White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders appears on Fox News to discuss the upcoming State of the Union address.

Senator Rand Paul delivers a righteous speech supporting President Trump’s decision to begin removing the US military from the Middle East, and calling out Mitch McConnell and the UniParty for undermining the president.   Rand is fired up. MUST WATCH:

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump announce their guests for the State of the Union Address to be held tomorrow night:

Matthew Charles – Matthew Charles’s life is a story of redemption. In 1996, he was sentenced to 35 years in prison for selling crack cocaine and other related offenses. While in prison, Matthew found God, completed more than 30 bible studies, became a law clerk, taught GED classes, and mentored fellow inmates.

On January 3, 2019, Matthew was the first prisoner released as a result of the First Step Act.

Debra Bissell, Heather Armstrong, and Madison Armstrong – Gerald and Sharon David of Reno, Nevada, were tragically murdered in their home in Nevada by an illegal immigrant in January 2019. The terrible loss has devastated both their community and three generations of their family who will be represented at the State of the Union: the Davids’ daughter Debra, granddaughter Heather, and great-granddaughter Madison.

Grace Eline – Everyone who knows Grace would tell you that she has always been special. Wherever she goes, she brightens the room with her kind heart and infectious smile. At an early age, she decided that she wanted to forgo gifts at her birthday parties, and instead ask for charity donations.

At 9 years old, Grace was diagnosed with Germinoma, a germ-cell brain tumor, and in May 2018, Grace started cancer treatment. Throughout the rest of the year, Grace stayed positive and strong, making the rounds in the hospital, cheering up other patients, and always having a smile for the many caring medical professionals who treated her. Grace recently finished chemotherapy and today shows no evidence of the disease. She is determined to help other children who are fighting cancer.

Ashley Evans – Ashley Evans has struggled with opioid and substance abuse for much of her life. In 2017, she was pregnant and suffered a relapse. Her recovery began with the birth of her daughter along with the help of Brigid’s Path, a medical care facility in Kettering, Ohio. Ashley has persevered and overcome many obstacles to maintain her sobriety. She is passionate about sharing her story of hope. On February 9, 2019, Ashley will celebrate 1 year and 1 month in recovery and on February 15, 2019, she will be reunited with her daughter full-time.

Elvin Hernandez – Elvin Hernandez is a Special Agent with the Trafficking in Persons Unit of the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations division. He has more than 18 years of Federal law enforcement experience investigating narcotics, gangs, and human trafficking. During his current 7-year assignment, Elvin has conducted numerous successful international human trafficking investigations involving transnational organized crime groups.

Roy James – Roy James is the Plant Manager of the Vicksburg Forest Products lumber facility. He had worked at the sawmill for 26 years and become Vice President of Operations when he was told that the facility would close its doors.

Thankfully, last year, Vicksburg was designated an Opportunity Zone through provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The plant soon reopened and Roy was hired to oversee the entire facility.

Timothy Matson – Timothy Matson joined the Pittsburgh Police Department in 2005 and made the SWAT team in 2016. As a key member of the SWAT team, he would breach the entrance during raids, a very dangerous task. In October 2018, Tim responded to the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and saved countless lives in that heinous, anti-Semitic attack.

Judah Samet – Judah Samet is a member of the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. In October 2018, he survived the horrific shooting that killed 11 members of his community. Judah is also a survivor of the Holocaust. Judah immigrated to Israel after the war and was present for the declaration of the Israeli State in 1948. He served as a paratrooper and radio man in the Israeli Defense Forces and moved to the United States in the 1960s.

Joshua Trump – Joshua Trump is a 6th grade student in Wilmington, Delaware. He appreciates science, art, and history. He also loves animals and hopes to pursue a related career in the future. His hero and best friend is his Uncle Cody, who serves in the United States Air Force.

Unfortunately, Joshua has been bullied in school due to his last name. He is thankful to the First Lady and the Trump family for their support.

Tom Wibberley – Tom Wibberley is the father of Navy Seaman Craig Wibberley, a Seaman killed on the U.S.S. Cole. Craig grew up in Williamsport, Maryland, and enjoyed fly fishing, snow skiing, and working with his father on old Corvettes. He had a passion for computer science and decided to join the Navy to serve his country and pursue an opportunity to further his training in computers. Craig served aboard the U.S.S. Cole with distinction and was accepted to the Navy Information Technician School. His commander planned to recommend him for Officer Candidate School. However, on October 12, 2000, Craig and 16 fellow members of the crew were killed in a terrorist attack. Craig was only 19. After Craig’s death, a scholarship fund was created that gives out four $1,000 scholarships each year to students studying computer science.

Alice Johnson – President Trump granted Alice Johnson clemency on June 6, 2018. Alice had been serving a mandatory life sentence without parole for charges associated with a nonviolent drug case. During her nearly 22 years of incarceration, Alice accomplished what has been called an “extraordinary rehabilitation.” After her release, she was overjoyed to be reunited with her family. She has now dedicated her life to helping those who are in a similar position as she was and giving a voice to the criminal justice reform movement.

[White House Link]

The Chairman of the White House CEA Kevin Hassett appears on CNBC to discuss the strong January jobs report and economic indicators that were released last week.

Hassett is valuable, very valuable, because he is one of the few bean-counters who reviews current analysis through the prism of what is factually happening around him; as opposed to economic theory.  Because he accepts what I call ‘fluid-currentism‘ Hassett is one of the few analysts who (early on) started recognizing that under MAGAnomics (Main Street centric policy) inflation was no longer connected to the FED engagement.

To say acceptance of this ‘new dimension‘ puts Hassett on the cusp of leading economic review would be an understatement. Additionally, it makes his commentary exceptionally more valuable [listen to the segment at 02:50].  Hassett is pragmatic, positive, open to accepting all fact-based evidence, on point, and more importantly, accurate.

…”The booming economy is giving us the social justice that people want”… ~ Kevin Hassett

Unfortunately, most financial pundits are prone to talking down the strength of the U.S. economy. It’s maddening. They spend all day mining for coal nuggets while currently surrounded by diamonds.

CHAIRMAN HASSETT: And again, the economics literature, Mr. President, when you were running for office basically said that manufacturing was going the way of agriculture in the previous century; that it was just on an inevitable decline as a percentage of GDP. But it also focused a lot on this idea that there was a rust belt in America. There was a place where there used to be manufacturing, where there was disproportionate harm to workers.

And I think the thing that’s really, really interesting about the manufacturing jobs that have been created by our policies — your policies — are that they’re scattered throughout America. The dark red part is a place where manufacturing jobs are up by 20 percent or more since you last took office.

THE PRESIDENT: Wow. That’s fantastic.

CHAIRMAN HASSETT: And then the lighter reds are 10 percent or more. And the lightest red is 5 percent or more.

But if you look at all the pockets all across the country, including in places that people used to call the Rust Belt, where manufacturing employment is booming, what it means is that there’s basically a boom belt from coast to coast that’s been created by our policies.

THE PRESIDENT: Well, you know, Kevin, when I took over, the Rust Belt was really in trouble. Many people were saying it’s dying, it’s dead; people were leaving. And I love the Rust Belt, and the Rust Belt is no longer the Rust Belt as far as I’m concerned. It’s vibrant. It’s doing so well. You look at all of those red marks, those red marks are where it’s flourishing. Tremendous numbers. And that’s fantastic. We’re very proud.

I wish, frankly, that the media would report how well we’re doing in manufacturing, how well we’re doing with the economy. They don’t seem to report how well we’re doing. I think if you had another President, it would be the biggest story, because it really is the biggest story, or certainly one of the biggest stories. And you see the market, how it is. It hit 25,000 yesterday. We’re doing great. We’re doing great as a country.

And we have a lot of bite-back because other countries are not doing well. China is having a very hard time. They’re here now. We’re going to be seeing them a little bit later. We’re trying to work out a new trade deal with China. I think it will happen. Something will happen. But it’s a very big deal. It will be — if it does happen, it will be, by far, the largest trade deal ever made.

And we essentially didn’t have a trade deal with China. We lost $500 billion with China, for many years, a year. Anywhere from $300- to $500-, $505 billion a year was lost in our dealing with China. And I have a very good relationship with President Xi, and I think we’ll sit down at the end — at the end of the negotiation by our representatives — and do something with respect to making a deal with China. I think it has a very good chance of happening.

But China is having a very hard time with their economy, and the European Union is having a hard time. A lot of things going on. And we’re getting tremendous numbers. Tremendous unemployment numbers — among the best we’ve ever had in the history of our country. Individual groups the best: African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, women. Numbers that we haven’t seen before. The overall is the best numbers. Best employment numbers in 51 years.

So we’re doing really well. I wish the press would report it.

[Transcript Link]

White House senior advisor Kellyanne Conway appears on Fox News to discuss the upcoming State of the Union address.  Fox Host Harris Faulkner begins by asking about the racism and infanticide stories within Virginia politics and doesn’t like the answer.

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The controversy in Virginia surrounding Ralph “Coonman” Northam (infanticide/racism) and Lt. Gov Justin Fairfax (sex assault/rape) has now thrown a wrench into the grand resistance plans of Pelosi and Schumer.

“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face” ~ Mike Tyson

The heartbeat of MAGAnomics is Main Street USA.  Keeping in mind we have suffered through three decades of economic and financial policy that was specifically structured to the benefit of Wall Street (globalists) over Main Street (nationalism); back in 2015 and 2016 when Candidate Trump started to put specifics on his economic proposals we were able to map out some likely possibilities.

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All significant economic changes take years to fully mature.  However, because it was easy to identify where nationalist economic policy would run into conflict with the prior globalist data-trends, we were able to predict a series of economic disconnects.

The primary disconnect is where Main Street inflation, wage growth and GDP growth, would be disconnected from the Federal reserve monetary policy.  Any Fed action would impact Wall Street results (sad trombone); but the disconnect that was caused by 30-years of diminished Main Street value (U.S. investment went overseas), and would mean MAGAnomic policy would grow the internal U.S. economy regardless of the Fed action.

Because the Main Street economy was intentionally uncoupled from the paper economy; and because the investment class went global with their finances; once President Trump unleashed the nationalist blue collar economic engine, the economy would self-sustain.

Because the domestic U.S. economy is then growing; and because Trump’s policies put the stronger rate of return domestically; the off-shore investments of Wall Street would begin to feel adverse impact.  The wealth of the U.S. is no longer being spread globally; POTUS Trump focuses on Main Street; that brings the investment back to the U.S.

So naturally there was going to be a period where the off-shore (global) Wall Street investment products were going to lose value.  Wall Street had to drop in value as asset equities were re-positioned.  However, as investors chase the best rate of return; and as Main Street continues expanding; the investment money flows back into the U.S.  This is the part of the economic growth timeline we are currently experiencing.

[Article Link]

It’s only “unexpected” if you don’t accept the way MAGAnomics has fundamentally shifted, re-prioritized, the U.S. economy.  Unfortunately, almost all modern economists have: (A) never been taught about Main Street economics; or (B) have totally bought into the false premise of a global economy, meaning a U.S. ‘service-driven-economy’, as the only option.

If you understand the basic elements behind the new dimension in American economics, you already understand how three decades of DC legislative and regulatory policy was structured to benefit Wall Street, Multinational corporate interests, and not Main Street USA.  The intentional shift in economic policy is what created distance between two entirely divergent economic engines to the detriment of the American middle-class.

President Trump has reversed 30-years of trade and economic policy that was specifically structured to favor multinational corporations and multinational banks within Wall Street.

MAGAnomics puts the focus, the primary economic activity, back into Main Street corporations and smaller U.S. banks and credit unions.  Real business growth happens at a street level, business-by-business, job-by-job, company-by-company.  The paper economy, the investment class, follows the path of greatest return… that brings investment back to Main Street.  Again, that’s our now; that’s what is happening around us.

U.S. companies who have actual connection to a growing U.S. economy can succeed; based on the advantages of the new economic environment and MAGA policy, specifically in the areas of manufacturing, trade and the ancillary benefactors.

Meanwhile U.S. investment assets (multinational investment portfolios) that are disconnected from the actual results of those benefiting U.S. companies, and as a consequence also disconnected from the U.S. economic expansion, can simultaneously drop in value even though the U.S. economy is thriving. (more)

Now, inside this massive Main Street machine, there are individual sectors and individual industries, almost like individual pistons, that are secondarily impacted by parallel policies focused directly on their sector.  Consider the auto-sector…

The EU has attached themselves to the Paris climate treaty.  Additionally, Canada has attached themselves to the Paris climate treaty.   However, Mexico and the U.S. refused the sign-on to the agreement…. now we are seeing the impact.

Build a vehicle in the EU or Canada and the vehicle is subject to manufacturing standards as established by the Paris treaty.  [Toyota is an example of risk exposure]

Now it must be emphasized the risk exposure is limited to production changes that are mandated by agreed upon compliance standards.  However, an increasingly more demanding emissions standard means engineers may have to use smaller four cylinder or hybrid engines to stay compliant.

When those foreign companies are faced with American consumers who do not like little engines in their more preferred larger vehicles this presents a problem.  The only way around the issue is to move production to avoid the regulation.

Two years ago BMW recognized they were exposed to the Paris accord, and moved to put a production facility inside Mexico.  Additionally, due to pre-existing tariffs on SUV’s (and the restrictions within the Paris treaty), German automakers BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen made the decision to manufacturer vehicles inside the U.S. and export (even to their own markets) the larger American autos.

[In a few more years German gear-heads will be demanding U.S. built engines in their autos; which is funny considering the exact reverse was true only two decades ago…]

Simultaneous to announcing we would not join the U.S. to the Paris climate treaty, President Trump announced his intent to remove the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (“CAFE”) standard that mandates a certain threshold of U.S. auto companies must make smaller fuel efficient cars that few Americans actually like. {Current Status}

In part, this no-longer enforced CAFE mandate, was the reason why GM scuttled their small vehicle facilities in Canada and the U.S.  The fact that no-one liked the little sedans was the primary issue; but the vehicle was also being made to reach the fleet requirement within the CAFE regulation.

As a result of all these convergent policies, more and more auto companies are building their international assembly facilities inside the U.S.  Building in the U.S. without all the various Paris regulations (and TPP mandates) means greater flexibility in the entire operation.  Small engines, large engines, low emission or higher emission production is all possible within the U.S.  Hence, EU auto companies are expanding their investments.

One of the reasons the professional political class hate Trump is simply because he applies common sense policy built upon the cornerstone of America-first. Decades of pontificating political economic policy are dispatched; and the American economic engine roars.

Lower tax rates, smart regulation, expanded U.S. investment opportunity, and larger Main Street economic growth is the policy assembly behind MAGAnomics…. and guess what, it’s working.

(Via CNBC) January’s super strong jobs report and a solid manufacturing survey on Friday showed that recession worries may be overblown and slowdown fears are not impacting corporate hiring or dampening manufacturers’ sentiment.

The economy added a surprising 304,000 new jobs in January, well above the 165,000 expected by economists. Wages grew by an annual 3.2 percent, and were even higher for nonmanagerial workers with a 0.4 percent monthly gain.

“The labor market is still scorching,” said Ward McCarthy, chief financial economist at Jefferies. “If you look at the payroll data, the economy continues to pound out job growth. Wage growth is for real.”

ISM manufacturing was 56.6, well above the consensus of 54.2, but the important new orders component rose even more to 58.2 from 51 in December. A number above 50 reflects expansion, and while off recent highs, economists had expected the number to slow down even more. Consumer sentiment was also reported Friday and was significantly lower at 91.2, but it too beat expectations. (read more)

The Pentagon has announced today they are sending an additional 3,750 military troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to bolster the efforts of DHS and Border Patrol.

WASHINGTON – The Defense Department will deploy about 3,750 additional U.S. forces to the southwest border with Mexico, raising the number of active-duty troops at the border to about 4,350, the Pentagon said on Sunday.

The troops will provide support to U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations, including a mobile surveillance capability through the end of September, and they will lay about 150 miles (241 km) of concertina wire between ports of entry, the Defense Department said in a statement.

“Additional units are being deployed for 90 days, and we will continue to evaluate the force composition required to meet the mission to protect and secure the southern border,” the Pentagon said. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan approved the additional border support on Jan. 11. (more)

One of the reasons we highlight the full transcripts of President Trump’s comments, when available, is because within any back-and-forth you can often notice a signal.  This past week was no different.

The day after President Trump hosted a meeting between U.S. and Chinese officials in the Oval Office, he answered a question during an unrelated White House meeting on human trafficking.

Here’s the off-topic transcript:

Q Mr. President, are you thinking of adding on a meeting with Xi Jinping on the back end or the front end of the meeting with Kim?

THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, I’m thinking about it.

Q How close are you —

THE PRESIDENT: I mean, some of you were there yesterday. We had an incredible meeting yesterday with the Vice Premier of China — a very powerful man, highly respected. Very strong. Very respected, also, by the President — President Xi. And we had an amazing meeting on trade — mostly on trade. Actually, also on fentanyl. China has agreed to criminalize fentanyl. That’s going to have a huge impact on fentanyl coming into the country.

There is a possibility we’ll meet somewhere, whether it’s there — I’m over in a certain location. I’ll be over in a certain location there, as you know.

Q So you might do —

THE PRESIDENT: That’ll be announced officially probably next week.

Q So you might do two —

THE PRESIDENT: It could happen. It could happen.

(Transcript link)

The President then made a joke to turn attention away from the answer.  However, if you’ve followed the U.S. -vs- DPRK -vs- China discussions, you’ll note an alignment.

The meeting between President Trump and North Korea’s Chairman Kim Jong-un is scheduled around the very end of February.  The China tariff deadline, relating to Chairman Xi, is March 2nd, a few days later.

We can see why strategically POTUS scheduled the Kim summit at the same time as the U.S-China tariffs were scheduled to merge.  The announcement of the Kim (DPRK) meeting negated Xi’s continual dragon-moves (leverage) during trade negotiations for the period of late January through end February.

Beijing (Xi) cannot tell Pyongyang (Kim) to do anything stupid while President Trump and Chairman Kim are planning their summit.  This strategic approach bought the U.S. trade negotiation team elbow room; where they didn’t have to worry about any confrontational face-to-face tone resulting in Beijing launching their proxy province, the DPRK, into hostilities.  It was smart geopolitical timing by President Trump.

However, after the Chinese trade delegation and U.S. team met to discuss terms; concrete deliverables (Wed/Thur); and after the meeting with China’s Vice Premier Liu He (Thursday night); we now see President Trump discussing a meeting with Chairman Xi Jinping during the same trip he will be making for the Chairman Kim summit.

POTUS Trump would not be entertaining a meeting with Xi, if the Wed/Thr discussions, and the Thursday night meeting (Liu He), were not fruitful.

Think about it.

President Trump would not be pondering, let alone mentioning, a meeting with Chairman Xi Jinping to happen at the exact moment he is executing the second phase tariffs against China.

Remember, if a structurally substantive agreement, that includes specific deliverables and way-points, is not reached by March 2nd, President Trump will raise tariffs on $200 billion of goods from 10 percent to 25 percent.

So if President Trump is signaling (which he is) the likelihood of a meeting with Chairman Xi on the heels of his second summit with Chairman Kim, then the structure of the U.S-China trade negotiations by U.S.T.R. Robert Lighthizer must be pretty well cemented.

If there was no substantive progress in the discussions between U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and his Chinese counterpart Vice Premier Liu He; and if there was no positive direction being carried into the oval office meeting with VP Liu He; then there would not be any contemplation of a meeting between Chairman Xi and President Trump.

But there is…. so there is.

The area around Miami, Florida, is home to the largest group of Venezuela exiles in the U.S.  Today, there are two competing mass demonstrations taking place within Venezuela, supportive of both the pro-Maduro regime and the pro-Guaidó movement.

Yesterday Vice-President Mike Pence delivered a speech to a Doral, FL, audience that supports the ouster of Maduro.

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[FRIDAY] Doral, Florida – THE VICE PRESIDENT: Buenas tardes a todos! (Applause.) Thank you, Governor DeSantis; First Lady Casey DeSantis; members of Congress; Ambassador Trujillo; distinguished guests. Karen and I are so honored to join you here in this beautiful place of worship with our fellow Americans and so many proud sons and daughters of Venezuela. (Applause.)

And as I begin allow me to bring greetings from a friend of mine, and a great champion of liberty in Venezuela and all across this hemisphere of freedom. I bring greetings from the 45th President of the United States of America, President Donald Trump. (Applause.)

AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Not long ago, on the President’s behalf, I came here to this very city to deliver a message to you. I told you that we would be with you, that America would stand for a free Venezuela.

And, today, the United States is proud to stand with the Venezuelan people. And I believe the day is coming when Venezuela will be free once more — (applause) — when Venezuela reclaims its libertad!

AUDIENCE: Libertad! Libertad! Libertad!

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Now, on the President’s behalf, I want to thank you all — so many heroes in the room — for your tireless efforts. But let me give special thanks, before I begin, to four relentless champions of freedom for the Venezuelan people — four leaders who have been at President Trump’s side since day one, championing freedom and the restoration of democracy for the Venezuelan people. Would you join me in thanking Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, Senator Rick Scott, Governor Ron DeSantis, and Senator Marco Rubio? (Applause.)

The President asked me to be here to show our unwavering commitment to the good people of Venezuela. For too long, the people of Venezuela have suffered under the heavy hand of oppression. But now there is hope. There is hope in Venezuela. Across that country, in the largest cities and the smallest towns, people are rising up in defense of their rights. And as President Trump said just last week, “the fight for freedom has begun.” (Applause.)

And to be clear: The struggle in Venezuela is between dictatorship and democracy, and freedom has the momentum. Nicolas Maduro is a dictator with no legitimate claim to power, and Nicolas Maduro must go. (Applause.)

Just three weeks ago, the National Assembly –- the only legitimate elected body in Venezuela -– declared that it no longer recognized the Maduro regime. The National Assembly invoked the constitution and recognized a new leader, a man who speaks for the people of Venezuela and cherishes their rights.

And last week, as hundreds of thousands of citizens marched through the streets in the name of freedom, that leader stood before his country and took an oath “before Almighty God.” And the United States of America was proud to be the first nation on Earth to recognize the only legitimate President of Venezuela, President Juan Guaidó. (Applause.)

I spoke to Juan Guaidó the night before he took that oath, and I’ll never forget it. I marveled at his calm, his courage, and his faith. Just two days ago, President Trump spoke to President Guaidó and congratulated him on his historic assumption of the presidency of Venezuela. (Applause.) He reinforced our strong support for his leadership and for Venezuela’s fight to regain its freedom.

And the United States has made it clear: The safety and security of President Guaidó and his family are of great importance to the American people. (Applause.)

Just yesterday, Maduro threatened President Guiadó’s family, sending paramilitary police to his home. But we know that President Guaidó and the Venezuelan people will never be intimidated, and neither will we. (Applause.)

The United States is proud to recognize Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s interim president. And Brazil, Colombia, Canada, Argentina, and many other countries have followed America’s lead. All told, more than 20 nations have announced their support for President Guaidó. (Applause.)

But let me make it clear to leaders around the world: That is not enough. There can be no bystanders in the struggle for Venezuela’s freedom. The United States, today, calls on every nation to recognize Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s President, and take the side of freedom. (Applause.)

The United States has also taken action to support the National Assembly and the government of Juan Guaidó. And just this week, it was my privilege to welcome its newest representative to the White House — a man who was imprisoned twice by the Maduro regime, forced into exile here in Florida. But despite all he’s faced, he still works tirelessly to restore democracy in his homeland. Would you join me in thanking the new Ambassador to the United States of America from a free Venezuela, Ambassador Carlos Vecchio. (Applause.)

As I told Ambassador Vecchio, the National Assembly and President Guaidó have our full support because we recognize the truth that Nicolas Maduro’s dictatorship is destroying Venezuela. When the dictator came to power six long years ago, he promised to deliver an agenda of socialism. And sadly for the Venezuelan people, Maduro did just that.

As we gather here, Venezuela’s socialism has shrunk their economy by nearly half. More than 9 out of 10 people live in poverty, and the average Venezuelan has lost more than 20 pounds through deprivation and malnutrition. Thousands of Venezuelan children are starving at this very hour.

And rising desperation has fueled a mass exodus. More than three million Venezuelans have now abandoned their beloved country. And if things don’t get better, another two million are expected to follow them before the year is out.

And those who stay behind are subject to lawlessness and crime, as well as deprivation. Thieves in Venezuela don’t target banks; they target restaurants. Vicious gangs and government-backed cartels have turned the streets into literal warzones. Venezuela now has the second-highest murder rate in the world, and more than 70 people are slaughtered every single day.

For years, the Venezuelan people have tried to save their country in the ballot box. In 2015, they elected the National Assembly that is still Venezuela’s best hope. But in response, the dictator imprisoned his opponents, orchestrated sham elections, cracked down on protests with lethal force. In fact, in just the past two weeks, security forces have jailed more than 850 protestors, and murdered at least 40 more.

We will never forget them. We will always honor the memory of the martyrs who died for democracy in Venezuela. (Applause.)

Just a few moments ago, Karen and I had the privilege to meet with several Venezuelans who have fled in search of a better life. We heard their stories. And they told us then that they weren’t there to tell us their story; they were there to represent all of those who could not speak in this moment.

We spoke with Jose and Francis, who took their children and left their home two years ago. Jose had spoken out for freedom, placing his own life in danger.

We heard from Jesus, a former councilmember from the city of Valera. The government gangs began to target him, even telling his mother that they would murder him. He had to leave his home to save his life.

We listened to Raul, wrongly accused and imprisoned for seven years, where he was tortured by the regime and witnessed others tortured as well. He saw the murder of fellow inmates. And he spoke today on behalf of those who are still being held.

To all of these courageous men and women, to all of you who have fled Venezuela: We are with you, and I promise we will stay with you until you can safely return home to a free Venezuela. (Applause.)

Venezuela’s plight has captured not just the attention of our President and our people, it has stirred the United States of America to act. We do this because it is what justice requires. We also do this because it is in our interest, as well.

Venezuela is a failed state, and failed states know no boundaries, have no borders. A Venezuela overrun with drug smugglers, gangs, human traffickers is a danger to all people and all nations in this hemisphere.

The very crisis on our southern border today is driven, in large part, by criminal organizations that have overwhelmed countries across our hemisphere. Let me be clear: The United States of America wants every nation in our hemisphere to be a place where people can flourish and build their own futures in their own homeland. (Applause.)

And so we stand. We stand for freedom and security for the Venezuelan people. We stand for the security of both our nations. And I promise you, the United States will continue to stand with the Venezuelan people, and we will continue to stand up to their oppressors. (Applause.)

At President Trump’s direction, the United States has imposed sanctions on more than 50 current and former Venezuelan officials, targeting known drug-runners and human rights abusers, and government thieves who’ve enriched themselves by impoverishing the people.

And since oil is the lifeblood of that corrupt regime, this week the United States of America sanctioned Venezuela’s state-owned oil company. Venezuela’s oil belongs with the Venezuelan people. (Applause.)

And you can be assured the United States will always support the Venezuelan people as they work to restore a constitutional government and hold free and transparent elections. But let’s be clear: This is no time for dialogue; this is time for action. (Applause.) And the time has come to end the Maduro dictatorship once and for all. (Applause.)

AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!

THE VICE PRESIDENT: To that end, the United States will continue to exert all diplomatic and economic pressure to bring about a peaceful transition to democracy.

But those looking on should know this: All options are on the table. (Applause.) And Nicolas Maduro would do well not to test the resolve of the United States of America. (Applause.)

Maduro’s tyranny must end, and it must end now. But as the Venezuelan people know, their oppressors do not act alone. Under President Donald Trump, the United States has also stood up to those who have aided and abetted the dictatorship in Venezuela. The truth is, the dictator has lost the support of his people, and even now is beginning to lose the support of his military. The only way he clings to power is with the help that he receives from communist Cuba. (Applause.)

The people of Venezuela know Cuba’s leaders are the real imperialists in the western hemisphere. (Applause.) The truth has to be told. For decades, Cuba has tried to create client states across the region. While normal countries export goods, Cuba exports tyranny and strong-arm tactics. Cuba’s influence has driven Venezuela’s failure, and the time has come to liberate Venezuela from Cuba. (Applause.)

Cuba’s malign influence is evident in Venezuela, and also in Nicaragua, where the regime of Daniel Ortega is oppressing the people and denying their basic rights. (Applause.) That’s just one more reason why President Trump kept his promise when he reversed the failed policies of the last administration toward Cuba, because the Cuban people have the same birthright of liberty that God gave us all.

Venezuela deserves to be free. Nicaragua deserves to be free. And in this White House, under this President, it will always be Que Viva Cuba Libre! (Applause.)

AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!

THE VICE PRESIDENT: In addition to the strong actions President Trump has taken — economic and diplomatic efforts — I want to assure all of you that America has also been there for the Venezuelan people, over $100 million in humanitarian support so far.

You know, Karen and I saw firsthand the hardship facing families who’ve fled the collapse of Venezuela when we travelled through the region last year. Like the grandmother my wife and I met in Cartagena, Colombia. She literally gathered her four grandchildren with her because she told me how it had gotten so bad in their small town in Venezuela that the children had to rise at four in the morning to gain a ticket to buy one piece of bread at four in the afternoon. So she gathered up her grandchildren and she made the journey to Colombia.

We gathered with families in Manaus, Brazil. And I’ll never forget the father, with his two little boys at his side looking up, who told me how hard it was, and how many times he had to tell those boys, “We’re not going to eat today.”

Let me assure them and you: The United States of America stands ready to deliver humanitarian aid to the Venezuelan people in Venezuela, as well. (Applause.)

We are prepared to work with the legitimate government of Venezuela, the National Assembly, and President Guaidó. The American people will marshal our resources and the resources of nations around the world to provide millions in humanitarian relief.

The truth is, it is unconscionable that Maduro himself has publicly refused to accept even a penny from America or the wider world in the form of humanitarian relief for his people.

The truth is, every day the dictator remains in power is another day of starvation and suffering. For the sake of the men, women, and children of Venezuela, Maduro must go. (Applause.)

Thank you all for being here today. We’re truly honored by your presence and your support. You know, freedom springs from the hearts of all the people of across this New World, doesn’t it? And in the words of Simón Bolivar, “A people that loves freedom will, in the end, be free.” (Applause.) And we believe that.

Tomorrow, for the second time this week, from the shores of the Caribbean to the streets of Caracas, to the foothills of the Andes, the Venezuelan people will rise again in peaceful protest. They will speak again with one voice, as one movement, with one purpose as they take to the streets to demand their rights, and the United States of America will stand with them. (Applause.)

And to them we say, as you make your voices heard tomorrow, on behalf of the President of the United States and the American people, we say to all the good people of Venezuela: Estamos con ustedes. We are with you, we stand with you, and we will stay with you until democracy is restored. (Applause.)

And we also say from our hearts that as you take to the streets again, know that you do not go alone. You go with the support of the American people and with freedom-loving people all across the world. And you also go, I believe with all of my heart, with the author of freedom, who said, “Do not be afraid; stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today… for where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (Applause.)

With faith in that great promise, faith in all who have joined us in this hemisphere of freedom, with faith in the courage and strength of the Venezuelan people, and the generosity and strength of the American people, I believe with all my heart: The day is coming soon when Venezuela will once more be free, when her people will see a “new birth of freedom,” in a nation reborn to libertad.

So to the good people of Venezuela: As you go to seek your freedom, we go with you. You go with God. Vayan con Dios. God bless you, God bless the good people of Venezuela, and God bless the United States of America.

END

Today in Venezuela:

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ela ferris@ElaFerris

This image is what Venezuela needs too see. Guaido’s mom blessing before he addresses the country #LasMercedes Foto: EFE/ Miguel Gutiérrez #ElMundoEstáConVzla @marcorubio @VP

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FRANKLIN TRUJILLO@TrujilloF60

In Trump we trust, Venezuela Free

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4:13 PM – Feb 2, 2019

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