usatoday--2020-04-16--Stimulus checks are going out to people who have died, what that means for relatives

WASHINGTON – As many Americans receive $ 1,200 payments from the federal government to help offset the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic , some have been surprised to discover that their dead loved ones also were sent the funds .
`` Ok this is insane , but just the tip of the iceberg , '' tweeted Rep. Thomas Massie , R-Ky. , who shared an image of a text from a friend that read , `` Dad got his stimulus check of $ 1,200 .
He died in 2018 .
Does he have time to spend it online ? ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ deceased spouse of one of his acquaintances also received the money .
`` Is the government that desperate for people to spend money ? ''
Salaske wondered .
More : Where 's my stimulus check ?
IRS 'Get My Payment ' coronavirus stimulus check portal hit by early glitches Another Twitter user , Karrie Higgins , said her mother received a $ 2,400 deposit and assumed that was because her father died .
`` Does anyone know how this will be handled ? ''
Higgins asked .
`` Seems like they will want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' mother can actually keep the check , according to Nina Olson , the founder of the Center for Taxpayer Rights and former taxpayer advocate for the IRS .
Olson told USA TODAY that because the payments are based on taxpayers ' 2019 returns , or 2018 if they have not filed yet , people whose spouses died in those years would be eligible for a payment .
And Olson said that under the CARES Act – the massive $ 2.2-trillion stimulus plan that authorized the payments – a person who gets more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have their credit reduced `` below zero '' when they file their 2020 return .
In other words , they would not have to repay the $ 1,200 when they filed in 2020 .
More : Trump 's name to be printed on $ 1,200 coronavirus stimulus checks going out to Americans More : Will my stimulus check be affected if I owe taxes or child support ?
Your coronavirus money questions , answered Similarly , because a person is eligible to file jointly the year their spouse died they would also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` That was really consciously written into the law , '' Olson said .
`` It 's rough justice .
They 're using the data that 's available to get money into the system .
They know in advance that some payments will go out that should n't go out . ''
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley 's office said it is looking into the matter .
`` The American government paying money out to dead people , or to dead patients , or dead welfare beneficiaries is years and years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was appointed by former President Barack Obama in 2010 to serve on a panel to oversee the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and help detect fraud and waste .
Sparrow , now a professor of public management at Harvard ’ s John F. Kennedy School of Government , explained that the payments may happen in part because of out-of-date government data on who is deceased .
If those records are n't up to date , the government ca n't filter out the people who should not be getting a payment with complete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential explanation : that it 's just out of date or inaccurate death records being transferred from one agency to another , '' he continued .
`` The other potential explanation is a lot more worrying : that other people are exploiting the identities of the dead to file false claims , '' he said .
He said such fraud is common in the health care arena , because , `` When you create a system where you can submit a claim electronically and it gets paid electronically , you open up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More : Trump 's name to be printed on $ 1,200 coronavirus stimulus checks going out to Americans This is not the first time stimulus checks have been sent to the deceased .
In 2009 , as part of a $ 13 billion economic stimulus package , the Obama administration sent 52 million $ 250 one-time payments to citizens as an `` Economic Recovery Payment , '' or ERPs .
A report from the Office of the Inspector General found that over 70,000 recipients were deceased before the payment certification date .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to an article by the Wall Street Journal at the time .
According to the 2010 audit , some of those ERP 's were sent as the Social Security Agency `` was unaware of beneficiary deaths '' before it certified the payments .
It `` relied on questionable data in its payment records , '' and failed to review all available records , the report said .
However , it is not immediately clear what will happen with those who are receiving checks for deceased relatives and loved ones during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the IRS did not have guidelines on its website for payments sent in error to the deceased .
The IRS did not immediately respond to USA TODAY 's request for comment .
More : Trump taps US companies to advise on reopening economy amid coronavirus pandemic 'Lesser of these two evils ' : GOP congressman argues for sending Americans back to work during pandemic


usatoday--2020-01-07--US issues security alert for American travelers in Israel, West Bank and Gaza amid Middle East tensi

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is cautioning U.S. citizens to be vigilant in Israel , the West Bank and Gaza on account of `` heightened tension in the Middle East , '' according to a security alert posted Monday on its website .
Iranian state TV reported Tuesday that at least 40 people were killed and 213 injured in a stampede that erupted at a funeral procession for the nation 's slain Gen. Qasem Soleimani in his hometown of Kerman , in southeastern Iran .
Soleimani was killed in a U.S. drone strike order by President Donald Trump .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Embassy strongly encourages U.S. citizens to remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness , as security incidents , including rocket fire , often take place without warning , '' the security alert from the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem reads .
The alert also says that a red alert siren could be activated if mortar or rocket fire occurs , and that such alerts should be treated as real .
It advises citizens to be aware of surroundings , stay alert in tourist-heavy areas , listen to local authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's website .
The State Department lists Israel , the West Bank and Gaza as areas with a `` level 2 '' security risk , meaning travelers should exercises increased caution .
The travel alert was last updated on Dec. 28 , 2018 .
`` The Embassy will continue to review the security situation and will provide additional information as needed , '' the security alert concludes .
Another Middle East advisory : State Department urges all Americans to leave Iraq after US embassy attack Elsewhere in travel : Puerto Rico earthquakes destroy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Ruinas del Fara

US issues security alert for American travelers in Israel, West Bank and Gaza amid Middle East tension
Show Caption Hide Caption Iranian Americans in LA speak out on death of General Qasem Soleimani Iranian Americans in Los Angeles discuss Qasem Soleimani's death. Editor’s note: The video was edited to remove a family who mistakenly appeared on camera. Allison Zaucha, for USA TODAY
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is cautioning U.S. citizens to be vigilant in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza on account of "heightened tension in the Middle East," according to a security alert posted Monday on its website.
Iranian state TV reported Tuesday that at least 40 people were killed and 213 injured in a stampede that erupted at a funeral procession for the nation's slain Gen. Qasem Soleimani in his hometown of Kerman, in southeastern Iran.
Soleimani was killed in a U.S. drone strike order by President Donald Trump.
"Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy strongly encourages U.S. citizens to remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness, as security incidents, including rocket fire, often take place without warning," the security alert from the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem reads.
Are we really ready for a World War III? Fears are mounting around the world following the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani - but is World War 3 about to happen? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The alert also says that a red alert siren could be activated if mortar or rocket fire occurs, and that such alerts should be treated as real.
It advises citizens to be aware of surroundings, stay alert in tourist-heavy areas, listen to local authorities and pay attention to the State Department's website.
The State Department lists Israel, the West Bank and Gaza as areas with a "level 2" security risk, meaning travelers should exercises increased caution. The travel alert was last updated on Dec. 28, 2018.
"The Embassy will continue to review the security situation and will provide additional information as needed," the security alert concludes.
Contributing: Kim Hjelmgaard
Another Middle East advisory: State Department urges all Americans to leave Iraq after US embassy attack
Elsewhere in travel: Puerto Rico earthquakes destroy tourist landmarks Punta Ventana, Cueva Ventana and Ruinas del Fara


usatoday--2020-01-07--President Trump returns to White House, threatening Iran and attacking impeachment

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump returned to work at the White House on Monday with protests against the two major issues pressing him and his administration : Iran and impeachment .
`` IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON ! ''
Trump tweeted Monday , a day after Tehran announced it would no longer abide by the 2015 agreement limiting its nuclear activity – and as Iran vowed revenge for last week 's deadly drone attack on its top general .
Trump 's comments came the day before hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered for the funeral of military leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. airstrike .
Iran ’ s supreme leader on Monday prayed over Soleimani 's remains .
As the Trump administration braced for possible retaliation from Iran , the president also called on congressional Democrats to wrap up their impeachment push against him .
`` Congress & the President should not be wasting their time and energy on a continuation of the totally partisan Impeachment Hoax when we have so many important matters pending , '' Trump tweeted .
The president returned to the White House on Sunday night after spending the holidays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Florida .
While Trump had no public events on his schedule , he did have private meetings planned to deal in part with the fallout from last week 's decision authorizing the airstrike .
Trump also called into the Rush Limbaugh Show to defend the Iran strike and denounce impeachment , attacking the Democrats on both points .
Citing Democratic complaints about the strike , Trump said , `` I think it ’ s incredible the way they talk about Iran . ''
He also railed against impeachment , tying it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Russian interference in the 2016 election .
`` These people could n't find anything on Trump , '' he said , later adding : `` Even I was very impressed with how clean I am , Rush . ''
As he returned to Washington from Florida , Trump threatened to attack Iran again if it retaliated .
He said his team has picked out 52 specific targets – including cultural sites , which critics said would amount to war crimes .
`` They ’ re allowed to kill our people .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our people .
They ’ re allowed to use roadside bombs and blow up our people , ” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way back to Washington , D.C. “ And we ’ re not allowed to touch their cultural site ?
It doesn ’ t work that way . ''
In addition to threatening reprisals , Iran has effectively abandoned its nuclear deal with other countries , the agreement from which Trump withdrew the United States in 2018 .
In the accord , signed during President Barack Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had agreed to reduce sanctions on Iran as it gave up the means to make nuclear weapons .
Now , the government said in a statement , `` the Islamic Republic of Iran no longer faces any limitations in operations . ''
While arguing with Iran , Trump also threatened another country : Iraq , which is threatening to expel U.S. troops because the Soleimani attack took place in its country , at the airport in Baghdad .
Soleimani ’ s daughter , Zeinab , directly threatened an attack on the U.S. military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd of hundreds of thousands in Tehran that stretched as far as the eye could see .
Iranian state TV put the crowd size at “ millions , ” though that number could not be verified .
“ The families of the American soldiers in western Asia ... will spend their days waiting for the death of their children , ” she said to cheers .
Iranian state television and others online shared a video that showed Trump ’ s American flag tweet after Soleimani ’ s killing turn into a coffin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replaced by over 143,000 “ killed ” with the hashtag # severerevenge .
In his comments aboard Air Force One , Trump threatened to impose deep sanctions if Iraq followed through on expelling U.S. forces , or unless its government paid the U.S. a substantial amount of money for the military base it built in the country .
Trump 's remarks came on the same day Iraq 's Parliament voted to support expelling the U.S. military from its country over mounting anger over Soleimani 's death , but the resolution is nonbinding .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ money in Iraq , '' Trump said .
`` We have a very extraordinarily expensive air base that ’ s there .
It cost billions of dollars to build .
... We ’ re not leaving unless they pay us back for it . ''
Some lawmakers said Trump is speaking out erratically and can only make a bad situation worse .
`` President Trump is more unhinged by the hour , '' tweeted Sen. Chris Van Hollen , D-Md .
`` Threatening war crimes and now threatening our Iraqi allies .
Telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a war with Iran .
This is a very dangerous time .
Congress must demand that he comply with the Constitution . ''

President Trump returns to White House, threatening Iran and attacking impeachment
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump: We took action to stop, not start a war President Donald Trump declared Friday that a “reign of terror is over" as he marked the death of an Iranian general killed in a U.S. strike. Trump said the U.S. took the action to "stop a war," not to start one. (Jan. 3) AP
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump returned to work at the White House on Monday with protests against the two major issues pressing him and his administration: Iran and impeachment.
"IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!" Trump tweeted Monday, a day after Tehran announced it would no longer abide by the 2015 agreement limiting its nuclear activity – and as Iran vowed revenge for last week's deadly drone attack on its top general.
Trump's comments came the day before hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered for the funeral of military leader Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in the U.S. airstrike. Iran’s supreme leader on Monday prayed over Soleimani's remains.
As the Trump administration braced for possible retaliation from Iran, the president also called on congressional Democrats to wrap up their impeachment push against him.
"Congress & the President should not be wasting their time and energy on a continuation of the totally partisan Impeachment Hoax when we have so many important matters pending," Trump tweeted.
The president returned to the White House on Sunday night after spending the holidays at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.
Are we really ready for a World War III? Fears are mounting around the world following the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani - but is World War 3 about to happen? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
While Trump had no public events on his schedule, he did have private meetings planned to deal in part with the fallout from last week's decision authorizing the airstrike.
Trump also called into the Rush Limbaugh Show to defend the Iran strike and denounce impeachment, attacking the Democrats on both points. Citing Democratic complaints about the strike, Trump said, "I think it’s incredible the way they talk about Iran."
He also railed against impeachment, tying it to special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
"These people couldn't find anything on Trump," he said, later adding: "Even I was very impressed with how clean I am, Rush."
As he returned to Washington from Florida, Trump threatened to attack Iran again if it retaliated. He said his team has picked out 52 specific targets – including cultural sites, which critics said would amount to war crimes.
"They’re allowed to kill our people. They’re allowed to torture and maim our people. They’re allowed to use roadside bombs and blow up our people,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way back to Washington, D.C. “And we’re not allowed to touch their cultural site? It doesn’t work that way."
In addition to threatening reprisals, Iran has effectively abandoned its nuclear deal with other countries, the agreement from which Trump withdrew the United States in 2018.
In the accord, signed during President Barack Obama's administration, the U.S. and allies had agreed to reduce sanctions on Iran as it gave up the means to make nuclear weapons.
Now, the government said in a statement, "the Islamic Republic of Iran no longer faces any limitations in operations."
IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2020
Congress & the President should not be wasting their time and energy on a continuation of the totally partisan Impeachment Hoax when we have so many important matters pending. 196 to ZERO was the Republican House vote, & we got 3 Dems. This was not what the Founders had in mind! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2020
While arguing with Iran, Trump also threatened another country: Iraq, which is threatening to expel U.S. troops because the Soleimani attack took place in its country, at the airport in Baghdad.
Soleimani’s daughter, Zeinab, directly threatened an attack on the U.S. military in the Mideast while speaking to a crowd of hundreds of thousands in Tehran that stretched as far as the eye could see. Iranian state TV put the crowd size at “millions,” though that number could not be verified.
“The families of the American soldiers in western Asia ... will spend their days waiting for the death of their children,” she said to cheers. Iranian state television and others online shared a video that showed Trump’s American flag tweet after Soleimani’s killing turn into a coffin, the “likes” of the tweet replaced by over 143,000 “killed” with the hashtag #severerevenge.
In his comments aboard Air Force One, Trump threatened to impose deep sanctions if Iraq followed through on expelling U.S. forces, or unless its government paid the U.S. a substantial amount of money for the military base it built in the country.
Trump's remarks came on the same day Iraq's Parliament voted to support expelling the U.S. military from its country over mounting anger over Soleimani's death, but the resolution is nonbinding.
"We've spent a lot of money in Iraq," Trump said. "We have a very extraordinarily expensive air base that’s there. It cost billions of dollars to build. ... We’re not leaving unless they pay us back for it."
Some lawmakers said Trump is speaking out erratically and can only make a bad situation worse.
"President Trump is more unhinged by the hour," tweeted Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md. "Threatening war crimes and now threatening our Iraqi allies. Telling Congress via Twitter that he can start a war with Iran. This is a very dangerous time. Congress must demand that he comply with the Constitution."
Contributing: The Associated Press


usatoday--2020-01-07--Facebook says it's cracking down on deepfakes, manipulated media

Facebook says it will remove manipulated media including deepfakes from its platform , as questions linger over how the social network will control the spread of misinformation ahead of another presidential election .
On Monday , Facebook said in a statement it will remove deepfakes if a video has been edited in a way that would `` likely mislead someone into thinking that a subject of the video said words that they did not actually say . ''
Facebook said it will also remove manipulated media created by artificial intelligence or machine learning that could look authentic .
`` While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internet , they present a significant challenge for our industry and society as their use increases , '' Monika Bickert , vice president of global policy management at Facebook , said in a statement .
Wait , is that video real ?
: The race against deepfakes and dangers of manipulated recordings Facebook disinformation : What you can do to stop its spread The policy would exclude content considered parody or satire , says Facebook , as well as `` video that has been edited solely to omit or change the order of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curb the spread of misinformation was scrutinized following the 2016 presidential election after it was revealed Russian agents successfully posted fake political advertisements .
Last month , Facebook said it was planning to push back against efforts to spread false information on the 2020 U.S. Census .
Deepfakes are particularly concerning because audio and video recordings can be manipulated in a way so altered sound bites or video clips appear like they 're legitimate .
Last year , Facebook was criticized for failing to take down a video of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead , the video was `` downranked '' to prevent it from spreading .
Contributing : The Associated Press .
Follow Brett Molina on Twitter : @ brettmolina23 .

Facebook says it's cracking down on deepfakes, manipulated media
Show Caption Hide Caption Deepfake detection: Have you been tricked by fake Obama? Deepfakes are video manipulations that can make people say seemingly strange things. Barack Obama and Nicolas Cage have been featured in these videos. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Facebook says it will remove manipulated media including deepfakes from its platform, as questions linger over how the social network will control the spread of misinformation ahead of another presidential election.
On Monday, Facebook said in a statement it will remove deepfakes if a video has been edited in a way that would "likely mislead someone into thinking that a subject of the video said words that they did not actually say."
Facebook said it will also remove manipulated media created by artificial intelligence or machine learning that could look authentic.
"While these videos are still rare on the internet, they present a significant challenge for our industry and society as their use increases," Monika Bickert, vice president of global policy management at Facebook, said in a statement.
Wait, is that video real?: The race against deepfakes and dangers of manipulated recordings
Facebook disinformation: What you can do to stop its spread
The policy would exclude content considered parody or satire, says Facebook, as well as "video that has been edited solely to omit or change the order of words."
Facebook's ability to curb the spread of misinformation was scrutinized following the 2016 presidential election after it was revealed Russian agents successfully posted fake political advertisements.
Last month, Facebook said it was planning to push back against efforts to spread false information on the 2020 U.S. Census.
Deepfakes are particularly concerning because audio and video recordings can be manipulated in a way so altered sound bites or video clips appear like they're legitimate.
Last year, Facebook was criticized for failing to take down a video of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi doctored to show her slurring words. Instead, the video was "downranked" to prevent it from spreading.
Contributing: The Associated Press. Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.


usatoday--2020-01-07--US hasn't decided on Iraq withdrawal, Pentagon says, calling general's letter a mistake

WASHINGTON – The Pentagon 's top two officials distanced themselves Monday from an American general in the Middle East whose letter to Iraq 's government announced the U.S. `` will be repositioning forces '' in response to its demand that the U.S. leave the country .
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said no decision has been made to pull U.S. troops from Iraq .
Esper was responding to an unsigned letter from Marine Corps Brig .
Gen. William H. Seely III , addressed to Iraq ’ s defense ministry , saying the U.S.-led coalition is preparing to reposition troops in `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Iraq.
” On Sunday , the Iraqi parliament voted to expel U.S. military forces from the country .
`` We respect your sovereign decision to order our departure , '' said Seely 's letter , dated Monday .
It said forces would be moved in the `` coming days and weeks , '' which would result in increased military helicopter traffic around Baghdad 's international zone .
But no such decision has been made on removing U.S. troops from Iraq , Esper said .
“ Period.
” Tensions rise : What you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gen. Soleimani and the escalating situation with Iran Withdrawal would be a sudden reversal for Trump The issue further clouded rapidly changing circumstances following the missile strike Thursday in Baghdad that killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani .
Esper appeared before reporters with Army General Mark Milley , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , to downplay Seely 's letter and to stress that Soleimani had been killed to prevent imminent attacks on U.S. troops .
After the briefing , Milley returned to tell reporters Seely 's letter was a draft circulated for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. withdrawal from Iraq would be a surprise reversal for President Donald Trump , who less than 24 hours earlier criticized the Iraq parliament 's vote to expel U.S. forces and vowed to keep American troops in Iraq unless the government repays the U.S. for the cost of a military installation .
`` We 've spent a lot of money in Iraq , '' Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One .
`` We have a very extraordinarily expensive air base that ’ s there .
It cost billions of dollars to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unless they pay us back for it . ''
The Pentagon announced just last week it was sending as many as 3,000 additional soldiers to the Middle East to bolster existing forces .
More : Donald Trump threatens Iraq with sanctions , says US wo n't leave unless 'they pay us back ' for air base Seely 's letter came after Iraq 's leaders expressed outrage over a U.S. airstrike that killed Soleimani , who led Iran 's elite Quds Force , near Baghdad International Airport last week .
Iraq said the strike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Iraqi expulsion resolution passed Sunday is nonbinding , and it 's not clear if the government will take further steps to force U.S. troops out .
About 5,000 American military personnel are stationed in the country .
Pentagon says Soleimani was planning to attack U.S. Milley defended the attack that killed Soleimani , saying intelligence reports showed he was planning “ significant combat operations ” against U.S. forces .
Milley said he would have been “ culpably negligent ” by not acting to stop Soleimani before the attacks occurred .
Milley refused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the attacks , saying that would expose intelligence collection methods .
He said he would describe them to Congress in the appropriate setting .
“ I stand by the intelligence I saw , ” Milley said .
Hundreds took to Iranian streets to mourn Soleimani ’ s death Sunday and protest the U.S. strike , with some chanting “ death to America.
” Tehran announced it would no longer abide by the restraints put in place with several world powers under a landmark nuclear deal , from which the Trump administration withdrew in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retaliation for the strike , sparking fears that the U.S. could be brought to the brink of war with Iran .
Trump ordered last week ’ s strike on Soleimani , which also killed Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis , without notifying top congressional members .
The U.S. military announced Sunday it would halt military operations against the Islamic State to focus on protecting American military bases across the region in case of any Iranian response .
More : Iran official on Soleimani killing : 'The response for a military action is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a 'catastrophic success ' for Iran Middle East experts say a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq could be disastrous – creating a power vacuum for both Iran and the Islamic State terrorist group to fill .
`` That would be the fulfillment of Soleimani 's lifelong ambition , '' said Mark Dubowitz , chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies , a Washington-based research institute that supports a hard line on Iran .
“ That would greatly facilitate Iran ’ s expansionist designs , ” he said .
Naysan Rafati , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Group , said Iran would have “ free rein ” in Iraq if the U.S. leaves .
Soleimani supported and trained pro-Iranian militias .
“ I think Iran would view it as a catastrophic success for them , ” Rafati said — a success because Iran wants U.S. troops out of the region , and a catastrophe because a destabilized Iraq could allow the Islamic State to rise up again .
Iran wants Iraq to be “ weak enough not to threaten Iran and strong enough not to fall apart , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing in formal notice to Congress , warns Iran against retaliation President George W. Bush announced U.S. military involvement in Iraq in 2003 , ostensibly to locate weapons of mass destruction the administration said Saddam Hussein could use on other countries .
Hussein was killed in 2006 , and the weapons were never found .
Despite the initial “ shock and awe ” campaign that the president and administration officials said would lead to a quick victory , the war dragged on for years .
After Bush announced a surge in 2007 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ground in Iraq peaked at nearly 158,000 a year later , according to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service .

Tom Vanden Brook, Deirdre Shesgreen and Michael Collins, USA TODAY

US hasn't decided on Iraq withdrawal, Pentagon says, calling general's letter a mistake
WASHINGTON – The Pentagon's top two officials distanced themselves Monday from an American general in the Middle East whose letter to Iraq's government announced the U.S. "will be repositioning forces" in response to its demand that the U.S. leave the country.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper said no decision has been made to pull U.S. troops from Iraq.
Esper was responding to an unsigned letter from Marine Corps Brig. Gen. William H. Seely III, addressed to Iraq’s defense ministry, saying the U.S.-led coalition is preparing to reposition troops in "deference to the sovereignty of the Republic of Iraq.”
On Sunday, the Iraqi parliament voted to expel U.S. military forces from the country.
"We respect your sovereign decision to order our departure," said Seely's letter, dated Monday. It said forces would be moved in the "coming days and weeks," which would result in increased military helicopter traffic around Baghdad's international zone.
But no such decision has been made on removing U.S. troops from Iraq, Esper said. “Period.”
Tensions rise: What you need to know about the death of Gen. Soleimani and the escalating situation with Iran
US and Iraq: Timeline of 7 days of violence In one week, the U.S.-Iranian confrontation heated up and ended with a top Iranian general's death. Ramon Padilla and George Petras, USA TODAY
Withdrawal would be a sudden reversal for Trump
The issue further clouded rapidly changing circumstances following the missile strike Thursday in Baghdad that killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani.
Esper appeared before reporters with Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to downplay Seely's letter and to stress that Soleimani had been killed to prevent imminent attacks on U.S. troops.
After the briefing, Milley returned to tell reporters Seely's letter was a draft circulated for review and was a mistake.
A U.S. withdrawal from Iraq would be a surprise reversal for President Donald Trump, who less than 24 hours earlier criticized the Iraq parliament's vote to expel U.S. forces and vowed to keep American troops in Iraq unless the government repays the U.S. for the cost of a military installation.
"We've spent a lot of money in Iraq," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. "We have a very extraordinarily expensive air base that’s there. It cost billions of dollars to build. ... We’re not leaving unless they pay us back for it."
The Pentagon announced just last week it was sending as many as 3,000 additional soldiers to the Middle East to bolster existing forces.
More: Donald Trump threatens Iraq with sanctions, says US won't leave unless 'they pay us back' for air base
Seely's letter came after Iraq's leaders expressed outrage over a U.S. airstrike that killed Soleimani, who led Iran's elite Quds Force, near Baghdad International Airport last week. Iraq said the strike was a violation of its sovereignty.
The Iraqi expulsion resolution passed Sunday is nonbinding, and it's not clear if the government will take further steps to force U.S. troops out. About 5,000 American military personnel are stationed in the country.
Pentagon says Soleimani was planning to attack U.S.
Milley defended the attack that killed Soleimani, saying intelligence reports showed he was planning “significant combat operations” against U.S. forces.
Milley said he would have been “culpably negligent” by not acting to stop Soleimani before the attacks occurred.
Milley refused to describe the nature or timing of the attacks, saying that would expose intelligence collection methods. He said he would describe them to Congress in the appropriate setting.
“I stand by the intelligence I saw,” Milley said.
Hundreds took to Iranian streets to mourn Soleimani’s death Sunday and protest the U.S. strike, with some chanting “death to America.”
Tehran announced it would no longer abide by the restraints put in place with several world powers under a landmark nuclear deal, from which the Trump administration withdrew in May 2018.
Tehran has repeatedly vowed retaliation for the strike, sparking fears that the U.S. could be brought to the brink of war with Iran.
Trump ordered last week’s strike on Soleimani, which also killed Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, without notifying top congressional members.
The U.S. military announced Sunday it would halt military operations against the Islamic State to focus on protecting American military bases across the region in case of any Iranian response.
More: Iran official on Soleimani killing: 'The response for a military action is military action'
Are we really ready for a World War III? Fears are mounting around the world following the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani - but is World War 3 about to happen? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
U.S. withdrawal from Iraq would be a 'catastrophic success' for Iran
Middle East experts say a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq could be disastrous – creating a power vacuum for both Iran and the Islamic State terrorist group to fill.
"That would be the fulfillment of Soleimani's lifelong ambition," said Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington-based research institute that supports a hard line on Iran.
“That would greatly facilitate Iran’s expansionist designs,” he said.
Naysan Rafati, an Iran analyst with the International Crisis Group, said Iran would have “free rein” in Iraq if the U.S. leaves. Soleimani supported and trained pro-Iranian militias.
“I think Iran would view it as a catastrophic success for them,” Rafati said — a success because Iran wants U.S. troops out of the region, and a catastrophe because a destabilized Iraq could allow the Islamic State to rise up again.
Iran wants Iraq to be “weak enough not to threaten Iran and strong enough not to fall apart,” he said.
More: Trump defends Soleimani killing in formal notice to Congress, warns Iran against retaliation
President George W. Bush announced U.S. military involvement in Iraq in 2003, ostensibly to locate weapons of mass destruction the administration said Saddam Hussein could use on other countries. Hussein was killed in 2006, and the weapons were never found.
Despite the initial “shock and awe” campaign that the president and administration officials said would lead to a quick victory, the war dragged on for years. After Bush announced a surge in 2007, the number of U.S. military personnel on the ground in Iraq peaked at nearly 158,000 a year later, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service.
Contributing: David Jackson, John Fritze, Courtney Subramanian


usatoday--2020-01-07--Rep. Paul Gosar tweets phony photo of Obama and Iranian president, gets ridiculed

Rep. Paul Gosar sparked his first social-media muddle of the new year after tweeting a doctored picture on Monday of former President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in which he seemed not to realize the foreign leader remains in power .
Gosar , a five-term Arizona Republican , published on his personal Twitter account a photo purporting to show the two leaders grinning as they held hands .
Gosar wrote : `` The world is a better place without these guys in power . ''
Rouhani became president of Iran in 2013 and still holds that position as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slaying last week of Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike in Iraq .
And the picture apparently came from a 2011 meeting Obama had with now-former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh .
Singh was digitally replaced in the picture Gosar shared by Rouhani .
The Gosar tweet quickly became `` ratioed , '' meaning far more people reacted to it with comments than shared or liked it .
Within hours of the midday tweet , more than 5,000 comments were posted , with most in the Twitterverse seemingly seeing nothing clever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted that Gosar 's siblings disagree with his political views .
Others disparaged Arizonans for sending Gosar to Congress .
Walter Shaub , who headed the U.S. Office of Government Ethics under Obama , weighed in disapprovingly .
`` It 's disgusting that a U.S. representative would disseminate misinformation like this , '' he wrote in a tweet .
Gosar later sought to deflect criticism with more tweets disparaging those who ridiculed him , especially in the media .
`` To the dim witted reporters ... no one said this wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Iran was dead .
No one said Obama met with Rouhani in person .
The tweet says : 'the world is a better place without either of them in power ' .
`` The point remains to all but the dimmest : Obama coddled , appeased , nurtured and protected the worlds No .
1 sponsor of terror .
The world is better without Obama as president .
The world will be better off without Rouhani . ''
The controversy swirling around Gosar is nothing new .
In recent months he seemingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online provocateur .
On Christmas Eve , he tweeted a video clip of then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton and wife , Hillary Clinton , during a 1992 interview in which a studio light almost fell on Hillary Clinton , who exclaimed , `` Jesus , Mary and Joseph ! ''
Chelsea Clinton : Thank you Congressman @ RepGosar for reminding me of my dad ’ s quick reflexes !
In November , Gosar tweeted a series of messages in which the first letter spelled out `` Epstein did n't kill himself , '' seemingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeffrey Epstein did n't hang himself while awaiting trial .
Gosar subsequently suggested that he was not serious about it .
To many , Gosar is known as the member of Congress whose siblings endorsed his opponent in the 2018 election because they view him as a political extremist .
But that event was only the capstone to years of controversies .
In October 2017 , Gosar suggested in an interview with `` Vice News '' for Home Box Office that the deadly white-supremacist rally in Charlottesville , Virginia , was planned by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberal activist George Soros may have been a Nazi collaborator as a youth .
Before Trump 's State of the Union speech in 2018 , Gosar called for the arrest and deportation of undocumented immigrants who were attending the speech at the invitation of Democratic members of Congress , including from Arizona .
Before that , Gosar outlined his views on `` dreamers , '' young immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally as children , in an interview with Frank Gaffney , an anti-Muslim activist who has peddled his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he opposes any special legal protection for those known as DACA recipients .
`` Providing any lawful or legal status to DACA recipients that allows them to stay in the country and work is the definition of amnesty , '' he said at the time .
Gosar 's Monday tweet came hours after Rouhani offered a more ominous tweet of his own .
In it , Rouhani wrote , `` Those who refer to the number 52 should also remember the number 290 , '' a reference to the 1988 downing of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Persian Gulf .
Trump had warned Iran via Twitter that the United States would retaliate against any Iran attacks on Americans or U.S. assets by hitting `` 52 Iranian sites ( representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago ) , some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture . ''
Reach the reporter Ronald J. Hansen at ronald.hansen @ arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4493 .
Follow him on Twitter @ ronaldjhansen .

Rep. Paul Gosar tweets phony photo of Obama and Iranian president, gets ridiculed
Show Caption Hide Caption Are we really ready for a World War III? Fears are mounting around the world following the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani - but is World War 3 about to happen? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Rep. Paul Gosar sparked his first social-media muddle of the new year after tweeting a doctored picture on Monday of former President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in which he seemed not to realize the foreign leader remains in power.
Gosar, a five-term Arizona Republican, published on his personal Twitter account a photo purporting to show the two leaders grinning as they held hands. Gosar wrote: "The world is a better place without these guys in power."
The world is a better place without these guys in power. pic.twitter.com/gDoXQu9vO5 — Paul Gosar (@DrPaulGosar) January 6, 2020
Rouhani became president of Iran in 2013 and still holds that position as that nation weighs retaliation for the U.S. slaying last week of Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike in Iraq.
And the picture apparently came from a 2011 meeting Obama had with now-former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Singh was digitally replaced in the picture Gosar shared by Rouhani.
Not present: 15 times Rep. Paul Gosar shirked his congressional duty
The Gosar tweet quickly became "ratioed," meaning far more people reacted to it with comments than shared or liked it. Within hours of the midday tweet, more than 5,000 comments were posted, with most in the Twitterverse seemingly seeing nothing clever in Gosar's message.
Many quickly noted that Gosar's siblings disagree with his political views. Others disparaged Arizonans for sending Gosar to Congress.
Walter Shaub, who headed the U.S. Office of Government Ethics under Obama, weighed in disapprovingly.
"It's disgusting that a U.S. representative would disseminate misinformation like this," he wrote in a tweet.
Gosar later sought to deflect criticism with more tweets disparaging those who ridiculed him, especially in the media.
"To the dim witted reporters ... no one said this wasn’t photoshopped. No one said the president of Iran was dead. No one said Obama met with Rouhani in person. The tweet says: 'the world is a better place without either of them in power'.
"The point remains to all but the dimmest: Obama coddled, appeased, nurtured and protected the worlds No. 1 sponsor of terror. The world is better without Obama as president. The world will be better off without Rouhani."
The controversy swirling around Gosar is nothing new. In recent months he seemingly has been relishing the role of conservative online provocateur.
On Christmas Eve, he tweeted a video clip of then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton and wife, Hillary Clinton, during a 1992 interview in which a studio light almost fell on Hillary Clinton, who exclaimed, "Jesus, Mary and Joseph!"
Chelsea Clinton: Thank you Congressman @RepGosar for reminding me of my dad’s quick reflexes!
In November, Gosar tweeted a series of messages in which the first letter spelled out "Epstein didn't kill himself," seemingly endorsing the conspiracy theory that accused sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein didn't hang himself while awaiting trial.
Gosar subsequently suggested that he was not serious about it.
To many, Gosar is known as the member of Congress whose siblings endorsed his opponent in the 2018 election because they view him as a political extremist. But that event was only the capstone to years of controversies.
In October 2017, Gosar suggested in an interview with "Vice News" for Home Box Office that the deadly white-supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, was planned by "an Obama sympathizer" and that liberal activist George Soros may have been a Nazi collaborator as a youth.
Before Trump's State of the Union speech in 2018, Gosar called for the arrest and deportation of undocumented immigrants who were attending the speech at the invitation of Democratic members of Congress, including from Arizona.
Before that, Gosar outlined his views on "dreamers," young immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally as children, in an interview with Frank Gaffney, an anti-Muslim activist who has peddled his own widely discredited conspiracies. Gosar has said he opposes any special legal protection for those known as DACA recipients.
"Providing any lawful or legal status to DACA recipients that allows them to stay in the country and work is the definition of amnesty," he said at the time.
Gosar's Monday tweet came hours after Rouhani offered a more ominous tweet of his own.
In it, Rouhani wrote, "Those who refer to the number 52 should also remember the number 290," a reference to the 1988 downing of an Iranian commercial jet by a U.S. warship in the Persian Gulf.
"Never threaten the Iranian nation," Rouhani wrote.
Trump had warned Iran via Twitter that the United States would retaliate against any Iran attacks on Americans or U.S. assets by hitting "52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago), some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture."
Those who refer to the number 52 should also remember the number 290. #IR655
Never threaten the Iranian nation. — Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) January 6, 2020
Reach the reporter Ronald J. Hansen at ronald.hansen@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4493. Follow him on Twitter @ronaldjhansen.


usatoday--2020-01-07--Pompeo rebuffs Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell's pleas to run for Kansas Senate seat

WASHINGTON – Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that he would not run for an open Senate seat in Kansas , despite McConnell 's repeated entreaties , according to a source close to the GOP leader .
McConnell spoke with Pompeo Monday , `` where he indicated he will not be running for Senate , '' confirmed the source , who was not authorized to talk publicly about the conversation .
`` Leader McConnell believes Secretary Pompeo is doing an incredible job as Secretary of State and is exactly where the country needs him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Times and Washington Post first reported the news .
Pompeo had been toying with a Senate bid for months , courting GOP donors and highlighting his longstanding ties to Kansas .
President Donald Trump even seemed to confirm the possibility in November , when he told `` Fox & Friends '' that Pompeo – a former House member – might consider a return to electoral politics if he feels another Republican can not win the open Senate seat in Kansas in 2020 .
`` If he thought there was a chance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would do that , '' Trump said .
`` Mike would win easily in Kansas .
Great state .
And it 's a Trump state .
He 'd win easily . ''
It 's not clear why Pompeo ruled out a bid now but his decision comes just days after the U.S. killed a top Iranian military leader , Gen. Qasem Soleimani , the leader of Iran 's elite Quds Force .
The killing has exacerbated U.S. tensions with Iran , whose leaders have threatened to retaliate , and stoked fears of another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours since last week 's airstrike trying to rally and reassure rattled U.S. allies , and he spent Sunday appearing on all five network news shows justifying Trump 's surprise decision .
More : What you need to know about the escalating situation with Iran McConnell had been pressing Pompeo to run for the seat now held by GOP Sen. Pat Roberts , who is retiring .
Pompeo took the helm of the State Department in April of 2018 , and he has been one of Trump 's staunchest defenders amid a series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to North Korea to Syria .
On Ukraine , Pompeo has come under intense fire amid allegations that he knew about — and approved of — the efforts to pressure Ukraine 's president to investigate Joe Biden and his son , as well as a debunked theory that Ukraine , not Russia , interfered in the 2016 presidential election .

Pompeo rebuffs Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell's pleas to run for Kansas Senate seat
Show Caption Hide Caption Pompeo confirms he was on Trump Ukraine call US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has confirmed that he was on the telephone call between President Donald Trump and the Ukrainian president that is the subject of an impeachment inquiry. "I was on the phone call," Pompeo told reporters in Rome. (Oct. 2) AP, AP
WASHINGTON – Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that he would not run for an open Senate seat in Kansas, despite McConnell's repeated entreaties, according to a source close to the GOP leader.
McConnell spoke with Pompeo Monday, "where he indicated he will not be running for Senate," confirmed the source, who was not authorized to talk publicly about the conversation. "Leader McConnell believes Secretary Pompeo is doing an incredible job as Secretary of State and is exactly where the country needs him to be right now."
The New York Times and Washington Post first reported the news.
Pompeo had been toying with a Senate bid for months, courting GOP donors and highlighting his longstanding ties to Kansas.
President Donald Trump even seemed to confirm the possibility in November, when he told "Fox & Friends" that Pompeo – a former House member – might consider a return to electoral politics if he feels another Republican cannot win the open Senate seat in Kansas in 2020.
"If he thought there was a chance of losing that seat, I think he would do that," Trump said. "Mike would win easily in Kansas. Great state. And it's a Trump state. He'd win easily."
It's not clear why Pompeo ruled out a bid now but his decision comes just days after the U.S. killed a top Iranian military leader, Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the leader of Iran's elite Quds Force. The killing has exacerbated U.S. tensions with Iran, whose leaders have threatened to retaliate, and stoked fears of another Middle East war.
Pompeo has spent hours since last week's airstrike trying to rally and reassure rattled U.S. allies, and he spent Sunday appearing on all five network news shows justifying Trump's surprise decision.
More: What you need to know about the escalating situation with Iran
McConnell had been pressing Pompeo to run for the seat now held by GOP Sen. Pat Roberts, who is retiring.
Pompeo took the helm of the State Department in April of 2018, and he has been one of Trump's staunchest defenders amid a series of foreign policy crises – from Afghanistan to North Korea to Syria.
On Ukraine, Pompeo has come under intense fire amid allegations that he knew about — and approved of — the efforts to pressure Ukraine's president to investigate Joe Biden and his son, as well as a debunked theory that Ukraine, not Russia, interfered in the 2016 presidential election.


usatoday--2020-01-07--Poll: Forty-three percent of Americans approve of Trump's airstrike of Soleimani

WASHINGTON – Forty-three percent of Americans approve of President Donald Trump 's airstrike that targeted Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani , the second most powerful leader in Iran and commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps , according to a new poll released Monday .
In the HuffPost-YouGov survey , 30 percent of those surveyed said they strongly approved of the decision , while another 13 percent said they somewhat approved .
Conversely , 38 percent of respondents said they either somewhat or strongly disapprove of the airstrike .
More : What you need to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the escalating situation with Iran More : Donald Trump again threatens to target Iranian cultural sites amid mounting tensions over Qasem Soleimani killing The airstrike late last week that killed Soleimani has Iran vowing to retaliate against the United States .
Trump responded Sunday to those threats by reiterating a warning of targeting Iranian cultural sites , which critics say could amount to a war crime .
When asked whether they think the president has a `` clear strategy for dealing with Iran , '' 32 percent of respondents said they think he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think he does not .
Additionally , 21 percent said they were not sure .
Congressional Democrats have complained that Trump did not inform leaders on Capitol Hill before taking action , as presidents have done ahead of other military moves in recent years .
Trump sent Congress a document on Saturday informing lawmakers of his military action as required by the War Powers Act of 1973 , and on Sunday he posted an apparently mocking tweet , which he said `` will serve as notification '' that he will strike Iran if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or target . ''
Respondents were also asked whether they think Trump should have received congressional authorization before the airstrike , to which 44 percent said they think he should have , while 34 percent said they did n't think he needed to and another 22 percent answered they were not sure .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , said the document sent by Trump `` prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing , manner and justification of the administration ’ s decision to engage in hostilities against Iran . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced a resolution barring the use of further military force against Iran without congressional authorization .
A majority of respondents — at 57 percent — said they believe the airstrike makes military conflict with Iran more likely than before , while 8 percent said they think it would make it less likely .
Administration officials have said Soleimani was plotting attacks on Americans in the Middle East and that he presented an imminent threat ; however , neither the White House nor the Pentagon has detailed any specific planned attacked yet .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a war , '' Trump said Friday at Mar-a-Lago .
`` We did not take action to start a war . ''
More : ' I want to have peace . '
How Trump went from a vow to avoid conflict to an order to kill Iran general The poll seems to be largely split between party lines with 71 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents saying they disapprove of the airstrike while 84 percent of Republicans and right-leaning independents stated they approved .
The HuffPost-YouGov poll has a margin of error of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 3-5 among a population of 1,000 adults .

Poll: Forty-three percent of Americans approve of Trump's airstrike of Soleimani
Show Caption Hide Caption How polls work: The science behind gathering voter opinions The news cycle is jampacked with polls. But have you ever wondered how polls actually work and what they mean? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Forty-three percent of Americans approve of President Donald Trump's airstrike that targeted Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani, the second most powerful leader in Iran and commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to a new poll released Monday.
In the HuffPost-YouGov survey, 30 percent of those surveyed said they strongly approved of the decision, while another 13 percent said they somewhat approved.
Conversely, 38 percent of respondents said they either somewhat or strongly disapprove of the airstrike.
More: What you need to know about the death of Gen. Soleimani and the escalating situation with Iran
More: Donald Trump again threatens to target Iranian cultural sites amid mounting tensions over Qasem Soleimani killing
The airstrike late last week that killed Soleimani has Iran vowing to retaliate against the United States. Trump responded Sunday to those threats by reiterating a warning of targeting Iranian cultural sites, which critics say could amount to a war crime.
When asked whether they think the president has a "clear strategy for dealing with Iran," 32 percent of respondents said they think he does, while 47 percent said they think he does not. Additionally, 21 percent said they were not sure.
Congressional Democrats have complained that Trump did not inform leaders on Capitol Hill before taking action, as presidents have done ahead of other military moves in recent years.
Trump sent Congress a document on Saturday informing lawmakers of his military action as required by the War Powers Act of 1973, and on Sunday he posted an apparently mocking tweet, which he said "will serve as notification" that he will strike Iran if the country attacks "any U.S. person or target."
More: Iran's Supreme Leader weeps at Gen. Qasem Soleimani’s funeral as masses mourn
Respondents were also asked whether they think Trump should have received congressional authorization before the airstrike, to which 44 percent said they think he should have, while 34 percent said they didn't think he needed to and another 22 percent answered they were not sure.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the document sent by Trump "prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing, manner and justification of the administration’s decision to engage in hostilities against Iran."
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., has introduced a resolution barring the use of further military force against Iran without congressional authorization.
A majority of respondents — at 57 percent — said they believe the airstrike makes military conflict with Iran more likely than before, while 8 percent said they think it would make it less likely.
Administration officials have said Soleimani was plotting attacks on Americans in the Middle East and that he presented an imminent threat; however, neither the White House nor the Pentagon has detailed any specific planned attacked yet.
"We took action last night to stop a war," Trump said Friday at Mar-a-Lago. "We did not take action to start a war."
More: 'I want to have peace.' How Trump went from a vow to avoid conflict to an order to kill Iran general
The poll seems to be largely split between party lines with 71 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents saying they disapprove of the airstrike while 84 percent of Republicans and right-leaning independents stated they approved.
The HuffPost-YouGov poll has a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points and was conducted between Jan. 3-5 among a population of 1,000 adults.
Contributing: William Cummings, David Jackson, Courtney Subramanian, John Fritze


usatoday--2020-01-06--Yogis for Marianne: 2020 candidate draws 150 to event days after laying off staff

IOWA CITY , Ia .
— The first week of January , Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson laid off her entire campaign staff , including her staff in Iowa .
Just a month before the Iowa caucuses , the move was a surprise .
Still , on Saturday afternoon , the author and spiritual guide drew a crowd of more than 150 people stretched out over yoga mats looking to hear her message .
The group had already moved through two hours of yoga and meditation as Williamson began to address the crowd .
While a few rolled up their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vast majority for 45 minutes as she wove a message unique to their shared interest .
The practice of yoga across the country and the ubiquity `` mindfulness '' in daily life is proof , for Williamson , that the group she terms the `` spiritual community '' has a lot of power .
The problem , she said , is that the community 's drive to better themselves tends to push them from away from politics .
`` Many people in the spiritual community did n't want to hear about politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world did n't want to hear about politics from me or from anyone with a spiritual perspective , '' Williamson said .
`` I was living in a space of connectivity between the two . ''
Julia Theisen , 58 , is a co-owner of Dubuque 's Body and Soul Wellness Center and Spa .
She said she felt that divide until Williamson 's campaign .
“ I had avoided going down this route , partly because I never found a candidate that spoke the same language as me , and Marianne does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently become a U.S. citizen , this cycle will be Theisen 's first chance to caucus for a candidate .
She said she 's all in for Williamson `` until the very end , whether she 's president or not , as long as she is still running . ''
When asked about Williamson laying off her entire campaign staff , Theisen said if polling numbers or fundraising reports had n't shaken her support , neither would Thursday 's news .
`` I 'm trying so hard not to be thinking about this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's like Marianne 's making good decisions about what she needs to do — and that 's one of the decisions right now , '' she said .
`` So be it . ''
Before Williamson 's event , three of her unpaid organizers who came ahead of the event had their `` Marianne Williamson 2020 '' signs at an anti-war protest earlier that day .
Having driven hours again for the campaign , they were confident in the exuberance of the supporters they found .
`` We believe in miracles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Des Moines said .
`` That means anything is possible . ''
`` The truth is that she 's a voice of reason at this point in time , and she 's being listened to , '' said Mark Gerstein , 58 , of Ames .
`` And so let 's just keep our ears open . ''
Zachary Oren Smith writes about government , growth and development for the Press-Citizen .
Reach him at zsmith @ press-citizen.com or 319 -339-7354 , and follow him on Twitter via @ zacharyos .

Zachary Oren Smith, Iowa City Press-Citizen

Yogis for Marianne: 2020 candidate draws 150 to event days after laying off staff
IOWA CITY, Ia. — The first week of January, Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson laid off her entire campaign staff, including her staff in Iowa. Just a month before the Iowa caucuses, the move was a surprise.
Still, on Saturday afternoon, the author and spiritual guide drew a crowd of more than 150 people stretched out over yoga mats looking to hear her message.
The group had already moved through two hours of yoga and meditation as Williamson began to address the crowd. While a few rolled up their mats when she began, Williamson held the vast majority for 45 minutes as she wove a message unique to their shared interest.
The practice of yoga across the country and the ubiquity "mindfulness" in daily life is proof, for Williamson, that the group she terms the "spiritual community" has a lot of power. The problem, she said, is that the community's drive to better themselves tends to push them from away from politics.
Williamson on the issues: The 2020 candidate shares her views on health care, gun control, immigration and more
"Many people in the spiritual community didn't want to hear about politics. And many people in the political world didn't want to hear about politics from me or from anyone with a spiritual perspective," Williamson said. "I was living in a space of connectivity between the two."
Julia Theisen, 58, is a co-owner of Dubuque's Body and Soul Wellness Center and Spa. She said she felt that divide until Williamson's campaign.
“I had avoided going down this route, partly because I never found a candidate that spoke the same language as me, and Marianne does that,” Theisen said.
Having recently become a U.S. citizen, this cycle will be Theisen's first chance to caucus for a candidate. She said she's all in for Williamson "until the very end, whether she's president or not, as long as she is still running."
When asked about Williamson laying off her entire campaign staff, Theisen said if polling numbers or fundraising reports hadn't shaken her support, neither would Thursday's news.
2020 election: Here's where the Democrats running for president stand on health care, immigration and more
"I'm trying so hard not to be thinking about this as a traditional race, and so it's like Marianne's making good decisions about what she needs to do — and that's one of the decisions right now," she said. "So be it."
Before Williamson's event, three of her unpaid organizers who came ahead of the event had their "Marianne Williamson 2020" signs at an anti-war protest earlier that day.
Having driven hours again for the campaign, they were confident in the exuberance of the supporters they found.
"We believe in miracles," Nancy Zak, 59, of Des Moines said. "That means anything is possible."
"The truth is that she's a voice of reason at this point in time, and she's being listened to," said Mark Gerstein, 58, of Ames. "And so let's just keep our ears open."
Zachary Oren Smith writes about government, growth and development for the Press-Citizen. Reach him at zsmith@press-citizen.com or 319 -339-7354, and follow him on Twitter via @zacharyos.


usatoday--2020-01-06--John Bolton says he will testify in Trump's impeachment trial if Senate subpoenas him

WASHINGTON – John Bolton , President Donald Trump 's former national security adviser , said Monday that he is `` prepared to testify '' in a Senate impeachment trial – if he 's subpoenaed by the Republican-controlled chamber .
`` I have concluded that , if the Senate issues a subpoena for my testimony , I am prepared to testify , '' Bolton said in a statement Monday .
Bolton 's unexpected statement – coming after he 's played coy for weeks about what he knows and whether he would dish on Trump – plays into the hands of House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Democrats .
If Senate Republicans now refuse to subpoena Bolton and other witnesses , `` they would make absolutely clear they are participating in a cover-up , '' Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , said shortly after Bolton issued his statement .
Democrats want Bolton to testify , hoping he would be a bombshell witness in their case against Trump , which accuses the president of soliciting interference from Ukraine in the 2020 presidential election .
Bolton has hinted that he could offer new details about the Ukraine pressure campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of the events , meetings , and conversations about which you have already received testimony , '' his lawyer said in a November letter to House Democrats , `` as well as many relevant meetings and conversations that have not yet been discussed in the testimonies thus far . ''
On Monday , Bolton said he 's tried to balance his obligations `` as a citizen and as former National Security Adviser , '' portraying himself as torn between a presidential directive not to testify and a desire to comply with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questioned the sincerity of Bolton 's offer , saying the Republican-run Senate is unlikely to call any witnesses .
The House impeached Trump for abuse of power and obstructing Congress in a historic vote on Dec. 18 .
Pelosi has not yet sent the two articles of impeachment to the Senate for a trial ; she 's holding them back as leverage in her effort to pressure Republicans to call new witnesses during a Senate trial .
In November , Bolton defied a request from Democrats leading the House impeachment inquiry to testify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer told lawmakers he would take the impeachment committee to court if it subpoenaed him .
House Democrats decided not to subpoena Bolton during their probe , arguing it would delay their investigation with a protracted court battle ; instead , they labeled Bolton 's refusal to appear as evidence of obstruction .
Since the House vote , Schumer has pushed for summoning four witnesses who did not testify during the House inquiry , including Bolton and acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pushing for a quick trial that would lead to Trump 's acquittal .
Republicans have criticized Pelosi for refusing to transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate , saying they have not yet been able to organize the trial .
McConnell did not mention Bolton by name during a Senate floor speech on Monday , but said he wants the House impeachment prosecutors and Trump 's defense attorneys to present their cases before the Senate decides whether to call witnesses .
There 's no question Bolton , who clashed with Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acrimonious terms , could provide an insider 's account of Trump 's effort to pressure Ukraine 's president , Volodymyr Zelensky , for political favors .
According to Fiona Hill , one of Bolton 's former deputies , Bolton was alarmed by the Ukraine pressure campaign , particularly the role of Rudy Giuliani , Trump 's personal lawyer , played in carrying out that shadow foreign policy agenda .
Hill said Bolton called Giuliani a `` hand grenade '' and referred to the Ukraine effort as a `` drug deal '' that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters welcomed the prospect of Bolton 's testimony , saying he can shed light on the president 's decision to temporarily block aid to Ukraine as he and others pressing Zelensky to open two investigations that would benefit Trump in his 2020 reelection campaign .
`` Good for you @ AmbJohnBolton , '' tweeted Neal Katyal , former acting solicitor general and author of a book on impeachment .
`` We are all Americans , united in our pursuit of the truth . ''
Katyal added ; `` I hope your White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your lead and testify as well .
The American people deserve no less . ''
But Barb McQuade , a former federal prosecutor , described Bolton 's new statement as `` a PR move '' designed to help the former national security adviser sell copies of his forthcoming book .
`` He is currently in a bad spot because he looks like he was willing to tell his story only for money , not for country , '' said McQuade , a law professor at the University of Michigan .
`` He is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his testimony . ''
If McConnell does subpoena him , Bolton could always change his mind , citing executive privilege , McQuade said .
Others said that , depending on how the Senate trial 's rules are written , a simple majority of senators could approve a subpoena – and a few GOP senators may want to hear from Bolton and others .
`` Everyone saying 'yeah but the Senate wo n't subpoena Bolton ' ... just chill for a moment , '' tweeted national security lawyer Bradley P. Moss .
`` Let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a few hours . ''
Moss told USA TODAY that `` all eyes '' would now be trained first on Trump , to see how he reacts to Bolton 's statement , and then on a handful of moderate GOP senators who could potentially break with McConnell to demand testimony from Bolton and other witnesses .
Schumer said Sunday it would take only four Republican senators to join Democrats in the push for witnesses , and possibly new documents .
`` We have the ability to require votes on the four witnesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s agreement or not , '' Schumer said on ABC 's This Week .
`` We have the ability to ask for the documents and I hope , pray , and believe there ’ s a decent chance that four Republicans will join us . ''
The White House declined to comment on Bolton 's statement .

Deirdre Shesgreen and David Jackson, USA TODAY

John Bolton says he will testify in Trump's impeachment trial if Senate subpoenas him
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WASHINGTON – John Bolton, President Donald Trump's former national security adviser, said Monday that he is "prepared to testify" in a Senate impeachment trial – if he's subpoenaed by the Republican-controlled chamber.
"I have concluded that, if the Senate issues a subpoena for my testimony, I am prepared to testify," Bolton said in a statement Monday.
Bolton's unexpected statement – coming after he's played coy for weeks about what he knows and whether he would dish on Trump – plays into the hands of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Democrats.
If Senate Republicans now refuse to subpoena Bolton and other witnesses, "they would make absolutely clear they are participating in a cover-up," Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said shortly after Bolton issued his statement.
Democrats want Bolton to testify, hoping he would be a bombshell witness in their case against Trump, which accuses the president of soliciting interference from Ukraine in the 2020 presidential election.
Bolton has hinted that he could offer new details about the Ukraine pressure campaign.
He was "personally involved in many of the events, meetings, and conversations about which you have already received testimony," his lawyer said in a November letter to House Democrats, "as well as many relevant meetings and conversations that have not yet been discussed in the testimonies thus far."
On Monday, Bolton said he's tried to balance his obligations "as a citizen and as former National Security Adviser," portraying himself as torn between a presidential directive not to testify and a desire to comply with a congressional request for information.
But skeptics questioned the sincerity of Bolton's offer, saying the Republican-run Senate is unlikely to call any witnesses.
The House impeached Trump for abuse of power and obstructing Congress in a historic vote on Dec. 18. Pelosi has not yet sent the two articles of impeachment to the Senate for a trial; she's holding them back as leverage in her effort to pressure Republicans to call new witnesses during a Senate trial.
In November, Bolton defied a request from Democrats leading the House impeachment inquiry to testify. At the time, Bolton's lawyer told lawmakers he would take the impeachment committee to court if it subpoenaed him.
House Democrats decided not to subpoena Bolton during their probe, arguing it would delay their investigation with a protracted court battle; instead, they labeled Bolton's refusal to appear as evidence of obstruction.
Since the House vote, Schumer has pushed for summoning four witnesses who did not testify during the House inquiry, including Bolton and acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has balked at calling any witnesses, pushing for a quick trial that would lead to Trump's acquittal. Republicans have criticized Pelosi for refusing to transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate, saying they have not yet been able to organize the trial.
McConnell did not mention Bolton by name during a Senate floor speech on Monday, but said he wants the House impeachment prosecutors and Trump's defense attorneys to present their cases before the Senate decides whether to call witnesses.
There's no question Bolton, who clashed with Trump repeatedly and left the White House on acrimonious terms, could provide an insider's account of Trump's effort to pressure Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, for political favors.
According to Fiona Hill, one of Bolton's former deputies, Bolton was alarmed by the Ukraine pressure campaign, particularly the role of Rudy Giuliani, Trump's personal lawyer, played in carrying out that shadow foreign policy agenda. Hill said Bolton called Giuliani a "hand grenade" and referred to the Ukraine effort as a "drug deal" that would backfire on the White House.
Impeachment supporters welcomed the prospect of Bolton's testimony, saying he can shed light on the president's decision to temporarily block aid to Ukraine as he and others pressing Zelensky to open two investigations that would benefit Trump in his 2020 reelection campaign.
"Good for you @AmbJohnBolton," tweeted Neal Katyal, former acting solicitor general and author of a book on impeachment. "We are all Americans, united in our pursuit of the truth."
Katyal added; "I hope your White House colleagues, including President Trump, follow your lead and testify as well. The American people deserve no less."
But Barb McQuade, a former federal prosecutor, described Bolton's new statement as "a PR move" designed to help the former national security adviser sell copies of his forthcoming book.
"He is currently in a bad spot because he looks like he was willing to tell his story only for money, not for country," said McQuade, a law professor at the University of Michigan. "He is gambling that the Senate will not demand his testimony."
If McConnell does subpoena him, Bolton could always change his mind, citing executive privilege, McQuade said.
Others said that, depending on how the Senate trial's rules are written, a simple majority of senators could approve a subpoena – and a few GOP senators may want to hear from Bolton and others.
"Everyone saying 'yeah but the Senate won't subpoena Bolton' ... just chill for a moment," tweeted national security lawyer Bradley P. Moss. "Let the president stew with this new cycle for a few hours."
Moss told USA TODAY that "all eyes" would now be trained first on Trump, to see how he reacts to Bolton's statement, and then on a handful of moderate GOP senators who could potentially break with McConnell to demand testimony from Bolton and other witnesses.
Schumer said Sunday it would take only four Republican senators to join Democrats in the push for witnesses, and possibly new documents.
"We have the ability to require votes on the four witnesses we’ve asked for, whether there’s agreement or not," Schumer said on ABC's This Week. "We have the ability to ask for the documents and I hope, pray, and believe there’s a decent chance that four Republicans will join us."
The White House declined to comment on Bolton's statement.


usatoday--2020-01-06--Julián Castro endorses Elizabeth Warren for president after ending his own campaign

WASHINGTON – Julián Castro , who dropped out of the 2020 presidential race last week , has endorsed Sen. Elizabeth Warren in the Democratic primary .
In a video posted on his Twitter account Monday , Castro said his `` story would n't be possible without the strong women that came before '' him .
Castro , a Housing and Urban Development Secretary during the Obama administration , said Warren is `` one candidate I see who 's unafraid to fight like hell to make sure America 's promise will be there for everyone . ''
`` Who will make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in America or where your family came from in the world , you have a path to opportunity , too , '' Castro said .
`` That 's why I 'm proud to endorse Elizabeth Warren for president . ''
Castro last Thursday announced he was ending his presidential bid , saying , `` I 've determined that it simply is n't our time . ''
Castro was the only Latino candidate running for president in 2020 and often focused his campaign on issues facing marginalized groups .
Following his endorsement , Castro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Warren at a joint rally at Brooklyn ’ s Kings Theatre on Tuesday .
2020 election : Warren says she will vote for Trump 's USMCA trade deal 2020 candidates : A visual guide to the candidate ’ s positions on healthcare , climate change , guns and more In the video announcing his endorsement of Warren , Castro is seen meeting with the Massachusetts senator at her home .
`` You did so many things in this campaign , and it continues to matter , '' Warren tells Castro in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the past tense ; it matters . ''

Julián Castro endorses Elizabeth Warren for president after ending his own campaign
Show Caption Hide Caption Difference between caucus and primary, explained The 2020 election is nearing and with that, comes the caucuses and primary elections. But what’s the difference? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Julián Castro, who dropped out of the 2020 presidential race last week, has endorsed Sen. Elizabeth Warren in the Democratic primary.
In a video posted on his Twitter account Monday, Castro said his "story wouldn't be possible without the strong women that came before" him. Castro, a Housing and Urban Development Secretary during the Obama administration, said Warren is "one candidate I see who's unafraid to fight like hell to make sure America's promise will be there for everyone."
"Who will make sure that no matter where you live in America or where your family came from in the world, you have a path to opportunity, too," Castro said. "That's why I'm proud to endorse Elizabeth Warren for president."
Today I'm proud to endorse @ewarren for president.
Elizabeth and I share a vision of America where everyone counts. An America where people—not the wealthy or well-connected—are put first. I'm proud to join her in the fight for big, structural change. pic.twitter.com/xDvMEKqpF3 — Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) January 6, 2020
Castro last Thursday announced he was ending his presidential bid, saying, "I've determined that it simply isn't our time." Castro was the only Latino candidate running for president in 2020 and often focused his campaign on issues facing marginalized groups.
Following his endorsement, Castro is traveling to New York to campaign with Warren at a joint rally at Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre on Tuesday.
2020 election: Warren says she will vote for Trump's USMCA trade deal
2020 candidates: A visual guide to the candidate’s positions on healthcare, climate change, guns and more
In the video announcing his endorsement of Warren, Castro is seen meeting with the Massachusetts senator at her home.
"You did so many things in this campaign, and it continues to matter," Warren tells Castro in the video. "It's not just in the past tense; it matters."


usatoday--2020-01-06--Donald Trump again threatens to target Iranian cultural sites amid mounting tensions over Qasem Sole

WASHINGTON –President Donald Trump on Sunday repeated a threat to target Iranian cultural sites , which critics say could amount to a war crime , if Tehran retaliates for a U.S. drone strike that killed its top military general .
`` They ’ re allowed to kill our people .
They ’ re allowed to torture and maim our people .
They ’ re allowed to use roadside bombs and blow up our people , ” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way back to Washington , D.C , from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not allowed to touch their cultural site ?
It doesn ’ t work that way . ''
Trump 's comments appeared to contradict Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , who earlier on Sunday vowed the administration would `` behave lawfully '' in regards to a list of targets the U.S. would strike if Iran launched a retaliatory attack for the death of Gen. Qasem Soleimani , the leader of Iran 's elite Quds Force .
Iran has repeatedly vowed to retaliate for the attack , sparking fears it could trigger further military action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a pair of tweets , the president warned the U.S. has identified 52 Iranian targets , including some cultural sites , that `` WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD '' if Iran were to take action .
Critics — including top Iranian officials — were quick to point out the threat amounted to a war crime .
`` He does n't know international law .
He does n't recognize U.N. resolutions either .
Basically he is a veritable gangster and a gambler , '' Iranian Maj. Gen. Hossein Dehghan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supreme leader , told CNN .
Iran was home to some of the earliest civilizations in human history , and there are two dozen UNESCO World Heritage Sites , 22 of them cultural ones , within its borders .
The 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict makes it a war crime to target cultural sites .
The international treaty , created in the aftermath of World War II , says , `` Damage to cultural property belonging to any people whatsoever means damage to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' And , according to the International Red Cross , because such sites are `` normally civilian in nature , the general provisions of humanitarian law protecting civilian property apply . ''
In response to the intentional demolition of several historic monuments and relics by the Islamic State , the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed a resolution in 2017 condemning the destruction of heritage sites .
Earlier Sunday , Trump warned he would `` quickly and fully strike back '' if Iran took action for Soleimani 's death , suggesting that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The president also appeared suggest his tweets serve as formal notification to Congress of any strikes on Iran , which is required within 48 hours of military-style action under the War Powers Act of 1973 .
`` These Media Posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress , '' he said , appearing to refer to his tweets , `` that should Iran strike any U.S. person or target , the United States will quickly & fully strike back , & perhaps in a disproportionate manner .
Such legal notice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nevertheless ! ''
The Trump administration on Saturday submitted a formal document to Congress defending the drone strike , but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced in a letter Sunday night the House will `` introduce and vote on a War Powers Resolution to limit '' the president 's military actions on Iran .
The administration argues Soleimani 's organization had been declared terrorists and carried out a number of attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq .
Trump and other officials have also argued that Soleimani was planning future attacks on U.S. interests in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointed out formal notice of military action is required to be sent to Congress and his suggestion of a disproportionate threat could violate international laws .
`` Any time the president involves the armed forces into 'hostilities , ' he must -- at a minimum -- notify Congress within 48 hours , '' tweeted Oona Hathaway , director of Yale Law School 's Center for Global Legal Challenges .
More : How Trump arrived at the decision to kill Iran 's top general '' He is promising a 'perhaps ... disproportionate ' strike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` that 's another promise of an international law violation .
Any action taken in self defense ( the apparent justification for the strikes ) must be necessary and proportionate to the threat posed . ''
The brewing tensions between Washington and Tehran were on full display Sunday after Iran said it was taking another step toward abandoning the nuclear accord between Tehran and several world powers that Trump pulled out of in May 2018 .
Timeline : How tensions escalated with Iran since Trump exited nuke deal Hundreds of thousands of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Soleimani , one of the country 's former top military commanders and the mastermind of its vast network of pro-Iranian militias scattered across the Middle East .
Soleimani , who was designated a terrorist by the State Department last April , was killed in a drone strike on Friday on a road near Baghdad airport .
Also on Sunday Iraq 's parliament voted to end the presence of U.S. troops there .
The bill is non-binding and requires the approval of the Iraqi government , but outgoing Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political assassination '' and urged the U.S. military to leave .

Donald Trump again threatens to target Iranian cultural sites amid mounting tensions over Qasem Soleimani killing
Show Caption Hide Caption Are we really ready for a World War III? Fears are mounting around the world following the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani - but is World War 3 about to happen? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Sunday repeated a threat to target Iranian cultural sites, which critics say could amount to a war crime, if Tehran retaliates for a U.S. drone strike that killed its top military general.
"They’re allowed to kill our people. They’re allowed to torture and maim our people. They’re allowed to use roadside bombs and blow up our people,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way back to Washington, D.C, from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. “And we’re not allowed to touch their cultural site? It doesn’t work that way."
Trump's comments appeared to contradict Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who earlier on Sunday vowed the administration would "behave lawfully" in regards to a list of targets the U.S. would strike if Iran launched a retaliatory attack for the death of Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the leader of Iran's elite Quds Force.
Iran has repeatedly vowed to retaliate for the attack, sparking fears it could trigger further military action or launch a war. On Saturday in a pair of tweets, the president warned the U.S. has identified 52 Iranian targets, including some cultural sites, that "WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD" if Iran were to take action.
Critics — including top Iranian officials — were quick to point out the threat amounted to a war crime.
"He doesn't know international law. He doesn't recognize U.N. resolutions either. Basically he is a veritable gangster and a gambler," Iranian Maj. Gen. Hossein Dehghan, a senior military adviser to Iran's supreme leader, told CNN.
Iran was home to some of the earliest civilizations in human history, and there are two dozen UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 22 of them cultural ones, within its borders.
The 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict makes it a war crime to target cultural sites. The international treaty, created in the aftermath of World War II, says, "Damage to cultural property belonging to any people whatsoever means damage to the cultural heritage of all mankind."
And, according to the International Red Cross, because such sites are "normally civilian in nature, the general provisions of humanitarian law protecting civilian property apply."
In response to the intentional demolition of several historic monuments and relics by the Islamic State, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed a resolution in 2017 condemning the destruction of heritage sites.
Earlier Sunday, Trump warned he would "quickly and fully strike back" if Iran took action for Soleimani's death, suggesting that a U.S. response might be "disproportionate."
The president also appeared suggest his tweets serve as formal notification to Congress of any strikes on Iran, which is required within 48 hours of military-style action under the War Powers Act of 1973.
"These Media Posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress," he said, appearing to refer to his tweets, "that should Iran strike any U.S. person or target, the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner. Such legal notice is not required, but is given nevertheless!"
These Media Posts will serve as notification to the United States Congress that should Iran strike any U.S. person or target, the United States will quickly & fully strike back, & perhaps in a disproportionate manner. Such legal notice is not required, but is given nevertheless! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2020
The Trump administration on Saturday submitted a formal document to Congress defending the drone strike, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced in a letter Sunday night the House will "introduce and vote on a War Powers Resolution to limit" the president's military actions on Iran.
The administration argues Soleimani's organization had been declared terrorists and carried out a number of attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq. Trump and other officials have also argued that Soleimani was planning future attacks on U.S. interests in the region.
Critics of the president pointed out formal notice of military action is required to be sent to Congress and his suggestion of a disproportionate threat could violate international laws.
"Any time the president involves the armed forces into 'hostilities,' he must--at a minimum--notify Congress within 48 hours," tweeted Oona Hathaway, director of Yale Law School's Center for Global Legal Challenges.
More: How Trump arrived at the decision to kill Iran's top general
Trump: We took action to stop, not start a war President Donald Trump declared Friday that a “reign of terror is over" as he marked the death of an Iranian general killed in a U.S. strike. Trump said the U.S. took the action to "stop a war," not to start one. (Jan. 3) AP
"He is promising a 'perhaps ... disproportionate' strike in response," she added. "that's another promise of an international law violation. Any action taken in self defense (the apparent justification for the strikes) must be necessary and proportionate to the threat posed."
The brewing tensions between Washington and Tehran were on full display Sunday after Iran said it was taking another step toward abandoning the nuclear accord between Tehran and several world powers that Trump pulled out of in May 2018.
Timeline: How tensions escalated with Iran since Trump exited nuke deal
Hundreds of thousands of people flooded Iranian streets to mourn the death of Soleimani, one of the country's former top military commanders and the mastermind of its vast network of pro-Iranian militias scattered across the Middle East. Soleimani, who was designated a terrorist by the State Department last April, was killed in a drone strike on Friday on a road near Baghdad airport.
Also on Sunday Iraq's parliament voted to end the presence of U.S. troops there. The bill is non-binding and requires the approval of the Iraqi government, but outgoing Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi described the general's killing as a "political assassination" and urged the U.S. military to leave.
Contributing: Kim Hjelmgaard, David Jackson and William Cummings, USA TODAY.