US and Chinese officials got into physical scuffle over ‘nuclear football’ in November: report

Kentonio

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"US and Chinese officials got into physical scuffle over ‘nuclear football’ in November: report

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, a U.S. military aide, members of the Secret Service and Chinese officials got into a physical scuffle over the so-called “nuclear football” in November, said a Sunday evening report from Axios.com

Five sources told Axios’ Jonathan Swan that on Nov. 9, as a delegation of U.S. officials including Kelly and President Donald Trump attempted to enter Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.

As the entourage crossed the threshold into the Great Hall, Chinese guards stopped the military aide tasked with carrying a briefcase containing the materials necessary for the president to authorize a nuclear strike, the so-called “nuclear football.” This aide is to remain close to the president at all times.

Axios said that when the aide was stopped, Kelly — who had already entered the hall — rushed to where the aide was being detained and ordered all U.S. personnel to continue into the Great Hall and disregard Chinese instructions. The Americans began to move forward.

A “commotion” ensued, Swan said, in which a Chinese security official lunged at Kelly and grabbed him, which Kelly responded to by shoving the man’s hands away. A Secret Service officer then tackled the Chinese official and wrestled him to the ground.

The whole confrontation was over in a matter of moments, but the question remains as to how it happened. White House officials assured Swan that they did all the necessary advance work to coordinate with Chinese officials"

https://www.rawstory.com/2018/02/us...cuffle-nuclear-football-november-report/amp/?

A bunch of schoolkids would make for a more responsible administration..
 

Kentonio

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Not enough information to know who was most at fault.

I'd certainly like to hear more about it, but the following seems pretty damning.

"Axios said that when the aide was stopped, Kelly — who had already entered the hall — rushed to where the aide was being detained and ordered all U.S. personnel to continue into the Great Hall and disregard Chinese instructions."

Can you imagine if a Chinese delegation had done that during a visit to congress?
 
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bhsmte

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I'd certainly like to hear more about it, but the following seems pretty damning.

"Axios said that when the aide was stopped, Kelly — who had already entered the hall — rushed to where the aide was being detained and ordered all U.S. personnel to continue into the Great Hall and disregard Chinese instructions."

Can you imagine if a Chinese delegation had done that during a visit to congress?

It would depend on the specific circumstances. Like I said, I need more specific information.
 
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Rion

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Not enough information to know who was most at fault.

From what I read elsewhere, one of the low-level Chinese officials tried to separate the aide with the football from the rest of the group, and the higher ups later apologized to the US delegation over it. I'm guessing some minor official was just trying to wag his stick around and didn't realize the guy he stopped was carrying something like that.
 
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wing2000

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From what I read elsewhere, one of the low-level Chinese officials tried to separate the aide with the football from the rest of the group, and the higher ups later apologized to the US delegation over it. I'm guessing some minor official was just trying to wag his stick around and didn't realize the guy he stopped was carrying something like that.

That's my take as well. Any country that has ever hosted a US President in the nuclear age knows the nuclear football dude needs to be accomodated....
 
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Zoii

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Oh well - tense job like that you'd wanna blow off a bit of testosterone every now and then. My dad plays rugby union and he calls that "hand-bagging" where there's some push and shove but no harm done. Its probably made a good story with his work mates when he gets back home..... sorry my weird humour kicked in but I could just imagine the Chinese attendants watching on the sidelines yelling "fight fight fight..." in Chinese of course
 
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Kentonio

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From what I read elsewhere, one of the low-level Chinese officials tried to separate the aide with the football from the rest of the group, and the higher ups later apologized to the US delegation over it. I'm guessing some minor official was just trying to wag his stick around and didn't realize the guy he stopped was carrying something like that.

It definitely sounds like the mistake was on the Chinese side, but Kelly’s reaction was stupid. Just stop the group moving until you understand what’s going on, and demand an explanation etc. Trying to just ignore host security and especially letting something get physical is just idiotic.
 
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