WSJ: Trump Admin Threatened Iraq’s Access To NY Fed Account Over Proposed Troop Withdrawal

A picture taken on November 7, 2019 shows the Iraqi central bank in the capital Baghdad, amid ongoing anti-government protests. - Anti-government demonstrations have rocked Iraq's capital and its south, with sit-ins ... A picture taken on November 7, 2019 shows the Iraqi central bank in the capital Baghdad, amid ongoing anti-government protests. - Anti-government demonstrations have rocked Iraq's capital and its south, with sit-ins increasingly targeting main roads and state infrastructure, including oil fields, in a new campaign of civil disobedience, escalating their month-long movement demanding change to the political system. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

The Trump administration reportedly threatened to cut off Iraq’s access to its account with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York over a proposed withdrawal of American troops.

The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday that the State Department threatened to cut off Iraq’s New York Fed account in a phone call Wednesday with Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, according to unnamed Iraqi officials. The resulting cash shortage would hurt Iraq’s economy.

Many countries maintain accounts with the New York Fed in order to store government revenue in the form of U.S. dollars. In Iraq’s case, much of that comes from oil sales.

The State Department didn’t respond to TPM’s request for comment on Saturday.

Abdul-Mahdi and Iraq’s parliament have called for American troops to exit the country following the killing, ordered by President Donald Trump, of the top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani outside Baghdad International Airport a week ago.

Trump in turn threatened to sanction Iraq if U.S. troops were expelled. The State Department has refused to recognize Iraq’s call for the troops to leave.

“At this time, any delegation sent to Iraq would be dedicated to discussing how best to recommit to our strategic partnership — not to discuss troop withdrawal,” the State Department said in a statement quoted by The Washington Post Friday.

Latest News

Notable Replies

  1. Avatar for noonm noonm says:

    Iraq learning the hard lesson about ETTD.

  2. Avatar for sandyh sandyh says:

    We could be seeing IUDs exploding on the streets of the USA if Donald continues to threaten our allies?

  3. Quick editing note: “withdrawal,” not “withdrawl.” Lindsey Graham is with drawl.

  4. Avatar for tena tena says:

    :joy:

  5. Ummmmm…IUDs or IEDs??

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

142 more replies

Participants

Avatar for paulw Avatar for playitagainrowlf Avatar for austin_dave Avatar for silvrfox Avatar for richardinjax Avatar for jw1 Avatar for mattinpa Avatar for mickeyg Avatar for randyabraham Avatar for ralph_vonholst Avatar for 26degreesrising Avatar for lastroth Avatar for darrtown Avatar for pshah Avatar for tena Avatar for stellermeller Avatar for cub_calloway Avatar for maximus Avatar for heretofore Avatar for timorwig Avatar for yellowbeard Avatar for possum Avatar for dogselfie Avatar for Hatmama

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: