cnbc--2020-01-08--The world doesn't like Trump - but the US remains popular, Pew survey shows

President Donald Trump receives largely negative reviews from people surveyed around the world , according to a new report by the Pew Research Center , but views of the U.S. itself remain mostly favorable .
Across the 32 countries surveyed by the non-partisan Washington-based think tank , a median of 64 % said they do not `` have confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs , '' while just 29 % expressed confidence in the American leader .
Regions or countries antagonized by Trump 's flagship `` America First '' approach to trade or foreign policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the `` Global Attitudes Survey '' found .
The survey polled 36,923 people in 32 countries from May 18 to October 2 , 2019 , showed .
Anti-Trump sentiment is especially common in Western Europe where at least three-in-four people in Germany , Sweden , France , Spain and the Netherlands stating that they lack confidence in Trump .
In Mexico too , a country that Trump has previously disparaged , 89 % of those surveyed said they do not have confidence in him .
Pew said disapproval is strongest for Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imported goods from other countries ( 68 % ) , withdrawing from international climate change agreements ( 66 % ) and building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border ( 60 % ) .
Most also disapprove of Trump 's policies to allow fewer immigrants into the U.S. ( 55 % ) .
A median of 52 % also said they disapproved of the U.S. ' withdrawal from the nuclear weapons agreement with Iran , an event that took place in 2018 but one that precipitated the heightened tensions with the Islamic Republic that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's approach to North Korea is the only policy position tested that is viewed favorably on balance , with a median of 41 % saying they approve and 36 % disapproving .
Pew , which conducts regular public polls , said that in all nations where trends are available Trump receives lower ratings than his predecessor Barack Obama .

President Donald Trump receives largely negative reviews from people surveyed around the world, according to a new report by the Pew Research Center, but views of the U.S. itself remain mostly favorable.
Across the 32 countries surveyed by the non-partisan Washington-based think tank, a median of 64% said they do not "have confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs," while just 29% expressed confidence in the American leader.
Regions or countries antagonized by Trump's flagship "America First" approach to trade or foreign policy show a particular distrust of Trump, the "Global Attitudes Survey" found. The survey polled 36,923 people in 32 countries from May 18 to October 2, 2019, showed.
The anti-Trump sentiment is especially common in Western Europe, where at least three-in-four people in Germany, Sweden, France, Spain, and the Netherlands stating that they lack confidence in Trump. In Mexico too, a country that Trump has previously disparaged, 89% of those surveyed said they do not have confidence in him.
Pew said disapproval is strongest for Trump's policies of increasing tariffs or fees on imported goods from other countries (68%), withdrawing from international climate change agreements (66%) and building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border (60%). Most also disapprove of Trump's policies to allow fewer immigrants into the U.S. (55%).
A median of 52% also said they disapproved of the U.S.' withdrawal from the nuclear weapons agreement with Iran, an event that took place in 2018 but one that precipitated the heightened tensions with the Islamic Republic that have escalated in the last fortnight.
Trump's approach to North Korea is the only policy position tested that is viewed favorably on balance, with a median of 41% saying they approve and 36% disapproving.
Pew, which conducts regular public polls, said that in all nations where trends are available Trump receives lower ratings than his predecessor Barack Obama.


cnbc--2020-01-08--Iran supreme leader says missile attack was a 'slap on the face' for US but it was 'not enough'

Iranian ballistics missile attacks on two Iraqi military bases housing American troops early Wednesday was a `` slap on the face '' to the U.S. , Iran 's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a speech hours after the strikes .
But `` such military actions are not enough , '' Khamenei said on Twitter , suggesting further acts of revenge for the U.S. killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani .
Khamenei went on to describe the U.S. presence as a source of corruption in the Middle East and demanded that U.S. troops leave the region .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Israel and the `` arrogant system '' in an apparent reference to the West .
Washington and Tehran have not had formal diplomatic relations since 1980 .
Battle damage assessments of the overnight attack — which saw more than a dozen ballistic missiles hit Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq 's western Anbar province and a base in Erbil in the country 's north — are ongoing .
Iraq and the U.K. have announced no casualties from their countries , while the U.S. has not yet made a formal announcement .
Al-Asad airbase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the second-largest U.S. military airbase used in the country during the Iraq War .
The missile barrage followed three days of mourning over the U.S. assassination of Soleimani , longtime leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards ' elite extraterritorial Quds Force and the architect behind Iran 's expansion of influence and proxy networks around the Middle East .
The general , who was highly revered as a hero in Iran and a terrorist by the United States , was killed along with colleagues and the leader of Iraqi Shiite militia Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
Trump : 'All is well' Iran has vowed `` severe revenge '' on the U.S. as experts warn of Iranian-led attacks on U.S. military bases and energy facilities in the region , cyberattacks and potential attacks via Iran 's numerous proxies in Iraq , Lebanon , Yemen , Syria , Afghanistan and beyond .
The fact that Iran announced its direct responsibility for firing the barrage rather than operating through proxies surprised many regional analysts .
U.S. defense officials and the White House say Soleimani was planning an attack on American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not yet been seen by the public or members of Congress .
President Donald Trump 's relatively calm response to the attack , tweeting `` All is well ! ''
and `` So far , so good ! ''
suggested no U.S. casualties , but the president is slated to give a briefing on the events on Wednesday morning .
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif also took to Twitter to say that his country `` took and concluded proportionate measures '' against the killing of Soleimani and acted in `` self defense , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seek escalation or war , but will defend ourselves against any aggression . ''
Leaders from both countries have insisted they do not want war , but kinetic responses from both sides to each other 's escalatory moves are pushing the two adversaries dangerously close to all-out conflict .
Markets initially tumbled on news of the missile strikes but turned positive in U.S. trading Wednesday .
Soleimani 's killing came after Iraqi Shiite militia members backed by Tehran — believed to be at the general 's direction — stormed the U.S. Embassy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the embassy , one of the most heavily guarded in the world , followed U.S. airstrikes that killed 25 militia members from the Iraqi Shiite group Kataeb Hezbollah in retaliation for its rocket attacks on an Iraqi base in late December that killed a U.S. contractor .
The assassination marked the most dramatic escalation and a likely historic turning point amid simmering tensions between Washington and Tehran since the 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran .
Security experts have equated the significance of Soleimani 's death to that of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff or director of the CIA .
The last year was marked by increased geopolitical turbulence including multiple attacks on tankers and oil infrastructure blamed on Tehran , the Iranian downing of a U.S. drone , increasingly heavy U.S. sanctions laid down on the Islamic Republic and its rolling back of commitments to the Iranian nuclear deal , which the Trump administration abandoned in 2018 .

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei greets participants during a meeting in Tehran, Iran on January 08, 2020. Khamenei said on Wednesday that his country's attack was "a slap in the face of the U.S.," and said the military action is still "not enough." Iranian Supreme Leader Press Office | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
Iranian ballistics missile attacks on two Iraqi military bases housing American troops early Wednesday was a "slap on the face" to the U.S., Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a speech hours after the strikes. But "such military actions are not enough," Khamenei said on Twitter, suggesting further acts of revenge for the U.S. killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. Khamenei went on to describe the U.S. presence as a source of corruption in the Middle East and demanded that U.S. troops leave the region. He named Iran's enemies as the U.S., Israel and the "arrogant system" in an apparent reference to the West. Washington and Tehran have not had formal diplomatic relations since 1980. Tweet1 Battle damage assessments of the overnight attack — which saw more than a dozen ballistic missiles hit Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq's western Anbar province and a base in Erbil in the country's north — are ongoing. Iraq and the U.K. have announced no casualties from their countries, while the U.S. has not yet made a formal announcement. Al-Asad airbase also houses British forces, and was the second-largest U.S. military airbase used in the country during the Iraq War.
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The missile barrage followed three days of mourning over the U.S. assassination of Soleimani, longtime leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards' elite extraterritorial Quds Force and the architect behind Iran's expansion of influence and proxy networks around the Middle East. The general, who was highly revered as a hero in Iran and a terrorist by the United States, was killed along with colleagues and the leader of Iraqi Shiite militia Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis by drone strike at Baghdad airport early Friday.
Trump: 'All is well'
Iran has vowed "severe revenge" on the U.S. as experts warn of Iranian-led attacks on U.S. military bases and energy facilities in the region, cyberattacks and potential attacks via Iran's numerous proxies in Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan and beyond. The fact that Iran announced its direct responsibility for firing the barrage rather than operating through proxies surprised many regional analysts.
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cnbc--2020-01-08--Iran wants to show Trump it's 'not going to be easy to fight in a war,' defense analyst says

Iran 's attack on Iraqi bases hosting U.S. troops is aimed at showing `` they can basically reach out and do some damage , '' said Harry Kazianis , director of defense studies at the Center for the National Interest .
In retaliation over the targeted killing of a top Iranian military commander , Iran on Wednesday morning local time fired ballistic missiles at bases housing American forces in Iraq .
`` We have to keep in mind that the Iranians have over 2,000 ballistic missiles , '' said Kazianis , warning that Iran 's revenge should not be taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States were trying to stop a ballistic missile attack from the Iranians , from all of them , we could not , '' he added .
`` Even if we moved every ballistic missile defense platform we have in the world to the Middle East , we would not be able to stop the Iranians , '' he told CNBC 's `` Street Signs '' on Wednesday .
Kazianis said a full-frontal confrontation between Tehran and Washington could be `` quite bloody . ''
He added that Tehran can potentially `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only ( to ) U.S. bases but U.S. warships , all types of U.S. bases in the region . ''
Asked if the rising tension between the U.S. and Iran in recent weeks amounts to war , the defense expert said , `` I think right now , these are the prefaces of war .
I think the real question now is : What do the Trump administration do in response to this ? ''
There could be two possible moves from the Trump administration , Kazianis said .
For one , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launchers that fired these missiles , that would certainly be proportional . ''
The other possibility is to `` use this as an excuse to really go on a grand strategic military attack of Iran , '' he said .
`` That would take out all of Iran 's nuclear facilities — missile facilities , missile production facilities , major bases . ''
He added that he does n't think the U.S. is in a position to take the second option in the Middle East as it would take at least a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region ready .
`` By then , Iran would have been able to launch a preemptive strike , '' Kazianis said .
He said his biggest worry now is that there are no signs of deescalation or an atmosphere for diplomacy .
Former U.S. ambassador to Oman , Richard Schmierer , told CNBC on Wednesday that the latest Iranian attacks `` might be the opportunity — in the absence of casualties — for the two sides to now say : 'okay we have each done something , we can stand down . '
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ strike directly , instead of through its proxies , is because `` the Iranians , I think , want to show the world — and they want to show President Trump specifically — that they are no military lightweight . ''
`` The Iranians have been building ballistic missile technologies for years .
In fact , I would argue that the Iranians are a ballistic missile superpower , '' he said .
He added that Iran has developed a set of capabilities that could even be `` very hard '' for a military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I think they wanted to do this , they wanted to do this publicly .
And they wanted to demonstrate to the United States , and to President ( Donald ) Trump that they are not going to be easy to fight in a war , '' Kazianis said .

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Iran's attack on Iraqi bases hosting U.S. troops is aimed at showing "they can basically reach out and do some damage," said Harry Kazianis, director of defense studies at the Center for the National Interest. In retaliation over the targeted killing of a top Iranian military commander, Iran on Wednesday morning local time fired ballistic missiles at bases housing American forces in Iraq. "We have to keep in mind that the Iranians have over 2,000 ballistic missiles," said Kazianis, warning that Iran's revenge should not be taken lightly. "In fact, if the United States were trying to stop a ballistic missile attack from the Iranians, from all of them, we could not," he added. "Even if we moved every ballistic missile defense platform we have in the world to the Middle East, we would not be able to stop the Iranians," he told CNBC's "Street Signs" on Wednesday. Kazianis said a full-frontal confrontation between Tehran and Washington could be "quite bloody." He added that Tehran can potentially "do a lot of damage, not only (to) U.S. bases but U.S. warships, all types of U.S. bases in the region."
Possible US responses
Asked if the rising tension between the U.S. and Iran in recent weeks amounts to war, the defense expert said, "I think right now, these are the prefaces of war. I think the real question now is: What do the Trump administration do in response to this?" There could be two possible moves from the Trump administration, Kazianis said.
The Iranians, I think, want to show the world — and they want to show President Trump specifically — that they are no military lightweight. Harry Kazianis director of defense studies, Center for the National Interest
For one, the Trump administration could attack the "actual launchers that fired these missiles, that would certainly be proportional." The other possibility is to "use this as an excuse to really go on a grand strategic military attack of Iran," he said. "That would take out all of Iran's nuclear facilities — missile facilities, missile production facilities, major bases." He added that he doesn't think the U.S. is in a position to take the second option in the Middle East as it would take at least a few weeks to get the forces in the region ready. "By then, Iran would have been able to launch a preemptive strike," Kazianis said. He said his biggest worry now is that there are no signs of deescalation or an atmosphere for diplomacy.
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Not everyone agrees. Former U.S. ambassador to Oman, Richard Schmierer, told CNBC on Wednesday that the latest Iranian attacks "might be the opportunity — in the absence of casualties — for the two sides to now say: 'okay we have each done something, we can stand down.'"
Iran's military power


cnbc--2020-01-08--Iran's attacks could be a chance to deescalate tensions, ex-diplomat says

There might be an opportunity for the U.S. and Iran to take tensions down a notch after the latest Iranian @ @ @ @ @ American troops , said a former U.S. ambassador on Wednesday .
`` It all depends @ @ @ @ @ have been the damage or any potential casualties , '' Richard Schmierer , U.S. ambassador @ @ @ @ @ 2012 , told CNBC 's `` Street Signs Asia . ''
`` And so this @ @ @ @ @ in the absence of casualties — for the two sides to now say : 'okay @ @ @ @ @ , we can stand down , ' '' said Schmierer , who is currently chairman @ @ @ @ @ at the Middle East Policy Council .
Early Wednesday morning local time , Iran fired @ @ @ @ @ missiles aimed at Iraqi bases hosting U.S. troops .
It came less than a week @ @ @ @ @ ordered an airstrike in Baghdad that killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani , who led @ @ @ @ @ the elite paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps .
Tehran had vowed to retaliate .

There might be an opportunity for the U.S. and Iran to take tensions down a notch after the latest Iranian strikes on Iraqi bases housing American troops, said a former U.S. ambassador on Wednesday.
"It all depends on what turns out to have been the damage or any potential casualties," Richard Schmierer, U.S. ambassador to Oman from 2009 to 2012, told CNBC's "Street Signs Asia."
"And so this might be the opportunity — in the absence of casualties — for the two sides to now say: 'okay we have each done something, we can stand down,'" said Schmierer, who is currently chairman of the board of directors at the Middle East Policy Council.
Early Wednesday morning local time, Iran fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles aimed at Iraqi bases hosting U.S. troops. It came less than a week after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered an airstrike in Baghdad that killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, who led the foreign operations wing of the elite paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Tehran had vowed to retaliate.


cnbc--2020-01-08--Iran response was 'too fast and too furious' and there's a 'real danger' it could get out of hand

The strike came less than a week after a U.S. airstrike — authorized by President Donald Trump — killed Soleimani , who led the Iranian Quds Force — the foreign operations wing of the elite paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps .
Iran fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles against multiple Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq early morning Wednesday local time , according to a statement by the U.S. Department of Defense .
The Pentagon added that it 's `` working on initial battle damage assessments . ''
`` But look , Iran has made its point ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Iranian retaliation .
I , for one , did not think it will come so fast and so furious but that 's what happened , '' said Alex Vatanka , senior fellow at the Middle East Institute , told CNBC 's `` Squawk Box Asia . ''
Tehran 's retaliation against the U.S. killing of Iranian top commander Qasem Soleimani has come `` too fast and too furious , '' and there 's now a `` real danger '' the situation could get out of hand , an expert on Middle East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a real danger this is going to get out of hand , '' Vatanka said .
`` It 's too early to say what the U.S. reaction likely will be , '' he said , adding that the number of casualties will be `` a big factor '' that determines America 's next move .
The expert explained that the move by Tehran showed that authorities `` decided to lash out to let Trump know that they can also hurt him '' and not be cornered by the president 's so-called maximum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pursuit of nuclear infrastructure and regional aggression .
`` The big question is what will President Trump do ?
Because so much of this is about his reelection , he 's going to have to make a decision fast whether a war with Iran and all the chaos that come with it in the Middle East is going to help him or help him be defeated in the November election coming up , '' said Vatanka .
The U.S. president responded in a tweet hours after the attack , `` All is well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military bases located in Iraq .
He said the U.S. was assessing casualties and damages .
`` So far , so good !
We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world , by far !
I will be making a statement tomorrow morning . ''
Trump had earlier threatened to hit 52 targets , including cultural sites , in Iran `` very hard '' the country retaliates for the killing of Soleimani — a pledge that Pentagon 's Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley appeared to @ @

The strike came less than a week after a U.S. airstrike — authorized by President Donald Trump — killed Soleimani, who led the Iranian Quds Force — the foreign operations wing of the elite paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.
Iran fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles against multiple Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq early morning Wednesday local time, according to a statement by the U.S. Department of Defense. The Pentagon added that it's "working on initial battle damage assessments."
"But look, Iran has made its point ... in many ways, we were expecting an Iranian retaliation. I, for one, did not think it will come so fast and so furious but that's what happened," said Alex Vatanka, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia."
Tehran's retaliation against the U.S. killing of Iranian top commander Qasem Soleimani has come "too fast and too furious," and there's now a "real danger" the situation could get out of hand, an expert on Middle East security affairs said Wednesday.
"There is a real danger this is going to get out of hand," Vatanka said.
"It's too early to say what the U.S. reaction likely will be," he said, adding that the number of casualties will be "a big factor" that determines America's next move.
The expert explained that the move by Tehran showed that authorities "decided to lash out to let Trump know that they can also hurt him" and not be cornered by the president's so-called maximum pressure campaign to rein in Iran's pursuit of nuclear infrastructure and regional aggression.
"The big question is what will President Trump do? Because so much of this is about his reelection, he's going to have to make a decision fast whether a war with Iran and all the chaos that come with it in the Middle East is going to help him or help him be defeated in the November election coming up," said Vatanka.
The U.S. president responded in a tweet hours after the attack, "All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. He said the U.S. was assessing casualties and damages. "So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning."
Trump had earlier threatened to hit 52 targets, including cultural sites, in Iran "very hard" the country retaliates for the killing of Soleimani — a pledge that Pentagon's Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley appeared to deny.


cnbc--2020-01-08--Trump responds to Iranian attacks: 'All is well!'

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump has responded to Tuesday night 's attack by Iran on US and coalition forces stationed @ @ @ @ @ `` All is well !
Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now .
So far , so @ @ @ @ @ most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world , by far !
I @ @ @ @ @ tomorrow morning . ''
Shortly after 5 p.m. on Tuesday , Iran launched more than @ @ @ @ @ U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq .
It was not immediately clear if any @ @ @ @ @ in the strikes .
The reassuring tone of Trump 's tweet marked an unexpected shift @ @ @ @ @ the president has used in recent days to characterize tensions with Iran , which escalated @ @ @ @ @ killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani .

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump has responded to Tuesday night's attack by Iran on US and coalition forces stationed at bases in Iraq.
"All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq," Trump tweeted. "Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning."
Shortly after 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq. It was not immediately clear if any U.S. service members were hurt in the strikes.
The reassuring tone of Trump's tweet marked an unexpected shift away from the harsh rhetoric the president has used in recent days to characterize tensions with Iran, which escalated following a U.S. strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.


cnbc--2020-01-08--Iran fires missiles at multiple bases housing US troops in Iraq

Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against two bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq , Pentagon officials said Tuesday night .
No casualties were immediately reported in the strikes .
The White House decided against a formal address to the nation Tuesday night .
U.S. stock futures plunged on Tuesday night following the news .
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures initially plunged and oil prices surged , but U.S. stocks were trading higher Wednesday morning and oil prices fell .
President Donald Trump responded to Tuesday night 's attacks on Twitter : `` All is well ! ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran at two military bases located in Iraq .
Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now .
So far , so good !
We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world , by far !
I will be making a statement tomorrow morning . ''
Following reports of the attacks , White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said Trump `` has been briefed and is monitoring the situation closely and consulting with his national security team . ''
Vice President Mike Pence , Secretary of Defense Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the White House on Tuesday night .
Trump previously visited one of the bases that came under attack on Tuesday .
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted after the attack that `` we do not seek escalation or war , but will defend ourselves against any aggression . ''
`` Iran took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of UN Charter targeting base from which cowardly armed attack against our citizens & senior officials were launched .
We do not seek escalation or war , but will defend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted .
Pence briefed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi by phone Tuesday evening , the speaker 's spokesman Drew Hammill said .
In a tweet , Pelosi said she was `` closely monitoring the situation . ''
`` We must ensure the safety of our servicemembers , including ending needless provocations from the Administration and demanding that Iran cease its violence .
America & world can not afford war , '' she said .
Former Vice President Joe Biden said he would hold off commenting on Tuesday 's attacks until he had more information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I are keeping our troops and Americans overseas in our prayers .
We hope you 'll keep them in yours . ''
Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Jonathan Hoffman released the following statement after the attacks : `` At approximately 5:30 p.m. ( EST ) on January 7 , Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq .
It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. military and coalition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are working on initial battle damage assessments . ''
Hours before the missile attacks , Esper said the U.S. was not seeking a war with Iran .
`` We are not looking to start a war with Iran , but we are prepared to finish one , '' Esper said , adding that Washington wants to see the situation de-escalate .
The missile strikes , launched from Iran , follows the U.S. killing of Iran 's top general , Qasem Soleimani last week .
Tensions in the Middle East rose following his death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response .
Saeed Jalili , secretary of Iran 's Supreme National Security Council , appeared to mock Trump by tweeting out a picture of the Iranian flag following Tuesday 's attacks .
Trump had tweeted out a photo of the U.S. flag after the attack on Soleimani .
Earlier in the day , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. `` got it right '' by killing Soleimani .
`` It was the right decision , '' he said .
`` The Department of Defense did excellent work .
And the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a basis as well as a decision that fit perfectly within our strategy in how to counter the threat of malign activity from Iran more broadly . ''
Trump has said Soleimani was planning a big attack .
He also told reporters in the Oval Office that a lot of lives were saved by killing Soleimani .
The U.S. , he said , is prepared for possible retaliation by Iran .
Trump tweeted Saturday that he had 52 potential targets , some of which are `` very important to Iran & the Iranian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the killing .
He wrote that if Iran strikes any `` Americans , or American assets , '' it `` WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD . ''
Trump has repeatedly said he wants to end ongoing U.S. wars in the region , but his critics warned killing Soleimani could lead to even more conflict and loss of life .
`` An attack by a large handful of ballistic missiles is a show of force and an expression of Iranian military strength , but also signals their weakness , '' Thomas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies , told CNBC .
`` Their growing and diversified missile arsenal poses a real threat , but the overall military balance is certainly not in their favor . ''

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Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against two bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq, Pentagon officials said Tuesday night. No casualties were immediately reported in the strikes. The White House decided against a formal address to the nation Tuesday night. U.S. stock futures plunged on Tuesday night following the news. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures initially plunged and oil prices surged, but U.S. stocks were trading higher Wednesday morning and oil prices fell. President Donald Trump responded to Tuesday night's attacks on Twitter: "All is well!" he said. "Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning." trump tweet Following reports of the attacks, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said Trump "has been briefed and is monitoring the situation closely and consulting with his national security team." Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Army Gen. Mark Milley were at the White House on Tuesday night. Trump previously visited one of the bases that came under attack on Tuesday.
Pieces of missiles are seen at the rural area of Al-Baghdadi town after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq on January 08, 2020. Al-Baghdadi township | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted after the attack that "we do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression." "Iran took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of UN Charter targeting base from which cowardly armed attack against our citizens & senior officials were launched. We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression," Zarif tweeted. Zarif tweet Pence briefed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi by phone Tuesday evening, the speaker's spokesman Drew Hammill said. In a tweet, Pelosi said she was "closely monitoring the situation." "We must ensure the safety of our servicemembers, including ending needless provocations from the Administration and demanding that Iran cease its violence. America & world cannot afford war," she said. Former Vice President Joe Biden said he would hold off commenting on Tuesday's attacks until he had more information, but added: "Jill and I are keeping our troops and Americans overseas in our prayers. We hope you'll keep them in yours." Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Jonathan Hoffman released the following statement after the attacks: "At approximately 5:30 p.m. (EST) on January 7, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq. It is clear that these missiles were launched from Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. military and coalition personnel at Al-Assad and Irbil. We are working on initial battle damage assessments." Hours before the missile attacks, Esper said the U.S. was not seeking a war with Iran. "We are not looking to start a war with Iran, but we are prepared to finish one," Esper said, adding that Washington wants to see the situation de-escalate.
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The missile strikes, launched from Iran, follows the U.S. killing of Iran's top general, Qasem Soleimani last week. Tensions in the Middle East rose following his death, and the U.S. braced for a response. Saeed Jalili, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, appeared to mock Trump by tweeting out a picture of the Iranian flag following Tuesday's attacks. Trump had tweeted out a photo of the U.S. flag after the attack on Soleimani. iran flag tweet Earlier in the day, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. "got it right" by killing Soleimani. "It was the right decision," he said. "The Department of Defense did excellent work. And the president had an entirely legal, appropriate and a basis as well as a decision that fit perfectly within our strategy in how to counter the threat of malign activity from Iran more broadly." Trump has said Soleimani was planning a big attack. He also told reporters in the Oval Office that a lot of lives were saved by killing Soleimani. The U.S., he said, is prepared for possible retaliation by Iran. Trump tweeted Saturday that he had 52 potential targets, some of which are "very important to Iran & the Iranian culture," if Tehran retaliated for the killing. He wrote that if Iran strikes any "Americans, or American assets," it "WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD." Trump has repeatedly said he wants to end ongoing U.S. wars in the region, but his critics warned killing Soleimani could lead to even more conflict and loss of life. "An attack by a large handful of ballistic missiles is a show of force and an expression of Iranian military strength, but also signals their weakness," Thomas Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told CNBC. "Their growing and diversified missile arsenal poses a real threat, but the overall military balance is certainly not in their favor."
Ain al-Asad air base in the western Anbar desert, Iraq, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019. Nasser Nasser | AP
Protracted tensions could also upend global energy markets, as Iran is one of the largest oil producers in the world. Tensions between Tehran and Washington have escalated following Trump's withdrawal from the landmark Iran nuclear deal brokered by the Obama administration. The 2015 nuclear agreement lifted sanctions that crippled Iran's economy and cut its oil exports roughly in half. In exchange for sanctions relief, Iran accepted limits on its nuclear program and allowed international inspectors into its facilities. On Sunday, Iran announced it would not abide by any limits established in the 2015 nuclear deal on the number of uranium enrichment centrifuges. Therefore, Iran would have no limit on its enrichment capacity, the level to which uranium could be enriched, or Iran's nuclear research and development. Iranian state-run broadcast said Tehran's steps could be reversed if Washington lifted its sanctions. Last May, Iran stopped complying with some commitments in the 2015 nuclear deal after Trump in 2018 unilaterally withdrew from the agreement. Trump also reintroduced sanctions on Tehran that had been previously lifted in accordance with the nuclear deal.
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cnbc--2020-01-08--Trump will address the nation at 11 am after Iranian attack on Iraqi bases housing US forces

President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media , as Mark Milley , chairman of the joint chiefs of staff , right , listens during a briefing with senior military leaders in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , on Monday , Oct. 7 , 2019 .
President Donald Trump is scheduled to address the nation Wednesday at 11 a.m .
ET , following attacks by Iran against U.S. military and coalition forces housed at two bases in Iraq .
Officials on Trump 's national security team , including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House in advance of the announcement .
Vice President Mike Pence will be present for Trump 's remarks .
Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles Tuesday evening at two military bases in Iraq that housed U.S. military and coalition forces .
At least a dozen missiles were fired from Iran , though it was not immediately clear if the attacks resulted in any casualties .
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly described the attacks as the beginning of their `` fierce revenge '' against the U.S. Days earlier , a U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gen. Qasem Soleimani , whom the Trump administration claims had planned attacks that were `` days '' away from execution .
In a speech following the attacks , Iran supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the barrage against the Iraqi bases a `` slap on the face '' to the U.S. Trump did not make a formal address on Tuesday night — but said in a tweet that `` all is well ! ''
`` Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq , '' Trump tweeted .
`` Assessment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So far , so good !
We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world , by far !
I will be making a statement tomorrow morning . ''
This is breaking news .
Please check back for updates .

President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media, as Mark Milley, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, right, listens during a briefing with senior military leaders in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Monday, Oct. 7, 2019.
President Donald Trump is scheduled to address the nation Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET, following attacks by Iran against U.S. military and coalition forces housed at two bases in Iraq.
Officials on Trump's national security team, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, were seen arriving at the White House in advance of the announcement.
Javers TWEET
Vice President Mike Pence will be present for Trump's remarks.
Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles Tuesday evening at two military bases in Iraq that housed U.S. military and coalition forces. At least a dozen missiles were fired from Iran, though it was not immediately clear if the attacks resulted in any casualties.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly described the attacks as the beginning of their "fierce revenge" against the U.S. Days earlier, a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad killed Iranian military leader Gen. Qasem Soleimani, whom the Trump administration claims had planned attacks that were "days" away from execution.
In a speech following the attacks, Iran supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the barrage against the Iraqi bases a "slap on the face" to the U.S.
Trump did not make a formal address on Tuesday night — but said in a tweet that "all is well!"
"Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq," Trump tweeted. "Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning."
This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.


cnbc--2020-01-07--The world doesn't like Trump — but the US remains popular, Pew survey shows

President Donald Trump receives largely negative reviews from people surveyed around the world , according to a new report by the Pew Research Center , but views of the U.S. itself remain mostly favorable .
Across the 32 countries surveyed by the non-partisan Washington-based think tank , a median of 64 % said they do not `` have confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs , '' while just 29 % expressed confidence in the American leader .
Regions or countries antagonized by Trump 's flagship `` America First '' approach to trade or foreign policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the `` Global Attitudes Survey '' found .
The survey polled 36,923 people in 32 countries from May 18 to October 2 , 2019 , showed .
The anti-trump sentiment is especially common in Western Europe , where at least three-in-four people in Germany , Sweden , France , Spain , and the Netherlands stating that they lack confidence in Trump .
In Mexico too , a country that Trump has previously disparaged , 89 % of those surveyed said they do not have confidence in him .
Pew said disapproval is strongest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or fees on imported goods from other countries ( 68 % ) , withdrawing from international climate change agreements ( 66 % ) and building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border ( 60 % ) .
Most also disapprove of Trump 's policies to allow fewer immigrants into the U.S. ( 55 % ) .
A median of 52 % also said they disapproved of the U.S. ' withdrawal from the nuclear weapons agreement with Iran , an event that took place in 2018 but one that precipitated the heightened tensions with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last fortnight .
Trump 's approach to North Korea is the only policy position tested that is viewed favorably on balance , with a median of 41 % saying they approve and 36 % disapproving .
Pew , which conducts regular public polls , said that in all nations where trends are available Trump receives lower ratings than his predecessor Barack Obama .


cnbc--2020-01-09--Trump says he is open to witnesses testifying at his impeachment trial in the Senate if Schiff, Bide

Trump says he is open to witnesses testifying at his impeachment trial in the Senate if Schiff, Biden are called

President Donald Trump announces proposed rollbacks to the National Environmental Policy Act regulations during an event in Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington , January 9 , 2020 .
Neither of the two whistleblowers has been officially identified by name , and neither of the two testified during the House investigation last fall .
The president said he also wanted `` the second whistleblower '' to testify , referring to a second official who sought legal protections in order to share concerns about Trump 's July 25 call with Ukraine 's president .
`` I 'm going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'd like to hear from the whistleblower , I 'd like to hear from shifty Schiff , I 'd like to hear from Hunter Biden and Joe Biden , '' Trump told reporters at a White House event .
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he would support witnesses testifying in his upcoming Senate impeachment trial , as long as it meant his legal team could summon House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probe that ended in Trump 's impeachment .
But nearly a dozen current and former diplomats and national security officials did testify , describing Trump 's central role in a monthslong effort to pressure Ukraine 's government into launching investigations into Trump 's political opponents .
Most notably , they said Trump wanted an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden 's son Hunter , who once served on the board of a Ukrainian energy company .
Trump also wanted Ukraine to investigate a debunked conspiracy theory that alleged Ukrainian interference in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served as evidence in an investigation that resulted in the House formally voting late last year to approve two separate articles of impeachment against Trump — one on the charge of abusing the powers of the presidency , and another on the charge of obstructing Congress .
Speaking on Thursday , Trump also said he would not object to his former national security advisor , John Bolton , testifying in a Senate trial .
But any testimony Bolton gave would be subject to limitations of executive privilege , Trump added .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testifying ] other than we have to protect , we have to be able to protect '' executive privilege , Trump said .
`` People ca n't go up and say whatever my thoughts are , whatever your thoughts are , about us , countries , views , you do n't want that to be out .
So we have to protect presidential privilege . ''
Bolton was present for many of the key moments in U.S.-Ukraine relations over the past year , and if witnesses were to be permitted at a Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top of any Democratic witness list .
On Monday , Bolton said publicly that if he were subpoenaed by the Senate , he would be willing to testify in an impeachment trial .
Bolton did not testify in the impeachment investigation last year , after his lawyer threatened to go to court to fight any subpoenas issued by House committees .
As of Thursday , the question of whether to call witnesses in a Senate trial remained a central sticking point between Republicans and Democrats in the runup to Trump 's impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D-N.Y. , has been insisting that new information that has come to light since December necessitates the calling of new fact witnesses to testify about it .

President Donald Trump announces proposed rollbacks to the National Environmental Policy Act regulations during an event in Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, January 9, 2020.
Neither of the two whistleblowers has been officially identified by name, and neither of the two testified during the House investigation last fall.
The president said he also wanted "the second whistleblower" to testify, referring to a second official who sought legal protections in order to share concerns about Trump's July 25 call with Ukraine's president.
"I'm going to leave it to the Senate, but I'd like to hear from the whistleblower, I'd like to hear from shifty Schiff, I'd like to hear from Hunter Biden and Joe Biden," Trump told reporters at a White House event.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he would support witnesses testifying in his upcoming Senate impeachment trial, as long as it meant his legal team could summon House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, and the anonymous whistleblower whose 2019 complaint sparked the probe that ended in Trump's impeachment.
But nearly a dozen current and former diplomats and national security officials did testify, describing Trump's central role in a monthslong effort to pressure Ukraine's government into launching investigations into Trump's political opponents.
Most notably, they said Trump wanted an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden's son Hunter, who once served on the board of a Ukrainian energy company. Trump also wanted Ukraine to investigate a debunked conspiracy theory that alleged Ukrainian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
The testimony served as evidence in an investigation that resulted in the House formally voting late last year to approve two separate articles of impeachment against Trump — one on the charge of abusing the powers of the presidency, and another on the charge of obstructing Congress.
Speaking on Thursday, Trump also said he would not object to his former national security advisor, John Bolton, testifying in a Senate trial. But any testimony Bolton gave would be subject to limitations of executive privilege, Trump added.
"I would have no problem [with Bolton testifying] other than we have to protect, we have to be able to protect" executive privilege, Trump said. "People can't go up and say whatever my thoughts are, whatever your thoughts are, about us, countries, views, you don't want that to be out. So we have to protect presidential privilege."
Bolton was present for many of the key moments in U.S.-Ukraine relations over the past year, and if witnesses were to be permitted at a Senate trial, Bolton would likely be at the top of any Democratic witness list.
On Monday, Bolton said publicly that if he were subpoenaed by the Senate, he would be willing to testify in an impeachment trial.
Bolton did not testify in the impeachment investigation last year, after his lawyer threatened to go to court to fight any subpoenas issued by House committees.
As of Thursday, the question of whether to call witnesses in a Senate trial remained a central sticking point between Republicans and Democrats in the runup to Trump's impeachment trial.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has been insisting that new information that has come to light since December necessitates the calling of new fact witnesses to testify about it.


cnbc--2020-01-09--Here's how far Iran's missiles can strike

WASHINGTON — Iran 's missile strikes this week on two Iraqi military bases and suspected role in the takedown of @ @ @ @ @ stand as examples of Tehran 's ballistic missile capability .
Iran , which boasts one @ @ @ @ @ diverse missile portfolios in the Middle East , uses its arsenal to project power throughout @ @ @ @ @ 's missile arsenal is their relative strength to reach out and touch or hold at @ @ @ @ @ Thomas Karako , director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Whether it 's North Korea or Iran or other regimes , they 've @ @ @ @ @ as a relatively cost-effective means to hold at risk targets in the region , '' @ @ @ @ @ Iran has yet to deploy a long-range missile capable of striking the United States .

WASHINGTON — Iran's missile strikes this week on two Iraqi military bases and suspected role in the takedown of a Ukraine-bound passenger jet, stand as examples of Tehran's ballistic missile capability.
Iran, which boasts one of the largest and most diverse missile portfolios in the Middle East, uses its arsenal to project power throughout the region.
"Iran's missile arsenal is their relative strength to reach out and touch or hold at risk various targets," Thomas Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told CNBC.
"Whether it's North Korea or Iran or other regimes, they've invested in their missile arsenal as a relatively cost-effective means to hold at risk targets in the region," he said, adding that Iran has yet to deploy a long-range missile capable of striking the United States.


cnbc--2020-01-10--Polls show a logjam at the top of the 2020 Democratic field in Iowa and New Hampshire

Democratic presidential hopeful former Vice President Joe Biden ( L ) and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders participate of the sixth @ @ @ @ @ 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by PBS NewsHour & Politico at Loyola Marymount University in @ @ @ @ @ December 19 , 2019 .
As 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls swarm early primary and caucus @ @ @ @ @ least four candidates have a real shot to claim the race 's first two prizes @ @ @ @ @ Iowa on Feb. 3 .
New Hampshire votes about a week later , followed by @ @ @ @ @ late February .
Iowa and New Hampshire , at least , appear unpredictable with just @ @ @ @ @ .
Polling averages in both states show Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , with an @ @ @ @ @ tie with former Vice President Joe Biden and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg , @ @ @ @ @ Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, sits not far behind the leaders in both contests .

Democratic presidential hopeful former Vice President Joe Biden (L) and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders participate of the sixth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by PBS NewsHour & Politico at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California on December 19, 2019.
As 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls swarm early primary and caucus states, polls suggest at least four candidates have a real shot to claim the race's first two prizes.
Nominating contests start in Iowa on Feb. 3. New Hampshire votes about a week later, followed by Nevada and South Carolina in late February.
Iowa and New Hampshire, at least, appear unpredictable with just under a month to go. Polling averages in both states show Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., with an edge but in a virtual tie with former Vice President Joe Biden and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, according to RealClearPolitics. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., sits not far behind the leaders in both contests.


cnbc--2020-01-09--New Sen. Kelly Loeffler will help oversee agency that regulates her husband's company

Sen. Kelly Loeffler , R-Ga. , arrives for a re-enactment of her swearing-in , Monday Jan. 6 , 2020 , on Capitol Hill in Washington .
After becoming a U.S. senator this week , Kelly Loeffler won assignment to a committee that oversees the agency in charge of regulating her husband 's business , setting the grounds for a potential conflict of interest .
Loeffler 's husband , Jeffrey Sprecher , is CEO of Intercontinental Exchange , which is regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and owns the New York Stock Exchange .
The Senate Agriculture Committee , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversees that agency .
ICE 's annual report says it 's `` subject to extensive regulation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission . ''
Loeffler , R-Ga. , and Sprecher married in 2004 , before the company went public in 2005 .
She had worked at ICE , leading the company 's investor relations and communications programs for 15 years before slipping into Bakkt , a crypto trading platform created by ICE , as CEO in 2018 .
Loeffler 's office did not respond to a request for comment from CNBC asking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican senator told The Wall Street Journal that she `` will recuse myself if needed on a case by case basis . ''
`` I have worked hard to comply with both the letter and the spirit of the Senate 's ethics rules and will continue to do so every day , '' she said .
`` I will recuse myself if needed on a case by case basis . ''
The committee did not respond to a request for comment from CNBC .
But Chairman Pat Roberts , R-Kan. , called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee , '' according to the Journal .
Loeffler was sworn in as a senator on Monday , succeeding Sen. Johnny Isakson , who retired on Dec 31 .
She was appointed by Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp in December in defiance of President Donald Trump , who had pressed Kemp to appoint Rep. Doug Collins to the seat .
Collins , the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee , was a full-throated defender of the president during the House impeachment process led by Democrats .
His appointment to the Senate could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that chamber .
Loeffler will serve in the role until a special election is held in November 2020 when she will have to win the vote .
Collins has not ruled out the possibility of running for the seat at that time .

Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., arrives for a re-enactment of her swearing-in, Monday Jan. 6, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
After becoming a U.S. senator this week, Kelly Loeffler won assignment to a committee that oversees the agency in charge of regulating her husband's business, setting the grounds for a potential conflict of interest.
Loeffler's husband, Jeffrey Sprecher, is CEO of Intercontinental Exchange , which is regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and which owns the New York Stock Exchange. The Senate Agriculture Committee, which Loeffler joined following her Senate confirmation, oversees the CFTC.
ICE's annual report notes that the company is "subject to extensive regulation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission."
Loeffler, R-Ga., and Sprecher married in 2004, before the company went public in 2005. She had worked at ICE, leading the company's investor relations and communications programs for 15 years before slipping into Bakkt, a crypto trading platform created by ICE, as CEO in 2018.
Loeffler's office did not respond to a request for comment from CNBC asking about a potential conflict of interest. But the Republican senator told The Wall Street Journal that "I will recuse myself if needed on a case by case basis."
"I have worked hard to comply with both the letter and the spirit of the Senate's ethics rules and will continue to do so every day," she said.
The committee did not respond to a request for comment from CNBC. But Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., called Loeffler "a welcome addition to the Committee," according to the Journal.
Loeffler was sworn in as a senator on Monday, succeeding Sen. Johnny Isakson, who retired on Dec 31. She was appointed by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp in December in defiance of President Donald Trump, who had pressed Kemp to appoint Rep. Doug Collins to the seat.
Collins, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, was a full-throated defender of the president during the House impeachment process led by Democrats. His appointment to the Senate could have aided Trump when proceedings move to that chamber.
Loeffler will serve in the role until a special election is held in November 2020 when she will have to win the vote. Collins has not ruled out the possibility of running for the seat at that time.


cnbc--2020-01-10--Trump says he could wait to finish China trade deal until after 2020 election

President Donald Trump delivers remarks on proposed changes to the National Environmental Policy Act , at the White House , Thursday , Jan. 9 , 2020 , in Washington .
President Donald Trump may not reach the second part of a trade pact with China until after the 2020 election , he said Thursday .
The president said his administration will start `` right away '' negotiating the next piece of an agreement after striking a so-called phase one deal .
But he said `` it 'll take a little time '' to finish an accord and suggested he could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in November .
`` I think I might want to wait to finish 'til after the election , because by doing that , I think we can actually make a little bit better deal , maybe a lot better deal , '' Trump told reporters at the White House .
The president and Chinese officials plan to sign a long-sought initial piece of a trade agreement on Jan. 15 .
The deal will involve some tariff relief , increased Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural goods and changes to intellectual property and technology rules @

President Donald Trump delivers remarks on proposed changes to the National Environmental Policy Act, at the White House, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, in Washington.
President Donald Trump may not reach the second part of a trade pact with China until after the 2020 election, he said Thursday.
The president said his administration will start "right away" negotiating the next piece of an agreement after striking a so-called phase one deal. But he said "it'll take a little time" to finish an accord and suggested he could have more leverage after his reelection bid in November.
"I think I might want to wait to finish 'til after the election, because by doing that, I think we can actually make a little bit better deal, maybe a lot better deal," Trump told reporters at the White House.
The president and Chinese officials plan to sign a long-sought initial piece of a trade agreement on Jan. 15. The deal will involve some tariff relief, increased Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural goods and changes to intellectual property and technology rules.


cnbc--2020-01-09--Iran missile shot down Ukraine-bound Boeing airliner, officials say

An Iranian surface-to-air missile brought down a passenger plane bound for Kyiv , Ukraine , shortly after takeoff from Tehran this week , killing all 176 people on board , Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday , citing new intelligence his country had and intelligence U.S. government officials shared earlier .
`` This may well have been unintentional , '' Trudeau told a news conference , urging the Iranian government to ensure a `` thorough investigation '' of the crash .
Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 crashed Wednesday morning , hours after Iran had launched missile attacks on bases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces , prompting that theory that U.S. and Canadian government officials backed up Thursday .
Sixty-three Canadians were among the victims in the crash of the flight , which lost contact with air traffic controllers five minutes after takeoff from Tehran on Wednesday morning , officials said .
Spy satellite imagery suggested the Ukraine-bound Boeing passenger airliner was shot down by an Iranian missile NBC News reported earlier Thursday .
Iranian officials had originally suggested that the Boeing 737-800 fell from the skies because of a technical problem .
`` The news will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families who are already grieving in the face of this unspeakable tragedy , '' Trudeau said .
`` We have intelligence from multiple sources , including our allies ' and our own intelligence '' that indicates the plane was shot down by an Iranian missile .
The reports came after President Donald Trump said he does not believe mechanical failure caused the crash .
'Need for a thorough investigation' Iran 's civil aviation authority , which did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC , said earlier Thursday that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 6:13 a.m. local time on Wednesday and lost communication with air traffic controllers five minutes later .
Under international law , the country in which the crash occurs leads the investigation , and because the plane was U.S.-made , federal investigators and Boeing , the plane 's manufacturer , would normally be involved .
Fraught relations between the U.S. and Iran could also complicate the U.S. government 's willingness to send personnel to the country .
An Iranian official told local news media on Wednesday that Iran did not plan to share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran 's aviation agency said it was conducting its investigation under international law and that it has `` provided all relevant countries with the necessary information since the accident . ''
Iran may send the recovered black boxes , which contain flight data and cockpit voice recordings , abroad for analysis .
Iranian aviation officials said black boxes that were recovered from the plane were damaged by fire in the crash .
Ali Abedzadeh , head of Iran 's aviation authority , said that Iran and Ukraine can download the data from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sharing the information with specialists in other nations .
`` This new information reinforces the need for a thorough investigation of this matter , '' Trudeau said .
`` It was flying in a pretty rough neighborhood , '' Trump said .
`` Someone could have made a mistake . ''
`` I have a feeling that — it 's just some very terrible , something very terrible happened , very devastating , '' Trump added .
Most of the passengers on the flight were from Iran and Canada .
Other passengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Newsweek noted that images that began circulating on Wednesday show what looked to be fragments of a Tor M-1 missile that were said to be found in a Tehran suburb .
Iran 's head of civil aviation dismissed such reports as `` illogical rumors . ''
Sen. Jim Inhofe , R-Okla. , said , `` It sounds pretty convincing that the plane that was shot down ... by Iranians . ''
Asked what the U.S. response should be if true , Inhofe paused and then said , `` I do n't want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now being made by the president . ''
`` I 'm quite sure I 'll be talking to him because we talk on a regular basis about things like that . ''
Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , said that if Iranian missiles had shot down the plane `` it would be an outrage . ''
`` What I would do if I were the president would be to reach out to the Canadian people and the prime minister and try to rally the world around the idea that we should n't accept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Graham said .
Abedzadeh said in a statement that eyewitnesses had reported that the Kyiv-bound plane was on fire immediately before the crash .
Aviation safety experts , including former government crash investigators , told CNBC that the sudden loss of communication and lack of a distress signal were highly suspicious signs .
The crash occurred hours after Iran launched retaliatory missile strikes on U.S. positions in Iraq for the killing of Gen. Qasem Soleimani .
The timing prompted speculation that a stray Iranian missile may have downed the passenger plane .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ take more than a year .

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An Iranian surface-to-air missile brought down a passenger plane bound for Kyiv, Ukraine, shortly after takeoff from Tehran this week, killing all 176 people on board, officials from the U.S., Canada and the U.K. said Thursday, citing new intelligence. "This may well have been unintentional," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a news conference, urging the Iranian government to ensure a "thorough investigation" of the crash. Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 crashed Wednesday morning, after Iran had launched missile attacks on bases in Iraq that house U.S. and coalition forces, prompting the theory that it was struck by a stray missile, a theory that U.S. and Canadian government officials on Thursday said was likely, based on new information. Sixty-three Canadians were among the victims in the crash of the flight, which lost contact with air traffic controllers five minutes after takeoff from Tehran on Wednesday morning, officials said. "The news will undoubtedly come as a shock to the families who are already grieving in the face of this unspeakable tragedy," Trudeau said. "We have intelligence from multiple sources, including our allies' and our own intelligence" that indicates the plane was shot down by an Iranian missile. The reports came after President Donald Trump said he did not believe mechanical failure caused the crash. "It was flying in a pretty rough neighborhood," Trump said. "Someone could have made a mistake." Spy satellite imagery suggested the Ukraine-bound Boeing passenger airliner was shot down by an Iranian missile NBC News reported earlier Thursday. Iran's head of civil aviation agency dismissed the missile reports as "illogical rumors." Iranian officials had originally suggested that the Boeing 737-800 crashed because of a technical problem.
'Need for a thorough investigation'
Iran's civil aviation authority, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment from CNBC, said earlier Thursday that the plane departed Tehran's Imam Khomeini airport at 6:13 a.m. local time on Wednesday and lost communication with air traffic controllers five minutes later. Under international law, the country in which the crash occurs controls the investigation, and because the plane was U.S.-made, federal investigators and Boeing, the plane's manufacturer, would normally be involved. Fraught relations between the U.S. and Iran could also complicate the U.S. government's willingness to send personnel to the country. The National Transportation Safety Board on Thursday evening said it appointed a designee for the process, but it wasn't immediately clear when the person or team would be able to travel. Some airlines in Europe called off flights to Iran in the wake of the crash. tweet An Iranian official told local news media on Wednesday that Iran did not plan to share the black boxes with the U.S but Iran's aviation agency said it was conducting its investigation under international law and that it has "provided all relevant countries with the necessary information since the accident." Iran may send the recovered black boxes, which contain flight data and cockpit voice recordings, abroad for analysis. Iranian aviation officials said the boxes that were recovered from the crash site were damaged by fire. Ali Abedzadeh, head of Iran's aviation authority, said that Iran and Ukraine can download the data from the black boxes but that it was open to sharing the information with specialists in other nations. "This new information reinforces the need for a thorough investigation of this matter," Trudeau said.
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"I have a feeling that — it's just some very terrible, something very terrible happened, very devastating," Trump added. Most of the passengers on the flight were from Iran and Canada. Other passengers came from countries including Sweden and Ukraine. Newsweek noted that images that began circulating on Wednesday show what looked to be fragments of a Tor M-1 missile that were said to be found in a Tehran suburb. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., said, "It sounds pretty convincing that the plane that was shot down ... by Iranians." Asked what the U.S. response should be if true, Inhofe paused and then said, "I don't want to interfere with the decisions that are now being made by the president." "I'm quite sure I'll be talking to him because we talk on a regular basis about things like that."
Aircraft parts from the wreckage of a Boeing Co. 737-800 aircraft, operated by Ukraine International Airlines, which crashed shortly after takeoff lie on the ground near Shahedshahr, Iran, on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020. Ali Mohammadi/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said that if Iranian missiles had shot down the plane "it would be an outrage." "What I would do if I were the president would be to reach out to the Canadian people and the prime minister and try to rally the world around the idea that we shouldn't accept 40 more years of state-sponsored terrorism," Graham said. Abedzadeh said in a statement that eyewitnesses had reported that the Kyiv-bound plane was on fire immediately before the crash. Aviation safety experts, including former government crash investigators, told CNBC that the sudden loss of communication and lack of a distress signal were highly suspicious signs. The crash occurred hours after Iran launched retaliatory missile strikes on U.S. positions in Iraq for the killing of Gen. Qasem Soleimani. The timing prompted speculation that a stray Iranian missile may have downed the passenger plane. Determining the cause of plane crashes can take more than a year.
Rescue workers recover bodies from the wreckage of a Boeing Co. 737-800 aircraft, operated by Ukraine International Airlines, which crashed shortly after takeoff near Shahedshahr, Iran, on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020. Ali Mohammadi | Bloomberg | Getty Images


cnbc--2020-01-09--No, you're not being drafted to Iran, US Army says after spoof messages scare Americans

This handout picture released by the US Army shows U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to the 2nd Battalion , 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment , 1st Brigade Combat Team , 82nd Airborne Division , deploy from Pope Army Airfield , North Carolina on January 1 , 2020 .
Fake news had a field day amid last week 's dramatic escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions , even managing to convince several Americans that the U.S. was reinstating the draft for an impending war with Iran .
`` United States Official Army Draft , we tried contacting you through the mail several times and have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messages read , which were sent out in the days after the U.S. launched a drone strike in Baghdad that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani .
`` You 've been marked eligible and must come to the nearest recruitment branch in Jacksonville , Florida for immediate departure to Iran . ''
`` We 're aware that this number is not disconnected , you 'll be fined and sent to jail for minimum 6 years if no reply , '' the text concluded .
The message was signed off `` U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to which the recipient is directed to report .
It 's not known how many people received messages , but it was apparently enough that the U.S. Army had to make an official statement after recruiting offices in the U.S. were hit with a barrage of panicked phone calls .
`` U.S. Army Recruiting Command has received multiple calls and emails about these fake text messages and wants to ensure Americans understand these texts are false and were not initiated by this command or the U.S. Army , '' a statement on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ version of the message that was circulated read : `` You 've been marked eligible and must come to the nearest branch in New Jersey Area for immediate departure to Iran . ''
The U.S. disbanded the draft in 1973 , and the country 's military — the third-largest in the world after China and India with just over 1.2 million active personnel — has been an all-volunteer force since .
The demographic of who the messages were sent to appears random — from adults to kids as young as 14 , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who spoke to NPR .
The Army statement added , `` Registering for the Selective Service does not enlist a person into the military .
Army recruiting operations are proceeding as normal . ''
Heavy online traffic brought down parts of the Selective Services System website on Jan. 3 and it posted a notice on its website that read , `` Due to the spread of misinformation , our website is experiencing high volumes of traffic at this time .
If you are registering or attempting to verify registration , please check back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolve this issue . ''
The Selective Service System ( SSS ) is an independent U.S. government agency that holds information on Americans eligible for conscription , and all males between the ages of 18 to 26 are required by law to register their information with it .
Because the draft is no longer in place , its relevance is minimal , and compliance is patchy .
Fears of greater conflict in the Middle East shook global markets after the Trump administration 's Jan. 3 strike on Soleimani , who had headed Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Force and led Iranian expansion through proxy forces around the region .
`` WW3 '' was trending on Twitter .
Trump has since announced that Iran `` appears to be standing down '' after an Iranian retaliatory strike resulted in no casualties , but Iran 's Revolutionary Guards are publicly threatening further revenge .

This handout picture released by the US Army shows U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, deploy from Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina on January 1, 2020.
Fake news had a field day amid last week's dramatic escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions, even managing to convince several Americans that the U.S. was reinstating the draft for an impending war with Iran.
"United States Official Army Draft, we tried contacting you through the mail several times and have had no response," the text messages read, which were sent out in the days after the U.S. launched a drone strike in Baghdad that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
"You've been marked eligible and must come to the nearest recruitment branch in Jacksonville, Florida for immediate departure to Iran."
Tweet1
"We're aware that this number is not disconnected, you'll be fined and sent to jail for minimum 6 years if no reply," the text concluded.
The message was signed off "U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion" and offers a name and location to which the recipient is directed to report.
It's not known how many people received messages, but it was apparently enough that the U.S. Army had to make an official statement after recruiting offices in the U.S. were hit with a barrage of panicked phone calls.
"U.S. Army Recruiting Command has received multiple calls and emails about these fake text messages and wants to ensure Americans understand these texts are false and were not initiated by this command or the U.S. Army," a statement on the Army's website read.
A similar version of the message that was circulated read: "You've been marked eligible and must come to the nearest branch in New Jersey Area for immediate departure to Iran."
The U.S. disbanded the draft in 1973, and the country's military — the third-largest in the world after China and India with just over 1.2 million active personnel — has been an all-volunteer force since.
The demographic of who the messages were sent to appears random — from adults to kids as young as 14, according U.S. Army Recruiting Command media relations chief who spoke to NPR.
The Army statement added, "Registering for the Selective Service does not enlist a person into the military. Army recruiting operations are proceeding as normal."
Heavy online traffic brought down parts of the Selective Services System website on Jan. 3 and it posted a notice on its website that read, "Due to the spread of misinformation, our website is experiencing high volumes of traffic at this time. If you are registering or attempting to verify registration, please check back later today as we are working to resolve this issue."
The Selective Service System (SSS) is an independent U.S. government agency that holds information on Americans eligible for conscription, and all males between the ages of 18 to 26 are required by law to register their information with it. Because the draft is no longer in place, its relevance is minimal, and compliance is patchy.
Fears of greater conflict in the Middle East shook global markets after the Trump administration's Jan. 3 strike on Soleimani, who had headed Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps' elite Quds Force and led Iranian expansion through proxy forces around the region. "WW3" was trending on Twitter. Trump has since announced that Iran "appears to be standing down" after an Iranian retaliatory strike resulted in no casualties, but Iran's Revolutionary Guards are publicly threatening further revenge.


cnbc--2020-01-09--Pelosi stands firm on Trump impeachment articles: 'I'll send them over when I'm ready'

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , meets with reporters following escalation of tensions this week between the U.S. and Iran , Thursday , Jan. 9 , 2020 , on Capitol Hill in Washington .
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday she will not rush to deliver two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate .
`` I 'll send them over when I 'm ready .
That may be soon , '' Pelosi told reporters , revealing no signs that she planned to end her 3-week-long effort to negotiate with the Republican-controlled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment trial .
Pelosi , D-Calif. , faces mounting pressure not only from Republicans , but increasingly from fellow Democrats , to deliver the articles , which would then permit the Senate to begin preparations for a trial .
`` I 'm not withholding them indefinitely , '' Pelosi said .
Pelosi 's decision to delay sending the articles is part of a strategy aimed at forcing concessions out of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , chief among them , the ability to call witnesses .
McConnell has so far said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until partway into the trial itself , as was the case in the 1998 impeachment of former President Bill Clinton .
`` We want to see what they 're willing to do , and the manner in which they will do it , '' Pelosi said Thursday .
`` But we will not let them say , 'This is just like Clinton , fair is fair . '
It is not . ''
The House voted on Dec. 18 to impeach Trump on two articles stemming from his monthslong campaign to pressure Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other domestic political opponents .
The pressure tactics allegedly included withholding congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia .
Trump was impeached on charges that he abused the power of the presidency and obstructed Congress by prohibiting top administration officials from testifying about the Ukraine scheme .
Following the articles ' passage , Pelosi said she planned to hold them until McConnell assured her he would conduct what Democrats called `` a fair process . ''
Democrats have insisted that any trial of the president include testimony from witnesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far shown no interest .
But the effort has so far failed to produce results , and the Senate leader said this week he would move forward on Trump 's impeachment trial without any Democratic support .
It 's considered highly unlikely that two-thirds of the GOP-controlled Senate will vote to convict and remove Trump from office .
No Senate Republicans have said they support impeaching Trump .

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., meets with reporters following escalation of tensions this week between the U.S. and Iran, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday she will not rush to deliver two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate.
"I'll send them over when I'm ready. That may be soon," Pelosi told reporters, revealing no signs that she planned to end her 3-week-long effort to negotiate with the Republican-controlled chamber over the rules of Trump's impeachment trial.
Pelosi, D-Calif., faces mounting pressure not only from Republicans, but increasingly from fellow Democrats, to deliver the articles, which would then permit the Senate to begin preparations for a trial.
"I'm not withholding them indefinitely," Pelosi said.
Pelosi's decision to delay sending the articles is part of a strategy aimed at forcing concessions out of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., chief among them, the ability to call witnesses.
McConnell has so far said the question of witnesses should be shelved until partway into the trial itself, as was the case in the 1998 impeachment of former President Bill Clinton.
"We want to see what they're willing to do, and the manner in which they will do it," Pelosi said Thursday. "But we will not let them say, 'This is just like Clinton, fair is fair.' It is not."
The House voted on Dec. 18 to impeach Trump on two articles stemming from his monthslong campaign to pressure Ukraine into launching investigations into Joe Biden and other domestic political opponents. The pressure tactics allegedly included withholding congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Trump was impeached on charges that he abused the power of the presidency and obstructed Congress by prohibiting top administration officials from testifying about the Ukraine scheme.
Following the articles' passage, Pelosi said she planned to hold them until McConnell assured her he would conduct what Democrats called "a fair process."
Democrats have insisted that any trial of the president include testimony from witnesses, something in which Republicans have so far shown no interest.
But the effort has so far failed to produce results, and the Senate leader said this week he would move forward on Trump's impeachment trial without any Democratic support.
It's considered highly unlikely that two-thirds of the GOP-controlled Senate will vote to convict and remove Trump from office. No Senate Republicans have said they support impeaching Trump.


cnbc--2020-01-09--Kamala Harris' national finance chair prepares to back Joe Biden as former VP starts 2020 with a fun

Kamala Harris' national finance chair prepares to back Joe Biden as former VP starts 2020 with a fundraising boost

Democratic presidential hopeful former Vice President Joe Biden laughs during the sixth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by PBS NewsHour & Politico at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles , California on December 19 , 2019 .
Joe Biden is on the verge of picking up a key fundraiser who was Sen. Kamala Harris ' national finance chairman when she was running for the White House .
Jon Henes , a partner at the law firm Kirkland & Ellis , has indicated to friends and Biden 's close allies that he 's looking to move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the former vice president , according to people with direct knowledge of the situation .
These people spoke to CNBC on the condition of anonymity because the deliberations were deemed private .
Henes is expected to host a fundraising event in February , one of these sources said .
Henes would be the latest former Harris financier to come over to Biden as the former vice president looks to capture the Democratic nomination .
Biden recently saw the addition of Wall Street executives Marc Lasry and Blair Effron , who had assisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden has captured many other wealthy fundraisers who were helping former primary candidates .
Wall Street titan Mark Gallogly has decided to support Biden after assisting former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke , according to a Biden campaign aide who declined to be named as these decisions are often made privately .
`` Joe Biden is the best person to beat Donald Trump .
He has the experience , character and temperament to win the nomination , the presidency and lead our nation , '' Gallogly confirmed to CNBC .
Gallogly helped President Barack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1 million when they ran each ran for president , according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics .
Louis Susman , a veteran fundraiser who was a key backer of Obama when he ran for president but was in O'Rourke 's camp , is also now helping Biden .
Biden also picked up support from former backers of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Montana Gov .
Steve Bullock .
Biden announced last week that his campaign raised $ 22.7 million in the fourth quarter , and , while it was his best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was still behind two rivals , Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg .
The Democratic National Convention is set for July in Milwaukee .
The first voting contests are in February .
Biden is in first place in national polls , followed by Sanders , Sen. Elizabeth Warren , Buttigieg and former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg .
Henes was a key player for Harris ' fundraising operation .
In addition to being one of Harris ' top donors , Henes helped raise over $ 400,000 for the California senator while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a source familiar with the effort .
The one-term senator dropped out of the primary in December , citing a lack of financial support to continue .
Henes also has ties to Clinton 's 2016 run for president .
He helped bring in over $ 100,000 for her campaign when she took on President Donald Trump .
Henes did not return a request for comment .
The latest apparent jumps to Biden from Harris and other former candidates could represent a loss for Buttigieg , who has become a moderate alternative for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong fourth quarter , raking in $ 24.7 million , and recently published a list of bundlers who have each helped him raise over $ 25,000 .

Democratic presidential hopeful former Vice President Joe Biden laughs during the sixth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season co-hosted by PBS NewsHour & Politico at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California on December 19, 2019.
Joe Biden is on the verge of picking up a key fundraiser who was Sen. Kamala Harris' national finance chairman when she was running for the White House.
Jon Henes, a partner at the law firm Kirkland & Ellis, has indicated to friends and Biden's close allies that he's looking to move ahead with opening his extensive donor network to the former vice president, according to people with direct knowledge of the situation. These people spoke to CNBC on the condition of anonymity because the deliberations were deemed private.
Henes is expected to host a fundraising event in February, one of these sources said.
Henes would be the latest former Harris financier to come over to Biden as the former vice president looks to capture the Democratic nomination. Biden recently saw the addition of Wall Street executives Marc Lasry and Blair Effron, who had assisted Harris.
Beyond previous Harris backers, Biden has captured many other wealthy fundraisers who were helping former primary candidates. Wall Street titan Mark Gallogly has decided to support Biden after assisting former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke, according to a Biden campaign aide who declined to be named as these decisions are often made privately.
"Joe Biden is the best person to beat Donald Trump. He has the experience, character and temperament to win the nomination, the presidency and lead our nation," Gallogly confirmed to CNBC.
Gallogly helped President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton raise at least $1 million when they ran each ran for president, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.
Louis Susman, a veteran fundraiser who was a key backer of Obama when he ran for president but was in O'Rourke's camp, is also now helping Biden. Biden also picked up support from former backers of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Montana Gov. Steve Bullock.
Biden announced last week that his campaign raised $22.7 million in the fourth quarter, and, while it was his best cash haul so far, the total was still behind two rivals, Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
The Democratic National Convention is set for July in Milwaukee. The first voting contests are in February. Biden is in first place in national polls, followed by Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Buttigieg and former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg.
Henes was a key player for Harris' fundraising operation. In addition to being one of Harris' top donors, Henes helped raise over $400,000 for the California senator while she was in the race, according to a source familiar with the effort. The one-term senator dropped out of the primary in December, citing a lack of financial support to continue.
Henes also has ties to Clinton's 2016 run for president. He helped bring in over $100,000 for her campaign when she took on President Donald Trump.
Henes did not return a request for comment.
The latest apparent jumps to Biden from Harris and other former candidates could represent a loss for Buttigieg, who has become a moderate alternative for many wealthy donors. He had a strong fourth quarter, raking in $24.7 million, and recently published a list of bundlers who have each helped him raise over $25,000.
Those helping Buttigieg include Hollywood film producer Nicole Avant, Rockefeller heir Justin Rockefeller and hedge fund executive Orin Kramer.


cnbc--2020-01-09--Trump can use military funds for border wall during legal challenge, appeals court says

Construction begins along the U.S. border with Mexico where the new border wall will replace old fencing on August 23 , 2019 in Calexico , CA .
President Donald Trump can use up to $ 3.6 billion earmarked for military construction projects while his administration challenges a lower federal court 's injunction against tapping those funds for that purpose , a federal appeals court has ruled .
In a 2-1 ruling Wednesday , judges on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals said plaintiffs in the case — El Paso County , Texas , and the Border Network for Human Rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal standing to challenge the use of the fund by the Trump administration .
The stay of the lower-court 's ruling came six months after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay of a similar injunction from a California federal court judge , who had barred the Trump administration from building the wall with another $ 2.5 billion set aside for military use .
The 5th Circuit ruling Wednesday said the administration is `` entitled to the same relief '' granted by the Supreme Court in the case pending before the three-judge appeals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruling denied requests by the plaintiffs to expedite the administration 's pending appeal of the lower-court ruling case and to hold oral arguments no later than March .
Final rulings on the legality of the use of the military funds for the planned border wall with Mexico will come later .
The president last February had declared a national emergency in order to tap defense funds for the border wall .
While the Senate had voted to block such use of those funds , the upper chamber of Congress lacked a veto-proof majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement that the appeals panel `` has lifted an illegitimate nationwide injunction entered by a lower court , and in doing so has allowed vital border wall construction to move forward using military construction funds . ''
`` This is a victory for the rule of law .
We are committed to keeping our borders secure , and we will finish the wall , '' Grisham said .
Fernando Garcia , executive director of the Border Network for Human Rights , criticized the decision .
`` A federal judge found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an illegal act ... and it 's very disappointing that the 5th Circuit would allow this illegality to continue , '' Garcia said .
He said the Trump administration had violated the Constitution by using funds for purposes that had not been approved by Congress .
`` President Trump is not a king .
He does n't have the power of the purse , '' Garcia said .
`` The other aspect of this decison is that it ignores the damage that [ the wall project ] has caused to the border community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's created a lot of fear and anxiety in the people that live near the border . ''
Kristy Parker of Project Democracy , the group that had represented plaintiffs in the case , said , `` It 's unfortunate that the people of El Paso will continue to suffer harm while the government appeals , but we 're confident that we 'll prevail again in this next stage of litigation . ''
In a dissent to the ruling , Judge Stephen Higginson said he agreed with the panel 's two other judges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substantial case on the merits ' and involves a 'serious legal question . '
'' But , Higginson added , `` I am unable to agree , without focused panel deliberation and discussion — possibly aided by dialogue with counsel — that the government presently has shown either a likelihood of success on the merits or irreparable harm in the absence of a stay . ''

Construction begins along the U.S. border with Mexico where the new border wall will replace old fencing on August 23, 2019 in Calexico, CA.
President Donald Trump can use up to $3.6 billion earmarked for military construction projects while his administration challenges a lower federal court's injunction against tapping those funds for that purpose, a federal appeals court has ruled.
In a 2-1 ruling Wednesday, judges on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals said plaintiffs in the case — El Paso County, Texas, and the Border Network for Human Rights — likely will be found to lack legal standing to challenge the use of the fund by the Trump administration.
The stay of the lower-court's ruling came six months after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay of a similar injunction from a California federal court judge, who had barred the Trump administration from building the wall with another $2.5 billion set aside for military use.
The 5th Circuit ruling Wednesday said the administration is "entitled to the same relief" granted by the Supreme Court in the case pending before the three-judge appeals panel.
The panel in its same ruling denied requests by the plaintiffs to expedite the administration's pending appeal of the lower-court ruling case and to hold oral arguments no later than March.
Final rulings on the legality of the use of the military funds for the planned border wall with Mexico will come later.
The president last February had declared a national emergency in order to tap defense funds for the border wall.
While the Senate had voted to block such use of those funds, the upper chamber of Congress lacked a veto-proof majority.
Trump applauded the latest court ruling on Twitter.
Trump Tweet
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement that the appeals panel "has lifted an illegitimate nationwide injunction entered by a lower court, and in doing so has allowed vital border wall construction to move forward using military construction funds."
"This is a victory for the rule of law. We are committed to keeping our borders secure, and we will finish the wall," Grisham said.
Fernando Garcia, executive director of the Border Network for Human Rights, criticized the decision.
"A federal judge found that the use of military funds was an illegal act ... and it's very disappointing that the 5th Circuit would allow this illegality to continue," Garcia said.
He said the Trump administration had violated the Constitution by using funds for purposes that had not been approved by Congress.
"President Trump is not a king. He doesn't have the power of the purse," Garcia said.
"The other aspect of this decison is that it ignores the damage that [the wall project] has caused to the border community," he said. "It's created a lot of fear and anxiety in the people that live near the border."
Kristy Parker of Project Democracy, the group that had represented plaintiffs in the case, said, "It's unfortunate that the people of El Paso will continue to suffer harm while the government appeals, but we're confident that we'll prevail again in this next stage of litigation."
In a dissent to the ruling, Judge Stephen Higginson said he agreed with the panel's two other judges "that this matter presents 'a substantial case on the merits' and involves a 'serious legal question.'"
But, Higginson added, "I am unable to agree, without focused panel deliberation and discussion — possibly aided by dialogue with counsel — that the government presently has shown either a likelihood of success on the merits or irreparable harm in the absence of a stay."