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August 21, 2023
News

Here’s the News from Monday, August 21st 2023.

Here’s the news from today, brought to you by The National Pulse, with exclusive content for members at Pulse+.

1. ‘Listless Vessels’ Insult Sends DeSantis Camp into Tailspin.

“Ron DeSantis insulted supporters of former President Donald J. Trump as “listless vessels,” in an interview aired this weekend, with MAGA-world comparing the jab to Hillary Clinton’s “basket of deplorables” moment and seizing on the comments to highlight the Florida Governor’s marriage of convenience-only with America First politics.”

2. GOP Voters Are Over ‘Woke’.

“Republican presidential candidates at the Iowa State Fair last week barely mentioned the term “woke,” signaling a possible shift in their messaging strategy since Florida Governor Ron DeSantis oversaturated his campaign with the word, early on.”

3. Matt Gaetz Moves to Censure Trump’s D.C. Indictment Judge.

“House Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has introduced a resolution to censure and condemn Judge Tanya S. Chutkan, the federal prosecutor overseeing former President Donald Trump’s Washington D.C. criminal indictment, arguing her open bias and partisanship ought to exclude her from presiding over the case.”

4. WEF Advisor: UK Population Collapse Is a ‘Good Thing.’

“An advisor to the ‘great reset‘-pushing World Economic Forum (WEF) has claimed the collapse of Britain’s birth rate is a “good thing” for the planet, as it reduces consumption amongst wealthier nations.”

5. Musk Ratioed After Telling James Woods to Delete His ‘X’ Account.

“Elon Musk has been ratioed on his own X (formerly Twitter) platform after encouraging James Woods to delete his account after the conservative actor expressed his frustration that the ‘block’ feature on the social media platform will come to an end. Musk’s response quickly criticized by X users, viewed over six million times.”

6. Saudi Guards Gunned Down Migrants Attempting Illegal Border Crossings, Claims Report.

“Saudi Arabian border guards injured or killed hundreds of mainly Ethiopian migrants attempting to cross the Yemen-Saudi border between March 2022 and June 2023, according to a report published on Monday, which claims the guards even asked some migrants which limb they would prefer shot.”

7. Hunter Biden’s Lawyers Threatened to Put POTUS on the Stand.

“Hunter Biden’s legal team tried to pressure the Department of Justice (DOJ) into cutting a deal with their client by saying they would call his father, President Joe Biden, as a defense witness, setting federal prosecutors at odds with their ultimate boss.”

8. CNN: Trump to Report to Fulton County Jail Thursday or Friday.

“Donald Trump will “surrender” at Fulton County Jail to face charges leveled at him by Georgia District Attorney (DA) Fani Willis on Thursday or Friday, according to a “senior law enforcement official” cited by CNN.”

9. U.S. Orders Americans in Belarus to ‘Depart Immediately’.

“The U.S. Embassy in Belarus has urged all U.S. citizens in the country to “depart immediately” – and not to go to neighboring Russia or Ukraine.”

10. London Mayor’s ‘Whites Don’t Reflect London’ Pic Sparks Outrage… But He’s Right.

“The far-left, Muslim Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan’s official website has claimed that a white family is not representative of the population of Britain’s capitol city, sparking a wave of backlash and allegations of racism on behalf of the Mayor and his team.”

11. Germany Building ‘Mass Surveillance Apparatus’ Similar to the Nazis & Stasi, Historian Warns.

“Germany is currently constructing a “huge surveillance apparatus” reminiscent of that created by the Nazis and the East German Stasi, according to one of the nation’s leading historians, Hubertus Knabe.”

12. Biden Sold Off $300M of Border Wall Materials at 99% Discount.

“The Biden government is selling off $300 million worth of materials intended for Donald Trump’s U.S.-Mexico border wall for just $2 million in an effort to stop it being used to deter illegal migrant crossings.”

13. 3 Weeks Since Maui Fires Began, Biden Claims He’s ‘Been There From Day 1’.

“While en route to Maui, three weeks after the wildfire that devastated the Hawaiian island began, White House spokesperson Olivia Dalton said President Joe Biden will “make sure that he communicates to that not only have we been there since day one, has he been there since day one.””

14. 3 More Hunter Biden Lawyers Withdraw from His Case.

“Three more defense attorneys for Hunter Biden have filed to withdraw from his case, following lead attorney Chris Clark’s withdrawal last week. Attorneys Brian C. McManus, Timothy H. McCarten, and Matthew S. Salerno have requested permission from the judge to step down from the case after the plea deal was dismissed on August 17. Prosecutors anticipate that the case will now proceed to trial, likely taking place in Delaware or California.”

15. BlackRock, Vanguard, State Street Are ‘Most Powerful Cartel in History’, Says Vivek.

“Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy has declared the BlackRock, State Street, and Vanguard corporations are “arguably the most powerful cartel in human history,” using their financial might to impose hard-left climate change policies and identity politics on much of the supposedly free market.”

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Editor’s Notes

Behind-the-scenes political intrigue exclusively for Pulse+ subscribers.

RAHEEM J. KASSAM Editor-in-Chief
The political news is still concerned with Ron DeSantis’s campaign flub this weekend, the upcoming debate (zzzz!), and when Donald Trump will turn up to Fulton County in Georgia to be arrested
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The political news is still concerned with Ron DeSantis’s campaign flub this weekend, the upcoming debate (zzzz!), and when Donald Trump will turn up to Fulton County in Georgia to be arrested show more
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2 minutes ago
Media
News

Trump White House Launches Portal for Public to Report Media Bias.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The White House launched a Media Bias Portal to address misinformation and bias in the media.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The White House and everyday Americans are encouraged to participate.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The portal was launched recently at whitehouse.gov/biastips.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The days of the Fake News Media controlling the narrative with lies, fake anonymous sources, and willful bias are over.” – White House statement.

🎯IMPACT: Media entities are pushing back against the creation of a tool for the public to hold media accountable and combat misinformation.

IN FULL

The White House, on December 3, promoted a new “Media Bias Portal,” offering the public a way to flag “false and misleading” reporting from corporate media. In a press release, the administration described it as “a service to truth and transparency,” meant to identify “baseless lies, purposely omitted context, and outright left-wing lunacy of the Fake News Media.”

Visitors to the portal can submit articles they consider biased. The White House says of the initiative, “So-called ‘journalists’ have made it impossible to identify every false or misleading story, which is why help from the American people is essential. The days of the Fake News Media controlling the narrative with lies, fake anonymous sources, and willful bias are over.”

The launch comes amid mounting examples of alleged media bias against President Donald J. Trump. A recent survey reveals that public trust in the media has plummeted to a historic low, with only 28 percent of Americans now saying they trust the news media “fully, accurately and fairly.”

One high-profile case fueling the distrust involves the publicly funded British broadcaster, the BBC. A leaked internal memo revealed that the BBC doctored a January 6, 2021, speech by Trump in a documentary, splicing together remarks made nearly an hour apart to give the impression he was inciting violence.

In the aftermath, the BBC’s Director-General and Head of News both resigned. However, a sitting BBC board member has previously described Trump as “just a howling idiot shouting into the abyss,” indicating institutionally biased leadership remains at the notionally impartial organization.

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38 minutes ago
NatSec

FBI Investigates National Guard Shooter’s Links to Islamist ‘Army of Darkness’ Group.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal allegedly carried out a Thanksgiving eve ambush in Washington, D.C., resulting in the death of one National Guard member and the critical injury of another. It is now being probed as to whether the Tablighi Jamaat network was involved in Lakanwal’s radicalization.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rahmanullah Lakanwal, victims Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe, and investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ambush occurred on Thanksgiving eve near the White House; Lakanwal had been living in Bellingham, Washington.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We believe he was radicalized since he’s been here in this country.” – Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem

🎯IMPACT: Federal investigators are now examining Lakanwal’s ties to Tablighi Jamaat and his activities in the U.S. to determine the extent of radicalization and involvement in extremist networks.

IN FULL

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are now investigating whether Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the Afghan national accused of carrying out a deadly ambush on National Guard service members near the White House, was radicalized by the global Islamic missionary movement Tablighi Jamaat. Lakanwal, who entered the United States in September 2021 on a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) after serving ten years in the Afghan army alongside U.S. Special Forces in Kandahar, made a cryptic phone call to his estranged wife shortly before the attack in which he mentioned being “with Tablighis,” a reference to the Tablighi Jamaat movement.

Despite Tablighi Jamaat’s having publicly denounced Islamist terrorism, the group has been linked by counterterrorism experts to extremist ideologies. DHS Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated, “We believe he was radicalized since he’s been here in this country.” Lakanwal’s Thanksgiving Eve attack resulted in the death of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and left 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe critically injured.

The National Pulse reported in March that Tablighi Jamaat established a new headquarters in Garland, Texas. The network—also known as the ‘Army of Darkness’—has set up operations inside the Masjid Yaseen mosque in Garland, which now serves as its American nerve center, following its relocation from Louisiana.

Lakanwal’s brother, Ismail Khosti, expressed shame over the incident, describing it as “a wrong action” and calling for the truth to be uncovered. Khosti, a former company commander in Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security, highlighted the irony of his brother’s actions, given their shared history of fighting against Islamist groups like the Taliban.

Investigators are also examining Lakanwal’s life in the U.S., including his reported struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and isolation. Emails from a volunteer caseworker revealed a pattern of erratic behavior, including “manic” road trips and periods of disappearance. These details have raised questions about whether his activities were linked to Tablighi Jamaat’s missionary efforts, which often involve small-group trips to mosques and communities.

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1 hour ago
Lawfare
News

Obama Judge Rules Trump Has to Fund Abortionists.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from cutting Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Planned Parenthood, and Democrat-led states.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was issued on Tuesday, with implications across the United States.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The Democrats and their radical activist judges are desperately seeking to thwart the will of the people and bail out the Big Abortion industry, led by Planned Parenthood.” – Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of SBA Pro-Life America

🎯IMPACT: The decision keeps Medicaid public funds flowing to Planned Parenthood, sparking criticism from pro-life advocates.

IN FULL

A federal judge appointed by former Democrat President Barack Obama has blocked the Trump administration from withholding Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani determined that the Department of Health and Human Services did not give adequate notice, as required by the Spending Clause of the U.S. Constitution, to several Democratic-led states.

The decision halts a Republican-supported measure in the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act that would have temporarily stripped Medicaid dollars from organizations that perform or promote abortions for one year. Talwani ruled in favor of California and other blue states that challenged the cut.

Pro-life leaders condemned the ruling. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, said: “The Democrats and their radical activist judges are desperately seeking to thwart the will of the people and bail out the Big Abortion industry, led by Planned Parenthood. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is federal law passed by Congress and signed by the President.” She continued: “This fight is not over. The pro-life movement will work tirelessly to ensure the Democrats do not prevail and taxpayers are never forced to pay a dime to prop up Big Abortion businesses.”

Judge Talwani, who has a history of supporting abortionists and Democratic causes, has contributed $1,725 to Democratic candidates and party organizations, including former John Kerry, Elizabeth Warren, and former President Obama. She also volunteered on Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and Warren’s 2012 Senate campaign.

Talwani has issued prior rulings against Trump policies, among them decisions involving Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for migrants and a 2019 order related to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests at Massachusetts courthouses.

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2 hours ago
Corruption
Crime

Oversight Committee Investigating Tim Walz, Keith Ellison Over Somali Fraud, Evidence Destruction.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) initiated an investigation into alleged fraud in Minnesota’s social services programs, involving millions of dollars in taxpayer funds.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Chairman James Comer, Governor Tim Walz (D-MN), Attorney General Keith Ellison (D-MN), and various Somali-linked nonprofit organizations, including Feeding Our Future.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Letters were sent on December 3, with investigation details spanning activities from January 1, 2019, to the present, primarily in Minnesota.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The Committee has serious concerns about how you as the Governor, and the Democrat-controlled administration, allowed millions of dollars to be stolen.” – James Comer.

🎯IMPACT: The investigation aims to uncover fraudulent activities involving over $1 billion in taxpayer funds and hold accountable those responsible for the misuse of public resources.

IN FULL

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) has launched an investigation into what he describes as “widespread fraud” in Minnesota’s social services programs, targeting Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) and Attorney General Keith Ellison (D-MN). Letters sent on December 3 outline concerns over how millions of taxpayer dollars were mismanaged or stolen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his letter to Gov. Walz, the Democrats’ failed 2024 vice presidential candidate, Comer accused the state administration of allowing the theft of taxpayer funds and failing to act due to potential political repercussions. “The Committee has serious concerns about how you as the Governor, and the Democrat-controlled administration, allowed millions of dollars to be stolen,” Comer wrote. He further requested documents and communications related to the fraud, as well as any actions taken by the administration.

Comer’s letter to Attorney General Ellison included allegations of negligence and political connections to individuals among the state’s Somali immigrant community involved in the fraud. “Based on these reports, the Committee is concerned that you were negligent in handling taxpayer dollars that were ultimately stolen and had systems in place that allowed the funds to be funneled to terrorist networks responsible for killing Americans,” Comer stated.

The investigation focuses on fraudulent activities involving Feeding Our Future, a nonprofit accused of misusing over $240 million in food aid funds between 2020 and 2022. The funds were allegedly spent on luxury items such as real estate and cars. Additional entities under scrutiny include Safari Restaurant, Empire Cuisine and Market LLC, and others tied to Minnesota’s Housing Stability Services Program and autism treatment programs.

Comer has demanded records dating back to January 1, 2019, to uncover how up to $1 billion in taxpayer funds were mishandled. The investigation also highlights fraud within the housing stabilization program, which allegedly cost taxpayers over $104 million, and autism services, where $14 million in state funds were reportedly stolen.

The National Pulse reported on December 1 that the U.S. Treasury Department launched an investigation into allegations of mismanagement by Walz and the former Biden government, which allowed over $1 billion in taxpayer dollars to be funneled by members of Minnesota’s Somali immigrant community to Islamist terrorist groups in their home country, including al-Qaeda franchise al-Shabaab.

Last week, a group of around 400 Minnesota Department of Human Services employees accused Gov. Walz of enabling and then attempting to cover up a massive Medicaid fraud scheme enacted by members of the state’s Somali immigrant community.

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3 hours ago
Immigration
News

Trump Considers Expanding Travel Ban to 32 Countries.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration is considering expanding its travel ban to include 32 additional countries.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement is expected soon, following the D.C. shooting last week.

🎯IMPACT: The current travel ban applies to 19 nations, with immigration applications from these countries already halted.

IN FULL

The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to expand its travel bans to include as many as 32 additional countries, according to sources. The push comes shortly after a recent shooting in Washington, D.C., in which two members of the National Guard were shot, one fatally. Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal has been charged for the attack and has pleaded not guilty.

In June 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed a proclamation banning or restricting travel for citizens of 19 countries, citing national security concerns, including terrorism links, high visa overstay rates, unreliable identity documentation, and a lack of government cooperation with U.S. authorities. Under that order, 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen, are subject to full entry bans; seven others, including Cuba, Venezuela, and Laos, face partial restrictions.

According to a State Department cable, the proposed expansion under current consideration could add dozens more nations to the list of “countries of concern.” Officials argue the additional restrictions are needed because some countries “lack a competent or cooperative government authority to produce reliable identity documents,” or have histories of visa overstays, producing national security threats, or inadequate cooperation in repatriating citizens ordered removed from the U.S.

Government officials have said they expect to publish the updated list soon.

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3 hours ago
Politics

Mike Lindell Files Paperwork to Enter Minnesota Governor Race Against Tim Walz.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell has filed paperwork to run for Governor of Minnesota, registering a campaign committee to begin raising funds.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Mike Lindell, incumbent Governor Tim Walz (D), President Donald J. Trump, and the MAGA movement.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Lindell plans to announce his final decision at a December 11 news conference in Minnesota.

💬KEY QUOTE: Lindell stated his candidacy is “not yet certain” but has begun preparations for a potential run.

🎯IMPACT: Lindell’s entry would reshape an already crowded Republican field.

IN FULL

Mike Lindell, the CEO of MyPillow and a prominent figure in the MAGA movement, has filed paperwork to run for Governor of Minnesota against the Democrat incumbent, failed 2024 vice presidential candidate Tim Walz. The filing allows him to establish a campaign committee and begin raising funds.

Lindell has stated that his candidacy is not yet finalized. However, he plans to announce his decision during a news conference on December 11. His potential entry into the race could significantly impact the Republican primary field, which already includes several candidates.

Lindell’s involvement could bring heightened attention to the race, given his close ties to President Donald J. Trump and his active role in the MAGA movement.

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4 hours ago
Data
Economy

U.S. Private Sector Sheds 32,000 Jobs in Unexpected Decline: ADP Data.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Private sector employers in the U.S. cut 32,000 jobs in November, according to payroll firm ADP.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: ADP, small businesses, and economists analyzing the labor market.

📍WHEN & WHERE: November 2025, across the United States.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Hiring has been choppy of late as employers weather cautious consumers and an uncertain macroeconomic environment,” said Nela Richardson, ADP chief economist.

🎯IMPACT: The report increases expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut next week.

IN FULL

New data from payroll firm ADP shows that American private sector employers shed 32,000 jobs in November. While the job losses are concerning on their own, the data is especially worrying as forecasts had projected a rise in employment numbers for the month, some going as high as 40,000 jobs added.

ADP chief economist Nela Richardson commented on the situation, stating, “Hiring has been choppy of late as employers weather cautious consumers and an uncertain macroeconomic environment.” Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees were responsible for most of the losses, shedding 120,000 jobs during the month.

The professional and business services industry led the job cuts, eliminating 26,000 positions, while the leisure and hospitality sector added 13,000 jobs in preparation for the holiday season. Matthew Martin, senior U.S. economist at Oxford Economics, noted, “Small firms, those with less than 50 employees, have felt the pinch of policy uncertainty, rising input costs and high interest rates the most.”

Although ADP’s figures are not considered a definitive predictor of overall job growth, they are closely monitored as an economic indicator. The data comes at a time when official employment statistics remain incomplete due to the recent 43-day federal government shutdown initiated by the Senate Democrats.

Economists suggest that the ADP report increases the likelihood of the Federal Reserve moving to lower interest rates again at its upcoming Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on December 9-10. Oren Klachkin, Nationwide Financial Markets economist, stated, “There’s a high level of disagreement among Fed policymakers right now, but we maintain our call the doves will prevail over the hawks and the FOMC to vote for another 25bps interest rate reduction at next week’s meeting.”

The National Pulse reported in late November that Labor Department (DOL) data showed the U.S. economy adding 119,000 jobs in September, exceeding Wall Street expectations.

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4 hours ago
Lawfare

House Judiciary Committee Subpoenas Jack Smith for Deposition.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) subpoenaed former Special Counsel Jack Smith for a deposition regarding the Arctic Frost scandal.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Jim Jordan, Jack Smith, House Judiciary Committee, and other House and Senate Republicans.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Subpoena issued on Wednesday; deposition scheduled for December 17, behind closed doors.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Due to your service as Special Counsel, the Committee believes that you possess information that is vital to its oversight of this matter.” – Jim Jordan

🎯IMPACT: The subpoena escalates Republican investigations into Jack Smith’s actions in the Arctic Frost scandal.

IN FULL

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) issued a subpoena to former Special Counsel Jack Smith on Wednesday, calling for his deposition to take place on December 17. The move comes as House Republicans prepare to ramp up their inquiry into Smith, the former Biden Department of Justice (DOJ), and U.S. District Court Judges James Boasberg and Beryl Howell over their involvement in the Arctic Frost scandal which saw Smith target President Donald J. Trump, numerous Republican lawmakers, and 430 Republican organizations and operatives in what appears to have been intended to be a massive RICO prosecution.

In a letter accompanying the subpoena, Jordan wrote, “Due to your service as Special Counsel, the Committee believes that you possess information that is vital to its oversight of this matter.” The deposition is set to occur behind closed doors, allowing committee members to question Smith for extended periods, unlike the five-minute intervals of public hearings.

Smith’s investigation into Trump included criminal charges related to the 2020 election and alleged retention of classified documents. Both cases were dropped following Trump’s 2024 presidential election victory, citing DOJ policy against prosecuting sitting presidents. Smith has defended his work, which a number of Republicans have labeled as overly broad and politically motivated.

The subpoena also demands all documents and communications tied to Smith’s tenure as Special Counsel. This follows a November 12 letter from the DOJ to Smith’s legal team, authorizing him to provide unrestricted testimony to Congress despite potential privilege concerns. Smith had previously offered to testify publicly before the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, but Jordan‘s preference for a deposition format aims to build a more comprehensive record.

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5 hours ago
News

Venezuela Reopens to U.S. Deportation Flights Following Trump’s Airspace Ban.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Venezuela announced it will resume accepting deportation flights from the U.S. following discussions with the Trump administration.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, U.S. President Donald J. Trump, and Venezuelan migrants.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made on Tuesday, with deportation flights landing near Caracas, Venezuela.

🎯IMPACT: Over 13,000 migrants have been deported to Venezuela this year, with the flights marking one of the few areas of cooperation between the two nations.

IN FULL

Venezuela has announced it will continue to accept deportation flights originating from the United States at the request of President Donald J. Trump. Previously, Venezuela’s government had begun rejecting inbound flights from the U.S. carrying illegal immigrants after Trump announced the U.S. military had effectively closed airspace over the South American country.

Nicolás Maduro, the Marxist dictator of Venezuela, stated the flights would resume—likely in the hopes that the offer might garner favor with the Trump administration to hold off on an anticipated military intervention aimed at overthrowing him. The deportation flights have facilitated the return of over 13,000 immigrants to Venezuela this year.

When President Trump began his illegal immigration crackdown in the United States, Maduro’s regime initially refused to accept the return of illegals from Venezuela. However, after mounting pressure from the Trump White House, Venezuela relented and began receiving the deportation flights, which currently mark the only real area of ongoing diplomatic relations between the countries.

Currently, an estimated 30 percent of the U.S. Navy has been deployed to the Caribbean in an operation aimed at destroying drug cartels and smugglers operating in the region. Many of these narco-traffickers operate out of Venezuela, with Maduro himself accused of serving as the head of the Cartel de los Soles, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).

The Trump administration has also increased military operations in the region, targeting narco-terrorists near Venezuela. “We know everything about them. We know where they live. We know where the bad ones live. And we’re going to start that very soon, too,” Trump remarked during a recent White House Cabinet meeting.

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5 hours ago
Immigration
News

Minneapolis Police Chief Calls on Somali Community to Report Masked ICE Agents, Pledges Intervention.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara urged Somalis to call 911 on masked individuals detaining people—clearly referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents—suggesting they might be kidnappers.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, the Somali community, ICE, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: December 3, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Folks that are masked—when people aren’t sure if they’re law enforcement, or if they may be kidnapping people—we have had those reports.” – Brian O’Hara

🎯IMPACT: Heightened tensions between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement, amid Trump’s recent remarks on Somali immigrants.

IN FULL

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara is urging members of the Minnesota city’s Somali and broader immigrant communities to stay alert and contact 911 if they witness masked individuals detaining people, warning that such encounters could involve kidnappers rather than legitimate law enforcement. O’Hara stressed the need for residents to be able to distinguish between authorized officers and potentially dangerous impersonators, saying the department will investigate every report and reminding officers of their obligation to intervene if they observe supposed human rights violations.

“Folks that are masked—when people aren’t sure if they’re law enforcement, or if they may be kidnapping people—we have had those reports. I want to be clear to the community: the community should know that if you see something like that and you don’t know whether someone is law enforcement, you should call 911 and provide as much information as possible,” O’Hara said.

His comments follow reports that a large federal immigration operation is being prepared in Minnesota’s Twin Cities, with more than 100 agents reportedly assigned to target Somalis.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) reiterated the city’s refusal to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on civil immigration enforcement, reaffirming a long-standing policy that blocks local involvement in federal immigration actions, despite the threat migrant criminals pose to the public.

President Donald J. Trump has strongly criticized Somali immigrants in recent days, linking them to crime and other social problems. “Somalians ripped off [Minnesota] for billions of dollars. Every year, billions of dollars, and they contribute nothing. The welfare is like 88 percent. I don’t want them in our country,” he said.

Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the United States, with tens of thousands residing primarily in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Notably, the community has faced scrutiny amid investigations into public-assistance fraud involving Somali-run businesses or individuals. Somali medicaid fraud may have cost American taxpayers as much as a billion dollars or more, according to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Some of the money may even have been funneled to terrorist groups like the radical Islamist al-Shabaab organization.

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