Thread by @Headsnipe011

Department Press Briefing – March 5, 2019

@drawandstrike @catesduane @rising_serpent @almostjingo @tracybeanz @TheChiIIum @Quodverum_ @DRUDGE_REPORT @thomaswictor

justtherealnews.com/2019/03/05/290…

***Excerpt:***
And finally, the United States applauds the people of Venezuela for their actions to create a peaceful, democratic transition, and congratulates Interim President Juan Guaido on his successful diplomatic efforts in the region and safe return to Venezuela.

However, we have noticed in news coverage that some outlets are incorrectly referring to Juan Guaido as the opposition leader or the self-proclaimed president. Neither is correct.

A few basic facts: The National Assembly remains the only legitimate and democratically elected institution in Venezuela. Juan Guaido was elected president of the National Assembly on January 5th, 2019, and on January 10th, Maduro usurped the presidency.

Therefore, the president of the National Assembly and relying on Venezuela’s constitution – as president of the National Assembly, and relying on Venezuela’s constitution, Juan Guaido became interim president of Venezuela on January 23rd.

Millions of Americans and more than 50 countries recognize Juan Guaido as interim president of Venezuela. He has appointed and credentialed ambassadors to international organizations and the United States and numerous other democratic nations and other democratic nations.

So to refer to Juan Guaido as anything but interim president falls into the narrative of a dictator who has usurped the position of the presidency and led Venezuela into the humanitarian, political, and economic crisis that exists today.

The international community must unite behind Interim President Juan Guaido and the Venezuelan National Assembly and support the peaceful restoration of democracy in Venezuela.

That’s it for the top.

***Check this out***

QUESTION: Let me get this straight. You’re complaining because news outlets are calling him by a title that you don’t think that he should have?

MR PALLADINO: Not a complaint. Pointing out. Just trying to correct.

QUESTION: Well, it sounds like a complaint to me, and that seems pretty weak-sauce. I don’t understand what your problem is. I mean —

MR PALLADINO: He’s the interim president, and we don’t want to —

QUESTION: Well, you consider him to be the interim president, & as you say, 50 other countries outside of – recognize him as the interim president. But there are more than 190 members of the United Nations. So your 50 countries is not even close to half of that. Is that correct?

MR PALLADINO: We are supporting the constitution of Venezuela and the people of Venezuela. With the – we’re supporting the Venezuelan people here. And so the United States – it’s time to act in support of democracy and —

QUESTION: And you think that news coverage calling him the legitimate leader, the president, is going to encourage more countries to recognize him?

MR PALLADINO: We don’t feed into rhetoric of the current dictator.

***On ISIS bride Hoda Muthana***

@drawandstrike @catesduane @rising_serpent @almostjingo @tracybeanz @TheChiIIum @Quodverum_ @DRUDGE_REPORT @thomaswictor @HeshmatAlavi @ScheyChris

QUESTION: Quick question on his interview. In one of his interviews, he just said that Hoda Muthana would present an enormous risk to the United States if she returned and if those like her return.

What kind of risk would she present if she were to be brought back and prosecuted for her crimes?

MR PALLADINO: Yesterday, there was a legal decision – let me —

QUESTION: Yeah, they just decided not to fast track it.

MR PALLADINO: Correct. It was —

QUESTION: But what kind of – but if people like her – I mean, ISIS brides or ISIS fighters, some of whom are U.S. citizens – if they’re brought back – as he said, others like her would present an enormous risk.

What would that risk be, if people like her are brought back and prosecuted here?

MR PALLADINO: Yeah. Avowed terrorists returning to the United States would – could present issues.

So that’s why Secretary Pompeo has been quite clear in this regard and that we’re going to continue to take all lawful measures to ensure that she does not enter the United States.

That said, there is a legal case ongoing right now, and that’s a separate issue. And we’re pleased with the district court’s decision yesterday, and we’re going to continue to vigorously defend this case.

QUESTION: And the stance that the government has taken on this particular case, could that encourage other countries to disavow ISIS fighters or others who came from those countries if there are similar issues or questions?

I mean, the U.S. is essentially rendering this woman stateless. She was born here; she grew up here. You could argue that she belongs to the U.S. or she came – she came from the U.S.

So isn’t – if the – if your stance has been to encourage other countries to take back their people from ISIS territory, isn’t this encouraging them to do the opposite?

MR PALLADINO: That remains our policy. This particular case is something completely different, and we don’t bear a responsibility here.

We have been clear that this is not a United States citizen, nor is it anyone entitled to U.S. citizenship. Beyond that, I don’t want to talk any further about this case because legal proceedings are ongoing.