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March 24, 2025
William Upton
Politics

This Governor Just Returned Nearly $1 Billion in Taxpayer Dollars to U.S. Treasury to Boost DOGE Efforts.

Nearly $1 billion in American taxpayer dollars is being returned to the United States Treasury by Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL), due to the ideological policy requirements imposed by the former Biden government on using the federal funds. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gov. DeSantis revealed that Florida’s state government had struggled to find a method to return the funds until DeSantis consulted with Elon Musk, who serves as an administration special advisor overseeing President Donald J. Trump‘s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

“For years, Florida has been trying to return federal funds to the federal government due to the ideological strings attached by the Biden Administration—but they couldn’t even figure out how to accept it,” Gov. DeSantis wrote, adding: “Today, I met with [Elon Musk] and the DOGE team, and we got this done in the same day. Other states should follow Florida in supporting DOGE’s efforts!”

In a letter informing the Treasury Department of the return of the federal funds, the Florida Goveror’s office wrote: “At the direction of Governor DeSantis and following his meeting with Elon Musk today, the State of Florida is formally returning $878,112,000 in taxpayer dollars to the federal government as part of DOGE’s efforts.” Notably, the federal funds being returned pertain to monies allocated to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), including $320,386,861 in funding for the former Biden government’s Carbon Reduction program.

Additionally, $557,725,139 in federal funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for refugee resettlement services is being returned to the Treasury. In the letter, Gov. DeSantis requests confirmation from the Treasury Department that the funds already disbursed have been returned and received. Meanwhile, the Florida Governor also requests that any future disbursements be withheld.

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By Popular Demand.
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6 minutes ago
World

Qatari Official Briefly Endorses Hamas, Retracts Post.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Qatari deputy prime minister Sa’oud bin Abd Al-Rahman Al Thani posted on social media expressing support for Hamas, then deleted the posts, sparking renewed allegations regarding the country’s role in financing Islamist terrorist organizations like Hamas. Additionally, the social media posts have call into question Qatar’s role in ongoing Middle East peace efforts.

👥 Who’s Involved: Sa’oud bin Abd Al-Rahman Al Thani, Qatari deputy prime minister; Hamas leaders; Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser; Qatari foreign ministry; Al Jazeera.

📍 Where & When: Qatar, posts made and deleted during the week of April 14, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “We Are all Hamas… Oh Al-Quds, revolt and commemorate Al-Qassam!” — Sa’oud bin Abd Al-Rahman Al Thani.

⚠️ Impact: The social media messages are raising concerns about Qatar’s role in Middle East peace efforts and its material support for several Islamist terrorist groups.

IN FULL:

Earlier this week, Qatari Deputy Prime Minister Sa’oud bin Abd Al-Rahman Al Thani reportedly posted and then swiftly deleted a series of social media messages expressing support for the Hamas terrorist group. The incident has reignited discussions about Qatar’s role in Middle Eastern peace efforts.

According to reports, Al Thani’s posts on X (formerly Twitter) included declarations such as “We Are all Hamas… Oh Al-Quds, revolt and commemorate Al-Qassam!” The social media posts align with a history of similar sentiments from Al Thani, who has previously criticized Israel and the United States. Notably, the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) has documented Al Thani’s past support for Hamas and calls for Qatar to increase its influence on U.S. decision-makers.

Qatar’s foreign ministry issued a statement following the October 7, 2023 terror raid in Israel by Hamas, blaming Israel for the escalation. Al Jazeera, a news network funded by the Qatari government, broadcast messages from Hamas leadership, including military calls to arms and declarations of triumph.

The Middle Eastern country held considerable influence under the Biden government, with former President Joe Biden’s brother, Jim Biden, alleged to have numerous business relationships with Qatari government representatives.

Additionally, Qatar has come under scrutiny in the United States over its lavish funding of American academic and media institutions, with conservative media network Newsmax reportedly pursuing a $50 million investment from a member of the country’s royal family.

Image via Fars Media Corporation.

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By Popular Demand.
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46 minutes ago
Crime
News

WSU Instructor Arrested for Assault on Pro-Trump Student.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: An instructor at Washington State University (WSU) was arrested for allegedly assaulting a student for wearing a pro-Trump hat.

👥 Who’s Involved: The instructor, Patrick Mahoney, and the student, Jay Sani. A second individual, Gerald Hoff, was also mentioned in connection with the incident.

📍 Where & When: The incident occurred at Washington State University.

💬 Key Quote: “You know, you’re fucking wearing that hat, you wanted someone to fucking look at it, right?” Mahoney reportedly stated during the incident.

⚠️ Impact: Mahoney was arrested, and there are potential academic and legal consequences for those involved.

IN FULL:

A Washington State University (WSU) instructor was taken into custody on allegations of assaulting a student for wearing a pro-Trump hat. Patrick Mahoney, who serves as both an instructor and a PhD student in the School of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs at WSU, is at the center of these recent allegations.

The confrontation reportedly involved Jay Sani, an engineering student at WSU, who was wearing a “Take America Back” cap. The arrest report indicates that Mahoney allegedly grabbed the hat from Sani and tossed it onto the street. After this initial altercation, according to police reports, Mahoney, assisted by another individual, Gerald Hoff, allegedly took Sani to the ground.

“You know, you’re fucking wearing that hat, you wanted someone to fucking look at it, right?” Mahoney allegedly said.

The report further details that once on the ground, Mahoney reportedly slammed Sani’s head into the ground. As a result of the incident, Mahoney and Hoff have both been arrested on charges related to the assault. WSU has suspended Mahoney, and he has been removed from all classes he was scheduled to teach.

Physical attacks on supporters of President Donald J. Trump by deranged leftists were commonly seen during the America First leader’s first term, often directed against people wearing Make America Great Again (MAGA) hats. Mahoney is accused of being an open communist, being pictured wearing a Soviet-style hammer and sickle lapel pin.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
Lawfare
Politics

Letitia James Faces Potential Jail Time Amid Fraud Allegations.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: New York Attorney General Letitia James, a key figure in Democratic Party lawfare efforts against President Donald J. Trump, could face jail time stemming from allegations she engaged in multiple instances of mortgage fraud and falsification of records. The allegations were made in a criminal referral submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) by Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte.

👥 Who’s Involved: The claims involve Letitia James, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, and Bill Pulte of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

📍 Where & When: The alleged fraud involved properties in New York and Virginia in 2023, and the criminal referral was sent to the DOJ earlier this week.

💬 Key Quote: Kyle Welch, a George Washington University School of Business professor specializing in financial fraud, remarked on the allegations’ potential legal consequences, saying they “could carry jail time” and lead to disbarment.

⚠️ Impact: If charges are brought against James, the New York Attorney General could face a prosecution based on paperwork errors and falsified records similar to the one that she brought against President Donald J. Trump last year.

IN FULL:

New York Attorney General Letitia James faces allegations of mortgage fraud, sparking the potential for federal prosecution. Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), alleged in a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche that James falsified a mortgage application in 2023 by stating her primary residence was in Norfolk, Virginia, despite her official position requiring her to reside in New York.

James, a Democrat who took office as attorney general in 2019, is accused of indicating on a 2023 mortgage document that a Norfolk property was her primary residence. The single-family home, built in 1947, was acquired for $240,000, with James securing a $219,780 mortgage. Pulte also highlighted discrepancies in James’ ownership of a Brooklyn property, where she allegedly misstated the number of housing units in 2021. Furthermore, he raised concerns about a property purchased with her father listed as a spouse in previous transactions.

Kyle Welch, a financial fraud specialist and professor at George Washington University’s School of Business, noted in a recent interview the gravity of the allegations, suggesting a conviction could “carry jail time” and result in James’s disbarment as an attorney.

The New York Democratic Attorney General had sought similar legal actions against President Donald J. Trump in 2024 as part of a broader partisan lawfare effort to derail the America First leader’s presidential campaign. Last year, she sued Trump, leading to a civil judgment ordering him to pay $454 million for alleged business records fraud.

“Letitia James built her ‘nobody is above the law’ brand by prosecuting Trump for inflating his financial condition—statements that came with disclaimers, involved banks that said they weren’t harmed, and still resulted in a half-billion-dollar fraud conviction,” Welch said before continuing: “Was Trump’s case a 100 percent political prosecution? Yes. Now, James is under scrutiny for allegedly misrepresenting her own finances to get a mortgage. No disclaimers. No ambiguity.”

“James and her defenders can’t seem to see the carbon-copy nature of these cases. And unfortunately, New York Democrats and the DNC helped normalize this tit-for-tat legal targeting under the banner of ‘accountability.’ Well, the shoe’s on the other foot now,” the business professor added.

Image: Maryland GovPics.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Politics

Nate Silver Predicts AOC as Top Contender for 2028 Democratic Nomination.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Statistician and election pollster Nate Silver says he believes that Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is a strong contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, if she chooses to run. Silver, who founded the FiveThirtyEight opinion poll analysis website, notes that the progressive New York lawmaker and member of the far-left “Squad” coalition in Congress is polling in a strong position in a potential primary against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and enjoys some of the highest net favorability among Democrats.

👥 Who’s Involved: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Nate Silver, Galen Druke, Kamala Harris, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

📍 Where & When: Silver made the observation in an April 16 post on his “Silver Bulletin” Substack; the prediction pertains to the Democratic primary in 2028.

💬 Key Quote: “Results! I thought I was gonna surprise everyone by taking AOC first, but Galen won at rock-paper-scissors and chose her first instead,” Silver wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) after hosting a mock 2028 Democratic presidential nomination draft with former FiveThirtyEight podcast host Galen Druke.

⚠️ Impact: An Ocasio-Cortez presidential candidacy would mark a significant shift leftward for the Democratic Party. The New York Congresswoman has a reputation as an unapologetic progressive with ties to the radical Democratic Socialists of America.

IN FULL:

In a Wednesday discussion about potential Democratic candidates for the 2028 presidential election, data analyst and political pollster Nate Silver suggested that Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) could emerge as a leading primary contender if she decides to seek the party’s presidential nomination in 2028. Silver and former FiveThirtyEight podcast host Galen Druke considered the implications of an Ocasio-Cortez candidacy while hosting a mock draft of potential Democratic presidential candidates on the “Silver Bulletin” Substack platform.

“I think there’s a lot of points in her favor at this very moment,” Druke said after picking Rep. Ocasio-Cortez as his first choice to win the Democratic Party presidential nomination in 2028, noting: “Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has broad appeal across the Democratic Party.”

“I think equally important is the fact that she has very fervent support,” Druke explained, adding: “I think a lot of people are gonna run in 2028 and it’s going to be a contest for attention and getting those sort of people who might be in your boat to turn out and stay with you through thick and thin.”

“I agree with everything,” Silver replied, quipping: “That was going to be my f***ing first pick!”

While Silver agreed that Ocasio-Cortez would be a formidable candidate and well-positioned to win the party’s presidential nomination, he conceded that the national political environment could change before the 2028 election and cautioned he wasn’t confident she’s “sure to run.” Druke pushed back, noting the far-left progressive Congresswoman’s “Fighting Oligarchy Tour” with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), which is currently hosting rallies around the country.

Adding to the case that Ocasio-Cortez could win the Democratic Party’s presidential primary, Silver pointed to current election polling showing the Congresswoman with significant support in a hypothetical challenge against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Silver argued that Ocasio-Cortez’s strong polling numbers add credence to the idea that she has broader appeal in the Democratic Party than previously thought, noting, “New York Democrats are actually a pretty moderate bloc.”

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
Media

Brendan Carr Warns Comcast Against Biased Reporting on Deported MS-13 Gang Member.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened:  Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr is accusing the multinational mass media corporation Comcast—which owns NBC News, CNBC, and MSNBC among other media properties—of “news distortion” regarding coverage of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an illegal immigrant and MS-13 gang member deported by the Trump administration.

👥 Who’s Involved: Brendan Carr, Comcast, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung.

📍 Where & When: The FCC Chairman leveled the accusation in a post on X (formerly Twitter) late Wednesday after MSNBC refused to provide live coverage of a White House press briefing featuring angel mom Patty Morin.

💬 Key Quote: “Comcast outlets spent days misleading the American public—implying that Abrego Garcia was merely a law-abiding U.S. citizen, just a regular ‘Maryland man,'” Carr wrote, adding: “Comcast knows that federal law requires its licensed operations to serve the public interest. News distortion doesn’t cut it.”

⚠️ Impact: The accusations have rekindled tensions over media responsibility, prompted criticism from former Trump officials, and have implications for Comcast’s future operations, particularly regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and potential mergers.

IN FULL:

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr accused Comcast of misleading the public through its coverage concerning the deportation of the illegal immigrant and MS-13 gang member, Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The corporate media has attempted to present Abrego Garcia in a sympathetic light, labeling him a “Maryland father”  and “Maryland resident,” while ignoring the El Salvadoran national’s dubious history and affiliation with MS-13.

“Comcast outlets spent days misleading the American public—implying that Abrego Garcia was merely a law-abiding U.S. citizen, just a regular ‘Maryland man.’ When the truth comes out, they ignore it,” Carr wrote on X (formerly Twitter) late Wednesday. He continued: “Comcast knows that federal law requires its licensed operations to serve the public interest. News distortion doesn’t cut it.”

“Abrego Garcia came to America illegally from El Salvador, was validated as a member of the violent MS-13 gang—a transnational criminal organization—and was denied bond by an immigration court for failure to show he would not pose a danger to others,” the FCC Chairman stated, adding: “Why does Comcast ignore these facts of obvious public interest?”

Carr’s comments were in response to a post by White House Communications Director Steven Cheung that noted MSNBC and CNN declined to carry a White House press conference where angel mom Patty Morin spoke on the horrific details of her daughter Rachel Morin’s rape and murder at the hands of Victor Martinez-Hernandez, an illegal immigrant and fugitive from El Salvador. The corporate media have repeatedly attempted to downplay reports of crimes committed by illegal immigrants, a fact emphasized by Vice President J.D. Vance last October during an exchange with ABC journalist Martha Raddatz.

Notably, the FCC website states that, while its authority over allegations of news distortion is relatively narrow, the regulatory agency can investigate a media network if there is “evidence showing that the broadcast news report was deliberately intended to mislead viewers or listeners.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
William Upton
Politics

Rahm Emanuel Claims He Warned Democrat Officials About Biden’s Cognitive Decline: ‘I Let People Know.’

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Former Biden government Ambassador to Japan, Chicago Mayor, and Clinton White House operative Rahm Emanuel says he warned senior Democratic Party officials and White House staff that Joe Biden’s diminished cognitive state would prevent him from running for a second term. Emanuel’s revelation regarding his role in Biden’s abrupt exit from the 2024 presidential race comes as he weighs his own possible run for the Democratic Party’s 2028 nomination.

👥 Who’s Involved: Rahm Emanuel, Tara Palmeri, former President Joe Biden, senior Democratic Party officials, and Biden White House aides.

📍 Where & When: Emanuel was evasive about when exactly he spoke with party officials and White House staff, though he revealed his actions on an April 16, 2025, podcast with journalist Tara Palmeri.

💬 Key Quote: “I let people know that could have an influence on that decision,” the former Chicago Mayor said, referring to Biden’s July 2024 announcement that he was ending his re-election bid.

⚠️ Impact: Emanuel’s comments come as several new reports have shed further light on how staff hid Biden’s diminished cognitive state from public scrutiny. Additionally, the admission of his role in Biden’s exit could impact potential support from influential Democratic Party leaders should Emanuel decide to seek the White House in 2028.

IN FULL:

Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who is floating a potential 2028 bid for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, claims he warned Democrat aides at the White House that former President Joe Biden was not in a state of health to run for re-election. Speaking with journalist Tara Palmeri, the usually brash and forward Clinton political machine hatchetman equivocated and appeared evasive regarding how and when he informed Biden’s team that the octogenarian Democrat’s declining cognitive state would doom his re-election bid. However, Emanuel did state that he spoke with White House officials over the phone while in Japan, where he was serving as Biden’s ambassador to the country.

“Look, I’ve talked about this with the White House officials, et cetera. And I was—I think it’s fair to say to you—is there anything that looks or comes across from Rahm Emanuel that’s shy, reserved, and soft spoken?” the former U.S. Ambassador to Japan told Palmeri after being pressed on when he realized that Joe Biden wasn’t fit to run for a second term. “I expressed myself, expressed my view, and I’ve been clear—I was clear as recently as yesterday also about President Biden speaking out, taking the focus away from Donald Trump. I believe one hundred percent, zero in like a laser, focus on making this a referendum on Donald Trump.”

After Palmeri pushed Emanuel for more concrete details regarding his conversation with White House officials on Biden’s cognitive state, the former Chicago Mayor became evasive, stating: “I can’t give you the hour or the day that I said it… I don’t have the exact date, and I’m not going to sit here and guess, but I expressed myself to individuals that were important.”

When pressed again on what he relayed to influential Democrats, Emanuel said, “I let people know that could have an influence on that decision,” referring to internal party deliberations and efforts that ultimately saw Biden exit the presidential race on July 21, 2024. He went on to stress that “part of the problem was the fact that the decision was too late,” again referring to Biden’s exit from the race. Emanuel added that not having an open primary process to select Biden’s replacement as the presidential nominee also hurt the Democratic Party in the November election.

Emanuel’s revelation that he informed influential Democrats and White House officials that he believed the former president could not run for re-election comes as several new reports have shed further light on how staff hid Biden’s diminished cognitive state from public scrutiny. Notably, The National Pulse reported last summer that White House Deputy Chief of Staff Annie Tomasini, Anthony Bernal, and Ashley Williams—all staffers with close ties to Jill Biden—formed a protective bubble around Joe Biden, shielding him from even his own Cabinet Secretaries.

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By Popular Demand.
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6 hours ago
Economy
Politics

Trump Slams Fed Chair Over Lack of Rate Cuts: ‘Powell’s Termination Cannot Come Fast Enough!’

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: As equity markets decline, President Donald J. Trump is ramping up criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for not reducing interest rates. The increased pressure on the U.S. central bank comes a day after its reverse repo operations fell to their lowest level since April 2021.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, the European Central Bank (ECB), and the People’s Bank of China.

📍 Where & When: Trump posted his criticism of Powell to TruthSocial on April 17, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “The ECB is expected to cut interest rates for the 7th time, and yet, ‘Too Late’ Jerome Powell of the Fed, who is always TOO LATE AND WRONG, yesterday issued a report which was another, and typical, complete ‘mess!'” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding: “Powell’s termination cannot come fast enough!”

⚠️ Impact: Trump’s remarks underline tensions over the Federal Reserve’s policy decisions, drawing attention to the central bank’s independence and lack of accountability, and renewed legal arguments over whether the president can remove its chairman.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump blasted Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell on Thursday morning, arguing that the U.S. central bank chief is too slow to reduce interest rates. Trump’s criticism, posted to Truth Social, comes as U.S. equity markets continue their downward trajectory and the Federal Reserve’s reverse repo operations hit their lowest level since April 2021. Mounting concerns of a liquidity crisis and actions by China’s central bank to prop up its national economy in the face of U.S. tariffs have caused increasing strain between Powell and Trump.

“The ECB is expected to cut interest rates for the 7th time, and yet, ‘Too Late’ Jerome Powell of the Fed, who is always TOO LATE AND WRONG, yesterday issued a report which was another, and typical, complete ‘mess!'” President Trump wrote, continuing: “Oil prices are down, groceries (even eggs!) are down, and the USA is getting RICH ON TARIFFS. Too Late should have lowered Interest Rates, like the ECB, long ago, but he should certainly lower them now.”

“Powell’s termination cannot come fast enough!” the President added.

Trump’s post was prompted by the European Central Bank (ECB) announcing a new quarter-point reduction in its deposit rate to 2.25 percent. This was the seventh time the ECB has cut rates since June last year. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve has only enacted one rate cut in the U.S. over the same period, in September. Critics of Chairman Powell argue that the rate cut was a political move intended to boost the economy and aid the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee, Kamala Harris.

Last November, following President Trump’s landslide 2024 election victory, Powell was pressed as to whether he’d resign from his Fed chairmanship should he be asked, responding bluntly, “No.” The central bank chief insisted that the White House is “not permitted under the law” to remove him and other senior Fed officials.

Notably, the Federal Reserve Act—the law governing the central bank—does allow the U.S. president to remove the Federal Reserve board members “for cause” in cases of negligence of duty, misconduct, or corruption. However, the law does not allow top Fed officials to be fired over policy differences—a provision intended to ensure the central bank’s independence in managing the country’s monetary policy.

Despite the legal hurdles, Trump’s Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, indicated earlier this week that the White House has decided on a six-month timeline to replace Powell as the Fed chairman, suggesting interviews for his replacement would occur “sometime in the fall.” The Trump administration is pointing to a pending U.S. Supreme Court case that could overturn the legal restrictions on removing top Federal Reserve officials, along with the heads of other independent government agencies, as the justification for Powell’s replacement timeline.

Should the court rule in the Trump administration’s favor, the White House would likely be legally clear to fire and replace the central bank chief.

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By Popular Demand.
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7 hours ago
Politics

James Carville Slams David Hogg as ‘Contemptible Little Twerp’ Over Plan to Primary Democrat Incumbents.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: James Carville criticized David Hogg, describing him as a “contemptible little twerp” and suggesting the Democratic National Committee (DNC) should consider legal action against him over his decision to primary incumbent Democrat lawmakers.

👥 Who’s Involved: Democratic strategist James Carville, DNC Vice Chair and anti-gun rights activist David Hogg, Chris Cuomo, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

📍 Where & When: Carville’s comments were made during a NewsNation segment on Wednesday evening.

💬 Key Quote: “Why doesn’t somebody sue David Hogg? He’s an officer of the Democratic National Committee… I think it’s an outrage.”

⚠️ Impact: Carville’s comments reflect growing tensions within the Democratic Party concerning strategies and internal challenges, specifically targeting Hogg’s plan to contest incumbent Democrats.

IN FULL:

Democratic strategist James Carville is suggesting the party sue David Hogg, the newly elected vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), over his Leaders We Deserve group’s intention to use its $20 million war chest to support younger Democratic candidates running against incumbents. The long-time Clinton campaign aide, appearing Wednesday night on NewsNation with Chris Cuomo, argued Hogg’s move to back candidates in Democratic primaries goes against the responsibilities of Hogg’s role within the DNC.

“Why doesn’t somebody sue David Hogg? He’s an officer of the Democratic National Committee. He is the vice chairman of the Democrat National Committee, and he’s running against other Democrats,” Carville ranted, calling Hogg a “contemptible little twerp.” The infamous Democrat strategist—nicknamed the “Ragin’ Cajun”—told Cumo that Hogg, along with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), is using the “MAGA playbook” to push “a purity test” that will only result in a “binary battle to the bottom” for the party.

“I would like to know, and you went to law school, does [Hogg] have a fiduciary duty to Democrats?” Carville asked Cuomo. “You have a fiduciary duty to your employer, which anybody can understand. He’s being paid to run against other Democrats. I think it’s an outrage.”

Notably, Hogg admitted when announcing his primary initiative, “This is going to anger a lot of people.” The National Pulse previously reported that the 25-year-old anti-gun rights activist refused to sign the DNC’s “neutrality policy” that bars officials from engaging in party infighting.

WATCH:

Image by Lorie Shaull.

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By Popular Demand.
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7 hours ago
Economy
World

Italy’s Meloni Set for White House Strategy Session on Tariffs with Trump.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is traveling to Washington on Thursday to negotiate with President Donald J. Trump regarding European Union (EU) trade tariffs.

👥 Who’s Involved: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C., meeting on Thursday, with the trip concluding on Friday when Meloni returns to Rome.

💬 Key Quote: Meloni stated, “Surely I am aware of what I represent and I am aware of what I am defending.”

⚠️ Impact: Potential impact on EU-U.S. trade dynamics, with current annual trade valued at approximately €1.6 trillion ($1.8 trillion).

IN FULL:

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is visiting the United States on Thursday to engage in trade negotiations with President Donald J. Trump, with the aim of reducing tariffs on European exports. The meeting comes in the wake of Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement imposing reciprocal tariffs on foreign governments with barriers limiting the purchase of American exports, including a 20 percent trade duty on goods from the European Union (EU).

Subsequently, Trump paused the enactment of the reciprocal tariffs last week to allow time for negotiations on bilateral trade agreements with over 70 countries, but a 10 percent tariff remains in place alongside higher tariffs on specific products, such as steel.

Meloni is the first European leader to meet with Trump following the tariff announcement. The Italian Prime Minister’s White House visit underscores an effort by the EU to reach terms with President Trump and avoid the reimposition of the 20 percent tariff on the EU this summer. “We know we’re going through a difficult period, let’s see how it goes in the coming hours. I don’t feel any pressure, as you can imagine, for my next two days, let’s say,” Meloni quipped earlier this week. “Surely I am aware of what I represent and I am aware of what I am defending.”

The rapport between Trump and Meloni could play a key role in the future of economic relations between the United States and Europe. President Trump has referred to Meloni as a “fantastic leader,” and the Italian Prime Minister has pushed EU leaders in Brussels to let her take the lead in working to de-escalate the trade tensions with the White House.

Following the Thursday meeting with President Trump, Meloni will return to Italy and host U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance in Rome, where trade discussions will likely continue. Trade between the EU and the United States is valued at an estimated €1.6 trillion (~$1.8 trillion) annually, with the former holding a trade surplus of €198.2 billion (~$225.3 billion).

Image: European Union, via Wikimedia Commons.

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8 hours ago
Religion

Judge Rules Catholic Employers Are Not Required to Cover Abortions.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A federal judge in North Dakota ruled that over 9,000 Catholic employers are exempt from federal regulations concerning abortion and fertility treatment accommodations for workers.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Catholic Benefits Association, the Bismarck Diocese, and the U.S. District Court were involved in the case against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

📍 Where & When: This ruling was issued in North Dakota on April 17, 2025, following a lawsuit filed last year.

💬 Key Quote: “It is a precarious time for people of religious faith in America. It has been described as a post-Christian age,” wrote U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor in his previous ruling.

⚠️ Impact: The decision permanently blocks enforcement of certain EEOC regulations, impacting more than 164,000 employees working under Catholic employers who are members of the association.

IN FULL:

U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Traynor has concluded that over 9,000 Catholic employers are not required to comply with federal rules protecting employees seeking abortion and fertility treatment accommodations. This ruling came after the Catholic Benefits Association and the Bismarck Diocese challenged regulations set forth by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), arguing these rules infringed upon their religious liberties.

The lawsuit, initiated last year, contended that the EEOC’s guidelines, derived from the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (effective since 2023), imposed obligations contrary to Catholic teachings. The Act mandates that employers provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy or childbirth-related requests. In 2024, the EEOC issued rules and harassment guidance meant to enforce this law, which included considerations for gender identity under sex-based discrimination.

Judge Traynor’s judgment was based on his determination that the regulations conflicted with federal laws protecting religious freedoms. He emphasized that the lawsuit’s core facts and evidence had not shifted since his earlier provisional block on the rule.

The Catholic Benefits Association, representing thousands of Catholic employers, claims the EEOC’s directives would force its members to go against their faith by accommodating abortions and fertility treatments and by compelling the use of pronouns, all incongruent with Catholic doctrine. They additionally expressed concerns over being restrained from articulating Catholic teachings on sexual matters.

Image by SHYCITYNikon.

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By Popular Demand.
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