Blinken beclowns himself with op-ed hyping Biden-Harris strategy to deter aggression



Secretary of State Antony Blinken claimed in an op-ed Tuesday that the Biden-Harris administration has been successful in bolstering America's international image and geopolitical position as compared with four years ago.

Blinken's thesis and remaining credibility did not survive the day.

Within hours of publication, Iran — afforded access to billions of dollars by the Democratic administration despite its murder of American soldiers in Jordan — attacked Israel. Blinken, no stranger to humiliation, has since been met with widespread ridicule.

In the foreign affairs op-ed, Blinken claimed that when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris came into office, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China "were already aggressively challenging U.S. interests" despite years of relative peace under President Donald Trump.

"These countries believed that the United States was in irreversible decline at home and divided from its friends abroad," wrote Blinken. "They saw an American public that had lost its faith in government, an American democracy that was polarized and paralyzed, and an American foreign policy that was undermining the very alliances, international institutions, and norms that Washington had built and championed."

According to the alleged architect of the misleading Hunter Biden "intel" letter that impacted the 2020 election, this Democratic administration has worked hard to successfully counter such perceptions with a "strategy of renewal."

"The Biden administration's strategy has put the United States in a much stronger geopolitical position today than it was four years ago," wrote Blinken.

'An end zone dance by Blinken as the world burns.'

The secretary appeared keen to gloss over, spin, or ignore various signals and causes of America's deteriorating position, deterrence, and perception over the past four years, including:

  • the illegal entry of over 10 million illegal aliens into the homeland;
  • the administration's botched withdrawal from Afghanistan and armament of the Taliban;
  • the Russian invasion of Ukraine;
  • military recruitment issues;
  • brazen attacks on American embassies and on troops;
  • routine attacks by Houthi terrorists on ships in the Red Sea;
  • the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks on Israel;
  • growing Sino-Russian cooperation in the face of the Biden-Harris administration's failed sanctions;
  • North Korean missile launches over Japan and around Korea despite American warnings;
  • the continued rise of the communist Chinese-led intergovernmental organization BRICS; and
  • Saudi Arabia's increasing drift from the U.S. dollar.

"Time and again, the Biden administration has demonstrated that the United States is the country others can rely on to help solve their biggest problems," wrote Blinken.

The secretary suggested further that the Biden-Harris administration's strategy was geared toward deterring aggression, adding that, in the case of Iran, "we increased diplomatic pressure and strengthened the US military's force posture to deter and constrain Tehran."

Iran fired over 180 missiles through Blinken's propaganda about strength and deterrence on Tuesday, striking targets in Israel.

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari indicated that while the country's air defenses were able to take down numerous incoming missiles, some still managed to land in central and southern Israel, reported the Associated Press.

Responding to the suggestion online that "it took less than a day for it to age like milk," Donald Trump Jr. said of Blinken's op-ed, "Yikes."

Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) called Blinken "totally delusional."

"Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote an oped *TODAY* about how great the Biden admin is on international relations and Iran," wrote Libs of TikTok. "We're on the verge of WW3 and we don't have a President. The entire administration is completely incompetent. Has anything aged so bad so fast?"

Conservative columnist Joe Concha tweeted, "Oh. Ok. An end zone dance by Blinken as the world burns. Great job everyone."

"Timing is the essence of comedy," wrote Federalist CEO Sean Davis.

Former Trump intelligence official Ezra Cohen noted, "This is Soviet-level cognitive dissonance from @SecBlinken."

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Secretary of State Antony Blinken plays rock music during Ukraine trip



While visiting the embattled Eastern European nation of Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken performed the song "Rockin' in the Free World," playing electric guitar and singing with the Ukrainian band "19.99."

During remarks before the performance, Blinken said that Ukraine is fighting "for the free world." He then added, "the free world is with you too."

— (@)

'As I told President [Zelenskyy], the U.S. has been by Ukraine's side from day one, and we will stay by your side.'

In a post on X, Blinken indicated that his visit was meant "to demonstrate our unwavering support for Ukraine as they defend their freedom against Russian aggression."

Blinken met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his trip.

"As I told President @ZelenskyyUA, the U.S. has been by Ukraine's side from day one, and we will stay by your side," a tweet notes.

— (@)

GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida tweeted, "Over a thousand US Troops are abandoned in Niger. And Blinken rocks out in Ukraine."

"I doubt @MikePompeo can play a lick, but Pompeo, unlike @SecBlinken, scared the hell out of the Iranians. Your choice America," Hugh Hewitt tweeted.

Last year, Blinken, who describes himself on X as as a "(very) amateur guitarist," performed "Hoochie Coochie Man" during the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative launch event.

America has provided Ukraine billions worth of aid to assist in its battle against Russia, but U.S. lawmakers have been divided on the issue.

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Hear it: Secretary of State Antony Blinken sings 'Hoochie Coochie Man'



Secretary of State Antony Blinken played electric guitar and sang Muddy Waters' "Hoochie Coochie Man" at the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative launch event.

"I couldn't pass up tonight's opportunity to combine music and diplomacy. Was a pleasure to launch @StateDept's new Global Music Diplomacy Initiative," Blinken tweeted when sharing a video of his performance.

The U.S. Embassy Ottawa shared Blinken's post, apparently crossing out the words "Secretary of State," before writing, "Rockstar @SecBlinken shreds guitar at the launch of @StateDept's new Global Music Diplomacy Initiative."

Blinken's post on X has amassed more than 7 million views so far.

"He has no peace plan for Ukraine but Blinken has Music Diplomacy," Richard Grenell tweeted, calling Blinken "the worst Secretary of State ever."

— (@)

"Nothing will intimidate Putin and Xi like 'Hoochie Coochie Man,'" Morgan Wirthlin tweeted.

"We don’t talk enough about how Secretary of State Antony Blinken has several songs on Spotify," Gary Grumbach tweeted.

Blinken, who describes himself on X as a "(very) amateur guitarist," has released several songs on digital music platforms under the name ABlinken.

"I had a bunch of songs I had written, probably 30 or 40 years ago, that were sitting around. I'd always had this ambition of giving them a somewhat proper recording. But I didn't really have the chops and I didn't have the recording skills to do that," Blinken previously told Rolling Stone.

But Blinken said that his friend Lincoln Bloomfield has a home recording studio. "I was talking about some of these songs I had always wanted to record. He said, 'Let’s do it,' so we did," Blinken said, according to Rolling Stone. "Lincoln played bass, keyboards, and lead guitar. I'm on rhythm guitar and vocals."

A press release describes the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative as "a worldwide effort to elevate music as a diplomatic tool to promote peace and democracy and support the United States' broader foreign policy goals. The Initiative aims to leverage public-private partnerships to create a music ecosystem that expands economic equity and the creative economy, ensures societal opportunity and inclusion, and increases access to education," the press release states.

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NBC News tried covertly revising article that originally contradicted White House claim that Biden admin had a choice between WNBA's Griner and Marine Paul Whelan



NBC News issued a report contradicting the Biden administration's official narrative concerning the government's prisoner swap with Russia. Apparently hoping no one would take notice, the news organization quickly changed its original report without signaling it had done so.

While ostensibly intended to buttress the Biden administration's claims about its inability to bring home former Marine Paul Whelan, NBC News' stealth edit has prompted some to wonder what actually went on behind the scenes.

Only after being met with criticism online and a request for comment from TheBlaze did the news organization offer a retroactive correction hours later.

What are the details?

In its Dec. 8 prisoner swap with Russia, the Biden administration ultimately exchanged Viktor Bout, who conspired to kill Americans, for lesbian basketballer Brittney Griner.

The White House suggested that the Biden administration never had a choice to bring home Whelan from Russia — that "the choice became to either bring Brittany home or no one."

However, NBC News, citing a senior U.S. official, first reported that the "Kremlin gave the White House the choice of either Griner or Whelan — or none."

Rikki Ratliff-Fellman, director of programming at Blaze Media, noted a significant discrepancy between NBC News' original report and the article as it now exists online.

Without issuing an editorial note, NBC News made a stealthy change to the article, such that it now reads, "The Kremlin ultimately gave the White House the choice of either Griner or no one after different options were proposed."

Ratliff-Fellman highlighted the changes in a Tweet, posing the question, "Why the cover-up?"

\u201cIt appears @NBCNews made a MAJOR change to their Griner story WITHOUT an editorial note. It changes the context of the prisoner trade story and takes heat off of White House. Why the cover-up?\u201d
— Reality Czar Rikki (@Reality Czar Rikki) 1670529082

This alteration to the article changes the entire narrative.

It also happens to buttress the tale told by President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, and other members of the administration and mainstream media.

Biden said, "This was not a choice of which American to bring home. ... Sadly, for totally illegitimate reasons, Russia is treating Paul's case differently than Brittney's."

\u201cJoe Biden:\n\n"This was not a choice of which American to bring home."\u201d
— TheBlaze (@TheBlaze) 1670516074

Blinken said, "This was not a choice of which American to bring home. The choice was one or none."

\u201c.@SecBlinken: "This was not a choice of which American to bring home. The choice was one or none." https://t.co/zY0wl6Fe2e\u201d
— The Hill (@The Hill) 1670524260

Jean-Pierre recycled the line, saying, "The choice was bring Brittney home or no one. The president will never stop working to secure Paul Whelan's release."

Perhaps providing a rationale behind what NBC News originally reported was a binary decision, Jean-Pierre said that Griner is "an important role model; an inspiration to millions of Americans particularly the LGBTQI+ Americans and women of color."

\u201cJean-Pierre:\n\n"The choice was bring Brittney home or no one. The president will never stop working to secure Paul Whelan's release."\u201d
— TheBlaze (@TheBlaze) 1670529390

An entire paragraph concerning Whelan's notification in prison about the "outcome of the negotiations" was also was initially added without editorial note to the NBC News article in addition to the stealth edit.

TheBlaze reached out to NBC News with regards to its changes, asking why it originally failed to highlight the change with an editorial note, whether someone at the White House asked for the change, whether its original source had recanted or stood by its initial claim, and whether its continue to stand by its source.

While NBC News failed to respond to TheBlaze at the time of this writing, it did however issue a correction at 4:09 p.m. on Thursday claiming that "an earlier version of this article misstated the choice the Biden administration was given over hostages. It was to swap for Griner or no one, not a choice between Griner or Whelan."

Notwithstanding

Despite the stealth edit and the subsequent correction, the NBC News article still references remarks made by Whelan's lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov.

Zherebenkov indicated that the deal involved a choice and implied that it was between the former Marine and the basketballer.

The lawyer said the exchange was a "one to one" and that "choosing Griner appeared 'more humane' because she is a woman and an Olympic champion, while Whelan was in the military and it is 'easier for him to be in custody.'

Although happy about Griner's release, Whelan told CNN, “I am greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the four year anniversary of my arrest is coming up.”

Whelan suggested that he was "led to believe that things were moving in the right direction, and that the governments were negotiating and that something would happen fairly soon."

Whelan is a former Marine who served in Iraq. He has been detained in Russia since December 2018 and was convicted by a Moscow court of espionage in 2020.

Griner, a basketballer who refused to stand for the American national anthem during home openers in 2020, was arrested in February on smuggling charges after traveling to Russia with cannabis oil in her luggage.

David Whelan, the American hostage's brother, told reporters, "It is so important to me that it is clear that we do not begrudge Ms. Griner her freedom. ... As I have often remarked, Brittney's and Paul's cases were never really intertwined. It has always been a strong possibility that one might be freed without the other."

BREAKING: Report says US believes Russia will invade Ukraine next week



U.S. officials believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided to invade Ukraine and has communicated that decision to the Russian military, according a report from PBS.

PBS foreign affairs and defense correspondent Nick Schifrin said Friday that six Western and defense officials told him the U.S. expects the invasion to begin next week. The report has not yet been officially confirmed by the State Department.

"US officials anticipate a horrific, bloody campaign that begins with two days or aerial bombardment and electronic warfare, followed by an invasion, with the possible goal of regime change," Schifrin reports.

The US expects the invasion to begin next week, six US and Western officials tell me, as Secretary of State Antony @SecBlinken said last night.
— Nick Schifrin (@Nick Schifrin) 1644604095


Schifrin's report has not yet been confirmed. TheBlaze has reached out for comment to the State Department.

President Joe Biden on Thursday warned Americans remaining in Ukraine and Russia to flee both nations.

"American citizens should leave now," Biden said in an interview with NBC News anchor Lester Holt.

“It’s not like we’re dealing with a terrorist organization. We’re dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. It’s a very different situation, and things could go crazy quickly,” he said.

Israel's Foreign Ministry on Friday also issued a travel warning for Ukraine and announced that embassy workers and the families of Israeli diplomats stationed in the country will be evacuated in anticipation of war, the Times of Israel reports.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Argentina offers 'x' gender option for national ID document and passport



The nation of Argentina is allowing people to utilize an "x" in the gender field on their national ID document and passport, according to Reuters.

"The ideal will be when all of us are just who we are and no one cares about people's gender," Argentina's President Alberto Fernández said, according to the outlet. "This is a step we are taking and I hope one day we get to the point where IDs don't say if someone is a man, woman or anything else."

The U.S. government allows people to self-identify as either male or female on their passport regardless of whether the gender they choose matches the gender listed on their supporting documentation like their birth certificate or state ID.

"You can now select the gender you would like printed on your U.S. passport, even if the gender you select does not match the gender on your supporting documentation such as a birth certificate, previous passport, or state ID. We no longer require medical certification to change the gender marker on your U.S. passport," according to travel.state.gov.

The State Department aims to eventually provide the option of "a gender marker for non-binary, intersex, and gender non-conforming persons."

"Today, I am pleased to announce that the Department will be taking further steps toward ensuring the fair treatment of LGBTQI+ U.S. citizens, regardless of their gender or sex, by beginning the process of updating our procedures for the issuance of U.S. Passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA)," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a June 30 press statement.

"Most immediately, we will be updating our procedures to allow applicants to self-select their gender as "M" or "F" and will no longer require medical certification if an applicant's self-selected gender does not match the gender on their other citizenship or identity documents. The Department has begun moving towards adding a gender marker for non-binary, intersex, and gender non-conforming persons applying for a passport or CRBA. We are evaluating the best approach to achieve this goal. The process of adding a gender marker for non-binary, intersex, and gender non-conforming persons to these documents is technologically complex and will take time for extensive systems updates," the statement notes.

Today we are taking important steps toward ensuring the fair treatment of LGBTQI+ U.S. citizens. https://t.co/tfNnTUQmsp

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) 1625066663.0

'This is INSANE': Nikki Haley blasts Sec. of State Blinken's move to invite UN scrutiny of the US



Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently announced that the U.S. is offering a visit to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism as well as to the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues.

Blinken said in a statement Tuesday that the U.S. "intends to issue a formal, standing invitation to all UN experts who report and advise on thematic human rights issues. As a first step, we have reached out to offer an official visit by the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism and the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues," the secretary of state noted.

"Responsible nations must not shrink from scrutiny of their human rights record; rather, they should acknowledge it with the intent to improve. I urge all UN member states to join the United States in this effort, and confront the scourge of racism, racial discrimination, and xenophobia. Because when all people – regardless of their race or ethnicity – are free to live up to their full potential, our collective security is strengthened," Blinken said.

The invitation to scrutinize the U.S. while nations around the globe flagrantly violate basic human rights did not sit well with Nikki Haley, who previously served as U.S. ambassador to the UN during part of Trump's White House tenure.

"China has 1M Uyghurs in concentration camps, Cuba is beating protesters, and Venezuela is torturing political prisoners. Yet Biden's Secretary of State is inviting the UN to investigate human rights in the United States — the freest, fairest country in the world. This is INSANE," Haley tweeted.

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, a child of Cuban immigrants who has served as a senator from Florida since 2011, also criticized the decision.

"@SecBlinken instead of asking the @UN to come here & tell us how 'racist' America is, why don't you ask them to go to #Cuba where an evil socialist regime storms into peoples homes,beats the crap out of them & then drags them away?" Rubio tweeted.

.@SecBlinken instead of asking the @UN to come here & tell us how “racist” America is, why don’t you ask them to go… https://t.co/5JwUoewZI8

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) 1626271240.0

According to a bio posted on the website of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, "E. Tendayi Achiume is the fifth Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance."

Her bio states that she "is currently a law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law, and a research associate of the African Center for Migration and Society (ACMS), at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa."

Fernand de Varennes is the UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues. According to his bio, he "is Extraordinary Professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Pretoria (South Africa), Adjunct Professor at the National University of Ireland-Galway (Ireland), and Cheng Yu Tung Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Hong Kong (China)."

Rep. Rashida Tlaib claims 'freedom of speech doesn't exist for Muslim women in Congress'



Far-left Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib (Mich.) declared Thursday to her 1.4 million Twitter followers that "freedom of speech doesn't exist for Muslim women in Congress," after her fellow Muslim female colleague Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) faced backlash from her own party after appearing to equate the U.S. and Israel to terrorist organizations earlier in the week.

What are the details?

Tlaib, who along with Omar is a household name after numerous controversial statements and membership in House Democrats' progressive "squad," tweeted:

"Freedom of speech doesn't exist for Muslim women in Congress. The benefit of the doubt doesn't exist for Muslim women in Congress. House Democratic leadership should be ashamed of its relentless, exclusive tone policing of Congresswomen of color."

Freedom of speech doesn't exist for Muslim women in Congress. The benefit of the doubt doesn't exist for Muslim wom… https://t.co/zzeZNEXVJZ

— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) 1623354717.0

Fox News noted:

Tlaib and Omar were the first Muslim women elected to Congress in 2018 and, along with other members of the progressive Squad, have been more critical of Israel, especially during the recent 11-day conflict with Hamas that left more than 250 dead, the vast majority Palestinians.

On Monday, Omar sparked outrage after telling her own 1.2 million Twitter followers, "We must have the same level of accountability and justice for all victims of crimes against humanity. We have seen unthinkable atrocities committed by the U.S., Hamas, Israel, Afghanistan, and the Taliban. I asked @SecBlinken where people are supposed to go for justice."

Omar's remarks drew sharp condemnation from across the political spectrum, including from at least a dozen fellow House Democrats. The Minnesota representative then clarified her comments while slamming her Democratic colleagues for calling her out.

"It's shameful for colleagues who call me when they need my support to now put out a statement asking for 'clarification' and not just call. The islamophobic tropes in this statement are offensive. The constant harassment & silencing from the signers of this letter is unbearable."

The same day, Democratic leaders including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) issued a joint statement saying "there is no moral equivalency between the U.S. and Israel and Hamas and the Taliban," adding that they "welcome" Omar's clarification.

The House's Progressive Caucus issued a statement of their own defending Omar. The message penned by Chairwoman Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) reads:

Rep. Omar is a deeply valued members of the Progressive Caucus. Her voice is critical and necessary, both in the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Democratic Caucus as a whole.

We cannot ignore a right-wing media echo chamber that has deliberately and routinely attacked a Black, Muslim woman in Congress, distorting her views and intentions, and resulting in threats against Rep. Omar and her staff. We urge our colleagues not to abet or amplify such divisive and bad-faith tactics. Members of the Democratic Caucus owe it to each other to pause, reflect, and engage directly with each other when misunderstanding arise, and stand together against cynical attempts to divide our caucus.


Republican introduces Stars and Stripes Act to ban Black Lives Matter and other 'political flags' from flying at US embassies



The Biden administration reportedly authorized U.S. embassies to fly LGBTQ and Black Lives Matter flags, as seen at the U.S. embassy in Athens, Greece. The gesture has prompted backlash from many, including Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), who introduced a new bill to prevent political flags other than the American flag from being flown outside U.S. embassies around the world.

We raise this flag to mark one year since the murder of George Floyd - we honor Mr. Floyd and stand in solidarity w… https://t.co/B3OQ8BgTWr

— US Consulate Thess (@USConsulateThes) 1621930934.0

The Republican representative from Staten Island introduced the Stars and Stripes Act of 2021, which "directs the Secretary of State to restrict the display of certain flags or banners at diplomatic and consular posts around the world."

"It is inappropriate for President Biden and Secretary Blinken to authorize and encourage the display of inherently political flags that are in no way affiliated with the U.S. Government over American embassies overseas," Malliotakis said,

"The American flag is a beacon of freedom and hope for oppressed peoples around the world; it should be the primary flag flown above our embassies and that is what my legislation seeks to accomplish," Malliotakis said. "The Administration's directive is an insult to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our flag and our nation — especially as we head into Memorial Day weekend — and it is absolutely ridiculous that legislation is needed to correct this issue."

The bill argues against supporting Black Lives Matter because the organization has called "convicting and banning former President Trump from holding future political office" and "defunding the police."

The Stars and Stripes Act of 2021 was co-sponsored by House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and Reps. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), Michael Guest (R-Miss.), Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Brian Mast (R-Fla.), and Pete Sessions (R-Texas).

Secretary of State Antony Blinken shared a video that featured BLM messaging on the anniversary of George Floyd's death.

"On the anniversary of George Floyd's murder, we remember that to be a credible force for human rights around the world, we must face the reality of racism at home," he wrote. "By addressing our shortcomings openly and honestly, we live up to the values that we stand for worldwide."

On the anniversary of George Floyd's murder, we remember that to be a credible force for human rights around the wo… https://t.co/1UxkhHzJfx

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) 1621949564.0