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u.s. news Diamars 15 maart 2022

Trump accused of breaking campaign laws by teasing 2024 run

(AP) - As former Presi- then obligated to file a candi- disaster because of the Dem-
dent Donald Trump con- dacy intent statement within ocrats’ failures, and instead of
tinues to tease a future 15 days of receiving contri- reversing course to provide
White House bid, a pro- butions or making any ex- needed relief to American
Democratic super PAC penditure over $5,000. families, they are busy fil-
has accused him of violat- ing frivolous complaints that
ing federal campaign laws “Trump has played footsie have zero merit,” he said.
by raising and spending with the Federal Election
money for a run without Campaign Act for months,” It’s unclear how the com-
officially filing his candi- the group said Monday, not- mission would proceed with
dacy. ing that the former president, the case, which joins a back-
through his Save America logged docket. In February,
In its complaint filed Mon- PAC, has spent more than the FEC opted not to hold
day with the Federal Elec- $100,000 per week on Face- Trump accountable for “soft
tion Commission, American book ads “and has consistent- money” violations that his
Bridge accused Trump of “il- ly raised more than $1 mil- campaign had previously ac-
legally using his multicandi- lion per week — a clear viola- knowledged.
date leadership PAC to raise tion of campaign finance law announcement until after the it again,” he told a gather-
and spend funds in excess and precedent established by Trump has been teasing the midterms because it would ing last month. “We’re going
of Commission limits for the Federal Election Com- prospect of another run since trigger campaign finance to be doing it again, a third
the purpose of advancing a mission.” before he left office. At a laws. time.”
2024 presidential campaign.” White House Christmas par-
The super PAC says that in- American Bridge wants the ty in December 2020, Trump “I know what I’m going to “We may have to run again,”
cludes “payments for events FEC to compel disclosure told guests that it had “been do, but we’re not supposed Trump said in South Caro-
at Trump properties, rallies of Trump’s expenditures an amazing four years.” to be talking about it yet from lina on Saturday, as he cam-
featuring Mr. Trump, con- and fine him “the maximum the standpoint of campaign paigned for two Republican
sulting payments to former amount permitted by law.” “We are trying to do another finance laws, which frankly candidates mounting pri-
Trump campaign staff, and four years. Otherwise, I’ll see are ridiculous, OK?” Trump mary challenges to House
digital advertising about Mr. Taylor Budowich, a Trump you in four years,” he said. said during a September visit members he said have been
Trump’s events and his pre- spokesperson, said the com- with first responders when disloyal to him.
sumptive 2024 opponent.” plaint by American Bridge Since then, he has alluded to asked if he would run again.
was without merit and he ac- his plans in nearly every ap- “But we have to live with it. “In 2024, we are going to take
Alleging that Trump has al- cused Democrats of resorting pearance and interview, tell- But I think you’re going to be back that beautiful, beautiful
ready privately decided to to “cheap gimmicks.” ing conservative hosts and happy.” White House. I wonder who
mount a 2024 campaign, Trump-friendly audiences will do that. I wonder. I won-
American Bridge says he was “Our country is spiraling into that he is waiting to make an “We did it twice and we’ll do der.”

US warns Chinese on support for Russia in Ukraine war

(AP) — Face to face, President Joe Chinese anew that assistance for Meanwhile, White House officials The Biden administration is also ac-
Biden’s national security adviser Russia — including helping it avert are discussing the possibility of Biden cusing China of spreading Russian
warned a top Chinese official on sanctions imposed by the U.S. and traveling to Europe to meet with al- disinformation that could be a pretext
Monday about China’s support Western allies — would be costly for lies for in-person talks about the crisis for Putin’s forces to attack Ukraine
for Russia in the Ukrainian inva- them. in Ukraine, according to three U.S. with chemical or biological weapons.
sion, even as the Kremlin denied officials. The officials, who were not
reports it had requested Chinese Meanwhile, two administration of- authorized to comment publicly and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has put
military equipment to use in the ficials said the U.S. had determined spoke on the condition of anonym- China in a delicate spot with two of
war. that China had signaled to Russia that ity, said the trip hasn’t been finalized. its biggest trading partners: the U.S.
it would be willing to provide both One possibility is a visit to NATO and European Union. China needs
U.S. adviser Jake Sullivan and se- military support for the campaign in headquarters in Brussels on March access to those markets, yet it also has
nior Chinese foreign policy adviser Ukraine and financial backing to help 24 with other potential stops in Eu- shown support for Moscow, joining
Yang Jiechi met in Rome, with the stave off the impact of severe sanc- rope, according to one of the officials. with Russia in declaring a friendship
Biden administration increasingly tions imposed by the West. The of- with “no limits.”
concerned that China is using the ficials said that assessment had been The prospect of China offering Rus-
Ukraine war to advance Beijing’s relayed to Western and Asian allies sia financial help is one of several Asked at a daily briefing about the
long-term interest in its competition and partners earlier Monday. concerns for Biden. A U.S. official reported Russian request for as-
with the United States. said that in recent days, Russia has sistance, Chinese Foreign Ministry
Sullivan made clear during an “in- requested support from China, in- spokesperson Zhao Lijian said: “The
Sullivan was seeking clarity on Bei- tense” seven-hour meeting that the cluding military equipment, to press U.S. has been spreading disinforma-
jing’s posture and was warning the Biden administration has deep con- forward in its ongoing war with tion targeting China recently over the
cerns about China’s alignment with Ukraine. The official, who spoke on Ukraine issue. It is malicious.”
Russia at this time, White House condition of anonymity to discuss
press secretary Jen Psaki said. sensitive matters, did not provide de- The White House said Monday’s
tails on the scope of the request. Sullivan-Yang talks focused on the
Psaki declined to comment on wheth- direct impact of Russia’s war against
er the U.S. believes China has already The Russians have seen significant Ukraine and on regional and global
provided the Russians with military, losses of tanks, helicopters and oth- security.
economic or other assistance. er materiel since the start of the war
more than two weeks ago. Ukraine, Biden administration officials say
In advance of the talks, Sullivan while overmatched by Russian forces, Beijing is spreading false Russian
bluntly warned China to avoid help- is well-equipped with anti-tank and claims that Ukraine was running
ing Russia evade punishment from anti-aircraft missiles. Even, Russia’s chemical and biological weapons labs
global sanctions that have hammered and China’s weapons systems have with U.S. support. They say China
the Russian economy. “We will not limited interoperability, and it’s not is effectively providing cover if Rus-
allow that to go forward,” he said. clear what weapons China has that sia moves ahead with a biological or
Russia, however, on Monday denied Russia would be in short supply of. chemical weapons attack on Ukraini-
it needed China’s help. ans.