Wednesday morning news: February 5, 2025

TRUMP: Thank you very much …. Today I’m delighted to welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu back to the White House … [under and out]

Netanyahu at White House » Reporters packed the East Room on Tuesday for a joint press conference centered on challenges facing the Middle East.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said to secure his country’s future and bring peace to the region, Israel has three goals:

NETANYAHU:  Destroy Hamas's military and governing capabilities, secure the release of all of our hostages, and ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel.

To that end, he praised President Trump for his support.

For his part, Trump surprised many at the White House by proposing that —in his words to break the cycle of death and destruction in Gaza the United States should take ownership of the Gaza Strip to rebuild and develop the territory.

TRUMP:  This was not a decision made lightly. Everybody I've spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land, developing and creating thousands of jobs with something that will be magnificent …

Trump said he had discussed the idea with leaders of Middle Eastern countries who responded positively. Netanyahu said it’s worth exploring.

The president also announced that the US is withdrawing from what he called “The anti-semitic Human Rights Council.” And he said the US is ending support for the UN Palestinian relief agency known as UNRWA. Trump said the group had funneled money to Hamas.

Trump return to maximum pressure on Iran » President Trump also announced:

TRUMP:  Today, I also took action to restore a maximum pressure policy on the Iranian regime, and we will once again enforce the most aggressive possible sanctions,

Trump repeatedly said he hated to do it adding that he hopes concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions can be resolved diplomatically. But he said whatever it takes, Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.

And after US intelligence agencies revealed an Iranian plot to assassinate Trump before last year’s election Trump said Tuesday that if he’s killed by Iran, he’s left instructions to obliterate the country.

China tariffs » The White House on Tuesday reacted to news that Beijing is hitting U.S. imports with tariffsin retaliation for new tariffs on Chinese goods.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the US is standing up to Beijing over the flow of fentanyl from China:

LEAVITT:  Fentanyl is the leading cause of death amongst young people in this country aged 18 to 34. And it is the president's utmost responsibility to protect American lives. That's why he implemented the 10 percent tariff on China.

President Trump also once again decried the US trade deficit with China and said he’s not worried about the retaliatory tariffs.

Among other measures, Beijing will levy a 15% tax on US coal and liquified natural gas and a 10% tariff on crude oil and agricultural machinery.

El Salvador offer » Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Tuesday in El Salvador with President Nayib Bukele who offered to take in and jail hardened criminal illegal immigrants in the US regardless of their nationality.

RUBIO: It's a very generous offer. No one's ever made an offer like that. And, um, to outsource, at a fraction of the cost, uh, at least some of the most dangerous and violent criminals that we have in the United States.

President Trump says he is exploring whether he can legally take Bukele up on that offer.

One day earlier, Rubio met with leaders in Panama who agreed to key concessions regarding the Panama Canal. Those include waving fees for American vessels and reducing China’s influence in the operation of the canal.

Senate confirms Bondi as AG » The Senate has confirmed Pam Bondi as U.S. attorney general.

SOUND: On this vote, the yeas are 54. The nays are 46. The nomination is confirmed.

Bondi is a former Florida attorney general. She is expected to oversee a reshaping of a Justice Department that Bondi says had become politicized and weaponized under the prior administration.

Democrats reject that view and many expressed fears that Bondi would weaponize the department on President Trump's behalf.

Senate advances RFK Jr.  » And Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will likely become the nation’s next health secretary.

AUDIO:  Mr. Chairman, the final total 14 ayes, 13 nays. The vote was 14-13. The nomination is reported favorably.

The Senate Finance Committee voting to advance his nomination Tuesday.

That came after Kennedy won the crucial swing vote of Republican Senator and doctor Bill Cassidy, a gastroenterologist. The nominee agreed to a number of measures to assuage concerns over his past remarks about vaccines. The senator said that Kennedy, and the Trump administration, committed to a close working relationship with Cassidy.

CASSIDY:   Aside from he and I meeting regularly, he will come before the help committee on a quarterly basis if requested. He committed that the help committee chair may choose a representative on any board or commission formed to review vaccine safety.

Senate advances Gabbard » Meantime, the Senate Intelligence Committee, voted behind closed doors, to advance the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence.

That was another party line vote, 9 to 8.

Her final confirmation on the Senate floor is expected, but not assured. Several Republicans have voiced concerns. And with the GOP’s thin majority, the final vote could be close.

I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: using tariffs as a bargaining chip. Plus, how international aid programs are responding to the US funding freeze.

This is The World and Everything in It.

WORLD Radio transcripts are created on a rush deadline. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of WORLD Radio programming is the audio record.