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Trump Trial Day 17: Closing Arguments & Phantom Crimes.

Former President Donald J. Trump’s lead counsel, Todd Blanche, handled the defense team’s closing arguments on Tuesday. For over two weeks, a Manhattan jury has heard evidence from prosecutors and the defense alike regarding allegations that former President Trump allegedly made hush money payments to Stormy Daniels as part of an effort to influence the 2016 presidential election.

After long days of testimony and some fairly explosive moments in the courtroom, Blanche’s summation began much like his opening argument a little over two weeks ago, stressing that the prosecution cannot meet the burden of proof. 

‘THE BURDEN OF PROOF.’

“I started out by saying something that I’m going to repeat to you right now. It’s as true right now as it was on April 22. And that is President Trump is innocent,” Blanche told jurors. He added: “He did not commit any crimes, and the district attorney has not met their burden of proof — period. The evidence is all in.”

The Trump defense attorney stressed the weakness of District Attorney Alvin Bragg‘s case. Blanche told the jury, “The evidence should leave you wanting more. You should want and expect more than the testimony of Michael Cohen.”

“You should demand more than the testimony of Keith Davidson, an attorney who really was just trying to extort money from President Trump in the lead-up to the 2016 election,” the defense attorney added.

ALL ABOUT THE DOCUMENTS.

As he continued his closing argument, Blanche reiterated that at its core, District Attorney Bragg‘s case is one about documents and nothing else. He stressed that the testimony of Stormy Daniels has no bearing on the case or charges. “This case is about documents. It’s a paper case. This case is not about an encounter with Stormy Daniels 18 years ago,” he told the jury.

Blanche also stressed that the alleged encounter, according to former President Trump, never even occurred in the manner that Daniels claims.

Shifting back to Cohen, Blanche told the jury they must determine if the former President “had anything to do with how payments to Michael Cohen” were recorded or “booked on his personal ledger for his personal account at Trump Tower.” He reiterated to the jury that at the time, Trump wasn’t even living at Trump Tower but was instead serving as President of the United States and living in the White House in Washington, D.C.

“The invoices were all submitted by Michael Cohen,” Blanche argued. He continued: “You’re going to hear me talk a lot about Michael Cohen today, and that should not surprise you. You cannot convict President Trump of any crime beyond a reasonable doubt on the words of Michael Cohen.”

‘COHEN LIED TO YOU.’

While the defense’s closing began with a plodding start, Blanche finally delivered blows to Michael Cohen as the prosecution‘s star witness. “They were lies. Pure and simple,” he said of Cohen’s testimony. Blanche stressed that no evidence was presented that backed up Cohen’s assertions, and even more damning, there were no credible witnesses presented who could corroborate what Cohen claimed.

“There were key conversations, key interactions that he claimed he had with Dylan Howard, with Keith Schiller, Allen Weisselberg. Those are important,” Blanche told the jury before hamming home: “Keith Schiller, Dylan Howard, Allen Weisselberg were not witnesses in this trial.”

The defense attorney continued, explaining to jurors that to convict, the prosecution would have needed to demonstrate that there were false entries on the payment paperwork and that Trump had intended to defraud. “The records were not false, and there was no intent to defraud,” Blanche stressed.

“Cohen typically wrote ‘for services rendered.’ But here’s the thing, and I don’t even think there’s a dispute about this, Cohen was rendering services to Trump as his personal attorney,” Blanche contended. While acknowledging that invoices were at times stapled to checks presented to Trump to sign, the lead defense counsel added: “General practice is not proof beyond a reasonable doubt.”

“Cohen lied to you,” Blanche emphasized to the jury, pausing on each word before repeating: “Cohen lied to you.”

CATCH, KILL, & ELECTION INFLUENCE.

Blanche stressed that the alleged “catch and kill” plot with David Pecker and American Media, Inc. (AMI) was anything but. “This is the same thing AMI has been doing for decades. They had been doing it for President Trump since the 90s,” Blanche argued. He added: “This was good business for them — a mutually beneficial relationship with celebrities.”

Noting that AMI’s flagship publication is little more than a supermarket tabloid, Blanche said: “The idea, even if there was something wrong with it, the idea that sophisticated people like President Trump and David Pecker believed that positive stories in the National Enquirer could influence the 2016 election is preposterous.” He emphasized that the total circulation of the National Enquirer in 2016 was just 350,000.

“Millions and millions of people voted in the 2016 election, so the idea that they really thought that this meeting in 2015 at Trump Tower would ultimately influence the election makes no sense,” Trump’s lead counsel contented before continuing: “The idea that the National Enquirer could criminally influence the election by republishing stories that had already been out there in other forms should make you shake your head. It makes no sense.”

Blanche, now showing the jury a PowerPoint presentation, outlined how the alleged “catch and kill” scheme was never discussed during the August 2015 meeting with David Pecker. “It wasn’t even discussed at the time the conspiracy was formed. No financial discussion. No discussion about catch and kill. Think about that,” he said.

‘AN AXE TO GRIND.’

Closing out his summation, Blanche took full aim at Michael Cohen‘s credibility. The defense attorney argued that Cohen had made the payments to Stormy Daniels of his own accord in a scheme to ingratiate himself with Trump in the hopes he’d receive a high-ranking position in the White House. Hitting on Cohen’s motivation to lie to a court again, Blanche argued: “He told you he didn’t want a job in the administration. But that was a lie, another lie.”

“Mr. Cohen had an axe to grind because he didn’t appreciate what President Trump did and did not do for him,” he added. After reviewing the testimony of Cohen’s former legal adviser, Robert Costello, Blanche told the jury: “I don’t know how many lies is enough lies to reject Mr. Cohen’s testimony.”

Next, Blanche reminded the jury of the pivotal moment where he exposed Cohen for having lied regarding his alleged phone call with Trump regarding the Daniels payment. “That was his sworn testimony. It was a lie… This isn’t a little lie. This was a lie about the charged conduct involving Ms. Daniels,” Blanche said, adding: “He told you he talked to President Trump on October 24 at 8:02 PM, updating him about the Daniels situation. That was a lie, and he got caught red-handed.”

“He’s repeatedly lied under oath. He’s lied to his family. He lied to his wife about the home equity line of credit … he lied to his banker,” Blanche said of Cohen, concluding: “He’s literally like an MVP of liars.”

TEN REASONS FOR REASONABLE DOUBT. 

In the conclusion of his summation, Blanche laid out ten reasons for reasonable doubt to the jury that he had covered throughout his closing arguments. The list included:

  • Cohen created the allegedly fraudulent invoices, not Trump;
  • There’s no evidence Trump knew the invoices were sent;
  • There is “absolutely” no evidence that Trump had any intent to defraud;
  • The prosecution has not shown an attempt to commit or conceal another crime;
  • There is “absolutely” evidence of an agreement to influence the 2016 election;
  • AMI would have run the doorman’s story no matter what if it was true;
  • Karen McDougal did not want her story published. Thus, it was not a “catch and kill” plot;
  • Stormy Daniels‘s allegations were already public well before the 2016 election;
  • Prosecutors never present anything showing manipulation of evidence;
  • Cohen cannot be trusted: “He’s the human embodiment of reasonable doubt.”

MERCHAN INTEVENES. 

Democrat-aligned Judge Juan Merchan, for the most part, gave the defense enough room to make its case in its closing arguments. However, when Blanche, at the end of his summation, told the jury, “You cannot send someone to prison, you cannot convict somebody, based upon the words of Michael Cohen,” the prosecution was quick to object with an irate Merchan sustaining the objection.

“You know that making a comment like that is highly inappropriate. It is simply not allowed. Period. It’s hard for me to imagine that was accidental in any way,” Merchan said, scolding Blanche for making the “outrageous” comment at the end of his summation.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass told the judge he believed Blanche’s comments were “a blatant and wholly inappropriate” effort to influence the jury and gain sympathy for former President Trump. Judge Merchan told the court that he’d give a curative instruction to the jury regarding Blanche’s prison comments.

After lunch, Judge Merchan released the instruction: “In the defense summation, Mr. (Todd) Blanche asked in substance that you not send the defendant to prison. That comment was improper, and you must disregard it. In your deliberations, you may not discuss, consider, or even speculate as to matters related to sentence or punishment.”

THE PROSECUTION AT BAT. 

Following Blanche’s summation, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass made his closing arguments before the jury. Unlike the defense’s closing, which lasted around two and a half hours, the prosecution announced that its summation would take four to four and a half hours. In reality, it went on for six, with much exasperation felt across the entire court, from jury to journalists, judge to stenographer.

“In his opening, Mr. Colangelo told you that this case, at its core, is about a conspiracy and a cover-up,” Steinglass told the jurors, adding: “We asked you to remember to tune out the noise and to ignore the sideshows. And if you’ve done that, you will see the people have presented powerful evidence of the defendant’s guilt.”

Steinglass’s opening was even slower and plodding than Blanche’s. His summation began with an extensive review of phone records and recall of alleged conversations that Michael Cohen had testified to. “Some of the conversations in this case took place in person, so there wouldn’t be a phone call or recording. The fact that there isn’t a record of a particular phone call does not mean a particular conversation did not take place,” the lead prosecutor told the jury.

THE COHEN PROBLEM.

Steinglass tried to patch some of the holes in the prosecution‘s case that had been exposed in Blanche’s closing. He told the jury that the District Attorney’s case wasn’t reliant on the testimony of disgraced attorney Michael Cohen. “The conspiracy to unlawfully influence the 2016 election — you don’t need Michael Cohen to prove that one bit,” Steinglass insisted.

Instead, the prosecutor told jurors that David Pecker‘s testimony — which was by no stretch a slam dunk for Bragg‘s team — was the truly “utterly damning” evidence. “Mr. Pecker has absolutely no reason to lie here; he still considers Mr. Trump a friend and mentor, and yet his testimony was utterly devastating,” Steinglass continued, claiming that Pecker’s words “eliminates the whole notion that this was politics as usual.”

STORMY DAMAGE CONTROL. 

Shoring up another weakness in the prosecution’s case, Steinglass next addressed the testimony of Stormy Daniels. “To be sure, some witnesses want to see Donald Trump convicted,” he told jurors before excusing their motivation, stating: “They’ve been attacked by the defendant on social media.”

Continuing, Steinglass defended Daniels‘s credibility, telling the court: “They’ve shamed her. They’ve tried to suggest her story has changed over the years. It has not, at least not in any way that’s significant.” However, Steinglass conceded: “To be sure, there were parts of her testimony that were cringeworthy.”

Steinglass told jurors that some aspects of Daniels‘s story ring too true to have been fabricated. He pointed to the layout of the hotel room and alleged contents of former President Trump‘s toiletry bag.

THE UNDERLYING CRIME?

Once Steinglass believed he had done enough to put out the fires in the prosecution‘s case set by defense attorney Todd Blanche’s closing, he pressed into the core of Bragg‘s case against Trump.

For over two weeks, the prosecution has avoided describing the underlying crime allegedly committed by former President Trump. Steinglass finally broached the subject in his closing, though he still never exactly stated what federal infraction was committed.

Michael Cohen is understandably angry. That to date, he’s the one who’s paid the price for his role in this conspiracy,” the prosecutor said. In this simple statement, Steinglass insinuated to the jury that former President Trump is guilty of the same crimes as Michael Cohen. However, while Cohen did plead guilty to a campaign finance infraction, his federal prison stint was due to tax fraud crimes he had committed in an unrelated case.

In essence, Steinglasss hoped to confuse the jury into believing the federal tax charges against Cohen were actually regarding the hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. “Anyone in Cohen’s shoes would want the defendant to be held accountable,” he told the jury, adding: “and when it went bad, the defendant cut him loose, dropped him like a hot potato and tweeted out to the world that Mr. Cohen was a scumbag.”

THE THIEF.

Shifting back to damage control, Steinglass addressed the shocking revelations that Michael Cohen had stolen upwards of $60,000 from the Trump Organization. “It’s true he was never charged with that. He’s also the one who brought it to everyone’s attention,” the prosecutor told jurors.

“Blanche said Cohen stole $60,000 because it was grossed up. So that means the defendant is trying to have it both ways, right? They’re denying the $420,000 was a reimbursement at all,” Steinglass argued. He continued: “Claiming payment for legal services rendered in 2016. But if that’s true, then there was no theft. He’s getting paid for legal services in 2017. They can call him a thief and claim this wasn’t really reimbursement, but not both.”

MAKING UP A CRIME.

Referring to the August 15 Trump Tower meeting, Steinglass said before the court: “The real game changer of this meeting was the catch-and-kill component. And that’s the illegal part. Because once money starts changing hands on behalf of a campaign, that’s federal election campaign finance violations.”

“Blanche said there is nothing wrong with trying to influence an election. It’s called democracy,” Steinglass said before contending: “In reality, this agreement at Trump Tower was the exact opposite. It was the subversion of democracy.”

“Once AMI purchased stories on the candidate’s behalf, those purchases became unlawful campaign contributions,” Bragg’s lead prosecutor said. In an incredibly bizarre moment, Steinglass insisted that the payment made by AMI for the Trump doorman’s false story “was overt election fraud.”

The prosecutor’s assertion mimics that which the American people have already seen with the Congressional Democrats‘ witch hunt against former President Trump over the Russia collusion hoax. They insinuate a crime where there is none and call it election interference. When in reality, the actual election interference is their frivolous prosecution of the former President.

COHEN’S CRIMES OR TRUMP’S? 

The next phase of Steinglass’s closing returned to Cohen. Again, the prosecution deployed the strategy of arguing Cohen’s crimes were former President Trump‘s crimes despite never offering convincing evidence that the former President knew of Cohen’s activities.

Steinglass presented the jury with the false paperwork that Cohen had submitted to his bank in creating Resolution Consultants, LLC. The prosecutor told the jury that Cohen had used false business records to open the account. It is important to note that Blanche, in his closing, emphasized that the jury only had Cohen’s word, a serial perjurer, that former President Trump knew of Cohen’s actions.

Pressing further, Steinglass moved through a list of phone calls between Cohen and former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg. The prosecutor claimed before the court that these calls were evidence enough of the scheme unfolding — though again, Steinglass did not provide evidence connecting Trump to the calls.

Pointing to a single call between Trump and Cohen that occurred before Cohen opened the business account, Steinglass told jurors, “This is damning right here.”

‘BORING!’

When the court took a short break at 5:00PM, former President Trump took to Truth Social to give his review of the prosecution’s closing argument against him. “BORING!” he posted.

NO CRIME? NO PROBLEM!

Following the brief evening break, Steinglass returned to his closing arguments. He asserted the prosecution did not have to prove former President Trump himself knowingly created false business record entries.

“We don’t have to prove that the defendant made and created the false entries himself,” the prosecutor contended before adding that Trump is guilty of creating false business records by virtue of being a part of the “reimbursement scheme. That is causing false entries.”

He next moved to the defense’s claim that the handwritten notes between Weisselberg and Trump Organization controller Jeffrey McConney did not simply address legal services rendered by Cohen. Instead, Steinglass contended: “They are the smoking guns. They completely blow out of the water the defense claim that the payments [are for] legal services rendered. I’m almost speechless that they’re trying to make this argument.”

Again, the prosecution tried to flip the U.S. legal system on its head. Steinglass told jurors it was the defense who had to prove the notes weren’t regarding reimbursement for Cohen‘s hush money payments to Daniels. It is important to note that in U.S. courts, the burden of proof is on the prosecution, not the defense.

PROSECUTION LOSES THE PLOT.

Pushing past 6PM, Steinglass’s summation continued to meander, almost taking the form of a filibuster. He read extensively from books published by Donald Trump, citing quotes about loyalty. From there, the prosecutor then began reading Trump’s social media posts in an effort to highlight how the former President treats those he views as disloyal.

The prosecution has used the loyalty argument on several occasions to insinuate that Trump didn’t need to direct his employees to commit crimes but rather that he created an environment where they understood they needed to, at times, act illegally on his behalf without his direct guidance. Again, this line of argument does not meet the burden of proof required for a conviction in a conventional criminal trial.

Hitting the final stretch, Steinglass, for the third time in his summation, walked the jury through a timeline of events — perhaps this final time not simply to reiterate his point but to remind them of key points of the prosecution’s case in the event they forgot after nearly five hours of testimony. It is honestly impressive the jury was even awake at this point.

After a series of unwelcome jokes about the length of his closing arguments and almost another hour rehashing the prosecution’s case, Steinglass’s summation ended.

You can read The National Pulse’s Day Sixteen trial coverage here, and if you find our work worthwhile, consider joining as a supporter.

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Arizona Establishes Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, Following President Trump’s Lead.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Arizona has established a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve by enacting House Bill 2749.

👥 Who’s Involved: Governor Katie Hobbs (D), State Representative Jeff Weninger (R), Satoshi Action Fund, and cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase.

📍 Where & When: Arizona, with the bill signed into law on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Arizona just showed the country how to turn forgotten assets into a fortress against inflation,” said Dennis Porter, CEO of the Satoshi Action Fund.

⚠️ Impact: The law aims to transform unclaimed state assets into appreciating digital stores of value, positioning Arizona as a leader in digital asset management.

IN FULL:

Arizona has taken a significant step into the digital financial realm by establishing a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, becoming the second state in the U.S. to do so. Governor Katie Hobbs (D) signed House Bill 2749 into law on May 8, 2025, officially launching the Arizona Bitcoin & Digital Assets Reserve. This innovative legislation redirects profits from unclaimed property into Bitcoin and other leading digital assets.

The bill, championed by State Representative Jeff Weninger (R), introduces a strategic approach to managing idle state assets. It includes provisions for using interest and staking rewards from abandoned property to fund acquisitions, while ensuring strong diversification rules to prevent Bitcoin from dominating the state’s investment portfolio. The law mandates U.S.-regulated custody for these assets and outlines clear steps for implementation, allowing the state to begin purchasing digital assets.

Dennis Porter, CEO and Co-Founder of the Satoshi Action Fund, a key advocate for the bill, praised the move. “Arizona just showed the country how to turn forgotten assets into a fortress against inflation,” Porter stated. He emphasized that the law converts dormant dollars into “digital gold” without impacting taxpayers.

Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase also played a crucial role by providing expert testimony, which helped legislators understand the financial and technological implications of Bitcoin-based reserves. This support was pivotal in overcoming legislative hurdles and securing bipartisan backing for the bill.

The law aligns Arizona with New Hampshire in utilizing idle state assets as potentially appreciating stores of value, aiming to safeguard the treasury without raising taxes or dipping into the general fund. Representative Weninger highlighted the legislation’s importance, stating, “Digital assets aren’t the future—they’re the present.” He underscored the law’s role in ensuring Arizona doesn’t leave value on the table and positions the state to lead in digital currency management.

The National Pulse reported in March that President Donald J. Trump laid out key details of his plan to establish a national Bitcoin reserve, issuing an Executive Order creating a federal government reserve of Bitcoin with the goal of retaining an estimated 200,000—mainly sourced through cryptocurrency assets already seized by federal agencies in criminal proceedings.

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Border Patrol Thwarts Attempt to Smuggle Fentanyl Inside Woman’s Body.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized 113 grams of fentanyl at the Paso Del Norte crossing in El Paso.

👥 Who’s Involved: A 40-year-old female with U.S. citizenship was arrested. CBP officers, along with Homeland Security Investigations agents, were involved.

📍 Where & When: The incident occurred at the Paso Del Norte international crossing in El Paso on May 7.

💬 Key Quote: “This is an exceptionally dangerous practice and could be lethal if the packaging were to fail during transport,” said CBP El Paso Port Director Ray Provencio.

⚠️ Impact: The woman faces federal charges for attempting to smuggle drugs internally, highlighting the risks associated with such activities.

IN FULL:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Paso Del Norte international crossing in El Paso intercepted 113 grams of fentanyl concealed within a 40-year-old woman’s body on May 7. The woman, a pedestrian border crosser with U.S. citizenship, was found with the drugs hidden within her, a method deemed highly dangerous by officials.

CBP officers selected the woman for a secondary inspection just before 3 AM. During this examination, she confessed to having a foreign object concealed inside her body. Subsequently, she was taken to a medical facility, where medical staff confirmed and removed the internally concealed package filled with fentanyl. A follow-up examination revealed no further anomalies.

“This is an exceptionally dangerous practice and could be lethal if the packaging were to fail during transport,” stated CBP El Paso Port Director Ray Provencio. He emphasized the risks associated with such smuggling methods, advising against engaging in any form of smuggling activity.

After the medical procedure, the woman was returned to the port of entry, where she was arrested and handed over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents. She now faces federal charges related to the failed smuggling attempt.

The incident underscores the ongoing attempts by gangs and criminal organisations to smuggle fentanyl into the United States. While President Trump’s border policies have reduced illegal migration by over 90 percent on the southern border, issues still remain with illegal smuggling.

Fentanyl, one of the deadliest drugs on the planet, can kill in small doses. One fentanyl shipment caught by CBP agents last year saw four million pills of fentanyl seized, enough to kill 250 million Americans.

Last month, Republicans introduced legislation that would charge fentanyl dealers with felony murder if their distribution of the drug results in deaths.

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FDA Greenlights Expansion of Natural Colorings Following RFK Jr.’s Push Against Artificial Dyes.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two additional natural color additives and expanded the use of a third, aligning with efforts to phase out artificial food dyes being pursued by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

👥 Who’s Involved: The FDA, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, and U.S. food manufacturers.

📍 Where & When: The FDA’s approval occurred on Friday in Silver Spring, Maryland.

💬 Key Quote: “Today we take a major step to Make America Healthy Again,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

⚠️ Impact: The approval supports the transition to natural dyes in food, affecting products like cereals, snacks, and candies.

IN FULL:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken a significant step toward reducing artificial food dyes by approving additional natural color additives. This move aligns with a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiative to eliminate artificial dyes, which are often petroleum-based and lack nutritional value.

The FDA’s recent approval includes Galdieria extract blue, derived from algae, and butterfly pea flower extract. The use of calcium phosphate, a natural compound, has also been expanded. These natural colorings are now permitted in a variety of food products, including fruit juices, cereals, snacks, and candies.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressed his commitment to making America’s food supply healthier, stating, “For too long, our food system has relied on synthetic, petroleum-based dyes that offer no nutritional value and pose unnecessary health risks. We’re removing these dyes and approving safe, natural alternatives—to protect families and support healthier choices.”

The FDA has been encouraging food companies to voluntarily phase out synthetic dyes, a move supported by some manufacturers like Tyson Foods. FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary emphasized the agency’s dedication to this transition, noting, “FDA staff have been moving quickly to expedite the publication of these decisions, underscoring our serious intent to transition away from petroleum-based dyes in the food supply and provide new colors from natural sources.”

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George Santos Begs Trump for Pardon.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Former Congressman George Santos seeks clemency from President Donald J. Trump after being sentenced to 87 months in prison.

👥 Who’s Involved: George Santos, President Trump, federal prosecutors, and former Attorney General Merrick Garland.

📍 Where & When: New York, sentencing occurred last month; Santos appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored on Thursday.

💬 Key Quote: “President Trump, I’d appreciate if you could give me a consideration. I’m not an altar boy, I’m not pretending to be one. But I’m not a hardened criminal.” — George Santos.

⚠️ Impact: Santos argues his sentence is overly harsh and claims his experience could help identify other wrongdoers.

IN FULL:

Former Congressman George Santos is appealing to President Donald J. Trump for clemency following his sentencing to 87 months in federal prison. Santos, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud and identity theft, appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored expressing his hope for a pardon or commutation from the President.

Santos, who was removed from Congress after a House Ethics Report, claims the sentence is excessive for a first-time offender. He argues the case against him was politically motivated, pointing to former Attorney General Merrick Garland’s role in leading the Joe Biden-era Justice Department. “I do believe this is an unfair judgment handed down to me. There was a lot of politicization over the process,” Santos stated.

The former congressman was charged with several schemes involving political donors and government assistance programs, intending to enrich himself while campaigning for New York’s 3rd congressional district. His downfall was marked by accusations of fabricating his resume, lying about his background, and misleading the public regarding a dog charity.

Despite pleading guilty, Santos has been vocal on social media, disputing prosecutors’ claims and maintaining his sentence is disproportionately severe. He contends that his actions, though regrettable, were mistakes and not deserving of such a lengthy prison term. “President Trump, I’d appreciate if you could give me a consideration. I’m not an altar boy, I’m not pretending to be one. But I’m not a hardened criminal,” he pleaded.

Santos also suggests his experiences could serve the country by identifying others engaged in similar misconduct. “Who better… to be able to sniff out other bad actors doing similar actions that I did?” he asked.

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US Marshals Set to Arrest DC Woman for Spitting on Ed Martin During Live Interview.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Ed Martin, President Donald J. Trump’s initial nominee for U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, was spat on by a woman during a Newsmax interview. The U.S. Marshals have identified the woman and plan to arrest her.

👥 Who’s Involved: Acting U.S. Attorney for D.C. Ed Martin, the woman who spat on him, U.S. Marshals, and Daily Caller reporter Vince Coglianese.

📍 Where & When: The incident took place during a Newsmax interview, shortly after Trump’s decision to withdraw Martin’s nomination for a top prosecutor role in Washington, D.C.

💬 Key Quote: “Ed Martin tells me the U.S. Marshals do know who the woman is who spit on him yesterday during a Newsmax appearance,” Vince Coglianese reported.

⚠️ Impact: The footage has gone viral, with many calling for legal action against the woman.

IN FULL:

Ed Martin, President Donald J. Trump‘s initial nominee for a top federal prosecutor position in Washington, D.C., was the target of a spitting assault during an interview on May 9. The woman involved has been identified by the U.S. Marshals, who are preparing to arrest her.

The event unfolded while Martin was speaking with reporters, and the woman, while passing by, angrily identified him by name before spitting on him. She further insulted Martin, calling him a “disgusting man,” while walking her small dog.

The incident quickly gained traction online, with the video being viewed by millions. Many have criticized the woman, labeling her as a “psychotic lib” and a “feral leftist.” There are calls for her to face legal consequences.

“Ed Martin tells me the U.S. Marshals do know who the woman is who spit on him yesterday during a Newsmax appearance,” radio host Vince Coglianese said.

The backdrop to this incident is President Trump’s recent decision to withdraw Martin’s nomination for the federal prosecutor role. This decision came after Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) expressed his unwillingness to support Martin over his handling of January 6 cases. Tillis remarked, “I have no tolerance for anybody that entered the building on January 6, and that’s probably where most of the friction was.” Martin’s interim term as U.S. Attorney expires on May 20.

Following the withdrawal, Trump nominated Judge Jeanine Pirro. Martin will now serve as the Director of the Weaponization Working Group, Associate Deputy Attorney General, and Pardon Attorney in the Justice Department.

Trump praised Martin’s work as interim U.S. Attorney and expressed confidence in his new role, stating that Martin would “provide much needed Justice” for victims of government weaponization under the current administration.

The spitting incident is just the latest act of leftist violence. It comes just days after Antifa militants assaulted people in Seattle with feces and threatened elderly people at a Turning Point USA event.

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Dem Governor Welcomes Close Ties with CCP Official, Expresses Gratitude for Meeting.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Governor of Massachusetts Maura Healey (D) posted photos with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) diplomat Chen Li, expressing gratitude for the meeting.

👥 Who’s Involved: Gov. Maura Healey, Chinese Consul General Chen Li, and former Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao.

📍 Where & When: Massachusetts State House, Wednesday evening, May 7, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Grateful for the opportunity to discuss future collaboration!” Gov. Maura Healey wrote regarding her meeting with the CCP official.

⚠️ Impact: Concerns over Chinese influence in the U.S., especially among Democratic politicians.

IN FULL:

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey (D) recently hosted Chinese Consul General Chen Li at the State House, sharing the occasion with a series of photos and remarks on social media. The Democratic governor expressed her appreciation for the meeting, emphasizing the importance of Massachusetts’ economic ties with China. The meeting also included Yvonne Hao, the former Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development, who continues to advise the Healey administration.

“Massachusetts is home to a vibrant Chinese-American community, and China is one of our largest trading partners,” Gov. Healey wrote in a post on X. She added: “Glad to welcome Ambassador H.E. Chen Li of the People’s Republic to China to the State House, and grateful for the opportunity to discuss future collaboration!”

Governor Healey highlighted the state’s significant trade relations with China, its third-largest trading partner, with over $7.2 billion in goods exchanged in 2024. She noted the state’s imports from China include toys, apparel, and sports equipment, while exports to China comprise industrial machinery and medical devices.

Chen Li, whose jurisdiction as consul general spans nearly a dozen states, has been known for echoing Chinese Communist Party (CCP) narratives, particularly in denying allegations of genocide against Uyghurs. He expressed his pleasure at the meeting with the Democrat governor.

The meeting has raised eyebrows, given the history of Chinese diplomats engaging with U.S. politicians and institutions. Chen’s predecessor, Huang Ping, was involved in an indictment related to violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), visa fraud, and other charges.

Notably, The National Pulse has previously reported that another major Massachusetts political figure, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, received significant campaign contributions from a CCP-linked cultural association. Even more troubling, the head of the Chinese cultural group has demonstrable ties to the United Front Work Department (UFWD), an internal intelligence and propaganda organ within the CCP.

Image by Steve Webel.

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By Popular Demand.
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Hegseth Sets Deadline for Transgenders to Depart from Military.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Transgenders in the U.S. military are being given between 30 and 60 days to self-separate after the Supreme Court cleared the way for the Trump administration to enforce a ban on their service.

👥 Who’s Involved: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, approximately 1,000 transgender service members, and the Supreme Court.

📍 Where & When: U.S. military, with deadlines for self-separation being set by June 6 for active duty and July 7 for reservists, according to a Department of Defense (DOD) memo published on Thursday, May 9, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “After a SCOTUS victory for [President Trump], TRANS is out at the DOD,” Hegseth announced on X (formerly Twitter).

⚠️ Impact: The ruling affects military readiness policies and a broader effort to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion policies at the Department of Defense (DOD).

IN FULL:

The Department of Defense (DOD) has initiated a timeline for transgender service members to voluntarily separate from the military following a Supreme Court order clearing the way for a ban on their service in the U.S. military. A recent memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlines that approximately 1,000 service members who have identified as having gender dysphoria must begin the process of self-separation. Active duty members are required to exit by June 6, with reservists having until July 7 to comply.

This development follows the Supreme Court’s decision to stay a lower court ruling, effectively allowing the Trump administration’s ban on transgender troops to proceed. The administration argues that this policy is essential for maintaining military readiness, unit cohesion, and avoiding the disproportionate costs associated with transgenders’ need for often lifelong medical care.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, stating: “The Secretary is encouraged by the Supreme Court’s order staying the lower court’s injunction, allowing the Department of Defense to carry out its policies associated with ‘Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness.'”

Hegseth, in an announcement on X (formerly Twitter), declared, “After a SCOTUS victory for [President Trump], TRANS is out at the DOD.” He further noted that service members with a current diagnosis or history of gender dysphoria could choose to separate voluntarily by the set deadlines, or face involuntary removal if they fail to do so.

The Trump administration’s policy, initially introduced via Executive Order in January, mandates updates to medical standards to prioritize readiness and lethality. It also seeks to eliminate the use of invented and identification-based pronouns within the Department of Defense.

The Pentagon’s move is part of a broader initiative to eliminate policies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and gender ideology. Hegseth recently announced that nearly all DEI-related policies have been removed from the Department, alongside efforts to standardize fitness tests for men and women.

From January 2016 to May 2021, the Department of Defense reportedly spent around $15 million on transgender treatments for active-duty service members. This financial aspect has been a point of contention in discussions about military spending and readiness.

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By Popular Demand.
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Mexico Files Lawsuit Against Google Over ‘Gulf of America’ Renaming.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Mexico is suing Google for listing the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America on Google Maps for U.S. users.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Claudia Sheinbaum, Google, President Donald J. Trump, the Republican-led House of Representatives.

📍 Where & When: Sheinbaum announced the lawsuit on Friday, May 9, 2025; the name change was initiated in January with Trump’s Executive Order.

💬 Key Quote: “All we want is for the decree issued by the U.S. government to be complied with,” President Sheinbaum stated, asserting that Trump’s order to rename the Gulf only applies to the U.S.’s portion of the continental shelf.

⚠️ Impact: The renaming has led to international tensions and a legal dispute, with broader implications for U.S. foreign relations.

IN FULL:

Mexico has initiated legal action against Google for its decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America on its Maps platform for U.S. users, according to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The controversy began when the Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted to officially rename the Gulf for federal agencies. This move followed an executive order signed by President Donald J. Trump on his first day in office, arguing that Americans “do most of the work there, and it’s ours.”

President Sheinbaum has expressed her government’s stance that Trump’s order should apply solely to the U.S. portion of the continental shelf, insisting that the U.S. does not possess the authority to rename the entire Gulf. “All we want is for the decree issued by the U.S. government to be complied with,” she stated.

In January, Sheinbaum reached out to Google, requesting a reconsideration of the name change. When no action was taken, she threatened legal proceedings in February. Google has maintained that the change aligns with its “longstanding practice” of adopting name changes when updated by official government sources. The tech giant clarified that the Gulf’s name would remain unchanged for users in Mexico, while users globally would see “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America).”

The Associated Press (AP) has also been caught in the crossfire. Its refusal to adopt the new name led to a prolonged conflict with the White House, which restricted AP’s access to certain events until a federal judge intervened in April.

Further complicating matters, President Trump hinted at potentially renaming another body of water. During an upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, he intends to announce that the U.S. will refer to the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf or the Gulf of Arabia. This has prompted a strong reaction from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who hopes the “absurd rumours” are merely a “disinformation campaign,” warning that such actions would provoke significant backlash from Iranians.

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By Popular Demand.
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WATCH: Miller Says Trump Admin May Suspend Habeas Corpus for Illegals.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: The Trump administration is considering suspending habeas corpus for illegal aliens, citing the constitutional allowance during cases of “invasion” due to the border crisis inherited from the Biden era.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller, and federal courts.

📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C., with statements made on Friday, May 9, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus can be suspended in a time of invasion. That’s an option we’re actively looking at,” Stephen Miller told the press.

⚠️ Impact: The move could streamline deportations and bolster border security, but it risks legal battles with activist judges, testing Trump’s resolve to restore immigration enforcement.

IN FULL:

The Trump administration is “actively looking at” suspending habeas corpus for illegal aliens. The constitutional principle, Latin for “you shall have the body,” allows detained persons to challenge their detention—but the Constitution states that the privilege of habeas corpus can be suspended “when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.” The Trump administration’s position is that the illegal immigration crisis that gathered pace under former President Joe Biden amounts to an invasion.

“The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus can be suspended in a time of invasion. That’s an option we’re actively looking at,” White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller told the press on Friday. “A lot of it depends on whether the courts do the right thing or not,” Miller said, arguing “radical rogue judges” are violating the Immigration and Nationality Act by intervening in immigration cases.

“By statute, the courts are stripped of jurisdiction from overruling a presidential determination… when courts stepped in, they were violating specific language that Congress had enacted saying they have no jurisdiction,” Miller added.

WATCH:

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By Popular Demand.
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BBC Star Pleads Guilty to Terror Offenses Linked to Hezbollah.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: A British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) presenter has pleaded guilty to financial terror offences linked to the terrorist group Hezbollah.

👥 Who’s Involved: Oghenochuko ‘Ochuko’ Ojiri, Hezbollah, Nazem Ahmad, Metropolitan Police.

📍 Where & When: London, England on May 9.

💬 Key Quote: “Nazem Ahmad is a suspected terrorist financier and at the time of the business relationship between them it was directly within the knowledge of the defendant that Ahmad had been sanctioned as a terrorist financier of Hezbollah by the United States.” — The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

⚠️ Impact: The case is just the latest to see a BBC presenter pleading guilty to serious crimes in the United Kingdom.

IN FULL:

A Nigerian-British television star and art dealer has pleaded guilty to financial terrorism offences linked to the Islamist terrorist group Hezbollah following a police probe. Oghenochuko ‘Ochuko’ Ojiri, who starred in the BBC program Bargain Hunt, admitted to eight counts of “failing to make a disclosure during the course of business within the regulated sector” on May 9.

The guilty plea came just a day after Ojiri was charged by prosecutors in London for the offences between October 2020 and December 2021. London’s Metropolitan police said that the charges stemmed from Ojiri’s relationship with a man named Nazem Ahmad, who is suspected of being a source of funding for Hezbollah.

Ahmad, a dual citizen of Belgium and Lebanon, where Hezbollah is based, has previously been sanctioned by both the United Kingdom and the United States due to his links to the terror group. Ojiri sold art worth around $186,000 to Ahmad.

“Nazem Ahmad is a suspected terrorist financier and at the time of the business relationship between them it was directly within the knowledge of the defendant that Ahmad had been sanctioned as a terrorist financier of Hezbollah by the United States,” the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

Sentencing for Ojiri is expected next month. So far, the BBC has yet to comment on the case, claiming that any comment would not be appropriate.

The case is just the latest to see a BBC personality prosecuted for serious crimes in recent months. Last year, former lead BBC news anchor Huw Edwards pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children. Edwards, once the highest-paid news anchor at the BBC, was known worldwide for announcing the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.

In Australia, another BBC personality was jailed last August for ten years for raping and killing dozens of dogs. pleading guilty to 56 charges of bestiality and animal cruelty the year prior.

Image by Matt Cornock.

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By Popular Demand.
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