Category: Department of state
Somalia accused of stealing US-funded food aid, destroying warehouse — but caves when Trump admin cuts it off cold
The Somali government admitted fault after it was accused of destroying a United States-funded warehouse and seizing 76 metric tons of food aid intended for Somali nationals.
In early January, the State Department halted “all ongoing” aid to Somalia, citing concerning reports that its government had destroyed a World Food Programme warehouse and seized donor-funded food.
‘The Federal Government takes full responsibility for addressing this unfortunate situation and expresses its regret that it occurred.’
“Any resumption of assistance will be dependent upon the Somali Federal Government taking accountability for its unacceptable actions and taking appropriate remedial steps,” the State Department’s Office of Foreign Assistance wrote.
Somalia previously denied the allegations, asserting that the expansion work at the Mogadishu port, where the U.S.-funded warehouse is located, did not impact the food aid. The government further insisted that the aid was “under the custody and control of the World Food Programme, including assistance provided by the United States.”
However, on Monday, the Federal Republic of Somalia Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation issued a press release that seemed to reverse its position.
“The Federal Government of Somalia confirms that the commodities removed from the warehouse affected by port expansion activities, as referenced in recent reports, have been fully returned to the World Food Program (WFP). The Federal Government takes full responsibility for addressing this unfortunate situation and expresses its regret that it occurred,” the statement reads.
YOAV LEMMER/AFP via Getty Images
Somalia has provided WFP “with a larger and more suitable warehouse within the Mogadishu Port area, supporting improved storage capacity and efficient distribution,” the statement continues.
The Somali government pledged to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and take steps to prevent future issues.
“The Federal Government of Somalia remains fully committed to humanitarian principles, transparency, and accountability, and values its close partnership with the World Food Program, the United States, and the broader international donor community,” the statement reads. “The Government considers this clarification an important step toward resolving the matter and ensuring continued cooperation in support of the Somali people.”
RELATED: Was the Minnesota AG’s entire career a long con to funnel money to Somalia?
Photo by Abuukar Mohamed Muhidin/Anadolu via Getty Images
The U.S. is the largest contributor to the WFP, providing approximately $2 billion in 2025, which constitutes nearly one-third of the organization’s total funding.
The State Department and the WFP did not respond to a request for comment.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
‘We will deport these thugs’: Rubio’s State Department revokes 100,000+ visas in 2025, putting Biden’s numbers to shame
The Trump administration has intensified its efforts to enhance vetting of foreign nationals entering the U.S., resulting in a record number of visa revocations.
The Department of State announced that in 2025, it revoked over 100,000 foreign visas, including 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialized worker visas. That figure is more than double the number of visas that were revoked in 2024 — 40,000 — under former President Joe Biden’s leadership.
‘The Trump administration will continue to put America first and protect our nation from foreign nationals who pose a risk to public safety or national security.’
Foreign nationals whose visas were canceled included those who had encounters with U.S. law enforcement for criminal activity, the State Department reported.
“We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe,” the department stated.
The majority of those revoked by the State Department were for business and tourist travelers who overstayed their visas, Fox News Digital reported.
Some students and specialized workers who had their visas revoked also reportedly lost their legal status.
RELATED: Trump admin to vet all visa holders — revoke and deport threats to America
Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Half of the specialized workers whose visas were revoked had previously been arrested for drunk driving; 30% for assault, battery, or confinement charges; and 20% for theft, child abuse, substance abuse and distribution, and fraud and embezzlement charges.
A department spokesperson told Fox News Digital that nearly 500 students lost their visas for charges related to drug possession and distribution.
The State Department announced in August plans to review all of the more than 55 million current visa holders to uncover potential ineligibility, such as overstays, criminal activity, public safety threats, and ties to terrorism.
RELATED: Trump strips 4,000 student visas over first 100 days — 90% flagged for ‘serious’ crimes
Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
“The Trump administration will continue to put America first and protect our nation from foreign nationals who pose a risk to public safety or national security,” State Department principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Piggott told Fox News Digital.
During a press conference last month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the administration’s increased efforts to revoke and deport foreign nationals.
“Who you allow to visit your country should reflect the national interest. We said that from the very beginning,” Rubio told reporters.
“There are some times we’ll deny people visas because of activities they’ve undertaken overseas,” he continued. “Other times it’s people that have visas but are in the United States doing things that run counter to our national interests. And the law gives us the right — and, in fact, I would argue, the obligation — to remove people like that from our country.”
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Rubio reportedly reveals Trump’s plan to acquire Greenland to bolster US defense
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly told lawmakers that the Trump administration has aspirations to purchase Greenland from Denmark, tempering rumors that officials are considering forcibly seizing the island.
‘The United States is eager to build lasting commercial relationships that benefit Americans and the people of Greenland.’
During a closed briefing on Monday, Rubio and other administration officials briefed lawmakers about the operation to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and the plans for the country’s future, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Citing individuals said to be familiar with the recent briefing, the WSJ stated that Rubio “played down the idea that the U.S. could seize Greenland by force.” The report claimed that administration officials refused to rule out the possibility of an invasion.
However, the outlet noted that U.S. and European officials have reported no indications that the Trump administration is preparing for a military invasion of the self-governing Danish territory.
President Donald Trump told reporters on Sunday, “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and the European Union needs us to have it — and they know that.”
RELATED: ‘Very sick too’: Trump sets sights on more countries after successful Venezuela operation
Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images
“President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it’s vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated. “The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the commander in chief’s disposal.”
Trump expressed interest in purchasing Greenland during his first term. He has insisted that controlling the island is essential for protecting the Arctic from Russia and China.
RELATED: JD Vance visits Greenland to make the case for annexation: ‘We can’t just bury our head in the sand’
Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images
“The United States is eager to build lasting commercial relationships that benefit Americans and the people of Greenland,” a State Department spokesperson told Blaze News. “Our common adversaries have been increasingly active in the Arctic. That is a concern that the United States, the Kingdom of Denmark, and NATO Allies share.”
The spokesperson added that Trump is committed to the United States’ relationship with Greenland, underscored by his decision to designate Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry (R) as special envoy.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Europeans want US missiles to defend them, not America — and Rubio’s had enough of their hypocrisy
Secretary of State Marco Rubio called out European officials on Wednesday for criticizing America’s self-defense while expecting the U.S. to provide military support for their own.
The Trump administration has obliterated at least 19 alleged narco-terrorist drug boats since Sept. 2 with the stated aim of “protecting the homeland and killing these cartel terrorists who wish to harm our country and its people.”
‘I don’t think that the European Union gets to determine … how the United States defends its national security.’
President Donald Trump has suggested that each drug boat vaporized by U.S. fighter jets, AC-130J gunships, and drones amounts to 25,000 American lives saved.
A day after War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the U.S. had sunk an additional two boats in the Eastern Pacific, altogether killing six alleged narco-terrorists, French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot joined the chorus of foreign dignitaries who have been complaining about the strikes.
Barrot reportedly said at the G7 summit on Tuesday, “We have observed with concern the military operations in the Caribbean region, because they violate international law and because France has a presence in this region through its overseas territories, where more than a million of our compatriots reside.”
RELATED: ‘Begin repatriating’: German chancellor admits it’s time to give Syrian migrants the boot
Photo by Omar Zaghloul/Anadolu via Getty Images
When confronted with questions about the U.S. maritime strikes during a meeting with Latin American leaders last week, the European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that the EU upholds international law and “international law is very clear on that. You can use force for two reasons: one is self-defense, the other one is the U.N. Security Council resolution.”
Rubio addressed the European pearl-clutching on Wednesday, politely suggesting to reporters that the continentals should pound sand.
“I don’t think that the European Union gets to determine what international law is, and what they certainly don’t get to determine is how the United States defends its national security,” said Rubio. “The United States is under attack from organized criminal narco-terrorists in our hemisphere, and the president is responding in the defense of our country.”
After indicating that the Europeans are out of their depth, Rubio hammered America’s allies across the Atlantic for their apparent hypocrisy.
“I do find it interesting that all these countries want us to send, you know, and supply, for example, nuclear-capable Tomahawk missiles to defend Europe, but when the United States positions aircraft carriers in our hemisphere where we live, somehow that’s a problem,” said the secretary of state.
Rubio added, “The president ordered it in defense of our country. It continues. It’s ongoing. It can stop tomorrow if [terrorist cartels] stop sending drug boats.”
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
