Visit Devotional Chalk Talk: The Messianic Prophesies April 19: The Gateway Pundit: Patel: Arrests are imminent for multiple high-level figures involved in what he called a "de facto coup" against President Trump FBI Director Kash Patel stated in an interview that investigators now possess "all the information we need" and are actively working with the Department of Justice to bring charges. Patel said, "They not only have personally attacked the presidency of the United States and President Trump, but they tried to thwart our elections and rig the entire system." He added, "We've got all the evidence. I can announce … that we've got all the information we need. We're working with our prosecutors at the Department of Justice and their Attorney General Todd Blanche, and we are going to be making arrests, and it's coming, and I promise you, it's coming soon." Patel explicitly stated that former FBI Director James Comey would not be the only one facing criminal consequences. The Trump administration has long-promised accountability for the deep state network of federal officials, intelligence community leaders, and law enforcement figures accused of weaponizing government institutions against political opponents. Patel has repeatedly vowed to restore the FBI to its "core mission" of fighting crime rather than engaging in political persecution, April 19: Breitbart News: Trump; we will resume bombardments if Iran doesn't accept our terms Donald Trump has warned the Islamist regime in Tehran that if it refuses to accept his deal, the United States will once again start to bomb the country, including "every single" bridge and power plant. Meanwhile U.S. peace negotiators head back to Islamabad, Pakistan, for further talks on Monday. The U.S. leader accused Tehran of a "total violation" of the ceasefire agreement by attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, just hours after publicly agreeing to leave the critical waterway open. According to President Trump, Iranian forces attacked a French ship and a freighter from the United Kingdom. At the same time, the President acknowledged Iran is ultimately helping the United States by driving ships toward America to purchase fuel. While JD Vance led talks earlier this month in Pakistan, there have been mixed reports on whether the Vice President will make the trip this time because of possible security concerns. April 19: The Washington Times: China rips 'dangerous and irresponsible' U.S. blockade of Strait of Hormuz [Of course they do!] The Chinese Foreign Ministry reacted harshly to the American military blockade of Iranian shipping, calling the Trump administration's escalation of the war "dangerous and irresponsible" but stopped short of threatening action against the U.S. Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters that despite a temporary ceasefire, the U.S. "ramped up military deployment and resorted to a targeted blockade." The blockade will increase confrontation, escalate tensions and jeopardize ships, he said. "It is a dangerous and irresponsible move," Mr. Guo said, urging de-escalation and a normal flow of ship traffic as soon as possible. On Tuesday, a .U.S. destroyer stopped two Iranian oil tankers that sought to leave an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman. The tankers were warned against leaving by radio communication from the warship and chose to return to port. Donald Trump imposed the blockade after peace talks collapsed. The stated U.S. goal for the shipping ban is to force Iran to accept American terms for ending the war. [See Related Story] April 18: The Gateway Pundit: Appeals court overturns lower court's order pausing work on White House ballroom A U.S. appeals court has allowed the Trump administration to continue construction of a $400 million White House ballroom at the site of the former East Wing for the time being. The three-judge panel in Washington, D.C. granted a temporary stay of a lower court order that had paused most above-ground work following a lawsuit from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The group had challenged President Donald Trump's authority to demolish the East Wing and proceed without congressional approval. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon had initially blocked construction in March, citing the lack of congressional authorization. He later permitted limited underground work tied to national security, provided it did not determine the final scale of the ballroom. The Trump administration argued that halting construction posed "grave national-security harms" to the White House, the president, and staff. In granting the stay, the appeals court said the move was intended to give judges time to review the administration's emergency appeal. April 18: USGS: Historic Note: On this day in 1906 the City of San Francisco was hit with a massive earthquake and a subsequent fire that devastated much of the city. Reportedly thousands of residents died as a result. April 18: The New York Post: Iran fires on commercial vessels as U.S. considers boarding and seizing Iranian vessels worldwide The US is reportedly weighing plans to board and seize Tehran-linked oil tankers worldwide — eyeing a dramatic escalation against Iran at sea. Those discussions come as tensions spike in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian forces fired on multiple commercial vessels Saturday and declared the vital shipping lane under their "strict control." That saber-rattling sent shipping firms scrambling — just a day after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted the strait was open for business, a claim President Trump had welcomed. Behind the scenes, US officials say the Pentagon is preparing to intercept and take control of commercial vessels tied to Iran — potentially far beyond the Middle East, the outlet reported. The strategy is aimed at choking Tehran's economy — with the hope it forces the Iranian regime to reopen the strait and bend in nuclear talks. Trump said Friday that Iran had agreed to hand over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium — an assertion Iranian officials now reject. Sticking points remain over how long Tehran would halt enrichment and whether it would regain access to billions in frozen funds. April 18: Fox News: Iranian Revolutionary Guard declares the Strait of Hormuz closed and any ship attempting to transit it will be seen as cooperating with the enemy Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly issued a sweeping warning to ships in the region on Saturday, saying any movement toward the Strait of Hormuz will be viewed as cooperation with "the enemy. Following the violation of the ceasefire conditions, the American enemy did not lift the naval blockade of Iranian vessels and ports; therefore, from this afternoon, the Strait of Hormuz is closed until this blockade is lifted," the IRGC reportedly said. The IRGC also instructed vessels in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman to remain at anchor, warning that any ship approaching the strategic waterway "will be considered cooperation with the enemy, and the violating vessel will be targeted." April 17: News Max: Trump; Iran has agreed to give up its nuclear material and to stop supporting Proxy groups In a telephone interview with BCS News, President Trump says Iran has "agreed to everything," including the removal of its enriched uranium. The president said Tehran has agreed to will work with the United States to retrieve and transfer the enriched uranium as part of a broader agreement. He says the effort will not involve U.S. ground troops, saying, "No. No troops," while adding that "our people" would carry out the operation alongside Iranian counterparts. Reportedly U.S. personnel and Iranian officials would jointly collect the material and transport it out of the country once a deal is finalized. The uranium would ultimately be brought to the United States under the arrangement. Trump also said Iran has agreed to halt its support for proxy groups, including Hezbollah and Hamas. U.S. and Iranian officials are scheduled to meet again this weekend as negotiations continue. Meanwhile the United States will maintain its blockade until an agreement is completed, Trump said. The president disputed a report from Axios that the administration is considering releasing billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets in exchange for its nuclear stockpile. "No, we are not paying 10 cents," Trump told CBS News. April 17: The Washington Times: Virginia's redistricting gambit still not a sure thing even after Democrats spend millions to make it happen Virginia's redistricting brawl, which will end in Tuesday's special election, remains a cliffhanger despite Democrats outspending Republicans by tens of millions of dollars in support of the referendum. Polling, and a tally of early and mail-in voting, show a closely divided electorate when it comes to support for redrawing the state's congressional lines in favor of the Democrats. Republican district turnout had produced 565,062 votes as of Thursday, compared to 534,586 ballots cast in Democrat-leaning districts. Both parties have poured tens of millions of dollars into advertising ahead of the special election, but Democrats have far outspent the GOP as they seek voter approval to carve out additional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives that could help their party reclaim the House majority in the November midterm elections. According to experts, proponents in favor of redistricting are being funded mostly by dark money groups that aren't required to disclose donors. They have spent $50.5 million on advertising in favor of redistricting. By comparison, advertising against redistricting amounted to $19.6 million. April 17: Fox News: Twenty-two Air Force Generals ask for major increase in F-35/F-15EX fighters saying the current funding is woefully inadequate Leaders of the Air National Guard argued that Force readiness is was woefully inadequate in a recent letter to Congress requesting more funding. "The United States Air Force is the oldest, the smallest, and the least ready in its 78-year history," the letter said. To rectify the historic deficiency, these military leaders are requesting between 72 and 100 new fighter jets across the Air Force's active duty, reserve and guard corps. Specifically, these two-star generals are requesting at least 48 new F-35s and 24 new F-15EXs. The letter was signed by ALL 22 adjutant generals that lead the Air National Guard in the states that have them, something Idaho's assistant adjutant general, Brig. Gen. Shannon Smith, called "a pretty big deal." "What we're trying to do with this is send a strong message from the two-star generals that command the National Guards in these states," Smith said. The procurement requests are a significant jump from recent Air Force asks. April 17: News Max: Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is now open; then NATO offers to help – too little, too late Iran said Friday it fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz -- a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that is one of the world's most vital oil transit chokepoints -- to commercial vessels. On Friday, President Trump said NATO contacted him to offer help after the Iranian announcement. He told the alliance to "stay away," too little, too late from the "paper tiger" known as NATO. Trump said the U.S. blockade on Iranian ships and ports "will remain in full force" until Tehran reaches a deal with the U.S., including on its nuclear program. On Truth Social, Trump said, "Now that the Hormuz Strait situation is over, I received a call from NATO asking if we would need some help. I told them to stay away, unless they just want to load up their ships with oil." Regardless, France's progressive President Emmanuel Macron and Britian's liberal Prime Minister Keir Starmer said they would continue planning an international mission to restore maritime security [now that maritime security has already been restored?]; saying the mission would be deployed "as soon as conditions allow." April 16: The Galveston County Daily News: Donald Trump's Foreign Policy is purposeful, not random Panama, Venezuela, Greenland, Iran, Cuba, all with different headlines, but the same strategic purpose: To reduce Chinese/Russian influence, to protect global trade routes, and to secure America's energy and national security. This isn't random, it's a grand strategy. When the United States has been strongest, it has protected the Western hemisphere, protected trade routes, projected strength when necessary. This is the strategy behind Donald Trump's foreign policy and Making America Great Again. So, look behind the headlines and sound-bites and look for patterns. It's protecting American interests and our national security. It's not random. It's purposeful. [Read the entire story] April 16: The Gateway Pundit: Trump administration works to repair and expand the US defense industrial base The Trump administration wants automakers to put the pedal to the metal to help rebuild America's weapons stockpiles, according to a new report. As wars in the Middle East and Ukraine have consumed missiles and other weapons, the Trump administration is turning to a tactic from World War II in order to resupply as fast as possible, according to The Wall Street Journal. Top executives at General Motors and Ford have been approached, the outlet reported, citing sources it did not name. GE Aerospace and machinery producer Oshkosh have also been approached. The War Department "is committed to rapidly expanding the defense industrial base by leveraging all available commercial solutions and technologies to ensure our warfighters maintain a decisive advantage," a Pentagon official said. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has called for American manufacturing to be on a "wartime footing." Talks with manufacturers began before the war against Iran, with the goal of strengthening national security by increasing the military's ability to quickly increase production of weapons and technology to meet emerging needs. Defense officials sought input from companies that do not perform extensive defense work about barriers that need to be addressed by the government, such as the process for bidding and contracting. Logan Jones, chief growth officer for Oshkosh's transport segment, said the company began a dialogue with the military in November. The company has explored where they could "bring that capacity in a way that matches our core capability," he said. Oshkosh builds tactical troop carriers, but most of its business is not linked to the military. "We've been out looking at capabilities that we think fit their needs, just proactively," Jones said. "We've heard it loud and clear that this is important." Concerns over the supply of weapons began in 2022 when the Biden administration began sending large amounts of materiel to Ukraine. April 16: Fox News: Rev. Franklin Graham speaks out about Trump social media post; post not received as it was intended Rev. Franklin Graham addressed a social media post by Donald Trump that has many up in arms; saying the President depicted himself as Jesus Christ. Graham, in a signed letter said, "I do not believe President Trump would knowingly depict himself as Jesus Christ — that would certainly be inappropriate." He contended the President intended to show a doctor helping someone, not Jesus. "There were no spiritual references — no halo, there were no crosses, no angels," Graham said. "It was a flag, soldiers, a nurse, fighter planes, eagles… I think this is a lot to do about nothing." April 16: Breitbart News: Israel and Lebanon agree to ceasefire Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a ceasefire Thursday, and said he was trying to set up a meeting between the leaders of the two countries. After a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Trump said the truce would begin within hours. Trump said he had directed Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and top US military officer Dan Caine to work with the two countries "to achieve a Lasting peace. Additionally,Trump said, "I will be inviting the Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, and the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, to the White House." The truce announcement comes amid Washington's continuing efforts to reach a deal to end the US-Israeli war with Iran. Tehran has insisted that a Lebanon ceasefire must be part of any agreement, while Isreal sees it as two separate conflicts. April 15: The Gateway Pundit: Dems war powers resolution fails to pass the Senate On Wednesday the Senate once again blocked a Democrat-sponsored war powers resolution to restrain President Trump's military action in Iran. This is the fourth time that Senate has voted to block Democrat attempts to limit Trump's Iran war powers. The resolution failed in a 47-52 vote. GOP Senator Rand Paul (KY) voted with the Democrats while Democrat Senator John Fetterman (PA) voted with the Republicans. April 15: Fox News: Iran warns U.S. warships in Strait of Hormuz are within missile range A senior Iranian official warned that U.S. warships in the Strait of Hormuz are within striking range, claiming American naval forces are now "under our missile launchers." Iran International reported that Mohsen Rezai, a military adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, made the remarks in a video, escalating tensions in the strategic waterway. "The launchers have most likely been moved by our brothers and are now aimed at the Abraham Lincoln and all American warships," Rezai said. "They are all under our launchers now and we will sink them all. We will not allow a single one to escape us." April 15: Reuters(as published by News Max): Iran using targeting data from Chinese satellites Iran has reportedly used a secretly acquired Chinese spy satellite to target U.S. military bases in the Middle East, raising new concerns about Beijing's role in bolstering Tehran's military capabilities. It was reported Wednesday that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) apparently obtained control of a Chinese-built satellite known as TEE-01B in late 2024. The satellite, launched from China and later transferred to Iran, significantly enhanced Tehran's ability to monitor and strike U.S. and allied positions across the region. According to the Financial Times, leaked documents show Iranian commanders used the satellite to track key American military installations, capturing high-resolution imagery before and after missile and drone strikes. The locations surveilled reportedly included the Prince Sulton Air Base in Saudi Arabia and U.S. facilities in Jordan and Bahrain. Analysts say the system marks a major leap in Iran's intelligence-gathering capabilities. With imagery precise enough to identify aircraft and military equipment, the satellite provided Iran with a powerful new tool to plan attacks and assess their effectiveness. The revelation is likely to heighten tensions, particularly given growing evidence of deeper ties between China and Iran. President Trump has taken a hard line, warning China against aiding Iran and threatening steep tariffs if such cooperation continues. April 14: The Gateway Pundit: An analysis -- Europe is in deep trouble if it faces Russia without the United States; Drastically outgunned President Trump has been talking about withdrawing the U.S. from NATO since his first term and has refused to get deeply involved in the Ukraine war. Recently, U.S.-European ties were further strained because Europe declined to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, even though European oil supply was directly at stake. Some European leaders contend the continent can defend itself without American help. Given what is happening in Ukraine some contend Europe is now closer to open conflict with Russia than at any point in the last three decades. A detailed analysis of the overall warfighting capabilities of both sides reveals how dangerously unprepared Europe is for such a confrontation. - Combat-ready troops; Europe has more men in arms but they lack the experience of Russian forces. Additional, Russian forces operate under one integrated command while European forces are spread across more than two dozen separate armies that share no unified command, shared doctrine, and have vastly different readiness levels. - Hardware: Europe combined has more tanks than Russia (with Turkey, Poland, and Greece having the bulk of them). But again, they are spread across multiple nations that have differing maintenance standards, logistics chains, ammunition types, and doctrine. Russia, however, fields a single integrated force under unified command. Europe has more airframes than Russia but lacks an integrated air defense. Meanwhile the once major naval force -- Great Britian -- now has a fleet of only 63 ships, with just about half available for duty. Additionally, Russia's submarine force dwarfs those of Europe. In short, Europe sands very little chance of staving off a Russia invasion without the help of the United State, and yet they have a tendency to bite the only hand that can protect them. April 14: Reuters (published by News Max): U.S. blockade of Iranian ports/shipping; six ships turned back, none have broached it No ships have made it past a U.S. naval blockade of Iran's ports and coastal areas, and six merchant ships have followed orders to turn back, the U.S. military said Tuesday. The tally provided the first details on a day-old effort ordered by President Trump after peace talks between the U.S. and ‌Iran broke down. The U.S. military said the blockade applies only to ships going to or from Iran, including all Iranian ports on the Gulf and Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM says "The blockade is being enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas." They also noted humanitarian shipments including food, medical supplies and other essential goods would be permitted to proceed, subject to inspection. April 14: Fox News: District of Columbia appeals courts orders Judge Boasberg to halt Trump contempt probe over deportation flights A federal appeals court on Tuesday ordered U.S. District Judge James Boasberg to end his contempt inquiry into senior Trump administration officials after they deported more than 130 Venezuelan migrants — capping a protracted and bitterly disputed legal fight from this hostile judge. The judges for the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that Boasberg's inquiry overstepped the court's authority and represented an "unwarranted impairment" of the executive branch. The majority opinion ordered Boasberg, the chief district judge for the District of Columbia, to terminate the contempt inquiry roughly 12 months after it began, saying the March 15 emergency order the judge issued last year was too ambiguous to justify what they ruled was an "intrusive" investigation into high-level executive branch matters. "These proceedings are a clear abuse of discretion," the appeals court ruled. At issue was the Trump administration's use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador last March — migrants that the administration alleged were in the U.S. illegally and in some cases had ties to the violent gang Tren de Aragua — and whether senior Trump officials had willfully defied an emergency (and it appears an illegal) court order issued by the district court judge in allowing the deportation flights to continue. April 14: One American News Network: Thume; Dems antics forces GOP to fund DHS the hard way Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) says Democrats' antics forced Republicans to fund the government "the hard way." While speaking to reporters following a policy luncheon on Tuesday, Thune called out the left for delaying efforts to reopen the government. He revealed that Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is preparing a budget resolution to begin the reconciliation process to fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol (CBP) reportedly through the end of the Trump Administration. The bill could be introduced as soon as next week. With Republican majorities in both houses – especially in the House where two Democrats resigned this week over sexual assault allegations – a budget reconciliation measure that only requires 50% plus one vote could be enacted reasonably quickly** and sent to the President. ** "Reasonable Quickly" by Congressional standards! April 13: Reuters(as published by News Max): Iran-U.S. Peace negotiations; The door is closing but isn't shut yet After a sleepless, and at times tense, night in Islamabad, Iranian and U.S. officials ended their highest-level ‌talks in decades without a breakthrough, but close to a dozen sources familiar with the negotiations said dialog was still alive. The meeting, held in Pakistan, followed an announcement of a ceasefire. Among the slew of issues at stake was the Strait of Hormuz, a major transit point for global energy supplies that Iran has effectively blocked but the U.S. has vowed to reopen, as well as Iran's nuclear program and international sanctions on Tehran. Phones were not allowed in the main room, forcing delegates to step out during breaks ‌to relay messages back home. "There was a strong hope in the middle of the talks that there would be a breakthrough and the two sides would reach an agreement. However, things changed within no time," a Pakistani government source said. Another source said the parties came "very close" (about 80%) before running into decisions that could not be settled on the spot. Dialogue is reportedly continuing but the ability to strike a deal starting to close. April 13: The Hispanic Gateway Pundit: Conservative candidates lead in early returns from elections in Peru With 25% of the returns reported in Peru's presidential elections, a significant change is being seen. It is not just about percentages. What matters is who is occupying those positions. Both candidates belong to the conservative right, although with different styles, and their presence at the top points to a possible shift in the electorate after years of institutional strain, consecutive political crises, and governments unable to provide stability. López Aliaga the person leading at this point, has built his rise on a clear, simple message with few nuances: order, reduction of public spending, and defense of traditional values. His more ideological profile has resonated with sectors that believe the country has lost its direction. This is not an improvised phenomenon, but the result of accumulated discontent within the country. April 12: The Gateway Pundit: President Trump Fires six Immigration Judges For Blocking Deportations President Trump fired six immigration judges for blocking deportations. On Friday, the president fired four immigration judges and continued his firings on Saturday and fired two more. The New York Times reports Trump fired two of the immigration judges on Saturday for blocking the deportations of two pro-Palestinian activists. In December, President Trump also fired eight immigration judges in New York City. So far more than 100 immigration judges have been fired or resigned since President Trump took office this year. April 12: The Washington Times: Trump will blockage the Strait of Hormuz after negotiations fail to produce results Sunday President Trump said the Navy will blockade the Strait of Hormuz after ceasefire talks with Iranian representatives ended at an impasse this weekend. Trump posted that Navy vessels will blockade the strait, saying that U.S. service members will interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran to get safe passage though the Strait. Additionally, the president said that the U.S. and Israel are prepared to continue their joint campaign, saying the troops are "locked and loaded' to finish up the operation unless Iran is willing to give up its ambition to obtain a nuclear weapon. Reportedly navies from other countries will participate in the naval blockade. April 12: Fox News: JD Vance presented "final offer;" with six redlines Vice President JD Vance presented a "final offer" to Iran during negotiations in Islamabad Saturday, outlining six U.S. "red lines." The demands included an end all uranium enrichment, dismantling all major nuclear facilities and retrieving highly enriched uranium. The fourth was to accept a broader regional peace and de-escalation framework that includes regional allies. This was followed by stopping funding proxy groups including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. The sixth demand was to fully open the Strait of Hormuz, charging no tolls for passage. Talks between the U.S. and Iran lasted 21 hours, but ended without agreement. April 12: The Epoch Times: Britian puts on hold the transfer of Diego Garcia back to Mauritius Britain has put on hold an agreement to give the Chagos Islands back to the country of Mauritius, citing U.S. opposition to the deal. Diego Garcia, the largest island and home to a UK/US military base. The deal would transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and allow the UK to maintain control of the base. Britain stalled the deal after Trump criticized it in February saying that the United States needs Diego Garcia for military purposes and that it had an airfield that may be valuable to the United States for its operation in Iran. A British government spokesperson said ensuring the long-term operational security of Diego Garcia was a priority. April 11: The Washington Examiner: Iran conflict disrupts global energy routes; U.S. benefits as many seek supply on the Gulf Coast More than one hundred empty oil tankers are heading to the United States as the war in Iran reshapes the global maritime industry and oil routes. President Trump has called upon countries to switch; to buy American energy supplies. According to TankerTrackers and MarineTraffic, 121 empty tankers are already en route to the U.S. Gulf Coast. Of these, 68 are VLCC supertankers, each one capable of carrying up to two million barrels of crude oil. The vessels are reportedly heading to load up with oil as the industry looks for alternatives to supply chain disruptions. President Trump praised the "massive numbers" of empty tanker vessels heading to America, which is open for business and is free from the disruptions caused by the Iranians seeming unwillingness to negotiate a peace agreement to rid themselves of a quest to obtain nuclear weapons. April 11: Fox News: CENTCOM starts focusing on operations to eliminate mines in the Strait of Hormuz U.S. Central Command announced Saturday that its forces began setting conditions for clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz as negotiations are ongoing between the U.S. and Iran in Pakistan. "The USS Frank E. Peterson (DDG 121) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) transited the Strait of Hormuz and operated in the Arabian Gulf as part of a broader mission to ensure the strait is fully clear of sea mines previously laid by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps," CENTCOM said. "Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce," Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM said. This is the first time U.S. guided-missile destroyers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the war with Iran began. The USS Peterson and the USS Murphy were previously in the Arabian Sea before crossing the Strait. CENTCOM described the Strait of Hormuz Saturday as "an international sea passage and an essential trade corridor that supports regional and global economic prosperity. Additional U.S. forces, including underwater drones, will join the clearance effort in the coming days," they said. April 11: Breitbart News: Calls made for Eric Swalwell (D-CA) to resign after sexual assault/rape allegations Cliff Maloney, the CEO of Citizens Alliance, said he doesn't "see how" Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) "moves forward with a path to win" in California's gubernatorial race after sexual assault and rape allegations were brought against him. Democrats such as Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) withdrew their endorsements and called for Swalwell to resign from the gubernatorial race. "I got to think that this is the end for Swalwell. People are now asking Hakeem Jeffries to tell him to resign from Congress, and to step down immediately. I don't see how he moves forward with a path to win when it comes to statewide in California, let alone his own congressional reelect, if he was to try to jump back sometime in the near future. These are credible allegations," Maloney said. April 11: Fox News: Artemis II Touches down right on schedule and right on target Now that Artemis II has completed its lunar flyby and returned to Earth, Artemis is no longer a concept or a promise. It is a working American deep space architecture. In a single mission, the Artemis II crew executed manual piloting and proximity operations, while the Orion spacecraft operated at lunar distance and proved the life support, propulsion, power, thermal, navigation and reentry systems that generated the operational data NASA says will shape the missions that follow. As we celebrate this achievement, it is worth remembering how this mission began — and why it matters. April 11: News Max: Iran threatens to attack U.S. ships as U.S. naval vessels transit the Strait of Hormuz Iran is threatening to attack any U.S. Navy ships entering the Strait of Hormuz, warning through Pakistani mediators that vessels could be targeted within 30 minutes if they continue through the strategic waterway — a move that could jeopardize ongoing negotiations. The warning came after U.S. warships crossed the strait for the first time since the war began. The U.S. military confirmed two of its warships sailed through the Strait of Hormuz as part of a plan to start removing mines from the vital conduit for the global oil trade. Sending the ships through the strait was aimed at "setting conditions for clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz," U.S. Central Command said. Iranian state-linked media characterized the U.S. transit as a violation of the ceasefire, escalating tensions as talks between the two sides begin in Pakistan. The Strait of Hormuz, off Iran's southern coast, is a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, with a significant share of the world's oil passing through it. Despite a ceasefire provision intended to reopen the route, traffic has remained limited, with many commercial vessels hesitant to cross amid fears of Iranian retaliation. April 10: New York Post: Four women accuse Rep. Eric Swalwell of sexual assault | misconduct Four women have accused married Eric Swalwell of horrific acts of sexual assault and misconduct — including a former staffer who claims he raped her. Swalwell, the California governor candidate, has a campaign hanging by a thread when the alleged victims aired bombshell details of what they say happened to them. One of the women, a former staffer, claimed he raped her when she was drunk and left her bruised and bleeding during the alleged 2024 attack. Another woman, who said she first met Swalwell online, alleged she also awoke next to him in a hotel after a drunken night out, adding he allegedly kissed her and touched her leg without consent. Democrats came out in force demanding Swalwell pull out of the governor's race, including Nancy Pelosi who said an investigation should be launched. Prominent Dems Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar also issued a joint statement demanding Swalwell "immediately end" his campaign. Powerful backer, the California Teachers Association, also called on him to quit. April 10: Fox News: U.S. ready to take military action against Iran if negotiations fall through Friday, President Trump said the United States is prepared to take military action against Iran if upcoming negotiations in Pakistan fail, noting that American naval forces are being outfitted with advanced weaponry. In comments Trump said the outcome of the talks could become clear quickly as U.S. officials travel to Islamabad to pursue a broader agreement following this week's ceasefire. "We're going to find out in about 24 hours. We're going to know soon," he said. Vice President JD Vance left for Pakistan aboard Air Force Two and is expected to take part in the discussions alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The meetings are aimed at turning the temporary pause in hostilities into a more durable arrangement. At the same time, Trump underscored that U.S. forces are prepared if diplomacy breaks down. "We have a reset going," the president said. "We're loading up the ships with the best ammunition, the best weapons ever made — even better than what we did previously, and we blew them apart." Administration officials said they remain hopeful but are planning for multiple scenarios. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said the negotiating team represents the administration's top personnel. April 9: News Max: NATO Secretary-General; the alliance was a "bit slow" in supporting the U.S. efforts Thursday NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the alliance was "a bit slow" in supporting U.S. efforts against Iran but added Donald Trump was partly to blame for not informing allies ahead of time. But for security reasons the operation was to be a surprise. Rutte said, "When it came time to provide the logistical and other support the United States needed in Iran, some allies were a bit slow." "To maintain the element of surprise for the initial strikes, President Trump opted not to inform allies ahead of time. And I understand that." Trump has railed against NATO allies for not supporting the U.S. military in the conflict, which began Feb. 28 in a joint operation with Israel targeting Tehran's political leadership and military infrastructure. He has expressed frustration that most allies refused to join the U.S.-led bombing campaign or provide military assistance, accusing them of making a "foolish mistake" by failing to help secure the Strait of Hormuz after Iran moved to block the vital waterway, causing global energy prices to surge. He was particularly angered by Spain and France, which restricted or denied U.S. military use of their airspace and joint bases for Iran-related operations. April 9: Fox News: Who Knew; Fetterman supports Trump's actions in Iran Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman said Wednesday that Donald Trump's recent military actions in Iran have "made the world safer," offering a stark contrast to criticism from other Democratic lawmakers. "Usually, the Iranians only respond [to] power . . ." Fetterman told Sean Hannity. "Now it might force them to continue more kinds of military strikes, but remind everyone, their nuclear ambitions have been severely damaged at this point. The Israelis have killed many, many of the scientists and [destroyed] a lot of those [nuclear] facilities as well, too." Fetterman argued that while there are still concerns about remaining enriched uranium, actions taken against Iran have significantly weakened the regime's capabilities and improved global security. "Every single thing Iran has done is an entire war crime. Now, we are the force of good in the world," he said. April 8: News Max: Trump looking at options for the U.S. relationship with NATO According to the Wall Street Journal, Donald Trump is weighing punitive measures against certain NATO allies over what his administration sees as insufficient support for the U.S. campaign against Iran, deepening strains within the alliance as Washington presses to secure global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Officials said the discussions remain preliminary but reflect mounting frustration inside the White House with major NATO members such as Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, which have offered limited military assistance or declined to participate in combat operations, while supporting those seen as more supportive, including Poland, Romania, Lithuania, and Greece. Trump's frustrations come as he was scheduled to meet NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte at the White House on Wednesday, with the Iran conflict and efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz expected to dominate the talks. The dispute comes as the United States seeks broader international backing to counter Iran's ability to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint that carries about 20% of global oil flows. U.S. officials have argued that securing the waterway is essential to stabilizing global energy markets, but key European allies have resisted joining offensive operations, instead urging de-escalation and diplomatic engagement. European leaders have made clear they do not view the conflict as one that triggers NATO's collective defense obligations, and have sought to avoid being drawn into a wider regional war, according to statements and reporting on allied deliberations. While some allies, including the United Kingdom and France, have supported maritime security efforts aimed at protecting commercial shipping, their involvement has largely been limited to defensive or patrol missions rather than direct participation in U.S.-led attacks. The lack of unified NATO backing has emerged as a central point of tension for Trump, who has repeatedly criticized the alliance and questioned the contributions of member states during the conflict. April 8: (The Associated Press, published by Fox News): President Trump's ceasefire with Iran draws praise from world leaders Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday he supports President Trump's two-week ceasefire with Iran. The move came after talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who urged Trump to delay any further U.S. military action while both sides continued to negotiate. Trump suggested Iran was ready to reach a peace agreement and said the U.S. would help manage traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Leaders from Israel Germany, the United Kingdom and Australia are among those coming out in support of the U.S. ceasefire agreement with Iran. Netanyahu explicitly said the ceasefire does not apply to Lebanon, meaning Israel could continue targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists there. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned Iran's reported plan to charge ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz would be "completely unacceptable," arguing it risks setting a dangerous precedent that could undermine global trade. French President Emmanuel Macron revealed Wednesday he held talks with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian and President Donald Trump, calling the two-week ceasefire the "best possible" outcome. Vice President JD Vance sent a strong message to the Iranian regime on Wednesday amid rising ceasefire tensions, warning that "if they break their end of the bargain, they're going to see some serious consequences." Meanwhile, Trump warned that if NATO won't back the U.S. in future conflicts, perhaps the US needs to reconsider its relationship with member nations. April 8: One America News Network: Oil process plumet; Stock market goes ballistic, as news of the opening of Hormuz Strait announced Oil prices have dropped significantly following Donald Trump's announcement Tuesday evening of a two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. They have gone down to $95 per barrel. This is a noteworthy decrease from prices reaching over $110 a barrel on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the stock market has also jumped since Tuesday's declaration of the ceasefire. Reportedly the S&P 500 leapt 2.1% following the announcement, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 1,076 points, although stock prices are still below pre-conflict levels. April 8: Breitbart News: Brazil black lists Chinese EV over slave labor conditions The Brazilian Ministry of Labor on Tuesday added Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD to a "dirty list" of employers who inflict slave labor conditions on their workers. In December 2024, Brazilian officials halted the construction of a BYD factory in the city of Camacari after an investigation found that 163 Chinese nationals imported to work on the project were forced to live and work in "precarious" and "degrading" conditions, including unsafe working environments and unsanitary living quarters. Furthermore, Brazil's public prosecutor determined that BYD's workers were treated as "forced labor," with their passports confiscated and up to 70 percent of their pay withheld. The employees were threatened with heavy penalties if they tried to quit their jobs, including forfeiture of the wages withheld by their employer. April 7: New York Post: Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz as both sides agree to two week ceasefire Hours before Trump's deadline, Iran agrees to open the Strait of Hormuz and a two week cease fire while negotiations are finalized — a dramatic breakthrough in a nearly 40-day war that rattled global shipping and sent gas prices soaring. President Trump announced the pause on military strikes on Iran less than 90 minutes before his 8 p.m. deadline — saying it was subject to Tehran agreeing to let ships pass through the key waterway. Israel also agreed to the two-week cease-fire; a White House official said. On social media, Trump said he spoke with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, who urged him to hold off on what he described as a "destructive force" set to be unleashed on Iran. The cease-fire is "subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the complete, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz," Trump noted. "This will be a double-sided ceasefire! The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Longterm peace with Iran, and peace in the Middle East," he contended. "We received a 10-point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate." The president further explained that "almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran." "A two-week period will allow the agreement to be finalized," he concluded. April 7: One America News Network: GOP wins Georgia Congressional seat to replace Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Republican Clayton Fuller has defeated Democrat Shawn Harris to win the special election runoff in Georgia's 14th Congressional District — replacing former GOP Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG). Fuller, who was endorsed by Donald Trump, won Tuesday's special election for the U.S. House seat, leading Harris 57.5% to 42.5% with 86% of the vote counted. The race comes after the March 10th election, where no candidate reached the 50% threshold needed to secure an outright victory. The seat was vacated by Greene after she announced in November that she would step down on January 5, 2026 — the day before the start of the 119th Congress. Her departure came amid a turbulent political period. April 7: Fox News: $20 minimum wage in Calif. Backfires; hour reductions and automation increases Researchers have found that California's minimum wage hike for fast-food workers led to "negative outcomes" such as automation and reduced work hours. UCSC (Univ. of California, Santa Cruz) researchers suggest in a March report that the policy could produce unintended consequences such as an increase in menu prices, a loss of overtime and benefits, reductions in employee working hours, and an implementation of automation that replaces workers. The minimum wage for workers was $16 before the $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers became law in April 2024. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) said September 2023 the increase would help workers earn more as the cost-of-living raises. "The results indicate a plethora of negative outcomes such as higher menu prices for consumers, reductions in employee working hours, widespread elimination of overtime and loss of benefits for employees," said UCSC's Stephen Owen. "Further decreases in employee opportunities are being driven by automation and the adoption of labor replacement technologies is accelerating." Meanwhile a Berkeley Research Group study disclosed that not only were there 10,700 jobs lost between June 2023 and June 2024 in the sector but the prices at the establishments soared by 14.5% after the new minimum wage became law. April 6: News Max: UN scheduled to vote on watered down resolution on Iran The U.N. Security Council is expected to vote on Tuesday on a resolution to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, but in significantly watered-down form after veto-wielding China opposed authorizing force, diplomats said. Tehran has largely closed down the Strait of Hormuz since the U.S. action to destroy the ability of Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. Efforts by Bahrain, the current chair of the 15-member Council, to secure a resolution have involved multiple drafts seeking to overcome opposition from China, Russia and others. The latest iteration appears to drop any explicit authorization of the use of force; in other words, it's a resolution that has no teeth or enforcement provisions. Instead the text, "strongly encourages States interested in the use of commercial maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz to coordinate efforts, defensive in nature, commensurate to the circumstances, to contribute to ensuring the safety and security of navigation across the Strait of Hormuz." It says such contributions could include "the escort of merchant and commercial vessels," and the text also endorses efforts "to deter attempts to close, obstruct or otherwise interfere with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz." It is unclear whether China or Russia will veto this measure. April 6: The Gateway Pundit: Federal Judge rejects Wisconsin judge's request to throw out a jury's verdict finding her guilty of helping illegal evade ICE agents in the courthouse [YouTube video of Judge obstructing justice] A federal judge on Monday rejected Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan's bid to toss out a jury's guilty verdict on charges for helping an illegal alien evade ICE agents. Clinton-appointee, US District Judge Lynn Adelman denied Dugan's motions. In December, Dugan was found guilty of obstruction for helping an illegal alien evade ICE agents. She was acquitted of one misdemeanor count but was found guilty on the felony obstruction charge, for which she faces a possible five- year prison term. According to the FBI, Dugan became angry when she learned that ICE agents were waiting outside of her courtroom to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an illegal alien involved in a domestic abuse case she was overseeing. In response she allegedly directed Flores-Ruiz to exit the courthouse through a private jury door in order to evade arrest. FBI Director Kash Patel said Judge Dugan had "intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested at her courthouse." The filed criminal complaint detailed Dugan's actions to intimidate federal agents and how she helped the illegal alien evade arrest. April 6: The New York Post: What happens when you eject from a fighter jet? A Navy veteran pulled back the curtain on the "violent" experience airmen like the ones downed in Iran endured when ejecting from their F-15 fighter aircraft, revealing the issues airmen face. Navy Top Gun graduate Matthew Buckley ("Whiz") said that the Air Force colonel and his pilot made "a pretty stark choice to either die or eject" last week when they were shot down over Iran. Buckley who flew sorties in Iraq said, "You're always worried about the condition of the aviator and aircrew, if they had to eject, because ejecting is one of the most violent experiences a body can go through," Buckley explained, noting that no human is built to withstand "instantaneous 10 to 20 Gs of force." He described the "rocket ride" combined with "500 miles an hour of wind blast" as a recipe for disaster if the ejector's body isn't in the perfect position. [Back in 1969 a friend of mine told me that if you had to eject from an A-4 (a Vietnam era attack aircraft) you'd better make sure the heels of you feet were tucked in tight into the stirrups or when you left the aircraft your toes would be cut off!] Buckley described the process: First the canopy is blown off, then a charge under your seat explodes sending the entire seat up a rail and out of the compact. Then a rocket is ignited under the seat that sends it an additional 100-200 feet in the air before the parachute deploys. Buckley noted that pilots don't receive parachute training and they aren't trained how to land. He contended the conditions in Iran were even more difficult because the airmen landed in rocky terrain. April 5: Fox News: U.S. rescue of USAF pilot shows the U.S. can infiltrate any part of Iran A former Pentagon official said the rescue of a U.S. airman in Iran served as more than a recovery mission, saying it was a warning to Tehran that the United States can penetrate anywhere in Iranian territory to carry out operations ranging from rescues to securing sensitive targets. "This demonstrates to the Iranian leadership that we can get anywhere that we so choose and hold ground as long as we desire to accomplish a mission," retired Navy Captain Brent Sadler said. "Not only can we rescue our pilots, but we can also go to where we need to secure nuclear equipment or the remainder of their leadership." Sadler's comments came after the U.S. rescued an F-15E weapons systems officer (WSO) deep within Iranian territory. The pilot and WSO ejected from their aircraft on Friday. The pilot was rescued that morning while the WSO evaded and hid from the enemy for over 36 hours. He said the Israelis were probably deeply integrated into this, to shift their targets and their attacks so that it would draw the Iranians away or keep them busy as we focused in on locating and exfiltrating our pilot. April 5: News Max: U.S. concerned message from downed crew member might be a trap by Iranian forces Donald Trump said Sunday he feared a message from a stranded crew member of a U.S. Air Force F-15 Strike Eagle shot down by Iran could have been a trap set by Iranian forces. The airman survived more than 36 hours in the mountains despite being wounded. He was rescued Saturday by about 200 U.S. special operations troops. An hour after the rescue Trump confirmed the rescue saying "thousands of these savages were hunting him down," referring to members of the Iranian military.mm "Even the population was looking for him. They offered people a bonus if they captured him," Trump said. Trump said the Iranian military shot down the F-15 using a shoulder-fired heat seeking missile. "They got lucky," he said. Trump said the officer gave a short, unusual message over his radio after ejecting from the aircraft. "He said, 'Power be to God,'" Trump said. People who know the officer said he is a religious person, and it made sense for him to say that. Interestingly the airman was shot down on Good Friday and rescued on Easter Sunday! April 5: The New York Post: How airman avoided capture and was rescued The tough-as-nails Air Force colonel shot down over Iran was seriously wounded but still climbed a 7,000-foot ridge and hid in a crevice to evade capture for 36 hours — even with bounty-hunters on his tail. The cool-as-a-cucumber American hero spent one and a half days hiding in the Zagros Mountain range dodging the enemy after his F-15E went down in hostile territory. Despite his injuries, the weapons officer was able to climb more than 1.3 miles and avoid detection from blood-thirsty nearby Iranian fighters spurred by the chance to capture an American soldier and the $60,000 bounty reportedly placed on his head. The officer was armed with only a handgun as he awaited rescue, which occurred partly thanks to the emergency beacon he sent out from a crevice along a mountain. Sorry for the delay in posting the update to this blog... My wife and I were on a cruise celebrating our Wedding Anniversary April 4: Breitbart News: Trump to Iran; Time is running out to strike a deal On Saturday Donald Trump warned Iran that "time is running out" and gave the regime 48 hours to either "make a deal or open up the Hormuz Strait" before "all Hell" would rain down, escalating his pressure campaign on the 36th day of Operation Epic Fury as the White House signaled that Tehran is rapidly running out of time to avoid even harsher consequences. Trump recalled the ten-day ultimatum he had previously given Tehran after allowing space for negotiations to play out saying: "Remember when I gave Iran ten days to make a deal or open up the Hormuz Strait. Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign [sic] down on them." The post amounted to a renewed warning that Trump is prepared to follow through if Iran continues choking off the vital waterway while dragging its feet on a diplomatic resolution. Previously the U.S. warned that if Tehran refused to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and failed to reach terms, the United States could strike major regime infrastructure, including electric generating plants, oil wells, and Kharg Island — the country's main oil export hub. With the renewed ultimatum it appeared the administration is increasingly skeptical that indirect diplomacy would produce a breakthrough before Monday's deadline. April 4: The Washington Times: Green Cards for relatives of deceased Iranian general pulled Two relatives of deceased Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani have had their green cards revoked, Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Soleimani's niece and her daughter were arrested by federal agents Friday night and are in ICE custody. Their eligibility for lawful permanent resident status or entrance into the U.S. was determined to be no longer valid, State Department officials said. Iranian officials have repeatedly vowed retaliation for Soleimani's death, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike under President Trump's order in 2020. According to the State Department the general's niece is "an outspoken supporter of the totalitarian, terrorist regime in Iran," having voiced such opinions on social media. "While living in the United States, she promoted Iranian regime propaganda, celebrated attacks against American soldiers and military facilities in the Middle East, praised the new Iranian Supreme Leader, denounced America as the 'Great Satan,' and voiced her unflinching support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a designated terror organization," they added. The statement said the Soleimani niece "pushed this propaganda for Iran's terrorist regime while enjoying a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles, as attested to by her frequent posting on her recently deleted Instagram account." April 4: The Daily Caller: White House requests major increases in defense spending and reduced spending on domestic programs Friday, the White House asked Congress to approve roughly $1.5 trillion for defense spending in fiscal year 2027, a record-setting proposal that would dramatically expand military funding while slashing domestic programs by tens of billions of dollars. The administration's official budget fact sheet outlined a $445 billion jump over current defense levels, amounting to a 42% increase. Of the total, $1.1 trillion would flow through the standard appropriations process, while $350 billion would move through budget reconciliation, a procedural tool requiring only a simple majority vote in both houses of Congress. The White House said the additional mandatory funds would go toward munitions production, defense industrial expansion and continued investment in the Golden Dome missile defense system. Reportedly the proposal pairs the historic Pentagon boost with $73 billion in cuts to nondefense spending, a 10% reduction. Programs targeted for elimination or reduction would include federal heating assistance for low-income households, clean energy research and grants that the administration labeled "woke, weaponized, and wasteful." The Environmental Protection Agency would see its budget cut in half, while the Department of Health and Human Services would lose about 12.5%. April 3: One America News Network: Artemis II halfway to the moon The Artemis II astronauts have successfully reached the halfway point on their journey to the moon. NASA marked the team's progress in a social media declaring, "Lock in, we're Moonbound." "Artemis II astronauts are more than halfway to their destination, and preparations for lunar flyby are underway. During their trip around the far side of the Moon, they will capture imagery to share with scientists (and you, too!)," the post said. April 3: iHeartMedia/KTRH: Jobs report far out stretches expert's expectations The March jobs numbers are in, and they are far better than economists' estimates. Dow Jones estimated just 59,000 jobs would be added, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that number was actually 178,000. This resulted in the unemployment rate inching down to 4.3%. Healthcare saw much of the growth, with 76,000 jobs added in that sector. This follows the Kaiser Permanente strike in February, which caused the healthcare sector to take a big hit. Construction and warehousing also saw gains of 26,000 and 21,000 respectively. Government jobs also fell by 18,000, reflecting the Trump administration's goal of cutting down the size and spending of the federal government. Former Trump economic advisor Steve Moore spoke about the jobs number on Fox Business, saying: "It appears that employers and businesses believe that Trump is right—that we'll get the Strait of Hormuz open, that this is a temporary shock to the economy, and that we've got smooth sailing ahead." April 3: Breitbart News: F-15 strike eagle reportedly shot down over Iran; one crew member recovered, search for second is underway Unconfirmed reports say a U.S. Airforce F-15E Strike Eagle jet has been shot down, and both American and Iranian forces are scrambling to find the crew first. CBS News reports that one member from that downed aircraft has been recovered by U.S. forces. The search and rescue mission to recover the second crew member is apparently ongoing. White House Press Secretary Leavitt has said it is unclear what happened and how. This would be the first U.S. aircraft shot down in Operation Epic Fury, if this actually happened at all. While Iran claimed to have shot down the jet over the western part of the country, there is no confirmation that any U.S. aircraft has been shot down by Iranian forces, only one instances where there was a friendly fire mishap. United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has not yet commented on the alleged loss of one of their aircraft but is typically active in dismissing Iranian disinformation about claimed kills against America. Indeed, it yesterday fact-checked Iran claiming they had downed a U.S. F-35 jet over the Persian Gulf, noting Iran has "has made the same false claim at least half a dozen times." So, it is unclear whether any U.S. aircraft is missing, and if so, whether it was caused by Iranian actions. April 2: Fox News: Bondi out as Attorney General Two sources report that President Trump has let go Attorney General Pam Bondi. Trump confirmed the action on Truth Social, underscoring that he views her as "a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend" as she moves on to a role in the private sector. "Pam did a tremendous job overseeing a massive crackdown in Crime across our Country, with murders plummeting to their lowest level since 1900," Trump said. "We love Pam, and she will be transitioning to a much needed and important new job in the private sector, to be announced at a date in the near future." In the meantime, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is expected to serve as interim attorney general. Bondi reportedly met with Trump in the Oval Office Wednesday night ahead of his speech to the nation on the war in Iran and his announcement of Bondi's departure. The Bondi-action follows a recent New York Times report saying Trump was becoming dissatisfied with her performance in the role of Attorney General. Then, again, that was the NYT and the White House is continuing to say Bondi is a wonderful person and that she did a good job. The legacy media's targets for negative stories has been Bondi, along with FBI Director Patel, and Secretary of War Hegseth. April 2: The Gateway Pundit: U.S. reportedly in secret talks with Denmark over security measures Alot seems to have changed regarding the situation of the Arctic island of Greenland. On the one hand, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called for snap elections, trying to use her resistance to Donald Trump's designs on Greenland to guarantee another term, but in the end, she had the worst voting in recent history for her dominant party. Meanwhile she is working with other parties, hoping to remain at the helm of the Danish government. At the same time the U.S. is involved in a high-stakes military operation in Iran, and Trump has told anyone who'll listen that 'Cuba is next' – so, maybe this is not the ideal moment to seize Greenland and deal with the potential military reaction by former Euro-Globalist allies. It is not beyond reason that the U.S. begun 'secret talks' with Denmark to 'increase its [U.S.] military presence' in Greenland. Washington is reportedly seeking access to three bases to set up, and or expand, airfields and ports. April 2: News Max: Pentagon briefed President on options to retrieve nuclear material Trump has reportedly asked U.S. military leaders to propose a plan to remove nearly 1,000 pounds of highly enriched uranium from Iran, highlighting his administration's resolve to ensure Tehran never obtains a nuclear weapon. The War Department has reportedly developed a detailed and highly complex proposal that would involve deploying U.S. forces deep inside Iran, bringing in excavation equipment, and even constructing a temporary runway to airlift the radioactive material out of the country. The plan apparently underscores the seriousness with which the administration is approaching Iran's nuclear threat. While no final decision has been made, officials emphasized that preparing such options is part of giving the commander in chief maximum flexibility. "It's the job of the Pentagon to make preparations ... It does not mean the president has made a decision," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. According to the Wall Street Journal Trump is weighing the risks of such an operation but remains open to decisive action if Iran refuses to surrender the material. At issue is roughly 970 pounds of uranium enriched to about 60%, just shy of weapons-grade level. Much of it is believed to be stored deep underground at facilities making retrieval difficult. Military experts say the mission would rank among the most challenging special operations ever attempted. It could require thousands of troops, including elite commandos, engineers, and nuclear specialists, operating under hostile conditions while facing threats from Iranian missiles, drones, and ground forces. Despite the risks, proponents argue that removing the material could deliver a decisive blow to Iran's nuclear ambitions without requiring a prolonged war — a key priority for Trump, who has said he wants to avoid drawn-out conflicts while still projecting strength. Critics point to polling suggesting many Americans are wary of deploying ground troops in the current conflict. War Secretary Pete Hegseth framed the issue in stark terms, reiterating that preventing a nuclear-armed Iran remains nonnegotiable. Analysts note that the U.S. has successfully removed nuclear material from foreign countries before under controlled conditions. But attempting such an operation in an active war zone, deep inside hostile territory, would represent a significant escalation in complexity and risk. April 2: The Associated Press (as published in The Epoch Times): Pentagon updates number of Iranian targets hit The U.S. military provided an operational update on the monthlong conflict with Iran, announcing that more than 13,000 combat flights have been conducted so far alongside thousands of strikes on Iranian targets. On social media the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) wrote that more than 12,300 Iranian targets have been struck during the conflict. That's up by around 1,300 since the last CENTCOM update on March 28. Since the start of the war there has been "undeniable progress" made so far, they said. "We don't see their navy sailing. We don't see their aircraft flying, and their air and missile defense systems have largely been destroyed," CENTCOM reported. Meanwhile, Iran says it fired more missiles at locations across the Middle East and the country's Revolutionary Guards said it would launch attacks on U.S. technology and companies and accused them of playing a role in the war. Meanwhile Trump said he has cautious optimism that the people who are now in power in Iran, after more than a month of U.S. and Israeli strikes, are "less radical and much more reasonable" to deal with. "If there is no deal, we are going to hit each and every one of their electric generating plants very hard and probably simultaneously," Trump reiterated. "We have not hit their oil, even though that's the easiest target of all, because it would not give them even a small chance of survival or rebuilding. But we could hit it, and it would be gone." April 1: Fox News: The President speaks to the nation in primetime President Trump declared Iran is "essentially really no longer a threat" after a 32-day U.S. military campaign, telling Americans in a primetime address Wednesday that the country has been "eviscerated" following weeks of strikes. He also said the United States is preparing additional attacks in the coming weeks even as diplomatic discussions continue. "I can say tonight that we are on track to complete all of America's military objectives shortly. Very shortly, we are going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks," Trump said. "We're going to bring them back to the Stone Ages… In the meantime, discussions are ongoing. "We have all the cards. They have none," he contended. "American involvement in World War II lasted for three years, eight months and 25 days," Trump went on, noting that the Vietnam War lasted 19 years and Iraq War lasted eight. "We are in this military operation … for 32 days," he said. "And the country has been eviscerated and essentially is really no longer a threat." Trump blamed recent increases in gasoline prices on Iranian attacks targeting commercial shipping and regional infrastructure. "Many Americans have been concerned to see the recent rise in gasoline prices here at home," he said. "The short-term increase has been entirely the result of the Iranian regime launching deranged terror attacks against commercial oil tankers and neighboring countries." Trump called upon U.S. allies to step up and to take a more active role in securing global energy routes, arguing that countries reliant on Middle Eastern oil should be responsible for protecting the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping chokepoint. April 1: The Gateway Pundit: Trump attends SCOTUS oral arguments on Birthright Citizenship; Solicitor General argues case Solicitor General John Sauer, today argued the birthright citizenship case before the Supreme Court saying, "When Congress used the term "not subject to any foreign power" in the Civil Rights Act of 1866, it rejected the British conception of allegiance. Senator Trumbull explained that "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" in the clause means "not owing allegiance to anybody else." In 1884, this Court recognized that "subject to the jurisdiction" means owing direct and immediate allegiance. The clause, thus, does not extend citizenship to the children of temporary visa holders or illegal aliens. Unlike the newly freed slaves, those visitors lack direct and immediate allegiance to the United States. For aliens, lawful domicile is the status that creates the requisite allegiance, and the text of the clause presupposes domicile. For decades following the clause's adoption, commentators recognized that the children of temporary visitors are not citizens. And illegal aliens lack the legal capacity to establish domicile here. Unrestricted birthright citizenship contradicts the practice of the overwhelming majority of modern nations." For the first time in history, a sitting President was present in the courtroom, showing his personal support and concern in the case. April 1: Breitbart News: Trump; NATO is paper tiger, might want to consider withdrawing from it President Trump says he is reconsidering America's membership of NATO after not a single member heeded his call for aid in securing the Middle East from Iranian threats. It was "actually hard to believe" the hard refusals of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO's) European members, that the instinct to rally to the flag of a fellow member when called wasn't reflexive, he told the Daily Telegraph. Meanwhile Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that America's membership of the alliance would have to be "re-examined", and President Trump confirmed he was reconsidering America's engagement and added: "I was never swayed by NATO. I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way." He cited the United States rushing to Europe's aid when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 — which is not a NATO member, and Washington was in no way treaty-bound to do so — as a counterpart for America now calling on its European NATO allies to put their shoulder to the wheel. For years he has urged NATO members to increase their defense spending to a minimum of 5% of their GDP, which few of them have. Then Spain turns around and prohibits the U.S. from using its joint Spanish/U.S. bases in support of Operation Epic Fury and even went as far as prohibiting U.S. military aircraft from overflying their airspace. Other NATO members decided to help the U.S., but only after they were certain the U.S. operation was going to be successful. April 1: Fox News: Agriculture Secretary; Forest Service leadership moving from D.C. to Salt Lake City, UT The Trump administration is moving the Forest Service's headquarters out of Washington and into Salt Lake City, UT, as part of a broader push to shift federal agencies closer to the regions they oversee and reduce the footprint of government in the nation's capital. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the move Tuesday and said it will begin a sweeping restructuring of the agency, relocate leadership and redistribute authority across the country in an effort officials say will improve decision-making, cut costs and strengthen hiring. The shift represents a significant structural change to how the Forest Service operates, moving top leadership and key functions closer to the western states where the majority of national forest land is located and where wildfire risk and land management demands are most concentrated. Under the plan, the agency will adopt a state-based structure designed to push more authority out of Washington and into the field. Fifteen state directors will oversee operations nationwide, managing forest supervisors, setting priorities and coordinating with state, tribal and local partners. Each office will be supported by small teams in Washington, DC, handling communications, legislative affairs and intergovernmental work. March 31: The Free Beacon: SECWAR; Our troops in Epic Fury are focused on getting the job done During a Tuesday press briefing, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth detailed his recent surprise visit to an undisclosed U.S. Central Command base engaged in Operation Epic Fury, recalling the enthusiasm he witnessed from service members. Hegseth described the resolve and unity of U.S. troops on the ground. "What those Americans said to me—young and old, officer and [non-commissioned officer], male and female, black and white—was, 'Let's finish the mission. Get us even more bombs, bigger bombs, more targets. Let us finish this.'" "These troops, they want to finish this fight for their kids and their grandkids," he noted. "This is about history. This is about legacy. Success matters, and because of this president and these Americans, we're closer than ever before to winning." March 31: The Daily Caller: Trump may issue an executive order related to mail in voting Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order Tuesday cracking down on mail-in voting across the country. The order will reportedly require the Secretary of Homeland Security, with the Social Security Administration's help, to create a list of verified U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote in each state. The presidential action will also require the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) only send absentee ballots to those on each state's approved mail-in ballot list. Ballots will now have specific secure envelopes, with unique barcodes for tracking, the order mandates. States will be provided with their revised list of confirmed voters no less than 60 days before each federal election under the proposed order. The order also apparently tells the U.S. Attorney General to prioritize investigating and prosecuting anyone accused of sending ballots to ineligible voters. States that disobey the order may lose federal funds under the presidential action. "Election integrity has always been a top priority for President Trump, and the American people sent him back to the White House because they overwhelmingly supported his commonsense election integrity agenda," Abigail Jackson, a White House spokeswoman said. March 30: Fox News: U.S. Senate gavels in and gavels out without considering House DHS funding bill The U.S. Senate gaveled in and out of session March 30th without considering the House-passed 60-day straight funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Failure to act means TSA, the U.S. Coast Guard and other DHS agencies will remain without pay for at least two weeks while Congress goes on it annual Easter and Passover recess. The Senate remains in proforma session (meeting every three days but taking no action). March 30: Breitbart News: Trump Weighs Sending U.S. Forces to Seize Iran's Highly Enriched Uranium Stockpile President Donald Trump is seriously weighing a military operation to extract nearly 1,000 pounds of highly enriched uranium from Iran, insisting Tehran must surrender what he called the regime's "nuclear dust" or face annihilation. Reportedly Trump has not made a final decision, but remains open to a risky mission that could place American forces inside Iran for days or longer to secure material he has made clear Tehran cannot be allowed to keep. Trump reinforced that position aboard Air Force One, warning that Iran must do what the United States demands or "they're not going to have a country." Referring to the uranium, he added, "They're going to give us the nuclear dust." Officials have said Trump has stopped short of publicly committing to send in troops to get the nuclear material, but has signaled privately that preventing Iran from retaining enriched uranium remains a central objective of the campaign. March 30: The Washington Times: Trump; serious negotiations underway but if agreement isn't reached Iran's energy infrastructure will be destroyed President Trump said Monday the U.S. has entered "serious discussions" with the Iranian regime to end the war, but warned he will destroy the Islamic republic's energy infrastructure if a deal isn't reached soon. Trump's comments come as the war enters a second month amid signs that he's considering escalating it. Thousands of troops, including 2,500 Marines and 2,500 sailors, arrived in the region last week. The president said talks with the Iranian regime are showing "great progress" and predicted a deal will be reached "shortly." But he also repeated his threat to "obliterate" Iran's energy infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. "If the Hormuz Strait is not immediately 'Open for Business' we will conclude our lovely 'stay' in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, oil wells, and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!) which we have purposefully not yet 'touched,'" Trump said. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said earlier on Monday the U.S. demands to end the war are "excessive and unreasonable," and continues to contend Tehran has had "no direct negotiations with the U.S." and all discussions have been carried out "through intermediaries about the U.S.'s intention to negotiate." March 30: Reuters(published by News Max): Spain closes airspace to U.S. aircraft participating in Iran conflict Spain has closed its airspace to U.S. planes involved in attacks on Iran, a step beyond its previous denial of use of jointly-operated military bases, Defense Minister Margarita Robles said Monday. "We don't authorize either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions related to the war in Iran," she told reporters in Madrid. The closure of the airspace forces military planes to bypass NATO member Spain en route to their targets in the Middle East, but it does not include emergency situations, El Pais added. "This decision is part of the decision already made by the Spanish government not to participate in or contribute to a war which was initiated unilaterally and against international law," Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said during an interview with radio Cadena Ser when asked if the decision to close Spain's airspace could worsen relations with the United States. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has been one of the most vocal opponents of the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, describing them as reckless and illegal. The U.S. has threatened to cut trade with Madrid for denying the U.S. use of Spain's bases in the war. [It seems as though Spain may be acting similarly to how it did during World War II -- not wanting to get involved for fear it might come back to bite them -- and perhaps not considering the impact of Iran having a nuclear weapon with which it could, and most likely would, threaten all of Europe. If the U.S. is successful in its efforts to open the Hormuz Strait and to rid Iran of its nuclear capability, perhaps the current U.S. Administration will reconsider its relationship with Spain; something that could adversely impact them economically?] March 30: Fox News: NK regime supplied Iran with missiles The Islamic Republic of Iran's vast missile system is the brainchild of the U.S.-designated state-sponsor of terrorism, the communist North Korean regime, which works hand in glove with Iran, according to one of the world's leading experts on the Iran-North Korea strategic alliance. "The missile launched at Diego Garcia was a Musudan. The Iranians bought 19 of these from the North Koreans and took delivery in 2005. They have had this capability since 2005 — and this is no 'secret weapon,'" Bruce Bechtol said. Last week Iran significantly escalated its war effort against the U.S. with its launch of two intermediate-range ballistic missiles toward Diego Garcia—roughly 2,500 miles from Iran. Bechtol said, "The most important threat from Iran as the war with the United States and Israel has evolved has been the ballistic missiles, launched not only at U.S. facilities and Israeli cities, but also at neighboring Islamic countries. Thus, it is important to consider this capability and where Iran got it." He said, "The short-range ballistic missiles that Iran has launched at key U.S. facilities and at neighboring Arab states include a key system – the 'QIAM.' The QIAM was developed and improved with North Korean assistance… North Korea has proliferated a lot to Iran that we are seeing right now in the war." Recent reports also indicate that Russian spy satellites have been gathering intelligence and providing information for Iran to target U.S. assets. March 29: The New York Post: After four years, Ukraine still in the fight and Russia attacked After four years and unfathomable amounts of wasted blood and treasure, Russia not only isn't winning its war on Ukraine — it's reportedly facing its worst setback in some time. Monday Ukrainian drone attacks on the Russian-controlled Baltic Sea port of Primorsk brought an estimated 40% of Russia's oil export capacity to a halt, a catastrophic development for a sputtering economy that's heavily dependent on its energy sector. The Primorsk strike capped off a tremendous breakthrough in Kyiv's efforts to push back Russian forces in the Donetsk region, where Ukrainian mines, mortars, artillery and unmanned aircraft reportedly killed 6,000 advancing soldiers between March 17 and March 20. The casualty rate for Russia troops on the front lines is reportedly close to zero. That suggests the commonly cited figure of 1.2 million Russian casualties so far may be a conservative estimate. There have been reports that Russia is taking Ukrainian children, reprogramming them, and training them to fight for Russia. March 29: AOL.com: Somaliland calls for the deportation of Omar after VP Vance's allegation of fraudulent immigration An African nation is calling for Rep. Ihan Omar (D-MN) to be extradited after Vice President JD Vance claimed during an interview that the lawmaker committed immigration fraud. The Republic of Somaliland, a partially recognized state in the Horn of Africa, reacted to Vance's claim calling for the Congresswoman's extradition, saying "Deportation? Please you're just sending the princess back to her kingdom. Extradition? Say the word …" Vance said in the interview, "We think Ilhan Omar definitely committed immigration fraud against the United States of America [and] We're trying to look at what the remedies are. That's the thing that we're trying to figure out is what are the legal remedies now that we know that she's committed immigration fraud — how do you go after her, how do you investigate her, how do you actually do the thing, how do you build a case necessary to get some justice for the American people?" March 29: The Washington Times: Houthis launch missiles, drones at Israel for first time in U.S.-Israeli war against Iran Yemen's Houthi rebels fired drones and ballistic missiles Saturday toward Israel, marking the first-known attack from the Iran-backed terror group since the start U.S.-Israeli air campaigns against the Islamic republic. A Houthi spokesman said the airstrikes targeted "several vital military sites" in southern Israel as an element of their support for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces said it intercepted all of the Iran proxy group's drones and missiles. The attack raise concern that Tehran and the Houthis may again try to block Red Sea shipping routes through the Bab-el-Mandeb, a critical maritime chokepoint between Yemen and Djibouti. The Houthis said they are ready to intervene militarily if other countries join the U.S. and Israeli mission or try to use the Red Sea to launch attacks against their ally. March 29: Gateway Pundit: FL election volunteer arrested for stealing election equipment and encrypted access key for Special Election that Democrats won A Palm Beach, Florida, elections volunteer was arrested for stealing computer equipment encrypted access keys ahead of a special election where a Democrat won by 800 votes. John Panicci was arrested Friday for taking sensitive computer equipment and other supplies on March 19 ahead of the March 24 special election. Reportedly a Democrat flipped a Florida state house district that includes President Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in s Tuesday special election. President Trump won this district by 11 points in 2024. Locally NBC News is reported, a man accused of stealing election computer equipment in Palm Beach County was arrested on Saturday. He was charged with taking damaged computer equipment, supplies/electronic devices. According to detectives, on March 19, the Elections Office was doing a training session for volunteers who were going to help with the election scheduled on March 24. During the training session, Panicci stole an encrypted access key from a voter registration terminal. The key Panacci allegedly took was programmed only for the training databases, but there were concerns that if someone else could reverse engineer the encryption, they could then use it on a voter registration kiosk for malicious purposes. March 29: News Max: Majority Leader Scalise leaves open the possibility of U.S. ground troops in Iran House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) on Sunday declined to rule out the possibility of U.S. ground troops entering Iran, saying discussions are ongoing as the conflict passes the one-month mark. "There are no boots on the ground today, but we're having a lot of conversations about what could happen next. I think most people, most civilized people, recognize a nuclear-armed Iran is not an option that any of us want." Some congressional Republicans are raising concerns about further escalation. Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) believes the President would need congressional authorization before deploying ground forces. When asked whether he agreed, Scalise did not directly respond, saying "The president has already come to Congress. They've let all of the congressional leadership know in advance of the strikes, but they've also had briefings on Capitol Hill." He attended a classified briefing with lawmakers from both parties, where Administration officials answered questions from members. March 28: The Hill: Jonathan Turley on SCOTUS consideration of birthright citizenship The Supreme Court will soon hear arguments in the historic birthright citizenship case. It is a hearing that has been over 150 years in the making, since the ratification of the 14th Amendment. It is not just a long-debated question that has divided the nation, but it has divided many lawyers as well. There was one brief that stood out before the court: the amicus brief of the American Bar Association (ABA). They argued the matter is clear: Anyone who gives birth on our soil, even if here illegally or only briefly, may claim U.S. citizenship for their child. Most nations have rejected this approach but, Turley says he believes there are good-faith arguments on both sides of this debate. The debate comes down to six poorly chosen words in the 14th Amendment: "and subject to the jurisdiction [of the United States] thereof." Those words were not in the original draft, but were inserted by an amendment when the 14th Amendment was being considered in Congress back in the day. This was an intentional condition. Turley said he found the ABA brief to be one of the least compelling submissions contending the ABA doesn't speak for all lawyers and has become captive to partisans who often support liberal and Democrat Party positions. March 28: The Daily Caller: Three-Headed Economic Monster Looms In Face Of American Consumers As Iran Conflict Rages, Midterms Approach Exactly one month into American military operations against the Iranian regime, U.S. consumers are experiencing a triple threat of skyrocketing gas prices, increasing interest rates and a falling stock market, Axios reported. Oil costs resulting from Operation Epic Fury have caused prices for gas at the pump to rise about one dollar per gallon [a small price to pay for keeping Iran from threatening he world with nuclear weapons and likely using them!] The main reason for the increase is the shutting down of the Strait of Hormuz, which impacts Asia and Europe much more that it does the U.S. The gas prices, interest rate increases, and a falling stock market could well impact the November midterm elections. Then, again, so could the Democrats shutting down the Department of Homeland Security; including TSA and long lines at U.S. airports. One saving grace for Republicans is the deployment of ICE agents to help TSA security personnel. In many instances this has met with gratified travelers as wait times decreased and their rubbing elbows with ICE special agents; finding they are not the bad guys Democrat Senators are making them out to be. March 28: iHeartRadio/KTRH: Anti-Trump Protests Result in a Few Clashes There were street-corner protests around the US on Saturday with a few gatherings turning violent, including one incident in Texas. The demonstrations spring from organized efforts by Democrats with large war chests to fund the protests to oppose the efforts of President Trump as the nation moves toward the midterm elections. Protesters clutched professionally printed signs along a few streets in some major US cities, usually carrying variations on the "No Kings" slogan that they try to get across their message that Trump is acting like a monarch instead of president. In Los Angeles, a group of "No Kings" protesters threw rocks and other items at a US Department of Homeland Security facility, causing police to warn demonstrators to stop or face tear gas, which was then used by federal authorities when protesters refused to stop. No injuries were reported. March 27: The Epoch Times: Persian Gulf nations may seek to "de-risk" relations with Iran in order to get Hormuz ship movements going again Saudi Arabia and its Persian Gulf neighbors may seek to "de-risk" relations with Iran to get ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz while also staying aligned with the United States. It is a precarious balance that offers short-term relief but poses long-term perils, a panel of veteran diplomats and military leaders has suggested. Gulf states "fear two outcomes" in how the war ends, Rice University Baker Institute for Public Policy Director David Satterfield said during a forum this week. "One, there is no outcome," he said. "It muddles on in increasingly chaotic, nasty fashion with further engagement of U.S. forces, perhaps beyond air forces, and it doesn't come to a clean end. Indeed, maybe it doesn't end at all. That's a worry." The "second worry," Satterfield said, "is it does end … in a declaration of victory by [President Trump] that isn't a victory at all and Iran now has a dominant hand" in the Persian Gulf. Another fear by Arab states is that we may go back to the Obama administration's abandonment. So far less than 100 ships have transited the 24-mile-wide Strait of Hormuz, leaving an estimated 800 ships and 20,000 crewmen idling in the Gulf and Arabian Sea. The stalemate won't end without Tehran's assurances that it won't attack commercial traffic with small fast-attack craft, drones, and anti-ship missiles launched from the Shahin-Kuh Heights looming over the strait, or from hundreds of miles inland along Iran's 500-mile Gulf coast. "We see a real test of power" without a military solution, Diwan said. "It's now sort of a total battle and, I think, for the Gulf states, they're worried the Trump administration will decide this is too much and just pull out." March 27: Fox News: House rejects Senate DHS funding; Speaker Johnson says it's "a joke" – zero's out current ICE and CBP funding House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) chastised congressional Democrats Friday, saying Republicans will not be part of any effort to reopen America's borders and stop the deportation of criminal illegal immigrants. He held a two-hour conference call with House Republicans Friday, saying they were all "united" in the party's position to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to end the partial government shutdown that has injected chaos into air travel. "They have taken hostage the funding processes of government so that they can impose their radical agenda on the American people," Johnson said of Senate Democrats. "The Senate Democrats have foisted upon this appropriation process their radical, crazy agenda," he said. "We call it crazy because that's what it is. They want to reopen the borders, and they want to stop the deportation of dangerous criminal illegal aliens. We have to do these basic functions of government." The bill would fund all of DHS but zero's out funding for ICE and CBP leaving no funding for border protection or efforts to deport criminal illegal immigrants. "This gambit that was done last night is a joke," Johnson said of the bill. "It is unconscionable to me that the Democrats would force some sort of negotiation at three o'clock in the morning and try to hoist this upon the American people and then get on their jets and go home for their holiday and pretend and think that we're going to go along with that." Regardless of whether the House is acting responsibly, the political fall out is likely to move blame for what is happening at the nation's airports from Democrats to Republicans. Meanwhile, President Trump signed an executive order to pay TSA agents despite Congress having not appropriated the funds for it. We will see if Congressional Democrats move to void the President's actions to try and mediate the impact of the Democrat shutdown that so far has gone on more than 40 days. As a stopgap measure, the House is expected to pass a 60-day short term funding of all of DHS and sending it to the Senate for action. March 27: The New York Post: Illegal immigrant accused of killing Loyola student is missing brain part, has 'development of a child,' defense claims The Venezuelan illegal immigrant accused of murdering Layola University student Sheridan Gorman is missing a part of his brain and has the "development of a child," his lawyer said in court Friday. Jose Medina-Medina, 25, was held without bail by Chicago Judge D'Anthony Thedford after his defense attorney argued he's cognitively challenged from a previous gunshot wound to the head, The Chicago Sun Times wrote. Medina-Medina was shot in the head during a robbery when he was living with his mom in Colombia, where they fled in 2016 after the mother was allegedly raped by a government official, his attorney said. "Today he has the brain development of a child," he told the judge. After Thedford ordered Medina-Medina to be held without bail until trial, Koehler asked that he be treated for epilepsy and tuberculosis. Medina-Medina had to appear for the hearing by video from a hospital room, wearing a surgical mask since he's positive for the highly contagious bacterial lung infection. He listened with the help of a Spanish translator. His attorney wants him held inside Cook County Jail so that immigration officials don't arrest and deport him. Prosecutors in court Friday claimed Medina-Medina left his apartment near the Tobey Prinz Beach in a ski mask and killed Gorman on March 19. Gorman — a freshman and a native of Westchester, New York — and five friends were on a Chicago pier to spot the northern lights. March 27: The Gateway Pundit: Vance torches Senate Republicans for preparations to leave town while shutdown continues Vice President JD Vance torched Senate Republican leadership Friday for preparing to leave town for a two-week recess while the partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security drags on and the SAVE America Act remains stalled by a Democrat filibuster. In an interview Vance made clear that Congress has urgent business that cannot wait. When asked directly whether the Senate should go on recess right now, Vance responded, "No, of course not. Of course not. We should at least, the very minimum product that we should get before anybody's going on recess is, let's reopen the Department of Homeland Security!" He also eviscerated arguments against keeping the filibuster, calling it "the dumbest political argument I have ever seen. So, when Mitch McConnell and Lisa Murkowski say, 'well, we need to protect the filibuster because the Democrats, they're not going to do it. So, we shouldn't do it either,'" Vance continued. "The Democrats ruined the career of Kyrsten Sinema for not overruling the filibuster. They're going to do it. So, we might as well do it now to enforce the protection of the American electoral system." Senate currently lacks the 60 votes needed to overcome the filibuster. Republicans are divided on whether to nuke the procedural hurdle. The inability to pass funding for the Department of Homeland Security has caused widespread TSA staffing shortages, flight delays, and long security lines at airports across the country. March 27: Reuters(Published by News Max): Chinese ship terns back from Hormuz transit Two Chinese container ships turned back after trying to exit the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, ship-tracking data showed, despite assurances from Iran that Chinese vessels could pass. The operator, China's COSCO, had said in a March 25 client advisory that it had resumed bookings for general cargo containers for shipments from Asia to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq. The CSCL Indian Ocean and CSCL Arctic Ocean, both Hong Kong flagged, have been stuck in the Gulf since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began on Feb. 28. They attempted to pass through the strait at 0350 GMT on Friday but then turned back, analysis from the Kpler data platform showed. While this was the first crossing attempted by a major shipping group since the start of the war, Friday's incident showed "safe passage could not be guaranteed," Kpler analyst Rebecca Gerdes said. On Wednesday, Tehran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said in a Tweet that Iran "permitted passage through the Strait of Hormuz for friendly nations including China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan." The two vessels both broadcast messages on their AIS ship-tracking systems stating they had Chinese owners and crews. Shanghai-based parent company COSCO Shipping was not immediately available for comment. March 27: Fox News: Finally, overnight Democrats agree to fund part of DHS; zero's out funding for I CE and CBP, measure heads to the House for action Congress is one step closer to ending the Democrat Homeland Security shutdown after the Senate advanced a new, last-minute deal. The Senate unanimously advanced a deal to reopen most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the wee hours of Friday morning. The agreement funds all of DHS except ICE and Customs and Border Protection (both of which were previously funding by the budget reconciliation bill earlier in the session). The measure did not include the stringent (some would say ridiculous) reforms Democrats desired; requiring judicial warrants and unmasking ICE agents many of who have been threatened, along with their families, by leftist radicals. Majority Leader Thune (R-SD) argued that Democrats are still walking away empty-handed in the policy fight over immigration enforcement. "We've been trying for weeks to fund the whole thing," Thune said. "And, I mean, in the end, this is what they were willing to agree to. But again, it's different that it has zero reforms in it. I mean, they got no reforms on DHS, which they could have had if they had been willing to work with us a little bit on that." The DHS funding deal now heads to the House, where Republicans aren't enthusiastic about not funding key components of President Trump's immigration crackdown agenda. The latest plan came after Senate Democrats blocked attempts to reopen DHS (including airport security's TSA) seven times. Trump announced his intent to sign an order that would pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents as major airports are rocked with staggering lines and eye-popping wait times of up to 5-6 hours amid the shutdown. March 26: The Washington Times: Florida Congresswoman faces both House ethics violations and criminal charges With President Trump putting a spotlight on fraud, Congress sought to make an example of one of its own members Thursday, holding a rare public hearing to accuse Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) of siphoning millions of dollars of ill-gotten money into her campaigns. Her business kept more than $5 million in pandemic money that her state overpaid. She found various ways to siphon most of that money to her 2022 campaign, helping her win her first election, investigators have charged. Investigators further charge that for her second campaign, she benefited from funds originating with the Haitian government, and she showed favoritism in doling out earmark spending, all in violation of House rules. Even as the lawmaker accepted the money, she presented herself to voters as a wealthy self-funder independent of business interests. She filed bogus papers with the Federal Election Commission and the House of Representatives, committee investigators contend further. The Congresswoman sat at the witness table before a subcommittee of the ethics panel while her attorney, William Barzee, told them to pump the brakes on the whole process. He said she also faces a criminal indictment that overlaps some of the ethics issues and that Congress is trampling on her rights to a fair trial by tainting her jury pool. March 26: Reuters (published by News Max): Rubio; Allies should see the Iran conflict and Hormuz shutdown as their issue, not just ours Secretary of State Marco Rubio is urging key U.S. allies to treat the Iran war and the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz as their concern, criticizing European leaders who have labeled the conflict "not Europe's war" while the United States continues to commit resources that protect European interests. Rubio said it is in Europe's interest to get involved since they are recipients of far more oil being shipped through the Strait of Hormuz than the U.S. is. He noted that when the U.S. "had a need," Trump "didn't get positive responses," and he said "a couple leaders in Europe" had said the Iran war was "not Europe's war," while noting that "Ukraine is not America's war, and yet, we've contributed more to that fight than any other country in the world," something he said the president would have to consider "down the road." Reuters had reported that Germany, Spain, and Italy had no immediate plans to send ships to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, while Britain and Denmark signaled openness to limited assistance but stressed de-escalation and the avoidance of a wider war. Once it was clear the U.S. and Israeli attacks had decimated Iran's military capabilities, then, and only then, did our NATO allies decide to participate in ensuring the Strait of Hormuz was kept open. March 26: Fox News: [N]ICE agent saves one-year-old's life at NY airport A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent saved the life of a 1-year-old boy Wednesday who stopped breathing while in line at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport. The agent was assisting Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) agents at the airport when he responded to a medical emergency involving the child. The boy reportedly became unresponsive in the arms of his father. Security footage from inside the airport showed a passenger in a TSA PreCheck line holding the boy. The child's arms became lifeless, sparking a panic as his father scrambled to find help. An agent working his post heard the father's screams and panic from passengers and rushed to the scene. He assessed the child and began performing the Heimlich maneuver. After a few seconds, the child started to breathe again. Responding paramedics evaluated the boy, and he was healthy enough to fly. "This heroic officer immediately sprang into action—rushing toward the cries, taking the child, and performing a Heimlich maneuver that restored the infant's breathing after nearly two minutes," DHS said. "This officer's extraordinary bravery embodies the selfless service of DHS law enforcement." In response to this incident, some newscasters are suggesting ICE change its name to the National Immigration and Customs Enforcement or "NICE!" Not a bad idea from our perspective! March 26: The Gateway Pundit: International Olympic Committee; Only biological females to be allowed to participate in women's Olympic events No man will be able to earn an Olympic medal in women's sporting events in the Los Angeles summer games or beyond under a new policy unveiled Thursday by the International Olympic Committee. Under the new policy, genetic testing will be required to ensure only women compete in women's categories. The decision will take effect with the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. "As a former athlete, I passionately believe in the rights of all Olympians to take part in fair competition," IOC president Kristy Coventry, a former gold medal Olympian, said. "The policy that we have announced is based on science and has been led by medical experts. At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat," she continued. "So, it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe. Every athlete must be treated with dignity and respect, and athletes will need to be screened only once in their lifetime. There must be clear education around the process and counselling available, alongside expert medical advice," she concluded. This decision doesn't preclude a transgender (male to female) from participating but it would require such a person to compete in their own gender's competition. March 26: The Daily Caller: Israeli strike takes out Iranian Navy commander The head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) naval forces died in an Israeli airstrike, American and Israeli officials confirmed Thursday. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) "eliminated" Alireza Tangsiri "in a precise and lethal operation." Israel identified the officer as the man directly responsible for mining and effectively shutting down the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping. "Tangsiri commanded the IRGC-N for eight years, during which time the IRGC harassed thousands of innocent mariners, attacked hundreds of vessels with one way attack drones and missiles, and killed countless innocent civilians," CENTCOM said. Tangsiri had held a Specially Designated Global Terrorist designation from the U.S. Treasury since 2019. So far 92% of the large ships in the Iranian Navy have been wiped out since the beginning of the operation; placing that force in what CENTCOM termed "irreversible decline." The strike landed in the port city of Bandar Abbas also took out naval intelligence chief Behnam Rezaei alongside other top commanders, the Times of Israel reported. March 25: Fox News: Appellate court overturns district court on immigration A second appellate court ruled Wednesday that Illegal immigrants nabbed by ICE don't have to face bond hearings, a step that has become a legal impediment to President Trump's mass deportation agenda. This case involved Mexican national Joaquin Herrera Avila, who was captured in Minneapolis in August and failed to produce legal credentials authorizing his admission to the U.S. He was detained without bond and faced removal proceedings. In a massive court victory against activist judges and for President Trump's law and order agenda the St. Louis-based Eighth Circuit reversed a lower court's ruling and deemed many captured illegal immigrants ineligible for such chances to be released. A district court in Minnesota granted Avila's petition challenging the legality of his detention. "We reverse and remand [that ruling] for proceedings consistent with this opinion," the Eighth Circuit ruled in a split decision, with Judge Bobby Shepherd of Arkansas writing for the majority. Shepherd wrote that the district court relied on federal law allowing detention without bond for "an alien who is an applicant for admission [or] seeking admission…" while considering Avila to be no longer seeking formal admission because he had resided and worked in the U.S. for many years. But, Avila did not seek further residency status such as naturalization or asylum, according to the court, which ruled that aspect proved he was not "seeking admission" in a legal sense. "The Eighth Circuit has held that illegal aliens can be detained without bond — following a similar ruling from the Fifth Circuit last month. The law is very clear, but Democrats and activist judges haven't wanted to enforce it. This administration will," AG Bondi said. March 25: News Max: Trump may deploy National Guard to help counter long lines caused by Democrat funding shutdown Wednesday President Trump said he "may call up the National Guard" to help Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents deal with long lines at airports due to the Democrat's-inflicted partial government shutdown. In a series of posts, Trump blasted Democrats saying, "Blame the Democrats for the Airport's mess," arguing that political obstruction has led to TSA staffing shortages and major delays at security checkpoints nationwide. "They want our Country to do badly. They want our country to fail." The president praised ICE agents who have already been deployed to assist at airports, calling them "great ICE patriots" and crediting their efforts with helping ease disruptions. Still, he indicated more action could be necessary to call up the National Guard if conditions continue to deteriorate. March 25: Breitbart News: UK answering the call; to lead efforts in the Strait of Hormuz British military officers are embedded with CENTCOM in preparation for a long-term Strait of Hormuz freedom-of-navigation mission, and meetings have already taken place with like-minded allies, including France, Canada, and Japan, a report states. The United Kingdom has agreed it will lead a multinational coalition to re-open and then maintain the Strait of Hormuz "as soon as the conditions are right" — likely meaning not while a war is still going on. An unnamed British defense official who says meetings between partner nations have already taken place, suggested that while the coalition of Western nations is in no hurry to deploy to the region, they're also heeding President Trump's call to answer their own national interests by ensuring oil flows through one of the world's most strategic waterways. March 25: Fox News: Maryland Dems calling for tampons in men's bathrooms Maryland Del. Kathy Szeliga, R-Baltimore County, is calling out Maryland Democrats for backing a bill that would stock tampons in men's bathrooms in all state-owned buildings. She Szeliga took to the House floor to question which public buildings would be impacted. In particular, she wanted to know if the state's professional sports facilities, such as where the Ravens and Orioles play, would be impacted. During her remarks, the GOP lawmaker questioned language in the bill ordering "appropriately sized tampons" be placed in all public restrooms in all public buildings. "What are appropriately sized tampons?" she asked, earning laughter from parts of the House. "I've never heard of such a thing. What do you consider appropriate?" In response, Del. Ken Kerr, D-Fredrick County, said that the language "just means that tampons are offered, there's no specific size." Szeliga pointed out that this latest legislative proposal is not the first time Maryland Democrats have tried to put tampons in men's bathrooms. She questioned whether it was a priority being pushed from out-of-state. March 25: The New York Post: Iran says it fired cruise missiles at the USS Abraham Lincoln There was no immediate reports from US Central Command (CENTCOM), regarding Iranian claims that it launched cruise missiles at the USS Abraham Lincoln. The carrier has been based in the Arabian Sea in support of Operation Epic Fury, which is now in the conclusion of its fourth week this coming Friday. Tuesday, Trump said Iran had "shot 100 missiles at one of our aircraft carriers, one of the biggest ships in the world. Out of 101 missiles, every single one of them was knocked down." The missile launches followed a top spokesman for Iran's military vowing that Tehran will "never come to terms" with Washington after the US transmitted a 15-point peace plan via Pakistani intermediaries. "Someone like us will never come to terms with someone like you. Not now, not ever," Iranian Lt. Col. Zolfaghari said. [Sounds like he, as some of the voices in the Democrat Party, is experiencing Trump Delusion System (TDS)!] - According to the Wall Street Journal, the 15 US demands on Iran include: dismantling nuclear facilities and capabilities as well as forgoing the pursuit of atomic weapons; handing over all enriched uranium to international authorities; limiting its missile program to self-defense uses; keeping the Strait of Hormuz open; and cutting off funding for terrorist proxies. - In return, Iran has issued demands including the lifting of all sanctions and the closure of US bases in the Persian Gulf; demands US official call "ridiculous and unrealistic." So far, any peace discussions have not slowed the pace of U.S. and Israeli military action. So far, Israel reports carrying out over 15,000 strikes against Iranian targets since the opening of hostilities, February 28th. March 24: Breitbart News: ICE agents hand out water to thankful travelers stuck in long lines caused by Democrat efforts to stop funding of DHS Many travelers are grateful for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers assisting the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as Congress fails to reach an agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Videos across social media show ICE agents assisting with crowd control and in other ways, such as handing out bottles of water to weary travelers amid the ongoing partial government shutdown. Many videos show travelers expressing gratitude for ICE's assistance. "They're here doing a job just like TSA is, and bless their hearts," one traveler in Atlanta said. Several other videos show "almost no lines" at a checkpoint in Atlanta, one day after ICE agents were deployed to over a dozen airports across the country. Even a CNN reporter on the scene also confirmed that many travelers described the ICE agents as "very pleasant," contrary to what many opponents of ICE would have you believe. Some ICE agents already work at airports conducting investigations into smuggling. This is just a surge of additional agents to help deal with the lack of funding for TSA workers, caused by Senate Democrats. Various reports show that the plan seems to be working, with significantly shorter lines at key airports across the country. March 24: One America News Network: Tulsa energy exec Alan Armstrong sworn in to replace Sen. Mullin Governor Kevin Stitt (R-OK) has announced that he has appointed Tulsa energy executive Alan Armstrong to the United States Senate, filling the vacancy created by Markwayne Mullin's recent confirmation as the new Secretary of Homeland Security. The former CEO of the Williams Companies -- a Fortune 500 natural gas giant -- enters the upper chamber at a pivotal moment for federal energy policy. Armstrong was sworn in Tuesday afternoon by U.S. Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley (R-IA), ensuring Oklahoma maintains its full representation as the chamber moves forward with a packed spring legislative calendar. Armstrong, who under Oklahoma law cannot run for a full term, will serve as an interim appointee until the 2026 November election. Governor Stitt emphasized that Armstrong's selection was driven by a need for a conservative business leader who could hit the ground running on infrastructure and regulatory reform. March 24: The Washington Times: SCOTUS tries to define where the U.S. border begins for asylum purposes It turns out that where the U.S. border begins, at least for purposes of asylum, is not clear. The Supreme Court (SCOTUS) waded into that thorny question Tuesday. The justices were asked to decide whether migrants who reach the vicinity of the boundary but remain in Mexico or Canada are entitled to the same protections as someone clearly in the U.S. The justices seemed to struggle with where to draw the line, if not at the actual border. Under the law, asylum is available to someone who is already present or who "arrives in" the country. Immigration advocates want the court to cover all those knocking on America's door. Being on the "threshold" was good enough, said Kelsi Corkran, an attorney for the immigration groups. At issue is a policy first adopted during the Obama administration that restricted the number of asylum-seekers allowed to apply at official U.S. ports of entry. March 24: The Daily Caller: Fire Truck involved in the Air Canada aircraft that crash at LaGuardia reportedly lacked transponder equipment The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the fire truck involved in Monday's fatal LaGuardia plane crash was not equipped with a transponder. The board's chairwoman, Jennifer Homendy, said the runway warning system failed to sound an alarm moments before the Air Canada jet collided with the fire truck due to the lack of a transponder in the vehicle. She said that while the NTSB had not previously recommended that ground vehicles at the airport be equipped with transponders, she believes the safety measure should be implemented. "Air traffic controllers should know what's before them, whether it's on airport surface or in the airspace," she said. "They should have that information to ensure safety." Two Air Canada pilots were killed and several others were injured when the jet carrying 72 passengers and four crew on board crashed into the fire truck late Sunday night at New York's LaGuardia airport. The control tower issued frantic, last-moment warnings to the fire truck, but investigators are not yet certain if the two people in the truck ever heard the message March 24: The Gateway Pundit: Voter Fraud in California; Homeless people being paid to fraudulently vote The O'Keefe Media Group on Tuesday released video evidence of more California election fraud crimes. Undercover journalists revealed a series hidden camera footage showing petition circulators paying homeless individuals $2–$3 per form to sign ballot petitions using the names and addresses of real registered voters and forging their signatures. James O'Keefe said, "Circulators provided printed lists of voters, assigned identities, and directed the homeless individuals exactly what to write, monitoring them to ensure the information matched so the circulators get paid. James O'Keefe and Cam Higby visited addresses tied to the voters' names being used by the homeless people on Skid Row. "One resident said the named voter had not lived at the address for nearly a decade, yet election mail was still being delivered," O'Keefe said. "Doesn't live here, uh I bought this house nearly 9 years ago. The only reason I know that name, is because we still get her mail," one resident said. O'Keefe and his team of journalists went undercover on Skid Row in Los Angeles posing as homeless people. 'Petitioners' told the undercover journalists that they are paid between $7-$10 per signature. Some of them earn up to $1,000 per day. The footage reportedly shows 28 instances of cash changing hands for ballot signatures & voter registration Forms, both a state and federal felony. March 24: Fox News: Negotiations with Iran, progress reported President Trump announced Iran wants to "make a deal" with the U.S. "They're going to make a deal. They did something [Monday] that was amazing, actually," Trump said. They gave the U.S. a "present" that is "worth a tremendous amount of money," he contended, but didn't disclose what the actual gift was, saying only that it was "oil and gas-related" and "connected t the Strait of Hormuz." The Iranian regime was reportedly charging some tankers millions of dollars to pass through the global shipping choke point. When asked about control of the Strait, the President claimed the U.S. will "have control of anything we want." "They can't have certain things," Trump said. "It starts with no nuclear weapons, and they've agreed to that. … They're not going to have enrichment — any of those things. … We are in about the best bargaining position. We're way ahead of schedule." Reportedly the negotiations are being headed by Secretary of State Rubio and Vice President Vance. March 23: The Washington Free Beacon: Congress pressed to help Iranian people get access to the Internet A coalition of advocacy groups petitioned House Foreign Affairs Committee leadership to immediately advance three pieces of bipartisan legislation that would help Iran's embattled population to access the internet. The three measures would collectively help the Iranian population use secure networks to circumvent the regime's internet blackouts and will likely receive significant bipartisan support once sent to a full vote in the House of Representatives. The advocacy groups recommend the committee pass the bills as one larger measure "as a comprehensive package to advance internet freedom, human rights, and transparency for the Iranian people." The groups reportedly believe the Islamic Republic plunged its own people into darkness when the United States and Israel launched their military campaign against the regime, repeating a similar tactic they used earlier this year. They contend the state-imposed internet outage provided Tehran the cover it needed to slaughter as many as 30,000 civilians during historic nationwide demonstrations in January. March 23: Associated Press(published by One America News Network): Oil prices ease and stocks jump after Trump says Iran is talking with the US, despite Iran's denials Oil prices are easing, and stock prices are jumping on Wall Street after President Donald Trump revealed the United States has talked with Iran about a possible end to their war. The price for a barrel of Brent crude fell 10.5%. The S&P 500 leaped 1.9% toward its best day since well before the tensions began to rise. Over the weekend, Trump threatened to "obliterate" Iran's power plants if it doesn't open up the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. The closure of the strait has prevented a large number oil tankers from leaving the Persian Gulf to supply customers around the world. On Monday, Trump said he was postponing attacks on Iranian power plants for five days to allow talks to continue. Subsequently, the cost of crude oil started to fall. Monday's overriding reaction in financial markets was one of relief. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 2% and the Nasdaq composite was 2.2% higher as of this report's deadline. March 22: News Max: Iran unleashes two missiles with extended range Evidence that Iran hasn't been telling the truth about its missile program as they fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles toward the joint U.S.-U.K. base at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia. Neither of the missiles hit the target, but their range is longer than previously acknowledged and a threat to many of the capitals of NATO-nations capitals. Reportedly one missile failed in flight and a U.S. warship fired an SM-3 interceptor at the other. British officials later confirmed the attack happened before London approved expanded U.S. use of RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia for what the government described as defensive strikes against Iranian missile sites targeting shipping in the Gulf. The Diego Garcia incident underscored the base's strategic importance – it hosts about 2,500 personnel, mostly American, and has become central to U.S. operations across the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa. March 22: Fox News: Iran considering targeting neighboring countries desalination infrastructure Iran is poised to strike critical desalination infrastructure across the Middle East, escalating tensions with the U.S. and Israel and triggering global economic fallout, a U.N. official warned. Kaveh Madani, an Iranian scientist and U.N. official, said desalination plants across the region could be hit "within the next few days," raising the prospect of a broader regional water crisis and affecting global markets. The strike threats made by the regime came in response to President Trump's warning that the U.S. would hit Iranian power infrastructure unless the Strait of Hormuz was opened within 48 hours. A spokesperson for the Central Headquarters of Hazrat Khatam al-Anbiya (PBUH) said, "Following previous warnings, if Iran's fuel and energy infrastructure is attacked by the enemy, all energy, information technology, and desalination infrastructure belonging to the US and the regime in the region will be targeted." Even more that oil, the availability to drinkable water is important to all the countries in the Middle East. Damage to water treatment plants, pumping stations and distribution networks would raise the conflict to another level. Fox News also reported a California Sheriff and candidate for Governor has seize over 650,000 ballots from the 2025 November election based upon claims of election fraud. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco launched an investigation into the state's November 2025 special election on Proposition 50 after a third-party organization -- the Riverside Election Integrity Team -- claimed it found roughly 45,000 excess votes. California elections officials have dismissed the team's findings, but Bianco says his office will conduct another count. "This investigation is simple," he said, "Physically count the ballots and compare that result with the total votes recorded." Proposition 50 was a key proposal seeking to reform California's congressional districts. It was designed to favor Democrats in response to a similar effort by Republicans in Texas. Secretary of State Shirley Weber has argued Bianco has no authority to carry out a recount. Regardless, they ballots are physically under the Sheriff's control. The Democrat Secretary of State is saying, "The sheriff's assertion that his deputies know how to count is admirable. The fact remains that he and his deputies are not elections officials, and they do not have expertise in election administration." Of course, in Texas, it is civilians from both parties who oversee tabulation and recounts of ballots. March 22: The Washington Times: Nuclear recycling may replace waste dumps Forget nuclear waste dumps like the now-abandoned site at Nevada's Yucca Mountain. The federal government is pushing for the development of "nuclear lifecycle innovation campuses" across the U.S. that will reuse much of the spent fuel from nuclear reactors to generate additional energy and eliminate the need for a single, massive underground storage site for radioactive waste. Recycling allows 97% of spent fuel, most of it uranium, to be reused as fuel in nuclear reactors. Plutonium in spent fuel can also be recycled for use in conventional nuclear reactors. France, Japan, Germany, Belgium and Russia already recycle plutonium from nuclear fuel waste. The new program, outlined by nuclear energy experts at a recent Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing, marks a significant shift away from the decades-old plan to utilize a single location for storing the nation's radioactive waste. The plan to use Yucca Mountain as the nation's nuclear waste repository has all but been abandoned. Even though Congress designated it in 2002 as the nation's sole location for burying high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. Trump once favored building a national nuclear waste repository but changed his mind at the end of his first term. March 22: Fox News: Trump gives Iran 48 hours to clear the Strait of Hormoz or he will attack power plants President Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran on Saturday, warning the U.S. would strike its power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened. "If Iran doesn't fully open, without threat, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 hours from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various power plants, starting with the biggest one first!" Trump said on Truth Social. The president's threat represents a notable escalation in rhetoric as tensions surge over the strategically vital waterway. Traffic through the strait, a global choke point for oil and gas transport that supplies roughly one-fifth of the world's crude oil, has been largely limited since early March, shortly after the war with Iran began. Trump's post comes after he told reporters Friday that reopening the strait was a "simple military maneuver. It's relatively safe, but you need a lot of help in the sense of you need ships, you need volume," he said. He added NATO hasn't had the "courage" to assist the U.S. with reopening the waterway. March 22: News Max: Iran threatens Middle East infrastructure after Trump ultimatum Iran threatened Sunday to attack key infrastructure across the Middle East if the U.S. follows through on his vow to "obliterate" the Islamic republic's power plants unless the Strait of Hormuz swiftly reopens. Iran's defiant response came after its missiles slipped through air defenses and struck two towns in southern Israel including one housing a nuclear facility, underscoring Tehran's continued ability to retaliate as the war entered its fourth week. Trump ratcheted up pressure on Iran's leadership, announcing a countdown over the Islamic republic's de facto blockade on the crucial trade route. Iran's military operational command responded to Trump's threat that if the country's facilities were hit, "all energy, information technology and desalination infrastructure belonging to the US" in the region would be targeted. Early Sunday morning, journalists in Jerusalem heard blasts and air raid sirens as Iran launched a fresh barrage of missiles at Israel. The alerts came hours after direct hits on the towns of Arad and Dimona wounded more than 100 people, in one of the most destructive attacks on Israel since the start of the war on February 28. March 21: One America News Network: With Democrats in Congress stonewalling funding for TSA, USCG, and other agencies, Trump announces ICE agents will supplement TSA agents at airports The Trump Administration announced Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers will be deployed to airports to fill in for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees who miss work during the Democrats' partial government shutdown. He made the decision on Saturday after floating the idea earlier in the day. "If the Democrats do not allow for just and proper security at our airports, and elsewhere throughout our Country, ICE will do the job far better than ever done before!" he declared. "I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, "Get Ready." "No more waiting, no more games!" he said. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) experienced a lapse in funding on February 14th when Senate Democrats refused to approve a funding bill without harsher restrictions and oversight on ICE and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). Since then, the White House has made some concessions in order to get DHS fully funded, but each time the Democrats in the U.S, Senate keep "moving the goalposts." Some commentators have observed that what they really want is complete open borders, no deportations, and allowing non-citizens to vote. In the meantime the traveling public is being put at risk and dealing with 3-4 hours waits to get through security at some U.S. airports. March 21: The Gateway Pundit: With Congress deadlocked by Dems blocking funding for DHS, Trump checkmates them by deploying ICE agents at airports who will also be able to arrest people who are in the country illegally President Trump issued a direct warning to Congressional Democrats Saturday, vowing to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in airports to handle security duties and begin immediate arrests of illegal immigrants if they continue blocking funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The announcement comes as the partial DHS shutdown enters its sixth week. Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, (NY) have repeatedly blocked full funding bills, demanding major reforms and restrictions on ICE operations in exchange for approval. In response the White House has agreed to many of the Democrat demands such as use of bodycams and expanded training for ICE officers, but the Dems respond by making additional demands while continuing to stonewall the passage of the DHS funding bill. The showdown has left thousands of TSA officers unpaid, triggered severe staffing shortages, and created massive security lines and flight delays at airports nationwide during spring break travel. Nearly 400 TSA agents have already quit their jobs. March 20: The Epoch Times: Fox makes decision to produce and air program on Women and the Bible Talking about the TV-mini-series "The Faithful: Women of the Bible," executive producer Julie Weitz says, "They're morality tales. They're close to us. They are their own little storybooks that we've been holding on to for our whole lives. So why shouldn't we make them into films?" The three-part, six-hour series takes on the story of the Bible's most legendary women and will unfold over three consecutive weeks—March 22, March 29, and April 5 — during the Easter and Passover season. The episodes will also be available on Hulu the following day. Executive producer Carol Mendelsohn who is best known for helming the popular crime drama "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and its multiple spin-offs, said the stars were aligned. "It spoke to me in a very big way," she said. "Julie and I have been producing partners for many, many years. She did many of the Bible movies at Turner [Network Television]. I have some friends, and they're among the faithful, and we talk about a lot of things, and they were talking about women in the Bible. … It feels like many of the same problems, the same issues [are what] we have today." March 19: The Epoch Times: European Countries, Canada, and Japan Ready to Help Secure Strait of Hormuz to Stabilize Energy Markets The UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, and Japan said March 19 they are prepared to help ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping lane blocked by Iran that President Trump has asked allies to assist with opening. In a joint statement, the countries condemned Iranian attacks on commercial vessels and energy infrastructure, as well as the effective closure of the key shipping route, and called on Tehran to immediately halt its actions. They said disruption to global energy supplies poses a threat to international peace and security and that freedom of navigation must be upheld under international law. "We express our deep concern about the escalating conflict," they said. "We call on Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping. We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait." The statement came as Iran stepped up strikes across Persian Gulf energy infrastructure, hitting refineries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in Qatar, while also targeting shipping in the region. Most of the NATO allies were slow in responding for the U.S. call for assistance until it became clear that Iranian regime was losing in the conflict. March 19: Fox News: Governor Huckabee Sanders kicked out of restaurant after having lunch, paying the bill and tipping the waiter Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-AR) spoke out about an incident in a restaurant in her home state where she says she was treated rudely and asked to leave by staff after having lunch. "Last week I was having lunch with two other moms at a restaurant when the owner approached a member of the State Police Executive Protection Detail and said my presence made their employees feel threatened and told us to leave," Sanders said. She was dining The Croissanterie restaurant in Little Rock. When asked on Hannity whether she planned to take any action against the establishment based upon discrimination, Sanders said she that the people in her state were better than that; that she'd let the market deal with it. A similar thing happened to Sanders a few years ago and the people stopped doing business with them. The earlier business is no longer in business! "Arkansans are known for their warm hospitality, and while that restaurant certainly doesn't meet that standard, my administration will continue to focus on lifting Arkansans up, not tearing others down with discrimination and hate," Sanders said. March 19: The Gateway Pundit: Dems put on a "show" at closed-door meeting with Attorney General Bondi In yet another stunning display of political theatrics, Democrats on Capitol Hill erupted into chaos during a closed-door briefing with Attorney General Pam Bondi, screaming about the absence of cameras before abruptly storming out in a full-blown meltdown. It was, after all, a closed-door briefing! As previously reported, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer subpoenaed the Attorney General for a deposition on Tuesday, as she faces continued scrutiny over her handling of the Epstein files and potential noncompliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The full deposition is scheduled for April 14, 2026. March 19: The Washington Times: The Defense Department is asking Congress for $200 billion to support Operation Epic Fury Secretary of Defense (now the Secretary of War) Pete Hegseth Thursday confirmed reports that the Defense Department is asking Congress for upwards of $200 billion to support the ongoing military operations in Iran. The funding package is intended to cover the costs of Operation Epic Fury — the U.S.- Israeli military campaign that began last month — and to replenish stockpiles of high-precision munitions that are being depleted at a rapid rate. "I think that number could move. Obviously, it takes a lot of money to kill bad guys," Hegseth said. "We're going back to Congress and our folks there to ensure that we're properly funded." March 19: Fox News: Federal Judge requiring notification when grand jury "No Bills" possible indictments Chief U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who has made numerous decisions to attempt to slow down the Trump agenda, ordered court procedures to require notice when a grand jury refuses to approve ("No Bill") an indictment. The move, ordered earlier this month, follows the Trump administration's failed effort to secure charges against six Democrat members of Congress (referred to as the "seditious six") for telling U.S. service members not to obey illegal orders – without defining what such orders might look like. [Are such orders, orders the six Members of Congress don't like? Who determines what is or is not an unlawful order?] The Judge said, "This Court has reviewed current practices relating to the return of indictments and notification of instances in which a grand jury has declined to indict. In furtherance of the interests of consistency and transparency… this Court finds that notification should be provided to the duty magistrate judge whenever a grand jury fails to concur in an indictment, regardless of whether the defendant has already been charged." March 18: The Daily Caller: MN House Dems block legislation to requiring notification of FEDs when illegal immigrants are arrested for violent crimes Democrats in the Minnesota House of Representatives on Monday blocked consideration of legislation that would require local prosecutors to notify the federal government when they arrest illegal immigrants for violent crimes. On February 12, Border czar Tom Homan announced the end of Operation Metro Surge, a crackdown on illegal immigration in Minnesota. Over 12,000 illegal immigrants had been taken into custody during that ICE enforcement operation. Republicans, who hold a slight majority in the Minnesota House said the bill was necessary to address controversy over the operations before the motion to consider it was defeated in a 67-67 tie vote. "It is unquestionable that all of the alleged or actual negative externalities that came from Operation Metro Surge would not have happened were it for cooperation between local, state and federal law enforcement," Republican state Rep. Walter Hudson said during the debate on whether to take the bill up for consideration. March 18: News Max: Trump warns Iranian leadership to stop attacks on Qatar's petrochemical facilities or face a massive retaliation on their own petroleum assets Donald Trump said on social media that Israel carried out a strike on Iran's South Pars Gas Field and warned that any further retaliation targeting Qatar would trigger a massive U.S. response. He wrote that "Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran," adding that only "a relatively small section of the whole has been hit." He said the United States "knew nothing about this particular attack" and emphasized that "the country of Qatar was in no way, shape, or form, involved with it, nor did it have any idea that it was going to happen." Trump added that Iran responded by striking "a portion of Qatar's LNG gas facility," calling the retaliation "unjustifiable and unfair" because Tehran did not have "any of the pertinent facts pertaining to the South Pars attack." Trump declared "no more attacks will be made by Israel pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field unless Iran unwisely decides to attack" Qatar again. He warned that if Qatar's liquefied natural gas infrastructure is targeted again, "the United States of America, with or without the help or consent of Israel, will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before." He added that he does not want to authorize such action "because of the long term implications that it will have on the future of Iran," but said he "will not hesitate" if further attacks occur. March 18: The Galveston County Daily News: César Chavez accused of sexually abusing labor rights leader Dolores Huerta and others Labor rights activist Dolores Huerta revealed she was among women and girls who say they were sexually abused by César Chavez, the widely admired Latino icon who brought to light the struggles of farmhands while leading the United Farm Workers union. The stunning allegations against Chavez, who died more than three decades ago, drew immediate calls to alter memorials honoring the man who in the 1960s helped secure better wages and working conditions for farmworkers and has been long revered by many Democrat leaders in the U.S. In a statement released Wednesday, Huerta said she stayed silent for 60 years out of concern that her words would hurt the farmworker movement. She described two sexual encounters with Chavez, one where she was "manipulated and pressured" and another where she was "forced against my will." "I carried this secret for as long as I did because building the movement and securing farmworker rights was life's work. The formation of a union was the only vehicle to accomplish and secure those rights and I wasn't going to let César or anyone else get in the way," she contended. Huerta, who is a labor rights legend in her own right, joined Chavez in 1962 to co-found the National Farm Workers Association, which became the United Farm Workers of America. March 17: Fox Business: The rich are leaving California as wealth tax looms Billionaire and Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick officially joined the exodus from California, revealing he moved to Austin, Texas, just weeks before a proposed wealth tax could have targeted his estimated $3.6 billion fortune. "Just to be clear, on December 18, I moved to Texas. I don't know what's so specific about December 18, but let's just say it's prior to January," he said in an interview. "I get a little bit [of] FOMO on like, these people going to Florida. I'm like, dude! Why so much Florida action?" he continued. "Come on, homies." Kalanick left his San Francisco home for Texas just 14 days before the new year, when the retroactive residency deadline for the California proposed billionaire tax would take effect. March 16: Fox News: Trump; NATO needs to step up and help protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz President Trump sent his clearest warning yet to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Sunday: Stand with the U.S. for defense of the Strait of Hormuz or face a "very bad" future. "It's only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there," he said in a Financial Times interview. "If there's no response, or if it's a negative response, I think it will be very bad for the future of NATO." The President echoed those remarks in a press conference aboard Air Force One Sunday night, returning to Washington, D.C saying it would "be nice to have other countries police that with us and we'll help – we'll work militarily. Remember, like as an example of many cases that NATO countries, we're always there for NATO," he said pointing to "helping them with Ukraine" even though "between us, it doesn't affect us." Recent Iranian missile firings show the capitals in Europe are within range of Iranian ballistic missiles. March 16: The Gateway Pundit: Churchill, A wise man even in his younger years´ Former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill recognized Islam's threat to Europe in 1899. That year, Churchill published "The River War: An Historical Account of the Reconquest of the Soudan," telling the account of Field Marshal Lord Horatio Kitchener's conquest of that country. For context, this was a younger Churchill, not even 30 years old, and yet to rise to the political heights history would remember him for. Despite that fact, his observations regarding Islam are as timeless and politically astute as any by the British statesman. The quote was posted to social media by Lebanese Canadian commenter Gad Saad, who took to mocking the left and current British Prime Minister Keir Starmer by using one of their favorite insults against Churchill. "Individual Muslims may show splendid qualities, but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world," Churchill said. "Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly struggled, the civilization of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilization of ancient Rome," he contended. March 16: Fox News: Tennessee legislation requiring public schools to report the immigration status of students Tennessee lawmakers have taken a bold stand against the misuse of taxpayer dollars in public education. On March 10, a House committee advances legislation (HB793) out of a full committee with a 15-9 vote, with Republicans in favor and all seven Democrats opposed. The proposal is scheduled to be heard on the House floor on March 16. The measure would require public and charter school officials to verify students' immigration status at enrollment and report the aggregate results to the state. The original version of the bill empowered school officials to deny enrollment to students who could not prove lawful presence in the United States or to charge their families tuition. That provision remains in the Tennessee Senate's version which passed by a vote of 19-13. Opponents in the House stripped that provision from its version. Proponents of the provision contend the current House bill represents the bare minimum in addressing a long-standing injustice, yet they believe it falls far short of what is truly needed. Requiring verification and reporting data sheds light on the number of illegal immigrants in public schools who are being funded by taxpayers, but it does nothing to stop the flow those dollars subsidizing their education, proponents say. Many states, Tennessee included, dowel out funding based on the number of students being taught. This means there is a financial incentive to report as many students as possible regardless of their immigration status. Proponents believe lawmakers must go further by prohibiting public schools from using any tax dollars to educate those unlawfully present. Such a ban, they contend, would redirect resources exclusively to lawful residents and citizens, allowing per-student funding to surge for eligible children without necessitating tax increases. March 15: The Washington Examiner: If the GOP loses the midterm elections, many will blame Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) President Trump is waging a relentless campaign to require a voter ID in order to vote in federal elections and the Make America Great Again base is primed to blame Senate Majority Leader Thune if Republicans lose the midterm elections in November. Thune has taken weeks of slings and arrows from the Right over his reluctance to weaken the Senate filibuster, a 60-vote threshold that is keeping the SAVE America Act from becoming law. It began as a social media outrage, then gained traction with pundits claiming Republicans were headed toward an electoral wipeout if the Senate did not act. Recently, Thune has been pressured by many of his colleagues (e.g., Mike Lee R-UT and Ted Cruz R-TX) to return to a "talking filibuster" while Thune is reluctant to make any changes to the filibuster rules. March 15: The Washington Examiner: Chile's presidential palace reoccupied as the new conservative takes office Decades after a 1973 bombing which left its walls in ruins and led President Salvador Allende to take his own life, Chile's presidential palace (Palacio de La Moneda) is once again becoming a private residence. Breaking nearly seventy years of precedent, newly elected president Jose Antonio Kast moved into the government headquarters following his inauguration this week. His landslide victory last December, in which he won roughly 58% of the runoff vote against Communist Party candidate Jeannette Jara, marks Chile's sharpest rightward turn since its return to democracy in 1990. His election reflects the depth of public disillusionment with the Left and its socialistic policies. March 15: The New York Post: Confirmed, bother of Michigan attacker on Synagogue is Hezbollah terrorist commander The brother of a terrorist who rammed a vehicle into a Michigan Jewish preschool was a Hezbollah commander, Israel Defense Forces have said. Ayman Muhammad Ghazali, 41, was shot dead after driving the vehicle into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, MI on Thursday. His brother, Ibrahim Muhammad Ghazali, was reportedly responsible for managing weapons operations within a specialized branch of Hezbollah's Badr Unit. This unit of the Lebanese terror group is responsible for launching hundreds of rockets toward Israeli civilians throughout the recent war with Iran, the IDF said. Ghazali's two brothers, a niece, and a nephew were killed in an Israeli airstrike on March 5 in the town of Mashgharah, Lebanon, just days before the attack, a local official said. The family had sat down for their fast-breaking meal during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan when they were struck. March 15: Times Now (YouTube): Supposed leader in Iran could be dead, critically injured, or in a coma Sources say that the condition of the Iranian leader is unknown. Some are suggesting that even Iran is not sure of who is leading the country. Some think that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard are calling the shots, but nobody is certain. The lack of audio or video footage from Iran's declared new leader has done nothing other than to raised additional speculation on the mess. March 15: The Daily Caller: Fetterman (D-PA) why would you want to punish these critical workers Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman criticized his party Saturday over the ongoing partial government shutdown and its impacts on federal employees and operations. Multiple agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), are being subjected to "emergency measures" due to the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to DHS. Fetterman said he spoke with TSA agents during his frequent travels about the effects of the shutdown. "I am the only Democrat that has refused to vote in shutting down DHS, literally the only one," Fetterman said Saturday. "And now all agree that this would not have any impact on ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement]. They already have their funding, and it doesn't push or force ICE to do any of those kinds of reforms that people think are necessary now, too." March 15: The Gateway Pundit: Judge: Missouri redistricting may move forward, doesn't violate the law Republican efforts to redraw the lines of Missouri's congressional districts won a victory Thursday as a judge ruled the way they were drawn does not violate the state's constitution. If the map survives all court challenges it would give Missouri up to seven Republican-leaning districts while two districts lean toward Democrats – one more than they have currently. Jackson County Circuit Judge Adam Caine said that the argument against the changes boils down to a claim that rural voters and urban Kansas City voters should not be in the same district. Caine said the concept is nothing new, noting that from 2012 to 2020, parts of Kansas City's business district were combined with rural areas outside of the city. "The decision of what municipalities to split is a political and policy determination that is properly left in the hands of the General Assembly and Missouri's political processes," he wrote. March 14: The Epoch Times: Other countries consider sending ships to patrol the Strait of Hormuz; allowing shipping to continue Donald Trump said on March 14 that some countries affected by Iran's attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz are joining the United States in patrolling the strategic waterway. While the U.S. strikes over the past weeks have sharply reduced Iran's fighting force, the president wrote Saturday that Tehran still retained the ability to threaten ships passing through the strait with smaller weapons. "Many Countries, especially those who are affected by Iran's attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe," he wrote. rump did not identify which governments are participating, but said he hoped other major economies with a stake in global energy flows would join the effort. China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, are directly impacted by the shutdown of the strait. In the meantime, Trump said, U.S. forces would continue targeting what remained of Iran's naval capabilities and striking sites along the coastline. March 14: The Washington Times: Trump: Iran totally defeated – still threatens the Strait of Hormuz President Trump has declared that Iran has been "totally defeated" just two weeks into the conflict with the Islamic republic. Admittedly, Iran has taken a major hit after U.S. and Israeli air strikes but it continues to attack maritime traffic at the Straits of Hormuz choke point. Trump contends Iran wants a deal but so far none of them are acceptable to the U.S. or Israel. No details have been shared about a deal or negotiations. But this development follows differing viewpoints offered on the trajectory and timeline of the conflict. Trump predicted a short-term conflict lasting no more then 4-5 weeks but he is willing to take as long as necessary to ensure that Iran never gets nuclear weapons. March 14: The Gateway Pundit: SECWAR Hegseth; New Iranian leader injured, perhaps critically During a press briefing on Friday, War Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed reports that Iran's new Supreme Leader, 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei, has been injured, possibly critically. As Hegseth was talking about the US Military's success in incapacitating Iran's military infrastructure on Friday, he revealed that Khamenei, "the new so-called not-so-Supreme Leader," is "wounded and likely disfigured." "His father dead, he's scared, he's injured, he's on the run, and he lacks legitimacy. It's a mess for them. Who's in charge? Iran may not even know," Hegseth continued March 14: Fox News: Protesters in Cuba throw fire bombs at Communist Party headhunters Protesters attacked a Communist Party headquarters in Cuba overnight, ransacking the building and attempting to set it on fire, while video from the scene appeared to capture gunfire and a man on the ground outside. Cuban state media later denied that anyone had been struck by police gunfire and announced five arrests. Dramatic footage shows a large crowd gathered outside the building in the city of Morón as a fire burns in the street and protesters throw burning objects at the structure. March 14: The Daily Caller: Use of the "Talking Filibuster" might backfire on supporters of the SAVE Act Some Republican lawmakers are pushing an old Senate procedure to pass the Trump-backed SAVE America Act — although it may turn the upper chamber into bedlam for weeks and ultimately backfire. While Republican lawmakers — like the vast majority of Americans — strongly support this election integrity bill's national voter ID requirement, Democrats have come out in strong opposition to the legislation, with some likening it to racial segregation. A group of conservatives in both chambers, including Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), are advocating forcing Democrats into a talking filibuster to pass the bill, despite the possibility the tactic could allow the opposition party to advance, or at least talk about, much of their agenda. The "talking filibuster" involves both parties physically debating legislation on the floor rather than allowing the minority to silently block its passage by withholding its votes, as the filibuster, instituted by Senator Mitch McConnell, is commonly used today. Historically, bills that face such a filibuster have failed to pass in the end. Senate rules would allow each member of the upper chamber two speeches of unlimited time to debate the bill, during a filibuster. In 2025 Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) broke the record by holding the floor for 25 hours. If all 47 Democrat senators spoke for only 10 hours each that would tie up the U.S. Senate for 470 hours or 39 days (over five weeks)! Many believe forcing the hands of the Democrat Senators is worth the risk. Some believe standing up and being counted, forcing the talking filibuster, would not only go badly for the Democrats, but there are those who wonder whether the Republicans have the stomach for taking such a stand. March 13: The Galveston County Daily News: Trump Administration can continue use of Tariffs regardless of Supreme Court Decision Congress has the power of the purse. Historically it delegated much of that authority to presidents who have used it for foreign and domestic policy purposes. That's what Trump did. Those who oppose the President's "America First" agenda want to stop him. They've failed because there are numerous laws available to him to accomplish his policies. The proof of his success are the trade agreements that we've seen between the U.S. and our trading partners; the increase in foreign investment we are seeing; the growth of our Gross Domestic Product, and the growth in private sector jobs. The Supreme Court's decision only applies to the use of the statute Trump used. The court's decision doesn't stop Trump's imposition of tariffs, only the use of the IEEPA statute for this purpose. March 13: Fox News: United States obliterates military assets at key Iranian oil depot President Trump said Friday that the U.S. had carried out a bombing raid on Iran's Kharg Island, a strategically vital island in the Persian Gulf that serves as Iran's largest oil terminal and a crucial hub for its crude exports. "Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the history of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every military target in Iran's crown jewel, Kharg Island," Trump wrote. The island, located roughly 35 miles off Iran's Bushehr province in the country's southwest, is about the size of New York City's Central Park but carries huge importance for Iran's economy. It has a loading capacity of about 7 million barrels per day, and roughly 90% of Iran's crude oil exports pass through it. Most of those exports are shipped to China and India, underscoring the island's importance not only to Iran's energy trade and its economy, but also to broader global oil markets. Trump said the U.S. had deliberately avoided targeting the island's oil infrastructure, while warning that could change if Iran moved to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Before boarding Air Force One for Mar-a-Lago late Friday, Trump told reporters the U.S. Navy may start escorting tankers through the Strait "very soon." "I will not allow a terrorist regime to hold the world hostage and attempt to stop the globe's oil supply. And if Iran does anything to do that, they'll get hit at a much, much harder level," Trump said in Florida. March 12: The Epoch Times: Questions about new Iranian leader's health Four days into his tenure as Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei issued his first official message, calling for unity among Iranians while vowing to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed as a "tool of pressure." But nobody has seen him in public raising questions as to whether he is actually in control of the country. There is international speculation that the new leader remains in a coma, in addition to rumors that he may have had his leg amputated, following the recent American-Israeli airstrikes. March 13: The Gateway Pundit: Jury finds Antifa Members Guilty of Terrorism Charges in Attack on Texas ICE Detention Center A jury found nine Antifa members guilty of terrorism charges in an attack on an ICE detention center in Texas. Last 4th of July, nearly a dozen Antifa members dressed in black bloc and body armor descended on the Prairieland ICE Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas. The terrorists fired off explosives, vandalized federal vehicles, and fired shots at police officers. A police officer was shot in the neck. The defendants were found guilty on riot charges, providing material support to terrorists, conspiracy to use and carry an explosive, and using and carrying an explosive, three counts of attempted murder of an officer, three counts of discharging a firearm during a violent crime, corruptly concealing a document and conspiracy to conceal documents. "Today's verdict shows the FBI remains committed to identifying, locating, and dismantling Antifa and its funding networks across the country," said FBI Director Kash Patel. "Acts of violence against our law enforcement partners will not be tolerated, and we continue our work to protect communities across the country from domestic terrorism." March 12: The Washington Times: Virginia Democrats attempting to change Congressional maps from one of the fairest in the nation to one of the most extreme Virginia's current congressional map, among the fairest in the country, would quickly become one of the most extreme if Democrats carry out their redistricting plans. Early voting started last week in a referendum that would allow the Democratic-controlled General Assembly to ditch the current map, drawn by an independent authority, and replace it with a Democrat gerrymander that could give the party 10 of the state's 11 seats, or 91% of its allotment. The state would then go from an uber-fair map — one in which the parties' share of congressional districts almost perfectly matches the presidential vote in 2024 — to the worst of all the large states, or those with at least five seats in the U.S. House. Gerrymandering has been a problem dating to the country's founding, when Patrick Henry drew lines to try to prevent James Madison from winning one of Virginia's seats in the first Congress. Things have run off the rails over the past year as both major parties, driven to grasp every electoral advantage, have orchestrated new maps and pushed the country to the tipping point. For example, California, already heavily tilted toward Democrats, adopted a map that could give them 48 of the state's 52 House seats — a staggering 92% in a state where Vice President Kamala Harris won only 58% of the vote in 2024. That 34-percentage-point gap would make California the third-worst partisan gerrymander of the big states, behind only Virginia and Massachusetts. March 12: The Daily Caller: Security officer shoots and kills man who drives explosives-laden truck through front doors of Michigan synagogue A man armed with weapons was shot and killed by security officers at a Michigan synagogue on Thursday after ramming his explosives-laden truck through the front doors. Reports indicated a truck loaded with Improvised Explosive Devices drove into the Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, and continued down the hallway, according to a press conference held by Sheriff Mike Bouchard. The school also has a preschool that was reportedly in session at the time. Reportedly, the vehicle caught fire shortly after ramming into the building and the driver was on fire from "something. It is unclear at this point whether the suspect was shot or burned to death due to the state of the fire. No staff or students inside the preschool were injured in the incident, although a security guard was struck by the vehicle and was taken to the hospital for treatment. March 12: News Max (Business): SECTREAS Bessent; There is no price point that would lead him to tell Trump to end efforts to keep Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said "absolutely not" when asked Thursday whether there was any price point at which he would tell President Trump the war with Iran had become unaffordable. Bessent made the remark during a television interview as oil prices momentarily surged above $100 a barrel amid fears the widening conflict could disrupt shipments through the Strait of Hormuz where 20% of the world's oil supply transits. Tanker traffic and shipping insurance in the region have been affected as attacks and security threats tied to the conflict raise risks for vessels moving through the Gulf, a situation energy analysts say could rattle global markets if the disruption spreads. Iran has vowed to continue the conflict despite the economic consequences, with Iranian leaders warning this week that prolonged fighting could damage the global economy by choking off energy supplies and trade routes. One can only imagine what the world would be facing if the Iranian regime attempted to do this having obtained nuclear weapons! Iranian officials have specifically warned that continued conflict could destabilize global energy markets by threatening shipping through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the financial cost of the war to the United States is already mounting, with Pentagon officials telling lawmakers during a congressional briefing this week that the first six days of the conflict cost at least $11.3 billion. Reportedly this cost includes the costs of munitions and operational expenses during the opening phase of the campaign and may not yet include longer-term costs such as replenishing weapons stockpiles, sustaining deployments, or expanding military operations. March 11: One American News Network: 'Scandal-plagued' former Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard files for election in Georgia, switching to Republican Party Tiffany Henyard, the embattled former mayor of Dolton, Illinois, whose tenure was defined by federal investigations and allegations of ongoing fraud and lavish taxpayer spending, has officially filed to run for office in Georgia. In a notable political pivot, Henyard has also formally changed her party affiliation, submitting her candidacy as a Republican for the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. According to data from the Georgia Secretary of State's Office, Henyard qualified this week to run in the May 19, 2026, general primary election for the District 5 seat. This district represents a significant portion of metro Atlanta, an area Henyard has recently called home after her landslide defeat in Illinois last year. The transition to the Republican ticket marks a sharp departure for Henyard, who previously compared herself to Rosa Parks and even Jesus Christ himself during her final months in Illinois. March 10: The Gateway Pundit: Thume (R-SD) will allow a vote on the SAVE Act, but don't get your hopes up just yet Senate Majority Leader John Thune may finally allow a vote on the SAVE America Act after all, but America should not get its hopes up on anything getting to President Trump's desk. Thune previously quashed an effort to use 'the talking filibuster' to pass the SAVE Act, citing opposition from at least four Republicans and doubts regarding the ability to outlast Democrats. [See Related Story] He has also dismissed the growing grassroots movement demanding passage of the legislation as nothing more than a manufactured effort by a so-called "paid influencer ecosystem." Tuesday afternoon, Thune performed a U-turn of sorts, telling reporters that there would be a vote, giving those advocating for the SAVE Act a chance to pass it. But then he made clear he thought the whole issue was a waste of time since Democrats would probably end up defeating the measure anyway. March 10: News Max: Trump announces construction of a $300 billion refinery in Brownsville, Texas Donald Trump announced plans Tuesday for what he described as the first new oil refinery built in the United States in five decades, a project expected to be constructed in Brownsville, Texas. In a social media post, Trump said the project represents a major investment tied to his administration's wide-ranging energy policy. "America is returning to real energy dominance!" Trump wrote. "Today I am proud to announce that America First Refining is opening the first new U.S. Oil Refinery in 50 YEARS in Brownsville, Texas." Trump described the project as a historic investment tied to international energy partnerships. He also thanked international partners involved in the project. Trump said the investment reflects policy changes tied to his administration's economic agenda. The refinery is expected to supply domestic energy markets while supporting energy exports, and according to Trump the refinery will be producing clean energy. March 10: The Epoch Times: U.S.A. destroys 16 Iranian mine layers near Strait of Hormuz The Pentagon said U.S. forces destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying boats near the Strait of Hormuz Tuesday. The minelayers were among multiple Iranian naval vessels "eliminated" by the United States, U.S. Central Command said. President Trump, in an earlier post, warned Tehran that if "for any reason mines were placed, and they are not removed forthwith, the military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before." The president's comments came after reports first published by CBS News that Iranian small craft, capable of carrying two to three mines each, have been detected moving into the 100-mile waterway. Traffic in the Hormuz Strait—through which 20 percent of the world's oil leaves the Persian Gulf—has come to a near standstill over fears of attacks from Iranian drones, missiles, bunkered artillery, and mines. Up to 250 ships, including around 150 oil tankers, are stacked in the Arabian Sea. March 9: Reuters, published by News Max: President presses Senate GOP to pass the SAVE Act before the midterms President Trump, addressing Republican lawmakers directly Monday, pressed them to enact the new voting requirements to "guarantee" accurate, honest, and fair elections this November. He said he will refuse to sign new bills into law until they do. The SAVE America Act would require the presentation of a photo ID when voting and proof of citizenship when registering to vote. It first emerged two years ago when questions were raised about illegal aliens illegally voting in U.S. elections. Trump contends that passage of the SAVE Act will not only ensure fair elections but will help maintain Republican majorities in the House and Senate. Reportedly the adoption of this legislation is an 80-20 proposition where up to 80% of Americans (including a majority of Democrats) want it passed. In addition to the photo ID requirements, the bill would restrict the use of mail-in ballots. This is already part of Texas law along with two others (those over the age of 65 and inmates who are in jail but not yet convicted of a crime). It is illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections. March 9: One America News Network: Intelligence agencies believe Iran has sent an "operational trigger" to sleeper cells in the U.S. As the Middle East grapples with the aftermath of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death, a new and chilling intelligence warning has emerged. U.S. officials are sounding the alarm over what appears to be an "operational trigger" sent by Tehran to activate sleeper cells across the globe. Federal law enforcement agencies have been placed on high alert following the purported interception of a "sophisticated, encrypted transmission" originating from Iran. According to intelligence reports, the signal — detected shortly after the February 28th elimination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei — is believed to be a "go-order" for prepositioned sleeper assets and covert operatives operating in the West. During a Pentagon briefing on March 2nd, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told reporters that the U.S. is "ready" for Iranian sleeper cell attacks on U.S. soil. He described the Iranian government as a "regime that seeks to export that ideology, to try and sow terror." March 9: The Gateway Pundit: Greek tanker transits the Strait of Hormuz Carrying a Million Barrels of Saudi Crude Oil Reacting to Iran's efforts to close the vital waterways of the Strait of Hormuz, President Trump urged the shipping companies to 'show some guts' and defy the mullahs' prohibition. And that's exactly what apparently happened to a Greek-operated ship holding a million barrels of Saudi crude. Apparently, the tanker sailed through the Strait of Hormuz in recent days, as one of the first large vessels to leave the Persian Gulf. "The Shenlong tanker, which is operated by Greece's Dynacom Tankers Management Ltd., switched off its transponder in the Persian Gulf on March 4 while sailing toward Hormuz and began signaling near India's coastline on Monday morning, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. Traders have been closely looking for any sign that ship traffic is beginning to move through Hormuz. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in an interview over the weekend that a tanker had made the journey through." The Shenlong was destined for India. March 8: The Washington Times: Trump ups the ante, no more bill signing until the Senate passes the SAVE Act President Trump said Sunday he won't sign any more legislation until Congress passes the SAVE Act, the federal voter ID bill he's been pushing, and he urged Senate Republicans to use a "talking filibuster" to force action. Trump made his position clear in a social media post saying as President he would not sign any legislation until the SAVE Act – which requires a photo ID in order to vote, proof of citizenship in order to register to vote, and no more absentee voting except for those in the military, illness, disability, or traveling out of town – is enacted. The House passed the measure in February but it sits dormant in the Senate because of the current filibuster rules. It is not clear whether this ban on signing legislation would apply to continuing the funding of DHS as the Democrat shutdown continues into its fourth week. [See related news stories: #1, #2 and an in-depth discussion] March 8: Fox News: Mexican cartels concerned that hurting American tourists could rain holy hell upon them under President Trump According to experts, Mexican drug cartels are increasingly calculated in their targeting decisions, often avoiding deliberately attacking American tourists and citizens out of concern it could prompt intensified U.S. retaliation. Following last month's killing of the powerful leader of the Mexican Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had a warning for the drug gangs: "The Mexican drug cartels know not to lay a finger on a single American, or they will pay severe consequences under this president." Analysts say actions by President Trump — including the designation of cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and high-profile operations abroad such as the apprehension of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela and the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei in Iran — have reinforced cartel perceptions of the heightened risk. Mexican drug cartels have long operated with a primary objective: protect revenue streams and avoid actions that could trigger an overwhelming government response. Security analysts and former U.S. officials say that calculus often includes avoiding the deliberate targeting of American tourists and citizens inside Mexico. Adding to the pressure, Trump spoke Saturday at the newly minted Shield of the Americas Summit in Florida — a coalition of 12 Latin American and Caribbean nations — coming together to take on the cartels, among other policies. "We have to knock the hell out of them because they're getting worse. They're taking over their country. The cartels are running Mexico. We can't have that. Too close to us," Trump warned. March 7: The Gateway Pundit: Cornyn flips position on talking filibuster for SAVE Act after close finish in primary election While Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) is trying to move closer to President Trump and the MAGA movement as the Texas GOP Senate runoff gets underway, his opponent is not letting him off the hook so easily. Cornyn who has not supported making any changes to the filibuster –unlike Ted Cruz (also from Texas) – came out this week supporting Cruz's suggestion that filibuster rule be changed for consideration of the SAVE Act to require a talking filibuster (requiring members to be on the floor speaking) in order to filibuster items. This is the position Ken Paxton, Cornyn's primary opponent has been calling for. Donald Trump wants the SAVE Act passed and the move by Cornyn is seen by many as an effort to draw closer to the President in order to obtain his endorsement in the race. Meanwhile, Paxton addressed the Cornyn change in position saying "I made Cornyn more conservative in the last 3 days than he's been in the last 24 years. Yet, flip-flop Cornyn's still too cowardly to support abolishing the filibuster to get it done and to call out his best friend McConnell for opposing the bill." [See Related Story on the talking filibuster] March 7: The Epoch Times: Department of State approves emergency sale of munitions to Israel The U.S. Department of State approved selling $151.8 million in munitions to Israel without congressional approval. The State Department waived the congressional review requirements under Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act after Israel requested 12,000 BLU-110A/B general-purpose, 1,000-pound bomb bodies. "The Secretary of State has determined and provided detailed justification that an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to the Government of Israel of the above defense articles and defense services is in the national security interests of the United States," the State Department said March 6. A BLU-110A/B general-purpose bomb with a steel body and a section in the nose for a proximity sensor. It's often used by the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. "This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic regional partner that has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East," the secretary of state added. March 7: News Max: Brits raise readiness level of aircraft carrier as Iran operation continues According to Sky News on Saturday, the U.K. has accelerated preparations for the possible deployment of one of its aircraft carriers to the Middle East as tensions escalate following U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran. Reportedly the HMS Prince of Wales has had its readiness level increased, cutting its notice-to-move time from 10 days to five days. The carrier, based in Portsmouth and capable of carrying F-35 fighter jets, could be mobilized more rapidly if the government decides to reinforce British military assets in the region. Crew members have also reportedly been alerted to a potential deployment. A Ministry of Defense spokesperson said the U.K. has been bolstering its military presence in the Middle East since January, deploying Typhoon and F-35 jets, air-defense systems, and an additional 400 personnel to Cyprus. British aircraft have also been involved in intercepting drones since the latest round of strikes began. Additionally, the Brits are allowing the U.S. to use its bases for "specific defensive operations" aimed at preventing Iranian missile launches. March 6: Fox News: Petition to put voter ID on the ballot surpasses number of signatures required A petition to require voter ID and allow only U.S. citizens to vote has gained momentum in California and surpassed the required 875,000-signature threshold to qualify for the November ballot, the group leading the effort said. According to Reform California, a nonpartisan political activism group, organizers submitted the "California Voter ID Initiative" petition to county authorities with 1.3 million signatures. The group says the petition has garnered bipartisan support, with signatures from Californians representing all walks of life and political persuasions across all 58 of the state's counties. They believe the measure has a solid path to passage in November, citing polls showing 71% of Californians favor the initiative. If passed, the measure would bypass the Democrat legislative supermajority and amend the state constitution to require voter ID when casting a ballot, require election officials to verify the citizenship of registered voters and require the state to maintain accurate voter rolls. "Polling overwhelmingly shows a supermajority consensus for voter ID requirements," said state Assembly Member Carl DeMaio, a Republican who serves as chair of Reform California. March 6: The Epoch Times: Ramping Up; US Defense Contractors to Quadruple Munitions Production President Trump met with executives of the nation's largest defense contractors Friday and said they agreed to quadruple production of "exquisite weaponry … as rapidly as possible." The president posted that he and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth sat down with the CEOs of BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, RTX Corp., Boeing, Honeywell, and L3Harris Technologies to appraise how swiftly munitions stockpiles can be expanded under an accelerated program implemented last fall. "Expansion began three months prior to the meeting, and plants and production of many of these weapons are already under way," Trump said. There have been concerns raised this week in congressional hearings about stressed inventories of air-defense systems and interceptor missiles, most notably for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), Patriot, and Aegis systems that have knocked down more than 500 Iranian missiles and 2,000 drones since the conflict kicked off on Feb. 28. During a March 4 Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, readiness and logistics chiefs from five branches of the military would not discuss munitions stockpiles in public. "The Joint Forces is burning through costly inventories of precision-guided munitions when they are already in short supply," Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) said. "Moreover, these munitions take a long time to replenish and risk being unavailable for the unforeseen contingencies elsewhere, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, where we face a peer adversary." March 6: Fox News: Shadow fleet under fire: Iran's strait shutdown could squeeze Russia's war chest, China's oil lifeline Tehran's strike campaign threatens to disrupt shadow shipping networks and sanctions-evasion routes, raising energy costs for Moscow and Beijing and potentially squeezing Russia's war funding and China's industrial and military supply chains. As of Monday, the Iranian regime declared the crucial Strait of Hormuz — between Hormuz Island, Iran, and the Omani enclave of Khasab — closed, under threat of vessels being "torched." Oil tanker traffic immediately fell sharply as merchant seamen now fear missile strikes, but the conflict has also affected the so-called "shadow fleet" of unflagged or surreptitiously flagged oil tankers connected to economically isolated countries like China, Cuba, Iran and Russia. The U.S. has already set up a quasi naval quarantine of oil imports to Cuba, while countries like Mexico have been warned against sending oil to malign regimes. European partners have also taken action against "shadow fleet" vessels, tightening the vise on China and particularly Russia amid the new unrest. Belgium's army on Monday interdicted a shadow-fleet tanker called the MT Ethera as it transited the North Sea. The Belgian Defense Minister said the tanker was redirected to Zeebrugge by an escort and would be seized by Brussels. The MT Ethera is reportedly linked to the son of senior political adviser Ali Shamkhani, whose family reportedly controls an entire fleet of tankers that may be used to facilitate Iranian and Russian oil trade. China reportedly relies heavily on Iran for otherwise sanctioned oil, while Russia could see further belt-tightening that could adversely affect the cash flow needed to continue its war in Ukraine. The deconstruction of the shadow fleet could reportedly also lead to increased inflation in China. March 6: iHeartMedia/KTRH: Legacy media won't talk about it; GOP senators point out the impact of the DHS shutdown, now in its third week Even though you're not hearing anything about it, some GOP Senators are trying to get the word out about the real consequences of the latest Democrat-led DHS shutdown. Now in its third week, the Dem-shutdown has forced many front-line workers to report to work without any guarantee of when they will be paid. U.S. Senate Appropriations Chair Sen. Collins (R-ME) and Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), Chair of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security, detail a cross-section of implications for agencies affected by the funding lapse. Topping the list, is the unthinkable defunding of the TSA. "We've got the one agency that was created after 9/11 to ensure no 9/11 happened again" said Aaron Evans, president of Winning Republican Strategies, "Not only is it asinine, but it's also extremely reckless and dangerous for the American people." Sadly, the mainstream media has stopped talking about it, which would not be the case if Democrats were in power. March 6: One America News Network: New England Patriots plane chartered to remove Americans from the Middle East The U.S. State Department has reportedly been chartering flights to evacuate American citizens from the Middle East amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, Operation Epic Fury, which began in late February. The flight carrying hundreds of Americans landed safely at Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C., Friday morning. "Americans boarding one of the many State Department charter flights leaving the Middle East to the U.S.," Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson posted along with a photo. Under a long-term agreement, Omni Air International is operating the New England Patriots' two Boeing 767 aircraft. These planes handle team travel while also serving as available charter options for other purposes, including humanitarian and goodwill missions. The aircraft have frequently supported non-team flights, such as delivering medical equipment and supplies to Haiti following the 2021 earthquake. As Johnson later clarified, the State Department fully funded this particular charter flight. The plane is part of the charter fleet managed by Omni Air International, which the department contracted for the evacuation effort. March 5: The Gateway Pundit: Cuba may be in a panic after it's seen what the U.S. has done in Venezuela and Iran; may be looking for a deal The communist regime in Cuba may soon face a reckoning as President Trump signals the island's leadership is quietly scrambling for negotiations after America's recent displays of strength abroad. During an appearance with the championship Inter Miami CF organization, Trump delivered a striking message while addressing team co-owner Jose Mas, whose family emigrated from Cuba. The president suggested that one day Cuban exiles may soon be able to freely return to their homeland, without restrictions from Washington. Trump suggested that a historic moment could soon arrive for Cuban exiles. Reportedly, an agreement could be as close as a few weeks away. March 5: The Washington Times: House blocks legislation to limit presidential powers against Iran The House Thursday killed a war powers resolution that aimed to stop President Trump from taking further military action in Iran without congressional backing, a day after the Senate blocked a similar measure. The vote was essentially to make a point because it was clear, even if the measure had passed, the President would have vetoed it. The vote was 212 for and 219 against. The war powers votes came as some concerns have been raised by some that the U.S. might be heading into another lengthy war with the Middle East. The administration and Republicans say Iran is an imminent threat, and the strikes that began Saturday are a way to stop the U.S. from getting hit harder if the administration had waited. March 5: Fox News: Strait of Hormuz; Ships not venturing forth because of Iran situation Just about 21 miles wide at its narrowest, the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman is a global energy choke point. The waterway carries roughly 20 million barrels a day and about one-fifth of global liquefied natural gas, making it a top-value target when conflict in the region erupts. That's why the latest disruption, triggered by Israeli and U.S. strikes over the weekend and retaliatory Iranian drone and missile attacks across the region, is forcing shippers to rethink whether it's safe to transit the key waterway. "You've essentially had the Strait of Hormuz grind down to a halt," explained Matt Smith, an analyst at Kpler, a data and analytics firm. He said the slowdown isn't necessarily because Iran has formally closed the waterway, though Tehran has threatened to, but because shippers are weighing the risk of missile or drone strikes in the narrow corridor. The result, Smith said, is a growing bottleneck of crude and refined products. And if the disruption stretches from days into weeks, Smith warned, the fallout could intensify quickly. "If this drags on for weeks, the ramifications are huge," he said, pointing to early ripple effects already emerging in global energy markets. Those concerns are already changing behavior in the shipping industry. March 5: The Epoch Times: Trump moves Noem to another position, Oklahoma Senator to replace her at the end of the month President Trump announced March 5 that he is replacing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) in a move that will go into effect by the end of the month. "I am pleased to announce that the highly respected United States Senator from the great state of Oklahoma, Markwayne Mullin, will become the United States Secretary of Homeland Security," Trump said. The transition will take place on March 31, he said. Trump said Noem served well and had "numerous and spectacular results," namely with respect to the U.S.–Mexico border's security. Noem, a former governor of South Dakota, will be leaving for the newly created post of special envoy for the shield of the Americas, he wrote. The special envoy position will be announced in an event on March 7 in Doral, Florida. Noem wrote in a post on X that she is thanking Trump for naming her as special envoy for the shield of the Americas. March 4: One America News Network: U.S. submarine sinks Iranian warship with a torpedo A U.S. Navy submarine reportedly sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean using a single torpedo, in what U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (SECWAR) described as a "quiet death." The strike is part of the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign to degrade Iran's military and nuclear capabilities — and marks the first time since World War II that a U.S. submarine has sunk an enemy vessel with a torpedo. Hegseth announced the overnight "quiet death" of the IRIS Shahid Soleimani during a Pentagon press conference with Joint Chiefs Chair Dan "Raizin" Caine Wednesday, emphasizing that the U.S. had wiped out Iran's navy, as well as its "prize ship." SECWAR explained that the Iranian fleet now "rests at the bottom of the Persian Gulf," adding that over 20 Iranian naval vessels have also been destroyed or sunk. This maritime collapse was punctuated by the overnight destruction of the IRIS Shahid Soleimani, which he further described as the "jewel of Iran's navy." Meanwhile Fox News reports the multi-million-dollar Navy torpedo detonated underneath the Iranian warship in a nighttime attack south of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean. The weapon, a Mark 48 Advanced Capability (ADCAP torpedo) signaled to Tehran that "the gloves really are off," according to a former U.S. submarine commander. Reportedly this weapon is one of the most lethal anti-ship weapons in the U.S. inventory. It carries a 650-pound warhead and is designed not to strike a ship directly, but to detonate beneath it, creating a massive vapor bubble that breaks the vessel's back and splits it in half. Experts contend the explosion would have lifted the ship up out of the water, and so it would have sunk in a matter of minutes. Each of these weapons cost $4.2 million and its use is rare. The last reported use of this weapon was in the Falklands War (1982) when a British submarine sank an Argentine cruiser and before that, during World War II. March 4: The Gateway Pundit: War Powers Resolution to Restrain Trump's Action in Iran Fails in the Senate A war powers resolution to restrain President Trump's action in Iran failed in the Senate in a 47-53 vote. GOP Senator Rand Paul (KY) broke ranks and voted to restrict President Trump. Meanwhile, Democrat Senator John Fetterman (PA) voted with the Republicans to block the war powers resolution. A number of GOP senators are voicing concerns about the lack of a clear game plan for ending the conflict. The motion to discharge the resolution from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee failed by a vote of 47-53. Two key moderate Republicans, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), who faces a tough re-election, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), whose political base includes Democrats and moderates in Alaska, both voted to block the resolution even as both included notes of caution about the operation. Iran's Supreme Leader and more than 40 senior Iranian Regime officials were killed in the strikes. The US has sunk more than 20 Iranian ships and destroyed Iranian drones. March 4: Fox News: Justice Jackson authors unanimous SCOTUS opinion handing Trump an immigration win Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson authored the Supreme Court's unanimous ruling Wednesday ordering federal appeals courts to defer to immigration judges when reviewing asylum decisions, bolstering the executive branch's authority in immigration cases and handing the Trump administration a win as it pushes an aggressive deportation agenda. Jackson, a Biden appointee and one of three liberal justices on the high court, wrote that immigration laws require federal courts to use a "substantial-evidence standard" when reviewing immigration judges' decisions about whether an asylum seeker could face "persecution" if deported. Jackson emphasized the high bar courts must meet before overturning an immigration judge's findings, potentially making it more difficult for migrants to challenge their deportations as the Trump administration cracks down on illegal immigration. "The agency's determination… is generally 'conclusive unless any reasonable adjudicator would be compelled to conclude to the contrary,'" Jackson wrote. March 3: The Daily Caller: Some critics may believe America was dragged Into a conflict with Iran, but Trump Might Have Something Up His Sleeve (an in-depth look) President Trump authorized the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, missile sites, and leadership targets Feb. 28. Operation Epic Fury resulted in the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and many other senior officials. These actions also produced six confirmed American service member deaths with 18 American service members being seriously wounded in action from Iranian counter attacks. Some claim there doesn't seem to be a clearly expressed end game to the operation. Could there be a deeper play than keeping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons or a regime change in this Islamic state? A Broader Scope? Some experts are suggesting the likelihood that Operation Epic Fury has less to do with toppling a radical Islamic regime and more to do with China's dependence on Iran. The U.S. targets weaker allies of its primary adversaries, like China, to impose costs on them without direct great-power confrontation. We've already seen this take place when Trump ordered the Venezuelan raid, capturing former President Nicolás Maduro. Maduro's arrest served two purposes. Not only did it remove a brutal dictator responsible for aiding the drug cartels flooding American communities with poison, but it also removed China's access to one of its suppliers of cheap energy. China desperately needs oil to fund its economic and military activities and they were paying Venezuelan pennies on the dollar for it. China relied upon Venezuela and Iran for this key resource. Data from 2025 shows that China purchased more than 80% of Iran's exported oil, approximately 1.38 million barrels per day, which accounted for about 13.5% of China's total seaborne crude imports. This volume was acquired at discounted rates because it was sanctioned oil. Gordon Chang, a senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute, argues that China has used Iran as a source of power projection in the Middle East, emphasizing that Beijing bankrolls Tehran through oil purchases and technology to sustain its proxy activities against U.S. interests and allies. He argues further that disrupting the flow of oil from Iran compels China to seek more expensive alternatives from Russia, Saudi Arabia, or other suppliers, which will strain its economy and expose supply chain weaknesses. He said, "I believe that President Trump is going after the Chinese, and he's not doing it directly, but he is doing it indirectly, and he's cutting off their sources of support. Oil, for instance. Venezuela supplies maybe 3 to 4 percent of China's imported oil, but Iran was somewhere between 15% and 23% depending on the year. And that's important because when you put those two numbers together, you get a significant portion of China's imported oil has now been taken off the board." Some observers caution a lesson from history. The Japanese joined the Axis powers in World War II not only because they had designs for power, but also because their sources of oil were being tightened by the U.S. and its allies. March 3: The Gateway Pundit: Update on Operation Epic Fury The United States has launched one of the largest combat operations in the Middle East in decades, and reportedly the mission is only just beginning. CENTCOM revealed "Operation Epic Fury" has already unleashed massive American and Israeli firepower against Iran's military infrastructure. The stated goal is to cripple Iran's ability to threaten American forces, allies, and international shipping after nearly 50 years of Iranian aggression and terrorism. CENTCOM said the scale of the deployment is historic with "More than 50,000 troops, 200 fighters, two aircraft carriers, and bombers from the United States are participating in this operation — and more capabilities are on the way." Reportedly the massive buildup represents the largest U.S. military deployment to the Middle East in a generation comparing it to the famous "Shock and Awe" strikes of the 2003 Iraq War, but revealed that the current operation is even larger. Apparently, in the first 24 hours of "Operation Epic Fury," nearly double the number of strikes in 2003 were unleashed on Iran. Additionally, the frequency of attacks hasn't slowed down with U.S./Israeli forces strikes across Iran in a 24/7 mode. In less than 100 nearly 2,000 Iranian targets have been struck; more than 2,000 precision munitions deployed; hundreds of ballistic missiles, launchers, and drones have been destroyed; and Iranian air defense systems have been severely degraded. Putting it bluntly, CENTCOM summed the operation this way, "In simple terms, we're focused on shooting all the things that can shoot at us." March 3: Fox Business: Trump threatens to cut off trade with Spain over Iran and defense spending President Trump Tuesday threatened to cut off trade with Spain, accusing the NATO ally of failing to meet defense spending commitments and refusing to allow U.S. forces to use Spanish bases to support operations related to strikes against Iran. Speaking during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House, Trump said he had directed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to "cut off all dealings with Spain," calling the country "unfriendly" and criticizing its leadership. The president claimed Spain was the only NATO country refusing his call to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP and said Madrid had indicated Washington could not use certain Spanish bases in support of Operation Epic Fury. The president didn't specify which military installations he was referring to. The United States maintains access to Naval Station Rota and Morón Air Base under a long-standing defense cooperation agreement with Spain. Under that agreement, U.S. forces can operate from designated Spanish installations, but Spain retains sovereignty over the bases and must authorize any use beyond the scope of the agreement. Combat or offensive strikes launched from Spanish territory would generally require Madrid's approval. March 2: The Gateway Pundit: Supreme Court blocks California law; Secret Gender Transition Law For Children The US Supreme Court on Monday blocked California's secret gender transition policies for children and said the law likely violated parental rights. The high court, in a 6-3 vote, allowed a lower court's ruling in favor of parents who reject the policy on religious grounds. Liberal justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented. The ruling bars California from enforcing the statute that allowed teachers and schools to hide from parents when a child wanted to change genders. The court's ruling focused on the parents' claim that their rights under the free exercise clause of the Constitution's First Amendment were violated. The court did not grant a similar request made by teachers who object to the policy. "We conclude that the parents who seek religious exemptions are likely to succeed on the merits of their Free Exercise Clause claim," the court said in an unsigned opinion. "The parents who assert a free exercise claim have sincere religious beliefs about sex and gender, and they feel a religious obligation to raise their children in accordance with those beliefs," the court added. March 2: Reuters(published by News Max): U.S. embassy hit by drones The U.S. embassy in Riyadh was hit by two drones, resulting in a limited fire and some material damage, the kingdom's defense ministry said Tuesday, citing an initial assessment. The drone attack came amid ongoing Iranian missile and drone strikes on Gulf states that host U.S. bases, following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Saturday. A loud blast was heard and flames were seen at the U.S. embassy in Riyadh in the early morning hours. Reportedly the fire was minor in nature. Black smoke was seen rising over Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter, which houses various foreign missions. There were no reported injuries. The embassy issued a "shelter in place" notice for U.S. citizens in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran and recommended that they avoid the embassy until further notice due to the attack on the facility. March 2: The New York Post: Epstein deposition videos show Bill Clinton shaking and furious Hillary pounding the table to storm off: 'I'm done with this' Dramatic new footage of the Clinton depositions released by the House Oversight Committee shows how a frustrated Hillary Clinton nearly stormed out after Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) snapped an unsanctioned photo of her. "I am done with this if you guys are doing this, I'm done," a shocked and furious-looking Hillary raged after one of her attorneys' raised concerns about a photo of her that appeared online. She pounded the table with her fist and started to leave. The deposition then went off the record, and Hillary ultimately returned. Meanwhile, her husband Bill Clinton, whose hands were shaking throughout his deposition, finally gave answers to longstanding questions about his ties to late sex predator Jeffrey Epstein. March 2: MSNBC: Supreme Court bars redrawing only Republican-held NYC congressional district for 2026 election The Supreme Court effectively barred for the 2026 midterm elections the redrawing of the boundary lines of the only congressional district in New York City currently held by a Republican. The decision is a victory for the incumbent, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, the Staten Island Republican, who had asked the Supreme Court to hear her bid to block the new lines for November's election. The GOP has a majority in the House of Representatives by just four seats. The Supreme Court Monday issued an order effectively barring the redrawing of the boundary lines of the only congressional district in New York City. The decision is seen as a victory for the incumbent seeking re-election this November. March 2: Breitbart News: Operation Epic Fury Day Three: The Latest News From Iran and the Middle East The military operation against Iran has entered its third day, with strikes against targets deep inside Iran and interceptions of Iranian aircraft, missiles, and drones attempting to land blows across the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean ongoing. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the notion that Israel dragged the United States into war with Iran, saying "That's ridiculous. Donald Trump is the strongest leader in the world. He does what he thinks is right for America. He does also what he thinks is right for future generations." Earlier, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the threat posed by Iran to the United States was "imminent", claiming that the White House had intelligence that the Islamist regime had planned to attack American assets in the region in the event of an impending strike on its missile program by Israel. Rubio added, however, that the timing of the strike was also influenced by a desire to prevent the currently weakened Iran from building up its missile and drone programs to defend against strikes on its nuclear program. Meanwhile Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense said its forces have intercepted and destroyed eight drones it was revealed two drones were successful in striking the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh. March 1: Breitbart News: Venezuela condemns attacks on Iran, then removes post Venezuela's socialist regime on Saturday released a statement condemning the military operation against the Iranian regime without making any mention of the United States or Israel — but appeared to delete it moments later without any explanation. Additionally, in an unprecedented move, they also condemned Iran's "inappropriate and reprehensible reprisal" after Iran launched a series of drones and missile attacks against other countries — marking the first time that the Venezuelan regime expresses criticisms of its decades-old ideological ally following the downfall of Nicolás Maduro. The now-deleted statement was reportedly by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil expressing deep regret that the strikes while there were ongoing diplomatic negotiations. Foreign Minister Gil deleted the statement from his social media accounts moments later and without providing any explanation. Reports on the statement were also taken down across Venezuelan state-owned and regime affiliated outlets. Copies of the statement, however, remain available on both China's and Cuba's state affiliated outlets. Meanwhile, Fox News reports the joint military operation is expected to carry on for days and that Israel is targeting Iranian leadership, while the U.S. is focusing targeting military targets and ballistic missile sites that pose an "imminent threat." Trump warned on Sunday against Iranian retaliation over the U.S. and Israeli strikes. He said that if Iran were to "hit very hard," they would be met with "a force that has never been seen before." The Iranian response targeted all U.S. bases in the Gulf, except for U.S. bases in Oman. March 1: Associated Press (published by News Max): Trump; Operation in Iran is ahead of schedule President Trump said Sunday that U.S. military operations against Iran are "ahead of schedule. He also said 48 leaders have been killed in the strikes on Iran. "It's moving along rapidly. This has been this way for 47 years," he was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, Iran vowed revenge Sunday after the killing of its supreme leader and traded strikes with Israel as part of a widening war prompted by a surprise U.S. and Israeli bombardment a day earlier. The blasts in Tehran sent a huge plume of smoke into the sky in an area where there are government buildings. Iranian authorities say more than 200 people have been killed since the start of the strikes that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior leaders. Earlier, Iran fired missiles at an ever-widening list of targets in Israel and Gulf Arab states in retaliation while Israel pledged "non-stop" strikes against Iran's leaders and military. In Israel, loud explosions caused by missile impacts or interceptions could be heard in Tel Aviv. Israel's rescue services said eight people were killed and 28 wounded in a strike that hit a synagogue in the central town of Beit Shemesh, bringing the overall death toll in the country to 10. March 1: The Gateway Pundit: Insurance companies cancel coverage for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and in the Persian Gulf With the ongoing military conflict between the US, Israel and Iran, commercial shipping in the conflict area has become a much more dangerous affair. Now, news has arisen that insurers are telling ship owners that they will cancel policies and raise coverage prices for vessels travelling through the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. "War risk insurers on Saturday submitted cancellation notices for policies covering ships moving through the key oil chokepoint, brokers told the Financial Times, with prices set to rise as much as 50% in the coming days. The unusual move to submit these notices before trading resumes on Monday underscores the pace of escalation after Iran launched retaliatory strikes against US bases across the Middle East. For a $100mn vessel, this would mean an increase from $250,000 to $375,000 per voyage. Cargo war risk insurers — which cover commodities carried on tankers, such as grain and oil — also said that they were preparing to cancel policies on Monday. Many ship owners are turning away from the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping lane through which about a fifth of the world's crude oil flows. This move is likely to have a major impact on China which has relied upon discounted oil imports from both Iran and Venezuela. February 28: The New York Post: Iranian leader taken out in a joint U.S.-Israeli raid Iran's tyrannical Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed Saturday in an unprecedented, joint military attack by the US and Israel called Operation Epic Fury — which President Trump said would give Iranians their "greatest chance" to "take back the country." "Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead," Trump said on Truth Social. "This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty thugs." Israeli officials say more than 40 top Iranian security and regime figures were eliminated in the opening strikes and as many as 10 high-ranking leaders were killed in the initial strike on Khamenei's fortified compound. February 28: The Gateway Pundit: Iranians have mixed feelings but some are rejoicing over U.S./Israeli attack and the demise of their leader The United States and Israel launched one of the most ambitious coordinated military assaults on the Iranian regime in decades and some legacy media are finding is hard to handle the reaction from Iranian citizens. Masih Alinejad, whose family still resides inside Iran, revealed during a televised appearance that many Iranians are experiencing mixed emotions, but notably, a sense of relief and even joy, as American strikes begin targeting the Islamic Republic's military apparatus. According to Alinejad, citizens inside Iran are simultaneously feeling pain, hope, and deep concern, but are reacting emotionally to what they see as long-overdue accountability for regime forces such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which have violently suppressed anti-government protests across the country. For 47 years, the people of Iran have lived under the shadow of a theological dictatorship. Now, as the U.S. and Israel finally take the fight to the Revolutionary Guard (IRGC), the people see a glimmer of "hope" that the "beginning of the future" has arrived. February 28: The Washington Times: One-way drones used for first time in combat in attack on Iran – NO American casualties American forces in the Middle East for the first time in combat used small, cheap, one-way attack drones during Saturday's strikes on Iran, the Pentagon reported. U.S. Central Command did not say specifically what targets were hit by the drones, but their use in combat during the Iran mission is a milestone for the American military. In a statement posted on social media, CENTCOM said it launched attacks against key Iranian targets from the air, land and sea. "Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields," the command said. Despite a major Iranian counterattack, there have been no American casualties and no significant damage to U.S. military bases across the Middle East, military officials said. CENTCOM said the small drones were part of its Task Force Scorpion Strike program, which is the military's first one-way attack drone squadron based in the Mideast. "The first hours of the operation included precision munitions launched from air, land and sea," the statement said. Additionally, Task Force Scorpion Strike employed low-cost one-way attack drones for the first time in combat. Small, cheap attack drones have proved to be an effective battlefield tool during the Russia-Ukraine war. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Pentagon has made it a top priority to buy and field small drones by the thousands. February 27: Fox News: Virginia Governor (D) in hot water re: immigration The Department of Homeland Security is calling on Virginia's Democrat Gov. Abigail Spanberger to ensure local law enforcement cooperates with federal immigration officials by handing over an illegal immigrant with a lengthy criminal record who allegedly killed a woman earlier this week at a Virginia bus stop. Fairfax County police arrested an illegal immigrant from Sierra Leone on charges of second-degree murder after he allegedly fatally stabbed a 41 year old woman who was found dead at a local bus stop with several wounds to the upper body. DHS reports the suspect has a criminal history of more than 30 arrests for rape, malicious wounding, assault, identity theft, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, assault and pick-pocketing. The request comes after the newly elected Democrat governor of Virginia signed an executive order to end cooperation between federal immigration officials and state and local law enforcement, a move several Democrat Party governors have taken recently amid President Trump's move to increase deportation operations around the country. The DHS request for cooperation comes just days after the suspect's release from jail for a separate crime in December. "We are calling on Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger and Virginia's sanctuary politicians to commit to not releasing this murderer and violent career criminal from their jail without notifying ICE," said Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. "This illegal alien's murder of an innocent, beautiful American woman came less than 24 hours before Governor Spanberger's demonization of ICE law enforcement. This heinous criminal is a perfect example of why we need cooperation from sanctuary jurisdictions and the importance of third country removals for the safety of the American people." February 27: News Max: Trump asks the Supreme Court to rehear the tariff case President Trump continued to press the SCOTUS after is limited his tariff authority, asking whether the case could be reheard. In a post on Truth Social Trump said, "The recent Decision of the United States Supreme Court concerning tariffs could allow for Hundreds of Billions of Dollars to be returned to Countries and Companies that have been 'ripping off' the United States of America for many years, and now, according to this decision, could actually continue to do so, at an even increased level." "I am sure the Supreme Court did not have this in mind! It doesn't make sense that Countries and Companies that took advantage of us for decades, receiving Billions and Billions of Dollars that they should not have been allowed to receive, would now be entitled to an undeserved 'windfall,' the likes of which the World has never seen before, as a result of this highly disappointing, to say the least, ruling. Is a Rehearing or Readjudication of this case possible???" [See Related Story] February 27: The Gateway Pundit: Texas Democrat; SOTU made me like Trump more The liberal newspaper USA Today just published an op-ed from a Texas Democrat woman who said she loved Trump's State of the Union Address. She even calls out her own party for their childish behavior during the speech and says it is going to influence the way she votes in the 2026 midterms. I'm a Democrat. Trump's State of Union made me like him more, she said. "This was the first time I wasn't bored and actually agreed with everything he had to say. I appreciate his businessman's approach to the economy and tariffs. I loved that he celebrated the people directly affected by his policy changes and celebrated the economy wins by putting America first," she said. "I am disappointed in all the elected leaders who refused to celebrate the people who have been sacrificed because of the policies brought about by the Biden administration. The speech improved my opinion of Trump, and I believe he has only the best interests of the United States at the core of all his decisions. I do believe the changes he has made are working, and I wish the Democrat Party would give him the same courtesy they gave the Obama administration with illegal aliens." February 26: The Epoch Times: In depth look at case to watch before the Supreme Court The Supreme Court is poised to hear arguments on major constitutional and legal issues over the next several months. Here are some of the top cases to watch: • Birthright Citizenship: One of the term's most consequential cases arises from a class-action lawsuit alleging that the president violated the 14th Amendment by withholding citizenship for children of illegal immigrants. Oral arguments are scheduled for April 1. The clause of the 14th Amendment at issue guarantees citizenship to people "born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof." Trump has issued an executive order that calls for officials to deny citizenship documents to children if their mothers were unlawfully or temporarily present in the United States, and their fathers were not citizens or lawful permanent residents. In 2025, multiple lower courts issued rulings blocking implementation of the executive order. In a 1898 case, the Supreme Court said the amendment guaranteed citizenship for a Chinese man whose legally parents were permanently domiciled in the United States but were not U.S. citizens. Lower courts have said that the decision's reasoning lent itself to guaranteeing citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants. The administration disagrees. One of the issues that needs addressing is what dos "subject to U.S. jurisdiction" mean. • Mail-In Ballots: The Court will consider whether states can count mail-in ballots received after Election Day. This case has its origins in 2020, when Mississippi amended its state law to authorize counting mail-in ballots received up to five days after Election Day, so long as they were postmarked by Election Day. In 2024, opponents alleged Mississippi violated a federal law that defines "Election Day" as "the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November." Mississippi argued that the Elections Clause of the Constitution — which broadly allows states to choose the "manner" of their elections — protected the law. A district court ruled in favor of Mississippi. Later, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit overturned that ruling, prohibiting Mississippi from accepting late-received ballots. Oral arguments are scheduled for March 23. • Gun Rights for Drug Users: A man was charged in 2023 with violating a federal law that prohibits firearm possession by individuals who unlawfully use controlled substances. The man admitted to smoking marijuana approximately every other day, but challenged his indictment, arguing the wording of the statute was too vague and violated the Second Amendment. The Court is set to reexamine its 2022 precedent in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen case where they said laws restricting the right to bear arms are constitutional only when they are "consistent with the Nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation." The government argues the law at issue in this case is "analogous to founding-era laws restricting the rights of drunkards." Defense attorneys dispute the comparison, arguing that "habitual drunkard" laws targeted people who regularly abused alcohol users. Oral arguments for the case are scheduled for March 2. • Asylum at US–Mexico Border: The Supreme Court is set to hear oral argument on March 24 over the Obama administration's policy of turning away asylum-seekers before they cross the southern border. Although the Biden administration rescinded that policy, the Supreme Court is reviewing the results of prior litigation with consequences for future border enforcement. The main question is whether migrants have officially arrived in the United States if they stop on the Mexican side of the border. A group of 13 asylum-seekers and an immigrants' rights organization sued in 2017. They alleged the policy violated federal laws allowing migrants to apply for asylum and to be inspected by an immigration officer if they arrive in the country. One of the laws states that "any alien who is physically present in the United States or who arrives in the United States" can apply for asylum regardless of his or her legal status. The Justice Department is asking the court to affirm that "arrival" in the U.S. mean physical presence not simply encountering a border official. • Monsanto's Weed Killer: The Supreme Court is set to wade into years-long litigation over Monsanto's popular Roundup product and its purported effect of increasing cancer risk. Although the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has repeatedly concluded that a cancer warning wasn't necessary, more than 100,000 plaintiffs across the country have sought to hold the company liable. One of the plaintiffs alleged he developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after years of exposure to Roundup. A jury unanimously awarded him $1.25 million and said that Monsanto failed to follow state law requiring companies to warn users about those types of risks. Monsanto is telling the Court that the case was deeply flawed because federal laws take precedence over state laws when the two conflict. In this case Monsanto says a law known as the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act takes precedence over Missouri's warning law. That federal law generally empowers the EPA to regulate pesticides. Monsanto argues that because the EPA had already refused to require a warning label, the state's requirement would be exceeding its authority. Oral argument is set for April 27. • Geofencing: The Supreme Court is hearing arguments on April 27 over a geofence warrant used in the investigation of an armed bank robbery in Virginia. Law enforcement uses these types of warrants to obtain cell phone data from a service provider. In this case authorities served Google with a "geofence warrant" for anonymized location data for every device within 150 meters of the bank and within one hour of the crime. After Google turned over the initial list of devices, law enforcement asked — without an additional warrant — for more, including de-anonymized data on three devices. One of those devices belonged to the defendant who was convicted using the evidence from the warrant. Violated the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable searches and generally requires warrants. The Justice Department has defended the search and warrant. "Individuals generally have no reasonable expectation of privacy in information disclosed to a third party and then conveyed by the third party to the government," it said. February 26: The Washington Times: Minnesota Judge threatens contempt charge against ICE agents for not following his orders The chief federal judge in Minnesota lambasted the Trump administration Thursday for court orders in releasing illegal immigrants and raised the possibility of pursuing criminal contempt charges against government officials. Judge Patrick Schiltz, who was appointed by George W. Bush, said it was "beyond the pale" that the administration surged immigration enforcement officers into the state without the Justice Department being ready for the tsunami of legal challenges that followed. He also criticized the chief prosecutor, for supposed defiance. The Judge had previously scolded the government for not complying with the federal court's release orders. He said he'd had all of the judges check their records and he came up with 96 defied orders in 74 cases. DOJ challenging the data saying "Judge, please pardon me for being so direct, but your order of January 28 did not merely contain some errors," he wrote. "Assuming the statistical sample we chose is as representative of the whole as I believe it likely is, the information compiled by others for your order was far beyond the pale of accuracy for an order that would be wielded so publicly and so sharply." February 26: The Daily Caller: Senator Kennedy (R-LA) takes on FED over debanking of conservatives Sen. John Kennedy demanded an explanation from a high-ranking Federal Reserve official about debanking conservatives during a Thursday hearing. Last year President Trump chewed out the Bank of America. Over the company's alleged "debanking" of conservatives for their political beliefs. Kennedy asked Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman about why the agency allowed banks to close the accounts of conservatives and firearms manufacturers during a Senate Banking Committee's hearing. "What in God's name was the Fed and some of your other agencies thinking when you allowed banks to debank customers for reputational risk? Are you kidding me? Why did you allow that to happen?" Kennedy asked. "Because you didn't like their politics or you didn't like the products they made." First lady Melania Trump wrote in her memoir that she and her son Barron were debanked, but she did not name the institution that closed her accounts. Trump said in January he would sue J.P. Morgan Chase over the financial institution closing accounts after the Jan. 6, 2021, protest at the Capitol building. "Senator, I appreciate your concerns and I share them. I was not the vice chair at the time those decisions were made," Bowman said, with Kennedy responding, "I know that. But your institution went along with it. The banks proposed it and your institution sucked it up like a Hoover Deluxe," he said. February 26: The Gateway Pundit: Spyware found on DHS Chief Kristi Noem's phone and computer DHS Chief Kristi Noem on Thursday revealed that staffers installed spyware on her phone and computer to spy on her. "Elon Musk and his team were extremely helpful to me. They helped me identify that some of my own employees in my department had downloaded software on my phone and my laptop to spy on me to record our meetings. They had done that to several of the political," Noem said. "We ended up bringing in people. And that was something that if you didn't have those technology experts here in the department, looking at all of our laptops and our phones and recognizing that kind of software, it would still be happening today," Noem said. Kristi Noem said the Deep State is indeed real, and she is still finding people embedded in the DHS who hate America. February 25: The Post Newspaper: Election Integrity; A look at Fulton County, Georgia A recent interview, John Solomon, a highly respected investigative reporter, noted "I think Donald Trump is going to change the narrative in America. He is going to do it by revealing some of the things that former FBI officials Chris Ray and Chris Gribes and other officials who were in charge of integrity of our election kept from the public domain. The rumors are that the Trump administration will start revealing some of the intelligence that was kept from the American people. Solomon thinks some big, significant, and very serious revelations about vulnerabilities of elections are about to be unveiled to the American public. He thinks that this revelation will put pressure on senators to act. If these rumors are true, it could specifically play into the enactment of the SAVE America Act in the Senate. If our nation is to survive, we must have free and fair elections. Let the chips fall where they may… But the integrity of our election system must be protected and ensured. February 25: The New York Post: Rubio; The U.S. will respond appropriately to Cuban Coast Guard killing four Florida residents Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed the United States would get answers about a Cuba shootout that killed four people and injured six others aboard a speedboat from Florida. "We're going to find out exactly what happened and then we will respond accordingly," Rubio said Wednesday. He conceded that "it is highly unusual to see shootouts in the open sea like that. That's not something that happens every day." Cuba's Ministry of the Interior announced the deadly altercation in a post on social media, declaring it was protecting "its territorial waters" when its border troops killed at least four and wounded six who were aboard a Florida-registered boat that had entered Cuban waters. But Rubio downplayed Cuba's version of events, saying the U.S. would find it's own information on this. " February 25: News Max: Shumer; it was legitimate and right for Democrat lawmakers to remain seated during portions of Trump's SOTU address Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said it was "legitimate" and "right" for Democrat lawmakers to remain seated during portions of President Donald Trump's State of the Union address Tuesday night, particularly when Trump called for protecting Americans over illegal aliens. "One of the great things about the State of the Union," Trump said, "is how it gives Americans the chance to see clearly what their representatives really believe. Tonight, I'm inviting every legislator to join with my administration in reaffirming a fundamental principle. If you agree with this statement, then stand up and show your support: The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens." After most Democrats in the House chamber remained seated, Trump said, "Isn't that a shame? You should be ashamed of yourself not standing up. You should be ashamed of yourself." Schumer said Wednesday Trump "should be ashamed," citing what he described as immigration enforcement actions that resulted in the fatal shootings of two anti-ICE protesters last month in Minneapolis. He ignored that those killed were obstructing legal law enforcement actions and taking life threatening actions against law enforcement officers. "Yes, we want to protect Americans. He's not doing it," Schumer contended. "And that's why the American people are against what ICE is doing. So, it was legitimate and right not to stand." February 24: Reuters (published by News Max): U.S. continues to collect tariffs amid the SCOTUS decision The United States began collecting a temporary new 10% global import tariff on Tuesday, but the Trump administration was working to increase it to 15%, a White House official said. But on Monday night, before the midnight start of collections, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency notified shippers that the rate would be at the 10% level. There are no details currently available of when they might increase to the 15% level. Customs and Border Patrol's (CBP) says that aside from products covered by exemptions, imports would "be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of 10%." The new tariff took effect at midnight, while collection of the tariffs annulled by the Supreme Court was halted. They had ranged from 10% to as much as 50%. The plaintiffs who prevailed in the Supreme Court tariff case filed motions on Tuesday in federal courts to enforce the ruling and initiate a process for refunds. However, some experts suggest it will be difficult to determine who should be the recipients, making it less likely the courts will order said refunds. February 24: Fox News: Hockey Team USA; Member offers to swap his medal with POTUS for a Presidential Pen! President Donald Trump and U.S. men's hockey gold medalist Matthew Tkachuk had a lighthearted interaction in the Oval Office Tuesday ahead of the State of the Union address. Tkachuk was with several members of the team, taking pictures and showing off their medals after defeating Canada in overtime on the final day of the Winter Olympics. The Florida Panthers star asked the president if he wanted to wear the medal. "Yeah, absolutely. I'm not giving it back," Trump joked. Tkachuk replied, "I'll trade you that for a pen." Trump said it was "cool" to wear the medal, adding, "I never thought I'd have this on me." February 23: Fox News: Cruz (R-TX); I warned Mexican officials and they listened Senator Ted Cruz said he had personally warned Mexican officials last year that Washington expected stronger action against Mexican cartels. "In August of last year, I went down to Mexico. I took a trip to El Salvador, Panama and Mexico, and I met with senior officials in the Mexican government. The message I conveyed to them was that they needed to get serious about fighting the cartels to stop the drug trafficking into America and to stop the human trafficking into America. I told them that if they didn't get serious, President Trump was going to." "This was before the Maduro raid," Cruz said, "But the [Venezuela] raid was not a surprise — it was clear the president was going to do what was necessary to keep America safe. I will say that Mexico has pivoted sharply, and this is a real manifestation of that. Thousands of Americans are alive today because Trump was re-elected and Republicans were put in charge of Congress. If we had kept the Democrats' open-border policies in place, there would be thousands more Americans dead from murder, other violent crime and drug overdoses. February 23: The New York Post: Mexico extradites a hundred cartel leaders to the U.S. Mexico has quietly shipped nearly 100 suspected cartel drug traffickers to the US to stand trial charges after President Trump branded the groups as foreign terrorist organizations last year — and pressured the Mexican government to cooperate. The suspects include the brother of Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes — the brutal Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG) leader who was killed by the Mexican army on Sunday. The Justice Department said many of the 92 defendants released to the Americans had US extradition requests that were not honored during the Biden administration. February 23: The Washington Times: Federal judge blocks release of Jack Smith's anti-Trump report to Congress A federal judge blocked former special counsel Jack Smith's attempt to release a damning anti-Trump report to Congress, ruling Monday that because Smith was never properly appointed to the job, his attempts to complete the document were done outside of the law. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee to the court in Florida, also ruled that the report contains material that would break the attorney-client privilege if released. Given that, she said, releasing the information would unfairly taint Trump who, because he was never brought to trial or convicted, maintains the presumption of innocence. February 23: News Max: Trump warns trading partners agains playing games amid the SCOTUS's tariff decision President Donald Trump on Monday warned that nations that "play games" with tariff agreements reached with the U.S. will face steeper penalties even after the Supreme Court struck down tariffs based upon the legal authority the Administration used. "Any Country that wants to 'play games' with the ridiculous supreme court decision, especially those that have 'Ripped Off' the U.S.A. for years, and even decades, will be met with a much higher Tariff, and worse, than that which they just recently agreed to," Trump wrote on Truth Social. President Trump reached an Economic Prosperity Deal with the United Kingdom in May 2025 setting mutual tariff terms and broader trade commitments. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced in October 2025 that the United States finalized reciprocal trade agreements with Malaysia and Cambodia and unveiled joint tariff frameworks with Vietnam and Thailand following negotiations tied to Trump's threatened tariff increases. This month, the USTR said the United States concluded an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with Indonesia, part of a series of country-by-country tariff negotiations this term that the administration has also said include frameworks or agreements with Japan, South Korea, India, and several Latin American partners. [See Related Story] February 22: The New York Post: Californians hunker down in Mexico as all hell breaks loose Californians have been trapped in Mexico as cartel violence engulfed a popular tourist city and spilled towards the US border. Americans in Puerto Vallarta were urged to stay indoors as narco gangs went on a bloody rampage after leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes was killed in a military raid on Sunday. Carnage spread up the west coast of the country through Sunday, with reports of attacks getting closer to the States in Baja California while gunfire erupted at Guadalajara International Airport Meanwhile, Fox News reported that during the operation Sunday that killed a cartel boss, underscored how the Mexican Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) amassed military-style firepower over the years. Authorities have previously linked CJNG to a 2015 attack in Jalisco in which cartel gunmen used rocket-propelled grenades to bring down a Mexican military helicopter – one of the starkest examples of a cartel directly engaging federal forces with battlefield-grade weapons. The assault marked a turning point in how Mexican authorities viewed the group's capabilities. During Sunday's raid, officials said security forces were attacked and returned fire, deploying aircraft and specialized units to carry out the operation. Authorities said troops seized armored vehicles and heavy weapons, equipment more commonly associated with armed conflict than routine law enforcement. Mexican Special Forces, with aircraft assistance from the Air Force and National Guard rapid-reaction units, participated in the mission, highlighting the scale of force required to confront senior cartel leadership. Former U.S. officials have described CJNG as operating more like a paramilitary organization than a traditional trafficking ring, using coordinated roadblocks, armed convoys and structured enforcement wings to assert control in contested regions. February 22: The Daily Caller: Secret Service shoots Mar-A-Lago intruder Austin Tucker Martin of Cameron, North Carolina, was confronted by U.S. Secret Service agents and Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies near the north gate of the Mar-a-Lago complex early Sunday. Authorities say he was carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel canister. Officers ordered Martin to drop the items. He reportedly put down the canister but raised the shotgun into what law enforcement described as a "shooting position," and he was shot and killed. Investigators believe Martin drove from North Carolina to Florida on Saturday, based on social media posts from family members and information released by the sheriff's office in his home county. Martin graduated from Union Pines High School in Cameron in 2023, according to a social media post from his mother. State voting records list him as a registered voter unaffiliated with any political party. February 22: News Max: Hockey Team USA edges out Canada in overtime; Patel invited to join the team in the locker room FBI Director Kash Patel joined Team USA's men's hockey celebration after the gold medal-winning team's victory in Milan at the Winter Olympics on Sunday. Patel, an amateur hockey player and avid fan, was in the stands in the Italian city as the U.S. beat Canada 2-1 in overtime, just days after the American women won gold in the same manner. Patel posted; "I love America and was extremely humbled when my friends, the newly minted Gold Medal winners on Team USA, invited me into the locker room to celebrate this historic moment with the boys — Greatest country on earth and greatest sport on earth." He earlier wrote, alongside photos from the postgame celebration: "Unity, Sacrifice, Attitude — what it takes to be the best in the world." Some Americans criticized Patel over the FBI's claim that his visit to Milan was a business trip, which came during the bureau's involvement in high-profile cases such as the search for Nancy Guthrie and the shooting of a gunman at Mar-a-Lago. Of course, Patel lets his special agents do their jobs, ensuring they have the resources they need. His team is on top of these cases while Pel monitors their progress. February 22: Fox News: U.S. prepared to act if Iran chooses not to negotiate in good faith on nuclear deal The U.S. is in position for a "highly kinetic" campaign against Iran after launching one of its largest recent military buildups in the Middle East, a former senior Pentagon official has claimed. Dana Stroul, now research director at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, made the assessment Sunday as Washington and Tehran prepare for a second round of indirect nuclear talks in Oman. "The US military is ready for a sustained, highly kinetic campaign should President Trump order it, and also prepared to defend allies and partners in the Middle East from Iran's missiles," Stroul said. "The US military can rapidly reposition assets from all over the world and deploy overwhelmingly lethal force in a short period of time to one theater," she said before highlighting how there is "no ally or enemy capable of what we have seen from the US in this current buildup." February 21: Breitbart News: JP Morgan admits closing over fifty Trump bank accounts JPMorgan Chase admitted that it closed more than 50 of President Donald Trump's bank accounts after his first term as president concluded. The bank admitted Friday that "more than 50 Trump accounts" were cut off in February 2021, weeks after the January 6, 2021, protest at the Capitol. The revelation by JPMorgan came after Trump "and the Trump Organization" filed a lawsuit in January against JPMorgan Chase and its CEO, Jamie Dimon, for having "debanked" the president. Per the outlet, accounts that JPMorgan reportedly "debanked" were accounts "for Trump hotels, housing developments and retail shops" in several states, along with "Trump's personal private banking relationship that handled his inheritance." Reportedly, JPMorgan did not specify in those letters a specific reason for the mass account closings. In one unsigned note to Trump, dated Feb. 19, 2021, the bank wrote that he would need to "find a more suitable institution with which to conduct business." The revelation came after Trump's attorneys filed a $5 billion lawsuit against JPMorgan and Dimon for "debanking" the then former president. February 21: News Max: DOJ fires Judges pick for top federal prosecutor in Virgina A lawyer picked by judges to serve as the top federal prosecutor for a Virginia office that pursued cases against foes of President Trump was swiftly fired Friday by the Justice Department in the latest clash over the appointments of powerful U.S. attorneys. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the firing of James Hundley shortly after he was unanimously chosen by judges to replace former Trump lawyer Lindsey Halligan as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. While the law says that the district court may choose U.S. attorneys when an initial appointment expires, the Trump administration has insisted that the power lies only in the hands of the executive branch. "EDVA judges do not pick our US Attorney. POTUS does," DOJ said. The action by DOJ indicates that if the Administration cannot get is nominations confirmed through the Senate, that at the very least the Judges, who have the authority to select an interim appointment, need to work with the Administration in selecting a person who is acceptable to the administration. February 21: Fox News: Senator Kennedy (R-LA) 'grizzly' Trump secured trade wins despite SCOTUS tariff blow Sen. John Kennedy offered an optimistic perspective on the Supreme Court's tariff ruling, arguing the "grizzly" in the Oval Office should view it as a win. In a 6-3 ruling Friday, the court struck down President Trump's global tariff authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Despite the legal setback, Kennedy argued Trump's use of tariffs has secured strong trade deals and could boost the economy. "Stevie Wonder [who is blind] could see this decision coming," he said. Democrats lauded the Supreme Court's ruling as a victory, arguing tariffs raise prices for everyday Americans. Kennedy, however, questioned what would happen with the tariff revenue already collected. "My Democratic colleagues are saying, 'Oh, give it back, give back,'" he said. "My Democratic peeps better be careful what they ask for because if he gives back $300 billion worth of tariff money to the business community in America, this economy's [going to] roar and the midterms are only a few months off." February 20: The Daily Caller: Turley; SCOTUS decision not a surprise but it won't stop Trump's tariff policies Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley said Friday that the Supreme Court's ruling against the Trump administration and its use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs was hardly shocking. The Supreme Court ruled 6–3 on Friday that the IEEPA does not authorize President Trump to impose tariffs, holding that the statute's phrase "regulate importation" does not include the distinct power to levy tariffs absent explicit congressional approval. Turley said that even a "marvelous" defense from the solicitor general could not overcome the Supreme Court's textual reading of IEEPA. "The odds were against the president in this appeal. Some of these conservative justices historically take a more textual approach to statutes. They did not see the clear authority under IEEPA, and there were good faith arguments on both sides," Turley said. "I actually thought the solicitor general of the United States did an extraordinary job in oral argument. I thought that he was marvelous and it ultimately didn't carry the day, but that's what most of us thought would be the outcome." Turley said the ruling does not spell the end of Trump's broader tariff strategy. He said the administration anticipated the result and prepared accordingly. [See Related Story] February 20: News Max: Dershowitz: Trump can recast tariffs under Article II powers Harvard Law School professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz said Friday that President Trump can still impose steep trade penalties despite the Supreme Court's ruling that he exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, arguing the administration simply relied on the "wrong approach." He said he had anticipated the high court would reject the administration's legal theory. "I thought that the lawyers for Trump made the wrong argument to the Supreme Court, and I predicted they were going to lose based on their argument." The court ruled Trump went beyond his authority in invoking IEEPA to impose broad-based tariffs, siding with challengers who argued that Congress, under Article I of the Constitution, holds the power to levy taxes and duties. "Article I of the Constitution says that duties and taxes can be imposed only by Congress and Congress can delegate that authority to the president," he said. "But if you argue that tariffs can be a weapon of foreign policy, a weapon of diplomacy, a weapon of preventing war, then it's an Article II power of the president, and Congress has no power to limit it." Trump's legal team framed the tariffs primarily as a revenue-raising measure, which placed them squarely under Article I constraints. Instead, Dershowitz urged a reframing that would ground the policy in the president's constitutional authority over foreign n affairs and national security. "I would say, go back to the drawing board now, give me executive authority to impose these kinds of things," he said, describing what Trump should demand from his advisers. "You don't even have to call them a tariff," he said. "We all know now that President Trump has been using tariffs in two different ways," he said. "One, obviously, to raise money for the United States. That power he doesn't have without authorization from Congress. But the power to use tariffs, to punish, to threaten, to deter, to be part of foreign policy, that's within the presidency." Dershowitz said Trump "wisely" recognized that the ruling leaves "flexibility to do the same thing with different labels and different motives," adding, "I'm confident he's going to do it and it's going to be successful." [See Related Story] February 20: The Epoch Times: English Only mandated for CDL driver's licenses The federal crackdown on unqualified truckers kicked into a higher gear Friday when the nation's transportation chief announced that tests for commercial driver's licenses must be given only in English. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed the latest policy with a goal of ensuring that truck drivers understand English well enough to read road signs and communicate with law enforcement officers. Florida has already implemented English-only tests. The new order includes modernizing the commercial driver's license (CDL) registration system, cracking down on fraud, and improving driver safety. Duffy also said that it is easier for noncitizens to get a CDL than U.S. citizens, noting that under the Biden administration, illegal immigrants seeking licenses were not subject to background checks, unlike American applicants. "Our new rule restricts eligibility and ensures ONLY qualified drivers can operate big rigs," Duffy added. [See Related Story] February 19: The Gateway Pundit: NYC mayor opens first city-owned grocery store with predictable results The people of New York City got a good taste of communism earlier this week months after electing Marxist Zohran Mamdani for mayor. A pop-up shop opened up Sunday for five days in the West Village to offer free groceries to impoverished New Yorkers and people simply looking for an easy lunch. The outlet notes this comes Mayor Mamdani advanced one of his key campaign promises: city-run grocery stores aimed at lowering food costs. Much like in communist countries like Cuba, lines grew quite long in a hurry with residents across all five New York City boroughs flocked to get some 'free' stuff. What happened next was entirely predictable to anyone who understands basic economics. The store ran out of tickets and food, while several individuals decided to cut in line. The comments from one person standing in line was echoed by numerous others: After standing in line…"They told me that they ran out of tickets," he said. "I couldn't get no more food.… I couldn't get access to the store." February 19: News Max: Democrat strategy is to dismantle DHS not just ICE Congresswoman Omar (D-MN) Wednesday signal that national Democrats are pursuing sweeping changes that extend far beyond abolishing ICE. During a town hall, Omar said Democrats are not only discussing eliminating Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but are also engaged in conversations about dismantling the entire Department of Homeland Security altogether. "What I will say is that there is an easier conversation happening today than six, seven years ago when I got to Congress, about what we need to do with ICE, which is to abolish it," she said in Golden Valley, Minnesota. "There is a lot of conversation about what the dismantlement of the Department of Homeland Security should look like." Omar's remarks come as Democrats continue to protest federal immigration enforcement operations under President Trump. ICE, which was established in 2003 under DHS, has carried out immigration enforcement actions for more than two decades. Thursday marked the sixth day of a federal shutdown forced by congressional Democrats over their demands to reform ICE. Democrats are pushing a series of new restrictions on ICE operations, including banning agents from wearing face masks and requiring ICE agents to wear body cameras — something the Trump administration is already moving toward. They also want to limit enforcement operations in hospitals, schools, and polling sites — a proposal Republicans have flagged, noting that noncitizens are prohibited from voting in U.S. elections under federal law. Opponents point out that if there is a carve out of certain kinds of locations then those locations will draw illegals to them, feeling they are safe havens. Additionally, critics of the Democrat proposals say dismantling ICE — or DHS more broadly — would significantly reshape national security of the homeland, and not in a positive way. DHS oversees 22 agencies focused on national security and public safety including Customs and Border Protection, ICE, TSA, FEMA, and the U.S. Coast Guard. February 19: The Washington Times: Trump promotes Made-in-the-USA at steel plant in Georgia President Trump toured a steel plant in Georgia to promote the Made-in-the-USA power of his tariffs Thursday, saying his massive levies on imported metal are working and the Supreme Court should uphold his broader trade plans. Trump said plants like Coosa Steel are seeing a turnaround as a 50% tariff prevents dumping from foreign nations and lifts domestic production. Thanks to our tariffs "…business at Coosa Steel is booming again," he told the raucous crowd that chanted "USA! USA!" "Without tariffs, this country would be in such trouble right now." The President is waiting for a decision from the Supreme Court that will determine whether he can impose blanket tariffs on imported goods. They can protect domestic industries, but Democrats and others say the breadth of Trump's levies will raise costs on American firms and consumers. The Supreme Court case does not affect his sector-specific tariffs on imports such as steel, though the President complained about the wait for a decision during his remarks at the plant. So far, the steel industry is happy with the industry-specific tariffs. February 18: The Galveston County Daily News: The SAVE Act, what it does and it will get consideration in the Senate There’s been much about the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (or SAVE) Act in the news.  It passed the house earlier this month and it’s now for the Senate to decide whether to consider and vote on it. An overwhelming majority of voters – Republican and Democrat – support the photo ID requirement [reportedly over 90% of Republicans, over 70% of Democrats]. Will the Senate consider the SAVE Act? The answer is “It Depends!”  With Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) announcing her support there’re enough declared votes for passage.  But, with current filibuster rules the Democrat opposition is attempting to shutdown debate.  Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mike Lee (R-UT) are calling for changing the Senate filibuster rules eliminating the current “zombie filibuster” where members file their objection, but don’t actually go to the floor and debate.  Cruz and Lee want to return to a “standing filibuster” where those opposing a measure must actually be on the Senate floor debating.  If this change happens, supporters of the SAVE Act could allow the opposition to talk until they run out of time and then actually vote on the legislation.  Members are limited to two speeches on any measure during a “legislative day” [which can go on for a week or more].   If a “standing filibuster” were to be required, then the SAVE Act would have a good chance of adoption.  The downside is it could potentially tie up the Senate in nonsensical debate for days and perhaps weeks. We believe Cruz and Lee have the right idea.  It preserves the filibuster and forces individual senators to stand up and be counted. February 18: News Max: Patel; the FBI has uncovered the funding sources for antifa FBI Director Kash Patel said Wednesday that investigators have uncovered what he described as major funding streams tied to antifa. The revelation signaled possible new enforcement action as the bureau intensified scrutiny of left-wing violence. Patel said the FBI has been conducting a financial investigation into how demonstrations linked to the loosely organized far left movement are supported. "These organizations don't operate alone or in silence," Patel said. "They operate with a heavy, heavy stream of funding. And we started looking into it, and guess what? We found them." Patel did not identify specific donors, organizations, or financial mechanisms, but said more details could emerge in the coming months as the investigation continues. The FBI director said agents are examining whether funding has flowed through U.S.-based nonprofit groups, including some with tax-exempt status, as well as possible foreign sources. He emphasized that investigators are focused on tracing financial support tied to acts of violence and not constitutionally protected protest activity. "Money doesn't lie," Patel said, describing the effort as a strategy of "following the money" to determine who may be underwriting unlawful conduct. February 18: Fox News: US thwarted near-catastrophic prison break of 6,000 ISIS fighters in Syria Nearly 6,000 ISIS detainees, described by a senior U.S. intelligence official as "the worst of the worst," were being held in northern Syria as clashes and instability threatened the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, the guards responsible for keeping the militants locked away and preventing a feared ISIS resurgence. A U.S. officials said, "If these 6,000 or so got out and returned to the battlefield, that would basically be the instant reconstitution of ISIS." The behind-the-scenes operation moved thousands of ISIS detainees out of Syria and into Iraqi custody. It was a multi-agency scramble that unfolded over weeks, with intelligence warnings, rapid diplomacy and a swift military lift. The risk, the official explained, had been building for months. In late October, Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard began to assess that Syria's transition could tip into disorder and create the conditions for a catastrophic jailbreak. Fears sharpened in early January as fighting erupted in Aleppo and began spreading eastward. Time was running out to prevent a catastrophe. "We saw this severe crisis situation," officials said. February 18: The Epoch Times/Associated Press: U.S. and Philippines agree on beefing up the Island nation's military capabilities as a deterrence against China Following high-level talks between senior U.S. officials and Philippine indications are that the Trump administration plans to deploy more advanced missile systems to the Philippines to help deter the Chinese communist regime's aggression. The U.S. Department of State issued a joint statement February 16 regarding the 12th Philippines – United States Bilateral Strategic Dialogue, which focused on expanding economic, political, and security engagements and boosting collaboration with regional allies. "Both sides condemned China's illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities in the South China Sea, recognizing their adverse effects on regional peace and stability and the economies of the Indo-Pacific and beyond," the two countries said. The United States installed a mid-range missile system, known as Typhon, in the northern Philippines in 2024, followed by the deployment of an anti-ship missile launcher in 2025. Beijing has urged Manila to withdraw the missile systems from its territory, a request that Philippine have rejected. Both countries vowed to maintain "a vigilant posture in the Indo-Pacific to prevent conflict" and to develop "strong measures along with the deterrence to keep sea lanes open and not subject to arbitrary control by one country." "Collective defense is critical to denying and deterring aggression anywhere in the First Island Chain." February 18: The Gateway Pundit: Are Iran's regime's days numbered? The days of the Mullahs running a terrorist regime in Iran are coming to an end. Overnight, there was more action by the US military, indicating that the Islamic regime ruling over Iran is facing its end. The Trump administration is closer to a major war in the Middle East than most Americans realize, which could come very soon. The talks were an effort to prevent bloodshed, but they didn't go as the US hoped. Iran must have realized that it wasn't negotiating with Obama and Kerry anymore. Meanwhile, in Iran, there are reports of numerous explosions across the country today. A major explosion was reported in Parand, an area south-west of Tehran in Iran. This is reportedly where multiple military facilities are located. A base in Sabzevar in Iran is reportedly burning to the ground. It looks like the US is preparing for the end of the mullahs' terror in Iran. February 17: iHeartMedia/KTRH: Cornyn campaign posts Hunt's personal information on social media; Hunt files criminal complaint Congressman and Senatorial candidate Wesley Hunt has officially filed a criminal complaint against Senator John Cornyn's communications director, Matt Mackowiak. Mackowiak received massive blowback over the weekend after he posted a 2016 provisional ballot belonging to Hunt on "X." The ballot included unredacted sensitive information, such as Hunt's personal address, driver's license number, and the last four digits of his Social Security number. The images were reposted by Cornyn's campaign account but have since been deleted. Officials are reportedly planning to subpoena "X" in order to retrieve the deleted post. Hunt's primary opponent, Texas AG Ken Paxton, also called out the doxing of Hunt, saying in a post on "X": "I still can't believe that John Cornyn's senior staffer last night doxxed Wesley Hunt's family and posted his social security number on "X" and then Cornyn defended it." February 17: The Daily Caller: Illegal alien evading ICE agents blows through red light and kills teacher in Georgia A Guatemalan illegal alien fleeing ICE killed a Georgia teacher Monday after blowing through a red light and slamming into her vehicle, federal and local officials said. DHS reported Oscar Vasquez Lopez, 38, initially complied when ICE agents attempted a traffic stop in Chatham County but then made a "reckless" U-turn and fled, running a red light before colliding with a civilian vehicle. The driver, Hesse K-8 teacher Linda Davis, died at the hospital. Lopez remains hospitalized with minor injuries and in custody. He faces charges including first-degree homicide by vehicle, reckless driving, driving without a license, and failure to obey a traffic control device. February 17: The Gateway Pundit: FCC Rule requires TV to provide equal time; Colbert dumps interview, refusing to provide equal time to Republicans In January the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a crackdown on partisan talk shows in both daytime and late-night in an effort to provide equal treatment for political candidates. Chairman Brendan Carr said at the time, "For years, legacy TV networks assumed that their late night & daytime talk shows qualify as "bona fide news" programs – even when motivated by purely partisan political purposes." "Today, the FCC reminded them of their obligation to provide all candidates with equal opportunities." As a result of the rules, CBS chose not to air an interview between Late Night host Stephen Colbert and Texas Democrat Senate candidate James Talarico on the network. Colbert was not pleased! In an effort to look like a Free Speech warrior, Colbert mentioned Talarico during the show and said, "He was supposed to be here, but we were told in no uncertain terms by our network's lawyers, who called us directly, that we could not have him on the broadcast." "Then, then I was told in some uncertain terms that not only could I not have him on, I could not mention me not having him on. And because my network clearly doesn't want us to talk about this, let's talk about this," Colbert said. Colbert is being purposely disingenuous by trying to frame the decision as an attack on Free Speech or an attempt to shut down a Democrat politician. The rule only requires that equal time be given. February 16: Fox News: Thune (R-SD); There will be a vote in the Senate on the SAVE Act Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), is ready to put Senate Democrats to the test on voter ID legislation. The Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act has earned the backing of 50 Senate Republicans, including Thune, which is enough to break through a key procedural hurdle. Whether it can pass from the Senate to President Trump's desk is, for now, an unlikely scenario if lawmakers take the traditional path in the upper chamber. Still, Thune wants to put Democrats on the spot as midterm elections creep closer. His comments came as he crisscrossed his home state of South Dakota, where he and Republicans in their respective states are out trying to sell their legislative achievements as primary season fast approaches. Thune viewed the opportunity of a floor vote as a way to have Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and his caucus explain to voters why they would block a legislative push to federally enshrine voter ID and proof of citizenship to register to vote. "We will make sure that everybody's on the record, and if they want to be against ensuring that only American citizens vote in our elections, they can defend that when they have to go out and campaign against Republicans this fall," Thune said. An alternative being pushed by Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) is to require a "standing filibuster" where those opposing debate on the issue actually go to the chamber and try to talk it to death. [See Related Story] February 16: News Max: GOP in Senate eye returning to a "talking" filibuster Senate Republicans say they have enough support within their conference to advance their legislation that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote and a photo ID to cast a ballot, and one Democrat, John Fetterman (PA) has also said he will support the measure. Even so the bill faces unified Democrat opposition and the Senate's 60-vote threshold. The bill, called the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act — shortened to SAVE America Act — cleared the House on Wednesday (218-213) clearing it for Senate action where Republicans hold 53 seats, short of the votes typically needed to end debate without Democrat support. Two Republicans will not support the bill, Mitch McConnel (KY) and Lisa Merkowski (AK). Proponents argue the bill is needed to deter fraud, including double voting, voter impersonation, and noncitizen voting, while the opponents say the new documentation requirements would make it harder for some eligible voters to participate and could disproportionately affect minority voters. Proponents are pushing for a mandatory "standing (talking) filibuster which requires lawmakers trying to block a bill to physically hold the floor and speak continuously to prevent a vote, rather than simply signaling opposition to trigger the modern 60-vote cloture threshold. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) says "Enforcing the Talking Filibuster is NOT 'eliminating' the filibuster, It's just enforcing the Senate's rules and making Democrats opposed to the SAVE America Act actually speak if they want to filibuster," he wrote. "If we don't do this now, we might as well prepare to lose," he said. [See Related Story] February 16: The New York Post: Rhode Island shooter identified as transgender man who went by a female name Police identified the gunman who killed two people and critically injured three others at a high school hockey game in Rhode Island on Monday afternoon as Robert Dorgan. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said that Dorgan, 56, also uses the alias, Roberta Esposito. WPRI News reported that Dorgan is the father of a North Providence High School senior. He sat near the back of the stands on the home team's side during the game before he moved to the front and opened fire at four family members and one family friend. Officials say Dorgan took his own life at the scene, while three victims are still in critical condition. February 15: The Daily Caller: Senator Schumer; Democrats will fight tooth and nail to keep the House-passed SAVE Act from Senate floor consideration Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Sunday that Democrats will fight "tooth and nail" against the House-passed SAVE America Act, an election integrity bill he likened to racial segregation. Schumer stressed his caucus will "not let" the legislation reach President Trump's desk and suggested Republicans only support it because they do not want poor people and minorities to vote. The legislation mandates voters to present photo ID at the polls — a requirement surveys show the vast majority of Americans support and which is already a requirement in Texas — as well as proof of U.S. citizenship in order to register to vote. Reportedly 83% of the American people, including a majority Democrats, support voter ID laws. In August 2025 a Pew Research Center survey found that 71% of Democrats and 95% of Republicans support mandating "all voters to show government-issued photo identification to vote." February 15: The Washington Times: Dems are holding firm on unmasking ICE agents even though by doing so there are putting them and their families in harm's way Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) said Sunday that the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security will continue until Republicans agree to "common-sense" changes to federal immigration enforcement. Those demands include requiring agents to de-mask and to obtain judicial warrants before entering private property. Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), one of the GOP's lead negotiators on the topic, pushed back, saying Democrats are playing politics with DHS funding — and that Americans will pay the price. It's not about ICE agents but about the immigration laws they are enforcing. The Democrats want open borders and immigration and they will fight to continue the policies of the Biden Administration, something the American people rejected at the polls in 2024. "President Trump is not going to back away from the mission," Britt said. "The mission that the American people said they wanted him to complete – that is securing our border and making sure that we actually do interior enforcement." She said the Democrat are responsible for the shutdown, because want to put illegal immigrants before the needs of American citizens. February 15: The Gateway Pundit: Beauty queen looses title over stance on transgender issue; even the Miss America pageant can't define who a woman is The Miss America organization has lost its way, according to a beauty pageant winner who says she lost her crown because she would not agree that men can become women. Kayleigh Bush was crowned as Miss North Florida in September 2024, but that did not last for long. She said the Miss America organization required her to sign a contract that conflicted with her beliefs. According to Miss America's rules, a "female" includes "a born female or an individual who has fully completed Sex Reassignment Surgery." Bush said she refused to agree to that. "I was unwilling to agree that little boys can become girls and I took a stand against the Miss America organization and lost my crown as a result of that," she said. February 14: Breitbart News: Leftist Obama-appointed judge tells Administration to get deported illegals back to the USA An Obama-appointed judge ordered the Trump administration to facilitate the return to the United States of deported illegal aliens suspected of being members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang. In a decision Thursday, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Chief Judge James Boasberg stated that the Trump administration needed to "remedy the wrong that it perpetrated" by deporting hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador. While Boasberg instructed the Trump administration to "pay for airfare and provide documents to facilitate travel" for those who were deported, he explained that the migrants would "be taken into custody upon arrival." "It is up to the Government to remedy the wrong that it perpetrated here and to provide a means for doing so," Boasberg said. "Were it otherwise, the Government could simply remove people from the United States without providing any process and then, once they were in a foreign country, deny them any right to return for a hearing or opportunity to present their case from abroad." February 14: News Max: TSA agents working for no pay A shutdown of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that took effect early Saturday impacts the agency responsible for screening passengers and bags at airports across the country. Travelers with airline reservations may be nervously recalling a 43-day government shutdown that led to historic flight cancellations and long delays last year. Transportation Security Administration officers are expected to work without pay while lawmakers remain without an agreement on DHS' annual funding. TSA officers also worked through the record shutdown that ended Nov. 12, but aviation experts say this one may play out differently. Trade groups for the U.S. travel industry and major airlines nonetheless warned that the longer DHS appropriations are lapsed, the longer security lines at the nation's commercial airports could get. Air traffic controllers employed by the Federal Aviation Administration will receive paychecks as usual, reducing the risk of widespread flight cancellations. According to the department's contingency plan, about 95% of TSA workers are deemed essential personnel and required to keep working. February 13: The Gateway Pundit: If the Senate actually considered the SAVE Act the GOP has 50 votes plus J.D. Vance's as a tie breaker In a major development that could reshape the future of federal election law in the United States, Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) has officially announced her support for the SAVE Act. With Vice President JD Vance prepared to break a tie vote if necessary, supporters of the legislation now say they have the numbers needed to pass the bill under a standing or "talking" filibuster scenario, marking a potential turning point in the GOP's long-running effort to implement nationwide voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements for federal elections. The Senate Republican leadership is considering restoring the "standing filibuster" rule. Under a standing filibuster, senators who want to delay a bill must actually stand, speak, and debate. Once debate ends, only 50 votes are needed for passage. If the Republicans are willing to stick to their guns on this and wait until Democrat senators to run out of gas, it would be a major breakthrough, overcoming the need for 60 votes needed to consider the legislation. Under a standing filibuster each senator is given two opportunities to speak. Once those are expended, a vote can be taken. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) celebrated the news of Collins' support saying "I'm thrilled to receive the news that Senator Susan Collins has announced her support for the SAVE America Act! This is huge!" [See Related Stories: "Fiddling with the Filibuster" | The SAVE Act - COMING SOON] February 13: News Max: U.S. moving the world's largest aircraft carrier to the middle east The world's largest aircraft carrier has been ordered to sail from the Caribbean to the Middle East as President Trump considers whether to take possible military action against Iran. Trump repeatedly has said the U.S. will accept an agreement only if it prevents Iran from having nuclear weapons — and has been using diplomatic pressure backed by military force to push for that outcome. The move by the USS Gerald R. Ford will put two carriers and their accompanying warships in the region as Trump increases pressure on Iran to make a deal over its nuclear program. "In case we don't make a deal, we'll need it," Trump told reporters as he left the White House Friday afternoon. "If we need it, we have it ready — a very big force." The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and three guided-missile destroyers arrived in the Middle East more than two weeks ago. The U.S. has 11 aircraft carriers, and their schedules are usually set well in advance. It marks a quick turnaround for the Ford. February 13: The Washington Times: New York Republicans ask the Supreme Court to stop a last minute effort to redistrict Congressional maps New York Republicans rushed to the Supreme Court Friday to ask the justices to block a last-minute attempt to redraw a GOP-held congressional district. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, who holds the seat, filed a petition, as did Republican members of the state's elections board. A state court found that the district, which covers all of Staten Island and the southern tip of Brooklyn, illegally dilutes the votes of Black and Hispanic residents and ordered that a new map be drawn. Candidates are slated to begin circulating petitions to get on the ballot later this month, leaving the Republicans little time to object to the last-minute changes. And given that other districts would have to be redrawn, too, the entire state congressional election process will have to be delayed, the Republicans argued. "Applicants and the people of New York have the right to conduct their congressional elections under the lawful map that the New York Legislature adopted starting on February 24, free from a judicial mandate that violates multiple provisions of the United States Constitution," the congresswoman said in her petition to the justices. February 12: iHeartMedia/KTRH: 5th circuit upholds Texas law forbidding vote harvesting A district court injunction that blocked a Texas law banning ballot harvesting has been reversed by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. According to Circuit Judge Edith H. Jones, Texas Senate Bill 1 "curtails various activities that incentivize vote fraud and intimidation." A number of groups had attempted to block the law, claiming it would restrict ballot access. Conservative supporters of the bill argued that failure to prohibit ballot harvesting would reduce both election confidence and voter turnout. February 12: News Max: Taiwanese leader, trade deal with the U.S. is pivotal The trade and tariff deal signed with the U.S. marks a "pivotal moment" for Taiwan's economy and industries, President Lai Ching-te said Friday. Trump administration officials signed a final reciprocal trade agreement that confirmed a 15% U.S. tariff rate for imports from Taiwan, while committing Taiwan to a schedule for eliminating or lowering tariffs on nearly all U.S. goods. The document also commits Taiwan to significantly boost purchases of U.S. goods from 2025 through 2029, including $44.4 billion of liquefied natural gas and crude oil, $15.2 billion of civil aircraft and engines, $25.2 billion of power grid equipment and generators, marine and steelmaking equipment. February 12: The Washington Times: DHS to shut down this weekend as another Schumer Shutdown goes into effect Senate Democrats blocked two Department of Homeland Security funding bills Thursday, saying they will not give immigration enforcement agencies another penny without an overhaul of the methods agents use to carry out the Trump administration's deportation agenda. The impasse means the department will shut down at midnight Friday, when its current stopgap funding expires. Most department functions are considered essential and will continue with a smaller subset of employees forced to work without pay. Employees deemed nonessential will be furloughed. February 12: The Gateway Pundit: Judge halts Sec. of War's effort to demote the military rank of Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) over telling members of the armed forces to defy presidential orders A federal judge Thursday rejected Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's bid to demote and discipline Democrat Senator Mark Kelly over his 'seditious' video urging US service members to defy President Trump's orders. US District Judge Richard Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, accused the Trump Administration of trying to strip the First Amendment rights of a retired military member. Last month Senator Mark Kelly filed a lawsuit against Secretary Hegseth who had previously censured Kelly and cut his military retirement pay over his 'seditious' video urging service members to defy Presidential orders. Kelly is one of the 'Seditious Six' Democrat lawmakers who urged members of the military to defy Trump's orders but the only one who is still subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. February 11: Fox News: House passes SAVE Act 218-213 with one Democrat defector The House of Representatives passed a massive election integrity overhaul bill on Wednesday despite opposition from the vast majority of Democrats. The House passed Rep. Chip Roy's SAVE America Act, legislation that's aimed at keeping non-citizens from voting in U.S. federal elections. All but one House Democrat — Rep. Henry Cuellar, (D-TX) — voted against the bill. It passed 218 to 213. It is an updated version of the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, also led by Roy (R-TX) which passed the House in April 2025 but was never taken up in the Senate. The earlier version would have created a new federal proof of citizenship mandate in the voter registration process and impose requirements for states to keep their rolls clear of ineligible voters. The updated bill would also require photo ID to vote in any federal election. It would also require information-sharing between state election officials and federal authorities in verifying citizenship on current voter rolls and enable DHS to pursue immigration cases if non-citizens were found to be listed as eligible to vote. Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) said, "The American people did not give Republicans a mandate to make excuses. They gave us one to deliver wins, and the SAVE America Act is exactly that. Every single Democrat who voted no today proved they would rather let illegal aliens tip the scales in our national elections than protect your vote." If implemented, the bill could see new requirements imposed on voters in this year's November midterm elections. However, taking up this bill in the Senate is highly unlikely. With Democrat opposition, meeting the 60 vote threshold will be an uphill climb. [See Related Story - COMING SOON] February 11: News Max: We certainly could see this coming; Dems hold DHS funding hostage over effort to force a more lenient immigration enforcement Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) said Democrats are "trying to hold America hostage" as Congress fights over Department of Homeland Security funding, arguing Republicans won't budge while funding for critical security agencies hangs in the balance. Gonzales framed the funding fight as a high-stakes standoff that threatens frontline operations at the border and beyond. "Essentially, what has happened is the Democrats are trying to hold America hostage yet again," he said, accusing the party of targeting agencies that "don't line up with what their agenda" demands. This game of chicken could hold the U.S. Coast Guard hostage along with TSA and "CISA, which is an organization that keeps us safe from cyber intrusions," he contended. "As Republicans, we're pushing back against that," he said, adding, "We're holding the line. We're not giving any leeway." This appears to be the case in the House, while in the Senate the Dems actions seem to stop any movement toward resolution. February 11: The Daily Caller: Trump builds nationwide police alliance under the noses of Dems efforts to slow down/stop ICE Documents show that President Trump has dramatically expanded a little-known program allowing local law enforcement to assist deportation operations even in liberal states. Since 2019, more than 1,350 local agencies have penned agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including 68 from Democratic states and 88 in swing states an analysis of ICE records show. Liberal activists and officials are trying to thwart the contracts, known as 287(g) agreements, but they seem to not be shutting off continuing efforts by Trump's officials. The federal-local agreements lets local law enforcement to turn over criminal illegals without requiring ICE to hunt them down and face sometimes violent confrontations. February 11: Fox Business: Washington skeptics remain quiet as job numbers out pace expectations Washington skeptics were quieted Wednesday morning as the January jobs report beat expectations, revealing a resilient American workforce that added 130,000 new private sector jobs in January. While experts predicted a winter chill for hiring, the 4.3% unemployment rate tells a different story — one of a Main Street economy – showing renewed strength. According to Patrice Onwuka of the Independent Women's Center for Economic Opportunity, this isn't just a lucky break; it's the direct result of "one big, beautiful bill" giving businesses the tax certainty they need to build, hire and grow. "Today's January jobs report is strong and, importantly, beat expectations. This should inspire more hope for unemployed workers, but also boost confidence in the economy among Americans broadly," Onwuka said. February 10: The Epoch Times: Fetterman splits from the Democrat pack and supports the SAVE Act Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) said Monday that requiring voters to show identification is not "unreasonable," breaking with Democrat messaging as Republicans push to tie the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act's voter ID provisions to upcoming Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding. Fetterman made the comments on the Fox News program "Sunday Morning Futures" in a discussion that began with the risk of a shutdown affecting DHS agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency. In the interview, he said he expected DHS funding to lapse and that he did not want to "jump back" into shutdown politics. "I do not believe that it's unreasonable to show ID just to vote," Fetterman said. He pointed to last year's election in Wisconsin in which voters enshrined voter ID in the state's constitution by about 63%. Fetterman noted that Wisconsin voters "also elected a very, very liberal justice into their supreme court" in the same election. Fetterman also pushed back on comparisons between voter ID requirements and voter suppression as made by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). "It's absolutely, those things are not Jim Crow or anything," he said, calling Jim Crow segregation "an awful, awful legacy" of the United States. [See Related Story - COMING SOON] February 10: News Max: We could see this coming; GOP looking at another short-term DHS extension as Dems refuse to lessen demands Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), signaled Republicans are preparing a second short-term funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security after Democrats rejected the White House's latest offer, raising the risk of a partial government shutdown Friday night. Reportedly GOP leaders are drafting a four-week continuing resolution to keep DHS funded while negotiations continue. The move comes as talks remain stalled over immigration enforcement reforms. Democrat leaders Tuesday morning dismissed the White House proposal as "incomplete and insufficient," pressing for new limits on President Trump's immigration crackdown. Democrat demands, if adopted, could endanger ICE agents and their families. Republicans have said they are open to limited measures, such as body cameras, but strongly oppose restrictions they argue would cripple enforcement. Thune's openness to a short-term stopgap contrasts with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) who is pushing the Senate to pass the House-approved, full-year DHS funding bill instead. "The problem is not DHS," Johnson said, "the problem is local and state officials who are not helping the situation. We need cooperation among law enforcement. It is common sense." Johnson pointed out that even if DHS funding lapses, core border enforcement would remain funded, while other security agencies would take the hit. Republicans' budget reconciliation package boosted DHS by $75 billion, while the standalone Homeland Security bill provides about $10 billion. February 9: The Epoch Times: U.S. Military boards oil tanker in the Indian Ocean that it's been following from the Caribbean U.S. military forces boarded a crude oil tanker "without incident" overnight in the Indian Ocean after pursuing it from the Caribbean, the Pentagon said today, accusing the vessel of breaching a U.S.-enforced quarantine. The vessel, the Aquila II, had attempted to avoid the quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean. "It ran, and we followed.," the Department of War (DOW) said. They "…tracked and hunted this vessel from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean. No other nation on planet Earth has the capability to enforce its will through any domain," DOW contended. They didn't elaborate on why the vessel had boarded, which it has done previously with at least seven other sanctioned oil tankers linked to Venezuela. February 9: News Max: Dems start negotiating with White House as partial government shutdown nears Democrats have begun tentative talks with the White House on their demands for "dramatic" new restrictions on Trump's immigration crackdown, discussing a possible agreement just days before funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is set to expire. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Monday the Democrats had sent the White House their list of demands. The White House said they have responded with a counterproposal. Neither side provided any details but Senate Majority Leader John Thune(R-SD) said there is "forward progress." Time is running short, with another partial government shutdown threatening to begin Saturday. Among the Democrats' previous demands are a requirement for judicial warrants, better identification of DHS officers, new use-of-force standards and a stop to racial profiling. It is unclear if the two sides can an find agreement on the charged issue of immigration enforcement, especially as rank-and-file lawmakers in both parties were skeptical about finding common ground. Republicans have balked at the Democrats' requests and some have demands of their own, including the addition of legislation that would require proof of citizenship before Americans register to vote and restrictions on cities that they say do not do enough to crack down on illegal immigration. February 9: Fox News: Court blocks California law requiring ICE agents to remove their masks A Clinton-appointed federal judge, Christina Snyder, Monday blocked California from enforcing its law that would require ICE agents to remove masks during immigration enforcement operations. She granted a preliminary injunction against the "No Secret Police Act," arguing that it discriminated against the federal government by violating the Supremacy Clause. Under the constitutional clause, federal law takes precedence over any conflicting state or local law, rendering the lower-level law unenforceable. Snyder said the "No Secret Police" ruling hinged on California exempting its own state officers while penalizing only federal agents. February 9: The Daily Pundit: Florida switches to English Only for driver's licenses The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) announced that beginning this Friday, February 6th, all driver's license knowledge and skills examinations will be administered exclusively in English. Today, FLHSMV announced that, beginning Friday, February 6th, all driver license knowledge and skills examinations will be administered exclusively in English. This change applies to all driver license classifications, including exams administered orally." Previously, knowledge exams for most non-commercial driver license classifications were offered in multiple languages, while Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) and Commercial Driver License (CDL) knowledge exams were only available in English and Spanish. Under the updated policy, all driver license knowledge and skills testing will be conducted in English. February 8: The Washington Times: Dems list to stop shutdown includes firing DHS Secretary Noem House and Senate Democrats already have a long list of demands for continuing the funding of the Department of Homeland Security past Friday; some actually have an extra caveat. Several Democrats have said if DHS Krisi Noem remains in charge of the department, they cannot support any funding deal that may come together. Democrats like Dan Goldman (NY) see DHS as abandoning and violating its obligations. House Democrat leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY) and Senate Democrat leader Charles E. Schumer (NY) recently sent a joint letter to GOP leaders that laid out a list of 10 immigration enforcement "guardrails" they want applied in order to get their support for funding DHS. Despite calls for her ouster by Democrats and a couple of moderate Republicans, Noem still has GOP support in both chambers. Trump also stands by her. He said Thursday that he rebuffs any suggestion that he should fire her. At this point, it looks like the "unreasonable demands" by Democrats will cause another partial government shutdown. This will include the funding for the U.S. Coast Guard. February 8: The Gateway Pundit: SAVE Act, Not Racist Virtually every country requires a person to be a citizen to vote in national elections, and every country has a system to verify that status. In most cases, this is done through a national ID card. Yet when Republicans argue that the United States, the world's premier democracy, should follow the same standard and require proof of citizenship to vote, they are labeled fascists, racists, Nazis, and misogynists. Many Democrats counterarguments hinge on the claim that minorities and women lack proof of citizenship or are incapable of obtaining it. The SAVE America Act is an elections bill that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and mandate photo ID to cast a ballot. The core objective of the SAVE Act is to move the voter registration system away from simple attestation, in which applicants merely sign a form swearing they are citizens, and toward a documentary proof standard. Under the proposal, individuals registering for federal elections would be required to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. Acceptable documents typically include a U.S. passport, a birth certificate accompanied by a government-issued photo ID, or a naturalization certificate. Because these documents must be physically presented, the law would effectively end most mail-in and online voter registration. The bill also requires states to cross-reference voter rolls with federal databases, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration, to identify and remove noncitizens from registration lists. Additionally, it introduces criminal penalties for election officials who knowingly register individuals without the required documentation. February 7: Reuters (Published by News Max): FCC launches equal time investigation into "The View's" programing on public airwaves Reuters has learned that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is launching a probe into ABC's long-running daytime talk show, "The View," over "equal time" rules for political candidates after an interview with James Talarico (D-TX). Talarico appeared on the show Monday. The FCC's equal time rule requires broadcast television and radio stations to provide legally qualified political candidates equal opportunities to use the airwaves if one candidate is given airtime, a policy designed to prevent broadcasters from favoring one contender over another. The FCC includes talk shows in this calculation citing the Communications Act of 1934. "Under section 315, if a broadcast station permits any legally qualified candidate for public office to use its facilities, it shall provide an equal opportunity to all other legally qualified candidates for that office," the FCC contends. Although there is an exemption for bona fide news programming, the agency says it has seen no evidence that interview segments on today's late-night or daytime talk shows meet that standard. A study conducted by the Media Research Center and published last month found that "The View" had 128 liberal guests on the show but just two conservatives throughout 2025. February 7: The Gateway Pundit: Appeals Court Upholds Policy that Many ICE Detainees Can Be Held Without Bond Hearings Friday, a federal appeals court upheld the Trump administration's policy of holding broad groups of immigration detainees without access to bond hearings. As reported by CBS News: In a 2-1 decision, a panel of federal judges at the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals said the Trump administration had properly reinterpreted an immigration law last year to disqualify many unauthorized immigrants arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement from being able to ask an immigration judge to be released on bond. Previously, immigrants who had lived in the U.S. unlawfully for years were generally eligible for bond hearings, and the opportunity to persuade an immigration judge that they were not flight risks and should be allowed to fight their deportation outside of a detention center. Mandatory detention had been historically limited to recent border crossers and those convicted of certain crimes. But the Trump administration took the position that anyone who entered the U.S. illegally, regardless of how long ago, is subject to mandatory detention during their deportation proceedings. The only mechanism for release under that policy was if ICE decided to parole them out of custody on humanitarian or public interest grounds. The court found that "The text says what it says, regardless of the decisions of prior Administrations. In any event, that prior Administrations decided to use less than their full enforcement authority…does not mean they lacked the authority to do more." February 7: One America News Network: Dept. of State to U.S. citizens; Leave Iran now, we cannot ensure your safety The U.S. State Department has issued a warning urging American citizens to leave Iran immediately due to worsening security conditions, citing a list of open border crossings. Friday, the U.S. Virtual Iran Embassy published a security alert, dated Thursday, saying, "U.S. citizens should expect continued internet outages, plan alternative means of communication, and, if safe to do so, consider departing Iran by land to Armenia or Turkey." The embassy cited "increased security measures, road closures, public transportation disruptions, and internet blockages" as reasons for its warning. "The Government of Iran continues to restrict access to mobile, landline, and national internet networks," the statement warned. "Airlines continue to limit or cancel flights to and from Iran." The embassy also emphasized that "U.S. nationals are at significant risk of questioning, arrest, and detention in Iran. Showing a U.S. passport or demonstrating connections to the United States can be reason enough for Iranian authorities to detain someone." Americans living in Iran are urged to exit the country immediately for their own safety while considering the possible risks involved. In other words, "Get Out NOW!" February 6: iHeartMedia/KTRH: Alleged ring leader of 2012 attack on U.S. consulate in Benghazi in U.S. custody The U.S. has arrested Zubayr Al-Bakoush, alleged to be one of the leaders of the 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi. Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced the arrest Friday. Bondi said Al-Bakoush was charged with charges of murder, terror and arson, all related to the 2012 attack. He "…will now face American justice on American soil. We will prosecute this alleged terrorist to the fullest extent of the law," Bondi said. "Let this case serve as a reminder: If you commit a crime against the American people anywhere in this world, President Trump's Justice Department will find you. It might not happen overnight, but it will happen. You can run, but you cannot hide!" February 6: The Gateway Pundit: Federal appeals court vacates lower court's injunction on Trump executive order eliminating DEI policies A federal appeals court on Friday vacated a lower court judge's injunction blocking President Trump's executive orders aimed at eliminating DEI policies. Trump previously signed two Executive Orders instructing executive branch agencies to end discriminatory DEI policies: One EO directed DEI policies to be eliminated in federal agencies and the other EO targeted recipients of federal grants. "The Biden Administration forced illegal and immoral discrimination programs, going by the name "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (DEI), into virtually all aspects of the Federal Government, in areas ranging from airline safety to the military," Trump's executive order said. Last year, a Biden-appointed federal judge entered a preliminary injunction against the Executive Orders. Friday, the a 4th Circuit Court of Appeals panel slapped down Judge Adam Abelson and vacated his injunction. February 6: Fox News: Administration; Deported Venezuelans don't have a due process right The Trump Administration will not comply with a court order requiring due process for hundreds of Venezuelan migrants deported to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador last year, DOJ lawyers said. It sets up a heated clash in court next week in a case that is almost certainly headed back to the Supreme Court. The situation involving 252 Venezuelan migrants deported to a Salvadoran prison last March under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act have emerged as one of the defining court fights of Trump's second term, allowing the administration to test its mettle against the federal courts and the practical limits of judicial authority, on one of Trump's biggest policy priorities. It's a fight that has put leftwing U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who is oversaw the Alien Enemies Act case, squarely in the Trump administration's crosshairs as he attempts to determine what due process protections, if any, the administration is legally obligated to provide and how far the courts can go to enforce them. A new filing from the Justice Department made clear the administration believes it owes the migrants no additional due process at all. Should the court try to order otherwise, lawyers for the administration said they would promptly seek intervention from higher courts. February 5: The Epoch Times: Argentina signs agreement to supply critical minerals to the U.S. Argentina and the United States signed an agreement on the supply of critical minerals, the Argentine foreign minister has announced. He said the deal will drive significant economic growth for Argentina, whose mineral exports reached $6 billion last year. It was among several deals signed at a critical minerals summit in Washington on Wednesday, hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Secretary said, "The goal [of the summit] is very simple. We all understand that having reliable global supply chains in critical minerals and processed and finished materials are critical to everything we do." V.P. Vance, who also attended said, "At the heart of what we're trying to do all across the administration is recognize that this is something where our alliances and our friendships can really help one another." China has announced a major change in which all sales of critical minerals mined or processed in China would be subject to review and approval by their communist government authorities. China currently controls about 90% of the global supply. Meanwhile the Pentagon currently maintains a stockpile of these materials for use in times of national emergencies. February 5: The Gateway Pundit: Another illegal alien truck driver kills family on America's highways An illegal alien semi-truck driver killed four Americans in a head-on crash in Jay County, Indiana, this week. The driver, 30-year-old Bekzhan Beishekeev, is an illegal alien from Kyrgyzstan who entered the U.S. on Joe Biden's open border invitation in December 2023. The victims were identified as an Amish family. Bekzhan allegedly swerved and drove his eighteen-wheeler head-on into a van killing four innocent Americans. Beishekeev was issued his CDL by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's Department of Transportation. Working with the Indiana State Police arrested Beishekeev will remain in ICE Fort Wayne's custody pending immigration proceedings. This tragedy and loss of American lives could have been prevented had PA not issued a CDL to this illegal alien. February 5: Breitbart News: ICE agents arrest 4,000 illegals across Minnesota The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested thousands of illegal aliens across Minnesota since the start of Operation Metro Surge, whereby the Trump administration surged law enforcement resources to the North Star State. Homeland Security spokesman Trica McLaughlin said, "Despite coordinated attacks of violence against our law enforcement, our officers have made more than 4,000 arrests of illegal aliens, including murderers, pedophiles, rapists, gang members, and terrorists in Minnesota since Operation Metro Surge began." She called upon sanctuary politicians to cooperate with DHS/ICE to notify federal authorities before releasing public safety threats back onto the streets to commit more crimes and create more victims. "We will not back down from our mission to remove criminal illegal aliens from American neighborhoods," McLaughlin said. Among those arrested this week in Minnesota have been sexual predators, people convicted of domestic abuse, disorderly conduct, drunk driving, battery, larceny, and drug possession. February 4: News Max: Dems escalate demands in order clear the way for DHS funding Democrats have escalated their standoff over DHS funding Wednesday, pressing for new restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement as lawmakers face a Feb. 13 deadline to prevent an agency shutdown. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) want mandatory body cameras, tighter warrant requirements, and limits on agents masking their identities before backing full-year DHS funding. They also want independent investigations if agents break the law, break use-of-force protocols and what they term as enforcement actions at "sensitive locations" such as houses of worship, schools, and hospitals. The current spending runs out February 13th after a compromise that funding the remainder of the government through September 30th. The compromise allowed Congress to reopen most of the government through the end of the fiscal year, using a two-week stopgap for DHS, effectively forcing a separate, near-term vote on DHS funding and any accompanying enforcement conditions. February 4: Fox News: Noem; Leaker caught, will face prosecution Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Wednesday said another "prolific leaker" who disclosed information that put federal law enforcement officers at risk has been caught. "I plan to refer this individual to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution," Noem said. "We are agnostic about your standing, tenure, political appointment, or status as a career civil servant — we will track down leakers and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law." February 4: The Washington Times: House passes bill to codify Trump's executive order to increase mining of rare earth minerals The House passed a bill Wednesday that would codify President Trump's executive action to increase mining of hardrock minerals, including rare earth elements, to end U.S. reliance on foreign suppliers such as China. It also directs the Department of the Interior to accelerate mineral production on federal lands by identifying projects that can be immediately approved. The measure, The Critical Mineral Dominance Act, passed 224-195, with 10 Democrats joining Republicans in support. "There is no reason for the United States to be dependent on other countries, including foreign adversarial nations, for our critical mineral future. Nobody does it better than the United States," said Pete Stauber (r-MN) who introduced the bill. Minerals, especially rare earth minerals, are vital to the production of military and civilian technology. They are used in products such as cellphones, hard drives, hybrid engines, lasers, medical devices and televisions, as well as high-tech military weapons systems. February 4: One America News Network: 700 Immigration Agents removed from Minnesota after local cooperation pledged Border Czar Tom Homan announced that the Trump administration will pull 700 federal immigration officers from Minnesota "effective immediately," crediting "unprecedented cooperation" from local and county jails in alerting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents when inmates eligible for deportation are released from custody. While Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and ICE officers will be removed from the state, roughly 2,000 personnel will remain, operating under a unified command structure through ICE. The border czar highlighted what he called "unprecedented cooperation" from local and county jails across Minnesota as the key factor enabling the immediate drawdown of 700 federal immigration law-enforcement personnel. February 3: The Washington Times: U.S. shoots down Iranian drone near naval vessels A U.S. fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone that "aggressively approached" the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea Tuesday and American forces later drove off Iranian boats harassing a U.S.-flagged merchant ship, Pentagon officials said. The incidents come amid tensions between the U.S. and Iran, and a significant build-up of American military assets in the region, including the Lincoln carrier strike group. The drone shoot-down came hours after Iran signaled it wanted direct negotiations with the Trump Administration which has demanded Tehran make major concessions on its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. U.S. officials are set to meet with the Iranians later this week. February 3: News Max: Body cams for ICE agents; the agents want them Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Monday that body-worn cameras will be used by all federal law enforcement officers in the field in Minneapolis. The agents are reportedly asking for them for their own protection. "Effective immediately we are deploying body cameras to every officer in the field in Minneapolis," Noem said, adding that as funding becomes available, the body camera program "will be expanded nationwide." The announcement comes amid controversy over Operation Metro Surge in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, a DHS immigration enforcement effort that has drawn national attention after two fatal encounters between federal law enforcement and civilian protesters. The decision comes amid a debate on Capitol Hill over funding for DHS, which has become a crucial sticking point in efforts to end a partial government shutdown that began Saturday. Senate Democrats are demanding new requirements for immigration agents — including mandatory body-worn cameras, unmasking officers, and other transparency measures — as conditions for backing DHS funding. Left wing Democrats have warned they will block continued DHS funding legislation and risk yet another shutdown if their demands were not met. February 3: One America News Network: House passes funding bill 217-214 averting partial government shutdown The House of Representatives voted 217–214 Tuesday to pass a $1.2 trillion spending package, effectively ending a four-day partial government shutdown and sending the legislation to President Trump's desk for an immediate signature. The deal reflects a rare bipartisan compromise. A majority of House Democrats and 21 Republicans opposed the measure, it was carried by a unified GOP conference and 21 crossover Democrats. Despite the bill being championed by GOP leadership and endorsed by Trump himself, a group of 21 Republicans – primarily members of the House Freedom Caucus -- broke ranks voting against it. Opponents argued the 10-day stopgap for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) surrendered vital leverage to Democrats and failed to include the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship for voter registration. Ultimately, the package was saved by 21 crossover Democrats who defied their own party leadership, effectively overcoming the GOP defections. February 3: The Gateway Pundit: It must be true! CNN says 83% of voters want voter ID requirements CNN's Senior Data Reporter, Harry Enten, shared that Americans are overwhelmingly in support of requiring voter ID. During his discussion, Enten referenced an X post Nicki Minaj posted on Sunday which stated, " What sensible forward thinking cutting edge leading nation is having a DEBATE on whether or not there should be VOTER ID?!?!!!!" Enten shared that, despite what Democrats keep saying, 83% of Americans are in favor of it. February 2: The Gateway Pundit: UN facing imminent financial collapse The United Nations is facing an "imminent financial collapse" as member states refuse to cough up billions of dollars in mandatory contributions. The financial woes were pointed out in an emergency letter from Secretary-General António Guterres sent to all 193 member countries. He said the organization's financial crisis is worsening rapidly, threatening the delivery of core programs and potentially leaving the U.N. bankrupt by July of this year. He urged member states to either pay what they owe in full or agree to sweeping changes to the UN's financial rules to avoid collapse. "Either all member states honor their obligations to pay in full and on time — or member states must fundamentally overhaul our financial rules to prevent an imminent financial collapse," he wrote. The warning comes as the United States, the U.N.'s largest contributor, has refused to fund the organization's regular and peacekeeping budgets and has withdrawn from multiple UN agencies. The Trump administration has repeatedly criticized the U.N. for wasting taxpayer dollars, appeasing criminal regimes and infringing on the sovereignty of the U.S. and other member nations. The U.S. isn't the only member state that is in arrears. February 2: Fox News: Russian military cargo plane lands in Cuba A Russian cargo plane typically used to transfer military equipment landed at a military airfield in south of Havana, echoing flight patterns seen ahead of the capture of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela. The U.S.-sanctioned aircraft is operated by a Russian state-linked airline Aviacon Zitotrans. Flight data shows the aircraft stopped in St. Petersburg and Sochi in Russia; Mauritania, Africa; and the Dominican Republic. Each landing would have required approval from host governments, offering a picture into which countries are continuing to permit Russian military-linked aviation activity despite Western sanctions. The same aircraft conducted flights to Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba in late October 2025, as tensions between Washington and Caracas escalated. That movement preceded U.S. military action in Venezuela that ultimately ended Maduro's rule — a sequence U.S. officials and analysts have since pointed to as a warning indicator when evaluating similar Russian aviation activity in the region. February 2: News Max: ICE agents want, and are getting, body cameras for their personal protection White House senior adviser Corey Lewandowski has said ICE agents in Minneapolis are being equipped with body cameras as a means of personal protection. He said ICE and Customs and Border Protection agents "want them for their own protection." He said ICE agitators are selectively editing videos of agents in the field, so having the unedited scenes will help show what is really happening. "What we're seeing is these radicalized leftists taking snippets of what's transpiring and some of these incidents, and using them," he said. "So, these officers have come out and asked for these body cams." Lewandowski said it is critical for Congress to support the mission of immigration enforcement by covering the cost of equipping all agents in the field with cameras. February 1: Fox News: Senators Scott and Lee call upon the House to reject the Senate (Trump-backed) funding compromise unless critical changes are included Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Mike Lee (R-UT) are pushing their House counterparts to reject the Trump-backed shutdown deal unless it includes Homeland Security funding and language protecting election integrity. The Senate-passed bill includes money for five federal agencies, including the Pentagon. Both senators contend the current package needs to be retooled, and must include a modified version of the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility Act (the SAVE America Act) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill, which was stripped out after Senate Democrats threatened to blow up the government funding process. Scott said congressional Democrats would "never fund DHS" and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and arguing the spending levels in the bill will because it includes wasteful earmarks and that it will further bloat the nation's eye-popping $38 trillion national debt. "If House Republicans don't put the DHS bill back in, add the SAVE America Act and remove the wasteful earmarks, Democrats win (America loses)," Scott said. "We must protect our homeland, secure our elections and end the reckless spending now!" he concluded. [See Related Story] February 1: The Washington Times: Deputy US Attorney General promises to appeal judge's ruling that criminal illegal alien must be released from custody Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Trump administration will appeal a judge's order requiring the release of a 5-year-old boy and his father who were detained by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis last week. Federal authorities flew Adrian Conejo Arias and his son back to Minneapolis on Sunday after they had been held at a detention facility in Texas. Immigration officials say Conejo Arias chose to have his son Liam accompany him to the family detention facility in Texas rather than place him in social services. In his ruling, Clinton-appointed Judge Fred Biery scolded the administration handling of the case, claiming the case wasn't handled in an orderly and humane manner. He ended his opinion with the photo of Liam in his blue snow hat and citations to two Bible verses — Matthew 19:14, where Jesus welcomes children, and John 11:35: "Jesus wept." [In essence, the judge's ruling would establish a precedent where a criminal illegal alien with a child is arrested, the government would be precluded from enforcing the law and incarcerating the criminal.] [See Related Story] February 1: The Epoch Times: U.S. starting to negotiate with Cuba Donald Trump said his administration is starting to engage in talks with Cuban leaders after he cut off oil deliveries from Venezuela and announced new tariffs on any countries selling petroleum to the communist-run island. "We're starting to talk with Cuba. They need help on a humanitarian basis," the President said Saturday evening on Air Force One while returning to Florida. He said he'd like to have exiled Cubans return to the Island and participate in free and fair elections; something they haven't done since 1959 when Casto took power. He also said Cuba doesn't need to face a humanitarian crisis if they're willing to have their nation be free again. "They have no money, they have no oil. They lived off Venezuela's money and oil, and none of that is coming," Trump said, adding that he's talked to Cuba's second oil supplier (Mexico) to stop sending them petroleum. Trump's comments come three days after he signed an executive order (EO) imposing new tariffs on any countries that "directly or indirectly" supply Cuba with oil. That EO states, "I find that the policies, practices, and actions of the Government of Cuba constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat, which has its source in whole or substantial part outside the United States, to the national security and foreign policy of the United States." The EO accuses the Cuban regime of aligning itself with Russia, China, Iran, and the Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist groups and says that opposing the communist regime is essential for U.S. national security. Last year, Venezuela provided Cuba with roughly 26,500 barrels per day (about a third of its daily needs). Mexico, Cuba's second major supplier provided significantly fewer barrels per day at 5,000 during the same time period. January 31: The New York Post: NY judge lets ICE-wanted criminal out the Court House's back door in order to avoid ICE apprehension An alleged crack-smoking, sexual-predator migrant wanted by ICE was allowed to flee through a back door of a Manhattan courthouse — infuriating federal agents. Court records show Gerardo Miguel Mora, 45, was arrested Thursday for shoplifting and possession of stolen property after allegedly snatching $130 in items from an H&M display case in Midtown. Mora, whose country of origin was not disclosed, was collared on the Upper West Side on Jan. 7 for possession of alleged crack cocaine, according to a criminal complaint. That case is pending in court. In 2011, Mora was busted for attempted rape and strangulation after he allegedly followed a 21-year-old woman home in Midtown, choked her and tried to remove her clothes, police sources said. Federal authorities had been looking for Mora on a criminal arrest warrant under a section of the US code that concerns "reentry of removed aliens," law enforcement sources said. On Thursday in a court hearing on desk appearance tickets, the judge let Mora waltz out of the courtroom, sources said. Judge Sheridan Jack-Browne, a Democrat who won a special election last year in Brooklyn, would have had the federal arrest warrant, two sources said. The warrant is actually put in a folder for the judge to peruse on the bench. But instead of handing him over to waiting ICE agents, Mora was allowed to simply slip out the back door of Manhattan Criminal Court. "They refused to hand him over," one agent said. "They let him out the back to avoid ICE." But ICE agents realized Mora had been released, and chased him down outside, and arrested him. January 31: News Max: Biden-appointed judge says ICE presence in Minnesota may continue A Minnesota federal judge Saturday declined to stop President Trump's immigration enforcement crackdown in Minnesota and the Twin Cities as a lawsuit over it proceeds. "Another huge Justice Department legal win in Minnesota… a Biden-appointed district judge denied Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison's attempt to keep ICE out of Minnesota," Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a social media post. "Neither sanctuary policies nor meritless litigation will stop the Trump Administration from enforcing federal law in Minnesota." Judge Katherine M. Menendez Saturday denied a preliminary injunction sought in a lawsuit filed this month by state Attorney General Keith Ellison and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They argued DHS is violating constitutional protections under the tenth amendment (state's rights and sovereignty). The lawsuit sought a quick order to halt the enforcement action or limit its scope. Meanwhile lawyers with the Department of Justice have called the lawsuit "legally frivolous." The federal government argued the surge was necessary to take criminal immigrants off the streets and because federal efforts have been hindered by state and local "sanctuary laws and policies." January 30: The Gateway Pundit: Anti-ICE Tracking Site Hacked, database overwritten, and user data allegedly turned over to the FBI and ICE The website StopICE.net, a platform designed to track and alert users to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities, appears to have been compromised in a cyber-attack. The site, which functions as a nationwide mobile alert system for leftists to report ICE sightings and raids, reportedly had its database entries overwritten with a meme featuring former ICE Acting Director Tom Homan. StopICE.net allows users to submit license plate numbers of suspected ICE vehicles, send alerts via text or email, and access a live map of reported activities. The platform claims to have over 538,845 subscribers. It is run by anarchist Sherman Austin of Long Beach, California. According to multiple social media reports, the hack involved replacing all database entries with an image of Tom Homan, accompanied by text reading: "Hello StopICE.comT" and "All your logins, locations, passwords & phone numbers given to FBI/ICE." January 30: Fox News: Senate moves forward on funding the government, House to consider measure in rare Sunday session Senate Republicans and Democrats agreed to move forward with a behemoth funding package, smashing through resistance from both sides of the aisle. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) teed up the final vote for the package Friday after hours of quelling resistance among Senate Republicans. Lawmakers will plow through several amendments before voting on the package, which is expected to pass and head to the House. That also means that, despite their best efforts, a partial government shutdown is all but guaranteed given that the deadline to fund the government is midnight Friday. The move came after President Trump intervened to strike a deal with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) which strips out the Department of Homeland Security funding extending its operations for only two weeks while its fate is debated further by the Senate. Trump urged Senate Republicans to support the plan arguing the only thing "that can slow our Country down is another long and damaging Government Shutdown." [See Related Story] January 30: News Max: Don Lemon arrested after Federal Grand Jury indictment: For Takeover of St. Paul church The legacy media lost it Friday after federal agents arrested former CNN anchor Don Lemon because of his role in the takeover of a St. Paul church 10 days earlier. He was arrested after a Federal Grand Jury indicted him. He was arrested Thursday in Los Angeles and charged with federal civil rights violations stemming from an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a worship service at Cities Church Jan. 18 in Minnesota. Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the arrest, stressing Americans have the "right to worship freely and safely." Meanwhile Lemon's attorney, CNN, and prominent progressives are crying foul, ignoring the grand jury indictment and claiming the arrest amounted to an attack on the First Amendment. Jemele Hill of The Atlantic had a meltdown, saying, "This is horrifying. I don't care what your political beliefs or leanings are, what journalism outlet you represent, this absolutely cannot stand," while she completely ignored the impact of the intrusion upon the constitutional rights of worshipers, on private property, to practice their religious beliefs without disruption – protections which are reinforced by the FACE Act. January 30: The Epoch Times: Ninth U.S. Circuit upholds lower court ruling; Homeland Security overstepped its authority in removing protective status for Venezuela nationals A U.S. appeals court ruled Jan. 28 that the Department of Homeland Security's move to end deportation protection for tens of thousands of Venezuelan nationals was illegal. A three-judge panel of the San Francisco-based Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem overstepped her authority when she ended the temporary protected status (TPS) for Venezuelan nationals who were living in the United States. "Congress created TPS to provide stability, predictability, and a brief reprieve from deportation to qualifying citizens of designated countries. The catch: that reprieve is guaranteed for no more than 18 months at a time," the order reads. It also stated that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has "significant discretion and authority in designating, extending, and terminating a country's TPS." "But by its plain language, the statute does not grant the Secretary the power to vacate an existing TPS designation," the order reads. January 30: The Gateway Pundit: Clinton-appointed judge blocks Trump executive order requiring proof of citizenship in order to vote in Federal Elections A federal judge on Friday permanently blocked key parts of President Trump's executive order requiring proof of citizenship to vote or register to vote. US Clinton-appointed District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly enjoined the President's executive order which was designed to ensure the integrity of elections in the U.S. Kollar-Kotelly sided those bringing the case, suing the Trump administration for having the audacity to demand that voters in US elections are actually US citizens. In Texas, as in many other states, people registering to vote simply say they are U.S. citizens. Unless the government stumbles across information to the contrary, they are allowed to vote and, in numerous cases foreigners have cast ballots illegally. The judge said Trump's executive order violates the Constitution's separation of powers. The Trump Administration is expected to appeal the judge's ruling. January 29: The Daily Caller: Russian ship forced out of British waters by the Royal Navy Russian ship was forced out of British waters by the Royal Navy after it anchored dangerously close to undersea data cables critical to communications between Europe and the U.S. The Russian cargo vessel Sinegorsk sailed into the Bristol Channel late Tuesday and appeared to drop anchor roughly two miles off the coast of southwest England, according to The Telegraph. The move quickly raised alarms due to its position being less than a mile from multiple subsea cables that carry vast amounts of internet and data traffic between the U.K., the U.S., Canada, and parts of Europe. British authorities ordered the vessel to leave after the Russian crew claimed it had stopped to conduct "essential safety repairs," according to the outlet. On Wednesday afternoon, the Royal Navy escalated its response and dispatched a Wildcat helicopter, after which the Russian ship promptly raised anchor and sailed back out to sea. January 29: Fox News: Tim Walz says he's done with politics: 'I will never run for office again' Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says his time as a political candidate is over. "I will never run for an elected office again. Never again," Walz, the Democratic Party's 2024 vice presidential nominee, said in an interview. Facing stinging criticism from President Trump, other Republicans, and even some Democrats over a massive fraud scandal rocking Minnesota, Walz earlier this month announced that he was dropping his 2026 bid for an unprecedented third term as governor of the blue-leaning state. But at the time, he didn't rule out any future runs for elected office. Since Walz's announcement, the state has become the epicenter in the heated battle over Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration. January 29: Breitbart News: Mexican Pres. denies consulates are trying to sway U.S. elections Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is denying reports by investigative journalist and Breitbart News Senior Contributor that detail how Mexico uses its consulates to sway United States elections. During a press conference on Thursday, Sheinbaum refused to name the investigative journalist Schweizer by name, calling him "a person who wrote a book," and denied that Mexico uses its consulates throughout the U.S. to sway American elections in their favor. With more than 50 consulates in the U.S. today, Schweizer writes, the Mexican government "is blatantly interfering in our domestic politics, working with American political advisors to turn legal and illegal migrants inside the US into a political force to wield for their benefit." January 28: The Galveston County Daily News: The U.S. acquiring Greenland is a good thing for everyone involved The acquisition of Greenland by the United States is good for our nation, Greenlanders, and our NATO allies. And there's precedent for doing so. The Danish military has a total of 20,000 armed forces with a meager force of 200 on the island. President Trump contends that the size of the Danish presence on the Island isn't a deterrent to Russian or Chinese aggression. Currently there's a treaty in place that gives the U.S. authority to establish military bases on Greenland, but if we have another administration like the last one the U.S. could not be counted upon to protect the Island. However, Trump noted, there is a big difference between a treaty and ownership. If there was aggression against Greenland as a U.S. territory no administration, or even a liberal Congress, would likely ignore such an intrusion. While acquiring Greenland as a U.S. territory is a good thing, doing so by force it not. Trump agrees with this. If it is to happen; the people on Greenland must agree. The United States shouldn't be occupiers but instead partners. The Islanders should also have autonomous control over their local affairs and a voice in the U.S. House of Representatives, like other territories such as Guam have. January 28: Reuters(published by News Max): U.S., Denmark, and Greenland meet to discuss the future of the Island nation Talks involving the United States, Greenland and Denmark began Wednesday, the Danish foreign ministry said, as the three parties seek to find a resolution to the future of the Island nation and the desire of the United States to make it a U.S. territory for national security reasons. Tensions have risen in the past few months between Denmark who normally has 200 members of its armed forces to protect Greenland, and the United States who wants to deploy assets that will deter any aggression from nations such as China and Russia. Denmark's foreign ministry said senior officials from Denmark, Greenland and the United States have met to "discuss how we can address American concerns about security in the Arctic…" U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier that the United States now has in place a process regarding Greenland and that there will be technical level meetings with officials from Greenland and Denmark on the issue. Trump contends that U.S. control of Greenland would ensure Russia and China don't gain a strategic foothold there, along with ready access to the island's trove of rare-earth minerals vital to manufacturing. [See related story] January 28: The Epoch Times: Spainish Leftist Government fast tracks legal status for 500,000 illegal immigrants Spain's socialist-led government has announced plans to grant legal status to about half a million illegal immigrants. The proposal, presented on Jan. 27, would allow about 500,000 illegal immigrants already living and working in Spain to get legal status through an accelerated process. The draft decree would significantly expand access to residence permits and would not require parliamentary approval. Migration Minister Elma Saiz told a press conference that illegal immigrants who have lived in Spain for at least five months as of the end of 2025 and who have no criminal record would be eligible for the new permits.“A measure long worked on, discussed, and necessary to respond to a reality that exists on our streets and that has an impact on coexistence and the economy,” she said. January 28: Fox Business: Steak and Shake gives back, pledges $1,000 for children born to its employees through 2028 Steak 'n Shake announced Wednesday that it will contribute $1,000 to "Trump Accounts" for the children of its employees. The Indianapolis-based fast-food chain is the latest company to support the Trump Administration's new investment initiative for newborns. In a post on X, Steak 'n Shake described the program as a way to ensure "the next generation of Americans participate from birth in our free-market, wealth-building economy." "Steak 'n Shake pledges to support our employees' children with a $1,000 match to [Trump Accounts] for every child born between 2025 and 2028," the company wrote. "Steak 'n Shake has benefited from our country's prosperity, and we are committed to giving back to our communities and our country." A company spokesman said, "Our chairman, Sardar Biglari, has lived the American dream. He started with $15,000 and went on to build Biglari Holdings, the enterprise that now owns Steak 'n Shake and other companies." The spokesperson added that Biglari has long focused on creating opportunities for franchisees based on merit and is now extending that vision to employees' families. January 27: The Epoch Times: Judge halts deportation of alien and five-year old son, allows case to proceed A federal judge has temporarily blocked the deportation of a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father after the detention of the boy's father last week in a Minnesota suburb. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery issued the order Monday, prohibiting the removal or transfer of Liam Conejo Ramos and his father Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias from the country while their court case continues. An Observation and Question from the Editor: A key issue is who is telling the truth about what actually happened and who's story can we believe? - School authorities claim the child was used as "bait" to get the father to open the door in order to gain access to the house where he was located and then refused to allow another adult in the home to care for the five-year old while the father was being chased and detained. The school then claims both the boy and his father were taken into custody. - Meanwhile, federal authorities claim ICE agents didn't arrest the child or use him as" bait." DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said "ICE law enforcement officers were the only people primarily concerned with the welfare of this child." Reportedly, as Arias fled on foot, an agent stayed with the boy in a vehicle in order to ensure his safety. They also claim that officers "made multiple attempts to get the alleged mother who was inside the house to take custody of her child," but she refused. So, who is telling the truth and who are we to believe? We don't have a clue! January 27: Fox News: Judge halts Virginia Democrat redistricting push – State legislature overstepped its authority A Virginia circuit court judge has struck down a General Assembly-approved redistricting amendment, ruling lawmakers overstepped their authority during a 2024 special legislative session and violated constitutional requirements tied to elections and voter notice. In a sweeping ruling issued Tuesday, Tazewell County Circuit Court Judge Jack S. Hurley Jr. invalidated actions taken to advance the proposed constitutional amendment, blocking it from moving forward and barring it from being submitted to voters. The lawsuit focused on whether lawmakers could take up a redistricting-related constitutional amendment during a special session initially convened to address budget matters and whether the General Assembly followed its own rules when expanding the scope of that session. Hurley found lawmakers improperly added redistricting to the list of issues allowed during the special session without the required unanimous consent or supermajority vote. As a result, the court ruled the joint resolution proposing changes to how congressional and legislative districts are drawn fell outside the limits lawmakers themselves set when the special session was called. January 27: The Gateway Pundit: John Deere to build a $70 million plant in North Carolina President Trump announced Tuesday that agriculture and construction machinery manufacturer John Deere is building a $70 million factory in North Carolina, moving its construction of excavators from Japan back to the United States. According to a John Deere press release it's also building a distribution center in Hebron, Indiana. "In keeping with our strong tradition of building America, we are excited to announce plans to open two new U.S.-based facilities: a state-of-the-art distribution center near Hebron, Indiana, and a cutting-edge excavator factory in Kernersville, North Carolina, both set to open in the next year," the company said. Each project is expected to employ 150 Americans. Trump noted the Deere facility is going to be the only excavator factory in the U.S. "In other words," Trump exclaimed, "This is going to be the only excavator entirely made in the United States of America." January 26: The Gateway Pundit: Plane that crashed in Maine registered to Anti-ICE attorneys who spent millions to elect Texas Democrats The private jet that crashed during takeoff from Bangor International Airport in Maine on Sunday evening is registered to prominent anti-ICE lawyers who were spending tens of millions of dollars to elect Democrats in the upcoming Texas primaries. The crash resulted in seven fatalities and one serious injury. The jet was registered to Arnold & Itkin Trial Lawyers, known for its aggressive litigation and leftist political activism, including substantial financial support for Democrat causes, particularly those opposing strict immigration enforcement and Republican policies in Texas. Early reports indicate that people associated with the firm were on board. January 26:The Washington Times: Senate Democrats looking at shutting down the government over funding of ICE Senate Democrats are taking another government shutdown with no real plan for how to achieve their policy aims. The deadline to avert a partial shutdown is this Friday evening and the Democrats are unwilling to fund DHS and ICE without including "guardrails" to protect against what they see as Trump abuses of power. Some Democrats admit the fight is more about scoring political points than actually defunding ICE, which can still use the billions Republicans separately provided for the agency in their One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Every Senate Democrat has come out publicly in favor of separating DHS spending from a broader appropriations package that the Senate is scheduled to take up this week. And all but one are willing to risk a partial government shutdown to make their outrage against ICE clear. Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) said he supports separating the DHS funding but "it is unlikely that will happen," and he will not vote in opposition to the broader package. January 26: Fox News: New York Congressman makes move to fix voting and redistricting A battleground district House Republican, Mike Lawler (NY), is wading into the redistricting war that has seized the U.S. with his own new proposal to crack down on "partisan gamesmanship." He's introduced the FAIR MAP Act (Fair Apportionment and Independent Redistricting for Maps that Avoid Partisanship) would impose new guardrails on the process of changing congressional districts across all 50 states. The bill would bar states from drawing districts for or against a specific political party or candidate and ban the creation of new congressional maps more than once a decade following the U.S. census. While there's a patchwork of state laws aimed at blocking those districts from being redrawn along partisan lines, there is no current federal standard. Additionally, it creates a federal gerrymandering standard. It would also block state and local courts from redistricting fights leaving it to federal judges to weigh in on those fights. It also mandate that just U.S. citizens are counted toward state populations when creating new Congressional districts, bar ranked-choice voting in federal elections, and require the presentation of a photo ID in order to vote while banning same-day registrations. It is possible for the bill to pass the House but highly unlikely to avoid a filibuster by Senate democrats. January 25: The Post Newspaper: Venezuela, the impact of the Trump maneuver Venezuela's future is important. The establishment of a stable regime that serves its people, rids itself of graft and corruption, and which deals with its violence and drug infestation will benefit not only their nation, but also the Western Hemisphere and the world. One can only hope this is in its future. But one final observation, and a warning for the United States. Venezuela, Cuba, and even China, are facing economic hardships at best, utter collapse at worst. The lesson for us is that socialism doesn't work. Our prediction is that New York City is about to learn this lesson. Wherever it has been tried, socialism fails, just ask the Venezuelan and Cuban man or woman on the street. Don't go there America! January 25: Fox News: Mob helps derail ICE arrest, leaves agent permanently maimed Federal officials say violent unrest in Minneapolis directly derailed an immigration arrest, leaving a suspect with a serious criminal history at large while an ICE agent was permanently maimed after a protester bit off part of his finger. Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino said that border patrol and ICE agents were forced to abandon a targeted operation after crowds interfered, assaulted officers and turned the scene chaotic. As a result, he said, the suspect escaped custody – a failure he blamed solely on the decisions made by politicians, activists and those who confronted law enforcement officials. Meanwhile, Breitbart News reports that former President Obama is encouraging continued protests against ICE enforcement actions. Former President Obama is urging Americans to "support and draw inspiration" from the aggressive, Antifa-style provoke-blame-escalate street campaign in Minnesota against federal law enforcement that has led to the deaths of two Americans. Every American should support and draw inspiration from the wave of peaceful protests in Minneapolis," Obama said. Obama wrapped his call for nationwide action against the federal government in a tone of regret, and he portrayed the street protests as what he sees as a defensive measure against a tyrannical government. January 25: The Gateway Pundit: Democrat officials and Governor Walz implicated in radical anti-ICE activities in Minneapolis A leaked Signal group chat has exposed deep ties between Democrat officials, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and radical anti-ICE activists in Minneapolis. The private messaging group, called "MN ICE Watch," has allegedly been used to coordinate protests, issue marching orders, and even doxxing federal ICE agents during the ongoing protests and riots in Minneapolis. Names of the group's administrators were leaked after the group was infiltrated by conservative independent journalist Cam Higby and posted to X [Twitter]. "I have infiltrated organizational signal groups all around Minneapolis with the sole intention of tracking down federal agents and impeding/assaulting/and obstructing them," Higby wrote at the start of a lengthy thread of screenshots and videos from the chat. January 24: New York Post: Videos show Minneapolis protester was armed Close-up videos of the fatal Minneapolis shooting showed Alex Jeffrey Pertti the protester, was armed with a gun — with the agent who fired upon him clearly reacting to something that alarmed him amid the chaos. It's unclear if Pretti had drawn the weapon and was immediately disarmed, if an officer had pulled it from his clothing or if he was in the process of pulling it out when a separate federal officer was seen taking it from the 37-year-old as he was pinned to the ground. Videos of the incident show officers shouting "he's got a gun," as the unidentified agent reached into Pretti's waistband to retrieve the weapon. At one point an officer in gray coat is seen emerging from the melee with the gun, which officials said was a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun. According to close up video of that moment, as the officer holds the gun, the gun's slide moves, meaning it may have fired, causing a loud noise of a gunshot shortly before the officer fired at Pretti. January 24: News Max: Trump: Minnesota Governor and Minneapolis Mayor are inciting violence President Trump blamed Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) for inciting violence while reviving broad fraud allegations in the state after federal immigration officers shot and killed a man during a targeted operation in Minneapolis, an incident that drew protests and the use of tear gas, according to the Department of Homeland Security and city police. "This is the gunman's gun, loaded (with two additional full magazines!), and ready to go – What is that all about? Where are the local Police?" Trump asked. "Why weren't they allowed to protect ICE Officers? The Mayor and the Governor called them off? It is stated that many of these Police were not allowed to do their job, that ICE had to protect themselves — Not an easy thing to do!" Continuing he said, "Why does Ilhan Omar have $34 Million Dollars in her account? And where are the Tens of Billions of Dollars that have been stolen from the once Great State of Minnesota? We are there because of massive Monetary Fraud, with Billions of Dollars missing, and Illegal Criminals that were allowed to infiltrate the State through the Democrats' Open Border Policy. January 24: Reuters: 100% tariffs threatened on Canadian goods because of its pending trade deal with China President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it follows through on a trade deal with China and warned Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that a deal would endanger his country. "China will eat Canada alive, completely devour it, including the destruction of their businesses, social fabric, and general way of life," Trump said. "If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% Tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the U.S.A." In a video Saturday, Carney urged Canadians to buy domestic products without mention Trump's tariff threat. The Canadian prime minister this month traveled to China to reset the countries' strained relationship and reached a trade deal with Canada's second-biggest trading partner after the U.S. U.S.-Canada tensions have grown in recent days following Carney's criticism of Trump's pursuit of Greenland. January 23: The Epoch Times: An In Depth look at Greenland; The national interest demands the U.S.-Greenland relationship need to be redefined Regardless of the Greenland "frame work" deal's details, the reasons that prompted Trump to push for acquiring Greenland have not changed. Yet some continue to believe the status quo is just fine. After all, the 1951 Defense of Greenland Agreement with Denmark allowed the United States to build 50 military installations in Greenland during the Cold War. Consequently, why not just utilize it as was done during the Cold War? Things have changed greatly since the Cold War, and the 1951 treaty is no longer adequate to support U.S. national security interests amid renewed great-power competition. Further, when it comes to great-power competition in the Arctic, the status quo relationship with Greenland must change for the United States to have any chance of reversing its losing position. 1. Who defends Greenland: USA or Denmark: The United States has been Greenland's primary defender since Denmark was occupied by the Nazis during World War II, and will remain so going forward. Any deal must recognize this and must be recognized that Denmark cannot be trusted to defend Greenland against Chinese and Russian operations in a way that protects U.S. interests. 2. Competition for Arctic Influence: Currently the U.S. is vastly outmatched by Russia's 53% control of Arctic shorelines, compared with the United States' 3.8% in Alaska, and by Russia's 40-45% of the Arctic landmass versus the U.S' 3%. China, which calls itself a "Near Arctic State," views the Arctic's 22% of the world's undiscovered oil reserves and vast mineral resources as critical and is partnering with Russia to gain a presence and compete for resources. Meanwhile while the U.S. has more total ice breakers, China has a more polar-capable vessels with a shipbuilding capacity to build more of them and faster than the U.S. can. Russia, with the world's largest fleet — more than 50 vessels, including eight nuclear-powered — continues to expand its fleet faster than the United States, enabling it to maintain year-round dominance over routes like the Northern Sea Route. However, with Greenland, jumps to controlling about 26% of Artic coastline and 27%-30% of its landmass, making it able to compete with Russia's and China's growing presence. Additionally, with the reduction of polar ice coverage, the Artic Sea has started to open shipping lanes to merchant vessels along the northern route. 3. Greenland sits strategically along key Arctic shipping routes: The Northwest Passage along North America's northern coastline and the Transpolar Sea Route through the Arctic Ocean's center opens the Artic to increased military and commercial shipping. Roughly two-thirds of Greenland lies within the Arctic Circle, positioning it as an ideal staging area that complements the limited Arctic territory the United States controls through Alaska. However, even with full leverage of Greenland, securing commensurate Arctic influence will be a challenge. 4. Greenland holds substantial reserves of rare-earth elements and oil: Extracting and processing these minerals will be challenging. Greenland, with a population about 56,000, are not militarily capable of securing the U.S. northern flank. 5. Defending Greenland: During World War the U.S. stationed about 10,000 troops on Greenland, substantially more than the 200 Denmark does today. During the war there were more than 50 military installations on the Island radar sites, communications facilities, air bases, and support outposts. 6. The 1951 Treaty Isn't Sufficient to Secure US National Security Interests: The 1951 U.S.–Denmark defense agreement gives the U.S. broad rights to construct, maintain, and operate military facilities; house personnel; and control air, sea, and land movements in designated defense areas—without compensation to Denmark. But this treaty is inadequate. Greenland is no longer merely a Cold War outpost for monitoring Soviet bombers or hosting limited facilities. Today, it is central to great-power competition in the Arctic, where Russia and China are aggressively expanding their influence through naval operations. The 1951 treaty, rooted in mutual consultation and NATO plans, limits unilateral U.S. action, hindering comprehensive, decisive and immediate responses to the current threat environments. [See Related Story] January 23: The Washington Examiner: In unusual move magistrate judge refuses to approve criminal charges in MN A Minnesota federal magistrate judge's refusal to approve criminal charges against former CNN broadcaster Don Lemon has drawn scrutiny amid questions about the judge's potential conflict of interest, as the Justice Department says it will continue pursuing the people who targeted a Christian church in St. Paul "to the ends of the Earth." declined this week to sign off on a criminal complaint sought by federal prosecutors against Lemon in connection with a protest that disrupted a Sunday worship service at a church in St. Paul, MN. The decision to reject charges is rare in federal criminal practice, where magistrate judges almost always approve arrest warrants and complaints given the low evidentiary bar at the probable-cause stage. January 23: The Hispanic Gateway Pundit: Vance addresses claims a 5-year-old child had been arrested by immigration authorities The Vice President JD Vance, addressed the controversy generated by a report claiming that a five-year-old child had been arrested by immigration authorities, stating that the initial version lacked context and was misleading. Vance explained that, after reviewing the full facts, it became clear that the child was not arrested at any time. Vance said the true target of the operation was the child's father, an illegal immigrant who fled when authorities attempted to detain him, leaving the minor alone and in a risky situation. In response, ICE agents temporarily took custody of the child solely to protect him, as they could not simply abandon him or expose him to dangerous conditions, such as extreme cold. Vance emphasized that arguing someone cannot be detained for violating the law simply because they have children would amount to granting total immunity from law enforcement, something he described as absurd and unworkable. He reiterated that ICE does not seek to arrest U.S. citizens, but rather to enforce existing immigration laws against foreign nationals who are in the country illegally. January 23: The Daily Caller: Suspect arrested in disruption of worship service in St. Paul, MN Federal agents arrested Chauntyll Louisa Allen on Thursday in connection with the disruption of a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Sunday. Because of her size two sets of handcuffs in order to secure her. Allen is charged under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, and federal officials said she and two others face conspiracy against rights charges tied to the church protest. She was arrested alongside activists Nekima Levy Armstrong and William Kelly under orders from Attorney General Pam Bondi. Authorities allege the three played key roles in organizing what they call a "coordinated attack" on the church. January 23: Reuters(published by News Max): Iran; attack at any level will mean all out war Iran will treat ⁠any attack "as an all-out war against us," a senior Iranian official said Friday, ahead of the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and other assets in the Middle East in the coming days. "This ‍military buildup - we hope it is not intended ‍for real confrontation - but our military is ready for the worst-case scenario. This is why everything is on ⁠high alert in Iran," said the senior Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "This time we will treat any attack - limited, unlimited, surgical, kinetic, whatever they call it - as an all-out war against us, and we will respond in the hardest way possible to settle this," the ‍official said. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States ⁠had an "armada" heading toward Iran but hoped he would not have to use it, as he renewed warnings to Tehran against killing protesters or restarting its nuclear program. "If the Americans violate Iran's sovereignty and territorial ⁠integrity, we will respond," said the Iranian official. He ⁠declined to specify what an Iranian response might look like. The U.S. military ⁠has in the past periodically ‍sent increased forces to the Middle East at times of heightened tensions, moves that were often defensive. However, the ‍U.S. military staged a major buildup last year ahead of its June strikes against Iran's nuclear program. January 22: The Epoch Times: House Oversight Committee votes to hold the Clintons in criminal contempt of Congress The House Oversight Committee voted Wednesday to hold former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in criminal contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas and testify in-person in an inquiry into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The committee said, the Clintons were offered several dates to testify regarding Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, but repeatedly failed to make an appearance. The committee subsequently voted 34–8 to hold the former president in contempt, and 28–15 to hold Hillary Clinton in contempt, with all 25 Republicans backing the contempt measures. It will now be sent to the Speaker's office to determine when (or if) the measures will be considered by the entire House. January 22: The New York Post: Arizona AG suggests it's okay to shoot ICE officers under the state's stand your ground statute Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes wildly suggested that residents can open fire on masked ICE agents if they feel their life is in danger under the state's self-defense laws. The Democrat, in an interview, warned that Arizona's "Stand Your Ground" law, which allows citizens to use deadly force if they believe they're in imminent danger, could become a "recipe for disaster" if protesters clash with immigration officers. "It's kind of a recipe for disaster because you have these masked federal officers with very little identification, sometimes no identification, wearing plain clothes and masks," Mayes said calling ICE "very poorly trained." She said she was merely stating a "fact," not encouraging violence. "If you're being attacked by someone who is not identified as a peace officer — how do you know?" the state's top prosecutor pressed, adding that "real cops don't wear masks." January 22: One America News Network: U.S. exits from the World Health Organization (WHO) The United States officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization Thursday, marking a shift in global health governance. The exit comes exactly one year after President Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office to terminate the U.S. membership, citing the agency's "mishandling" and negligence in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the organization's "political bias." In April 2020, the President accused WHO of being overly biased in favor of China, criticizing its early handling of the COVID-19 pandemic for the WHO's excessive trust in Beijing's information and guidance that prioritized Chinese interests. China has also since pledged to contribute $500 million to the WHO over the next five years as a major donation. While the Trump administration has declared the departure finalized, the move is being condemned by WHO's lawyers, who argue that a 1948 joint resolution stipulates that the U.S. may only withdraw if it provides one year's notice and fulfills all financial obligations for the current fiscal year. The administration maintains the executive order signed by Trump on January 20, 2025, formally initiated the withdrawal process and satisfied the one-year notice requirement under the 1948 joint resolution. January 22: The Daily Caller: Jack Smith testifies before Congressional Committee Former special counsel Jack Smith made major admissions during his public testimony Thursday, including about former Trump aide Cassidy Hutchinson's credibility as a witness. Republicans grilled Smith on everything from search warrants he obtained for members of Congress' phone records to his litigation decisions, while Democrats told Smith he did "everything right." Smith secured two indictments charging Trump for alleged interference in the 2020 election and for alleged mishandling of classified documents. Both cases were subsequently dropped. The hearing provided several key points: 1. Hutchinson wasn't ruled out as a witness. He disclosed elements of the Hutchinson case was based on "hearsay" evidence and that he might have called her as a witness. Chairman Jordan said. "You didn't rule out using her, or putting her on the witness stand, when everybody knows she wasn't telling the truth. That says it all." 2. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy posed no risk that warranted hiding subpoenas for his phone records. Smith sought toll records, detail records for inbound and outbound calls, text messages, direct connect, and voicemail messages" but not the content of those messages, for more than a dozen Republican members of Congress. 3. Smith doesn't know how much money went to confidential human sources. Chairman Jordan asked how much of the $35 million he used to prosecute Trump went towards paying confidential human sources and Smith responded, "As I sit here, I do not know the answer to that question." And, 4. Smith doesn't remember who swore him in. Smith was unable to share who swore him into the position, something Lance Gooden (R-TX) found odd. January 22: The Epoch Times: Speaker Johnson agrees with impeachment of judges who act outside the law House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said Jan. 21 that he would support articles of impeachment against some federal judges after congressional Republicans floated the prospect in 2025. Asked about whether articles of impeachment might be brought against U.S. district judges James Boasberg and Deborah Boardman, Johnson said, "I'm for it. Judge Boasberg is one who's been mentioned." It is "an extreme measure, but extreme times call for extreme measures. And I think some of these judges have gotten so far outside the bounds of where they're supposed to operate, it would not be, in my view, a bad thing for Congress to lay down the law, so to speak, and to make an example of some of these egregious abuses." Johnson didn't name the judges or offer a timeline on when impeachment articles might be introduced. "We'll see where it goes," he said. January 21: News Max: Trump: We've reached a "framework" for the future of Greenland President Trump revealed few details Wednesday of a framework for a future deal with NATO over Greenland, but said it would include access to mineral rights for the U.S. and its European allies, as well as collaboration on the Golden Dome missile defense system. When asked how long the deal would last, Trump said, "Forever." He ruled out using force to acquire Greenland and called for immediate negotiations on the semi-autonomous island's status during his address to the World Economic Forum. Trump said he had reached a framework for a deal with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, adding that he would not impose tariffs on Denmark and other European countries that had been set to take effect Feb. 1. Trump failed to provide details of the framework, including whether the deal included whether the framework involved any degree of U.S. ownership of the Danish territory, describing the concept as complex. Reportedly the framework might include granting the U.S. sovereignty over small pockets of Greenlandic land for military bases, similar to British bases in Cyprus. January 20: Fox News: Trump continues push to acquire Greenland Donald Trump continued the uncertainty Tuesday, saying "you'll see" when asked at the White House how far he would go to get Greenland. Trump dismissed concerns that Greenlanders don't want to join the U.S. and that a move to seize the island might undermine the NATO alliance. In recent weeks, Trump has zeroed in on Greenland, the world's largest island and a strategic outpost in the Arctic. The remote, semi-autonomous Danish territory hosts a key U.S. military base and occupies a strategic position in an Arctic region growing more competitive as melting ice opens new shipping lanes and access to critical resources. Trump has repeatedly framed Greenland as a national security necessity, arguing that Russia and China would gain ground in the region if the U.S. does not acquire it. The latest revelation comes as Trump heads to the snow-capped city of Davos, Switzerland, where global leaders have come to attend the World Economic Forum. The issue of Greenland is likely to dominate the sidelines of the summit as European leaders grapple with Trump's possibly raising tariffs on countries opposing his plans for Greenland. Meanwhile the Supreme Court is weighing Trump's imposition of tariffs in 2025, and whether he had the authority so to do. [See Related Story] January 20: The Daily Caller: Madame Justice; Hawaii is part of the U.S. and the 2nd amendment applies A gun rights attorney reminded Justice Sonia Sotomayor Tuesday that Hawaii is part of the United States, meaning it can't defy the Second Amendment. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a challenge to a Hawaii law banning firearms on private property without the express consent of the owner. Justice Sotomayor said she's "never seen" a constitutional right to carry a gun on private property, noting there hasn't been a custom of carrying firearms in Hawaii for 200 years. In response advocate Alan Beck replied; "Hawaii is part of the United States. As part of the United States, our national tradition is that people are allowed to carry on private property that is open to the public." Five states have enacted laws like Hawaii's. Conservative justices, including Thomas and Alito, shared concerns that Hawaii was placing limits on the Second Amendment that would not be placed on others in private spaces open to the public. "You're just relegating the Second Amendment to second-class status," Alito said. "I don't see how you can get away with that." January 20: The Gateway Pundit: British PM giveaway of strategic island in the Indian Ocean may bring humiliation The British Press fears that Trump might buy Deigo Garcia from Mauritius or otherwise take back the Islands, opening UK PM from Starmer to sheer humiliation. The UK Telegraph reported: If the Brits hand over the islands to Mauritius, whereupon America buys them back from their new owner that would cut Britain out of the picture completely, that would also leave UK PM Starmer with the having surrendered a vital strategic asset for no gain whatsoever. The combined air and naval facility on the island of Diego Garcia – still, for now, British sovereign territory – is one of the world's most formidable military bases, located bang in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It protects vital shipping lanes and is ideally positioned for operations everywhere, from Africa to the Middle East and Asia. If America were to make an offer to the 1.3 million residents its GDP of $14,8 billion could potentially swell by 50%, a very lucrative opportunity and an offer they might find hard to refuse. Heck, Trump might even offer to make them a U.S. territory like Guam which would also give them a delegate in the U.S. Congress while allowing them autonomy for governing their local jurisdiction. January 19: The Epoch Times: Death toll of Iranian protestors reportedly around 4,000 and climbing The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said January 18 that it estimates at least 3,919 people have been killed during the recent protests in Iran and that 8,949 additional deaths are still under investigation by the organization. The death toll, if accurate, has exceeded that of any unrest in the Islamic Republic for decades, and it even outstrips the figure attributed to the 1979 revolution, which brought the current regime to power. The agency said that about 2,109 people have been severely injured, and the number of confirmed detainees has reached 24,669. The Epoch Times has been unable to verify these figures. January 19: The Gateway Pundit: Kremlin; If Trump is successful in acquiring Greenland he will go down as one of the greatest American Presidents As Donald Trump moves to secure the Western Hemisphere, especially with his ongoing efforts to acquire Greenland, either by a financial settlement or by force nearly the entire Western media is throwing rocks at his initiative, giving voice to 'leaders' who call it 'wrong, unacceptable, insane, mad'. But you can find a more refined and truthful account of it: in the Russian media, and even in the Kremlin. Go figure! Russia is one of the extra-hemispheric countries most affected by changes in Venezuela and elsewhere, but where a sober and fact-oriented account of the geopolitical moves can be found: 'If Trump gets Greenland, he will go down in history as one of the great American presidents.' Russian political risk consultant and lawyer Adriel Kasonta has said, "…It will be a huge win for Donald Trump, because… many presidents before saw the strategic importance of Greenland… and they wanted to acquire Greenland, but without any successful result." "If Trump were to acquire the Arctic Island for the US," he continued, "he would succeed in securing the security of Northern America where other presidents in the past failed'." Kasonta stated further that the island "is the only key territory the US needs for securing the Western Hemisphere." January 19: One America News Network: Noem; over 10,000 illegals arrested in Minneapolis area in the last year Over 10,000 illegal migrants have been arrested in the Minneapolis area since the start of the second Trump administration. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem shared the numbers Monday. Noem claimed that 3,000 of those individuals were cuffed in the last six weeks alone. She said those arrested "were killing Americans, hurting children and reigning terror in Minneapolis." Noem blames Governor Tim Walz (D-Minn.) and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D-Minn.) for protecting the criminals in the North Star State. "We have arrested over 10,000 criminal illegal aliens who were killing Americans, hurting children and reigning terror in Minneapolis because Tim Walz and Jacob Frey refuse to protect their own people and instead protect criminals," she wrote. She added that additional United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents would be sent to Minneapolis to expand the immigration crackdown efforts. January 19: The Daily Caller: Only one Democrat White House hopeful says a man cannot become a woman Axios asked 20 potential Democratic contenders for the 2028 presidential race to respond to three questions: "Should transgender girls be able to participate in girls' sports?" "Do you believe transgender youths under age 18 should be able to be placed on puberty blockers and hormones?" And what is your response to the question: "Can a man become a woman?" Most did not respond, and of the three who did, only one was straightforward. Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel told Axios his position is the same as it was when Megyn Kelly interviewed him. Emanuel had told Kelly he didn't think a man could become a woman or that men should play in women's sports. He also told Kelly that children under 18 are too young to decide whether they should receive sex transition procedures and treatments. The former mayor added that he didn't think biological males should be in women's prisons. January 18: The Epoch Times: IRS announces the $1,776 warrior dividend will be tax free The IRS and the Pentagon said on Jan. 16 that a "warrior dividend" announced by the Trump administration in December for soldiers will not be taxed, affecting more than 1 million service members. "The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service today confirmed that supplemental basic allowance for housing payments made to members of the uniformed services in December 2025 are not to be included in income by those who received the payments; they are not taxable," the IRS announced. The IRS cited U.S. tax law provisions that exclude a "qualified military benefit" from taxes, saying that the dividend falls under that provision and noting that the "basic allowance for housing payments are qualified military benefits and, therefore, are not taxable." January 18: The Washington Times: Judges stifle attempts to obtain state voter registration records President Trump's push to clean up states' voter rolls suffered setbacks last week when two federal judges shut down a demand for information about registered voters in California and Oregon. The Justice Department (DOJ) is relying on a powerful 1960 civil rights law and two more recent statutes that it says compel states to turn over voter registration information when the attorney general asks for it. The department requested voters' names, addresses, birth dates and identifying numbers — driver's licenses or Social Security numbers — from the states. Most "blue" states have resisted providing the information claiming turning over information that isn't already publicly available would intrude on voter's right to privacy. The information being requested by DOJ is needed in order to verify that voters who are registered are, in fact, U.S. citizens. Bill Clinton-appointed District Judge David Carter in California found that the Civil Rights Act was enacted to give DOJ power to counter "Jim Crow" laws that suppressed black voters and contended using this statute to force states to clean up their voter rolls is a perversion of the law. The California ruling was joined by Biden-appointed Mustafa Kasubhai in Oregon who said he will also block the DOJ request. J. Christian Adams, a voting rights expert and head of the Public Interest Legal Foundation, said judges are getting it wrong. He said the law gives Attorney General Pam Bondi the power to do what she's trying to do. "This isn't a close call," he said. "Back during Jim Crow states tried to hide the registration data from the Justice Department. Here we go again." In a Connecticut case, District Judge Kari Dooley has ordered the state to "show cause" why it has defied the attorney general's request. Thirteen of the 23 states that are contesting the request for records are before Democrat-appointed justices, the remainder are either before GOP-appointed justices or magistrates. It is highly likely that the California/Oregon cases will be appealed. January 18: The Epoch Times: EU holds an emergency meeting in response to Trump's proposed tariffs over Greenland The European Union called an emergency meeting of ambassadors from the bloc's 27 nations to discuss President Trump's threats to impose a series of increasing tariffs on some European allies that oppose the United States' efforts to acquire Greenland. The holder of the EU's six-month rotating presidency, Cyprus, announced late January 17 that it had planned the meeting for the next day, which is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. local time. Trump has proposed adding a 10% tariff onto Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland starting on February 1st, which would increase to 25% June 1, according to a Truth Social post made yesterday, "until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland." Trump has said the United States needs Greenland for national security purposes and warned that "world peace is at stake" if the United States does not succeed in obtaining Greenland. "This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet," Trump wrote. He has said that if the United States doesn't gain control of Greenland, China or Russia will take it. Meanwhile, the eight European nations, which are already subject to 10 percent or 15 percent tariffs by the United States, have sent a small military presence to Greenland. "Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral," the group of eight countries said. The military deployment is intended to bolster Arctic security "as a shared transatlantic interest" and poses no threat to anyone, the nations said, adding that they are ready for dialogue with the United States "based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity" that they "stand firmly behind." "We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland," the eight countries said. "We are committed to upholding our sovereignty." January 18: Reuters(published by News Max): Trump; Canada has vulnerabilities to Russia and China, urges increased spending Donald Trump has privately intensified his focus on Canada's Arctic defenses, focusing on what he views as Ottawa's vulnerability to Russia and China and urging higher Canadian defense spending. The White House has accelerated a wider Arctic strategy that is also fueling a showdown with European allies over Greenland. Multiple current and former U.S. officials said Trump has been concerned that Canada is not positioned to prevent "any encroachment from Russia or China" in the Arctic. Talks with Canadian officials are aimed at deeper military cooperation in the Arctic. Options under discussion include modernizing Canadian early warning systems, expanding joint U.S.-Canadian training and operations, increasing joint air and maritime patrols, and boosting American ship patrols in Arctic waters. The Pentagon has warned the White House that Canada's exposure to China and Russia along its northern approaches is among the U.S.' biggest concerns in the region. This concern dovetails with the President's desire to acquire, or at least, come alongside Greenland for national security reasons. Canada's public position is that Greenland's fate is up to Greenland and Denmark. January 17: The Epoch Times: FBI apprehends five of 10 most wanted in 2025, more than the preceding four years After nearly a decade on the run, a top 10 most wanted fugitive has been captured by the FBI. The suspect, Alejandro Rosales Castillo, was caught on surveillance footage crossing the border from Arizona into Mexico on Aug. 16, 2016. He becomes the fifth fugitive on the 10 most wanted list to be caught by the FBI since the beginning of 2025, which is more in one year than the entirety of the previous four years, FBI Director Kash Patel said. "That's no accident. When you have an administration who gives law enforcement the support to execute the mission, they get the job done like nobody else," Patel contended. The FBI added Castillo to the most wanted list in October 2017 for the alleged murder of his co-worker, 23-year-old Truc Quan "Sandy" Ly Le, in Charlotte, North Carolina. January 17: Fox News: US strike eliminates al Qaeda operative connected to ISIS ambush that killed 3 Americans in Syria U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Saturday a leader affiliated with al Qaeda, who had direct ies to an ISIS terrorist responsible for killing two U.S. service members and an American interpreter on Dec. 13, was killed in a U.S. strike in northwest Syria Friday. CENTCOM officials said Bilal Hasan al-Jasim was an experienced terrorist leader who plotted attacks and was "directly connected" with the ISIS gunman who killed and injured U.S. and Syrian personnel last month in Syria. CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said, "There is no safe place for those who conduct, plot, or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters. We will find you. Operation Hawkeye Strike resulted in U.S. and partner forces hitting more than 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons site targets with over 200 precision munitions. More than 300 ISIS operative were captured and twenty killed in the last year CENTCOM said. January 17: Associated Press (published by News Max): Trump Threatens Europe Tariffs Unless Greenland Deal President Trump said Saturday the United States will impose 10% tariffs on goods from Denmark, Germany, the United Kingdom, France and other European countries starting Feb. 1, with the rate rising to 25% on June 1, unless a deal is reached for the U.S. to purchase Greenland. In a lengthy Truth Social post Trump said the targeted countries have benefited for years from U.S. trade terms and security protection and claimed "world peace is at stake" as China and Russia seek influence over Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory. Reportedly the tariffs would apply to "any and all goods" sent to the United States from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland and would remain in place a deal can be reached. It is conjectured that a "deal" would range from an outright purchase of Greenland to enfolding it into the U.S. sphere allowing it to become a territory like Guam and American Samoa. Trump offers protection for Greenland and its people, claiming that Denmark is unable to do so, especially against nations like Russia and China. Trump contends that the decision should come from Greenlanders not Denmark. Earlier Saturday, hundreds of people in Greenland's capital, Nuuk, braved near-freezing temperatures, rain and icy streets to march in a rally in support of their own self-governance. European leaders have said it is only for Denmark and Greenland to decide on matters concerning the territory. IJanuary 16: The Hispanic Gateway Pundit: Shift in Brazil's trade policy over Trump announcement of tariffs against Iranian trading partners President Trump has triggered an unexpected shift in Brazil's trade policy by announcing that any country conducting business with the dictatorial regime in Iran will face a 25% tariff. This measure has put the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in a difficult position: deciding whether to prioritize its record trade surplus with Iran, which reached $2.9 billion last year, or to protect access to the US market, one of the most important in the world. The decision carries direct implications for the country's economy, employment, and political stability. The surplus with Iran, concentrated mainly in agricultural products such as corn and soybeans, represents an interesting niche for Brazil, but compared to trade with the United States, its relative importance is limited. Trump's policy seeks to isolate the Iranian regime and pressure countries that maintain ties with it, sending a clear message about the priority the United States places on international security and the defense of its reliable allies. Brasilia now faces a delicate dilemma. Maintaining exports to Iran could trigger US economic sanctions, while suspending them to preserve relations with Washington affects strategic sectors of agribusiness and national production. Depending upon Brazil's decision it could further isolate it from its South American neighbors which are moving closer to the U.S. January 16: News Max: Interior Secretary, the importance of Greenland and Venezuela's oil to dominate the energy sector Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stressed the importance of acquiring Greenland and using Venezuela's oil to dominate the energy sector as centerpieces of President Trump's foreign policy and economic agenda. Burgum compared a potential acquisition of Greenland to the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 or buying Alaska in 1867. He also questioned Denmark's claims over the land. "I'm guessing that the vast majority of people in Denmark have never been to Greenland and have no plans to go," Burgum said, calling Denmark's stance "a holdover of colonial pride." Burgum said acquiring Greenland would be an important part of U.S. national security, especially with threats looming from Russia and China. "In an era of the Golden Dome, having our ability to defend our country, early detection is key and Greenland will be just as important as Alaska." Burgum's Interior Department would be the federal agency responsible for Greenland if it were to become a U.S. territory. By acquiring Venezuela's oil, Burgum said the center of oil has moved to the Western Hemisphere. "Venezuela has got larger reserves than Saudi Arabia. President Trump had a vision of energy dominance. He said we're going to have enough energy to sell to our friends and allies so they don't have to buy from our adversaries. We're going to use energy diplomacy along with tariffs to help end wars, as opposed to sending in troops," Burgum concluded. January 16: Fox News: Schumer (D-NY) will press to restore DOGE cuts and even add additional funding Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has said he would press to restore funding cut by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and even add to the original amounts. The Democrat Senator made the comments when he was asked Thursday if he would work to replenish funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at a forum held by the Center for American Progress. "If you look at the budget we're working on right now, we restore most of the cuts. And even go higher than previous years on many of the programs that DOGE slashed," Schumer contended. "We have worked really hard and gotten bipartisan support to increase these amounts and undo a lot of the cuts which are essential." He did not describe which specific programs he hopes to supplement. Lawmakers have not yet released a final text of the legislation. The Senate Appropriations Committee has proposed a plan that would increase its fiscal year 2026 funding by $5 billion over fiscal 2025 levels. January 15: The Washington Times: SCOTUS appears open to banning biological males from girls' sports Republican-led states asked the high court Tuesday to uphold their laws that generally bar biological males from female sports, saying women and girls deserve leagues of their own. The majority of the justices appeared open to that argument, though they wrestled with the implications. They wondered whether that would mean opening the door to segregated chess teams and academic classes or eliminating same-sex locker rooms and separate teams for males and females. The court's liberal wing worried about the implications of leaving out some biological boys who identify as girls and cannot compete effectively on boys' teams. "The numbers don't talk about the human beings," said Obama-appointed Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Some of the justices said the girls and women being pushed off teams, missing the medal stand and losing scholarships also must be considered. "What do you say about them? Are they bigots? Are they deluded into thinking they are subjected to unfair competition?" asked Justice Alito. The justices heard more than three hours of oral arguments in cases out of Idaho and West Virginia, where state laws restrict the participation of transgender girls and women in girls' sports. Twenty-five other states have similar laws. January 15: One America News Network: Trump rolls out plan to lower health coverage costs for Americans On Thursday, the president released a five-minute video announcement from the Oval Office detailing his proposed solution to lower healthcare costs for Americans. Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt held a press conference summarizing the "four common sense pillars" of the proposal which the White House claims will "significantly improve our health care system." - The first pillar is lowering prescription drug prices. The Trump administration wants to codify initiatives to guarantee Americans low prices consistent with those of other countries around the world. The average cost of health care in the U.S. is higher than in any other comparable nation. - The second pillar is lowering insurance premiums, including the ending kickbacks paid by pharmacy benefit managers to "brokerage middlemen that deceptively raise the cost of health insurance." - The third pillar is holding big insurance companies accountable with the "Plain-English Insurance" standard. This would require health insurance companies to publish rate and coverage comparisons on their public websites in a way that consumers can easily understand to make better purchasing decisions. - The fourth and final pillar is maximizing price transparency by requiring healthcare providers and insurers who accept Medicare and Medicaid to publicly disclose their pricing and fees to avoid surprise bills. January 15: News Max: Taiwan: Trump reduces tariffs, Taiwan to invest in chips made in the USA The United States said Thursday that it has signed a deal with Taiwan to reduce tariffs on goods from island, while increasing Taiwanese semiconductor and tech companies' investments in America. The agreement, the U.S. Commerce Department said, "will drive a massive reshoring of America's semiconductor sector." Under the deal, Washington will lower tariffs on Taiwanese goods to 15%, down from a 20% "reciprocal" rate meant to address U.S. trade deficits and practices it deems unfair. Sector-specific tariffs on Taiwanese auto parts, timber, lumber and wood products will also be capped at 15%, while generic pharmaceuticals and certain natural resources will face no "reciprocal" duties, the Commerce Department added. Meanwhile, Taiwanese chip and tech businesses are set to make "new, direct investments totaling at least $250 billion" in the United States to build and expand capacity in areas like advanced semiconductors and artificial intelligence. They will also provide "credit guarantees of at least $250 billion to facilitate additional investment by Taiwanese enterprises," to support the growth of the U.S. semiconductor supply chain, the department said. January 14: Fox News: DHS shares background on Mamdani employee who was arrested Following outrage from New York Mayor Mamdani over the arrest of a city council employee, the Department of Homeland Security shared that the individual arrested is an illegal immigrant with a previous arrest for assault. DHS reported the employee, Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez, 53, is a "criminal illegal alien" from Venezuela. They said that despite his being employed by the city council of America's largest city, he has no work authorization and was illegally employed. DHS further said he has a criminal history, including an arrest for assault in New York. He apparently entered the U.S. on a B2 tourist visa in 2017, which required him to depart the same year, so he overstayed the time restrictions on his visa. January 14: Associated Press(published by News Max) [AP's "spin" language has been edited out of this summary] Effort to limit Trump ability to conduct military ops in Venezuela fails in Senate Senate Republicans voted to dismiss a war powers resolution Wednesday that would have limited President Donald Trump's ability to conduct further attacks on Venezuela after two GOP senators reversed course on supporting the legislation. Initially five Republicans joined the Senate Democrats to advance the resolution last week but when the measure came up for a vote it was 50-50 and Vice President J.D. Vance broke the tie causing it to fail. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) and Todd Young (R-Indiana) changed their votes. Democrats forced the debate after U.S. troops captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a surprise nighttime raid earlier this month. "Here we have one of the most successful attacks ever and they [the Democrats and the legacy media] find a way to be against it. It's pretty amazing. And it's a shame," Trump said at a speech in Michigan on Tuesday. The three Republican Senators who voted with the Democrats were Rand Paul (KY), Lisa Murkowski (AK), and Susan Collins (ME). The legislation, even if it had cleared the Senate, had virtually no chance of becoming law because it would eventually need to be signed by Trump himself. January 14: Fox News: SCOTUS; Congressman can sue State of Illinois over voting by mail laws The Supreme Court Wednesday ruled that federal candidates have the right to challenge state election laws that govern the counting of ballots in their states, clearing the way for an expected flurry of new lawsuits in the run-up to this year's midterm elections. Justices ruled 7-2 that candidates running for federal office have the standing to sue state election boards over their counting of ballots – including challenging laws that allow for the counting of late-arriving mail-in ballots. "Candidates, in short, are not 'mere bystanders' in their own elections," Chief Justice John Roberts said, writing for the majority. "They have an obvious personal stake in how the result is determined and regarded." "We need not resolve whether respondents are right, because winning, and doing so as inexpensively and decisively as possible, are not a candidate's only interests in an election." Justices Jackson and Sotomayor dissented the decision, Kagen voted with the majority. January 14: The Gateway Pundit: Chip Roy (R-TX) amendment stripping funding for activist federal judges shot down by fellow Republicans Forty-six House Republicans sided with Democrats Wednesday night to defeat Congressman Chip Roy's amendment to strip funding from activist federal judges and the rogue D.C. courts that have repeatedly undermined what he terms the will of the American people. The amendment, offered as part of the fiscal 2026 appropriations package, would have cut 20 percent of the District of Columbia District Court and Circuit Court's budget and zeroed out the staff/office budgets for Judges James Boasberg and Deborah Boardman. Under the constitution, the legislative branch has the authority to establish and fund courts under the Supreme Court. January 13: Fox News: Supreme Court Justice asks attorney what is a boy or girl, the lawyer didn't have an answer Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito grilled an attorney representing a biological male athlete in the case about whether boys should be allowed to play in girls' sports Tuesday about the definitions of a woman and girl. Alito asked Kathleen R. Hartnett, who is arguing on behalf of the Idaho student in the Court case, what it meant to be a "boy or a girl or a man or a woman" when it came to equal protection purposes. Hartnett agreed that a school may have separate teams for students "classified as boys and a category of students classified as girls." Hartnett also agreed there needed to be "an understanding of what it means to be a boy or a girl and a man or a woman." "Sorry, … we'd have to have an understanding of how the state or the government was understanding that term to figure out whether someone was excluded," Hartnett said. January 13: The Daily Caller: A justice who doesn't know what a woman is, is to help decide if men belong in women's sports? Leave it to the woman who doesn't know what a woman is to decide if men belong in women's sports. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson stumbled through oral argument Tuesday in a concerning "[w]hether Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prevents a state from consistently designating girls' and boys' sports teams based on biological sex determined at birth," and "whether the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment prevents a state from offering separate boys' and girls' sports teams based on biological sex determined at birth," according to the SCOTUS blog. Going back to Jackson's confirmation hearing, when Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) asked her to define the word "women" she either couldn't figure it out or just decided not to answer the question. Now she is participating in a case that requires the justices to define the same word. Go figure! January 13: One America News Network: Temporary Protected Status (TPS) terminated for Somalia by DHS The Trump administration, through Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, has officially announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalia. The humanitarian program, which shields eligible nationals from deportation and grants temporary work authorization, will end on March 17th — when the existing extension, granted under the prior Biden administration, expires. The decision reportedly stems from the administration's determination that conditions in Somalia have "improved sufficiently" to no longer meet TPS criteria, with officials emphasizing that "temporary means temporary" and prioritizing national interests. The community's standing has been further complicated by intensive federal scrutiny into large-scale fiscal misconduct. In Minnesota, a series of high-profile fraud investigations have brought numerous Somali immigrants to the forefront of national discussions regarding the integrity of social service programs. "To date, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged 98 defendants in Minnesota fraud-related cases – 85 of whom are of Somali descent. Sixty-four have already been convicted. According to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, DOJ has also issued over 1,750 subpoenas, executed over 130 search warrants, and conducted over 1,000 witness interviews. January 12: The Gateway Pundit: Trump's view of the history of Greenland is correct Trump is right about Greenland. The United States defended the island during World War II, and it was forcibly annexed by the Kingdom of Denmark in 1951 without UN approval and without the consent of the island's population. Today, Greenlanders would likely agree to a compact of free association with the United States, which would give them greater autonomy and independence from Denmark. Trump has expressed interest in Greenland for national security reasons, as Russia and China are increasingly sending naval vessels through Arctic waters north of Alaska. Positioned between North America and Europe, Greenland controls emerging Arctic sea lanes that are becoming more accessible as ice retreats. The United States operates the former Thule Air Base, on the island, which plays a critical role in missile warning and space surveillance. In 2019, Walter Berbrick of the Naval War College stated that whoever controls Greenland will control the Arctic, calling it the most important strategic location in the region and possibly the world. Greenland is also rich in natural gas, oil, and minerals used in advanced technology and military applications, resources that sit at the center of the U.S.-China trade war. The United States has classified 50 minerals as critical to national security, and Greenland holds known reserves of 43 of them, including rare earth elements essential for modern weapons systems and advanced technologies. January 12: News Max: Musk's Starlink internet service gives Iranian people access to the internet Some Iranians are still using Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service despite a nationwide government-imposed communications blackout, three people inside the country said, the latest example of Starlink being used to counter internet shutdowns in geopolitical flashpoints. Iranian authorities have in recent days launched a deadly crackdown on nationwide protests, including the near-complete shutdown of internet service, which is provided through fiber-optic cables and cellphone towers. But Starlink, which beams ‍its service directly from thousands of satellites, is still working in some places in Iran, despite being banned by ‍authorities. Reportedly the Western parts of Iran and users in some border towns still have internet access. "It is patchy, but still there," one source reported. January 11: Fox News: Cuba beware, you may be next President Trump signaled a hardline stance toward Cuba Sunday, vowing to halt all oil and financial support and urging the island nation to "make a deal" before it is "too late." Venezuela has long been Cuba's largest oil supplier. The warning comes as the Trump administration intensifies its efforts to isolate regional allies of Venezuela following Maduro's capture. Venezuela's massive oil reserves – perhaps the largest in the world – have historically underpinned its influence across the region, particularly through subsidized shipments to allies like Cuba. Trump pledged to bring U.S. companies back to the forefront of Venezuelan oil production and exports, but first the country needs to be safe and incidents of violence contained. [See related story] January 11: The Gateway Pundit: Philly Police Commissioner to Sheriff Philadelphia County's scandal-plagued sheriff's disgusting anti-ICE press conference has officially backfired after the city's own police commissioner provided a valuable education lesson. Philadelphia County Sheriff Rochelle Bilal had unleashed a blistering attack on ICE Thursday, branding the federal agency "fake, made-up law enforcement" and threatening that any ICE agents who set foot in her jurisdiction will face arrest and prosecution. The most disturbing part was the sheriff's direct threat of physical confrontation against federal officers. She warned her office would not hesitate to use force or legal action against agents performing their constitutionally mandated duties. Hours following Bilal's grandstanding, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel issued a stinging statement that reminded the sheriff the real purpose of her job. It turns out she evidently thought she possessed authority that she did not have. Bethel concluded by reaffirming that the Philadelphia police will work in cooperation with all law enforcement officials, including those from ICE. How embarrassing for the Sheriff and for the people who elected her. January 11: News Max: State Department; Americans should leave Venezuela The U.S. State Department (DOS) warned Americans to leave Venezuela immediately amid growing security concerns following the capture of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro and reports armed pro-regime groups targeting U.S. citizens. In a DOS security alert, Saturday, it said it has received reports armed members of so-called colectivos — pro-government paramilitary militias loyal to the former regime — have set up roadblocks across parts of the country. The group are reportedly stopping vehicles and searching for signs that occupants are American citizens or supporters of the United States. The country currently carries a Level 4 alert [Do Not Travel advisory due to grave threats to Americans, including wrongful detention, torture, terrorism, kidnapping, crime, unrest, and failing health infrastructure]. While many Venezuelans who opposed Maduro's socialist regime have welcomed his removal, the country remains volatile, with armed loyalists still active in major cities and along key highways. Trump has said he would consider visiting Venezuela in the future once conditions improve, saying he believed it would eventually be safe. January 10: Breitbart News: CNN's Law Enforcement Contributor; ICE shooting in Minneapolis "likely legally justified shooting" On Friday CNN's Law Enforcement Contributor Steve Moore stated that the new video of the shooting by ICE in Minneapolis "leads me to believe that this was likely a legally justified shooting" and while he wasn't ready to say whether the shooting was a justified shooting before the video, he now believes "a reasonable investigation will find that the officer was within the deadly force policy." He said "Legally justified means that a reasonable law enforcement officer — not a reasonable person on the street — but a trained law enforcement officer, believed that they were in imminent danger of losing their life or suffering grievous bodily injuries. It doesn't have to be lethal force if it paralyzes you. That's the type of thing. So, I believe, at that point, the officer was likely — and a reasonable investigation will find that -- the officer was within the deadly force policy." January 10: News Max: Mortgage rates lowest in three years as economy grows at 5.4% rate Mortgage rates have fallen shapely from 8% under Biden to 5.7% currently. On Friday as Donald Trump said he is directing mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy $200 billion in mortgage bonds, a rare federal push into the housing finance pipeline that is already reshaping rate expectations and reigniting debate over Washington's role in a market that has priced out many buyers. Trump said that under Biden, "…almost no young families could afford a home. With my focus on Housing Affordability, and after I authorized Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to invest their cash, and buy $200 Billion Dollars in Mortgage Bonds, Mortgage Rates moved down to 5.7%." Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which have operated under government conservatorship since the 2008 financial crisis, do not originate home loans. Instead, they buy mortgages from lenders and either hold them or package them into mortgage-backed securities that can be sold to investors. The government intervention through mortgage bond purchases has precedent. January 10: The Washington Times: Bidding farewell to an old friend; The USS Nimitz (CVA-68) completes it's last deployment; decommissioning scheduled for 2026 In mid-December as the USS Nimitz steamed into Puget Sound and returned to its home port from what will be its last deployment as it is scheduled for decommissioning in Virgina later this year. It had just wrapped up a nine-month deployment, operating in the Indo-Pacific region and in the Persian Gulf, where it launched air strikes against Islamic State targets in Somalia. It also supported freedom of navigation efforts in the Arabian Sea, completing four transits through the tense Strait of Hormuz. It would be the last deployment for America's oldest operational aircraft carrier. Nimitz had traveled more than two-thirds of the planet during its last deployment. Named for Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz, who led the U.S. Pacific Fleet during World War II, the carrier has taken part in nearly every major U.S. conflict and operation for more than 50 years. This ship provided fighter cover and launched airstrikes during Operation Desert Storm and Southern Watch in the 1990s, and the more recent Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. January 9: Fox News: Woman shot by ICE agent had been trained to disrupt ICE's law enforcement activities DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has characterized the actions of protestor Renee Good as an "act of domestic terrorism," alleging the she (he) been "stalking, impeding, and blocking" ICE officers for hours leading up to the incident. The New York Post reports, Renee Good had ties to an organized anti-ICE network in Minneapolis that trains participants to monitor and interfere with federal immigration enforcement operations. Apparently Good became involved with a group known as "ICE Watch," a coalition dedicated to documenting and disrupting ICE activity in the sanctuary city. Similar networks have emerged across the nation and linked to confrontations with federal agents, including incidents involving vehicles used to block or strike officers. An online video shows an ICE officer approaching the stopped SUV and attempting to open the driver's door before the vehicle moves forward. Another officer standing in front of the vehicle then fires his weapon at close range in self-defense. January 8: Fox News: Noem; Women shot by officers reportedly stalking and impeding ICE agents all day Homeland Security Secretary (DHS) Kristi Noem said at a press conference on Wednesday that the woman who was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer was reportedly "stalking and impeding" agents all day. Noem told reporters that ICE agents repeatedly instructed the victim, Renee Nicole Good, 37, to get out of her car and stop "obstructing" law enforcement but she didn't comply. The agency is labeling the incident as an act of "domestic terrorism." January 8: News Max: Minnesota police association slams political leaders A Minnesota police group issued a statement Thursday slamming political leaders, such as Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, for "irresponsible, reckless rhetoric" following a fatal shooting by an ICE officer. The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association (MPPOA) warned that heated political attacks on law enforcement can have "real and dangerous consequences," especially as tensions rise nationwide over immigration enforcement operations. "The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association stands firmly behind law enforcement officers, accountability under the law, and the safety of every Minnesota community," Interim Executive Director David Titus said in the statement. Titus specifically called out political leaders who, in the aftermath of Wednesday's shooting, have attacked federal officers and inflamed anger in the streets. "Irresponsible, reckless rhetoric from political leaders such as Frey attacking law enforcement has real and dangerous consequences for officers on the street," Titus said. "When officers are vilified, demonized, or used as political props, it fuels hostility, emboldens bad actors, and puts lives directly at risk." The union urged elected officials to stop stoking tensions and allow investigators to determine what happened. The statement comes after Frey delivered a profanity-laced message aimed at ICE following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good during a federal operation in Minneapolis. January 7: The Post Newspaper: Fiddling with the Filibuster The U.S. Senate needs to update its filibuster rules but doing so in a way that makes it more difficult to change those rules in the future once the current rules are changed. That doesn't mean the Senate should adopt the "nuclear option" of getting rid of the filibuster altogether. Start by requiring a physical presence of Senators on the chamber's floor instead of simply threatening to filibuster and stopping all legislative action as Chuck Schumer did for 43 days with the "Schumer Shutdown." Second require 60% of the members voting in the affirmative to change the filibuster rules going forward. And finally, consider lowering the number of votes needed to invoke regular cloture from the current 60 to 55. That would allow the Senate to actually get some work done! But -- and this is a key -- remember the chamber will not always be Republican dominated. At some time the Democrats will take over and one needs to ensure that a determined minority still has a voice and a part to play in the legislative process. January 7: The Gateway Pundit: House votes to advance the ObamaCare subsidies bill with nine GOP members supporting the "discharge petition" The House of Representatives on Wednesday voted 221-205 on the "discharge petition" to allow debate on a bill that would revive the Democrats' Obamacare subsidies. The final vote on the measure will be held Thursday. The bill would extend the expired Obamacare subsidies for three years. The nine GOP members were Fitzpatrick (PA), Bresnahan (PA), Mackenzie (PA), Lawler (NY), Salazar (FL), LaLota (NY), Valadao (CA), Kean (NJ), Miller (OH). Last year the Senate rejected more than a dozen dueling healthcare plans as Obamacare's enhanced premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025. President Trump has repeatedly called for the 'Affordable Care Act' subsidies to be given to the consumers rather than the 'fat cat' insurance companies. If the House Democrat's bill is adopted by the House, the measure is likely dead upon arrival in the U.S. Senate and if by some miracle it was passed, it is highly unlikely the President would sign it, invoking a veto of the bill January 7: News Max: President Trump orders the U.S. withdraw from 66 international organizations – including UN organizations President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a presidential memorandum directing the U.S. to withdraw from 66 international organizations that the White House said no longer serve American interests. The directive orders all executive departments and agencies to stop participating in and funding 35 non-United Nations organizations and 31 U.N. entities that the administration concluded operate contrary to U.S. national interests, security, economic prosperity, or sovereignty. The White House said the action follows a review of every international intergovernmental organization, convention, and treaty that the U.S. belongs to, funds, or otherwise supports. The withdrawals will end American taxpayer funding and involvement in entities the White House argues advance globalist agendas over U.S. priorities, or address important issues so inefficiently that federal dollars are better spent elsewhere. In a fact sheet released Wednesday, the White House said many of the targeted bodies promote radical climate policies, global governance, and ideological programs that conflict with U.S. sovereignty and economic strength. The White House said American taxpayers have spent billions of dollars on such organizations with little return, while some of those groups criticize U.S. policies, advance agendas contrary to American values, or fail to achieve meaningful results despite large budgets. The memorandum represents the administration's most expansive pullback to date from multilateral engagement, extending Trump's long-running argument that international commitments must produce measurable benefits for Americans and must not constrain U.S. decision-making. January 7: Fox News: U.S. seizes two sanctioned tankers in Atlantic Ocean The U.S. European Command (EUCOM) announced the seizure of the recently Russian-flagged Marinera oil tanker in the North Atlantic Sea. Prior to the seizure the vessel painted Russian flag on the ship and claimed Russian flagging. The ship, originally called Bella 1 was sanctioned by the U.S. It was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro. "This seizure supports @POTUS Proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere," EUCOM said. "The operation was executed by DHS components with support from the War Department, showcasing a whole-of-government approach to protect the homeland." The ship had previously operated under the name Bella 1 before it changed its name and registry in an attempt to elude capture. January 7: The Galveston County Daily News: Self-Interest verses Servant Leadership In the recent past we've seen leaders seeking power for themselves, corruption not honest leadership, self-serving politicians who serve themselves, not the average citizen. They seek to commandeer power for their own ends, not honest leadership. As did our forefathers, we need to fight corruption and political self-interest, shed light upon tyrannical activities, and ensure nobody is above the law. We should elect leaders who will truly serve us, not themselves; both Democrats and Republicans alike. We need to support candidates who choose true leadership not self-interest. January 6: The Washington Times: Big loss for PRC; Maduro in U.S. Custody Communist China is losing a key regional ally and major source of oil from the U.S. capture of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro, whose leftist regime was a hoped-for part of Beijing's global expansion initiatives, security experts say. The U.S. operation took place shortly after a delegation of Chinese officials met with Maduro in Caracas. Analysts say his ouster highlights the limits of Chinese power. China denounced the military operation as a violation of Venezuela's sovereignty and international law and called for the U.S. to release Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who remain in U.S. custody in New York City. No Chinese nationals in Venezuela were harmed during the military strikes, but Cuba's government said more than 30 of its military and security personnel in the country were killed. Cuban security personnel were said to be providing security for Maduro and their casualties were likely the result of a U.S. bombing on a barracks and from fire Delta Force commandos. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the collapse of the Maduro regime is unwelcome news for Beijing, which he said is "no doubt furious and humiliated at having backed the wrong horse. The fact that Maduro was hosting a Chinese delegation just hours before his capture couldn't have been more fitting," Pompeo said. China is losing a key source of cheap and illegal oil as well as a chief strategic partner in Latin America, he said. "That means they can no longer use Venezuela as a beachhead for intelligence operations inside the United States or malign influence activities across the Western Hemisphere," he contended. "The message from President Trump couldn't be clearer: The days of undermining America in our own hemisphere are over." The difficult part will be making sure Venezuela's people will not be sold out to foreign dictators in the future, he added. January 6: One America News Network: Hilton terminates franchise over refusal to house ICE/DHS personnel Hilton has terminated its franchise agreement with the independently owned Hampton Inn in Lakeville, MN, after the hotel refused to house federal immigration agents. The property has been removed from Hilton's systems and is no longer permitted to operate under the brand name. Hilton investigated and initially received assurances from the franchise owner that the issue was resolved, along with a public apology. However, after a video surfaced showing the hotel was still denying bookings to such agents, Hilton determined this violated company policies on non-discrimination and welcoming all guests. As a result, Tuesday Hilton announced that it was terminating the franchise agreement and removing the hotel from its systems, meaning it can no longer use the Hampton Inn or Hilton name. Apparently, Hilton learned from the Bud Light experience and acted accordingly! January 5: The Daily Caller: Massive blockade break staged as "ghost ships" seek to leave Venezuela At least 15 U.S. sanctioned oil tankers have reportedly are attempting to break through the American complete blockade of Venezuelan oil exports. After the apprehension of Nicolas Maduro, the tankers are attempting to flee using so-called "dark mode" tactics to evade capture. According to the N.Y. Times, the now-departed ships had been docked in Venezuelan ports for weeks. Tankers in the group used techniques employed by the modern "ghost fleet" of sanction skirting ships, including painting names of decommissioned vessels on ships' hulls, misrepresenting their positions, and leaving in coordinated fashion to escape the blockade. "The embargo on all Venezuelan oil remains in full effect," President Trump said Saturday during a press conference. "The American armada remains poised in position, and the United States retains all military options until United States demands have been fully met and fully satisfied." "The only real way for oil-laden tankers to break through a naval blockade is to overwhelm it with outbound vessels," Samir Madani, the co-founder of TankerTrackers.com. Reportedly all fifteen of the identified tankers are under U.S. sanctions Trump imposed on Dec. 16 against Maduro. January 5: News Max: Gov. Newsom (D-CA) decides to extend immigrant CDLs, draws sharp criticism California Gov. Gavin Newsom is drawing sharp criticism after his administration extended thousands of commercial truck-driver's licenses for foreign nationals flagged in a federal audit, defying the Trump administration's demand that the permits be revoked by Monday. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned Wednesday that California "does not have an extension" and that the deadline to revoke what he called "illegally issued, unvetted foreign trucker licenses" remains Monday. California could lose nearly $160 million in federal transportation funding if the state fails to comply. The California Department of Motor Vehicles, however, announced it was delaying cancellations until March 6, 2026, saying it needed additional time to avoid wrongly canceling drivers who may still be legally qualified. The dispute centers on 17,299 "non-domiciled" commercial driver's licenses that California issued to noncitizens, which state officials later said contained discrepancies tied to immigration and work authorization documentation. Reportedly the U.S Department of Transportation has already withheld $40 million over the dispute and threatened additional penalties if California misses the Monday deadline. January 5: Fox News: Former NYC Mayor Eric Adams slams Harris and other Democrats for their opposition to the apprehension of Nichols Maduro Just two days after posting a social media video signaling his freedom from government office, former New York City Mayor Eric Adams slammed fellow Democrats over their response to President Trump's operation to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. This weekend, Adams openly weighed in by thanking Trump for "hit[ting] the cartels where it hurts" through Maduro's detention and sharply criticizing former Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Joe Biden's approach to the Venezuelan strongman. "I have seen firsthand how Nicolás Maduro destroyed Venezuela and turned it into a narco-state. Millions fled. Thousands landed in New York City," he said. "Now in U.S. custody, the man who helped flood our streets with fentanyl is finally being held accountable. American lives were destroyed because of him," he continued. Former Vice President Harris had said Trump's detaining of Maduro "do[es] not make America safer" and that the despot being an "illegitimate dictator does not change the fact that this action was both unlawful and unwise*(TURLEY LINK) … The American people do not want this, and they are tired of being lied to," she contended completely disregarding the displaced Venezuelans who dancing in streets across the country, indeed, across the globe, upon getting the word of Maduro's apprehension. January 4: Fox News: Turley Explains the legal basis for abducting Maduro Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized Sunday that Nicolus Maduro was not the head of state but a criminal dictator who took control after losing democratic elections. However, while noting the purpose of the capture, Trump proceeded to declare that the United States would engage in nation-building to achieve lasting regime change. He stated that they would be running Venezuela to ensure a friendly government and the repayment of seized U.S. property dating back to the government of Maduro's mentor and predecessor, Hugo Chávez. Washington, DC is full of self-proclaimed Trump haters. However, there good elements in Trump's approach. First, he is the most transparent president in our lifetime, with prolonged press conferences and a brutal frankness about his motivations. Second, he is unabashedly and undeniably transactional in most of his dealings. He is not ashamed to state what he wants the country to get out of the deal. In Venezuela, he wants a stable partner, and he wants oil with benefits flowing to both the U.S. and Venezuelan people. Chávez and Maduro had implemented socialist policies that reduced one of the most prosperous nations to an economic basket case. They brought in Cuban security thugs to help keep the population under repressive conditions, as a third of the country's population fled to the United States and other countries. After an extraordinary operation to capture Maduro, Trump was faced with socialist Maduro allies on every level of the government. He is not willing to allow those same regressive elements to reassert themselves. The problem is that, if the purpose was regime change, this attack was an act of war, which is why Rubio stressed that the operation was for a law enforcement purpose. Courts have routinely dismissed challenges to undeclared military offensives against other nations. Most Democrats were as quiet as church mice when Obama and Hillary Clinton attacked Libya's capital and military sites to achieve regime change without any authorization from Congress. They were also silent when Obama vaporized an American under this "kill list" policy without even a criminal charge but because it's Donald Trump doing it they are coming out of the woodwork. January 4: The Gateway Pundit: Sec. State Rubio explained why Congressiona consultation was not required with Maduro arrest Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the Trump Administration's capture of Nicolas Maduro on NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday and gave a thorough explanation of why the administration did not need congressional approval to execute the strikes in Venezuela and arrest Maduro. The action "couldn't require congressional approval because this was not an invasion; this is not an extended military operation," Rubio said, noting that they couldn't afford leaks that would risk the lives of US troops. "This was not an attack on Venezuela. This was a law enforcement function to capture an indicted drug trafficker, and of course, we needed the Department of War to support it because they do have anti-aircraft missiles that could shoot down those helicopters." Rubio declared "We will seek congressional approval for actions that require congressional approval, but otherwise they will get congressional notification. This is not an operation that requires congressional approval," he stressed. "In fact, this is an operation akin to what virtually every single president for the last 40 years has conducted. The difference is that when it's Donald Trump, you know, all these Democrats go bonkers." January 4: Breitbart News: Venezuelans celebrate the arrest of Maduro Reportedly hundreds of revelers chanted and celebrated outside a Brooklyn lockup as Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were hauled inside to face federal narco-terrorism charges. The ousted couple were greeted at the Brooklyn Detention Center with the boisterous crowd triumphantly applauding, jeering, and chanting "down with the dictator," "shame on you," and "dirty scumbag!" Venezuelan national Ronny Chirinos was reportedly one of more than 200 opponents who eagerly waited outside the prison for more than an hour in the bitter cold for the ousted dictator to arrive in cuffs. "It's such a joy to see the dictator fall, but the regime hasn't fallen yet," the 21-year-old, who relocated from Maracay to the Big Apple three years ago due to Maduro's regime. One person, Noah Kagan, shared that his wife, her family and all her friends are from Venezuela. "This is the greatest thing that has happened to their country in 25+ years. He (Maduro) turned the #1 wealthiest country in South America, #1 country for oil reserves, #1 country for Miss Americas, #1 country for tallest waterfall and so many more special things… Into a place that I personally cannot even visit for fear of getting kidnapped and ransom," Kagan said, adding that "basic medicine is not available" and that the "power goes out daily," among other issues. January 3: Fox News: Nichols Maduro captured, on U.S. soil, on the way to jail Deposed Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and his wife arrived at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn late Saturday night after being transported by helicopter from the Drug Enforcement Agency in Manhattan after being processed. The helicopter convoy flew past the Statue of Liberty en route to Brooklyn, a moment broadcast live as part of the transfer. Outside the detention center, bystanders gathered behind barricades, some cheering and jeering while waving Venezuelan and American flags and recording the arrival on their phones. Maduro is expected to remain in federal custody as he prepares to face narcoterrorism and weapons charges in the Southern District of New York. January 3: News Max: Trump: U.S. will run Venezuela until "Proper Transition" takes place The United States will remain and "run" Venezuela until a "proper transition" can take place with its government, President Trump said in his news conference Saturday, following the overnight strikes on Venezuela and the arrests of President Nicholas Maduro and his wife. "We're there now, but we're going to stay until such time as the proper transition can take place." Trump said. The latest strike, he added, may not be the only one that will be undertaken. "We are ready to stage a second and much larger attack if we need to do so," said Trump. But "The first attack was so successful, we probably don't have to do a second, but we're prepared to do a second wave, a much bigger wave, actually," Trump continued. Meanwhile, the removal of Maduro and the ensuing results "will make the people of Venezuela rich, independent and safe, and it will also make the many, many people from Venezuela that are living in the United States extremely happy," said Trump. "They suffered," he said. "So much was taken from them. They're not going to suffer anymore," Trump contended. January 3: The Daily Caller: Administration warns Cuba it could be next Donald Trump warned brutal world leaders such as Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel that what happened to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro could happen to them. Trump announced in a Truth Social post that U.S. military forces protected a law enforcement operation to arrest Maduro and his wife in Caracas early Saturday morning. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio later said at the press conference that current members of the Cuban regime could meet the same fate as Maduro. "Cuba is an interesting case, Cuba is not doing well right now," Trump said. "The people have suffered for many, many years and I think that Cuba is going to be something we'll end up talking about because Cuba is a failing nation right now, very badly failing nation and we want to help the people." Secretary of State Rubio said, "Suffice to say that Cuba is a disaster… …it has no economy and [is in] total collapse." Most of the Venezuelan spy agency was Cuban, Sec. State suggested. "One of the biggest problems that Venezuela has: they have to declare independence from Cuba," he concluded. January 3: Fox News: Turley; Trump Administration on solid ground in nabbing Maduro The Trump operation to grab Nicolas Maduro is on solid ground according to legal scholar Jonathan Turley. It comes not long after the 37th anniversary of the similar capture of Manuel Antonio Noriega on December. 20, 1989. Noriega was convicted of drug and money laundering offenses and sentenced to 40 years in prison. The operation was to execute an existing criminal warrant and responding to an international drug cartel – a legal framework similar to that used to apprehend Noriega. Legal precedent supported the apprehension of the Panamanian leader as it does with Maduro. There is an outstanding federal criminal indictment against Maduro, which is the basis for the action taken by the administration. The Democrats who are denouncing the operation as unlawful might want to review past cases, particularly the decision related to the Noriega prosecution after his capture by the administration of President George H.W. Bush, Turley suggested. Trump does not need congressional approval for this type of operation. Turley pointed out that residents from both parties have launched lethal attacks regularly against individuals (i.e., Barack Obama, who killed an American citizen under this "kill list" policy). If Obama can vaporize an American citizen without even a criminal charge, Trump can't capture a foreign citizen with a pending criminal indictment without prior congressional approval, Turley asked. In his appeal, Noriega argued that his arrest violated international law under the head-of-state immunity doctrine. The district court rejected Noriega's head-of-state immunity claim because the United States government never recognized Noriega as Panama's legitimate ruler — Similarly the U.S. has not recognized Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela. The United States for the Eleventh Circuit rejected Noriega's immunity claim and legal experts believe the same will happen if Maduro offers up a similar argument. Meanwhile, the actions by Trump will also have a major impact on foreign policy. The Monroe Doctrine has just become the Trump Doctrine. This action not only confronted Venezuela but also Cuba, which was supplying the security around Maduro. Presumably, Cuban security may have been involved in the firefight. While cutting off vital oil to Cuba, the Trump Administration just delivered a blow against the Cuban regime which is already facing major economic difficulty. January 2: The Gateway Pundit: 9th Circuit strikes down California ban on open carry in 2-1 decision A US Appeals Court on Friday in a 2-1 decision struck down a California law banning people from openly carrying firearms. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals cited a 2022 Supreme Court ruling and said California's ban on open carry is unconstitutional. US Circuit Judge Lawrence VanDyke wrote the majority opinion and blasted the state of California for banning open carry for 95% of its population. California banned open carry on all counties with populations greater than 200,000 – which is 95% of the state the ruling states. Judge VanDyke said California' ban on open carry is unconstitutional. "For most of American history, open carry has been the default manner of lawful carry for firearms. It remains the norm across the country—more than thirty states generally allow open carry to this day, including states with significant urban populations," he wrote. He said many states allow open carry and California has a history of open carry. "Similarly, for the first 162 years of its history open carry was a largely unremarkable part of daily life in California. From 1850, when California first became a state, until the Mulford Act of 1967, public carry of firearms in California (open or concealed) was entirely unregulated. And when California first deviated (or considered deviating) from this practice, its reasons for doing so were less than morally exemplary," he contended. January 2: The Washington Times: Trump; ready to retaliate if Iran starts targeting protestors Records show that over 2,400 executions have been carried out by Iran in 2025. Meanwhile President Trump said the U.S. is ready to retaliate against Iran if the Islamic republic starts targeting protesters. Demonstrations have been flooding the streets of Iran, partly because of its struggling economy. "If Iran [shoots] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue," Trump posted Friday on Truth Social. "We are locked and ready to go." At least seven people have been killed amid the protests, now in their sixth day, as demonstrators chant against the Iranian government. January 2: The New York Times: Off duty ICE officer shoots active shooter on New Years Eve A heroic off-duty Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent thwarted a possible active shooting by gunning down his neighbor as the man was firing shots into the air at their Los Angeles apartment complex, the feds said. The agent, who hasn't been identified publicly, jumped into action when his neighbor opened fire with a rifle at the complex in Northridge, California on New Year's Eve, authorities said. Police are still probing the shooting but the Department of Homeland Security quickly defended the agent, insisting his bravery saved lives. "In order to protect his life and that of others, he was forced to defensively use his weapon and exchanged gunfire with the shooter," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. According to police, the officer returned fire killing the shooter and then immediately called 911 to report the shooting. January 1: The Gateway Pundit: Former Special Counsel Jack Smith tells House Judiciary Committee Trump didn't have a first amendment right to question the 2020 election The House Judiciary Wednesday released a transcript and video of Jack Smith's closed-door testimony to Congress. Smith appeared last month for a closed-door testimony before the Committee. He was called to testify over what GOP lawmakers called his "partisan and politically motivated" Trump prosecutions. Smith was appointed as Special Counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2022 one day after Trump announced his 2024 bid for the White House. He brought multiple indictments against Trump in 2023. During his deposition, Jack Smith said his prosecutors framed the case against Trump as a fraud case rather than a First Amendment issue. "Fraud is not protected by the First Amendment, so in my mind it was important to make that clear in the indictment…" Smith said as he boasted about the case 'prevailing' in the district court in which an Obama-appointed Judge presided. Smith claimed Trump did not have a First Amendment right to question the election, contending doing so was fraudulent – even though there are still questions about irregularities in that election. In the end all of Smith's cases were either overturned by the Supreme Court or withdrawn following Trump's reelection. January 1: The Epoch Times: Trump's leadership in 2025, no moss growing under his feet Since returning to the White House in January, President Trump has rapidly reshaped America's domestic and international priorities. In the first year of his second term, his administration enacted sweeping tax reform, deported millions of illegal immigrants, imposed tariffs to balance trade relations, brokered several peace deals, overhauled U.S. foreign policy, and among other things, ordered the federal government to recognize only two sexes—male and female. Here are a few highlights: - Border Security: Illegal immigration dropped to the lowest numbers in recorded history, without requiring legislative action by Congress - Trade Policies: Trump started using tariffs as a foreign policy tool, resulting in foreign governments making bilateral concessions in order to have access to U.S. markets and massive income and investment coming to the U.S. - Foreign Policy Shift: The Trump administration has increased its focus and resources paying attention to the Western Hemisphere while not abandoning Isreal and Middle Eastern nations in efforts to bring negotiated peace deals. - Sweeping Tax Reform: Trump got the "Big Beautiful Bill" enacted in about half the time it normally takes Congress to act. In doing so he made the Trump I tax cuts permanent, eliminate taxes on tips and social security payments, and cut spending. And, - Introduced a "common sense" agenda: Shortly after his inauguration, Trump introduced reforms on public health and safety, climate, energy, education, gender ideology, and more through dozens of executive orders including excluding biological men from competing in women's sports. January 1: The Gateway Pundit: Obama-appointed judge clears the way for ICE to use Medicaid data to locate and deport illegal aliens In a major victory for border enforcement and the rule of law, a federal judge has cleared the way for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to use Medicaid data to locate and deport illegal aliens, rejecting a coordinated legal assault by Democrat-run states attempting to shield unlawful migrants from federal authorities. U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria of the Northern District of California denied blue states' attempt to block ICE from using Medicaid data delivering a rebuke to sanctuary-state lawfare. A coalition of blue states filed suit to stop the Trump administration from accessing Medicaid records, claiming the move violated privacy laws and administrative procedures. In his ruling, Chhabria said federal law explicitly authorizes DHS to obtain identifying information -- such as citizenship status, addresses and phone numbers, dates of birth and Medicaid ID numbers -- from other federal agencies in order to carry out immigration enforcement. The judge also ruled privacy laws expressly allow disclosures for law enforcement purposes, including immigration enforcement, and that the Medicaid data at issue does not fall under the ACA's exchange-data restrictions. He noted further that the Privacy Act does not even apply to illegal aliens in the first place. January 1: News Max: AG Bondi Teases 2026 Obama-Biden Lawfare Reckoning Attorney General Pam Bondi is signaling that a decade of Washington lawfare could soon face a reckoning, with 2026 possibly being the year the Justice Department's investigation reaches a decisive point. Bondi said she has directed U.S. attorneys and federal agents to pursue what she described as "instances of government weaponization nationwide." She framed the alleged abuses under the Obama and Biden administrations not as isolated episodes, but as part of a conspiracy that stretched from the origins of the Trump-Russia probe through later investigations targeting President Donald Trump and his supporters.

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