Trump Asks Supreme Court to Block New York Criminal Case as He Weighs Bold International Moves

In a significant legal move, President-elect Donald Trump has requested the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in his ongoing criminal case related to a hush money payment during the 2016 presidential election. Trump’s legal team argues that criminal proceedings in New York should be blocked, asserting that he is shielded from such cases by presidential immunity, a concept reinforced by the Supreme Court earlier this year for actions carried out while in office. This appeal comes after a New York appellate court judge rejected Trump’s request to delay sentencing, effectively clearing the way for a trial.

While legal battles rage, Trump’s public statements are turning heads with their bold international ambitions. Less than two weeks before his inauguration, Trump has once again stirred controversy with remarks about U.S. foreign policy. In a series of interviews, Trump suggested he might seek to use military force to retake control of the Panama Canal and even purchase Greenland for national security purposes.

The Panama Canal, originally built by the U.S. military, was handed over to Panama 25 years ago in a treaty. Trump, however, claims China has effectively gained control over the canal, making it a strategic asset worth revisiting. He also expressed renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, a topic he raised during his first term. Despite Denmark’s firm stance that the island is not for sale, Trump emphasized its importance in light of growing Russian naval activity in the Arctic, coupled with China’s increasing influence.

In another eyebrow-raising suggestion, Trump proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America," calling it a more "appropriate" title. This follows his recent rhetoric on economic measures, including the imposition of tariffs on multiple countries, such as Mexico, in what he frames as a means of strengthening U.S. economic security.

Notably, Trump also made light of the prospect of annexing Canada, America’s northern neighbor. In a series of comments, he joked about the U.S. and Canada merging, calling Canada the "51st state." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau swiftly rejected the notion, saying there was “no chance” that Canada would become part of the U.S.

On the domestic front, President Joe Biden took a moment to reflect on his 2020 election win and his future political ambitions. In an interview with USA Today, Biden expressed confidence that he could have secured a victory in the November election, but he remained uncertain about his physical and mental stamina for another term. At 86, Biden acknowledged the unpredictability of aging, stating, “Who the hell knows? So far, so good, but who knows what I'm going to be when I'm 86 years old?”

As the world watches Trump’s bold statements and legal challenges, the political landscape continues to shift, with both domestic and international ramifications.