Nuclear football tackle

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. [Emphasis original.]

  Axios

This story is bullshit in so many ways, beginning with the fact that there are plenty of times that the president meets with foreign heads of state without anyone there with the football - including when there isn't even an American interpreter included. Either this is a George W Bush style made-up PR story meant to elicit some sort of American bravado response, or it was a stunt staged for effect and kept quiet until needed.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.