The former House Select Committee on January 6 deleted 117 encrypted files days before Republicans took control of Congress, a forensic investigation by the Committee on House Administration’s Subcommittee on Oversight found.
The Subcommittee on Oversight, led by Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga), is currently tasked with investigating January 6 and was supposed to receive over four terabytes of data from the now-defunct Democract-led January 6 committee, helmed by Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss). However, Loudermilk’s committee received hard drives containing less than three terabytes of data. This led the Subcommittee on Oversight to hire a digital forensics team to investigate what information was withheld. The team discovered that 117 files were encrypted and deleted on January 1, 2023, only days before Thompson’s committee was supposed to hand the files over to Loudermilk.
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Although the missing files have been recovered, the majority are password-protected and cannot currently be accessed, Loudermilk explained in a letter to Thompson demanding that the passwords be handed over. Loudermilk has also sent letters to the White House and Department of Homeland Security requesting “unedited and unredacted transcripts” of testimony given to the January 6 Committee.
“It’s obvious that Pelosi’s Select Committee went to great lengths to prevent Americans from seeing certain documents produced in their investigation. It also appears that Bennie Thompson and Liz Cheney intended to obstruct our Subcommittee by failing to preserve critical information and videos as required by House rules,” Loudermilk said in a statement given to Fox News Digital. “The American people deserve to know the full truth, and Speaker Johnson has empowered me to use all tools necessary to recover these documents to get the truth, and I will.”
Loudermilk previously revealed that video depositions of witnesses for the January 6 Committee were destroyed.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: The federal government’s budget deficit significantly shrank over the second quarter of the fiscal year, according to data released by the U.S. Treasury Department, suggesting the U.S. fiscal situation will continue improving.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessentt, and the U.S. Treasury Department.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: Bessent highlighted the data on Wednesday, October 17, as part of the Treasury Department’s Monthly Treasury Statement.
💬KEY QUOTE: “The budget deficit began to shrink dramatically beginning in the second quarter of this year when there was no overlap with the Biden administration. From April to September, the cumulative deficit totaled just $468 billion. This is the lowest reading since 2019 and is down nearly 40 percent from the comparable period last year when Biden was spending recklessly.” — Secretary Bessent
🎯IMPACT: The Treasury Department contends that if tariff revenues and current fiscal restraint measures are maintained, the federal government’s deficit-to-GDP ratio will fall below four percent, a number largely seen as acceptable in terms of an annual fiscal loss.
IN FULL
The federal government’s budget deficit significantly shrank over the second quarter of the fiscal year, according to data released by the U.S. Treasury Department. Fueled by increased government revenues, including historic levels of money coming into the Treasury Department from President Donald J. Trump’s tariff policies, the second quarter deficit reading was the lowest in over half a decade.
“President Trump is taking control of unwieldy government spending to get the U.S. fiscal house in order. In response, financial markets have cheered the President’s accomplishments, with benchmark Treasury yields making new intra-year lows,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday, noting: “The budget deficit began to shrink dramatically beginning in the second quarter of this year when there was no overlap with the Biden administration. From April to September, the cumulative deficit totaled just $468 billion. This is the lowest reading since 2019 and is down nearly 40 percent from the comparable period last year when Biden was spending recklessly.”
The budget deficit began to shrink dramatically beginning in the second quarter of this year when there was no overlap with the Biden administration. From April to September, the cumulative deficit totaled just $468 billion. This is the lowest reading since 2019 and is down… pic.twitter.com/6L7HslW03c
— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) October 22, 2025
The overall budget deficit for the 2025 fiscal year was $41 billion below last year’s total, though the federal government still added $1.77 trillion to the national debt, which remains a serious economic and political concern. However, the Treasury Department points to other government data showing a considerable improvement in federal outlays, which are largely outpaced by revenue, suggesting the U.S. fiscal situation will likely continue improving. In the second quarter, federal outlays rose by just 0.2 percent compared to the previous year, while in the third quarter, government spending fell by 2.5 percent.
Last month, the federal government reported a budget surplus of $198 billion, a nearly $118 billion increase from the $80 billion surplus widely touted by the former Biden government for September 2024. The Treasury Department contends that if tariff revenues and current fiscal restraint measures are maintained, the federal government’s deficit-to-GDP ratio will fall below four percent, a number largely considered acceptable for an annual fiscal loss.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Thousands of Irish citizens protested outside a migrant hotel in Dublin after reports surfaced that an asylum seeker had sexually assaulted a ten-year-old girl.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Protesters, the Irish police (Gardai), and a 26-year-old migrant accused of the assault.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The night of October 21 at the Citywest Hotel in Saggart, Dublin, Ireland.
💬KEY QUOTE: “This was obviously not a peaceful protest. The actions this evening can only be described as thuggery.” – Police Commissioner Justin Kelly.
🎯IMPACT: Six arrests were made, a police vehicle was set on fire, and tensions over Ireland’s migrant policies have escalated.
IN FULL
Thousands of protesters gathered outside the Citywest Hotel in southwest Dublin, Ireland, on Tuesday night, following reports that a ten-year-old girl had been sexually assaulted by an asylum seeker housed at the facility. The demonstration quickly turned violent, with members of the crowd throwing bricks, bottles, and fireworks at police. An Irish police vehicle was set on fire during the unrest.
Around 2,000 people joined the protest, which was met by a deployment of 300 Gardaí (Irish police) in riot gear. A water cannon was used in an effort to disperse the crowd, as some protesters wielded pitchforks and garden tools while chanting “GET THEM OUT!” in reference to the migrants staying at the hotel. Police Commissioner Justin Kelly described the event as “thuggery,” saying, “This was obviously not a peaceful protest. The actions this evening can only be described as thuggery.”
The Citywest Hotel, Ireland’s largest, was recently purchased by the government for approximately $162 million to serve as a permanent accommodation centre for migrants. The decision has faced strong opposition from locals, with ongoing protests and a petition gathering thousands of signatures.
Scenes of unrest unfolded as thousands gathered outside Citywest asylum hub in response to the alleged sexual assault of a child by an asylum seeker. pic.twitter.com/eylIDVzeIl
The alleged assault occurred between Sunday night and early Monday morning. The suspect, a 26-year-old migrant whose asylum application had been rejected last year, with a deportation order issued earlier in 2025. However, he was not actually removed from the country.
The man required an Arabic interpreter during court proceedings. The young girl, who was in state care, had reportedly wandered away from her guardians during an outing in central Dublin before encountering the suspect.
Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan condemned the protest. “The weaponising of a crime by people who wish to sow dissent in our society is not unexpected,” he said.
The unrest follows a pattern of similar incidents across Ireland over the past two years. In November 2023, violent riots erupted in Dublin after a migrant was accused of stabbing three children and a woman outside a school. Smaller towns and villages have also seen pushback over large-scale migrant placements, with local residents citing strained public services and lack of consultation.
Thousands gathered outside Citywest. Garda POU being hammered by glass and other objects. pic.twitter.com/T4yCzLjSv0
❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal judge issued an order to bar U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from making arrests at courthouses without a warrant.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey Cummings and ICE agents.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Recently in Cook County, Illinois.
💬KEY QUOTE: “The fair administration of justice requires that courts remain open and accessible, and that litigants and witnesses may appear without fear of civil arrest.” – Judge Jeffrey Cummings
🎯IMPACT: ICE agents are restricted from making “collateral arrests” at courthouses, impacting their operations.
IN FULL
U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey Cummings, appointed to the bench by former President Joe Biden, has issued an order barring U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from arresting illegal immigrants inside the Cook County courthouse in downtown Chicago, Illinois, unless they can produce a warrant. The legally and ethically dubious directive follows a number of arrests executed by ICE both inside and near several Chicago-area courthouses.
“The fair administration of justice requires that courts remain open and accessible, and that litigants and witnesses may appear without fear of civil arrest,” Judge Cummings wrote, continuing: “One thing seems clear: ICE rousted American citizens from their apartments during the middle of the night and detained them—in zip ties no less—for far longer than the ‘brief’ period authorized by the operative regulation.”
Cummings’s order aims explicitly to prevent ICE agents from making so-called “collateral arrests,” where immigration enforcement agents executing an arrest warrant also detain other illegal immigrants present in or near the courthouse. The Democrat-appointed judge threatened that he would back the directive by ordering the arrest of any ICE agent who violates it.
In response, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the actions of ICE agents, arguing that courthouses should not be exempt from law enforcement activities. “We aren’t some medieval kingdom; there are no legal sanctuaries where you can hide and avoid the consequences for breaking the law,” DHS stated. “Nothing in the Constitution prohibits arresting a lawbreaker where you find them.”
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Two of the largest alleged H-1B visa mills, Cognizant and Tata Consultancy Services, appear to be backing away from their practice of employing unusually high numbers of foreign workers after President Donald J. Trump imposed a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Cognizant, Tata Consultancy Services, foreign workers, and American workers.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The shift in hiring practices comes after President Trump issued an Executive Order in September, instituting the new application fee.
💬KEY QUOTE: “On H-1B, we have significantly localized our workforce in the U.S. We believe our business model will be able to adapt quickly to any changes in immigration policy.” — Sudeep Kunnumal, Tata’s chief human resources officer
🎯IMPACT: The change in hiring behavior by Cognizant and Tata suggests the Trump administration’s H-1B application fee is having its desired effect, pushing companies in the U.S. away from being overly reliant on foreign labor and towards hiring Americans.
IN FULL
Several top U.S. employers are halting sponsorships for H-1B visas for non-technical positions after President Donald J. Trump issued an Executive Order in September imposing a $100,000 fee on all new visa applications. Notably, two major alleged H-1B visa mills, Cognizant and Tata Consultancy Services, are among the firms moving away from an over-reliance on cheap foreign labor.
“On H-1B, we have significantly localized our workforce in the U.S.,” said Tata’s chief human resources officer, Sudeep Kunnumal, on a recent earnings call. He added: “We believe our business model will be able to adapt quickly to any changes in immigration policy.”
The Trump administration’s new application fee likely had a direct impact on the company’s decision to move away from reliance on cheaper foreign labor, as data shows the multinational IT firm is one of the largest sponsors of H-1B visas.
Meanwhile, Cognizant—another IT consultancy firm founded in India along with Tata—has begun stating on new job postings that it will “only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship.”
The Trump White House has defended the unusually high fee compared to past administrations as necessary to encourage companies to focus on training and expanding the American labor force and its skill base.
Last week, The National Pulse reported that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a major globalist lobbying entity representing 300,000 corporate interests, had filed a federal lawsuit calling in the $100,000 fee. “Many members of the U.S. Chamber are bracing for the need to scale back or entirely walk away from the H-1B program, to the detriment of their investors, customers, and their own existing employees,” the Chamber complained in its filing.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: A boat migrant deported from Britain to France under a contentious “one out, one in” deal with the French government has returned to Britain on another small boat.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Britain’s Home Office, French authorities, and illegal immigrants.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The returns deal was announced earlier this year, with the latest developments reported this week in Britain and France.
💬KEY QUOTE: “If I had felt that France was safe for me, I would never have returned to the UK.” – Anonymous migrant
🎯IMPACT: The migrant’s return raises further questions about the efficacy of the “one out, one in” deal, which was already under fire for covering only a small number of migrants while illegal crossings have remained in the thousands.
IN FULL
A boat migrant deported to France under a new “one out, one in” deal between the British and French governments has reportedly returned to Britain on another small boat.
Britain’s Home Office—roughly equivalent to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security—states that 42 migrants have been returned to France as part of this arrangement, which was introduced earlier this year by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. Despite the fact that it entails Britain taking a migrant from France for every boat migrant that is returned, it is supposed to deter boat migrant crossings by raising the possibility that such journeys will be wasted. However, thousands of boat migrants have crossed since it was introduced, indicating that it is not working.
Now, one migrant from the initial group of deportees has already returned, claiming that France—a First-World European Union (EU) and NATO member state—is unsafe. He told the left-wing Guardian newspaper, “If I had felt that France was safe for me, I would never have returned to the UK.”
This comes as Prime Minister Starmer, of the leftist Labour Party, is hosting a summit on illegal immigration with other European leaders. A government spokesman for his government attempted to defend the “one out, one in” deal, stating: “We’ve been clear about the arrangement with France, that this is the beginning of a landmark scheme which is not, in itself, a silver bullet.”
❓WHAT HAPPENED: An illegal immigrant was shot after allegedly ramming his car into federal agents in Los Angeles, California.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Carlitos Ricardo Parias, also known as Richard LA on TikTok, and federal agents.
📍WHEN & WHERE: October 21, in Los Angeles, California.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Ultimately, an agent opened fire, wounding Parias and a deputy U.S. marshal, who was hit with a ricochet bullet.” – Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essay
🎯IMPACT: Parias faces charges carrying up to eight years in prison if convicted.
IN FULL
Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a Mexican national living in the U.S. illegally and known on TikTok as “Richard LA,” was shot and arrested in Los Angeles, California, following a confrontation with federal agents. The incident occurred when law enforcement attempted to arrest Parias, who allegedly rammed his car into federal vehicles during the standoff. Agents opened fire, striking Parias in the elbow. A deputy U.S. marshal was also wounded by a ricocheting bullet.
“Ultimately, an agent opened fire, wounding Parias and a deputy US marshal, who was hit with a ricochet bullet,” Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essay said of the incident.
Parias gained popularity on TikTok for his videos documenting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Despite his unlawful status and the serious allegations against him, Parias received support from Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price, who described him as “a pillar of our community” and a “fearless citizen journalist.”
Parias is not the first illegal immigrant influencer to face legal trouble. Earlier this year, Venezuelan influencer Leonel Moreno was deported after using TikTok to encourage illegals to squat in unoccupied homes. His videos, which often showed him flashing cash and mocking U.S. laws, drew national attention.. Immigration authorities confirmed his deportation in March.
Another deportation involved Leidy Tatiana Mafla-Martinez, a Colombian national known for organizing anti-ICE protests and posting videos of enforcement actions. Mafla-Martinez was removed from the U.S. in October after what federal officials described as multiple violations of immigration law.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested over 28,000 violent criminals since January 20, as part of a major crackdown on crime.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, FBI Director Kash Patel, Deputy Director Dan Bongino, Co-deputy Director Andrew Bailey, and the FBI.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The arrests have been occurring nationwide since January 20, with a focus on major U.S. cities.
💬KEY QUOTE: “We are bringing LAW AND ORDER back to America. Kash, Dan, Andrew, and the men and women of the FBI, are doing a tremendous job, MAKING AMERICA SAFE AGAIN!” – Donald Trump
🎯IMPACT: The arrests have led to a significant reduction in crime, with a 20 percent decrease nationwide and the summer being dubbed the safest in two decades.
IN FULL
President Donald J. Trump has praised the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for its efforts in arresting over 28,000 violent criminals since January 20. The agency has also seized over 6,000 illegal weapons, arrested 1,700 child predators, and rescued 5,000 children.
The FBI’s Operation Summer Heat, which ran from June to September, was a significant part of this crackdown, targeting violent criminals in major U.S. cities. Trump announced that more than 8,700 arrests were made, with cities like Nashville and New Orleans experiencing a 250 percent increase in arrests of violent offenders.
“Since January 20th, more than 28,000 Violent Criminals have been arrested (RECORD BREAKING!), with over 6,000 illegal weapons seized, more than 1,700 child predators and 300 human traffickers taken off the streets, 5,000 innocent children rescued, 2,000 Criminal Enterprises disrupted, 1,900 kilos of Fentanyl (Enough to kill 125 Million people!) taken out—HISTORIC RESULTS,” President Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, adding: “We are bringing LAW AND ORDER back to America. Kash, Dan, Andrew, and the men and women of the FBI, are doing a tremendous job, MAKING AMERICA SAFE AGAIN!”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem highlighted that over 480,000 criminal illegal aliens have been arrested, with 70 percent having convictions or pending charges. The new Operation River Wall aims to secure the Rio Grande region against illegal immigration and criminal activity.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED:Amazon is reportedly planning to automate much of its operations, potentially avoiding the need to hire over 600,000 U.S. workers by 2033.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Amazon, its robotics team, and American workers.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The automation plans aim for significant implementation by 2027, with full goals set for 2033, across Amazon’s U.S. operations.
🎯IMPACT: If successful, Amazon could save billions of dollars but may face backlash over job losses and its role as a major U.S. employer.
IN FULL
Amazon is reportedly looking to automate a significant portion of its operations, which could allow the company to avoid hiring over 600,000 U.S. workers by 2033. The leaked internal documents reveal that Amazon aims to automate 75 percent of its operations, potentially saving $12.6 billion between 2025 and 2027.
The company’s robotics team is reportedly working to replace 160,000 U.S. roles by 2027, saving approximately 30 cents on every item warehoused and delivered. The documents also indicate that Amazon expects to double its product sales over the same period.
In anticipation of backlash, Amazon has reportedly explored ways to soften its public image, including participation in community projects and avoiding the use of terms like “automation” or “AI.” Instead, the company has considered using phrases such as “advanced technology” and “cobot” to describe its robots working alongside humans.
Amazon responded publicly to the leak, claiming the documents were incomplete and do not fully represent its hiring strategy. The company also denied instructing executives to avoid certain terminology when discussing robotics.
Notably, the documents detailing the automation plan appear to be based on projections that Amazon will continue to see significant growth in its consumer base. However, The National Pulse reported in April that UPS announced plans to reduce its workforce by 20,000 jobs this year as part of a cost-reduction strategy related to decreased deliveries from Amazon.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Juraj Cintula was sentenced to 21 years in prison after being found guilty of terrorism charges for shooting and seriously wounding Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in 2024.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The attacker, Juraj Cintula, 72, and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, 64.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The incident occurred in May 2024 in Handlová, Slovakia. The sentencing followed in 2025.
💬KEY QUOTE: “I decided to harm the health of the prime minister but I had no intention to kill anyone,” said Cintula during his trial.
🎯IMPACT: The attack and subsequent trial have deeply impacted Slovakia, raising tensions in the small EU and NATO-member country.
IN FULL
A 72-year-old man, Juraj Cintula, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for terrorism after shooting and seriously injuring Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in May 2024. The attack took place in the town of Handlová, where Fico was meeting with supporters following a cabinet session. Cintula approached the prime minister at close range and fired five shots, hitting him in the abdomen, hip, hand, and foot.
Fico was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and underwent a five-hour emergency surgery. He survived and made a full recovery, reappearing in public several months later. During his trial, Cintula claimed he never intended to kill the prime minister but wanted to express his political frustration through violence. “I decided to harm the health of the prime minister but I had no intention to kill anyone,” he told the court, adding that he was relieved when he found out Fico had survived.
Judge Igor Králik, who presided over the case, emphasized that the crime was politically motivated and targeted at the state’s highest official. “The defendant did not attack a citizen, but specifically the prime minister. He was against the government, he was inciting people to overthrow the government,” Králik said. Although Cintula acted alone and had no ties to organized groups, the court ruled that his intention and method met the legal definition of terrorism. He has the right to appeal the verdict, though it is unclear whether he will.
The shooting has sent shockwaves throughout Slovakia, a European Union and NATO member state. Fico has long been a polarizing figure in Slovak politics, known for his nationalist and populist views, particularly his softer stance on Russia. After returning to power in 2023 for a fourth term, he halted military support for Ukraine and criticized what he described as Western interference in Slovak affairs.
Fico blames liberal opposition groups and media outlets in Slovakia for creating an atmosphere of hate that led to the attempt on his life. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a close ally of Fico, condemned the attack, calling it a wake-up call for peace in Europe. “Today we must fight for peace alone,” he said.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump will not meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the immediate future, despite earlier indications of a potential meeting in Budapest, Hungary.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made on October 21, with prior discussions involving meetings in Budapest, Hungary, and Washington, D.C.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister Lavrov had a productive call. Therefore, an additional in-person meeting between the Secretary and Foreign Minister is not necessary, and there are no plans for President Trump to meet with President Putin in the immediate future,” a senior White House official said.
🎯IMPACT: Trump had previously indicated on social media that the Budapest meeting would be the next step in his diplomatic efforts.
IN FULL
President Donald J. Trump will not meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the foreseeable future, a senior White House official confirmed Tuesday. The decision comes despite earlier suggestions from Trump that a summit in Budapest, Hungary, could help move toward ending the war in Ukraine.
The announcement follows a phone call earlier this week between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The White House described the conversation as “productive,” and officials said it removed the need for any immediate in-person follow-up. “Therefore, an additional in-person meeting between the Secretary and Foreign Minister is not necessary, and there are no plans for President Trump to meet with President Putin in the immediate future,” the official stated.
Trump had previously indicated on social media that the Budapest meeting would be the next step in his diplomatic efforts. “President Putin and I will then meet in an agreed-upon location, Budapest, Hungary, to see if we can bring this ‘inglorious’ war, between Russia and Ukraine, to an end,” he wrote on October 16.
Last week, Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. Zelensky requested long-range Tomahawk missiles and other advanced military systems, which he believes are critical to striking Russia’s infrastructure. Trump has not made any public commitments to provide those weapons.
While the summit is now on hold, Trump emphasized his continued focus on peace efforts during a meeting with Republican lawmakers on Tuesday. “We’re working on number nine,” he said, referring to his broader push to resolve global conflicts. The administration has also proposed a trilateral summit including Trump, Putin, and Zelensky, and has pledged not to send U.S. troops to Ukraine under any peace agreement. In addition, the administration has authorized sharing intelligence with Ukraine on Russian energy infrastructure, a move aimed at helping Ukraine target Russia’s economic lifelines.
Meanwhile, a large fire broke out Monday night at Hungary’s Danube Refinery in Százhalombatta, just south of Budapest. The facility, which processes primarily Russian crude oil, is one of the few in the EU still heavily reliant on Russian energy imports. Firefighters contained the blaze, and no injuries were reported, but investigators are examining whether the incident was accidental or deliberate.
The timing of the fire, amid sensitive geopolitical negotiations and multiple recent disruptions at regional refineries, has raised concerns of potential sabotage, similar to what occurred at the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in 2022. Last month, a Ukrainian national was arrested in Poland following an arrest warrant issued by Germany.
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