Threats

Former Secret Service agent Richard Staropoli warned Thursday that President-elect Donald Trump could face a major security threat before his January inauguration, citing weaknesses in the current state of Secret Service operations.

A 29-year-old illegal migrant with a history of violent felonies, Ivan Lopez-Ramos of Mexico, has been arraigned on felony charges in Seattle for unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported in 2022. Lopez-Ramos, a registered sex offender, pleaded not guilty on Thursday in the United States District Court of Western Washington.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has canceled plans to visit South Korea following President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed attempt to impose martial law earlier this week, two U.S. officials confirmed Thursday.

President Joe Biden's aides are reportedly discussing preemptive pardons for several government officials.

A new survey from the Ronald Reagan Institute reveals overwhelming support among Americans for strong national defense and global leadership, with 85% of respondents considering foreign policy and national security "somewhat" or "extremely" important.

South Korean lawmakers have put forth a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk-Yeol. The move comes less than 24 hours after he declared martial law.

Assistant District Attorney Dafna Yoran, who is leading the prosecution against Marine veteran Daniel Penny for the 2023 death of Jordan Neely, has a history of advocating for "restorative justice" in certain cases. However, her approach seems to shift dramatically when it comes to Penny’s case, raising questions about the consistency of her prosecutorial stance.

China announced Tuesday a ban on exporting certain minerals and metals to the U.S., escalating the ongoing trade and tech war. The targeted materials—germanium, gallium, antimony, and superhard substances—are vital for manufacturing semiconductors, batteries, and military hardware.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. John James (R-MI) introduced a bill late last month that aims to partner with parents to protect children from online content that may harm minors.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte cautioned President-elect Donald Trump against brokering a Ukraine-Russia peace deal that could favor Moscow. Rutte expressed concerns that such an agreement could embolden adversaries like China, Iran, and North Korea, creating long-term security risks for both Europe and the United States.