President Donald Trump on Tuesday, Feb. 19, took a step toward creating the U.S. Space Force—a new branch of the military that will be dedicated to handling threats in space.
Trump has now signed Space Policy Directive 4, which puts in place the foundation for a legislative initiative that will have the power to establish a space force as a new military service comparable to the U.S. Marines.
In an oval office signing ceremony, Trump said that the space force was a national security priority.
The memo directs the Department of Defense to “marshal its space resources to deter and counter threats in space” through the establishment of the force that will be part of the Air Force, according to a draft seen by Reuters.
Establishing the Space Force will require Congressional approval.
Bernie Sanders Running for President
Sen. Bernie Sanders, a self-identified socialist, announced his 2020 presidential bid on Feb. 19, joining a crowded field of far-left candidates vying for the Democratic nomination.Sanders (I-Vt.) announced his candidacy in an email to supporters and also in a video posted on Twitter. The video features the socialist policies which have helped steer the Democratic party to the hard left, including Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, free public university tuition, and the $15 minimum wage.
In 2016, Sanders lost the Democratic presidential primary election to Hillary Clinton. And now Sanders joins a Democratic primary field already populated by a number of far-left Democrats who are steering clear of the “moderate” label.
Sanders announced his bid the day after Trump delivered a speech on socialism to the Venezuelan community in Florida. The president vowed to support Venezuela’s interim President Juan Guaidó, as elected by the country’s National Assembly in accordance with the constitution, and slammed socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro as a puppet of the Cuban communist regime. Trump said the “days of socialism and communism are numbered” in South America and across the world.
A former mayor of Burlington, Vermont, Sanders won a House of Representatives seat in 1990, making him the first independent elected to the House in 40 years. In 2006, he won a Senate seat and in 2018, was voted in for a third six-year term.
Trump said on Feb. 19, “Personally, I think he missed his time.
“I wish Bernie well, it will be interesting to see how he does. He was not treated with respect by Clinton.”
Karl Lagerfeld Fashion Icon Dies at 85
Karl Lagerfeld, the fashion designer for Chanel and Fendi, died in Paris at the age of 85 after battling pancreatic cancer.Lagerfeld, who is known for his dark sunglasses and ponytail, died on Feb. 19 after he was rushed to the hospital, according to reports.
First Lady Melania Trump remembered her friend with never-before-seen sketches that he did of a skirt suit for her, following news of his death.
“Today the world lost a creative genius. We will miss you Karl! #RIPKarlLagerfeld,” the first lady captioned in her post on Instagram, along with a couple snaps of her with the famous designer.
In another photo, Melania shared a photo of the white suit Lagerfeld made for her that she wore to welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House in February 2017.
“Karl was brilliant, he was wicked, he was funny, he was generous beyond measure, and he was deeply kind. I will miss him so very much,” said Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine.
Alain Wertheimer, the chief executive of Chanel, credited Lagerfeld for transforming the brand.
Italian designer Donatella Versace and others issued tributes following his death.
