Latest news with #GregoryGuillot
Al Jazeera
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
California senator handcuffed during Trump administration news conference
Democratic lawmakers have expressed outrage after United States Senator Alex Padilla of California was roughly removed from a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) news conference, then forced to the ground and handcuffed. A video of the incident shows Padilla appearing to interrupt a Thursday news conference in Los Angeles held by DHS chief Kristi Noem. 'I am Senator Alex Padilla,' he said, stepping forward as Noem spoke. 'I have a question for the secretary.' But he never got a chance to ask the question. Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had already surrounded Padilla and were pushing him out of the conference room. A mobile phone video shot by a member of Padilla's staff showed the senator yelling, 'Hands off,' as he was escorted into an adjacent hallway. Agents ultimately forced him to the ground, as Padilla protested he could not keep his hands behind his back as requested and lay his body flat at the same time. One FBI agent then stood in front of the camera and ordered the staffer to stop recording. The senator's office has said Padilla is currently not detained. In a statement, it explained that Padilla had hoped to question Noem and General Gregory Guillot about the US military deployment against protesters in Los Angeles. 'Senator Padilla is currently in Los Angeles exercising his duty to perform Congressional oversight of the federal government's operations in Los Angeles and across California,' his office said in a statement. 'He was in the federal building to receive a briefing with General Guillot and was listening to Secretary Noem's press conference. He tried to ask the Secretary a question, and was forcibly removed by federal agents.' What just happened to @SenAlexPadilla is absolutely abhorrent and outrageous. He is a sitting United States Senator. This administration's violent attacks on our city must — Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) June 12, 2025Padilla himself held a news conference afterwards, where he drew a parallel between his rough treatment and the immigration raids happening under the administration of President Donald Trump. 'If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question, I can only imagine what they're doing to farm workers, to cooks, to day labourers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country,' Padilla told reporters. The recent protests in Los Angeles came in response to the Trump administration's aggressive deportation campaign, which has targeted undocumented workers at places such as the Home Depot hardware store chain. Trump has since responded to those protests by deploying nearly 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 US Marines to southern California, in what critics have called an illegal use of military power against civilians. On Thursday, Padilla's Democratic colleagues in the Senate rushed to voice their support after the incident. 'I just saw something that sickened my stomach — the manhandling of a United States senator,' Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said. 'We need immediate answers to what the hell went on.' Representative Maxwell Frost of Florida later shot a video showing Democrats walking to Senate Majority Leader John Thune's office to call for action. 'There must be accountability for the detainment of a Senator. This is not normal,' Frost wrote. On social media, however, DHS accused Padilla of engaging in 'disrespectful political theatre'. It argued that the senator had not identified himself as he 'lunged' towards Noem, something that appears to be contradicted by video of the incident. DHS said Noem met Padilla after the news conference for 15 minutes. California officials have accused Trump of provoking tensions in the state by sending the military to crack down on the protests, some of which turned violent but have already started to ease. The last time a president deployed the National Guard in a state over the objections of a governor was in 1965, to protect civil rights protesters from violence in segregated Alabama. Governor Gavin Newsom has since sued the Trump administration to block the use of US military might outside of federal sites, calling it a step towards 'authoritarianism'. Earlier this week, Padilla said that Trump's immigration raids were 'terrorising communities, breaking apart families and putting American citizens in harm's way'. Trump has suggested that he could have California Governor Gavin Newsom arrested and mused that he could declare martial law if the protests continue. He also described the protesters as 'animals' and 'a foreign enemy', framing them as part of a wider 'invasion' that justifies emergency powers. 'If they can handcuff a US Senator for asking a question, imagine what they will do to you,' Newsom said in a social media post that showed a picture of Padilla being held on the ground by three agents.
Miami Herald
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Ukraine Crisis Could Spark ‘Direct' Russia-US Confrontation-NORAD Commander
The war in Ukraine could escalate into a direct confrontation between the U.S. and Russia, according to the Pentagon. General Gregory Guillot, the head of the U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) issued the warning to the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee. In a written statement to U.S. lawmakers, Guillot said that more than three years on from the start of Russia's full-scale invasion there are "several plausible pathways" in the which the war could escalate into a direct military conflict with the United States. Newsweek has contacted the Kremlin for comment. The specter of escalation has hung over the war in Ukraine since Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion in February 2022, especially given the repeated nuclear threats issued by Moscow. Guillot also referred to other adversaries such as Iran and North Korea, highlighting the security and defense issues for the Trump administration as it seeks to end the war in Ukraine and combat countries seeking to challenge the U.S. military in the future. Guillot addressed lawmakers from the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. In a written statement presented to the committee, Guillot said the probability of a direct conflict between the U.S. and one of its key rivals is increasing. The statement said that while China, Russia, North Korea and Iran seek to avoid armed conflict with the U.S., they might try to capitalize on the perception of a Western decline to challenge American power, which could risk miscalculation. Guillot then said that in the fourth year of Russia's invasion of Ukraine there are several ways that the war could escalate into a direct military conflict with the United States. The U.S. general also referred to other conflicts that threaten to involve the U.S. such as the war in the Middle East sparked by Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that threatens to embroil the U.S. in a direct conflict with Iran and its proxies. Guillot said tensions in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea carry a constant risk of escalation into armed conflict between China and the United States, with "consequences that could span a generation." He said strategic cooperation between and among the U.S.'s four main adversaries had grown substantially since the beginning of the Ukraine War, increasing the risk that war with one could quickly expand into war with an enemy coalition. General Gregory Guillot: "As Russia's brutal and misguided invasion of Ukraine enters its fourth year, there remain several plausible pathways by which the war could escalate into a direct military conflict with the United States." Russian media outlets reported Guillot's comments, which come amid anticipation over negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, whose president Volodymr Zelensky has said he would be in Turkey on Thursday ready for direct talks with Putin, who has not committed to attending. Related Articles Russia Parcel Bomb Plot Uncovered in NATO StateBrazil's Lula Tells Putin: 'Go to Istanbul and Negotiate, Dammit'Russian Award Ceremony Sparks Outrage Among ChristiansRussia Deploys FSB's 'Presidential Regiment' to Key Ukraine Fortress Town 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Ukraine Crisis Could Spark 'Direct' Russia-US Confrontation—NORAD Commander
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The war in Ukraine could escalate into a direct confrontation between the U.S. and Russia, according to the Pentagon. General Gregory Guillot, the head of the U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) issued the warning to the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee. In a written statement to U.S. lawmakers, Guillot said that more than three years on from the start of Russia's full-scale invasion there are "several plausible pathways" in the which the war could escalate into a direct military conflict with the United States. Newsweek has contacted the Kremlin for comment. General Gregory Guillot is seen during a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee nomination hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on July 26, 2023. General Gregory Guillot is seen during a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee nomination hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on July 26, It Matters The specter of escalation has hung over the war in Ukraine since Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion in February 2022, especially given the repeated nuclear threats issued by Moscow. Guillot also referred to other adversaries such as Iran and North Korea, highlighting the security and defense issues for the Trump administration as it seeks to end the war in Ukraine and combat countries seeking to challenge the U.S. military in the future. What To Know Guillot addressed lawmakers from the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. In a written statement presented to the committee, Guillot said the probability of a direct conflict between the U.S. and one of its key rivals is increasing. The statement said that while China, Russia, North Korea and Iran seek to avoid armed conflict with the U.S., they might try to capitalize on the perception of a Western decline to challenge American power, which could risk miscalculation. Guillot then said that in the fourth year of Russia's invasion of Ukraine there are several ways that the war could escalate into a direct military conflict with the United States. The U.S. general also referred to other conflicts that threaten to involve the U.S. such as the war in the Middle East sparked by Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that threatens to embroil the U.S. in a direct conflict with Iran and its proxies. Guillot said tensions in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea carry a constant risk of escalation into armed conflict between China and the United States, with "consequences that could span a generation." He said strategic cooperation between and among the U.S.'s four main adversaries had grown substantially since the beginning of the Ukraine War, increasing the risk that war with one could quickly expand into war with an enemy coalition. What People Are Saying General Gregory Guillot: "As Russia's brutal and misguided invasion of Ukraine enters its fourth year, there remain several plausible pathways by which the war could escalate into a direct military conflict with the United States." What Happens Next Russian media outlets reported Guillot's comments, which come amid anticipation over negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, whose president Volodymr Zelensky has said he would be in Turkey on Thursday ready for direct talks with Putin, who has not committed to attending.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
US to establish second military zone along Mexican border to support crackdown on illegal border crossings
The United States defence department announced on Thursday the establishment of a second military zone along the Mexican border for immigration law enforcement . The new zone, situated in Texas and connected to El Paso's Fort Bliss Army base, follows the pattern of the first zone created in New Mexico last month. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Military personnel in these areas are authorised to detain migrants crossing illegally until U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials take charge. Gen. Gregory Guillot, US Northern Command commander, stated: "The establishment of a second National Defense Area increases our operational reach and effectiveness in denying illegal activity along the southern border." On Monday, individuals who entered the U.S. illegally faced charges for breaching a national defence area in New Mexico, where the Army oversees a 170-mile (274-kilometre) stretch considered an extension of U.S. Army Garrison Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Military officials were unavailable Thursday night to specify the dimensions of the new Texas zone, which was not detailed in their press release. Those crossing the border in these military zones could face prosecution for two federal offences: illegal U.S. entry and military property trespassing. This development coincides with the Trump administration's deployment of thousands of troops to the border, while arrests have decreased to levels not seen since the mid-1960s. These military zones enable the federal government to operate outside the constraints of an 1878 law restricting military involvement in civilian law enforcement. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, during a recent New Mexico visit, explained: "Any illegal attempting to enter that zone is entering a military base, a federally protected area. You will be interdicted by U.S. troops and Border Patrol."
Hamilton Spectator
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Defense Department designates a second military zone on US border, extending into Texas
EL PASO, Texas (AP) — The Defense Department said Thursday that it has designated a second stretch on the U.S. border with Mexico as a military zone to enforce immigration laws. The newest area is in Texas and is attached to the Fort Bliss Army base in El Paso. Like the first zone established last month in New Mexico, military personnel are authorized to take custody of migrants who illegally cross the border until they are transferred to civilian authorities in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 'The establishment of a second National Defense Area increases our operational reach and effectiveness in denying illegal activity along the southern border,' said Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of the U.S. Northern Command. In New Mexico, people who entered the U.S. illegally were charged Monday with breaching a national defense area after the Army assumed oversight of a 170-mile (274-kilometer) strip that is treated as an extension of U.S. Army Garrison Fort Huachuca, Arizona. A press release from the military didn't say how large the second zone in Texas was and officials were unavailable to comment on its dimensions Thursday night. Border crossers in the military zones face potential prosecutions on two federal crimes — entering the U.S. illegally and trespassing on military property. The moves come as President Donald Trump's administration has deployed thousands of troops to the border and arrests have plunged to the lowest levels since the mid-1960s. The military zones have allow the federal government to escape the reach of an 1878 law that prohibits military involvement in civilian law enforcement. 'Any illegal attempting to enter that zone is entering a military base, a federally protected area,' Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on a recent visit to New Mexico. 'You will be interdicted by U.S. troops and Border Patrol.'
