Trump to Give Press Conference on Iran; Artemis II to Make Lunar Flyby

[0:06] Welcome. NTD Good Morning starts now. Here are today's top stories. [0:10] Open the strait or else. President Trump issuing a stark warning as military strikes inside Iran [0:15] continue. The U.S. airman missing in Iran has now been rescued. His fighter jet brought down [0:21] by Iranian operatives. A look at how the mission unfolded. Federal law enforcement arresting [0:27] family members of Qasem Soleimani, the former Iranian general who was killed during the first [0:32] Trump administration. We have the latest there. President Trump asking Congress for the largest [0:38] increase to defense spending in decades. It would be paired with slashes to domestic programs like [0:43] the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Education and other programs that the White [0:48] House describes as woke and leftist organizations. NASA's Artemis 2 mission is about to reach a major [0:55] milestone. How the crew is doing ahead of their flyby of the moon. President Trump and First Lady [1:00] Melania Trump gearing up to host the annual White House Easter. [1:04] Egg Hunt today. Why this year is going to be special. This is NTD Good Morning. Live from our [1:21] global headquarters in New York City. Here are Stefania Cox and Carrie Dunst. Good morning. [1:27] Thank you for joining us. Today's Monday, April 6th. Carrie is on special assignment. [1:33] Starting out with the latest from the Middle East. The U.S. continuing to strike Iran following a [1:37] stunning rescue of a U.S. airman. President Trump will address the nation later today at 1 p.m. on [1:43] Operation Epic Fury. [1:45] NTD's Daniel Monahan has more on that, plus reactions from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [1:50] and Senator Dave McCormick. [1:53] White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt says the president's press conference on Iran [1:57] will now take place in the White House briefing room due to popular demand from the press. [2:02] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying he spoke with President Trump yesterday [2:06] following the mission to rescue a U.S. service member whose aircraft was downed by Iranian forces. [2:13] Netanyahu says he personally congratulated the president [2:16] on what he called the first day of the U.S. Air Force. [2:16] But he called his bold decision and a perfectly executed American mission to rescue the downed [2:22] pilot from enemy territory. Netanyahu says President Trump expressed his appreciation [2:27] for Israel's help. President Trump has given Iran a stern warning. The president writing on [2:32] social media that tomorrow will be power plant day and bridge day all wrapped up in one in Iran. [2:38] There will be nothing like it. In a strongly worded message, the president admonished Iran [2:43] to open the strait or they'll be hell to pay. [2:45] And Senator [2:46] Dave McCormick commenting on the rescue of a downed airman saying there are so many heroes in the story [2:52] speaking on Fox News. [2:53] The fact that the president, the secretary of defense, the chairman and the military leadership [2:58] would do anything necessary to get this airman back on our side, back home as a soldier when [3:07] you're going into enemy territory to know that the American people and the American America is [3:11] going to do everything they can to get you home is critical. [3:13] McCormick saying five presidents have essentially said the U.S. [3:17] can't do anything to get you home. [3:17] They can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon and that Iran building up its capabilities in the region has to be checked. [3:23] And this president has taken leadership to systematically eliminate this threat to America's allies, to the American people. [3:31] No country has more blood on its hands than Iran. And I think we've made enormous progress by any measure at the military objectives the president has laid out. [3:40] The Pennsylvania senator saying although there's still more work to do, imagine a scenario where the president hadn't made the decision to leave the country. [3:47] Imagine a scenario where the president hadn't made the decision to leave the country. [3:49] Iran would have had three more years of building its ballistic missile capability and building its nuclear program. [3:55] That missile that was lobbed 2,500 miles into Diego Garcia could very easily have had a nuclear warhead on it. [4:02] So this was never going to be easy. [4:04] This is a very sophisticated military. [4:06] It's a very well-established military that's had decades to build its capability. [4:11] But we've made unprecedented progress. [4:13] Central Command says U.S. forces continue to strike. [4:17] into Iran to dismantle the Iranian regime's ability to project power beyond its borders. [4:22] It shared photos of Marines preparing M-142 high-mobility artillery rocket systems during Operation Epic Fury. [4:31] And CENTCOM says service members aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln work around the clock to keep sea-based fighter jets equipped for combat operations. [4:40] Officials say more details on the scope and timeline of U.S. operations could come during the president's address as military activity in the region continues. [4:47] Daniel Monahan, NTD News. [4:50] Staying with Iran, we have more on how the U.S. military rescued that second U.S. pilot from Iran after the American fighter jet was shot down. [5:01] Here's more. [5:02] The remaining airman whose F-15E fighter jet was shot down over Iran was pulled to safety. [5:11] The complex rescue operation involved U.S. forces and intelligence personnel. [5:16] President Trump posted, we got him, and continued, this brave warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous situation. [5:22] The U.S. military was in the mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies who were getting closer and closer by the hour, [5:28] but was never truly alone because his commander-in-chief, secretary of war, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, [5:34] and fellow warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day and diligently planning for his rescue. [5:41] The airman was injured after he and the pilot ejected from the damaged jet. [5:45] He was trained enough in survival tactics to hide in the mountains and avoid further harm. [5:49] The airman is believed to have climbed a 7,000-foot... [5:52] Iranian mountain ridge at one point. [5:55] He sent out sporadic emergency signals to alert U.S. troops to his location. [5:59] The mission involved a CIA deception campaign to keep Iranian forces from knowing exactly if he had already been rescued or not, [6:06] as Iranian regime troops tried to pursue him. [6:09] President Trump in another Truth Social post said, [6:12] this type of raid is seldom attempted because of the danger to man and equipment. [6:16] It just doesn't happen. [6:17] According to the Military Times, [6:20] the F-15E Downing was the first time during Operation... [6:23] Epic Fury that a manned U.S. aircraft was brought down by enemy fire. [6:28] The rescue operation itself saw some heavy equipment losses. [6:31] Two U.S. Special Forces aircraft were damaged in the mission and had to be blown up on the ground in Iran. [6:37] They carried sensitive equipment that U.S. forces had to ensure Iran did not recover. [6:42] A U.S. A-10 Warthog fighter jet went down near the Strait of Hormuz around the same time as the F-15E Downing Friday. [6:49] Its occupant was rescued. [6:51] Joining us for Insight on World War II, [6:54] we're joined by the U.S. Air Force. [6:55] We're joined by the U.S. Air Force. [6:55] We're joined by the U.S. Air Force. [6:55] We're joined by the U.S. Air Force. [6:55] We're joined by the U.S. Air Force. [6:56] And we also have the latest information for you... [6:57] What goes on behind-the-scenes to carry out such a combat search and rescue mission? [6:59] And we also have the latest information for you... [7:00] Welcoming, now, Mike Cirelli, Chief Talent Officer at Overwatch Mission Critical [7:04] and a retired Navy SEAL. [7:05] Good to have you with us, this morning. [7:07] Mike, walk us through the intense timeline of a SCIS-R mission [7:11] when an airman goes down behind enemy lines. [7:13] What that must have been like. [7:16] What happens in those first critical minutes and hours that most people don't see? [7:22] Well, first off, God bless, we've got him home, [7:25] especially unhappen, [7:26] you know Easter Sunday we couldn't ask for a bigger miracle and it does show [7:30] just the bravery and the competence of the US military not only special [7:35] operations community but the entire support mechanism of the military to [7:38] find secure and to bring this pilot home but you know you talk about a timeline [7:43] you know while contingency plans are in place for a scenario like this there is [7:49] no timeline it's immediate so the second we get notification that an aircraft is [7:53] down and we've got isolated personnel behind enemy territory we're [7:57] automatically moving and that is a testament or seen by the recovery of the [8:02] first pilot in a rapid manner but just due to the nature of the second pilot [8:07] and you know moving quite a distance from the the crash site and then moving [8:11] to elevation it took a little while to geolocate where he was identify him and [8:16] secure him but you know we leave nothing to chance special operations and the Air [8:22] Force [8:23] combat search and rescue community move quickly they put their their own [8:26] personal safety at risk because this is a covenant it's not a moral moral [8:32] language on a wall about leave no man behind it is a covenant between brothers [8:37] and sisters in arms really inspiring and and important from your experience as a [8:43] Navy SEAL who's led combat operations what kind of specialized training to [8:48] these rescue teams undergo to pull off these kinds of extraordinary extractions [8:53] well there is a [8:55] special operations community that is purpose-built for this mission and that [8:59] is known as the Air Force pararescue community as well as the broader air [9:04] force combat search and rescue community so they exist for this very scenario and [9:09] this is a worst case scenario they hope this doesn't happen but they are prepared [9:13] uh and so the Air Force pararescue community these pair rescue men or PJs for short are [9:19] trained in high angle recovery tactical medicine uh and then the recovery of personnel even if [9:25] are trapped within an airframe, they have the ability to cut them out of that airframe as seen [9:31] in the movie Black Hawk Down. But they train and they go through a two-year training cycle for this [9:36] before they can become pararescuement. And so the security element, the additional special [9:42] operations on the ground were in support of those pararescuement to provide them security and also [9:48] do major sweeps of the area until they identified and secured the pilot. And looking now at the [9:53] experience of the pilots themselves who are down surviving behind enemy lines is surely every [9:59] pilot's nightmare. But how they're also trained in survival, evasion, resistance, escape, [10:06] SEER training to prepare for that kind of isolation. And what does that training instill [10:14] in someone in terms of how they then buy time for the rescue force to arrive? [10:19] Yes, absolutely. So every pilot, and to include special operations, [10:24] or critical intel personnel, go through something called SEER training, [10:28] survival, evasion, resistance, and recovery. This can be a two to four-week course. It is a serious [10:34] course because we know the implications of this scenario. So the pilots, as well as other military [10:39] personnel, take it very seriously because quite literally, your life depends on it. So not only [10:44] how to survive behind enemy lines and to evade forces, but ultimately the worst case scenario [10:49] in that bad situation is that you're taken hostage. And so how to resist, [10:54] interrogations, and then ultimately how to escape from captivity. These pilots go through [11:01] proficiency training every 18 months and to the point for every mission before they fly when they [11:08] go through a pilot briefing. It's the last part of the pilot briefing, what we call the combat [11:13] search and rescue plan or the evacuation action plan. So they know it's top of mind. They talk [11:20] about these contingencies before they ever go on any other mission. They have to memorize certain [11:24] things, escape corridors. You know, they have to test their emergency beacons and locators, [11:30] something we call the C-cell, which is a type of radio specifically for this incident, which is [11:36] over the horizon in line of sight. So it's something we take very seriously and they keep [11:40] the proficiency training just for this situation. Now, these missions often involve incredible [11:44] coordination between air assets, ground teams, and intelligence. Could you describe for us some [11:50] of the behind-the-scenes challenges that make a successful [11:55] rescue like this feel almost miraculous? Yeah. So, you know, while this contingency plan [12:01] remains in place, the coordination is in near real time and it has to be rapid. I mean, [12:07] you're looking at layered operations with intelligence support, electronic disruption, [12:12] massive armed overwatch overhead. I mean, they stacked the airspace with strike aircraft to [12:18] support this pilot on the ground, keep the enemy at bay, and then ultimately the insertion of [12:23] recovery forces. [12:25] In this case, the Air Force Pararescue Community Special Operations, we're hearing SEAL Team 6. [12:31] We put a massive amount of troops on the ground in order to ensure success deep within hostile [12:37] territory, which again is a display of just the prowess of our military might that we could put [12:45] that many troops far into Iran. But, you know, the thing to focus here or really highlight is that [12:51] this kind of mission only succeeds when everyone is aligned. [12:55] And we hear a downed pilot behind enemy lines. There becomes a singular focus where the weight of [13:01] the entire U.S. military then focuses on this one priority. It becomes the top priority. And, [13:07] you know, we're guided by three simple words, find them, secure them, and bring them home. [13:13] And we will stop at nothing. I mean, it is the greatest display of greater love has no man than [13:18] this to lay down your life for a friend. And these men that went behind enemy lines to find this [13:25] pilot were wounded. And we hear a downed pilot behind enemy lines. There becomes a singular focus [13:26] willing to do just that. And we're engaged with the enemy. [13:29] It's incredible. Thank you so much for your insights this morning, [13:32] Mike Cirelli. And thank you for joining us this Easter Monday. [13:35] Thank you. [13:35] Israel's defense minister confirming today the death of Iran's Revolutionary Guard's [13:41] intelligence head, Mahid Khademi. The IDF says Khademi helped advance attacks and monitor [13:48] civilians under the Iranian regime. Israeli officials are warning Iran against targeting [13:54] civilians and vowing retaliation if attacks continue. [13:58] Khademi came into his position after Israeli airstrikes killed his predecessor last year. [14:05] Emergency crews are responding after Iranian missile strikes hit multiple cities across [14:10] Israel. Damage being reported in residential areas from Tel Aviv to Haifa. [14:15] Earlier this evening, a missile that was launched from Iran hit this site, a building, [14:22] in the middle of the city of Haifa. Once again, the Iranian regime aims its missiles at civilian [14:29] targets. [14:31] civilian population of the state of Israel. [14:34] And here, again, we have a major destruction site, and you can see serious damage here [14:41] behind me. [14:43] AMNA NAWAZ. [14:44] The chief of staff of the home front command says four people are missing in Haifa and [14:48] many more injured. [14:50] Authorities say multiple impact sites were reported in Haifa, with several people hurt, [14:54] including children. [14:56] The strikes come a day after a separate attack in Haifa killed two people and left others [15:00] missing under the rubble. [15:03] Officials also say at least one person was injured in Tel Aviv by glass and shrapnel. [15:08] In a city in Central Israel, paramedics treated a woman in serious condition before transferring [15:13] her to a nearby hospital. [15:17] Up ahead, President Trump asking Congress for the largest increase to defense spending [15:21] in decades. [15:22] It would be paired with slashes to domestic programs. [15:25] We will be telling you more about that. [15:28] Meanwhile, federal law enforcement arresting family members of a former Iranian general [15:33] who was killed during the first strike. [15:34] We have the latest there. [15:48] Welcome back. [15:49] Congress still behind on funding the Department of Homeland Security, now set up for another [15:54] budget battle. [15:56] President Trump is asking Congress for a dramatic increase in defense spending, paired with [16:00] major cuts to domestic spending. [16:02] Lawmakers weighing in. [16:04] NTD's Melina Weiskopf has the details. [16:07] On Friday, the White House sending Congress its official budget request for the next fiscal [16:11] year. [16:12] In it, the largest increase for defense spending in decades. [16:15] $440 billion more dollars. [16:17] More dollars for defense spending, totaling $1.5 trillion. [16:21] The administration says it's needed to address growing concerns from China, Russia and other [16:25] adversaries. [16:26] A key focus of the Pentagon budget is rebuilding weapons stockpiles and strengthening domestic [16:31] manufacturing capacity. [16:33] Over the last 30 years, our defense industrial base consolidated and atrophied. [16:40] China's shipbuilding capacity dwarfs ours. [16:43] They are outproducing us on ships, drones and munitions. [16:45] And they have embedded that in their weapons. [16:46] And they have embedded themselves deep into our defense supply chains. [16:52] The consequences are clear. [16:53] A top agenda item is roughly $66 billion to bolster shipbuilding and shipyard capacity. [17:00] The plan would also continue funding for the golden dome, a national missile defense system. [17:05] While Democrats were quick to reject the budget, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham quickly [17:09] responded saying the defense budget is more than justified by the threats the U.S. faces [17:14] throughout the world. [17:15] ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, , ,, . The increase for defense spending is [17:17] coupled with cuts to domestic areas, including a 50 percent slash to the Environmental Protection [17:22] Agency, EPA. [17:23] DONALD TRUMP, President of the United States of America, During my campaign, I promised [17:25] to cut 10 old regulations for every new regulation, and we have exceeded that. [17:32] AMNA NAWAZ, The president's budget sheds more than $15 billion from Biden era green [17:36] energy programs. [17:38] Other cuts target the National Institutes of Health, Departments of Labor, Education [17:42] and Housing, seeking to eliminate around $10 billion for programs that its states have [17:47] supported woke and leftist organizations. [17:51] Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says Democrats will fight tooth and nail to make [17:54] sure the budget doesn't become law. [17:57] With expected Democrat opposition, Republicans could try to fund some of the president's [18:01] defense requests and a special budget bill bypassing Democrats. [18:05] Republicans are currently working on such an approach to fund immigration enforcement [18:08] agencies. [18:09] SEN. [18:10] CHUCK SCHUMER , A narrow bill that would fund ICE and CBP well into the future [18:14] so that this isn't something that, while President Trump is in office, we're going [18:17] to have to deal with again. [18:18] AMNA NAWAZ, President Trump wants ICE and CBP funding by June 1. [18:23] As for the overall 2027 budget, the proposal now moves to Congress, where a sharp debate [18:28] will unfold in the coming months. [18:30] Reporting from Washington, D.C., Melina Weiskopf, NTD News. [18:33] AMNA NAWAZ, Federal law enforcement arresting family members of a now deceased Iranian terrorist. [18:41] NTD's international correspondent, Arian Pasdar, has the details. [18:44] ARIAN PASDAR, International Correspondent, International Correspondent, International [18:45] Correspondent, International Correspondent. [18:46] ARIAN PASDAR, International Correspondent. [18:47] ARIAN PASDAR, International Correspondent. [18:48] ARIAN PASDAR, International Correspondent. [18:50] ARIAN PASDAR, International Correspondent. [18:51] ARIAN PASDAR, International Correspondent. [18:52] ARIAN PASDAR, International Correspondent. [18:53] ARIAN PASDAR, International Correspondent. [18:54] ARIAN PASDAR, International Correspondent. [18:55] ARIAN PASDAR, International Correspondent. [18:56] ARIAN PASDAR, International Correspondent. [18:57] ARIAN PASDAR, International Correspondent. [18:58] ARIAN PASDAR, International Correspondent. [18:59] ARIAN PASDAR, International Correspondent. [19:00] ARIAN PASDAR, International Correspondent. [19:01] ARIAN PASDAR, International Correspondent. [19:03] ARIAN PASDAR, International Correspondent. [19:04] ARIAN PASDAR, International Correspondent. [19:05] Now, today the State Department announcing the US is revoking the visas of his relatives [19:12] who are living in the US despite supporting an anti-American cause. [19:16] His niece Afshar Soleimani and her daughter are now in ICE custody with the State Department [19:22] saying Afshar Soleimani pushed this propaganda for Iran's terrorist regime while enjoying [19:27] a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles. [19:30] The State Department notice ends saying the Trump administration will not allow our country [19:35] to become a home for foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist regimes. [19:41] Arian Pasdar, NTD News. [19:44] To break it all down, we have Keith Leffler, managing director at The Daily Signal, with [19:49] what you need to know about Soleimani's relatives who were arrested Friday. [19:53] Good to have you with us this morning, Keith, Secretary of State. [19:56] Good to be here. [19:57] My name is Koffler, actually, but Leffler's a nice name, but my name is Koffler. [20:01] Yes. [20:02] Good to, thank you so much. [20:03] Glad to say it correctly. [20:06] And welcome this Easter Monday. [20:08] So officials are saying that the women who are arrested use social media, we just heard, [20:14] to promote Iranian regime propaganda, celebrate attacks on US forces, voice strong support [20:20] for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is of course a terrorist organization [20:26] designated by the US. [20:28] What's your take on why this action was taken, why it was taken now, and how it aligns with [20:35] basic expectations? [20:36] What's your take on why this action was taken now, and how it aligns with basic expectations [20:36] for anyone granted permanent residency in the United States? [20:39] Well, that's a good question. [20:42] I think the ultimate reason is that she's the niece of Qasem Soleimani, who was head [20:50] of the Quds Force in Iran, and, as so, was responsible probably for the deaths of hundreds [20:56] of American service members. [20:58] So this is a relative, a close relative of a very bad actor. [21:03] And so I think ultimately the issue is not the victims. [21:04] It's the legal side of it. [21:05] It's the legal side of it. [21:06] And so I want to know more about that. [21:06] And so I want to know more about it. [21:06] All right. [21:06] Thank you. [21:06] Thanks. [21:06] Thank you. [21:07] Thanks. [21:07] Thank you. [21:07] is, you know, who needs her here. I don't think it necessarily impacts others who have green cards [21:12] and who have asked for asylum. The issues with her were twofold. First of all, there's, as you [21:18] were mentioning, the national security issue, which, you know, the administration has said, [21:23] you don't have a right to a green card here. It's a privilege. And she has said things like you said, [21:29] where she's called America the great Satan. This was on Instagram, where she did these posts. [21:34] She has expressed support for the killing of Americans over in the current war in Iran. [21:42] And so this pertains to potentially a national security issue. Actually, ironically, [21:48] the stronger case they have against her, because the national security stuff gets into some free [21:53] speech issues, which, you know, could complicate the case. But she's here on asylum from Iran. [21:59] And since she was granted asylum, she has gone back to Iran for, [22:04] for times, which is a clear violation of her green card and her asylum claim. [22:09] And it's probably the easier grounds for the administration to deport her out of the country. [22:17] And do you expect these two women to challenge the move in court as well? [22:25] Yes. You know, we can't just put them on a plane and fly them out. There are procedures related [22:29] to this. There's a hearing and so forth that they have to go through. So technically, at least, [22:34] we can't just export them out of the country. [22:35] So I do expect them to appeal to try to stay. It does appear like they were living [22:41] relatively lavish lifestyles in the United States. But the interesting thing also is that her [22:48] daughter, which would be the grandniece of Qasem Soleimani, it's not really clear what the case is [22:54] against her. It doesn't mean there isn't one, but it's not really clear what she has done, [22:58] what she has violated, what she has said. Her mother, the niece of Soleimani, it's much more [23:03] clear. So it remains to be seen if they will. [23:05] Yeah, that's a really interesting point. And I'm sure we will find out as the hearings unfold. [23:13] But from the national security perspective, why do you think it matters to people on both sides [23:20] of the aisle here in the U.S. to allow individuals with such clear ties to someone like Qasem [23:28] Soleimani to remain in the U.S. and why it might raise genuine concerns for anyone here in the U.S.? [23:36] Yeah, I think, I mean, she has obviously very close connections with what remains of the regime [23:44] over there. She knows all these people. She grew up there. We don't know what she's actually doing [23:49] here in the United States, what kind of contacts she's making, what kind of espionage that she may [23:54] be facilitating. So I think that there is a good case that since we don't know if she's some kind [24:02] of operative as well here at this point, given that she has expressed clear sympathy for the [24:07] Iranian side, that there is that national security case to be worried about it and to take steps to [24:14] remove her from the country. [24:16] And just in terms of this move, revoking lawful permanent resident status for a foreign figure's [24:23] family members, we've outlined that she also has taken steps that the administration deems [24:29] unlawful and inappropriate. But how do you think this could be seen as a message for [24:38] others? [24:38] More broadly within the U.S. and what is the administration trying to communicate here? [24:45] Well, I think they're trying to communicate that this is a particular case. It is, you know, [24:50] an example of targeting a specific person. So I wouldn't rule out that that would have a chilling [24:56] effect on some people here, especially say people are here with asylum claims from Russia, China, [25:02] other places where maybe there are people with legitimate concerns about their country. And [25:09] maybe if they get, you know, if they get, you know, if they get, you know, if they get, you know, [25:09] if they get, you know, if they get, you know, if they get, you know, if they get, you know, [25:09] tied to those countries, it could be something of a concern. But look, you know, we're at war [25:14] right now with Iran. It's a, it's, there is some excuse at least to be targeting a particular [25:23] person. And I think that that's not necessarily something that would repeat itself for other [25:29] people who have claimed asylum in this country. [25:31] Something that's really coming to light more and more is the abuses under, of human rights abuses [25:37] under China's communist regime. [25:39] Do you see this kind of approach potentially being used by the administration to oust people [25:46] who may be associated with or related to officials who are accused of human rights abuses within [25:52] China at this point? [25:53] Well, there's a long history of CCP progeny, CCP relatives studying in this country, [26:01] working in this country. And so I, I, the clear answer to that is, I don't know, it could be, [26:09] but I think also, [26:10] it would depend on whether, you know, how much things heat up with China. I mean, obviously, [26:14] if there was a war or an invasion of Taiwan, that would be a whole different can of worms. [26:20] But I think that, you know, the focus really right now is on Iran. And I don't think that [26:25] others necessarily have something to worry about, although it is the Trump administration. And, [26:30] you know, you don't know. I mean, they, they do a lot of unpredictable things, [26:34] a lot of good things, but unpredictable things. So, you know, I couldn't rule anything out once [26:39] you get down the road. [26:40] I mean, I think it's just a matter of targeting specific people to be exported. But again, [26:43] there was a very clear case with this woman expressing support for an enemy that we are at [26:49] war with and also clearly violating her visa. So. [26:54] Great to have this discussion with you this morning. Thank you so much, Keith Koffler. [26:58] My pleasure. [27:00] Oil prices are climbing again with Brent crude topping $111 a barrel. President Trump's [27:06] deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is set to expire today. The critical waterway, [27:11] normally carrying around a fifth of the world's water supply, is set to expire today. [27:13] the world's total oil consumption the iranian regime attacking vessels and preventing their [27:18] crossing since the war began president trump is warned of possible strikes on iranian infrastructure [27:23] in the strait of hormuz and if it remains closed members of the oil supply appliance alliance [27:32] opec plus have agreed to boost oil production next month this is expected to have a little [27:38] immediate impact on supply but it does signal readiness to raise output once the strait of [27:42] hormuz opens in a statement yesterday eight countries including saudi arabia russia and iraq [27:48] agreeing to raise their collective production by 206 000 barrels a day that would put their [27:54] combined output to over 33 million barrels per day at the same time the organization cautions [28:00] that any disruption to energy security increases market volatility and coming up new yorkers out [28:10] on fifth avenue yesterday for the city's annual easter parade and bonnet festival a tradition [28:14] going back to the 1870s showcasing their vibrant [28:17] handcrafted artistry and nasa's artemis ii is approaching a big milestone today with a flyby [28:23] of the moon how the crew is doing as they are prepared to prepare to break a human space flight [28:28] record welcome back nasa's artemis ii mission now entering a critical phase with astronauts [28:46] preparing for a historic flyby of the moon officials outlining the next milestone during [28:51] a news conference yesterday just ahead of what could be a record-breaking moment here's more [28:58] nasa officials say the artemis ii mission is continuing to perform [29:02] well as it approaches a major milestone our mission continues to go incredibly well [29:08] our crew is healthy as we prepare and gear up to fly by the moon tomorrow we're all extremely [29:16] excited for tomorrow nasa saying lunar gravity will soon take over the most exciting portion of [29:24] the overnight hours here uh on earth is gonna be when orion enters the lunar sphere of influence at [29:30] 12 40 a.m eastern time and we're still on our way in the arenas so just keep an eye on that as we're [29:31] on our way in the arenas so just keep an eye on that as we're on our way in the arenas so just keep an [29:32] time. That is significant because that's when the moon's gravity has a stronger pull over the [29:37] Orion spacecraft than Earth's gravity. And so that's a significant milestone on our mission." [29:43] The Artemis II crew is now on its sixth day of its mission aboard the Orion spacecraft. [29:48] The astronauts conducting a full sequence of suit operations yesterday, [29:52] including putting on and pressurizing their suits and performing leak checks. [29:56] The suits are designed to protect astronauts during emergencies and support survival after [30:00] splashdown. The agency says the mission is also set to break a decades-old record [30:04] for distance traveled by humans. [30:06] A little before 2 p.m. Eastern tomorrow, we're going to pass the Apollo 13 distance [30:12] record by humans. And then tomorrow evening, around 7.07 p.m. Eastern, [30:18] we will reach the farthest distance from Earth at a distance of 252,760 miles. [30:26] That's 4,105 miles farther than Apollo 13. [30:30] The Artemis II crew will conduct a lunar flyby, capturing images tied to key science objectives. [30:36] The mission marks the first crew journey around the moon in more than five decades. [30:40] NASA says the moon's surface offers a record of the solar system's history through its impact [30:44] craters. While in space, the astronauts also shared an Easter message back to Earth. [30:50] The crew reflecting on the significance of the mission and their view of Earth from deep space. [31:15] In all of this emptiness, this is a whole bunch of nothing, [31:18] this thing we call the universe. You have this oasis, this [31:21] beautiful place that we get to exist together. I think as we go into Easter Sunday thinking about [31:28] all the cultures all around the world, whether you celebrate it or not, whether you believe in [31:31] God or not, this is an opportunity for us to remember where we are, who we are, [31:37] and that we are the same thing and that we got to get through this together. [31:41] NASA says the mission will help pave the way for future efforts to return humans to the lunar [31:45] surface later this decade. What do everyday Americans make of NASA's Artemis II mission [31:52] around the moon? NTD's Sam Wang was out on the National Mall in D.C. to hear from the people. [31:58] Artemis II going around the moon, what do you think? [32:00] I think it's great. I think the kids are excited about it. It's a whole new world for them. [32:05] I think the next step they ought to take is landing on the moon. [32:09] And then Mars. And then Elon, he's going to help us go to Mars. [32:12] I like it. I like how we are exploring the moon and just doing what we need to do to [32:16] just find out new stuff. [32:18] Yeah, I think it's absolutely awesome. I'm really excited to hear what's to be said about everything. [32:22] I hope it's the start of a new space race. I remember the space shuttle launches in the 80s [32:29] and the 90s, and every single one of them was on television. And it was exciting to see that we're [32:34] kind of back to that. [32:35] My grandparents and millions and millions of Americans, I think something like 80% of [32:38] Americans watched the original moon landing on TV. So to be able to have that moment for our [32:43] generation feels really significant as well. It's kind of a mark of the times and how much we've [32:47] advanced since the first initial moon landing. What do you think about the possibility of [32:51] extraterrestrial sightings out there? [32:54] I feel like there's at least something out there. I don't know if it's like what we need to believe [32:58] as humans. [32:58] I definitely think there's stuff that we don't know that's out there. I don't think they look [33:02] like humans at all, but I think there's probably some microscopic little aliens out there roaming [33:06] the planet. [33:07] There's people out there somewhere. They're not like us, but they're out there. And everybody's [33:11] keeping it a secret. The government's keeping it a big secret. [33:14] I think it's really funny how much people care about extraterrestrials. I think it's kind of a [33:18] red herring because, you know, you only have one planet. So I think we should focus on issues [33:22] on our own planet rather than worrying about aliens. [33:24] I don't think there's a reason to think that there's not. I mean, [33:27] they've already found water out there. So certainly you could have energy. And why not? [33:33] I don't know. I mean, never say never. Space is a big place. But, you know, I don't know that [33:38] we have I don't know that I have a strong opinion either way. I wouldn't be surprised either way, [33:42] to be honest. [33:43] Do you think space is a really important vantage point for us to have a leverage [33:47] over adversaries such as China? [33:49] We have to have everything over China. [33:52] Definitely space, but everything else. We can't let them buy any more land in America. [33:57] There's got to be rules. They got to stop doing that. [33:59] We live down in South Carolina, and there's a lot of golf courses down there, [34:03] and they're buying them up. [34:04] Yeah, I mean, I absolutely believe that. I think as goofed on as it was, [34:07] the Space Force is a valid branch of the military. I think we should put a lot of [34:10] our military resources towards satellite defense. I think, I mean, that's what won [34:14] us the Vietnam War is, you know, outspending Russia in space infrastructure based on [34:17] technologies that we never even created. [34:19] Whoever can establish a permanent base there, [34:22] temporary base there, will have a strategic advantage in both science, [34:26] but probably also, unfortunately, in defense as well. [34:29] And the White House is hosting its annual Easter egg roll today on the South [34:35] Lawn with a patriotic theme tied to America's 250th anniversary. [34:39] First Lady Melania Trump previewing an expanded lineup of activities for families attending the [34:45] event. The event includes traditional egg rolling and hunting, along with interactive experiences [34:52] and educational exhibits. [34:54] Families will also receive commemorative eggs as they leave the South Lawn. [34:58] The White House says more than 500 volunteers are helping make the event possible. [35:02] The White House also highlighting the role of faith and the importance of religious liberty. [35:07] It said in a press release this Easter, President Trump reaffirms America as a beacon for Christian [35:13] liberty, saying on this sacred Easter Sunday, we are reminded that faith is not a private matter [35:19] to be silenced by government, but a foundational strength of our republic. [35:26] Spring has returned to New York City, bringing renewal to Fifth Avenue during the annual Easter [35:31] Parade and Bonnet Festival, a tradition dating back to the 1870s. [35:36] To celebrate this sacred day on the Christian calendar, thousands gathered to showcase vibrant, [35:41] handcrafted artistry that reflects creative spirit. [35:45] Let's take a look. [35:46] I just love seeing all the creativity, and everyone is just so happy today. [35:51] It's really like the most positive day in all of New York, I think. [35:56] But my hat was inspired by the Jean Schlumberger piece for Tiffany & Co., [36:00] The Bird on a Rock, which he designed initially in 1965 for his friend Bunny Melon. [36:05] So she gets her own little nod in the choice of my bunny pin on my dress. [36:09] And I just thought that it's a piece that captures whimsy and craftsmanship that we see [36:13] in its own way at the Bonnet Parade. [36:15] This is my daughter. We're going as April showers and May flowers. [36:18] So she's dressed as a little daisy, and I'm going as a spring rainstorm. [36:23] We're from Texas, and we flew in just for the [36:26] parade. We love New York. [36:27] Without God in my life, I wouldn't be where I am today. [36:30] And I'm very thankful for where I am today. [36:33] Springtime, New Year, all the flowers coming out. [36:37] It's a new beginning. [36:38] On a day like this is a wonderful time to celebrate humanity, peace, love. [36:44] Everybody really take care of each other, and that's all that matters. [36:51] If you're hungry, you can have a peep. Sugar. [36:54] You can eat that. [36:55] You can. [36:55] And then, you know, I got the butterflies, so I have something kind of floating around. [37:00] Even though it's raining, it just feels so fresh. [37:02] This is my 10-year New York anniversary, so I wanted to pay homage to the cities. [37:06] We're just out celebrating Easter, having a good time, seeing all the costumes. [37:11] It's really fun, right, Granger? [37:12] Embrace the joy, grace, and kindness, everyone that comes. [37:19] And don't forget that Jesus is their reason for today, and not a bunny. [37:25] Bunny is a fun, but it really is about Jesus. [37:30] And without him, you will be lost. [37:32] Go ahead. [37:35] In California's Mojave Desert, art meets activism, honoring a missing Chinese human rights lawyer [37:42] and exposing abuses by the Chinese regime. [37:58] Welcome back. [37:59] Over now to Toronto, where theatergoers this week were shocked to learn that Shen Yun Performing [38:04] Arts, a New York-based traditional Chinese dance company, had their shows canceled in the city. [38:09] This came as a result of the pandemic. [38:10] We'll be right back. [38:10] We'll be right back. [38:10] We'll be right back. [38:10] We'll be right back. [38:10] We'll be right back. [38:10] We'll be right back. [38:11] We'll be right back. [38:11] We'll be right back. [38:11] We'll be right back. [38:11] We'll be right back. [38:11] This came as a surprise to many, [38:12] and it's raising concerns over how the Chinese Communist Party is interfering with artistic [38:17] freedom even outside China. [38:20] NTD's Fiona Ji reports. [38:22] FIONA JI, NTD News. [38:23] In the heart of Toronto, six scheduled shows of Shen Yun Performing Arts all canceled over [38:29] fake bomb threats that were sent to the Four Seasons Center for the Performing Arts. [38:33] Outside the theater, I spoke with audience members. [38:35] Some had received tickets to the show as birthday presents. [38:38] Others had driven hours from up north just to come to the theater. [38:41] Some had come to the city to see Shen Yun. [38:43] All of them completely disappointed by the cancellations, [38:46] and utterly shocked by the attempts to silence a peaceful performing arts company. [38:50] I was very excited to come and see the show at the theater, [38:58] and then I just find out that it's canceled. [39:01] I'm very heartbroken, because I know it's a beautiful show. [39:05] We were supposed to come see the show today, and it was canceled. [39:07] We saw it on the news last night that it was canceled. [39:09] We were very upset, because we were very upset. [39:11] Very much looking forward to it. [39:13] The Four Seasons Center for the Performing Arts, home to the Canadian Opera Company, [39:17] chose to cancel Shen Yun's performances, [39:20] even though police already determined the threats to be unfounded. [39:24] The local presenter for the performances, [39:26] saying this is not the first time Shen Yun has received such threats, [39:30] but it is the first time a performance has been canceled. [39:34] We believe these threats are part of a broader campaign [39:37] by the Chinese Communist Party to silence Shen Yun, [39:41] and to present the [40:04] pill and the arts as a safe haven for the Assamese people. [40:07] They are charging Shen Yun for being a criminal. [40:09] They are arresting Shen Yun for having tried to stop her. [40:11] The incident has sparked discussions in Canada and internationally. Currently, media outlets, [40:11] of parliament also voicing their concern calling the decision by the theater to cancel the show's [40:17] disheartening i think it's very unfortunate and member of parliament james bazan posting on x [40:29] quote i condemn the bomb threat that forced the evacuation and cancellation of this week's [40:34] shen yun performances at the four season center for the performing arts in toronto [40:39] these acts are completely unacceptable member of parliament garnett jenis also weighing in on x [40:45] writing quote canada must stand for free artistic expression the shows must go on [40:52] shen yun performing arts tours globally every year the company says its mission is to revive [40:58] the traditional divinely inspired culture of china and share it with the world over the past two [41:05] years shen yun has been the target of over 150 bomb threats at theaters worldwide investigators [41:12] have found these threats to be hoaxes linked to the chinese communist party [41:16] and none have resulted in any actual danger canadian audience members and politicians alike [41:22] say this is a concerning infringement of freedoms on canadian soil i've heard a lot about these [41:29] disposal of these chinese police stations chinese government overwatch it's what foreign governments [41:34] do to democracies to undermine them it's very sad that the the chinese communist party is doing this [41:39] to its own culture very upsetting but fear is the worst way of trying to control people [41:46] i think it's it's not right in any situation it should be an investigation to know exactly [41:54] who is doing these threats and and who is behind all of that i've lived in toronto for 43 years [42:00] i come to a lot of shows this has never happened i don't understand why the chinese communist party [42:04] has so much power in toronto canada this needs to change to think that that arm of uh of patient [42:10] could reach into canada just disrupt uh entertainment events very concerning member of [42:17] judy scrowe writing on x that there is no place for foreign interference or intimidation in canada [42:23] and calling for malign actors to be held accountable despite the disappointment of [42:28] arriving to an empty theater and cancelled show theater goers still cheered on shinyun performers [42:34] and say they look forward to seeing the company return to toronto we continue to admire them not [42:40] the communists my heart is with you guys i know you guys are doing an amazing effort to [42:47] be your best and to show beautiful performance don't give up i would say come back try your best [42:54] keep going do not give up hope it's a great it's a good fight china has a great long culture i'm [43:01] sorry the show is cancelled but you know what it will come again and i will see it again and [43:08] i will still enjoy it in the face of transnational repression shinyun's artists are standing strong [43:14] for their faith and for their art and audience members in toronto are standing right alongside [43:19] them reporting from toronto fiona g and td news thanks to fiona for that report shenyon has been [43:27] the target of chinese communist regime's interference dating all the way back to 2007. [43:32] since then the company has recorded 205 attempts at sabotage and in other china news nearly a [43:39] decade has gone by and a renowned chinese human rights lawyer is still missing hundreds of people [43:45] from around the u.s gathering in southern california over the weekend to attend the [43:49] unveiling of a new statue [43:51] made in his honor and td's jack bradley has that story california's mojave desert may not be the [43:59] first place you look for art or activism for human rights but there lies liberty sculpture park [44:06] welcoming its newest addition to its collection every sculpture represents human rights and [44:13] freedom gao jersheng a human rights lawyer who disappeared in china nearly 10 years ago [44:18] honored here at liberty sculpture park in southern california [44:22] hundreds of people from around the country coming to see the unveiling of a new statue of gao jersheng [44:28] the sculptor names it gazing at the starry sky because the star is early way [44:36] we connected together because we don't know where is him he dedicated his life to [44:43] serving those who were oppressed especially those pressed for their religious views whether [44:48] a christian following gong regardless of which if they were persecuted by the chinese communist party [44:54] he stood up for them gao jersheng a prominent human rights lawyer has been nominated three times for [45:01] the nobel peace prize he was last seen in august 2017 and has not been heard from since his [45:07] whereabouts remain unknown his wife gung ha now in the u.s with their children worries her husband [45:15] may have been murdered by members of the chinese communist party gao once named one of the top 10 [45:21] lawyers in china in early 2001 [45:24] by the chinese ministry of justice the chinese regime then turned against him when he began to [45:29] defend vulnerable groups in china often at no cost groups like falun gong practitioners a spiritual [45:36] group that practices truthfulness compassion and tolerance and is heavily persecuted by the ccp [45:43] he even sent open letters to the ccp general secretary and premier back in 2005 asking [45:49] authorities to stop the torture and persecution of falun gong believers [45:54] in china even normal people speak out for the truth will have a bigger danger for their lives [46:01] but if you trying to protect those who telling the truth help falun gong help those who are treated [46:08] unfairly you will definitely bear more risk since 2006 the ccp arrested and sentenced gao to prison [46:17] multiple times where he suffered intense torture including with electric shock when they are [46:24] arrested and beat him and they tortured him so much the sculpture garden where his statue resides [46:32] sits among several works of art meant to shine a light on the atrocities of the chinese regime [46:37] the artist should be tell everyone choose this is our responsibility at the sculpture park in [46:46] june 2021 artist chen weiming unveiled a statue depicting ccp leader xi jinping as a coronavirus [46:54] victim the statue was burned down two men later sentenced for the arson won a ccp agent and chen [47:01] well he built a new one if i gave up their wing this time out of steel over 35 000 rebar how to [47:10] destroy this statue now he even made another taking it on tour across the country many calling [47:16] liberty sculpture park an oasis of freedom in the face of the current crisis the statue has been [47:22] destroyed by the ccp and the ccp has been destroyed by the ccp and the ccp has been destroyed by the [47:25] ccp and the ccp has been destroyed by the ccp and the ccp has been destroyed by the ccp [47:26] liberty sculpture park is a special place because it's dedicated to [47:30] victims of communism and those that resisted communism there are many people in china today [47:35] just like human rights lawyer gao jersheng still being persecuted although gao jersheng is missing [47:42] his courage to fight for human rights in the face of tyranny from the chinese communist party [47:47] lives on in uramo california i'm jack bradley ntd news [47:53] despite the challenges shen yun performed in new york city seattle colorado springs and aurora [47:58] illinois over the easter weekend ntd has been a media sponsor of shen yun since 2006. here's a [48:05] look at what theater goers had to say about the performances with vibrant dance music and color [48:13] shen yun performing arts captivated audience members across the u.s on april 4th bringing [48:18] the richness of traditional chinese culture to life on stage theater goers say the [48:24] were amazed by the performance's artistic excellence this is my first time seeing shen yun [48:30] it is so amazing the honor and the celebration of chinese culture is so beautiful the costume design [48:40] the backgrounds the digital art the dancers the storytelling everything about it was so phenomenal [48:47] it's such a different experience it's fabulous i never expected it to be so colorful and exciting [48:54] and the music is fantastic and the dancing is incredible well i'm gonna walk out of here with [49:00] a skip in my step very happy and joyous i feel very grateful to have been able to experience [49:06] this we've been waiting a very long time and uh it was a quality day founded in new york in 2006 [49:15] shen yun has a mission to revive the beauty of china before the communist era [49:20] artists draw on 5 000 years of divinely inspired culture there's her [49:25] performance can definitely teach you about kindness that was the the main theme that drew me in [49:32] and kind of how karma you know just be kind to everyone and celebrate everybody and good will [49:38] come back to you i thought that was really cool when the creator came to salvation [49:43] it was such a beautiful moment with all the dancers all the costumes all the background [49:49] and it just has such a beautiful message that i think everyone can follow [49:55] still watching what's going on and enjoy it and just check out this Seth [50:02] they had the stage where i gather all my during these performances i know we live in a very [50:08] dying world and i'm supposed to shines in this transparent world that gives us a wonderful [50:12] past world and Japan has all that we want it has beyond our limited physical happenstance [50:21] the crowd will be amazingly quiet but i appreciate their support i wish we could chat as much just [50:25] as much and i hope we could continue to have this next generation of people supporting us [50:25] beyond the context of coming to a permanent visit to a procession incapacitation city ma crusade [50:25] we disappear you're right and i wish we kept you safe knowing that we are one i'm screwed with i'm serious [50:25] your message out to the people and i think that's the best way to do it and even if you can't get it [50:30] to mainland china you can get it to others who know people over there and maybe you can make a [50:34] difference through the artistic expression but also the fact that shen yun's been around for [50:39] 20 years and it has eight world tours going on at the same time i don't know any other show in the [50:45] world that does that and can stand up to that so like to be able to conquer all of that you know [50:53] it has to be an amazing show shen yun will continue its performances in new york city [50:58] through april 12th ntd news and sports news ucla is celebrating a historic first in women's college [51:07] basketball the bruins dominating the south carolina 79-51 to win their first ncaa women's [51:14] basketball national championship yesterday in phoenix gabriella jaquez led the way with 21 points [51:21] 10 rebounds and five assists lauren betts [51:25] added a double double and was named most outstanding player you sell it ucla finished [51:31] the season 37-1 they never trailed in the game and extended their winning streak to 31 straight [51:37] games the bruins took control early and put it away with a dominant third quarter south carolina [51:43] playing in its second straight title game struggled to keep pace head coach don staley [51:49] saying they were the better team today it marks ucla's first women's national title in the double [51:55] end [51:55] ncaa era and caps a remarkable season after last year's final four loss if you have any feedback [52:04] on the show or have something you'd like to see us cover send us an email at newt goodmorning [52:09] ntd.com we'd love to hear from you and for round the clock original news coverage you can always [52:14] watch us live at ntd.com live or download our ntd app i'm stephania cox see you soon