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December 26, 2024
UK

HISTORIC: Nigel Farage’s Reform Party Has Passed the ‘Conservatives’ in Public Membership.

Reform UK, directed by Brexit leader Nigel Farage, has officially surpassed the UK’s Conservative Party in public membership numbers, marking an historic inflection point in British politics. As of Thursday morning, Reform UK reported 132,200 members, pulling ahead of the Conservative Party’s last recorded figure of 131,680 from November.

Farage, who returned to politics in blockbuster fashion this summer, expressed pride in the achievement, stating, “Reform UK has overtaken the oldest political party in the world.” He declared that Reform UK now stands as the official opposition to the governing Labour Party, with membership numbers still rising.

The rapid increase in membership numbers was displayed on a live ticker projecting the growth rate.

Farage’s leadership and the party’s expansion have once again upended UK political dynamics, which have long been dominated by the establishment Conservative and Labour parties.

Editor’s Notes

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

RAHEEM J. KASSAM Editor-in-Chief
Well you can’t say I didn’t tell you this was coming! The National Pulse readers knew first, especially from when I traveled to Europe this summer to cover the French and UK elections, that Farage and his party were set to make more major breakthroughs this year
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Well you can’t say I didn’t tell you this was coming! The National Pulse readers knew first, especially from when I traveled to Europe this summer to cover the French and UK elections, that Farage and his party were set to make more major breakthroughs this year show more
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14 minutes ago
News

Florida Redistricting Effort Passes State Senate, Heads to Governor’s Desk.

Florida’s new congressional map, passed by the Republican-controlled state legislature, is heading to the desk of Governor Ron DeSantis, who proposed it just days ago.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Florida’s state legislature has passed a new congressional map in a special session, potentially increasing GOP representation in the U.S. House of Representatives by four seats. The map was approved shortly after a significant U.S. Supreme Court redistricting ruling in Louisiana.
📰 DETAIL: The map, put forward by Governor Ron DeSantis (R) just days ago, passed the state Senate on Wednesday, after being passed by the state House earlier the same day. The approval came after a brief delay for state lawmakers to review the Supreme Court’s decision overturning the creation of a new black-majority district in Louisiana, which heralds changes to the Voting Rights Act that could cost the Democrats a number of racially gerrymandered majority-minority districts nationwide.
🎯 IMPACT: The new map is expected to face legal challenges from Democrat-aligned groups, potentially affecting its implementation ahead of the November midterms. However, if upheld, it could shift the political landscape in Florida, netting the GOP four or five additional House seats and canceling out a redistricting effort likely to hand the Democrats multiple new seats in Virginia.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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Florida's new congressional map, passed by the Republican-controlled state legislature, is heading to the desk of Governor Ron DeSantis, who proposed it just days ago.

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By Popular Demand.
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50 minutes ago
Lawfare
News

Emails Show Biden DOJ Wanted to Target Pro-Trump Nuns.

Text messages reveal Biden-era DOJ prosecutors joked about prosecuting Catholic nuns who attended a pro-Trump rally.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Prosecutors Joseph Cooney and Molly Gaston, both of whom served in the Department of Justice (DOJ) under former President Joe Biden, apparently targeted Catholic nuns for attending the “Stop the Steal” rally on January 6, 2021, according to recently released text messages.
📺 DETAIL: Text messages shared on Wednesday by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)—who is investigating Arctic Frost, a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) probe into Republicans and conservatives—reveal that Biden DOJ prosecutors Cooney and Gaston seemingly targeted Catholic nuns attending the “Stop the Steal” rally. Grassley said the texts demonstrated a “total disdain for equal justice” and an apparent willingness to target people based on their religion. In February 2021, after spotting the protesting nuns in media coverage of the rally, Gaston messaged Cooney: “I would like to take a special assignment of finding and prosecuting them,” to which Cooney responded, “I’m with you. Although I’d like to prosecute any nun who still wears the head habit.” Both served as top deputies to Jack Smith, then a special counsel tasked with prosecuting President Donald J. Trump and his supporters. The nuns in question were wearing traditional veils and pro-Trump scarves.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Freedom of religion is a cherished First Amendment right enshrined in our Constitution by the Founding Fathers… I was appalled, but sadly not surprised, to discover evidence of Biden DOJ prosecutors threatening to use the power of the federal justice system to target people of faith.” – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA).
🎯 IMPACT: This revelation raises questions about the impartiality of the Department of Justice under the Biden government. Earlier this year, Cooney announced his intention to run as a Democrat for Virginia’s 7th district, which is part of one of the most traditional Catholic dioceses in the United States.
📺 FLASHBACK: Last year, internal FBI emails revealed that the Biden DOJ targeted President Trump over a January 6 defendant choir as part of a broader “obsession with piling on Trump charges.” 

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Text messages reveal Biden-era DOJ prosecutors joked about prosecuting Catholic nuns who attended a pro-Trump rally.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
News
War

Iran War Has Cost $25 Billion So Far, Pentagon Confirms.

The United States has already spent $25 billion on the Iran war, according to high-ranking Pentagon officials.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The United States has spent approximately $25 billion on the Iran war thus far, according to Acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hurst III. As the war nears its 60-day mark, the bulk of its costs have reportedly come from munitions, operations, and equipment replacements and maintenance.
📺 DETAIL: The figure, announced during a House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, is the first cost update since Operation Epic Fury began in late February. Acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hurst III indicated that a request for supplemental funding would be submitted after a full cost assessment. Previous estimates indicated that roughly $11.3 billion had been spent in the first six days of the war alone.
🎯 IMPACT: The cost update comes as the war nears the 60-day mark. Under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, military operations lasting more than 60 days require congressional approval, with leeway for the President to request a 30-day extension. At present, the House has failed to pass a war powers resolution, while the Senate has consistently blocked measures to end the war.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “We will formulate a supplemental, through the White House, that will come to Congress once we have a full assessment of the cost of the conflict.” — Jules Hurst III, acting Pentagon Comptroller.
📺 FLASHBACK: Earlier this month, research from the American Enterprise Institute estimated that the Iran war was costing the United States between $22.3 billion and $31 billion. Over a five-week period, the cost of the war was analyzed as totaling roughly $500 million per day.

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The United States has already spent $25 billion on the Iran war, according to high-ranking Pentagon officials.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
News
UK

NY Priorities: Mamdani Said He’d Use King Charles Meet to Lobby for a Diamond to be Returned to India… Then He Chickened Out.

During a 9/11 memorial event in New York City, New York Mayor Zorhan Mamdani claimed he would ask King Charles III to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond to India—but failed to follow through.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) claimed he would ask King Charles III to transfer the Koh-i-Noor diamond to India during a 9/11 memorial event in New York City on Wednesday. However, video footage of the Uganda-born ethnic Indian interacting with the British monarch at the memorial suggests he made no such request when given the opportunity.
📺 DETAIL: Mamdani made the remarks while taking questions from reporters, noting that, rather than discussing British-American trade and investment or other priorities relevant to New Yorkers, he would use any meeting with the King to “encourage” him to send the diamond to his ancestral homeland. The Koh-i-Noor diamond, now part of the British Crown Jewels, has long been a source of international dispute due to its origins in India and its transfer to Britain during the 19th century under colonial rule. India, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan have previously laid claim to the diamond, though the British government has given no indication that it will be sent anywhere. Mamdani’s comments came ahead of a scheduled meeting with the King during his U.S. visit, which includes events commemorating the upcoming 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. However, video of that meeting shows Mamdani smiling, bowing, and shaking hands with the King, with no indication that he pressed India’s claims to the Koh-i-Noor.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “You know, if I was to speak to the King separately from that, I would probably encourage him to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond.” – Zohran Mamdani.
📺 FLASHBACK: The diamond, known as the ‘Mountain of Light,’ became part of the British Crown Jewels after the Treaty of Lahore in 1849, which required the young ruler of Punjab to cede sovereignty and the diamond to Britain. It has since been worn by several British queens, most recently being set in the crown of the King’s late grandmother.

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During a 9/11 memorial event in New York City, New York Mayor Zorhan Mamdani claimed he would ask King Charles III to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond to India—but failed to follow through.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Crime
News

Two Charged for Assault on Conservative Journalist Covering Anti-ICE Protest.

A federal grand jury has indicted two people over an assault on Turning Point USA reporter Savanah Hernandez, while she was covering a protest outside an ICE facility in Minneapolis.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A federal grand jury has indicted two people for their involvement in the assault of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) reporter Savannah Hernandez during an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The incident occurred on April 11 outside the Whipple Federal Building, where protesters had gathered near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office that also serves as a detention facility.
📺 DETAIL: Video from the scene previously showed multiple people striking Hernandez, with one person shoving her to the ground as she filmed. The assault prompted a federal investigation, with authorities examining potential civil rights violations related attacks on journalists. Officials have not released full details about the defendants or the specific charges as of the time of publication.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Leave me, I am trying to leave!” – Savanah Hernandez, during the altercation.
🎯 IMPACT: Minneapolis was the center of far-left protests during ICE operations in Minnesota, with two leftists being killed while interfering with federal agents or, in one case, trying to run down an agent with a vehicle. The far left agitators are believed to have been funded by a massive underground fraud network. Over 10,000 illegals were arrested in the Minneapolis before the operation was wound down.

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A federal grand jury has indicted two people over an assault on Turning Point USA reporter Savanah Hernandez, while she was covering a protest outside an ICE facility in Minneapolis.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
News
Politics

Florida House Advances Redistricting Bill.

State lawmakers in Florida’s House of Representatives have passed a redrawn congressional map which could give Republicans a significant edge in upcoming midterm elections.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Florida’s House of Representatives has approved a redrawn congressional map. The redistricting proposal could provide Republicans with four additional seats in the U.S. Congress come the November midterms.
📺 DETAIL: On Wednesday, Florida’s House of Representatives approved a redrawn congressional map. Proposed by Governor Ron DeSantis (R), the redistricting measure redraws areas in Orlando, Tampa, and south-eastern Florida. The proposal will reduce the number of Democrat-leaning areas while boosting Republican representation. The scramble to redistrict Florida was sparked after voters in Virginia narrowly approved a redistricting proposal that favors the Democrats.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Based on the testimony that we’ve heard in the two various Committees, I believe that there is a likelihood that that map will be upheld against legal challenges.” – State Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka (R-FL).
🎯 IMPACT: After being approved by the state’s House of Representatives, the proposal moves to the Florida Senate, where the Republicans have a substantial majority. Florida’s redistricting measure mirrors similar efforts in other states besides Virginia. In California, a redrawn congressional map favoring the Democrats was passed earlier this year. Similarly, a new congressional map favoring Republicans was introduced in Texas. Notably, these moves come as the Supreme Court voted 6-3 on Wednesday to limit provisions of the Voting Rights Act that previously required some states to create majority-minority districts favoring Democrats.

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State lawmakers in Florida's House of Representatives have passed a redrawn congressional map which could give Republicans a significant edge in upcoming midterm elections.

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
Election Integrity
News

State Finds Tens of Thousands of Dead People on Voter Rolls.

North Carolina found a significant number of dead people on its voter rolls, prompting calls for immediate action on election integrity.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The North Carolina State Board of Elections identified approximately 34,000 dead people still on the state’s voter rolls, a number higher than anticipated. The discovery was made through a data cross-check with the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “While we expected to find some cases, this is higher than we anticipated,” said NCSBE Executive Director Sam Hayes.

📰 DETAIL: Officials said many of the cases likely involve voters who moved out of state and died elsewhere, leaving records outdated. Authorities are now working with county election offices to verify each case and remove ineligible registrations in accordance with state and federal law. The discovery, which officials said was higher than expected, highlights the importance of routine voter roll maintenance and data-sharing between agencies. Election officials said the cleanup process will include additional cross-checks and due process before any removals are finalized. Thousands of noncitizens have been purged from voter rolls in other states in recent years, including over 2,700 people in Texas last year and over 50,000 in Arizona.   

🎯 IMPACT: The revelation has sparked calls for immediate action to ensure election integrity, with Congressman Mark Harris (R-NC) labeling the situation a “failure” and urging the passage of the SAVE America Act, which mandates proof of citizenship for voter registration. Notably, without proper verification, the chance of possible voter fraud in the November midterm elections will be exponentially higher.

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North Carolina found a significant number of dead people on its voter rolls, prompting calls for immediate action on election integrity.

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By Popular Demand.
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6 hours ago
Health
News
UK

Controversial ‘Generational Smoking Ban’ Becomes Law.

The United Kingdom has passed a far-reaching law aimed at creating a “smoke-free generation” by banning cigarette sales to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The British government has officially enacted the Tobacco and Vapes Act, a landmark piece of legislation that prohibits the sale of cigarettes to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009. The new law aims to phase out smoking and alleviate pressure on the National Health Service (NHS), Britain’s socialized healthcare system.
📺 DETAIL: Introduced by former Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in October 2023, the Tobacco and Vapes Act has been implemented by the Labour government of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The law aims for an incremental, generation-by-generation phase-out of smoking. Specifically, the Act bans the sale of cigarettes to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009. It also regulates vape flavors, as well as how vapes can be advertised and packaged. Wes Streeting, Britain’s Health Secretary, claims the new law will prevent approximately 154,800 deaths in England by 2100. The ban on smoking is seen as a part of a broader strategy by the government to alleviate pressure on Britain’s increasingly strained NHS.
🎯 IMPACT: Britain is the first country in Europe to implement an incremental ban on smoking. This legislation comes as smoking has already fallen sharply, from 18.8 percent in 2014 to 9.1 percent in 2024. British government projections further estimate the number of smokers will drop to fewer than 1,000 by the next century, down from over 5.5 million in 2023 when the Act was put before Parliament. Twenty-two American towns have previously attempted a similar “Nicotine-Free Generation” strategy.
📺 FLASHBACK: In March, Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform Party, vowed to scrap the law, calling it “puritanical”. Farage criticized the legislation for turning the British shopkeeper into “some kind of health policeman” through a £200 (~$270) fine. “Ten years from now, a 27-year-old will not be legally able to buy cigarettes, but a 28-year-old will… A decade later 37-year-olds will not be deemed old enough to smoke, but 38-year-olds will be free to do so. And so forth,” Farage wrote.

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The United Kingdom has passed a far-reaching law aimed at creating a "smoke-free generation" by banning cigarette sales to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009.

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By Popular Demand.
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6 hours ago
Bonkers Britain
Crime
Immigration

Islamic Sect Raided Over Sex Crime, Forced Marriage, and Slavery Allegations.

A major police operation in England led to the arrest of members of an Islamic religious sect over allegations of sex offenses, human trafficking, forced marriage, and modern slavery.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: More than 500 police officers conducted a raid on the Islamic Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) headquarters in Crewe, England, resulting in the arrest of sect members over allegations of sex offenses, human trafficking, forced marriage, and modern slavery.
📰 DETAIL: The group, founded in 2018 by Egyptian-American Abdullah Hashem, mixes Shia Islam with beliefs around aliens and the Illuminati. Authorities said the investigation stems from reports made last month involving one female victim, with alleged offenses dating back to 2023. Chief Superintendent Gareth Wrigley said police are treating the allegations with the utmost seriousness. Modern slavery has become a major issue in Britain, with some estimating that there are over 120,000 people living as modern slaves in the country.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Today’s operation is the outcome of a detailed and robust investigation into reports of serious sexual offenses, forced marriage and modern slavery involving members of a religious group called Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Crewe.” – Ch Supt Gareth Wrigley, Cheshire Constabulary
🎯 IMPACT: The arrests have prompted a thorough search of the premises, and authorities are working to provide advice and safeguarding to other group members. Nine arrests have been confirmed, all involving foreign nationals with citizenship in the United States, Mexico, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Egypt. The case underscores the growing issues in Britain with foreign religious sects and migrant communities engaging in modern slavery and sexual exploitation.

Image by Watford London Media.

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A major police operation in England led to the arrest of members of an Islamic religious sect over allegations of sex offenses, human trafficking, forced marriage, and modern slavery.

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By Popular Demand.
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7 hours ago
News
SCOTUS

Supreme Court Strikes Down Congressional Map as Racial Gerrymander.

The Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate Louisiana’s congressional map could reshape future House elections by limiting the use of race in districting.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The Supreme Court struck down a congressional map in Louisiana on Wednesday, ruling against the use of race as a primary factor in creating a black-majority and almost certainly Democrat-voting district. This decision challenges the lower courts’ mandate for a second majority-black district in the state under the Voting Rights Act.
📰 DETAIL: The case, involving Louisiana v. Callais and Robinson v. Callais, was initially taken up during the 2024-25 term, with the Court considering both the 14th and 15th Amendments. The Trump administration and state officials argued that the map constituted a racial gerrymander, violating the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “If these were white Democrats, there’s no reason to think they would have a second district, none,” stated principal deputy solicitor general Hashim Mooppan during oral arguments.
🎯 IMPACT: The ruling could allow Republican officials to redraw up to 19 congressional districts in the South and Midwest to remove majority-minority districts, likely favoring the GOP. However, the timing of today’s decision may limit its impact on the November midterms, where Democrats are expected to have an advantage.
The controversial electoral district, designed to engineer a black majority. (Democracy Docket)

Image by Billy Wilson.

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The Supreme Court's decision to invalidate Louisiana's congressional map could reshape future House elections by limiting the use of race in districting.

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By Popular Demand.
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