Trump will not rule out army drive to amass Greenland, Panama Canal

On Wednesday’s episode of The Excerpt podcast: USA TODAY White Home Correspondent Joey Garrison takes a more in-depth have a look at President-elect Donald Trump’s feedback about Greenland and the Panama Canal. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declares a state of emergency because the Palisades Fireplace rages. After document highs, unlawful immigration plummets on the U.S.-Mexico border. USA TODAY Congress & Campaigns Reporter Savannah Kuchar discusses the scene in Washington because the stays of President Jimmy Carter arrived Tuesday.

Hit play on the participant under to listen to the podcast and observe together with the transcript beneath it. This transcript was mechanically generated, after which edited for readability in its present kind. There could also be some variations between the audio and the textual content.

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Taylor Wilson:

Good morning. I am Taylor Wilson, and at present is Wednesday, January eighth, 2025. That is The Excerpt.

At this time, Donald Trump will not rule out army drive relating to his goals for the Panama Canal and Greenland. Plus, we’ve got the most recent on a significant wildfire in Southern California. And Washington and the world mourn Jimmy Carter’s passing.

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President-elect Donald Trump will not rule out army drive to amass Greenland or the Panama Canal. I caught up with USA TODAY White Home correspondent Joey Garrison to place a few of Trump’s feedback on the 2 locations in addition to on Canada in context.

Hiya, Joey.

Joey Garrison:

Hey there.

Taylor Wilson:

So we have heard quite a lot of information over the past couple of days concerning attainable actions that Trump needs as quickly as he takes workplace, every little thing from fixing the Gaza hostage scenario to issuing main pardons. However there’s additionally one other story that is creeping again into the information cycle, Joey, and that has to do with Greenland and the Panama Canal. So let’s give attention to that final level at present.

What did Donald Trump say right here because it pertains to these two locations?

Joey Garrison:

Ever for the reason that ’24 election that he gained, Trump has more and more been floating these concepts about buying the Panama Canal, which in fact is a significant entry for ships getting by means of, in addition to Greenland, which is wealthy of minerals, an island in fact within the North Atlantic Sea that’s owned by Denmark, in addition to Canada changing into the 51st state.

Now, the intuition for many individuals had been to form of brush off these feedback. Folks had been questioning, “Hey, is he critical right here? Joking round?” Effectively, at Mar-a-Lago throughout a press convention on Tuesday, he was pressed extra about these concepts and he was requested particularly might he rule out army or financial coercion to attempt to purchase the Panama Canal and Greenland. And he could not rule it out, and he was pressed particularly on the army use entrance a number of occasions. And I believe it speaks to the diploma that Trump is critical about actually making it part of his agenda throughout this second time period to attempt to get these two areas, Greenland and the Panama Canal. Throughout his first time period, he had briefly talked about buying Greenland, nevertheless it was by no means one thing that it was executed. And it appears that evidently he is making this a part of the platform transferring into now lower than two weeks earlier than he takes workplace.

Taylor Wilson:

Effectively, Joey, I believe it is nonetheless somewhat unclear what functionally he actually is attempting to perform with a few of these feedback. What is the sense, simply by way of what he is attempting to do right here, and would his goals for Greenland and Panama particularly even be attainable?

Joey Garrison:

To start with, beginning why he needs these items, the Panama Canal, he is referenced the unique settlement from President Jimmy Carter, in fact, who simply handed away, however the settlement he reached within the late Nineteen Seventies to provide the Panama Canal later management to Panama. He is calling {that a} shame, accusing the Panama Canal authority of charging extra for the entry of US ships than different nations. Trump has stated that China is successfully working the canal. He says this must be in US management. One of many traces, he stated yesterday, “They cost extra for our Navy than they cost for navies of different nations.” So this once more form of matches into this Trump theme that we have seen through the years of claiming the US is getting screwed in comparison with different nations.

And relating to Greenland, as I discussed earlier, wealthy with minerals, solely as a inhabitants of about 56,000 folks. Trump says it is wanted for “nationwide safety functions” to assist the US. He additionally went on to query whether or not Denmark, which once more controls Greenland, has the authorized proper to the territory. And he stated that if Greenland doesn’t change into a part of the US, he would “tear off Denmark at a really excessive degree.” So once more, the precise mechanics into getting these are nonetheless somewhat unclear. Is it going to be to proceed to mount strain on Denmark to basically give it up some kind of treaty? Is he prepared to go that far? I imply, the extra he presses this factor, it should more and more tick off quite a lot of American allies.

Taylor Wilson:

Effectively, Joey, you talked about form of ruffling feathers of American allies. Will we hear from any of the potential gamers on this challenge pondering Greenland itself? You talked about Denmark, Panama, Canada’s concerned on this dialog. I imply, what do any of those leaders say?

Joey Garrison:

Yeah, a few of the leaders there pushed again shortly and strongly by means of Trump’s feedback. In fact, his feedback about Canada come someday after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned about Canada’s minister of international affairs. Melanie Pleasure stated that his feedback “present an entire lack of knowledge of what makes Canada a powerful nation.” There’s been polling in Canada that present their folks wish to keep a rustic and never be part of the US. Trudeau really, though he’s now not in workplace, got here again with a way more blunt remark saying there’s “not a snowball’s probability in hell that Canada will change into a part of the US.”

After which we heard from the Danish Prime Minister, once more, reiterating that the leaders in Greenland are being very clear that “Greenland just isn’t on the market and it’ll not be for the longer term both.” So these varied nations or the folks that management Greenland and from Denmark, very assertive that they are not going to have no real interest in having joined the US from Canada’s perspective or Greenland. And so that is already organising form of a dispute between the US Trump’s administration and different world leaders earlier than we start Trump’s second time period.

Taylor Wilson:

Donald Trump’s son, Don Jr. visited Greenland this week. Is there any relation to that journey and what Trump Sr. is saying on this level?

Joey Garrison:

Effectively, Taylor, I imply, yeah, it is inconceivable to disregard that journey. Trump Jr. arrived in Greenland on Tuesday with a small group of individuals. As this comes as Trump, his father, continues to brazenly speaking about buying it, it actually raises eyebrows. Now, a spokesperson for the president-elect’s son stated Trump Jr. wouldn’t be assembly with authorities officers and as a substitute stated Trump Jr. confirmed up there to shoot a enjoyable podcast video. However nonetheless, I believe it is clearly sending some kind of sign about intentions when the president’s son, who in fact could be very shut on quite a lot of coverage issues along with his father when he reveals up in Greenland whereas Donald Trump is speaking about buying the island.

Taylor Wilson:

Fascinating occasions. Joey Garrison covers the White Home for USA TODAY. Thanks, sir.

Joey Garrison:

Hey, thanks.

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Taylor Wilson:

A quick-moving wildfire fueled by dangerously high-speed Santa Ana winds continues to threaten southern California neighborhoods. Some 30,000 folks have been evacuated whereas large plumes of smoke had been seen hovering over Los Angeles.

Officers stated the Palisades fireplace charred almost 3,000 acres of the Pacific Palisades space between the coastal California cities of Santa Monica and Malibu. There was no containment as of early this morning. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency yesterday after which urged residents to heed evacuation orders after he witnessed a number of buildings already destroyed by the blaze. You possibly can keep up on all the most recent with usatoday.com.

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Unlawful immigration on the US-Mexico border dropped to a five-year low this week amid the vacations within the Biden administration’s ongoing efforts to comprise illegal crossings on the border. US border patrol logged a mean of 1,000 day by day migrant encounters within the seven days that ended on January fifth alongside the US.-Mexico border. A senior US Customs and Border Safety official advised USA TODAY this week. The company has not seen common day by day crossings at that degree since April of 2020 in line with the official. Then it was the early days of the COVID-nineteen pandemic when world journey and migration slowed dramatically. Migrant crossings on the US-Mexico border sometimes dip proper after the winter holidays, however the early January common was 1 / 4 of what it was throughout the identical week a yr in the past.

The variety of migrants crossing the US-Mexico border has swung dramatically in the course of the administration of President Joe Biden, surging to document highs in 2022 and 2023 earlier than dropping within the administration’s closing yr to ranges not seen for the reason that first Trump administration.

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The stays of President Jimmy Carter arrived on the US Capitol for the ultimate time yesterday for a service with members of Congress earlier than the thirty ninth President lies in state. I spoke with USA TODAY Congress and Campaigns reporter Savannah Kuchar to get a way of the scene in Washington.

Savannah, thanks a lot for hopping on at present.

Savannah Kuchar:

Thanks for having me.

Taylor Wilson:

See now, Savannah, yesterday America watched as a horse-drawn procession carried the late President Jimmy Carter’s casket to the US Capitol. Would you inform us somewhat bit about these scenes?

Savannah Kuchar:

A casket with the late president’s stays had been transferred from Georgia, flown as much as Basin Maryland, after which taken in a procession down the streets of DC. We did see a switch ceremony on the Naval Memorial in DC from a hearse to a horse-drawn automobile. And the ceremony on Tuesday was to reflect Carter’s inaugural parade again within the ’70s, a procession from the Naval base as much as the Capitol.

Taylor Wilson:

All proper. So I do know you had been contained in the Capitol for this congressional service that then occurred afterwards, Savannah. Inform us somewhat bit about this. Who was in attendance and what was it like inside?

Savannah Kuchar:

Effectively, it was a very transferring and clearly very solemn service. There have been many leaders and members of Congress in attendance together with Vice President Harris and Second Gentleman, in addition to Mayor of DC, Muriel Bowser, members of Congress had been there, together with management who all honored him, together with Senate Majority chief, home speaker, and the vp all delivered eulogies on Tuesday. And naturally, members of Carter’s household had been all there gathered on Capitol Hill to honor him. The casket was taken up the entrance steps of the Capitol constructing earlier than being introduced into the rotunda for about an hour lengthy service. It was a really transferring service, together with the Naval Academy Glee Membership. They’re giving the efficiency.

Taylor Wilson:

And Savannah, usually, what have we been listening to from main political figures, you talked about a number of of them, within the wake of Carter’s passing final month?

Savannah Kuchar:

President Joe Biden has, in fact, given statements honoring Carter and his legacy in addition to former presidents from Trump to former President Clinton. And together with Carter’s fellow commanders-in-chief, different political leaders have famous his legacy and reminiscence.

Taylor Wilson:

Okay. So he’s now mendacity in state. Savannah, we have heard and seen this earlier than, however what does it really imply to lie in state?

Savannah Kuchar:

From Tuesday night and now by means of 7:00 a.m. Thursday morning, Carter’s casket can be on the Hill there for the general public to return in, pay their respects, honor this former president. Any members of the general public can are available. There is no public pictures or they cannot usher in flowers or envelopes or something like that, however they’ll come and go to his casket.

Taylor Wilson:

Okay. So Carter’s funeral is now set for tomorrow, Thursday. President Joe Biden has additionally declared a Nationwide day of Mourning. What is the common expectation for tomorrow?

Savannah Kuchar:

Proper. So on Thursday, there can be a nationwide funeral on the Nationwide Cathedral in DC. President Biden can be there. Following that, his casket can be introduced again to Georgia for a personal funeral at a church in Carter’s hometown of Plains, Georgia. There’ll, like I stated, be each a nationwide and a personal funeral for the president.

Taylor Wilson:

All proper. Savannah Kuchar covers Congress and campaigns for USA TODAY, becoming a member of us from Capitol Hill throughout this week of mourning, remembering the late Jimmy Carter. Thanks, Savannah.

Savannah Kuchar:

Thanks.

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Taylor Wilson:

As President Joe Biden’s time period because the forty sixth President of the US attracts to an in depth, we have a look at his legacy and the sweeping arc of historical past. What accomplishments is he most pleased with and what regrets, if any, does he have? USA TODAY’s Washington Bureau Chief Susan Web page was given the unique alternative to talk with President Biden earlier than he leaves workplace later this month. Susan joins USA TODAY editor-in-chief Caren Bohan to share her insights and impressions from their dialog. You possibly can hear that dialogue proper right here starting at 4:00 p.m. Jap time on this feed.

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And thanks for listening to The Excerpt. You may get the podcast wherever you get your audio. And in case you’re on a wise speaker, simply ask for The Excerpt.

I am Taylor Wilson, and I will be again tomorrow with extra of The Excerpt from USA TODAY.