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January 18, 2024
Ed Kozak
News

E. Jean Carroll Just Testified To Owning an Illegal Firearm and Ammo in New York State.

Anti-Trump columnist E. Jean Carroll appeared to confess to owning an illegal firearm and ammunition during court proceedings in New York on Wednesday. Carroll – who is demanding more cash from former President Donald J. Trump as a result of his continued denial over her sexual abuse claims – was asked by Trump lawyer Alina Habba: “You have a gun – do you have a license?”

“No,” Carroll replied, which appears to be a breach of the law of New York State, where Carroll resides. If Carroll has committed a crime, it ranks as a class E felony in the State of New York, punishable by up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

Habba then attempted to press Carroll on her awareness of state laws, to which Judge Kaplan appeared to come to Carroll’s defense, shooting back, “Don’t even start.”

Undeterred, Habba continued her line of questioning, asking Carroll if she had bullets for the gun and if she lived in the State of New York. Carroll answered “yes” to both questions.

Judge Kaplan’s attempt to shut down Habba’s line of questioning only adds to concerns about the judge’s political bias.

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2 minutes ago
Economy

Even the Fed’s Top Inflation Hawk Is Now Calling for Rate Cuts… in July!

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller suggested that interest rates could be lowered as early as next month due to reduced inflationary concerns and the possibility of a slowdown in the U.S. job market.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Comments made during a CNBC interview on June 20, 2025, following the FOMC’s Wednesday rate announcement.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Why do we want to wait until we actually see a crash before we start cutting rates?” – Christopher Waller.

🎯IMPACT: The Federal Reserve remains divided on the timing of rate cuts, with President Trump clashing with Chairman Powell over his refusal to cut rates.

IN FULL

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller stated on Friday that he believes interest rate cuts could begin as early as next month, citing diminished inflation concerns. Waller emphasized the need to act proactively to avoid a potential downturn in the labor market.

“I think we’re in the position that we could do this and as early as July,” Waller said during the interview on Friday. He added, “Why do we want to wait until we actually see a crash before we start cutting rates?” His remarks come after the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the internal body within the Federal Reserve that sets interest rates, unanimously voted to hold its key interest rate steady, marking the fourth consecutive hold since the last rate cut in December.

President Donald J. Trump, who nominated Waller as a governor during his first term, has consistently called for significant rate cuts to ease borrowing costs on the national debt, which stands at $36 trillion. Trump has suggested that the benchmark rate should be at least two percentage points and possibly even 2.5 percentage points below the current level of 4.33 percent (an average of the rate range of 4.25 to 4.5 percent). Waller’s shift on rates is unusual, as the 66-year-old economist has for some time been seen as one of the central bank’s more ardent inflation hawks.

Despite Waller’s advocacy for rate cuts, the FOMC remains divided. According to the “dot plot” of individual officials’ expectations, seven out of 19 participants expect rates to remain steady this year, while the others foresee one to three cuts. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell has maintained a wait-and-see approach, citing claims Trump’s tariffs will increase inflation, but the labor market is holding steady and inflation remains under control.

Waller argued for gradual cuts to minimize unforeseen issues. “You’d want to start slow and bring them down, just to make sure that there’s no big surprises. But start the process. That’s the key thing,” he said. Futures market pricing indicates little expectation of a rate cut at the upcoming July meeting, with the next move anticipated in September.

Image by Rafael Saldana.

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By Popular Demand.
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39 minutes ago
Crime
Immigration

Assaults on ICE Agents Have Surged 500%.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are facing a 500 percent increase in assaults while conducting deportation enforcement operations, according to new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: ICE agents, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, and Democrat politicians, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Recent weeks across the United States, including cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, and Portland.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Every day the men and women of ICE put their lives on the line to protect and defend the lives of American citizens,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

🎯IMPACT: The assaults and anti-ICE rhetoric have coincided with pro-illegal immigrant riots and protests in several cities, raising concerns about the safety of ICE agents and the enforcement of immigration laws.

IN FULL

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released new data revealing that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are facing a 500 percent increase in assaults as they attempt to carry out deportation enforcement operations across the United States. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, “Today, the Department of Homeland Security released new data revealing that ICE law enforcement is now facing a 500 percent increase in assaults while carrying out enforcement operations.”

McLaughlin highlighted a recent case involving Roberto Carlos Munoz, a convicted child sex offender who entered the U.S. illegally. Munoz dragged an ICE agent 50 yards with his car while trying to evade arrest.

McLaughlin emphasized the daily risks ICE agents face, saying, “Every day the men and women of ICE put their lives on the line to protect and defend the lives of American citizens.” She also criticized Democrat politicians for their rhetoric, which she described as contributing to the surge in assaults. “Make no mistake, Democrat politicians like Hakeem Jeffries, Mayor Wu of Boston, Governor Tim Walz, and Mayor Bass of Los Angeles are contributing to the surge in assaults of our ICE officers through their repeated vilification and demonization of ICE,” McLaughlin added.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu (D) and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) have previously compared ICE to the Nazis, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) threatened to expose the identities of ICE agents. Jeffries recently stated, “Every single ICE agent who is engaged in this aggressive overreach and are trying to hide their identities from the American people will be unsuccessful in doing that … every single one of them, no matter what it takes, no matter how long it takes will of course be identified.” This would expose ICE personnel and their families to possible reprisals from far-left extremists and terrorist and organized crime groups, such as the cartels.

In addition to the surge in assaults, protests against ICE have escalated, with some turning into riots in cities such as Los Angeles, Seattle, and Portland. However, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled unanimously Thursday evening that President Donald J. Trump has the authority to federalize California’s National Guard to protect federal agents, including ICE personnel, and federal property.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
Wake Up Right
Immigration
Lawfare

Newsom’s National Guard Lawfare Suit Against Trump Got Thrown Out Unanimously.

President Donald J. Trump scored a YUGE legal victory over California Governor Gavin Newsom in their battle over the National Guard.

The details: The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously yesterday that President Trump has the authority to federalize California’s National Guard, rejecting a lawsuit brought by Gov. Newsom.

  • The panel, which included a Biden appointee, found the president has broad authority over the Guard under existing precedent.
  • Newsom’s claim that Trump acted unlawfully by not consulting him was dismissed—the court said the President is not legally required to do so.

Key quote: In their decision, the court wrote: “Newsom had no power to veto or countermand the President’s order.” Ouch…

Back up: Trump federalized the California National Guard earlier this month when anti-ICE riots broke out in Los Angeles.

Trump takes a victory lap: The President wrote on Truth Social:

  • “BIG WIN… The Judges obviously realized that Gavin Newscum is incompetent and ill prepared, but this is much bigger than Gavin, because all over the United States, if our Cities, and our people, need protection, we are the ones to give it to them…”

What happens next: Newsom can appeal to the Supreme Court. But for now, this is a devastating blow to his “resistance” movement.

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President Donald J. Trump scored a YUGE legal victory over California Governor Gavin Newsom in their battle over the National Guard. show more
By Popular Demand.
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15 hours ago
Lauren Gallagher
News

Trump Is Shuttering This LGBTQ-Only Hotline So Americans in Crisis Get Equal Treatment.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration is shuttering the LGBTQ+ youth-specific “Press 3” option from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to consolidate services for all callers regardless of age or identity.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Trump administration, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Trevor Project.

📍WHEN & WHERE: United States, June 2025

💬KEY QUOTE: White House Office of Management and Budget spokesman Rachel Cauley said taxpayer dollars should not fund “a chat service where children are encouraged to embrace radical gender ideology by ‘counselors’ without consent or knowledge of their parents.”

🎯IMPACT: The move aims to reduce wait times while ensuring all Americans in crisis receive equal access to mental health support without ideological filters.

IN FULL

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will remove its LGBTQ+ youth-only “Press 3” call option on July 17, 2025. The change, authorized by the Trump administration, is designed to integrate all callers into the same counseling track to streamline mental health crisis response and ensure equal treatment.

The “Press 3” option was introduced in 2022 as a pilot program under a government contract with the controversial Trevor Project. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) explained that services will continue uninterrupted and that trained counselors will remain available for all crisis types, including suicidal ideation, substance misuse, or emotional distress. The agency clarified that the change will not remove help but ensure it is offered to everyone equally, without resources being dedicated only to one group in particular.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ 2026 proposed budget formally ends funding for LGBT youth-only hotline options. White House Office of Management and Budget spokesman Rachel Cauley defended the move, stating taxpayer dollars should not fund “a chat service where children are encouraged to embrace radical gender ideology by ‘counselors’ without consent or knowledge of their parents.”

Supporters of the decision argue that every caller now gets immediate access to a crisis counselor without ideological filtering or identity-based routing, streamlining response time, eliminating confusion, and reaffirming the hotline’s core mission of suicide prevention for all Americans, regardless of background or belief.

Image bv Lê Huỳnh Bộ.

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By Popular Demand.
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16 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

Chinese Student Convicted Over International Rape Spree.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Chinese PhD student, Zhenhao Zou, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 22 years and 227 days after being convicted of drugging and raping 10 women in London, England, and his native China. Evidence suggests there are dozens of additional victims.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Zhenhao Zou, a 28-year-old student, and his victims, three of whom have been identified, with police suspecting many more.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Crimes occurred between September 2019 and May 2023 in London and China; sentencing took place at Inner London Crown Court on Thursday, June 19.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The sheer scale of his offending, which spanned two countries, makes him one of the most prolific predators we have ever seen.” – Detective Inspector Richard Mackenzie

🎯IMPACT: Zou’s case highlights ongoing concerns related to migrant crime across the Western world, where foreign nationals have been convicted of offenses from burglary, to rape, to murder.

IN FULL

Zhenhao Zou, a 28-year-old Chinese PhD student, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 22 years and 227 days for drugging and raping 10 women across London, England, and China. The Inner London Crown Court heard that Zou filmed nine of the rapes and kept a trophy box of his victims’ belongings, with police fearing the actual number of victims could be far higher.

Judge Rosina Cottage described Zou as a “very bright young man” who used a “charming mask” to manipulate and hide his predatory behavior. She added that his crimes had “devastating and long-term effects” on the victims. Zou was convicted of 11 counts of rape, three counts of voyeurism, and several related charges, including possession of sedative drugs with intent to commit sexual offenses.

Detective Inspector Richard Mackenzie noted, “The sheer scale of his offending, which spanned two countries, makes him one of the most prolific predators we have ever seen.” Zou, who lived in London as an international engineering student, targeted fellow Chinese students through WeChat and dating apps, inviting them to his flat where he would drug and assault them.

One victim, in her impact statement, said, “I have lost faith in human beings, I have no trust in others. Before this incident, I was not aware that a human could do such evil things.” Another victim described being “haunted” by nightmares of Zou’s actions, stating, “What happened that night is etched into my soul forever.” Scotland Yard revealed that 24 additional women have come forward following media coverage of Zou’s trial, believing they may have been his victims.

Commander Kevin Southworth of the Metropolitan Police encouraged other potential victims to come forward, assuring them they would be treated with “empathy, kindness, and respect.” Police have video evidence of 50 additional victims that they are still attempting to trace, and at least 24 women have already come forward in the wake of his conviction.

In the U.S., the Trump administration is currently moving to increase the vetting of foreign students, particularly from China, who often have ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

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By Popular Demand.
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16 hours ago
Immigration
News

WATCH: Hundreds Storm ICE Field Office, Attack Feds With Fireworks, Blinding Lasers.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Around 250 pro-illegal immigrant rioters stormed a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Portland, Oregon, targeting federal law enforcement with fireworks and lasers.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Protesters, federal agents, and ICE officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: June 2025, at an ICE field office in Portland, Oregon.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We won’t sit idly by and watch these cowards.” – Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

🎯IMPACT: Increased scrutiny of agitators targeting federal immigration enforcement efforts, bolstered by National Guard and regular military forces deployed by President Donald J. Trump.

IN FULL

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that 250 protesters stormed a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Portland, Oregon, launching fireworks and using lasers to blind federal agents. The incident drew significant attention due to the level of violence involved.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin described the event as a “violent targeting” of federal law enforcement. “Last night, Portland rioters violently targeted federal law enforcement—250 rioters launched fireworks, shined lasers in officers’ eyes to temporarily blind them, and stormed an ICE field office,” she stated. “We won’t sit idly by and watch these cowards,” she vowed.

According to the Portland Police Bureau, arrests were made during the chaos. Eduardo Diaz, 22, was detained for allegedly pointing a laser at officers while wearing a ballistic vest and gas mask. He was charged with Unlawful Directing of Light from a Laser Pointer. Another individual, Mariana M. Rivera-Loza, 19, was arrested for trespassing in a restricted area.

Federal agents responded to the attack using flashbang devices and pepperballs. McLaughlin emphasized the challenges faced by law enforcement, citing a 413 percent increase in assaults on officers. “ICE and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” she warned.

This incident is just the latest act of violence by far-left extremists against federal agents—a particular problem in Portland, where Antifa members have been mainly shielded from prosecutions at the local level by leftist officials in recent years.

WATCH:

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By Popular Demand.
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17 hours ago
Crime
News

Border Patrol Found a Massive Tunnel From Tijuana to the U.S.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Border Patrol agents discovered a sophisticated cross-border smuggling tunnel connecting California to Tijuana, Mexico.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Mexican law enforcement officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The tunnel was discovered in April under the Otay Mesa Port of Entry in San Diego, with its entrance in Mexico finally discovered earlier this week.

💬KEY QUOTE: “As we continue to strengthen the nation’s air and maritime border security, it’s not surprising that foreign terrorist organizations would resort to underground routes.” – Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey D. Stalnaker.

🎯IMPACT: The discovery highlights ongoing dangers to the U.S. at the southern border and the Trump administration’s efforts to crack down on them.

IN FULL

Border Patrol agents in San Diego, California, have uncovered a sophisticated smuggling tunnel connecting California to Tijuana, Mexico. The tunnel, which reportedly extended over 1,000 feet into the U.S., was discovered by the San Diego Sector Tunnel Team in April under the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.

The tunnel, still under construction, included a rail track for moving cargo, as well as electrical wiring, lighting, and ventilation systems. According to officials, the passage was about 50 feet underground at its deepest point and measured 42 inches in height and 28 inches in width.

Jeffrey D. Stalnaker, Acting Chief Patrol Agent of the San Diego Sector, stated, “As we continue to strengthen the nation’s air, and maritime border security, it’s not surprising that foreign terrorist organizations would resort to underground routes.” He emphasized the importance of disrupting narcotics smuggling tunnels to safeguard American lives.

Agents encountered makeshift barriers designed to hinder their movement south through the tunnel. However, earlier this week, they identified a possible exit point in Mexico and coordinated with Mexican law enforcement, who later executed a search warrant at a residence in Nueva Tijuana. The tunnel’s entrance was found concealed under freshly laid tile.

Officials believe the tunnel was intended to transport large quantities of drugs into the United States. This discovery comes amidst ongoing efforts to address cross-border smuggling, including legislation passed by the House of Representatives in March requiring annual reports to Congress on such tunnels.

While President Donald J. Trump‘s tougher border policy has led to a massive decline in illegal immigration, drug smuggling remains a problem at the southern border. Last month, a woman was caught smuggling enough fentanyl in her body to easily kill her if the package had leaked in any way.

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By Popular Demand.
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18 hours ago
News

Drill, Baby, Drill: Trump to Unlock 82% of Alaskan Petroleum Reserve.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Interior (DOI) has proposed reopening up to 82 percent of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A) for oil and gas leasing and development.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Department of Interior, Acting Assistant Secretary Adam Suess, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and the American Petroleum Institute (API).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The draft analysis was released on June 17, 2025. The NPR-A spans 23 million acres in Alaska.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Under President Trump’s leadership, we’re cutting red tape and restoring commonsense policies that ensure responsible development and good stewardship of our public lands.” – Adam Suess.

🎯IMPACT: The proposal aims to boost domestic energy production, create jobs, and reduce dependence on foreign oil while reversing Biden-era restrictions.

IN FULL

The Department of the Interior (DOI) has released a draft analysis proposing reopening up to 82 percent of the 23-million-acre National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A) to oil and gas leasing. Initially set aside as an emergency oil supply for the U.S. Navy in 1923, the reserve was transferred to the DOI’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in 1976.

In 2022, the Biden government closed nearly half of the NPR-A to oil and gas drilling, reversing policies from the first Trump administration aimed at boosting energy development. The new DOI proposal reverses these restrictions as part of President Donald J. Trump’s policy push toward regulatory reform and “unleashing American energy dominance.”

Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Adam Suess emphasized the importance of the plan, stating, “Under President Trump’s leadership, we’re cutting red tape and restoring commonsense policies that ensure responsible development and good stewardship of our public lands.” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum criticized a second 2024 Biden-era rule—which closed even more of the NPR-A to drilling—as prioritizing “obstruction over production” and undermining energy independence.

The Biden government’s 2024 rule had closed approximately 11 million acres of the reserve to oil and gas extraction and restricted construction on an additional two million acres. The DOI’s latest proposal includes rescinding both the 2022 and  2024 Biden-era rules. “Congress was clear: the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska was set aside to support America’s energy security through responsible development,” Burgum stated.

The American Petroleum Institute (API)—the largest U.S. trade association for the oil and gas industry—welcomed the move, calling the Biden regulations “misguided.”

Image by Malcolm Manners.

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By Popular Demand.
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18 hours ago
Economy
War

Iran Is Poised to Shut a Vital Shipping Route, Here’s What That Could Mean:

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Iran has warned it may shut the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit route, if the U.S. intervenes in its conflict with Israel.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Senior Iranian officials, including Ali Yazdikhah and Behnam Saeedi, along with U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Statements were made on Wednesday and Thursday, with escalating tensions in the Middle East and discussions in Washington, D.C., and Geneva.

💬KEY QUOTE: “If the United States officially and operationally enters the war in support of the Zionists, it is the legitimate right of Iran to disrupt their oil trade’s ease of transit.” – Ali Yazdikhah, a senior Iranian lawmaker.

🎯IMPACT: A closure of the Strait of Hormuz could disrupt global oil markets, prompt a strong military response from regional powers like Saudi Arabia, and escalate the conflict further.

IN FULL

Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for global oil transit, if the United States becomes directly involved in its conflict with Israel. Ali Yazdikhah, a senior Iranian lawmaker, stated, “If the United States officially and operationally enters the war in support of the Zionists, it is the legitimate right of Iran to disrupt their oil trade’s ease of transit.”

Behnam Saeedi, a member of Iran’s National Security Committee presidium, echoed this, saying that closing the strait is “one of the potential options.” The remarks come as tensions rise in the region, with U.S. President Donald J. Trump weighing the possibility of military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime passage that handles approximately 26 percent of the world’s oil trade. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that any disruption to the flow of oil through the strait would have significant consequences for global markets. Historically, Iran has demonstrated its capacity to threaten shipping in the strait, using tactics such as deploying mines and targeting oil tankers during the Iran-Iraq War. Notably, if Iran were to deploy a significant number of mines in the strait’s waters, it could effectively close the passage to ships for the foreseeable future.

Recent satellite photos and shipping analysis indicate that Iran is rapidly moving to fill its oil tanker fleet and disperse it well outside the Persian Gulf and into the open ocean. A bulk of the shipping traffic moving through the Strait of Hormuz in recent days is attributed to the Iranian oil tanker fleet departing the country’s primary petroleum storage hub, Kharg Island. Consequently, satellite images of Kharg Island show its oil storage containers all to be near capacity, suggesting Iran intends to fill and disperse as many tanker ships in its fleet as possible before it makes a possible move to mine the waters of the strait.

During Thursday’s White House press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read a statement from President Trump, laying out a timeline for potential U.S. action: “Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.”  Meanwhile, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned late Wednesday, “The Americans should know that any U.S. military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage.”

Diplomatic efforts remain ongoing, with Germany, France, and Britain set to meet Iranian officials in Geneva on Friday for nuclear talks.

Image via Tasnim News Agency.

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By Popular Demand.
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19 hours ago
Christopher Tomlinson
NatSec

Warrior Ethos: Navy Smashes Recruitment Targets Under Trump, Hegseth.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Navy announced it has fulfilled its recruitment goals months ahead of schedule, following a similar announcement from the Army earlier this year.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Navy, Navy Secretary John Phelan, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made on June 18, on X.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Those in uniform today are sailing forward, and the next generation is already preparing to take the watch. To our newest sailors, welcome to the fleet.” — Navy Secretary John Phelan.

🎯IMPACT: The recruitment surge shows the positive effects of President Trump’s policies toward the Armed Forces.

IN FULL

The U.S. Navy has announced that it has already met its recruitment goals three months ahead of schedule, just weeks after the U.S. Army made a similar announcement. Navy Secretary John Phelan announced on June 18 that the Navy had added 40,600 new sailors to its ranks.

“This milestone reflects more than numbers. It reflects the drive of our recruiters, the innovation of our team, and the courage of thousands of Americans who stepped forward to serve,” Phelan said. “Those in uniform today are sailing forward, and the next generation is already preparing to take the watch. To our newest sailors, welcome to the fleet,” he added.

The announcement comes after the Army stated earlier this year that it had met recruitment goals months ahead of schedule, with 61,000 fresh recruits recorded.

Under the prior Biden regime, U.S. military branches struggled with recruitment goals, partly due to a shift to focusing on woke issues and diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) policies. For instance, the Army missed recruitment goals by 25 percent in 2022. The situation was exacerbated by Biden having unvaccinated servicemen discharged by the thousands.

Current Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced earlier this year that he was more interested in reviving the Armed Forces’ “warrior ethos” and scrapped DEI policies. He also moved to reenlist veterans removed from service for declining to be injected with COVID-19 vaccines.

President Donald J. Trump organized a massive parade last weekend for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army, underscoring his administration’s appreciation for the nation’s military.

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