Presidential Message on National Stalking Awareness Month

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 1, 2020 Presidential Message on National Stalking Awareness Month National Stalking Awareness Month provides us with an opportunity to firmly rebuke the violating crime of stalking and to raise awareness about its warning signs.  It is also an opportunity for us to come together as a Nation to support those who have experienced stalking or harassment. Stalking comes in many different forms, including making unsolicited, repetitive phone calls, sending unwanted letters or other items, and following victims or showing up at their workplaces or homes.  Those who have been targeted by a stalker know all too well the hopelessness, helplessness, and fear that come from experiencing this abusive and invasive behavior. Often, stalking victims are familiar with the culprit of this crime.  Almost 75 percent of stalking victims know the offender, which can lead to a false sense of security and, in some cases, unspeakable tragedy.  That is why it is so important for those who feel they are experiencing some form of stalking or threatening behavior to immediately report it to local law enforcement or a trusted family member or friend. As our society becomes increasingly interconnected through various online platforms, cyberstalking is another form of threatening behavior facing Americans, especially our young people.  According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, one in four victims of stalking reports some form of cyberstalking.  This can include unwarranted e-mails, instant and direct messaging, or liking and commenting on social media posts.  It is vital that online behavior be held to the same standards of respect and integrity as are our interactions in person. Stalking behavior is a manipulative tool used to exert control and incite fear, and victims can often feel isolated and vulnerable.  If you or someone you know is experiencing this abuse, there are many resources available online at the Department of Justice’s Stalking webpage, as well as through the National Center for Victims of Crime Hotline: 1-855-484-2846.  Please know that you are not alone and America stands with you.

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP BEFORE NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION Mar-a-Lago Palm Beach, Florida December 31, 2019

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 1, 2020

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT TRUMP BEFORE NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION Mar-a-Lago Palm Beach, Florida   December 31, 2019 9:24 P.M. EST      THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody.  Happy New Year.  Happy New Year.  We’re going to have a great year, I predict.  I think it’s going to be a fantastic year.  We had the best economic year, I think, in our country’s history.  And I think we’re really set for additional growth and jobs and everything else.  It’ll be great.      Kevin?      Q    What do you want the American people to know, Mr. President, about how you’re handling the situation in Iraq, as it relates to Iran?      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, I think it’s been handled very well.  The Marines came in.  We had some great warriors come in and do a fantastic job.  And they were there instantaneously, as soon as we heard.  I used the word “immediately”; they came immediately.  And it’s in great shape, as you know.  This will not be a Benghazi.  Benghazi should never have happened.  This will never, ever be a Benghazi.      But we have some of our greatest warriors there.  They got in there very quickly.  As soon as we saw there was a potential for problem, they got in, and there was no problem whatsoever.      I also want to thank the Iraqi government.  They really stepped up.  I spoke to the Prime Minister today.  I thanked him.  But they stepped up very nicely.      Q    Mr. President, do you foresee going to war with Iran?      THE PRESIDENT:  I don’t think that would be a good idea for Iran.  It wouldn’t last very long.  Do I want to?  No.  I want to have peace.  I like peace.  And Iran should want peace more than anybody.  So I don’t see that happening.  No, I don’t think Iran would want that to happen.  It would go very quickly.      Q    Mr. President, can you -- what is your message tonight for -- what is your message tonight for North Korea?      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, we’ll see.  I have a very good relationship with Kim Jong Un.  I know he’s sending out certain messages about Christmas presents, and I hope his Christmas present is a beautiful vase.  That’s what I’d like -- a vase --      Q    Do you think it will be, sir?      THE PRESIDENT:  -- as opposed to something else.  I don’t know.  I -- look, he likes me; I like him.  We get along.  He’s representing his country.  I’m representing my country.  We have to do what we have to do.      But he did sign a contract.  He did sign an agreement, talking about denuclearization.  And that was signed.  Number-one sentence: denuclearization.  That was done in Singapore.  And I think he’s a man of his word.  So we’re going to find out, but I think he’s a man of his word.      Q    I know it’s a night of celebration, Mr. President, but are you spoiling for a political fight in January, with the impeachment?      THE PRESIDENT:  Well, the impeachment thing is a hoax.  It’s a big, fat hoax.  We had, I guess, 196 to nothing, with the Republicans.  We had three Democrats come over.  One actually joined our party, as you know -- which is, I think, a record.  I don’t think that’s been done before, in terms of somebody coming in like that on a vote like that.  But he joined our party -- from New Jersey.  He’s going to be fantastic.      And, no, I think -- I look forward to it.  I mean, we’ll see.  We have absolutely -- we did nothing wrong.  All you have to do is read the transcripts.  If you read the transcripts -- or you could also do something else.  You could go see or speak to the President of Ukraine.  And the President of Ukraine said, loudly and boldly -- and I appreciate his statement -- he said it many times: There was no pressure.  The foreign minister of Ukraine said there was absolutely no pressure, and that’s the whole case right there.  There was no pressure whatsoever.      I do say two things: We have to check corruption, and we also have to find out why is it that the United States is always giving foreign countries money.  And Germany and France and all of Europe -- they’re not doing much.  In fact, they’re not doing anything, relative to this.  Why is it always the United States?  I’ve been asking you those questions and making those statements for a long time to everybody standing here.  Nobody ever mentions that.      That was part of it.  In fact, that’s in the transcript also.  I talk about -- a very good woman, to be honest with you -- Chancellor Merkel.  But I said, “Where is Chancellor Merkel?  Where is President Macron of France?  Why aren’t they putting up money?  Why is it always the United States?”  Nobody ever covers that, but that’s a big factor.  So I think that’s going to go very quick.  I think it’s going to go very easy.      We have tremendous -- and, you know, I have to say this -- we have tremendous Republican support.  What the Democrats did in the House was a disgrace.  What they did -- how unfair it was.  We didn’t get lawyers.  We didn’t have witnesses.  We didn’t do anything.  And still, we got 100 percent of the Republican votes.  And it was bipartisan, because we got three Democrats.      So I think the impeachment thing -- I call it “impeachment light.”  It’s a disgrace.  And Nancy Pelosi should be ashamed of herself.  She’s a highly overrated person.  I know her well; she’s highly overrated.      Q    (Inaudible) about vaping?      THE PRESIDENT:  Vaping is coming out.  We’re just going to be announcing it very shortly.  Some people already know about what we’re doing.  We have to protect our families.  At the same time, it’s a big industry.  We want to protect the industry.      And, as you know, we’ll be taking it off -- the flavors -- for a period of time -- certain flavors.  We’re going to protect our families.  We’re going to protect our children.  And we’re going to protect the industry.  Hopefully, if everything is safe, they’re going to be going very quickly back onto the market.      So the flavors will come off.  They’re going to be checked.  We want to make it -- people have died from this.  They’ve died from vaping.  We think we understand why.  But we’re doing a very exhaustive examination, and hopefully everything will be back on the market very, very shortly.      Look, vaping can be good from the standpoint -- you look at the e-cigarettes -- you stop smoking.  If you can stop smoking, that’s a big advantage.      So we think we’re going to get it back onto the market very, very quickly, but we have to protect the children.  We have to protect the families.  At the same time, we have a very big industry.  It’s become a very big industry.  We’re going to take care of the industry.      Q    Do you want there to be a trial in the Senate?  Or do you want there not to be a trial in the Senate? THE PRESIDENT:  I don’t really care.  It doesn’t matter.  As far as I’m concerned, I’d be very happy with the trial because we did nothing wrong.  We didn’t even have a witness, and we won 196 to nothing.  Okay?  We didn’t have a witness.  That was all the Democrats’ witness.      Look, Adam Schiff is a corrupt politician.  He’s corrupt.  He got up -- he made a speech, said something I never said.  And when I released the transcript -- which is absolutely a perfect, totally appropriate conversation with a very good man, a very good President -- I hear he’s doing a great job.  But a big reason he got elected was corruption.  There’s tremendous corruption.      But the other thing -- and, again, I ask: Why aren’t other countries -- Germany, France, and others -- why aren’t they putting up money like we put up?  And I’ve asked that question for a long time not only about Ukraine, about a lot of other places.      I was able to get, recently, at NATO -- and you have to speak to Secretary General Stoltenberg -- $530 billion additionally, over a very short period of time; $130 billion immediately.  He has never seen anything like that.  That’s NATO. This is something different.  Those countries should be putting up money.  They should also be giving to Ukraine.      All right, one more question.  Go ahead.      Q    (Inaudible) China trade.      THE PRESIDENT:  On trade?  We’re very excited about trade.  The China deal will be signed probably on January 15th.  We put out a notice today.  And I’ll be going, at some point, to Beijing, to be with President Xi.  We have a great relationship.  And we’ll be doing something reciprocal.      But I think, more importantly, we’ll be starting negotiations very soon on phase two.  And I think phase two can be complete.  A lot of people said, “Well, are you going to have phase two, or phase two and phase three?”  I think we’ll have phase two.  I think that should complete it.  But we’ll be starting those negotiations very soon.      I want to thank everybody.  I want you to have a great year.  Look, you’re honorable people.  You have to stay honorable.  If you’re honorable, I’m going to win the election by a lot.  If you’re not honorable, I’m just going to win the election by a little.  So I’d rather have you be honorable, okay?      Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you, Jeff.  Good luck.  Thank you, Kevin.      Q    How about Mrs. Trump’s New Year’s resolution?  Melania?      Q    What is your resolution?      MRS. TRUMP:  Happy New Year.      Q    Happy New Year.  How about your New Year’s resolution?      Q    What is your resolution?      Q    What’s your goal for the New Year?      MRS. TRUMP:  Peace on the world.      THE PRESIDENT:  Peace is right.  But I’m -- I’m not sure you’re supposed to say resolutions out loud, okay?  So we don’t want to -- I don’t want to say what my resolution is because I think we jinx it, all right?      But I can tell you, we have a good re- -- we really have a good resolution, and it’s a resolution for our country.  We love our country.  Our country has never done better than it’s doing right now.      We have the best unemployment numbers.  We have the best employment numbers.  Almost 160 million people are working.  African American, Asian American, Hispanic American -- they have the best numbers in the history of our country.  We’re very happy.  And we rebuilt our military.  We cut taxes down -- the lowest in history, biggest tax cut ever.  We’re doing great.  Our country is really the talk of the world.  Everybody is talking about it.      Thank you very much.                          END                 9:33 P.M. EST

Proclamation on National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, 2020

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 31, 2019 NATIONAL SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH, 2020 - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION        Human trafficking erodes personal dignity and destroys the moral fabric of society.  It is an affront to humanity that tragically reaches all parts of the world, including communities across our Nation.  Each day, in cities, suburbs, rural areas, and tribal lands, people of every age, gender, race, religion, and nationality are devastated by this grave offense.  During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to eradicate this horrific injustice.      Trafficking crimes are perpetrated by transnational criminal enterprises, gangs, and cruel individuals.  Through force, fraud, coercion, and sexual exploitation of minors, traffickers rob countless individuals of their dignity and freedom, splinter families, and threaten the safety of our communities.  In all its forms, human trafficking is an intolerable blight on any society dedicated to freedom, individual rights, and the rule of law.      Human trafficking is often a hidden crime that knows no boundaries.  By some estimates, as many as 24.9 million people ‑- adults and children -- are trapped in a form of modern slavery around the world, including in the United States.  Human traffickers exploit others through forced labor or commercial sex, and traffickers profit from their victims' horrific suffering.  The evil of human trafficking must be defeated.  We remain relentless in our resolve to bring perpetrators to justice, to protect survivors and help them heal, and to prevent further victimization and destruction of innocent lives.      This year marks nearly 20 years since our Nation took decisive steps in the global fight against human trafficking by enacting the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) and nearly 15 years since the United States ratified the United Nations' Palermo Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (Palermo Protocol).  Both the TVPA and the Palermo Protocol established a comprehensive framework for combating human trafficking by establishing prevention programs, creating victim protections, and advancing prosecutions under expanded criminal statutes to usher in the modern anti-trafficking movement domestically and globally.  These two measures illustrate a global consensus on the issue, and yet as a Nation we must continue to work proactively to foster a culture of justice and accountability for this horrific crime.      My Administration is committed to using every available resource, strengthening strategic partnerships, collaborating with State, local, and tribal entities, and by introducing innovative anti-trafficking strategies to bring the full force of the United States Government to help end this barbaric practice once and for all.  In January 2019, I was proud to sign both the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act and the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, reaffirming our commitment to preventing trafficking in all forms.      With my resolute support, executive departments and agencies are steadfastly continuing the battle to abolish this form of modern slavery.  In October 2019, the 19 members of my Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons convened to highlight significant accomplishments in our sustained, whole-of-Government fight against human trafficking.  The Anti-Trafficking Coordination Team (ACTeam) initiative, led by the Department of Justice, more than doubled convictions of human traffickers in ACTeam districts.  Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security initiated more than 800 investigations related to human trafficking and the Department of State launched its Human Trafficking Expert Consultant Network, comprised of survivors and other subject matter experts, to inform its anti-trafficking policies and programs.  The Department of Health and Human Services continues to provide funding for the National Human Trafficking Hotline, and in Fiscal Year 2018 it funded victim assistance programs that provided benefits and services to more than 2,400 victims.  For the first time, the Department of Transportation committed $5.4 million in grants to the prevention of human trafficking and other crimes that may occur on buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation.  The Office of Management and Budget also published new anti-trafficking guidance for Government procurement officials to more effectively combat human trafficking in Federal contracting.      The inherent dignity, freedom, and autonomy of every person must be respected and protected.  Despite the progress we have made and the momentum we have built toward ending human trafficking, there is still more to be done.  This month, we renew our resolve to redouble our efforts to deliver justice to all who contribute to the cruelty of human trafficking, and we will tenaciously pursue the promise of freedom for all victims of this terrible crime.      NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2020 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, culminating in the annual observation of National Freedom Day on February 1, 2020.  I call upon industry associations, law enforcement, private businesses, faith-based and other organizations of civil society, schools, families, and all Americans to recognize our vital roles in ending all forms of modern slavery and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities aimed at ending and preventing all forms of human trafficking.      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty‑first day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.                                 DONALD J. TRUMP

Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding the Signing of H.R. 777, The Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2019

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 30, 2019

Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding the Signing of H.R. 777, The Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2019 This legislation authorizes the Department of Justice to provide resources to State and local law enforcement to help make sure that criminals are brought to justice. We know that DNA is much more likely than fingerprints to result in the identification of a criminal, yet thousands of rape kits currently sit untested in labs and on police storage shelves across the Nation. The Debbie Smith Act originally became law to provide local and State crime laboratories the resources to end the backlog of untested DNA evidence from unsolved crimes. President Donald J. Trump is proud to have worked with Congress, especially with Congresswoman Wagner and Senators Cornyn and Grassley, to achieve this bipartisan reauthorization.

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 30, 2019

Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding the Signing of S. 151, the Pallone-Thune TRACED Act   This historic legislation will provide American consumers with even greater protection against annoying unsolicited robocalls. American families deserve control over their communications, and this legislation will update our laws and regulations to stiffen penalties, increase transparency, and enhance government collaboration to stop unwanted solicitation. President Donald J. Trump is proud to have worked with Congress to get this bipartisan legislation to his desk, and even prouder to sign it into law today.

Bill Announcements

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 30, 2019 On Monday, December 30, 2019, the President signed into law: H.R. 150, the "Grant Reporting Efficiency and Agreements Transparency Act of 2019 or the GREAT Act," which requires the Office of Management and Budget, jointly with the executive department that administers the most programs issuing Federal awards each year, to establish government-wide data standards for information reported by grant recipients and issue guidance directing Federal agencies to apply those standards; H.R. 777, the "Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2019," which authorizes appropriations to the Department of Justice for each of Fiscal Years 2019-2024 in the amount of $151 million for the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program; $12.5 million for DNA training and education programs; and $30 million for the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Grant Program; and S. 151, the "Pallone-Thune Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act" or the "Pallone-Thune TRACED Act," which authorizes the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to issue additional civil penalties on individuals who intentionally violate restrictions on the use of automated telephone equipment (i.e., illegal robocalls and spoofing); and directs the FCC to require voice service providers to offer call authentication technologies to consumers.

1600 Daily The White House • December 30, 2019 TOP 10: President Trump’s biggest accomplishments of 2019!

The White House • December 30, 2019 TOP 10: President Trump’s biggest accomplishments of 2019! Americans saw plenty of Washington at its worst this year, with one party in Congress obsessed with a partisan impeachment stunt and obstructing progress at every turn. But despite getting no help from the far left, America today is soaring to new heights. It’s tough to pick only 10 accomplishments from such an extraordinary year, but here are just a few of the biggest things President Donald J. Trump has gotten done for the American people in 2019: The Trump Boom is going strong. The unemployment rate recently hit its lowest mark in 50 years. All told, since President Trump’s election, our economy has added more than 7 million jobs—over half a million in manufacturing alone. The stock market keeps breaking records: The Dow Jones and S&P 500 hit record closes again on Friday.  The working class is thriving, as are previously forgotten communities. Wages are now rising the fastest for low-income workers, and poverty rates for African Americans and Hispanic Americans have reached all-time lows. Accountable government is back. Since taking office, President Trump has rolled back nearly 8 regulations for every new one, saving American taxpayers more than $50 billion in the process—with bigger savings still to come. Better trade deals are putting America back in the driver’s seat. Congress approved President Trump’s USMCA this month—a huge win for U.S. workers, farmers, and manufacturers that will create 176,000 new jobs. Trade with China in particular is about to get a whole lot fairer. As part of a historic “phase 1” deal, Beijing has agreed to structural reforms in its trade practices and to make substantial purchases of American agricultural products. Securing the border is paying off and making our country safer. President Trump struck new agreements with Mexico and Central American countries this year to help stop the flood of illegal immigration. Thanks to this swift action, border apprehensions fell by more than 70 percent from May to November. On health care, President Trump is fighting to give our patients the best system on Earth. While Democrats try to take away choice, the President’s focus on affordability led to the largest year-over-year drop in drug prices ever recorded. American interests are taking center stage abroad. In just one example: After years of not paying their fair share, NATO Allies will have increased defense spending by $130 billion by the end of next year. Our great military took out the world's top terrorist in October. (Meet Conan, the hero dog who helped them do it!) Our troops are now getting the support they deserve. President Trump recently signed the National Defense Authorization Act for the 2020 fiscal year, which includes the biggest pay raise for our military in a decade. On behalf of President Trump and his entire Administration, have a blessed and wonderful New Year! WATCH: “Our best days are yet to come!”

The GoldFish Report No 421, Week 153 POTUS Report: Christmas at the White House and News

The GoldFish Report No. 421 YouTube Video Link

The GoldFish Report No. 421 BitChute Video Link


On The GoldFish Report No 421, Week 153 POTUS Report, Louisa announces a new style for POTUS reports and the New "Political Masterpiece Theater" with Jim Fetzer reporting on current world news and providing analysis of these events. In this POTUS report, Louisa reports on the White House Christmas in photos, the Presidents newest judicial appointments, EO's, and recent military strikes in Syria and Iraq, and much more. To receive our Reports you can subscribe to our BITCHUTE Channel at https://www.bitchute.com/profile/qrAL... and to become a Patron of The GoldFish Report you can go to our Patreon page at https://www.patreon.com/user?u=10007100 . You can also subscribe to our "NEW" YouTube channel at, and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO-A..., follow us on Twitter at @ReportGoldfish, www.thegoldfishreport.wordpress.com you can also follow us and like us on our 24/7 research news page at www.facebook.com/thegoldfishreport and to help support these and other programs please visit www.thegoldfishreport.com to make a donation. Thank you for your support and Thank you for viewing. Visit our NEW Vimeo on Demand to view our Educational Country Roads Reports at this link here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/thegoldfis... To View our NEW Educational Bullet Points Reports use this link here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/174952 For viewer support of The GoldFish Report's Project "The Road to the White House", Please donate at www.thegoldfishreport.com at out PayPal or become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/user?u=10007100. Jim Website page: jamesfetzer.org To View The GoldFish Report's POTUS Reports, you can visit our BitChute page or view the unlisted report on YouTube from our POTUS Report page on our website at www.thegoldfishreport.com Weblink to Moon Rock Books Here: http://moonrockbooks.com/ Jim Fetzer on Twitter: @JimFezer DISCLAIMER The following videos were created for educational purposes only. The content of this material strictly for research purposes, and readily available to the general public via the Internet. Viewing of the GoldFish Reports acknowledges that senders and recipients hereby agree to this disclaimer, thus releasing the source author from any and all personal liability. Also, individuals who alter or deviate from this source material, may be exposing themselves to the full extent of law. THE OPINIONS AND HYPOTHESES OF OUR GUESTS AND GUEST CO-HOSTS DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GOLDFISH REPORT POTUS UPDATE. AN OPINION AND HYPOTHESIS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITH NEWLY PRESENTED RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE. THE GOLDFISH REPORT POTUS REPORT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR INFORMATION THAT MAY BE UNKNOWINGLY INACCURATE, ALTHOUGH WE DO OUR BEST TO PRESENT FACTS, OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES OF WORLD EVENTS AND HOW THOSE MAKING THE DECISIONS MAY IMPACT OUR LIVES. VIEWER DISCERNMENT IS ADVISED. FAIR USE NOTICE: This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of criminal justice, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Copyright 2019 The GoldFish Report. All rights Reserved.

PRESS BRIEFING BY SECRETARY OF STATE MIKE POMPEO AND SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MARK ESPER Mar-a-Lago Palm Beach, Florida

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 29, 2019

PRESS BRIEFING BY SECRETARY OF STATE MIKE POMPEO AND SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MARK ESPER Mar-a-Lago Palm Beach, Florida   6:49 P.M. EST SECRETARY POMPEO:  Good evening.  Myself, with Secretary Esper, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Milley, came here to Florida today to brief the President on the activities that have taken place in the Middle East over the course of the last 72 hours. I will leave to Secretary Esper to talk about the military activity, but I want to put it in the context of our policy with respect to the Islamic Republic of Iran.  The attacks that took place against an Iraqi facility threatened American forces.  This has been going on now for weeks and weeks and weeks.  This wasn’t the first set of attacks against this particular Iraqi facility and others where there were American lives at risk. And today, what we did was take a decisive response that makes clear what President Trump has said for months and months and months, which is that we will not stand for the Islamic Republic of Iran to take actions that put American men and women in jeopardy. We will — we will always honor that commitment to take decisive action when that takes place, and we continue to demand that the Islamic Republic of Iran act in a way that is consistent with what I laid out, back in May of 2018, for what it is that we expect Iran to do so that it can rejoin the community of nations. And with that, I’ll turn it over to the Secretary of Defense. SECRETARY ESPER:  Thank you.  As we reported earlier today, the Department of Defense took offensive actions in defense of our personnel and interests in Iraq by launching F-15 Strike Eagles against five targets associated with Kata'ib Hezbollah, which is an Iranian-sponsored Shiite militia group.  The targets we attacked included three targets in Western Iraq and two targets in Eastern Syria that were either command and control facilities or weapons caches for Kata'ib Hezbollah. The strikes were successful.  The pilots and aircraft returned back to base safely.  I would add that, in our discussion today with the President, we discussed with him other options that are available.  And I would note also that we will take additional actions as necessary to ensure that we act in our own self-defense and we deter further bad behavior from militia groups or from Iran.  Thank you. END             6:51 P.M. EST

Executive Order on Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 26, 2019 EXECUTIVE ORDER - - - - - - - ADJUSTMENTS OF CERTAIN RATES OF PAY      By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:      Section 1.  Statutory Pay Systems.  The rates of basic pay or salaries of the statutory pay systems (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 5302(1)), as adjusted under 5 U.S.C. 5303 and section 748 of division C of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, are set forth on the schedules attached hereto and made a part hereof:      (a)  The General Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5332(a)) at Schedule 1;      (b)  The Foreign Service Schedule (22 U.S.C. 3963) at Schedule 2; and      (c)  The schedules for the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs (38 U.S.C. 7306, 7404; section 301(a) of Public Law 102–40) at Schedule 3.      Sec. 2.  Senior Executive Service.  The ranges of rates of basic pay for senior executives in the Senior Executive Service, as established pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 5382, are set forth on Schedule 4 attached hereto and made a part hereof.      Sec. 3.  Certain Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Salaries.  The rates of basic pay or salaries for the following offices and positions are set forth on the schedules attached hereto and made a part hereof:      (a)  The Executive Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5312–5318) at Schedule 5;      (b)  The Vice President (3 U.S.C. 104) and the Congress (2 U.S.C. 4501) at Schedule 6; and      (c)  Justices and judges (28 U.S.C. 5, 44(d), 135, 252, and 461(a)) at Schedule 7.      Sec. 4.  Uniformed Services.  The rates of monthly basic pay (37 U.S.C. 203(a)) for members of the uniformed services, as adjusted under 37 U.S.C. 1009, and the rate of monthly cadet or midshipman pay (37 U.S.C. 203(c)) are set forth on Schedule 8 attached hereto and made a part hereof.      Sec. 5.  Locality-Based Comparability Payments.      (a)  Pursuant to sections 5304 and 5304a of title 5, United States Code, and section 748 of division C of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, locality-based comparability payments shall be paid in accordance with Schedule 9 attached hereto and made a part hereof.      (b)  The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall take such actions as may be necessary to implement these payments and to publish appropriate notice of such payments in the Federal Register.      Sec. 6.  Administrative Law Judges.  Pursuant to section 5372 of title 5, United States Code, the rates of basic pay for administrative law judges are set forth on Schedule 10 attached hereto and made a part hereof.      Sec. 7.  Effective Dates.  Schedule 8 is effective January 1, 2020.  The other schedules contained herein are effective on the first day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2020.      Sec. 8.  Prior Order Superseded.  Executive Order 13866 of March 28, 2019, is superseded as of the effective dates specified in section 7 of this order.                               DONALD J. TRUMP   THE WHITE HOUSE,     December 26, 2019.

Presidential Proclamation to take Certain Actions Under the African Growth and Opportunity Act and for Other Purposes

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 26, 2019 TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS UNDER THE AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION        1.  In Proclamation 7350 of October 2, 2000, the President designated the Republic of Cameroon (Cameroon) as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country for purposes of section 506A(a)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (the "Trade Act"), as added by section 111(a) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (the "AGOA") (title I of Public Law 106-200, 114 Stat. 251, 257‑58 (19 U.S.C. 2466a(a)(1)).      2.  Section 506A(a)(3) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2466a(a)(3)) provides that the President shall terminate the designation of a country as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country for purposes of section 506A if he determines that the country is not making continual progress in meeting the requirements described in section 506A(a)(1) of the Trade Act.      3.  Pursuant to section 506A(a)(3) of the Trade Act, I have determined that Cameroon is not making continual progress in meeting the requirements described in section 506A(a)(1) of the Trade Act.  Accordingly, I have decided to terminate the designation of Cameroon as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country for purposes of section 506A of the Trade Act, effective January 1, 2020.      4.  I have determined that the Republic of Niger (Niger), the Central African Republic, and the Republic of The Gambia (The Gambia) have not established effective visa systems and related customs procedures meeting the requirements of section 113 of the AGOA (19 U.S.C. 3722), which are required in order for a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country to receive the preferential treatment provided for under section 112(a) of the AGOA (19 U.S.C. 3721(a)).  Therefore, Niger, the Central African Republic, and The Gambia are not eligible for the treatment provided for under section 112(a).      5.  Section 112(c) of the AGOA, as amended in section 6002 of the Africa Investment Incentive Act of 2006 (division D, title VI, Public Law 109-432, 120 Stat. 2922, 3190‑93 (19 U.S.C. 3721(c)), provides special rules for certain apparel articles imported from "lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries."      6.  I have determined that Guinea-Bissau and Niger satisfy the criterion for treatment as "lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries" under section 112(c) of the AGOA.      7.  On April 22, 1985, the United States and Israel entered into the Agreement on the Establishment of a Free Trade Area between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Israel (the "USIFTA"), which the Congress approved in section 3 of the United States–Israel Free Trade Area Implementation Act of 1985 (the "USIFTA Act") (Public Law 99-47, 99 Stat. 82 (19 U.S.C. 2112 note)).      8.  Section 4(b) of the USIFTA Act provides that, whenever the President determines that it is necessary to maintain the general level of reciprocal and mutually advantageous concessions with respect to Israel provided for by the USIFTA, the President may proclaim such withdrawal, suspension, modification, or continuance of any duty, or such continuance of existing duty-free or excise treatment, or such additional duties, as the President determines to be required or appropriate to carry out the USIFTA.      9.  In order to maintain the general level of reciprocal and mutually advantageous concessions with respect to agricultural trade with Israel, on July 27, 2004, the United States entered into an agreement with Israel concerning certain aspects of trade in agricultural products during the period January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2008 (the "2004 Agreement").      10.  In Proclamation 7826 of October 4, 2004, consistent with the 2004 Agreement, the President determined, pursuant to section 4(b) of the USIFTA Act, that, in order to maintain the general level of reciprocal and mutually advantageous concessions with respect to Israel provided for by the USIFTA, it was necessary to provide duty-free access into the United States through December 31, 2008, for specified quantities of certain agricultural products of Israel.      11.  Each year from 2008 through 2018, the United States and Israel entered into agreements to extend the period that the 2004 Agreement was in force for 1-year periods to allow additional time for the two governments to conclude an agreement to replace the 2004 Agreement.      12.  To carry out the extension agreements, the President in Proclamation 8334 of December 31, 2008; Proclamation 8467 of December 23, 2009; Proclamation 8618 of December 21, 2010; Proclamation 8770 of December 29, 2011; Proclamation 8921 of December 20, 2012; Proclamation 9072 of December 23, 2013; Proclamation 9223 of December 23, 2014; Proclamation 9383 of December 21, 2015; Proclamation 9555 of December 15, 2016; Proclamation 9687 of December 22, 2017; and Proclamation 9834 of December 21, 2018, modified the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (the "HTS") to provide duty-free access into the United States for specified quantities of certain agricultural products of Israel, each time for an additional 1‑year period.      13.  On December 4, 2019, the United States entered into an agreement with Israel to extend the period that the 2004 Agreement is in force through December 31, 2020, and to allow for further negotiations on an agreement to replace the 2004 Agreement.      14.  Pursuant to section 4(b) of the USIFTA Act, I have determined that it is necessary, in order to maintain the general level of reciprocal and mutually advantageous concessions with respect to Israel provided for by the USIFTA, to provide duty-free access into the United States through the close of December 31, 2020, for specified quantities of certain agricultural products of Israel, as provided in Annex I of this proclamation.      15.  On September 16, 2019, in accordance with section 103(a)(2) of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (the "Trade Priorities Act") (title I of Public Law 114-26, 129 Stat. 319, 333 (19 U.S.C. 4202(a)(2)), I notified the Congress that I intended to enter into an agreement regarding tariff barriers with Japan under section 103(a) of the Trade Priorities Act.  On October 7, 2019, the United States and Japan entered into the Trade Agreement between the United States and Japan.      16.  Section 103(a)(1) of the Trade Priorities Act authorizes the President to proclaim such modification of any existing duty as the President determines to be required or appropriate to carry out a trade agreement entered into under section 103(a).  The President generally may proclaim such modification provided that the modification does not reduce the rate of duty to a rate that is less than 50 percent of the date of such duty that applied on June 29, 2015; does not reduce the rate of duty below that applicable under the Uruguay Round Agreements or a successor agreement on any import-sensitive agricultural product; and does not increase the rate of duty above the rate of such duty that applied on June 29, 2015.      17.  Pursuant to section 103(a) of the Trade Priorities Act, I have determined that it is required and appropriate to modify existing duties with respect to certain goods to carry out the Trade Agreement between the United States and Japan.      18.  In Proclamation 6763 of December 23, 1994, the President established a tariff-rate quota for beef.  Section 404(d)(3) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (title IV of Public Law 103-465, 108 Stat. 4809, 4960 (19 U.S.C. 3601(d)(3)) authorizes the President to allocate the in-quota quantity of a tariff-rate quota for any agricultural product among supplying countries or customs areas and to modify any allocation as the President determines appropriate.  Pursuant to section 404(d)(3) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, I have determined that it is appropriate to modify the tariff-rate quota allocation for beef by providing that the tariff-rate quota allocation for Japan will become part of the total tariff-rate quota allocation for other countries or areas.      19.  Section 1206(a) of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (the "1988 Act") (title I of Public Law 100-418, 102 Stat. 1107, 1151 (19 U.S.C. 3006(a)) authorizes the President to proclaim modifications to the HTS based on the recommendations of the United States International Trade Commission (the "Commission") under section 1205 of the 1988 Act (19 U.S.C. 3005) if the President determines that the modifications are in conformity with United States obligations under the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (the "Convention") and do not run counter to the national economic interest of the United States.      20.  In Proclamation 9549 of December 1, 2016, pursuant to section 1206(a) of the 1988 Act, the President proclaimed modifications to the HTS to conform it to the Convention, to promote the uniform application of the Convention, to establish additional subordinate tariff categories, and to make technical and conforming changes to existing provisions.  These modifications to the HTS were set out in Annex I of Publication 4653 of the Commission, which was incorporated by reference into the proclamation.      21.  Proclamation 7746 of December 30, 2003, implemented the United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement (the "USCFTA") with respect to the United States and, pursuant to the United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (the "USCFTA Act") (Public Law 108-77, 117 Stat. 909 (19 U.S.C. 3805 note)), incorporated in the HTS the schedule of duty reductions and rules of origin necessary or appropriate to carry out the USCFTA.      22.  In order to ensure the continuation of such staged reductions in rates of duty for originating goods of Chile in tariff categories that were modified to reflect amendments to the Convention, Proclamation 9549 made modifications to the HTS that the President determined were necessary or appropriate to carry out the duty reductions proclaimed in Proclamation 7746.  The United States and Chile are parties to the Convention.      23.  Section 201 of the USCFTA Act authorizes the President to proclaim such modifications or continuation of any duty, such continuation of duty-free or excise treatment, or such additional duties, as the President determines to be necessary or appropriate to carry out or apply Articles 3.3, 3.7, 3.9, Article 3.20(8), (9), (10), and (11), and Annex 3.3 (including the schedule of United States duty reductions with respect to originating goods) of the USCFTA.      24.  I have determined that, pursuant to section 201 of the USCFTA Act and section 1206(a) of the 1988 Act, modifications to the HTS are necessary or appropriate to ensure the continuation of tariff and certain other treatment accorded to originating goods under tariff categories modified in Proclamation 9549 and to carry out the duty reductions proclaimed in Proclamation 7746.      25.  Section 604 of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2483) authorizes the President to embody in the HTS the substance of the relevant provisions of that Act, and of other acts affecting import treatment, and actions thereunder, including removal, modification, continuance, or imposition of any rate of duty or other import restriction.      NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, acting under the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including sections 506A(a)(1) and 506A(a)(3) of the Trade Act; sections 111(a) and 112(c) of the AGOA; section 6002 of the Africa Investment Incentive Act of 2006; section 4(b) of the USIFTA Act; section 103(a) of the Trade Priorities Act; section 404(d)(3) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act; section 1206(a) of the 1988 Act; section 201 of the USCFTA Act; and section 604 of the Trade Act, do proclaim that:      (1)  The designation of Cameroon as a beneficiary sub‑Saharan African country for purposes of section 506A of the Trade Act is terminated, effective January 1, 2020.      (2)  In order to reflect in the HTS that beginning January 1, 2020, Cameroon shall no longer be designated as a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country, general note 16(a) to the HTS is modified by deleting "Republic of Cameroon" from the list of beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries.  Note 7(a) to subchapter II and note 1 to subchapter XIX of chapter 98 of the HTS are modified to delete "Cameroon" from the list of beneficiary countries.  Further, note 2(d) to subchapter XIX of chapter 98 of the HTS is modified by deleting "Republic of Cameroon" from the list of lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries.      (3)  In order to provide the tariff treatment intended under sections 112(a) and 113 of the AGOA, note 1 to subchapter XIX of Chapter 98 of the HTS is modified by deleting "Niger", "Central African Republic", and "The Gambia" from the list of beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries.  Further, note 7(a) to subchapter II of chapter 98 of the HTS is modified by deleting "Niger" from the list of beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries.      (4)  For purposes of section 112(c) of the AGOA, Guinea-Bissau and Niger are lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries.      (5)  In order to provide for Guinea-Bissau and Niger the tariff treatment intended under section 112(c) of the AGOA, note 2(d) to subchapter XIX of chapter 98 of the HTS is modified by inserting in alphabetical sequence in the list of lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries "Guinea-Bissau" and "Niger".      (6)  The modifications to the HTS set forth in paragraphs (1) through (5) of this proclamation shall be effective with respect to articles that are entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after January 1, 2020.      (7)  In order to implement United States tariff commitments under the 2004 Agreement through December 31, 2020, the HTS is modified as provided in Annex I of this proclamation.      (8)  The modifications to the HTS set forth in Annex I of this proclamation shall be effective with respect to eligible agricultural products of Israel that are entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after January 1, 2020.       (9)  The provisions of subchapter VIII of chapter 99 of the HTS, as modified by Annex I of this proclamation, shall continue in effect through December 31, 2020.      (10)  In order to modify tariffs on certain goods to carry out the Trade Agreement between the United States and Japan, the HTS is modified as set forth in Annex II of this proclamation.      (11)  The modifications to the HTS set forth in Annex II of this proclamation shall be effective with respect to originating goods, as defined in the Trade Agreement between the United States and Japan, effective on the dates specified in Annex II and on any subsequent dates set forth for such duty reductions in Annex II.      (12)  The Secretary of the Treasury shall use existing authority to issue any regulations necessary to implement the modifications made pursuant to paragraphs (10) and (11) of this proclamation.      (13)  Additional U.S. note 3 to chapter 2 of the HTS is modified as specified in Annex III of this proclamation.  The modifications to the HTS set forth in Annex III of this proclamation shall be effective with respect to goods that are entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after January 1, 2020.      (14)  In order to reflect in the HTS the modifications to the rules of origin under the USCFTA, general note 26 to the HTS is modified as provided in Annex IV of this proclamation.      (15)  The modifications to the HTS made by paragraph (14) of this proclamation shall enter into effect on April 1, 2020.      (16)  Any provisions of previous proclamations and Executive Orders that are inconsistent with the actions taken in this proclamation are superseded to the extent of such inconsistency.      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth. DONALD J. TRUMP

Presidential Message on Kwanzaa

Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 26, 2019

Presidential Message on Kwanzaa Melania and I send season’s greetings to those observing Kwanzaa both in the United States and around the world. For more than 50 years, this weeklong celebration has been used to honor the heritage and culture African Americans share around the country and worldwide.  Every aspect of American life has been enriched by the countless contributions of African Americans.  Kwanzaa is an opportunity to foster deeper cultural understanding and build stronger bonds of mutual respect and friendship between all Americans. We hope the light of the Kinara fills your homes with hope and joy, and we send our best wishes for a New Year filled with good health and much happiness. ###