International
The US promises “not to spare resources” investigations into the assassination attempt against Trump
The Attorney General of the United States, Merrick Garland, promised an investigation that “will not spare resources” around the alleged assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump in Florida, as he said on Tuesday, the same day that Republican Governor Ron DeSantis announced the beginning of a state investigation.
Garland said today that the national security division of the Department of Justice will play a central role in the investigation, an assertion that hints at the presentation of additional and more serious charges regarding the two related to the possession of firearms that the suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, is currently facing.
The Department of Justice and especially the FBI work side by side with local agencies in the investigation of the “apparent assassination attempt of the former president that occurred on Sunday in Florida,” the attorney general said during an event at the headquarters of the Department of Justice in Washington.
“We will all work together to tirelessly determine responsibility in this matter,” Garland added.
This same Tuesday, the governor of Florida, the Republican Ron DeSantis, signed an executive order authorizing the State Prosecutor’s Office to start its own investigation, which could even lead to the formulation of state charges for attempted murder for Routh, who remains detained and on Monday had his first appearance in a federal court.
The authorities are investigating the motivations of Routh, 58, about whom it is known through publications made on the Internet that he had a disenchantment with the current Republican candidate in the next general elections, after having voted for him in the past.
According to the FBI, the suspect, who for the moment is believed to have acted alone, prowled the vicinity of the golf club for 12 hours and investigators are trying to confirm if he knew that Trump would go out to play that day.
As has transpired, Secret Service agents did not inspect the perimeter of the golf club before the former president went out to play, which has thrown more scrutiny against this federal agency in charge of the security of the former presidents.
The Secret Service was already under the magnifying glass after the attempted assassination of Trump while giving a rally in Butler (Pennsylvania), just over two months ago.
In that regard, US President Joe Biden, who last night phoned Trump in a gesture of solidarity, reiterated today that the Secret Service should receive more resources.
“One of the issues is that we need more resources. We need more agents, greater protection and, in general, expanded aid,” the president said in an interview with the radio program ‘DeDe in the Morning’ that was broadcast this Tuesday.
After the alleged failed attack, the leader of the Democratic majority in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, already opened the door to including additional funds for the Secret Service in a bill that Congress should approve before September 30 to finance government agencies and avoid the closure of the Administration for lack of budget.
For his part, the Secretary of National Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, highlighted today the phenomenal work of the Secret Service agents who “eliminated a threat” and warned that the country is currently in the middle of “a highly threatening environment.”
Mayorkas emphasized that after the two assassination attempts of which former President Trump has been a victim, he receives approximately the same security as Biden.
The suspect was arrested on the same day of the events, about 45 minutes after leaving the scene, after a Secret Service agent discovered him hiding behind some bushes, armed with an assault rifle and telescopic sight, and shot him.
Thanks to this, Routh never got his sights set on former President Trump (2017-2021) and the group with whom he played golf on a course he owned in West Palm Beach.
Routh left in the place an AR-47 assault rifle with telescopic sight, two backpacks, and a GoPro sports camera, in addition to a plastic bag with food.
International
Bill Gates to testify before Congress over Epstein connections
Bill Gates is set to testify on June 10 before a congressional committee in United States investigating links connected to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a source familiar with the matter told AFP on Tuesday.
The Microsoft co-founder is among several high-profile figures named in documents released by the Department of Justice, which detail alleged close associations, questionable financial dealings, and private photographs involving Epstein.
According to a spokesperson cited by Politico, Gates “welcomes” the opportunity to appear before the committee. The representative emphasized that Gates “never attended or participated in any illegal activities with Epstein” and is prepared to answer questions to support the investigation.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment.
In late February, Gates told members of his foundation’s board that his association with Epstein was a “huge mistake.” He has consistently denied any involvement in the financier’s criminal activities. Epstein died by suicide in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking minors.
“I did nothing illegal. I saw nothing illegal,” Gates said, according to a recording obtained by The Wall Street Journal.
Gates acknowledged that his relationship with Epstein began in 2011, three years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor.
A draft email written by Epstein and released by the Department of Justice referenced alleged extramarital relationships involving Gates. The message, which was apparently never sent, claimed that Epstein had helped “Bill” obtain medication related to encounters with Russian women.
Gates admitted to having had two extramarital affairs but denied any involvement with Epstein’s victims.
International
Former Trump allies call for removal, cite 25th Amendment amid Iran threats
International
Trump pauses strikes on Iran, extends ultimatum by two weeks
The president of the United States, Donald Trump, announced a temporary suspension of attacks against Iran for a period of two weeks, extending the ultimatum he had imposed on Tehran just hours before its deadline.
According to the president, the measure is conditional on Iran allowing the “full, immediate, and secure” reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump stated that the decision would involve a reciprocal ceasefire between both parties.
The announcement was made through a message on his social media platform, where he emphasized that the pause in military actions is intended to create space for de-escalation in the region.
He also noted that the decision followed a conversation with the prime minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, who requested a two-week extension of the ultimatum.
The move comes amid heightened global tensions, marked by escalating threats and concerns over the potential impact of the conflict on key international energy trade routes.
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