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Biden weighs reimposing Trump-era terrorist designation for Houthis on January 16, 2024 at 10:00 pm

Published

2 years ago

January 16, 2024

Such a move would see the Biden administration reverse course on a controversial and last-minute Trump-era policy.

President Biden removed the foreign terrorist organization (FTO) label on the Houthis in February 2021 over concerns that blacklisting the militant group would prevent aid organizations and business from serving a population suffering under nearly a decade of civil war. Nearly 22 million Yemenis, half being children, require humanitarian assistance.

But the Houthis’ dangerous attacks in the region are raising pressure on the Biden administration from lawmakers in Congress to move beyond counterstrikes on military targets and to burden the group with a terrorist designation by the U.S.

While Biden said last week he considers the Houthis a terrorist group and that the State Department acknowledged it is looking into reimposing the designation, senior administration officials have not committed to imposing the FTO label.

“Nothing to update yet on the FTO designation,” White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Tuesday. “We’re still in the process of reviewing it.”

But it’s not entirely clear that labeling the Houthis a terrorist organization would have any practical and immediate impacts on hurting its ability to sow terror and chaos in the region. The Houthis have said their attacks are in support of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which is under siege from Israel after the group launched its shocking terrorist attack on Oct. 7.

The FTO designation could embolden the Houthis, indicating its tactics are working, said Dave Harden, a former senior State Department official who served in both the Trump and Obama administrations.

“It doesn’t matter to the Houthis that they’re a foreign terrorist organization under U.S. law, they probably like it,” he said.

“They don’t bank and shop and travel and engage in the Western economy. They’re not like [Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov]. These guys, it doesn’t affect them, and if anything, it’s a badge of honor.”

An FTO designation is meant to disrupt financial support to such a group, giving the Treasury Department a wider hand to issue sanctions and signal to other foreign governments, people or businesses that they could lose access to the U.S. financial system if they engage with the sanctioned group.

Former President Trump’s designation of the Houthis as an FTO drew rare pushback from Republicans in Congress, largely over humanitarian concerns. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) opposed the move outright.

In 2021, Sen Jim Risch (Idaho) and Rep. Michael McCaul (Texas), the senior Republicans on the Senate and House Foreign Affairs committees, raised grave concerns that the Trump administration was not putting in place “necessary licenses, waivers and appropriate guidance” to allow the delivery of goods to the Yemeni people.

Harden, who is founder of the Georgetown Strategy Group, said it’s fair to recognize concerns about blocking the delivery of humanitarian assistance or commercial goods to Yemen, but that the Houthis are threatening that anyway by attacking shipping in the Red Sea.

Major shipping companies are rerouting their vessels on longer and more expensive routes to avoid the Red Sea route toward the Suez Canal, raising concerns over disrupted supply chains, delayed deliveries and higher prices for consumers across the globe.

Still, Republican and Democratic voices are calling for Biden to take seriously its review of whether to impose the FTO designation for the Houthis — even as many of these lawmakers expressed serious concerns of the terrorist group label when it was imposed by former President Trump.

McCaul said in a statement last week that the Biden administration “must acknowledge it was a mistake to rescind the Houthis designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, and re-list them immediately.”

Other lawmakers calling for Biden to impose the FTO include Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and staunch supporter of Biden’s handling of Israel’s war against Hamas.

Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Brian Mast (R-Fla.) wrote a letter last week to Biden in favor of the FTO designation.

In November, 15 Republican senators wrote a letter to Biden calling for the Houthis to be designated as an FTO.

Harden reacted to such congressional calls as more of a domestic political signal as opposed to hurting the Houthis.

“This is something that we care about, and maybe it’s symbolic, but it’s not meaningful,” he continued.

The FTO designation still poses a significant risk to humanitarian organizations, said Bruce Riedel, nonresident senior fellow in the Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution and author of the book “America and the Yemens: A Complex and Tragic Encounter.”

“The reasons why Joe Biden’s administration lifted the FTO still apply today. I would hope there would be some reluctance to go down that road,” he said.

Riedel also argued that the FTO could push the Houthis closer to Iran.

“The Houthis are a very independent actor, they’re not like Hezbollah [in Lebanon]. They are a home-grown independent actor. But the more they are attacked, they will naturally go to the Iranians for more and more help, which I don’t think is in our interest either.”

The Biden administration is so far focused on rallying a global coalition to pressure the Houthis to relent on the attacks, while also taking military action in coordinated strikes.

“This is a global challenge,” Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, told the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday.

“We’re talking about a vital artery of global commerce, a critical maritime choke point that’s being held hostage, and countries and companies that have nothing to do with the Middle East, whatsoever, are being affected — more than 50 nations in nearly 30 attacks. And so it’s a crisis that the whole world needs to respond to.”

Sullivan said that retaliatory attacks launched by the U.S. and U.K., and supported by other democratic nations, were aimed at degrading the Houthis’ military capabilities but were not expected to eliminate the threat completely.

“We did not say when we launched our attacks, they’re going to end once and for all, the Houthis will be fully deterred,” he told the forum.

“We anticipated the Houthis would continue to try to hold this critical artery at risk. And we continue to reserve the right to take further action, but this needs to be an all-hands-on-deck effort.”

The Houthis have, unsurprisingly, ignored a directive from the United Nations Security Council to cease attacks on ships in the Red Sea. But Sullivan said the U.S. is looking to work with countries with ties to Iran to pressure the Houthis to get them to understand that their attacks must end.

“We want to work with countries across the board, countries who are allies and partners, countries who are not, in the common interest to get this to stop.”

The Biden administration may relabel the Houthis in Yemen a foreign terrorist organization, in response to the Iranian-backed group’s increased attacks against Israel and on commercial shipping in the region. Such a move would see the Biden administration reverse course on a controversial and last-minute Trump-era policy. President Biden removed the foreign terrorist organization (FTO) label on…

Business

GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT RETURNS FOR ITS 5TH EDITION AT THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT – HOUSE OF LORDS, PALACE OF WESTMINSTER

Published

1 week ago

May 16, 2026

Bolanle Media Staff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Theme: “People, Planet, and Profit in the Age of AI and Innovation”

London, United Kingdom — The Global Sustainability Summit (GSS) is officially back for its landmark 5th Edition, continuing its legacy as one of the leading international platforms driving sustainable development, climate action, ethical investment, innovation, and global collaboration.

Convened annually at the prestigious British Parliament, House of Lords, Palace of Westminster, by Ambassador Canon Chinenem Otto, the Summit has, over the last four years, successfully fostered international dialogue and partnerships that have contributed to the advancement of global sustainability goals, the establishment of sustainability-focused ministries, departments and policy structures across national and subnational governments, and the attraction of major investors into sustainable development projects, corporations and emerging economies.

This year’s summit, themed “People, Planet, and Profit in the Age of AI and Innovation,” will explore how emerging technologies, responsible leadership, sustainable finance, innovation, and global partnerships can shape a more inclusive, resilient and environmentally conscious future.

The 5th Edition promises to be the most impactful yet, bringing together world leaders, policymakers, diplomats, investors, academics, innovators, climate experts and youth leaders from across the globe to discuss actionable solutions toward achieving a sustainable and equitable future.

Among the distinguished speakers, delegates and honorees already lined up for the Summit are:

• His Excellency Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq — Executive Governor of Kwara State, Nigeria and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum

• His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Otu — Executive Governor of Cross River State, Nigeria

• Ambassador Patricia Espinosa Cantellano — Former Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Former Foreign Minister of Mexico

• Lord Marvin Rees, Baron Rees of Easton OBE — Member of the House of Lords, United Kingdom

• Hon. Neema K. Lugangira — Secretary-General of Women Political Leaders (WPL), Brussels and Former Member of Parliament

• Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah — President of the Republic of Namibia

• His Excellency Nangolo Mbumba — Former President of Namibia

• Former President of Tanzania

• Her Excellency Ambassador Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq — First Lady of Kwara State, Nigeria and Chairperson of Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum

• Your Excellency Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, PhD, CON — Executive Governor of Katsina State and Chairman of the Northwest Governors Forum, Nigeria

• Hon. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma — Governor of Khomas Region, Namibia

• H.E. Mr. Veiccoh Nghiwete — High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia to the United Kingdom

• Her Excellency Ms. Macenje “Che Che” Mazoka — High Commissioner of Zambia to the United Kingdom

• Ms. Danielle Newman — Partner Lead, ICT, World Economic Forum

• Leanne Elliott Young — Co-founder, Institute of Digital Fashion & CommuneEast

• Ms. Chloe Russell — Producer & Presenter, Art, Science and Nature

• Professor Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger — University of Cambridge & University of Waterloo

• Dr. Alexandra R. Harrington — IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL)

• Professor Payam Akhavan — Massey College, University of Toronto

• Mr. Mallai C. E. Sathya — President, Dravida Vetri Kazhagam and International Movement for Tamil Culture Asia

The Summit will feature high-level panel discussions, strategic investment conversations, sustainability awards, policy dialogues, innovation showcases, youth engagement sessions and international networking opportunities focused on climate resilience, ethical financing, food-water-energy sustainability, circular economy, artificial intelligence, diplomacy and sustainable development.

Speaking ahead of the Summit, Convener Ambassador Canon Chinenem Otto noted:

“As the world rapidly evolves through artificial intelligence and technological innovation, we must ensure that sustainability remains people-centered, environmentally responsible and economically inclusive. The Global Sustainability Summit continues to serve as a bridge connecting governments, institutions, innovators and investors to accelerate practical sustainability solutions globally. Our fifth edition is not only a celebration of progress made over the years, but also a renewed call for global collaboration and actionable impact toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Net Zero ambitions.”

The Global Sustainability Summit continues to position itself as a catalyst for transformative partnerships and sustainable global progress, reinforcing the urgent need for collective action toward a more resilient and sustainable future.

More announcements regarding additional speakers, partners and summit activities will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

News

US May Completely Cut Income Tax Due to Tariff Revenue

Published

6 months ago

November 30, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

President Donald Trump says the United States might one day get rid of federal income tax because of money the government collects from tariffs on imported goods. Tariffs are extra taxes the U.S. puts on products that come from other countries.

What Trump Is Saying

Trump has said that tariff money could become so large that it might allow the government to cut income taxes “almost completely.” He has also talked about possibly phasing out income tax over the next few years if tariff money keeps going up.

How Taxes Work Now

Right now, the federal government gets much more money from income taxes than from tariffs. Income taxes bring in trillions of dollars each year, while tariffs bring in only a small part of that total. Because of this gap, experts say tariffs would need to grow by many times to replace income tax money.

Questions From Experts

Many economists and tax experts doubt that tariffs alone could pay for the whole federal budget. They warn that very high tariffs could make many imported goods more expensive for shoppers in the United States. This could hit lower- and middle‑income families hardest, because they spend a big share of their money on everyday items.

What Congress Must Do

The president can change some tariffs, but only Congress can change or end the federal income tax. That means any real plan to remove income tax would need new laws passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. So far, there is no detailed law or full budget plan on this idea.

What It Means Right Now

For now, Trump’s comments are a proposal, not a change in the law. People and businesses still have to pay federal income tax under the current rules. The debate over using tariffs instead of income taxes is likely to continue among lawmakers, experts, and voters.

News

Epstein Files to Be Declassified After Trump Order

Published

6 months ago

November 20, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to declassify all government files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier whose death in 2019 continues to fuel controversy and speculation.

The order, signed Wednesday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, instructs the FBI, Department of Justice, and intelligence agencies to release documents detailing Epstein’s network, finances, and alleged connections to high-profile figures. Trump described the move as “a step toward transparency and public trust,” promising that no names would be shielded from scrutiny.

“This information belongs to the American people,” Trump said in a televised statement. “For too long, powerful interests have tried to bury the truth. That ends now.”

U.S. intelligence officials confirmed that preparations for the release are already underway. According to sources familiar with the process, the first batch of documents is expected to be made public within the next 30 days, with additional releases scheduled over several months.

Reactions poured in across the political spectrum. Supporters praised the decision as a bold act of accountability, while critics alleged it was politically motivated, timed to draw attention during a volatile election season. Civil rights advocates, meanwhile, emphasized caution, warning that some records could expose private victims or ongoing legal matters.

The Epstein case, which implicated figures in politics, business, and entertainment, remains one of the most talked-about scandals of the past decade. Epstein’s connections to influential individuals—including politicians, royals, and executives—have long sparked speculation about the extent of his operations and who may have been involved.

Former federal prosecutor Lauren Fields said the release could mark a turning point in public discourse surrounding government transparency. “Regardless of political stance, this declassification has the potential to reshape how Americans view power and accountability,” Fields noted.

Officials say redactions may still occur to protect sensitive intelligence or personal information, but the intent is a near-complete disclosure. For years, critics of the government’s handling of Epstein’s case have accused agencies of concealing evidence or shielding elites from exposure. Trump’s order promises to change that narrative.

As anticipation builds, journalists, legal analysts, and online commentators are preparing for what could be one of the most consequential information releases in recent history.