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The Messianic Prophesies

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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.