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March 6, 2025
William Upton
Politics

Musk Admits Errors, Agrees to Defer to Trump’s Cabinet on Firing Decisions.

Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) frontman Elon Musk is acknowledging he and DOGE have made errors in the mass firings of federal employees. During a Thursday Cabinet meeting called by President Donald J. Trump, the billionaire CEO of SpaceX and Tesla said he will defer employment decisions to department heads—including the Cabinet Secretaries—in the future.

President Trump—with Musk present in the room—told his Cabinet that Musk was only empowered to make recommendations to federal agencies and not conduct firings himself. The America First leader explained that he doesn’t want to have good federal workers dismissed as part of mass layoffs. Musk accepted the new guidance and more contained role.

“DOGE has been an incredible success, and now that we have my Cabinet in place, I have instructed the Secretaries and Leadership to work with DOGE on Cost Cutting measures and Staffing,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social following the White House meeting. “As the Secretaries learn about, and understand, the people working for the various Departments, they can be very precise as to who will remain, and who will go. We say the ‘scalpel’ rather than the ‘hatchet.’ The combination of them, Elon, DOGE, and other great people will be able to do things at a historic level.”

President Trump added: “It’s very important that we cut levels down to where they should be, but it’s also important to keep the best and most productive people.”

Trump pledged that his Cabinet and DOGE officials would continue to meet every two weeks.

In recent weeks, DOGE and Musk have attempted to fire thousands of federal workers, starting mainly with those on probationary status. However, federal courts have intervened, preventing at least some of the firings from taking effect.

READ:

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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14 minutes ago
1A
Lawfare

Federal Court Upholds Ban on Critical Race Theory in Schools.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A ban on critical race theory (CRT) in Arkansas schools has been successfully defended before the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, a three-judge panel from the 8th Circuit, and students challenging the law.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was issued on Wednesday by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

💬KEY QUOTE: “With its ruling today, the 8th Circuit continues to ensure that the responsibility of setting the curriculum is in the hands of democratically elected officials who, by nature, are responsive to voters.” – Tim Griffin

🎯IMPACT: The ruling vacates a prior injunction and reinforces the state’s authority to determine school curricula.

IN FULL

The State of Arkansas successfully defended its ban on critical race theory in its schools before the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. On Wednesday, a three-judge panel issued a ruling against a legal challenge brought by a group of students who contend the state ban violates their First Amendment rights.

“Since the Free Speech Clause does not give the students the right to compel the government to say something it does not wish to, they cannot show a likelihood of success,” the 8th Circuit ruling reads. Notably, there are long-standing legal precedents for schools and both the state and federal governments to limit the free speech rights of students.

The ruling was met with praise by Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin (R), who stated on Wednesday: “With its ruling today, the 8th Circuit continues to ensure that the responsibility of setting the curriculum is in the hands of democratically elected officials who, by nature, are responsive to voters.”

Image by college.library.

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By Popular Demand.
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54 minutes ago
Health

White House Discloses Medical Issue Behind Trump’s Swollen Legs.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The White House provided a detailed report addressing speculation about President Donald J.  Trump’s health, confirming a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency in his legs.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, and the White House medical unit.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made during a White House press briefing on Thursday, July 17, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The president remains in excellent health, which I think all of you witness on a daily basis here,” said Karoline Leavitt.

🎯IMPACT: The transparency stands in stark contrast to the Biden government’s handling of health concerns, which has fueled speculation about cover-ups.

IN FULL

The White House addressed concerns about President Donald J. Trump’s health on Thursday, confirming a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency in his legs. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a note from the president’s physician, stating that Trump had experienced “mild swelling in his lower legs,” which was thoroughly evaluated out of an “abundance of caution.”

“I know that many in the media have been speculating about bruising on the President’s hand and also swelling in the President’s legs,” Leavitt said. “So, in the effort of transparency, the President wanted me to share a note from his physician with all of you today.”

According to the physician’s note, ultrasounds revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition in individuals over 70. The condition involves blood pooling in the legs and can sometimes cause varicose veins. Trump also underwent extensive bloodwork and cardiac testing, all of which showed normal results. “Importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease,” Leavitt emphasized.

Leavitt also addressed photos showing bruising on Trump’s right hand, attributing it to frequent handshaking and aspirin use, which is part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen. “This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy,” she noted.

The detailed disclosure stands in stark contrast to the Biden government’s handling of health concerns. Biden’s former doctor and a Jill Biden aide recently invoked the Fifth Amendment to avoid testifying in a House Oversight Committee investigation into allegations of a cover-up regarding Biden’s cognitive decline.

Such actions have fueled speculation about the legitimacy of executive decisions made during Biden’s presidency amid allegations that the octogenarian Democrat experienced cognitive decline. He was also revealed to have cancer shortly after leaving office.

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1 hour ago
Christopher Tomlinson
News
Religion

Jews Fleeing ‘Tolerant’ Canada for Trump’s America.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Jews are fleeing Canada for the United States and Israel after a surge in anti-Semitic incidents.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Jews in Canada, pro-Palestinian and pro-Hamas agitators.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Canada, over recent months.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Toronto and Montreal seem to have become the standouts in the Western world. The velocity, ferociousness, intensity of the way in which anti-Semitism has sparked and spread in Toronto and Montreal, to this day, it shocks me.” – former Canadian ambassador to Israel Vivian Bercovici.

🎯IMPACT: Growing danger for Jews could lead more to flee Canada as pro-Palestinian agitators continue to march and target Jewish businesses and religious sites.

IN FULL

After a surge of anti-Semitic incidents in Canada, some Jews claim they are relocating to the United States, while others are looking to move to Israel. From 2022 to 2024, Canada saw a 124.6 percent increase in hate incidents directed at Jews, who account for around 70 percent of the victims of religiously motivated hate crimes despite being just 0.9 percent of the Canadian population.

Political strategist Georganne Burke, a resident of Canada’s capital, Ottawa, said she is planning on moving to Florida due to the rise in anti-Semitism after living in Canada for 40 years. “People know who I am, I’m on television, I’m on radio, I’m on social media, I don’t hide. But if that’s going to mean that people are gonna feel free to threaten my life. I don’t have to live here,” she explained, also noting the rise of anti-American attitudes following President Donald J. Trump‘s reelection.

Alongside a rise in anti-Semitic incidents, Canada has seen anti-Israel, and often pro-Hamas, demonstrations take place regularly in major cities like Toronto and Montreal since the October 7 massacres of Israelis by Hamas terrorists. Protestors have sometimes targeted Jewish neighbourhoods, community centers, and synagogues.

“Toronto and Montreal seem to have become the standouts in the Western world. The velocity, ferociousness, intensity of the way in which anti-Semitism has sparked and spread in Toronto and Montreal, to this day, it shocks me,” former Canadian ambassador to Israel Vivian Bercovici said.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
Politics

Comey’s Daughter, Who Worked on the Diddy and Epstein Cases, Is Complaining the DOJ Fired Her for No Reason.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey claims the Department of Justice (DOJ) fired her without reason, a move potentially signaling she intends to mount a legal challenge to her dismissal.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Maurene Comey, former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey, the DOJ, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The termination occurred on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, with Comey informing colleagues via email on Thursday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Fear is the tool of a tyrant, wielded to suppress independent thought.” – Maurene Comey

🎯IMPACT: While Maurene Comey could move forward with litigation to challenge her firing, numerous legal experts believe that her dismissal is well within President Trump’s Article II powers.

IN FULL

Maurene Comey, the daughter of former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey, claims her firing as an Assistant U.S. Attorney was unjustified, suggesting she may be laying the groundwork to challenge her dismissal. “Yesterday was unexpectedly my last day in the Office. I was summarily fired via memo from Main Justice that did not give a reason for my termination,” Comey wrote to her colleagues after she was fired from the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“If a career prosecutor can be fired without reason, fear may seep into the decisions of those who remain. Do not let that happen,” Maurene Comey continued, adding: “Fear is the tool of a tyrant, wielded to suppress independent thought. Instead of fear, let this moment fuel the fire that already burns at the heart of this place. A fire of righteous indignation at abuses of power. Of commitment to seek justice for victims. Of dedication to truth above all else.”

Despite her claims that her firing was unwarranted and unjustified, numerous legal experts—including Trump critic and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. McCarthy—have pointed out that Maurene Comey’s removal is well within the President’s Article II powers. In fact, despite Comey’s claim of being removed “without reason,” it has been widely reported that she was told her dismissal was justified under Article II.

Notably, Maurene Comey’s ouster comes on the heels of her controversial handling of the federal prosecution of hip-hop music mogul Sean “P Diddy” Combs. After a month-long trial, Combs was acquitted by a jury of the most serious charges against him.

In addition, Comey also served on the federal prosecutions against both Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein. The assignment of these high-profile cases could be used as further justification for her removal, with some suggesting the assignments only occurred because of her father’s influence.

Image by Steve Fernie.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Religion
War

Israeli Strike on Gaza’s Only Catholic Church Kills Three, Injures Priest.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Holy Family Catholic Church was struck during the ongoing conflict in  Gaza, resulting in fatalities.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Victims included Christians and Muslims sheltering at the church, with injuries reported for the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The attack occurred in Gaza City amidst ongoing Israeli strikes.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The attacks on the civilian population that Israel has been demonstrating for months are unacceptable.” – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

🎯IMPACT: The incident highlights the plight of Gaza’s Christian minority, one of the oldest Christian communities in the world.

IN FULL

Israeli officials have issued an apology after Gaza’s Holy Family Catholic Church, a sanctuary for many Christians and Muslims during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, was struck in an attack that left three dead and several injured, including parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli. Witnesses attribute the damage to Israeli tank shelling.

Fr. Romanelli, who has maintained a close relationship with the Vatican and spoke regularly to the late Pope Francis, was treated for injuries to his leg, but is reportedly in stable condition. Two people were reported dead initially, with a third person now believed to have succumbed to their injuries.

The church compound, home to a small Catholic community of approximately 135 people, has served as a shelter for civilians, including children with disabilities. Fadel Naem, acting director of Al-Ahli Hospital, confirmed that both Christians and Muslims were present during the attack.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry has released a statement on the incident, saying, “Israel expresses deep sorrow over the damage to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and over any civilian casualty. The IDF is examining this incident, the circumstances of which are still unclear, and the results of the investigation will be published transparently.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is Catholic, condemned the incident, stating, “The attacks on the civilian population that Israel has been demonstrating for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such an attitude.”

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani echoed her sentiments, calling the strike a “serious act against a Christian place of worship.” Both leaders called for an immediate cessation of violence.

Pope Leo XIV, head of the Roman Catholic Church, also released a statement, saying, “I assure the parish community of my spiritual closeness. I commend the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, and pray for their families and the injured. I renew my call for an immediate ceasefire. Only dialogue and reconciliation can ensure enduring peace!”

The attack comes amid intensified strikes across Gaza, where civilian casualties continue to rise. Reports indicate that 22 people were killed in Gaza on the same day, with ongoing concerns over the safety of the region’s small Christian population.

Image by Mazur/cbcew.org.uk.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Health
Politics

Top Medical School Faces Civil Rights Complaint After Ignoring Anti-DEI Order.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Johns Hopkins Medical School is facing a civil rights complaint for allegedly continuing to follow diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies despite a federal executive order banning them.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: America First Legal (AFL), Johns Hopkins Medical School, and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The complaint was filed on Thursday, focusing on practices at Johns Hopkins Medical School in Baltimore, Maryland.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This is about restoring equal treatment under the law. Johns Hopkins has received billions in taxpayer dollars, but it is actively segregating opportunities based on race and sex. That is not just wrong—it’s unconstitutional.” – Megan Redshaw, AFL counsel.

🎯IMPACT: The complaint alleges systemic discrimination and a deliberate effort to evade the Supreme Court’s ruling banning affirmative action in admissions, potentially setting a precedent for future cases.

IN FULL

America First Legal (AFL) has filed a civil rights complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Johns Hopkins Medical School, alleging the institution continues to implement diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, which were banned for institutions receiving federal dollars under an Executive Order signed by President Donald J. Trump. The complaint accuses the school of engaging in “systemic, intentional, and ongoing discrimination” by factoring race into admissions and hiring processes and hosting programs that limit participation based on race, gender, or sexuality.

Megan Redshaw, counsel at AFL, criticized the school’s practices, stating, “This is about restoring equal treatment under the law. Johns Hopkins has received billions in taxpayer dollars, but it is actively segregating opportunities based on race and sex. That is not just wrong—it’s unconstitutional.”

The complaint also claims the medical school is attempting to circumvent a Supreme Court ruling banning affirmative action policies. AFL alleges that Johns Hopkins uses race-based outreach and pathway programs to “pre-filter applicants to achieve predetermined demographic outcomes.” Additionally, the school’s residency program allegedly includes leadership roles specifically aimed at recruiting individuals based on race, gender, or sexuality.

Johns Hopkins’ website openly supports DEI initiatives, stating its mission is to “recruit, promote, retain, and engage those underrepresented in medicine, science, nursing, and healthcare administration so that we can achieve health equity.” Scholarships offered by the school reportedly favor certain demographic groups, including non-U.S. citizens and minority students, while socioeconomic status is allegedly used as a proxy for race.

The Trump administration has prioritized dismantling discriminatory DEI programs. President Trump signed multiple executive orders to ban their use in federally funded programs, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the Civil Rights Act. The Department of Education under Trump also reinforced these priorities, notifying schools that racial discrimination would not be tolerated.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
Politics

Grenell: Newsom Lied About Post-Wildfires ‘Land Grab.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Special Envoy Richard “Ric” Grenell accused California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) of lying about plans for a “land grab” in fire-damaged areas.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ric Grenell, Gavin Newsom, State Sen. Ben Allen (D), and local residents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: California, following January wildfires; accusations made Wednesday, July 16, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “They are changing the character of the Palisades and Malibu to fit their woke agenda. They don’t care what residents want. They can’t even deliver building permits properly,” said Grenell.

🎯IMPACT: Local residents expressed outrage over plans for low-income housing on fire-damaged lands.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump’s U.S. Special Envoy for Special Missions, Richard “Ric” Grenell, is accusing Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) of lying regarding California’s plans to engage in a “land grab” in the Pacific Palisades and other areas devastated by the Los Angeles wildfires. The allegations come as local residents are raising the alarm about what they say is a plan being pushed by Newsom to use some of the land under fire-damaged properties to build low-income housing.

“[Gov. Newsom] lied. He said he wouldn’t grab the land where homes burned down in the Palisades to build low-income housing facilities – but he and [Los Angeles Mayor] Karen Bass just did,” Grenell wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He continued: “They are changing the character of the Palisades and Malibu to fit their woke agenda. They don’t care what residents want. They can’t even deliver building permits properly.”

Grenell, who also serves as President of the Kennedy Center, added: “But this fight is not over. Stay tuned…”

Gov. Newsom earmarked an estimated $101 million last week to subsidize housing developers who plan to build low-income housing in areas impacted by the wildfires. This follows a prior move by Newsom to sign a proposal that rolls back environmental regulations that had previously blocked multi-unit housing construction in urban areas.

In addition, the California State Senate adopted a measure creating a new government entity that can use property revenues to purchase fire-impacted lots for low-income housing development. However, State Senator Ben Allen (D) announced on Wednesday evening that he was pulling his bill before it could reach the State Assembly, stating that it required more time for public consultation.

Notably, the legislation, along with Newsom‘s maneuvers, is sparking intense public backlash, especially in light of prior promises to assist residents with rebuilding. This included pledges to streamline permit approvals and clear other regulatory barriers that have yet to materialize.

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
Economy

Trump Economy Enjoys Significant Retail Sales Surge.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Retail sales in the U.S. rose by 0.6 percent in June, far above expectations, and broke a three-month decline.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. consumers, the Commerce Department, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: June 2025, across the United States.

💬KEY QUOTE: “June’s retail sales were resilient and they show that the consumer is still willing and able to spend.” – Neil Saunders, a retail expert at GlobalData.

🎯IMPACT: The data reflects consumer resilience, with gains across multiple retail sectors.

IN FULL

Americans continued to shop in June, with retail sales increasing by 0.6 percent, according to data released by the U.S. Commerce Department on Thursday. This marks a significant turnaround from May’s 0.9 percent decline and ends a three-month slide in retail sales.

The June figures surpassed economists’ expectations of a modest 0.2 percent rebound. Gains were seen across several sectors, including a 0.9 percent rise in clothing and accessory stores, a 0.6 percent increase in restaurant sales, and a 0.4 percent boost for online retailers. Even when excluding autos and parts, retail sales rose by 0.5 percent overall.

Neil Saunders, a retail expert at GlobalData, commented on the data, stating, “June’s retail sales were resilient and they show that the consumer is still willing and able to spend.”

The strength of consumer sales continues to undermine the claims of critics of President Donald J. Trump‘s tariffs that the trade duties would reignite inflation, resulting in higher prices and lower consumer demand.

Earlier this week, the Labor Department announced that consumer prices increased by 2.7 percent in June, coming in well below expectations and signaling that inflation continues to remain subdued. With the June retail data showing additional positive economic signals, the Trump White House is pressing forward with its campaign for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates.

“‘Too Late:’ Great numbers just out. LOWER THE RATE!!! DJT,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday, in reference to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, dubbed ‘Too Late’ by the America First leader.

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
Immigration

These GOP Lawmakers Are Pushing Amnesty, ‘Dignity’ for Illegals.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: At least 11 GOP legislators are backing a de facto amnesty bill, The Dignity Act, which would increase immigrant inflows and grant multiple paths to amnesty for illegal immigrants.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Representative Maria Salazar (R-FL) is leading the effort, alongside other GOP House lawmakers and some Democrats.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The bill was announced on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I don’t think that we should be arresting [illegal immigrants] who have been in the country more than five years, don’t have a criminal record, are good for the economy, and they are needed in construction, hospitality, and agricultural,” said Rep. Salazar.

🎯IMPACT: Critics argue the bill would harm American workers, weaken the GOP coalition, and benefit businesses relying on cheap foreign labor.

IN FULL

Representative Maria Salazar (R-FL) and at least 10 other GOP legislators are pushing The Dignity Act, a controversial immigration bill that includes multiple paths to amnesty for illegal immigrants. Despite Salazar’s denial of the term “amnesty,” the bill offers legal status to various immigrant populations, including individuals who have illegally voted in federal elections.

The bill also revives past proposals, such as President Joe Biden’s “Labor Neighbors” program and President George W. Bush’s 2001 “Any Willing Worker” plan, which would open the door to an unlimited influx of foreign workers. Among its provisions, the bill proposes creating immigration centers in Latin America and granting O visas to STEM PhD graduates from U.S. universities, allowing them to remain in the country.

Notably, Rep. Salazar’s legislation has cropped up several times in Congress, with a previous iteration, mostly backed by Democrats, being introduced in January this year. The National Pulse, at the time, provided a breakdown of the bill, which was then and is now tantamount to an amnesty measure.

Critics argue Salazar’s bill prioritizes business interests over American workers. It has drawn support from GOP lawmakers Don Bacon (R-NE), Mario Rafael Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Gabe Evans (R-CO), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Young Kim (R-CA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Marlin Stutzman (R-IN), and David Valadao (R-CA). A number of Democrats, including Veronica Escobar (D-TX) and Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), are also supporting.

However, pro-American legislators, including Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX), are pushing back, denouncing the proposal as a “wage-cutting, coalition-breaking giveaway.”

Image by World Economic Forum / Benedikt von Loebell.

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6 hours ago
Politics

Senate Approves Trump’s $9 Billion Cut to Foreign Aid, Biased Media.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Senate passed a $9 billion federal spending cuts package targeting foreign aid and public broadcasters accused of bias.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, NPR, PBS, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Early Thursday morning in the U.S. Senate, with a House vote expected this week.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It’s a small but important step toward fiscal sanity that we all should be able to agree is long overdue.” – John Thune

🎯IMPACT: The bill eliminates taxpayer funding for NPR, PBS, and foreign aid programs, aligning with Trump’s fiscal priorities.

IN FULL

The United States Senate approved the Trump White House rescission request early Thursday morning, cutting nearly $9 billion in previously appropriated spending, primarily for public broadcasting and foreign aid. Notably, the rescission package includes significant cuts to NPR and PBS, essentially cutting off the public broadcasters’ access to taxpayer dollars—marking a significant victory for President Donald J. Trump’s legislative agenda.

In addition to addressing funding for NPR and PBS, the rescission package also pulls back funding for grants handled by the now-defunct United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Despite having now passed the House and Senate, the spending clawback will need to head back to the lower chamber of Congress, as the Senate did enact some changes to the measure, including restoring funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The House must pass the rescissions by Friday for them to take effect.

The funding cut measure includes an $8 billion reduction in foreign aid, which includes several immigrant and refugee assistance programs. Several programs dealing with international disaster relief and global health initiatives will also receive significant cuts.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) described the move as “a small but important step toward fiscal sanity that we all should be able to agree is long overdue.” Despite resistance from two senior Republicans on the Appropriations Committee, Thune secured the passage of the bill with only a handful of changes.

Image by Ron Cogswell.

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