Brian Stelter is set to make his return to CNN, resuming his role with the Reliable Sources newsletter. Subscribers to the newsletter were informed via email that Stelter will be back at the helm starting September 9.
Stelter, who exited CNN two years ago, noted substantial changes since his departure. “But this is not going to be a ‘Back to the Future’ remake,” Stelter addressed his readers.
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
“The media industry has matured, CNN has evolved, and I have changed a lot since I signed off two years ago. I loved my old life as the anchor of a Sunday morning show, but to borrow some lingo from my video game blogger days, I finished that level of the game. Time for new levels, new challenges.”
Stelter originally launched Reliable Sources in 2015. However, the television segment was discontinued in 2022, leading to his departure from CNN.
Oliver Darcy, who succeeded Stelter in managing the newsletter, departed in August to start his own venture titled Status. Stelter’s exit came under the leadership of Chris Licht, who was later replaced by Mark Thompson after Licht was removed from his position.
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
More From The Pulse
WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.
❓What Happened: The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is claiming a decision by the Trump administration to revoke student visas for Chinese nationals with ties to their regime is “discriminatory.”
👥 Who’s Involved: The CCP, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Mao Ning, U.S. President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chinese students residing in the United States.
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
📍 Where & When: The CCP leveled its allegations against the Trump White House on Thursday, May 29, less than 24 hours after Sec. Rubio announced the decision to begin revoking Chinese student visas.
💬 Key Quote: “This politically motivated and discriminatory move exposes the U.S. hypocrisy over freedom and openness,” Mao stated in a video posted to X (formerly Twitter).
⚠️ Impact: Chinese students have become increasingly viewed as a potential national security risk in recent years, with a number of them being arrested on espionage charges. The move by the Trump administration seeks to mitigate these risks, especially in prioritizing visa revocations for students with close ties to the CCP.
IN FULL:
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims that U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s decision to begin a process of revoking student visas previously granted to Chinese nationals, especially those with CCP ties, is “discriminatory.” In a video statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Mao Ning dismissed the mounting national securityconcerns posed by Chinese nationals at U.S. academic institutions, who have been tied to espionage and subversive activities in a number of cases.
“The U.S. uses ideology and national security as pretext to revoke Chinese student visas,” Mao claimed, insisting: “It is fully unjustified. It seriously hurts the lawful rights and interests of international students from China, and disrupts people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.”
“China firmly opposes it and has protested to the U.S. over the decision,” the CCP press official continued, concluding: “This politically motivated and discriminatory move exposes the U.S. hypocrisy over freedom and openness. It will further damage the image and reputation of the U.S. itself.”
The statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs was issued less than 24 hours after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the Trump administration would begin revoking student visas for Chinese nationals. In recent years, evidence has mounted that both Chinese academics and students residing in the United States have engaged in a concerted campaign of corporate and political espionage.
A Congressional report last October found that CCP espionage efforts in the United States intensified under the former Biden government. Released by the House Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence, the report found that “Beijing has continually encroached upon American sovereignty to spy, intimidate, and harass… defectors and American citizens.”
show less
PULSE POINTS:
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.
❓What Happened: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel revealed his agency is overwhelmed by ‘copycat’ threats against President Donald J. Trump following an “86 47” post on Instagram by former FBI Director James Comey, seen by many as endorsing violence against the America First leader.
👥 Who’s Involved: FBI Director Kash Patel, former FBI Director James Comey, President Donald J. Trump, and Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino.
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
📍 Where & When: The controversy stems from Comey’s Instagram post earlier this month. Patel discussed the issue on May 28, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “Do you know how many agents I’ve had to take offline from chasing down child sex predators, fentanyl traffickers, terrorists?” – Kash Patel.
⚠️ Impact: FBI resources have been diverted to investigate threats against Trump, with Patel citing Comey’s post as a catalyst.
IN FULL:
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel has disclosed that his agency has been inundated with threats to President Donald J. Trump’s life, which he attributes to a controversial Instagram post by former FBI Director James Comey. Speaking to Bret Baier, Patel explained that the post depicting shells arranged to form the numbers “86 47” has led to a surge in “copycat” incidents.
The term “86” is commonly used in hospitality to mean “get rid of” something, but can also be interpreted as a mob reference to a grave eight feet long and six feet deep. The number 47 refers to Trump’s status as the 47th U.S. President. However, Comey claims he was unaware of the violent connotations associated with the numbers, despite his long career in law enforcement.
Patel expressed frustration over the situation, emphasizing the strain on FBI resources. “Do you know how many agents I’ve had to take offline from chasing down child sex predators, fentanyl traffickers, terrorists?” he asked. He suggested that the post inspired people across the country to make threats, believing such behavior is permissible because Comey did it.
The FBI has not provided specific details about the threats, but the issue arises less than a year after a gunman’s bullet struck Trump’s ear during a campaign event in Pennsylvania.
Meanwhile, last week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested an illegal immigrant who made threats against Trump. Ramon Morales-Reyes, a Mexican national who has unlawfully entered the U.S. on multiple occasions, wrote in a letter that he “will self deport myself back to Mexico, but not before I use my 30 yard 6 to shoot your precious president in his head—I will see him at one of his big ralleys.”
Image by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images.
show less
PULSE POINTS:
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.
❓What Happened: Special Presidential Envoy and John F. Kennedy Center Executive Director Richard Grenell blasted Broadway star Patti LuPone for saying the Trump-chaired institution “should get blown up,” accusing her of giving “aid and comfort to the crazies” and fueling violent extremism.
👥 Who’s Involved: Richard Grenell, Patti LuPone, the Kennedy Center, and the Trump administration.
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
📍 Where & When: Newsmax’s Rob Schmitt Tonight, with Grenell’s comment aired on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “She is giving aid and comfort to somebody who says, ‘Patti Lupone wants me to go blow up the Kennedy Center,’” Grenell said.
⚠️ Impact: Grenell’s rebuke highlights the Trump administration’s push to curb radical left rhetoric, increasingly common among leftist public figures such as LuPone.
IN FULL:
President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Director for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Richard Grenell, rebuked Broadway star Patti LuPone on May 28, 2025, accusing her of fueling violent extremism with her reckless claim that the Kennedy Center “should get blown up.”
Speaking on Rob Schmitt Tonight, Grenell called out LuPone’s comments in a recent New Yorker interview, warning that her rhetoric provides “aid and comfort to the crazies” and risks inciting real-world violence.
“We should have every Democrat, every left-leaning person condemning what she said,” Grenell declared, addressing LuPone’s inflammatory statement about the Kennedy Center, which Trump personally chairs following post-Biden reforms.
“Do I actually believe Patti LuPone is going to build a bomb and throw it inside the Kennedy Center? No, I don’t believe that. However, she is giving aid and comfort to the crazies,” Grenell warned. “She is giving aid and comfort to somebody who says, ‘Patti Lupone wants me to go blow up the Kennedy Center.’ We need to call this out. This needs to stop—this radical left extremism that’s morphing into violence. This has to stop.”
Grenell’s response aligns with Trump’s broader push to curb inflammatory rhetoric, especially after he survived two assassination attempts in 2024—one in Butler, Pennsylvania, and another in West Palm Beach, Florida—which he blamed on Democrat vitriol.
show less
PULSE POINTS:
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.
❓What Happened: The White House plans to send a rescission package to Congress, targeting DOGE cuts and other spending reductions.
👥 Who’s Involved: Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and Congress.
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
📍 Where & When: Vought announced the rescission package on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “We are doing everything we can to make the DOGE cuts permanent, either through rescissions or through impoundment.” – Russ Vought, OMB Director.
⚠️ Impact: The cuts will target areas such as foreignaid and funding for NPR and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The process of filing additional cuts to be codified is expected to unfold over several months.
IN FULL:
President Donald J. Trump‘s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought confirmed late Wednesday the White House’s plans to send a rescission package to Congress to claw back spending appropriated under the former Biden government. During a television interview on Wednesday, Vought confirmed that the spending clawbacks will include cuts recommended by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and will be sent early next week when the House of Representatives returns to session.
The package, according to Vought, will focus on eliminating wasteful spending in areas such as foreign aid, appropriations earmarked for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and funding for NPR and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Vought noted that this is just the beginning of a broader effort, saying, “We want to make sure that Congress passes its first rescissions bill, including the DOGE, and we will send more if they pass it.”
Vought emphasized that these cuts will not be included in a single comprehensive bill but will instead be addressed through a process spanning several months. Notably, rescission measures in the U.S. Senate are considered privileged and not subject to the filibuster. This means that only a simple majority of both houses of Congress is needed to pass the spending clawback.
According to the OMB Director, the cuts align with the fiscal year 2026 budget and include $160 billion in nondefense spending reductions. He stated that this is the lowest level of nondefense spending since fiscal year 2017 and, when adjusted for inflation, the lowest since 2000.
Vought also mentioned that the administration is exploring all available tools, including impoundment, to make the cuts permanent. “We are doing everything we can to make the DOGE cuts permanent, either through rescissions or through impoundment,” he said.
The rescission effort aims to ensure fiscal responsibility while addressing what the administration views as unnecessary and harmful expenditures. However, Vought acknowledged that the process would take time, adding, “It’s not going to be something that, hey, we’re going to have it in one bill, it’s going to be part of a process over the next several months.”
❓What Happened: A federal judge extended a temporary order blocking the Trump administration’s revocation of Harvard University’s ability to enroll foreign students.
👥 Who’s Involved: U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs, President Donald J. Trump, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, Harvard University, and foreign students.
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
📍 Where & When: Massachusetts federal court; extension announced Thursday, May 29, coinciding with Harvard’s 347th graduation ceremony.
💬 Key Quote: “Harvard’s refusal to comply with SEVP oversight was the latest evidence that it disdains the American people and takes for granted U.S. taxpayer benefits,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated.
⚠️ Impact: If the revocation proceeds, foreign students at Harvard—roughly one-fourth of its student body—could lose their ability to stay in the U.S. unless they transfer schools.
IN FULL:
A Massachusetts federal judge on Thursday extended a temporary order preventing the Trump administration from revoking Harvard University‘s ability to enroll foreign students. The decision follows the administration’s move last week to block Harvard from participating in the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which allows the institution to import foreign students.
U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs said the temporary order will remain in place until it is replaced by a preliminary injunction, though no timeline for the injunction was discussed. The extension was issued on the same day as Harvard’s 347th graduation ceremony.
Previously, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had given the university 30 days to contest the revocation. According to a letter filed in court, Harvard must submit evidence, including misconduct records of foreign students and proof that it maintains a campus free from violence and anti-Semitism.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, sharing the letter on X (formerly Twitter), criticized Harvard, stating, “Harvard’s refusal to comply with SEVP oversight was the latest evidence that it disdains the American people and takes for granted U.S. taxpayer benefits.” She added, “We continue to reject Harvard’s repeated pattern of endangering its students and spreading American hate—it must change its ways in order to participate in American programs.”
If the Trump administration’s action is upheld, foreign students, who make up approximately 27 percent of Harvard’s student body, would lose their ability to remain in the United States unless they transfer to other institutions. Additionally, losing the ability to enroll foreign students will likely cost Harvard millions in revenue.
The revocation of Harvard’s SEVP certification is just the latest step in President Trump’s actions against the university after the Ivy League institution refused to comply with federal directives aimed at cracking down on anti-Semitic acts and protests on campus, and stopping racial discrimination against white and Asian applicants. Last month, the Trump administration revoked over $2 billion in research grants, prompting the university to sue.
President Trump recently indicated on Truth Social that he is considering reallocating $3 billion in Harvard’s grant money to trade schools.
This is a developing story…
show less
PULSE POINTS:
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.
❓What Happened: Elon Musk announced his departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) project, citing a rule limiting special government employees to 130 days of service.
👥 Who’s Involved: Elon Musk, President Donald J. Trump, DOGE team, American taxpayers.
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
📍 Where & When: Announcement via X (formerly Twitter) on May 29, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President [Donald Trump] for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending.” – Elon Musk.
⚠️ Impact: DOGE claims to have saved $175 billion for taxpayers; Musk will shift focus back to his struggling businesses.
IN FULL:
Elon Musk has stepped down from his role fronting the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) project, attributing his departure to a federal rule limiting special government employees to 130 days of service. Musk made the announcement on X (formerly Twitter) on May 28, 2025, insisting that his decision was unrelated to any rumored tensions with President Donald J. Trump.
“As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President [Donald Trump] for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,” Musk wrote. “The [DOGE] mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.”
Musk’s departure comes as he publicly criticized the “big, beautiful bill” supported by Trump, stating, “I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budgetdeficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.”
Senior Trump official Stephen Miller implicitly pushed back against these remarks, noting that the “big, beautiful bill” is a reconciliation bill—meaning it does not deal with the same category of federal spending as DOGE—and that it fulfills campaign promises on cutting workers’ taxes and increasing funding for defense and border security.
Despite his remarks, Musk expressed gratitude for his time with DOGE and highlighted the project’s reported success in saving taxpayers a claimed $175 billion through measures such as asset sales, contract renegotiations, and fraud elimination. However, it is questionable whether much of these claimed savings can be verified, and the sum is far lower than the trillions of dollars Musk initially estimated he could save.
In an interview earlier this week, Musk reflected on his time in government, admitting, “I think I probably did spend a bit too much time on politics… It was just relative time allocation that probably was a little too high on the government side, and I’ve reduced that significantly in recent weeks.”
Musk’s electric car company, Tesla, has fared particularly poorly since his foray into frontline politics, with sales down and activists targeting its dealerships and customers.
show less
PULSE POINTS:
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.
❓ What Happened: Deputy Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Dan Bongino revealed the discovery of a secret room at FBI headquarters containing a trove of evidence from the James Comey era, hidden from investigators, with declassification efforts underway.
👥 Who’s Involved: Dan Bongino, James Comey, the FBI, and other intelligence agencies.
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
📍 Where & When: FBI headquarters, with Bongino’s revelation reported on May 29, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “We found stuff in there, and a lot of it’s from the Comey era… You’re going to be stunned,” Bongino said.
⚠️ Impact: Bongino’s discovery pushes forward Trump’s mission to increase transparency and accountability in the deep state.
IN FULL:
Deputy Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Dan Bongino dropped a bombshell on May 29, 2025, revealing the discovery of a secret room at FBI headquarters packed with evidence from multiple cases, concealed during James Comey’s tenure as director. Referring to himself and FBI Director Kash Patel, a fellow Trump appointee, Bongino said the trove was “hidden from us, at least, and not mentioned to us.”
“There was a room, and we found a lot of stuff,” Bongino said. “We found stuff in there, and a lot of it’s from the Comey era.” The evidence, some of which was described as being “in bags hiding under James Comey,” spans multiple investigations, though Bongino did not specify which. The revelation comes amid heightened scrutiny of Comey, who has been accused of mishandling investigations and was recently investigated by the Secret Service for an Instagram post interpreted as a threat against Trump.
Bongino emphasized the FBI’s efforts to declassify the findings, acknowledging public frustration with the pace. “We are working our damnedest right now to declassify. I totally understand people saying, ‘Well, do it now.’ The process is, not all the information is ours to declassify,” he said, explaining that some of it belongs to other agencies. However, he stressed that, “Once that [process] gets done and [the information] gets out there… You’re going to be stunned.”
Comey’s tenure as FBI director from 2013 to 2017 was marred by controversy, including his handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation and his role in facilitating the discredited Russiagate probe, which consumed much of Trump’s first term. Recently, Comey faced backlash for an Instagram post showing “86 47” spelled out in seashells, interpreted as a call to “86” or “kill” Trump, the 47th president.
🚨BREAKING: Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino reveals that they discovered a trove of evidence from multiple cases under James Comey, hidden in a secret room within the agency:
“There was a room, and we found a lot of stuff, A hidden room. I wouldn’t call it hidden, but hidden… pic.twitter.com/EArsYpEhUV
❓What Happened: A recent study reveals a 13 percent reduction in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) jobs in the U.S., with 2,600 positions eliminated.
👥 Who’s Involved: Revelio Labs conducted the analysis; President Donald J. Trump and his Department of Justice (DOJ) are pushing back against DEI practices.
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
📍 Where & When: The data covers the growth and now accelerating decline of DEI jobs since 2016.
💬 Key Quote: “I’m hopeful and encouraged that Harmeet will drop the hammer on these companies,” says Will Hild, Executive Director of Consumers’ Research, referring to Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for the civil rights division at the DOJ.
⚠️ Impact: While DEI job numbers remain above 2016 levels, they are rapidly falling from their peak. This suggests that Trump’s White House efforts to crack down on discriminatory DEI policies are working and reversing the course of corporate policies.
IN FULL:
A new analysis by Revelio Labs reveals a significant decline in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) roles across the United States, with 2,600 positions eliminated since 2023. This marks a 13 percent reduction, bringing the total number of DEI-related jobs to approximately 17,700 as of January 2025, down from a peak of 20,000 in 2023.
The report highlights a dramatic shift from the rapid growth seen in recent years. Job postings for DEI roles surged by 595 percent in August 2022 compared to 2020. Positions tied to terms like “belonging,” “social impact,” or “culture” are also reportedly in decline.
This comes as major corporations scale back DEI programs and reduce financial support for Pride events, following a crackdown on what the Trump administration has termed illegal DEI practices. President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order in January 2025 aimed at eliminating identity-based employment considerations and restoring merit-based opportunities. Among the corporations to comply, at least in part, are Target, Deloitte, Lockheed Martin, and Verizon.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is expected to release further guidance soon, including recommendations for the private sector and a list of ongoing compliance investigations. Additionally, the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, led by Harmeet Dhillon, has named investigating race-based employment discrimination as a top priority.
Observers have raised concerns about the potential rebranding of DEI roles within corporate structures. Will Hild, Executive Director of Consumers’ Research, warns, “If they just relabel DEI to be some department of HR, it’s not going to do any good.” Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that the human resources sector employed 922,000 people in 2024, up from 631,000 in 2016.
The analysis also revealed demographic trends within the DEI workforce. Women comprised more than 71 percent of DEI professionals from 2020 to 2024, compared to 51 percent in other roles. Additionally, Black and Hispanic workers accounted for 33 percent of DEI positions, compared to 21 percent of other roles. “That’s a tacit admission that they were engaging in race- and sex-based discrimination,” Hild commented, adding: “I’m hopeful and encouraged that Harmeet will drop the hammer on these companies.”
show less
PULSE POINTS:
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.
❓What Happened: Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new policy to block U.S. entry for foreign officials and their families involved in censorship of Americans or interference with U.S. tech companies.
👥 Who’s Involved: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President J.D. Vance, President Donald Trump, Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, and Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Darrell Issa (R-CA).
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
📍 Where & When: United States, with the new policy announced in May and building on actions taken since Rubio assumed office, including the shutdown of the Global Engagement Center in April.
💬 Key Quote: “Foreigners who work to undermine the rights of Americans should not enjoy the privilege of traveling to our country,” Rubio posted on X.
⚠️ Impact: Visa bans could affect hundreds or thousands of foreign officials, targeting those enforcing censorship campaigns that violate free speech rights or coerce U.S.-based platforms.
IN FULL:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has unveiled a sweeping policy to deny U.S. entry to foreign officials and their families involved in censorship campaigns targeting Americans or U.S.-based technology platforms. The policy, rooted in the Immigration and Nationality Act, aims to counter what Rubio describes as an expanding global censorship apparatus.
The initiative builds on Rubio’s actions since assuming office, including the April shutdown of the State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC). The GEC had faced criticism for funding organizations like the Britain-based Global Disinformation Index, accused of labeling dissenting views as misinformation. Rubio cited the GEC’s activities as incompatible with free speech principles.
The new visa restrictions target foreign judges, bureaucrats, regulatory officials, and others orchestrating censorship efforts. This includes those enforcing Europe’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which Rubio has criticized as an overreach compelling censorship on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Meta, and Google. “Foreigners who work to undermine the rights of Americans should not enjoy the privilege of traveling to our country,” Rubio stated on X.
The British government, which is particularly censorship-prone, is especially concerned that officials from the communications regulator Ofcom will be targeted.
The policy’s foundation traces back to September 2024, when five Republican lawmakers urged then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken to impose visa bans on foreign officials suppressing speech rights. Their letter specifically named Brazilian Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and accused him of silencing opposition voices and targeting X under dubious legal pretenses. Representative Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), co-author of the letter, later introduced the “No Censors on our Shores Act” with Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA), aiming to formalize such restrictions.
President Donald J. Trump and his administration have expressed increasing alarm over foreign governments pressuring U.S. companies to implement censorship exceeding American legal standards. Internal memos suggest the visa bans could apply to hundreds or even thousands of officials worldwide. Cases involving threats to arrest platform employees, freeze assets, or enforce foreign speech codes may fall under the policy’s scope.
The move aligns with the “America First Policy Directive” President Trump signed in January, prioritizing safeguarding U.S. speech rights abroad. Vice President J.D. Vance has also emphasized the administration’s commitment to opposing global censorship regimes, calling out European authorities for weaponizing laws to suppress political dissent.
show less
PULSE POINTS:
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.
❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, says the Department of State will begin revoking student visas for Chinese nationals studying at American universities.
👥 Who’s Involved: Marco Rubio, Chinese nationals studying in the United States.
Newsletter
Need to Know.
Your free, daily feed from The National Pulse.
Thank You!
You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
📍 Where & When: Visa revocations were announced late Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields,” Rubio wrote.
⚠️ Impact: The move is aimed at cracking down on political and corporate espionage that is often perpetrated by foreign Chinese students on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
IN FULL:
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced late Wednesday evening that the State Department will begin revoking visas for Chinese students studying at American universities. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rubio appears to imply that the visa revocations for students with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will be the priority.
“The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields,” Rubio wrote.
A Congressional report last October found that CCP espionage efforts in the United States intensified under the former Biden government. Released by the House Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence, the report found that “Beijing has continually encroached upon American sovereignty to spy, intimidate, and harass… defectors and American citizens.”
Notably, harassment and both political and corporate espionage activities have been linked to foreign students from China studying in the U.S. in the past. Additionally, lawmakers on Capitol Hill have emphasized the potential national security concerns posed by the number of Chinese nationals studying at American universities.
show less
PULSE POINTS:
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
Share Story
FacebookTwitterWhatsappTruthTelegramGettrCopy Link
Real News Fan? Show It!
Many people are shocked to learn that because of active censorship, we currently have to spend more time making sure you can even see The National Pulse, than on producing the news itself. Which sucks. Because we do this for the truth, and for you.
But the regime doesn’t want you being informed. That’s why they want us to go away. And that will happen if more people don’t sign up to support our work. It’s basic supply and demand. So demand you get to read The National Pulse, unrestricted. Sign up, today.
We don’t sell ads, and refuse corporate or political cash. It all comes down to you, the reader. I hope you can help.
