Recursive

President Trump did not announce an escort mission just now, US officials say. Project Freedom, earlier called the Maritime Freedom Construct, is a coordination cell. It’ll tell US-flagged ships and others the safe lanes to navigate the Strait of Hormuz (aka no mines, etc.)

No ships will be allowed to exit the Persian Gulf without permission from the Iranian armed forces. Only a fool would attempt to ignore an Iranian warning.

Blanche on Trump’s message to Bondi to prosecute his enemies: Welker: Why should the public believe that any case brought against the individuals listed there is not retribution? Blanche: Because you have investigations and indictments. That wasn’t a private message. Welker: But it was meant to be private. Blanche: How do you know? Welker: Based on my conversations with top administration officials. Blanche: President Trump wants full investigations where appropriate. That’s a good thing. Everybody in this country should want that.

AG Todd Blanche tells Kristen Welker that individuals selling 86 merchandise or posting messages similar to Comey’s seashell post will not be prosecuted: “Of course not. That’s posted constantly. That phrase is used constantly.”