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Who Are The Houthis, And Why Are America & Britain Bombing Them?

The United States and the United Kingdom have announced the start of a joint military operation against Yemen’s Houthi rebel group. For several months, the Islamist rebel group that controls large swaths of Yemeni territory has engaged in a campaign of harassment and terror against international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. This campaign is allegedly at the behest of their primary state backer, the Islamic Republic of Iran.

As of Thursday, the Yemeni-based Houthis have carried out at least 27 attacks on international shipping off the shores of the nation –situated at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula.

An attempt last month by U.S. President Joe Biden to organize an international response fell apart after European partners became frustrated with the slow response from the U.S. military and decided to undertake escort missions for international shipping on their own.

Yemen, in red.

With Houthi attacks continuing to threaten U.S. military assets in the region as well as wreaking havoc with global supply chains, the U.S. and U.K. may find themselves increasingly dragged into both the long-running Yemeni civil war and a broader regional conflict which has pitted Israel and Saudi Arabia, respectively, against Iran and its regional proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen.

So Who Are The Houthis?

For most of its short history, the Houthi rebel movement was a minor nuisance to the Yemeni government. That changed in 2011 when the Houthis took part in the broader Yemeni revolution – though they later rejected a governing deal proposed by Yemen’s National Dialogue Conference. In 2014, rebel groups’ numbers swelled, and they were able to seize control of the country’s capital.

An uneasy political alliance struck between the rebels and former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh aided the swift takeover of much of Yemen by the Houthi rebels. A decade before its rise to power, the rebel group had been one of the chief opposition moments against Saleh. In 2004, the Yemeni military under the Saleh government had killed the rebel group’s founder Hussein al-Houthi after they claimed he resisted arrest. The group is now primarily under the leadership of Hussein al-Houthi’s brother, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi.

Relations between the Houthis and Saleh’s political faction deteriorated, with Yemen plunged into civil war. Saudi Arabia backed a series of pro-Saudi leaders against the Iranian-backed Houthis, and in 2017, the Houthi rebels assassinated former President Saleh, after accusing him of treason. There are conflicting reports as to whether Saleh was shot by a Houthi sniper while attempting to flee his compound in a vehicle or if rebels inside the compound itself executed him.

Also known as Ansar Allah, or ‘Supporters of Allah’, the movement’s official slogan (below), reads:

Allah is the Greatest
Death to America
Death to Israel
A Curse Upon the Jews
Victory to Islam 

The Houthis are mainly Zaidi Shia Muslims, who believe in an activist and political interpretation of Islam.

It’s Actually A Regional Proxy War.

The Houthi rebels began in the 1990s as a Zaidi Shia Islamist revival movement – initially focused on restoring Zaidi cultural and religious practices. Their Shia Islam affiliation and opposition to Yemen’s Sunni majority naturally aligned the group with the interests of the Shia-dominated Islamic Republic of Iran. Under Iran’s influence, the Zaidi revival movement was radicalized, abandoning a more academic pursuit of cultural revival and opting instead to instill their religious and cultural ideology through conflict.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, along with leaders of Lebanon’s Hezbollah terrorist group (also an Iranian proxy), provided training and aid to the Houthis – accelerating their transformation into a more aggressive rebel faction. In 2014, a series of street protests escalated into a full-blown battle between the Houthi rebels and the Yemeni military. After a few days, the Houthis had routed the Yemeni forces and were able to seize the country’s capital – kicking off a decade-long civil war.

Saudi Arabia, Yemen’s northern neighbor and the regional center of Sunni Muslim political power, quickly intervened in an attempt to counter Iranian influence. The influx of weapons for various factions – provided by Iran and Saudi Arabia – escalated the conflict from a civil war to a regional proxy war.

By 2015, the Saudi-recognized government under Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi had moved the Yemeni capital from Houthi-controlled Sanaʽa to Aden. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia itself, along with regional backers and logistical support from the U.S. under President Obama, launched a subsequent air and ground campaign aimed at ending Houthi territorial control in Yemen.

In 2018, President Donald Trump vetoed an attempt by Congress to end U.S. support for Saudi Arabia’s efforts in Yemen. After assuming office in 2021, however, President Joe Biden moved to freeze U.S. military sales to Saudi Arabia – effectively ending U.S. involvement in the conflict. A truce was established in March of 2022, freezing the conflict temporarily.

Houthis Escalate After October 7th Hamas Attacks.

On October 7th, 2023, the Muslim Brotherhood’s Hamas terror organization in Gaza – allied with the Houthis since 2021 –  launched a terror attack on Israel, killing over a thousand civilians and soldiers, and taking several hundred people hostage. Israel swiftly responded with a military assault on Gaza to eliminate Hamas. Iran, which had pledged to cease arming the Houthi rebels in 2022, reversed course and began shipping arms to Yemen within days of Israel moving against Hamas – also an Iranian proxy.

Houthi insurgents initially focused their efforts against Israel – using Iranian-supplied missiles to target the Jewish state. Those missiles, however, were either intercepted by the Israeli Iron Dome defense system, U.S. military assets in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, or by Saudi-based land-to-air defense systems. Unable to strike Israel directly, the Houthis instead opted to attempt strikes on U.S. naval assets off the Yemeni coast, as well as international shipping moving through the same waters.

Since late October 2023, Houthis have used a combination of missiles, speed boats, helicopters, and drones to launch attacks against container ships, oil tankers, and U.S. naval vessels in both the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The campaign of terror and piracy forced a high volume of international shipping to divert from the critical Suez Canal and Red Sea routes – instead having to sail around the African continent to avoid the Houthi attacks.

Escalation.

The renewed conflict in Yemen has the potential to explode into a broader regional war, especially as Israel’s military action against Hamas drags on. Many of the senior leaders of the Houthi rebels were educated in Islamic ideology by Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah – giving the Lebanon-based terrorist leader a degree of personal investment in the success of the Houthis.

Iran, for its part, has promised retaliation for any strikes against the Houthi rebels. The Islamic Republic could use its proxies in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq to target both Israeli and U.S. military assets in response to the joint U.S.-U.K. military operation in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia poses another potential point of escalation. While we do not yet know the scale and scope of the U.S.-U.K. military operation, it is believed targets in Yemen will include critical infrastructure used by the Houthis including ammunition depots, drone facilities, missile sites, air bases, and air defense installations. With the Houthi rebels military capabilities likely being crippled by the Western powers, Saudi Arabia may be unable to pass up the opportunity to end the Houthi presence in Yemen entirely. Such a move could not be ignored by Iran – and could risk a large-scale regional war.

By Popular Demand.
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Trump Says China Already Breaking Trade Deal: ‘So Much for Being Mr. NICE GUY!’

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: President Donald J. Trump accused China of breaching a trade agreement with the U.S. just weeks after both nations agreed to a temporary easing of tariffs.

👥 Who’s Involved: Donald Trump, the United States, and China.

📍 Where & When: Trump’s statement was made on Truth Social on Friday, following a May 12 agreement between the U.S. and China.

💬 Key Quote: “The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!” – Donald Trump.

⚠️ Impact: The claim could reignite tensions between the two countries, potentially affecting trade relations and economic stability.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump on Friday accused China of violating a trade agreement with the United States, just weeks after both nations reached a temporary truce on tariffs. President Trump made the remarks on his Truth Social platform, noting that “Many [Chinese] factories closed and there was, to put it mildly, ‘civil unrest'” following his initial high tariffs.

“I made a FAST DEAL with China in order to save them from what I thought was going to be a very bad situation… Because of this deal, everything quickly stabilized and China got back to business as usual. Everybody was happy!” the America First leader explained.

“That is the good news!!! The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US,” he continued, adding: “So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!”

The trade agreement, established on May 12, involved a 90-day suspension of most tariffs imposed by both countries earlier this year. As part of the deal, the U.S. reduced its tariffs on Chinese goods to approximately 30 percent, down from 145 percent, while China lowered its levies on American imports to 10 percent.

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By Popular Demand.
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Democrat-Led States See Highest Unemployment Increases.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Unemployment rates increased in several U.S. states between February and April, with Democrat-led Massachusetts and Connecticut seeing the highest percentage jumps.

👥 Who’s Involved: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), various U.S. states.

📍 Where & When: Nationwide data from February to April 2024, with Massachusetts, Connecticut, and other states experiencing notable changes.

💬 Key Quote: “The state that built America’s middle class is watching robots replace assembly line workers,” said Michael Ryan, regarding Michigan’s automation-driven job losses.

IN FULL:

Unemployment rates in several U.S. states rose between February and April 2024, with Democrat-led Massachusetts and Connecticut experiencing the sharpest increases, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Nationally, unemployment is stable.

Massachusetts and Connecticut saw their unemployment rates climb by 0.3 percentage points, with Massachusetts reaching 4.6 percent and Connecticut hitting 3.7 percent.

Other states, including New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, Ohio, Mississippi, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Arizona, and Oregon, reported 0.2 percentage point increases. Michigan saw a smaller rise of 0.1 percentage points, reflecting ongoing challenges in its manufacturing sector, which President Donald J. Trump is seeking to address through tariffs.

Nationwide, the unemployment rate remained steady at 4.2 percent last month, with job growth in healthcare and warehousing offset by declines in federal government employment due to the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce bureaucracy.

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By Popular Demand.
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This European Country Is Banning Most Outdoor Smoking.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Smoking in most outdoor spaces will be banned in France starting July 1, 2025.

👥 Who’s Involved: French citizens, tourists, children, the French government, and Minister of Labour, Health, Solidarity, and Families, Catherine Vautrin.

📍 Where & When: The ban was announced in the French press on Thursday, May 29, 2025 and will take effect on July 1, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Tobacco must disappear where there are children, the freedom to smoke must end where the freedom of children to breathe fresh air begins,” said Catherine Vautrin, France’s Minister of Labour, Health, Solidarity, and Families, in an interview on May 29, 2025.

⚠️ Impact: Almost a third of France’s population is believed to be regular smokers. Violators of the new ban will face a €135 ($153) fine.

IN FULL:

France will ban the smoking of tobacco in outdoor spaces where there are children present starting on July 1, 2025. These locations include public parks, beaches, public gardens, outdoor areas near schools, bus stops, and sports venues. However, the outdoor areas of bars and cafes, will be exempt from the smoking restrictions.

In 2023, it was estimated that nearly 30 percent of the French population were regular smokers, equating to about 14.5 million people in the country with a total population of 68.29 million. Violators of the new ban will face a significant financial penalty, with the fine set at €135 ($153). Notably, electronic cigarettes and other vaping products are exempt from the ban, though French officials have indicated they will soon announce legal limits for the amount of nicotine these devices can contain.

“Tobacco must disappear where there are children,” France’s Minister of Labour, Health, Solidarity, and Families, Catherine Vautrin, said in an interview in French media on Thursday. She added: “The freedom to smoke must end where the freedom of children to breathe fresh air begins.”

In 2007, France implemented a ban on indoor smoking in workplaces, entertainment venues, bars, and restaurants, among other locations. While self-reported compliance suggests the ban has largely been obeyed, actual observance of the law, especially in the country’s many dining and drinking establishments, appears to be less strict.

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BREAKING: Former NYPD Commissioner and Hero to the MAGA Movement Bernard B. Kerik Has Died.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Former NYPD Commissioner Bernard B. Kerik has died at 69.

👥 Who’s Involved: Bernard Kerik, President Donald J. Trump, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and FBI Director Kash Patel.

📍 Where & When: Kerik’s passing was announced on May 29, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Today, we mourn the loss of Bernard B. Kerik, a warrior, a patriot, and one of the most courageous public servants this country has ever known. Bernie passed away tragically on May 29, 2025, after a private battle with illness,” Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director Kash Patel wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

IN FULL:

Bernard B. Kerik, the 40th Commissioner of the New York Police Department who rushed to Ground Zero on September 11, 2001, and was present with Mayor Rudy Giuliani when United Airlines Flight 175 hit the South Tower as he coordinated first responders, has passed away at 69. Kerik, with over four decades of service in law enforcement and a U.S. Army veteran, would go on to become one of President Donald J. Trump’s most vocal supporters.

“Today, we mourn the loss of Bernard B. Kerik, a warrior, a patriot, and one of the most courageous public servants this country has ever known. Bernie passed away tragically on May 29, 2025, after a private battle with illness,” Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Patel continued: “With over forty years of service in law enforcement and national security, he dedicated his life to protecting the American people. As the 40th Police Commissioner of New York City, Bernie led with strength and resolve in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, guiding the NYPD through one of the darkest chapters in our nation’s history.”

“He was decorated more than 100 times for bravery, valor, and service, having rescued victims from burning buildings, survived assassination attempts, and brought some of the world’s most dangerous criminals to justice,” Director Patel said, adding: “His legacy is not just in the medals or the titles, but in the lives he saved, the city he helped rebuild, and the country he served with honor.”

Image by Gage Skidmore. 

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By Popular Demand.
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China Cheers Britain’s Surrender of U.S. Base Islands to Ally Mauritius.

PULSE POINTS:

❓ What Happened: Communist China is celebrating British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s surrender of the Chagos Islands to its ally Mauritius as a “massive achievement,” contradicting Starmer’s claim that Beijing opposed it. The Indian Ocean archipelago hosts a strategic British-American military base.

👥 Who’s Involved: Keir Starmer, Chinese Ambassador Huang Shifang, Mauritius, and the U.S. military.

📍 Where & When: The British government signed the Chagos deal with Mauritius on May 22, although ratification is still pending.

💬 Key Quote: “China offers massive congratulations to Mauritius for securing the disputed territory,” Ambassador Huang Shifang said.

⚠️ Impact: Starmer’s deal weakens British and American security, hands China a strategic win, and undermines Trump’s America First stance by risking the Diego Garcia base’s integrity.

IN FULL:

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is celebrating British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s surrender of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, bolstering Beijing’s influence in the Indian Ocean at the expense of Western security. On May 27, 2025, China’s ambassador to Mauritius, Huang Shifang, hailed the agreement as a “massive achievement,” directly contradicting Starmer’s claim that Beijing opposed the transfer of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius.

Mauritius, aligned with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, will be paid billions of pounds by the British government for the privilege of taking the islands. This is in part to pay for a 99-year lease on the island of Diego Garcia, which hosts a major American military base alongside a small British contingent.

Speaking at the Chinese embassy in Mauritius, Ambassador Huang offered “massive congratulations” to Mauritius for securing the territory. She confirmed China “fully supports” Mauritius’s sovereignty push and revealed plans for the island nation to join the Belt and Road Initiative, a sprawling infrastructure project advancing Beijing’s global influence.

Huang also tied Mauritius’s Chagos claim to China’s One-China policy, drawing parallels between the Chagos dispute and China’s stance on Taiwan. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs echoed this, urging Mauritius to join Belt and Road “as soon as possible” to build a “China-Africa community with a shared future.”

Starmer’s deal, finalized on May 22, 2025, transfers sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, formally the British Indian Ocean Territory, to Mauritius along with £30 billion (~$40.5 billion) over 99 years, in exchange for a lease of Diego Garcia, where Britain was previously sovereign at no cost. However, the Diego Garcia base could now be undermined and potentially rendered redundant if Mauritius allows China to establish a base on another of the Chagos Islands nearby.

Starmer claimed the one-sided agreement was necessary to secure the base, after the International Court of Justice issued an opinion in favor of Mauritius’s territorial claims. However, the United Nations court’s opinion was non-binding and unenforceable, and Starmer was under no obligation to obey it. He also asserted that Britain’s allies supported the deal while “Russia, China, [and] Iran” opposed it, which has now been exposed as a lie by China’s enthusiastic endorsement.

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By Popular Demand.
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Trump Replacing DEI With ‘Merit-Based’ Hiring.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: The Trump administration is rolling out its Merit Hiring Plan for federal agencies, releasing new guidance on Thursday that replaces decades of DEI-style polices with one that focuses on applicants’ skills rather than their race or gender.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), federal agencies, federal hiring managers, and federal job applicants.

📍 Where & When: The policy was released on Thursday through guidance issued to agencies across the federal government.

⚠️ Impact: President Trump’s Merit Hiring Plan marks a significant shift in federal employment practices that will now focus on bringing high-skilled individuals for critical roles. The plan also ends race and gender based hiring practices that critics contend created discriminatory political constituencies inside the government workforce.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump‘s administration is set to unveil a new federal employment policy focused on merit-based hiring instead of the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements that have dominated government employment for decades. The new hiring guidance, released to federal agencies on Thursday by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), is believed to bar the consideration of race and gender in employment decisions.

Based on legislation adopted last year in Congress, and ushered through by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, the Merit Hiring Plan provides guidance for federal hiring and instructs agencies to consider relevant skills beyond just resume experience. Notably, this provision has long been pushed by conservative education activists and technology industry figures who contend that college education requirements lock out too many qualified individuals from the professional workforce.

Skill-based hiring evaluations will be made through interviews and relevant testing of applicants, though resumes and professional experience will still be considered determining factors in hiring decisions.

Additionally, federal agencies are being directed to continue collecting workforce demographic data. However, this data will no longer be released publicly and will merely be retained by the federal government to ensure its policies promote a workforce with diverse skills and professional qualifications.

Another significant change comes through guidance meant to speed up federal hiring processes. Federal interviewers will now ask applicants a more standardized set of questions rather than the previous more ad-hoc process. This is aimed at ensuring federal hirings take no longer than 80 days.

Once implemented, the federal government is expected to begin a more modest hiring period to restaff certain agencies. After being inaugurated in January, President Trump and his White House dismissed upwards of 140,000 federal workers through force reduction or employment buyouts. The Trump administration has indicated it could soon move forward with the dismissal of another 150,000 federal employees, while also bringing in new individuals to fill critical roles.

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By Popular Demand.
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Bongino Promises Decisive FBI Video on Epstein’s Death.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced the forthcoming release of video footage showing Jeffrey Epstein was alone in his jail cell before his death in 2019.

👥 Who’s Involved: Jeffrey Epstein, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, FBI Director Kash Patel, and unnamed correctional officers.

📍 Where & When: Metropolitan Correctional Center, New York City; Epstein was found dead on August 10, 2019.

💬 Key Quote: “There’s video clear as day, he’s the only person in there and the only person coming out,” said Bongino.

⚠️ Impact: The video aims to address ongoing speculation surrounding Epstein’s death and allegations of foul play.

IN FULL:

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Deputy Director Dan Bongino revealed Thursday that the agency plans to release video footage confirming that pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein was alone in his cell before his death in August 2019. Speaking on Fox & Friends, Bongino stated that the footage, recorded outside Epstein’s cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York, shows “clear as day” that no one else entered or exited the area.

“There’s video that when you look at it, and we will release it … you’re going to see there’s no one there but him,” Bongino said. He added that the FBI is preparing both an enhanced version and the original footage to ensure transparency.

Epstein, who had extensive connections to influential figures, was found dead on August 10, 2019. His death, ruled a suicide by hanging, came a month after his arrest on federal sex trafficking charges. The incident sparked widespread speculation, with some alleging Epstein was murdered due to his potential knowledge of crimes committed by people in positions of power.

Bongino acknowledged the unusual circumstances surrounding Epstein’s death but maintained that current evidence supports suicide. “There is no DNA, there’s no audio, there’s no fingerprints, there’s no suspects, there’s no accomplices, there’s no tips. There is nothing,” he emphasized.

The FBI’s announcement follows criticism of Bongino and FBI Director Kash Patel for previously stating there was “no evidence” to suggest Epstein was murdered. Bongino reiterated the bureau’s willingness to investigate credible leads but said the video evidence strongly supports the conclusion that Epstein acted alone.

Questions remain about Epstein’s removal from suicide watch just days after a prior attempt in July 2019. A Justice Department report indicated that a psychologist approved the decision. Additionally, two guards on duty the night of Epstein’s death reportedly failed to perform routine checks and allegedly fell asleep. A camera that should have captured Epstein’s cell door was reportedly malfunctioning.

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By Popular Demand.
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Illegals Charged After Death of 18-Year-Old Air Force Recruit Ava Moore.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: An 18-year-old U.S. Air Force recruit, Ava Moore, was killed by a jet ski on Grapevine Lake, Texas, over Memorial Day weekend.

👥 Who’s Involved: Venezuelan nationals Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez-Gonzalez, 22, and Maikel Coello Perozo, 21, both in the U.S. illegally, are facing charges related to the killing.

📍 Where & When: Grapevine Lake, Texas; May 25, 2023.

💬 Key Quote: “This criminal alien and her boyfriend will account for the tragic accident that ended the life of a young woman who exhibited enormous potential,” said Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Dallas Acting Field Office Director Josh Johnson.

⚠️ Impact: The case highlights ongoing concerns about illegal immigration and public safety. Notably, Gonzalez appears to have attempted to flee the scene after the fatal collision.

IN FULL:

Two Venezuelan nationals, both in the U.S. illegally, are now facing criminal charges following the death of 18-year-old Ava Moore, a U.S. Air Force recruit, in a jet ski collision on Grapevine Lake, Texas, over Memorial Day weekend.

Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez-Gonzalez, 22, was arrested on May 27 and charged with second-degree felony manslaughter. Authorities allege that Gonzalez was operating the jet ski that struck Moore as she kayaked near Oak Grove Park on May 25. Witnesses reported that the jet ski was being driven recklessly along the shoreline before the crash.

After the collision, Gonzalez allegedly fled the scene in a vehicle driven by 21-year-old Maikel Coello Perozo, who is now charged with hindering apprehension. The pair were apprehended following a standoff at a residence in the Dallas area.

According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Gonzalez entered the U.S. illegally on September 28, 2022, but was released the same day with a Notice to Appear. Coello reportedly entered the country illegally in January 2023 but was also released pending an immigration hearing.

“This criminal alien and her boyfriend will account for the tragic accident that ended the life of a young woman who exhibited enormous potential,” stated Josh Johnson, acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Dallas.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R), who has taken state-level measures to crack down on illegal immigration and those in the country unlawfully who commit violent crimes, wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) following the fatal crash: “Welcome to Texas. Here’s your death penalty.”

The U.S. Air Force Academy remembered Moore as a driven individual with leadership potential. “Her constant happiness and attitude helped her squadron get through the challenges of the Prep School,” said Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, Superintendent of the Academy.

Moore had been visiting her family in North Texas for the holiday weekend when she was killed.

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By Popular Demand.
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Trump Rejects CBS Offer to Settle $20bn Election Interference Lawsuit.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump rejected a $15 million settlement offer from CBS News in his $20 billion election interference lawsuit, demanding $25 million and a public apology for a deceptively edited Kamala Harris interview in 2024.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, CBS News, Paramount Global, Skydance Media, and the FCC.

📍 Where & When: Arbitration negotiations, with the rejection reported on May 29, 2025.

⚠️ Impact: Trump’s hardline stance may disrupt CBS’s plans for an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, which requires FCC approval.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump has rejected a $15 million settlement offer from CBS News in his $20 billion election interference lawsuit against them. The America First leader, who initially filed a $10 billion suit late last year before doubling it, is demanding at least $25 million and an apology for election meddling in 2024.

The lawsuit stems from CBS’s 60 Minutes broadcast during the 2024 presidential race, where the network deceptively edited an interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris to make her appear more coherent. By removing a previously previewed “word salad” response about Israel from their final broadcast and interview transcript, CBS is alleged to have deceived the public and violated its duty to report honestly on publicly owned airwaves.

The rejection comes as Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company, is desperate to finalize an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media—a deal that requires Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval. Skydance will not move forward until the lawsuit is settled.

Moreover, Trump is reportedly considering a second suit—this time for defamation—after a recent 60 Minutes segment compared him to a “mob boss.”

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By Popular Demand.
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BREAKING: Federal Appeals Court Reinstates Trump Tariffs.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: A federal appeals court has, for now, reinstated President Donald J. Trump’s 10 percent global tariff and reciprocal tariffs after temporarily staying a lower court decision striking down the trade duties.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the United States Court of International Trade (CIT).

📍 Where & When: The stay order was handed down by the federal appellate court on Thursday, May 29, 2025, while the CIT struck down Trump’s tariffs late Wednesday evening.

💬 Key Quote: The circuit court wrote  that the lower court decision is “temporarily stayed until further notice while this court considers the motions papers.”

⚠️ Impact: President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs will remain in effect until at least June 9 pending a hearing before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

IN FULL:

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is staying a lower court decision that struck down President Donald J. Trump‘s “Liberation Day” tariffs pending a future hearing set for June 9. In filing the motion for the stay, the Trump administration indicated that if the motion were not granted, it would seek an emergency hearing before the United States Supreme Court. The circuit court wrote  that the lower court decision is “temporarily stayed until further notice while this court considers the motions papers.”

Late Wednesday evening, the United States Court of International Trade (CIT) handed down a ruling enjoining President Donald J. Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, which include his reciprocal tariffs—mostly paused—and a 10 percent global tariff. This decision effectively barred the federal government from collecting tariff revenues. Additionally, the ruling appears to have instructed the Trump White House to return tariff duties already collected, which are in the tens of billions of dollars.

The CIT ruling determines that President Trump’s emergency declaration under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which provided the legal underpinning for the “Liberation Day” tariffs, exceeded his presidential authority.

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By Popular Demand.
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