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October 28, 2024
William Upton
Election 2024
Election Integrity

VA Asks SCOTUS to Block a Biden-Harris Push to Allow Noncitizens to Vote.

The Commonwealth of Virginia filed an emergency stay with the United States Supreme Court on Sunday night, asking that it block a ruling by a Biden-Harris-appointed federal judge barring the state from removing noncitizens from its voter rolls. Late last week, a federal district court ordered the state to halt the removal of over 1,500 individuals who have self-identified as noncitizens from state voter lists.

In 2006, then-Governor Tim Kaine (D-VA) signed legislation allowing the state to remove noncitizens from its voter rolls. Despite being on the books for nearly two decades, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has not challenged that law until now.

The emergency stay request, filed by Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares (R), is now on the Supreme Court’s docket. Chief Justice John Roberts will likely decide whether the stay request will move forward and be heard by the full court, which could happen within hours.

According to the original lawsuit filed by the Biden-Harris DOJ, removing noncitizen voters from the Virginia voter roll violates Section 8(c)(2) of the NVRA, also known as the Quiet Period Provision. This provision “requires states to complete systematic programs aimed at removing the names of ineligible voters from voter registration lists no later than 90 days before federal elections,” the DOJ contends.

However, Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) counters that the state law has been in force since 2006 and that the state’s same-day registration rules allow any potential legal voter caught up in the noncitizen removals to cast a provisional ballot on election day. “Virginians—and Americans—will see this for exactly what it is: a desperate attempt to attack the legitimacy of the elections in the Commonwealth, the very crucible of American Democracy,” Youngkin said, blasting the DOJ lawsuit.

By Popular Demand.
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10 minutes ago
Lawfare

Biden Judge Rules Trump’s Dismissal of FTC Democrats ‘Unconstitutional.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal judge ruled President Donald J. Trump illegally fired two Democrat members of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) earlier this year.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan, and attorneys for both sides.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was issued Thursday in Washington, D.C., following the firings in March.

💬KEY QUOTE: “As the Court recognized today, the law is clear, and I look forward to getting back to work,” said Slaughter.

🎯IMPACT: The decision could affect the independence of other federal agencies, including the Federal Reserve.

IN FULL

A federal judge ruled that President Donald J. Trump did not have the constitutional authority to fire two Democrat commissioners from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) earlier this year. The ruling allows Rebecca Kelly Slaughter to resume her duties as commissioner, while Alvaro Bedoya had already resigned after filing suit to challenge the dismissals. Notably, the ruling appears to run counter to a stay order issued by the United States Supreme Court in Trump v. Wilcox, which lifted another lower court’s order preventing Trump’s removal of Biden appointees to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB).

In the ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Loren AliKhan—appointed by former President Joe Biden—cited a 1935 Supreme Court decision that limited the President’s ability to remove independent agency officials without cause. AliKhan stated the ruling upholds “clearly established law” and prevents the President from exerting unchecked control over so-called independent agencies. “As the Court recognized today, the law is clear, and I look forward to getting back to work,” said Slaughter following the ruling.

The Trump administration argued that the FTC’s expanded role in modern times justified direct presidential oversight. The FTC, created by Congress, enforces consumer protections and antitrust laws. Its commissioners typically consist of three members from the President’s party and two from the opposition, serving staggered seven-year terms. The lawsuit alleges Trump dismissed Bedoya and Slaughter because their views conflicted with his administration’s priorities.

The administration has signaled it intends to appeal AliKhan’s ruling.

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By Popular Demand.
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50 minutes ago
Corruption
Politics

Third Biden Aide Invokes Fifth Amendment in Cognitive Decline Probe.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Annie Tomasini, a senior advisor and deputy chief of staff to former President Joe Biden, invoked the Fifth Amendment during a House Oversight deposition regarding Biden’s cognitive decline.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Annie Tomasini, House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-KY), and other Biden aides who also pleaded the Fifth.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The closed-door deposition occurred during the House Oversight Committee’s investigation on July 18, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “There is now a pattern of key Biden confidants seeking to shield themselves from criminal liability for this potential conspiracy,” said Rep. James Comer.

🎯IMPACT: Tomasini is the third senior Biden White House aide to plead the Fifth, raising further questions about the former presidential administration’s transparency regarding the octogenarian Biden’s health and whether he knew decisions were being authorized via autopen in his name.

IN FULL

Annie Tomasini, a senior advisor and deputy chief of staff to former President Joe Biden, pleaded the Fifth Amendment during a closed-door deposition, according to House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY). The former senior Biden White House aide had initially agreed to voluntarily participate in the deposition, but her attorney later reversed course and requested that the committee issue a subpoena. The deposition was slated to focus on Biden’s mental decline and allegations that presidential directives—including pardons—were issued without his knowledge.

“There is now a pattern of key Biden confidants seeking to shield themselves from criminal liability for this potential conspiracy,” Chairman Comer stated on X (formerly Twitter). Tomasini reportedly refused to answer questions about whether Biden or anyone at the White House instructed her to lie about his health, handle classified documents, or conceal information about Biden family business dealings.

Tomasini is the third Biden aide to invoke the Fifth Amendment in this investigation. The former chief of staff to former First Lady Jill Biden, Anthony Bernal, and former Biden White House physician Kevin O’Connor also declined to answer questions under oath earlier this month. The National Pulse has previously reported that Bernal and Tomasini comprised a “politburo” of aides who controlled the Biden White House and formed a protective bubble around Joe Biden.

Comer initially issued a subpoena to Tomasini, accusing her of “running interference” for Biden as concerns about his mental state grew. Notably, ousted Democratic National Committee (DNC) Vice Chairman David Hogg and Biden-era White House staffer Deterrian Jones were caught in a secret recording discussing the outsized influence of the cadre of senior White House aides, especially Tomasini and Bernal.

“The bigger issue was, like, the inner circle that was around Biden,” Hogg said, adding: “Like, Jill Biden’s chief of staff had an enormous amount of power.” Jones went on to describe Bernal, specifically, as a “scary… shadowy, Wizard of Oz type figure.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
Health
News

Pfizer COVID Vaccine Linked to Eye Damage.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Scientists in Turkey discovered that Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine may temporarily affect the cornea, potentially leading to vision issues if long-term changes occur.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Researchers in Turkey conducted the study, examining 64 patients who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The study was published on Wednesday in the journal Ophthalmic Epidemiology, with data collected over approximately 75 days post-vaccination.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The endothelium should be closely monitored in those with a low endothelial count or who have had a corneal graft.” – Study authors

🎯IMPACT: Potential corneal swelling or blurry vision could arise in patients with pre-existing eye conditions or low endothelial cell counts.

IN FULL

Researchers have found that Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine may heighten the risk of eye damage by impacting the cornea, the transparent outer layer of the eye that permits light entry. A study in Turkey analyzed 64 vaccinated patients, assessing changes in their corneal endothelium—the cornea’s innermost layer—before and after receiving the vaccine.

The findings indicated that two doses of the Pfizer vaccine resulted in thicker corneas, reduced endothelial cell counts, and increased variability in cell size. Although no immediate vision issues were reported, the researchers cautioned that persistent changes could lead to corneal swelling or blurred vision, especially in those with pre-existing eye conditions or prior corneal transplants.

The study showed corneal thickness rising from 528 to 542 micrometers, approximately a two-percent increase. Endothelial cell density decreased from 2,597 to 2,378 cells per square millimeter, an eight-percent drop. While these values generally remained within normal limits, they could be concerning for individuals with already compromised cell counts due to aging, surgery, or disease.

Additionally, the study noted alterations in cell shape and size consistency, with fewer cells maintaining their typical hexagonal form, suggesting potential stress on the endothelium. The researchers advised, “The endothelium should be closely monitored in those with a low endothelial count or who have had a corneal graft.”

This research adds to prior concerns about mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, which have been associated with heart-related inflammatory conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently required the addition of expanded warning labels to Pfizer and Moderna’s mRNA vaccines, noting the risks of myocarditis and pericarditis, particularly for young males.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

Radical Views of Suspect in Anti-ICE Sniper Ambush Uncovered.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents captured Benjamin Song, a suspect accused of shooting at U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during a riot at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, Texas, following an extensive manhunt.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Benjamin Song, 32, a former U.S. Marine Corps reservist, and law enforcement, including the FBI Dallas Field Office.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Song was captured on Tuesday, in Texas.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The FBI has worked tirelessly to arrest everyone associated with the shooting at the Prairieland Detention Center.” – FBI Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock

🎯IMPACT: Song faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault on a public servant, aiding terrorism, and engaging in organized crime, with a bond set at $15 million.

IN FULL

Benjamin Song, 32, was apprehended by the FBI Dallas Field Office on Tuesday following a manhunt that included a $25,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. Song is accused of shooting at federal officers during a riot at the Prairieland Detention Center in Texas on July 4. The ambush resulted in a local police officer being shot in the neck.

Song, a former U.S. Marine Corps reservist, apparently has a history of social media posts containing anti-police, anti-Israel, and anti-Trump rhetoric. His posts on X (formerly Twitter) under the handle @BubbleBreakBS include statements like “Do you want to end mass shooting? Abolish the police,” and attacks on both Republicans and Democrats, including President Donald J. Trump and former President Joe Biden.

A GoFundMe campaign tied to Song referenced his involvement in activism from Hong Kong to San Francisco and claimed he was a member of the Socialist Rifle Association. The campaign raised over $3,000 for his legal defense after a 2020 arrest on other charges.

According to the Facebook group, “Behind the Masks,” which documents the lives of those who participated in the Free Hong Kong Movement, “Ben Song, a 26-year-old Uber driver from Arlington, Texas who has been a political activist since he was 13, was moved by Hong Kong’s fight for freedom and flew from the US to show his support.” The group describes him as “half Korean and half Japanese” rather than Chinese, however.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently reported an 830 percent increase in assaults on ICE agents compared to last year. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem urged politicians to condemn violence against law enforcement, stating, “This new data reflects the violence against our law enforcement in cities across the country in the last few weeks.” Senior Democrats have been demonizing ICE for weeks, with Minnesota Governor and 2024 vice presidential candidate Tim Walz going so far as to compare them to Adolf Hitler’s Gestapo.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Christopher Tomlinson
Immigration
UK

Police Run Over Anti-Immigration Protester After Migrant Sex Attack.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Social media footage shows British police striking an anti-migration protester with their van amid protests against an asylum seeker accused of three counts of sexual assault.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Essex Police, anti-immigration protesters, far-left counter-protesters, Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The incidents occurred in Epping, England, on July 17.

💬KEY QUOTE: “[W]e’ll make sure that those people feel the full force of the law,” Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said of the protesters.

🎯IMPACT:  The protests are just part of a larger trend as local people across Europe demonstrate against migrant crime, with some demonstrations turning violent. 

IN FULL

An anti-immigration protester was run over by a British police van in Epping, England, during a demonstration against an alleged sexual assault committed by a migrant living at a local hotel at taxpayers’ expense. Police are also alleged to have directly aided leftist counter-protesters.

The incident took place on July 17 amid a protest outside the local Bell Hotel, where counter-protesters from the far-left group “Stand Up to Racism” were also present. According to footage posted on X, Essex Police not only mobilized to protect the leftist counter-protesters but also aided them by transporting them away in police vans.

Police say some protesters became violent when confronted by officers, with two arrests after men wearing masks allegedly assaulted eight officers. “[W]e’ll make sure that those people feel the full force of the law,” Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said following the clashes. None of the officers sustained serious injuries.

Essex Police said that they not only saw resistance outside the Bell Hotel but were also confronted with “significant hostility” in Epping town center and were forced to call on London‘s Metropolitan Police and the British Transport Police (BTP) for aid.

The protests come after asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, was charged with three counts of sexual assault on July 17. A resident of the Bell Hotel, Kebatu, came illegally to the United Kingdom less than a month ago, on June 29.

The protests are part of a larger trend across Europe in which locals have become enraged to the point of violence over migration-background men sexually harassing or raping local girls and women, or committing other heinous crimes. In Northern Ireland, similar protests were seen in Ballymena last month after two teenage migrants allegedly tried to rape a local girl. At least 17 police officers were injured after being attacked by protesters, who also targeted the homes of migrants in the town.

Notably, British police tend to take a far more hands-off approach when dealing with Muslim, ethnic minority, and far-left protesters; allowing Muslims to riot in Birmingham last year on the basis that “community leaders” told them they could “police themselves,” for instance, and allowing climate extremists to block roads on multiple occasions.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
William Upton
Politics

Federal Govt Slashed by Over 22,000 Across D.C., MD, and VA.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The total federal workforce in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area has been reduced by an estimated 22,000 employees, according to data released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Trump administration, the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, and federal workers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The central bank study was released on Thursday, July 17, and covers the period between January and May 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “On net, federal employment in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia has declined by roughly 22,100 positions,” the bank stated.

🎯IMPACT: Maryland has seen a 5.4 percent decrease in federal employment. Virginia has seen a 4.8 percent decline, but the District of Columbia has only seen a 1.9 percent drop.

IN FULL

New data released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond reveals the total federal workforce in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area has been reduced by an estimated 22,000 employees. The U.S. central bank’s Richmond branch suggests the number of federal workers being laid off will continue to increase in the foreseeable future.

Notably, federal government employment comprises a significant portion of the total employment in Maryland (5.4 percent), Virginia (4.4 percent), and Washington, D.C. (24.6 percent). As a result of workforce reduction initiatives implemented by President Donald J. Trump, including some cuts enacted by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Maryland has seen a 5.4 percent decrease in federal employment. Meanwhile, Virginia has seen a 4.8 percent decline, though the District of Columbia has only seen a 1.9 percent drop.

“There is evidence that the attempt to shrink the federal workforce is having an impact on the DMV region of the Fifth District,” the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond study states, concluding: “On net, federal employment in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia has declined by roughly 22,100 positions, and there has been a sustained increase in unemployment claims, particularly in D.C. proper.”

The number of federal layoffs is likely to increase exponentially after the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a lower court order that previously blocked the Trump administration from cutting workforces across 19 federal departments and agencies. Only one justice dissented, suggesting that Trump will ultimately prevail in a final ruling by the high court.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
Immigration
World

Europe Wants to Start Sending Migrants Back to Syria and Afghanistan.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: European Union (EU) interior ministers—whose roles are roughly equivalent to the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary’s—declared that deportations to Afghanistan and Syria must be permitted.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, EU Home Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner, and ministers from France, Poland, Austria, Denmark, and Czechia.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The declaration was made at the Zugspitze Summit in Germany in July.

💬KEY QUOTE: “These are all enormously important steps toward a credible asylum policy in Europe,” said Gerhard Karner.

🎯IMPACT: The declaration pushes for faster return mechanisms for irregular migrants and strengthens Frontex’s mandate.

IN FULL

At the mountaintop Zugspitze Summit in Germany, European Union (EU) interior ministers pushed for deportations to Afghanistan and Syria, both now relatively stable as a result of victories by the Taliban and al-Qaeda Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), respectively.

The interior ministers advocated for stricter migration policies across the EU, where migrant crime is an increasing concern. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt led the summit, which also included representatives from France, Poland, Austria, Denmark, Czechia, and EU Home Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner.

The group underscored the importance of streamlining and accelerating the process for deporting migrants, saying deportations to Syria and Afghanistan “must be possible.” Their statement also urged an enhanced role for Frontex, the European Union border agency, to support EU nations in deporting migrants to designated hubs in third countries. The Trump administration in the U.S. is implementing a similar policy, deporting migrants who cannot be sent home immediately to third countries such as Swaziland and South Sudan.

Germany carried out its first deportation of convicted criminals to Afghanistan since 2024 on the same day as the summit, with Austria having recently conducted a similar deportation to Syria—the first EU deportations to the country since the former Assad government was overthrown by HTS.

Image by Shark1989z.

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
Health
Politics

This U.S. Territory Just Banned Sex Changes for Under-21s.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Sex change surgeries for people under 21 have been banned in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the use of public funds for such procedures has been prohibited.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Governor Jenniffer González-Colón (R), Puerto Rican Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz (R), and the Puerto Rico LGBTQ+ Federation.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The bill was signed into law on Wednesday and will take effect in October.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The protection of our children and the well-being of all minors is fundamental and non-negotiable!” — Puerto Rican Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz

🎯IMPACT: Sex change medics face fines, prison time, and license revocation for violations, but the law’s constitutionality is set to be challenged in court.

IN FULL

Puerto Rico has enacted a law banning sex change surgeries for people under the age of 21 and prohibiting the use of public funds for such procedures. Governor Jenniffer González-Colón (R) signed the bill into law on Wednesday. The legislation imposes fines of $50,000 per violation on medics who provide hormone therapy or sex change surgeries to minors in the U.S. territory, along with potential penalties of 15 years in prison and the revocation of medical licenses and permits.

Puerto Rican Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz (R), who authored the legislation, celebrated the signing, stating, “The protection of our children and the well-being of all minors is fundamental and non-negotiable!”

The law emphasizes officials’ responsibility to protect minors, stating, “Minors, having not yet reached the necessary emotional, cognitive, and physical maturity, are particularly vulnerable to making decisions that can have irreversible consequences. Therefore, it is the State’s duty to ensure their comprehensive well-being.”

The Puerto Rico LGBTQ+ Federation has announced plans to challenge the law in court. Co-director Justin Jesús Santiago described the law as “cruel and inhumane,” while federation president Pedro Julio Serrano criticized Governor González-Colón, calling her “the most anti-equity governor in history.”

Image by Quinn Dombrowski.

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
Crime

D.C. Police Commander Investigated for Allegedly Faking Crime Data.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A D.C. police commander is under investigation for allegedly altering crime statistics.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Michael Pulliam, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the Fraternal Order of Police.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The investigation began mid-May in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “That’s preposterous. There’s absolutely no way crime could be down 28 percent.” — Gregg Pemberton, Chairman of the Fraternal Order of Police

🎯IMPACT: The investigation and allegations could affect public trust in crime data reporting.

IN FULL

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has confirmed that Michael Pulliam, a Washington, D.C. police commander, is under investigation for allegedly doctoring crime statistics. The investigation began after the Fraternal Order of Police complained that the department was deliberately falsifying crime data.

The police union reports that supervisors are manipulating data to show a significant decrease in violent crime compared to the previous year. Pulliam, who was the commander of the 3rd District, was placed on paid leave and informed of the investigation into his actions in mid-May, according to law enforcement sources.

Gregg Pemberton, Chairman of the Fraternal Order of Police, stated that there is a trend of altering crime classifications to lower the apparent crime rates. “When our members respond to the scene of a felony offense… there will be a lieutenant or a captain that will show up on that scene and direct those members to take a report for a lesser offense,” Pemberton explained. “So, instead of taking a report for a shooting or a stabbing or a carjacking, they will order that officer to take a report for a theft or an injured person to the hospital or a felony assault, which is not the same type of classification.”

Pemberton described recently released statistics suggesting violent crime is down 28 percent in the American capital as “preposterous,” stressing: “There’s absolutely no way crime could be down 28 percent. Last year, they suggested that it went down 34 percent.”

Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department stated that any irregularities in crime data will be addressed immediately. She claimed that reclassifying criminal offenses outside of MPD policy guidelines is not condoned.

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By Popular Demand.
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6 hours ago
Politics
World

Trump Ally Bolsonaro Detained in Brazil Amid Concerns He Will Seek Asylum in U.S.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has reportedly been fitted with an electronic ankle tag by authorities amid concerns he might seek asylum in the U.S., where he has the support of President Donald J. Trump.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s Supreme Court, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and President Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Brazil, as Bolsonaro faces trial before the country’s Supreme Court.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Terrible treatment you are receiving at the hands of an unjust system turned against you.” – Donald Trump in a letter to Bolsonaro.

🎯IMPACT: Bolsonaro is accused of plotting a coup against President Lula and faces trial, with potential implications for Brazil’s democracy and political stability.

IN FULL

Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s former populist president, has reportedly been fitted with an electronic ankle tag by authorities over concerns he may attempt to flee to the United States and seek asylum. Brazilian prosecutors accuse Bolsonaro, sometimes known as the ‘Tropical Trump,’ of plotting a coup against the incumbent far-left President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and he is now facing trial before the country’s Supreme Court. The allegations have heightened tensions in Brazil, with Bolsonaro still holding significant public support.

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed his support for Bolsonaro, writing in a recent letter, “Terrible treatment you are receiving at the hands of an unjust system turned against you.” Additionally, earlier this month, Trump announced he would increase U.S. tariffs on Brazilian goods to 50 percent on August 1, 2025—in part as punishment for the country’s political persecution of Bolsonaro.

In response to the tariff threat, President Lula declared that Brazilian political leaders who support Bolsonaro and Trump are “traitors to the homeland.” He added: “Brazil has only one owner: the Brazilian people.” However, judges have already denied the Brazilian people the opportunity to vote for Bolsonaro by banning him from standing for election.

Meanwhile, in a Thursday post on Truth Social, President Trump demanded that Lula “changes course” and “stop attacking” Bolsonaro. Unlike most of the other tariff measures imposed by Trump, the trade duties on Brazilian goods are being justified in almost entirely political terms, linked to the South American country’s treatment of Bolsonaro.

Responding to the 50 percent tariff imposition in a letter to the Trump administration, Brazil expressed “indignation” at the increased trade duties. Though Lula insists he is “betting on good commercial and diplomatic relations” to ensure the U.S. tariffs on his country are lowered in the near term.

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