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Friday, February 6, 2026
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William Upton
Immigration
Religion

Mamdani, from Islam’s Extreme ‘Twelver’ Sect, Says He Supports Immigration Because It ‘Built’ His Religion.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D), a member of the extremist “Twelver” sect of Shia Islam, invoked the Prophet Muhammad and the history of Islam to defend his support for even more expansive sanctuary laws while speaking before 400 faith leaders at the annual Interfaith Breakfast.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Zohran Mamdani, illegal immigrants, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and New York residents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The Interfaith Breakfast occurred on Friday, February 6, 2026, in New York City.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I consider my own faith, Islam, a religion built upon a narrative of migration. The story of the Hijrah reminds us that Prophet Muhammad, was a stranger too, who fled Mecca and was welcomed in Medina.” — Zohran Mamdani

🎯IMPACT: While Mamdani likely intended to relate his protection of criminal illegal immigrants to a seemingly sympathetic story of faith and religious persecution, the Hijrah not only marks Muhammad’s flight from Mecca but also the start of the Early Muslim conquests of the Middle East, when Muhammad returned to Mecca with an army, with his successors going on to take over North Africa, Spain, and other territories by force of arms.

IN FULL

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D), a member of the extremist “Twelver” sect of Shia Islam, invoked the Prophet Muhammad and the history of Islam to defend his support for even more expansive sanctuary laws while speaking before 400 faith leaders at the annual Interfaith Breakfast on Friday. Immediately following his address, the Ugandan immigrant socialist signed Executive Order 13, which bans U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from all city property—as well as hospitals, schools, homeless shelters, and municipal parking lots—unless they present a judicial warrant. Additionally, the measure orders city workers to refuse federal government requests for information about New York City residents unless required by law.

“I consider my own faith, Islam, a religion built upon a narrative of migration. The story of the Hijrah reminds us that Prophet Muhammad, was a stranger too, who fled Mecca and was welcomed in Medina,” Mamdani said before quoting the Quran. “Sura An-Nahl 16:42 tells us: ‘As for those who emigrated in the cause of Allah after being persecuted, we will surely bless them with a good home in this world,'” he said.

While Mamdani likely intended to relate his protection of criminal illegal immigrants to a seemingly sympathetic story of faith and religious persecution, the Hijrah, in which Muhammad and his followers fled to Medina after persecution in Mecca, marks the beginning Early Muslim conquests, which saw Muhammad establish the first Islamic state in Medina and initiate a series of violent conquests that captured Mecca and most of modern-day Saudi Arabia.


Over the next 130 years, Muhammad‘s successors, under the successive Rashidun and Umayyad Caliphates, would wage war across most of the Middle East and North Africa. By 750 A.D., the conquests had spread Islam through warfare from Persia, which was formerly Zoroastrian, to Spain, and as far north as the Caucasus.

Mamdani’s own “Twelver” sect of Islam, shared by Iran’s ruling mullahs, believes that there is a 1,200-year-old living prophet who is still alive but currently in hiding, and he will emerge to spread Islam worldwide in the future.

Notably, the former Biden government’s open border policies have been criticized by many, including President Donald J. Trump and two-thirds of Americans, as having facilitated a foreign invasion of the United States by millions of illegal immigrants. While most of those who illegally entered the country under Biden originated from countries in Central and South America, the refugee crisis in Europe has seen a flood of asylum seekers and illegal immigrants coming from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. Overwhelmingly Muslim men of military age, these so-called refugees have fueled a cultural and religious clash that has seen acts of terrorism, rape, and attacks on churches and synagogues.

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51 minutes ago
Economy

Trump Economy: Consumer Confidence Up, Inflation Expectations Down.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Consumer sentiment increased for the second month in a row, surpassing economists’ expectations, as inflation expectations dropped to 3.5 percent.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: University of Michigan economists, American consumers, and the Trump administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: February 6, 2025, United States.

🎯IMPACT: The data suggests positive momentum for President Donald J. Trump’s economy, despite some concerns of softening in the labor market.

IN FULL

U.S. consumer sentiment has climbed for the second straight month, based on the latest figures from the University of Michigan. This uptick reflects receding concerns over inflation, with year-ahead inflation expectations down from four percent in January to 3.5 percent in February.

Notably, the improvements in sentiment signal some optimistic trends for consumers, including the dip in year-ahead inflation expectations, among other key economic indicators. The National Pulse reported in late January that the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, which maintains the central bank’s GDP Now tracking system, estimates that the 4th Quarter gross domestic product (GDP) in the entire United States expanded by 5.3 percent.

Although the labor market has shown signs of cooling and the inflation rate remains slightly above the Federal Reserve’s two percent target, economic forecasts suggest several successive quarters of strong growth. The U.S. economy posted its strongest quarterly growth in two years this past fall, propelled by robust consumer spending. The unemployment rate has also ticked down, dropping to 4.4 percent in December from 4.6 percent in November, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics—a historically low level.

Still, the market has been volatile in recent days, with Bitcoin plunging and key tech stocks falling. However, these appear unrelated to Trump administration policies, with the latter being attributed in large part to Anthropic revealing a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool that could render a number of current software products out of date.

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2 hours ago
Crime
News

Violent Trans Antifa Radical Jailed for Hammer Attacks on Right-Wingers.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A transgender Antifa radical was sentenced to eight years in prison in Hungary for a series of violent far-left attacks in Budapest.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The German activist, known as “Maja T.,” and other members of the “Hammer Gang” Antifa cell.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The attacks occurred in Budapest in February 2023; sentencing was this week at the Budapest Municipal Court.

🎯IMPACT: The case has sparked political backlash in Europe, with some accusing Hungary of political persecution while others highlight the violent nature of the crimes.

IN FULL

A Hungarian court has handed an eight-year prison sentence to “Maja T.,” a German national linked to a series of far-left assaults carried out in Budapest in February 2023. The attacks were attributed to a radical Antifa cell known as the “Hammer Gang,” which allegedly targeted people it accused of being “neo-Nazis.”

Prosecutors said the group ambushed victims in the street, striking them on the head with clubs and continuing to beat them after they fell. Several victims reportedly suffered skull fractures and other life-threatening injuries. Authorities said those attacked were selected based on suspicion of right-wing views, regardless of whether they were actually involved in any extremist activity.

The convict, who claims to be “non-binary,” was found guilty of life-threatening assault and membership in a criminal organization by the Budapest Municipal Court. The ruling is provisional and may be appealed.

Maja claimed the case was politically driven and aimed at satisfying Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose government has classified Antifa as a terrorist organization. “Of course, I see the Hungarian government’s efforts to influence the independence of the court,” Maja complained following the verdict.

Another alleged member of the Hammer Gang, Italian activist Ilaria Salis, was previously held under house arrest in Hungary, but later secured release after being elected to the European Parliament, gaining parliamentary immunity.

Antifa has been linked by authorities in multiple countries to acts of political violence. In recent years, governments and law enforcement agencies have cited Antifa-associated groups in connection with assaults, arson attacks, and major infrastructure sabotage.

Last year, President Trump declared several European Antifa groups as foreign terrorist organisations.

Image by Oompje.

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2 hours ago
NatSec
News

Canada, France Open Greenland Consulates in Challenge to Trump.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Canada and France have opened consulates in Greenland, marking a significant diplomatic move against U.S. interest in acquiring the Danish territory.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Canadian and French officials, the Trump administration, and the governments of Greenland and Denmark.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The consulates were opened this week in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, following friction between the U.S. and Europe over the island from 2025 into 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Canada stands firmly in support of the people of Greenland who will determine their own future.” – Canadian Governor General Mary Simon.

🎯IMPACT: The consulates highlight attempts by European NATO members to push back against President Donald J. Trump’s efforts to acquire Greenland.

IN FULL

Canada and France have formally opened new consulates in Greenland, a move widely seen as a signal of support for Danish sovereignty in the Arctic territory at a time of tension with the Trump administration over its future. President Donald J. Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring Greenland from Denmark to boost national and regional security.

Until now, only the United States and Iceland have maintained permanent diplomatic outposts in Greenland. Officials from both Canada and France traveled to Nuuk for the openings, with Canada’s Governor General Mary Simon saying, “Canada stands firmly in support of the people of Greenland who will determine their own future.”

Notably, a majority of Greenlanders wish to separate from Denmark—few in the Inuit-majority territory are ethnic Danes—but a larger majority do not wish to do so if it means losing the Danish subsidies which currently cover around half the Greenlandic budget. Despite official resistance to joining the United States, it remains likely that the U.S. could make the Greenladers a substantially better offer than Denmark.

The Canadian consulate had originally been scheduled to open in late 2025, but was delayed due to severe weather. Its belated opening comes amid strained relations between Washington and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who, along with French President Emmanuel Macron, was critical of Trump over Greenland and other geopolitical issues at the recent World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos, Switzerland.

Trump, in turn, has warned Canada of the possibility of 100 percent tariffs if it moves forward with a trade agreement with China.

Notably, Vice President J.D. Vance has said that quiet negotiations regarding Greenland—involving European governments and the United States over security and possibly access to critical minerals — have been far less hostile, with concessions to the U.S. position being made in private.

Image by NordForsk/Terje Heiestad.

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3 hours ago
Health
News

TrumpRx, Designed to Slash Drug Prices for Americans, Has Launched. Here’s How It Works:

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump announced the launch of TrumpRx.gov, a platform offering significant discounts on high-cost prescription drugs.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, pharmaceutical manufacturers including AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Novo Nordisk, and Pfizer.

📍WHEN & WHERE: President Trump officially announced the launch of the TrumpRx website on Thursday evening.

💬KEY QUOTE: “American patients no longer have to pay high prices to subsidize low prices in the rest of the world.” – Donald J. Trump

🎯IMPACT: Millions of Americans will benefit from drastically reduced drug prices, with savings on key medications for diabetes, fertility, and more.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has officially rolled out TrumpRx.gov, a new online platform aimed at helping patients secure significant discounts on some of the priciest and most commonly prescribed medications in the U.S. The site enables Americans to access prices aligned with those in other developed countries, under what’s known as most-favored-nation (MFN) pricing.

The launch involves partnerships with five leading drug companies—AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Novo Nordisk, and Pfizer—with more agreements anticipated soon. Users can obtain these savings via printable or digital coupons or through integrations directly with the manufacturers’ systems.

Among the standout reductions are drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, prescribed for diabetes and weight management, where monthly costs have fallen from over $1,000 to as little as $199, based on the dosage. Fertility treatments such as Gonal-F and Cetrotide are also seeing steep cuts, with some dropping to $22.50. Additional savings apply to asthma and COPD inhalers, insulin products, and medications for osteoporosis, all available at much lower rates.

This effort stems from an Executive Order President Trump signed in May 2025 to bring U.S. drug prices in line with those in comparable nations. Since then, 16 separate agreements have been secured with pharmaceutical companies, leading to price drops on a range of treatments.

On January 15, 2026, President Trump also called on Congress to approve The Great Healthcare Plan, which would make price reductions permanent, reduce insurance premiums, boost transparency in healthcare costs, and ensure greater accountability from insurance providers.

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3 hours ago
Corruption
Politics

House Demands Business Records From Ilhan Omar’s Husband Amid Access-Buying Allegations.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) is demanding business records related to the husband of Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN), suggesting they may reveal the couple has enriched themselves from individuals “buying access” to the Democrat lawmaker.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rep. James Comer, Rep. Ilhan Omar, and her husband, Tim Mynett.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Comer made the document request on February 6, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “His companies reportedly went from $51K to $30 MILLION in one year—with zero investor information. So we want to know: Who’s funding this? And who’s buying access?” – Rep. Comer

🎯IMPACT: If Mynett and Omar refuse to cooperate with the House Oversight Committee’s inquiry regarding their financial irregularities, it could lead to Comer issuing a subpoena for the documents and a possible referral to the House Ethics Committee.

IN FULL

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) on Thursday issued a formal request demanding business records and financial documents from Tim Mynett, the husband of Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN), amid concerns over irregularities seen in the Democrat lawmaker’s financial disclosure forms. The most recent disclosure filing shows Omar’s household net worth rising sharply, with estimates ranging from $6 million to as much as $30 million, drawing scrutiny from congressional watchdog groups and allegations that the couple is profiting from selling political influence.

“I’m demanding financial information from companies linked to Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar’s husband. His companies reportedly went from $51K to $30 MILLION in one year—with zero investor information,” Rep. Comer wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He added, “So we want to know: Who’s funding this? And who’s buying access?”

The National Pulse reported in December last year that Omar’s most recent disclosure filing named a number of new assets held by her husband, including a California winery, eStCru LLC, which is listed with a value of $1 million to $5 million. Another holding, the venture capital firm Rose Lake Capital, is stated to be valued at between $5 million and $25 million. The figures stand in contrast to Omar’s earlier disclosures, which showed relatively modest finances, burdened by student loan and credit card debt, and a net worth below $250,000 in both 2022 and 2023.

Of particular concern is Rose Lake Capital, which Mynett stated in court filings had just $42.44 in its bank account in 2022. However, on her recent disclosure form, Omar states her husband’s firm could be worth as much as $25 million.

Notably, the couple was briefly the subject of a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation during the former Biden government, though no charges against the couple were filed. Both Omar and Mynett have denied any wrongdoing, despite the financial irregularities. Should the couple decline to cooperate with Chairman Comer’s request, the Oversight Committee is likely to pursue the records through a subpoena.

Image by Chad Davis.

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4 hours ago
Election Integrity

Dem Officials Are Resisting Federal Push to Boost Election Integrity in This State.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Election oversight in Michigan is under scrutiny as President Donald J. Trump and Michigan Republicans advocate for federal oversight, while Governor Gretchen Whitmer and other Democrats resist.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, Gov. Whitmer, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D), and Michigan lawmakers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Discussions intensified this week in Michigan, with federal and state officials exchanging statements and letters regarding the 2026 midterm elections.

💬KEY QUOTE: “President Trump is 100% right because Michigan voters cannot trust Jocelyn Benson. She continues to fight against transparency and accountability, refuses to remove dead people from our state’s voter rolls and is happy to let noncitizens vote in our elections. ” – Aric Nesbitt, Minority Leader of the Michigan Senate (R)

🎯IMPACT: The debate highlights growing tensions over election oversight, as the Trump administration seeks to increase integrity and Democrats resist.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump this week floated the idea of federalizing elections to increase their integrity and security, arguing that some states cannot be trusted to administer voting fairly. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) has responded forcefully, rejecting any federal takeover despite issues in her state. In a video posted to social media this week, she said, “Let me be very clear: elections will continue to be run at the state level in Michigan. Any attempt by the federal government to take over Michigan elections should be seen for what it is – an attempt to take away your constitutional right to vote. Now, it’s not going to happen on my watch.”

Michigan Republicans countered that Trump’s proposal reflects legitimate concerns about transparency and accountability. Michigan Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt accused controversial Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) of mismanaging elections, saying, “President Trump is 100% right because Michigan voters cannot trust Jocelyn Benson. She continues to fight against transparency and accountability, refuses to remove dead people from our state’s voter rolls and is happy to let noncitizens vote in our elections. She’s the worst secretary of state in America and shouldn’t be running our elections without checks and balances.”

Last November, Nesbitt joined 21 other Republican lawmakers in a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting federal election monitors and “comprehensive oversight” of Michigan’s 2026 elections. The lawmakers cited what they described as an “inherent and unavoidable conflict of interest,” noting that Benson is serving as the state’s chief elections official while running for Governor.

The debate intensified after Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini, a Republican candidate for Secretary of State, reported in January that his office identified noncitizens registered to vote.

The Michigan clash mirrors a broader national fight over election integrity. Congressional Republicans have pushed legislation requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, while Democrats have challenged such efforts in court despite overwhelming public support—including among Democrat voters—with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) comparing voter ID to Jim Crow.

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4 hours ago
Politics

RINO Senator John Cornyn Falls to Third in Primary Race, May Not Qualify for Runoff.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Allies of U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) have spent tens of millions to bail out his reelection campaign, but new polling shows him falling to third place behind challengers Ken Paxton and Wesley Hunt.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Texas Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), Representative Wesley Hunt (R-TX), and the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The GOP primary’s first round of voting is scheduled for early March, with a potential runoff in late May in Texas.

🎯IMPACT: Cornyn could fail to make the runoff; challengers like Paxton and Hunt are gaining momentum among GOP voters.

IN FULL

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) could lose his reelection bid without even making it to the general election, according to new polling of the Republican primary race in which he will face Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) and Representative Wesley Hunt (R-TX). With just weeks to go before the initial March vote—and the race likely going to a runoff in May—Cornyn trails both Paxton and Hunt, meaning he may not advance to the next round of the primary contest.

The J.L. Partners poll, released on Thursday, shows Paxton, an ally of President Donald J. Trump, leading the field with 27 percent of the vote, followed by Hunt at 25.7 percent. Meanwhile, Cornyn has fallen behind Hunt, at 25.5 percent. An additional 21.7 percent of voters say they remain undecided on which candidate they will back.

Notably, the polling in the primary race has narrowed from late last year, with a December survey showing Paxton at 29 percent and Cornyn and Hunt tied at 24 percent. The inability of Cornyn to generate significant movement in his polling numbers, despite allied SuperPACs spending upwards of $50 million in support of his campaign, suggests the 74-year-old Republican could face the toughest reelection bid in his nearly 24 years in the U.S. Senate. Conversely, the Lone Star Liberty PAC—backing Paxton—has spent just one percent of what Cornyn’s allies have.

Throughout the campaign, Sen. Cornyn has sought to portray him as an ally to President Donald J. Trump, while personally attacking Paxton and branding him a “fraud.” However, Paxton’s record as a Trump supporter is solid, while Cornyn previously argued against the America First leader standing for reelection in 2024 and lobbied Congress not to oppose the lawfare campaign against him. The National Pulse reported in May of last year that, in an effort to keep Trump from endorsing in the primary race, a SuperPAC backing Cornyn hired former Trump campaign chief and Republican National Committee (RNC) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Chris LaCivita as a senior advisor.

Despite the overwhelming money advantage and support from key GOP figures and political organizations like the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), Cornyn has trailed Paxton in polling for most of the race. With it unlikely that any of the candidates will secure a majority of the vote outright in March, a runoff election will be held in May. If Cornyn cannot move ahead of either Hunt or Paxton, he’ll be eliminated from the race—with the top two candidates advancing. The winner of the runoff will face either Democrat state Rep. James Talarico or Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) in November’s general election.

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5 hours ago
Crime

Man Charged Over Alleged Assassination Plot Against Trump’s OMB Director Russ Vought.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Maryland man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder in connection with an alleged plot targeting Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Colin Demarco, a 26-year-old Maryland resident, and Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The incident occurred in August 2025 at Vought’s residence in Northern Virginia. Demarco was arrested last month and is being held in Arlington County.

💬KEY QUOTE: Demarco admitted he wanted to confront Vought about Project 2025, expressing fears of a “fascist takeover,” and stating that President Donald J. Trump’s 2024 election victory was the “lowest point in his life.”

🎯IMPACT: The arrest and subsequent charges are the latest notable instance of political violence tied to Democrat claims that President Trump and Republicans are “fascists.”

IN FULL

A Maryland man was formally charged on Thursday with attempted murder for allegedly plotting to assassinate Russell Vought, the director of the Trump administration’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Project 2025 architect. “Colin Demarco, 26, of Rockville, MD is charged with Attempted Murder, Criminal Solicitation to Commit Murder, Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Wearing a Mask in Public to Conceal Identity,” the Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) announced, adding, “He was taken into custody at his residence on January 16 and later extradited to the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

In August last year, Demarco allegedly appeared outside Vought’s Northern Virginia home and was observed by a neighbor exhibiting suspicious behavior. According to the ACPD, “A witness reported observing a male suspect, who was wearing a surgical mask and rubber gloves, carrying a backpack and appeared to be concealing a firearm under his shirt, on the victim’s porch. The suspect subsequently approached the witness and inquired about the victim before leaving the scene.”

The ACPD states that officers were dispatched to the residence, but a canvass of the area did not turn up a suspect. However, a home surveillance camera captured an image of Demarco, leading to his eventual identification by law enforcement. Consequently, police executed search warrants for digital records associated with the suspect, including “digital evidence that the suspect had obtained directions to the victim’s residence, had information detailing locations of firearms possessed by a relative, and had a guide detailing tips to prevent criminal detection.”

Notably, court documents state that in the days prior to Demarco traveling to Vought’s home, the 26-year-old made numerous posts online attempting to solicit others to carry out the murder of the OMB director. Demacro eventually decided to carry out the assassination himself, the charging documents allege.

After his arrest, Demarco admitted to being in Arlington last August, but claimed he was job hunting and denied carrying a weapon or intending to harm Vought. He did, however, admit he wanted to confront Vought about Project 2025, expressing fears of a “fascist takeover,” and stating that President Donald J. Trump’s 2024 election victory was the “lowest point in his life.”

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6 hours ago
NatSec
World

China Has Been Conducting Secret Nuclear Tests: State Dept.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. State Department disclosed that China has conducted secret nuclear tests, violating global commitments against testing.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Under Secretary of State Thomas DiNanno, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

📍WHEN & WHERE: China conducted at least one secret nuclear test on June 22, 2020, with the U.S. government revealing the incident on Friday, February 6, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The PLA sought to conceal testing by obfuscating the explosions because it recognizes these tests violate test-ban commitments.” – U.S. Under Secretary of State Thomas DiNanno

🎯IMPACT: China’s nuclear arsenal is rapidly expanding, with projections of over 1,000 warheads by 2030, raising global security dangers.

IN FULL

The Trump administration revealed on Friday that it possesses evidence indicating China has been conducting secret nuclear weapons tests, including one on June 22, 2020, in violation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) of 1996. Thomas DiNanno, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, disclosed the information during the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, stating that Beijing sought to conceal the tests to avoid scrutiny.

“Today, I can reveal that the U.S. government is aware that China has conducted nuclear explosive tests, including preparing for tests with designated yields in the hundreds of tons,” DiNanno stated, continuing, “The PLA sought to conceal testing by obfuscating the explosions because it recognizes these tests violate test-ban commitments.”

The under secretary added that China used decoupling techniques to reduce the effectiveness of seismic monitoring and hide its activities. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) prohibits all nuclear weapons test explosions, though neither the U.S. nor China has formally ratified it.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has committed to vastly expanding his country’s nuclear arsenal, with warheads now numbering around 600 and increasing by approximately 100 per year. Concerningly, Russia has supported Beijing’s buildup by aiding in the development of weapons-grade fissile material. Satellite imagery has identified around 300 missile silos in northern China, with over 100 reportedly loaded with intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the U.S.

In response to ongoing clandestine nuclear tests conducted by China and Russia, President Donald J. Trump instructed the Pentagon late last year to resume nuclear testing “on an equal basis” with both countries. However, DiNanno said that the President also intends to pursue a new nuclear arms control agreement since the expiration of the NEW START treaty this past Thursday. The new treaty would include China, as well as Russia, with only the latter having been a party to the NEW START agreement.

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