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Tuesday, February 17, 2026
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William Upton
Crime

Man Armed With Shotgun Arrested Rushing Steps of U.S. Capitol.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A man was arrested on Tuesday just after noon in Washington, D.C., after he was observed exiting a Mercedes sport utility vehicle (SUV) and abruptly running toward the U.S. Capitol building armed with a shotgun.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The unidentified shotgun-armed suspect, U.S. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan, and U.S. Capitol Police officers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The arrest occurred just after noon on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Just after noon today, a gentleman parked in the 100 block of Maryland Avenue in a white Mercedes SUV. He exited the vehicle with a shotgun and began running towards the Capitol, up the walkway. As he approached the Capitol, Capitol Police officers observed this individual, challenged him, and ordered him to drop the weapon and get on the ground. Which he did comply with.” — Michael Sullivan

🎯IMPACT: Sullivan stressed that he was currently unaware of a motive behind what appears to be an attempted attack on the Capitol.

IN FULL

A man was arrested on Tuesday just after noon in Washington, D.C., after he was observed exiting a Mercedes sport utility vehicle (SUV) and abruptly running toward the U.S. Capitol building armed with a shotgun. According to U.S. Capitol Police, officers intercepted the armed man before he could reach the building, and he was detained and arrested without further incident.

“Just after noon today, a gentleman parked in the 100 block of Maryland Avenue in a white Mercedes SUV. He exited the vehicle with a shotgun and began running towards the Capitol, up the walkway,” stated U.S. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan at a news conference Tuesday afternoon. He continued, “As he approached the Capitol, Capitol Police officers observed this individual, challenged him, and ordered him to drop the weapon and get on the ground. Which he did comply with.”

“He was then taken into custody by United States Capitol Police,” Sullivan added. The officer stated that he had not been briefed on whether the armed man said anything to police before or after his arrest. However, the officers who confronted the man appear to have determined the situation dangerous enough that they drew their firearms in response.


Sullivan stressed that he was currently unaware of a motive behind what appears to be an attempted attack on the Capitol. However, he did reveal that the armed man began his run from near the National Botanical Gardens, which is “several hundred yards” downhill from the Capitol Building itself and in an area frequented by numerous tourists. He was arrested by police on the steps of the Capitol Building that face the National Mall.

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54 minutes ago
Crime
Immigration

Haitian Migrants Charged With Presiding Over Fraud, Forced Labor, Patient Neglect at Adult Daycare.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Two Haitian immigrants were indicted in Oregon for fraud, forcing their relatives into near-slave labor conditions, and patient neglect at their adult home daycare center.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Marie Gertrude Jean Valmont, 67, and her daughter, Yolandita Marie Andre, 31, along with three Haitian migrants who were their relatives.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Indictments were handed down in Tigard, Oregon. The daycare was licensed in December 2022, with violations cited in September 2023.

🎯IMPACT: The accused face up to 20 years in federal prison for each human trafficking count, with additional charges for fraud and neglect.

IN FULL

Two Haitian immigrants, Marie Gertrude Jean Valmont and her daughter Yolandita Marie Andre, have been indicted in Tigard, Oregon, on charges of forcing their immigrant relatives to work in near-slave conditions at their adult home daycare center. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) stated that the two women brought three Haitian immigrants—one of whom was a teenager and all of whom were family members—into the U.S. to staff their business.

Prosecutors allege the victims were forced to work 17-hour days for $2 a day and were required to sleep on Valmont’s living room floor. Additionally, the defendants allegedly threatened deportation and confiscated the victims’ legal documents and identification cards. The charges include forced labor, fraud, and patient neglect.

Federal prosecutors further accuse the pair of defrauding the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and Medicaid by falsely claiming they needed to pay additional employees for the care of foster residents with exceptional needs. Instead of properly compensating the three victims, the defendants allegedly kept the funds for themselves while paying the workers little or nothing.

State records indicate that the adult daycare operation, licensed in December 2022, was cited for violations in September 2023. At least one patient, who had dementia, suffered neglect, including a fall that resulted in a broken hip, bed sores, and mistreatment. Another patient required hospital care due to the conditions. Officials cited the business for being understaffed and failing to provide adequate care.

Valmont and Andre will face trial on May 11. If convicted, they could individually face 20 years in prison on each of the human trafficking charges.

Image by PortlandAppraisalBlog.

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2 hours ago
Politics

Texas Early Voting Kicks Off as America First AG Paxton Seeks to Oust RINO Senator Cornyn.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Early voting for Texas’s March 3 primary contests begins on February 17 and ends on February 27, with key Republican and Democrat races being closely watched.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn, challengers such as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt, and Democrat candidates Rep. Jasmine Crockett and state Rep. James Talarico.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Texas, from Tuesday, February 17, through Friday, February 27, ahead of the March 3 primary elections.

🎯IMPACT: The results of these primaries could influence the balance of power in the U.S. Senate, with both parties vying for critical seats.

IN FULL

Early voting has kicked off in Texas ahead of its March 3 primary elections, with voters able to cast ballots from February 17 through February 27. While there are several key races in the state, most attention has focused on the contested Republican and Democrat U.S. Senate primaries.

Incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) faces a possible elimination in the first round of voting, according to recent polling. The Republican Senate primary, which features Cornyn facing off against U.S. Representative Wesley Hunt and state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), will likely head to a run-off election between the top two vote-getters. The National Pulse reported in early February that a poll conducted by J.L. Partners shows Cornyn falling to third place behind Paxton and Hunt. If this result holds on March 3, Cornyn will not advance to the run-off.

Meanwhile, on the Democrat side, Representative Jasmine Crockett faces off against Texas state Representative James Talarico (D). While polling in early January suggested that Talarico held a slight edge, more recent surveys have shown Crockett holding a one-point to 13-point lead in the primary race. Unlikely to go to a run-off, the winner of the March 3 Democrat primary will advance to the general election in November.

Paxton has largely emerged as the front-runner in the Republican race, despite Cornyn’s incumbency. First elected in 2002, Sen. Cornyn lacks support among the more MAGA Republican base and is largely seen as unsupportive of President Donald J. Trump. Conversely, in the Democrat primary, Crockett holds an advantage among more progressive voters, who comprise a significant portion of the Democrat base. However, this more radical voting bloc is unlikely to be enough to carry her in November’s general election.

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2 hours ago
William Upton
Health
Science

Even The Atlantic Magazine Is Now Out AGAINST Child ‘Trans’ Genital Mutilation.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Even the globalists at The Atlantic are publicly admitting medical and scientific research does not support claims made by pro-transgender advocacy groups in support of surgical and hormonal gender transition procedures for minors.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Atlantic, staff writer Helen Lewis, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), GLAAD, and children.

📍WHEN & WHERE: February 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Today, though, the future of medical transition for minors is up for debate.” — The Atlantic 

🎯IMPACT: Unfortunately, the medical association’s recommendation changes—and a change in tune from some among the globalist elite—will come too little, too late for many of the children who have been subjected to irreversible surgical and chemical alterations.

IN FULL

Even the globalists at The Atlantic are publicly admitting medical and scientific research does not support claims made by pro-transgender advocacy groups in support of surgical and hormonal gender transition procedures for minor children. In the wake of a landmark lawsuit in New York State, which saw detransitioner Fox Varian awarded $2 million in damages for essentially being enabled and groomed by their doctor, major American medical trade associations are reversing course on their endorsement of invasive and often irreversible medical procedures for legal minors who claim to be transgender.

“Today, though, the future of medical transition for minors is up for debate,” staff writer Helen Lewis for The Atlantic declares, noting that the appeals to authority touted by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and GLAAD in support of youth gender transition have collapsed in recent weeks. In early February, two of the medical associations most often cited by progressive and pro-transgender groups announced they now recommend invasive genital, breast, and facial structure surgeries be delayed until adulthood.

“ASPS recommends that surgeons delay gender-related breast/chest, genital, and facial surgery until a patient is at least 19 years old,” the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) announced on February 3. The Atlantic‘s Lewis notes ASPS’s position was almost immediately endorsed and echoed by the powerful American Medical Association (AMA), which stated, “In the absence of clear evidence, the A.M.A. agrees with A.S.P.S. that surgical interventions in minors should be generally deferred to adulthood.”

Importantly, the ASPS document announcing their shift in recommendations embraces the findings of the Cass Review and a 2025 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) inquiry—both of which found little scientific and medical evidence for the use of invasive procedures to gender transition minors. Still, the recommendation changes—and a change in tune from some among the globalist elite—will come too little too late for many of the children who have been subjected to irreversible surgical and chemical alterations.

Image by Silar.

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3 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

Teacher Killed By Illegal Immigrant Fleeing from ICE.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A teacher in Savannah, Georgia, was killed in a car crash by an illegal immigrant allegedly fleeing from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Linda Davis, a teacher at Hesse K-8 School; Oscar Vasquez Lopez, a Guatemalan illegal immigrant; and ICE officers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Monday morning, outside a Chatham County Police Department precinct in Savannah, Georgia.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This vehicular homicide is an absolute tragedy and deadly consequence of politicians and the media constantly demonizing ICE officers and encouraging those here illegally to resist arrest—a felony.” – Outgoing DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin

🎯IMPACT: The crash resulted in the death of an innocent teacher, with the alleged perpetrator—an illegal immigrant—now facing charges of first-degree homicide by vehicle, reckless driving, and driving without a valid license.

IN FULL

An illegal immigrant who fled from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents is responsible for a crash that killed a teacher in Savannah, Georgia, on Monday. The Chatham County Police Department (CCPD) says it responded to the crash, which occurred outside one of its precincts around 7:45 AM. Hesse K-8 School teacher Linda Davis was killed in the crash.

“Dr. Linda Davis was a beloved member of our school family, and her loss has affected us deeply,” Hesse K-8 principal Alonna McMullen said in a post on social media. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICE agents were attempting to detain Oscar Vasquez Lopez, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, who had been issued a final order of removal two years ago but had remained in the United States.

Vasquez Lopez is said to have initially complied with federal immigration agents but suddenly attempted to flee. Subsequently, the Guatemalan illegal immigrant made a U-turn, running a red light, and collided with Davis’s vehicle. Davis was transported to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Meanwhile, Vasquez Lopez sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was arrested. The illegal immigrant now faces charges of first-degree homicide by vehicle, reckless driving, and driving without a valid license.

“This vehicular homicide is an absolute tragedy and deadly consequence of politicians and the media constantly demonizing ICE officers and encouraging those here illegally to resist arrest—a felony,” outgoing DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said following the fatal crash. McLaughlin stressed that fleeing from law enforcement poses a danger to civilians, officers, and the illegal immigrants themselves.

Local Democrat leaders were quick to blame federal immigration authorities for Davis’s death rather than Vasquez Lopez. Chatham County Chairman Chester Ellis (D) stated, “I’m saying to the President on down to all of our national leaders, there’s a better way to do this.”

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4 hours ago
News

Newsmax CEO Ruddy ‘Prepared to Litigate’ Against Trump Admin.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy announced his readiness to sue if the Federal Communications Commission removes a rule limiting local TV station ownership.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Christopher Ruddy, Federal Communications Commission, National Association of Broadcasters, Nexstar Media Group.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Remarks made at a U.S. Senate Commerce Committee hearing.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I believe that it’s a blatant violation of congressional law…” – Christopher Ruddy

🎯IMPACT: Potential legal battle over FCC’s authority and implications for TV ownership rules.

IN FULL

Newsmax founder and CEO Christopher Ruddy stated his willingness to litigate if President Trump’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decides to lift a rule limiting the number of local TV stations a single company can own. This rule currently restricts the reach to no more than 39 percent of the American viewing audience.

Ruddy made these comments during prepared remarks before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, where he also took aim at the FCC’s hostility towards late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.

He emphasized that the ownership cap was established by the Communications Act, passed by Congress, and that only federal lawmakers have the authority to eliminate it.

The FCC is considering removing this ownership cap, with Chairman Brendan Carr hearing from both sides on the matter.

Senator Ted Cruz, who organized the hearing, showed understanding towards Ruddy’s concerns, calling him a good friend. Ruddy has been a major donor to Cruz, who is believed to be gearing up for a 2028 presidential run. Ruddy has also previously donated to Hillary Clinton and once pledged $1M to the Clinton Foundation.

He has been lobbying President Trump to take his side on the matter, which is motivated by protecting Newsmax’s market share. His position, however, has proved deeply unpopular with both Democrats and Republicans.

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4 hours ago
News

BREAKING: DHS Spox Tricia McLaughlin Leaves.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Tricia McLaughlin, a vocal defender of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, is leaving the Department of Homeland Security.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and President Donald Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: McLaughlin is expected to announce her departure this Tuesday and will leave DHS next week.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Media is so much of the battle, so to speak, on the immigration issue,” said McLaughlin. – Tricia McLaughlin

🎯IMPACT: Her departure raises questions about the future of DHS communications amid ongoing negotiations over immigration policy.

IN FULL

Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and a staunch advocate of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies, is set to leave her position. Her departure comes as public opinion shifts against the administration’s hardline approach.

The National Pulse understands McLaughlin originally planned to leave in December, pushing back her departure amid the aftermath of the Renee Good and Alex Pretti shootings, according to the people briefed on her exit.

McLaughlin, who has served as a spokesperson for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, staunchly defended the administration’s work, particularly during the high-tension moments in cities like Chicago and Minneapolis.

Her exit comes during a critical period for DHS, as Republicans and Democrats continue discussions on potential reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The department is also facing a funding lapse.

McLaughlin’s contributions to the Trump administration’s communication efforts have been significant, with President Trump himself praising her abilities.

As she prepares to leave, it remains unclear who will assume her role at DHS. McLaughlin’s future plans have not been disclosed, though she has not ruled out a return to public service.

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5 hours ago
Crime
News

Ice Rink Mass Shooter Was Transgender, Targeted Family After Arguments Over Transition.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A transgender opened fire at a Rhode Island ice rink, killing two people before turning the gun on himself.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Robert Dorgan, 56, identified as transgender, and his family members were involved in the incident.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The shooting occurred on Monday at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

🎯IMPACT: Two victims were killed, three others were injured. The suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

IN FULL

A 56-year-old man who opened fire at a high school ice hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, has been identified as transgender. The February 16 shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena during a Senior Night matchup between Coventry-Johnston Co-op and Blackstone Valley Schools teams saw two killed, including the gunman’s son, and three others injured. The suspect then shot himself dead.

Authorities said the shooter, Robert Dorgan, who also went by Roberta Esposito, fatally shot his ex-wife, his son, and three other relatives or associates who were wounded and hospitalized in critical condition. A good Samaritan intervened, helping end the attack swiftly.

Court records show Dorgan had a history of family conflicts tied to his gender identity. In 2020, he reported to North Providence police that he had undergone gender reassignment surgery, after which his father-in-law allegedly demanded he leave the family home and used a derogatory term for transgenders.

Charges against the father-in-law were later dismissed. Dorgan’s then-wife initially cited “gender reassignment surgery, narcissistic + personality disorder traits” in divorce filings, though the grounds were amended to “irreconcilable differences,” with the divorce finalized in 2021. Other dismissed complaints included an assault allegation against his mother.

Police have not confirmed a direct connection between these past disputes and the shooting, and the motive remains under investigation. Dorgan was the parent of a North Providence High School senior playing in the game; no students on the ice were harmed.

The case follows other recent mass shooting incidents involving transgenders. In February 2026, 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar, a biological male identifying as female, killed his mother and half-brother at home before fatally shooting a teacher and five students at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, Canada, injuring dozens more.

In the 2023 Covenant School shooting in Nashville, transgender shooter Audrey Hale killed three children and three adults at a Christian elementary school. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) documents later revealed Hale’s writings expressing hatred toward white people and Christianity, describing the target as a “predominantly white school (white pple I hate)” and “Christian school (hate religion).”

Image by Oriel Frankie Ashcroft.

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5 hours ago
War
World

Trump’s Iran Diplomacy Makes Headway, Price of Oil Drops.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The second round of indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran concluded in Geneva, Switzerland, with reports of an understanding on main principles between the two nations, causing the price of a barrel of oil to fall.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Rafael Grossi.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Talks concluded in Geneva on Tuesday, coinciding with naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We have reached an understanding on main principles with the U.S.” — Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi

🎯IMPACT: Oil prices initially rose due to military activity in the Strait of Hormuz, but later fell following news of progress in talks.

IN FULL

The price of oil began falling on Tuesday after Iranian leaders indicated they had reached a preliminary understanding with the United States in ongoing negotiations over its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs. Oil initially spiked on Monday as Iran conducted military drills in the Strait of Hormuz, while the U.S. continued its naval buildup in the region.

Whenever the Strait of Hormuz experiences partial closure or other disruptions to its shipping lanes, the impact on global prices can be significant. The key waterway, which sits between Iran and the Arab Peninsula, serves as a major conduit for oil and gas from the entire Middle East, with around 20 to 25 percent of the world’s oil flowing through the strait, amounting to an estimated 20 million barrels a day.

Held in Geneva, Switzerland, the second round of indirect negotiations saw both delegations depart following the talks, though Iranian negotiators reportedly expressed a willingness to remain in Switzerland for extended periods if necessary to finalize a deal and avoid potential military conflict with America. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated, “We have reached an understanding on the main principles with the U.S.,” following the conclusion of the talks.

Notably, Iranian state media is characterizing the result of the talks as having established a basic agreement on the country’s nuclear program. However, it appears the issues of its ballistic missile program and financing of terrorist proxy groups remain unresolved. The United States delegation included White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with President Donald J. Trump indicating he would “indirectly” participate in the discussions.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also met with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) head Rafael Grossi in Geneva on Monday as part of broader diplomatic efforts.

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6 hours ago
Election Integrity

Democrats Cheer as Bid to Keep 73k Voters Without ID on Rolls Succeeds.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: North Carolina’s elections board reached a settlement to allow 73,000 voters extra time to update their voter registrations.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The North Carolina State Board of Elections, the Republican National Committee, the North Carolina GOP, and the Democratic National Committee.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The settlement was reached on Monday in North Carolina following a legal battle stemming from 2024.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This latest victory is a win for Americans and yet another blow to the Republicans’ scheme to disenfranchise voters ahead of the midterm elections,” gloated Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Ken Martin.

🎯IMPACT: The agreement keeps 73,000 voters on the rolls, with their information to be updated when they vote, amid ongoing debates over voter ID laws.

IN FULL

The North Carolina State Board of Elections has approved a settlement that permits approximately 73,000 voters who failed to submit sufficient identifying information additional time to correct incomplete registration records before any removal from the voter rolls. The agreement resolves a 2024 lawsuit filed by the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the North Carolina Republican Party, which claimed that roughly 250,000 registrations lacked required identification information, such as the last four digits of a Social Security number or driver’s license number.

The Republican plaintiffs had sought immediate removal of these voters and invalidation of any votes they cast in the 2024 elections. The settlement instead keeps these voters on the rolls, with their information to be updated when they vote, consistent with North Carolina’s requirement to present identification at the polls. Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Ken Martin claimed the outcome was a victory for American voters and a setback for Republican efforts to “disenfranchise voters ahead of the midterm elections.”

The board reported that about 100,000 voters lacked proper identification last summer, a figure that had dropped to 73,000 by December. The decision comes amid America First conservatives’ efforts to advance the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which has passed the House and awaits a Senate vote. The legislation would require documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration, mandate state verification of voter rolls, and authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to address noncitizen registrations.

Senate Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), have pledged to block the bill, which Schumer called “Jim Crow 2.0,” despite the fact that Pew Research shows 71 percent of Democrats and 83 percent of Americans overall—including a substantial majority of black Americans—favor voter ID.

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