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November 1, 2024
Data
Economy

Massive Jobs Numbers Fail On Eve of U.S. Election.

Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, the latest U.S. jobs report reveals a deteriorating economic situation. October’s employment gains were limited, with only 12,000 jobs added despite projections of an additional 112,000. This is a sharp decline from September’s increase of 223,000. A revision to August’s numbers shows only 78,000 jobs now having been added compared to the initial 142,000 reported.

Officials in the Biden-Harris government are trying to dismiss the dismal jobs report, blaming hurricanes and a Boeing labor strike. Concerningly, 46,000 manufacturing jobs were lost last month—suggesting a weakening in U.S. industrial sectors. If not for government employment, October would have marked the first negative payroll numbers since December 2020.

Employment in the film and sound recording industries increased by 2,600 to 448,000 positions following previous losses. In contrast, the broadcasting and content creation sectors saw a decrease, shedding 3,300.

The overall labor market data contrasts with earlier optimistic economic signals. Earlier reports pointed to a 2.8 percent GDP growth over the year and a continued drop in inflation rates. Notable advances in employment were seen in the healthcare and government sectors, whereas temporary business support and professional services faced declines.

In August, a benchmark employment revision revealed that employment gains for the year had been vastly overestimated, by nearly one million jobs. The continued lack of positive movement in the labor market means a second Federal Reserve interest rate cut is increasingly likely before the end of the year.

During the 2020 election, the corporate media piled on the Trump White House after the labor report showed the economy adding 661,000 jobs.

By Popular Demand.
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19 minutes ago
News

WATCH: Trump’s Hilarious ‘I’ll Run Again and I’ll Shove It Up Their A**!’ Comments.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump spoke at a Kennedy Center board dinner on Monday night, recalling his role in securing the Olympics and World Cup, while reiterating his perspectives on the 2020 election fraud and its impact on 2024.

👥 Who’s Involved: Donald Trump, Kennedy Center board members, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

📍 Where & When: Kennedy Center board dinner, Washington, D.C., Monday night.

💬 Key Quote: “I said, You know what I’ll do? I’ll run again and I’ll shove it up their ass!” – Donald Trump.

WATCH:

IN FULL:

At a Kennedy Center board dinner on Monday night, President Donald J. Trump claimed that his decision to run for office again was motivated, in part, by a desire to receive recognition for securing the Olympics and World Cup during his first term. He also took aim at his political opponents and reiterated how the 2020 election was stolen.

Speaking to attendees, Trump recounted his role in helping the United States secure the 2028 Summer Olympics and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, crediting his relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “We got the Olympics and then we got through Gianni, he’s the boss, he’s a friend of mine, we got the World Cup,” Trump said, adding that he feared his contributions would be forgotten if he did not return to office.

Trump went on to say that his 2024 presidential run was partly motivated by the contested results of the 2020 election. He declared, “I said, You know what I’ll do? I’ll run again and I’ll shove it up their a**!” to the crowd’s applause.

The President also criticized the state of the Kennedy Center, where he serves as board chair. He remarked on the facility’s mismanagement of funds, stating, “They certainly didn’t spend it on wallpaper, carpet, or painting.”

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By Popular Demand.
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39 minutes ago
Politics

DOJ Investigates Chicago Mayor Over Anti-White Hiring Remarks.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched an investigation into Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson over suspected racial discrimination in hiring practices.

👥 Who’s Involved: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, U.S. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, Governor J.B. Pritzker (D-IL), and the DOJ.

📍 Where & When: The investigation was announced this week following remarks by the Democrat mayor at a church in Woodlawn, Chicago.

💬 Key Quote: “Considering these remarks, I have authorized an investigation to determine whether the City of Chicago is engaged in a pattern of practice of discrimination as set forth above,” Dhillon said.

⚠️ Impact: The investigation adds to ongoing legal scrutiny of Chicago, which has already faced a DOJ lawsuit over its sanctuary city policies.

IN FULL:

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated an investigation into Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D), alleging racial discrimination in his hiring practices. The probe was announced this week after Johnson made remarks at a Woodlawn church, emphasizing a preference for hiring black people in his administration.

During his Sunday remarks, Mayor Johnson acknowledged potential criticism over his focus on hiring black employees. “There are some detractors that will push back on me and say, ‘The only thing the mayor talks about is the hiring of black people.’ No. What I’m saying is, when you hire our people, we always look out for everybody else. We are the most generous people on the planet. I don’t know too many cultures that have play cousins,” Johnson said.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon referenced the mayor’s public comments in her announcement, stating, “Considering these remarks, I have authorized an investigation to determine whether the City of Chicago is engaged in a pattern of practice of discrimination as set forth above.” The investigation will assess whether Johnson’s hiring practices violate the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

This investigation is the latest in a series of legal actions involving Chicago under the Trump administration. Earlier this year, the DOJ filed a lawsuit against the city and the state of Illinois over sanctuary policies that allegedly obstruct federal immigration enforcement efforts. The lawsuit accuses Chicago and the State of Illinois of deliberately hindering federal officers in carrying out deportation responsibilities.

Governor J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) has pushed back against federal scrutiny, previously denying any violations of federal law. Responding to the February lawsuit, the governor’s office complained, “Instead of working with us to support law enforcement, the Trump Administration is making it more difficult to protect the public, just like they did when Trump pardoned the convicted January 6 violent criminals. We look forward to seeing them in court.”

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
News
UK

UK Cops Taze and Mace 92-Year-Old With One Leg for Holding a Butter Knife.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A 92-year-old disabled man holding a butter knife was pepper-sprayed, tasered, and struck with a baton by police officers responding to a nursing home incident. After being hospitalized, he contracted COVID-19 and died within a month.

👥 Who’s Involved: Donald Burgess, a one-legged wheelchair user; Police Constable (PC) Stephen Smith, and PC Rachel Comotto.

📍 Where & When: The incident occurred at St Leonards-on-Sea, England, on June 21, 2022. Bodycam footage was released this week.

💬 Key Quote: Prosecutor Paul Jarvis KC: “This was an elderly, vulnerable man who may not have understood what was going on. Rather than being met with understanding and sympathy, he was confronted by irritation and annoyance on the part of the defendants.”

⚠️ Impact: Mr. Burgess was hospitalized and died 22 days after the incident.

IN FULL:

Two British police officers are on trial for allegedly using excessive force against a 92-year-old disabled man at a nursing home in East Sussex. The incident, which occurred on June 21, 2022, involved Donald Burgess, a one-legged pensioner in a wheelchair, who was pepper-sprayed, tasered, and struck with a baton within seconds of officers entering his room.

Southwark Crown Court heard that Police Constable (PC) Stephen Smith and PC Rachel Comotto were responding to an emergency call after staff reported Mr. Burgess had poked a care worker with a knife. Staff had spent 30 minutes attempting to calm Mr. Burgess after he flicked food and brandished a small butter knife, before calling police.

Prosecutors allege that the officers used “unjustified and unlawful” force. According to bodycam footage presented in court, PC Smith pepper-sprayed Mr. Burgess directly in the face, allegedly emptying the canister. Moments later, Smith struck him with a baton, and Comotto deployed her Taser, causing Mr. Burgess to cry out in pain.

Prosecutor Paul Jarvis KC told jurors that Mr. Burgess was seated in his wheelchair, holding the knife but posing no immediate threat. He stated, “It ought to have been obvious by the fact he had one leg that this was a man who wasn’t going to be mobile.”

He added, “This was an elderly, vulnerable man who may not have understood what was going on. Rather than being met with understanding and sympathy, he was confronted by irritation and annoyance on the part of the defendants.”

The court was told that the officers did not consult staff or explain their actions to Mr. Burgess before issuing commands. PC Smith warned, “Do you want to put the knife down, or you will be sprayed or tasered? Those are the options,” before discharging the spray.

Mr. Burgess, who suffered from multiple health conditions, including diabetes and carotid artery disease, was taken to the hospital after the incident. He later reportedly contracted COVID there and passed away 22 days later. Still, prosecutors say that the officers are not being held responsible for his death.

The case comes amid accusations of two-tier policing by British police, with Christians, conservatives, and white people receiving less favorable treatment. There have been many arrests and visits to people’s homes over social media posts in recent months, some of them labelled “non-crime hate incidents.”

VIDEO:

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
News

Musk Announces ‘I’m Going to Do A Lot Less’ After DOGE Failures.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Elon Musk announced plans to significantly reduce his political spending in the future, citing that he believes he has “done enough.”

👥 Who’s Involved: Elon Musk, President Donald J. Trump, Musk’s companies (Tesla, SpaceX, xAI), and an anonymous Musk adviser.

📍 Where & When: Qatar Economic Forum, Tuesday.

💬 Key Quote: “I think in terms of political spending, I’m going to do a lot less in the future. I think I’ve done enough,” Musk said.

⚠️ Impact: Musk’s decision may alter his role in political campaigns, though his influence is expected to remain significant through quieter contributions.

IN FULL:

Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and a key supporter of President Donald J. Trump during his 2024 re-election campaign, announced plans to scale back his political spending. Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum on Tuesday, Musk stated, “I think in terms of political spending, I’m going to do a lot less in the future. I think I’ve done enough.”

Musk, who contributed over $250 million to a super PAC supporting Trump last year, expressed ambivalence about future political commitments. He added, “Well, if I see a reason to do political spending in the future, I will do it. I don’t currently see a reason.”

An adviser to Musk, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested that the billionaire’s reduced public political profile would not diminish his influence. “Musk scaling back his public profile does not diminish his influence. I think it can actually sharpen it,” the adviser said. They noted that Musk could still quietly back causes he supports without generating “unnecessary noise.”

Musk played a prominent role in the latter part of Trump’s campaign, having initially badmouthed him and supported Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the Republican primary. Following Trump’s re-election, Musk was appointed to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), focusing on restructuring federal agencies and workforce reductions.

Musk initially claimed DOGE would save the U.S. taxpayer over $2 trillion. That number was quickly revised to $1 trillion and then again to just $150 billion. It is unclear at this point if any money has been saved at all through his work, as billions in claimed savings have now disappeared from the DOGE website.

Earlier this year, Musk invested heavily in a Wisconsin state Supreme Court race, supporting a conservative candidate who ultimately lost in April. His political vehicle, America PAC, is run by former DeSantis staffers Generra Peck and Phil Cox, the latter of whom is linked to Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and even George Soros operatives.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Christopher Tomlinson
Politics
UK

British PM Declares Nigel Farage His Number One Rival for Power.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has acknowledged that Nigel Farage and his Reform Party are now the ruling Labour Party’s main rivals for power.

👥 Who’s Involved: Sir Keir Starmer, Nigel Farage, Labour Party, Reform Party, Conservative Party.

📍 Where & When: Starmer made the comments to fellow Labour Members of Parliament (MPs) on May 19.

💬 Key Quote: “Reform are our main rivals for power. We have a moral responsibility to make sure Farage never wins.” — Sir Keir Starmer.

⚠️ Impact: The admission is a major shakeup in British politics, which has been dominated by Labour and the Conservatives for around a century. 

IN FULL:

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has reportedly told the inner circle of his ruling Labour Party that Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and his party are now their “main rivals for power.” Starmer met with his Members of Parliament (MPs) on May 19, telling them, “The Conservatives are not our principal opponent. Reform are our main rivals for power. We have a moral responsibility to make sure Farage never wins.”

Starmer labelled Farage, “A state-slashing, NHS-privatising, Putin apologist, without a single patriotic bone in his body. We will take the fight to him. We will fight as Labour.”

The statements come just hours after Starmer announced a new trade deal with the European Union (EU), which Farage blasted as a “surrender deal.”

“In 2016, we voted to take back control of our fishing waters from the EU and give a much-needed lifeline to our fishing industry. Today, we learn that Sir Keir Starmer’s much vaunted EU reset deal will grant European fishermen access to British waters for 12 years,” Farage said. He also criticised another aspect of the deal, which could reintroduce a form of Free Movement immigration for EU nationals who are under the age of 30.

Farage also previously criticised Starmer’s trade deal with India, claiming that it betrayed British workers as it could make it 20 percent cheaper for companies to hire Indian workers over native Brits.

Reform dominated the municipal elections in England last month, at the expense of both the Conservatives and Labour. Polling now routinely puts Reform above both the Conservatives and Labour.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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Editor’s Notes

Behind-the-scenes political intrigue exclusively for Pulse+ subscribers.

RAHEEM J. KASSAM Editor-in-Chief
Do not take this as financial advice, but I’ve got some serious money on Nigel winning the 2029 election! Just saying!
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Do not take this as financial advice, but I’ve got some serious money on Nigel winning the 2029 election! Just saying! show more
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By Popular Demand.
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6 hours ago
Immigration
UK

Gun-Toting Palestinian Migrant Gets Just 9 Months Jail for Illegal Entry Attempt.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A Palestinian illegal immigrant and alleged terrorist has been jailed for just nine months after attempting illegal entry into the United Kingdom by small boat.

👥 Who’s Involved: Abu Wadee, also known as Mosab Abdulkarim Al-Gassas; Judge Sarah Counsell; terrorism expert Joe Truzman.

📍 Where & When: Initially arrested in Kent, England, on March 6, 2024, after crossing the Channel.

💬 Key Quote: “There is legitimate public concern about breaches of border control,” Judge Sarah Counsell said, despite handing down a light sentence for the accused Palestinian terrorist.

⚠️ Impact: Wadee’s arrival raised security concerns due to his militant ties and rhetoric targeting Jews. His light prison sentence for illegally crossing the English Channel into the United Kingdom raises concerns about how the British justice system is handling cases involving dangerous foreign nationals who are illegally entering the country.

IN FULL:

A Palestinian man with alleged ties to Islamist militant groups and a history of anti-Semitic rhetoric has been sentenced to just nine months in prison for attempting to enter the United Kingdom illegally. Abu Wadee, also known as Mosab Abdulkarim Al-Gassas, pleaded guilty at Canterbury Crown Court after crossing the English Channel in a small boat on March 6, 2025, without valid entry clearance. Wadee, 33, reportedly paid smugglers €1,500 (£1,300 or $1,700) to facilitate the journey and was arrested upon arrival in Kent, England.

The court heard that Wadee, who left Gaza in 2022, had previously sought asylum in Greece, Germany, and Belgium. He had no familial or financial ties to the United Kingdom and stayed in northern France for about a week before attempting the crossing. Judge Sarah Counsell highlighted the public concern over illegal boat crossings, noting the dangers involved and the profits gained by organized criminals.

Bizarrely, Judge Counsell took a moment to chastize Wadee directly, not over his ties to terrorism or violent speech towards Jewish people, but rather over his decision to cross the English Channel. The judge warned Wadee that the illegal crossing posed a significant “risk of death or injury to you and others.”

Meanwhile, videos and images posted online show Wadee expressing support for Hamas, calling for violence against Jews, and posing with an assault rifle. In one Facebook video, he reportedly called for Allah to “punish [Jews] completely.”

Terrorism expert Joe Truzman stated that Wadee had been affiliated with Gaza-based terror groups, including the Hamas-aligned Al-Qadir al-Husseini Brigades. Truzman added that Wadee gained notoriety during the Great March of Return protests from 2018 to 2022, where he participated in violent clashes at the Gaza-Israel border.

Footage obtained by The Telegraph allegedly shows Wadee throwing pipe bombs during confrontations with Israeli forces in 2021. He has also amassed a significant online following, with 170,000 TikTok followers and 189,000 YouTube subscribers.

Image by Duncan Cumming.

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By Popular Demand.
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7 hours ago
News
World

Portugal’s Populists Are Surging. Here’s Why…

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Portugal’s Chega Party achieved its best-ever election result, securing a record vote share and challenging the country’s long-standing two-party establishment.

👥 Who’s Involved: Chega Party, led by André Ventura; Socialist Party, led by Pedro Nuno Santos; Democratic Alliance (AD), led by Luís Montenegro.

📍 Where & When: Portugal, during snap parliamentary elections concluded in May 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “The system has been shaken,” said Chega lawmaker Pedro Pinto. “And we represent a governing alternative.”

⚠️ Impact: The result signals a shift in Portugal’s political landscape, with Chega emerging as a significant populist force in the European Union (EU). The election outcome leaves the AD coalition short of a majority.

IN FULL:

Portugal’s populist Chega Party has achieved its strongest electoral performance to date, securing 22.56 percent of the vote in the nation’s recent snap parliamentary elections. This result, confirmed Monday, marks the end of decades-long two-party dominance in Portuguese politics.

Led by André Ventura, Chega campaigned on an anti-immigration and anti-corruption platform. Ventura described the outcome as “historic,” emphasizing a voter rejection of mass immigration policies under the sitting government. The election was the third in as many years, triggered by political scandals involving former prime ministers.

The governing Democratic Alliance (AD), led by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, emerged as the largest party with 32 percent of the vote but fell short of an outright majority. Meanwhile, the Socialist Party, under Pedro Nuno Santos, finished second with 23 percent. The Socialists’ poor showing prompted Santos to announce his resignation, as the party’s vote share drew nearly level with Chega.

Despite Chega’s strong performance, Montenegro has ruled out forming a coalition with the populist party. He has instead expressed hopes of leading a minority government. The election result leaves Portugal’s political future uncertain, with overseas votes yet to break the tie between Chega and the Socialist Party.

Chega’s rise mirrors a broader populist surge in neighboring Spain and across Europe as a whole. The party had already made significant gains in last year’s elections, and its continued momentum highlights growing dissatisfaction with the political establishment.

Chega lawmaker Pedro Pinto remarked, “The system has been shaken. And we represent a governing alternative.” The results underscore a shift in Portuguese politics, with populism gaining ground against traditional parties.

Image via Vox.

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By Popular Demand.
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17 hours ago
NatSec
TECH

Apple’s New China AI Partner Is Raising Major National Security Concerns.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Apple’s plan to integrate Alibaba’s artificial intelligence (AI) models into iPhones for the Chinese market faces scrutiny from Republican and Democrat lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

👥 Who’s Involved: Apple, Alibaba, U.S. lawmakers, including Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), and national security officials.

📍 Where & When: China and the United States; ongoing discussions, including a March meeting with the House Select Committee on China.

💬 Key Quote: “Alibaba is a poster child for the Chinese Communist Party’s military-civil fusion strategy, and why Apple would choose to work with them on AI is anyone’s guess,” said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi.

⚠️ Impact: Concerns over potential data-sharing, surveillance, and military tech development linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

IN FULL:

Apple’s collaboration with Chinese tech giant Alibaba to enhance artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities in iPhones sold in China has sparked significant concerns among U.S. lawmakers and national security officials in President Donald J. Trump’s administration. The partnership, aimed at integrating Alibaba’s AI models into Apple devices, has raised alarms over potential risks related to data-sharing, surveillance, and military technology development.

The deal has prompted scrutiny over whether Alibaba, a company with close ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), could gain access to sensitive data or technical insights through the arrangement. Officials worry such access might contribute to state-run programs, including those tied to China’s military objectives.

During a March meeting with the House Select Committee on China, Apple executives reportedly struggled to provide clear answers about the scope of the agreement with Alibaba. Questions remain about what kind of user data might be shared and whether Apple has agreed to comply with Chinese regulations that could demand broader data access or restrict certain functionalities.

Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, criticized Apple’s lack of transparency, saying, “It is extremely disturbing that Apple has not been transparent about its agreement.” He added, “Alibaba is a poster child for the Chinese Communist Party’s military-civil fusion strategy, and why Apple would choose to work with them on AI is anyone’s guess.”

Apple’s push to expand its AI offerings globally, including in China, is part of its broader growth strategy. China is Apple’s second-largest market, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the company’s global revenue. However, this effort comes with risks, particularly as geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China have escalated.

The U.S. government has already imposed restrictions on China’s access to advanced semiconductors and tools. Lawmakers fear that commercial collaborations, such as Apple’s partnership with Alibaba, could undermine these efforts by indirectly aiding China’s technological advancements in areas with potential military applications, including autonomous weapons and drone coordination.

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By Popular Demand.
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18 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
Immigration

‘No Hard Feelings’ – Legal Migrant Wrongfully Arrested Says He Still Supports Trump, ICE.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: Hugo Monteiro, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Brazil, was briefly detained by ICE outside Cambridge District Court in Medford due to a mix-up, but was released after officers confirmed his identity.

Who’s Involved: Hugo Monteiro, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and President Donald J. Trump’s administration.

Where & When: Medford, Massachusetts, outside Cambridge District Court, on Friday, May 16, 2025.

Key Quote: “Unfortunately, they called the wrong person, but I still support whatever they’re doing,” Monteiro said. “I voted for Trump.”

Impact: Monteiro’s support for ICE and Trump’s immigration crackdown, despite his mistaken detention, underscores public backing for America First policies to secure the border and deport illegal aliens.

IN FULL:

Naturalized U.S. citizen Hugo Monteiro has brushed off his brief detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside Cambridge District Court in Medford, Massachusetts, on May 16, 2025, affirming his support for the agency’s mission. The 31-year-old Brazilian-American, mistaken for an illegal immigrant, was quickly released after proving his citizenship and stood firm in backing Trump’s immigration crackdown.

Monteiro, who had just left the courthouse after assisting a client, was approached by four plainclothes ICE officers around 9:15 AM. “They were telling me I was under arrest, that I was in trouble,” he recalled. Handcuffed and escorted to a car, officers soon verified Monteiro’s identity, confirmed their error, and released him by 9:30 AM.

“They explained to me they wanted to make sure they had the correct person,” Monteiro said, noting the officers mentioned prior arrests near the Medford courthouse. Despite the ordeal, he harbored no resentment. “Unfortunately, they called the wrong person, but I still support whatever they’re doing,” he said. “I voted for Trump. There are a lot of bad people in this country, to be honest with you, [and they] don’t deserve to be here. No hard feelings.”

Monteiro’s detention comes amid a surge in ICE operations under Trump’s administration, which reversed a Biden-era policy banning routine courthouse arrests. Trump policy mandates coordination with court security, but Monteiro’s arrest on a public sidewalk suggests operational hiccups, as court security was unaware of the action.

Monteiro’s unwavering support highlights the public’s broad approval of Trump’s robust immigration enforcement.

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By Popular Demand.
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19 hours ago
News
Politics

REPORT: AOC is No Longer Wearing Her Engagement Ring.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has not been seen wearing her engagement ring since November 2023, raising questions about her relationship with fiancé Riley Roberts.

👥 Who’s Involved: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Riley Roberts, her fiancé and web developer.

📍 Where & When: Public appearances and social media posts since December 2023; engagement announced in April 2022.

💬 Key Quote: Kendra Arnold of the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust said, “When a member is not legally married but in a long-term relationship similar to marriage, these concerns still apply even though there is no disclosure requirement.”

⚠️ Impact: The couple’s unmarried status allows Roberts to avoid financial disclosure rules, raising ethical questions as Ocasio-Cortez pushes for stock trading bans for lawmakers and spouses.

IN FULL:

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has not been seen wearing her engagement ring for over 17 months, sparking speculation regarding the status of her relationship with fiancé Riley Roberts, according to a review of public appearances, social media posts, and news images.

Roberts proposed to Ocasio-Cortez in April 2022 with a “zero emission” ring made of recycled gold, valued at $3,057.04. The congresswoman frequently displayed the ring in the months following the engagement. However, since November 2023, the ring has been absent from her left hand during numerous public events, including recent televised appearances, committee hearings, and a series of 2025 political rallies held with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) as part of the Fighting Oligarchy Tour.

While the absence of the ring has raised questions, records show the couple continues to share a residence in Queens and they were seen together in March 2024. Ocasio-Cortez has also referred to Roberts as her “spouse” in House Ethics Committee filings, though her office clarified that they are not legally married.

The couple’s unmarried status has significant implications. As a long-term partner rather than a legal spouse, Roberts is not required to disclose his financial activities, including stock trades or employment details, as part of Ocasio-Cortez’s congressional financial disclosures. Critics, such as Kendra Arnold of the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, argue this loophole undermines transparency.

“When a member is not legally married but in a long-term relationship similar to marriage, these concerns still apply even though there is no disclosure requirement,” Arnold stated.

This situation is particularly noteworthy given Ocasio-Cortez’s legislative efforts to ban individual stock trading by members of Congress and their spouses. Her proposal would not apply to Roberts unless they marry, allowing him to continue trading stocks without restriction or transparency.

Other members of Congress, such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), have made millions on the stock market in recent years. Some investors and fund managers have even created their own financial products that mimic trades made by members of Congress using publicly available data, as lawmakers are required to disclose market transactions over $1,000.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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