Beltway Insider: Trump Exits G7, Russia/Ukraine, Israel/Iran, LA ICE, MN Suspect, NYC Primary

Details

Category: Beltway Insider

Published on Sunday, 22 June 2025 05:24

Written by Janet Walker

President Trump disrupted the G7 Summit, with an abrupt exit, citing the need to concentrate on the escalating Israeli and Iranian conflict, after introductory remarks supporting exiled Russian leader Vladimir Putin, which largely fell on deaf ears.

The President's job approval rating, according to The New York Times for the period ending June 21, 2025,  of those polled who approve of his effectiveness as President increased by 1% to 45% and those who disapprove of his effectiveness as president increased by 1% to 53%. A slight 3% of the population polled have no opinion. Ratings are calculated weekly.

Beltway Insider: Trump/Military, No Kings Protest, LA Immigration, Padilla, MN Lawmakers, Israel/Iran, Air India Crash

Trump G7 Performance Supports Putin

President Trump arrived at the G7 Summit, hosted this cycle in Canada and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and announced to the group of seven foreign leaders, that suspending Russian President Vladimir Putin, in 2014, for the illegal annexation of Ukraine's Crimea, was a wrong decision.

"And with that, Mr. Trump's troubled history with the alliance repeated itself. When he attended the summit the last time it was held in Canada, in 2018, he called for Russia to be readmitted to the alliance. The suggestion angered and appalled allies, setting off a rift before Mr. Trump left the summit early, telling reporters on his way out: "They should let Russia come back in. Because we should have Russia at the negotiating table," reported The New York Times.

With his usual crowd of yes-men not in attendance, Trump's remarks largely fell on deaf ears, as Trump presented a brief history lesson to the media, explaining the G7 was once the G8, and former President Barack Obama and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, had him expelled from the summit. Trump failed to mentioned the suspension was due to Putin's violation of territorial sovereignty, and seen as a sanction, and as Putin, throughout the years has failed to reconcile his actions, the sanctions have stayed in place. 

The current group of G7 leaders are committed to enforcing the sanctions of Russian expulsion, until Putin exits Crimea. As the leaders failed to see the wisdom in Trump's argument, the president decided to leave the summit early.

Trump sees Mr. Putin as an asset to the summit, as someone who can make a considerable contribution to the global landscape, unfortunately this depiction is only seen by Mr. Trump, as the other leaders, and heads of state on the European continent, and those who are closer to the possibility of Mr. Putin turning aggressive see him as someone who would commit a myriad of crimes, including blocking Ukraine trade shipments to EU nations to cause grain and food shortages, eco-terrorism, and squeezing the EU through the oil imports.

Pavel K. Baev , a research professor at The Peace Research Institute (Oslo) said, "Trump's threat to impose 50 percent tariffs on imports from the European Union is interpreted not only as a driver of probable recession in key European economies, but also as an impediment for a collective decision in the G7 (Group of Seven) format on lowering the price ceiling on Russian oil export from $60 to $45 per barrel (Interfax, May 23; ProFinance.ru, May 24)."

During the time Trump was present, the leaders did agree that ending the war in Ukraine was paramount and Putin must agree to an unconditional ceasefire, as Ukraine already has. 

Russia Aggression Intensifies

Russian President Vladimir Putin may not have been invited to the G7 Summit, but he certainly left his mark, by amplifying his attacks on Kiev, pummeling the capital city and surrounding community with airstrikes for nearly 12 hours.

As Mr. Trump is moving away from munitions support of Ukraine, and has recently transferred anti-drone munitions, which are essentially tiny rockets, destined for Ukraine to the Middle East. As Russian bombarded Kiev, these anti-drone missiles, are critical to intercept the drones before the hit.

There are no new peace talks scheduled.

World News: Trump Fails to Move Russia and Ukraine Toward Peace

G7 Statement on Middle East Escalation

The G7 also issued a Chairman's summary on the evolving and escalating situation in the Middle East stating, "Leaders discussed the importance of unhindered humanitarian aid to Gaza, the release of all hostages and an immediate and permanent ceasefire. Leaders also talked about the need for a negotiated political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that achieves lasting peace. Leaders affirmed Israel's right to defend itself and were clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon."

Israel Continues Retaliatory Strikes

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued his retaliatory war strategy as he ordered strikes on neighboring Iran, who has been a string supporter and provided funds to several terrorist organizations including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthi rebels.

As Hamas was behind the October 7, 2023 Massacre, Mr. Netanyahu has remain resolved to dismantle the terror organization. As he has found members of Hamas within the boundaries of Iran, he has increased his determination to destroy every remnant of the organization.

"Israeli warplanes struck and killed three Iranian commanders, Israel's defense ministry said Saturday, including the head of the force that supports the Palestinian group Hamas and other proxy militias around the Middle East," The New York Times reported.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated the campaign against Tehran will last as long as it takes to dismantle the Iranian threat against Israel.

Trump Enters Middle East Frey

While Iran has continue to bombard Israel with airstrikes, Mr. Trump had announced he will make a decision in the next two weeks on if the U.S. will enter the war with Israel and bomb the Fordow Nuclear facility in Iran.

Even as he announced no decision had yet been made, B-2s, military cargo planes large enough to carry the 30,000 pound bomb needed to penetrate the mountain where Fordow is housed, were tracked on flight tracker data over the pacific.

By the end of Saturday, June 21, 2025 "U.S. warplanes carried out strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran, calling the attack "successful" and saying the aircraft had departed Iranian airspace. The strikes targeted nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, Trump said in a post on Truth Social. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow," The Washington Post reported.

Military warships are also strengthening their position in the region as are tanker support which have been dispatched across Europe to move closer to the Middle East.

World News: United States, Israel, and Iran - An Unlikely Threesome

Trump Prevails in Federalizing California National Guard

President Trump prevailed in the U.S. Court of Appels for the Nineth District this week, as a three judge panel, upheld the presidential decision to federalize the California national guard and 600 U.S. Marines.

In a 38 page decision, the Judges, Mark J. Bennett, Eric D. Miller and Jennifer Sung, noted the unrest in Los Angeles was sufficient to supersede California Governor Gavin Newsom's petition to allow control of the National Guard to revert back to his control.

"Affording appropriate deference to the president's determination, we conclude that he likely acted within his authority in federalizing the National Guard," the court wrote, in an unsigned opinion on behalf of the entire panel," The New York Times reported.

LA Immigration Raids

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have continued to stage ICE raids throughout Los Angeles, home to the nation's largest undocumented population, with raids at three retailors.

To date, according to the ICE website a total of 161 foreign nationals were taken into custody in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas last week during a five-day enforcement operation,

Of those arrested, 151 had prior criminal convictions, or 94 percent of those arrested. The arrests included: a previously deported aggravated felon from Honduras with prior convictions for drug trafficking, spousal battery, and petty theft. Records show he was recently released by local authorities despite an ICE detainer; a Mexican national with a final order of removal with prior convictions for drug trafficking, a weapons violation, and spousal battery; an Australian national with a conviction for lewd and lascivious acts with a child.

LA Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers, who have enjoyed strong support from the local Latino community, refused to allow use of their parking facilities for ICE agents, and have pledged $1 million to help assist those affected by the unprecedented ICE raids.

"What's happening in Los Angeles has reverberated among thousands upon thousands of people, and we have heard the calls for us to take a leading role on behalf of those affected," Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten said in a statement announcing the pledge. "We believe that by committing resources and taking action, we will continue to support and uplift the communities of Greater Los Angeles," The Washington Post reported.

Coronavirus Total

At the order of the President of the United States, the U.S. no longer recognizes the value of The World Health Organization. The CDC has recommended every person from age six months, including senior citizens should receive at least one shot of an updated COVID-19 vaccine, annually.  The death toll from Covid-19 has dramatically decreased, as has transmission of the virus. Even as confirmed new cases continue each week, fewer are dying from the newer variants.

The newest variant, NB. 1.8.1 is making headlines and is tracking across the globe in an identical pattern as the original coronavirus with many cases already reported in China and Europe and will bring with it the same symptoms with one new addition, a 'razor blade' sore throat.  The majority of cases of NB. 1.8.1 are accompanied by a sore throat that has been reported as extreme and given the nickname 'razor blade' throat.

"According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NB.1.8.1 already represents about one-third of new Covid-19 cases as of June 7. This is a significant increase from just a month before, when the new variant represented just 5% of new Covid-19 cases," CNN reported.

For the 7 days ending June 21, 2025, the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases reported by the World Health Organization increased by 99,902 to 778,050,175. The total worldwide death toll increased by 285 to 7,096,935 deaths. The United States has stopped providing Covid data to the World Health Organization. (Data updated June 1, 2025, from the World Health Organization).

Minnesota Suspect Apprehended

Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was apprehended after a two day manhunt, following a shootout with Champlin, Minnesota police, after he was confronted leaving the home of former Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman, who along with her husband, has been assassinated.

Police arrived at the Hortman residence, in Brooklyn Park, for a wellness check, after a report of shots fired at the home of State Senator John Hoffman, which gravely injured both Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. They remain hospitalized in serious condition.

As Boelter, who was dressed in a police uniform, was exiting the Hoffman home, the police exchanged gunfire. He abandoned his vehicle at the scene which enabled authorities to determine his identity.

"Authorities believe that the shootings were deliberate and targeted. Officials have said they found in one of Boelter's cars a roster of dozens of names, including Democratic lawmakers and people who are supportive of abortion rights and other liberal causes," The Washington Post reported.

Medical Science: Medical Breakthroughs Using DNA Code Editing

New York City Primary

Early voting in The New York City primary has begun. And with 11 mayoral candidates in the mix, every vote is critical. New York City uses ranked choice voting in the mayoral primary, essentially picked the candidate of your choice by rank, top choice is number one.

Sitting New York City Mayor Eric Adams is not on the ballot as he is running in the November general election as an independent and in New York City elections Independents are not permitted to vote in the primary.

The New York Daily News has ranked the top three candidates as Andrew Cuomo, City Councilwoman Adrienne Adams, and in the number three spot Brooklyn councilman and city comptroller, Brad Lander.

"The division in this year's race reflects clear fault lines in the Democratic Party between the centrist and progressive wings. In considering their choices for this month's primary, we urge voters to look more to the center than the left to keep the city on track," reported The New York Daily News.

For more information on President Donald Trump: Whitehouse.gov.

Sources: Various © Articles covered by Copyright protection.

Janet Walker is the publisher, founder, and sole owner of Haute-Lifestyle.com. A graduate of New York University, she has been covering international news through the Beltway Insider, a weekly review of the nation's top stories, for more than a decade.  A general beat writer/reporter and entertainment/film critic, she is also an accomplished news/investigative news/crime reporter and submitted for Pulitzer Prize consideration "Cops Conspire to Deep Six Sex Assaults" in the Breaking News Category and was persuaded to withdraw the submission. Ms. Walker has completed five screenplays, "The Six Sides of Truth," "The Assassins of Fifth Avenue," "The Wednesday Killer," "The Manhattan Project," and the sci-fi thriller "Project 13: The Last Day." She is completing the non-fiction narrative, "Unholy Alliances: A True Crime Story," which is expected to be released in early 2025. She is a member of the Los Angeles Press Club, the National Writers Union, and a former member of the International Federation of Journalists.