A recent meeting at the White House saw Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky advocating for advanced long-range Tomahawk missiles to bolster his country’s defense against Russia. Yet, President Trump, following his talks with Zelensky and a separate conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, appeared hesitant to commit to providing these potent weapons. His primary message to both leaders underscored a plea to ‘stop the killing,’ advocating for an immediate end to hostilities.
Key Developments:
- Ukraine’s Military Aid: While President Zelensky sought new, long-range missiles, President Trump indicated apprehension about equipping Kyiv with weaponry capable of striking deep within Russian territory. Trump proposed a ‘double meeting’ format for an upcoming summit in Budapest, allowing him to meet separately with both Putin and Zelensky.
- Justice Department Shake-Up: A federal prosecutor who had resisted President Trump’s demands to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James was dismissed, along with her deputy. This marks the latest instance of career Justice Department officials facing repercussions for perceived impediments to the president’s agenda of political retribution.
- National Guard Deployment: The Trump administration has petitioned the Supreme Court to authorize the deployment of National Guard troops in the Chicago area. This request follows lower-court decisions that have blocked efforts to station Texas and Illinois National Guard units outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center near the city.
The Marines are set to conduct a controversial artillery demonstration on Saturday, firing 155-millimeter shells over a major Southern California freeway near Camp Pendleton as part of the Marine Corps’ 250th-anniversary celebration. This plan has ignited strong opposition from Governor Gavin Newsom, who expressed alarm late Friday night. Newsom stated his office had previously understood that munitions would not be fired across Interstate 5, a vital and heavily traveled route between Los Angeles and San Diego.
“This is a profoundly absurd show of force that could put Californians directly in harm’s way,” Mr. Newsom told The New York Times. He criticized President Trump, highlighting a perceived lack of coordination among state, federal, and local authorities, which he believes creates a dangerous situation. The demonstration, expected to be attended by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and other military officials, coincides with planned ‘No Kings’ anti-Trump protests across the country, including in Southern California.
“Using our military to intimidate people you disagree with isn’t strength — it’s reckless, it’s disrespectful, and it’s beneath the office the president holds,” Mr. Newsom asserted. However, William Martin, Vance’s communications director, countered, stating that the Marine Corps deemed the exercise safe and routine training. “If Gavin Newsom wants to oppose the training exercises that ensure our Armed Forces are the deadliest and most lethal fighting force in the world, then he can go right ahead,” Martin added.
Newsom affirmed his support for military heroes but stressed the need for better communication. His office sought more information from the military late Friday, noting few details had been provided beyond a request to post live-fire alerts on freeway electronic signs. A White House official, speaking anonymously, confirmed plans to keep the freeway open during the event.
Vice President Vance, a former Marine who served in Iraq, and other dignitaries are expected to observe an ‘amphibious capabilities demonstration’ at Camp Pendleton’s Red Beach, a secluded oceanfront training area visited by former President Richard M. Nixon. Test runs on Friday evening involved firing M777 howitzers over Interstate 5, with traffic remaining open. Marine Corps spokesman Capt. Gregory Dreibelbis called this an ‘established and safe practice’ and a rehearsal for Saturday.
M777 howitzers fire 155-millimeter shells, weighing about 90 pounds, capable of striking targets over 15 miles away. Officials did not specify if the test rounds were high-explosive or inert. The Federal Aviation Administration has issued airmen notices, closing some airspace near Camp Pendleton during Vance’s visit. Amtrak has canceled Pacific Surfliner train service in the area from noon to 3 p.m. Pacific time on Saturday.
The celebration sparked ‘confusion’ earlier in the week when Governor Newsom initially voiced concerns about missiles being fired over the freeway. His office had made preliminary plans to close the freeway, pending further federal details. Late Wednesday, the Marine Corps issued a statement assuring that all events would occur on ‘approved training ranges and comport with established safety protocols’ and that ‘no public freeways would be closed.’
Speaking to reporters in Los Angeles on Thursday, Newsom reiterated his understanding that I-5 would be closed, noting that military officials later ‘seemed to back off on that.’ He expressed visible frustration over the lack of communication regarding traffic and public safety. “So, to be determined, what they are proposing to do,” he concluded.
Earlier this year, the Army held a parade in Washington for its 250th birthday, and the Navy hosted the president aboard an aircraft carrier off Virginia, an event Trump turned into a political rally.
Additional Updates:
- Trump Targets Massie: President Trump publicly attacked Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican and prominent critic, on Truth Social, demanding he be ‘thrown out of office, ASAP!’ Trump endorsed Ed Gallrein, a veteran and farmer, as a challenger, despite Gallrein not being in the congressional race. Massie, currently in his seventh term, recently reported his largest-ever fundraising quarter.
- Nuclear Agency Furloughs: The federal agency responsible for the U.S. nuclear arsenal, the National Nuclear Security Administration, plans to furlough 1,400 workers by Monday due to the ongoing government shutdown. Energy Department officials stated that approximately 400 essential personnel would remain to ensure property and human safety. This marks the first time the agency has furloughed employees during a shutdown.
- Charlie Kirk Degree Withdrawn: A proposal to grant an honorary degree from the United States Air Force Academy to Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was withdrawn during a meeting of the alumni group’s directors. Kirk, who was assassinated last month, was appointed to the academy’s board of visitors by President Trump but had no military service.
- Prosecutor Dismissed in James Case: A federal prosecutor, Elizabeth Yusi, was fired for resisting President Trump’s demands to charge New York Attorney General Letitia James. Yusi’s deputy, Kristin G. Bird, was also dismissed. This follows previous resignations and dismissals in the Eastern District of Virginia U.S. attorney’s office amid political pressure from the Trump administration.
- Trump’s Triumphal Arch: President Trump revealed plans for a new triumphal arch in Washington, D.C., to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary. Models of the arch, featuring eagles and a winged ‘Lady Liberty’ angel, were shown at a White House fundraising dinner. The proposed arch would stand on Memorial Circle, near the Lincoln Memorial, and would be partially financed by remaining funds from a new White House ballroom project.
- Body Cameras for Federal Agents: A federal judge in Chicago ordered federal immigration agents equipped with body cameras to activate them during immigration arrests and interactions with the public in the Chicago area. This ruling aims to monitor compliance with earlier orders limiting tear gas use and requiring dispersal warnings amidst a Trump administration immigration crackdown.
- Food Stamp Crisis: Officials warned that approximately 42 million low-income individuals could face severe disruptions to food stamp benefits by November if the government shutdown persists. The Agriculture Department informed state agencies of ‘insufficient funds’ and advised pausing electronic benefit file transfers.
- Comey’s Legal Team: Former F.B.I. director James B. Comey is expanding his legal team to defend against federal perjury and obstruction charges, with four new lawyers, including Michael R. Dreeben, joining the defense.
- Zelensky on Tomahawks: President Zelensky confirmed Trump told him, ‘We need them,’ regarding Ukraine’s request for Tomahawk missiles, but discussions are ongoing. Zelensky believes Russia ‘really afraid’ of these missiles.
- Trump’s Post-Meeting Remarks: On Truth Social, President Trump described his meeting with Zelensky as ‘very interesting, and cordial,’ reiterating his message to both Putin and Zelensky: ‘it is time to stop the killing, and make a DEAL!’
- Zelensky’s Response to Trump: Zelensky agreed with Trump’s sentiment to ‘stop where we are’ in the conflict, emphasizing the importance of halting fighting before further negotiations.
- Zelensky on Alaska-Russia Tunnel: Zelensky expressed disapproval of Moscow’s proposal to construct a tunnel connecting Alaska and Russia via the Bering Strait, highlighting Kyiv’s competition with Moscow for Trump’s economic favor.
- Trump on Putin’s Motives: When questioned about Putin’s intentions to prolong the war through outreach to Trump, the president replied, ‘Yeah I am, but I’ve been played all my life by the best of them, and I came out really well, so it’s possible.’
- Trump on China Relations: Trump adopted a conciliatory tone regarding China, expressing intentions to meet President Xi Jinping and pursue a trade deal. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled to meet Chinese officials in Malaysia to prepare for the presidential meeting.
- Trump on Nobel Peace Prize: Trump, reflecting on feeling deserving of a Nobel Peace Prize, dismissively stated, ‘I don’t care about all that stuff. I just care about saving lives.’
- Ukraine’s Energy Minister at White House: Ukraine’s energy minister attended the White House meeting, an unusual occurrence signaling Kyiv’s urgency in addressing its energy infrastructure, severely damaged by Russian attacks.
- Trump’s Meeting Optimism: Trump’s optimism about a potential peace agreement with Putin echoed his sentiments before their previous Anchorage meeting, again without providing a clear rationale for his confidence.
- Zelensky on Tomahawk Reciprocity: President Zelensky hinted that if the United States provided Tomahawk missiles, Ukraine could reciprocate by supplying its domestically produced drones to the U.S.
- Trump on Ukraine’s Needs: When asked about U.S. missile needs versus Ukraine’s requests, Trump stated, ‘That’s the problem: We need the Tomahawks’ and other American-made weapons, while Zelensky emphasized America’s ‘very strong production’ capacity.
- Zelensky on NATO Membership: During the Cabinet Room meeting, a Lindell TV correspondent questioned Zelensky’s willingness to forgo NATO membership.
- Trump on Negotiating Skills: When asked who was a better negotiator between Zelensky and Putin, Trump diplomatically stated, ‘I think they’re both doing a great job.’
- Trump’s Initial Greeting to Zelensky: Trump began the meeting on a warm note, complimenting Zelensky’s attire: ‘I think he looks beautiful in his jacket. It’s actually very stylish. I like it.’