How Trump’s Turn Against Zelensky Can Lead to Peace

How Trump’s Turn Against Zelensky Can Lead to Peace

The president’s latest mood swing opens diplomatic possibilities on Ukraine and Iran.

President Trump Returns To Washington From Ireland
Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The Iran War just might help end the Russia–Ukraine War. And the Russia–Ukraine War just might help end the Iran War. But first, senior Trump advisors need to play their cards right.

President Donald Trump is both uniquely independent of his political advisors and uniquely dependent on them. “Independent” in that he makes big decisions on impulse, often while ignoring wise counsel. “Dependent” because Trump’s erratic persona ensures policy successes will be rare unless the White House translates his impulses into a coherent strategy.

Trump of late has been acting extra erratically. In two recent cases—the canceling of a planned execution livestream and the firing of a new White House press secretary—key Trump insiders steered the tornado-man president into political fiasco. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had boasted that a high-profile execution by firing squad would be public, only for the public to predictably oppose the idea. And Trump whisperer Natalie Harp had urged hiring as press secretary Katie Zacharia, who proved less-than-composed before a firing squad of reporters.

The walkbacks were embarrassing, though expedient, suggesting Trump is sensitive to popular opinion ahead of the midterm elections in November. I’m normally not one for optimism when it comes to Trump 2.0 foreign policy, but here’s an idea: Trump’s enhanced sensitivity to popular opinion could lead to resolutions of the two biggest foreign policy crises of Trump’s second term—if admin officials find a way to channel his impulses productively.

Much has been made of the perilous military connections between the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran and the risks of World War III. But the economic and diplomatic connections between these two wars bring new possibilities for peace.

The deeply unpopular Iran War, in a roundabout way, has wound up pushing Trump toward diplomacy with Russia. Iran continues to disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, raising prices at the pump and lowering Trump’s tolerance for Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s oil refineries. Earlier this month, Trump not only struck a deal with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to import Russian diesel—a move intended to calm oil markets—but also called on Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to halt the refinery strikes.

Amid the resulting spat with Zelensky, the Trumpian pendulum continued to swing in Putin’s favor. Trump waived new Russia sanctions passed by Congress, and Zelensky said the U.S. had cut intelligence sharing to Ukraine, including advance warning of ballistic missile strikes. Meanwhile, Ukraine has run out of the U.S.-provided munitions needed to defend against those attacks, and the Pentagon is delaying new shipments.

To be sure, these are grim developments for Ukraine. On Monday, Zelensky announced that a Russian strike on a park had killed several civilians, including a one-year-old baby girl. Ukrainians have described the added terror of ballistic missile strikes when air raid sirens don’t warn civilians to take shelter.

But the security situation in Ukraine was growing ever more dire even before Trump’s turn against Zelensky. Russian attacks on Kiev and other population centers have been escalating for many months, and the Iran War has depleted global stockpiles of missile interceptors. Moreover, the White House isn’t simply kicking the Ukrainians in the teeth. Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner told Kiev the diesel deal was part of an effort to “soften” Putin and jump-start peace talks, a point reiterated publicly by Trump and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

It’s not a preposterous notion. The strategy of pressuring Putin has tended to make him dig in and lash out, not back down. By introducing some carrots into the mix, Washington stands a better chance of rebuilding trust and coaxing Moscow back to negotiations. Indeed, in the same October 9 call on which Trump and Putin hammered out a diesel deal, the Russian leader proposed trilateral, Russian–American–Chinese talks on a Ukraine peace settlement, an idea that gained traction this week.

Of course, Zelensky would prefer that Ukraine and its European partners had seats at the table, but there’s a silver lining in all this for him. Wartime leaders, after years rallying their nations, can struggle to reach negotiated settlements, which require painful concessions from the weaker side. If Trump plays the bad guy, pushing Zelensky to accept a hard peace rather than continue a horrific war, the Ukrainian leader will have more political leeway.

The Europeans too would prefer they were the ones talking to Putin—but that itself is a new development brought about by Trump’s latest mood swing. On previous occasions when Trump turned against Ukraine, European leaders embarked on a groveling charm offensive to get him back onside, but not this time. “There is a growing consensus in European capitals that the continent’s leaders can no longer tolerate a situation where only the Americans are talking to Putin,” reports Gideon Rachman of the Financial Times. “Channels with the Russians are already open and a call between European leaders and Putin may happen soon.”

All this suggests Trump’s new anti-Zelensky groove, though motivated by short-term political calculations related to the Iran War, is reinvigorating diplomacy on Russia–Ukraine. And if you squint, you’ll notice this incipient outbreak of diplomacy, handled responsibly, could be brought full circle, raising the chances of productive peace negotiations with Iran.

During their October 9 phone call, Putin laid out for Trump an Iranian peace proposal. And this Monday, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov flew to Tehran for talks with top Iranian officials, his first visit to the country since the war began. A Russian government readout said discussions centered around strengthening the two nations’ security partnership, but also expressed Moscow’s “readiness to help bring about a solution regarding the situation around Iran.”

Again, this whole sequence of events appears to have been sparked by Trump’s concerns about gasoline prices, rather than any commitment to enlightened statecraft. Nevertheless, Trump’s latest seesaw has raised a diplomatic opportunity that White House officials should seize.

The post How Trump’s Turn Against Zelensky Can Lead to Peace appeared first on The American Conservative.

DHS Chief Markwayne Mullin Goes Off on the ‘Prophet’ Muhammad, Issues Warning About Islam (VIDEO)

DHS Chief Markwayne Mullin went off on the ‘Prophet’ Muhammad and issued a warning about “extreme Islam” as he launched an attack on Michigan Democrat Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.

“The Muslim Brotherhood is a terrorist organization. To say they are non-existent anymore doesn’t even resonate with those of us that are in law enforcement…” Mullin said.

“The Muslim Brotherhood is still an organization that wants to harm the United States. They have made that very clear and when they have someone that is associated with it, you gotta question their conviction…” Mullin said.

Mullin said Islam permits Muslims to lie.

“This is affiliated to the Prophet Muhammad. When it’s permissible to lie, it says there’s three reasons that it’s permissible,” Mullin said.

“One is in a time or war, one is in a time of conflict, to try to reconcile, and one is when you’re trying to persuade your wife essentially to stay with you,” he said.

“And you go okay, where does other religions say it’s permissible to lie? So you can’t compare that. Extreme Islam is dangerous,” Mullin said during an appearance on Fox News.

“It’s dangerous to the world and it’s dangerous to the United States,” Mullin said.

WATCH:

Mullin’s comments come as Abdul El-Sayed denies he has familial ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, calling the accusations “racist and untrue.”

Social media posts authored by Abdul El-Sayed’s sister, Eman Abdelhad, reveal familial ties and support for the Muslim Brotherhood.

El-Sayed’s GOP opponent, Mike Rogers, said Abdul El-Sayed still has not disavowed the Muslim Brotherhood.

The post DHS Chief Markwayne Mullin Goes Off on the ‘Prophet’ Muhammad, Issues Warning About Islam (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

REPORT: Taxpayer Funded NGOs and Translators Are Busing Somali Voters to the Polls in Maine (VIDEO)

Sign directing voters to polling location with American flag and clear "Vote" message.

Sign directing voters to polling location with American flag and clear "Vote" message.

Reporters for The Maine Wire are on the ground in Lewiston, Maine as early voting begins and are reporting that Somalis are being bused into polling places by NGOs, along with taxpayer funded translators.

Who do you suppose they’re voting for?

For those not from New England, Lewiston, Maine is like Minneapolis only smaller. There is a huge Somali population in this southern Maine town. If nonprofits are busing these people to polling places with translators, it’s probably a safe bet that this is a Democrat get-out-the-vote effort.

In the tweet below, Steve Robinson says:

The migrant-based electioneering is not done by “the Somalis” generally — it’s a very specific group of Somalis with NGOs, Medicaid businesses, EBT machines, and other taxpayer funded scams.

The quid pro quo with Democrats is clear: We give you votes, you protect the money.

The same “translators” who are one day posing with Hannah Pingree are the next day escorting voters at City Hall, running busses from taxpayer funded housing, and violating all electioneering rules to pack ballot boxes with foreigner votes.

In the video below, a reporter for The Maine Wire is at Lewiston city hall and describes what he has been observing. He says that he tried to question one of the translators but was rebuffed. Shocker.

Democrats and the media scoff and cry ‘conspiracy theory’ whenever someone brings up replacement theory, yet none of them want to explain why nonprofits are busing people to polling places with taxpayer funded translators. Isn’t it curious?

The post REPORT: Taxpayer Funded NGOs and Translators Are Busing Somali Voters to the Polls in Maine (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

HOW INTERESTING: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Says it’s of ‘Critical Importance’ That Abdul El-Sayed Wins in Michigan (VIDEO)

Screencap of Twitter/X video.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently commented on Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan and said, “His victory is of critical importance to our city.”

Really? How exactly? What does a senate race in Michigan have to do with the running of New York City?

The Hill reports:

Mamdani says El-Sayed win is of ‘critical importance’ to New York City

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) on Tuesday expressed his support for Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and said his victory in the competitive Senate race would signal openness to a new political future in the country.

During a press conference, the mayor was asked by a reporter about whether he would back El-Sayed and other Democrats running in the midterm elections.

“I think that his victory and the victory of Democrats across this country is of critical importance to our city because what it also indicates is a willingness to chart a new course in Washington that has working people at the heart of it,” Mamdani said.

The mayor identified parallels between his administration’s goals and El-Sayed’s campaign objectives, specifically citing the Democratic nominee’s pushback on super PAC spending in politics and advocacy for issues like “Medicare for all” and bringing down the cost of living.

“Those are concerns that ring true for Michiganders. They’re also concerns that ring true for New Yorkers,” Mamdani continued.

Here’s the video:

While Zohran Mamdani doesn’t come right out and say it, there is a very simple explanation for these comments.

The Michigan senate race is important to the DSA because it’s a test run. They think if they can drag El-Sayed across the finish line in Michigan, they can do it anywhere else in the country.

That is why it is ‘critically important’ to him that El-Sayed wins this race. Plain and simple.

The post HOW INTERESTING: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Says it’s of ‘Critical Importance’ That Abdul El-Sayed Wins in Michigan (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Another Massive Migrant Caravan Marches Through Mexico Toward US Border – Migrants Say They Hope Democrats Win Midterm Elections (VIDEO)

Another massive migrant caravan is marching through Mexico toward the US border as we enter the final weeks of the midterm election cycle.

The migrants marching in the latest caravan are mostly from Central America and they just departed Mexico’s southern border.

The Central American migrants told journalist Julio Rosas that they hope the Democrats win the midterm elections.

Video via Julio Rosas:

Last month, a migrant caravan was spotted marching toward the US border ahead of the midterm elections.

More than 400 aliens from the Honduras entered Mexico on Thursday en route to the United States, Reuters has confirmed.

At least two NGOs are funding this caravan.

According to independent reporter Anthony Aguero, “Proyecto Faro and ADRA” are the two main NGOs assisting the migrant caravan:

Tom Homan recently said the migrants will be sent back to their home countries or a third party country.

“They’ll be immediately turned around, or they’ll be arrested and prosecuted and deported,” Homan said.

“Zero releases from the border under the Trump administration. President Trump promised that. He’s going to keep that promise,” he said.

“I hope voters are paying attention,” Homan said. “Remember the images of 12,000 illegals per day coming across the border. Now they want to abolish the agency that finds them and deports them!”

The post Another Massive Migrant Caravan Marches Through Mexico Toward US Border – Migrants Say They Hope Democrats Win Midterm Elections (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

WATCH: Trump and Vance Destroy Leftist Hack Raising Issue With 1% Commissions to Fraud Whistleblowers

President Trump speaks to reporters in the Oval Office

President Trump and Vice President JD Vance dismantled a reporter’s dishonest and nasty question aimed at discrediting President Trump’s Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program. 

As The Gateway Pundit reported, Trump announced the new program, promising a 1% “commission” to Americans, including journalists, who report the theft of taxpayer dollars to the new tip line. “It’s a lot of money, and if it’s 10 billion, 200 billion, 400 billion, we’re giving a 1% commission to that person,” Trump told reporters, suggesting that it could be the “largest commission ever paid” given the trillions of dollars in fraud to be uncovered.

But the Independent’s Andrew Feinberg suggested that the fraud is nonexistent; then he attacked Trump for only offering a 10% reward.

Feinberg referenced the False Claims Act, a federal law that allows private individuals to sue entities on behalf of the federal government for defrauding public programs, but does not guarantee payment and requires the government to intervene and win the suit. One must also be represented by a lawyer to file a lawsuit under the False Claims Act, which could award up to 25% — if successful.

Meanwhile, all a person must do under the Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program is report a credible, actionable tip to the federal government.

“You’re offering 10% to whistleblowers for turning in what you’re describing as fraud,” he said before being corrected on the percentage. “1%? Okay, that’s actually worse. The False Claims Act, which has been on the books since 1863, whistleblowers can get between 10 and 25% in qui tam lawsuits,” he continued before finally asking a question. “Why would someone who has evidence of genuine fraud go to–” he said as Trump cut him off.

“Because it’s a lot of money, and because when they did that, that’s a certain type of crime. But nobody ever thought that you could have stolen $2 trillion or whatever the ultimate number is going to be, and at 1% people will make millions and millions of dollars for turning in what actually is a somewhat routine crime of, you know, of millions of millions,” Trump said. “But we’re talking about we’re talking about billions and actually probably trillions of dollars.”

Vice President Vance, a Yale-educated attorney, then added to the pile-on, slamming Feinberg for his “fundamentally dishonest question,” noting that ” over 99% of the fraud that we’re finding in the federal government isn’t covered by the False Claims Act.”

“What the president is saying is he wants all fraud to be the sort of thing where if you find it, if you uncover it, you find evidence, and allow us to undo the money, you should be able to benefit, not just a very narrow slice that’s covered by the False Claims Act,” he said.

WATCH:

As The Gateway Pundit reported, Trump went on to berate Feinberg two more times during the press conference as he tried to shout questions at the President.

Trump erupted at Feinberg, saying, “I don’t know who the hell you are, but you better be careful.”

He later went off shouting, “Quiet, Quiet! What’s wrong with you? Are you a sick person?” Trump continued, “I actually think there’s something wrong with you.”

In Feinberg’s recollection of the event, Trump became “so spun up over a law that’s been on the books since Abraham Lincoln was president.” Feinberg, who declined to comment to The Gateway Pundit on his spar with Trump, penned a piece for the Independent, complaining about the humiliation he endured in the Oval Office and the subsequent social media firing squad.

“For doing my job, I became the target of Trump and his team. Soon after, Trump lectured and unleashed at me his White House rapid response called me a “Mongoloid Moron” – which is a slur for someone with development disabilities, a phrase I would never use – and the Vice President on his official government account labeled me an ‘imbecile,’” he whined.

Feinberg also lashed out at Vance on social media earlier.

MORE:

HILARIOUS! Trump SHUTS DOWN Screaming Reporters: “What’s Wrong With You? Are You a Sick Person? I Actually Think There’s Something Wrong With You” – Reporter Fires Back on X (VIDEO)

The post WATCH: Trump and Vance Destroy Leftist Hack Raising Issue With 1% Commissions to Fraud Whistleblowers appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Trump DOJ Takes California to Task After State Admits in Court They Have No Way of Verifying Citizenship Beyond What Voters Attest – Newsom’s Office Responds

California Governor speaking in front of the American and California flags, addressing key state issues in a formal setting.

California Governor speaking in front of the American and California flags, addressing key state issues in a formal setting.

California admitted in federal court that the state has no way of verifying citizenship beyond what voters attest.

First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli took California to task on Tuesday afternoon following the damning admission.

Via Bill Essayli: Massive concession: Los Angeles election officials just told a federal court they have no independent way to verify citizenship beyond what voters attest. (They simply take their word for it.) Under federal law, only citizens may vote in federal elections. Yet California has not acted on the list of 20,000 suspected noncitizens or agreed to set aside their ballots. American citizens’ votes are being diluted in California.

Newsom’s office responded to Bill Essayli and mocked his position as the First Assistant US Attorney.

Bill Essayli hit back at Newsom’s office by citing federal law.

The on Monday asked the Court for an emergency restraining order against California, requiring the state to immediately set aside the 20,000 ballots sent to non-citizens.

On Friday, the DOJ put California on notice and vowed to prosecute election officials who tabulate unlawful ballots.

“California on Notice: Federal agencies identified over 20,000 suspected noncitizens registered to vote in California who have already been mailed ballots,” First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said on Friday.

“Under 18 U.S.C. §§ 611 and 2, officials who knowingly tabulate unlawful ballots risk aiding and abetting a federal offense. The Justice Department urges the County and the Secretary of State to temporarily segregate the flagged ballots pending citizenship verification or face legal consequences,” Bill Essayli said.

On Monday, the DOJ requested a restraining order to immediately separate the 20,000 ballots.

“Once illegally cast ballots are counted and commingled with lawful votes, the resulting harm may be impossible to remedy. The urgency is heightened because of the fundamental right to vote and to have one’s lawful vote counted without dilution,” the DOJ said in its request for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), according to .

The emergency request for a TRO comes after the DOJ filed a federal lawsuit against .

The federal lawsuit, filed in the Central District of California on October 15, requests an order preventing the tabulation of ballots belonging to individuals identified as likely noncitizens until their citizenship can be determined.

The Justice Department said Homeland Security Investigations and federal partners examined voter-registration records and conducted additional verification work to identify potential noncitizens.

On Tuesday evening, the case was assigned to Judge John W. Holcomb, a Trump appointee.

The post Trump DOJ Takes California to Task After State Admits in Court They Have No Way of Verifying Citizenship Beyond What Voters Attest – Newsom’s Office Responds appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Abdul El-Sayed Repeats Tired and Stupid Leftist Trope About the Second Amendment Being About Muskets – The NRA Responds Hilariously

Screencap of Twitter/X video.

Much of the criticism of Abdul El-Sayed has focused on foreign policy because that is what he tends to talk about the most, but he is just as much of a disaster on domestic policy and this moment is proof of that.

In a video that’s currently going viral on Twitter/X, El-Sayed repeats the leftist lie that the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution was written expressly about muskets.

It is the same stupid and untrue argument that liberals have been making for decades.

And note, El-Sayed says these words into a microphone, without a hint of irony.

From Louder With Crowder:

Abdul El-Sayed basically admits you can say goodbye to your 2nd Amendment Rights if he’s elected

The problem with the government infringing on our rights is that they were never given that power. This is why our founding documents explicitly state that our rights come from God, making them inalienable. This is not rocket science, but anyone who disagrees is a tyrannical buffoon who should be automatically barred from holding office. Abdul El-Sayed is that person.

According to El-Sayed, there is this little thing called context. And when the Constitution was written, the context was that guns were nothing like they are today. He believes innovation is not allowed when it comes to the Second Amendment. You can kiss your guns goodbye, and maybe the government will allow you to own a musket or two, but only if you are good.

Correction: The Constitution was created to prevent people like him from trampling on your God-given rights. Does he really think voters are this stupid?

Watch below:

Conservative talk host Jesse Kelly had a perfect response to this:

The NRA offered this hilarious take:

People in America are watching what is unfolding in France.

You know what makes a difference here in America? Unlike the French, the American people are armed to the teeth.

And it’s going to stay that way.

The post Abdul El-Sayed Repeats Tired and Stupid Leftist Trope About the Second Amendment Being About Muskets – The NRA Responds Hilariously appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

WATCH: Multiple Protesters Hauled Out of Trump Rally Again as Crowd Chants “USA!” and Trump Trolls “LOSERS” – “They Get Home and Smacked in the Face by Mom and Dad”

Leftist protester hauled out of Trump rally in Greenville, North Carolina

President Trump faced multiple interruptions again during his rally in Greenville, North Carolina, during a midterm rally on Tuesday, and he responded in typical Trump fashion, trolling the “paid protesters” as the crowd chanted “USA!”

First, multiple protesters were seen being perp-walked through the crowd and removed from the arena by security as the crowd chanted “USA.”

“Look at them. So, these are paid protesters, you know that. Every once in a while somebody starts shouting one word, two words, and they get whisked right out,” Trump said from the stage. “They go home to their mom, dad, and they get smacked around for — they said, ‘I voted for that man. Don’t you ever do that again!’ You know the crazy thing? They get paid $250. That’s what they get.”

Then, in the same moment, another protester was shouted down by the crowd and dragged out by police. “Here’s another one over here. Here’s another one over here. Losers, losers, losers! Now they get home and they get smacked in the face by the mother and the father, probably maybe a little harder by the father, and they say ‘we voted for that man. We love that man. You did that? How disgraceful!’” Trump said.

“And the kids are all ashamed. But you know the bad part? They actually develop a record. You know they get brought to a precinct…”

Later, another protester (a man? a woman?), wearing a hoodie that read, “Zero F*cks Given,” was seen wrestling with police and swinging at rallygoers as police hauled they/them out. “You know these people are crazy. They’re crazy. These people — look at that guy. He’s a nut job, boy,” Trump said as the crowd chanted “USA” again.

“These people, honestly, these people are crazy. There’s something wrong with them. You know that’s what you witnessed over the last three, four days. You watch nut jobs like him in France ruining their country. We’re not going to put up with it.”

Then a third interruption happened as another got dragged out by law enforcement, with the crowd, once again, chanting “USA.” Trump responded,

“They’re so sad, you know. But don’t hurt them! You know, I always say, ‘don’t hurt them!’ because at one of the rallies, like early on when I was learning the trade, you know, I hadn’t done it too long… I said a long time ago, of course, I would never do that today. I said, ‘If you want, beat the hell out of him.’ That was not a good thing because that’s what happened,” Trump said, laughing.

“So I don’t say that anymore. Today I say, ‘please don’t hurt them.’ This way the press can’t get me. They say, ‘oh, that was very nice.’ I say, ‘please, it’s very important that you not hurt the young gentleman.’ See, there’s a lot of love in my heart. That’s why we’re doing so well. Don’t hurt that guy. Don’t hurt him.”

WATCH:

Just last week, in Youngstown, Ohio, an obese they/them protester also found out the hard way after getting in a brawl with the brawny Appalachian Trump supporters. Video from the scene shows the obese they/them getting absolutely pummeled before being hauled home to mommy by security.

Trump chimed in, “He’s going back home to mom. Look at him. Look at him. Terrible.” He continued, “Oh, he’s got to go on a diet. He’s a fat guy. Wow! Wow!”

“Gotta go on a diet fast. We all do,” Trump added as the crowd chanted “USA!”

WATCH:

As The Gateway Pundit reported, at least four leftists also disrupted Trump’s massive rally in Wichita, Kansas, last night, and he responded with fire, trolling them with his classic lines.

(VIDEO) Trump Trolls Protesters at Rally as Crowd Chants “USA” – “Now Mom and Dad Slap Him Around, They Say, ‘I Voted for That Man’”

The post WATCH: Multiple Protesters Hauled Out of Trump Rally Again as Crowd Chants “USA!” and Trump Trolls “LOSERS” – “They Get Home and Smacked in the Face by Mom and Dad” appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

From Belgium to Berlin: Marxist Youth Wings Carry Riots North

Multiple left-wing factions are taking part in riots in Belgium and France as the movement that began in France spreads north.

In Belgium, protests mirroring the ongoing riots in France began in Liège on October 1 and spread to Mons, Charleroi, and Brussels. By October 9, Liège police had recorded 194 arrests, including 114 minors, and 43 injured officers. The city imposed a ban on gatherings of more than three people.

RTL footage and RTBF reporting documented the presence of RedFox, the secondary school youth movement of the Workers’ Party of Belgium (Parti du Travail de Belgique, or PTB), at the protests. RTBF’s investigation also found far-left activists distributing leaflets. Masked youths who admitted they were not from Liège described a pattern of stirring up the crowd and then inciting destruction.

RedFox’s leader denied that either the PTB or RedFox was responsible for the violence. The Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (Confédération des Syndicats Chrétiens, or CSC) and CGSP Enseignement, the education branch of the General Confederation of Public Services, declared their support for the students.

Georges-Louis Bouchez, chairman of the Reformist Movement (Mouvement Réformateur, or MR), accused the PTB of manipulating students. The far-left collective Bruxelles Dévie (Brussels Deviates) condemned the gathering ban imposed by Liège’s Socialist mayor, Willy Demeyer, as authoritarian.

On October 9, the socialist General Labour Federation of Belgium (Fédération Générale du Travail de Belgique, or FGTB) and the CSC held a national demonstration in Brussels against the federal government’s budget plans. The FGTB claimed 50,000 participants, while police counted 30,000. According to the FGTB, the march included many young people, students, and teachers. PTB president Raoul Hedebouw attended the demonstration.

Before and after the march, hundreds of masked youths dressed in black confronted police, throwing sticks, trash bins, glass bottles, and fireworks, even though the FGTB president had urged rioters to stay home. Police counted about a thousand rioters and more than 100 arrests.

Defense Minister Theo Francken accused the PTB of links to the violence at the October 9 march. In an October 12 response, PTB general secretary Peter Mertens wrote that Francken had blamed “Hedebouw’s antifa shock troops.” Mertens said the incidents had nothing to do with the demonstration. He accused the government of trying to criminalize the opposition, citing the Quintin bill, which would allow the executive to act against organizations it considers too radical.

In Germany, the first organized action was a solidarity rally on October 8 in front of the French Embassy at Pariser Platz. It was called by Berlin Insoumise, the local branch of France’s LFI (La France Insoumise, or France Unbowed, a far-left political party), and the Neukölln and Mitte chapters of Die Linke (The Left).

Supporters included Linksjugend Solid Neukölln (Left Youth Solid Neukölln), SDS Berlin (Socialist Democratic Students’ Association Berlin), and Klasse Gegen Klasse (Class Against Class). Other supporters were Sozialismus von Unten (Socialism from Below), Gruppe ArbeiterInnenmacht (Workers’ Power Group), Revolution, and Die Linke’s Palestine-solidarity working group (Klasse Gegen Klasse). The organizers demanded the release of more than 5,000 people arrested in France.

On October 12, about 150 students blockaded the French Gymnasium in Berlin’s Tiergarten district in solidarity with French students. A school in Hamburg was blocked with trash bins days later. On October 16, school strike committees organized another Berlin blockade under the banner “Schulstreik gegen die Wehrpflicht” (“School Strike Against Conscription”). Members of Linksjugend Solid, Klasse Gegen Klasse, and the GEW education union (Education and Science Workers’ Union) were on site.

The October 17 solidarity rally at Kleistpark was called by Linksjugend Solid, Die Linke’s Neukölln and Mitte chapters, and the Berlin branch of LFI. According to the Berliner Zeitung, a member of Linksjugend’s Berlin state board registered the rally.

About 250 people attended, few of them students. Participants carried flags of LFI, the Revolutionary Communist Party of Germany, and the Turkish Workers’ Party (TIP) (Tagesspiegel). Signs read “Mort au Roi” (“Death to the King”), and organizers announced a European day of action for November.

The Berlin police union GdP (Police Trade Union) warned that radical forces, chiefly Linksjugend Solid, could hijack the protests. Calls for French-style protests are circulating on TikTok ahead of anti-conscription demonstrations on October 31.

In both countries, left-wing youth organizations and political parties have participated in or supported the protests. Belgium has seen serious rioting, while Germany so far has seen school blockades and small rallies.

The post From Belgium to Berlin: Marxist Youth Wings Carry Riots North appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.