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China-Japan-Koreas

John Kelly involved in November scuffle with Chinese officials after nuclear football blocked from following Trump: Report

2018-02-19

[WashingtonExaminer] Chinese security officers attempted to stop the American military aide carrying the nuclear football from following President Trump into the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in November.

Axios reported Sunday the decision set off a chain of events that led chief of staff John Kelly to intervene and get in a physical altercation with a Chinese security officer.

According to the report, Chinese officials blocked the military aide carrying the nuclear football from following Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping into the Great Hall. The aide is supposed to be near Trump at all times.

When made aware of the situation, Kelly intervened and told the aide to keep walking and entering the hall. One Chinese official grabbed Kelly and Kelly shoved the man’s hand back. A Secret Service agent then grabbed the Chinese official and tackled him to the ground.

The report indicates Trump’s team properly informed the Chinese about security procedures before the trip. The nuclear football, which contains the codes the president must give to order a nuclear strike, was never in Chinese possession.

The Chinese apologized to the Americans after the incident.

Posted by:Anomalous Sources

#6 Once a warrior, ALWAYS a warrior(most)

Posted by: ranture 2018-02-19 13:32

#5 The Chinese would have been shocked to learn that the cases contained only Big Macs.

Posted by: Besoeker 2018-02-19 12:51

#4 No misunderstanding.

Posted by: E. Mussolini5023 2018-02-19 11:35

#3 More detail from Axios:

On Thursday Nov. 9, when President Trump and his team visited Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Chief of Staff John Kelly and a U.S. Secret Service agent skirmished with Chinese security officials over the nuclear football.

I've spoken to five sources familiar with the events. Here's what happened, as they describe it:

- When the U.S. military aide carrying the nuclear football entered the Great Hall, Chinese security officials blocked his entry. (The official who carries the nuclear football is supposed to stay close to the president at all times, along with a doctor.)

- A U.S. official hurried into the adjoining room and told Kelly what was happening. Kelly rushed over and told the U.S. officials to keep walking — "We're moving in," he said — and the Americans all started moving.

- Then there was a commotion. A Chinese security official grabbed Kelly, and Kelly shoved the man’s hand off of his body. Then a U.S. Secret Service agent grabbed the Chinese security official and tackled him to the ground.

The whole scuffle was over in a flash, and the U.S. officials told about the incident were asked to keep quiet about it. Trump's team followed the normal security procedure to brief the Chinese before their visit to Beijing, according to a person familiar with the trip — but somebody at the Chinese end either didn't get the memo or decided to mess with the Americans anyway.

I'm told that at no point did the Chinese have the nuclear football in their possession or even touch the briefcase. I'm also told the head of the Chinese security detail apologized to the Americans afterwards for the misunderstanding.

Posted by: Anomalous Sources 2018-02-19 11:24

#2 ...This was bad enough, but don't read too much into it. Chinese security enjoys screwing with the roundeyes when they come to kowtow, and it was nothing personal. Since we pushed back, however, it's not likely to happen again with DJT. On the other hand they're probably going to find something else to do.

Mike

Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2018-02-19 06:12

#1 There is a new sheriff in town. Get used it. Chico’s in bully mode. Thanks Barry.

Posted by: Alaska Paul 2018-02-19 00:23

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