived around 10.40am. Dressed in a white baseball cap branded 'USA', Trump waved at journalists who shouted questions at him as he teed off. 13:05Tim Hanlon Anti-Trump protester says US president may have Scottish roots but he is a 'disgrace' Demonstrators held signs of pictures with Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein as people protested against the US president. In the view of Mark Gorman, 63, of Edinburgh, 'the vast majority of Scots have this sort of feeling about Trump that, even though he has Scottish roots, he's a disgrace.' Mr Gorman, who works in advertising, said yesterday he came out 'because I have deep disdain for Donald Trump and everything that he stands for.' Trump's late mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland and the president has suggested he feels at home in the country. But the protesters did their best to change that. Saturday's protests were not nearly as large as the throngs that demonstrated across Scotland when Trump played at Turnberry during his first term in 2018. But, as bagpipes played, people chanted 'Trump Out!' and raised dozens of homemade signs that said things like 'No red carpet for dictators,' 'We don't want you here' and 'Stop Trump. Migrants welcome.' 12:51Tim Hanlon Swinney says he will raise 'humanitarian issues' including Gaza with Trump John Swinney says it is his responsibility to 'raise global and humanitarian issues of significant importance, including the unimaginable suffering we are witnessing in Gaza' when he meets Donald trump During his visit to Scotland, Trump will also be meeting the Scottish First Minister. Saying he wanted to 'ensure Scotland's voice is heard at the highest levels of government across the world' Mr Swinney added: 'That is exactly what I will do when I meet with President Trump during his time in Scotland.' Mr Swinney announced that he met Ms von der Leyen on Saturday evening in Glasgow and discussed the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Mr Swinney said: 'I was pleased to welcome the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to Scotland. 'During our meeting, I outlined Scotland's continued support for the European Union's leadership in demanding free and safe humanitarian aid in Gaza, alongside efforts to bring an end to the unbearable suffering unfolding. 'I also took the opportunity to reiterate Scotland's steadfast commitment to Ukraine and the country's commitment to work with European partners on key issues, including energy.' 12:26Mikey Smith Trump fan tells why he has come from Blackburn to support US president There are no sign of anti-Trump protesters outside the golf course this morning but three British Trump fans are out on the hill next to Turnberry. They are wearing Make America Great Again hats, waving small US flags and holding a sign that reads "Don't trust Starmer". Trump waved and blew a kiss towards the fans before he took his shot. Tom English, one of the group who had travelled from Blackburn, said: "I can't believe we're the only ones, to be fair. I thought there'd be more people." Asked why he'd travelled so far to support the leader of another country, Mr English said: "I've just lived him from day one when he ran. I like the way he speaks, his personality, the comedy gold he comes out with. He had me at Rosie O'Donnell to be honest with you." Ms O'Donnell has been the target of a long running campaign of abuse by Trump, who earlier this month threatened to revoke her citizenship. "I've supported him all the way through. It's just because he'a not one of them, basically. He came in, said he's going to drain the swamp, end the deep state and that's what he's trying to do," he added. 12:11KEY EVENT Trump waves to tiny group of supporters and says EU deal is '50-50' Donald Trump waved to a tiny group of supporters shouting "we love Trump" and "don't trust Starmer" at his Scottish golf course this morning. The US President was back out on the course this morning for a chilly second morning of his golf holiday in Scotland. He was seen on his Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire, being transported between transported between holes in a motorcade of 26 golf carts and one small secret service vehicle. His son Eric was with him on the course. Later this afternoon he'll meet with European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen to discuss the trading relationship between the US and Europe. Asked by reporters shouting over the fence if he'll get a deal with the EU, Mr Trump said: "50-50." 12:02Tim Hanlon Protesters in dunes hold placard telling Trump 'Don't trust Starmer' Protesters carrying placards stood in the dunes at Trump Turnberry, urging the president: 'Don't trust Starmer'. Three people carried placards reading: 'President Trump don't trust Starmer'. The hand-painted sign also branded the Prime Minister an explicit term. A woman holding it wore a red baseball cap with fake hair which read Make America Great Again, and appeared to laugh as she watched Trump. Another female supporter dressed in a floral anorak, held a US flag and wore a baseball cap reading Make England Great Again. She carried a smaller sign which also branded Sir Keir an explicit term. They were joined by a man dressed in black, who wore an Adidas baseball cap. 11:52Tim Hanlon 'We love you Trump' shouts woman as US president plays golf A woman shouted 'We love you Trump' as the US president played golf. Wearing a white baseball camp branded USA, Trump waved to journalists as he arrived on the green at Trump Turnberry in Girvan, Ayrshire, driving a white golf buggy. A female well-wisher could be heard repeatedly shouting 'we love you Trump' and 'thank you'. Someone else shouted: 'Trump Trump Trump Trump'. The sound of cheering could be heard as Mr Trump took a shot. 11:21Tim Hanlon Donald Trump tees off just after 11am and ignores questions from reporters Donald Trump made an appearance at his Trump Turnberry golf course as he teed off on Sunday morning. The Republican leader arrived around 11.06am at the coastal course in Girvan, Ayrshire. he was seen at the first hole and chose to ignore questions from reporters. Police were seen patrolling the golf course as associates of Mr Trump played a round of golf earlier in the morning. A huge motorcade of golf buggies arrived just before 10.40am. 11:09KEY EVENT Police out in force with snipers in position as Trump plays another round of golf Police can be seen out in force again with snipers in position as Donal Trump heads out for another round of golf. He played golf yesterday at his course at Turnberry on Scotland's coast while protesters around the country took to the streets to decry his visit. The president appeared to play an opening nine holes, stop for lunch, then head out for nine more. By the middle of the afternoon, plainclothes security officials began leaving, suggesting Trump was done for the day. And today another major police operation is underway with restricted access, police searching sand dunes and snipers looking on from vantage points. There are also a handful of both protesters and Trump supporters close to the golf course with placards. 10:30Tim Hanlon Trump plays 18 holes of golf with US ambassador at Turnberry amid protests Donald Trump played golf at his course on Scotland's coast while protesters around the country took to the streets to decry his visit. The US President and his son Eric played with the US ambassador to Britain, Warren Stephens, at Turnberry, a historic course that the Trump family's company took over in 2014. Security was tight and protesters kept at a distance went unseen by the group during Trump's round. He was dressed in black, with a white 'USA' cap, and was spotted driving a golf cart. The president appeared to play an opening nine holes, stop for lunch, then head out for nine more on Saturday. By the middle of the afternoon, plain clothes security officials began leaving, suggesting Trump was done for the day. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on the cobblestone and tree-lined street in front of the US Consulate about 100 miles away in Edinburgh. Speakers told the crowd that Trump was not welcome and criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for striking a recent trade deal to avoid stiff US tariffs on goods imported from the UK. 09:54KEY EVENT President of European Commission talks with Swinney before Trump meeting First Minister John Swinney welcomed the President of the European Commission to Scotland ahead of her meeting with Donald Trump. Ursula von der Leyen travelled to Glasgow on Saturday ahead of her meeting with the US president at his Trump Turnberry resort in Girvan, Ayrshire, to discuss maintaining trade relations. However, she met with Mr Swinney on Saturday evening to discuss the UK's relationship with the European Union, and the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Mr Swinney said: 'I was pleased to welcome the president of The European Commission Ursula von der Leyen to Scotland. 'During our meeting, I outlined Scotland's continued support for the European Union's leadership in demanding free and safe humanitarian aid in Gaza, alongside efforts to bring an end to the unbearable suffering unfolding. 'I also took the opportunity to reiterate Scotland's steadfast commitment to Ukraine and the country's commitment to work with European partners on key issues, including energy.' 09:28Tim Hanlon Trump shares footage as he tees off at Turnberry during five-day visit Donald Trump has shared a clip of his golf swimg at his course in Turnberry on the southwest coast of Scotland and is expected to hit the links again frequently during his five-day visit. On Tuesday, he'll be in Aberdeen, in northeast Scotland, where his family has another golf course and is opening a third next month. Trump and his son Eric are planning to help cut the ribbon on the new course, where public tee times starting Aug. 13 are already on offer. 08:56Tim Hanlon Turnberry protestor holds up bagpipes placard as he takes swipe at Trump A sole protester at Turnberry Matt Halliday, 55, from Stranraer came to Turnberry bearing two placards. One featured a picture of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, and another of a set of bagpipes. The message read: "TRUMP GO HOME: The only "blowhard" pumped up windbags that we want to listen to are these bad boys". The second placard was much less family friendly. "I'm here to show my displeasure at Trump being here," he told the Mirror. "I just find him morally repugnant. I see what he's doing in the states, rolling back civil rights for women and minorities, folk getting lifted from their houses, medicaid getting taken away - and he comes here and thinks he's got the authority to pontificate to us. "Because he wants us to do the same, and he'll try and bully us through tariffs and trade - similar to Canada which he wants to make the 51st state. That's what's coming for us if we don't stand up to him." Protests raged in Edinburgh and Aberdeen today, with thousands expressing their displeasure at Trump's arrival. 08:18Tim Hanlon Trump says '50-50 chance' of deal ahead of talks with Von der Leyen Donald Trump is meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to discuss trade with few details having been released. Leaving the White House on Friday, Trump said 'we have a 50-50 chance, maybe less than that, but a 50-50 chance of making a deal with the EU.' He said the deal would have to 'buy down' the currently scheduled tariff rate of 30% on the bloc of 27 member states. Later, von der Leyen posted on X that, 'Following a good call' with Trump, the pair had 'agreed to meet in Scotland on Sunday to discuss transatlantic trade relations, and how we can keep them strong.' The US and EU seemed close to reaching a deal earlier this month, but Trump instead threatened a 30% tariff rate on the bloc of nations. Still, Trump's original deadline for beginning such tariffs has already passed, and is now delayed until at least Friday.

Trump and Starmer to discuss Gaza ceasefire and US-UK trade at president's Scottish golf course: Live updates
Trump and Starmer to discuss Gaza ceasefire and US-UK trade at president's Scottish golf course: Live updates

Daily Mail​

timea few seconds ago

  • Daily Mail​

Trump and Starmer to discuss Gaza ceasefire and US-UK trade at president's Scottish golf course: Live updates

Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer will today meet at the President's Scottish golf course where they are expected to discuss details of a US-UK trade deal, the war between Russia and Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Prime Minister will travel to Ayrshire, where the US president is staying at his Turnberry golf resort, for wide-ranging discussions. The two leaders have built a rapport on the world stage despite their differing political backgrounds, with Mr Trump praising Sir Keir for doing a 'very good job' in office ahead of their talks on Monday. 07:32 Welcome to our live coverage of Trump and Starmer's meeting in Ayrshire today! Good morning - welcome to our live coverage as President Donald Trump and Sir Keir Starmer are set to meet on his golf course in Turnberry, Scotland today! As we anticipate the meeting between the two world leaders, here is what we know to expect of today's meeting: Starmer and Trump are expected to discuss the prospect of a ceasefire in the Middle East and how to apply pressure on Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. They are also expected to talk one-on-one about advancing implementation of the UK-US trade deal, signed on May 8. The PM is also expected to welcome the President's administration working with Qatar and Egypt to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza. A Number 10 spokesperson said it was expected they will discuss 'what more can be done to secure the ceasefire urgently, bring an end to the unspeakable suffering and starvation in Gaza and free the hostages who have been held so cruelly for so long'. The war in Ukraine will also be up for discussion with both politicians 'set to talk about their shared desire to bring an end to the barbaric war' according to Number 10, and expected to 'reflect on progress in their 50-day drive to arm Ukraine and force Putin to the negotiating table '. After a meeting at the course, Starmer and Trump will travel on together for a further private engagement in Aberdeen.

Keir Starmer to meet with Donald Trump TODAY as PM hopes to strike steel tariffs deal and sway US President over Gaza
Keir Starmer to meet with Donald Trump TODAY as PM hopes to strike steel tariffs deal and sway US President over Gaza

Daily Mail​

timea few seconds ago

  • Daily Mail​

Keir Starmer to meet with Donald Trump TODAY as PM hopes to strike steel tariffs deal and sway US President over Gaza

Sir Keir Starmer will meet Donald Trump in Scotland today as he hopes to strike a deal on steel tariffs and sway the US President over Gaza. The Prime Minister will travel to Ayrshire, where Mr Trump is staying at his Turnberry golf resort, for face-to-face talks on Monday. The two leaders will discuss how to continue putting into place the US-UK trade deal they signed earlier this year, as well as the Middle East crisis. Sir Keir and the US President struck a trade agreement to reduce tariffs on car and aerospace imports. Yet questions remain over whether UK steel imports into America will face 50 per cent tariffs. Speaking to reporters as he left the White House on Friday, Mr Trump said he and Sir Keir would be 'fine-tuning' the US-UK trade deal when they meet in Scotland. But he downplayed the prospect on an agreement on steel, warning there was 'not a lot' of wiggle room on steel tariffs. The PM's meeting with Mr Trump also comes amid growing global outrage at the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, while peace talks between Hamas and Israel came to a standstill last week. White House special envoy Steve Witkoff blamed Hamas for a 'lack of desire' to reach an agreement. Since then, Israel has promised military pauses in three populated areas of Gaza to allow designated UN convoys of aid to reach desperate Palestinians. But the UK, which is joining efforts to airdrop aid into the enclave and evacuate children in need of medical assistance, has said that access to supplies must be 'urgently' widened. Sir Keir is under increasing pressure from MPs and even his own ministers to recognise Palestinian statehood. It comes after French President Emmanuel Macron said his country will do so in September. Some 221 MPs from Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Greens, Plaid Cymru, SDLP and independents have signed a letter pressuring the Government to follow suit at a UN meeting next week. The majority of those who have signed, 131, are Labour MPs. The US is the country 'with the leverage' to make a difference in the conflict in Gaza, the Business Secretary suggested this morning. Speaking to BBC Breakfast ahead of Sir Keir's meeting with Mr Trump, Jonathan Reynolds said: 'Of course, Gaza will be on the agenda today. 'The intolerable scenes that we're seeing, the world is seeing, are the backdrop to that. 'And of course, the US has itself secured on two occasions ceasefires in the conflict, so they have been actively engaged in it, working with Egypt, the Qataris, and other key partners in the region. 'The US is the country I think we'd all recognise with the leverage here to really make a difference on both sides. So their role is fundamentally important.' Mr Reynolds also admitted there is 'more to do' on the US-UK trade deal, but played down the prospect of a fresh announcement later. He said: 'We were very happy to announce the breakthrough that we had a few months ago in relation to sectors like automotive, aerospace, which are really important to the UK economy. 'But we always said it was job saved, but it wasn't job done. There's more to do. 'The negotiations have been going on on a daily basis since then. There's a few issues to push a little bit further today. 'We won't perhaps have anything to announce a resolution of those talks. 'But there's some sectors that we still need to resolve, particularly around steel and aluminium, and there's the wider conversation about what the US calls its reciprocal tariffs.' The US-UK agreement signed at the G7 summit last month slashed trade barriers on goods from both countries. But tariffs for the steel industry, which is of key economic importance to the UK, were left to stand at 25 per cent rather than falling to zero as originally agreed. Concerns had previously been raised that the sector could face a levy of up to 50 per cent - the US's global rate - unless a further agreement was made by July 9, when Mr Trump said he would start implementing import taxes on America's trading partners. But that deadline has been and gone without any concrete update on the status of UK steel. Sir Keir and Mr Trump are also expected to discuss the war in Ukraine, which Downign Street said would include 'applying pressure' on Vladimir Putin to end the invasion. Speaking to journalists on Sunday about his meeting with Sir Keir, Mr Trump said: 'We're meeting about a lot of things. We have our trade deal and it's been a great deal. 'It's good for us. It's good for them and good for us. I think the UK is very happy, they've been trying for 12 years to get it and they got it, and it's a great trade deal for both, works out very well. 'We'll be discussing that. I think we're going to be discussing a lot about Israel. They're very much involved in terms of wanting something to happen. 'He's doing a very good job, by the way.' Mr Trump's private trip to the UK comes ahead of a planned state visit in September.

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