1 Pompeo Talks "Defensive Action" Airstrikes As Iran Threatens Retaliation
Iran is threatening “consequences” for the U.S. strikes and said 25 in weekend airstrikes. They also condemned the airstrikes, accusing the Trump administration of committing acts of terrorism. This as the U.S. launched at an Iranian-backed Iraqi militia in Iraq and Syria over the weekend Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is describing the incident as a “defensive action” aimed at warding off Iranian aggression and protecting Americans. Pompeo said that the strikes were "designed to protect American forces and American citizens in Iraq, and it was aimed also at deterring Iran." The strikes were in response to a Friday rocket attack on an Iraqi military base that wounded several American troops and killed an American contractor, the first U.S. casualties after months of such shellings in Iraq.
2 Officials Offer Updates On NY Mass Stabbing, TX Church Shooting
We’re learning more about two cases of violence against religious groups. In New York, there are new details out on the five stabbing victims from a Hannukah celebration in New York. Officials say one was the rabbi's son who is recovering, another is critical with a skull fracture – and two more are out of a hospital. As for Grafton Thomas, the 37-year old being held, he’s said to be a former Marine who lives with his mom and may have been off his meds for depression and psychosis. He remains behind bars on five-million dollars bail. Down in Texas, the suspect in the North Texas church shooting has been identified as Keith Kinnunen. As we told you before, two people inside West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement were shot – and Kinnunen was then killed by a security guard, now identified as Jack Wilson. Kinnunen is believed to be homeless, has a history of violence - though a motive has not been released. Meanwhile, President Trump has checked in on both cases via Twitter. Regarding the New York stabbing, Trump is calling for unity to fight "the evil scourge" of anti-Semitism following the attack. As for Texas, Trump is praising the actions of those who stopped the gunman. Trump noted the attack was over in seconds thanks to "brave parishioners" who acted to protect more than 200 others. He says lives were saved partly because of "Texas laws allowing them to carry arms!"
3 Obama & Trump Tied In “Most Admired Men” Poll
Former President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump are tied for most admired men in America. Both won 18-percent of the vote in Gallup's latest annual poll and were followed by former President Jimmy Carter and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, both with two-percent. When it comes to women, former First Lady Michelle Obama is America's most admired woman. She secured ten-percent of the vote, followed by First Lady Melania Trump with five-percent and Oprah Winfrey, who nabbed three-percent. It's Mr. Obama's 12th year being most admired, while it's Mr. Trump's first. Gallup says the votes were heavily skewed along party lines, with only three-percent of Republicans choosing Obama and two-percent of Democrats choosing Trump.