Friday, May 16, 2025

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Left Media Says Speaker Johnson, Who Has Four Kids, Is an ‘Incel’ Because He’s Not Homosexual.

The leftist media meltdown over Christian conservative Mike Johnson replacing Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House of Representatives is intensifying, with Salon.com claiming his ascension is symbolic of “the incel-ization of the modern GOP”.

An “incel” is an involuntary celibate, i.e. a person incapable of finding a sexual partner. Speaker Johnson is accused of harboring “strong incel energy” not because this appears to an issue for him – he is married with four children – but because he subscribes to Christian teaching on sexual morality, which Salon’s Amanda Marcotte characterizes as “the politics of bitter sexual obsession”.

Johnson, Salon complains, once described same-sex marriage as “the dark harbinger of chaos and sexual anarchy that could doom even the strongest republic,” adding “If only it were that exciting!” and accusing him of bigotry:

He’s repeatedly described homosexuality with terms like “sinful,” “destructive,” “deviant,” and “bizarre.” He, like all these bigots, compared same-sex marriage to the right of “a person to marry his pet.”

Johnson is also accused of being an incel because he opposes abortion, with Salon taking particular umbrage with his 2016 observation that “[w]hen you break up the nuclear family, when you tell a generation of people that life has no value, no meaning, that it’s expendable, then you do wind up with school shooters.”

Johnson, for his part, has stood by all his past remarks, saying he “genuinely love[s] all people regardless of their lifestyle choices” and urging critics: “Go pick up a Bible off your shelf and read it – that’s my worldview. That’s what I believe, so I do not apologize for it.”

By Popular Demand.
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‘He Knew Exactly What That Meant’ — DHS and Secret Service Investigating Comey Over ‘8647’ Post.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Former FBI Director James Comey deleted an Instagram post showing “8647” in seashells, a phrase tied to mob slang for killing and referencing President Trump, prompting a DHS and Secret Service investigation.

👥 Who’s Involved: James Comey, President Donald J. Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, DHS, and the Secret Service.

📍 Where & When: Online, with Comey’s post deleted and investigation announced on May 15, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “He knew exactly what that meant; a child knows what that meant,” Trump said of Comey’s post.

⚠️ Impact: Trump’s swift response and the ongoing probe highlight his administration’s zero tolerance for veiled threats, exposing Comey’s reckless partisanship after his Russiagate missteps.

IN FULL:

Former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey has deleted a picture he shared on Instagram spelling out ‘8647’ in seashells. To ’86’ someone means to remove or kill them in the slang of the hospitality industry and organized crime, while ’47’ almost certainly refers to President Donald J. Trump, who is the 47th U.S. President.

“I posted earlier a picture of some shells I saw today on a beach walk, which I assumed were a political message,” Comey wrote in a new Instagram post, trying to suggest someone else had arranged the shells. “I didn’t realize some folks associate those numbers with violence. It never occurred to me,” he added, despite his extensive background in law enforcement.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Secret Service are investigating the post, which Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem characterized as having “called for the assassination of [President] Trump.”

President Trump has said he does not believe that Comey did not know what the words implied, telling the media, “He knew exactly what that meant; a child knows what that meant.”

“If you’re the FBI Director, and you don’t know what that meant… That meant ‘assassination,’ and it says it loud and clear,” the America First leader continued, adding that, while Comey “wasn’t very competent,” he was “competent enough to know what that meant.”

President Trump fired Comey, who facilitated the bogus Russiagate investigation, during his first term, after which he became a strident anti-Trump partisan. Two attempts were made on Trump’s life in 2024, including one at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, which saw the America First leader struck in the ear by a sniper, and three rallygoers more seriously shot, one fatally. President Trump believes Democrats’ “inflammatory” rhetoric against him inspired the attacks.

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By Popular Demand.
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Ukrainian Migrant Charged With Setting Fire to Properties Owned by British PM.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: A Ukrainian man has been charged with arson and attacking properties owned or linked to British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

👥 Who’s Involved: Roman Lavrynovych, Sir Keir Starmer, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

📍 Where & When: The attacks occurred between May 8 and May 12; Lavrynovych was charged on May 15.

💬 Key Quote: “Following a review of the evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police Service’s counter terrorism command, we have authorised criminal charges against a 21-year-old man after three fires in north London,” confirmed Bethan David, head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) counter terrorism division.

⚠️ Impact: The arrest raises questions on the motive regarding the attacks and what the suspect’s Ukrainian background may have to do with them.

IN FULL:

A Ukrainian migrant has been charged after trying to set several properties on fire that British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer owns or has links to. One fire occurred on May 12 in Kent at the house the Prime Minister lived in before moving into Number 10 Downing Street last year.

Roman Lavrynovych, a 21-year-old Ukrainian national, was arrested and has been charged with three counts of arson for fires at Sir Keir’s home, another property linked to the Prime Minister, and a vehicle that is also connected to him. All of the attacks took place from May 8 to May 12. One person had to be helped out of one of the properties by firefighters.

Lavrynovych was arrested on May 13 at his home in south-east London and was charged on May 15. “Following a review of the evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police Service’s counter terrorism command, we have authorised criminal charges against a 21-year-old man after three fires in north London,” Bethan David, head of the Crown Prosecution Service counter terrorism division, said.

So far, no motive has been put forward by police regarding the attacks, which appear to have clearly targeted the Labour Party leader.

The attack is just the latest serious criminal act by a Ukrainian in recent months in Western Europe. In late March, a Ukrainian man stabbed five people in Amsterdam. Prosecutors later floated the idea that his motive could have been terrorism.

Image by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street.

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By Popular Demand.
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Socialized Health System Helping Toddlers ‘Transition.’

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: The socialized National Health Service (NHS) in Britain is now giving transgender treatments for toddlers after pressure from activists.

👥 Who’s Involved: The NHS, transgender activists, and children.

📍 Where & When: healthcare facilities across England, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Research shows that pre-adolescent children who feel confused or distressed by the fact of their sex will usually grow out of this stage if they’re sensitively supported, but not when they’re encouraged to believe the unscientific notion that everyone has a ‘gender identity’ that may differ from their sex.” — Helen Joyce of the group Sex Matters.

⚠️ Impact: The issue raises concerns about children being indoctrinated into transgender ideologies at a very young age.

IN FULL:

Britain’s socialised healthcare system has caved in to transgender activists who have demanded that it provide gender treatment for toddlers. The National Health Service (NHS) is now treating pre-schoolers after an initial attempt to cap treatment at seven years old that failed to materialise.

NHS England reportedly caved to pressure from transgender activists to remove any reference to age limits for gender treatment. According to reports, as many as 157 children under the age of nine have been referred for treatment for transgender issues. While the children are not given harmful puberty blockers, hormones, or surgeries, they are given psychological “treatments,” including counseling.

Helen Joyce, director of advocacy for the group Sex Matters, was critical of the NHS for providing so-called counseling treatment for children so young. “Research shows that pre-adolescent children who feel confused or distressed by the fact of their sex will usually grow out of this stage if they’re sensitively supported, but not when they’re encouraged to believe the unscientific notion that everyone has a ‘gender identity’ that may differ from their sex,” she said.

Britain banned the use of hormone therapy for children identifying as transgender in 2023, particularly puberty blockers, which have been shown to cause irreparable harm.

In the United States, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order halting federal funding to any healthcare provider that gave children hormone therapy, puberty blockers, or transgender surgeries. Over half of state governments have acted on their own and banned the practice as well.

Image by Oriel Frankie Ashcroft.

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By Popular Demand.
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Kash Patel Crushes Anti-Trump Weaponization Arm of FBI.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: The Washington Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has shut down its federal public corruption squad, known internally as “CR15.”

👥 Who’s Involved: The FBI, former Special Counsel Jack Smith, Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, and Permanent Subcommittee Chair Ron Johnson.

📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C.; the announcement follows earlier DOJ restructuring efforts in 2023.

💬 Key Quote: “My oversight has shown time and again how the FBI’s CR-15 unit was weaponized to execute one-sided political attacks, particularly against President Trump and his allies.” — Sen. Chuck Grassley.

⚠️ Impact: The closure signals a shift in FBI resources toward priorities like immigration enforcement.

IN FULL:

Under the orders of Director Kash Patel, the Washington Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has dismantled its federal public corruption squad, CR15, which previously played a significant role in lawfare investigations related to President Donald J. Trump.

The CR15 unit, one of three teams handling public corruption cases at the field office, was heavily involved in the “Arctic Frost” probe. This investigation served as a precursor to Special Counsel Jack Smith‘s failed inquiry into alleged efforts by Trump and his allies to overturn the contested 2020 election results. Both federal criminal cases against Trump stemming from these investigations were later dropped following his election triumph.

Agents from the disbanded squad will be reassigned to other duties, as the FBI shifts its focus toward immigration enforcement. This reallocation of resources coincides with broader changes within the Department of Justice (DOJ), which downsized its Public Integrity Section earlier this year and saw resignations from members who opposed dropping a federal corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-IA), who has scrutinized CR15’s operations, welcomed the closure. “My oversight has shown time and again how the FBI’s CR-15 unit was weaponized to execute one-sided political attacks, particularly against President Trump and his allies,” Grassley stated. He further emphasized the need for transparency and record preservation as his investigations continue.

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By Popular Demand.
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It’s AOC’s Democratic Party Now, Data Shows.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: A recent survey reveals that many Democratic voters see Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) as the face of their party. The progressive lawmaker’s surging popularity among her party’s liberal base has led to speculation she could mount a presidential bid in 2028.

👥 Who’s Involved: Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democratic voters, Co/efficient survey respondents, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

📍 Where & When: The survey was fielded in the United States from May 7 to May 9, 2025, with the results publicized on May 15.

⚠️ Impact: The poll shows Ocasio-Cortez remains a polarizing figure, with strong support among Democrats but significant opposition from Republicans. Her high support among political progressives and the Democratic base is fueling speculation she could soon run for the U.S. Senate or even the White House.

IN FULL:

A new poll suggests many Democratic voters view far-left Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) as the party’s leading political figure. The Co/efficient survey, which included approximately 1,400 participants, showed that 26 percent of respondents identified Ocasio-Cortez as the “face of the Democratic Party.” An equal percentage of those surveyed stated that “no one” currently represents the party.

In recent months, Ocasio-Cortez—often referred to as AOC—has toured the country, holding political rallies with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a self-described democratic socialist. The rallies, part of the two far-left lawmakers’ Fighting Oligarchy Tour, have buoyed progressive voter support for Ocasio-Cortez, leading to speculation she could mount a primary challenge to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) or even seek the Democratic Party’s 2028 presidential nomination.

Additional polling data reflects Ocasio-Cortez’s popularity among Democrats. An AP/NORC poll found that 55 percent of Democratic respondents hold a favorable view of the congresswoman. In her home state of New York, a Data for Progress poll indicated that 75 percent of Democratic primary voters preferred her over other prominent figures, such as the 74-year-old Senator Chuck Schumer.

The progressive congresswoman’s strong stance against President Donald J. Trump and the Republican Party appears to resonate with liberal voters. Ocasio-Cortez has consistently used social media platforms and congressional hearings to criticize the Trump administration and Republican policies. However, Democratic Party leadership worries that the radical, far-left policy positions taken by the New York progressive lawmaker will alienate more moderate and centrist voters, viewed as key to retaking Congress and the White House.

Despite her popularity within the Democratic base, Ocasio-Cortez has not made significant moves to secure leadership roles on key House committees. Observers suggest this may be due to her polarizing status, which draws both fervent support from Democrats and sharp opposition from Republicans.

The National Pulse reported last month that statistician and polling analyst Nate Silver believes Ocasio-Cortez is a strong contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, if she chooses to run.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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Don Jr. Accuses Comey of ‘Calling for My Dad to Be Murdered’ in Instagram Post.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Donald Trump Jr. accused former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey of inciting his father’s murder in an Instagram post featuring the slogan “86 47” spelled out in seashells, a phrase tied to mob slang for killing.

👥 Who’s Involved: Donald Trump Jr., James Comey, President Donald J. Trump, and Democrat-aligned media.

📍 Where & When: Online, with Trump Jr.’s accusation posted on X (formerly Twitter) on May 15, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Just James Comey casually calling for my dad to be murdered,” Donald Trump Jr. stated on X.

⚠️ Impact: Comey’s stunt underscores the left’s escalating rhetoric, spotlighting his descent from feigned impartiality to partisan extremism.

IN FULL:

Donald Trump Jr. has accused former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director James Comey of calling for his father’s murder in an Instagram post.

Comey had published a picture of ’86 47′ spelled out in seashells on the beach. In hospitality, to ’86’ someone is to remove them from a premises, such as a bar or restaurant, while in the mob, it refers to killing someone. The 47 refers to President Donald J. Trump as the 47th U.S. President.

“Just James Comey casually calling for my dad to be murdered,” the President’s eldest son remarked of the post on X (formerly Twitter), adding: “This is who the Dem-Media worships. Demented!!!!”

President Trump survived two attempts on his life in 2024, first at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a sniper shot him in the ear and killed one of his supporters, and then at a golf course in Florida, where pro-Ukraine activist Ryan Routh was found waiting to take a shot at the America First leader in a bush.

While many liberals initially resented Comey for his role in the investigation of the Hillary Clinton email scandal—which he concluded without recommending any charges—he became a hero to them after President Trump fired him in 2017, and fully embraced his partisan role. Early in Trump’s first term, Comey facilitated the bogus Russiagate investigation despite a lack of evidence for any wrongdoing, diverting much of the administration’s time and energy.

Comey offered a full-throated endorsement of Joe Biden before his ouster in favor of Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential race, saying, “I don’t care how you feel about Joe Biden. You must vote for him because the consequences on the other side are too severe.”

Image by Paul Morigi Photography via Brookings Institute.

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By Popular Demand.
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Foreign Democrat Mega Donor Hit With Sexual Harassment Lawsuit.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Swiss billionaire and Democratic Party dark money mega donor Hansjorg Wyss has been hit with a sexual harassment lawsuit, alleging the 89-year-old subjected a 30-year-old employee to repeated sexual propositions, groping, and sexual exposure.

👥 Who’s Involved: Hansjorg Wyss, Madison Busby, and a network of dark money groups that advocate for progressive political policies and back Democratic Party candidates for office.

📍 Where & When: The lawsuit was filed on April 25, 2025, in the San Luis Obispo County, California Superior Court. Details emerged publicly on May 14, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Mr. Wyss told Ms. Busby how much he enjoyed having a threesome, even with another man,” the lawsuit alleges, adding: “He even suggested a ‘foursome’ and stated it would be ‘fun’ for the three of them and another woman by the name of ‘Lori.’”

⚠️ Impact: The lawsuit could sideline one of the Democratic Party’s most significant and influential dark money donors ahead of the 2026 congressional midterm elections.

IN FULL:

Hansjorg Wyss, an 89-year-old Swiss billionaire and Democratic Party mega donor, is the subject of a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a 30-year-old employee at one of his California wineries. In the legal filing, Madison Busby—an employee at Halter Ranch Winery—alleges Wyss subjected her to repeated sexual propositions, groped her, and exposed himself to her. Wyss’s political contributions to far-left advocacy groups and Democratic Party-aligned nonprofits have been the subject of controversy as he lacks both U.S. citizenship and permanent residency.

“Madison has suffered severe emotional distress from the harassment which took place over the course of many years, and also from lost wages and then future damages. She’s been harmed immensely,” Busby’s attorney, John Ly, said after the lawsuit‘s filing. Busby claims that after she rejected Wyss’s advances, the Swiss billionaire engaged in retaliation against her.

While not as publicly well-known as far-left Democrat donors like George Soros and Reid Hoffman, Wyss has quietly become one of the party’s most influential financiers over the last decade. Notably, Wyss is a major backer of the progressive political consulting firm Arabella Advisors‘s dark money network. In recent years, the Swiss billionaire contributed an estimated $162 million to Arabella’s key left-wing political money operations, Sixteen Thirty Fund and New Venture Fund.

Using a network of nonprofits and foundations that help conceal his political giving, Wyss has funnelled over $200 million in total to Democrat Party-aligned nonprofit advocacy groups, including the Center for American Progress, NewsGuard, and Priorities USA.

Notably, United States election laws bar noncitizens from contributing to federal candidates for office and political action committees (PACs). However, Wyss—a Swiss national who lacks American citizenship or permanent residency—circumvents these restrictions by contributing to outside political advocacy organizations that use donor money to help influence elections in favor of Democratic Party candidates.

According to the lawsuit, Wyss aggressively pursued the potential of group sex with Busby. “Mr. Wyss told Ms. Busby how much he enjoyed having a threesome, even with another man,” the filing states, adding: “He even suggested a ‘foursome’ and stated it would be ‘fun’ for the three of them and another woman by the name of ‘Lori.’” The lawsuit notes that in 2022, Wyss admitted to Busby that “if you ever went after me for sexual harassment, you would win.”

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By Popular Demand.
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DOJ Redirects Trans, DEI Grants to Bolster Law Enforcement Funding.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: The Department of Justice (DOJ) is reallocating funds previously designated for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and transgender initiatives to support law enforcement and crime prevention.

👥 Who’s Involved: Attorney General Pam Bondi, Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, and the DOJ.

📍 Where & When: United States; decision follows a recent inquiry from Grassley about DOJ grant funding cuts.

💬 Key Quote: “The Department of Justice under Pam Bondi will not waste discretionary funds on DEI passion projects that do not make Americans safer,” a DOJ official stated.

⚠️ Impact: Funds will now focus on combating violent crime, aiding victims, and enhancing law enforcement coordination, while grants for DEI programs are terminated.

IN FULL:

The Department of Justice (DOJ), under Attorney General Pam Bondi, has announced a significant shift in funding priorities. Resources will be redirected away from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) projects to focus on law enforcement and public safety initiatives.

The decision comes after Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley sought clarification regarding the DOJ’s recent move to cut $811 million in grant funding. Grassley’s inquiry prompted the DOJ to disclose that much of the affected funding had been awarded to non-governmental organizations rather than directly to state or local agencies serving communities.

According to a DOJ response, the funds will now be allocated toward efforts such as combating violent crime, protecting children, aiding victims of trafficking and sexual assault, and improving coordination among law enforcement agencies.

“The Department of Justice under Pam Bondi will not waste discretionary funds on DEI passion projects that do not make Americans safer,” a DOJ official said. “We will use our money to get criminals off the streets, seize drugs, and in some cases, fund programs that deliver a tangible impact for victims of crime.”

Under the former Biden-Harris government, the DOJ had awarded grants to organizations promoting DEI and LGBT-related initiatives. For instance, $200,000 was granted to the Diversity Center of Oklahoma for services targeting “Black and Brown women, including Black transgender women,” which included funding for so-called “gender affirming medical care.”

Another $700,000 was awarded to FORGE Inc. to address violent crimes against transgender individuals, with a particular emphasis on trans women and girls of color.

The move is just another part of President Donald J. Trump’s initiatives to scrap DEI policies and rein in wasteful spending. Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order banning all DEI initiatives within the federal government.

Image by Steve Fernie.

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By Popular Demand.
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White House Fumes Over Don Jr’s Media Treatment.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: The Trump administration is reportedly considering a federal investigation into Axel Springer, the German parent company of POLITICO and Business Insider. The possible probe follows a thinly sourced story published by Business Insider suggesting that Donald Trump Jr.’s business interests could be akin to Hunter Biden’s corrupt political activities.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Trump White House, Donald Trump Jr., Business Insider journalist Bethany McLean, and Axel Springer.

📍 Where & When: The issue arose following a May 6 report by Business Insider, with rumors of a possible federal probe emerging between May 13 and 15.

💬 Key Quote: An unnamed White House adviser reportedly referred to Axel Springer as a “German influence operation” and suggested its reporting could be “illegal foreign political meddling.”

⚠️ Impact: The potential probe could place Axel Springer under federal scrutiny for its media activities in the U.S.

IN FULL:

The Trump White House is reportedly weighing a federal investigation into Axel Springer, the German media conglomerate that owns POLITICO and Business Insider. The move follows a recent report by Business Insider comparing Donald Trump Jr.’s business activities to Hunter Biden‘s alleged selling of White House access, involving his father, former President Joe Biden.

On May 6, journalist Bethany McLean published a piece in Business Insider titled “Don Jr. Is the New Hunter Biden.” The report highlighted Trump Jr.’s involvement with the venture capital firm 1789 Capital and quoted an anonymous source allegedly close to the Trump family claiming, “What they’re doing is selling access to the president via the back door.”

The comparison parallels Hunter Biden, who has faced scrutiny for years over his foreign business dealings and accusations of leveraging White House access during his father’s political career. Notably, other Biden family members, including Joe Biden’s brother, Jim Biden, faced similar allegations of political corruption.

Following the Business Insider story, reports emerged that the Trump White House is considering a federal probe of the media outlet’s foreign owner, Axel Springer. Speculation regarding the investigation has been further fueled by a story from Matthew Boyle of Breitbart News, which cites an unnamed White House adviser who described Axel Springer as a “German influence operation.” The adviser also suggested that the company’s activities might amount to “illegal foreign political meddling.”

Axel Springer’s media outlets, including POLITICO and Business Insider, are believed to have attracted the attention of senior administration officials. Notably, the German-based media conglomerate and its U.S.-based media properties could face scrutiny for potentially violating federal ethics norms.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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Texas Moves to Block Land Sales to Hostile Nations.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: The Texas House advanced Senate Bill 17, which restricts land sales to individuals and entities from specific foreign nations deemed national security threats. The legislation’s House and Senate versions will now be reconciled before receiving final votes for approval in the state House and Senate.

👥 Who’s Involved: Governor Greg Abbott (R), state Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R), state Representative Cole Hefner (R), and members of the Texas legislature.

📍 Where & When: Texas; preliminary approval in the House last week and reconciliation conferees appointed on May 14, with potential enactment on September 1, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “As Senate Bill 17 has moved through the legislative process, we have taken the utmost care not to reduce the ability to buy property for those who have fled oppressive regimes and want to build an American life here. As the bill currently stands, those individuals who come here lawfully and remain here lawfully still have that opportunity,” says Rep. Hefner.

⚠️ Impact: If passed, the bill would restrict property purchases by individuals and entities from nations deemed security threats, with exemptions for lawful permanent residents.

IN FULL:

The Texas House of Representatives has advanced Senate Bill 17, a measure aimed at restricting land purchases by individuals and entities from countries identified as national security threats. The bill, originally filed by Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R), has undergone significant amendments in the House before receiving preliminary approval in an 85-60 vote. Differences between the legislative text approved by the House and Senate will now be reconciled by conferees appointed by each chamber before the bill receives final votes of approval and heads to Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) to be signed into law.

If enacted, S.B. 17 would allow Gov. Abbott to determine which nations and entities will be deemed national security threats and face restrictions. Currently, the list includes China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, as designated by the United States National Director of Intelligence.

After moving from the Senate, where the legislation was approved along a 24-7 vote, the text of S.B. 17 underwent a series of changes through amendments in the House. These changes included narrowing an exemption for leased property. While the Senate version exempted leases of under 100 years, the House limited this to leases of one year or less. Additionally, lawmakers amended the bill to exempt lawful permanent residents from the restrictions.

“As Senate Bill 17 has moved through the legislative process, we have taken the utmost care not to reduce the ability to buy property for those who have fled oppressive regimes and want to build an American life here,” the bill’s House sponsor, Representative Cole Hefner (R), told the media. He added: “As the bill currently stands, those individuals who come here lawfully and remain here lawfully still have that opportunity.”

Texas Democrats have attempted to portray the legislation as an attempt to strip property rights from immigrants, with far-left state Rep. Gene Wu (D) claiming the bill’s supporters are motivated by “hate.” According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Chinese investors currently own less than on percent of all foreign-held acreage in the United States. Combined, Russian, Iranian, and North Korean investors own fewer than 3,000 acres.

If the reconciled text receives final approval in both legislative chambers, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025, applying to property purchases made after that date.

Image by Cory Doctorow.

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By Popular Demand.
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