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March 28, 2025
News
Politics

Utah Moves to End Universal Vote-by-Mail.

IN BRIEF:

❓What Happened: Utah Governor Spencer Cox approved legislation to discontinue the state’s universal mail-in voting system by 2029.

👥 Who’s Involved: Governor Spencer Cox, Utah state legislators, Voting Rights Lab, American Civil Liberties Union of Utah.

📍 Where & When: Utah, United States; Bill signed on Wednesday.

💬 Key Quote: “Universal mail voting was enormously popular in Utah because it gave voters more freedom and flexibility to vote,” said Chris Diaz from Voting Rights Lab.

⚠️ Impact: Voting rights groups say the move could undermine public trust in elections, though election integrity advocates contend the law will cut down on voter fraud.

IN FULL:

Governor Spencer Cox (R-UT) has signed a bill to phase out Utah’s universal mail-in voting system by 2029. With this move, Utah becomes the first state to cease the practice, where every registered voter automatically receives a mail-in ballot. Approved on Wednesday, the legislation aims to stop potential voter fraud.

The legislation follows President Donald J. Trump’s recent order to limit the counting of mail-in ballots arriving after Election Day.

Utah’s policy change has drawn mixed reactions. Chris Diaz of the Voting Rights Lab highlighted the popularity of mail-in voting in the state, citing it as a means of convenience and democracy. Opposition from voting rights advocates has also been pronounced, with figures such as Ellie Menlove from the far-left American Civil Liberties Union of Utah critiquing the law.

Mail-in voting became incredibly common during the COVID-19 pandemic as some people were told to stay home rather than vote in person. The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) even censored social media users who were concerned about mail-in voting and its potential election integrity problems.

Mail-in voting can also cause delays in the announcing of election results if there are widespread delivery problems in the U.S. mail system. Allegations of mail-in ballot fraud were seen in Oklahoma in 2021 when a Cherokee Nation election volunteer was charged with falsifying over a dozen mail-in ballots.

Just a year later, in Alaska, one in every 12 mail-in ballots cast in a local election was rejected due to irregularities, including postal service errors and voter identity issues.

By Popular Demand.
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29 minutes ago
Politics
World

Trump Reiterates Seriousness About Greenland Purchase, Canada as Potential 51st State.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland and Canada becoming the 51st state in an interview with TIME magazine, insisting these ideas are serious and not something he has floated in jest.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, Eric Cortellessa (TIME magazine interviewer), and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

📍 Where & When: United States, Canada, and Greenland, with the comments being made in an interview with TIME magazine published on Friday.

💬 Key Quote: Trump stated, “Actually, no, I’m not,” when asked if he was trolling about the suggestion that Canada should become part of the United States.

⚠️ Impact: Potential geopolitical tensions concerning U.S. territorial ambitions, and implications for international security related to Arctic regions.

IN FULL:

In an interview published Friday, President Donald J. Trump emphasized his continued interest in acquiring Greenland and integrating Canada as a state in the U.S. Trump addressed these ambitions during a conversation with Eric Cortellessa of TIME magazine, emphasizing that his intentions are genuine rather than mere political jest. When Cortellessa pressed President Trump about whether his numerous comments about extending American influence over Canada and Greenland were just joking, the America First leader responded, “Actually, no, I’m not.”

“I think Greenland would be very well off… I think it’s important for us for national security and even international security,” Trump said. “I think Canada… you said that, ‘Well, that one, I might be trolling.’ But I’m really not trolling.”

“Canada is an interesting case. We lose $200 to $250 billion a year supporting Canada,” Trump noted, stating that he had spoken in the past with then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the cost placed on American taxpayers for the U.S. military’s defense umbrella to extend over Canada. The President argued: “We’re taking care of their military. We’re taking care of every aspect of their lives, and we don’t need them to make cars for us. In fact, we don’t want them to make cars for us. We want to make our own cars. We don’t need their lumber. We don’t need their energy. We don’t need anything from Canada.”

He added: “And I say the only way this thing really works is for Canada to become a state.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has dismissed the notion of statehood for Canada, though he acknowledges that Trump often mentions it. Meanwhile, regarding Greenland, Trump’s motivation revolves around security concerns both in the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean. He noted the strategic significance of Greenland amid the presence of Russian and Chinese vessels in nearby waters. Trump conveyed his belief in the importance of controlling these critical Arctic waterways to ensure both national and international security.

Despite Denmark’s jurisdiction over Greenland and the island’s pursuit of increased autonomy, Trump remains optimistic about the prospects of an eventual acquisition, underscoring its value for U.S. security interests.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
Jack Montgomery
Crime
Immigration

WATCH: AG Bondi Describes How Arrested Judge Snuck Illegal Out of Court to Evade ICE.

PULSE POINTS:

❓ What Happened: Attorney General Pam Bondi has described the circumstances that led to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents arresting Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan on April 25, 2025, for allegedly obstructing U.S. Immigration and Customers Enforcement (ICE) by helping a previously deported illegal alien, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, escape arrest at her courthouse.

👥 Who’s Involved: Judge Hannah Dugan, Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, ICE agents, and Eduardo Flores Ruiz, a Mexican illegal with a domestic abuse charge.

📍 Where & When: Milwaukee County Courthouse, Wisconsin, with the incident occurring on April 18, 2025, and the arrest on April 25, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, “The Judge learns that ICE was outside to get the guy… She comes back into the courtroom… Takes the defendant and the defense attorney back in her chambers… and tells them to leave.”

⚠️ Impact: Dugan’s arrest underscores the Trump administration’s strong stance on immigration enforcement, potentially deterring judicial interference while intensifying federal-local tensions over sanctuary policies.

IN FULL:

The FBI arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan on April 25, 2025, charging her with obstructing an ICE operation after she allegedly helped an illegal alien evade arrest. The incident, which unfolded on April 18 at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, has intensified the debate over the role of judges in hindering immigration enforcement, with the Trump administration signaling a no-tolerance approach.

Speaking on Fox News, Attorney General Pam Bondi said Judge Dugan intervened when ICE agents arrived to detain Eduardo Flores Ruiz, a Mexican migrant previously deported in 2013 and facing misdemeanor battery charges related to domestic abuse. Bondi detailed the events: “The Judge learns that ICE was outside to get the guy, because he had been deported in 2013, came back into our country, charged with committing these crimes, victim is in court. Judge finds out. She goes out into the hallway. Screams at the immigration officer. She’s furious. Visibly shaken. Upset. Sends them off to talk to the chief judge. She comes back into the courtroom. You’re not going to believe this. Takes the defendant and the defense attorney back in her chambers. Takes them out a private exit and tells them to leave. While the state prosecutor and victims of domestic violence are sitting in the courtroom.”

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the arrest, stating that Dugan “intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse,” allowing Flores Ruiz to initially evade capture. ICE agents later apprehended him after a foot chase, but Patel noted the judge’s actions “created increased danger to the public.” Dugan now faces felony charges of obstruction and concealing a person from arrest, which could lead to up to six years in prison if convicted.

Dugan, elected as a judge in 2016 and endorsed by Milwaukee’s Democratic mayor, previously served as head of Catholic Charities, where she supported refugee resettlement—a background some argue may have influenced her decision to shield Flores Ruiz. The case echoes a 2018 incident in Massachusetts, where a judge faced charges for helping an illegal immigrant escape ICE, though those charges were later dropped.

Democrats have suggested the arrest of a judge by federal authorities signals an authoritarian turn by the Trump administration, but administration officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance, have turned a line previously used against President Trump back against them, stating that “No one is above the law.”

WATCH:

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
Christopher Tomlinson
Crime
Media

Gabbard Announces Prosecution Referrals for Intel Leakers Undermining Trump.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stated that several intelligence leakers have been referred for criminal prosecution.

👥 Who’s Involved: Tulsi Gabbard, unnamed intelligence officials, Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C., April 25.

💬 Key Quote: “We have referred them now to the Department of Justice and the FBI for an official criminal investigation, because these are crimes and people need to be held accountable to put a stop to this.” — Tulsi Gabbard.

⚠️ Impact: The potential prosecutions could discourage further leakers seeking to undermine President Trump’s agenda.

IN FULL:

Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard has announced that several members of the intelligence community suspected of leaking information to the mainstream media have been referred for prosecution. According to Gabbard, the officials purposely attempted to undermine President Donald J. Trump.

“We conducted our own internal investigation. We have referred them now to the Department of Justice and the FBI for an official criminal investigation, because these are crimes and people need to be held accountable to put a stop to this,” Gabbard said on April 25.

She went on to add that the American people voted for President Trump to put an end to the weaponization of intelligence that has undermined trust in intelligence agencies among the American public. Gabbard said the leaks were selective and were sent to “friends in the propaganda media that twisted, manipulated intelligence directly to undermine the president’s policies and his aggressive work to keep the American people safe.”

The DNI did not reveal any names of suspects being referred to prosecutors, but added that additional intelligence community members were also being investigated. She did, however, name the New York Times, Washington Post, and Huffington Post as outlets that received information from the leakers.

Since becoming DNI, Gabbard has cracked down on misbehaviour among intelligence officials, including sacking over 100 members of the NSA over their involvement in sexually explicit chat rooms in February.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Immigration

Some Foreign Students See Legal Status Restored as ICE Plans New Visa Termination Policies.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Trump administration has decided to reinstate the legal status of foreign students whose student visas were recently terminated. This comes as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to develop a new policy for handling visa termination.

👥 Who’s Involved: The decision involves the Trump administration, ICE, foreign students, the Justice Department (DOJ), and a number of American universities across the country.

📍 Where & When: Affected students across the U.S. began seeing their statuses restored as of Thursday afternoon. The announcement was made during a hearing in the Northern District of California.

💬 Key Quote: DOJ attorney Elizabeth D. Kurlan stated, “ICE still maintains the authority to terminate a SEVIS record for other reasons.”

⚠️ Impact: The reinstatement affects many foreign students, allowing some to regain their status, though their visas remain revoked, causing uncertainty. The termination still appears on records, potentially affecting future visas or green card applications.

IN FULL:

The Trump administration announced on Friday that it would restore the legal status of a number of foreign students whose records were previously terminated. Department of Justice (DOJ) attorney Elizabeth D. Kurlan announced the move during a federal court hearing in the Northern District of California. The DOJ attorney elaborated that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) now plans to introduce a new policy to govern the termination of status records.

This development follows the Trump administration’s previous action of revoking visas and legal statuses of many foreign students, particularly those who participated in pro-Hamas demonstrations or had prior charges such as DUIs. While affected students may see their records reactivated, their visa revocation still appears on their record, and ICE notes it still retains the authority to terminate Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records.

“ICE still maintains the authority to terminate a SEVIS record for other reasons,” Kurlan said, adding that the reasons include situations “…such as if a student fails to maintain his or her nonimmigrant status after the record is reactivated, or engages in other unlawful activity that would render him or her removable from the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act.”

A number of foreign students impacted by the revocations saw their statuses updated on Thursday afternoon, almost 24 hours before the DOJ announcement in federal court. However, not all foreign students were reinstated. The University of California, Berkeley, says about half of its affected students have regained their status. Other academic institutions have seen similar mixed updates.

Additionally, the prior terminations still appear on student records, which could negatively impact future immigration processes such as green card applications or requests for other visa statuses.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Politics

DeSantis Blasts FL House GOP Leaders for Being ‘At War’ With Their Voters.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Tensions have escalated among Florida Republicans, with Governor Ron DeSantis criticizing state House leadership for defying voter expectations and Speaker Daniel Perez countering with claims of mismanagement.

👥 Who’s Involved: Key figures include Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez.

📍 Where & When: The dispute is ongoing in Florida and has recently been highlighted in statements and social media posts, with the crisis escalating in late April.

💬 Key Quote: DeSantis stated, “…the FL House leadership is at war with the voters who provided the supermajority…” Perez countered that DeSantis “has become the swamp.”

⚠️ Impact: This internal conflict may impact Florida’s political dynamics as Republicans hold significant legislative power in the state.

IN FULL:

Tensions between Republicans in the Florida state legislature and Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) continue to rise, with the latter now publicly chastising the Republican House leadership. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gov. DeSantis asserted that Republican legislative leaders in the state are moving in opposition to the wishes of voters that granted them a supermajority in the Florida House and Senate.

Earlier this week, DeSantis wrote, “…the FL House leadership is at war with the voters who provided the supermajority in the first place.” Additionally, the Republican governor blasted legislative leaders for adopting a “swamp-centric agenda.” However, House Speaker Daniel Perez (R) contends it is DeSantis who has “become the swamp.”

The National Pulse reported in early April that Gov. DeSantis had blasted Florida Republican legislators for pushing a radical green agenda through the state’s legislature instead of taking up his plan to eliminate Florida’s sales tax. Lawmakers in the Republican legislative supermajority joined with Democrats to push forward a plan creating a far-left state task force charged with developing a framework to implement a carbon sequestration program in the state.

Florida’s term-limit laws have left DeSantis a lame-duck governor, which has emboldened ‘Republican In Name Only’ (RINO) legislators. However, the House Speaker contends that legislative moderates are not the problem, instead pointing the finger at DeSantis himself.

“Unfortunately, what we’ve seen in Florida is a Governor who’s turned into exactly what he promised to fight—he’s become the swamp,” Perez said, adding: “His latest attacks are nothing more than a distraction from the gross financial mismanagement happening under his watch. We’re talking about thousands of missing state vehicles, $160 million unaccounted for at AHCA, and a growing list of problems across agencies and boards—all controlled by the Governor.”

The Florida Republican quasi-civil war could jeopardize DeSantis’s tax reform efforts and stoke voter anger, placing the Republican legislative supermajority at risk.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
NatSec
Science

Seismologists Suggest Earthquakes May Mask Secret Nuclear Tests.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A study suggests that seismic signals from earthquakes can obscure the detection of clandestine underground nuclear tests.

👥 Who’s Involved: The review was conducted by Joshua Carmichael and his team at Los Alamos National Laboratory, with the findings published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America.

📍 Where & When: The study draws on data from the Nevada National Security Site, highlighting global implications. It has been published in a recent edition of the journal.

💬 Key Quote: “Background seismicity in regions where there’s any sort of seismicity at all is going to measurably and substantially reduce the probability that we can detect signals from an underground explosion at a test site,” said Joshua Carmichael.

⚠️ Impact: The study raises concerns for international monitoring of nuclear tests, potentially affecting compliance verification of treaties such as the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

IN FULL:

New research suggests that seismic signals from natural earthquakes may obscure the detection of underground nuclear tests, raising concerns for international monitoring efforts. Scientist Joshua Carmichael and colleagues from Los Alamos National Laboratory, in a review of data published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, found a significant decrease in the accuracy of detection of nuclear tests occurring during or just after a seismic event and even at substantial distances from one another. 

The study evaluated advanced signal detectors capable of identifying explosions with high accuracy. It found a significant reduction in this success rate when explosion signals overlapped with earthquake waveforms occurring within a 100-second timeframe and within a 250-kilometer (or roughly 150-mile) radius. The Los Alamos National Laboratory review referred to how these overlapping waveforms “obfuscate the ability of even the most sensitive digital signal detectors” to identify explosions, potentially impacting global treaty compliance monitoring.

“Background seismicity in regions where there’s any sort of seismicity at all is going to measurably and substantially reduce the probability that we can detect signals from an underground explosion at a test site,” Carmichael, a Geophysical Explosion Monitoring (GEM) team member at the laboratory, said.

This investigation counters earlier findings from a 2012 report that downplayed the potential for earthquake signals to mask explosions. The national security implications are serious, particularly for monitoring adherence to the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty that prohibits all explosive nuclear testing for all military and civilian purposes.

The review also indicates that regional seismic activity, particularly in areas like North Korea, could complicate detection efforts. North Korea’s nuclear testing activities over the past two decades, noted to be “off the charts,” highlight the urgency of accurate detection mechanisms. An increase in low-magnitude seismicity around test sites further complicates monitoring, with potential detection rates plummeting from 92 percent to 16 percent in cases of repetitive seismic events.

The research proposes that the industry may be undercounting natural seismic occurrences embedded in earthquake swarms and aftershock sequences, complicating the monitoring of both natural and anthropogenic seismic events.

Image by Phil LaCombe.

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

Obama-Backed U.S. Factory Caught Using Illegal Chinese Labor.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A Chinese-owned factory complex in Ohio is under investigation for illegally importing workers from China. Federal authorities have seized $126 million in assets related to this case, which involves allegations of illegal staffing and money laundering.

👥 Who’s Involved: The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio is leading the investigation. Fuyao Glass America, a company featured in a documentary, is among the entities involved. Approximately 40 entities allegedly facilitated the illegal employment.

📍 Where & When: The factories are located in the Dayton area of Ohio. The investigation began in December 2019 after law enforcement learned about the alleged activities. The asset seizures related to the money laundering investigation were announced in April 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “We will continue to investigate allegations of unfair labor practices,” said Jared Murphey, ICE HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge.

⚠️ Impact: The investigation has uncovered a network of entities allegedly employing individuals who entered the U.S. illegally. The focus is on accountability for employers and the workforce, and comes amidst heightened economic tensions between the United States and China over the latter’s unfair trade practices aimed at harming American domestic industries.

IN FULL:

Federal authorities have seized $126 million in assets amid an investigation into a Chinese-owned factory complex in Ohio accused of importing workers from China illegally. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio is scrutinizing allegations that workers were smuggled into the country through Mexico to work at factories in the Dayton area.

The investigation indicates that the affected workers, primarily of Chinese and Hispanic origin, were housed in accommodation owned by their employers and transported to work by them. According to authorities, roughly 40 entities were established to facilitate the employment of these individuals who entered and stayed in the United States unlawfully or worked without necessary permits.

Fuyao Glass America—a prominent Chinese manufacturer named in the case—emerged in the spotlight due to its feature in the 2019 Netflix documentary American Factory, acquired by Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company, Higher Ground Productions. The company, owned by Chinese industrialist Cao Dewang, employs a significant workforce on American soil, including a portion comprising Chinese immigrants.

The probe initially began in December 2019 upon the discovery of a collaboration among multiple business owners from China who moved to Ohio. They formed numerous entities to support the employment network suspected of harboring illegal workers and engaging in money laundering. The asset seizures were announced this month in relation to the money laundering investigation.

Despite being raided, Fuyao Glass America has maintained its stance as a victim, claiming cooperation with the investigation as it unfolds. In response to the allegations, Jared Murphey, acting Special Agent in Charge for ICE HSI Detroit, emphasized ongoing efforts to prevent illegal employment and workforce manipulation. “We will continue to investigate allegations of unfair labor practices,” said Murphey.

Notably, former President Joe Biden’s nomination of Nelson Cunningham as a deputy in the Office of the United States Trade Representative was derailed by a bipartisan group of senators over his lobbying work for Fuyao Glass America. Subsequently, Biden appointed Cunningham to an advisory role with the U.S. State Department.

Image by Peter Souza.

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By Popular Demand.
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6 hours ago
William Upton
Economy
NatSec

President Trump Moves to Expand Offshore Mining, Boosts Access to Critical Minerals.

PULSE POINTS:

❓ What Happened: President Donald J. Trump is directing his administration to work to advance U.S. leadership in extracting seabed mineral resources and related technologies. The Executive Order aims to increase American access to critical rare earth minerals.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and other relevant government officials and agencies.

📍 Where & When: The order was issued from the White House on the evening of April 24, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “The United States faces unprecedented economic and national security challenges in securing reliable supplies of critical minerals independent of foreign adversary control,” the Executive Order states.

⚠️ Impact: The order aims to expedite the U.S.’s development and processing of seabed minerals, with consequences for national security, economic strength, and dependence on foreign mineral supplies.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order on Wednesday that prioritizes strengthening the U.S. position in global seabed mineral exploration and technology. This move is part of a broader agenda being pushed by the Trump administration to ensure American access to critical rare earth minerals while circumventing current supply chains that are overly reliant on resources extracted from China.

“The United States faces unprecedented economic and national security challenges in securing reliable supplies of critical minerals independent of foreign adversary control,” Trump states in the directive, adding: “Vast offshore seabed areas hold critical minerals and energy resources. These resources are key to strengthening our economy, securing our energy future, and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for critical minerals.”

The executive order mandates rapid development of domestic technology for seabed mineral extraction, focusing on essential resources for defense, infrastructure, and energy sectors. This initiative aims to reduce America’s reliance on foreign mineral supplies, particularly in light of growing geopolitical tensions and economic competition.

President Trump is tasking key governmental agencies and leaders, including the Secretaries of Commerce, State, Interior, and Energy, with expediting the processes related to exploration permits and data collection concerning seabed minerals. This collaboration is designed to ensure efficiency while maintaining compliance with environmental and transparency standards.

While the Executive Order’s primary focus is on American domestic rare earth mineral access, the directive includes some provisions emphasizing the need for strategic engagement with international partners. The Trump White House contends that the U.S. can counter China’s expanding influence in this sector by fostering alliances and offering support for seabed exploration. The order also envisions creating a robust domestic supply chain for minerals crucial to industrial development and military readiness.

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By Popular Demand.
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7 hours ago
Breaking

BREAKING: George Santos Gets Seven Years in Prison, Wants Solitary Confinement.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Former New York Congressman George Santos has been sentenced to seven years in prison; he has expressed a preference for solitary confinement during his term.

👥 Who’s Involved: U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert, George Santos, former New York congressman, and Matt Gaetz, former Florida congressman.

📍 Where & When: Santos was sentenced at federal court in New York on April 25; Santos’s comments on solitary confinement were made on The Matt Gaetz Show prior to his sentencing.

💬 Key Quote: “From his creation of a wholly fictitious biography to his callous theft of money from elderly and impaired donors, Santos’s unrestrained greed and voracious appetite for fame enabled him to exploit the very system by which we select our representatives,” said prosecutors in a memorandum.

⚠️ Impact: Santos is requesting solitary confinement to avoid risks associated with incarceration in the general population, due to past comments on Latin American gangs.

IN FULL:

Former U.S. Representative George Santos has been sentenced to seven years in prison by U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert after his conviction for two counts of felony fraud. “From his creation of a wholly fictitious biography to his callous theft of money from elderly and impaired donors, Santos’s unrestrained greed and voracious appetite for fame enabled him to exploit the very system by which we select our representatives,” said prosecutors in a memorandum requesting an 87-month sentence. Santos’s attorneys had requested just two years, citing his lack of prior criminal convictions.

Santos was expelled from Congress in 2023, after the House Ethics Committee said he had been conning donors—some described as “elderly persons suffering from some degree of cognitive impairment or decline” by prosecutors—in order to fund a luxury lifestyle, and misrepresenting his biography.

Ahead of his sentencing, Santos said he would be requesting solitary confinement, citing concerns for his safety. Speaking on The Matt Gaetz Show aired on One America News Network, Santos highlighted his work addressing criminal gangs during his congressional tenure, suggesting this made him a target. He pointed to specific threats from gangs like MS-13 and other groups he publicly criticized while in office.

While a spokesman for the Federal Bureau of Prisons declined to comment on the specifics of Santos’s case, they outlined general considerations influencing inmate housing decisions. These include factors like security level, medical needs, and risk of harm, which are assessed for appropriate actions, such as protective custody.

On the possibility of requesting a pardon from President Trump, Santos has previously said, “You bet your sweet ass I would.”

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By Popular Demand.
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7 hours ago
Economy
World

China, Feeling the Pressure, Considers Tariff Cuts on Select U.S. Goods.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Chinese government is contemplating removing certain essential items from its retaliatory 125 percent tariffs on American products.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Chinese government’s commerce ministry officials and Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China.

📍 Where & When: The development was discussed in Beijing on Friday, April 25.

💬 Key Quote: “There are some companies who have said that if a long-term tariff war continued, their business model would not work in China and we would see them exit,” Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, stated.

⚠️ Impact: Trade tensions between China and the United States could potentially ease, leading to positive market reactions in Asia and Europe.

IN FULL:

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is re-evaluating its tariffs on American goods, with plans to possibly exempt certain critical imports. Concerns over supply chain interruptions caused by the increasing trade barriers between China and the U.S. appear to be the impetus for the CCP’s tariff walkback. Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, revealed the move during a speech at an event in Beijing on Friday, suggesting that the Chinese commerce ministry was communicating with the country’s manufacturers to determine what U.S. imports are indispensable and at risk from the tariff barriers.

“There are some companies who have said that if a long-term tariff war continued, their business model would not work in China and we would see them exit,” Hart said on Friday, adding: “We shared that with the Chinese government because they are of course trying to foster foreign direct investment.”

Earlier this month, Beijing announced it would cease accepting delivery of American-made Boeing airplanes and parts. While the move was ostensibly directed at harming the U.S.-based aerospace giant and American manufacturing, the move—backed by Chinese President Xi Jinping—will likely cause significant disruption to China’s domestic aviation industry and increase safety concerns as airlines are forced to turn to refurbished and aftermarket parts.

Among the critical sectors in China that could see tariff relief or outright exemptions are lifesaving pharmaceuticals and healthcare equipment. The Chinese healthcare system is already experiencing strain under the country’s 1.4 billion people, and a lack of access to critical medical devices and drugs could exacerbate problems.

The strategic reassessment arises in the context of heightened trade tensions, marked by the U.S.’s recent tariff increase on over half of China’s exports to the U.S., now at 145 percent. This ongoing trade spat presents substantial challenges to China’s surplus-style economy that crucially depends on export performance.

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